MIDNITE HOUR - 01 January 2020

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

MONTHLY NEWS
COLUMN

Bangkok,
01 January 2020
William R. Morledge

January's Nightlife News
Bangkok's Bars - 20 Years Ago
A Smile in the Land of Smiles.
Reader's Corner: Club 99 - The Oldest?
Bangkok's Graffiti Update - #166

Last month we noted the slow phase-down of Queen's Park Plaza on Soi 22, and the beginning of the migration of several of their bars to the newly opened "Soi 7 Plaza". This month we mark Soi 7 Plaza's reaching 'critical mass', becoming Bangkok's newest fully-fledged Night Entertainment Area.

We originally thought it would take a few months for Soi 7 Plaza to reach a critical mass (a sufficient number of bars to become, in its own right, a 'draw' to expat nightcrawlers; a contiguous grouping of Nitespots large enough, varied enough, that people could, and would likely spend an evening there.) However, there are already 13 bars open within the main area (see map) and six more with their neon nailed up (and this doesn't count a couple of others, yet unnamed, still under renovation.) Last month at this juncture, there were just two Venues open : Long Shots and Lucky Bar. There is also a small al fresco 'beer garden' facing the Sukhumvit Road sidewalk.

This month's update to the Soi 7 Plaza Night Entertainment Area map includes bars open to date, and those bars which have been identified by their signage. Venues in parentheses were not yet open on 31 Dec 2019.

SOI 7 PLAZA

We had originally envisioned a possible 30 Nightspots within the Soi 7 Plaza compound, however, that may have been slightly optimistic. The estimate of '30 bars' was based on generally smaller bars, and much of the large rectangular area fronting on Sukhumvit Road also becoming pubs, bars, etc. (and not brick-a-brack, T-shirt and sundries shops). Definitely a wait-and-see item. However we do see the possibility of close to 25 bars open by February of this year.

The Drop In Bar - typical of the bar beer motif at Soi 7 Plaza.)

SOI 7 PLAZA

We note that a number of bars not yet open in Soi 7 Plaza still have operating bars in the Queen's Park Plaza (Moonshine, Cho Cho, Rumors, The Star). It is anticipated that they will either be moving over very soon, or emulate the Lucky Bar and operate at both locations for a period (until QPP begins to wind down in earnest). We note the absence of any presence at Soi 7 Plaza by Meaw Meaw, who mentioned 2 months back that they would in fact be moving over. Could it be they are the mystery bar in Soi 7 Plaza - with the only neon showing being "Open Welcome"? Another wait-and-see item... But one thing is certain, if any of the remaining bars in QPP are intending to move to Soi 7 Plaza, they had better not wait too long, otherwise there will be no more suitable spaces left up for lease.

Due to a peculiar lack of signage, at this juncture, we are not sure if "Nana Plaza @ 7" is the name of the area's operating company, or the front section under renovation (that they are now renting out), or if it is the official name for the entire area. A wait-and-see item...

We touched on this briefly last issue, but none should forget that this new Night Entertainment Area is 'opportunistic' in nature - that is to say, it is a relatively large cluster of semi-permanent structures on land with Sukhumvit Road frontage - which, in the current real estate market, is worth a small fortune. It will not be 'if' but 'when' it will be redeveloped into one high rise or another. But in the meantime, let the good times roll...

MIDNITE HOUR has included below in our monthly Follies a mini-pictorial of the new and upcoming bars in Soi 7 Plaza.

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January's Thai Smile not be diminished...

BOOKS ...worth a read !

( Click on book covers to order. )

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? Old
BANGKOK NIGHT SCENE
PHOTOS ?

Any old PHOTOS of
Bangkok's Nightlife ?

Please CLICK HERE to email us for publication.

Many Thanks,
William R Morledge

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MIDNITE HOUR MAIL BOX

Join the 'Comments' page...

*CLICK * here to email us at bangkokeyes@gmail.com ...

WAS CLUB 99 BANGKOK'S OLDEST ?

A '60's 'poster' ad.
   READER :
      I was reading on another blog that the famed and now long-disappeared Club 99 was the oldest bar in Bangkok - when it was open of course.   Also, was it on Patpong - I thought I remembered it on Silom?   Or is my memory playing tricks on me?

   MIDNITE HOUR:
      When we say 'oldest bar' we are asking for trouble.   Part of the reason for this is how people define and differentiate between 'bar' and 'club', or other, and whether we are talking about just Expat Nitespots, and, and, well, etc...   The Club 99 was, as you remembered, on Silom Road, and was already up and running at the time Patpong was ramping up into a full-blown Night Entertainment Area.   However, if we are talking about Venues whose licensed purpose is to serve paying customers alcoholic beverage, the Club 99 was preceded by Venues on New Road (like the Prasitipol Dance Bar that opened in the early '50's when the Bangkok Port expanded upstream from the Khlong Toey area) and a bar or two we could name in the Khlong Toey docks, and the list goes on....   BTW, the Club 99 closed down at the end of 1991, to be reincarnated (after a fashion) as Check Inn 99 between Sois 5 & 7 on Sukhumvit Road (now also closed).

Comments ?-*Click HERE * & Email Us at    bangkokeyes@gmail.com ...

SOI 7 "BAR AREA" OR "NIGHT MARKET" ?

   READER :
      I, and others on the Net apparently, see the development you refer to as Soi 7 Plaza as a Night Market, as it already has, and will have other shops there that are not bars.   You have mentioned this, also.   So don't you think it is a presumption you calling it a "Bar Area"?   Just saying.   Keep up the good works.

