Bar Owner Confesses Truth About Thailand's Ladybars

Join ‪@NolanJax‬ and other digital nomads in Nomad School: www.nomadskool.com/
Ever wondered what it's like to open a bar in Thailand?
In this eye-opening interview, I sit down with Nolan, a Canadian expat who dared to make this dream a reality in Chiang Mai's renowned red light district.
From his initial plans to the challenges and triumphs of his entrepreneurial journey, Nolan gives us a raw, inside look into the life of a bar owner in Thailand.
Whether you're considering a similar path or simply intrigued by the expat experience, this conversation is packed with insights you won't find anywhere else.
00:00 - Introduction to the Interview
00:58 - Nolan's Initial Plans in Thailand
02:00 - The Decision to Open a Bar in Thailand
03:04 - Hesitations Before Opening a Bar
04:38 - How Important Is It to Have a Thai Partner?
05:47 - The Reality of Running a Bar Day-to-Day
06:58 - Legal Requirements for Opening a Bar in Thailand
08:25 - Nomad School Promo
08:53 - Big Regrets
10:35 - Upsides of Running a Bar in Thailand
13:02 - Future Plans and Possibility of Expansion
#expat #thailand #digitalnomad

[@brett_dev]

🌴 Looking to earn online and start your life in Thailand? 🇹🇭 brettdev.com/workshop 💻

[@lostboi3974]

Sounds 10x more complicated than being a landlord with 10x the liability. I wish those guys luck. That's a lot to take on.

[@dr.winstonsmith]

I was thinking the same thing. Being a landlord is not easy but sounds easier than the complications and liabilities of being a small business owner.

[@AlexColes-wn5jg]

Always. I knew some Thai owners of hotel business. The landlord is laughing do sweet F.A whilst hotel owners are effectively their pseudo-slave. If the business fails, another comes to take its place.

[@AntoninusPius17]

They renovated someone else’s building 😆

[@peterRobinson10101]

1 yr.... its still the honeymoon period. good interview and look forward to hearing back in 10-18 months . He seems like a genuinely fair and pleasant man. it raises an eyebrow when he makes statements such as he thinks he owns something in Thailand. I hope this story turns out well.

[@jocko_]

Wish him luck. My take on this is that in owning a bar (or any small business) you need to be involved in the day to day operations and see how the money flows. I knew a small business owner who trusted his manager right up to the day he declared bankruptcy.

[@daveb3987]

Great to see you doing interviews, Brett. Keep ‘em coming mate. 👍

[@chrisjuricichxl5]

wow--kudos to this guy--no way I'd open a bar without having had prvious experience. Opening a bar and closing a bar--the happiest two days of one's life...like buying and selling your sailboat.

[@chrisjuricichxl5]

@@freeagent8225 i've actually bought and sold my one sailboat and the story is true. Right now a friend who owns a bar in Manila wants to sell (it's NOT a 'ladybar') and wants to know if I"m interested. Oh, I am...but also...it's too risky for me. An easy $175k outlay...gonna pass.

[@regnorse]

lol sailboats look like fun,,no?

[@212Roger]

Another great interview Brett. Bravo! I met Nolan once with Jacko last year. He’s a super nice guy and I wish him the best. 🙏🏼

[@willg4944]

Brett, that was a really great interview. As an American would say you covered all the bases. Apparently, Nolan has a god head on his shoulders. 👍

[@tony9305]

Very well done on this video. Lots of my questions answered.

[@user-lj8cg7vf2v]

Great interview, thanks! Saw the bar, will drop by have a look next weekend ))

[@rationallogic1018]

Great interview. Ironically I live here CM right up the street and I would love to meet him! Networking is how things work here and knowing your neighbors is part of the culture here. Cheers

[@Darryl_Smith]

Off you go then...he said it - drop in and see him 😁

[@chrisjuricichxl5]

ahh...I'll be in Chiang Mai sometime next year for a month with my wife--who will be doing an art residency while I bike and walk around sketching, cooking Thai cuisine, etc. Will have to check out this bar

[@EdwinRodriguez-zt5fx]

Nolan looks like he's been put through the ringer 😂

[@legen-dary]

What does it mean?

[@Dime333]

@@legen-daryhe doesn’t look good. Lots of stress.

