Bangkok Reports

[QUOTE=Western787;1533078]Another (and a plus for those that understand Bangkok) mega factor a few years back was that movie HANGOVER PART 2 which I believe has caused many westerners to avoid Bangkok.[/QUOTE]I think you hugely overestimate the importance a movie like that might have in influencing the tourist market. It plays to a certain franchise, and those who might be alarmed about ladyboys are probably not in that target audience. Would anyone really not go to say Europe, having seen 'Taken'?

[QUOTE=Mouse1;1533337]I think you hugely overestimate the importance a movie like that might have in influencing the tourist market. It plays to a certain franchise, and those who might be alarmed about ladyboys are probably not in that target audience. Would anyone really not go to say Europe, having seen 'Taken'?[/QUOTE]

You're analogy is not very good.

Name major movies in the last 10 to 15 years shown in american theaters (out of the 200 to 300 introduced each year) where the central focus has been on Bangkok itself. Off the cuff, I can only think of two: (the very low box office) BANGKOK DANGEROUS and then of course HANGOVER 2, with the first one opening with Nicolas Cage calling the city "dirty and dangerous" but otherwise being somewhat positive in that it at least puts out a reasonably accurate representation of a G club

Now name major movies introduced in the west where the central focus was some (non UK) European or Eastern European locale. In fact there are 100's, too many to list.

HANGOVER 2 (although pretty idiotic at times) was not only focused on Bangkok (itself unusual) but was a mega blockbuster seen by a massive audience, 3 times the audience of TAKEN, and it focused on a very precise location (not a generic Europe) and involved an area of the world (vs Europe) that few people in the West have any direct exposure to, and thus can be easily influenced by.

The central joke in the movie in fact was the ladyboy issue. In Tilac they used real females as dancers, but later portrayed it as a ladyboy bar, then they got an actor for the joke in the dressing room with a higher than normal voice or perhaps even dubbed. That joke is what many people remember about the movie.To suggest one cannot tell the difference between ladyboys and real women is complete nonsense, yet people believe this.

Not sure how one makes an analogy to TAKEN which basically follows the politically correct line about "trafficked women"
I also cited perhaps (once the biggest movie critic in the business) as himself saying HANGOVER 2 ran like an anti-Bangkok travelogue. How many times does a critic say something like that?

Never underestimate the influence of pop culture (movies, TV, celebrities) on people's perceptions, particularly in an age of an increasingly semi-literate western population. If you want to see how movies and TV can not just reflect but act as a causative factor, check out the history of the MIAMI VICE televisions series in the 1980's, and how it impacted Miami and people's perceptions of that city. It was a huge factor.

I've just started writing my checklist and bought a backpack yesterday, I'm so excited. Arriving to Suvarnabhumi 4 March and will try to find my way in to this occupied mega city, damn I haven't scored since August.

So, where's the place to go for a couple of frustrated blue balls of mine, Nana Plaza, Patpong or Soi Cowboy?

I know you can go ST for 500 B in Pattaya, even with good looking girls (though I know there are many farang over paying) can one do in BKK too or what's the (correct) rate there?

I'm just looking for bar hopping, beer sipping, music, pool tables and lots of hot girls to choose from.

See you fellows.

I agree with your assessment. There was supposed to be a movie called Bangkok 8 based on Burdett's novel of the same name but apparently the film has been cancelled. This movie, if it ever made, would certainly focus on Bangkok's seamy side. It is a great book for those with an afternoon on the beach to spare.

Let's not forget the King and I too. LOL!

[QUOTE=Western787; 1533376]You're analogy is not very good.

Name major movies in the last 10 to 15 years shown in american theaters (out of the 200 to 300 introduced each year) where the central focus has been on Bangkok itself. Off the cuff, I can only think of two: (the very low box office) BANGKOK DANGEROUS and then of course HANGOVER 2, with the first one opening with Nicolas Cage calling the city "dirty and dangerous" but otherwise being somewhat positive in that it at least puts out a reasonably accurate representation of a G club

Now name major movies introduced in the west where the central focus was some (non UK) European or Eastern European locale. In fact there are 100's, too many to list.

HANGOVER 2 (although pretty idiotic at times) was not only focused on Bangkok (itself unusual) but was a mega blockbuster seen by a massive audience. 3 times the audience of TAKEN, and it focused on a very precise location (not a generic Europe) and involved an area of the world (vs Europe) that few people in the West have any direct exposure to, and thus can be easily influenced by.

