] MIDNITE HOUR - Bangkok Eyes October 2013
BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -























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Soi Wall Street   
- AND THE SILOM - SURAWONG COMPLEX   

                  MONTHLY
                            COLUMN  
Bangkok,
01 October 2013
William R.  Morledge


October's Nightlife News
Bangkok's Bars - 10 Years Ago  
A Smile in the Land of Smiles.
Ask Us: Jack's American Star?
Graffiti  -BKK's Midnite Vandals - #96
         This month the Midnight Hour visits Soi Wall Street.   We have been putting this off for too long - and one of the reasons is this Nitespot Area on it's own, is not developed enough, having too few venues to generate a 'critical mass'.   Nevertheless, when considered as a part of a group of Night Entertainment Areas in the contiguous area, it is worthwhile mentioning for the historical record.

Although the Wall Street Inn is just that - a hotel - it wasn't always so.   Previously it was one of the larger massage parlors on the soi.   However, after renovations, they did retain a large area for use as a massage parlor.   One can usually see masseuses waiting outside for customers, however if none are sitting curb-side, check with Reception.

         Without seeing a map of the immediate area, one would not imagine that the Night Entertainment Areas Patpong 1 & Patpong II and Soi Katoey and Soi Wall Street are physically contiguous to one another.   Our map, below, might surprise even a few long term expats.


         Soi Wall Street has been around for many years, however it has never had more than 8 or 9 Nitespots within, and almost all of them have been Massage Parlors.   There has usually been one or two "Clubs" within, however none of them has lasted very long.   Most of the Massage Parlors are oriented toward Japanese custom, however Western Expats are welcome.

The Arima Onsen is geared more for Nippon custom (as the name might imply), however all are welcome.   They also have another branch on Soi Thaniya.

         The larger Massage Parlors are open during the day as well, and are reasonably priced.   Below are some additional photos of the Nitespots within Soi Wall Street.   Worth a visit.

The Heart Beat Club is the only non-massage parlor Nitespot remaining on Soi Wall Street.   And it has the habit of not opening on certain days.....




The King's Body House is, yes, a King's Group Nitespot (note their second King's Body House just opened on the 2nd floor on Patpong I just last month).




The Nicky Massage is a smaller massage parlor, found at the deep end of the soi.   It is a 'man massage for man' establishment.



            



October's Thai Smile is employed at an office in one of Bangkok's many high-rises.





John Hail's Bangkok A-Go-Go
A classic tale of Thailand
available for the first time in e-book -
CLICK HERE to download your copy -




? 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


            
 Historical Minutiae Dept.



Jack's American Star

Hi,

I was in the military in 1967 – 1968.   I visited the Bar called “Jack’s American Star Bar”.   I am returning to Thailand next month and I would like to visit the site of this bar.   Many good times and good ladies there.   Do you know the address so I can visit?

Cheers,

J.
J.

      We are surprised at the number of queries we get on Jack's American Star Bar.   It was located on 'New' Petchburi Road between Soi Thonglor (Sukhumvit Soi 55) and Soi Ekamai (Sukhumvit Soi 63).   It is long gone, there is nothing left to visit; the area has been redeveloped - to include the new traffic interchange at Soi Ekamai, a new automobile service station, etc.   (Jack's was near the service station to the best of our collective memory.)

      The above describes the general location - but the extensive redevelopment has changed all the landmarks in that stretch of Petchburi Road - alas, only our memories of the good times remain..

Best,
Mor


? ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !
  • Email bangkokeyes@gmail.com and "ASK US" - -   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


     TOP
    Let the October 2013 Follies   begin...
    BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.

       PATPONG  I  
    MAP
                The Pussy Collection has some notable door art - we will endeavor to get a shot of the entire frontage for a "Door Art of the Month" in the near future.
      PATPONG  I  

      PATPONG  II  
    MAP
                The Glamour Girls (Glamour on Silom) has foundered yet again.   They are a well-appointed bar with attractive hostesses, they must be doing something else entirely wrong.....   Let's see if they come out for a couple more rounds - we'll get back atcha next issue.
    - File photo        
      PATPONG  II  

                The Strip is, as advertised, 'home of the private booth' - where a curtain is drawn around you and the A Go-Go dancer of your choice - for a small additional fee.   A feature that has stood the test of time....
      PATPONG  II  

                Last month along this strip of bars (just under what used to be the Cleopatra A Go-Go), the Memphis Queen closed it's doors (see our last month's issue).   This month, the now defunct Memphis Queen's next door neighbors, the Topless Pool Bar / Sport Bar and the Topless Beer Bar have closed.   We took a look through the roller shutters, and see that the entire area on the ground floor is being redeveloped.   Expect something big, and, yes, this is another King's Group development.

