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  his month we republish a rare look into old Chinatown and its Yaowarat Road, and one person's lament that things were irreversably, inevitably changing. He makes some precient comments on other upcoming Night Entertainment Areas, 'Patpongse', Petchaburi, etc. Historically, well worth a read...
For clarity, Chinatown is not a Bangkok municipality. 'Chinatown' is, very roughly, equatable to Pahurat, which is a 'neighborhood' located, mostly but not entirely, in the Subdistrict Wang Burapha Phirom, Phra Nakhon District. There, then, now that you have clarity.... Yaowarat is the name of the main road running through the area - the word is often used interchangeably (and incorrectly) to mean "Chinatown". We note the author very carefully confines himself to the roadway "Yawaraj" - it is after all, Chinatown, Jake...
BOOKS ...worth a read !
( Click on book covers or links for details & to order. )
MIDNITE HOUR
MAIL BOX
Join the 'Comments' page...
(kicker)
 READER :
Bangkok Eyes crew,
This is Joe from the Seeker of the Way YouTube channel. I've been reading following your wonderful website for many a year and have found it to be quite the historical resource. As well as your Thailand content I'm interested in your graffiti content having been a bit of a street kid in 1980s NYC during the wild era of street graffiti back then. I have a new episode up featuring some of Thailand's best street art, the Nakhon Sawan street art wall, which I reckon you'd be quite interested in.
Please feel free to include this letter in whole or part in your next column.
I really appreciate what you guys do, it's important.
All the best,
Seeker Of The Way < LINK>
 MIDNITE HOUR:
Thanks for the heads-up on the graffiti in Lopburi and your YouTube channel. Keep recording as much of Thailand's ongoing history as you have the time to do so. Best of luck.
'Reader's Corner' moderator -
'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
* Zootramp
Publications
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Let the Follies begin-
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Vol. XXXIV No. 11
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 Bangkok, 01 November 2025 
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Free Distribution
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We've noted some changes (improvements) at the Thigh Bar. The music being blasted into the street is now at a survivable decibel. The person sitting outside selling 'tickets' to get in (commonly known as Cover Charge) is no longer there, and the annoying street touts have gone. Also a tube of pingpong balls sits along side a couple of attractive dancers, enticing customers inside. 'Could it be there's been a 'changing of the guard'?
 PATPONG 1
Closed since the March 2023 po lice raids and prosecution of the Bua Luang group of companies, Triple XXX Lounge has now reopened as the Triple XXX Lounge Pingpong Show. Long life in these interesting times...
PATPONG 2
Closed several times, only to reopen, it looks like Qeen 501 Studio Bar has called 'time' for the last time... Located up on The Ramp. (File Photo)
PATPONG 2
The Dollhouse has switched on their hot new signage. The smallest of complaints - it is most difficult to see from the ground level. We had to stand on our toes and hold the camera full-extension above our heads to get this pic- and we still didn't get the whole sign. It might be better for bars to invest in the 'living wall' LED facade currently popular on the Soi. Rock on...
SOI COWBOY
The Orbit has rolled out the red carpet for one and all. The architecture looks somewhat Middle Eastern. The bar is larger than outside appearances lead one to believe, and pleasant staff await inside. Welcome them to the machine...
NANA PLAZA
After several months of preparations and indecision, the new Las Vegas opened a couple of months ago in the Nana Hotel frontage. We were therefore more than a little surprised to see not only had it closed, but the brand-new Rumors Nana had taken its place. All is apparently not lost (for the Las Vegas) however, as they have retained an upstairs portion (see photo - left hand side). As for the Rumours, let the nightgames begin...
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT)
The Bar D. Mare has faded quietly into the heat and the rains... From our perspective, from the outset, it had 'location' working against it - in the corner of the lot fronting the Maison Hotel (old Rajah). Also it seems oysters and wine would do much better in a hotel restaurant or mall setting. (File Photo)
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT)
We noted yet-another-no-change month in Soi Katoey. All the Venues were open despite the late season monsoon showers. Photo below for the Archives.
