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Bangkok
Nightlife !
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Just prior to midnight on New Year's Eve, many of the approximately 1000 guests at the Santika Night Club were handed fireworks to participate in the "count-down" to zero hour. The management had also planned their own indoor fireworks display on stage. At midnight, the fireworks began, and according to all accounts at about ten minutes after midnight, the building caught on fire. The fire spread quickly, and by thirty minutes after midnight, the entire building was burning. The loss of life was staggering - 59 persons died - 53 Thais and 6 Farang. Irony was great - this was to be the Santika's "Goodbye Party", as the lease was up at that location (they were rumored to be moving to Royal City Avenue (RCA) ).
 SOI EKAMAI, SUKHUMVIT RD
At this juncture, we have to ask ourselves; is there anything this particular conflagration has in common with the never-ending stream of night club - disco fires that we read about every year? The answer is this fire had everything in common with those other, endless strings of fires.
SOI EKAMAI, SUKHUMVIT RD
Aside from the numbingly mindless plan to have an indoor fireworks display, there were too many people in the building; exceeding it's design capacity. There were too few fire extinguishers, and some of those didn't work. There were too few fire escapes/exits. The building construction did not follow safety codes, and there were large amounts of highly flammable construction and decoration materials within the building. There were no fire safety inspections performed on the building by the neglegent Municipality. Virtually every fire safety regulation was ignored in this night club. Not only was it an accident waiting to happen, it was destined through human failure to be a major disaster.
SOI EKAMAI, SUKHUMVIT RD
Also typical of this fire -and all the others- now that the fire is history, the Eiensteins at the Bangkok Administration are "cracking down". They are now going to rush out and inspect other Night Venues and make sure they impose compliance on all of them, or else. And this time they really mean it, Herbie. We almost had to laugh - the Administration are going to prosecute a minor partner of the Santika because one of the dead was under 18 years of age. - The reason they are prosecuting him is, not because he was the one who let the minor inside the night club, he is, it seems, the only employee who has not fled the scene (scapegoating like only the Bangkok Administration can do). How pathetic. When will they ever learn? (Please don't answer that - it was purely a rhetorical question.)
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- In the LAND OF SMILES -
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This month's Thai Smile belongs to the a young lady celebrating New Year's Eve with friends on Soi Eden.
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Historical Minutiae Dept.
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ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING
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"Wetback" Feedback
"NOT ACTUALLY A QUESTION, BUT..."
Boge,
Your article about the expat society in Bangkok was right on the mark. I have visited Thailand many times since 1989 and found the expat group interesting and puzzling. I have made a few friends there including Dean Barrett, Mekhong Kurt and the late George Pipas. However i found that I had to keep mum about some of the other expats I met. Totally full of themselves, experts on everything, amazing cheapskates, and sometimes just unfriendly.
A few years ago, I might have said, "How can you stand that guy? He 's seems like a narrow minded fool, full of bombast with no real knowledge about anything". I soon found out that the locals I met did not appreciate my views (being just a sometime visitor). I suppose I might feel the same way if I was a full time expat, so the last few years I keep my opinions to myself and consequently enjoy my limited time in Bangkok.
Yours Truly
LD
California
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Greetings LD,
At the time I penned what is becoming known as the "Expat Wetback" article, we had no idea the number of responses we would receive. The article was a long time coming - I had been putting the thoughts together for decades; my observations similar to those of some of the Expats I have known for twenty-plus years. And yet I cannot claim 'credit' for anything except putting it down on paper - I am really only the messenger. Many thanks for your reply.
Best,
'Boge' Hartman
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? ASK
US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !
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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.
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'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
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* Zootramp Publications
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 TOP
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Let the January 2009 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.
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Although several Nitespots were closed for our year-end survey, it looks like most of them were just in recovery mode from New Year's Eve excesses. Not so the Radio City (and the upstairs Lucifer Disko Tk). Radio City was not open for business, and they had a plywood partition erected amid-ships, so it appeared to be more a 'renovation' than an actual closure. We'll check back and get back atcha.
