Offing is when a patron pays a fee to the bar to take a prostitute with him. The practice continues discreetly, say Thai gay men. Reportedly, many bars will not allow unknown Thai patrons to go with their offboys for fear he is an undercover policeman. Some bars have created a new drink SchmirnOFF to represent the 300 baht off fee. Reportedly, IDs of all Thai and passports of all foreign patrons must be shown to officials during police raids on any nighttime facility, particularly against one for opening beyond legal hours.
Thai law requires foreigners to carry passports at all times.
One small gay guesthouse was also raided. All the facilities had male prostitutes on the premises. Late-night openings and admittance of underage patrons at straight venues and prostitution at gay venues all depended on 'greasing palms'. How long this pressure continues may be a measure of how long gay offbars remain closed or operated discreetly. All Saphan Kwai's gay offbars reopened September 2, but without offboys and as karaoke lounges.