Phnom Penh

[QUOTE=Shadow6491]Well sorry guys but let me tell you from someone that lives here and visits the hostess bars a couple of times a week.

They have all been affected. Nearly all the bars except maybe two have removed the tinting from the windows on the front doors or glass. All the girls have been directed not to dress sexily. This includes the big three Sharky Martini and Walkabout.

In most of the hostess bars the number of girls has been slashed and it wasnt the fatter older uglier girls either. There are about 3 bars that have kept up the numbers of girls.

Another question was is it affecting places other than Phnom Penh. The answer is definitly Yes. There have been raids in Siem Reap, Palin, and in Snooky. I have heard some very disturbing news about the level of security in Snooky as well.

I know it all sounds doom and gloom but this is first hand experience as of this week or you could listen to a moto who is not allowed in any of these bars.

Im not saying dont come just make sure you have much lower expectations than before. You wont find sexy dressed girls dancing on bars. The vibe in the bars is now very low key.[/QUOTE]I really don't understand how the people running the show and the NGO's can be so short sighted and stupid. They're never going to stop the sex industry. All they'll do is push it back underground which will lead to a return of child prostitution and enforced sex slavery. They'll also find that the 'honourable' mongerers who aren't interested in fucking women held against their will or kids will head to other destinations so their economy will suffer.

I swear, the people driving this crackdown need to pull their heads out of the sand and get an understanding of how the real world works.

[QUOTE=Aussie Fella]I really don't understand how the people running the show and the NGO's can be so short sighted and stupid. They're never going to stop the sex industry. All they'll do is push it back underground which will lead to a return of child prostitution and enforced sex slavery. They'll also find that the 'honourable' mongerers who aren't interested in fucking women held against their will or kids will head to other destinations so their economy will suffer.

I swear, the people driving this crackdown need to pull their heads out of the sand and get an understanding of how the real world works.[/QUOTE]If it is just a crackdown is it possible that the Cambodian government are allowing the bars but are just cleaning them up.

[QUOTE=Shadow6491]Well sorry guys but let me tell you from someone that lives here and visits the hostess bars a couple of times a week.

They have all been affected. Nearly all the bars except maybe two have removed the tinting from the windows on the front doors or glass. All the girls have been directed not to dress sexily. This includes the big three Sharky Martini and Walkabout.

In most of the hostess bars the number of girls has been slashed and it wasnt the fatter older uglier girls either. There are about 3 bars that have kept up the numbers of girls.

Another question was is it affecting places other than Phnom Penh. The answer is definitly Yes. There have been raids in Siem Reap, Palin, and in Snooky. I have heard some very disturbing news about the level of security in Snooky as well.

I know it all sounds doom and gloom but this is first hand experience as of this week or you could listen to a moto who is not allowed in any of these bars.

Im not saying dont come just make sure you have much lower expectations than before. You wont find sexy dressed girls dancing on bars. The vibe in the bars is now very low key.[/QUOTE]Maybe could still savage something out of my coming trip to PP and Snooky.

Since you are the eyes/ears there now, are the local brothels affected also or just the girlie bars catering to us mongering foreigners?

Pirate

[QUOTE=Aussie Fella]I really don't understand how the people running the show and the NGO's can be so short sighted and stupid. They're never going to stop the sex industry. All they'll do is push it back underground which will lead to a return of child prostitution and enforced sex slavery. They'll also find that the 'honourable' mongerers who aren't interested in fucking women held against their will or kids will head to other destinations so their economy will suffer.

I swear, the people driving this crackdown need to pull their heads out of the sand and get an understanding of how the real world works.[/QUOTE]


NGO's are a weird group to begin with as they all try to save the world and convert the world to their ideal image. They will try to STOP the sex industry anyway they can. Ever notice all those nice Lexus cars/SUV, alot of them are donated by NGO groups to local officials to help clean our fun up. They don't care if its forced underground and to them there is no such thing as an "honorable monger", to them we are all criminals as our hobby is sinful.

Shark

[QUOTE=Shadow6491]Well sorry guys but let me tell you from someone that lives here and visits the hostess bars a couple of times a week.

They have all been affected. Nearly all the bars except maybe two have removed the tinting from the windows on the front doors or glass. All the girls have been directed not to dress sexily. This includes the big three Sharky Martini and Walkabout.

In most of the hostess bars the number of girls has been slashed and it wasnt the fatter older uglier girls either. There are about 3 bars that have kept up the numbers of girls.

Another question was is it affecting places other than Phnom Penh. The answer is definitly Yes. There have been raids in Siem Reap, Palin, and in Snooky. I have heard some very disturbing news about the level of security in Snooky as well.

I know it all sounds doom and gloom but this is first hand experience as of this week or you could listen to a moto who is not allowed in any of these bars.

