Bangkok Reports

[Euhno]

Go to both. If you've never been to either it will be new and interesting. The guys complaining are comparing what they are like today to what they were like in the good ol' days, and you can never beat them good ol' day.

I also recommend you visit a couple of the oilies. Bamboo, Cherry, Mango, Snow White and Tulip are worth checking out. I also recommend checking out Annie's for a soapy, and Dr BJ's Nuru and Dr BJ's Salon. Bamboo, Annie's and the Dr BJ's establishments are relatively close to the Nana BFS station. Cherry, Mango and Snow White are close to the Phrom Phong BTS station. Tulip is at the Thong Lo BTS station. You can find information about all of these on this forum.

Thanks Paul! I'll be sure to check them out.

[Simian]

Especially in regards to Bangkok. It used to be good value and great times at least over the past 4 years. Now not so much. I generally enjoy a week to 10 days in Bangkok before going to Pattaya. However, on my last visit there a month ago, I was disappointed in the girls AND their ridiculous prices. I actually had 2 FL women (one 32 and the other 36 years old) ask for 3000 baht at the Hillary bar (the one with the live band). I laughed it off and offered 1500. They wouldn't play along. The funny thing is that they were both older and a little heavier and still asking for a gogo girls' price.

I used to wonder about these big older unattractive (to most) ladies asking very high prices. I have heard various explanations. They are really semi-pros who will offer a lower price if they fancy the guy; they are real pros who have already turned one or two tricks that day and could not be bothered but if you are offering silly money they will be bothered. Or they are the ex-wives of falang who have some money and will only put out for big money from a newly.

[Pipe Layer99]

.... snip... Thailand certainly has its attractions, but the ladies are not the big draw, and certainly not the value, they once were.

Especially in regards to Bangkok. It used to be good value and great times at least over the past 4 years. Now not so much. I generally enjoy a week to 10 days in Bangkok before going to Pattaya. However, on my last visit there a month ago, I was disappointed in the girls AND their ridiculous prices. I actually had 2 FL women (one 32 and the other 36 years old) ask for 3000 baht at the Hillary bar (the one with the live band). I laughed it off and offered 1500. They wouldn't play along. The funny thing is that they were both older and a little heavier and still asking for a gogo girls' price.
On this 8 day stop over I only had 2 girls that were decent, 2 girls were ok, and 1 was a real dud that I picked up from Climax. Too bad because she had beautiful face and big tits too. Back in the room she sucked and not in a good way. She was trying to be a bone killer. She had to get up during sex to use the bathroom 3x within 30 minutes. I chastised her on the third trip to the bathroom and explained to her that I want to enjoy my time and the session. When she came back I had to jerk off and play with the melons to get hard again. Then I banged her hard and fast to get my nut. She got sent away with 1000 baht after one pop.
Fortunately, I had the pleasure of spending two days with a beautiful regular girlfriend (not a working girl). Otherwise the stay in Bangkok would have been considered a bust. Next trip to Thailand, if I do spend a couple of days in Bangkok, my time will most likely be spent in a couple of soapies and/or oilies.

[Red Kilt]

Very good points, indeed. Virtually anywhere is better than the USA. I have no idea where the OP is from, but flying half-way around the world, simply for $100 short times, well, your money can be spent better elsewhere, IMHO. If you're going that far, certainly other SEA countries offer better value. Central and South America, as well as Mexico and some Caribbean locations, are viable options for those in the western hemisphere. Thailand certainly has its attractions, but the ladies are not the big draw, and certainly not the value, they once were.

No matter where you are in the world, a bad day's mongering is always better than a good day in the office.

[Phordphan]

The relevant comparison may not be between Thailand and one's home country. It may be between Thailand and other countries one might visit. For example, for mongering there is at least a good argument Jakarta is better than Thailand these days. Or maybe the Philippines (although I haven't visited it so don't really know).

It is sort of like what happened with Brazil a few years back when the real was very strong, and, prices became very high. I began running into quite a few men I had initially met in Brazil traveling in Asia rather than Brazil.

That said, Thailand still has its attractions, but its attractiveness as a mongering location has diminished a bit lately. And that is particularly true for Nana and Soi Cowboy (I agree with Paul's suggestions about alternate places to go; I would add that although the service is generally not good there, it might round out the experience to visit a place like Nataree (for eye candy) or some other (non-Annie) soapie).

