Bangkok sitrep April 2022
The reigning powers have declared Thailand “open” but just how open is it? After all, Singapore has declared that bars/nightlife will be open as of April 19.
Bangkok is simultaneously more open/less open as of this writing. Apparently some (not all) strip clubs in NEP and Soi Cowboy are trading. Some feature fully clothed dancers. I don't know any more as I haven't visited.
It seems that what's presented at the moment is a simulacrum. There are “agency girls” working, which makes all kinds of sense: attractive women (the term “pretties” applies) who seem to be employed by the bars, but aren't. They're there to drag in guys and sell drinks. They might be barfineable, but maybe aren't.
Of course this won't stop some diehards—I knew a guy who enjoyed barfining the bar staff in neon temples. And there are clubs/KTVs where the staff might/might not.
One man's entertainment is another man's frustration. IMHO agency girls belong in the same general category as pushy mamasans, arbitrarily tiered and/or jacked-up barfines, counterfeit liquor, and bar owners who organize pub crawls sponsored by some massive booze conglomerate. Part of a simulacrum. Agree/disagree?
What's Bangkok like now? Largely operating normally, although many businesses are shuttered as you'd expect. Vaxx rate is pegged at 72% or so, but is certainly higher in Bangkok, as many of the unvaxxed are elderly living in the provinces.
The ongoing pandemic/endemic has hit many Thais hard. Don't expect to party like it's 2019.
Getting in
As of now the Thailand Pass system is still being used, meaning that visitors to Thailand must pay for a test or two and book one night in an approved hotel, where they are expected to stay isolated until the test results come back negative. Then there's another test in five days. This makes little sense, but that's the deal at this moment.
It's important to get the insurance in order—reportedly, getting a policy with a Thailand-based company is the way to go. You need to book a correct hotel, and needless to say you need to do your due diligence before flying here. It's generally thought that these restrictions are to spin money into certain coffers, which is accurate. So while you can get into Thailand right now, many are waiting until a more Singapore-like situation presents itself.
And when will that be? The general feeling is that July 1 is a reasonable timeline. Seems likely, but then again there's been irresponsible announcements and other tomfoolery. Thais love official-looking documents, so if you do come here, plan to have copies (and additional copies) of whatEVER printed out and in your carry-on luggage. Don't count on having them on your phone—print them out and carry them. Multiple copies so if some Immig official takes off with your docs, you're still covered.
This will apply regardless of when you visit. Sooooo....what about July?
It's the rainy season. High season starts in November. Logically, you'd think that they'd want to start a track record in July/August to demonstrate to people planning a winter holiday that Thailand is in fact open for tourist business.
Needless to say, relying on logic for on-the-ground Thai policy is a risky business. That said, I think that the upcoming high season should see vaxxed travelers allowed into The Kingdom with a reasonable lack of fuss.
Hotel scene
Websites like fiwfans.com continue to advertise short-time liaisons across Bangkok. I've reported on several while our fellow reporters (thanks @abcftw, @johnny12, @kuori2, @leo.deguo, @bedlam, @Cspoker50, @jk_4589) also contribute.
The scene is perennial and varied. It's a fundamentally Thai scene although agents are aware that there's farang business out there. There are a couple of English-language reporters on fiwfans (Monkeypaw & KWSR) and a few fake reports in English as well. Agents will comm in English and typically say the technician is OK with farang.
The reality is that they want the biz. Techs range from English-fluent massage parlor staff to girls who've never gotten a farang naked before. I've taken one or two “for the team” and it's part of the deal...and I'm not complaining either.
There are varieties on the site (there are other sites besides fiwfans but it's the market leader), and the wiggliest category is “Free Agency,” as you'd expect. Here you'll find a provider who claims she's a moonlighting nurse. I'm sure she's got a nurse's costume anyway. Here's an agency who claims their staff are non-WGs down on their luck, and they charge premium rates. There are a few techs (often older) who claim to be sexual gurus. You can GoogleTranslate the reviews and attempt to parse the chaotic verbiage.
One useful banner at the top separates girls by region: สุขุมวิท-บางนา is Sukumvhit/Bang Na while the last is ต่างจังหวัด (out in the “provinces”). Useful as while a pic may be fetching, it may not be sufficient to prompt a lengthy taxi ride out to Pathum Fuckin' Thani.
It goes without saying that most of the pix are Photoshopped. Caveat emptor.
JtB
[ Last edited by JackTheBat at 7-4-2022 16:36 ] | |