   MIDNITE HOUR:
      Practically and statistically your (and others') assessment doesn't hold up, unfortunately.   There has never been a "Bar Area" that didn't have a variety of other types of shops in the mix for their entire existence.   And this goes all the way back to Khlong Toey, and to the Golden Mile in the 60's and early 70's - which was mostly 'other' types of shops for the entire mile.   Sukhumvit Square, at the time of its demolition by Chuwit's marauders, had over 100 places of business, exactly 60 of which were bars.   The Patpongs, 1 & 2, have had, and still have a number of 'other' shops in their make-up.   Soi Cowboy started in early '75 as one bar, the Gold Label, and by the time the Cowboy Bar itself opened up, only half a dozen bars existed in an otherwise 'commercial' area.   And guess what?   Cowboy still has two mom & pop shops.   Even Nana Plaza started as a commercial area, and had a half-half mix of bars and 'other' shops for more than a decade - and still has one 'other' shop up on the third level.   So your quite arbitrary exclusion of Soi 7 Annex from 'the club' of "Bar Areas" doesn't hold up.   BTW, this is one reason we at Midnite Hour prefer the term "Night Entertainment Area" over "Bar Area".   As described above, an area becomes a Night Entertainment Area once there are enough Venues in a contiguous area to become a Nitespot attraction in its own right, drawing customers by virtue of the convenience and variety.   We call this "Critical Mass".

Comments ?-*Click HERE * & Email Us at    bangkokeyes@gmail.com ...

Thanks for reading and for writing in.

Don't hesitate to send your questions and comments - always welcome.

Note: Text may be edited for brevity and/ or clarity.

'Reader's Corner' moderator -

'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
* Zootramp Publications

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BANGKOK EYES

Let the January 2020 Follies begin-

PATPONG 1

MAP

The second of two Pussy Magic upstairs rip-off bars now also has closed. Nobody noticed. It was located in the old Super Pussy digs.

PATPONG 1

After months of inactivity, it looks like the old Radio City might become the new Radio City. They've spent a pretty penny for the new sign, lets hope this is not just another false-start. A wait-and-see item, but from the looks of the interior renovations, they could open at virtually any time. We will keep an ear to the ground and get back atcha.

PATPONG 1

PATPONG 2

MAP

Patpong Museum, one floor up, continues to carve out a professional and inviting entranceway. The Museum is already starting to 'catch on' - needing only continuous advertising exposure, as it is one of the "Don't Miss" bucket-list items when visiting Bangkok.

PATPONG 2

The 3rd level Candle Light Studio is officially closed.... but it is, well, something. We won't know for a while yet....."

PATPONG 2

SOI COWBOY

MAP

Long-stayers and long-time return visitors will remember the Raw Hide when it was the Darling (no, not the massage, no relation). Cowboy's Darling closed down, eventually reopening as the Harmony - (we are betting few remember this)... The Harmony then sold out to the next door Long Gun, becoming the Long Gun II in December 1996, but closing in February 1998. When it reopened a couple months later, it carried both names: Raw Hide and Long Gun II, finally dropping the "Long Gun II" handle in December 2002. The Raw Hide closed during the month of December 2019 - may they find that greener grass... The story on the street has it that a nearby neighbor (not the original Long Gun) will be taking over the reins.

The January Door Art Of The Month goes, posthumously, to the Raw Hide, which closed this last month. We just couldn't see a great bit of frontage such as this go unrecognized.

PATPONG 2

NANA PLAZA

MAP

Its not as complicated as it seems at first. First we had the second-level Twister Bar, which took over from some musical-chair games with the Rainbows, and each other, and the Sign Gestapos. There was no direct relationship between Twister Bar and the old Titty Twister that went down in flames (figuratively speaking) some years ago. Then the Twister BKK took over from Bangkok Bunnies on the ground-level in Sept / Oct 2018, inheriting the ground-level area all the way to the back of Nana Plaza on the left side. Bangkok Bunnies never really knew what to do with that back portion, and neither did Twister BKK. They tried the really lame "MILF" and even tried to bring back the VooDoo. Was it going to be indoors? Outdoors? Outdoor A Go-Go", A restaurant & pool bar, what, exactly? But at last it seems someone made a decision..... a few months back, it was made into a smaller A Go-Go bar called simply Twister. Now you (think you) know... May they persevere...

NANA PLAZA

SOI NANA

MAP

My, my, how the Angels Four has grown! They have absorbed the area most recently occupied by Starlight Bar. Lookin' good (read: 'busy'). This is, as can be seen, part of the Hillary Group. Located in the Rajah Hotel outbuilding, ground level.

SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT)

The Heaven @ 4 (Fortune Bar / Rest.) has been resurrected, and is in full operation once again. Welcome back to the snakepit.

SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT)

SOI KATOEY

MAP

As the second-level Hugs Bar-Karaoke was closed last month, that means it is open this month. (We think we've figured out their business plan....) ....Or not...

SOI KATOEY

SOI 22

MAP

The tiny Chill Bar has not only closed, it is just plain gone - the entire structure.... no trace... Better luck on the flip side, ladies... (But the sister bar Double Chill keeps pumping on Soi Titanium.)

SOI 22

The Lan Massage, closed when we checked last month, is now back, full-rub-a-dub-dub...

SOI 22

The Longhorn BJ Bar-Massage lasted almost one month. Could it possibly be because there are a dozen 'special' massage venues on that same tiny Soi Lemongrass (just past the Marriott)? Perhaps we will never know...

SOI 22

The 2nd level Luna Lounge is closed yet again. Lets hope this is because of an extended New Years....

SOI 22

The Som Tam VIP Club opened newly in the Park 22 Complex. Come on, you guys. Either this is a VIP club, or it is a som tam restaurant. You can't have it both ways - there is absolutely nothing "VIP' about som tam.

