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Royal City Avenue
- RCA IN REVIEW...
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 ROYAL CITY AVENUE
Known as RCA to everyone, including taxi drivers, Royal City Avenue is the name of the street and of the Night Entertainment Area that resides within. This scene has long ago attained a "critical mass" worthy of becoming a Night Entertainment Area in it's own right, however the MIDNITE HOUR does not cover it on a regular basis as it is not an "expat" area. To be sure, expats are welcome in RCA, but, for example, on our visit there this month, we were the only farang to be found.
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
Nevertheless, any history of Bangkok's Nightscene would be incomplete without including a full report on any Night Entertainment Area of this magnitude and longevity - and significance....
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
There is some disagreement as to where the Royal City Avenue actually begins and ends. Formally, it begins at Rama IX Road and extends to and under the Second Stage Expressway (this is the expressway to Suwannaphum International Airport). It continues on the other side of the expressway in a curving arc until it joins Kampheng Phet 7 Road at the railroad tracks near Petchburi Road. The controversy probably exists because the RCA entertainment area exists only from the expressway to Kampheng Phet Road - there being a difference between RCA road and RCA Night Entertainment Area. We have reflected this on the map herein.
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
RCA probably came to highest prominence (to farang eyes) in 2003 during the Thaksin regime's national crackdown on the Night Entertainment Scene. Thaksin's Crackdown Czar, Khun Purachai introduced at that time a "Zoning" scheme as part of the Government's "Social Order Crusade", whereby only those Nitespots within the approved zones would be allowed to stay open, and others would have to close down. The three approved Night Entertainment Zones were the Patpongs, the Rachadapisek Massage/ Brothel Strip, and RCA. Nevertheless, this would have meant the close-down of Soi Cowboy, Nana Plaza and dozens of lesser Night Entertainment Areas, both Thai and expat. It was apparent to everyone that the Thaksin mob left alone those three areas due to their respective political clout. (Even the outrageous Thaksin and his henchman Purachai knew they couldn't take on the Poo Yai behind the scenes at these three areas). One can begin to understand why Thailand's current Nightscene operators are not keen to see any kind of a "rehabilitation" of the fugitive former Prime Minister.
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
In the case of RCA, the political force behind its being included in the protected Purachaiian Entertainment Zones is none other than the Th ai Military, who are the larger of the country's two institutionalized 'mafias' (the other being the National Police). Up until the attempted implementation of the zoning plan, this fact had only been alluded to indirectly in the Press.
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
For those of you who have been to RCA during the day, but who have not seen it at night, there is a pronounced transformation after the sun goes down. A large section of the roadway is blocked off to traffic (vehicles must detour around), and the Night Venues take over, much as is done on Soi Katoey - moving tables and chairs out into the roadway itself. However, RCA is an order of magnitude above other Night Entertainment Areas in this respect - some of the largest bars in Bangkok exist here - for example, Route 66, Flix and Slim Live (see map). It is quite obvious that heavily moneyed interests are behind these venues.
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
So, if you are looking for a change of pace, you may be interested in making an evening of it at RCA. A word of caution, however, the main hours of operation for the larger venues are from 22:00 hrs to 02:00 hrs, so don't go too early.... And while we are on the subject, let's quickly dispell a couple of expat myths; -No, the girls there are not "much more beautiful" than the girls found elsewhere, and neither are they "younger". The 'mix' is as it is anywhere else. It is true, however, that fewer of the young ladies speak English. So if you are planning a visit to RCA, -and we do recommend that- leave your unrealistic expectations at home.....
*Click* and Go >>>>
to see our full Royal City Ave Pictorial
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ROYAL CITY AVENUE
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
*Click* and Go >>>>
to see our full Royal City Ave Pictorial
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ROYAL CITY AVENUE
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
*Click* and Go >>>>
to see our full Royal City Ave Pictorial
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- In the LAND OF SMILES -
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This month's Thai Smile Award goes to a young lady who often visits her friends on Soi 22.
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Farewell to an old friend and an old Southeast Asian kick-about, Steve Joel (as reprinted from the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand notice.) -
In Memoriam:
Steve Joel
Australian public relations consultant, Steve Joel, passed away on 25 October at the Police General Hospital in Bangkok after a long struggle with illness.
Mr. Joel, 56, was well known in both public relations and media circles with a career that began in journalism, working with United Press International and Australian Associated Press (AAP) before making a move into public relations.
In 1980 he worked in Thailand for two years, before moving to Singapore with Batey Advertising and later establishing his own PR firm in Singapore until 1987.
Mr. Joel returned to Sydney then to Thailand in 1994 where he established his own company specialising in corporate, travel and tourism promotion.
He was widely known and respected in the Bangkok-based media and commercial community due to his success as a public relations consultant. He was also a long time member of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) and an active supporter of sports and and charity causes.
Steve Joel was nephew of a prominent Australian, the late Sir Asher Joel, a leading figure in journalism and public relations and a member of the New South Wales parliament.
A cremation ceremony will be held Monday, November 2, at the Wat Klong Toey Nai Temple at 4pm.
Father Joe Maier is overseeing a memorial service at the Holy Redeemer Church Soi Ruamrudee, Bangkok on Friday November 6 at 3pm (1500 hours).
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Historical Minutiae Dept.
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Boo Sa Bar
- IS YOU IS, OR IS YOU AIN'T ?
