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            The exponential increase in the number of Coronavirus new cases and deaths, especially in the 9 'central core' provinces and the 4 Southern border provinces of Thailand [the so-called dark red areas] continues unabated.   (See chart for June / July 3rd Wave below).   In June, the 3rd Wave Covid-19 surge began with increased medical testing by the Government, starting with factory employees and workers in construction camps.   And - while initial supplies of vaccines lasted - they were testing and vaccinating at the same time.   Needless to say, due to dire lack of planning, purchasing and distribution of vaccine at the National level, that "test & vaccinate" plan soon came to a screeching halt.   Testing alone, however, continued in July at an even more rapid pace (a pace that many were saying should have been adopted months before).   And the more they tested, the more Covid-19 they found.   

            As we head into August, the numbers of both new Covid-19 cases and deaths continues to increase dramatically.   In lock-step with these increases, the Government is incrementally tightening down on movement and access (see detailed coverage below).   Thailand's Night Entertainment Scene continues to be at a virtual standstill - only a few sidewalk bars and 'speakeasy' venues are open to those willing to take the chance.

         Below are the latest supplemental revisions to the current partial lockdown for Bangkok and the adjacent Satellite Provinces, plus the Southern Border Provinces.   These changes courtesy of the current Government's authority under the extended National Emergency Decree.


1.   Limit movement / travel outside of residence.   If absolutely necessary, persons going outside must exercise extreme care (as per current hygiene, distancing, etc.)

2.      Do not go out of residence from 21:00 - 04:00 hours (unless having received prior permission).

3.      Checkpoints / stop - points are to be implemented to restrict travelling in and out of 13 Provinces (listed below).

4.      All Public Transport is limited to 50 percent of approved seating capacity.

5.      Restaurants can remain open until 20:00 hrs.   Eating inside restaurants is not allowed.

6.      Department stores, Shopping centers, Malls, may remain open, however only the Supermarkets, pharmacies & medical supply outlets within may open for business.

7.      Hotels may open normally.   Seminars, meetings, catered events are not allowed.

8.      Convenience stores & fresh markets are allowed to remain open until 20:00.

9.      Hospitals , clinics, pharmacies, general stores, factories, stock exchange, banks. financial businesses, ATM, Communication enterprises, Post Offices, Pet shops, Construction equipment / materials outlets, cooking gas shops, gas stations, food delivery services, may remain open.

10.      Gathering together in groups larger than 5 persons is not allowed.

Part II
Summary Supplemental Considerations of the State of Emergency Notice
Issued on 19 July, Effective dates : 21 July- 2 August 2021, or as revised.

         'Not withstanding those (types of activities) which the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) has not yet considered, the following additional 10 types of activities in the Dark Red Areas having symptoms of Covid, to wit Bangkok and the other notified Provinces (13 in all - listed below), are closed as follows:'

1.      Sports stadiums of all kinds, to include inside sports : badminton courts, footsol courts, basketball courts, volleyball courts.   Also inclusive of open-area sports : Golf courses, Golf practice ranges, football fields, tennis courts.

2.      Swimming pools used for sports, water recreational activities, public swimming, and other similar uses.

3.      Other sports courts and fields.

4.      Convention centers, large meeting rooms, exhibition halls.

5.      Learning centers - Science education centers, science parks, science centers, cultural centers, and art galleries.

6.      Public libraries, community libraries, private libraries, and 'book houses' (antiquated usage).

7.      Museums - national, local, and similar, including historic places, and archaeological sites.

8.      Child care centers for infants and pre-schoolers.

9.      Hair salons and barbershops.   Includes salons providing : hair styling, manicures, tattoo parlors.

10.      All public parks and botanical gardens.

Part III ?
Extension of Supplemental Considerations of the State of Emergency Notice

1.      As we go to press, the Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) is considering the extension to all of the above until mid-August, to include expanding the number of Provinces in the Dark Red Zone.   Follow up forthcoming next issue.

               In summation, the outlook for Thailand's Night Entertainment Scene (and Tourism in general) remains unchanged from that over the previous two months.   All forms of Night Entertainment are officially closed, other than that which might be found in the Phuket Sandbox and the Koh Samui 'Plus Plan' (both BIG "wait-and-see" items).   With Covid-19 worsening meteorically, it would be disingenuous to give a date for which Thailand will once again open its doors to tourism.   Were we to venture an 'educated guess', even if the current explosion of new cases and deaths were to reverse at this juncture, we do not see tourism / Nightlife reopening before the end of the year.   We will continue to update in future issues as conditions change.