SOI 22

Down in Soi Lemongrass, the Sweetheart Rita massage ('Rita' of late) has disappeared - its just a shophouse now... But we nightcrawlers shouldn't despair - these massage parlors, to include the massage parlors next door in Soi Hana are part of a huge Whac-A-Mole game - as soon as they disappear, they will pop up somewhere else, often next door. Either that, or they just change their name slightly.... Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men - and massage parlor proprietors?

SOI 22

Down almost to the New Cowboy Bar, a new venue Bar Black Pinkie has opened its doors. It was previously the oddly named Pasela Girls Restaurant Bar, which closed in October of 2017. Hopefully we will have a decent pic next issue. We welcome the Black Pinkie to the nightcircus...

SOI 22

SOI AMBASSADOR

MAP

What was once the popular Firehouse is now the instantly-popular One For The Road. A single-shophouse, well-appointed, well-stocked lounge bar with listenable music. And you are given a free alcoholic 'welcome drink' as you sit down, regardless of what you order - just don't ask us what it is, we've not got the foggiest. A Jello-shot? Gawd only knows.... Located next door to Apoteka. May the nightgods consider them kindly.....

SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)

VIDEO CLIP

That stretch of Soi Ambassador (Soi 11) which used to house Cheap Charlie's, Charlie Brown's, The Stash and The Alchemist was, as most of you know, torn down to the ground, in preparation for a new mega-something highrise. Up went a big fence, blocking the view from the street - as is typical for construction projects. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until they tore the fence down a couple weeks ago, and the area was instantly invaded by a nightmarket. Food stalls, everything from som tam to sea food - and of course, lots of beer.... Go figure....

SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)

About half-way down Soi Havana Social is an almost unnoticeable massage parlor, the Mon Spa. We walked right by it last month, and should have picked it up on the inventory then.... Welcome them, somewhat belatedly, to the slippery slopes.

SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)

A few months ago, we reported the closure, and the ongoing renovations of what was the Marco. This month, opening in its place is the Kon Kord. It is very dimly lit inside, and there is no signage saying what kind of a Venue it is. So we asked. It is a Club-Pub. On further viewing of the interior, we didn't see any customers. We did however see two brush-cut bouncers in their Johnny Cash outfits out on the front porch.... Just sayin'...

SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)

SOI 7 PLAZA

NEW - "NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT AREA" STATUS COMMENCES THIS MONTH
(AKA "Nana Plaza @ 7")

MAP

   The MIDNITE HOUR welcomes the Soi 7 Plaza and each of the new bars within.   The list below reflects the bars that were currently open for business on 01 January 2020.   Many will recognize some familiar Nitespot names from the Queen's Park Plaza.

      *   Long Shots - Seminal bar - first opened : 27 November 2019.
      *   Lucky Bar - NEW.
      *   Day & Nice Bar - NEW.
      *   Our Place - NEW.
      *   Together - NEW.
      *   Rich Bar - NEW.
      *   'Welcome Open' - NEW.
      *   Beers and Birds - NEW.
      *   Friendly Bar - NEW.
      *   Drop In Bar - NEW.
      *   D-Nice Bar - NEW.
      *   After Sammy Bar - NEW.
      *   N' Joy - NEW.
      *   Lucky Bar - NEW.

Nitespots currently having signage up, but not yet open on 01 January 2020 :
      *   Rumors -
      *   Moonshine 22 Pub
      *   The Star
      *   Players
      *   Crazy Cats
      *   ChoCho

Below is a 'Mini-Pictorial' covering the new Nitespot Venues in Soi 7 Plaza.

SOI 7 PLAZA

QUEEN's PARK PLAZA

MAP

The Five Star Bar, beating all expectations (considering the imminent closure of the QPP) reopened after a less-than-one-month layoff. Keep on keeping on, chillun...

QUEEN's PARK PLAZA

The Simple Bar looks to be closed. The lights are on, but all has been moved out. On the other hand, two steps across the pathway, the Simple Bar 1 (their 'expansion bar') is still kicking up a storm. Appears to be a gradual phase-down. Don't know where they will be relocating to, if anywhere..... Keeping an eyeball peeled.

QUEEN's PARK PLAZA

The White Bar looks to have closed again, and it appears to be for the last time - much has been removed already. They were reported to be relocating to The Connection, but so far, no sign that this has transpired.

QUEEN's PARK PLAZA

The Nutz & Booze looks to be not just closed down, but removed in its entirety. We've no idea whether they are relocating, or just going home...

QUEEN's PARK PLAZA

The Meaw Meaw (annex) has been closed by the parent bar, the Meaw Meaw Bar, Pool & Club, which is a couple of steps across the pathway. (The main Meaw Meaw is still open, and doing well, although they earlier said they would be moving to Soi 7 Plaza 'in the New Year')....

QUEEN's PARK PLAZA

SOI DEAD ARTISTS

MAP

The Club Kitty (Japanese) was closed down darkly when we passed by on New Years Eve. This looks suspiciously like an extended New Years holiday to us. We shall do an update next survey and keep all in the picture... Located on Soi Pan Pan.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)

It seems the Health Care Massage is already out of business in less than 6 months. Might have had something to do with being way down at the end of the now dark soi, or it may have had something to do with trying to peddle real massages on a 'Japanese' soi... May they find themselves a soft landing elsewhere....

SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)

It grieves us... it grieves us....'Soi Dead Artists' is no longer apropos, it is now just a name... Goya, the last of the 'Painter Bars' has closed down and moved out. To where, we do not know. Perhaps a separate write-up of those Impressionist Painter Bars is in order for a future issue. But for now, the Goya (RIP) will be replaced by Tokyo.. just 'Tokyo', nothing else in the name. It should open before the end of the month. -At which time we can fairly say that Soi 33 is just another 'Japanese Soi'.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)

SOI EDEN

MAP

The Sweet Heart Bar has got itself some brand new neon. It remains one of a few katoey bars on Soi Eden.

SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7 / 1)

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

20 YEARS AGO

January

With thanks to Cool Text -cooltext.com

Bangkok Eyes goes back in time to see
Who was New - And Who was Through
in the Expat Night Entertainment World
How many of these old 'Oases'
Do you remember ?

Patpong I

January 2000

   *  The tiny Cozy Club closed its doors after a very long run on Patpong.   It was located next to the Madrid.   No Nitespot was to replace the Cozy Club.

(Total Nitespots that month: 32 )

Patpong 2

January 2000

   *  Up on The Ramp, The Naturals ? closed their doors.   The 'Qeen' occupies that location today.

   *  And, yet again, up on The Ramp, Rig One added 'Gold' to its neon, becoming Rig One Gold   The 'Hot Male' occupies that location today.

(Total Nitespots that month: 58 )

Soi Cowboy

January 2000

   *   The Five Star II opened newly, replacing Klymaxx II.   (How many of you 'old hands' remember either of these 'II' bars?)   The Deja Vu now occupies that real estate...

(Total Nitespots that month: 34 )

Nana Plaza

January 2000

* On the second level (an unnamed bar) opened next to the then-Titty Twister (the Titty Twister is now Rainbow 5). The 'unnamed bar' would eventually become the Straps of today.

(Total Nitespots that month: 40 )

Soi Katoey
( Silom Soi 4 )

January 2000

* No changes that month / year.

(Total Nitespots that month: 14 )

Soi Dead Artists
( Sukhumvit Soi 33 )

January 2000

   *   The Club Fuschicho opened newly in the Peep Inn Park (now the S 33 Compact Hotel).   The Mainichi Club & Karaoke now occupies the Fuschicho space...

   *   Deep in the Soi the Japanese Fairy Club closed its doors.   Those digs currently occupied by Dream Heaven Massage.

   *   The Londoner Brew Pub opened newly in the basement of the UBC II Bldg at the top of the Soi.   There is currently no Nitespot at that location.

(Added this month - should have been included last month.   All deep in the Soi on right hand side going in.)
   *   Po Traditional Massage
   *   Kosu Mosu Japanese Club
   *   Vif Ve Japanese Pub & Restaurant

(Total Nitespots that month: 22 )

Buckskin Joe Village
(~ December 1988 to 9 June 2006)

(Also called Tobacco Road, Soi Rot Fai, 'The Tracks' , Machim [Thai] & Soi Zero)

January 2000

* The Love You Bar bar beer 'closed its doors'.

(Total Nitespots that month: 18)

Washington Square
(~ April 1999 to April 2014)

January 2000

* No changes that month/ year. -

(Total Nitespots that month: 15)

Clinton Plaza

(Originally ''Entertainment Plaza'')
[ ~February 1999 to June 2003 ]

November 2000

      *   Flowers A Go Go - STILL-BORN (Yet to open...) - Outside against back wall.
      *   Wind Mill - CLOSED    - Outside against main bldg-
      *   Lek's Boozer - REOPENED, back from 13 Night Market. - Outside, against outer walls.
      *   Nuch Snack Bar - CLOSED      - Outside, against outer walls.

(Total Nitespots that month: 24)

''13 Night Market'' Entertainment Area"

(Originally 'Old Thermae Compound')
[ April 2000 - March 2005 ] (dates corrected this month)

January 2000

      *   Thai Dance Pub - NEW - Ex: Elephant Bar -
      *   Rib Shack - CLOSED
      *   Lek's Boozer - CLOSED - Return to Clinton Plaza

(Total Nitespots that month: 4)

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VICARIOUS ART CRIMES #166

MIDNITE HOUR's

But is it ....ART ?

New to the 'World of Graffiti'?
*CLICK* here for our "INTRO"
"The ART and the CONTROVERSY"

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

GRAFFITI IN THE NEWS

Not withstanding that the core definition of Graffiti is 'unauthorized markings on others' property', and irrespective of whether or not graffiti is considered 'art' by aficionados or 'vandalism' by much of society and the law, the 'Graffiti landscape' is changing in a most fundamental way.

Banksy's new 'commercial' outlet...

The modern era graffiti writer originally endeavored to 'put up' a thought, a name, a graphic or a symbol to be seen by the public, and 'public acceptance be damned'. His motive(s) were all, or part, exhibitionism, protest, humor ('All your base are belong to us'), rage-at-the-machine, marking one's territory, the thrill-of-getting-away-with-it, or even 'religious' (e.g. 'Jesus Saves' of decades past). Thus, for right or for wrong, was the unspoken, unwritten , 'Ethos' of the Graffiti artist : A brotherhood of secrecy, of anonymity, the 'is-nothing-sacred?' approach to Freedom-Of-Speech, the rivalry among one's peers, the consequences of one's actions never a consideration, monetary reward never a consideration.

Thus, for right - or for wrong, was the unspoken, unwritten 'Ethos' of the Graffiti artist :
A brotherhood of secrecy, of anonymity, the 'is-nothing-sacred?' approach to Freedom-Of-Speech, the rivalry among one's peers, the consequences of one's actions never a consideration, monetary reward never a consideration.

As graffiti became more and more spraycan-oriented, graffiti writers began to work together (large and/ or several pieces could be 'thrown up quickly).   These groups commonly referred to as 'crews' (the public often mistaking them for 'gangs', which was/ is an entirely different matter...).   But the 'graffiti code' remained intact - the works remained colorful, twisted, irreverent, vulgar, disturbing, thought-provoking, often humorous, often strikingly beautiful in their own weird way, and almost always original - and, of course, the public yet be damned...

