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MONTHLY NEWS
COLUMN

Bangkok,
01 November 2020
William R.  Morledge


November's Nitelife News
Bangkok's Bars - 20 Years Ago  
A Smile in the Land of Smiles.
Reader's Corner: Naturist A Go-Go 1967
Bangkok's Graffiti Update  - #173

        Bernard Trink, Bangkok journalist, passed away on the 8th of October, 2020.   A remarkable career by any measure, spanning the decades (the '60's to present), he was most notoriously known for his 'Nite Owl' entertainment columns in the Bangkok World and Bangkok Post - appearing non-stop for 37 years.   Riding the wave of Bangkok's Night Entertainment explosion in the '60's (fueled primarily by the influx of G.I.s on R&R from Viet Nam), his 'Night Owl' columns were in such demand they were clipped and snail-mailed to the four corners of the globe by friends of those who had been to Bangkok and those who wanted to be.  (Continued below...)
Bernard Trink was Bangkok's "Nite Owl"

         The original Nite Owl 'trademark' emblem.   We'd be willing to bet there aren't half a dozen people who remember Bernard Trink's original logo, appearing in the Bangkok World, late 1960's - alongside his movie reviews and 'Friar Tuck' cuisine reviews.
         Bernard Trink (still wearing his trademark "I Don't Give A Hoot" medallion) with his lovely wife Khun Aree at a Bangkok BTS station, 2019.   Perhaps they were on their way to see another film?
(Photo by Christopher Moore, with thanks.)

         While still at the Bangkok World Bernard began using this new(er) logo.   The column name soon became his personal 'trademark' - people began referring to him as 'The Nite Owl'.   Even those who didn't know him could recognize him "on his rounds" by the owl medallion (worn on all occasions).
               After several years in Japan, writing for local Japanese publications, Bernard Trink returned to Bangkok in 1965, and was taken on by the Bangkok World newspaper as Entertainment Editor to write movie reviews.   Upon demonstrating his talents as an interviewer and outside reporter, he was asked, in addition to his reviews, to take over a failing weekly column; all he would have to do was visit the local hotels and a few other entertainment venues, and write a note or two re their entertainment scene.   He took the World up on its offer, and in 1967 the Nite Owl was born.
      Some question remains in the minds of a few of us, we longtime Bangkok residents (and those who knew Bangkok way back when) - as to just exactly when the Nite Owl first began reporting on the Nitescene.   So let's hear it from Bernard Trink in his own words...
               In the ensuing years, the column's popularity soared - recurring themes included pics of the 'Three best A Gogo girls this week', tips on massage parlors -to include the numbers of recommended masseuses, tips on live entertainment venues, and rants against supermarkets for not having a certain color Kleenex in stock, or being out of Dinty Moore's beef stew.   His colorful and idiosyncratic prose was always a subject of expat conversation; his mention of the most popular 'constellation', his now familiar TIT (This is Thailand), recent antics of the 'demimondaines' working in the entertainment industry, his controversial opinions on issues of the day (the AIDS epidemic for example), to list but a few.   And, of course, his closing line, "But, I don't give a hoot!"   At one point, the Bangkok World would deliver stacks of the weekly Entertainment supplement to various locations as handouts.   One such location was the Nana Hotel, where Trink's fans and detractors alike would traipse in to the lobby from inside and outside the hotel for their free copy - eagerly pouring over the Nite Owl for the latest 'on-the-ground' report.   Many of these supplements were immediately mailed off to overseas addresses - (pre-Internet, of course) - into the waiting hands of those who couldn't wait to return to Bangkok.
Friends and Foes
               Although Bernard's responsibilities as Entertainment Editor at the Bangkok World were diverse - to include movie reviews and listings, occasional interviews, food & restaurant reviews (often under the pseudonym 'Friar Tuck') and the day-to-day miscellany - it was his Nite Owl column that 'went viral', both locally and internationally.   And, in that his Night Entertainment Scene, which included 5-star hotel lounges, night club entertainment acts, etcetera, also included 'bars', the column's immense popularity was matched by an equal portion of notoriety.   In that 'bars' were, and are, associated with prostitution, Bernard's reportage on bars automatically meant, in the one-dimensional world of his several detractors, that he was promoting prostitution.

