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[OlRedEyes]

I just don't get why anyone wants to go to a karaoke bar. I live in a Thai (non-tourist) area, and every once in a while someone would have a party Last night this terrible thing happenned again.....
Volume is all. Great big speakers. The singing is bad, really bad... worldclass bad. Last night I thought maybe I should actually make a recording and sell as a joke tape. The later it gets the badder it gets.
Why pay to endure this?

Edited by OlRedEyes, 2005-06-04 16:03:47.

[custard]

OxfordWill, on 2005-06-02 18:38:12, said:

Personally I just don't get the appeal of karaoke at all. I sometimes wish I did because everyone who does like it seems to have such a great time doing it. Hmph!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But I remember you having such a good time with that 'Som' girl !

[thai3]

speleo, on 2005-05-30 16:14:30, said:

OxfordWill, on 2005-05-28 18:55:52, said:

Just wondering if anyone has had any interesting experiences with the Thai Karaoke bars. There are plenty around and I am assured many do not object to the farang (especially if accompanied). Im fairly curious as with most things so, anyone got anything to say on the topic? Cheers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Have done a fair bit of research on karaoke bars. I haven't been accompanied by Thais at any of them.There are two types - ones where you do the singing and ones where the girls do the singing.

The first type tend to be cheap 'n' cheerful, often just a bamboo shack on the outskirts of town. Girls will have a chat and make sure your beer glass is full. If you can sing there are usually English tunes on the machine and you will be a big star if you give them a couple of songs. As they make most money from the food order a couple of dishes to keep the owner happy. The posher, air conditioned karaoke bars found in towns and hotels are more expensive. These often have private rooms for you and your mates to sing in. Take one of these rooms if you want the girls to look after you. The staff in these places are (usually) not 'professionals'.

The singing girl or 'naclong' bars are more classy and more expensive. The girls do the singing. As a rule of thumb the worse the singer the less clothes she wears. If you like a girl send up some garlands up to the stage when she is singing and she'll keep you company all evening. However, take the time to suss out the joint. If a Thai is sending up garlands do not try to steal his woman by sending up garlands of your own.

One final observation: all the bars seem to run by women or katoeys.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Some good advice here but I would add that I never heard cafes refered to as 'nadong bars' and never seen a cafe that was run by a woman or katoey. If buying mali (galand) the girl. or guy, will usually just come to your table and wai and only sit down if invited. If alone they are more likely to sit down, they expect a drink and tips at the end of the night. I have learned a lot about thai music from singers in cafes, esp in khon khaen where for some reason it's easier to find a singer who speaks english. Quite a number of famous singers started out in cafes so there is always the hope that they will go on a get discovered if very good, and they do have to be very good. I have heard some remarkable singers in cafes who never won a competition though as looks come into it as well.
I never had any problems either in karaokes or cafes from thai guys, just the opposite. I have been asked to join parties, been offered booze and even had a thai on another table try to give me 50 baht for a taxi as it was raining! I agree that you should not go into these places and treat the girls like whores, that's probably when falangs do get themselves in trouble. A knowledge of the music goes a long way, being a loud mouth showing no respect to anyone dosn't. One good thing about karaokes in Bkk at least is that some still open until daylight. It's not necessary to go with a group, esp to a cafe and in these places the food is normally quite good. The only problem in a karaoke is that the music books are all in thai but you can tell the girls what you want to hear, 5-10 baht a song. Posh karaokes though I would say you have to go with a group, unless you want to be in the room alone with the singers-peter

Edited by thai3, 2005-06-06 15:07:06.