But then the 'arts' crowd, seeking something 'different-yet-again', found old graffiti by some of their kinsmen before they 'made it big' in 'art circle society'.   These graffiti were suddenly hot items, and were taken into living rooms and lofts.   People began paying for restorations and relocations of graffiti - something they could show off to their peers.   Film makers wanted to use graffiti for backdrop for ghetto scenes and the like - for 'local color' and to enhance 'authenticity'.   These film makers, afraid of lawsuits, would pay graffiti artists to paint the backdrops.   Graffiti artists began putting up for sale, on the Internet, and roadside, poster reproductions of their works.   Inevitably, the more avant garde galleries began featuring graffiti and graffiti reproductions in their showings.   It wasn't long before the mainstream art galleries began showing graffiti, and graffiti pieces went up on auction.

The 'unintended consequence' of this commercialization of graffiti is the regrettable involvement of 'lawyers' - each and every time there was/ is a dispute on ownership or usage.   And leave it to the lawyers, they happily assist in creating disputes on such if it ends up putting money in their pockets.   A recent article illustrates how convoluted and absurd the graffiti legal playing field has become.   See the excellent write-up reproduced below, as found originally in the The Conversation.com <link>.

How Banksy�s latest trademark row could backfire

      The elusive Bristol street artist Banksy has hit the headlines again recently after opening a store named Gross Domestic Product in South London.   It is (literally) a shop window where people can see displayed objects and buy them online.   Products for sale include the Union Jack stab-proof vest as worn by Stormzy at Glastonbury festival, disco balls made from discarded police riot helmets and other items showcasing Banksy�s art.

      The famous artist said he had been pushed into setting up the store selling �offensive and impractical� merchandise because of a trademark dispute with a greetings card company.   In a statement he said: "A greetings card company is contesting the trademark I hold to my art and attempting to take custody of my name so they can sell their fake Banksy merchandise legally."

      He was then legally advised that the best way to remedy the situation was to create his own merchandise.   This course of action presumably aims to show that Banksy is trying to abide by the law which requires owners of registered trademarks to properly use their brands in the course of trade.   In the past Banksy has never manufactured, sold or offered for sale goods bearing his brands.

The dispute:       The row arose in March 2019 when greetings card producer Full Colour Black started an invalidity action aimed at cancelling an EU trademark based on Banksy�s iconic mural Flower Thrower, originally painted in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem.   The trademark had been formally registered in August 2014 by Pest Control, the official body which authenticates Banksy�s art, acting on behalf of the artist.

      The legal challenge mainly relies on two arguments.   First, the trademark is not capable of being perceived as such by consumers, as the artwork is used so intensively and commonly by a multitude of entities that sell products reproducing Banksy�s art.   In the past this has been accepted and even encouraged by the artist, who famously once said that �copyright is for losers�.

      His art is regularly printed and reproduced on everything from posters to keyrings.   In other words, the Flower Thrower trademark (and arguably other Banksy brands such as the Hip-Hop Rat) are just mere artworks, the card company argues, that would be seen by people as artistic ornamentation or products themselves.   But they are not signs capable of allowing consumers to recognise the manufacturer of the goods.

      The second argument is that Banksy should enforce his copyright over his artworks instead of registering trademarks that incorporate them and are not really used to distinguish goods.   Indeed, while copyright aims at protecting artistic works, trademarks protect logos and signs that help consumers to make informed purchase choices.

      But why does the artist avoid relying on copyright, preferring to apply for trademarks, instead?   After all, if copyright is ethically unacceptable and contrary to his anti-establishment message (as Banksy seems to believe), surely trademarks should be considered undesirable on the same grounds?

      Both copyright and trademarks give monopolistic rights that allow their owners to profit from their own creations, preventing others from trying to cash in.   So it doesn�t really make sense to assert that �copyright is for losers� while simultaneously seeking trademark registrations to try to protect copyrightable art.

      The real reason Banksy doesn�t invoke copyright seems far more calculated than simply being based on ethical and solidarity principles.   Starting a copyright legal action would require Pest Control to show that it has acquired the copyright from the artist.   But this would reveal Banksy�s real name, which the famously anonymous artist wants to avoid, as it would erase the aura of mystery around him and have an impact on the commercial value of his art.

      This has also happened last year when Banksy sued an Italian museum that had organised an unauthorised exhibition which included the sale of merchandise reproducing his branded art.   The street artist again did not enforce copyright � he preferred to invoke trademark infringement instead.

         David v Goliath:
      But the artist�s new shop � and his reasons for the new venture � could backfire.   The argument that he now must sell his own range of branded merchandise to resist an invalidity trademark action could be invoked by others to show that such use of his brands is basically token, for the sole purpose of avoiding his trademarks being revoked for non-use.   The law is quite clear on this point: if you don�t use your brand in a genuine way, you may lose the registration.

      The Flower Thrower, the Hip-Hop Rat and other trademarks registered by Banksy may now be more exposed to the risk of revocation for non-use.

      Despite Banksy�s efforts to present himself as a down-to-earth, anti-conformist artist and paint the card company as the �bad guy�, this is more like a David v Goliath story � and Banksy is the giant here.   Supported by a raft of experienced corporate lawyers and managers worldwide, his art is an undeniably powerful and commercially valuable industry.

      Full Colour Black employs three people in a small greetings card business reproducing graffiti artworks including Banksy�s.   Exploiting street and graffiti art without artists� authorisation is certainly a violation of their copyright.   Yet, this is not the case with Full Colour Black as it informed Banksy�s representatives that the company wanted to pay him royalties, which he refused.   The artist has basically waived his copyright.

