BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
Maps & Histories    About Us    Movies    Community     Archives






















MONTHLY NEWS
COLUMN

Bangkok,
01 April 2023
William R.  Morledge


April's Nitelife News
A Smile in the Land of Smiles.
Reader's Corner:   Those Old Patpong Photos
Traces of Our Past  -  "Cinerama" in Bangkok
Bangkok's Graffiti Update  - #202

            As Ferdinand learned of his father's passing (Nothing of him that doth fade, but doth suffer a sea change), likewise I find nothing remains of the Khao Sarn Road of distant memory.   This month we take a look at that which Khao San Road once was, and that which it has become.....

The My Darling is one of Khao San Road's older indoor-outdoor bar restaurants.

             THEN (Genesis)

            Prelude:    During the late 1950's Khao San Road was busy, but not with foreigners, there were mom-and-pop stores, small restaurants, muay Thai boxing gyms, a small hotel catering to civil servants, all part of the bustling Bang Lamphu District.   Meanwhile, in Europe and the Americas we saw wandering high school graduates off to Paris, a few of the more adventurous off to the Caribbean or 'Off to see the World'.   And although those early wanderers were few-and-far-between, they inspired us, we school kids - a big, strange, interesting planet was out there for the taking...


             But it wasn't until the 60's that those travellers 'few-and-far-between' became a "human river" of so-called 'backpackers', a large part of whom flowed into and through Southeast Asia.   Likewise, those once seldom-trodden paths were labeled the "backpacker trail" (synonymous with the "Hippy Trail") - each backpacker toting his copy of FEER's 'Golden Guide To Southeast Asia' (precursor to the Lonely Planet-type guidebooks).   This writer arrived in Bangkok mid-60's, prior to the Khao San guest house scene.   We found instead cheap Chinese hotels, usually in the Hua Lampong Train Station area, the Thai Song Greet being the most well-known.   We backpackers hitch-hiked, train-ed, bussed and hiked, travelled by tramp steamer, and complained of an all-too-expensive air-hop across Burma.   Those of us who had been on 'the trail' for any length of time feigned an 'air of superiority / snobbery' over those we perceived to be "pretend backpackers", those who flew in direct-flight, with an actual round-trip ticket paid for with "Daddy's money" and lugging around backpacks twice the size that could conceivably be considered convenient or useful.

VIDEO CLIP

            There were no fast-food outlets in Bangkok - we found Thai dishes like khai jiew, khao phat, and phat thai to be just fine.   And it was at mealtimes, either on the ground floor of our Chinese hotel, or one of the other local shops (ubiquitous and usually 24/7) where one would meet the Israeli couple, the Canadian, the lone Japanese travelling with only a day-pack, the Aussie... - where often animated conversations would ensue - comparing our personal experiences, the claims in our guidebooks - and where, really, to go and what to see.   It was generally a time for community discussions and swapping of stories and the hazards found along the way.   And then finding time late into the evening discussing the Night Entertainment scene on 'New' Petchburi Road, or an article someone found on 'Asia On A Dollar A Day'.   No mobile phones or Internet cafes, we would trek on over in the cool of the mornings to the General Post Office on New Road to pick up any forwarded snail-mail at Poste Restante and send our short-stack of post cards to the envious, worried or unbelieving at home.


            As backpacker tourism continued to grow, the Chinese hotels at Hua Lampong and nearby were no longer able to handle the influx of backpackers.   In the early to mid-70's the sois in the area around JUSMAGTHAI on Sathorn Road began to see small shops, apartment buildings and restaurants spring up to catch some of the US military custom.   The Malaysia Hotel on Soi Ngam Dupli had also become an inexpensive and popular stop for tourists.   At the same time, "guest houses" began opening up on that soi and the adjoining Soi Sri Bumphen to house the newly arriving backpackers.   But it wasn't long before even that area became saturated, as the backpacker set continued to arrive in the Kingdom in increasing droves.   Khao Sarn Road was suddenly ripe for what was then called 'budget tourism'.


            The first recorded accommodation specifically for foreigners on Khao San Road is to be found in the 1978 'On Your Own' guide book : "Tum's Hostel 126/1 Khao San Road" - Tum's was a family residence, more like today's 'home stay'.   But this hostel appears to be a one-off, as no records of an authoritative nature report any such further development until 1980 when another solitary home took in a foreign guest.   Then, "shortly after" when the Bonny Guest House came on line as the "first commercial guest house", the Djinni was out of the bottle...


