This Week in Go-Gos: Buddhist Alcohol Ban, Spanky’s 18th Anniversary, Full Moon Madness, Valentine’s Love

The Tycoon Valentine's Full Moon Party comes after this week's Buddhist alcohol ban.

It’s a Buddhist alcohol ban again, plus Full Moon and Valentine’s parties in Thailand’s go-go bars this week.

Macha Bucha Buddhist Alcohol Ban

The first of the three “big Buddha days” comes Wednesday as Macha Bucha Day, Thailand’s “All Saints Day”, commemorates the occasion when 1,250 disciples traveled to meet with Lord Buddha with no prearranged agreement at Weluwan Mahawiharn Temple near Rachakhryha, India.

The day gained official recognition in Thailand during the reign of King Rama IV and became a nationally observed day with all government institutions closing down and observing the rituals associated with Buddhist commandments. As such, anyone selling alcohol is prohibited for the day.

A decade ago, the Buddhist alcohol ban was enforced sensibly: Starting from dawn until the next morning. But a few years back, police began enforcing the Buddhist alcohol ban at midnight to midnight, basically ruining two days for nightlife operators.

In Bangkok, all bars and clubs will be closed, including Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy. It’s still possible to find places, especially in Patpong, clandestinely serving, but, really, if you can’t do without booze for a day, you’ve got more serious problems than having to stock up from 7-Eleven beforehand.

In Pattaya, Walking Street go-go bars will reopen at 10 p.m. Wednesday, serving only soft drinks until midnight.

Spanky's 18th Anniversary Party

Spanky’s 18th Anniversary: No Fucks Given for Holiday

What holiday? It’s no fucks given at Spanky’s in Nana Plaza which is refusing to move its big 18th Anniversary Party from Feb. 11 even though Nana Plaza will close at midnight. Instead, Spanky’s is opening early – at 6 p.m. – to make sure everyone gets their party on before the Buddhist alcohol ban.

Full Moon Madness Meets Valentine’s Day

Once the Buddhist alcohol ban ends, it’s time to party.

Feb. 13 will see combination Full Moon Party-Valentine’s Day celebrations at Tycoon AGoGo, Red Dragon Club & Lounge, and Mandarin Club in Nana Plaza and Shark Go-Go Club on Soi Cowboy.

Expect plenty of loved-up ladies at Tycoon as the Full Moon ticks over to Valentine’s Day at midnight Thursday. There will be body-paint shows, more paint for customers and happy hour until 11 p.m. with local beers priced at just 99 baht.

At Red Dragon, Mandarin and Shark, the “Moonlight Romance” party will feature professional pole dancing and the requisite lesbian show.

All four bars open at 8 p.m.