Finally we see some focused government action in these trying times. Not only the Ministry of Information & Communication Technology is overly active these days to ensure a pure and prosperous society.

We learn that the Ministry of Health “is considering action against alcohol beverage firms that distribute calendars clearly showing their brand names or logos – but with no constructive or educational information of value to society.” Instead they show sexy girls. Wow.

Another Protect-the-Nation’s-Dignity campaign by our puritan leaders. Say thanks to the chosen ones behind the yellow movement who want to ban alcohol altogether. Mens sana in corpore sano. Never mind the endless political bickering and hate. It all comes down to, it seems, loose morals and abounding obscenities in today’s Thai society.

All this place needs is some discipline and we’d be fine.

Sexual stimulation could lead to violence, we read in The Nation article linked above, and authorities are urged to take up the issue seriously with major investors and the public in condemning a certain beer company’s PR moves, that is, women’s movements really.

Who doesn’t like women’s movements – as long as they’re rhythmic.

Hey, it’s all body paint anyway. Mostly.

Beauty, we’re told, can be harmful to your health.

“Enough is enough,” the owners of beer Lao/Singha said, some of the richest people in Thailand. The heiress of the Bhirombhakdi-empire took their cause to Govt House (where she actually works!), we learn from Thai Intelligent News, where they distributed 500 calendars and “pissed off and embarrassed politicians.”

Seems like everyone wanted a calendar. If the commerce minister has a role in this whole thing I hear someone asking? …

But what a turn of events. The PM staffer and Singha heiress resigned … A beautiful woman fighting for the rights of beautiful women. Where can I sign up for a Chitpas Bhirombhakdi fan club?

Before our dear dark ages officials get their way and censor these splendid gifts of nature – the Jessica Alba look-alike’s my fav -, here are some Beer Leo 2010 Body Paint Calendar Girls:

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I was shocked. Utterly shocked. Doesn’t happen often that I’m shocked. But there I was. Speechless. Must have had my mouth open all the time, struggling to keep the head straight. It actually was soon too much for me. Slightly dizzy, without a single drink, and I had to leave. A few minutes later, walking home through Soi Cowboy, the shorter and stouter versions prevailed again. Back to reality.

I’ve seen many things in Thailand and always appreciate the privilege of enjoying the kingdom’s manifold beauties. But – strictly visually speaking – nothing so far compared to the quality of the tall smooth Thai sirens dancing most nonchalantly before my sore eyes that other night. Well, I was told they do that every night somewhere in town. I must live behind moon.

It happened at Bangkok nightclub the The Bank’s first pool party at the Dream hotel. Some photos are uploaded at the Gallery. But careful, they’re not office-friendly. Not my territory really, but well, for the sake of research: Penthouse and Maxim and FHM girls were dancing around the pool losing a shirt or bikini top now and then. But this post isn’t about them. It’s an interview with The Bank’s American owner who shares some surprising insights how the biz works and how good a hefty night out can be for your business.

The Bank somehow just fell into the lap of Peter, a youngish guy from the U.S. East Coast. Before he was in Hong Kong in the import export business. 1993 for the first time in Thailand, Peter „of course fell in love with Thai girls“ and was fascinated by having business meetings in between drinking with girls and enjoying karaoke.

A year ago he opened the excluxive member nightclub The Bank at Sukhumvit Soi 40. Everyone told him he’ll fail. But Peter’s still going strong. He’s an innovater, he says. His girls, the club, the whole attitude is different. And don’t even dare to mention go-go and beer bars in the same breath with The Bank. Here is why, here we go.

You fell in love here Peter. What makes Thai girls different from other girls?

