Checklist 08
Read the Bill
The bell is not a doorbell. A Patong bar bill has three traps: the bell, the lady drinks, the slip pile. Here's roughly what it costs.
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The price level
A beer: roughly 100–200 baht.
In soi and beer bars. Cocktails and big-club drinks often 200–400. Read the menu before the pour.
Menu first, then the pour
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Lady drinks
Her drink: roughly 180–300.
A lady drink is her drink plus her commission. Nobody forces you to buy one. Count them anyway.
Say yes on purpose, not by nodding
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The bell
Ring it, pay for everyone.
Ring the bell and you've bought a round for the whole bar, staff included. They cheer, you pay.
Price the bar before you price the moment
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Bar fine
She leaves early? The bar charges.
The bar fine is the venue's fee when staff leave before the shift ends. Roughly 800–2,000 baht, more in go-gos.
It pays the bar. Nothing else is included.
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The slip pile
Check every slip. Every round.
Slips stack up in a cup on the table. Count them while you can. Big-club entry: free to about 1,000 baht.
Pay per round when the night gets fuzzy
Save the carousel
Sources
Checked 18 October 2026. Rules and venue policies change; check current requirements before you travel. General information, not legal advice. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
