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 lthough we have reported the strip of massage parlors leading into the Ambassador Hotel complex from Soi 13 before, and although we have reported the string of massage parlors leading into the Ambassador Hotel complex from Soi 11 before, we have not really done justice to presenting this substantial grouping of Night Entertainment Venues as a single, contiguous area.
 SOIs 11 & 13 Sukhumvit Rd
We have dubbed this string of seventeen massage parlors "Massage Parlor Row" - although you will not find any sign saying as much. The first thing one notices when walking into Massage Parlor Row is it is mostly single-shophouse specialty massage parlors, with very little to differentiate one from the other. The exception being Pattra Massage & Spa at the Soi 13 entranceway, which seems to emphasize foot and Thai massage.
SOIs 11 & 13 Sukhumvit Rd
These massage parlors cater mostly to Asian Subcontinent / Middle East customers, however all are of course welcome. And while they are open days and nights, much of their business is done in the later hours. In speaking with the masseuses, they blame the onslaught of the current 'Rainy Season' for the poor state of business; 'No customers'. But this is, we are afraid, just the facile explanation. With this many massage parlors side-by-side, offering the same thing (happy endings in various forms), perhaps this is 'too much of a good thing'. There are too many shops competing for too little business in a too-small area.
SOIs 11 & 13 Sukhumvit Rd
Nevertheless, several of these massage parlors have 'maintained' for a number of years, so some of them must be doing at least enough business to keep their heads above water. And while we wish them well, we don't see Massage Parlor Row 'going viral' on the Bangkok Night Entertainment Scene. We shall continue to report on this strip on an ongoing basis.
SOIs 11 & 13 Sukhumvit Rd
 
Let the July 2016 Follies begin...
BANGKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.
For some time, the upstairs pay-for-show Queen's Castle II was also using 'Queen's II'. The new signage gets them off the fence; it is now officially Queen's II. A photo for the Archives.
PATPONG 1
The King's Garden has called it a night. Steel roller-shutters padlocked to the deck. No sign of any ongoing renovations. Yet another King's Group bar bites the dust - doesn't look like anything will be able to stop the rot in the Patpongs....
PATPONG 2
The Sign Gestapos have Bada Bing on the ropes, but they are not out. They are currently doing battle with the authorities to continue using their Bada Bing name. Nevertheless, the Sign Gestapos have had them remove all their classic neon signage in advance. So, until the legal haggling is concluded, one way or the other, the Bada Bing are putting up temporary signage.
PATPONG 2
Sam's 2000 actually opened in July of 1999, not the at the beginning of Millennium as one might assume. (It took over the Love Scene digs.) A photo for the Archives.
SOI COWBOY
Here we go again.... I'll not drive everyone crazy by recapitulating the preceding name-changes in what are now the Rainbow Four and the Twister Bar. Suffice it to say last month the Rainbow Four was the Four Bar. And seeing the temporary nature of that dilapidated little Twister Bar sign, we can continue to expect the unexpected. So don't anyone go and get comfortable with the status quo - 'cause there ain't no such thing as status quo at the Nana....
NANA PLAZA
What was, for the last several months, the combined Bangkok Bunnies / Bangkok Milfs is now just Bangkok Bunnies. Long overdue - 'Bangkok Milfs' was the worst bar name Nana Plaza has come up with since Titty Twisters (Nov 1999 - Jul 2003) disgraced the scene. Let the good times roll....
NANA PLAZA
A For-The-Archives pic of Jools. We don't want to tell others how to run their affairs, however we might safely say hobos sleeping on the front steps might not be the best encouragement to passers-by who might otherwise want to come in for a drink or seven....
SOI NANA
Waaaay back in January of 1995, when the Crazy Cow closed, another bar quickly took it's place : Helen's Place. While it was quite popular, it only lasted until April, when it shut down for major renovations. When it reopened in October '95, it was renamed (only slightly) to Helene's Place, and it had changed to a Vietnamese restaurant. And that is how it remained until last month, when it closed it's doors for good; a footnote in the Night Entertainment history of Bangkok.
SOI KATOEY (Silom Soi 4)
Fah Salon Massage & Nail closed down in Soi Lemongrass last November. We thought it had gone the way of the Paraphysornis - but we were wrong. They have just reopened around the corner on the main Soi 22. Welcome them back to the slippery slope....
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
It looked for all the world like the Kiss Bangkok Massage was getting ready to open.... We'll check this out again next survey, and get back atcha.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Exotic Massage, having just opened - has closed again. The pic shows an "Open" sign, however, this is a "file photo" only. ---We note : they don't look like they have gone anywhere, so we will check back and update next time around.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
Bit Style Fantasy Massage Club is closed once again. They are heavily padlocked with a small sign forbidding entry. It doesn't look auspicious, but they have closed for short periods before, so we will come back and put eyes on the place once more before retiring them from the roster. Located in Soi Starlight.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
Also located on Soi Starlight, the BKK 48 Massage is also now closed. We'll swing by once again to reconfirm, and come back atcha if there is any change....
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
In the tiny foot-soi (Soi 11/2) between Sukhumvit Sois 11 and 11/1 rests an even tinier bar beer, the Happy Station 11. They actually had their startup last month, but we couldn't be sure what they would end up being.... May the nightwinds blow kindly.
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit 11)
The Platinum bar beer have cashed in their chips and headed for higher ground. Their next-door neighbors, Simple Bar, have taken up where they left off - and renamed it Simple Bar 1. May they keep on keeping on....
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
The Sport 20-2 beer bar once again has beer in the fridge, booze on the shelves, someone to take your order, and most importantly - customers. Rock on....
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
The Love & Service (which also identifies as HIP'S) - the one next door to the Moulin Rouge - is relocating to the now-defunct [H] Massage premises on Sub-soi 4. It looks like they are going to keep the old neon - at least for the time being....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)
Replacing the Crazy Hot beer bar after three or four months' renovation is the brand new Chill In Bar & Restaurant. (Did they mean to say, 'Chill Inn' ?) Looks great. It remains to be seen if they will be more bar (a Night Entertainment Venue), or more restaurant - it looks to be more a restaurant to serve the adjoining boutique hotel. ....Wait and see. Either way, welcome them to the night-circus....
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7/1)
It looks like the Hot Male Beer Garden - (Is that their name? They have since removed their sign.) - have done some interior and exterior decoration (posters and plants) ... Roll on....
SOI TWILIGHT
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July's Nightlife News 