A pic of Bangkok Nightlife's most odious public urinal to have ever existed - at the original Thermae.   Note where some individual scrawled the graffito, "Trink The Dink" on the wall.   But then what do you expect from a lowlife who writes on bathroom walls....
               Bernard Trink's detractors took many forms, from local nightcrawlers scrawling graffiti on bathroom walls and derogatory comments about his dress / eating habits, to virtue-signaling documentaries and interviews, (and even a book) in the international media.   (Bernard writes of these disingenuous interviewers, each seeking a sensational 'angle', in his last column - reproduced below).   Nor did Bernard's move to the Bangkok Post change the equation - his detractors followed, continuing to characterize him as a 'purveyor of smut', or 'pimp, or -the list goes on.   But, worse, his new bosses, the quisling editors (Pichai and Veera) capitulated to the rising wave of Political Correctness sweeping planet Earth - buying-in to the 'minority consensus' that the most popular column the newspaper would ever know, was (after more than 30 years) suddenly 'inappropriate'.   (-If readers would like to read what we really think of the Bangkok Post and the termination of the Nite Owl column, please see our February 2004 edition - "Where is Trink?" <link>
               Not long after Bernard's relocation to the Bangkok Post, the editors) began the systematic curtailing of his content, claiming 'persons "upstairs"' were frowning....   No more photos of A Go-Go girls... then no more photos at all.   No more controversial discussions, but especially on AIDS (in retrospect, his observations on AIDS were more accurate than the WHO's politically-tainted scare-mongering).   No more recommendations on massage parlor girls, and eventually even the deletion of the "Nite Owl" logo itself.   In the end, the column had been reduced to a half-page of general-interest items.   (Then, again, the Post had already begun general decline - the downward spiral continuing to the present - where even the host of crank 'letters-to-the-editor' produce better copy than their paid journalists....)   ...The age-old lesson on monopolies ringing true yet again...
               But Bangkok's Foreign Correspondents Club (FCCT) did not share in the Bangkok Post's myopic inability to recognize 'celebrity', having invited Bernard (twice, that we know of) to speak on the Bangkok Nightscene.   Speaking to a full-house both times, Bernard surprised many of us who had held preconceived opinions - forgiving his 'New York' accent, he proved to be an accomplished public speaker, lucid, on-balance and authoritative.   His FCCT speaking engagements cast him in a brand-new and positive light - he was the 'Nite Owl' columnist,, to be sure, but he had much more to offer than that...
               Bernard, in his 37 years of doing his 'rounds' of the Night Entertainment Areas, inevitably made many friends, not to mention a slew of 'acquaintances'.   And most of us who were immersed in Bangkok's Nitescene in those years can recall at least one anecdotal conversation with him - this writer being no exception;   The encounter that sticks in my mind most vividly was when we crossed paths, yet again - this time at the Fourth of July picnic at the International School in 2004.   Inevitably the conversation drifted to the Bangkok Post's then-recent termination of the 'Nite Owl' column.   I mentioned that I spoke for many in that we felt it entirely unfair.
         His reply, "How do you think I feel?...   How do you think I feel?"
The Parting Shot
            Below is the last "Trink page" (Bangkok Post, 26 Dec 2003).    CLICK HERE to read the full column.
               We bloggers of the Nightscene, each of us, past and present, owe a debt to Bernard - for inspiration, style and format.   He was 'the original'; the rest of us have been mere 'variations-on-theme'.   If ever there will be a Hall Of Fame of individuals who indelibly influenced Bangkok's nightlife, those characters that were inextricably 'a part of the fabric', Bernard Trink will certainly be seated front row center.

The cremation ceremony
Wat Tat Thong - 11 October 2020






 
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            It is self-evident that the closure of Thailand's borders has harmed tourism - and in particular, Thailand's Nightlife.   As long as the lockdown remains predominantly in effect in order to control the Coronavirus, (only a handful of foreigners are being let in), Night Entertainment Venues will continue to suffer, and in many cases be forced to close.   We continue to monitor the Coronavirus situation locally and abroad.      By doing so, we hope to provide our readers with realistic expectations regarding timeframes and likelihood of a full reopening and recovery of the Night Entertainment Scene in Thailand.
         This month, we can reconfirm that sound countermeasures, when diligently applied, will stop the spread of Coronavirus - Thailand being the prime example.   Thailand has had no 'in-house' cases, let alone contagious outbreaks, since May 2020.   The handful of cases found in Thailand have all been from returning Thai citizens and several foreigners that have been allowed to travel to Thailand under special conditions.   Nevertheless, this is not the case globally - the last 2 months saw the small rise-and-fall of the 2nd wave, and, as can be seen, we are, globally, in the beginning of another, 3rd wave.
    ...Continued below...
Coronavirus Overview
GLOBAL 3rd WAVE - BUT MANY NATIONS IMPROVE
01 November 2020
      This November we continue with our ongoing review & analysis of the global figures alongside several 'typical' individual countries.   For purposes of comparison, this month we are publishing data for the same countries we analyzed in previous months.   Note: 'typical' countries are so selected because of their accurate record-keeping and, not coincidentally, their implementation of internationally recognized precautionary and medical treatment procedures used in containing the Coronavirus.   It is immediately apparent from the graphs below that the Coronavirus is far from gone - and the number of cases continues to increase.   Nevertheless, world officialdom is in recognition that many nations are essentially winning the battle against the virus.

      It also becomes apparent from the analyses of the graphs of these countries over the last 5 months, and from analyses of countries who have not been successful in implementing adequate isolation protocols, we can now reconfirm, yet again, which measures work, and what does not work - at least as far as 'isolation' and 'control' are concerned.   However, "isolation" is not the full answer - see the detailed discussion following the graphs below.














      As the above upsurges and declines are recent, we have used both 'new case' and 'death' data to best illustrate the actual trending by the most accurate and visually observable means.      Bangkok Eyes has reproduced the above information as a public service - this information is readily available to the public on the Internet and through other sources.   This information is not to be construed as a prediction, or an estimate, or a projection relating to changes in the prevalence of the Coronavirus, either as to length of time, location or severity.

All charts sourced at www.worldometers.info from W.H.O. data.


               In spite of the global upsurge in new viral infections, Thailand has taken the lead with their long-term "Special visa" in reopening the borders to tourism - albeit they have just barely cracked the door ajar.   Currently tourists in small tour groups from countries having similar control measures and low rates of infection are allowed in - with the proviso they be tested and undergo quarantine.   Thailand has also proposed to lessen the quarantine from 14 days to 10 days.   (Recent cases, however, would indicate they might want to leave it at 14 days).   And while these steps are steps in the right direction, for the long term, "isolation" is not the answer.

         Here we reiterate: there is only one long-term solution to ridding the world of the Pandemic, and that is "Immunity".   And there are only two possibilities to arrive at sufficient immunity: First is through herd-immunity, which in several countries, appears to be winning out (falling death rates, even in spite of increasing or plateaued numbers of new cases).   The second possible method to obtain immunity is through a vaccine .   But, as the reader is already aware, there is not yet any vaccine to be found on the market.   (Note, "isolation' is not mentioned here as a way to the final cure...)   Many vaccine trials are in progress - but (another reminder) there is no guarantee an effective vaccine will be developed.   While all hope for an effective vaccine, failing this, Planet Earth will have to depend solely on herd-immunity.   The 'back-up plan' will need to address this...

