InfoAnda - Bangkok's red light district suffers from political chaos

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Thai court prepares ruling in PM party funding case | | 29 November 2010
Taiwan sells T$30 bln T-bills at 0.593 pct yield | 3 August 2010
Hugo Chavez mocks Venezuela coup, Fidel Castro death forecast | | 31 December 2009

PAKISTAN | 30 June 2010

">Forum Views () ">Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Bangkok's red light district suffers from political chaos

Navigation Primary Navigation Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular Secondary Navigation Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Search Search: Bangkok's red light district suffers from political chaos AFP - 2 hours 18 minutes ago BANGKOK (AFP) - - The go-go bars are empty and sex is on sale at half price as Bangkok's infamous red light districts suffer from a blockade of the capital's airports. "It's high season, but now it's like low season," said Nan, a scantily-clad hostess at one deserted nightspot in the Thai capital's notorious Patpong area. An old man played guitar and sang along to a karaoke machine inside. Outside, beneath the pink neon, about 10 women in almost identical low-cut dresses tried to drum up trade. Although anti-government protesters have ended an eight-day siege of Bangkok's airports, the effect of Thailand's ongoing political chaos on the tourism industry is devastating. Sex tourism is no exception. Patpong depends on foreigners to keep afloat, but as the 350,000 air travellers stranded by the airport closures rush to leave Thailand, replacements are not coming in. "Now Thailand has a problem -- no customers," said Lam, a man who works for Nan's bar, luring tourists in off the streets by posing as a friendly Thai offering unsolicited advice on good places to go. Lam is hopeful the trade will return to Patpong, a lurid strip of live shows and sleazy nightlife. "It is because of the airport, but now the airport is all clear," he said. The Tourism Authority of Thailand is not so optimistic. The group expects incoming travellers in 2009 to be half the 14.8 million the kingdom saw last year, with word of the protests causing tourists considering a trip to Thailand to book elsewhere. At the normally standing-room-only "ping-pong" shows, five or six women swarm each new arrival. Some are following the example of Thailand's resorts and luxury hotels by offering discounted rates. Prostitutes offer two hours of sexual services for 800 baht (about 22 dollars) instead of the normal 1,500 to 2,000 baht that would cost. The airport closures also hurt Bangkok's other entertainment options, such as the famous "ladyboy" cabaret shows. "The shutdown of the airports seriously affected our business," said Nipon Boonmasuwaran, sales and marketing manager of the Calypso show in Bangkok, where flamboyantly-dressed transvestites lip-sync and dance to famous tunes. "Our guests have dropped 90 percent -- we have less than 50 guests in our 350-seat theatre," Nipon said. The Calypso also cancelled its second daily showing during the November 25-December 3 chaos, when images of frustrated tourists trying to flee Thailand from a military airbase beamed around the world. "We handed out thousands of free tickets for the stranded hotel guests in order to entertain them and hope that they would buy drinks -- otherwise we will have no business," he said. "Since re-opening of the airports business is trickling in but very slow," adding that guests normally came from Europe -- especially the Netherlands and Belgium -- and Asian countries such as South Korea, Japan and Singapore. The blockade may have brought in some extra trade. American tourists Lisa Richardson, 30, and Michael Latham, 29, said they would never have come to Patpong had they not been stranded in Bangkok. "Being stuck for an extra week convinced us to spend time and money on things we wouldn't have normally -- ping-pong shows for example," said Latham. But he said that he felt for Thais whose livelihood was being hit, adding: "they're hurt so much worse than we are and it just hurts to see," Latham said. Thailand was until 2005 the world's leading destination for sex tourists, when its crown was taken by Brazil, according to Interpol. Although prostitution is officially illegal in Thailand, estimates for the number of sex workers range from 80 000 to two million women and men. At her Patpong bar, Nan says she hopes the tourists return soon, as she sends the money she earns back to her family near the Cambodian border. "Maybe in 15 days, a month it comes back," she said. Email Story IM Story Printable View Blog This Recommend this article Average (0 votes) Sign in to recommend this article » Most Recommended Stories » Related Articles: Asia Pacific Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao punishes De la Hoya for technical knockout triumphAFP - 22 minutes ago Afghan spokesman: 9 Taliban killed in gunbattleAP - 29 minutes ago Indian official denies call to Pakistani presidentAP - 49 minutes ago Trucks torched at Pakistan terminal used for NATOAP - 1 hour 21 minutes ago India questions two over Mumbai attacksAFP - 1 hour 32 minutes ago Enlarge Photo Bangkok's red light district suffers from political chaos Most Popular – Asia Pacific Viewed Diamond thieves pull off 100-million-dollar Paris heist Girl, 8, among 17 dead in Manila shoot-out: police Vinnie Jones gets into bar fight over role in X-Men Oil price falls below $40 Formula One: Honda exit casts cloud over F1 future View Complete List » Search: Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Top Stories Most Popular