(Pauses) They’re more submissive. They treat the guys nicer. It’s a 30 to 40 years behind the U.S. And they’re sexy and soft. Everything is good about Asian woman. They’re not as aggressive. At that time I had a hot-headed American-Mexican. Then an American marketing guy brought me to Asia and I fell in love drinking cognac for lunch with Chinese guys and all that. Also the service aspect, how they take care of you. I never did any nightlife business, but I fell in love with that Thai style. I hate beer bars. Sometimes I go there to relax, but I don’t like them. Then I met a girl. She took me to these gentlemen clubs, to the since closed Blue Moon and some of the big clubs, oh my god, it’s like a VIP life Las Vegas style. All the girls are pretty, the bands are great and it’s not cheap. Then my first girlfriend in Thailand took me to karaoke. Loved it. Maybe I should have been a rockstar. I learned how to sing and enjoy and I learned how to drink whiskey. Before I only drank beer. Now only whiskey. No more beer. So basically I started this club not to make money, but to meet people. I have big shot clients.

And why should an expat or a business-minded expat entrepreneur pay attention to a club like The Bank?

Funny question! When I first came to Thailand, I was looking for a flashlight factory. After a nice lunch and tour of the factory, the big boss took me to a whiskey member club that night. It was small local place near Rama II which had a lot pretty young girls with an big open lounge on the 2nd floor with karaoke. There must have been 10 tables and 30 to 40 girls in the room. After everyone got lubed up and happy, they all wanted to hear the “American” sing Elvis. So they handed me the microphone. Oh my god … What was I going to do? I didn’t know how to sing! A salesman should never say “no.” So of course I tried. After about ten words in monotone, it was obvious that I was NOT Elvis so someone quickly took the mic to spare me the embarrassment. The  cultural gap was obvious and I never did business with the factory. That was back in 1993. Fast forward 15 years to 2008:  When I go out my Asian buddies I have no problem opening my lungs and belt it out with a pretty girl hanging on to join. Sometimes, I can even impress them with a slow Thai song from Sek Loso. They then treat me more like their “brother” which I believe can translate into more trust and closer business ties. And because I’m the owner, even the successful Thai businessmen look at me with disbelief. I’m not saying everybody should open a Thai style nightclub to get ahead in business, but if your objective is to close an important deal with a Thai company, my suggestion is to spend a percentage of your entertainment budget on lounge or karaoke clubs. If you want to take it to a new level, take the initiative to polish up on your singing skills. Join a music school. There are many in Thailand and they are cheap. Then you’re ready to spend the whole night out. Thais like to sing until the wee hours. And have plenty of credit limit available on your credit card. This is how you can show power by taking your business partners out to an exclusive club. The night will set you back 15,000 to 30,000 baht, but I guarantee you will increase your chances of surfing up the business ladder and show them you understand how Thailand works. Not to mention having a great time in luxurious environment.

You must have either the best or most stressful job in the world.

Best? I wouldn’t say so. It’s a difficult job to manage night people. Because they’re a different breed. They’re all a little bit a lot selfish. They all work for the tip and don’t think about the company. They will give the customer a break if they can give a cheaper price. They will do it to get an extra tip, but then the company loses.

At least you’re surrounded by pretties …

Well, when I started the club, everything was important, the decoration, the sound system, the girls. But now I have other people managing the girls. I distanced myself a little bit. It’s been up and down … My girlfriend helps me. She didn’t want me to make the club, to spend all the money. She has never been in the nightlife … She was in a hospital … Also me, I’m a virgin in the business. Everybody said I will fail. Most people in this business don’t make money. Because all of the money goes to the girls and shows. There is not a single other such club in Bangkok managed by a farang. It’s over a year already.

A year is a very long time in this business.

It is! I have the same type of customers such as The Piano, The Pent, but they’re more about image, or St. Moritz behind Q Bar. These are all the competitors, some of them have a big hall and big stage with coyote dancers. We’re smaller. My club is famous for karaoke. And for wild girls.

How you get them wild?

I went to cheap local karaoke places around Bangkok. I found some of the girls myself and changed their culture. And they changed the culture inside the club. They’re a little snobby. They’re pretty, but they’re snobby. Customers want to feel like heros. The cheap local karaoke outside Bangkok don’t pay the girls anything, so I brought the girls in … Well, they’re a little lower class. But they don’t have to have sex with customers. We don’t encourage anything of that. We fire them if we find out. But they’re a little hotter. Nobody has done that in Sukhumvit so far. They do that in province clubs, but my customers would never go there. Here are carpets, there just cement and it’ all very low class. And then we have very good relationships with police. My girlfriend is an expert in that. It’s not expensive, she just entertains them. We’re a Thai style club, not like some farang who just comes and thinks he can eat all of the cake. This particular club I took over, it already had a licence. I renovated everything.