             *We note the local Thai Night Entertainment Areas are open and doing reasonably well, as, of course, their main source of custom is not foreign tourism.   (Examples of local Thai Nitespot Areas: Sri Nakarin South, Soi Thonglor, Soi Udomsuk, Soi Ekamai, RCA.)






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November's Thai Smile from over the shoulder...



BOOKS ...worth a read !

( Click on book covers to order. )



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MIDNITE HOUR MAIL BOX         



Join the 'Comments' page...


BERNARD  TRINK  -  R.I.P.


...A FEW OF THE NEARLY-ENDLESS COMMENTS....


      "RIP Bernie."

      "Ah, a poignant moment with the current state of things - ... "

      "Remarkable he made it to 89...."

      "Friar Tuck ?"

      "So much has been written about “Trink,” ..... No matter what you think or felt about (what) he wrote, one thing is certain – readers followed and read his column, religiously every week.   They talked about it.   They criticized it.   They were annoyed by it.   They despised it.   They loved it."

      " Nite Owl,  'Don't give a Hoot',  'TIT', etc, brings back many memories from a different time..."

      (The Bangkok Post's headline.)
''Post legend Bernard Trink dies at 89
Blunt-spoken 'Nite Owl' columnist entertained and outraged readers for decades''

      '' ..... The birth of Bangkok’s prostitution playground was a pivotal time, ultimately paving the way for Thailand’s contemporary sex-tourism industry.   Trink saw it all.   He even coined the term “Soi Cowboy” and enduring catch-phrases such as the verbal shrug of “This is Thailand” or “TIT.” ''

      ".... Truly unique. .... Trink was fortunate in having a lovely, caring Thai wife, Aree, who he loved dearly.   A Red Cross volunteer, she is 86 now and at the cremation she confirmed she had been married to Bernard for 55 years.   They first met in Japan before he came to Thailand.   What a loss it must be for her.   Trink was a unique character as was his style of writing.   There were plenty who disliked his columns, but paradoxically his most vocal critics devoured every word he wrote.   Trink was from a different era in which political correctness had yet to make its presence felt.   There will never be a column quite like Nite Owl.   'Nuff said."   - (Roger Crutchly, excerpt.)

      "Wow. End of an era."

      "...wish I could have gone to the funeral.   Would have been interesting to see who showed up."

      "Sad.   He was a well known person in the expat community through the Night Owl.   I saw him a few times around town when he was writing for the Post.   When he was cancelled, I did miss his page. ... "

      "Only knew him by reputation....   Quite a character by all accounts."

      "...... Trink was infamous for his Nite Owl column published in the Bangkok Post about the night life goings on in Bangkok, with particular interest in the sex bars.   I am proud to have called him my friend.   When he would take me on his rounds, where ever we went, he was treated as a celebrity.   I remember once he picked me up from my hotel to make a round, and instantly he was recognized by the hotel staff and you would have thought Tom Cruise had just walked in.   Truly a privilege to have known him.   RIP Bernard Trink."

      "I loved the Nite Owl. The best part of the Bangkok Post. .... 89 - a long life considering the amount of time spent in bars."

      "I ran into him a few times over the years.   His articles were always interesting."

      "R.I.P.   ....  Bangkok original."


          (NOTE: The above quotes from multiple sources.)
BANGKOK  EYES  -  AN  OLD  RETRO  MOLLUSK...
   READER :  Hi,
    I come across this site when I was a few weeks ago and it has some interesting information but it has a major problem:
    Website design.   I´m sure you guys probably got this many times but how is it possible that this site looks straight from 1998 / 99???
         -Who still uses GIFs for animation?
         -Scrolling down pics?
         -Pop up windows to navigate?
This looks exactly like the sites I remember from my early days on the web in 2000 / 01 !!!!
    I designed sites at the time with a program called DREAMWEAVER that looked just like this one and I know nothing of web design :-)   Can´t you get an account on WORDPRESS or other intuitive platforms?   I don´t think one needs to be an expert for Wordpress.   Thanks.

   MIDNITE HOUR:   
      Greetings,   You got that right, this site is intentionally done up as a retro 'News' site.   When I did the first experimental from-scratch test pages (2001), and then decided to actually put it up online, it was an exercise in learning HTML - how to put HTML together, and how to display it on various browsers and monitors.   Now however, I find I can use HTML5, a bit of CSS, a bit of JavaScript, and animated GIFs (always fun to do).   I have prepared each section of each page to be quickly configured as to size, location, color, background, etc... all with a couple of clicks.   Every month I spend the last four days surveying and doing up the current edition.   A fun hobby, while at the same time, keeping my fingers on the pulse of 'The Game'.   Software packages like Dreamweaver are terribly overblown, and after looking at it and similar software, I see they contain huge amounts of useless stuff that is not needed.   I wouldn't even consider using any of them.   My only external concern is load time, which is comparatively slow because I use large photo files on my home News page - but the Internet keeps getting faster, so load time is becoming irrelevant.   Thanks for writing in.
Thanks for reading and for writing in.
Don't hesitate to send your questions and comments - always welcome.
Note: Text may be edited for brevity and/ or clarity.
'Reader's Corner' moderator -


'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
*   Zootramp Publications


 


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BANGKOK EYES
Let the November 2020 Follies  begin-

               Bangkok's Night Entertainment Venues, closed down in late March due to the Coronavirus, have officially been allowed to reopen since 1 July.   This month we will highlight significant 'Bars In Transition' - to include photographs - as before.   However, due to the large number of Nitespots opening and closing temporarily (and not notifying the public), we are including an additional descriptor, "(OPEN SOMETIMES)', which will, in the longer historical view, provide a more accurate picture of the current 'in-flux' Pandemic Nightscene.


 PATPONG  1  
MAP
            Although still officially waiting out Covid-19, I saw a crack in the Safari door and poked my head in... Khun Ning and her bartendee were busily tidying up, trying to decide when, or if, they should reopen.   She says if enough people were to drop by on next Saturday (14 November), she would open up for a night.   (The way things have been going on PP1, it may be its hurrah.)   If you are in the area, drop by - the Safari is one of Patpong's classic A Go-Go bars.   All are welcome.   

