Phuket Reports

[ThaiGoodTimes]

Hello, I was wondering if some of our more experienced campaigners have any insight as to the scene in Old Phuket Town? Bars? Gogos? Gent Clubs? Freelancers? Prices? Thanks in advance.

Bars are open to an extent, the bigger ones with hostess girls not so much, I'd say about 50:50 with them.

But these are and always have been very much Thai places, so you'd better be fluent in Thai language and culture to go there.

As to picking up there, well that is a very dangerous proposition in my opinion.

Gogo's?

Never really been any there.

They were mostly Gentlemen clubs, and whilst again Thai focused, they did cater for Asian punters (Japanese and Korean), so tolerated (polite) Western visitors.

Sadly, from my driving around, these still look to be closed, at least the higher profile larger ones.

But I'm sure there are backdoor ones quietly open.

The massage strip around Katherines soapy, but not Katherines itself, is alive and sees to be growing over the last month.

Freelancers, they're everywhere.

As to prices, pretty much the same as always.

If that is something you have to ask, then I'd probably suggest waiting and not visiting.

[JohnnieBravo]

Hello, I was wondering if some of our more experienced campaigners have any insight as to the scene in Old Phuket Town? Bars? Gogos? Gent Clubs? Freelancers? Prices? Thanks in advance.

[Ragaraja]

Been to Thailand several times, lived in east asia several times. The goal of a thai women is to take care of her family. If that means they have to get married and relocate to secure the money, so be it. Ideally they would get married and stay in Thailand with a husband who is an ex-pat, but I've seen them move to Europe as well.

My ex-wife is Romanian, and I can say for a personal standpoint that marrying a foreign woman is not a good idea. As soon as they get their green card, they have zero incentive to stay with you and can now focus on sponsoring their family to the new country, finding another foreign man to spoil them, or creating her own new job / career in the new country.

Yes, foreign women are extremely beautiful and as long as you have a decent job and a western passport, will have no problem finding a woman. But as a person who has done it, is not worth it.

Going thru 2nd divorce, and dating women from a few worldly places. While western women are worse, all women are "opportunistic" no matter the culture. Its nature. Funny thing is, men are the romantics. Best experience from friends I know, Filipinas seem to do best in taking care of their mates, but still want $ to send home usually. But everything has a cost. Can't see why anyone who has something would risk marriage. I may be jaded, but its true.

Think short term rentals with no contract is best way to go LOL I agree, western passport, be a decent person, and women will line up. I know a 50's guy who speaks no Spanish with a hot Colombian girl who doesn't P2P but have to factor in he is rich by her standards and has options for her. Lesson, don't let heart or dick make decisions and fool you.

[ThaiGoodTimes]

I am fairly certain you talk about Patong. The sois off Bangla and extended to other roads would be littered with bars and restaurants. It was quite nice since you had more relaxed atmosphere around the walking street. It is long gone now it has almost turned in to the dreaded largest place and speaker competition. Which works maybe for the short time visitor. Hopefully they realise and adapt back or create more of a mix else they will lose out on a lot of travellers and not just p2 p.

Don't think western demand and supply applies to pricing in Thailand. Even before covid prices went up because less business. Sure there might be desperate times for some but I implore you to pay fairly especially with current situation. If you meet someone that is wanting to hook up or you hit it off in a sense it is not impossible to pay 1000 but I would not count on it.

It was the old OTOP.

The new one isn't as good.

But there are still pockets of small thatched bars surviving around side sois in Patong.

Supply and demand, nah.

Thais don't think like that.

They haven't dropped their prices at all in any marked sense.

[MakeItOrBreak]

My first time in Thailand nearly 20 years ago we taxied from the Hotel (in Karon Beach I think) and went to a place with tons of very small girl bars. Like just a bar and 2-4 girls. All pretty much next to each other almost like booths. And several streets of this. And only one place we found with AC and a pool table at kind of a dead end.