Very good points, indeed. Virtually anywhere is better than the USA. I have no idea where the OP is from, but flying half-way around the world, simply for $100 short times, well, your money can be spent better elsewhere, IMHO. If you're going that far, certainly other SEA countries offer better value. Central and South America, as well as Mexico and some Caribbean locations, are viable options for those in the western hemisphere. Thailand certainly has its attractions, but the ladies are not the big draw, and certainly not the value, they once were.

[LA Guy 5]

I would still keep those on my list. I was there in Jan / Feb 2015 (a few months ago). Not bad compared to where I come from, you can't get tail that cheap and with abundance.

These guys on here are belly aching because prices have risen and quality has suffered since the days they've fist landed on the scene. Understandable. But if each of them were to look back at their own countries and compare prices, Thailand still a bargain. When the day comes it is not a bargain, Thailand will become a ghost town, but in the meantime, its still good. Go to Nana, go to Soi Cowboy, have fun, go ahead and be the 2 week millionaire.

The relevant comparison may not be between Thailand and one's home country. It may be between Thailand and other countries one might visit. For example, for mongering there is at least a good argument Jakarta is better than Thailand these days. Or maybe the Philippines (although I haven't visited it so don't really know).

It is sort of like what happened with Brazil a few years back when the real was very strong, and, prices became very high. I began running into quite a few men I had initially met in Brazil traveling in Asia rather than Brazil.

That said, Thailand still has its attractions, but its attractiveness as a mongering location has diminished a bit lately. And that is particularly true for Nana and Soi Cowboy (I agree with Paul's suggestions about alternate places to go; I would add that although the service is generally not good there, it might round out the experience to visit a place like Nataree (for eye candy) or some other (non-Annie) soapie).

[Paul Kausch]

Guys,

I'm seeing a lot of negative talk about Nana, Soi cowboy. I'm planning to go with some friends in a few weeks. Can some veterans recommend some good mongering spots?

I initially had Nana & Soi Cowboy planned, but now I'm not so sure.

Any feedback / suggestions / advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Go to both. If you've never been to either it will be new and interesting. The guys complaining are comparing what they are like today to what they were like in the good ol' days, and you can never beat them good ol' day.

I also recommend you visit a couple of the oilies. Bamboo, Cherry, Mango, Snow White and Tulip are worth checking out. I also recommend checking out Annie's for a soapy, and Dr BJ's Nuru and Dr BJ's Salon. Bamboo, Annie's and the Dr BJ's establishments are relatively close to the Nana BFS station. Cherry, Mango and Snow White are close to the Phrom Phong BTS station. Tulip is at the Thong Lo BTS station. You can find information about all of these on this forum.

[Paul Kausch]

Guys,

Before anybody seriously considers to get involved into this business

Giotto

Your experience certainly makes your opinion very credible.

I don't think anyone who posted on the topic thinks buying a bar in or near Nana Plaza is prudent.

[TwoTimeTed]

Guys,

I'm seeing a lot of negative talk about Nana, Soi cowboy. I'm planning to go with some friends in a few weeks. Can some veterans recommend some good mongering spots?

I initially had Nana & Soi Cowboy planned, but now I'm not so sure.

Any feedback / suggestions / advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I would still keep those on my list. I was there in Jan / Feb 2015 (a few months ago). Not bad compared to where I come from, you can't get tail that cheap and with abundance.

These guys on here are belly aching because prices have risen and quality has suffered since the days they've fist landed on the scene. Understandable. But if each of them were to look back at their own countries and compare prices, Thailand still a bargain. When the day comes it is not a bargain, Thailand will become a ghost town, but in the meantime, its still good. Go to Nana, go to Soi Cowboy, have fun, go ahead and be the 2 week millionaire.

[Euhno]

Guys,

I'm seeing a lot of negative talk about Nana, Soi cowboy. I'm planning to go with some friends in a few weeks. Can some veterans recommend some good mongering spots?

I initially had Nana & Soi Cowboy planned, but now I'm not so sure.

Any feedback / suggestions / advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[Giotto]

That means the owner already got word on the increase in rent and the key money increase. He wants out now.

That's most likely not correct!

The Nana master lease changed ownership on 01.07. 2012 - and the sub-leases were massively increased that time. They nearly doubled in some cases. Some bar owners were forced out of business, others gave up because they did not see any chance of profitability any more.

The situation in Nana is also not easy after certain well-known events. It will not be easy to increase the lease further.


Giotto

[Giotto]

This showed up today, from Sunbelt Asia:

This popular Nana area bar is in a prime location and has been in business for 12 years with the current owner in place for much of that time. The busy bar is open daily from 11 am to 2 am and has five full time and thirty part time employees with a monthly payroll of 163,000 baht.