The central joke in the movie in fact was the ladyboy issue. In Tilac they used real females as dancers, but later portrayed it as a ladyboy bar, then they got an actor for the joke in the dressing room with a higher than normal voice or perhaps even dubbed. That joke is what many people remember about the movie. To suggest one cannot tell the difference between ladyboys and real women is complete nonsense, yet people believe this.

Not sure how one makes an analogy to TAKEN which basically follows the politically correct line about "trafficked women"

I also cited perhaps (once the biggest movie critic in the business) as himself saying HANGOVER 2 ran like an anti-Bangkok travelogue. How many times does a critic say something like that?

Never underestimate the influence of pop culture (movies, TV, celebrities) on people's perceptions, particularly in an age of an increasingly semi-literate western population. If you want to see how movies and TV can not just reflect but act as a causative factor, check out the history of the MIAMI VICE televisions series in the 1980's, and how it impacted Miami and people's perceptions of that city. It was a huge factor.[/QUOTE]

I agree with your assessment. There was supposed to be a movie called Bangkok 8 based on Burdett's novel of the same name but it apparently the film has been cancelled. This movie, if it ever made, would certainly focus on Bangkok's seamy side. It is a great book for those with an afternoon on the beach to spare.

Let's not forget the King and I too. LOL!

[QUOTE=Western787; 1533376]You're analogy is not very good.

Name major movies in the last 10 to 15 years shown in american theaters (out of the 200 to 300 introduced each year) where the central focus has been on Bangkok itself. Off the cuff, I can only think of two: (the very low box office) BANGKOK DANGEROUS and then of course HANGOVER 2, with the first one opening with Nicolas Cage calling the city "dirty and dangerous" but otherwise being somewhat positive in that it at least puts out a reasonably accurate representation of a G club

Now name major movies introduced in the west where the central focus was some (non UK) European or Eastern European locale. In fact there are 100's, too many to list.

HANGOVER 2 (although pretty idiotic at times) was not only focused on Bangkok (itself unusual) but was a mega blockbuster seen by a massive audience. 3 times the audience of TAKEN, and it focused on a very precise location (not a generic Europe) and involved an area of the world (vs Europe) that few people in the West have any direct exposure to, and thus can be easily influenced by.

The central joke in the movie in fact was the ladyboy issue. In Tilac they used real females as dancers, but later portrayed it as a ladyboy bar, then they got an actor for the joke in the dressing room with a higher than normal voice or perhaps even dubbed. That joke is what many people remember about the movie. To suggest one cannot tell the difference between ladyboys and real women is complete nonsense, yet people believe this.

Not sure how one makes an analogy to TAKEN which basically follows the politically correct line about "trafficked women"

I also cited perhaps (once the biggest movie critic in the business) as himself saying HANGOVER 2 ran like an anti-Bangkok travelogue. How many times does a critic say something like that?

Never underestimate the influence of pop culture (movies, TV, celebrities) on people's perceptions, particularly in an age of an increasingly semi-literate western population. If you want to see how movies and TV can not just reflect but act as a causative factor, check out the history of the MIAMI VICE televisions series in the 1980's, and how it impacted Miami and people's perceptions of that city. It was a huge factor.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=CockTeased; 1533389]I've just started writing my checklist and bought a backpack yesterday, I'm so excited. Arriving to Suvarnabhumi 4 March and will try to find my way in to this occupied mega city, damn I haven't scored since August.

So, where's the place to go for a couple of frustrated blue balls of mine, Nana Plaza, Patpong or Soi Cowboy?

I know you can go ST for 500 B in Pattaya, even with good looking girls (though I know there are many farang over paying) can one do in BKK too or what's the (correct) rate there?

I'm just looking for bar hopping, beer sipping, music, pool tables and lots of hot girls to choose from.