SOI KATOEY (Silom Soi 4)
Last month we noted "near catastrophic closures" on Khao San Road, however, a number of those Venues have now reopened. Among them is The Club. However this time around they are replacing their iconic neon with new signage. - To include the reintroduction of their 35 foot high LED video screen. Welcome back to the sharkpool...
KHAO SAN ROAD
Hippie De Bar hasn't closed, but they finally put some new signage out on the street so prospective customers will know they'll have to walk inside a bit to find them. One of Khao San's older Venues. Keep on keeping on...
KHAO SAN ROAD
Gone, but not gone, last month we noted the closure of Khao Sarn Center. However we see they now have completed their relocation into the Chart Bar digs - which has now gone the way of the Aepyornis Maximus. (We suspect both Venues had a single owner...) RIP the long-standing Chart Bar.
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Kim Bar has not closed, however its signage is unobservable by street level passers-by. It, like many other Venues, has erected a sturdy tented area out into the street to accomodate customers. This has blocked the name of the Venue itself. One wouldn't know it by the frequent monsoon showers, but the rainy season is nearly behind us This will see the disappearance of the street tents and umbrellas (but not the chairs and tables in the street to accomodate the overflow of customers)...
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Mischa Cheap was not dead, it was just playing-possum. After an extended hibernation, they have reappeared in their old location. We suspect they will replace their temporary signage with something more permanent in the near future. They may be replacing the Kater Claw Club which appears to be stillborn?. We'll follow up and get back atcha... Welcome Mischa Cheap back to the machine...
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Wakanda Pub & Restaurant, keeps closing and reopening - to a rhythm known only to themselves. They are currently open for business. May they find constancy...
KHAO SAN ROAD
Also switching the lights back on this month is the single-shophouse Mammoth Bar The beat goes on...
KHAO SAN ROAD
It looks like the Full Moon Bar has moved on, lock, stock and bucket. Ashes to ashes, so be it...
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Boozy has reopened, but basically remains hidden behind all the 'rain tents' lining the main Khao San Rd. One needs to walk to the back of the tents, but plenty of seating, once you find it. Gotsta get paid...
(No photo available)
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Sugar Bar has rebounded from whatever was ailing it, and it's business as usual... We'll endeavor to get a better pic next time by...
KHAO SAN ROAD
The Luna Lounge vacated these digs in November 2019, just months before the Covid lockdowns in the Night Entertainment arena. This month we see they are once again serving. The pleasant greeters at ground-level advise there may be a name-change afoot... We'll have another look next round... May they continue to party...
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
The Anong Massage, closed a month ago, only to reopen a few doors down. Status quo ante.
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
The G W Massage has opened newly in that group of massage parlors and beer bars located half-way into the Soi. May they continue to slip 'n slide. (BTW, can they all be making money?)
SOI 22 Sukhumvit Rd
Yet again, we found no new changes, openings or closings, at Soi 8 Sukhumvit Road this month. Below is a For-the-Archives pic of the 8 Fantasy Massage located deep in the Soi...
SOI 8 Sukhumvit
The Erotica Thai Fusion Bar Beer has transmogrified into the Erotica Barber & Massage. Could it be the venue name-change / services-change was necessitated because no one knew what a Thai fusion bar beer was? Jus' sayin'... May the nightwinds blow kindly...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)
The last three times we passed by the Aces Bangkok we were told by security that, yes, they are closed today, but they will be open tomorrow. Giving someone the benefit of the doubt is not the same thing as being gullible. We have taken Aces Bangkok off the books. Should we see they have reopened, we shall duly report... Located deep inside the Ambassador compound. (File Photo)
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)
The We For You (Special For You) has switched the lights back on and continue to march as if they had never closed. Welcome back to the vicissitudes.
