2006-09-03 04:58:09 · 14 answers · asked by kiffbrown 2 in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ Thailand
Again a fool who want to buy a bar in Pattaya. If you can get a bar on the walking street - then its good business. If not - then forget it. Don't believe fake papers who show a good yearly income. I have seen so many foreigners try open a bar, but after 1 year they sell it again with a big loose of money. First you have to be there 24 hour a day, the staff steal behind your back, or even buy beer elsewhere and sell in your bar. And the most stupid thing is to let your Thai girlfriend take care the bar. Then you sure loose it very fast.
Please before you do something stupid, come down here and live her for some years first. Try ask some of the many foreigners who live her.
A better way to make money - if you have contacts at home, is to make a good guesthouse, and then take care the guest good so they return year after year.
living here for 12 years
email: thlo@asiamail.com
2006-09-04 22:08:26 · answer #1 · answered by try.myanmar 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes...dont do it, it is a minefield fraught with cons, and also very hard to make any sort of profit, majority of smaller bars dont make money, and there is a high turnover of owners.People often come to Thailand, meet a lady, and love the lifestyle, and owning a bar seems the logical and easiest way to establish a business, and get a foot in to living in thailand.Be very careful, all the good bars are taken, and rarely sell.. its a thai mafia dominated industry. Its far easier to work 3 months in your own country, and live off your savings.If you are adament you want to do this, spend money on a lawyer to check all documentation, I know of a few people that have been turned over.I would strongly advise you against this move, ask yourself, with all the competition in the area, and there is probably more in Pattaya than anywhere, what would make people want to come to your bar, and whats it got that all the hundreds of other bars havent...if there is no defining attraction, you are just entering a lottery, and must be prepared to lose your investment.
2006-09-04 15:46:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Be very care full with bar in Thailand,
Expect to pay some extra money to new "stack holders"
for sure the Police and/or Thai Mafia and in some cities like Pattaya also to Russian mafia.
Was hearing of small KTV for local persons run by local people
Thai Police asked them to pay 20.000 bath/month.
This is "normal" in Thailand and when you do not do expect allot of problems. Thai Police is not paid very well so they found other ways to "increase" their income.
"Welcome to Thailand"
Try to get a local partner you can trust,
visit some bars which are owned by foreigners
and ask their experience as is varies from city to city.
2006-09-03 19:21:38 · answer #3 · answered by Cees 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to have a bar in southern thailand for a while until my landlord quit on me by trying to get me arrested. You can't trust most of them, but try to find a really good landlord or partner..And please buy a bar from someone who knows how to speak a decent english language. It is really hard to communicate when they don't speak english so you ended up losing much of your money.before buying the bar, walk around the neighbourhood, ask the bar owners around what they think about the bar you're buying..they know many things..whatever they are suggesting, keep it in your mind..
2006-09-04 11:46:05 · answer #4 · answered by golituk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I take it you've actually been there before, right? And you DO know what the scene is like. There are quite a few westerners doing the same thing at varying levels of success. As a great experience, I'd say, go for it! As a serious business venture; I'd say, be careful! Ohh, and most importantly, make sure you put me on your free drinks for life progam!!!
2006-09-03 14:40:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The laws of business are different in Thailand than in the US. Foreigners cant own property for example. You will a partner you can trust look before you leap.
2006-09-03 06:26:09 · answer #6 · answered by Bigboi47 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be carefull, but mostly dont listen to the bar talk over there. Seek proper legal advice, it can be done. But most improtantly, dont buy a bar from a man in bar. There are some bad people seeling bars they don't even own. check out sunbeltasia.com, its amazing! Good luck..........
2006-09-03 07:39:58 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Stop thinking immediately....I agree with all above "don't do it" We are pretty bad, we have a smile on our face while our hand is picking your pocket and mark your name on Pattaya Russian mafia list...you won't come home rich or pretty. No offense but you know Small country and everybody wants a piece of it!!
2006-09-04 18:28:30 · answer #8 · answered by anna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you will have to be there to look for one, and you will have to find out why the owner is selling! If he is making money, he will not be selling, right?
May be your better choice will be heading to Phuket and set up a bar. The place is rebuilding and I guess you will have better options there.
2006-09-03 20:11:05 · answer #9 · answered by peanutz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope that you know what you are getting into, and have a reliable, trusted Thai associate. You had better thoroughly understand Thai business practices in all their guises, and know what I mean when I say that.
If you don't feel that you have a comfort level on any of this; don't do it.
2006-09-03 05:21:58 · answer #10 · answered by ElOsoBravo 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