BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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Commencing 1 July 2022, the Thai Go
 vernment pulled out the last stops for travel into and out of the Kingdom. The only remaining requirements for virtually all foreigners wanting to visit is confirmation of vaccination against Covid-19 and pass a body-temperature scan on arrival. (The last two stumbling blocks removed as of 1 July were the requirement for obtaining the Thailand Pass, and a US$10,000 Covid Insurance policy (which prevented the elderly from travel due to their inability to obtain the insurance.) (...cont'd below)
VIDEO CLIP
Nana Plaza has been the first to return to near-full operation - the New Normal virtually indistinguishable from the Old Normal.
We note that while the Covid Pandemic has been downgraded to a lesser category, and the number of transmissions now greatly decreased, there are still a number of cases in Thailand. Most Thais continue to wear masks, even though masks are not now required. However, in many instances it is recommended that masks be worn. Travellers to Thailand should, if for no other reason than courtesy, carry masks when outside their hotels / residence. Those requiring further vaccinations while in Thailand can obtain them free of charge. It is also recommended that travellers have extra ATK tests in their possession in the event symptoms of Covid appear. Night Entertainment Venues remain open, technically until midnight, however many are staying open until 02:00 hours (- and we don't see anyone wearing masks in those Venues....) A detailed summary of Pre-Arrival, On Arrival and During The Stay requirements are provided below:
A Summary of Current Government Guidelines on Covid-19
Bangkok, 01 July 2022 First and foremost, the two biggest obstacles to Thailand returning to "The Old pre-Covid Normal" have been removed :
1. The Thailand Pass requirement has been removed. 2. The US$10,000 health insurance requirement, has been discontinued, thus welcoming all travellers with proof of either a certificate of vaccination, or a pre-arrival negative RT-PCR, or professional ATK test result. Follows is a summary of changes as posted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand ... "This information has been updated on 24 June, 2022. The following rules will be in effect from 1 July, 2022, with specific requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers from all countries/ territories with scheduled arrivals from this date. Pre-arrival requirements : Vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand: 1. A valid passport, or a border pass for arrivals via border checkpoints. 2. A Certificate of COVID-19 Vaccination 3. Everyone 18 years of age and older must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 with an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. 4. Travellers 5-17 years of age travelling to Thailand unaccompanied must get vaccinated with at least 1 dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before travelling to Thailand. Those travelling with parents are exempt from this requirement. 5. Unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers must have the following documents for entering Thailand: A valid passport, or a border pass for arrivals via border checkpoints. On Arrival Requirements : Upon arriving in Thailand, all travellers must undergo entry screening including body temperature check, and present the required documents to the Immigration/Health Control officer to carry out the checks. The vaccinated travellers will then be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the Kingdom. *For arrivals by land using a border pass, they will be allowed a stay of no longer than 3 days within the specified areas only. Likewise, unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers who have proof of a negative result from an RT-PCR test or professional ATK within 72 hours of travel will be allowed entry and are free to go anywhere in the Kingdom. The unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers without a negative test result within 72 hours of travel are required to follow the public health instructions and guidelines as deemed appropriate by the Health Control officer at the point of arrival. All expenses incurred will be the responsibility of the travellers. During the Stay : While in Thailand, both vaccinated and unvaccinated/not fully vaccinated travellers are advised to strictly follow the health and safety standards. Travellers who are experiencing COVID-like symptoms should get tested. If testing positive, they must get the appropriate medical treatment." Bangkok Eyes notes that the Government can change travel and/or health /safety and/or Night Entertainment policy from time to time, so prospective travellers should update on a regular basis, both with the Tourist Organization of Thailand (TOT), and your local Thai Consulate. Links immediately below. Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT) website < link>.
Thai Consulate < link>.
The Covid-19 Certificate of Vaccination for International Travel
(Reprinted by request.)
For Thais and foreigners living in, or otherwise vaccinated against Covid-19 in Thailand, your records have automatically been maintained at the Department of Disease Control, Ministry of Public Health. Your records can be accessed by you at any time by downloading the Moh Phrom app on your smart phone, and filling in the data - exactly as recorded on your hard copy vaccination certificate given to you at the time of vaccination.
Should you be planning to obtain your "International Certificate" (yellow booklet below) to travel outside of Thailand, open your Moh Prom app and scroll down to the International Certificate box - and click-and-apply. Note: foreigners are given a 13 digit ID number in lieu of the Thai National ID number, which you will find on your hard-copy certificate, and you will be required to use it when applying. You will be able to book an online appointment to obtain your Covid-19 Certification of Vaccination on the app - which, when completed, will usually involve a wait of approximately one week to ten days. When you go to pick up your certificate, bring your passport and hard copy vaccination certificate(s) for verification purposes. The pick up point is at the Bang Rak Hospital Building next to the new Saint Louis BTS station on Sathorn Road. The fee is fifty (50) Baht.. The earlier requirement to present your onward travel documents / airline tickets is no longer in effect, all are welcome to process for the new yellow booklet. We recommend all expats process for this certificate, as the rules and regulations on the international scene are in flux, and you may be required to show the certificate at many and various points of entry, etc, to include getting back into Thailand. 