Hello sir,
I am Mr. Ferreres Alain de Lyon, France, I desire to make contact with his Boo Sa Bar, Soi 7 / 1 in Bangkok but I have no answer from them. I do not know if it is open or closed, thank you I learn to my request, my sincere thanks,
Greetings,
Mr Alain Ferreres
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Greetings, Alain,
Yesterday, we passed by the Boo Sa Bar on Soi Eden and we found that the original owner has resumed management of that bar (and the bar is not closed - in spite of what the website says...). We will be sending you his name and email address privately today, so feel free to contact him at any time.
Thanks for writing in.
'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 November 2009 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.
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The upstairs Lucifer Disko Tk reopened full-throttle last night (Halloween) and started things off with a disco party. Remains to be seen if this is a 'soft opening' as it looks like there are a few odds-and-ends yet to be attended to. We hear from the door louts that the downstairs Radio City will have it's reopening on, or about, 15 November - we'll keep an eyeball peeled, and get back atcha.
PATPONG I
The SuperStar A Go-Go has some new sponsored neon - we'll add this pic to the archives.... The rock still rocks - keep on keeping on....
PATPONG I
The Queen's Castle I has at last reopened. All is as it was - welcome them back to the neon jungle.
PATPONG I
A soft opening of sorts for the King's Pool - the King's Group staff have set up an outside bar beer while the final decorations are being attended to. It can be found at the corner of Patpong II and the soi connecting to Patpong I (Soi Bookstore). We can expect the 'real deal' tomorrow night - a Loy Krathong opening, complete with all the fine Thai traditional costumes... We'll return next issue with more pix. Welcome them to the big uphill.
PATPONG II
The Funky Dojo was to have opened right about now, but it looks like they are experiencing the usual indiginous tradespersons delays. Nevertheless, we can get a glimpse of what promises to be a Night Entertainment Venue of substance. We'll have another look next month, and get back atcha.
PATPONG II
The Cowboy Two has so much add-on that we can barely see the main neon. Nevertheless, a most attractive A Go-Go bar. Let the good times roll.
SOI COWBOY
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Door Art Of The Month
Award
The Angel Witch has upgraded it's door art - and as it works out, most timely for the Halloween festivities. Highest marks for some excellent neon graphics.
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NANA PLAZA
Massive renovations are taking place in the old Noriega's Bar digs. In fact they had a one-night 'soft opening' last week, but the whole magilla (food, live music) won't be on display until the official opening sometime around the first week of December. The new Nitespot will retain most of the old management team, however, it looks like SuperStar Frank will not be in the mix. We are told we should expect a name-change, however the name has yet to be selected. Welcome them back to the piranha pool.
SOI KATOEY
The brand-new Soulmate Club had it's soft opening last night (Halloween), however, the full-blown red carpet doesn't get rolled out until the 7th of November - a week from now. Six floors, they have pool tables upstairs, as well as an ST floor, and a travellers' rooms-for-rent floor for those who are coming in on holidays and are looking to be close to the action. Soulmate occupies the old Mozy digs. May they always have a chinchoke up on their wall.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
Many months ago, the Name Gestapos cracked down on the Phoenix, making them display their real name, P.X. Plan Co., Ltd. As time progressed, they put up supplemental signage indicating they were still the Phoenix. However, now it looks like the transformation is complete - their current neon shows them to be the New Phoenix Lounge. This Nitespot is primarily aimed at Nippon clientele, and is located inside the Peep Inn Park on the ground floor.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
The Teen Massage (the original one that gave rise to all the imitators - and the term 'teen massage') has succumbed to the Darwinian Imperative and pitched headlong into the Abyss. As the sign shows, their masseuses have migrated two doors down to the Teen 3 VIP Massage (same owners).
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
Last issue we noted that Hugh's had opened up in Washington Square, and that we would follow up with a photo or two (see below). Bali Hugh's Beach Bar & Grill (the full name) seems to be picking up some solid return custom - those that go to relax to relatively quiet music, and to avoid being pestered by hostesses. Here's hoping Fate deals them all aces and faces....
WASHINGTON SQUARE
The Green Room Bar seems to have found a way out from under it all.... They have sold out - lock, stock, and chrome barstool to the brand-new The Puss-Inn Pub. May the nightwinds blow kindly as they step into the line of fire.
WASHINGTON SQUARE
It looks like The Sportsman Bar & Restaurant have finally got their full kit up - the new lighting looks good from where we stand.... 'Pool Bar' remains the modus operandi. We'll keep this pic back for the archives.
WASHINGTON SQUARE
We heard a rumor that the Olive Oyl owners are contemplating closing down - all the more reason for us to click a pic, or two, for the archives. More on this as we know of it....
QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA SOI 22
At the far right of the photo below is the outside area of the Boo Sa Bar, which is back under old management (and NOT closed, as noted on another website) - so all are welcome back....
SOI EDEN SUKHUMVIT SOI 7/1
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A Halloween Graf
Not too far from Soi Eden is a graf which, although it has been there for quite a while, seems made to order for the Halloween night festivities.
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SOI EDEN SUKHUMVIT SOI 7/1
This pic a 'neon update' for the Hot Male, located in Bangkok's most prominent gay zone. Let the rock continue to rock.
SOI TWILIGHT
! ORDER NOW !
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Archives
2002 - 2009, BANGKOK EYES / bangkokeyes.com
November's Nightlife News 
PATPONG I 
