MIDNITE HOUR - 01 November 2016

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1927 - 2016

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MONTHLY NEWS
COLUMN

William R. ''Will'' Morledge
News page correspondent
(Midnite Hour) and contributing
editor - book reviews

Bangkok,
01 November 2016
William R. Morledge

November's Nightlife News
Bangkok's Bars - 20 Years Ago
A Smile in the Land of Smiles.
Ask Us: Cancel my Thai Holiday?
Graffiti -BKK's Midnite Vandals - #128

Thailand's Story of Stories is the passing of Thailand's revered Monarch of seventy years' reign, King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 13 October 2016. During this time of National mourning, MIDNITE HOUR is de-emphasizing reportage of specific Night Entertainment. Instead, this month we shall review the dynamics, the trending and 'demographics' of Bangkok's Night Entertainment scene from an historical perspective.

Patpong 1

The highest confirmed number of Night Entertainment Venues on Patpong 1 was in 1988. Immediately after the commencement of the night street market in 1989, nay-sayers were predicting the immediate demise of Patpong 1. That did not eventuate, however there was a significant decline. Later, others pointed out that the number of Nitespots had pretty much leveled out (1995 - 2010), and that the rot had stopped. However we note that, in spite of the leveling-out during that period, the number of A Go-Go bars continued to decline unabated. The total number of Nitespots is once again in slow decline.

Patpong 2

Although one might anticipate a concomitant slow drop-off in the number of Night Entertainment Venues experienced by Patpong 1, that wasn't the case with it's sister soi, Patpong 2. During the period ~ 1995 - 2005 there were a number of small bars opening up across from Food Land, both on the ground level and in the 4 floors above in the 'Cosmos stairwell'. Also, there were a number of small Nitespots opening up on the second level of / in the carpark above Food Land. And finally, at that period in time, The Ramp, above such bars as The Other Office was at full occupancy (a dozen bars most didn't even know about). Gradually, however, Patpong 2 commenced it's own slow decline.

Soi Cowboy

Although the graph shows a relatively stable number of Nitespots over the years, and, in relatively the same proportion - that which is not shown is the growth in Night Entertainment real-estate. The long and slow process of larger bars absorbing smaller bars has been ongoing since very early days when the Country Road expanded (the first time) to take over the bar next door, and Tilac expanded (the first time), taking over it's next door neighbor. Further expansion (of total real-estate), however, is now limited, as there are only two mom-and-pop shops on the entire soi that have not yet capitulated to the threat of getting lots of money.

Nana Plaza

Nana Plaza, like Soi Cowboy, has long since maxed out (or nearly so) on utilization of available real estate. The overall drop in numbers since the turn of the Millennium is brought about (similar to that which occurred in Soi Cowboy) by a number of smaller Venues being absorbed by larger next-door neighbor Nitespots. Note: the gradually increasing (accelerating) number of katoey bars. We also note that a number of the big A Go-Go bars are geared up for Japanese custom, however are not reported as "Japanese" as they are not exclusively so.

Soi Dead Artists

Although Soi Dead Artists (Sukhumvit Soi 33) has had a smattering of bars going back for several years, they didn't really reach "critical mass" until just before the turn of the Millennium. After that juncture, however, it became the fastest growing Night Entertainment Area in Bangkok (excluding "opportunistic" Sukhumvit Square). In recent years, many have sensed, or thought they did, that Soi Dead Artists was becoming a soi of Japanese Bars and massage parlors. This trending graph bears that out unquestionably. Note, many of the Japanese Nitespots are exclusive massage parlors, which we have indicated with 'm''. As can be seen, the number of expat lounges / other Nitespots is diminishing rapidly - and without exception, the story is the same - "landlord greed". There is currently nothing on the horizon which would tend to mitigate these trends.

Soi Katoey

Although Silom Soi 4 has been traditionally called Soi Katoey, the name is not particularly accurate today. In the early days, the Nitespots, and the Soi itself, were in fact populated almost exclusively by katoeys (and their customers), however this is no longer true. Most of the Nitespots, however, are gay - that is to say, mostly catering to gay customers. In addition, there have been for many years, lounge-type venues which were not courting predominantly gay custom (see green above). Furthermore, the Soi itself is becoming more well-known to non-gay clientele. For the most part, those who do not frequent the Soi, assume that there are a great many Nitespots within. This is not so, nor has it ever been so.

MIDNITE HOUR's trending / 'bar demographics' were obtained from our Zootramp database of 'end-of-month' surveys going back - in some cases, more than three decades. All trends / 'demographics' are from verifiable source material. Rigid statistical analysis, to include 'standard deviation', etc, was used to insure graphed information was in fact representative of each ~ five-year interval shown.

