Quote: (07-23-2013 12:52 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:
Quote: (07-23-2013 10:47 AM)DirectDanger Wrote:
It does not exist.
Quote: (07-23-2013 10:42 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:
Where is High-End World Class partying + beach life ?
Where is BKK meets the beach?
Where is The Thailand South Beach?
Next closest thing?
Koh PhiPhi?
Ko Samui?
Probably Phuket, Samui, or Pattaya. You'll find high-end in all three. Thailand has travelers from every level of society. Book a high-end resort and they'll sometimes have their own bar scene that most of us lower-budget travelers never even see - if they don't, I would bet they could tell you where to go to mingle with the moneyed. If you're an open-minded guy, there's a high-end Thai scene, restaurants and bars, that is awesome - just takes a while to figure out how the game is played. Moneyed Thais have more loot than we could even imagine so there's definitely shiek venues if you want them, and they tend to be my favorite when I can afford it. Just probably not as hopping as South Beach.
Best bet is to go to the high(er) end Thai discoteques and post up with a bottle of Johnn Walker Gold (though all the other colors will do if you want to roll a bit slower). Middle class folks will be in there too but as the guy with money you get true love here. Don't go out with other travelers. Show up by yourself. Be modest and humble but confident. Easygoing is much more favored than brash here. It will be awkward at first but if you're willing to bear it out and have a good humor about you people will eventually break the ice with you. or vice versa. Be judgemental about who you hang with though if you aim to actually meet even semi-important folks - status is huge with Thais.
People bring their own bottles to the club and all stand around at their own tiny little standing table pouring their own drinks, and the tables are close enough to be elbow to elbow, so easy to strike a convo if you're patient.
BKK would be the best for a high-end scene, though obviously no beach, and the women much more international in demeanor. You could kick it there and take a cheap flight down to hang at the beach for a week or something.
I believe Indo probably has a pretty good high-end scene. I know some real fat cats that own surf resorts out there and have been visiting for over 10 years. And if Fisto and those guys where hanging with models and actresses I believe your style would fly in the Philippines too.
In Thailand, it's not so much about finding the high-end scene - though, as I said, it does exist. Rather, people with money learn to make their status work for them. The discos frequented by middle and upper class Thais are pretty classy so you will not feel out of place; women and men alike have a great sense of style. You'll stand out from most of us white boys just by knowing how to dress. The normal ones are somewhat of a challenge though, especially outside BKK - be prepared to separate the wheat from the chaff if you're flaunting sophistication.
Beyond All Seas
"The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe.
To be your own man is a hard business. If you try it, you'll be lonely often, and sometimes
frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself." - Kipling