Im not saying dont come just make sure you have much lower expectations than before. You wont find sexy dressed girls dancing on bars. The vibe in the bars is now very low key.[/QUOTE]


I may need to take back my previous post. Maybe it's already doom and gloom. And right at the time when I was about to return to my favorite mongering holes. Sad, very sad.

PT

[QUOTE=Aussie Fella]I really don't understand how the people running the show and the NGO's can be so short sighted and stupid. They're never going to stop the sex industry. All they'll do is push it back underground which will lead to a return of child prostitution and enforced sex slavery. They'll also find that the 'honourable' mongerers who aren't interested in fucking women held against their will or kids will head to other destinations so their economy will suffer.

I swear, the people driving this crackdown need to pull their heads out of the sand and get an understanding of how the real world works.[/QUOTE]It’s worse than this AF. In a worldwide depression, “the people running the show” in Cambodia have decided to clamp down on a significant source of hard currency and GDP. Tourism brings billions of dollars (Euros) into the country. This foreign revenue stream flows into hotels, restaurants, shops, construction, transportation and bars which employ thousands of Cambodians and thus into the homes of ordinary citizens.

Now I am willing to concede that the sex industry may be an embarrassment, unnecessary and even counterproductive in a place like Siem Reap where millions of “culture” tourists go every year. But Phnom Penh is a different story. There is very little reason for an ordinary tourist to visit PP. The city may benefit a little due to its proximity to Angkor Wat from the curious and adventure seeking tourist, but let’s face it, the city does not have much to offer average tourists. A visit of one or two days more than suffices. International business men and foreign government officials would constitute the only other foreign group visiting the capital.

Thus it is visitors like us, 'honorable' mongerers’ that make up a significant percentage of the tourist economy in PP. And in the worst international economic downturn since the 1930’s, the brilliant leaders in Cambodia have decided to tell “us” not to come. Ok. I know when I am not welcome. As I said in my last post, “I will continue to monitor things. Pattaya is my back up plan. If it appears that my favorite bars are under siege, there is no way I will get on the plane. I’ll take a taxi to Pattaya and not give it a further thought.”

It ain’t no big deal to me, nor to anyone else reading this post. But the net effect of turning off this foreign source of capital is a big deal to the citizens of Phnom Penh. That’s why I don’t think the crackdown will last. But who can say? This issue may have more to do with national pride than economics. Only time will tell. Too bad. Sad.

[QUOTE=Shadow6491]Another question was is it affecting places other than Phnom Penh. The answer is definitly Yes. There have been raids in Siem Reap, Palin, and in Snooky. I have heard some very disturbing news about the level of security in Snooky as well.[/QUOTE]I totally agree with your post. That is what I saw when I was in PP. Living in Snooky I am not aware of a raid here. Where was it?

[QUOTE=Natty Bumpo]It’s worse than this AF. In a worldwide depression, “the people running the show” in Cambodia have decided to clamp down on a significant source of hard currency and GDP.

Thus it is visitors like us, 'honorable' mongerers’ that make up a significant percentage of the tourist economy in PP. And in the worst international economic downturn since the 1930’s, the brilliant leaders in Cambodia have decided to tell “us” not to come.

It ain’t no big deal to me, nor to anyone else reading this post. But the net effect of turning off this foreign source of capital is a big deal to the citizens of Phnom Penh. That’s why I don’t think the crackdown will last. But who can say? This issue may have more to do with national pride than economics. Only time will tell. Too bad. Sad.[/QUOTE]It is more complex than that.

1. You might think that "honorable mongerers" contribute a lot of money to the economy. But thats not right. Cambodia is more dependent on the money from NGO's and Western governments. And those parties dont like what was going on in PP and because those parties are in the process of evaluating their support to Cambodia for next year (deadline end of September) the government decided to show them that they are dealing with the "problem".

2. Especially for street 136 a new luxe appartment hotel has been build there owned by Khmers with a good network and as the rumour goes those Kmers dont like the hostess bars there mainly visited by Barangs.

3. Cambodia is not Thailand. No US soldiers went overhere in the 70-ties to release their tension. Values are different. And if the bar owners try to stretch the limits too much they get into problems.

4. Not only hostess bars targetting for barangs are hit. Also FL's around What Phnom, brothels aiming for locals in several other cities are hit.

So IMHO it has all to do with economics on a macro level and nothing to do with national pride or economics on a micro level.

Will it last? Who knows?

By the way Snooky is not hit at the moment.

[QUOTE=Broko]It is more complex than that ... You might think that "honorable mongerers" contribute a lot of money to the economy. But thats not right. Cambodia is more dependent on the money from NGO's and Western governments. And those parties dont like what was going on in PP and because those parties are in the process of evaluating their support to Cambodia for next year (deadline end of September) the government decided to show them that they are dealing with the "problem".[/QUOTE]You make an excellent point Broko. While I think our team does make a sizable contribution to the local economy, it pales in comparison and influence to the currency and aid flowing from NGO's and 1st world Governments. This influence, although it is assumed to be well intentioned, many times backfires in lesser developed countries and only benefits the ruling elites.