 In summation ( Revised from previous issue.)
Bangkok Eyes will continue as necessary our efforts to encourage tourism by providing updated information on travel and entertainment which could be useful to those wishing to visit Thailand. The requirement to wear a mask has been cancelled, however in many locations it is recommended that travellers and citizens alike wear masks (for example, in the Skytrain.) Many Thais wear masks, and were wearing masks before Covid19 because of fine-particulate pollution. Also,Medical facilities will ask patients to continue wearing masks. Therefore, it is recommended that travellers carry a mask with them when out and about. Foreigners in Thailand must keep their vaccinations up to date, and should keep proof of vaccination with them when out and about. Tourists are free to travel to any part of the Kingdom.  
RIP Collin Piperell Author  Collin Piperell, a longtime Bangkok resident and popular author, passed away on 29 June 2022. A prolific writer on a wide variety of subjects, he was one of the few who wrote and spoke intelligently on the Bangkok Night Entertainment Scene. Godspeed.
INTERVIEW Christopher G. Moore Author 
The Thairish web channel sits down for a chat with author Chris Moore on his life and times in Bangkok. Click HERE and go directly to the YouTube interview. 
MIDNITE HOUR
MAIL BOX
Let the Follies begin-
Patpong 1 Road Night Entertainment Area continues to reopen at an ever-increasing pace. In the video clip below we swing quickly past King's Castle (the outside bar now also open), Tip-Top (still as a pool bar), the newly reopened Takara Massage and the reopened Wild Cat (now a pay-for-show bar on the 3rd level), then the yet-to-be signed Happiness. The last bar to come up on the video is the King's Castle I. This end of Patpong 1 seems to be the hub around which the reopening is taking place - let it roll... (Video filmed 02 July 2022.)
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 PATPONG 1
Gone but not gone, Thigh Bar, one of the older bars on Patpong 1 has rolled out the red carpet once again. We stepped inside past all the food carts (which should be removed as soon as possible) and found a number of regulars and new faces at the bar...
PATPONG 1
Venues open June 2022 through 1 July 2022 :
* King's Castle 1 - REMAINS OPEN
* King's Castle - REMAINS OPEN * Emperor Club - REMAINS OPEN - 5th level above Shenanigans. * Tip Top - - REMAINS OPEN - as a Pool Bar. * Wong Barber - REMAINS OPEN * Derby King - REMAINS OPEN * Shenanigans - REMAINS OPEN - (On Suriwong Road) * Unnamed massage parlor - REMAINS OPEN - Upstairs above Thigh Bar. * Radio City - REMAINS OPEN * Happiness Bar - REMAINS OPEN * Takara Massage - REOPEN * Wild Cat - REOPEN PATPONG 1
Once again the Patpong Museum expands Entertainment opportunities with a variety of content at its several Venues in the Patpong Night Entertainment Area. Check out their "Patpong Now!" events -
<link> here....
PATPONG 2 As the Pandemic clouds begin to clear, the Pink Panther throws its doors open once again. Prime agendum unchanged. Good to see them back in the thick of it...
PATPONG 2 After an extended Covid-closure, Meet The World (just say, 'the World') has reopened up on The Ramp. They continue partying where they left off...
PATPONG 2 Venues in transition June 2022 through 1 July 2022 :
* Tavern Three Saloon - REOPEN
* Top Light Bar - RECLOSED PATPONG 2
The Corner Live Music has reopened its doors after the cold Covid winter, but it is no longer at the corner of Cowboy & Asoke, it is now at the corner of Cowboy & Soi 23 (it recently took a bite out of Kazy Kozy's real estate). And now sits opposite @ Corner.... Let the rock resume unabated...
SOI COWBOY Likewise, the The Peep has come out from under Covid's dark cloud and rolled out the red carpet once again. May they persevere...
SOI COWBOY Likewise, the The Shadow, Cowboy's second katoey bar, has also reopened... With so many Venues reopening on Soi Cowboy, it has once again become a major 'player' in the Night Entertainment Scene...
SOI COWBOY We note: Moonshine Joint has closed temporarily, their front 'verandah' used by Jungle Jim's patrons...
SOI COWBOY A quick look at the brand-new and instantly popular Blondie ......and it's pop-art 'Big Eye' - an original and entertaining feature on its own... A Go-Go the modus operandi. They occupy the long-closed Rainbow 1 digs on the ground floor. Welcome them to the machine...
VIDEO CLIP
NANA PLAZA
Venues in transition June 2022 through 1 July 2022 :
* Rainbow 2 - REOPEN
* DC-10 - RECLOSED NANA PLAZA
The Mani Bar & Grill (we didn't see a 'grill'...) opened newly in the long-Covid-closed Toh Roong. Located street-front in the Maison Hotel compound (ex: Rajah Hotel). The best 'people-watching' Venue on the Soi - let the nightgames begin...