      If Banksy really wants to keep his registered trademarks, and possibly enforce them against people who exploit them, he�s going to have to start using his brands properly so he can avoid them being revoked and see off other challenges.   He may not be happy being forced to cede to consumerist rules, but this is what is required by the very laws that have allowed the registration of his trademarks.   Banksy is just going to have to play the game.

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under Creative Commons licence.
https://theconversation.com/how-banksys-latest-trademark-row-could-backfire-124919

Bangkok Eyes is an historically based news outlet, and as such, all graphic excerpts herein are considered, under current legal precedents and
prevailing interpretations, 'Fair Use' under Copyright Law. Copyright of any original artwork and photographs resides exclusively with the creators.

With thanks to Cool Text.com

Graffiti #1144
Downlooking
8 ft high x 6 ft

Graffiti #1145
Keep An Eye Out
6 ft high x 6 ft

Graffiti #1146
Maximum Caps
7 ft high x 13 ft

Graffiti #1147
New Corners
7 ft high x 3 ft

Graffiti #1148
Odd Zoology
5 ft high x 8 ft

Graffiti #1149
The Sun Also
7 ft high x 9 ft

Graffiti #1150
Zombie-Tron
5 ft high x 9 ft

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The
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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

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- 2020 - 01 JAN - Soi 7 "On The Map" 01 FEB -	- 2019 - 01 JAN - Soi 71 + "W District" 01 FEB - Back to Soi 26 01 MAR - Soi 1 & Soi 3 01 APR - Mizu's of Patpong 01 MAY - Mississippi Twins 01 JUN - Gay Patpong ? -Twilight Gone 01 JUL - Bars - 50 Years On 01 AUG - Soi 8 Reviste 01 SEP - Copyright & the 'Net 01 OCT - Historic Honolulu - Chinatown 01 NOV - The Patpong Museum 01 DEC - Queen's Park Fades - Soi 7 Opens
- 2018 - 01 JAN - The Pub Crawl 01 FEB - Bobby Passes On 01 MAR - Nana - The Plaza - The Soi 01 APR - Soi Dead Artists - Downsizing? 01 MAY - Soi's 5, 7, 7/1 Eden 01 JUN - Soi 24 - Going Nowhere 01 JUL - Street Bars - They're Back 01 AUG - Udorn in the 60's & 70's 01 SEP - Potpourri - Odds 'N Ends 01 OCT - Khao San + Rambutri Rds. 01 NOV - Night Market Sri Nakarin 01 DEC - Soi 23 - Running Hot	- 2017 - 01 JAN - Soi 22 - the Survivor 01 FEB - Hua Hin Nights 01 MAR - Hooking-Up 01 APR - Soi Than Tawan 01 MAY - Our Saloon-Count Surveys 01 JUN - Soi Bua Khao 01 JUL - Soi 8 - Work In Progress 01 AUG - NO PHOTO (more or less) 01 SEP - Stickman Calls 'Time' 01 OCT - Sweet Black Angel 01 NOV - Thai King At Rest 01 DEC - The Dark Arts
- 2016 - 01 JAN - Railway Bazaar 01 FEB - Sukhumvit Square Justice 01 MAR - Paint the Neon Night 01 APR - Udom Suk Reviste 01 MAY - Soi Thaniya 01 JUN - Soi Thonglor Re-up 01 JUL - Massage Parlor Row 01 AUG - Check Inn 99 01 SEP - Pattaya A Go-Go 01 OCT - Bangkok's Nitelife Maps 01 NOV - Nitespot Demographics 01 DEC - Pattaya's Soi 6	- 2015 - 01 JAN - A Go-Go Bar Ratings 01 FEB - Are Cops Gouging Nitelifers? 01 MAR - Bad Company 01 APR - LK Metro - Pattaya 01 MAY - Soi 33 goes East 01 JUN - Rachada Fades 01 JUL - Freelancers 01 AUG - Nana Plaza Map 2015 01 SEP - Soi Nana Map 2015 01 OCT - Walking Street - Pattaya 01 NOV - Rachada - The Giant 01 DEC - A Go-Go's Story
- 2014 - 01 JAN - Bangkok's Got The Blues 01 FEB - Soi 26 - Stayin' Alive 01 MAR - Nightscene rues Mob 01 APR - My Friend owns a Bar... 01 MAY - Soi's 3, 5 and 7 01 JUN - Curfew's Costly Cut 01 JUL - Soi 13 Makes It's Move 01 AUG - Pattaya Does The Twist 01 SEP - Soi's 18 & 20 - Quieter is Better 01 OCT - Soi's 10 & 14 - Lesser known Sois 01 NOV - A Good Old Boy... 01 DEC - Lang Suan & Sarasin	- 2013 - 01 JAN - Not Fade Away - The Survivors 01 FEB - Rare Old Photos 01 MAR - Copa Reprise 01 APR - Arise, Soi 22 01 MAY - Where to Next ? 01 JUN - Bangkok Noir 01 JUL - MAPS - The Major Update 01 AUG - Lamai Lamai Lamai 01 SEP - Tim 'Wanchai' Young 01 OCT - Soi Wall Street 01 NOV - Little Thonglor - Soi 11 01 DEC - Mississippi Queen
