It was rumoured 18 months ago, official sabres were rattled, some
saloonkeeps lost sleep, but nothing happened. Now I hear again that The
Powers That Be are scrutinising "Places of Night Time Entertainment"
and that some Chiangmai premises, particularly in Loi Kroh Road are on
a hit list!
Could be wrong, been wrong before, but it seems like nightery entertainment
joints (ie those with obviously available hostesses) should not operate
within 200 metres of any temple or school. Whether this is an old law dusted
off or a new one being enacted is still unclear, but what IS clear is that
some places should acquire a tad of subtlety at very least if they wish
to stay in business. It was around 18 months ago when an Important Person
was driven down Loi Kroh, mid-evening, and was shocked to see lots of hostesses
out on the street, calling in the clients. Said Person contacted the then
Governor and an immediate probe began into the legalities (or otherwise)
of several bars. After some 6 months it was quietly announced that no illegalities
had been found with existing businesses, but that anyone wanting to start
a new one in this field would have to locate somewhere near Provincial
Hall. In a field.
Now my "usually reliable sources" indicate that, despite warnings,
a small number of places have gone Over The Top again and some sort of
crackdown could be imminent. Two farangs have certainly been physically
attacked in or outside just one bar recently, one for politely asking for
the return of some cash and the other simply because he refused to go in!
The times they are a-changing in the nation, and some places need to
change with them. Face it, the dinosaurs died out with no such complications
as bars, laws and new Ministers of the Interior!
JUST LIKE THE REAL THING?
Click for larger photograph
Almost! This metal bas relief of a Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero-Sen actually
represents an aircraft of the 64th Sentai, wich was stationed here at Chiangmai.
Framed in dark Thai timber, each piece is numbered and only 1000 pieces
will ever be produced. Made by Thai craftsmen with care.
Achieved a 7 year ambition to escape Chiangmai's water war on April
12th when I made a dash for the overnight sleeper to Bangkok. Left it a
day late, though, and took a plastic bucket over the head opposite The
Fillmore East as I ran. Thanks Yoshi, things are always more interesting
when you're in town…..
By contrast, down in Bangers, it was Songkran Haters' Heaven, the few
streetside and mobile water gangs I saw only throwing at each other and
ignoring dry passers-by who obviously did not want to play. Just as it
should be. Hotter but maybe less humid than Chiangmai, the capital is almost
too quiet during this holiday with most businesses closed. I had to make
do with an Indian less good than my favourite Mrs Balbir's, soi
11, Sukhumvit, the famous lady sadly staying closed for the duration of
my 4 day stay.
Crossing Sukhumvit (towards the cold beer and air-con at Jools Bar,
soi 4) where farangs still seem to outnumber Thais, I ran into 2 familiar
Aussie faces in quick succession. Almost gave me a feeling of belonging
there, but the mood rapidly dissipated when I checked out the prices in
Jools. Imagine a tiny but 2-storey Red Lion with very cold air-con
and you've got an idea what this friendly, long-time expat meeting bar/restaurant
is all about. Very generous portions of a wide range of western favourites
- but I thanked my lucky stars I was full when I saw the median price is
now 235b per plate, with just a few little snacks at 90b. Are we spoiled
for good value in Chiangmai or what?!
Darting about
Home Darts League games at the following places on May Wednesday evenings:
1st: Up 2 U, La Villa, The Escape, El Toro, Nicky's Bar, Canal
Breeze Pub, The Ace, H3 Pub.
8th: The Irish Pub, H3 Pub, El Toro, Rock Hard, Fish N Chip
Shop, Le Pont, White Lotus.
15th: Up 2 U, La Villa, El Toro, The Escape, The Ace, Nicky's
Bar, White Lotus.
22nd: El Toro, Canal Breeze Pub, Le Pont, H3 Pub, The Irish
Pub, Fish N Chip Shop, The Ace.
29th: Up 2 U, The escape, El Toro, Le Pont, La Villa, Nicky's
Bar, Rock Hard, White Lotus.
It's from the internet, words which
should exist but don't: Reintarnation - being re-born as a hillbilly.
Two Thai soothsayers predicted massive death tolls involving
travellers at Songkran (..) likely to have "catastrophe level"
casualties "as serious as the Biblical Armageddon Day" (...).
Night
Fowl
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