Other News on Sunday, 7 December 2008
Maradona touched by fans' response in India
Freemasons in Singapore celebrate 150 years of existence in region
Thai opposition says it can form govt
Beckham's Galaxy too powerful for Oceania All Stars
Record number of students expected to collect free used textbooks
War epic shines in Chinese-language 'Oscars'
Sustainability is key in deciding financial aid
'Warlords' wins best film at Chinese Oscars
France's Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama as China fumes
Thai opposition says it can form next government
Brit actor Vinnie Jones arrested in SD bar fight
Police: Man arrested in Mumbai probe is cop
Indian police arrest 2 men in Mumbai investigation
NKorea warns it will ignore Japan at nuclear talks
Bush: war in Iraq on its way to being won
US senators says Pakistan will act
Victorious teen bowler returns to Singapore to warm welcome
Children 'executed' in 1950 South Korean killings
India attacker rose from crook to militant
Amsterdam wants to halve prostitution windows, coffee shops
Test for Vietnam government: free-speech bloggers
South Africa capture second Sevens victory
Nobel literature laureate urges respect for overlooked cultures
Spy writer Le Carre honored by Swiss university
France's Sarkozy meets Dalai Lama as China fumes
Hundreds protest Vatican's opposition to pro-gay UN text
Pakistan central bank says growth to slow
China ups financial support to small firms
Indian police arrest 2 men in Mumbai investigation
Israel eases traffic restriction in West Bank city
Taliban and civilians hit by bombardment
Former leftist guerrilla to travel to France with Betancourt
Obama invites Americans to take a "Seat at the Table"
India police arrest two in Mumbai attacks probe | International |
Police: bombs and shootings kill 6 in Iraq
Sarkozy cites limited progress with eastern EU climate refuseniks
RugbyU: Harlequins stun Stade in Paris stronghold
France, Poland hold talks on European climate deal
Democrats near deal on cash influx for automakers
Spain marks 30 years of post-Franco constitution
Rioting across Greece after police shoot boy dead | International |
Russian Orthodox Church names interim head
Two killed in south Afghanistan fighting | International |
Palestinian leader Abbas attacks Hamas over haj | International |
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,209
Iran shells remote area of northern Iraq: mayor | International |
First Russian warship uses Panama Canal since 1944
Sarkozy defies China with Dalai Lama talks | International |
Emotional Ledger family accept Australian film award
Canadian opposition leader faces pressure to quit | International |
AP Interview: OPEC head predicts output cuts
Heath Ledger gets posthumous film award | Entertainment |
Italian mob drama Gomorra dominates European Film Awards | Entertainment |
Italian Mafia drama wins European Film Award
US senators say Pakistan will act
Children 'executed' in 1950 SKorean killings
'My Three Sons' actress Beverly Garland dies at 82
Mumbai attacks prompt elite to action -- for now
China blasts Sarkozy's Dalai Lama meeting as 'unwise'
Xinhua: Sarkozy's meeting with Dalai Lama 'unwise'
Hand-crafted Italian shoes kick financial crisis
'Cheeky' Spanish tradition brings toilet humour at Christmas
Del Toro attends screening of 'Che' in Havana
9 dead, 19 injured in Malaysian bus crash
Malaysia bans hillside developments after landslide: report
SKorean envoy 'not optimistic' over NKorea talks
Doubt over NKorea talks as envoys gather in Beijing
Solar panels to 'intelligent' barrels, winemakers on new course
Water buffalo rampage leaves 2 dead in Vietnam
Bangladesh gets its own Taj Mahal
US to deploy new forces south of Kabul to protect Afghan capital
Bangkok's red light district suffers from political chaos
Taiwan party chief visits Japan to mend fences
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
EU launches first navy mission, in pirate-infested seas
Voting starts in Ghana's presidential, legislative polls
Pakistani militants torch Humvees for western forces | International |
Merkel plays Scrooge as Germans demand shop vouchers
Iran tests new missile from warship: reports | International |
Democrats near deal on bailout loans for US automakers
Negroponte to travel to Israel