            To be sure, Khao Sarn Road had a number of advantages, it was 400 meters long, so virtually able to expand to meet the demands of the swelling backpacker arrivals.   It was near the then-Sunday Market at Sanam Luang, the Grand Palace and Wat Po.   It was near the river and the old historic Rattanakosin Bangkok relics.   By the year 2000, it was at, or near it's peak - as far as the backpacker activities were concerned.   There were just on 26 Guest Houses on the main road and the immediate side-sois.   And if one were to count those restaurants that had rooms for rent above, the number would be in the mid-30's.   There were also 16 silver shops and 23 (or so) boutiques.   In those early Khao San Road times, the same camaraderie, the same 'vibe' and 'energy' existed that the backpackers of the 60's had found.   Again, it was at the Khao San restaurants where the travel stories and the 'adventures' and the cautionary tales were passed on to others: Which 1-baht ferry to take across the Chao Phraya to see the turtle wat.   Which temples between Vientiane and Paksan would allow backpackers to overnight in the salas.   Beware of the 'guides' outside Wat Po, and the number of the bus to the Khlong Toey docks. (The list was as endless as it was varied.)

      The basement complex Plantopia Weed City has a total of ten cannabis shops and a central seating area for those wishing to smoke on premisis.   And if one counts the Highland at the left of the entrance, that makes eleven.   See our map.   There are a number of other cannabis shops on Khao Sarn Road, not to mention a number of push-carts that roll in each evening with their glass vials of cannabis.   Each shop has its own 'clever' cannabis-derived shop name - we can't help surmising that Bangkok now has so many cannabis shops, they will soon run out of names....

            By the early 80's Khao San Road's popularity, by word of mouth and through the travel guide books was known throughout the world, so it was no surprise that it became a major 'nexus' and waypoint for the backpackers / budget travellers.   Every third shop one was met with a sign that read "Call Home", or "Cheapest Air Fare", or "Change Money", or "Travellers Checks Best Rate", or "Military ID cards / Diplomas", or 'Bus to Pattaya' Chiang Mai... ) ', or 'Visa Extend', or "Floating Market"....   The local restaurants had 'Westernized' their menus over the 1960's Chinese Hotels - in addition to an expanded Thai menu, there were such delights as 'smoothies', and banana fritters, and pancakes and crepes, and mystery-meat kebabs, and faux-club-sandwiches and fake lightweight Chinese pastries.   These times on Khao San Road were pre-water-bottle days, so most decided to play it safe - don't drink the water, don't trust the ice, have a Coke or a 7-Up.   But this version of Khao San Road, this dynamic, 'alive' and thriving crossroads for backpackers, hippies and other strange travellers was not to last.   This was the version of Khao San Road depicted in DeCaprio's The Beach - this was the version in which future visitors thought they would someday immerse themselves.   They were wrong.



            NOW (Paradigm Shift)

            We hadn't covered Khao San Road since October 2018, so this month we approached our two-day survey with apprehension - would we be looking upon a Covid-induced ghost town?   Or were they somehow able to struggle out of the pervading Pandemic darkness and once again be able to draw in the tourists, the resident expats and perhaps even some of the Yuppie Thais of the pre-Covid era?   'Gobsmacked' is actually a word in the English language, and that, by any measure, was us.   By way of quick comparison, in 2012, when we lamented Khao San Road had become a "garish Night Bazaar" it had 33 Venues that would possibly be considered for entertainment purposes.   Our 2018 survey revealed 35 such Venues.   The other night we counted a total of 63 such Venues (inclusive of the recent explosion of Cannabis lounges).

Khao San Road looking toward Jakrapong Road.   We can just barely make out the Rocco Rooftop Bar, which is about the only relaxing way to overlook the zoo below.