See you fellows.[/QUOTE]Given Soi Cowboy is adjacent to a major SHUTDOWN BANGKOK encampment on Soi 21 (only the eastern entrance is completely unblocked) so that means Nana Plaza along with Soi 4 pool bars and Nana Parking Lot girls are the best bet. There are at least 7 or 8 major pool bars around Soi 4 and they can have over the course of the day a pretty decent and constantly shifting inventory of girls, and they are open by 10 AM. (note newer girls often have to work mornings among other times) Plus you got Beer Garden on Soi 7 open all day with slightly older girls, but sometimes younger and hotter women after 7 pm, but not many Go Go level of course, and after 10 PM a pretty good inventory of cute girls will start to build at Thermae Coffee House (Sukumvit Road between Soi 13 and Soi 15), but the Japanese are favored, but westerners can pick up sometimes. Add the Go Go's in Nana Plaza which open at 8 PM, and that's at least 1000 girls to select from on any given day just in that general vicinity. I'm not even counting various small massage parlors which are all over the place.

Soi Cowboy still worth going to, (Baccarra especially) but its a hassle to get to if you're coming from lets say the Soi 11 area.

As for Patpong, I would consider it more of a backup.

Many oil message parlors are around Soi 33 and across Sukhumvit at Soi 24/1 and if you got the dollars, you can go to Huay Khwang Station (MRT subway) in Ratchada and there are huge Soapies with perhaps on a combined basis offering 600 to 800 girls on some nights, plus more large soapies on New Petchburi Road,

[QUOTE=Western787; 1533376]You're analogy is not very good.

Name major movies in the last 10 to 15 years shown in american theaters (out of the 200 to 300 introduced each year) where the central focus has been on Bangkok itself. Off the cuff, I can only think of two: (the very low box office) BANGKOK DANGEROUS and then of course HANGOVER 2, with the first one opening with Nicolas Cage calling the city "dirty and dangerous" but otherwise being somewhat positive in that it at least puts out a reasonably accurate representation of a G club[/QUOTE]Did Las Vegas conferences and gambling take a dive after HANGOVER 1? I think there are more movies that show Las Vegas in a bad light than there are movies that show Bangkok as a dangerous place.

I think the effect of movies on tourism is next to nothing.

[QUOTE=Wolvenvacht; 1533589]Did Las Vegas conferences and gambling take a dive after HANGOVER 1? I think there are more movies that show Las Vegas in a bad light than there are movies that show Bangkok as a dangerous place.

I think the effect of movies on tourism is next to nothing.[/QUOTE]You can just imagine the conversation:

'Darling, where shall we go for our annual vacation this year? '

'Somewhere with sun, beaches, culture, food. How about Thailand? '

'Great idea, honey, the kids will love it, and we'll have a great time too in the Land of Smiles'.

'No, wait, I forgot, remember that movie Hangover? I reckon that was a pretty realistic description of one of the tourism capitals of the world. And damn, some of the ladies have got testicles! '

'Well that would ruin my holiday. Honey, there is no way we are going there! '

I have friends who are off to Thailand next week and aren't bothered by the ongoing troubles, let alone a crap frat-pack movie.

[QUOTE=Mouse1; 1533647]You can just imagine the conversation:

'Darling, where shall we go for our annual vacation this year? '

'Somewhere with sun, beaches, culture, food. How about Thailand? '

'Great idea, honey, the kids will love it, and we'll have a great time too in the Land of Smiles'.

'No, wait, I forgot, remember that movie Hangover? I reckon that was a pretty realistic description of one of the tourism capitals of the world. And damn, some of the ladies have got testicles! '

'Well that would ruin my holiday. Honey, there is no way we are going there! '

I have friends who are off to Thailand next week and aren't bothered by the ongoing troubles, let alone a crap frat-pack movie.[/QUOTE]To Mouse 1

I been going to Bangkok 2 time a yr for over 20 yr from the US and I was there few week ago during the shut down and have a good time more girl avalible not many monger, I don't think Bangkok is a dangerous city there are worst crime city in asia like Manila or Jarkata, I don't why anyone will skip Bangkok or Thailand because of a dumb movie.

Fast Eddie 48.

Fast Eddie 48

[QUOTE=Fast Eddie 48; 1533663]To Mouse 1

I been going to Bangkok 2 time a yr for over 20 yr from the US and I was there few week ago during the shut down and have a good time more girl avalible not many monger, I don't think Bangkok is a dangerous city there are worst crime city in asia like Manila or Jarkata, I don't why anyone will skip Bangkok or Thailand because of a dumb movie.

Fast Eddie 48.

Fast Eddie 48[/QUOTE]Yea! I'm with you, Eddie. I'm out to BKK in a couple of weeks, catching up with my girl. She says it's boring in Bangkok at the moment. I'll take her a copy of 'Hangover 2' to explain why it's so quiet. LOL.

