MIDNITE HOUR - October 2008

PART 1 OF 2 - THE PREVIEW OF A "MIDNITE SPECIAL"

By chance the owner (and creator) of the Grand Prix bar, Rick Menard, contacted me here at Midnight Hour, and as the email correspondence between us evolved, we decided to put together an historical piece which would do the Grand Prix proud. We received Rick's generous contribution of clippings and photos too late to get them all scanned in prior to our deadline for this month, but we will present the full historical account in next month's issue - and that's a promise. (Truth be told, we were stuck in Hanoi with the Bangkok blues again.)

There aren't that many good photos of the Grand Prix sign around today, but in it's day, the sign was synonymous with Patpong. Stories or articles on Patpong would invariably have this sign somewhere in one of the photos.

For those of you who do not remember, or have not heard of the Grand Prix, let me say by way of introduction that the evolution of Bangkok's Nightlife over the last 40 years was influenced by only a handful of bars. Ask anyone who remembers, anyone who goes back that far, which were the top half-dozen bars in Bangkok ever, and we will guarantee every list will have the Grand Prix on it.

This is a rare old photo indeed. Here they are knocking down a wall to put up Bangkok's first dedicated A Go-Go stage. If you look carefully you will notice several candles burning on the bar - they had cut the electricity (but it didn't seem to drive the Grand Prix regulars away).

Go ahead, and take a wild guess which bar first successfully introduced A Go-Go dancing to Bangkok. If you guessed the Grand Prix you wind the Grand Prize. But more on this next month.

Here is a photo of the Grand Prix staff taken circa 1970 (?)

Next month's issue will have the full account - to include a few twists and turns about Patpong and the Grand Prix that even you long-time Patpong regulars will not have known about. Yes, we live(d) in interesting times.... so join us next month for the full Magic Carpet Ride.

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- In the LAND OF SMILES -

This month's Thai Smile brightens the entrance to the Blue Lightning on Soi Eden (Sukhumvit Soi 7/1).

? Old
BANGKOK NIGHT SCENE
PHOTOS ?

Any old PHOTOS of
Bangkok's Nightlife ?

Please CLICK HERE and send to us for publication.

Many Thanks,
William R Morledge

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Historical Minutiae Dept.

ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING

One-Night Stand

BANGKOK FAST-TRACKING

Hello,

Just wondered if you could help? Myself and my friend are flying into Bangkok on 3rd January 2009 and will only be staying for 1 day and 1 night and want to experience as much as possible and see the best things. Can you advise us on this and perhaps the best place to stay? We will be in Thailand for 2 weeks then fly out of Singapore to Cairns.

Miss T.O.
U.K.

Greetings Miss O,

Yours is a frequently asked question. For such a short stay in Bangkok, I would suggest that you take a City Tour and a Khlong (canal) Tour during the day. This would provide you with the quickest familiarization with Bangkok, and the guides will give you some interesting historical background. If you are planning to visit Bangkok's famous (infamous) Nightlife, I would suggest you and your friend visit Soi Cowboy. It is safe (but stay sober). You can go by taxi (pay metered fare only - and do not take any taxis that are waiting curbside - flag down a passing taxi always). Never listen to 'touts' on the street who invite you into shops or bars (unless they are bar employees standing immediately outside their bars). You may want to catch the shows at the Suzie Wong, but there are a number of good places there (usually the bigger places, not the single-shophouse bars).
There are many 3-star hotels in the Sukhumvit Road area which are safe, clean and centrally located. They can be found on the Internet (of course), and you can select one that suits your budget. You should expect to pay about US$28.00 per night for a single room.

Best,
'Boge' Hartman

? ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !

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

	We can answer virtually any (reasonable) question on the Expat Night Entertainment Scene in Bangkok - be it Historical or very recent. Send us an e-mail and we will do our best to answer you soonest.
'Boge' Hartman Historical Research

* Zootramp Publications

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Let the October 2008 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.

