Nana Plaza will again be closed on the second Buddhist holidays since Thailand’s alcohol laws were amended, but Patpong, Pattaya and more of Soi Cowboy will be open July 10-11.
Publication of a new Alcohol Control Act in the Royal Gazette on May 9 finally allowed for booze to be sold in limited circumstances on the five major Buddhist holidays. Visakha Bucha Day on May 11 was the first boozy holiday. Thursday ad Friday’s Asanha Bucha Day and Khao Phansa (Buddist Lent Day) will bet the second.
Patpong, Cowboy & Pattaya Open
All of Patpong’s and Pattaya’s bars will be allowed to open for the Buddhist holidays with Bada Bing and Radio City expected to be heaving and the premier clubs in Thailand’s oldest nightlife district.
On Soi Cowboy, management at Suzie Wong, Baccara and Shark Go-Go Club on confirmed they will open as normal on the Buddhist holdiays. Thai-owned Long Gun, which closes at 2 a.m. unlike the rest of the Neon Alley, confirmed it will be closed both days to avoid any holiday “tea money” payments. Other bars, including Crazy House, may be open. You’ll just have to check for yourself.
The newly relaxed law states that alcohol sales on Buddhist holdiays will be limited to international airports, registered hotels, officially licensed entertainment establishments, venues associated with tourism in designated tourist zones, and venues hosting significant national or international events.
Nana Plaza Respecting Buddhist Holidays
Nana Plaza ownership said that the Soi 4 complex does not meet requirements and have told tenant bar owners they’re “not going to break the rules, that’s for sure”.
Lumpini District police, which covers Soi 4, aren’t giving any f***ks about what others are doing. A Bangkok bar veteran said this week that all of the police district, which includes Soi 11, will be closed, unlike Thong Lor and Bang Rak divisions, home to Cowboy and Patpong.
That decision, especially in light of all other bar areas open and that this holiday falls on a critical Friday night, went over like a lead balloon with Nana Plaza bar owners and managers who all are bemoaning lost income during the Buddhist holdiays. The first time the law was changed three days before the holiday, so confusion was natural. This time, owners are griping, there’s no excuse.
This has been the worst low season since at least 2019 – a popular DJ performing at various clubs and restaurants this week called it “the Legendary Low” – and bar operators have been able to make money only on weekends.
Tycoon Full Moon Party Saturday
Nana Plaza operators hope that Saturday night after the Buddhist holidays will be a big one and Tycoon a-Go-Go in Nana Plaza is making big plans with a Full Moon Party planned from 8 p.m. on. Special shows and body paint for customers and dancers alike will color the evening, making it a must-visit stop for Plaza patrons.