            Currently (2023) the garish bazaar atmosphere has not only returned, it has doubled-down.   The bars, restaurants and clubs each push their chairs and tables out into the street to accommodate the late-night rush.   Each with their own brand of street tout - some are attractive young ladies intently encouraging customers to sit for "a bucket", some are buzz-cut 'security' in paramilitary garb thrusting signs and menus in your face while waving a mini flashlight in your eyes, and others are 'freelance' touts coursing the roadway encouraging passers-by to try laughing gas, or to buy cannabis.   The end result : Khao San Road after about 9:00 p.m. becomes a narrow gauntlet - more a challenge to visitors than any hoped-for 'memorable experience'.   The bars and clubs in the central part of Khao San Road are in a perpetual hard rock / rap amplifier duel, rendering much of the 400 meter roadway unsuitable for conversation.   As the daytime push-carts selling the usual bric-a-brac go off shift, the food seller carts take their place, further congesting foot traffic.   No longer do you have the option of buying a dozen kinds of deep fried insects, they are now offering huge black scorpions and large black spiders each on a stick.   But are they for eating?   Don't ask us, we don't know either.   As if in a time-warp, we see what appear to be the same wrinkled, black-toothed crones in full hill tribe colors selling the same wooden noise-maker frogs and beaded this-and-that.   Most, but not all of the day-shift streetside clothiers had earlier wheeled their racks of elephant-pants and fake Hawaiian Songkran shirts inside - but not all of them.   Those clothiers, closing late hoping to make the last sale, are busy pushing their racks through the crowds back to wherever they are to be stored for the night.   Meanwhile, bar waiters and waitresses carrying plates of hot phat thai from roadside stalls at one end of Khao San Road back to customers at the other end, are zig-zag threading their way through the crowd, so make sure you don't bump into them as you attempt to remember why you came in the first place.


               The rare tourist working his way through the melee actually intending to stay on or near Khao Sarn Road (we encountered one) was not wearing a backpack, he was dragging his wheeled suitcase behind him - and somehow this, more than anything else, shouts out that 'the past is a foreign country'.   No further explanation needed as to why many of the steady stream of visitors do the obligatory walk into Khao San Road at one end, and continue to walk directly out the other.   Check that off the list, been there, done that...

            And, no, faithful readers - this is not the Minority Report, I neither shade nor twist this reality.   Shortly after I had stated in print that Khao San Road had been transmogrified into a harsh night bazaar, I came upon on the words of New York Times journalist Seth Mydans, "But for all its color, Khao San Road is more than a curiosity.   It is a raucous, round-the-clock wake for a way of life that is gone forever.   It is the black hole at the center of a shrinking world where the Age of Discovery has ended. ..."

            Below are a few additional pics of today's Khao San Road.




    (Here we note that our depictions of backpackers & budget travellers staying in small Chinese hotels the 60's, and in guesthouses in Soi's Ngam Dupli & Sri Bamphen in the 70's, and the guesthouses of Khao San road in 80's are broad generalities.   These transitions, these shifts in 'centers of gravity' of backpacker activity were gradual and overlapping.)




  TOP  




On reflection, this young lady is an excellent choice for April's Thai Smile...



BOOKS ...worth a read !

( Click on book covers to order. )



 TOP  

 TOP  
MIDNITE HOUR MAIL BOX         



Join the 'Comments' page...


  EDEN  CLUB  REVISITED


-File photo
   READER :     
      Thanks for the latest newsletter.   I got to it by googling for something from the same place I got your email address.   Thanks for all the updates.   Question : I can see in your update Soi 7/1, or Eden Soi, is now lively.   Just want to know is Eden Club still working or got closed?   One that was(is) in Soi 7/1 nearby Nana Plaza.   Just want to know if it's still working post COVID?
   MIDNITE HOUR:   
      As you have noted, the Eden Club was on Soi Sukhumvit 7/1 (so called 'Soi Eden', as it was the original Nitespot on that soi).   The Eden Club closed on the original Government-mandated Covid closures in March 2020, never to reopen - much to the dismay of many of our readers.
'AI'  IN  THE MEDIA  PART  3
A "Thai exotic private dancer" from Pixart's AI <link> generator..
   READER :  
       .... I noticed your last issue had continued discussion on Artificial Intelligence, which I believe (?) showed another AI photo.   Are you planning a regular feature or regular coverage of the AI scene? ....

   MIDNITE HOUR:   
      Actually, no, we will not be covering the AI scene further - unless of course something new comes up that affects the Bangkok Nightlife Scene.   The above photo is likely the last "AI" pic we will be uploading.   As to your (and others') question, if you are up for some in-depth reading, a link to a comprehensive article on what AI is, and is not, (as affects 'media' and other).   It includes some relevant discussion on the "Copyright Issue" (which will not be going away any time soon) :

Hackaday.Com - A.I. <link>
THOSE  OLD  '70's - '80's  PATPONG  PIX
   READER :  
    Hi there,
      I’m looking for pictures of Patpong area in the late 70s early 80s, both daytime and night.   Are you able to help me at all?
   Thanks.

