The Empower Can Do Bar, Chiang Mai Land. My Report
Some of you may have heard of the Can Do Bar, in Chiang Mai Land?
It was opened in 2006 as a: self-proclaimed "experimental. Dream bar" run by Empower Foundation. It`s website says; the bar is owned and operated by sex workers. A vibrant energy packed the pub as girls performed skits, music blasted and girls danced a go-go with the poles, while friends brought bouquets of condoms welcoming the Can Do to its new home in Chiang Mai Land. I thought prostitution was illegal in Thailand? Apparently not, because there is a new bar strictly dedicated to it right here in Chiang Mai. The "Can Do" Bar's grand opening on Friday. 16 September 2006 stood as not only a new Chiang Mai night spot, but as a stronghold for sex workers throughout Thailand.
So yesterday for the first time I decided to seek out the Can Do bar and give it a try. Arrived there after getting lost a couple of times at around 8. 00pm.
It`s a small non-descript place, one blink of the eye and you've passed it. Outside, there are two sets of round tables with chairs. One table was empty and on the other sat 2 middle aged Farang women with one of the bar girls and I plonked myself down on the second table. The Thai manageress came out and was very jolly and welcoming. She welcomed me as a first timer and then I ordered a beer. Then an attractive young girl about 19 years old joined me at my table. I've struck gold here I thought.
Went to look inside the premises. It has a small long bar, a few tables and chairs and a pool table. There was no music playing, no poles that I could see and no other customers as the manageress told me that the 2 Farang women are the bar owners. They were having a good time, appeared slightly drunk. Then I offered to buy the girl at my table a drink and then the manageress asked if I could buy her a drink also and I agreed. The manageress spoke perfect English but the girl at my table hardly spoke a word of anything but she was quite friendly and pleasant in her own sort of way, just a bit shy probably.
After about 30 minutes of some drinking and a bit of jollying around, I asked the manageress if I could take any of the 2 girls she had there out? The manageress replied; sorry no, these girls don`t go outside as they're new, but I can make a phone call to a friend who you can take out. OK I said, and then asked for some details. How much? Don`t know. How old? In her early 40s and she can be here in half an hour. I thought about it and told the manageress; I will think it over and maybe for another evening. Then I said my goodbyes and left.
Later I thought, if the Can Do Bar is suppose to be a bar dedicated to the sex workers, but the sex part is a non event, than the name of Can Do should be changed to Can't Do and rather defeats the reasons for going there. It appears all they serve is drinks and chat and although there is no food served at the Can Do, the drinks were not over priced. A large Leo beer. 80 baht and lady drinks. 60 baht, plus everyone there was friendly and I never felt pressured.
Maybe I went on the wrong night at the wrong time and really should have asked the manageress some more questions, but for some reasons I didn't. Perhaps I just wasn't very impressed?
I did get the Can Do phone number and next time will phone first to inquire if there are any available girls. Maybe will get lucky?
It would be great if any of you could also check out the Can Do Bar to see if you obtain any better results and then report on here?
Directions: Travelling out of the town down the Chang klan Road, turn right into Chiang Mai Land. On the centre part of the road you will see a big yellow elephant. The Can Do Bar is on the opposite part of the road as part of a row of shops behind the elephant.
New soapy on Charoen Prathet: Celebrity
For those who have been waiting for it: finally Chiang Mai counts one more proper soapy massage (bath + fuck). You'll find it on Charoen Prathet, the road between the Night Bazar and the river, just at the main entrance of the Diamond Riverside hotel.
Barely open 2 weeks now, but full of 2 categories of girls: 1, 350 and 1, 600 baht. Some cuties.
The place has been refurnished and has a modern feel.
I guess the owner must have paid a lot of money to the police to open it, because the policy in the past few years has not been so welcoming for this kind of initiatives.
Try it out so the girls can make a living!
Wondering the current prices for Sayuri
I did some research in the forums but the prices for Sayuri are still all over the place. Its been a quite awhile since I have been back to Chiang Mai. From what I do recall, the girls had either no badge, a 'B' badge, a 'M' badge, and a 'S' badge. Only really concerned with the regular girls with no badges. It was 1000 baht back then and plus 150 baht for the VIP room. Just wondering if those prices are still the same for the regular girls (if obviously you do not arrive in a tuk-tuk and can speak a little Thai as in greetings, ordering drinks, and stating the number of the girl).
Cheers