[@legen-dary]

@@Dime333 🤣

[@RetireandGo]

It was an interesting interview Stressful work but it must have its moments

[@tonyhudson8698]

​@@legen-darygone 8 rounds of boxing with a Bear..

[@garrygrant2394]

Sounds like my worst nightmare. No way could I deal with owning a bar. I've met many expats in SE Asia who own bars and never once did it sound like a good idea when they run the numbers. Being a landlord in the UK is bad enough but piss easy relatively speaking.

[@FirePattaya]

It’s much worse than you think Garry except for the numbers if you get the formula right. Lot’s and lot’s of work though.

[@iworkout6912]

The same in the states in a small city. (not a large city like NYC) I had a friend who became an alcoholic and drank much of the time. In the end a bartender/manager who he trusted, screwed him out of a lot of money. Mostly he wasn't watching the books like he should of and lost everything.

[@OneNightinBangkok_]

Really tough job. Great interview.

[@Landofsmiles999]

Great vlog, hearing what Nolan has to say has been brilliant. Doing a business in Thailand is of some interest. Just subbed to Nolan Jax.

[@johnnychinges888]

Attitude of gratitude for all you share.

[@roberth7894]

Nice interview. Brett, you have the same voice as the famous 80's DJ Richard Blade ha ha!

[@davidjackson7715]

Great interview, good luck with your enterprise

[@cryptosail0r]

Well you got yourself a new subscriber Mr @NolanJax I'll be checking out your videos for sure.

[@gloryrich7123]

Always enjoy your interview videos. Ok, who am I kidding. Love all your videos and especially NomadSkool.

[@travisjohn5793]

Good on ya mate for having the balls to give it a crack. Hope it all works out well

[@warrenlanham9088]

For me by far the most important question would be what steps were taken/ should be taken to protect yourself as a foreigner opening any business (but especially a bar) in Thailand. How does he paper himself legally from the person that signs the papers, from his partner, etc.? Is it difficult to do? How does it compare to legal protections in USA or Canada? There are so many stories of foreigners having their business blatantly stolen from them. Im assuming he took steps to ensure that couldn't happen.

[@Lushfan]

I agree. I was hoping that he would go into detail about dealing with say, a lawyer or what legal steps he had to go through. Let's face it, setting up a bar in the USA has it's complications, so I can't even imagine setting one up in a foreign country. If anything, I would at least go into a partnership with an expat who has been doing it a while and know the ropes.

[@spartanx169x]

EXACTLY!

[@ianmurdoch1767]

I used to do it in Samui. Find a bar that’s shut down. Find the leasee and offer to pay the rent plus a flat fee. Use their liquor license and I had a Thai guy who dealt with police , mafia and anything legal. He worked for most expat business establishments in Samui. You have to remember if you have a lady at with say 10 girls then you have 10 girls problems, 10 girls bitchiness etc etc so you need to hire a good mamasan to manage the girls and you need to watch her that she doesn’t fleece you. The golden rule is never sleep with any of your girls.

[@warrenlanham9088]

@@ianmurdoch1767 yeah the "never sleep with any of your girls" imo its probably one of the most important ones that most guys eventually fk up on. In my youth I learned the hard way that In all aspects of life 99.9% of the time its a bad idea to sleep with someone that you have complex personal and/or professional connections with. The momentary pleasure is never even close to being worth the risk.

[@minimalistation]

To answer the first paragraph honestly, ..................There are none full proof, only mitigatory...................

[@PatOG99]

I’m pretty sure if you’re a U.S. citizen you can own majority of equity through the amity treaty. This should prevent the risk of thai partner taking the business. I think the catch is you can own the land on the business so you lease long term or short term with a landlord.

[@reaj2010]

You are correct! Surprising how there is not many Americans here in the comments. Americans can own 100% of the buisness In thailand. And don't need to risk sharing with any thai partner. Also they can obtain a liqour license in the same manner.

[@FirePattaya]

Ok mate, I’ll stop operating my 2 bars the way I always have and operate them the way you advise. Sometimes I just have to acknowledge when I’m wrong. This could be one of those times.

[@regnorse]

hope your bar managing is better than your wit or youre fooked

[@ralphfurley4217]

I quit drinking.......so no bar for me.