    - File photos        
      PATPONG  II  

       SOI  COWBOY  
    MAP
                The other evening we passed through Soi Cowboy and noticed that more than half of the Nitespots had the majority of their neon switched off - could it be that they are shedding their Las Vegas image and 'going green'?    .....Naahhh.   They must be having power outages... or someone is looking more closely at their electricity bills....
    SOI   COWBOY 


     NANA   PLAZA   
    MAP
                
    Door Art Of The Month
    Award



             The Playskool has finished their renovations and, we are pleased to say, have reopened.   One of the things they did was nail up some brand new neon (and LED).   All very impressive.   Welcome them back to partytown.

    NANA   PLAZA 

                Where the action is. .....and you are not.   Just about the time the bars are getting ready to open, the 2nd floor Beauty Shop is packed out.   Another pic for the archives....
    NANA  PLAZA - (Sukhumvit  SOI  4)

     SOI  NANA  
    MAP
                 In what appears to be another case of  , the Swan Karaoke sign does, however, spell out 'Karaoke' in the Thai language....
      SOI   NANA   

                

    Cross-Cultural Communication
    A REVELATION...


      SOI   NANA   

      SOI  KATOEY   
    MAP
                 On an overcast night, the One Night Only took on it's own aura.   May they persevere.
    SOI  KATOEY  - (SILOM  SOI  4)

      SOI  22  
    MAP
                 What was the Miraku Massage, then the Cosy Massage, then back to the Miraku Massage - all in the space of 3 months, has finally settled on the Analisa Massage.   Well appointed venue, attractive staff.   Welcome them to the neon jungle.
    SOI  22 - (Sukhumvit)

      SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS   
    MAP
                   The Magic Massage, which closed it's doors more than a month ago, had their lights on when we passed by the other evening.   However it was not open for business.   A peek in the glass doors revealed that a brand new bar is nearing completion within.   Will it keep the original Hookers moniker, or is there a new name in the offing?   We'll keep our ear to the ground........
    SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

                   Black, the upstairs jazz music bar has cashed in their chips.   They did a valiant job of attempting to lure customers, but were largely unsuccessful.   Likely they would have had a much better chance on Soi Lang Suan or Soi Sarasin.   Something about location, location, location.   Ashes to ashes, so be it, then.
    - File photo        
    SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

                   Zentana Spa, just upstairs from the aforementioned Black, has also apparently thrown in the steamy towel.   Greener pastures, ladies.
    - File photo        
    SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

                   The Green Parrot, open in January of 2004, has pulled up stakes in Subsoi 3 - and they in fact have moved on to greener pastures (not on Soi Dead Artists), we are pleased to hear.   We'll try to get some pics next issue.   May they keep on keeping on.


    (We're searching for our photos of the Green Parrot....)

    SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS - SOI  33

      QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA   
    MAP

                    Platinum at long last has put up some signage.   (Note; the 'font' is identical to that of Platinum Shopping Center in Pratu Nam.)   At first very subtle, but having a rather spectacular effect.   Let the good times roll.
       QUEEN'S  PARK  PLAZA

      SOI  EDEN  
    MAP
                What started out a few months ago as an unnamed bar beer area became the Allanda Bar, which became an unnamed beer bar area, which divided into two parts.   The first part - 3 months ago - became the new location for the Bai Fern Massage.   The second part became - just last month - Dark Blue, however we were uncertain this visit if Dark Blue was really open, or has it reverted to a tattoo parlor named Bing Stab Tattoo Family? We will give things a little time to settle down, and report back next issue.....
    SOI  EDEN -  Soi  7/1 Sukhumvit

      SOI  TWILIGHT  
    MAP
                The Zeus, which we were told had an entirely different name, is now getting some identifying signage up (and a statue of Zeus).   One of the newer bars in the 'Twilight Zone' - Bangkok's all-gay soi.
    SOI   TWILIGHT


    '
     TOP   

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


    Bangkok Eyes jumps back in time 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.   (We also will be willing to bet you WON'T EVEN REMEMBER an even greater number....)


    10 YEARS AGO  :
    October

    Patpong I
       *  Queen's Castle II up on the 2nd floor closed.   It would reopen, and has since become Night Bar.

       *  Concert also on the 2nd floor closed.   That area now being occupied by the Club 66.

    Patpong 2
       *  The Balls Joint Bar & Grill opened new next door to the then Cafe De Paris.   Both venues now closed, and no longer Nitespots.

       *  The Ban Bua Luang Cafe closed.   It was located on the 4th floor of the Cosmos stairwell opposite the Foodland.   No Nitespot now occupies that spot.


