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'Soi Ginza'
- THANIYA - A JAPANESE ENCLAVE
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Thaniya is one of Bangkok's older Night Entertainment Areas, however in that it is almost entirely dedicated to the Japanese nightcrawler, we do not cover it in our monthly update surveys. Nevertheless, in digging through our archives we found our unpublished 2000 survey and map of Thaniya Road (usually referred to as Soi Thaniya, or Soi Ginza).
 "SOI GINZA" - THANIYA RD
This month we have undertaken what turned out to be a nearly impossible task of resurveying Thaniya Rd (and it's sub-sois), and making a map which would be somehow readable. The main problem in preparing a map of Thaniya Rd is the bars are most often stacked on top of one another, from the ground floor up to the 6th floor - we have therefore taken shortcuts on our map (above) to take this into account. Generally, bars listed at the top of a group are on the uppermost floors, working down.
"SOI GINZA" - THANIYA RD
The 'action' in Thaniya is slightly different than that of Western Expat bars. When the bars open in the evening around 8 p.m., the hostesses line up outside their respective bars dressed in their finest, usually matching, and often formal attire. There, they await passing groups of Japanese businessmen, often dressed in suits. The hostesses, and the one or two PR types begin to call loudly - in Japanese - inviting these groups inside for drinks and entertainment. The calls can reach cacophony - a blind person could track a group of Japanese businessmen walking down Thaniya by the loudest source of the callings-out.
"SOI GINZA" - THANIYA RD
The Japanese Nitespots are usually "Clubs" - which means they can claim exclusivity - for 'members only'. 'Membership' in reality, means 'Japanese', and Westerners or Thais are not, as a rule, found at these establishments. Hostesses will usually quickly inform stray Westerners that they have entered a 'Japanese bar'. There are exceptions to this, of course, where, for example, Westerners are invited in as guests of 'members'.
"SOI GINZA" - THANIYA RD
From our limited experience, the Japanese bars on Thaniya (and elsewhere) are not really Westerners' cup of tea. The surroundings and decorum are a bit formal, as are the prices. Nevertheless, if you are invited in by the PR personnel, or by a Japanese host, you should definitely avail yourself of the opportunity - it's perhaps not something you would want to do regularly, but it would definitely provide an interesting experience.
"SOI GINZA" - THANIYA RD
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- In the LAND OF SMILES -
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This month's Thai Smile Award goes to a lovely "South Pacific" lady on Patpong II.
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Historical Minutiae Dept.
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Making 'Arrangements'
- A SERVICE NOT PROVIDED....
Sir,
Will be arriving into Thailand on ( ) and would like for your company to arrange for a companion for my stay in Bangkok.
Pls send me an reply by email, and we could work out necessary details.
Best regards,
C. D. J.
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Greetings C. D. J.,
Thank you for writing in. We would like to take this opportunity to make note to you and several others who have asked this, or similar questions.
The Midnight Hour is a website dedicated to recording and reporting on the ongoing history of the Expat Night Entertainment Scene. However, we are not involved with the services which form a part of that Nightlife scene, such as escort services and the like. To find out more about us, please go to our LINK ABOUT US page, and / or click on the LEGAL tab at the bottom of this page.
Best,
'Boge' Hartman
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? ASK
US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !
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We can answer virtually any (reasonable) question on the Expat Night Entertainment Scene in
Bangkok - be it Historical or very recent. Send us an e-mail and
we will do our best to answer you soonest.
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'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
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* Zootramp Publications
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 TOP
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Let the April 2010 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.
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The Xtra Time has plummetted headlong into the abyss this last month - steel roller-shutters firmly padlocked to the decks. No indication of it being up for sale or rent....
PATPONG I
A new portable Patpong Night Bazaar sign is in place each evening at the Silom Road entrance. But why bother? It is about one tenth as obvious as the Night Bazaar itself. One wonders....
PATPONG I
The King's Garden was presenting a South Pacific Party the other night - the young ladies were decked out in their finest grass-skirts and lei. Let the good times roll.
PATPONG II
The Target 2 has some new (interior) signage in place. While it is a definite improvement, they might be better off emphasizing their advertising efforts at street level, or from their 'bridge'. Just a thought....
PATPONG II
The Strip has officially gone the way of the Andalgalornis, having sold out to Spanky's (of Nana Plaza). The new Spanky's should be opening right about.... NOW. This could get complicated, as there is already a Spanky's on Patpong II (the original from the now-extinct Asoke Plaza) .....
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All In The Family
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The sign reads; "Look here, 'Sexy Thai Girl'. We open 1 April 2010. Monthly salary Baht 10,000 plus bonus. You are not forced (to get) drinks. On Songkran, 13 - 15 April are special days off. If you are interested, you can contact Spanky's. We guarantee we will look after you like you are part of our family. Telephone (#) - Waen."
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PATPONG II
The transition complete, Midnite group's latest bar, the Sahara, had it's grand opening a few days ago (ex: Tony's / Joe's). Yet another Las Vegas-named bar (see also 'Rio'), wish them luck as they cast their dice against the pitted wall of Fate....
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Door Art Of The Month
Award
The brand new Sahara has, as expected, delivered yet another neon treat - well-deserving of the Door Art Of The Month award.
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SOI COWBOY
The Apache Beer Bar has opened (or is it 'reopened'?). Formerly the Apache Coyote, it has removed the front wall and become a bar beer. Already doing a good business - must be a good place to park for a cool one....
SOI COWBOY
The Cat House is on fire once again. Last month, it's signage appeared to be on it's last legs; we trashed it - saying it was suffering the neon blues, however that appears to be a thing of the past. The rock still rocks....
NANA PLAZA
What was once the Hollywood Strip is now a whirl of hammers and saws, as renovations rush to completion. We suspect a completion date somewhere near the end of April, and will keep all advised. (We suspect a name change will be in the offing....)
NANA PLAZA
An interesting pic of the For Fun, seen through a sea of overhead lights. One for the Midnight Hour archives.
SOI KATOEY
The Pheeran Massage & Spa was looking darker than a poisoned well when we passed by the other night. Sister-ship to the original Teen Massage (also out of business a couple months ago), it doesn't appear that the specialty massages at the far end of Soi Dead Artists are doing all that well. Look for them to open up elsewhere....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
The Nippon-oriented Joy has reclosed after reopening for only one month. We won't expunge them from the rolls until we can see what they have in mind for the long-term.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
We don't rightly know if this is a Thai restaurant or a Thai karaoke, or whether it is both. It does, however, make a lot of music for the passing nightcrawler. We will elaborate if, and when appropriate.
WASHINGTON SQUARE
The Bali Hugh's hasn't had a sign for a few months now. A couple of months back we inquired within, and were given assurances (and shown the menus) that it would be renamed the Bali Beach. Not. - The A-frame out front is once again referring to "Bali Hugh's". Same relaxing atmosphere, however....
WASHINGTON SQUARE
The 3-Sister Bar, once entirely enclosed, has split itself down the middle - the outside portion now for playing a game of pool. Party on....
QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA SOI 22
The Siam Smile has excised the "Scandanavian" part of their sign (which has been with them since their Asoke Plaza days) - all that currently remains is this bit of signage.... May they persevere.
SOI EDEN SUKHUMVIT SOI 7/1
Future Boys (also sometimes shown as Future Boy) are still having some neon problems - nothing to write home about, however.
SOI TWILIGHT
! ORDER NOW !
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Archives
2002 - 2010, BANGKOK EYES / bangkokeyes.com
April's Nightlife News 
PATPONG I 
MAP