   MIDNITE HOUR:   
      The above undated pic was taken in the '70's - '80's timeframe (approximate date determined by bar signs, etc.).   (Note: Bangkok Eyes didn't start publishing photos until the early "2000's".)   We'll be sending you this photo and a few more - once we have some spare time to dig into our archive files.   Please note, this photo (and others we will be sending along) were sent to us without attribution, and as is our policy as a news / historical publication, we proceed on the assumption that unattributed material is not copyrighted.   If at a later time, we are advised by competent authority that these old photos are still under copyright, we will remove them from the website.
Thanks for reading and for writing in.
Don't hesitate to send your questions and comments - always welcome.
Note: Letters may be edited for brevity and/ or clarity.
'Reader's Corner' moderator -


'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
*   Zootramp Publications


 


  TOP  


Let the Follies begin-

    Vol. XXXII      No. 04
                           Bangkok,  01 April 2023                         
   Free Distribution

 PATPONG  1  
MAP
       The King's Castle II has reopened, status quo ante, leaving King's Castle 1 & 2 now both open.   At the time of our month-end survey, we noted the number of A Go-Go dancers far outnumbered the customers.   Hopefully things will be picking up...   .
 PATPONG  1 

        Tip Top, a popular Patpong 1 restaurant for decades, reopened as a Pool Bar after Covid, however it has now closed.   Whether or not it reopens is a big 'wait-and-see item' - with half the Soi now a street-food court, and the other half a night market shopping area, the prospects are not good...
 PATPONG  1 

 PATPONG  2  
MAP
       The big news this past month on Patpong 2 was the crackdown on a number of bars in the Black Pagoda group of Venues.   Much was said on the local television stations and in the vernacular Press, however not many facts are actually known.   What is known is there was originally a crackdown on the Velvet bar in Phuket for having underage dancers.   In that there have been business discussions between the Velvet and one, or some of the persons associated with the Black Pagoda group, the Thai police thought it prudent to widen the investigation to include all parties.   Mid-month the Thai Police raided and closed the following Patpong 2 Venues :
         *   Black Pagoda
         *   Club Black
         *   Triple XXX Lounge
         *   Bar Bar Fetish
         *   Patpong Museum Annex -3rd Level - (No stairwell access due to Bar Bar closure.)
         *   The Strip Bangkok

       Although Thai police originally began their investigation in the Patpong Museum, the museum itself was not implicated in the crackdown and remains open - and, when we passed by, quite busy.
 PATPONG  2 

       The Bada Bing is the only straight (non-gay) A Go-Go bar currently open on Patpong 2.   We note they have some new neon nailed up - looking good...
 PATPONG  2 

 SOI COWBOY  
MAP
            It looks like some progress is finally being made in the renovation of the old Rawhide Lounge & Bar (- at least for half of it....).   We note:   While business was down as much as 30-50 % in many areas, Soi Cowboy remained crowded - again, many were 'walk-throughs' taking selfies, but the bars generally were doing a good business as well...
 SOI  COWBOY 

 NANA PLAZA  
MAP

            A 'For The Archives' pic of the Kick Off Pub & Restaurant, which, as can be seen, remains a popular 'Soi-Front' bar beer.   We wish them constancy.
 NANA  PLAZA

 SOI  NANA  
MAP
               Last month we noted that the Mani Bar & Grill was not only closed, but had removed all chattel.   This month they are back, running on all cylinders.   New management?   Located in the Maison Hotel compound.   Welcome them back to the neon circus...
 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

               The Dubai Restaurant opened newly in what had been poised to open as Bombay Dreams.   Although billing itself as a restaurant, it is functioning as yet another Soi-front bar beer.   Welcome to the vicissitudes....
 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

 SOI  KATOEY  
MAP
             Hugs Bar-Karaoke, closed last month, is therefore open this month.   -At least we think that's how it works based on statistical evaluation...
 SOI  KATOEY (Silom  Soi  4)

 SOI  22  
MAP
            The Absolute Bar originally opened on the main Soi in October 2022, but closed after only one month.   This time around it has reopened in what was previously the Kiss Bangkok Massage 2 on Subsoi Hana, one of the affiliate bars.   ...Shake it, don't break it, lads...
 SOI  22  

