Many bars are still closed for the holidays
I would say about 70% of the bars that were open just prior to New Years weekend are still closed this weekend.
None of the Soi 7 collection of bars and down the small alley were open last night, Friday night. Only Beer Garden was open.
Same with the bars on Soi 11, all closed. Only 2-3 open as beer bars on Soi Cowboy. Oh, and this weekend as well as last weekend, clinic techs were administering free fast Covid tests at each entrance to Soi Cowboy. I am not sure if they were voluntary tests or required to enter. I just rode by to check out the area.
Most Soi 4 beer bars, the big one inside Nana Plaza and the bars on Soi 8 were open.
Consequently, the girl numbers are way down this weekend all around too. I only saw 2-3 real girls standing around in front of the still closed Thermae at 9 pm.
This was apparently the holiday plan all along. The 3-4 girls I know who freelance or sometimes work in the bars told me before they left for their provinces they would probably return to Bangkok on the 10th. We'll see if many stay in their family province longer due to Omicron fears.
Antigen Tests and Hook-ups
The antigen test kits in Bangkok (nose swab or spit-tubes) are widely and cheaply available. They are also now producing quicker results. Between 10 and 20 minutes for pos / neg result.
If you have a few regular FLs or BGs who are out of work maybe meet up with a couple of beer in a hotel room, test each other, enjoy your drinks while waiting and, if all good, then get down to business.