MIDNITE HOUR - Bangkok Eyes

This month we revisit one of our favorite "Off-Broadway" sois : Sukhumvit Soi 22. Can it really have been four years since we last canvassed these Nitespots? (Answer: "Yes" - our bad...)

Soi 22, like Sukhumvit Soi 4 (Nana), Soi 11 ("Soi Ambassador"), and Soi 55 (Soi Thonglor), is on the cusp of becoming a "Night Entertainment Area"in it's own right. Even though four years have passed, we found Soi 22 much unchanged - most of the old bars and massage parlors were still in place, and still very much active.

The one change we did note, however, was the emergence of a large number of new massage parlors - so much so, that Soi 22 could become a "hub" of massage activity in the expat Night Entertainment experience. That having been said, Soi 22 doesn't measure up to the criterion of "contiguous" as do the two Night Entertainment Areas that are contiguous to it: Washington Square and Queen's Park Plaza. It is just too spread out to be considered "a Night Entertainment Area" on it's own.

Below are several photos of some of the more prominent old and new Nitespots on Soi 22. Other Soi 22 photos from the past may be viewed at our page : Soi 22 Pix of the Past <LINK> .

May Massage is one of the older "Traditional" Thai massage parlors on Soi 22 - and prices have remained reasonable through the years.

Otto Bar is a new bar on the corner of Sukhumvit Roadand Soi 22. It is not the first bar to open there, but it's proving more successful than it's predecessor.

Anego Massage is an upstairs mostly-traditional massage parlor across from the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel.

A cluster of massage parlors on a side lane just past the Imperial Queen's Park Hotel - offering between them, virtually every service you would expect from Bangkok's massage scene.

The Asia Health Massage and Prem Thai Traditional Massage compete for business - they are more active upstairs than downstairs.....

The Rose offers a wide variety of massage services, even traditional massage, if you ask for it.

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This month's Midnight Hour "Thai Smile" goes to an office assistant in Krung Thep.

? Old
BANGKOK NIGHT SCENE
PHOTOS ?

Any old PHOTOS of
Bangkok's Nightlife ?

Please CLICK HERE and send to us for publication.

Many Thanks,
William R Morledge

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Historical Minutiae Dept.

Jack's American Star

- MEMORIES JUST WON'T LET IT DIE

Hello,

I saw your Bangkok Eyes page, and thought I might ask you a question... In the late 60's, I spent one of the most unforgettable weeks of my life on Pectaburi Road (sp?), on R&R from Viet Nam... I don't remember the name of my hotel, but there was one club, that I do remember fondly: Jacks American Star... Could you tell me, is it, the street itself, or any of the magnificent bars, clubs and massage spots, still there...?

"S.W."
U.S.A.

Greetings, S.,

Jack's American Star Bar was indeed located on Petchburi Road (then called New Petchburi Road). Probably best remembered for it's "soul music" live bands.... The area from the old Siam Hotel down to Jack's was generally referred to as the "Golden Mile". Jack's was located quite near the Morokot Hotel, which was an R&R hotel near the also-popular Thai Heaven (which you may also remember).

Although there are several large "fishbowl" steam & cream massage parlors on Petchburi Road, none of the old entertainment places from the 60's and 70's still exist.

Best,
'Boge' Hartman

? ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !

Email bangkokeyes@gmail.com and "ASK" - - Click Here

	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.
'Boge' Hartman Historical Research

* Zootramp Publications

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Let the December 2010 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.

PATPONG I
MAP

For the last two months we noted that the King's Corner A Go-Go was renovating - well the wait is over. They have thrown open the doors once again, and it's business as usual. Welcome them back to the sharkpool.

PATPONG I

PATPONG II
MAP

Door Art Of The Month
Award

In August last year we noted that the old Siam Drug was being renovated into a triple-shophouse-wide A Go-Go. So, the new Glamour Girls has been a long time coming. But it has been well worth the wait - in almost all measures: It is by far the best looking A Go-Go on the Patpongs, and the beers are Baht 120. Lady drinks start at Baht 120 - and up (these are not happy-hour prices - try to find that in the Cowboy coyote emporiums, or in Nana's A Go-Go's......). The A Go-Go dancers are operating under the old paradigm - that is to say, when they are not dancing, they come over to talk to the customers instead of getting dressed and wandering outside, or talking to each other, .....or texting.

The hiring policy at Glamour Girls is, to our knowledge, unique in these modern times. We hear (straight from the horse's mouth) that the young dancers are all students who are selected for physical presentability and dancing ability (-trust us - good looks AND good dancers - this is unheard of these days). The dancers we spoke to were currently studying at Ramkhamheng University. Should a customer want to buy a girl out, he does not negotiate with the girl. He does not negotiate with the mamasan. He negotiates with the manager. The manager will give the customer an all-inclusive price from Baht 3,000 to Baht 5,000 for two-hours' escorting. By way of explanation, he noted that the girls have to get home early, because they have to study tomorrow.... Wish Glamour Girls well as they venture into the Machine.

