Thai Nightlife : Top Ten things you should know!
The "Top ten things you need to know about Thai nightlife" was created to let new holiday makers know what is standard in the bar and nightlife scene throughout Thailand. Most of this is commonsense and being aware of what´s going on around you. Don't let this scare you off as now you know what is the "norm" in Thailand.
Have a great holiday and enjoy your time in Thailand!
- Know what drinks you are paying for. - When buying a drink for a girl in a nightclub or bar in Phuket, more often than not she'll be earning commission on drinks (which is standard for girls in bars in Thailand). This drink will cost more than a regular priced customer drink. Most girls will receive 30 - 50 baht commission for each drink that is purchased for them.
- Keep an eye on your drink. - As in all nightclubs and drinking areas around the world, be careful of your drink and any person that gives you a drink. It is known to happen that people have had their drinks drugged at times, specifically in nightclubs.
- Girls are Girls and Boys are Girls too! - Thai girls are some of the most beautiful women in the world. When in nightclubs, disco's or areas with limited lighting, be aware of the lady you are hanging out with. There are many "ladyboys" that look like ladies but aren't and you could be caught out if you aren't aware. Lady boys are all through Asia and have have been around for over 400 years; In Thailand, lady boys are considered the third sex and are not looked down on in society. There are in fact many cabaret shows that are high on the "what to see" list while in Thailand.
- Should I have a Tab or pay as I go? - You'll find at most bars in Phuket that you can have a Tab (known as a check-bin) run while you are drinking. Your receipts will be put into a bamboo canister that will be placed in front of you. It's up to you if you want to keep the check-bin running or if you want to pay as you go. Letting the check-bin run is a lot easier throughout the night as you don't have to pay each time; however, paying as you go does reduce any disagreements on the bill at the end of the night.
- Bar Fine! - A "bar fine" is a fee paid to the bar by the customer when leaving the bar with a hostess. The bar fine originally started in the old days when the hostesses would stay in an apartment paid for by the owner of the bar. This helps reimburse the bar for the cost of the apartment the lady stays in, electricity, transport and food. The bar fine is normally split 50/50 with the hostess as this is another form of income for the girls. Bar fines in bars range from 300 to 500 baht and start at 600 baht in an Ago go.
- Freelancer or Bar Hostess? - The safest choice is a Bar Hostess! If you have a problem or want to locate the same girl again, you know exactly which bar to go back to for her. Another reason is the fact that ALL girls working as hostesses in bars MUST have a health and safety check up every two weeks. Each hostess receives a medical clearance book with their photo and approval if they have passed all health checks. If they don't pass the health check, they won't receive a medical clearance book and the bar will not allow them to work. Large fines are imposed by the police on the hostess and bar if they are caught working without approval. "Freelancers" are girls that hang out at a disco, nightclub or street walkers looking to spend the evening with a foreigner. It's much harder to impose these regulations on freelancers, therefor many freelancers do not have health checks.
- Ringing the Bell - You'll notice that in many bars there's a bell being rung. What's this about? Bells are rung by customers and bar owners which provides shooters to everyone in the bar. The cost to ring the bell is usually a standard price of 1,000 Baht. Ask the cashier how much it will cost before ringing the bell. If you want everyone to have their favourite drink, this will be provided at the per drink price per customer. If you've been frequenting a specific bar and have enjoyed your time there, it's customary to ring the bell on your last night.
- How much should I Tip? - Just like the hospitality industry all around the world, tips are a large form of income for the bar staff. An average monthly salary for staff in a bar in Thailand is approximately 6,000 baht ($200 AU) give or take 1,000 baht. Tips can double or triple their income.
- But she's a " Good Girl " - You're out partying with your friends in a bar or a nightclub and at some stage you see a girl that grabs your interest. When talking with her you find out that she works in an office and has never worked in a bar. "Great News!" you tell yourself, and it's very possible that you're on to a winner. You enjoy your evening then leave together and spend the night with each other. The next day, your friend is getting ready to leave and then asks "You have something to help me?"..... it takes a few seconds before you realise she's hitting you up for some money; and most of the time that's exactly what will happen. There's lots of girls that work in a regular office job and will sometimes "freelance" to earn a little extra money. You've had a great night, pay up and move on. Now you know and you'll be prepared when that next girl comes along.
- Short time or Long time? - What's this Short/long time thing I keep hearing about? This is a statement made by bar girls and freelancers in regards to spending the night with a customer. If you want to spend approximately 1 hour with a girl, this is called short time and girls generally ask for 1,000 to 1,500 baht. If you want to spend an entire evening with your companion, this is called long time and will generally cost you between 1,000 to 3,000 baht. It's recommended to agree to a specific amount BEFORE you leave the premises so there's no disagreements the next day.
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Now you know a few things about the nightlife in Thailand. Enjoy your time here in this beautiful Land Of Smiles!
