Raid at Villa Rouge

[Guest lester1]

Earlier I stated that the idea of reporting the names of those who fail a pee test to other bars, hence stopping the boys being instantly re-employed, was unworkable.

Putting aside for one moment the sight of a barowner transporting himself all over Sunee, Boys Town and Jomtien to tell his colleagues, something which would never happen, my eye was caught by something GB said.

He said that all bars, according to Thai Law, keep a copy of the boys ID card. It struck me that here was the answer to the age old problem (unfortunate pun) of knowing for sure if an off was the right side of 18. All the punter has to do is consult the official bar files and check.I also notice that where a Thai is the nominated bar manager for the purpose of official licences on show in all bars, his ID is part of the certificate. Perhaps, and here my mind is leaping delightfully ahead, a bar could have, stuck on the wall near the door, a full list of staff, ID copy, and names. Customers could spend their first few minutes perusing the board before deciding to enter.

And wouldnt it be a good way for raiding police to match up names with faces as part of their procedure.

YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST

Of course, I suspect that this idea would be as unworkable as all the other ones mooted here on this topic.

[Guest]

The bars with most to hide would either not bother or display modified copies of the ID cards.

[Guest lester1]

Well thank you z909 for that stunning insight. I had realised that.

[Gaybutton]

a bar could have, stuck on the wall near the door, a full list of staff, ID copy, and names. Customers could spend their first few minutes perusing the board before deciding to enter.

Actually, I think that's a damned good idea. I wonder why nobody ever thought of that before. It would certainly solve some problems. But I doubt that the bars will ever do it.

[Guest Astrrro]

Customers could spend their first few minutes perusing the board before deciding to enter.

 

I like perusing menus outside restaurants. Invariably after a few seconds someone is trying to get me to enter.

 

If I want to enter I don't need any encouragement but the "invitation" generally just gets me to leave.

 

I know That I should just smile and go with the flow, but instinctively I'm thinking, "Leave me the fuck alone".

 

Wonder if I'd be able to peruse the IDs without interuption?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

 

Wonder if I'd be able to peruse the IDs without interuption?

You'll never know because it is never going to happen.

[Guest Mark7711]

After following this post it reminded me of my past problem in the bar so last night checked every member of staff myself

And I am happy to say that of the 53 tested only 4 failed I am quite pleased with the result as I had doubts about some boys.

I intend to keep this policy in place with a monthly check on all staff and new staff checked on applying to work the bar.

The pharmacy reduced the price of the test kits to 2000bht for a box of 40 kits although my personal views on what the boys do in their own time should be their business and not mine. It's been proved that I as a bar owner have this crazy responsibility to check my staff and I also in a way feel I have a responsibility to the customer. I feel a boy not on drugs is a lot less likely to be a problem when out with a customer.

 

Mark

[Gaybutton]

Mark, what do you think of Lester1's idea about posting copies of the boys' ID cards either outside or in some sort of booklet available to customers? I think it's an excellent idea, but I'm curious what you think of it, from the point of view of a bar owner.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

Mark,

If I were a bar person I would certainly frequent your bar. I applaud your efforts.

[Guest Mark7711]

I think it

[Guest bthompson]

Why not just jail the owners?

If you go after the owners you'll get a big wigs at city hall and a PM or 2. It's easier to go after the manager and boys. Less hassle.

[Gaybutton]

It's easier to go after the manager and boys. Less hassle.

I agree. After living here for several years it is my opinion that the powers-that-be don't really give a damn about any of the goings on. I believe it is all about money and pressure from foreign embassies and NGOs, with the top priority being money. I really believe the righteous attitude those in power try to convey is in reality nothing more than window dressing, while behind the scenes they personally couldn't care less about opening and closing hours, drug use, or under-age boys, especially if there is something in it for their own wallets.

[Guest joseph44]

If it's not for the age of the boys.......

than it is for:

- the drugs on the boys or

- the license on playing Thai music or

- the licenses of the business or

- the licenses for selling booze or

- the emergency exits or

- the fire-safety or

- the paid tax on sign-posts or

- the blinded front windows or

- the extended teraces without a permit or

- the proper paperwork of the foreign visitors or

- smoking in the bars or

- closing times or

- whatever!

There is always some kind of daft reason to bother bar-owners with a load of crap.

[Guest Hedda]

There is always some kind of daft reason to bother bar-owners with a load of crap.

 

I noticed that you included "fire safety" in your list of daft or crap things you say "bother bar owners." I don't think the families of the 60 people who burned to death nine months ago in Bangkok's Santika Pub would agree with your assessment.It was the lack of fire-proof construction and adequate fire exits that killed those people.

 

Anyone who's spent any time bar hopping in Thailand knows that fire codes seem to be more ignored than enforced in most places. We would all be safer if more bar owners had to worry about the risk of being closed by the authorities for fire code violations.

[Guest fountainhall]

It was the lack of fire-proof construction and adequate fire exits that killed those people

 

I could not agree more with Hedda. I used to enjoy Soi 2 on Silom, but have not been for years since realising that whole little soi is one major fire/death trap. If a fire were to break out anywhere, patrons of all the bars and other premises would empty out into that one tiny alley. The number who would be trampled to death doesn't bear thinking about.