PATPONG II

Last month we suspected; this month we can confirm - the Rig 1 Gold, up on The Ramp, has lurched headlong into the Abyss. It has been two months running - we will be deleting them from the roster...............

PATPONG II

In the "We Don't Make Mistrakes" department, alert reader "G.T." has advised us that our November "Door Art Of The Month" was mistakenly attributed to Chicken Divine, when it should have read, " Horse Shoes". Hopefully this will help to set the record straight.

PATPONG II

Pinocchio's Lady & Ladyboy oral services bar is once again reopened. This is par for the course, they have often closed for brief periods in the past.

- File photo

PATPONG II

Thai Room will be reopening right about .......... now ! And now the bad news - no more inexpensive Thai cuisine tailored to the farang palate. It will be reopening as a 'pool bar'. We suspect there will be a name change...........

PATPONG II

Likewise, the recently closed Pat Pong 24 (old Bobby's Hotdogs next to Foodland) will be reopening as yet another 'pool bar'. Should be open by the time you read this. Again, we suspect a name-change is in the offing.

- File photo

PATPONG II

The Le Bouchon French restaurant and bar was closed the other night when we passed by. They had just celebrated their 14th anniversary. We will keep our eyeballs peeled, and if this is a permanent shut-down, we'll get back atcha.

PATPONG II

SOI COWBOY
MAP

The Cactus Club is (mostly) closed while getting it's facelift. And from the looks of things, it will be a great improvement. Look for them to be up and running under a full head of steam in a few days. (An 'interim' snapshot below...)

SOI COWBOY

NANA PLAZA
MAP

As we head into the Christmas Season, we note that the three bar beers that were taken down in the 'courtyard' have yet to be replaced...... Nevertheless, good use has been made of the space with a colorful Christmas tree (pic below).

NANA PLAZA

You will be pleased, at least most of you will be pleased, to know that the Carnival is no longer a katoey - transgenderite bar. It's 'back to basics' with real lady A Go-Go dancers. Let the good times roll...........

NANA PLAZA

D.C 10 looked darker than a poisoned well when we passed by the other night. Nevertheless, this is only a temporary condition according to those-in-the-know on the ground at NEP. They should be reopening this month before the New Year, if the scuttlebutt is accurate..........

NANA PLAZA

SOI KATOEY
MAP

The For Fun is already decked out for the Holiday Season - note the use of the 'falling-star lighting' that is so popular this year in Bangkok...... The rock continues to rock - both inside and out on the street....

SOI KATOEY

SOI DEAD ARTISTS
MAP

Bongo Club has nailed up some brand-new neon. Looking good. Ostensibly, or at least, as originally envisioned, a Japanese Nitespot, however we farang are also welcome. Their second floor (coyote) seems to be the most popular. Drink prices are reasonable, however, you may experience 'sticker shock' at the "off" fee...... Keep on keeping on......

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

The Ran-Hime Club has hung out some brand-new neon - still (quite obviously) oriented towards Nippon custom........ May they persevere.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

The diminutive Relax Beauty massage did not fade away as we had feared - they have reopened at the far end of Soi Pan Pan. This is a small and legitimate Thai traditional massage parlor - (and they are having a special on foot massages this month). Welcome them back to the night circus.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

The new Japanese lounge Yumeji has opened up deep in Soi Pan Pan this last month. Judging by the number of hostesses beckoning to potential customers at the top of their soi, they are still in need of custom. Welcome them to partytown.

( - Await photo )

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

WASHINGTON SQUARE
MAP

A for-the-archives pic of the New Square One Pub. The 'Square One' is one of the older bars - and still holding it's own, in spite of all the rumors of Washington Square closures....

WASHINGTON SQUARE

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA
MAP

The Platinum bar beer never had any neon nailed up, so they didn't have any neon to take down. They, unfortunately, have been consigned to the dustbin of history. However, taped to the steel roller-shutter was an interesting sign........

Pretty Is As Pretty Does

The sign reads:

"Hiring employees - good salaries -

1. Cashier - Baht 7,000++ (/month)
2. Greeter - Baht 4,000++
3. Cook's Helper - Baht 4,000++
4. "Pretty" (Salary commensurate with work each time.)

Interested parties contact 'Palm'
(at phone number shown)"

(For those of you not "in the know", a 'Pretty' is an attractive young lady adorning the real estate at such as Auto Shows, Computer / IT exhibitions, etc. The term, 'Pretty' is the latest of several hundreds of English words which, over the years, have been 'adopted' into the Thai language - even as the official government position abjectly and vociferously refuses to consider English as a "second language". All we can say is, time is on our side, gentlemen...........)

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA

The No ! Bra has once again rolled down the steel roller-shutters and slammed a padlock on same. We can only assume this is yet another of their 'early closures'. We will, however, let you know if they really did buy the farm....

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA

SOI EDEN
MAP

The Magic Table is Soi Eden's only A Go-Go (among other things) and is being managed agressively..... It is one of the busier Nitespots on the Soi. We wish them constancy.....