'Trending' is based on long-term analysis and statistical averages, and is not the same exercise as simply reporting numbers and types of bars. Trending categories were selected by MIDNITE HOUR based on visitor experience. To insure meaningful and significant trending, we have provided trending / 'bar demographics' only for those Night Entertainment Areas that attained critical mass fifteen years ago, minimum. Observations below each graph are based solely on our analyses of month-end surveys over the years.

TOP

November's Thai Smile is an explorer....

? 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

TOP

Historical Minutiae Dept.

Thailand in mourning

HOW WILL IT AFFECT YOUR TRAVEL PLANS?

Sir,
What will be open and what will be closed during the mourning of Thailand's King Bhumibol? I read in Coconuts that as a sign of respect to the late King, the government has said there would be a one-month suspension of entertainment activities. This is not a good time to travel to Thailand, but I have already booked my flights. Should I cancel?

Thanks,
B
California

B,

Thailand's official mourning period is set at one year. The Thai Prime Minister noted that entertainment activities should be curtailed for 30 days. A predominantly Buddhist nation, the Thai population, for the most part, will be wearing black clothing for one hundred days. In practical terms, the Night Entertainment Industry has been put on self-regulation regards wether to open, or not, with the provisos that exterior lighting is doused, no 'shows', no loud music, and slightly earlier closing hours (usually midnight). All reports indicate all Nitespots were closed on 13 October 2016, the date of His Majesty's passing. The following night (14 October), more than half of the Night Entertainment Venues in the 12 major Expat Night Entertainment Areas were operating, albeit in subdued fashion. As we come to the end of the month, day-to-day life in Thailand has long since returned to normal, and virtually all Expat Night Entertainment Venues are open for business, albeit, somewhat less 'neon'.

Should you be planning to come to Thailand in the near future, there would be no reason for cancelling your travel plans.

Best,
Boge

? 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 November 2016 Follies begin...
BANGKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.

The most Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) during this period of National mourning are : which Night Entertainment Areas are open, and, more specifically, which Nitespots are open. We are pleased to report that virtually 100% of the Night Spot Venues in each of the dozen major Expat Night Entertainment districts have reopened. This month, in addition to our usual reportage of "Who's New, Who's Through" we provide, Area-by-Area, photos of general interest for each Nitespot Area. Other than those pics marked as '-File Photo', all photos below were taken on Friday evening, 28 October - and Saturday evening, 29 October.

PATPONG 1

MAP

On the news of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol, Patpong 1, as with all other entertainment areas, closed down in mourning. At the end of October 2016, all of the Nitespots on Patpong 1 had reopened, and in addition, a new bar opened. Staff currently remain, for the large part, dressed in mourning attire - with the exception of the A Go-Go dancers, who are back to wearing their normal rigs, dancing to barely muted rock 'n roll. Closing times remain nominally at 24:00 for the near future. Below are two recent photos of 'the scene' on Patpong 1.

PATPONG 1 - 28 October 2016

Opening up on the 2nd floor in what was, long years ago, the Pent House, is the brand new Domino's. We assume additional neon will be forthcoming. It has all the makings of a 'Pay-For-Show' bar - we hope we are wrong.... Continued reportage next issue, but in the meantime, welcome them to partytown.

PATPONG 1 - 28 October 2016

PATPONG 2

MAP

Spanky's - the one that we were so sure had fallen into the crypt last month- has resurrected itself. And this new incarnation is a vast improvement over the old. Their new signage will be revealed once the appropriate mourning period has expired. Wish them well as they wade back into the sharkpool.

PATPONG 2 - 28 October 2016

Below are a couple of pics of the current goings-on on Patpong 2. All Night Entertainment Venues on Patpong 2 have, as with Patpong 1, reopened for business. Muted lighting and music are the order of the day during the National mourning period, and midnite closing (at least nominally...) is in effect. Otherwise, business as usual.

PATPONG 2 - 28 October 2016

SOI COWBOY

MAP

Soi Cowboy, as with other Entertainment Areas in Thailand, closed down in mourning on hearing of the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol. Over the last two weeks, all Nitespots have reopened (including Crazy House....), however the exterior lighting has remained minimal. (Which probably makes the owners quite happy - Cowboy -in their emulation of Las Vegas- must, cumulatively, run up several million baht in electricity bills each month.) A Go-Go is back on the various menus, with music not quite so ear-splitting.... The coyotes... not so much... but it won't be long..... As can be seen from the pics below, Cowboy remains a very busy place - even in the dark.

SOI COWBOY - 29 October 2016

NANA PLAZA

MAP

The Rainbow Four has completed it's transition to Rainbow 5, said transformation commencing last month. This leaves Nana Plaza with a Rainbow 1, 2, 3, and 5. Hmmm. We wonder where Rainbow 4 will pop up ....as Nana's interminable game of musical chairs drones on. And on......