            The thriftily named G B bar has opened newly down at the end of lonely street.... (Subsoi Lemongrass)   Welcome to these neon sois...
 SOI  22  

             Nila Bistro, closed last month, has reopened.   It is, however, no longer a bistro, it has become an Indian restaurant, they have just kept the old sign...
 SOI  22  

             Sup Naree has a habit of opening and closing.   Experience tells us that this is not a successful way to maintain regular customers.   Should they plan to reopen, it might be worthwhile modifying their business plan to suit their customers.....   Located in Honey Plaza.
 SOI  22  

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  
MAP
            Orange Bangkok started out during the Covid years as a Volkswagen van mobile bar named Orange. They eventually moved in off the roadway, becoming part of the Tewley Complex of open bar beers.   They have since moved out, claiming a nearby spot, and making a much larger indoor-outdoor bar beer.   (They have kept the VW van as their 'behind the bar' area.)   Welcome back to the nightbeat.
 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            Frying Pan started out as an open-air restaurant replacing the Baobab Bar.   Currently they are operating (quite successfully) as did the Baobab Bar - as an open lounge.   Gotsta get paid.
 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

  7  CENTER  POINT  -  (SOI  7  PLAZA)  
(And the Soi 7 Bier Garten)
MAP
             The 7 Center Point (ex: Soi 7 Plaza) has already prepared for the upcoming Songkran celebrations utilizing the area at the back which recently removed all the bars to make a 'parking lot'.   ...So, in that the parking lot never got off the ground, and the rear area is now fully utilized for 'Entertainment', does anyone know why they tore down all those bars in the first place?   Neither do we...
VIDEO CLIP
 7  CENTER  POINT  

 SOI DEAD  ARTISTS 
MAP
            The Cat's Meow lounge has opened up between the Hunny Bunny Bangkok and the Pho Massage deep in the Soi.    Welcome to those big city nights...
 SOI  DEAD  ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33) 

 SOI  EDEN 
MAP
            As was the case last month's survey, Soi Eden (Soi 7/1 Sukhumvit) has had no change in it's inventory of Night Entertainment Venues.   The only change is there seems to be fewer customers prowling the streets and sois this month...   Another photo for 'The Archives'.
 SOI  EDEN  (Sukhumvit 7 / 1) 

 

 TOP  
          
Traces of Bangkok's Early Years

      This month Midnite Hour goes back to July of 1966 for an in-depth look at the spectrum of Night Entertainment available for Expat consumption in Bangkok...


      The Petchrama was Thailand's first (and only) Cinerama theater.   And it was a 'big deal' - worthy of a Royal Command Performance on it's opening in July of 1966.   Located on New Petchburi Road.
July 1966


       Sam Scott quite successfully transitioned from his spot at the Drop-In Tavern (New Road) to the Yard of Ale, where he ran the show.   Located immediately across Silom Road from Patpong 1 on the corner of Convent Road.         July 1966


       The Ramayana was the dine-dance Venue at the Rama Hotel on Silom Road.
July 1966


      Although I-George has apparently been erased, or was entertaining under a pseudonym, Joey Hollingsworth's story is something yet again.   He began dancing at 3 years of age, turning professional at five.   In addition to his tour in Southeast Asia, he appeared on U.S. television, including The Ed Sullivan Show, the Tennessee Ernie Ford Show, and Mister Rogers' Neighborhood.   He has since retired in his home country of Canada.   He is 86 years of age.
Gaysorn Night Entertainment Area - July1966


      The Taratip Massage was one of the few advertising their prices (60 Baht/hour) giving us an insight into how much the massage (less 'extras' and tip) would cost a customer.             July 1966



      It didn't take much imagination to see that the Venice Turkish Bath was not emphasizing steam rooms or the barber shop.   Located on Rajprasong Road (today's Big C area).
July 1966


      As the U.S. R&R program got under way in Thailand, the Pretty Massage was one of the first massage parlors on Petchburi Road's "Golden Mile" to stay open virtually around the clock.         July 1966


      This 1966 photo of the Takara massage is the best we have on file.   It started out (1965) as a barber shop / onsen (or japanese bath house) in Patpong 2, but as the years went by, and the Takara migrated to Patpong 1, the emphasis was on 'massage' and the barber shop function quietly disappeared.   Historically, Takara was a Japanese manufacturer of barber chairs and related equipment.
July 1966