 PATPONG  1 

*  Thai Lady Bar - 2nd Fl above Thigh Bar - RECLOSED
*  SuperStar - Inside A Go-Go CLOSED, outside bar beer OPEN  (OPEN SOMETIMES)
 PATPONG  1

 PATPONG  2  
MAP
            The Black Pagoda, as per tradition, had a grand and terrifying Halloween blow-out.   It continues to thrive in the Pandemic... all for the right reasons...
 PATPONG  2

            Horse Shoes beer bar went out of business a month before Covid-19, so we can't blame the Pandemic for this particular closure.   Its been idle since February.... but that was then, and this is now.   Opened newly is the Midnight Bar.   It appears to be another (not very busy) boy-bar.   We note that the gay end of PP2 continues to expand... and wonder how far it will continue on...
 PATPONG  2

            Last month we noted the relocation of Star Of Light to the Surawong end of PP2, but only now we find our photo....   One more for the Archives.
 PATPONG  2

*  An "Unnamed Bar" - OPEN - moved into the old Top Less Pool Bar .
*  Dragon Bar Beer - REOPEN - (No sign - Under stairs near Pink Panther).
 PATPONG  2

 SOI COWBOY  
MAP
            In spite of the Pandemic, Soi Cowboy continues to (slowly) reopen.   The below pic shows a section from Suzie Wong to Jungle Jim's & Moonshine Joint, the Oasis and the Spritz S.T. hotel.   Gotta let the train roll on...
 SOI  COWBOY 

*  Crazy Cat - CLOSED.
*  Tilac - Inside A Go-Go CLOSED.   Outside OPEN.
 SOI  COWBOY 

 NANA  PLAZA  
MAP
             Up on the 3rd level, the Erotica Bar had been stumbling along, mostly closed for the last few months - last month closed down entirely.   This month in its place is the brand new, refurbished (smell the paint) Taxi Bar A Go-Go.   Modus operandi unchanged - a 'Real Girls' bar (all with tattoos), but with reasonable prices - 165 Baht beers and 185 Baht 'lady-dinks'.   They do need to do something to let folks know they are there...   Let the good times roll...

 NANA  PLAZA

             This year, Angel Witch wins, hands down, for frightening Halloween decorations.   The basket of bodyparts, OK, but we are still not sure the blond-wigged witch isn't a real person...   ...That's the spirit !
 NANA  PLAZA

*  Diamonds Bangkok - REOPEN. - (OPEN SOMETIMES)
*  Straps - REOPEN. - (OPEN SOMETIMES)
 NANA  PLAZA

 SOI  NANA  
            The original Rest Hub was located in the Rajah Hotel annex, however it has been closed for some time.   They opened Rest Hub 2 down closer the Nana Hotel some time prior to the closure of the original.   Now the Rest Hub 2 has dropped the "2".   But they have added a "Live Music" sign... and the music (weekends) ain't half bad....
 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

*  Apsara Massage - CLOSED
*  Lannana - CLOSED - (FOR SALE)
*  Jersey Pub - REOPEN. - Corner Soi 6.
*  Asia Health Association - REOPEN.
*  Elegance Salon & Massage - REOPEN.
*  Pine 26 - REOPEN.
*  Goody Massage (2) - CLOSED - In Rajah Hotel Compound.
 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

 SOI  KATOEY  
MAP
            The pubs and lounges on Soi Katoey did their usual 'Halloween do-up"  - This pic of the suspended skeletons taken at the Jupiter.   May they persevere...
 SOI  KATOEY 

*  Sugar Bowl - RECLOSED
 SOI  KATOEY 

 SOI  22  
MAP
            Last month, the Bar Black Pinky was gone... to include the sign.   This month, they were right back at it - the same sign all aglow...  - Whatever "it" is - we have no idea what goes on behind the green door....   But, whatever, welcome them back to the neon circus.
 SOI  22  

            The "We Don't Make Mistrakes Department" ....  Two months back we noted a fairly busy bar beer at the top of Soi Starlight, commenting that it didn't have a sign.   Not only was it not a bar beer (it is an indoor-outdoor lounge), but it did have a sign (as can be witnessed in the pic below).   Belated welcome to 3-J - may you prosper in the bright lights, big city.
 SOI  22  

            A pic for the Archives.   Last month we noted the previously closed Yuuka had reopened as Yu-Ka, but had no pic to show for it.   Now, we do - of sorts - the Yu-Ka is the Venue on the left.   Hopefully a better shot in the future.   It remains a Japanese "snack bar".
 SOI  22  

            We hope we're not seeing what we're seeing....   The New Cowboy Bar is closed, and the sign has been removed.   Hopefully this translates as 'sign renovation' and not a permanent casualty of the Pandemic.   A 'wait-and-see' item.      New Cowboy Bar is (was?) far-and-away the oldest bar on Soi 22.   It was a joint venture between Grant Francisco and Cowboy (shortly after Cowboy's Washington Square bar went belly-up).   Cowboy 'borrowed' the money from Grant for the joint venture, but never came up with his share, and was booted out.   Sadly, both original owners passed away several years ago.
 SOI  22  

*  Jasmine Massage - CLOSED - Becomes - Smile Massage - OPEN
*  Green Tree Massage - CLOSED
*  Honey Bee Bangok - REOPEN. - In Subsoi Lemongrass.
*  Hip Bangkok Massage - REOPEN.
*  Anego Izakaya - CLOSED - In Park 22 compound.
 SOI  22  

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  
            The Clear Massage & Spa on Soi 11/1 had only been open a couple of months before finding a way out from under it all.   Opening in those digs is the new Sukkho Health Massage.   May they continue to slip and slide... .   
 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