[@timfisher5417]

Not drinking is probably the first step to being a good bar owner.

[@guzzijack9714]

Very interesting about the community aspect of owning a bar in that location. I couldn't believe he said it only cost 150,000B to renovate the entire bar. In the US you can't renovate a bathroom for that little.

[@davidkemp5798]

These bars are nothing more than an open front shop unit, crudely called bars and his is at the bottom of a dead bar complex.

[@deanalbertson7203]

In that situation it would probably be best to drink soda or juice, not alcohol. Constantly drinking alcohol is not good.

[@nunyabizness573]

In the U.S., in the "wild West" (developing country) the bar owner was also the Judge.

[@steveh5005]

Excellent

[@EliteGentlemanHub]

Quite the challenge sir! Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

[@babyliam8536]

where is this bar, I will come check it out in february

[@longdatedoptionsleaps6112]

I lived in Thailand from 2015 to 2019 and stayed in BKK I didn’t know Chiangmai had a “red light” district

[@davidkemp5798]

It has but its not comparable to Bangkok, pattaya and patong, its a joke really.

[@LetUsExpress92]

Exactly what I thought

[@anthonyanderson9326]

Probably like hua hin

[@DigitalNomadInvestor]

It's easy to get into bar ownership here. It's difficult to make it sustainable for years.

[@Amarikita]

You didn't ask the most important questions : what are your profit margins ? How much do you have to pay off the police and or other protection ?

[@reaj2010]

Ok I have to put this out there. Nolan is not a salesman, not a ladies man, not a buisness man, not a tough guy, not a cool guy, not a trendy guy. Not a american that could own 100% of the bar. So if he can make it....... but he is a nice guy and very realistic. Amd hard worker.

[@mrbbkk]

Get a rich Thai as a partner, not a poor girlfriend. The poor girl can sell it or borrow against it whenever she wants. The rich Thai cares about his reputation and can wait a year or longer to turn a profit.

[@bravefart1000]

he did not mention that his partner has to own the larger percentage of the bar . He stated that he and his partner have had a few disagreements on how the bar should be run he already said at the start that she already had a few businesses whereas he had no experience, so why would he debate anything with her? I assume that he also knows that if he is seen doing any work in the bar , regardless if it is serving at the bar or sweeping the floors to washing up that he could be fined and deported , well that is my understanding by what I have been told. Feel free to correct me if I am wrong on any of these points

[@pandemicoftheunvaccinated5367]

My understanding has it that even though a farang can own a bar;it's the mamasan who has the final say. She can dictate whether it can open or close.

[@FirePattaya]

No. But the Mamasan is responsible for directing the ladies. A Farang can only oversee… he is not permitted to do a job a Thai can do.

[@peterelliott6780]

A falang has zero final say on what happens at the bar.

[@pandemicoftheunvaccinated5367]

@@FirePattaya So, a mamasan has the final say.

[@FirePattaya]

The owner can shut the bar at any time. That’s the ultimate final say. For info. I have 2 bars in Thailand.

[@pandemicoftheunvaccinated5367]

@FirePattaya shutting an inoperable bar is like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted. Same as Philippines, the natives have absolute power when it comes to either business or property. Best of luck.

[@camwells9726]

Long time traveller to Thailand, have known quite a few bar owners over the years , have to say the most stressed of the lot seem to be the girly type bar owners , the girls themselves seem to create a lot of the problems through their unreliable and unpredictable nature . The happiest seem to be a couple of guys I know who have sports bars , one in Bangkok and one in Pattaya.

[@TheIrishd501]

Never, never, never... would I get into the bar business in Thailand, just too many complications to deal with. #1- you can't be the legal owner of the business (you need a Thai partner to be the "owner") #2- who is going to be the "trustworthy" manager that will actually run the business. You can actually have the bar stolen out from under you. #3- dealing with the girls (workers) and their drama. #4- dealing with the police and their "requests". #5- dealing with the other shady elements and their scams, and everything else he brought up. Just not worth the hassle.