    Soi Cowboy
       *  The upstairs Penny Black Pub & Restaurant opened new - next door to the Raw Hide.   Both venues are still there today.


    Nana Plaza
       *   The Erotica A Go-Go opened new on the third floor, at the top of the front stairway.   It is still there today.


    Soi Katoey (Silom Soi 4)
       *   The Velvet opened new in the old White Bar digs next to the Tapas Room.   The Adam Spa now occupies those premises.

       *   The Speed and the upstairs Hip Hop closed down.   The Bearbie Bar now occupies those digs.


    Soi Dead Artists    (Soi 33)
       *   The Bar Za Bar / Shoku Sai closed it's doors on Subsoi 4.   There is presently no Nitespot at that location.

       *   Sarinna Massage closed it's doors.   No Night Entertainment Venue currently occupies that shophouse.

       *   The The Cafe Buongiorno Bar & Restaurant closed up shop - located deep in Subsoi 5.   Today the Bistro 33 occupies those facilities.


    Queen's Park Plaza     (Soi 22)

       *   The Nok Merry Bar 2 , having moved over from Asoke Corner, opened on the left side, where today's new Rumour's Pub now stands.


    Washington Square (Closed down April 2013
             - the 3 bars remaining in the entranceway now counted as "Soi 22")

       *   The Hare & Hound (re) opened - having moved over from Soi Cowboy.


    Tobacco Road   (Soi Zero) -   (Closed on October 2006 )
       *   No changes that month / year.


    Cowboy Annex   (Asoke Corner/Asoke Plaza)
            (Closed down on Feb 2005)

             *  The Spanky's Bar 2  - opened new in the 4-Pak.

       *   The following bars CLOSED :
             *  Princess Bar   - on the left side fence Asoke Corner side
             *  Money Honey   - also on the left side fence Asoke Corner side


    13 Night Market    (Atop the original Thermae digs)
    (April 2003 - March 2005   - Now closed down.)

       *   The Red Dragon opened in a previously unoccupied slot.




    VICARIOUS ART CRIMES   # 96


    MIDNITE HOUR's

    But is it .... ART ?

    New to the world of 'Graffiti'?   See our "INTRO "
    "The ART and the CONTROVERSY" - CLICK HERE


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


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

    GRAFFITI IN THE NEWS


    Mamafaka Dies
    in Phu Ket
    LOCAL GRAFFITI ARTIST DROWNS

             Artist, Graphics Artist and Graffiti Artist Pharuephon (a.k.a. Mamafaka) Mukdasanit was pronounced dead on September 9th after remaining in a coma for 48 hours in a Phu Ket hospital.   He was found by friends and lifeguards in the Phu Ket surf and rushed to the hospital.   The cause of death was given as drowning.
    Pharuephon 'Mamafaka' Mukdasanit with one of
    his "Mr Hellyeah" incarnations.
    - Excerpted media reproduced above is solely for the purpose of illustration of this review :
    copyright 'fair use' allowances and restrictions apply.

             A Khon Kaen vocational student, he went on to study Graphic Arts at Rangsit University.    After that, he worked briefly for an ad agency - where he became bored.   He and six cohorts decided to strike out on their own, forming B.O.R.E.D. - a collective - in 2002.   It was there that he was first able to fully express his talents, as the group was regularly retained for numerous events, festivals, and showings.

    Unbeknownst to us, we included one of Mamafaka's giant graffitis of his popular Mr. Hellyeah in our last month's edition..   To see the detailed photos CLICK HERE .


                It was also there at B.O.R.E.D. that he became a noticed contributor to Bangkok's "street art" scene.   "Street art" is what we say when we mean "Graffiti", but not in a 'bad' way.   As time went on, he continued to find increasing success in Bangkok's commercial world; his signature Mr Hellyeah image appearing on everything from skateboards to T-shirts, to you-name-it.   His untimely death at age 34 has cut short a most promising career - his departure has left behind a huge number of friends and admirers.   RIP.




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


    Graffiti #666
    Mongol Cloud
    6 ft high x 13 ft



    Graffiti #667
    Who Me ?
    6ft high x 6 ft



    Graffiti #668
    Bus Stop
    8 ft high x 18 ft



    Graffiti #669
    Diet Pepsi
    8 ft high x 19 ft



    Graffiti #670
    Home Direct
    6 ft high x 16 ft



    Graffiti #671
    Rumple High
    6ft high x 14 ft




    Graffiti #672
    Scout's Out
    9 ft high x 8 ft




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

       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

    Copyright 2002 - 2013,   BANGKOK EYES / bangkokeyes.com
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