Well, that other evening, at your pool party … how did the party end?

It ended with a lot of people jumping in the pool and having fun. And then the police came up and just sat there. Some big guys, but they didn’t cause any troubles. Most of my club members are high society Thais. I have such big customers they could easily kick them out. The party ended smoothly … The next party is at the beach, around Father’s Day, December 5th, because we have to close! We will take over a whole hotel. I’m thinking about more outside events … It’s worth it. Everyone goes to this party and they talk. After the pool party people are talking about The Bank now. I wanna create this positive buzz in the business. The Bank wants to be known as the place for VIP private parties. Any group or club is welcome. On our website you can download a 50% discount Invite Card.

So many clubs in Bangkok. You got enough members?

The club is open for everyone, but more expensive for non-members. The membership deal is so inexpensive. People who live in Thailand who want to entertain their friends, you get a package of whiskey bottles and discounts on ladies’ drink. Eleven bottles of Black Label for 20,000 baht. And two VIP rooms with free mixer. That’s how most of the pubs make their money. With Pepsi and Coke. 60 or 80 baht for each mixer. The whiskey is cheap. At The Piano it might be eight bottles of wine, so I give three more extra bottles.

Who are your members.

My members are mostly Asian businessmen. The majority of which are Thai, but also Japanese, Korean, Singaporean, guys that are doing business in Thailand or come here frequently. Most own businesses and factories here. We don’t have tourists. However, we are getting more tourists that want to make a stag party. We just had one from India, one from the U.K. and one from Singapore. They just came in for a few days. It’s not like the go-go bars. It’s private. The girls are a different class. But we can offer them a private party for the whole night. Of course it costs a little more, but those guys don’t care. 15 girls and a special show and ten bottles of Hennessy and some 20 food plates cost a group last week 125,000 baht.

You got female customers?

Women are allowed … we do have some lesbians, some Toms, of course they’re Thai. We can have lady guests, we just charge them a guest charge.

Why another such club in Bangkok, aren’t there already enough of?

It will never have enough. But there is a limited number of customers that go to those places. Those who have a lot of money, but probably the saturation is reached already. Probably. Because they always open new ones. I’m the first one to do this style with more of a party atmosphere in Sukhumvit.

Isn’t your trade destroying marriages?

I don’t think so. Because Asian women accept that their husbands go out and this is part of the culture. The guy still respects his wife. He may take care of his girlfriend, but he’s not gonna leave wife and kids. They don’t divorce. I don’t think it’s distusting. These guys are much more civilized. If they have a relationship with a girl, the girls become a little more tough. But you know, a lot of these guys are young handsome guys, not old fat lounge guys. They are from these high society Thai families. They may even have arranged marriages. They have two parts in their lives. The white side where everything is perfect. And the dark side. They may have a Thai girlfriend and never had sex with her. And on the other side they want to have fun. But even if the wife or girlfriend finds out, they not gonna leave them. The women have to accept. Because the guy is not going to change.

How much can the girls make?

It’s kind of incentive. We guarantee a flat amount. 400 baht per day, guaranteed, even if you don’t have a customer, plus a 100 baht per drink or 200 baht per hour. That’s about a 1,000 baht per day. The girls who are good they average between 1,500 and 2,000 baht a day, which is a lot of money for these girls. The best ones can make about 60,000 to 70,000 baht a month. But we don’t have barfines or encourage sex. That’s up to the girls after work, exchanging phone numbers. But the girls are moving around, they just go to the place that pays more. We call this modeling. Modeling is like an agent that helps the club owner to find girls. And they have their network. I don’t know how they do it. One girl has a friend who has a friend and they just try to get the best deals. They’re like performing a service for the girls and get their own money for negotiating. And a lot of the girls go to the clubs themselves. The girls working in these clubs are a mix. Some stay there, others are jumping around. The real challenge is finding pretty girls and training them. Most of the girls in my club are happy. They’re parttime, they have a job during the day. No one wants to work fulltime. Some of them still go to school. Some want to party with their friends and want some flexibility in their lives. At my club they have to work four days a week. That doesn’t pressure them too much. That’s how the big clubs control the girls. They don’t allow them to work parttime and deduct let’s say 1,500 baht if they don’t shop up for a day.