*  Lush Rooftop - CLOSED - (OPEN SOMETIMES)
*  Wax - OPEN - (OPEN SOMETIMES)
*  Grace Massage - CLOSED - In Subsoi.
*  Insanity - REOPEN. - (OPEN SOMETIMES)
*  Apoteka - OPEN - Thurs - Fri - Sat.
*  Bai Po Massage - REOPEN. - In Subsoi.
*  Suntaree Massage 5 - REOPEN. - In Subsoi.
 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

  SOI  7  PLAZA  
(AKA "Nana Plaza @ 7")
MAP
            It looks like the Manana will be taking over the reins from the Nana @ 7 Beer Garden (closed a couple of months ago).   Another beer garden?   Wait-and-see...   Located at the Sukhumvit Road side-exit from Soi 7 Plaza.
 SOI  7  PLAZA

            Closed down like a gun store in L.A., the "Welcome Open" (it was the only neon they ever nailed up) looks to have found greener pastures.   (At one point they had the 3-Sisters sign from QPP sitting alongside the building - will they reopen?)
 SOI  7  PLAZA

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  
MAP
            Three long-standing 'Steam-n-Cream' specialty massage parlors closed down in quick succession this last month (Dream Heaven Nuru Nuru Gel, the 'New Massage' and the Love Teen).   Note: Dream Heaven's masseuses joined the other Dream Heaven, just across the street.)   Soi Dead Artists seems to be hardest hit by Covid-19 of all the Night Entertainment Areas - soon all that will be left are the Japanese bars on Soi Pan Pan.   The Soi is barely maintaining 'Critical Mass' as it is.

 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 


 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

*  33 Society - CLOSED - (OPEN SOMETIMES)
*  Joy - REOPEN - (OPEN SOMETIMES) - In S-33 Compact Hotel.
*  Fortune 17 Karaoke - CLOSED - (OPEN SOMETIMES)
*  Fortune Club & Massage - CLOSED - (OPEN SOMETIMES) - In Subsoi 3.
*  Apoteka - OPEN - Thurs - Fri - Sat.
 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

 SOI  EDEN 
MAP
            Last month we noted the opening of the New Victoria Pool & Bar, however this month we note they have spruced the place up considerably - lookin' good.   Gotsta get paid.
 SOI  EDEN  (Sukhumvit 7 / 1) 

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

20 YEARS AGO

November
With thanks to Cool Text -cooltext.com

Bangkok Eyes goes back in time to see
Who was New - And Who was Through
in the Expat Night Entertainment World
How many of these old 'Oases'
Do you remember ?

Patpong I
November 2000

   *  -  No changes that month / year.

(Total Nitespots that month: 34 )

Patpong 2
November 2000

   *  Cleopatra Bar A Go-Go became King's Cleopatra Bar.   No Venue currently exists at that location.

   *  Rififi drops "Bar A Go-Go" from their name....   Currently home to Triple XXX A Go-Go.

(Total Nitespots that month: 58 )

Soi Cowboy
November 2000

   *  -  No changes that month / year.

(Total Nitespots that month: 34 )

Cowboy Annex
(Asoke Corner + Asoke Plaza)
[ ~June 1998  to  04 February 2005 ]
November 2000

   *   The 'Snooker Room' becomes part of Ying's Corner at the junction of Asoke Corner and Asoke Plaza sections.

(Total Nitespots that month: 21 )

Nana Plaza
November 2000

   *  On the ground level, Obsession re-reopened.

(Total Nitespots that month: 41 )

Soi Katoey
( Silom Soi 4 )
November 2000

  *  The Elvissa took over the digs of the 'Que Pasa ?'.   Currently home to 'Welcome Bar'.

  *  The Enterprise Pub closed.   Today those digs are home to the 4 Sports.

  *  The upstairs Speed reopened.   Today those digs are home to the Hugs Bar - Karaoke.

(Total Nitespots that month: 15 )

Soi Dead Artists
( Sukhumvit Soi 33 )
November 2000

  *  Santana Club became Santana Club 2000.   Those digs are currently a restaurant..

(Total Nitespots that month: 26 )

Buckskin Joe Village
(~ December 1988  to  9 June 2006)
(Also called 'Tobacco Road',  'Soi Rot Fai',  'The Tracks',  'Soi Zero' & 'Machim' [Thai] )
November 2000

   *   The Linda Bar added 'Happy Joint' to their name.

(Total Nitespots that month: 20 )

Washington Square
(~ April 1999  to  April 2014)
November 2000

   *   -  No changes that month / year.

(Total Nitespots that month: 17 )

Clinton Plaza
(Originally ''Entertainment Plaza'')
[ ~February 1999  to  June 2003 ]

November 2000

      *   Wind Mill added its old name 'Kangaroo' to its name.   - Outside against the outer wall.   

(Total Nitespots that month: 21 )

''13 Night Market'' Entertainment Area
(Originally 'Old Thermae Compound')
[ April 2000 - March 2005 ] 

November 2000

      *  All Nitespots - CLOSED during renovations.

(Total Nitespots that month: 0 )





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 TOP  

VICARIOUS ART CRIMES   #174


MIDNITE HOUR's

But is it ....ART ?



Check out Bangkok's dedicated page at "BKK Graf.com" <link>



GRAFFITI IN THE NEWS


      As anyone who has seen the world news these last months knows that Seattle has been under the stress of not only the Pandemic, but of political activism, protests and riots.   As time has gone on, and there hasn't been any real progress in either, it seems these times of stress have been a catalyst to graffiti artists.


      Much of the 'street art' has reflected the demands of the neo-anarchists that have been disrupting the city these months, but quite surprisingly, much of the graffiti expresses the hope of a new beginning that many of the silent majority are feeling.   Herein are some samples that we have excerpted on the excellent website : Crosscut.com <link>.









