Thermae Coffee Shop--A Shift in Customers?
For those unaware of Bangkok's Thermae Coffee Shop, this has been a prime place since the Vietnam War for falangs (Westerners) to meet Thai girls. Thermae has moved its location across the street, and there has been a greater emphasis on independent pros over the years, but the core of putting together Thai girls and falangs has remained a constant.
I have been in Thermae twice over the last week, and I am seeing a trend which has been developing over the last few years. This could spell the end of Thermae for white or black western men.
Much as the Grace Hotel has turned into a mecca (pun intended) for Arabic men seeking Thai girls and as a consequence, driving Westerners to seek other areas, Thermae is turning more and more Japanese. In the past, Japanese men have tended to higher-class night clubs or to their own street off Silom Road, there has been a growing tendency for Japanese men to "slum" it in what heretofore have been Western hangouts.
For some time now, there has been a small number of Japanese (and a few Taiwan and Korean) men coming to Thermae. They have tended to congregate at the tables in the back, and girls (usually younger and prettier) have been interested only in them. The rest of Thermae, along the center bar and the booths along the sides, have been for Westerners. The girls who would go with them would stay in these areas.
Lately, though, there have been more and more Japanese crowding in, mostly young men. These men are now spreading out along the booths, taking them over. And their age along with their ethnic background make them a far more appealing choice to a majority of the girls than the typical Western punter.
On both of my last two forays into Thermae, I would say that over half of the girls would not even talk to a Western man. Most broke out into eager smiles whenever a young Japanese pseudo-punker with spiked hair and torn jeans walked by.
Change is inevitable. The Grace Hotel changed hands, so-to-speak, and it looks as if Thermae might be going down the same road. Soi 7 seems to still be primarily a Western hangout, but if Thermae becomes a place where Westerners are either unwelcome or at least not encouraged, what will take its place?
I would appreciate any comments or opinions others might have on the subject.
I have been in Thermae twice over the last week, and I am seeing a trend which has been developing over the last few years. This could spell the end of Thermae for white or black western men.
Much as the Grace Hotel has turned into a mecca (pun intended) for Arabic men seeking Thai girls and as a consequence, driving Westerners to seek other areas, Thermae is turning more and more Japanese. In the past, Japanese men have tended to higher-class night clubs or to their own street off Silom Road, there has been a growing tendency for Japanese men to "slum" it in what heretofore have been Western hangouts.
For some time now, there has been a small number of Japanese (and a few Taiwan and Korean) men coming to Thermae. They have tended to congregate at the tables in the back, and girls (usually younger and prettier) have been interested only in them. The rest of Thermae, along the center bar and the booths along the sides, have been for Westerners. The girls who would go with them would stay in these areas.
Lately, though, there have been more and more Japanese crowding in, mostly young men. These men are now spreading out along the booths, taking them over. And their age along with their ethnic background make them a far more appealing choice to a majority of the girls than the typical Western punter.
On both of my last two forays into Thermae, I would say that over half of the girls would not even talk to a Western man. Most broke out into eager smiles whenever a young Japanese pseudo-punker with spiked hair and torn jeans walked by.
Change is inevitable. The Grace Hotel changed hands, so-to-speak, and it looks as if Thermae might be going down the same road. Soi 7 seems to still be primarily a Western hangout, but if Thermae becomes a place where Westerners are either unwelcome or at least not encouraged, what will take its place?
I would appreciate any comments or opinions others might have on the subject.
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