PATPONG I
MAP

   The Wild Cat has fallen on it's sword - at least by all outward appearances.   This is the bar that started out as Wild Cat in the early 80's and changed to the notorious and seminal Fire Cat in the late 80's.   It was the forerunner of the Patpong "upstairs" all-nude-all-the-time A Go-Go cum Show Bars; the format eventually being adopted, at least in part, by Nana Plaza and Cowboy respectively.   Due to a crackdown by the Sign Gestapos at the turn of the Millennium, they were supposed to revert to their original Wild Cat moniker, but got away with using both names for a while.   But the crackdown (by the same Sign Gestapos) in December of 2002 put an end to that - and they had to revert to just Wild Cat.   But by then the face of greed (in the form of the glaring tent-city night market) had been institutionalized, destroying the magic of Patpong forever.   Business at the Wild Cat never reached it's earlier heights, and it was a slow and inevitable slide into the Abyss after that.
         The street touts are telling us that Wild Cat isn't really dead, however.   They say the reincarnation has taken place a few doors down at the now-defunct Lipstick bar.   That venue (the old Lipstick) was in fact open, and as it currently has no neon nailed up, it remains to be seen whether it will be the Wild Cat or the Lipstick, or perhaps reveal itself as a new Night Venue altogether.
         Only time will reveal the real story, but nevertheless, as one of Bangkok's seminal bars, the Wild Cat / Fire Cat has earned it's niche in Bangkok's Night Entertainment history books.   We will definitely put a marker down on this one and if it has in fact faded into history, we will assuredly wish them greener pastures....

PATPONG I

PATPONG II
MAP

Last month we featured the Park Bridge's entry into the Night Entertainment Scene with several photos of it's well-appointed interior. This month we are including a photo taken from street level. You will agree that it looks almost to be suspended in mid-air above Patpong II, and you may also agree that they definitely need some new neon to showcase the place. The Park Bridge is located on the 3rd floor bridge above Foodland. You also can see the 5th floor footbridge immediately above. Access to Park Bridge is by the lift in the Cosmos Stairwell, opposite Foodland. Let the good times roll.

PATPONG II

When the building (which stretches from Patpong I to Patpong II) closed down for renovations, the deal was the Red Parrot would keep their chattel in place, and once the renovations were completed, they would simply unlock the doors and roll that old red carpet right back out there. However, times change - the last time we looked the cupboards were bare - the Red Parrot has either moved, or sold it's (excellent) pool tables, etc, to others. A pity - it was by far the best, and perhaps the biggest, Poolbar in the city.

-File photos

PATPONG II

SOI COWBOY
MAP

Last month we mentioned both the Moonshine Joint and Jungle Jim's, with a side-note that we could not comment one way or the other whether the two bars were going to be joined together as a single bar (the rumor likely prompted by the joint-marquee they were having constructed above the entrances). This month we confirm that the two bars will continue to operate independently (same owner) - and we can now take a moment to show off their new neon.... Keep on keeping on.

SOI COWBOY

"He which is Filthy,
Let him be Filthy still"

Yes, Bangkok's original Godfather of Open-Slather still walks among us. Previously he was known as Sia Ang (Uncle Hot-Tub) for the series of massage parlor-brothels he owned on and near Rachadapisek Road. This is the same gentleman of night-time pleasures who single-handedly masterminded the midnight demolition and pillaging of an entire Night Entertainment Area of 60 bars and dozens of other venues right under the noses of Bangkok's Finest. Click HERE and 'read all about it'. He has since 'sold' his massage parlors to 'friends' so that he could distance himself from the filthy business that made him a multi-millionaire, and has reinvented himself as the crusading, trouble-shooting politician.
The Bangkok Governor election poster reads : "Where are the problems? I will go there. Give Chuwit a chance." In that he obviously sees Night Entertainment as problematic, one might relish the news that he is trailing in the polls.