With thanks to Cool Text.com

Graffiti #1207
Texas Red...
6 ft high x 7 ft


Graffiti #1208
In The Wind
7 ft high x 7 ft (Center face)


Graffiti #1209
Selfless Portrait
7 ft high x 12 ft


Graffiti #1210
Kaleidoscope Gallery
8 ft high x ? ft


Graffiti #1211
Carta's
7 ft high x 21 ft


Graffiti #1212
Checkpoint Berlin
8 ft high x 11 ft


Graffiti #1213
Gump's Trees
36 ft high x 36 ft


Bangkok Eyes is an historically based news outlet, and as such, all graphic excerpts herein are considered, under current legal precedents and
prevailing interpretations, 'Fair Use' under Copyright Law.   Copyright of any original artwork resides exclusively with the artists.

Bangkok's original site !

SINCE  2005





   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

Click
for
LEGAL

"The Archives" - All Our Back Issues Here

- 2020 -
01 JAN -   Soi 7 "On The Map"
01 FEB -   Soi 33's Dead Artists - RIP
01 MAR -    Queen's Park Plaza gone
01 APR -    Coronavirus Crunch
01 MAY -    Coronavirus Ebbs
01 JUN -    Coronavirus is killing bars
01 JUL -    Coronavirus now rare
01 AUG -    Thais curb Coronavirus
01 SEP -    Covid blockade foils 2nd Wave
01 OCT -    Coronavirus vs Coronaphobia
01 NOV -    Trink Passes On
- 2019 -
01 JAN -   Soi 71 + "W District"
01 FEB -    Back to Soi 26
01 MAR -   Soi 1 & Soi 3
01 APR -    Mizu's of Patpong
01 MAY -    Mississippi Twins
01 JUN -    Gay Patpong ? -Twilight Gone
01 JUL -    Bars - 50 Years On
01 AUG -    Soi 8 Reviste
01 SEP -    Copyright & the 'Net
01 OCT -    Historic Honolulu - Chinatown
01 NOV -    The Patpong Museum
01 DEC -    Queen's Park Fades - Soi 7 Opens

- 2018 -
01 JAN -   The Pub Crawl
01 FEB -   Bobby Passes On
01 MAR -    Nana - The Plaza - The Soi
01 APR -    Soi Dead Artists - Downsizing?
01 MAY -    Soi's 5, 7, 7/1 Eden
01 JUN -    Soi 24 - Going Nowhere
01 JUL -    Street Bars - They're Back
01 AUG -    Udorn in the 60's & 70's
01 SEP -    Potpourri - Odds 'N Ends
01 OCT -    Khao San + Rambutri Rds.
01 NOV -    Night Market Sri Nakarin
01 DEC -    Soi 23 - Running Hot
- 2017 -
01 JAN -   Soi 22 - the Survivor
01 FEB -    Hua Hin Nights
01 MAR -   Hooking-Up
01 APR -    Soi Than Tawan
01 MAY -    Our Saloon-Count Surveys
01 JUN -    Soi Bua Khao
01 JUL -    Soi 8 - Work In Progress
01 AUG -    NO PHOTO (more or less)
01 SEP -    Stickman Calls 'Time'
01 OCT -    Sweet Black Angel
01 NOV -    Thai King At Rest
01 DEC -    The Dark Arts

- 2016 -
01 JAN -   Railway Bazaar
01 FEB -   Sukhumvit Square Justice
01 MAR -    Paint the Neon Night
01 APR -    Udom Suk Reviste
01 MAY -    Soi Thaniya
01 JUN -    Soi Thonglor Re-up
01 JUL -    Massage Parlor Row
01 AUG -    Check Inn 99
01 SEP -    Pattaya A Go-Go
01 OCT -    Bangkok's Nitelife Maps
01 NOV -    Nitespot Demographics
01 DEC -    Pattaya's Soi 6

- 2015 -
01 JAN -    A Go-Go Bar Ratings
01 FEB -    Are Cops Gouging Nitelifers?
01 MAR -   Bad Company
01 APR -    LK Metro - Pattaya
01 MAY -    Soi 33 goes East
01 JUN -    Rachada Fades
01 JUL -    Freelancers
01 AUG -    Nana Plaza Map 2015
01 SEP -    Soi Nana Map 2015
01 OCT -    Walking Street - Pattaya
01 NOV -    Rachada - The Giant
01 DEC -    A Go-Go's Story

- 2014 -
01 JAN -   Bangkok's Got The Blues
01 FEB -   Soi 26 - Stayin' Alive
01 MAR -    Nightscene rues Mob
01 APR -    My Friend owns a Bar...
01 MAY -    Soi's 3, 5 and 7
01 JUN -    Curfew's Costly Cut
01 JUL -    Soi 13 Makes It's Move
01 AUG -    Pattaya Does The Twist
01 SEP -    Soi's 18 & 20 - Quieter is Better
01 OCT -    Soi's 10 & 14 - Lesser known Sois
01 NOV -    A Good Old Boy...
01 DEC -    Lang Suan & Sarasin

- 2013 -
01 JAN -    Not Fade Away - The Survivors
01 FEB -    Rare Old Photos
01 MAR -   Copa Reprise
01 APR -    Arise, Soi 22
01 MAY -    Where to Next ?
01 JUN -    Bangkok Noir
01 JUL -    MAPS - The Major Update
01 AUG -    Lamai Lamai Lamai
01 SEP -    Tim 'Wanchai' Young
01 OCT -    Soi Wall Street
01 NOV -    Little Thonglor - Soi 11
01 DEC -    Mississippi Queen

