The consensus was that it is possible to run a successful ferang bar in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket and even in Udon Thani, providing you can get the two following points addressed effectively.........
You are prepared to be at the bar for every minute it is open.
It might not seem fair, but finding a mamasan to look after your bar, they way you want it run, is not easy.
You find the right mamasan to control the girls
The girls that attract the business, while being perhaps the biggest asset, can also be the biggest headache. The girls will want time off to do this, that and the other. You will not be able to control them, and you will rely on your mamasan to sort them out. That's only going to happen if she has the inclination to do so, and this can bring about a popularity issue between the girls and the mamasan.
What is the alternative?
I know a few bars here in UdonThani where having a group of girls to attract more business was tried in the early days, but the owners just could not deal with the 'bar girl' issue, and have reverted back to a more 'traditional' ferang bar, where you can have a quiet drink and a laugh with the boys, without the attention of any bar girls.
If I was to reconsider running a bar in Udon Thani, although I don't ever see that happening, I think this is the route I would take, just a simple bar without the aggravation that is inevitable with a few bar girls in place.
If you are considering running a bar, I would urge you to think very carefully about the two points above, and indeed the first point "You are prepared to be at the bar for every minute it is open" should be applied to any business you may get involved in, where Thai staff members are involved, which will be in just about all cases. Sorry guys, you can't just sit back and watch the money rolling in. It can appear to be a dream ticket, and I cannot deny that, but the practicalities may be somewhat different to what you expect.