Anyhow returning years later I went to Patong and Bangla and this clearly was not it. Too much glitz and big clubs. And I went to Karon but this was not familiar either. It was too linear not enough little booth bars and just didn't feel the same. So I have been very confused all this time where I went on that first trip. Perhaps it was Rawaii? Does the above description sound at all right?

I am fairly certain you talk about Patong. The sois off Bangla and extended to other roads would be littered with bars and restaurants. It was quite nice since you had more relaxed atmosphere around the walking street. It is long gone now it has almost turned in to the dreaded largest place and speaker competition. Which works maybe for the short time visitor. Hopefully they realise and adapt back or create more of a mix else they will lose out on a lot of travellers and not just p2 p.

Sounds good, thanks mate, I've noted the places mentioned on this forum and will pay them a visit. ATM for patong I have bangala, the otop, is there anymore in patong? I have quite a few in rawai.

Due to the covid stuff and business being hard would you say the girls are more desperate to get a sale and thus will drive the prices slightly lower than pre covid?

Don't think western demand and supply applies to pricing in Thailand. Even before covid prices went up because less business. Sure there might be desperate times for some but I implore you to pay fairly especially with current situation. If you meet someone that is wanting to hook up or you hit it off in a sense it is not impossible to pay 1000 but I would not count on it.

[SaltyDays]

Yes, when you do more posts.

I could give you another method, LINE, whatsapp etc, but I think that would get me into trouble the same as an email address.

Sounds good, thanks mate, I've noted the places mentioned on this forum and will pay them a visit. ATM for patong I have bangala, the otop, is there anymore in patong? I have quite a few in rawai.

Due to the covid stuff and business being hard would you say the girls are more desperate to get a sale and thus will drive the prices slightly lower than pre covid?

[ThaiGoodTimes]

Pre-covid there were a small number of areas set up like this in Patong, not too far from Bangla.

My favourite hangout was the "Otop" area with rows of thatched "huts", which you can see here in 360 degrees on Google Streetview.

More recently a bunch of bars were set up in the area behind Soi Sansabai.

One of my regular Otop bar-girls had just started a bar of her own in this area before the world shut down.

All has changed.

The bars off Soi sansabai are now gone, and that area demolished for redevelopment.

Plus OTOP bars have been pushed further back and into a new area. All the old street ones are gone.

[Steve 9696]

Pre-covid there were a small number of areas set up like this in Patong, not too far from Bangla.

My favourite hangout was the "Otop" area with rows of thatched "huts", which you can see here in 360 degrees on Google Streetview.

More recently a bunch of bars were set up in the area behind Soi Sansabai.

One of my regular Otop bar-girls had just started a bar of her own in this area before the world shut down.

OMG. Yes I looked on Google street view and it was for sure Otop. Such a cool memory and I am NOT crazy — it was so odd to have this visual in my brain and yet when I went back to Patong it was nothing like it (because I was at Bangla last trip). How come no one ever talks about Otop here? I had sooooo much fun. Of course it was my first P4 P ever! But still. Just had a great freewheeling non commercial vibe. Any other members been to Otop?

[Mr Scand]

My first time in Thailand nearly 20 years ago we taxied from the Hotel (in Karon Beach I think) and went to a place with tons of very small girl bars. Like just a bar and 2-4 girls. All pretty much next to each other almost like booths. And several streets of this. And only one place we found with AC and a pool table at kind of a dead end.

Anyhow returning years later I went to Patong and Bangla and this clearly was not it. Too much glitz and big clubs. And I went to Karon but this was not familiar either. It was too linear not enough little booth bars and just didn't feel the same. So I have been very confused all this time where I went on that first trip. Perhaps it was Rawaii? Does the above description sound at all right?

I have not a clue what Rawai was like pre Covid, but may have been Laguna Plaza? Or Chalong?

[SedNabokos]

a place with tons of very small girl bars. Like just a bar and 2-4 girls. All pretty much next to each other almost like booths. And several streets of this.

Pre-covid there were a small number of areas set up like this in Patong, not too far from Bangla.

My favourite hangout was the "Otop" area with rows of thatched "huts", which you can see here in 360 degrees on Google Streetview.