- 2012 -
01 JAN -    Mama-San
01 FEB -    Our 10th Anniversary Issue !
01 MAR -    How Gay Nana ?
01 APR -    Sukhumvit' Soi 23 - The Big Picture
01 MAY -    Khao San Road - Unique Bazaar
01 JUN -    Ekamai - It Used To Be Too Far
01 JUL -    Nightlife Pioneers
01 AUG -    The New Puritans
01 SEP -    Nana - On It's Own
01 OCT -    FAIL - War on Nitespot Drugs
01 NOV -    Patpong Unbroken
01 DEC -    Drugs & the Nightscene in History
- 2011 -
01 JAN -    Patpong's 'Glory Days'
01 FEB -    Nightlife In A Digital Age
01 MAR -    Co-Co Walk Plaza
01 APR -    Soi 33 Marches On
01 MAY -    Nightlife Permissiveness
01 JUN -    Ghosts of Nitelife Past
01 JUL -    STATE - The Cinema, Soi & Area
01 AUG -    Soi Darling
01 SEP -    Sri Nakarin South
01 OCT -    Soi 8 Reprise
01 NOV -    Floodless in Bangkok
01 DEC -    Soi Udomsuk

- 2010 -
01 JAN -    Street Bars II - The Triple-Dip
01 FEB -    Our Kind Of Art - II    - Chris Coles
01 MAR -    The Dead Artist Bars - Soi 33
01 APR -    "Soi Ginza" - Thaniya Road
01 MAY -    Night Scene Blues (Red Shirts 1)
01 JUN -    Nitespots Recover Slowly (Reds 2)
01 JUL -    World Cup Special
01 AUG -    Those Old Photos
01 SEP -    The German Invasion
01 OCT -    Racism & Prejudice
01 NOV -    Soi 11 Revisited
01 DEC -    Soi 22 Updater


- 2009 -
01 JAN -    The Santika Fire
01 FEB -    Salt & Pepper
01 MAR -    Nana Plaza - Update & Maps
01 APR -    Soi Nana Update
01 MAY -    The Nightscene & The Riots
01 JUN -    "19" Re-Focus
01 JUL -    Rain Dogs - The Underground
01 AUG -    Soi Thonglor - A bridge-too-far
01 SEP -    Ban Chang - Our Little Secret
01 OCT -    The "Ginza Effect'
01 NOV -    Royal City Avenue (RCA)
01 DEC -    Sutthisan & The Inthamara's

- 2008 -
01 JAN -    2007 - Looking Back
01 FEB -    Owning A Bar
01 MAR -    Expat's Bangkok
01 APR -    Nude Dancing
01 MAY -    After Midnite
01 JUN -    Night Scene In Flux
01 JUL -    Our Kind Of Art
01 AUG -    Trendy Plaza Reprise
01 SEP -    The Elephants Are ....Back
01 OCT -    Grand Prix Intro
01 NOV -    Grand Prix - Rick's Story
01 DEC -    "Old Bangkok Hand"

- 2007 -
01 JAN -    Bombs Blast Bangkok
01 FEB -    Bangkok's Nightscene Websites
01 MAR -    Prasitipol Dance Bar To Fall
01 APR -    Soi 5 Neon Review
01 MAY -    A Go-Go Bangkok
01 JUN -    Arise ! Soi 11
01 JUL -    Anatomy Of A Bar Area
01 AUG -    Soi 26 - Too Far ?
01 SEP -    Chuwit Guilty
01 OCT -    Daytime Nana Plaza
01 NOV -    Cowboy - All Of It
01 DEC -    Another Nitespot Area Falls

- 2006 -
01 JAN -    Pattaya Ascending
01 FEB -    A Go-Go Then & Now
01 MAR -    ' Madrid '
01 APR -    White Heat
01 MAY -    Politics & Nightlife
01 JUN -    Fagin's Bratpack
01 JUL -    King Bhumibol's 60th Anniversary
01 AUG -    Soi 10 - The Final Shaft
01 SEP -    Pattaya's Soi Bua Khow
01 OCT -    Rachada's Other Face
01 NOV -    Soi 22s Other Bars
01 DEC -    Soi Eden Goes A Go-Go

- 2005 -
01 JAN -    Asoke Plaza Crushed
01 FEB -    The 'Nana Scene'
01 MAR -    Asoke Plaza Smashed Again
01 APR -    Sukhumvit 1 Plaza 'Arrives'
01 MAY -    Welcome 'Soi Eden'
01 JUN -    Bangkok's Bareback Riders
01 JUL -    Soi 22 - A Macro View
01 AUG -    Nana's Slide
01 SEP -    Cowboy Street Scene
01 OCT -    The Pattaya Run
01 NOV -    Soi 19 In Focus
01 DEC -    Bad Girls

- 2004 -
01 JAN -    Bangkok's Darkest Year
01 FEB -    Where Is Trink ?
01 MAR -    Soi 33 Just Won't Stop
01 APR -    Cracks In The Crackdown
01 MAY -    In The Zone
01 JUN -    "Night-Scene Jumbos
01 JUL -    Easy Square 'On The Map'
01 AUG -    Soi 1 Entertainment Plaza
01 SEP -    Khlong Toey Revisited
01 OCT -    Koh Samui's Night Scene
01 NOV -    Soi 1 Opens
01 DEC -   The Bangkok Pub Scene

- 2003 -
01 JAN -    Cowboy Crackdown
01 FEB -    Sukhumvit Square Smashed
01 MAR -    Soi 10 Survivors
01 APR -    War & The Night Scene
01 MAY -    Entertainment Blues
01 JUN -    '13 Night Market' Reborn
01 JUL -    Clinton Plaza Falls
01 AUG -    Soi 24 Nightscene Review
01 SEP -    Does Soi Nana Measure Up?
01 OCT -    Patpong - Legend & Myth
01 NOV -    Easy Square 'Launched'
01 DEC -    Soi Cowboy Urine-Swoop

- 2002 -
(OUR 2002 TEST COLUMNS :)
01 FEB -    January: Big Changes In Bar Scene
09 JUN -    Sukhumvit Square 'Explosion'