- 2012 - 01 JAN - Mama-San 01 FEB - Our 10th Anniversary Issue ! 01 MAR - How Gay Nana ? 01 APR - Sukhumvit' Soi 23 - The Big Picture 01 MAY - Khao San Road - Unique Bazaar 01 JUN - Ekamai - It Used To Be Too Far 01 JUL - Nightlife Pioneers 01 AUG - The New Puritans 01 SEP - Nana - On It's Own 01 OCT - FAIL - War on Nitespot Drugs 01 NOV - Patpong Unbroken 01 DEC - Drugs & the Nightscene in History	- 2011 - 01 JAN - Patpong's 'Glory Days' 01 FEB - Nightlife In A Digital Age 01 MAR - Co-Co Walk Plaza 01 APR - Soi 33 Marches On 01 MAY - Nightlife Permissiveness 01 JUN - Ghosts of Nitelife Past 01 JUL - STATE - The Cinema, Soi & Area 01 AUG - Soi Darling 01 SEP - Sri Nakarin South 01 OCT - Soi 8 Reprise 01 NOV - Floodless in Bangkok 01 DEC - Soi Udomsuk
- 2010 - 01 JAN - Street Bars II - The Triple-Dip 01 FEB - Our Kind Of Art - II - Chris Coles 01 MAR - The Dead Artist Bars - Soi 33 01 APR - "Soi Ginza" - Thaniya Road 01 MAY - Night Scene Blues (Red Shirts 1) 01 JUN - Nitespots Recover Slowly (Reds 2) 01 JUL - World Cup Special 01 AUG - Those Old Photos 01 SEP - The German Invasion 01 OCT - Racism & Prejudice 01 NOV - Soi 11 Revisited 01 DEC - Soi 22 Updater	- 2009 - 01 JAN - The Santika Fire 01 FEB - Salt & Pepper 01 MAR - Nana Plaza - Update & Maps 01 APR - Soi Nana Update 01 MAY - The Nightscene & The Riots 01 JUN - "19" Re-Focus 01 JUL - Rain Dogs - The Underground 01 AUG - Soi Thonglor - A bridge-too-far 01 SEP - Ban Chang - Our Little Secret 01 OCT - The "Ginza Effect' 01 NOV - Royal City Avenue (RCA) 01 DEC - Sutthisan & The Inthamara's
- 2008 - 01 JAN - 2007 - Looking Back 01 FEB - Owning A Bar 01 MAR - Expat's Bangkok 01 APR - Nude Dancing 01 MAY - After Midnite 01 JUN - Night Scene In Flux 01 JUL - Our Kind Of Art 01 AUG - Trendy Plaza Reprise 01 SEP - The Elephants Are ....Back 01 OCT - Grand Prix Intro 01 NOV - Grand Prix - Rick's Story 01 DEC - "Old Bangkok Hand"	- 2007 - 01 JAN - Bombs Blast Bangkok 01 FEB - Bangkok's Nightscene Websites 01 MAR - Prasitipol Dance Bar To Fall 01 APR - Soi 5 Neon Review 01 MAY - A Go-Go Bangkok 01 JUN - Arise ! Soi 11 01 JUL - Anatomy Of A Bar Area 01 AUG - Soi 26 - Too Far ? 01 SEP - Chuwit Guilty 01 OCT - Daytime Nana Plaza 01 NOV - Cowboy - All Of It 01 DEC - Another Nitespot Area Falls
- 2006 - 01 JAN - Pattaya Ascending 01 FEB - A Go-Go Then & Now 01 MAR - ' Madrid ' 01 APR - White Heat 01 MAY - Politics & Nightlife 01 JUN - Fagin's Bratpack 01 JUL - King Bhumibol's 60th Anniversary 01 AUG - Soi 10 - The Final Shaft 01 SEP - Pattaya's Soi Bua Khow 01 OCT - Rachada's Other Face 01 NOV - Soi 22s Other Bars 01 DEC - Soi Eden Goes A Go-Go	- 2005 - 01 JAN - Asoke Plaza Crushed 01 FEB - The 'Nana Scene' 01 MAR - Asoke Plaza Smashed Again 01 APR - Sukhumvit 1 Plaza 'Arrives' 01 MAY - Welcome 'Soi Eden' 01 JUN - Bangkok's Bareback Riders 01 JUL - Soi 22 - A Macro View 01 AUG - Nana's Slide 01 SEP - Cowboy Street Scene 01 OCT - The Pattaya Run 01 NOV - Soi 19 In Focus 01 DEC - Bad Girls
- 2004 - 01 JAN - Bangkok's Darkest Year 01 FEB - Where Is trink ? 01 MAR - Soi 33 Just Won't Stop 01 APR - Cracks In The Crackdown 01 MAY - In The Zone 01 JUN - "Night-Scene Jumbos 01 JUL - Easy Square 'On The Map' 01 AUG - Soi 1 Entertainment Plaza 01 SEP - Khlong Toey Revisited 01 OCT - Koh Samui's Night Scene 01 NOV - Soi 1 Opens 01 DEC - The Bangkok Pub Scene	- 2003 - 01 JAN - Cowboy Crackdown 01 FEB - Sukhumvit Square Smashed 01 MAR - Soi 10 Survivors 01 APR - War & The Night Scene 01 MAY - Entertainment Blues 01 JUN - '13 Night Market' Reborn 01 JUL - Clinton Plaza Falls 01 AUG - Soi 24 Nightscene Review 01 SEP - Does Soi Nana Measure Up? 01 OCT - Patpong - Legend & Myth 01 NOV - Easy Square 'Launched' 01 DEC - Soi Cowboy Urine-Swoop