1.    Negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for Covid-19 Virus within 72 hours of boarding their flight to BKK or HKT [Phuket] airports.

2.    Covid-19 vaccination certificate, dated within 14 days to 1 year prior to their arrival.

3.    If the traveler is hoping to be in the 14-day Phuket 'sandbox program', then they can only fly directly into Phuket, no transfers in Bangkok allowed.   Tourists will need to spend 7 nights in Phuket before being allowed to travel elsewhere in the Kingdom.

4.    COE ( = Certificate of Entry) from a local Thai embassy.. https://coethailand.mfa.go.th .   Fill in the online application for COE at least 15 working days before the intend date of travel.   Please note, the following documents are required to be uploaded to the COE website prior to issuing the COE:
         - Passport

         - Valid Visa and/ or re-entry permit.

         - Certificate of Residence. [if you have one]

         - Covid-19 medical insurance coverage of US$100,000.. The insurance should have the following information :

                   * Medical costs that cover COVID-19 treatment in Thailand;

                   * Period of the insurance policy ( start … / end … ) and cover the period of stay in Thailand;

                   * Minimum coverage of 100,000 USD of medical costs.

                   * ASQ – Confirmation of a 14-day booking of an ASQ hotel [ = Alternative State Quarantine hotel].

Note: the traveler must stay at an officially approved hotel, certified by the Amazing Thailand Safely & Health Administration.   [called an ALQ?]

         - A copy of flight confirmation/ reservation, showing going from US to Thailand.   (The name of the applicant must be indicated clearly)

         - Please note: use the “arrow” button to be sure the document is uploaded properly.

5.    All arrivals will need to download the contact-tracing app, Thailand Plus.   
https://apps.apple.com/th/app/thailandplus/id1534557694

6.   ( For the 14 days in Phuket, the traveler must download this app and turn on while in Phuket.   https://www.gophuget.com. )

With regard to the insurance requirement mentioned above, travellers to Thailand from the USA have found the below Insurance Company was able to provide them with the proper insurance.

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Let the Follies begin-

               As the Covid-19 situation in Thailand continually deteriorates and Covid deaths continue to rise, there is no possible way to predict when the Thai Night Entertainment Scene will return to normal.   The only 'normal' we see in Bangkok's Nightlife future is continuing bar closures.   At the rate of deterioration of conditions on the ground, by the time there is a turn-around in the spread of the Virus (and the lessening of the lockdown provisions) we will be looking at a brand-new landscape, and a very long (measured in years) rebuilding phase.   It is possible that some Night Entertainment Areas will disappear in the process.

 PATPONG  1  

MAP

            The Madrid has posted an additional sign, "Closed until further notice".   On the one hand, it perhaps went without saying, but it does infer that there will be a 'further notice'...

 PATPONG  1

            Another one bites the dust...   The Hanuman Massage, opened in December 2018, has gone out of business.   The 'For Rent' sign posted on the front (in Thai) tells all.

 PATPONG  1

            The below Patpong 1 clip filmed at a time when the Night Entertainment Venues would normally be opening, the young ladies would be streaming in to work, and Happy Hour would be ramping up for the 'early birds'.   But that was then, this is now...      (Filmed 31 July 2021 / 18:40 hours.)

VIDEO CLIP

 PATPONG  1

            Venues in transition on or before 31 July 2021 :

         *   Unnamed Barber Shop - CLOSED

         *   Unnamed massage parlor - Upstairs above Thigh Bar - REOPEN - (speakeasy mode)

 PATPONG  1

 PATPONG  2  

MAP

             The Patpong Museum signage awaits redeployment - just as soon as the current Plague leaves the land - or at least subsides to the point of 'survivability'.

 PATPONG  2

             "It sure is quiet up on The Ramp..."    "Yeah, too quiet..."

 PATPONG  2

             The Crown Royal... mothballed for the duration...

 PATPONG  2

            Venues in transition on or before 31 July 2021 :

         *   Triple 888 Massage - STILL OPEN - (3rd floor above The Ramp)

 PATPONG  2

 SOI COWBOY  

MAP

             The Country Road and the Five Star battened down and under the glare of the temporary security lighting.

