Is Peesai the PROSTITUTION HUB OF THE EAST Now? Is this the real Peesai economy?
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Is Changi Village jolly or sleazy?
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Lively pub scene raises concerns; Stakeout shows some grouses may be true but business owners there dispute 'sleaze' problems </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Estelle Low
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Bargirls outside one of Changi Village's pubs. Residents have complained that the area has become sleazier due to the presence of scantily clad women and rowdy behaviour. But pub owners dispute this. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Loud music blaring from pubs.
Sexily clad women flirting with customers.
If you are thinking Geylang, Joo Chiat or Tanjong Pagar, think again.
It is Changi Village where, according to a report last Tuesday in Chinese newspaper Shin Min, some residents are unhappy with the noise and the presence of bargirls.
The Village, while largely tranquil in the daytime, has become a night draw with at least six pubs and a smattering of seafood restaurants. The hawker centre, known for its nasi lemak, is another attraction.
The Shin Min report said scantily dressed bargirls have been observed at some pubs. Believed to be Filipinos, they engaged in tipsy behaviour with customers till 3am. It was also reported that they were in Singapore on social visit passes and would return to their country every two weeks.
=> TALENTS?
Last week, The Sunday Times staked out the area on three nights. We spotted a big turnout of expatriates, professionals and executives at the pubs after 10pm.
At one pub, each table had at least one Filipino woman - clad in tight-fitting tube or halter top and mini skirt - chatting with the men. But at the other pubs, customers appeared to be buddies having their regular catch-up session.
The pub owners said there is no sleaze in Changi Village.
There might be noise but that is only because the music spills out, given the open concept adopted by some pubs. Bambooze, for instance, has no doors to separate its alfresco from its indoor seating areas.
Ms Constance Bangar Sabnani, 43, owner, said her pub of eight years wants a village-style atmosphere.
'I keep my doors open so people can see what kind of bar we are. We're a family business and a networking pub,' she said.
Four of her staff are family members and another is a Singaporean.
Mrs Joanne Soe, co-owner of four-month-old Mexican bar and restaurant Tequila Blue, said her customers come just to relax and forget about the bad times.
The 39-year-old Scot chose Changi Village to set up her business because there's a 'real feet-on-the-floor attitude here. There's no idiosyncratic behaviour like in downtown'.
Mr Steven Khor, 30, who visits the Village for supper twice weekly, does not think the bargirls pose any problems. 'They come out only after 9pm. Those who do not approve of their activities can choose not to come here,' said the environment, health and safety executive.
The Sunday Times spotted at least five Filipino women sitting close to customers at the pub, but its manager did not allow us to talk to them.
The latter, who wanted to be known only as Mr Singh, said he employed three to four staff - all Singaporeans.
According to licensing rules, the pubs are supposed to close by midnight. But at least three did not do so, based on what The Sunday Times observed.
The main reason cited was that customers had not finished their drinks and a grace period was allowed.
Said Mr Fabian Soh, 39, assistant manager of Joudan Pub: 'Licensing is very important to us in this business. We can't chase our customers away if they haven't finished their drinks. But we warn them that we're closing at midnight.'
The pubs - whose numbers have sprouted in the past two years - are welcomed by other businesses in the area.
Mr Tony Ng, manager of nine-month-old restaurant Changi Teochew Kitchen, said they add life to the area. He has seen an increase of 2 per cent to 3 per cent in spillover clientele.
Mr Steven Lim, 40, manager of 24-hour restaurant Millie's Seafood, also welcomed the presence of pubs and pooh-poohed the talk that sleaze might have invaded the Village.
'Everyone knows everyone here. There's nothing to be afraid of. Compared to Orchard Road and Geylang, this is nothing.'
The president of Changi Village Merchants Association, Mr Lim Tow Soon, 56, said since the area is a retreat for many people, 'we want a good trade mix here so it's important to regulate the businesses'.
He is the owner of eight-year-old Jacob's Cafe which serves country-style food.
The association has regular meetings with the police, National Environment Agency, Housing Development Board and town council to discuss matters.
Asked if he has received feedback about the changing face of Changi Village, MP Abdullah Tarmugi mentioned parking as a problem. 'More and more Singaporeans are now recognising the attraction of Changi Village as another leisure and recreational venue ,' he said, adding that grassroots activists and leaders will continue to monitor the situation. [email protected]
=> only?
<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Is Changi Village jolly or sleazy?