[@reaj2010]

Americans can be 100% full owner in a thai business. Sorry mate

[@petergorm]

For around 23 years I've been going to Thailand. Stayed in the cheapest guest houses, and hanged out in the cheapest bars. Also went with the cheapest chicks. LOL. If I know that a certain bar is owned by a farang, I always go somewhere else that is thai owned. Farangs always up the prices, and I don't want farang food anyway. I avoid farang places as the plague in Thailand. To open a bar, as a farang in Thailand, is really an uphill battle. I never could understand why anyone would do that. It's doomed from the beginning. If you do it, it is because you have no concept of the thinking of the thai people. But good luck.

[@andyasia]

He's just another patsy being dragged around by a Thai woman who knows less than he does about the bar as a business. I've built, owned and sold bars and other businesses in Thailand so I have a decade or two of knowledge and this is just another sad bloke running away from reality because he couldn't get laid wherever he was working and Thailand fixed that problem, for a price. Once the money is gone, he's gone.

[@patienceobongo]

Thai women think bars are a great easy business. Buy a crate of Singha and sell it for more than it cost. They have no idea why farangs go to bars. Thais are like Chinese in bars, they sit in their group and don't meet anyone new. It's almost as ridiculous as when Chinese open Irish Bars.

[@kirdazemar6931]

Even if you are correct in your assessment of this story, I think that was a bit harsh. Every man has to find his own way even if it leads him to failure. Ultimately there can be no victory without failure. And with any luck, one can learn from their mistakes and improve upon it and make better decisions moving forward.

[@pingy30]

What's the name of his bar? Live I'm Chiang Mai and would love to support

[@harlevdk]

last bar

[@212Roger]

@@harlevdk When you enter the boxing stadium of bars from Loi Kroh Road proceed to the very back, pass the boxing ring, it’s the very last bar in the right corner. Pretty spacious.

[@212Roger]

@@hantms 🤷‍♂️

[@EvolvedBonobo]

His coffee shop should be called Sawasdee Cup ☕️🤣

[@GTBOU]

Farang cannot work in the bars , farang cannot win in any legal situation that arises in small businesses ( bars) Thailand is corrupt to the core ! Be warned you are just a temporary visitor, you are farang ( foreigner) you need to be very patient for a year or so and learn the culture of Thai business, this story has been repeated time and time again ( me too Patong)you are just a visitor so be a visitor and enjoy yourselves, best of luck on your journey in life mate .

[@MrEdrftgyuji]

No different to running a business in the West. If a foreigner accuses you of being an "-ist" or an "-phobe", then you have already lost. The deck is stacked against you.

[@chrisguzman3944]

I’m thinking of going there and purchasing a bar also, what’s the monthly income about?

[@cockneytintin]

Dont my friend!!! You will lose all your money like this guy will!! I've lived and visited Thailand for over 40 years and buying a bar always ends in tears with the farang losing all their money!! You need a thai partner and they always get greedy and start to plan a scheme to rid you of your share of the bar! This guy will end up penniless!!

[@reaj2010]

Just pick the good location. And think modern. Many of these guys think old school. But the younger tourist generation like new style. Are you american? Or other?

[@tommykeenan4930]

You’re not actually allowed to do any jobs that a Thai person can do. I have a friend that has opened one and he has to sit in the bar most days to keep his eyes on his business. Definitely not my lifestyle, I’m in Thailand to enjoy life, not create more stress. My stressful time was getting a house built back in 2016/17 but once that was done life has been pretty chilled and easy, i won’t get married again however I’ve been with my girlfriend for almost 11 years, we stay in rural Thailand and travel to the holiday spots like Pattaya, Phuket, Chiang Mai and many more for short breaks. I’m retired and have photography as a hobby, you really do need a hobby unless you just want to hang out in the bars 😅 I save the bar visits for my holidays as just mentioned

[@Benwain1982]

I’d like to know how he deals with the corruption and Thai gangs.

[@dalemyers-tn1dv]

Does the Canadian owner possibly need a bar manager I am from Canada and have 25 years experience in restaurant and hotels just curious I'm trying to find a way to move to Thailand

[@davidkemp5798]

you can but you'll be paid very poorly and will work 6 days a week and live like a peasant with an alcohol problem.

[@cockneytintin]

​@@davidkemp5798everyone wants to live in Thailand but if you dont ⁸

[@cockneytintin]

An outside income forget it!!! Thailand is full of penniless foreigners!!

