My early 80s Bangkok bar trip

Its November 1984
I have backpacked by train and bus and ferry to Bangkok from Bali I am staying in the Malaysia Hotel
Bangkok is Different to Indonesia and Malaysia I can wander around without fools trying to sell me drugs and getting angry when i decline


Its nite time I am off to Patpong I am going to see one of those shows and enjoy my self (ive been living on 5 bucks a day for 2 months) and ive got 200 dollars a day to blow over the eight days I have left.

OK Where the rip Off Cassanova bar is now was a rip off bar called "Number One Bar"

"cheap drinks " "sexy Show" "Happy hour No cover charge you come with me."
Sit down only one other customer in the bar he is having a good time.
watch a bit of the show its just started!
2 acts and here comes the bill "you pay now " 1000 baht " look show 300 baht see the sign drinks 100 baht lady drink 100 baht.
Hey I dont care I have lots of cash the girls are all cute (this is 1984 even the bottle opener is ok) and the star act Lek is young
and her sister is younger but not as good looking.
Pay the bill smile everything changes. gets quieter less raunchy show slows and almost stops just a couple of naked girls bored on stage.
Wait for the rest of the show slow down on the lady drinks and keep buying my beer. 100bht who cares
Watch some customers come see some more of the show they get the bill they get angry and leave.
Watch other customers come get a Blowjob in the short time room and they leave happy.
Whats going on here not everyone is getting the big bill I got and the ones that do get angry and leave.
OK the Fire Act IS a bit older but I enquire with the other guy who is having a good time and learn about the Barfine
hmm ok offer to pay the Barfine She says dont its 0100 closing time I will go with you.
Ok Really great sex and she says "you come Number one bar again" I say too expensive
and she explains no only expensive because we dont know you come back no cover charge 40bht beer 50bht lady drinks.
Why not.
Hey its true Great time had watchin the first timers get angry and leave watchin the show.
If they have eight customers they do a F##kn show.
happens several times an evening.
Darren a American in his 40s sometime subs for the Thai guy to everyones amusement.
Off the bottle opener great sex again.
Come back the next nite bring another customer I met on the ferry
I get so plastered I cant even remeber getting back to the hotel I think the guy brought payed the cheque but the bottle opener got me to my room.
lucky I offed her the night before or I dont know where I would have woke up.
Gotta get the star girl Im too pissed she wont go with me says come tomorrow and dont get drunk.
OK get in early the next day I m a mess she combs and brushes my hair and gets me looking presentable before we go out.
great time had again.
I loved the Number 1 bar

I didnt manage to blow all the cash but I came close
Had an absolute unforgettable time and did it all again in 1985.
but on only 100 dollars a day
The Mamasan is still there at Cleos Bar beer in Patpong 2
Lek the Star act is selling food on the street corner a couple of kilomiters from Patpong
I see them sometimes when I am walking with my son and hear them explain to people as I walk away that no I am not a tootsie with a young Thai man Because they know me and know thats my "Luk Chai" not my boyfriend.


I fell sort of lucky I can go to any "rip off bar " and almost never get the rip off routine I wont buy a drink until i talk with the mamasan about prices i get the bill put in front of me every time and check them every time.