Thailand: A Different World After Dark

It is not unusual to visit a place anywhere in the world and leave wondering whether you have missed something. The time of year, the weather, the beauty, or how many people are there can affect one’s perception. To me, whether I see somewhere during the day or at night is the determining factor, which is why I try to experience both.

As Different as Night and Day

If I am ever asked for advice on where to live, particularly in the Land of Smiles, I would urge them to visit during both day and night, as both can be very different. A quiet midday environment can change dramatically when street stalls attract customers and businesses open when others have finished for the day.

By the same token, depending on a person’s wishes or lifestyle, they might be put off by a place where nothing happens after 8 pm, which can be the case in some smaller towns and villages. That said, even those places can erupt into a wall of sound if a stage show comes to town, or someone is celebrating. Forget phoning the council to complain about the noise!

The main tourist towns have zones naturally for expats or holidaymakers that open from dusk till nearly dusk. The bars and restaurants serve Western menus and drinks to match. However, visitors are shocked, even a few blocks away in Bangkok, and certainly in provincial towns, when they cannot find an open bar.

Surprise Surprise

When I moved to Thailand, I lived in Minburi, an eastern suburb of the capital. I had to wait until 4 or 5 pm for any bar within 10 kilometres to open. After that, there were plenty of options. The reason? Thais go to work, and those who don’t can’t afford to drink. They go out after work, sometimes until the early hours.

When I toured, I was shocked by how quiet places were, even before 9 pm. Then, suddenly, they livened up. Even small towns have bars and restaurants with a wonderful atmosphere, different from comparable places in Western countries, as a large bottle of local whisky is shared and mixed with soda. 

If you find one, expect noise, a live band, waitress service, and sometimes to be asked to sing. I cannot recommend it enough. If you show you want to have fun and be part of local culture, you’re likely to be treated like royalty. Because they are often open-fronted, the noise travels, which goes back to my advice about choosing accommodation.

With and Without

I can list Ubon Ratchathani, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Pathom, Hat Yai, and Ayutthaya among the sizable towns or cities, along with most Bangkok suburbs, where I haven’t found a bar before 4 pm. Sure, you can buy a beer with a meal in a restaurant, but it’s not quite the same.

However, there are anomalies. The Isan towns of Buriram, Khon Kaen, Surin, Udon Thani, and Sisaket all have more than one place where Westerners are likely to gather during the day. Why? They have sizeable communities of Western men married to local women, and smart businessmen realise they need somewhere for them to drink, knowing the Thais will provide trade in the evening.

Everything in Moderation

Not that there is anything wrong with daytime in places without daytime bars. Indeed, there's a lot to be said for not having the temptation of falling into the expat trap, where drinking too much becomes a habit rather than a pleasure. Daytime is for relaxing, playing golf, or visiting new places. Well, I think so anyway.

I must sound like a broken record to my friends, but I don’t know anywhere that matches Bangkok’s dusk in the heat when the neon lights come on, and the city becomes extra special. But not every night, thank you!

To Conclude

If you want to live in Thailand, choose your location carefully, consider why you want to live here and what you need to function, and then visit during the day and during the night to avoid any nasty surprises.

If you enjoyed this story, feel free to check out my YouTube Channel, where I share videos about everyday life in Thailand, local football, and travel across the country.

Thanks for reading.