Taiwan party chief heads to Japan to ease tensions | International |
SKorea expresses pessimism over 6-party nuke talks
Walmart.com offers thousands of Wiis from Monday | Technology |
Solar panels to 'intelligent' barrels, winemakers on new course
India questions two over Mumbai attacks
Filipino boxing icon Pacquiao stands tall in TKO of De la Hoya
Five easy steps to plug online music leaks | Technology |
SKorea unveils fresh support for struggling farm sector
Indian FM denies call to Pakistani president
Former Thai ruling party meets as power struggle erupts
SKorea's Hynix to trim pay in recovery effort
Sri Lanka troops in 'kissing distance' of Tiger HQ: military
Chicago band uses digital savvy to promote album | Technology |
Afghan spokesman: 9 Taliban killed in gunbattle
America's latest 'must-have' -- an Obama trinket
Trucks torched at Pakistan terminal used for NATO
Australian navy catches suspected people smugglers
Pacquiao stops De la Hoya in key boxing match
Jonas Brothers get an upgrade in Mexico City | Entertainment |
Italy mob drama Gomorra rules Europe film awards | Entertainment |
Circus comes to town for Take That | Entertainment |
Five easy steps to plug online music leaks | Entertainment |
Clashes mar Indian Kashmir voting
Fehler 404
McCain warns against worsening of India-Pakistan ties
Australian authorities intercept suspected people smugglers
Loyalists of exiled former Thai PM Thaksin meet
Watchdog issues piracy warning for SE Malaysia
Search ends for Papua New Guinea landslide victims
Athletics: Kenya’s Luke Kibet wins Singapore Marathon in new record time
Promoters plan for more music festivals despite economic gloom
Thaksin loyalists desperate to stay in power
Thaksin loyalists look desperate to stay in power
Taiwanese students protest demonstration law
Taiwanese protest police 'abuse' during anti-China demos
Afghan official: 9 Taliban killed in gunbattle
SM Goh calls the late Mr Ho See Beng "an effective union leader"
Radio: Iran tests missile during naval maneuver
Twelve dead in Afghan violence: officials
India blasts Pakistan over hoax Mumbai call | International |
Thousands file past Russian Orthodox patriarch's coffin
Israel blocks bid by Arab MPs to break Gaza blockade
Pro-Thaksin party claims to have Thai majority | International |
India unveils $4four-bln economic stimulus package
Pakistan militants torch NATO supply trucks: police
Climate change: Sci-fi solutions no longer in the margins
Britain plots Zimbabwe invasion: Mugabe spokesman | International |
Thousands queue to bid farewell to Russian patriarch | International |
Ghana votes for new president to usher in oil era | International |
Families of 9/11 victims to watch Guantanamo trial
Israel halts boat planning to deliver aid to Gaza | International |
Taiwan party chief begins historic visit to Japan
Climate change: Sci-fi solutions no longer in the margins
Millions of Muslims ask forgiveness at haj climax | International |
India unveils $4 bln economic stimulus package
China in 'strong protest' to France over Dalai Lama meet
India announces $4 billion stimulus package
New Zealand house price fall steadies in November
Sudan confirms troop build-up in oil region | International |
India slams Pakistan over Mumbai hoax call reports
China to invest $22B on railways in north province
SKorea's Hynix announces new cost-saving steps
Media Park @ One North to begin Phase 1 development next year
More than 160 US, NATO vehicles burned in Pakistan
MediaCorp celebrities sell personal items for charity
Football: Singapore through to semi—finals of ASEAN Cup
Pirates fire on Dutch ship off Tanzania: watchdog
China lodges protest over Dalai Lama meeting
McCain: Afghanistan situation will get harder
Negotiators brace for 'tough' NKorea nuclear talks
Singapore suspends import, sale of pork products from Ireland
Sarkozy walks Chinese tightrope over Dalai Lama
Singapore—based medical student killed in bus crash in Malaysia
Indian minister denies call to Pakistani president
Clashes disrupt fourth phase of Kashmir elections
Jazz community holds concert for cancer—stricken musician
Discovery's Bear Grylls injured in Antarctica
More than 160 US, NATO vehicles burned in Pakistan
China lodges protest over Dalai Lama meeting
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01