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><TR>Lively pub scene raises concerns; Stakeout shows some grouses may be true but business owners there dispute 'sleaze' problems </TR><!-- Author --><TR><TD class="padlrt8 georgia11 darkgrey bold" colSpan=2>By Estelle Low
</TD></TR><!-- show image if available --><TR vAlign=bottom><TD width=330>
</TD><TD width=10>
Bargirls outside one of Changi Village's pubs. Residents have complained that the area has become sleazier due to the presence of scantily clad women and rowdy behaviour. But pub owners dispute this. -- ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->Loud music blaring from pubs.
Sexily clad women flirting with customers.
If you are thinking Geylang, Joo Chiat or Tanjong Pagar, think again.
It is Changi Village where, according to a report last Tuesday in Chinese newspaper Shin Min, some residents are unhappy with the noise and the presence of bargirls.
The Village, while largely tranquil in the daytime, has become a night draw with at least six pubs and a smattering of seafood restaurants. The hawker centre, known for its nasi lemak, is another attraction.
The Shin Min report said scantily dressed bargirls have been observed at some pubs. Believed to be Filipinos, they engaged in tipsy behaviour with customers till 3am. It was also reported that they were in Singapore on social visit passes and would return to their country every two weeks.
=> TALENTS?
Last week, The Sunday Times staked out the area on three nights. We spotted a big turnout of expatriates, professionals and executives at the pubs after 10pm.
At one pub, each table had at least one Filipino woman - clad in tight-fitting tube or halter top and mini skirt - chatting with the men. But at the other pubs, customers appeared to be buddies having their regular catch-up session.
The pub owners said there is no sleaze in Changi Village.
There might be noise but that is only because the music spills out, given the open concept adopted by some pubs. Bambooze, for instance, has no doors to separate its alfresco from its indoor seating areas.
Ms Constance Bangar Sabnani, 43, owner, said her pub of eight years wants a village-style atmosphere.
'I keep my doors open so people can see what kind of bar we are. We're a family business and a networking pub,' she said.
Four of her staff are family members and another is a Singaporean.
Mrs Joanne Soe, co-owner of four-month-old Mexican bar and restaurant Tequila Blue, said her customers come just to relax and forget about the bad times.
The 39-year-old Scot chose Changi Village to set up her business because there's a 'real feet-on-the-floor attitude here. There's no idiosyncratic behaviour like in downtown'.
Mr Steven Khor, 30, who visits the Village for supper twice weekly, does not think the bargirls pose any problems. 'They come out only after 9pm. Those who do not approve of their activities can choose not to come here,' said the environment, health and safety executive.
The Sunday Times spotted at least five Filipino women sitting close to customers at the pub, but its manager did not allow us to talk to them.
The latter, who wanted to be known only as Mr Singh, said he employed three to four staff - all Singaporeans.
According to licensing rules, the pubs are supposed to close by midnight. But at least three did not do so, based on what The Sunday Times observed.
The main reason cited was that customers had not finished their drinks and a grace period was allowed.
Said Mr Fabian Soh, 39, assistant manager of Joudan Pub: 'Licensing is very important to us in this business. We can't chase our customers away if they haven't finished their drinks. But we warn them that we're closing at midnight.'
The pubs - whose numbers have sprouted in the past two years - are welcomed by other businesses in the area.
Mr Tony Ng, manager of nine-month-old restaurant Changi Teochew Kitchen, said they add life to the area. He has seen an increase of 2 per cent to 3 per cent in spillover clientele.
Mr Steven Lim, 40, manager of 24-hour restaurant Millie's Seafood, also welcomed the presence of pubs and pooh-poohed the talk that sleaze might have invaded the Village.
'Everyone knows everyone here. There's nothing to be afraid of. Compared to Orchard Road and Geylang, this is nothing.'
The president of Changi Village Merchants Association, Mr Lim Tow Soon, 56, said since the area is a retreat for many people, 'we want a good trade mix here so it's important to regulate the businesses'.
He is the owner of eight-year-old Jacob's Cafe which serves country-style food.
The association has regular meetings with the police, National Environment Agency, Housing Development Board and town council to discuss matters.
Asked if he has received feedback about the changing face of Changi Village, MP Abdullah Tarmugi mentioned parking as a problem. 'More and more Singaporeans are now recognising the attraction of Changi Village as another leisure and recreational venue ,' he said, adding that grassroots activists and leaders will continue to monitor the situation. [email protected]
=> only?