[@reaj2010]

Canadian will need partner. Canadian can only own 49% of bar. That's why the guy in the video is so stressed. Americans can own 100%. Retiring soon? Where would you like to have a bar ?

[@JohnSmith-tz8jj]

Running all the risks while not having anything to your own name, is a risk that any business owner will tell you not to do, let alone in a foreign country where the legal system is really difficult to navigate. Throw in the language difference and it is a recipe for disaster. If the local person with a liquor license walks away, you are stuck with the structure you can't do much with. Thailand may be good for a lot of other things, but for a foreign person to go and open a small business it is just a preface to "my Thai bargirl story" vlog ....

[@reaj2010]

Not a problem if you are american. You can own the buisness 100%

[@HansCSchellenberg]

These days my biggest concern starting a Thai bar would be what happened to Bryan Flower's wife, allegedly.

[@hewbertsinclair9479]

What's the full story with what happened?

[@HansCSchellenberg]

@@hewbertsinclair9479 Well, I don't have the full story, the details are hard to come by, but as I understand it, one of Bryan's bars on Soi 6 was allegedly accused of trafficking underage women, by one of those Christian religious groups that allegedly specialize in "saving women" from jobs they do not approve of. They allegedly took their accusations to the police, and Bryan's wife allegedly ended up in the monkey house, I presume because she was the bar owner of record, allegedly. This is just what I have been able to piece together. I don't know the whole story. Allegedly.

[@hewbertsinclair9479]

@@HansCSchellenberg I saw he hadn't been making many videos, assumed something had happened. Thanks for that.

[@KR72534]

Those Christian religious group say it is wrong to exploit poor girls from the countryside. Imagine that! (This is intended as a snide remark.)

[@HansCSchellenberg]

@@KR72534 Said Christian groups cannot accept the concept that most sex work in Thailand is voluntary and not coerced. Yes yes everybody knows sex trafficking is bad. But hey, sex outside of marriage is just as bad! Remember people, you are expected to behave the way the church tells you too! Allegedly!.

[@Nick-ux1jk]

ok sorry if this is a stupid question but you hear these stories all the time about guys getting their business taken from them from their Thai partners but help me understand how that happens, if it’s on pen and paper that you legally own 49% of a business how can your partner just screw you over so quickly?

[@Gringo99871]

Bandit land mate, anything goes if you grease the right palms.

[@daniel385]

Not if you can afford a lawyer. @@Gringo99871

[@daniel385]

The guys who get screwed are the guys who couldn't afford or didn't want to deal with the expense of hiring a lawyer to assist with the entire process. You can own 49% and the other 51% can be divided among many people, making you the majority owner. With the right contracts you will have complete protection.

[@malc2121]

Why Tom Ford on the thumb nail?

[@Cinderblockk]

I thought the same. But it’s not him. Close but not.

[@nickoutram6939]

Sounds like the dream of being a LandLord in the UK... Not so easy to succeed.

[@bukdavid509]

How much was it to invest in a bar?

[@FirePattaya]

In Thai Baht, anything from 200k to name your number. 2-4M will get you a bar that’s a real business that you don’t have to work in everyday with the chance of earning a decent income. You still need to have a million skills including management, promotion, finance… most of the regular skills a small business can draw on. But overlay that with the Thai system and oversupply of bars… now you’re got a challenge.

[@reaj2010]

Minimum 200-300k Minimum. For a simple simple beer bar. And to the sky after that.

[@bukdavid509]

@@FirePattaya I’m a restaurant & bar owner in Washington state been in the business for a long time… the only challenge I have is finding good help and people you trust!!! Everything else I can do myself!!! Thanks for taking the time to reply, very helpful information to my possible retirement in Thailand!

[@ATTNPonnu]

Then how come Chinese started go go bars in walking street

[@AveragePerson743]

100% going too up prices

[@rogregen4419]

CLick bait video title. Boo!

[@jamesc2545]

10000 baht isnt that big…

[@wm3138]

If they needed it they would have brought it.

[@reaj2010]

And unfortunately as i watched futher. He is wrong again. He is only thinking from his Canadian standpoint. He said you need a thai person to have a liquor license. But that is not true if you are american corporation.

[@quiveringmoist7558]

To be a bar owner in an area with many bars close by youre half business owner half politician. You are expected to keep relationships with other business owners.