Bangkok Back To Normal?

[Guest Paragon]

I received an email from a hotel I like in Bangkok, saying that "Bangkok is back"!

"The nationwide curfew has hardly stopped travellers from enjoying their time in Thailand," the Tourism Authority of Thailand newsroom reported on May 30, and we’ve just launched special stay-and-dine packages at lebua at State Tower and Tower Club at lebua exclusively for those who want every moment of that time to be exceptional.

They even told us how to handle the curfew! Stay in your room!

"The TAT added that "most tourists are already relaxing in the comfort of their accommodation when the midnight to 4am curfew is imposed". Guests will certainly relax in in the comfort of their accommodation at lebua, whether you choose the luxuriant lebua at State Tower on the on 21st – 29th floors or the even more dazzling Tower Club at lebua on the 51st – 59th with its exclusive access to the intimate and sophisticated Tower Club Lounge and its complimentary continental breakfast, light luncheons, afternoon high tea, canapés and alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages."

Well, I would rather be at the bars, but a post at Daddy's says Silom is dead at night!

From gayasianews:

Silom, the bustling Thai capital’s business district which is where most local and international gay men and women hang around at night-time clubs and bars now has a deserted look.

This is due to the daily midnight to four in the morning curfew which forces clubs to close early.

Silom is famed for its nightlife which can stretch well after the official closing time of 2 am or 3 am for clubs during normal times before the May 22 military coup which was followed by a curfew that at first lasted for most of the late evening and night but now only applies for four hours.

Strolling around Silom night markets around 10 pm remains strangely quiet, with only a few tourists, reports eturbonews.com.

“Business is definitely quiet although the conditions have improved since the curfew was pushed back to midnight,” an owner of a gay massage shop said.

Gay entertainment life continues open but the two main streets welcoming gay crowds Silom Soi 2 and Soi 4 which are packed on weekends looked on Saturday as busy as during a week day. At least 30 percent of the tables put outside on public pavements to normally accommodate the crowds remain empty.

At DJ Station, Bangkok’s iconic gay disco, the club owner explained that it had to cancel it’s crowd pulling daily transvestite show. Prior to the curfew, the show used to start at around 11:30 pm.

“People still come after 10:30 pm to our club, but we are officially due to close at midnight. Foreigners will not face problems. Generally the soldiers enforcing the curfew rule will not look at Westerners. However, Thais are more at risk if they stay after midnight,” said the owner.

The recent much hyped and popular club event of “Trasher Bangkok” was to organize a Beyonce-style party, attracting a crowd of upper-class and expat gay and straight people. But crowds for that now remain in question.

This is even though Trasher Bangkok found a loophole of closing at 4 am, the official time when the curfew ends, which means that people will simply have to stay inside from midnight until 4 am.

“We are trying to be cool with the situation in Thailand and live as normal as possible under curfew,” said one of the organizers.

Thailand’s tourist destinations of Phuket, Koh Samui and Pattaya have had curfew lifted completely June 4 by the military that sized power dismissing a democratically elected government on basis of putting an end to political divisions and unrest gripping Thailand and the Thai capital for the many months.

The Thai military lifted the curfew in the tourist spots allowing night entertainment venues to stay open beyond midnight because the country relies heavily on tourism for income.

However, in the rest of the country, the curfew remains in place from midnight to 4 am.
- See more at: http://www.fridae.asia/gay-news/2014....Ol4ftLhT.dpuf

[axiom2001]

...dynamic, wonderful read! If I had the time and urgent desire, I'd book to travel immediately. ...could always entertain in my hotel room during the curfew.

Thanks for this thread, Paragon!

[paulsf]

I have two friends that work on Soi Twilight, that have left Bangkok and gone home to their family's. They can't even make enough money to eat. They said they will come back when the tourist return. And they are not alone. Sounds like lots of boys are looking for work elsewhere.

[Guest Paragon]

If the guys are leaving, that won't encourage tourists to come. I realize that they have to eat, but this coup is digging in, so it may only get worse.

[Guest Paragon]

...dynamic, wonderful read! If I had the time and urgent desire, I'd book to travel immediately. ...could always entertain in my hotel room during the curfew.

Thanks for this thread, Paragon!

Thank you, Axiom.