PATPONG I
King's Garden is actually a Patpong II Venue, however this neon is best viewed from Patpong I (Soi Bookstore).
PATPONG I
The Plaza Massage was closed - however we believe this is just New Year's hangover. If otherwise, we'll so note next time around.
PATPONG II
The Three Ladys were also closed, but should be open by the time you read this.
PATPONG II
Pinocchio's Club was closed but will be opening on or after the 2nd January.
PATPONG II
The Rig I was closed when we passed by but will surely be reopening after a short break.
PATPONG II
The same goes for 501 Studio Bar - while closed when we passed by, they will likely be open by the time you read this.
PATPONG II
The Sao Za On looked ominously dark and foreboding. They had removed their neon and there were no signs about indicating they might be reopening. We'll check back and get back, but it looked like it had fallen off the end of the Earth.....
PATPONG II
The Ninety-Nine was closed down, and we didn't see any neon - a big question mark as to whether or not they will repoen. We'll let you know.
PATPONG II
Mike's Place (Lolita's) was closed down and they had removed the outside (streetside) neon - nor was there any sign indicating they would be reopening after the holidays. Another question-mark. We shall advise next issue if they don't make it out for the next round.
PATPONG II
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Door Art Of The Month
Award
The Door Art Of The Month goes to the Lucky Star (we know it as the Long Gun) on Soi Cowboy. Great artwork, and in keeping with the 'cowboy' spirit.
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SOI COWBOY
The Shark came a close second place for Door Art Of The Month with their shark's-teeth neon. All else remains the same. May the house keep rocking.
SOI COWBOY
INTERIM REPORT
Bangkok's second fire, on New Year's Night, was at the Raw Hide A Go-Go. Luckily the fire was brought under control quickly, and without much fanfare. The day after the fire, we spoke to the jao nathee on site, and he noted that there were no casualties, and although the inside of the bar is charred a deeper-than-deep black, and smells like a charcoal factory, it appears that there was no major structural damage. Expect the Raw Hide to reopen in about two months.
SOI COWBOY
Just outside the Voodoo this Mor Lam was belting out a virtuoso of Isarn music that you would have to have heard to believe. Exciting, even though you won't have understood a word she said.
NANA PLAZA
The Hollywood Strip is for all intents and purposes closed. The sign was still left on, but it is now no longer operating as a Night Entertainment Venue. We have so noted in the database.
NANA PLAZA
The Nursery was closed down, but we suspect this was just the New Year's 'day after'. Look for it to be reopened in the next day or two.
SOI KATOEY
Last month we noted that the Nine Night Club was getting ready to open - and this was to be the case. They have some striking neon, although when we passed by, it looked like they only had a few customers (outside). Their modus operandi appears to be much the same as the other Nitespots on the Soi. Wish them well as they cast their dice against the pitted wall of Fate.
SOI KATOEY
Although the Bar Bar was closed when we passed by - it looks like another New Year's recovery day. They should be open right about.... now.
SOI KATOEY
Last April, after a long layoff the Tsukasa reopened (in almost the same location) upstairs in the Peep Inn Park, however it seems that it's new feng shui didn't do it all that much good. It is once again, steel shutters to the floor - only darkness radiating out from within. We assume this is the final sayonora, but should it come to life again, we'll get back atcha.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
The Angel 22 specialty massage has pitched headlong into the Abyss. They note that they are joining forces with the Honey Massage on Sukhumvit 24/1. Wish them greener pastures.
WASHINGTON SQUARE
The Rolling Stone looked more than just "closed" - things looked darker than dark, and chattel was accumulating out front. We'll have to wait and see, but I fear that they won't be around come the next roll-call..
WASHINGTON SQUARE
The Sunflower Traditional & Foot Massage was closed when we passed by last week, and was closed again on New Year's. We hope this is a New Year's thing, as this is one of the better legit massage parlors in Bangkok.
WASHINGTON SQUARE
The Garden Spa was closed when we ventured by, but will 'definitely' be open by the time you read this.
WASHINGTON SQUARE
The Bada Bing ! was closed (again) but this time it would be fair to assume it is just a breather for New Year's.
QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA - SOI 22
The Sport 20-2 has extended it's awning outward and it looks like it was necessary to take care of the additional custom (not counting those in the reflection). One of the more successful bars in the Plaza.
QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA - SOI 22
The Lek Massage & Spa was closed for New Year's. It should be open at this reading.
QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA - SOI 22
Should you happen by, as we did, and see this bit of neon for the Sugar Shack, note that it is the previous name of the bar that was to become the Country Road (which continues to rock). (The Sugar Shack closed in September of 2004).
QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA - SOI 22
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Everything Is Beautiful
The voluptuous barmaid at the Blue Lightning was decked out in her finest, well, barmaid outfit for New Year's Eve.
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SOI EDEN - SOI 7/1 SUKHUMVIT
Hot Male has opened the upstairs for shows. This is not new 'territory' however, as this same upstairs area was home to the original Twilight many years ago. For new readers, Soi Twilight is almost exclusively a gay soi for gays.
SOI TWILIGHT
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15 Years Ago This Month....
January
A PAGE FROM BANGKOK's NIGHTSCENE HISTORY
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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....)
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Today's Thigh Bar was, fifteen years ago, going through a series of name changes in search of it's true identity. This month (15 years ago) it changed names, yet again, from New Thigh Bar to Sawasdee.
PATPONG I - January 1994
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Also, fifteen years ago, the upstairs Bar Playboy closed (located next to today's Takara Massage).
PATPONG I - January 1994
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A decade and a half ago, the Elixer, a single shophouse bar, opened up in the area now (approximately) at the Crystal Palace location.
PATPONG II - January 1994
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This month, 15 yrs ago, the single-shophouse Joy Bar closed down, and in it's place the Melody Bar opened. (Located where Siam Drugs is now located, across from Foodland).
PATPONG II - January 1994
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When the Magic Bar closed down fifteen years ago, the Night Cat opened in it's place. It was located above the current Memphis Queen (S.T.V. Bar). This bar location is currently unoccupied.
PATPONG II - January 1994
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On Soi Bookstore (connecting PPI and PPII), the upstairs rip-off bar Pantera Rosa was replaced by the rip-off bar Casnova. This location is currently occupied by the Perfect Bar.
PATPONG II - January 1994
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This month, 15 yrs ago, the Country Road had it's grand opening on Soi Cowboy. It took over from a small bar beer called simply "Beer Bar". It later expanded to absorb it's next door neighbors (more on this later). It is, of course, still there today.
SOI COWBOY - January 1994
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The Apache bar closed down 15 years ago, this month. It would eventually reopen as John and Tong's Apache only in May of 1996 (after some musical chairs at that location and by neighboring bars. More on this in future issues.)
SOI COWBOY - January 1994
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Annie's 1 Cowboy did a name-change to Cowboy 1 - nothing else changed.
SOI COWBOY - January 1994
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Source: Zootramp Publications -
Saloon Count Archives and Data Base
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VICARIOUS ART CRIMES # 39
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MIDNITE HOUR's
- And now to
Bangkok's own brand of Graffiti....
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Graffiti #267
Christmas Wasp
7 ft. high x 5 ft.
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Graffiti #268
Juice Too Dizzy
7 ft. high x 16 ft.
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Graffiti #269
Are We Having Fun Yet?
7 ft. high x 9 ft.
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Graffiti #270
Bad Sleighman
7 ft. high x 9 ft.
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Graffiti #271
Twister Xmas
7 ft. high x 9 ft.
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Graffiti #272
Bent Yule-mural
7 ft. high x 40 ft.
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Graffiti #273
Saint Grunch
7 ft high x 9 ft
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Graffiti,
Graffiti , and more Graffiti - Bangkok's original and ONLY graffiti Site !
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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)
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--- Datzit Fernow
William R. Morledge
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Copyright  2002 - 2009, BANGKOK EYES / bangkokeyes.com
Copyright Bangkok Eyes / bangkokeyes.com : 2002-2009
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Archives
January's Nightlife News 
PATPONG I 