- 2002 - (OUR 2002 TEST COLUMNS :) 01 FEB - January: Big Changes In Bar Scene 09 JUN - Sukhumvit Square 'Explosion' (OUR REGULAR COLUMNS BEGIN :) 20 JUN - Soi 22's Queen's Park Plaza 01 JUL - Clinton Plaza - Already Dead? 01 AUG - Bar Beers Now "Major Players" 16 AUG - July: Bar Beers Gaining Ground 01 SEP - A Go-Gos A-building 17 SEP - Virtual Bars 01 OCT - A History In The Making 01 NOV - Pool Bars Come Of Age 01 DEC - November's Night Follies 15 DEC - Genesis: Sukhumvit's Night Scene 01 JAN - Seminal Survey -Paradisio Closes	- 2001 - 01 JAN - Baccara opens in Cowboy 01 FEB - Club Habanos Closes - PP1 01 MAR - farang Connection Closes - Nana 01 APR - Rock Hard BB Open - Clinton Pl. 01 MAY - Las Vegas Opens - Cowboy 01 JUN - 'Wall Street' Opens - Soi 33 01 JUL - Vixens Closes - Nana 01 AUG - 6 A Go-Go's Shut - Clinton Pl. 01 SEP - Pussy Collection Opens - PP1 01 OCT - Girl Friend Closes - PP1 01 NOV - Rainbow III Opens - Nana 01 DEC - White House Reopens - Clinton Pl.
- 2000 - JAN - 'Cowboy Annex' Starts Up FEB - Agogo 2000 new at Nana MAR - Flowers - Clinton's 1st A Go-Go APR - Angel Witch new at Nana MAY - Dubliner now at Washington Sq JUN - Coco Loco opens at Clinton Pl. JUL - Bottoms Up new at Nana AUG - Crack House opens at Clinton Pl. SEP - Doll House / White House open at Clinton OCT - Rock Hard to open at Clinton Pl. NOV - Big Dogs opens at Nana DEC - Lolita opens in Cowboy Annex	- 1999 - JAN - Masquerade Closes @ Nana FEB - "Entertainment Plaza" Start-Up MAR - SuperStar is PP SuperBar ! APR - Washington Square goes Critical MAY- New Klymaxx closes (Cowboy) JUN - 'Wet Lips opens (Cowboy) JUL - Sam 2000 opens (Cowboy) AUG - Monica's opens (Clinton Plaza) SEP - Muzzik Cafe open on PP1 OCT - No Probl'm now Cat's Meow NOV - Titty Twisters opens at Nana DEC - Londoner Brew Pub new on Soi 33
- 1998 - JAN - Nancy Bar opens on Floor 2, Nana FEB - Tabasco Charlies opens - (NEP) MAR - Cowboy 2 is a 'Pizzaria' - Soi Cowboy APR - New A Go Go Duck opens - Cowboy MAY - Raw Hide opens on Cowboy JUN - Para Disio opens - Floors 2 & 3 - NEP JUL - Patpong Cafe opens - PP2 AUG - 'Funny Girls' becomes 'Girlfriend' - PP1 SEP - Masquerade opens on 3rd Floor - NEP OCT - Virgo opens on Cowboy NOV - Obsession, Beverly Hills, Red Lips open DEC - Lucifer Disko Tk opens atop Radio City	- 1997 - JAN - 'Hot Rods' opens @ Nana FEB - Crazy Lady closes (Nana) MAR - 3 Lounges closed - 'The Ramp' APR - Blue Sky Bar closes - PP1 MAY - Crackdown at Nana JUN - Crystal Palace opens - PP2 JUL - Limelight closes - PP1 AUG - Rainbow II opens @ Nana SEP - Cowboy's Butterfly Gone OCT - Shadow drops Crazy Jack (Cowboy) NOV - Hollywood 2 now on 3rd Floor (NEP) DEC - Susies opens @ Buckskin Joe Village
- 1996 - JAN - Shooters opens on 3rd Floor (NEP) FEB - XTC Closes, then Reopens (NEP) MAR - Tapas back on line (Soi Katoey) APR - Long Gun expands (2X) [Cowboy] MAY - Apache reopens on 'The Boy' JUN - Pink Panther "upstairs" closes JUL - Iconic Mile's Place gone... AUG - Upstairs Touch Bar closes (PP1) SEP - Pharaoh opens in NEP carpark OCT - Spirit House opens in NEP NOV - Crazy Lady opens in NEP DEC - Long Gun 2 opens (now Rawhide)	- 1995 - JAN - PP1 Butterfly Closed FEB - Camelot Castle Opens MAR - NEPs Bubble Gum gone... APR - Tiny 'Imagine' Closed MAY - (Quietest month on record) JUN - NEPs Mon Cherie axed JUL - Play Skool opens (NEP) AUG - Opium Club new on The Ramp SEP - D.L Irish Pub (ex: Bamboo's) OCT - NEP 3rd Floor Opens NOV - Klymaxx 2 opens on Cowboy DEC - Chick's opens upstairs (PP1)
- 1994 - JAN - Takara Bar opens upstairs FEB - Big Blue 1 now on Cowboy MAR - Playboy opens ex: Takara Bar APR - Pretty Girl opens in Nana MAY - Smile Club opens at last JUN - Sawasdee Club opens in PP2 JUL - Bumble Bee new in Cowboy AUG - Queen's Castle II axes Suzie Wong SEP - Voodoo opens in Nana OCT - SuperStar closes then reopens NOV - Radio City takes over Smile Club DEC - Marina becomes Montana on Ramp	- 1993 - JAN - - FEB - - MAR - Saloons - More Areas Added APR - Saloons -Adding "Nana" MAY - Red Diamond Closed JUN - Saloons - Tomatohead Closes JUL - Pretty Lady A Go Go AUG - Mars Party House closed SEP - Matterhorn & Star Pub OCT - Sawasdee Cocktail Lounge - New NOV - Thigh Bar name change DEC - Smile Club to open...
- 1990 - JAN - Buckskin Joe - Initial Survey	- 1989 - 01 JAN - (Coming Soon)