More recently a bunch of bars were set up in the area behind Soi Sansabai.

One of my regular Otop bar-girls had just started a bar of her own in this area before the world shut down.

[Steve 9696]

Good review, 100% correct IMHO.

Soi Saiyuan has the daytime massage places, afternoon bars, and at night Bank Bar and Banana Plaza can be entertaining.

More older bar girls there (late 20's into 30's), but not hardened like Patong and Bangla, and quite often a gem, as well as FOTBs to be found quite regularly.

My first time in Thailand nearly 20 years ago we taxied from the Hotel (in Karon Beach I think) and went to a place with tons of very small girl bars. Like just a bar and 2-4 girls. All pretty much next to each other almost like booths. And several streets of this. And only one place we found with AC and a pool table at kind of a dead end.

Anyhow returning years later I went to Patong and Bangla and this clearly was not it. Too much glitz and big clubs. And I went to Karon but this was not familiar either. It was too linear not enough little booth bars and just didn't feel the same. So I have been very confused all this time where I went on that first trip. Perhaps it was Rawaii? Does the above description sound at all right?

[ThaiGoodTimes]

So. Been here now for 10 days and can report following:

As said by others, access to some transport is necessary if your plan is to move around the whole town. If drinking "a lot" is not needed, you hire a motorbike for a around 250-350 bath / day + a refundable deposit 1000-2000 bath. Fuel is cheap.

The place with most variation and most quality is the Laguna bar complex. This place have five or six bars under same roof. ThaiGoodTimes have written a lot about the place and I agree to the most. When I arrived It was a bit slow but during my 10 days it picked up more and more for every day. I can't say a specific bar in Laguna that is better than another. Quality is in my opinion spread out quite even. Lots of spinners, and oldies if you prefer that. Both "bar girls" and freelancers. There are also a handful smaller bars on "eastern" Wisset road, (actually a lot more bars, if you count all the way to Chalong), though with lower quality. But there is a gem here and there in this bars as well.

If you stay around Wisset road or on "beach road" (which also is Wisset road) and are happy with these bars, you have everything you need like restaurants, 7/11, ATM within walking distance and the transport should not be a problem.

The next area with quite many bars are along the "western" Wisset road as Honey Pot, Stumble In, Friends Bar etc. These are a little more spread out and depending where you stay transport is needed. Didn't explore this side much but you can definitely find quality..

Good review, 100% correct IMHO.

Soi Saiyuan has the daytime massage places, afternoon bars, and at night Bank Bar and Banana Plaza can be entertaining.

More older bar girls there (late 20's into 30's), but not hardened like Patong and Bangla, and quite often a gem, as well as FOTBs to be found quite regularly.

[ThaiGoodTimes]

I guess that's what makes it fun! Haha.

I've been Thailand before a few times so this new are will be interesting.

Would like to send you a DM though its annoying I have to pay for that and its kinda hard figuring out the payment method, is there a free option haha.

Yes, when you do more posts.

I could give you another method, LINE, whatsapp etc, but I think that would get me into trouble the same as an email address.

[HorseTrader]

Girl prices are always higher in Phuket. Don't be surprised if you get quoted top Pattaya gogo girl prices for regular freelancers. I never understood why this is, but it is.

My pre-COVID experience agrees that prices in Phuket were higher than Pattaya or Bangkok. The freelancers along Bangla road and scattered around Patong are rather ordinery. But, there were more top notch girls in the bars along Soi Sea Dragon than I have ever seen in Bangkok or Pattaya bars.

[SaltyDays]

Said politely with a chuckle.

You two will likely be a case of the blind leading the blind. LOL!

But, if you open your wallets enough, and they're full enough of 1000 baht notes, you'll have no problem having fun.

I'd say send me a PM to chat and I'll give you some tips, hopefully you have paid to get PM capability.

If not, do so quickly.

I guess that's what makes it fun! Haha.

I've been Thailand before a few times so this new are will be interesting.

Would like to send you a DM though its annoying I have to pay for that and its kinda hard figuring out the payment method, is there a free option haha.