NEAR SOI COWBOY

Ask

         Yes, that's correct, "Ask".   I was approached by the attractive PR girl outside the Kiss and after a brief conversation I invited her in for a drink.   Ask.   "How much is a plain soda?"   "120 baht."   O.K., no problem.   I offered to buy the girl a tequila.   Ask.   "How much is a tequila?"   She advised me that it was 170 baht.   O.K., no problem.   Shortly, we were joined by her 'sister'.   Standard Operating Procedure.   Would I buy a drink for her sister?      "Sure, I'll buy her a tequila too."   The sister gulped it down and announced she was going to go dancing.   'Dinked' again, but hey, we all know how this works.      Then the bill came, 1 soda - 120 baht, 1 tequila 170 baht, 1 tequila 200 baht.   I Ask.   "Why is this tequila 200 baht and yours only 170 baht?"   "Oh, my sister is a coyote."   My bad, I didn't Ask.      "You buy me out?   Only 800 baht."   "Only how much?" I Ask.   "Only 800 baht."   "No thanks, I have to go see a man about a dog."   "You give me a tip then?"   "What?" I Ask rhetorically.
         But had I bought her out, that would have been a total of 1,290 baht - and that would have been before adding in the cost of the evening's entertainment.   By comparison, the 'special' at the full service massage parlors, the all inclusive 'package', runs about 2,000 baht, and you even get a massage thrown in.   Is it any wonder that these massage parlors are sprouting up like mushrooms?   Oh, and you also might want to compare the prices at the Patpongs......
         Yes, we are all adults here, so we know that some places are more expensive than others, so if you don't like surprises, Ask.

Contributed by co-founder 'Boge' Hartman

SOI COWBOY

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THERMAE ANNEX
MAP

The Sports Academy, formerly at Asoke-Rachadapisek - Sukhumvit Road intersection, has regrouped above the Thermae Coffee Shop in the old M�s Bar Poolbar (closed January 2007). They brought their great pool tables with them. Welcome them back to the neon jungle.

THERMAE ANNEX - NEAR SUKHUMVIT SOI 15

NANA PLAZA
MAP

The Red Lips A Go-Go bar is getting some new neon nailed up, and we expect that by the time you see this in print it will already be illuminated. Looking good. By the way, both the Red Lips and the Pretty Lady have removed all that encumbering (and quite useless) structure in front of their bars. Looks like they both have got with the program. Continue to rock, then, gentlemen - and ladies.

NANA PLAZA

SOI KATOEY
MAP

Last month we noted the Cafe 4 had fallen headlong into the Darkness, and we suspected it had been taken over by the Art At Play. This month we can confirm. Technically, the Art At Play doesn't qualify as a 'Nitespot', so we will not be carrying anything further on this venue.

SOI KATOEY

SOI DEAD ARTISTS
MAP

Opening right about...........now, is the Ran-Maru Men's Spa. We have been asked if this a gay establishment, or is it just their way of saying, 'steam & cream". We don't know, but we will put a marker down on this and get back atcha.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

The Kiss Pub actually opened last month in the already-defunct Hang Out, but didn't have their own neon up until just recently. We took this shot through the raindrops for the archives -

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

WASHINGTON SQUARE
MAP

We doubt very much that the Chakrit Muay Thai School will remain on our list of Night Entertainment Venues, but when we passed by the other night, it definitely qualified - the beer did flow. It sure did. In any case, may lady luck smile.....

WASHINGTON SQUARE

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA
MAP

The On The Rocks was locked-down like Alcatraz Penitentiary the other night when we paid visit, however, it definitely looks like they are renovating. We don't know if they will be reopening under new neon or not, but we will be keeping a finger on the pulse, and will give you a come-back.

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA - SOI 22

SOI EDEN
MAP

Reopening for the umpteenth time, the World Kitchen was doing good business over the weekend at their outside tables - in spite of the rain. Although technically a restaurant, it has become a popular outdoor drinking spot. Welcome them back to the same old same old.