The bar has big screen TVs and music to keep bar patrons entertained. The rent on the bar is 404,000 baht while key money is 3 million baht every 3 years. The lease expires in June of 2015 but is renewable every 3 years. The business takes in over 21 million baht annual with a net profit of 5.8 million baht.

The business has great growth potential based on its key location and a motivated owner could see profits rise.

The owner is selling as he is retiring and returning to his home country.

ASKING PRICE: 17.5 million baht

Do these numbers make any sense to anybody? Selling for less than 1 year's sales? Fully 50% of a year's profit will vanish in June with the next key money payment (assuming that the key money will be due with the new lease)? Is the writing on the wall?

Guys,

Before anybody seriously considers to get involved into this business I recommend to read the piece below and do some further research into this direction:

http://www.andrew-drummond.com/2015/...ns-part-1.html

There are 3 major players out of this environment around the Nana lease; one has not been seen for a while now, another one (owning a number of bars there) died a few weeks ago in the North of Thailand and a third one was forced out of business some years ago.

Many Nana bars will be on the market soon. In the past year there were developments that changed the power structure in this district, and the situation has not stabilized yet. For those who still want to get involved my prayers:

Forgive them for they know not what they do.


Giotto

[Goatscrot]

In my view, this complex is doomed. I see a large condo building and complimentary retail stores going in here within the next few years and further gentrification of the entire street over time. With all the upscale malls nearby, it seems unlikely another full scale mall would be built. Nigh, the end is near.

Good riddance! Soi 4 has become such an eyesore. Would be great to get rid of all the day drunks.

[TwoTimeTed]

This showed up today, from Sunbelt Asia:

This popular Nana area bar is in a prime location and has been in business for 12 years with the current owner in place for much of that time. The busy bar is open daily from 11 am to 2 am and has five full time and thirty part time employees with a monthly payroll of 163,000 baht.

The bar has big screen TVs and music to keep bar patrons entertained. The rent on the bar is 404,000 baht while key money is 3 million baht every 3 years. The lease expires in June of 2015 but is renewable every 3 years. The business takes in over 21 million baht annual with a net profit of 5.8 million baht.

The business has great growth potential based on its key location and a motivated owner could see profits rise.

The owner is selling as he is retiring and returning to his home country.

ASKING PRICE: 17.5 million baht

Do these numbers make any sense to anybody? Selling for less than 1 year's sales? Fully 50% of a year's profit will vanish in June with the next key money payment (assuming that the key money will be due with the new lease)? Is the writing on the wall?

That means the owner already got word on the increase in rent and the key money increase. He wants out now.

[Tomasb]

I returned from Cambodia last night and visited NEP. I was accompanied by a friend who last visited Nana about twelve years ago and was leaving Bangkok for Canada in early morning. It's not my favorite place to go but agreed to cruise through as my friend wanted to see the changes from his prior visit and the current action. For one thing, I guess Nana was also a ping pong venue twelve years ago so he wanted to see a show though explained this has not been part of the complex for quite a few years.

We were both appalled by the number of lady boy bars. How many are there -- five or so now? Not to mention the LB's that are slipped into the lineup of regular girlie bars without informing novice customers, some of whom may not know the finer points of telling the difference between actual girls. I also pointed out the recently closed Underground, which even though a LadyBar, brought a certain energy to that corner of the complex. It sure seemed dead in that area now. The other noticeable aspect was a lot of the girls from the go go bars seem really young and immature. Watching them hanging around outside their respective bars was like watching junior high kids in a playground during recess. After I explained about the current bar fine structure, long time vs. Short term, general pricing for girls, coyote concept etc. , my friend was ready to leave. He found the whole place boring and ridulously expensive, and I concurred. We never went into any of the bars except for taking a peek inside.

In my view, this complex is doomed. I see a large condo building and complimentary retail stores going in here within the next few years and further gentrification of the entire street over time. With all the upscale malls nearby, it seems unlikely another full scale mall would be built.

Nigh, the end is near.

Agree with everything you said Paul and Phord.

25 M baht is chicken feed to some of these corporations and individuals who live in another stratosphere to you, me and most guys on ISG.

In the Philippines some of the politicians and tycoons throw around millions of pesos as though it is monopoly money. I am sure it is exactly the same in Thailand. The former PM's families probably spend 25 M per week as petty cash on travel and luxury items.

If one of these tycoons wants to take over the NEP lease and turn it into something other than gogo bars then that is game set match.