      Sukhumvit Road was still years away from becoming an entertainment hub, but it did have a scattered number of Venues during those years, to include Sorry About That on the corner of Soi 7.
July 1966



      While New Road's Starlight wasn't in competition with the "Big Three" as far as International Stars on their marquee, they remained one of the most popular live entertainment night clubs in Bangkok.   (The 'Big Three' ; Sani Chateau,   Cafe de Paris,   Tropicana.)
New Road Night Entertainment Area      July 1966





LINK TO US











Once Upon
A Time
In
HollywooD
FILM
REVIEW

Click Here


! ORDER
NOW !
Latest
VINCENT
CALVINO

Novel
OUT NOW !


*Click Here*
A
Christopher G. Moore
Novel


  
 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 




 TOP  

VICARIOUS ART CRIMES   #202


MIDNITE HOUR's

But is it ....ART ?



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



GRAFFITI  IN  THE  NEWS




                  Richmond, Virginia (USA) has a graffiti problem.   And the Department of Public Works is mobilizing their graffiti removal crews trying to keep up with the onslaught.   In 2022 there were 1,300 locations that the DPW had to regularly revisit in the city to keep up with graffiti removals.   Today (2023) there are over 2,000 separate city sites on their clean-up schedule.   Last year, the city received an additional 275 call-ins for graffiti removal.   This year (2023), in the first two months alone, there have already been 276 separate call-ins (in addition to the abovementioned scheduled visits to heavy graffiti areas).   Graffiti removal has become a seven-day-a-week job - and yes, they are hiring...   Unlike some municipalities, the city of Richmond does not charge private property owners for graffiti removal.   On the other hand, the DPW states that while they are not against "murals" (graffiti 'artists' throwing up pieces on so-called 'legal walls') , they do take strong exception to graffiti on private property.


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 photographs or artwork resides exclusively with the creators.





With thanks to Cool Text.com

Graffiti #1410
Grape Punch
6 ft high x 21 ft


Graffiti #1411
Duck Walk
6 ft high x 13 ft


Graffiti #1412
Crispy Critters
6 ft high x 17 ft


Graffiti #1413
53 And Gone
8 ft high x 22 ft


Graffiti #1414
Quickie
6 ft high x 11 ft


Graffiti #1415
Smiley-Face
6 ft high x 10 ft


Graffiti #1416
Brain Salad Surgery
6 ft high x 23 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 creator
s.

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

- 2024 -
- 2023 -
01 JAN -   2022 - The Awakening
01 FEB -   2022 - A Go-Go AI (Is You Is?)
01 MAR -   2022 - Movies 1966

- 2022 -
01 JAN -   Omicron - a "Big Deal" ?
01 FEB -   Omicron Milder, Stable
01 MAR -   Bangkok Nitelife rebounds
01 APR -    Covid High amid Reopenings
01 MAY -    Pub Crawl - In The Time of Covid
01 JUN -    Nitespots Fully Open
01 JUL -    Thailand Reopens
01 AUG -    Nitespot Maps Update - Post Covid
01 SEP -    Royal City Avenue on the Mend
01 OCT -    W District - After COVID
01 NOV -    Talat Noi - Chinatown Graffiti
01 DEC -    The Godfather Crucible
- 2021 -
01 JAN -   Covid surges - Nitespots hit
01 FEB -    CoV-19 Vaccine Delay - Bars in Tatters
01 MAR -   CoV-19 Vaccine here - Bars reopen
01 APR -    Covid stable - Travel eases
01 MAY -    Covid 3rd Wave bashes Nitelife
01 JUN -    Nightlife Dark Ages Continue
01 JUL -    Covid Worsens - Lockdown widens
01 AUG -    Covid-19 Skyrockets - Blanket Testing
01 SEP -    Covid-19 Cases down - Nitelife ailing...
01 OCT -    Covid Cases Down 60%
01 NOV -    Covid Eases, Hopes Rise
01 DEC -    Covid Eases Again - Nitelife Restarts

- 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
01 DEC -    Soi 8 Survives
- 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 Mike'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 -
JUN -   Buckskin Joe - Initial Survey

- 1989 -
01 JAN -    (Coming Soon)
Copyright 1989 - 2023    BANGKOK EYES - bangkokeyes.com