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT) Last month the 2nd level Swan Isan Mak Muan had taken down it's signage and was going to be something else. This month they changed their mind, and remain the Swan Isan Mak Muan. The only problem is they are seldom actually open... Let's just see how long this lasts....
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT) Venues that transitioned June through 1 July 2022.
* Heaven @ 4 Bar - RECLOSED
* V Good Massage - RECLOSED * Nit Massage - REOPENED - Located deep in the Soi. SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT) The 4 Sport's bar was closed when we passed by the other evening. As it has done so in the past, we will check back and see whether this is a permanent closure or not...
SOI KATOEY (Silom Soi 4)
The Sugar Bowl was also closed when we passed by. And likewise, they have a habit of opening and closing. We'll keep an ear to the ground and get back atcha...
SOI KATOEY (Silom Soi 4)
The White Night Bar on Subsoi Hana has disappeared after only one month, being replaced by the Kiss Bangkok Massage 2, which relocated from Subsoi Lemongrass. These two subsois continue to play musical chairs, so we expect the White Night Bar to reappear one day soon....
SOI 22
TJ's Sports Bar has newly opened in the old Craik digs in Subsoi Titanium. Welcome them to the bright city lights.
SOI 22
We tried to get a shot of the new Sasiya Massage (which moved into the long-closed Titanium digs) - and the new bar next door on the left (to be named). Seems all we got was a photo of an automobile.... Buddy's can be seen at the far right. We'll try to get some passable pics next issue...
SOI 22
The tiny street bar Ice Bar located at the top of Soi Titanium, gets a little bigger each month. Let's see where this goes...
SOI 22
The snctm Men's Society is showing signs of life. The first rule of SNCTM Club is you do not talk about SNCTM Club....
SOI 22
Venues in transition June through 1 July 2022.
* Singha Bar - RECLOSED
* 5 Star Bar - RECLOSED * Survey - REOPEN - In Subsoi Lemongrass - Relocated from Soi Dead Artists (Soi 33). SOI 22
Cindy's Secrets ladyboy lounge has relocated from Soi 7 Plaza to the back of the subsoi next to Baan Phuan Massage. Another Soi 7 Plaza bird flown the coop.
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11) In the vernacular, WTF? Last month the brand new Dragon double-wide bar-restaurant opened with fanfare. This month, not only is it closed, the chattel has been removed and the owners are putting up signs to lease the 'commercial' premises..... (Don't you know what the night can do....?)
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11) Big B's reopened after a temporary closure last month. Status quo ante. Let the good times roll...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11) Venues that transitioned from June through 1 July 2022. (Not inclusive of above.)
* Lotus Massage - CLOSED - in Subsoi.
* Ban Thongdee Massage - CLOSED - in Subsoi. SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)  SOI 7 PLAZA
(And the Soi 7 Bier Garten)
A lone security light illuminates part of the Moonshine Pub signage. Yes, the Soi 7 Plaza is still entirely shut-down. People have even run out of rumors.... (But the 10 Baht pay toilets are still operational... - must be a big money-spinner....)
SOI 7 PLAZA
The Casanova Japanese Venue has opened in the Covid-closed Honey digs on Subsoi 4. Welcome to the fray...
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
The RIP reopened last month, only to close again this month. Oh, well. Located in Soi Pan Pan. Any changes and we will so advise next time 'round...
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Having shaken off most of the Covid-Blues, Soi Eden (Sukhumvit Soi 7/1) is now nearly fully reopened - with renovated, re-purposed and new bars. One such new bar, The Entrance had yet to put up signage, so we will try to include a pic next issue. Welcome The Entrance to the Big Uneasy.
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7 / 1)
The popular blues bar Green Room Bangkok was closed when we passed by at the beginning of the month. Hopefully this is temporary - live blues bars are too few and far between. We'll be letting you know if there is a change of status....
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7 / 1)
Midnite Hour continues to highlight Bangkok's grand old Cinema Houses from previous eras, and the films then being shown in the Kingdom. (Some of these films destined for greatness, others rightfully finding their way into the dustbin of history).
This month we review post-war Bangkok's most popular Theaters and Movies from May 1946. It is evident from the clippings that the world was still recovering from World War 2, and Bangkok's denizens were hungry for most any diversion - even the flood of (mostly) American movies from before the war.
The Silpakorn Theatre was almost exclusively for live presentations.
The conductor at Chulalongkorn University for those performances was none other than Phra Chen Duriyanga, who -before the war- composed the music for the Thai National Anthem. Also spelled 'Phra Chenduriyang' (also Piti Vadyakara), he was actually born Peter Feit, a luk khrung son of a German-American immigrant. We were quite surprised to see members of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Band also performing there - hadn't they gone home from Indonesia by this time? Note: ticket prices quoted in 'Ticals'.
 
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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 creators.
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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)
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