December 3, 200718 yr Wednesday, December 5 is His Majesty, the King's 80th birthday. In Thailand this is a major holiday. All government offices, banks, embassy services, and bars will be closed. ATMs will be working. If you need to cash any travel checks, today or tomorrow is the time to do it. Also, if you wish to have a "guest" on Wednesday, tonight or tomorrow is the time to make that arrangement as well.
December 3, 200718 yr Are you sure? About the bars closing. This used to be the case always but I heard and read that this is not to happen this year and the request came from the Palace that bars remain open so that Thais can celebrate HM's 80th birthday.
December 3, 200718 yr I dont believe they have to close this year. David at Come In Bar did tell me tonight that he will close. Not sure why unless he just wants to give the guys a night off.. john
December 3, 200718 yr Author The only thing I'm sure of in regard to the bar closings is what I have been told and by whom. Two bar owners told me they will be closed and another reliable source told me the same thing. Whether they are required to be closed is another matter. It didn't occur to me to ask whether the closings are mandatory, so I can't answer that one. I don't think it matters much what we've read before. I read those articles too. You know how things work in Thailand. You're told something one day, and the next day it has all completely changed. There's one way to find out. Go to a few bars and see if they're open. But if it were me, and I want to be assured of a "guest" on Wednesday, I'd be making my arrangements on Tuesday.
December 5, 200718 yr I am in Bangkok. I checked with Future Boys, Fresh Beach Boys and Tawan Bar and they all say that they will be open tonight, 5th December.
December 5, 200718 yr Author I was out of town for the past few days, so I have no idea whether bars ended up closing or remaining open. Perhaps someone can tell us what actually transpired on Wednesday.
December 6, 200718 yr I was out of town for the past few days, so I have no idea whether bars ended up closing or remaining open. Perhaps someone can tell us what actually transpired on Wednesday. I was at Tawan for a couple of hours. It was quiet but definitely open. Less young men and less customers than usual. A relaxed atmosphere and I had a lot of attention.
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