(OUR REGULAR COLUMNS BEGIN :)
20 JUN -    Soi 22's Queen's Park Plaza
01 JUL -    Clinton Plaza - Already Dead?
01 AUG -    Bar Beers Now "Major Players"
16 AUG -    July: Bar Beers Gaining Ground
01 SEP -    A Go-Gos A-building
17 SEP -    Virtual Bars
01 OCT -    A History In The Making
01 NOV -    Pool Bars Come Of Age
01 DEC -    November's Night Follies
15 DEC -    Genesis: Sukhumvit's Night Scene


01 JAN -    Seminal Survey -Paradisio Closes
- 2001 -

01 JAN -    Baccara opens in Cowboy
01 FEB -    Club Habanos Closes - PP1
01 MAR -    farang Connection Closes - Nana
01 APR -    Rock Hard BB Open - Clinton Pl.
01 MAY -    Las Vegas Opens - Cowboy
01 JUN -    'Wall Street' Opens - Soi 33
01 JUL -    Vixens Closes - Nana
01 AUG -    6 A Go-Go's Shut - Clinton Pl.
01 SEP -    Pussy Collection Opens - PP1
01 OCT -    Girl Friend Closes - PP1
01 NOV -    Rainbow III Opens - Nana
01 DEC -    White House Reopens - Clinton Pl.


- 2000 -

JAN -    'Cowboy Annex' Starts Up
FEB -    Agogo 2000 new at Nana
MAR -    Flowers - Clinton's 1st A Go-Go
APR -    Angel Witch new at Nana
MAY -    Dubliner now at Washington Sq
JUN -    Coco Loco opens at Clinton Pl.
JUL -    Bottoms Up new at Nana
AUG -    Crack House opens at Clinton Pl.
SEP -    Doll House / White House open at Clinton
OCT -    Rock Hard to open at Clinton Pl.
NOV -    Big Dogs opens at Nana
DEC -    Lolita opens in Cowboy Annex

- 1999 -

JAN -    Masquerade Closes @ Nana
FEB -    "Entertainment Plaza" Start-Up
MAR -    SuperStar is PP SuperBar !
APR -    Washington Square goes Critical
MAY-    New Klymaxx closes (Cowboy)
JUN -    'Wet Lips opens (Cowboy)
JUL -    Sam 2000 opens (Cowboy)
AUG -    Monica's opens (Clinton Plaza)
SEP -    Muzzik Cafe open on PP1
OCT -    No Probl'm now Cat's Meow
NOV -    Titty Twisters opens at Nana
DEC -    Londoner Brew Pub new on Soi 33
- 1998 -
JAN -    Nancy Bar opens on Floor 2, Nana
FEB -    Tabasco Charlies opens - (NEP)
MAR -    Cowboy 2 is a 'Pizzaria' - Soi Cowboy
APR -    New A Go Go Duck opens - Cowboy
MAY -    Raw Hide opens on Cowboy
JUN -    Para Disio opens - Floors 2 & 3 - NEP
JUL -    Patpong Cafe opens - PP2
AUG -    'Funny Girls' becomes 'Girlfriend' - PP1
SEP -    Masquerade opens on 3rd Floor - NEP
OCT -    Virgo opens on Cowboy
NOV -    Obsession, Beverly Hills, Red Lips open
DEC -    Lucifer Disko Tk opens atop Radio City

- 1997 -
JAN -    'Hot Rods' opens @ Nana
FEB -    Crazy Lady closes (Nana)
MAR -    3 Lounges closed - 'The Ramp'
APR -    Blue Sky Bar closes - PP1
MAY -    Crackdown at Nana
JUN -    Crystal Palace opens - PP2
JUL -    Limelight closes - PP1
AUG -    Rainbow II opens @ Nana
SEP -    Cowboy's Butterfly Gone
OCT -    Shadow drops Crazy Jack (Cowboy)
NOV -    Hollywood 2 now on 3rd Floor (NEP)
DEC -    Susies opens @ Buckskin Joe Village
- 1996 -
JAN -    Shooters opens on 3rd Floor (NEP)
FEB -    XTC Closes, then Reopens (NEP)
MAR -    Tapas back on line (Soi Katoey)
APR -    Long Gun expands (2X) [Cowboy]
MAY -    Apache reopens on 'The Boy'
JUN -    Pink Panther "upstairs" closes
JUL -    Iconic Mile's Place gone...
AUG -    Upstairs Touch Bar closes (PP1)
SEP -    Pharaoh opens in NEP carpark
OCT -    Spirit House opens in NEP
NOV -    Crazy Lady opens in NEP
DEC -    Long Gun 2 opens (now Rawhide)

- 1995 -
JAN -    PP1 Butterfly Closed
FEB -    Camelot Castle Opens
MAR -    NEPs Bubble Gum gone...
APR -    Tiny 'Imagine' Closed
MAY -    (Quietest month on record)
JUN -    NEPs Mon Cherie axed
JUL -    Play Skool opens (NEP)
AUG -    Opium Club new on The Ramp
SEP -    D.L Irish Pub (ex: Bamboo's)
OCT -    NEP 3rd Floor Opens
NOV -    Klymaxx 2 opens on Cowboy
DEC -    Chick's opens upstairs (PP1)
- 1994 -
- 1993 -
JAN -       -
FEB -       -
MAR -   Saloons - More Areas Added
APR -    Saloons -Adding "Nana"
MAY -    Red Diamond Closed
JUN -    Saloons - Tomatohead Closes
JUL -    Pretty Lady A Go Go
AUG -    Mars Party House closed
SEP -    Matterhorn & Star Pub
OCT -    Sawasdee Cocktail Lounge - New
NOV -    Thigh Bar name change
DEC -    Smile Club to open...
- 1990 -
JAN -   Buckskin Joe - Initial Survey

- 1989 -
01 JAN -    (Coming Soon)
Copyright 1989 - 2020    BANGKOK EYES - bangkokeyes.com