What about students working in clubs? Or that’s rather an urban myth?

A lot of times you can find actually very nice girls in these clubs that are educated. College girls who work in the night business for two weeks to get some money. Still, it’s a taboo for anyone to think that they work in the nightlife. It’s a big challenge for them. But people change. Some of the girls who first wouldn’t sit with a customer now take off their shirt in the karaoke room.

And the Penthouse girls? They’re a whole different lot?

They’re around all those clubs. They’re always somewhere doing their Penthouse shows. The Penthouse girls get about 3,000 baht per show. Which is a lot for them. After our pool party they went to Hollywood. They go to sexy shows in many places. They usually have two shows a night. A lot of them can be bought. It all depends on the money. One guy offered 10,000 baht. She said no. He offered 20,000 baht. She said yes.

And very happy endings, such as marriages between a girl and a customer?

I don’t know about marriage, but I’d say since we opened at least ten of our best girls are taken by their customers. They’re now either their girlfriend or mia noi. Or a guy buys her a condo, she has to stop working. They want them to go to school. Think of it. Some of the girls are babies, like 19, 20. And from what I have seen the girls are much less money hungry and care more for the guy than in go-go and beer bars. If they really stop, they stop. Because they’re with the guy. But in the go-go bar where tourists go in and out they can have many guys from all over. But I’d say my girls don’t do that. She’s gonna really stop.

+++ Live music, sensual “erotic” shows, business lounge with pool table, luxurious VIP rooms for the ultimate party … If anyone is interested in hosting a private party at the The Bank Club, contact Peter for a special quote: info@thebankmemberclub.com

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It’s this time of the year again, on August 23rd, of the Miss Universe contest, this time on the Bahamas. Hopeful Thailand, known around the world for the most pleasant aesthetic singularity of her female offspring, is represented by Chutima Durongdej. Chuti-who? Miss Thai Universe?! Gimme a break!

She’s 23 years old, measures 35-26-35, has black eyes and … Bear with me for wondering what made her look more beautiful than the top of this nation’s outstanding women. Must be her inner beauty and intelligence I guess. But then again – and don’t forget to take the poll below:

We all know how eagerly the official Thailand celebrates global Thai achievements, such as a win in a sport event or a Thai heading an international organization. So why the choice of Kai Mook, pearl, as she is called? We’re lucky to get a wooden spoon.

Still, Durongdej was the 1st and 2nd runner up during her studies in the U.K. when she participated in Miss Wimbledon and Miss London pageants. In 2006 she was even chosen into the top 20 of Britain’s Next Top Model.

But the past and hope is about all there is. Look at her contestants. Tough choices. Vietnam’s terribly hot. Cute Guam. Fiery Nicaragua. At least she will outdo Malaysia. Or maybe I got it all wrong again – personally, I fall for the more natural, unaware beauty:

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What’s up everyone! Sorry for the huge delay (busy doing other projects, switching jobs, finding one in the recession, the usual), but I’m back!

Anyway, enough about me, let’s cut to the chase and talk about our featured Thai hottie. As you have read from Yardthip Rajpal last time, I’m into the luk kruengs.

And frankly if you haven’t seen Sonia “Pim” Couling when searching online for Eurasians, then you haven’t been looking hard enough.

By Tom, Thai Girls

For those of you that have passed RCA recently, she’s on a huge billboard there smiling. Hard to miss. She’s been around for ages and has tried to exploit the modeling scene in Asia, although falling just a little too short.

