This one sent in by AUK - love it.
Nice and blunt.
For those interested in picking up some Thai - you might want to check out this site:
http://learn-thai-podcast.com/ . They also have podcasts you can setup via iTunes which I found handy. Thought I would pass it on for those who may be interested. I think someone could make a killing with online video lessons taught by hot Thai girls in the buff.
The new Pattaya Beer Garden is open now. Looks to be an interesting business model and heavy use of the online as a marketing tool. I don’t say this to toot our own horn but back when we started the Mango I did not think we would be setting some trends but clearly the use of blogs in a bar’s business model is getting more routine than it was when we started. Cool shit.
Anyone checked the place out yet? Curious.
New stairwell up at the Mango. Props.
Saw this inbound link today. Right back at you. This guy makes some good points about the need for things like the Lonely Planet in the world of the internet and blogs. I guess it is handy to have a book to carry around but nice to have the collective knowledge of the internet as well. For sure things are changing and we hope durianseed helps out a bit. Almost 200 items in and climbing. Stay tuned.
Enough Cabbages and Condoms, more Wine and Drugs!
View all comments by BabaBobo
This ‘learn Thai podcast’ stuff looks cool. Thanks.
Regarding the blogs with a new business, in my opinion, this is true for every kind of businesses now. If one can promote its business via a blog, why not do it. I remember reading a blog from a guy opening a bar in Pattaya. The blog lasted 6 months… just as the bar… just as the guy’s girlfriend who owned the bar
View all comments by Suk Psycho
Per the Pattaya Beergarden website:
“Every day from Monday we will be introducing new girls to the bar. We have a team of Thai guys who will be bringing in groups of 10 freelancers at a time to have a look at the place. We will be offering them free Somtum and a small financial inducement to just have a look.”
Someone clue me: Why they would use Thai males to solicit FLs? Maybe I’m naive, but I would think the best source for encouraging freelancers to patronize their business would be other FLs.
Perhaps these particular Thai guys have a large stable of Giks they want to send to more lucrative venues.
Actually, I think the Pattaya Beergarden is a good business idea consistent with the trand I am seeing of farangs looking for ladies outside the basic barfine venues, where poor customer service is normally practiced.
I’ll pop down there after the holiday weekend.
View all comments by dj
That is my blog - anyway, LP may be of use to backpackers, although I am just not sure of the accuracy of the information, giving the publishing cycles and all. I’d say by the time the book hits the shelves, some of the info at least is outdated. Ok, they have background/culture/reference info as well, but you can pick that up elsewhere for free. For me the most useful feature of LP is thorntree, their online forum. I don’t bother with the printed books anymore, and now it looks like they will lose some street cred as well. Then you have DK publishers and others who squeeze LP at the luxury end, with their glossy guides in full color and all. Looks like the BBC might have made a bad deal purchasing LP.
View all comments by Julian
I usually take LP along, mainly because I like to change my plans around. I can usually find a better deal on a hotel or meals if I have time to search the web or arrive early enough to look around a bit. But with LP, I can arrive in a strange town and find a reasonable place to stay in just a few minutes. If the place doesn’t look great, I’ll book one night and find something better in the morning.
The printed info is often out of date, or frankly, just made up, but if you need a room on short notice, it gives you a good place to start.
DK is a lot prettier, but if you were arriving in Cadiz at 10 PM with no reservation, your odds will be better with LP.
Now for a really bad guide, check out the Lets Go (or just say we did) series…
View all comments by callisto
s - you are correct but u still don’t it a ton on the thai bar business. I mean it makes sense to use it. No doubt about it. In our case the blog outlasted the bar.
dj - I also thought that was strange and more of a turn off then anything. Also seems very un freelancer like - meaning let’s round up these girls I was going to take the mamasan and such and such go-go but I will drop them here. I think what they are doing is a good trend but I think it is hard to prime the pump so to speak. If u do go to pattaya we would love a trip report. Seems the places are back to opening late and wondering idf same in pattaya.
j - interesting topic indeed. Similar to free downloads killing music sales. I actually used to swear by LP but what turned me off more about it was learning how corrupt it all is with how the main writers control what gets listed and what does not. Ever notice how some places never get in the LP and other crappy places do? It is like wikipedia were 1% of the writers control what goes on a wiki page. Lame. That is what I love the net - it breaks down these models - even wiki is coming under pressure now.
c - great point. Tough to knock the book format. over time though the latest up to date “feeling” about a place will be on your phone and will give u what u want based on where u are at. Only a matter of time.
View all comments by smitty
You seen some of the promotions and stuff they got going at that pattaya beer garden? Especially in a place known for such cheap measly scumbags, i can see them attracting people who will get there for there 2 free drinks and never return
Plus i question the quality of the girls at a beergarten style place in pattaya
View all comments by Young Penfold
fyi on the learn thai stuff:
http://learn-thai-podcast.com/blog/learn-thai-lessons/learn-thai-lesson-emergencies-video-does-it-work-on-your-ipod/
this is like a slideshow with audi that shows the written thai as well. pretty cool!
View all comments by smitty
The Thai guys referred to actually work for the Pattaya Beer Garden. They are out and about at the discos, Walking Street and Beach Rd handing out flyers to the girls and explaining what the Beer Garden is and how it works. They are not bringing in their own stable of girls.
Marketing to freelancers is not easy as they do not read newspapers, watch local TV or listen to the radio. Someone explaining fluently in their native language and offering to show them the place makes sense to me. It’s working too as the word is getting out.
I’d give you a review but as it is my bar you may think I am biased. Considering that we have only been opened for a week though I’d have to say the response has been fantastic. Check it out if your in town and make up your own mind. More details on the website http://www.pattayabeergarden.com
BTW, I used the internet extensively to market my first bar in Pattaya in 1998. Anybody who doesn’t use this amazing tool is just to stupid really.
Pete
View all comments by PattayaPete
pete - thanks for commenting here and explaining the situation. Sounds cool. We wish you the best of luck and I will be down to check it out when I have some time.
The FL must be tough to kick start but well worth the effort.
View all comments by smitty