It is now an official period of mourning in Thailand. October is the month of the Royal Cremation and a lot of the usual places of entertainment in Bangkok have been ordered to turn down or even close throughout the month. So, are the bars open in Thailand during October? Yes and no.
Here is the situation with the bars in the capital as far as I know right now:
- Insanity nightclub will be closed on October 13, October 14, October 25, October 26 and October 27. Other big nightclubs will probably do the same. A few smaller places may try to sneak in under the radar and stay open.
- Nana Plaza will be closed on October 13, October 25, October 26 and October 27. Some smaller bars on Soi 4 will be open on October 13 though their lights may not be on and they’ll probably close the doors early.
- The neon lights will stay off on Soi Cowboy throughout October. The go go bars will be open on October 13, though the women outside of the bars will wear black dresses and alcohol will not be sold. The bars will be closed entirely October 25, October 26 and October 27.
- Most of the bars in Patpong will be closed on October 13 though a few smaller places with minimal advertising and signage may keep their doors open. All bars in the area will be closed on October 25, October 26 and October 27.
What about other cities across Thailand? That information is harder to come by, but this it what I’ve heard:
- Beer bars and go go bars in Pattaya will either be closed or operate with subdued lighting and music on October 13. There will be extensive bar closures across the city on October 25, October 26, and October 27.
- There will also be extensive bar closures across Phuket and on October 13, October 25, October 26, and October 27.
- Beer bars and go go bars in Chiang Mai will have their lights off on October 13. They will not play music. They will be closed on October 25, October 26, and October 27.
This is the information I have been able to gather as of October 12, 2017. Not much of it is “official” but it is what people are saying and it seems to be rooted in reality. Of course things can always change in the Land of Smiles, but the best policy for the rest of this month would be to expect a lot of closures.