This Thai-British cover girl (like Sara Lane & Tata Young) has tried her very best to break out of the mould. While not doing the odd modeling she went and became VJ-ing for MTV Singapore, just like Sirinya Burbridge (aka Sirinya Winsiri aka Cindy Bishop) did.

The brave girl actually put herself out there and reached out to the execs for the Tyra Banks Show: America’s Next Top Model and did the Thai version back in 2005. But as we all know, Thai people are more interested in established celebrities rather than the upcoming ones.

Not sure if we’ll see a second season.

Sonia has a solid following in Asia, but before she was 14 her flawless face went international as a 7-Up spokesmodel.

Sonia remains best known for her ‘98-’99 MTV stint as a VJ. She also ranked No. 2 on FHM’s list of Sexiest Women in Asia and No. 23 on the magazine’s list of the 100 Sexiest Women in the World.

By now Sonia has the whole range of photo shoots, from high-fashion to bikini-clad. Nothing gets in her way when she’s out looking for work, as you can see from the whole range of shots below – and this one’s for AIS:

My rating? 7/10

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Born in October 1980, of a physical density of 45 kilograms and longitude of 163 centimeters of concentrated Thai beauty, “Aff” Taksaorn Paksukcharern isn’t your typical Bangkok Siren. You won’t find any shots of a scantily dressed Aff. She’s a star of the lakorn, the overly dramatic Thai television serials, also called soap operas. And therefore a good girl, a serious girl.

That doesn’t mean she can’t be enchanting. A seemingly most traditional Thai girl, Aff mixes Thainess with unique exotic zest. Well, some women just don’t have to show more to impress more – and they still enjoy a dedicated discipleship. Aff is not the kinky, but a tiny, pure Southeast Asian beauty.

She went to Chula’s Faculty of Communication Arts and has a bachelor degree from the U.S. The elder of two sisters insists she has never been and will never be a hi-so girl and is kind of proud to come from a working family with her father being an architect. Acting and drama, she says, just fell into her lap.

It started at university when she got to wear the crown at the yearly football game between the Chulalongkorn and Thammasat universities. Her studies by the way she wants to continue. Preferably in England, but her work keeps her here, she says. Maybe she will have time for a Thai master degree in marketing communication.

How she sees herself? Romantic, simple, active and pleasingly opinionated. She eats everything, as long as it’s plain, won the Television Gold Award 2007 for best actress, remains single and keeps the kingdom glued to the TV screens when she’s on.

Our rating? 9/10

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Bar any last minute surprise – such as a house dissolution or a re-reformed Newin Chidchob – Thailand can proud herself of having the world’s most beautiful prime minister. For how long, nobody knows, but such crowns are usually not made to last.

After a long series of headlines sporting civil war, straitjacket democracy, fascist PAD thugs and civil war delayed we will finally have something to be proud of again. Maybe there will even be overseas Abhisit We Love You fan clubs.

Most sadly though one of our strongest resources, Thai women, again didn’t live up to their name at this weekend’s Miss World event in Johannesburg. How could they with the kingdom’s representative Ummarapas Jullakasian – yes, I think she got a nose job.

The winner was Russian student Ksenia Sukhinova from Siberia – hear how beautifully that rhymes? Sukhinova from Siberia … How can’t you love her. Ummarapas Jullakasian though doesn’t rhyme with anything exotic or erotic. Maybe with “brass band.” Or Jolly K. Asian.

Ksenia loves ABBA. Our Ummarapas loves som tum. But Nong Mim wasn’t even supposed to be there. Miss Thailand World was not held this year due to the death of HRH Princess Galyani Vadhana. So last year’s 1st runner-up, Nong Mim, represented Thailand in South Africa:

Or as Asian Sweetheart analyzes: “I saw quite a few shots of Mim in the run up to the pageant and thought she was attractive but certainly not hot. I was a little disappointed again since there are so many spectacular ladies in Thailand that the rest of the world never sees.”

Maybe Thailand would have better chances competing for Mister World, crowning the world’s most desirable man.

Or why doesn’t amazing Thailand not just create a forthright Mister Politician competition?

Imagine the headlines.

One would expect anything from Thailand these days, wouldn’t one.

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