7 CENTER POINT (Sukhumvit Soi 7)
Both the KKL Bar and its backup KK Bar have been dealt their aces and eights. Due to (one of the) proposed redevelopment plans for 7 Centerpoint, it is not likely they will be reurning, at least not at those locations (half-in and half-out of the old Biergarten area). (File photos)
7 CENTER POINT (Sukhumvit Soi 7)
The newly opened Sena Nuru gel massage has taken over the slippery buckets of nuru gel from the Dream Heaven Nuru Nuru Gel massage - it's a neon jungle out there...
Etymologically speaking, and to answer a reader's question, " nuru" means 'slippery' in Japanese. " Nuru nuru" -repeated twice- doesn't change the meaning - repetition (in Japanese language) is used for different purposes - like 'emphasis, however, locally it's just colloquial usage.. ' Nuru massage', as defined in Bangkok, is a body-to-body massage facilitated by the gel. (The same effect was, and is obtained at Bangkok's soapy massages using just soap, and generallly much less expensive). The gel used for this type of massage originally was derived from seaweed ( Japan)...
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
The Bacchus is yet another new Japanese Venue in the stack of bars at the end of Soi Pan Pan. Welcome to partytown... See the full stack of 5 bars below:
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Hoshizora (Japanese Snack Bar) - 1st Level
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Sono - 2nd Level
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We Snack Bar & Karaoke - 3rd Level
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Bacchus - 4th Level NEW
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CEO Bar - 5th Level
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
The Hidden Vault Wine & Cocktail Lounge was as dark as a lump of coal when we passed by the other evening. Might have been their weekly night off, although they advertise they are open 7 days a week. We looked for their tiny sign, and were not able to find it (?) We'll do a follow-up and get back atcha. (File photo)
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Last month we reported the Citadel closed. It was, but that was then, this is now... all status quo ante... Located half way down Subsoi Pan Pan.
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Yet again, we saw no change in the Venue inventory, either up or down (in spite of the extended rainy season). Below : One more pic for the Archives...
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7 / 1)
Traces of Bangkok's Early Years
This month Midnite Hour continues to review Bangkok's Nightlife Scene offering live entertainment, both foreign and local, as found in the bigger hotels, expat Night Entertainment Areas, and other Venues within the City.
The
Honey Night Club provided entertainment mostly from Asia (Korea, Japan, Philippines) and Australia. Located next to the Manohra Hotel on Surawong Road near New Road Night Entertainment Area..
June 1969
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The Rama Hotel had two popular Nitelife venues : the Tropicana, and the Ramayana - both featuring international entertainment.
June 1969
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Bernard Trink entertainment insert
In this insert, the Nite Owl highlights the Swingers at the Caravelle Lounge (Florida Hotel), and the Wanderers at the new-on-the-scene Subway (at the Grand Hotel).
June 1969
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There have been more than one group calling themselves The House Rockers (variations on spelling), to include current groups. The House Rockers performing at the Sani Chateau in 1969 were the forerunners.
June 1969
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The afternoon Tea Dance of antiquity perhaps survived longest in Bangkok and outside the upcountry US-Thai air bases. And what better way to get around strict opening hours imposed on Night Entertainment Venues than a casual Sunday afternoon 'dance' ?
June 1969
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Bernard Trink entertainment insert
The Cafe de Paris presented the female impersonator group Carrousels de Paris in June of '69. Perhaps the term, "female impersonator" could be reintroduced and popularized here in Bangkok? It is, after all, a more honest term than the slew of current euphemisms....
June 1969
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The Bacchus opened newly that month, and remained popular for a considerable time in the Patpong 1 Road of old...
June 1969
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The Bar Again (bar & night club) opened newly in the Amarin Hotel. Located across the street from the Gaysorn Night Entertainment Area.
June 1969
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This has nothing to do with Night Entertainment, but it puts a date-stamp on when Kentucky Fried Chicken arrived in Thailand. And, some say, started making Thais fatter...
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