Why My Bar Is Closed For Songkran

The speaker's bar, Rub Runner, located on Soy Van Gao, will be closed from April 12th to April 20th, missing the Songkran water festival. While Songkran is celebrated on April 13th throughout Thailand, Pattaya extends its festivities to nine days, concluding on the 19th. The speaker notes that approximately 80% of expats living in Pattaya dislike Songkran, contrasting with tourists who often visit specifically to enjoy it. The decision to close for eight days is primarily due to the disruption it causes to daily routines and the associated stress levels. The speaker, who acts as the mamasan, manager, and DJ of the bar, believes that the business would suffer significantly if he were to remain open. Many staff members typically want to participate in Songkran with friends, family, or customers, leading to low staff numbers in go-go bars during this period. Additionally, most regular customers, being expats, tend to leave town during the festival. Financially, the speaker acknowledges that closing for eight days, especially during a time when there might be an increase in customers, could be considered "financial suicide." However, the decision to close was made months ago and has been upheld despite unforeseen global events, such as conflicts in the Middle East, which have impacted air travel and fuel prices, making this one of the quietest periods in Pattaya since the COVID-19 pandemic. Many businesses, including airports and restaurants, are reporting significant drops in activity. Despite the potential financial benefits of staying open, the speaker prioritized his well-being and stress levels over profit. While he appreciates the innocent fun of children with water pistols, he finds the behavior of some "bonehead phalangs" who aggressively target people on motorbikes with high-powered water pistols unacceptable and a major source of stress. The bar will reopen on April 20th with a "thank Songkran and he's over" party, where staff can wear freestyle attire to attract more girls back to the bar. Many staff members are expected to go home for Songkran, with younger staff likely to participate in the festivities. During the closure, the speaker plans to visit his girlfriend's new house, which she bought for him. The speaker also mentions a members' area for those interested in learning more about running a go-go bar in Pattaya, offering 18 years of experience for a monthly fee. Additionally, he invites viewers to join him on Kik, a new live-streaming platform, under the name Rum Run, to watch his "escapades." He concludes by wishing everyone a great and safe Songkran.