 SOI  COWBOY 

            Soi Cowboy hasn't been this dead since we first stumbled through in early 1975, finding only a single bar (the Gold Label Bar - today's Baccara).       (Filmed 01 August 2021 / 20:30 hours.)

VIDEO CLIP

 SOI  COWBOY 

 NANA PLAZA  

MAP

              Nana Plaza as seen from the Nana Hotel grounds.   Occasionally a few security lights will go on inside, but otherwise - total darkness.

 NANA  PLAZA

 SOI  NANA  

MAP

            The Rest Hub Pub & Bar, originally in Rajah Hotel, opened at this location, adjacent to the Nana Hotel, as a 'branch' (Rest Hub 2), but became the surviving Venue when the Rest Hub at the Rajah Hotel closed.   When it is open, a good 'live music' bar.

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

            What was, for decades, the Swan 1 Bar Beer had recently gone through some 'upgrades' and experimentation with new names.   But that all went by the wayside, now that the Koboot Noodle has taken over.   We'll have to wait and see if they serve alcohol and/ or have any kind of a 'scene' once the Pandemic subsides....

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

            Last month we noted the Nit Massage opened in the long-closed Secret Garden Massage, and that we would supply a photo at the first opportunity.   Well, we now have the photo, but Nit Massage is closed.   As / if it reopens, we'll get back atcha...

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

            It doesn't get any stranger than this.   The Jersey Pub had been opening and closing with the Covid vacillations over the last year and a half, at one point nailing up some brand-new neon.   Only to close again this latest Covid surge.   Now, a new bar, Champs, has taken over - rushing to open, only to remain closed for the duration of the lockdown...   It seems there's something more to a successful business than 'location, location, location'.   It's called 'timing, timing, timing'....

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

            Venues in transition on or before 31 July 2021 :

         *   O.K. D Massage - CLOSED

         *   T Thai Massage - CLOSED

         *   Jersey Pub - CLOSED

         *   Champs - NEW - Await opening.

         *   Swan 1 Bar Beer - CLOSED - Replaced by a restaurant (see above).

         *   V Good Massage - CLOSED

         *   Nit Massage - CLOSED

         *   Swan Massage & Salon - CLOSED (They have kept their 'laundry' open....)

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

 SOI  KATOEY  

MAP

            Against all odds, G's Bangkok has remained opened.   Currently they can function only as a 'Take-Out' restaurant.

 SOI  KATOEY 

            The Connection has reopened.   But as what?   A lunchtime restaurant, perhaps?   At the time we passed by, there were no customers.   More later...

 SOI  KATOEY 

            4 Sport's has retained their chattel, so it looks like they will be trying to ride out the Coronavirus storm...

 SOI  KATOEY 

 SOI  22  

MAP

            Buddy's Bar & Grill has reopened - so far, only food to take out.   Let's hope they can survive the darkness on the land...

 SOI  22  

            No Idea remains closed - they are not going the 'take-out meals' route.   They are one of the better restaurants / bars on Soi 22.

 SOI  22  

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  

MAP

             The 'We Don't Make Mistrakes Department'.   Last month we noted that the Tewly Cocktail cluster of lean-to bar beers across from the Ambassador Hotel had gone under.   A contributor (you know who you are) noted that we had missed all the ongoing speakeasy action behind the barrier.   This time around we stuck our head in - and found everything to be status quo ante...   Below, our cup of ale.

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            Hemingway (previously at Soi 16 Sukhumvit), a popular restaurant and 'after hours' venue, is continuing on during the lockdown for 'take-out meals' only.

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            Ava, a popular upstairs-downstairs pub-lounge remains shuttered for the remainder of the lockdown.

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            Sugar Club, one of two 'Till Late' Nitespots (the other being Insanity) on Soi Ambassador remains buttoned down behind it's steel doors.   Will it survive the virus?

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            Venues in transition on or before 31 July 2021 :

         *   Tewly Cocktail group bar beers - OPEN - (did not close last month, as reported)

         *   P.P. Bar & Massage - Ya Dong Potion - CLOSED - Sub-soi Havana Social

         *   Cozy Spa - CLOSED - Sub-soi 11/1

         *   Suntaree Massage 5 - CLOSED - Sub-soi 11/1

         *   Cha Cha Massage - CLOSED

         *   The Best Massage - CLOSED

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

  SOI  7  PLAZA  

MAP

            The Pool (see tiny sign in the photo) might, just might, be the newest bar in Soi 7 Plaza - but we won't know until the Entertainment Area reopens after the lockdown.   That location was originally occupied by Long Shots.   Long Shots moved over to larger digs on the other side of the Plaza, and the next door D-Nice Bar absorbed the space.   Now it appears that that same space has become, or will become, The Pool.   A wait-and-see item.         (BTW, we note that the adjacent Soi 7 Bier Garten is once again serving speakeasy style...)