SOI EDEN SUKHUMVIT SOI 7/1

A little knowledge - a dangerous thing? Last month, we thought we saw two new bars being built on Soi Eden, and duly reported same. We should have checked: these were "movie props" constructed for the upcoming film, "Hangover 2" which was being filmed here last month. They reportedly burnt down a "police car" out in front of these "bars", and that was it. (Subsequent shooting was done in Soi Cowboy.) The movie props, to include the burnt-out "police car" have all been removed. Alas..........

SOI EDEN SUKHUMVIT SOI 7/1

SOI TWILIGHT
MAP

Last month we espied, and chatter on the street tended to confirm, that the area at the far end of the Twilight Zone (Soi Twilight) was being renovated into bar beers. The bar beer emerging from those renovations, pictured below, should open sometime this month - name not available at this writing. More on this next issue.

SOI TWILIGHT

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A PAGE FROM BANGKOK's NIGHTSCENE HISTORY....

Bangkok Eyes jumps back in time to have a look at who was new - and who was through. We'll be willing to bet that many of you "Old Bangkok Hands" will be reminded of some bars you'd almost forgotten. (We also will be willing to bet you WON'T EVEN REMEMBER an even greater number....)

10 YEARS AGO :

December

      The Takara group combined it's two co-joined venues, Takara Bath & Massage and Takara Massage & Barber Shop into the "Takara Massage" ten years ago, this month.   It is still at that second level location today.
PATPONG  1 - 2000

      Ten years ago, the Mahalapa Club, up on The Ramp closed it's doors for the last time.   It would eventually reopen as Jack Pub & Karaoke.   No Nitespot is currently at that location.
PATPONG  2 - 2000

      Ten years ago, the two-storey (actually three storey) Bluebird Club closed, and immediately began renovations.   It would soon reopen briefly, only to close again, becoming the Baccara - the Baccara remains at that location today.
SOI  COWBOY - 2000

      A decade ago, the Suzie Wong Bar closed briefly - reopening the following month.   They are still at that location today.
SOI  COWBOY - 2000

      Ten years ago, the Moonshine Joint dropped, "Whiskey & Go-Go" from their neon - keeping it, of course, on the menu.   They are still at that same location today.
SOI  COWBOY - 2000

      John & Tong's Apache dropped, "John & Tongs" ten years ago, this month - becoming just, "Apache".   The Apache Bar Beer is still at that same location today.
SOI  COWBOY - 2000

      A decade ago Big Dogs opened it's doors for the first time - after absorbing the Alien Plaza beer bar and the Leo Garden.   Big Dogs remain at that same location.
NANA  PLAZA - 2000

      Ten years ago the Pool Boxers opened in what was - up until that time - Welcome To Millennium.   Currently the new Bunnies occupies that bit of real estate - up on the second level.
NANA  PLAZA - 2000

      A decade ago, the Ibiza Bar opened in the old Eivissa digs (the Eivissa was only open for one month).
SOI KATOEY  - (SILOM SOI 4) - 2000

ASOKE PLAZA / ASOKE CORNER - (previously Cowboy Annex) - 2000

Asoke Corner / Asoke Plaza
Night Entertainment Area :
-CLOSED DOWN-
( March 2000 - February 2005 )

             Ten years ago, the Je T'aime bar beer reopened in their old location - after briefly being taken over by short-lived Whootors bar beer.

              The Boomerang bar beer closed a decade ago, this month.

ASOKE PLAZA / ASOKE CORNER - (previously Cowboy Annex) - 2000

TOBACCO ROAD   - 2000

Tobacco Road (Soi Zero)
Night Entertainment Area :
-CLOSED DOWN-
( ~ December 1988 - 9 June 2006 )

            A decade ago the Sidetrack Beer Bar opened it's doors in what, up until then, was the Love You Bar.

            Ten years ago, Sexy Eyes bar beer closed it's doors for the last time.

TOBACCO ROAD - 2000

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VICARIOUS ART CRIMES # 62

MIDNITE HOUR's

Graffiti's HISTORY <

link>

[ Check out Bangkok's own source of evil spraycans, etc, at Montana Land <link>. ]<

- And now to Bangkok's own brand of Graffiti....

Graffiti #428
Messaround
7 ft. high x 13 ft.

Graffiti #429
Who's Whom?
7 ft. high x 6 ft.

Graffiti #430
Achillade
7 ft. high x 10 ft.)

Graffiti #431
Big Dealer
7 ft. high x 16 ft.

Graffiti #432
Bunnyporn
7 ft. high x 11 ft.

Graffiti #433
Where Art Thou?
7 ft. high x 11 ft.

Graffiti #434
Scarpment
7 ft. high x 13 ft.

Graffiti, Graffiti , and more Graffiti - Bangkok's original graffiti Site !

The MIDNITE HOUR Graffiti Page is prepared by Staff Contributor "Boge" Hartman.

(Boge's photo, above, is not a graffiti per-se, although there are those who have insinuated.... - Ed)

--- Datzit Fernow

William R. Morledge

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for
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BANGKOK EYES'
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by Peter O'Donnell's
'Modesty Blaise', as
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