- File photo

SOI EDEN - SOI 7/1 SUKHUMVIT

No, this gentleman does not have a soft toy fetish - he is (of course) selling them - usually to bargirls who are tugging on 'daddy's arm for the couple hundred baht required to make the purchase. The more things remain the same, the more they remain the same.

SOI EDEN - SOI 7/1 SUKHUMVIT

SOI TWILIGHT
MAP

This is the 'back' entrance to Soi Twilight as it exits onto Rama IV Road. The sign in the foreground is for the 5 Star Entertainment venue. It is the only straight (non gay) Nitespot on the Soi.

SOI TWILIGHT

OTHER NIGHTSPOTS OF INTEREST

Door Art Of The Month
Award

The Penalty Spot was in the middle of their opening-night festivities when we wandered in a few nights ago, so we must wish them maximum everything in their upcoming trials on the big uphill. They are located on Sukhumvit near Soi 29, with nary another Nitespot in sight. But it wasn't always that way - they are located in almost the exact location of the old Hawaii Bar from the 1970's. And next door to the Hawaii (way back in 1975) were, as some will remember, Dino's, and the Dirty Old Man's Club (on the right), and the inimitable Papillon A Go-Go (on the left). ....So there's a lot of goooood Karma in the air here. Let the Nightgames begin....
The reason they were chosen for the Door Art Of The Month Award is, well, self-evident.

SUKHUMVIT ROAD NEAR SOI 29

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15 Years Ago Today

A PAGE FROM BANGKOK's NIGHTSCENE HISTORY
SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1993

By popular request, Bangkok Eyes jumps back in time 15 years to have a look at who was new - and who was through. We'll be willing to bet that many of you "Old Bangkok Hands" will be reminded of some bars you'd almost forgotten about. (We also will be willing to bet you WON'T EVEN REMEMBER an even greater number....)

The P.P. Traditional Massage opened up as an adjunct to the Patpong Barber on the 3rd floor of what is now the Cosmos Stairwell. (P.P. = Patpong...)

PATPONG II - SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1993

The Crazy Cow on the first level of the Foodland Carpark on Patpong II closed it's doors for the last time.

PATPONG I - SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1993

The Star Pub & Restaurant opened up in the ground floor of Nana Plaza - it was located where the left hand side of the Pretty Lady is now located.

NANA PLAZA - SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1993

Having been renamed Cowboy 1 for a whole month prior to that, the bar changed names again to Annie's 1 Cowboy.

SOI COWBOY - SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 1993

Source: Zootramp Publications -
Saloon Count Archives and Data Base

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VICARIOUS ART CRIMES # 36

MIDNITE HOUR's

Graffiti ARCHIVES <

link> Graffiti's HISTORY<

link>

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

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

This month the Midnite Hour features Part 1 of a two part series of graffiti paintings which are a little different than the usual 'pop' graffiti we usually encounter. All of these paintings have been created by the same person (or persons), and have used a combination of stencils, spray cans and paint brushes to obtain the results shown here.

- ed

Graffiti #246
Angel's Rear-Guard
6 ft. high x 8 ft.

Graffiti #247
Angel Gold
6 ft. high x 4ft.

Graffiti #248
Angel For Breakfast
5 ft high x 6 ft

Graffiti #249
Remotely Angelic (detail)
3 ft. high x 3 ft.

Graffiti #250
Tadpole's Visions of Angels
6 ft. high x 4 ft.

Graffiti #251
Angel Knitting With Chopsticks
6 ft. high x 9 ft.

Graffiti #252
Angel At Rest
18" high x 9"

GRAFFITI ARCHIVES :

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

Graffiti ARCHIVES <

link>

Graffiti's HISTORY<

link>

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)

Email me- Click Here

--- Datzit Fernow

William R. Morledge

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CLICK- Bangkok Nightlife

Special thanks to Eric Bosrup for special code (His own overLIB js)