 SOI  7  PLAZA

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  

MAP

            The Daisy Dream specialty massage, reopened last month, is now closed until after the lockdown.   Located on Subsoi 3.

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  (Soi 33 Sukhumvit)

            The Rakuten, a full service Spa, located at the very end of Soi Dead Artists remains closed due to the Pandemic.

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  (Soi 33 Sukhumvit)

            Venues in transition on or before 31 July 2021 :

         *   Star Japanese Snack Bar - STILL OPEN - Soi Pan Pan

         *   7 Heaven - STILL OPEN - Soi Pan Pan

         *   Kyoto Massage - CLOSED

         *   Thanks Massage - CLOSED - Sub-soi Pan Pan

         *   Charming Massage - CLOSED - Sub-soi 33/2

         *   My Raku - CLOSED

         *   Top Thai Massage & Spa 2 - CLOSED

         *   Fortune Club Girls Bar & Massage - CLOSED - Sub-soi 3

         *   Daisy Dream Massage - CLOSED - Sub-soi 3

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  (Soi 33 Sukhumvit)

 SOI  EDEN 

MAP

            The Sweet Heart Bar, a katoey bar, may or may not reopen.   One more 'wait-and-see' venue...

 SOI  EDEN  (Sukhumvit 7 / 1) 

            Venues that remained OPEN' through 31 July 2021 :

         *   Dalah Massage - 'speakeasy style'

         *   Down Under

         *   Bangkok Beer Cafe

         *   Kawinya Massage - 'speakeasy style'

         *   Good Time Massage - 'speakeasy style'

         *   (Unnamed Bar Beer) - 'speakeasy style'

 

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Traces of Bangkok's Early Years

      Once again, Midnite Hour digs deep into the dust-laden cupboards and old cardboard boxes in our attic - and discovers a variety clippings and pics of Nitespots from December 1964 - back when 'Night Clubs' (with Philippine bands) outnumbered the 'bars'...   As time goes on, we will feature many of the same Venues as they grow and change, all the while featuring various local and overseas talent.

This rare photo excerpt is of the Sani Chateau in 1960.   Submitted by contributor J. N. (many thanks). The original photograph is, or was under copyright by the photographer.   Bangkok Eyes displays the above excerpt for educational and entertainment purposes only, as provided for in 'Fair Use'.

      The Sani Chateau in Gaysorn Night Entertainment Area, December 1964.   Sani Chateau was one of the 4 International style Nightclubs in Bangkok at the time (also - the New Champagne Club on New Road, Cafe de Paris opposite Patpong 1 on Surawong, and Star Light also on New Road).   They had an endless series of big international acts rotating through during the 1960's - 1970's, to include The Ink Spots (above)   ....But wait... the original Ink Spots stopped performing in the 1950's - this group is one of the dozens of Wanna-Be Ink Spots that popped up, along with all the law suits, in the ensuing decades.   (In 1967, US federal judge Emmet C. Choate ruled that the "Ink Spots" name had become "public domain" by virtue of it's ubiquitous use by so many groups over the years.   The ruling made the name "Ink Spots" free for anyone to use.)

The Moulin Rouge was located 'downtown' on Rajdamnern and was an attraction to both Thai and farang.   In those days, there were a number of Nitespots and even a few of the historical old movie theaters in that neighborhood (none of which have 'made it to the future').       The Rick Shaw Snack Bar wasn't so much a 'snack bar' as it was a lounge.   It was located not far from where the Front Page would open (and close) years later.   Note the identical wording on the above and the adjacent Mona Lisa graphic... related?

Expats of any tenure need no reminder of Patpong's Max's Place.   While Max's was open, anyone in town during those years would have stopped by more than once.       The Mona Lisa, a stone's throw from Patpong 2 on Surawong Road, was kind enough to include a map...   We note the Mona Lisa and the Rick Shaw both used a now out-of-use term, "On Service", which meant, we think, 'proprietor on premises'?   Hmmmm.....

With thanks to Cool Text.com

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With thanks to Cool Text.com

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 resides exclusively with the artists.

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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)