[QUOTE=Mouse1; 1533647]You can just imagine the conversation:

'Darling, where shall we go for our annual vacation this year? '

'Somewhere with sun, beaches, culture, food. How about Thailand? '

'Great idea, honey, the kids will love it, and we'll have a great time too in the Land of Smiles'.

'No, wait, I forgot, remember that movie Hangover? I reckon that was a pretty realistic description of one of the tourism capitals of the world. And damn, some of the ladies have got testicles! '

'Well that would ruin my holiday. Honey, there is no way we are going there! '

I have friends who are off to Thailand next week and aren't bothered by the ongoing troubles, let alone a crap frat-pack movie.[/QUOTE]Thanks to NGO's and their phony "trafficking" claims and stats, I normally only use the term "tourists" but in fact I was only referring to (potential) SEX tourists.

In the states at least I'd say for every guy actually going to Bangkok, there are 99 guys thinking about going and probably 98 will never go, and these are the same types who are going to see a movie like HANGOVER 2

[QUOTE=Mouse1;1533760]Yea! I'm with you, Eddie. I'm out to BKK in a couple of weeks, catching up with my girl. She says it's boring in Bangkok at the moment. I'll take her a copy of 'Hangover 2' to explain why it's so quiet. LOL.[/QUOTE]My OP (which was contained in ONE post) on the HANGOVER 2 issue in fact explicitly referred to a few years back and obviously is a minor issue relative to what is happening now.

As I've alluded to in probably a dozen posts. Bangkok tourism including sex tourism has been hit very hard by the political unrest, particularly as it concerns the convention business which I accurately referred to as having been "decimated" perhaps down 70% and not only are these often big spending types, but the decision to cancel some of these junkets it out of their hands, instead being made by corporate level risk managers. So its not likely to change anytime soon for that group.

Now individual mongers will adjust plans to some degree as they realize perhaps the risk (more bad news today of course) is worth taking, so might be a mitigating factor

[QUOTE=Western787; 1533768]Thanks to NGO's and their phony "trafficking" claims and stats, I normally only use the term "tourists" but in fact I was only referring to (potential) SEX tourists.

In the states at least I'd say for every guy actually going to Bangkok, there are 99 guys thinking about going and probably 98 will never go, and these are the same types who are going to see a movie like HANGOVER 2[/QUOTE]I really didn't want my 1000th post to be be a niggling criticism of another poster. You actually wrote:

[QUOTE=Western787;1533078]Another (and a plus for those that understand Bangkok) mega factor a few years back was that movie HANGOVER PART 2 which I believe has caused many westerners to avoid Bangkok.[/QUOTE]Nothing about tourists or sex tourists. Anyway, I'll agree with your last point. There may be some people wavering over their comfort zone, and perhaps some stories will put them off. Let's move on.

[QUOTE=Goatscrot; 1533096]Perhaps they were, but as you stated they were not that easy to meet, and I think 15 years ago there was far more of a stigma associated with dating a Western dude. The gal was automatically assumed to be a working girl. Now that is not the case.

Most of the younger guys I know here would never consider paying outright for sex. Strange.[/QUOTE]They still are, to some degree. Current GF, and others I've dated, have never darkened the door of a naughty bar. Yet, when seen with me, or some other farang, some folks automatically assume they're bar girls. I've asked about this and they always say something to the effect of they don't care what those people think. They don't know the truth.

So, maybe societal pressure isn't what it once was. Or maybe some women just learned to stand up to it.

[QUOTE=Western787; 1533768]Thanks to NGO's and their phony "trafficking" claims and stats, I normally only use the term "tourists" but in fact I was only referring to (potential) SEX tourists.

In the states at least I'd say for every guy actually going to Bangkok, there are 99 guys thinking about going and probably 98 will never go, and these are the same types who are going to see a movie like HANGOVER 2[/QUOTE]I don't know about the other, but Hangover 2 absolutely ruined State Tower and SkyBar. The drinks were never very good, and way overpriced, but it was a nice place to hang out and admire the city. Now, post-movie, the place tends to be a madhouse. A bazillion tourists crowded around the bar paying $20 for a shitty cocktail and ooh-ing and ahh-ing about being in the same spot as Paul Giamatti (note the matte paintings in many of the scenes. A lot of it wasn't even shot in the bar).