[Guest]

Fire regulations might be critical in large discos, or multi-storey buildings.

 

In single storey gogo bars where all the staff & customers could fit through the door in about 30 seconds, I don't lose much sleep worrying about it.

[Guest joseph44]

I noticed that you included "fire safety" in your list of daft or crap things you say "bother bar owners." I don't think the families of the 60 people who burned to death nine months ago in Bangkok's Santika Pub would agree with your assessment.It was the lack of fire-proof construction and adequate fire exits that killed those people.

 

Anyone who's spent any time bar hopping in Thailand knows that fire codes seem to be more ignored than enforced in most places. We would all be safer if more bar owners had to worry about the risk of being closed by the authorities for fire code violations.

 

Wow Hedda, don't misunderstand me: fire safety is very important, but the rules on fire-safety are only being enoforced if there is nothing else left to enforce. It's all up to the BIB.

Take for example KD: If Mark is able to run a bar with legally aged workers, visitors and they're all clean (and I guess Mark will be able to), the BIB will search for something else like licenses or whatever. There is always something.

[Guest Mark7711]

Wow Hedda, don't misunderstand me: fire safety is very important, but the rules on fire-safety are only being enoforced if there is nothing else left to enforce. It's all up to the BIB.

Take for example KD: If Mark is able to run a bar with legally aged workers, visitors and they're all clean (and I guess Mark will be able to), the BIB will search for something else like licenses or whatever. There is always something.

I could not agree more with you.

Last month the licensing office came to inspect my place for fire regulations, I have one floor with one exit and 4 fire extinguishers .

NO that’s not adequate any more

You need a fire exit sign above the exit door der it’s the only door out of the building never mind.

Second I need an alarm that the casher can ring if there is a fire. Now I am sorry and don’t take this wrong but we all know when you are in some/many go-go bars when the alarm bell rings it means the police are coming and the boys like rabbits disappear off the stages like magic I then had this vision of certain bars really having a fire the casher ringing the alarm the boys scattering to every available hiding hole and wondering what they would ever do if there was a real fire.

I complied as usual putting a rather large fire exit sign above the door only to be told the next day it was only in English change it to read Thai I have complied.

Out of curiosity I was in Friendship supermarket the next day. Try finding fire exits displayed in there if you can.

[Guest HeyGay]

I could not agree more with you.

Last month the licensing office came to inspect my place for fire regulations, I have one floor with one exit and 4 fire extinguishers .

NO that's not adequate any more

You need a fire exit sign above the exit door der it's the only door out of the building never mind.

Second I need an alarm that the casher can ring if there is a fire. Now I am sorry and don't take this wrong but we all know when you are in some/many go-go bars when the alarm bell rings it means the police are coming and the boys like rabbits disappear off the stages like magic I then had this vision of certain bars really having a fire the casher ringing the alarm the boys scattering to every available hiding hole and wondering what they would ever do if there was a real fire.

I complied as usual putting a rather large fire exit sign above the door only to be told the next day it was only in English change it to read Thai I have complied.

Out of curiosity I was in Friendship supermarket the next day. Try finding fire exits displayed in there if you can.

 

 

 

 

Dont worry, It happens all round the world, not just Thailand at my Guest House in London the environment department, came for an uninvited Inspection, as they found all well, and as they were leaving the building, saying yes all seems ok, but I will have to send you a letter about your fire alarms, its the older type and ill have to make some enquiries about it, a few days later I had a letter to say this is a Notice to change to a new type of fire license, costing 25000 pounds with in 10 working days, so much for everything is ok.

 

My Hotel in the North of England was just as bad, we had every department of the Local Council visiting what seemed like weekly trying to catch us out, then they created a new law saying Gas fittings over 5 years old, had to be Inspected, they came then and Inspected,.... All new Gas equipments and pipes to be put in 18000 pounds to start with. Plus Plus Plus. 30 bedroom hotels need gas for heating, cooking, the next day, they came and put a lock on the gas line in, so we could not run our hotel, till work was complete, it was high season the hotel was full, all insanity, even though it was working perfectly.

 

What a night mare that hotel was, If you ask The Venue Management i'm sure they can tell you even more horrifying stories, they have been through every problem you can imagine also, to keep there Hotel open as well. who were along the beach from us. MARK should be use to government burockracy, he also had a Business in the same town as me, in the Uk, so I'm sure he had his fair share there, even though he was dealing with food, more then a Hotel Business.

 

 

All these payments are same as all the license you have to pay in the west, I remember when you never had licenses, in the 60s and 70s in the UK, in those days you could pay some official and it would go away, now its all done by computer, so when thailand get with it, the same will happen here, its just they dont want to progresshere, to many people making to much money out of these Inspections for that to happen.

[Guest]

UK councils are a total waste of money & their interfering is a drain on the rest of the economy.

 

[Gaybutton]

The equivalent Thai organisations could not possibly be as bad.

Wanna bet?

[Guest]

What could be worse than excessive meddling in peoples business & charging

[Guest Astrrro]

Villa Rouge is closed, word is for one month.

 

Playboys (Look Boys Club) reopened tonight with the Villa Rouge/Sundance staff.

[Guest]

Best to proceed with caution there then.