We can only hope things get back to normal after the September deadline you mentioned.

Hi all,

I would like to inform all of you guys about the night life scence in Phnom Penh. Currently the hostes bars, pub and disco are running thier business as usual. As like a bounch street 104 (Rose bar, Zanzibar, 104bar.), 108street (golden wine bar, zapata bar.), 136 street (Palm Bar, 136 Bar, 69 Bar, Up and Down Bar.), Sharky's Bar, DV8, Mikado, Le Cyrce, Shang Hai, Walkabout and Matiny Bar. And also back to normal the brothels along 63street and 145street.

Cheers

[QUOTE=Sovanmee]Hi all,

I would like to inform all of you guys about the night life scence in Phnom Penh. Currently the hostes bars, pub and disco are running thier business as usual. As like a bounch street 104 (Rose bar, Zanzibar, 104bar.), 108street (golden wine bar, zapata bar.), 136 street (Palm Bar, 136 Bar, 69 Bar, Up and Down Bar.), Sharky's Bar, DV8, Mikado, Le Cyrce, Shang Hai, Walkabout and Matiny Bar. And also back to normal the brothels along 63street and 145street.

Cheers[/QUOTE]What is business as usual? Lapdancing again? Sexy dresses? Not closing at midnight? Tinted doors back?

Sure the bars are open.

[QUOTE=Natty Bumpo]We can only hope things get back to normal after the September deadline you mentioned.[/QUOTE]Amen brother. I booked a trip for November some time ago so will be traveling to Cambodia whether mongering is readily available or not. There's plenty to see in the country but whether or not to return will be based partly on how enjoyable my nights are.

[quote=broko]it is more complex than that.

1. you might think that "honorable mongerers" contribute a lot of money to the economy. but thats not right. cambodia is more dependent on the money from ngo's and western governments. and those parties don't like what was going on in pp and because those parties are in the process of evaluating their support to cambodia for next year (deadline end of september) the government decided to show them that they are dealing with the "problem".

2. especially for street 136 a new luxe appartment hotel has been build there owned by khmers with a good network and as the rumour goes those kmers don't like the hostess bars there mainly visited by barangs.

3. cambodia is not thailand. no us soldiers went overhere in the 70-ties to release their tension. values are different. and if the bar owners try to stretch the limits too much they get into problems.

4. not only hostess bars targetting for barangs are hit. also fl's around what phnom, brothels aiming for locals in several other cities are hit.

so imho it has all to do with economics on a macro level and nothing to do with national pride or economics on a micro level.

will it last? who knows?

by the way snooky is not hit at the moment.[/quote]you re right on many point.

1 khmer don t appreciate barang bar scene, also entire part of phnom penh like the strip bar will be "erased". the economic slowdown has just stop temporary the mall project.

2) most of the bars owner are "new barang" few of them live in cambodia from more than 2 years, so they the strech the limt simply because they don t know the limits and the culture of the country

i will not follow on one point. if the khmer governement is very dependant of ngo money and international help (especially with the economic slowdown) the khmer government has no interest to solved the problem. if they solved the problem the money will not come anymore. yes like you said they show they treated the problem but in reality they "cultivated "the situation in their advantage. it s exactly the same with ngo. ngo volunteer is a job. a well paid job at 2000/3000 us dollars per month, with car, house. people from ngo has also no interest to see the end of the prostitution scene. simply because if the scene disappear, most of them will lost their good job.

so last events was a big show.organised by khmer government and ngo to impressed their donators

just a sentence from a khmer report movie "the paper cannot wraped embers " from the khmer producer rithy pahn.; a young hooker at "the building" had sister with infected by aids. and she got not support from ngo saying: "here ngo if you have aids. they don t give you medication, they just paid the coffin" coffin= look how many people die from aids in this poor country please donate

medications to cure aids= waste of money. how to show this to your donator for they give you more money? . useless.; a death people is more profitable.; simply ngo way of thinking.

[QUOTE=Sovanmee]Hi all,

And also back to normal the brothels along 63street and 145street.

Cheers[/QUOTE]


I think he meant 154st as I don't remember seeing any places on 145st last time.

[QUOTE=Broko] Living in Snooky [/QUOTE]


Hey Broko, Had to add this on this thread as I was unable to PM you.

since you're the man in Snooky, do you know if its possible now to rent motobikes in Snooky without having to get the Cambodian drivers licence, as I heard they will detain /heavy fine your rental bike without the license if stopped.
Friend of mine wanted to know as he plan to be there in early Nov. He's not a ISG member yet but I'm working on that.

PT