|
Deceased....
Tim Young
ANOTHER THREAD IN THE BANGKOK FABRIC
|
- We are indebted to an anonymous contributor. Photo in public domain - LINE social networking.
|
On Sunday evening, 4 Aug 2013, Tim 'Wanchai' Young died of heart failure in his bachelor apartment above Patpong Road. After at least two previous heart attacks and four heart surgeries, to include the implanting of a number of stents, he was finally taken down at age (approximately) 66.
|
Tim at rest, Wat Chonlaprathan Rangsarit
|
- Copyright 2013 Bangkok Eyes - bankokeyes.com
|
Most of those who knew Tim, knew the 'Pillar Of Patpong' Tim, who had an apartment - his home - in a reserved corner of a Patpong short-time hotel (originally the 3M), and who had his hold-mail delivered to the next-door Madrid Bar. This latter hold-mail location worked out ideally for him, as he also used their phone for his business phone in the days before mobile phones.
|
Tim's photo at the funeral was taken circa 1970.
|
- Copyright 2013 Bangkok Eyes - bankokeyes.com (exclusive of original photo)
|
But not everyone knew of Tim's Night Entertainment entrepreneurship, both here and in Viet Nam. So, let's start at the beginning of his Southeast Asian adventure. Originally sent to Viet Nam in the mid-late 1960's as a guest of Uncle Sam, he immediately put in for 'Club Manager'. However, in the Army, just as no request goes unheeded, neither is it approved - he was (re)assigned to Tactical Operations at 2nd Field Forces, adjacent to USAG Long Binh.
|
The plethora of wreaths of condolence far exceeds the area
under the tent originally provided for that purpose.
|
- Copyright 2013 Bangkok Eyes - bankokeyes.com
|
His tour of duty behind him, like many of us, he wasn't looking for the Government-provided Freedom Bird back to the Land Of The Big PX. He instead, went to work for the US Army's largest civilian contractor in Viet Nam, Pacific Architects & Engineers, Inc. (PA&E). Their employment agreements with employees were 18 months, and records show Tim worked at PA&E's ROK Valley Installation near Qui Nhon as Supply Manager through 1969 into early 1970. And here's the little known factoid : His PA&E job as Supply Manager was his day job. His real job was part owner of a Nitespot in Qui Nhon called Ann's Company, but was referred to by the regulars as just 'The Casino'. It was located on the beach (in Tim's words, they called it 'Shit Beach') near the airstrip motorpool. Some of you may remember it.....
|
Tim's last drink awaits..... A classic pic -
taken in Gold Finger's the night Tim passed away.
|
- Submitted by Internet - 'Not Attributed'. All rights confer to copyright holder.
|
But fast-forward a few brief months, Tim had separated from PA&E and moved lock stock and barrel to Thailand. And it didn't take him long; soon after his arrival, he opened a bar / disco in a wide spot in the road (a very popular wide spot) they called Kilo Sip (Kilometer 10) just outside U Thapao Air Base in Sattahip. And the name? Ann's Company Disco. Some of the photos herein are from Tim and are dated '1970 - Sattahip'. Tim stayed there until 1972 (varying dates from Tim and other sources on this), before moving on again. Destination? Bangkok.
|
Randy and Tim at Gold Finger's
|
|
Once in Bangkok, he wasted no time - it wasn't long before he had leased what up until then had been the Reeve Hankins Insurance Company (before that it was the USIS library) and opened his third Night Entertainment Venue, The Bad Apple A Go-Go. He would eventually sell out to the Safari in 1976 (which is still there today).
|
Tim Young, 23 years of age,
Sattahip, 1970.
|
- Submitted by Tim Young
|
In the following years, he became a working stiff - and a family man, raising a young daughter. And in 1991, when his daughter, Tata Young won the Thailand Junior Singing Contest his life took off in another direction entirely. He became the possessive and meticulous manager of Tata's meteoric rise in popularity and local singing fame. And did he have any regrets? Just one - before 1991, they used to call him 'Wanchai', and now they called him 'Tata's Dad'.... Tim would groan, "Go figure, I use to have my own name!" This of course wasn't a real complaint; he still referred to her as, "My Baby Girl".
|
Tim's Ann's Company Disco (just say, 'Annie's')
in Kilo Sip, outside U Thapao air base. circa 1971.
|
- Submitted by Tim Young
|
We republish below a note from Tim to us - as it has a number of references to the 'Old Patpong" Night Entertainment Scene and is of significant historical value. And for those few of you remaining old Patpong hands out there, we guarantee you will see a few eye-openers - bars and venues you had completely forgotten about. We know we had.....
|
- Submitted by Tim Young. All rights confer to copyright holder.
|
Dear N,
A Real Classic Photo!
What was located in the same building, before the Safari?
Well like I've always said, "The Bad Apple", run by Khun Wanchai, and before 1970 the Bad Apple was "Reeve Hankins Insurance Company", and before that it was the "USA Information Library" coupled with original Super Star building which is now the Thigh Bar.
Please Note: The location of the Original "Charlie's" Super Star Bar (brings back real memories), then next came the "Bad Apple". Then came the "Tien Tien Restaurant", which before that it was the "Marco Polo Night Club", now the "Twilo". The current "Super Star" used to be a "Members Club" (the name? Ambassador? ), before that it was "Everett Shipping Company" and before that it was "The IBM Building" Thailand). Further on down was "Majestic Custom Tailors", then The Famous "Grand Prix" which is now the "Kings 1". Air France is now King's Corner.
Opposite side of the street starting from Silom Road: was, "Amor"....., and before that it was called "Lucky Strike", and now it's a "7 Eleven". "Air Vietnam" became the (Texxan) now a "Big Bag Shop", then there was "Barnn", which later became "Blue Jeans", then "Cozy Corner" and was next to the alley way that lead to "Bangkok Christian Hospital", which also led up to the "Scene Night Club" second & third floors, which later became the "Executive Association of Thailand" ("EAT" Club) - which before that it was the "TOSCO Members Club", and now is the "New Madrid Apartments". Below was "The Executive Room" and the "Jockey Club" next to "The Madrid". Next was "Napoleon", next to "Derby King Lounge", next to "The Sea Saw Restaurant", then the "Barn?" & "Black Jack" which is now "Gold Fingers" and many-many more names moving down the street towards Suriwong Rd.
...............
The Street really has changed a lot, huh?
Wanchai
|
And a final note from Tim;
" When I die and go to the gates of Heaven, I'm going to ask the Lord, 'Please give me back all my lady drink money, buy-offs and tips for the lady of the night and I promise God, I'll be a good boy and won't ask you for anything else!' Go figure where I'll be headed?
........and like they say, 'The Rest is HISTORY'! "
|
September's Nightlife News 
link>
PATPONG I 
PATPONG I 
2002 - 2013, BANGKOK EYES /
bangkokeyes.com
