BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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The Royal City Avenue Night Entertainment Area was, like all other Bangkok Night Entertainment, locked down for most of the two-plus year Coronavirus winter. Many had questions as to whether or not it would reopen as an Entertainment Area. The answer, of course, is it's reopening, and after a slow start these last two months, many of the previous Nitespots have already reopened, or are in the process of reopening. We also see ongoing renovations on what soon will be new Nitespots.
The supersized Mirinn Club (previously The Forte) is by far the most attractive of the RCA Nitespots. Located at the Petchburi Road end of Royal City Avenue. (See map below.)
 ROYAL CITY AVENUE
As before the Pandemic, RCA is aimed at the Thai market, but foreigners are always welcome. And, as before, RCA is home to emporium-sized Night Entertainment multiplexes - where one might find disco, massage, 'models', dining, karaoke and a lounge bar all under one roof. Generally, these multiplexes will attract single males, and the ladies will arrive in groups of two or three. Already very busy on weekends.
 The lavishly decorated Onyx is one of four supersized Entertainment Complxes found on the RCA Strip. Located at the beginnng of the Entertainment Area (Rama IX side) it is always crowded on weekends.
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ROYAL CITY AVENUE
LAX is, of course, the 3-letter IATA & FAA code for the Los Angeles International Airport. We can guarantee that this LAX is orders of magnitude more pleasant than the one in Los Angeles - which may be an actual glimpse into the bowels of Hell...
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
Route 66 is perhaps the oldest remaining Venue on the RCA Strip, and the biggest. And we mean, biggest, with a frontage of over 120 meters. To gain perspective, the combined frontage of Route 66 and the next door Onyx is as long as Patpong 1 Road. (Really.)
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ROYAL CITY AVENUE
The Old Leng survived the Coronavirus winter and has come back as popular as ever...
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
The K Bangkok Party KTV, another of the supersized RCA Venues, has been a 'KTV' format Venue and an indoor Go-Kart park in times past. Now, post-Pandemic, it has gone back to the KTV-type venue.
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ROYAL CITY AVENUE
The unusually named De Fabel (Old Town Road), sandwiched between Old Leng and Zaab, is another pre-Pandemic Venue to have reopened successfully.
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
Talk Tomboy 99, originally 'Talk 99 Bangkok Tomboy', has been around for a while and is resurrecting itself post-Pandemic...
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
The Zaab venues have been around, in various locations in various forms for several years. Zaab Bao Bao, (more bar than restaurant) while only a single-shophouse wide, is always busy.
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
Kitty RCA is a 'full service' massage parlor.
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
The Song Pee Nong Thai Massage is one of two currently open massage parlors in RCA. ('Song Pee Nong' = 'The two siblings'.)
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
The Ye Lai Xiang is a popular 'barbecue' spot on the RCA strip. With this signage, it would be hard to miss...
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
Hotman Factory is a fitness gym. Relocated from Rachadapisek ?
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
Cannacha is RCA's contribution to Thailand's new 'legal cannabis' scene. Offering canabis-spiked tea drinks. As with cannabis shops elsewhere in the Kingdom, we didn't see any customers at the Cannacha in our recent visits..... More optimism than sound business plan? A wait-and-see item...
ROYAL CITY AVENUE
 
A Summary of Current Government Guidelines on Covid-19
Bangkok, 01 September 2022 Reprinted from last month - Guidelines effective since 1 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 September, 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. Your Certificate of Vaccination should be carried with you whenever travelling.
MIDNITE HOUR
MAIL BOX
Let the Follies begin-
Below is an archive photo of the Thigh Bar in its prime. Take a long look... It is no longer like that today. Today's Thigh Bar is floodlit in front, with a white waist-high barrier across the front, barring entrance to anyone who doesn't buy a 300 Baht "First-Drink" ticket. Talking to the street touts, we find.... "Under new management..." Anyone else selling drinks on Patpong 1 for 300 Baht? Jus' askin'...
PATPONG 1
After long Covid delays with no signs of life, the Safari is showing some signs of life. It appears that some renovation is going on... Will this be for the good? (A reopening.) Or otherwise... A wait-and-see item...
PATPONG 1
Venues open August 2022 through 1 September 2022 :
* King's Castle 1 - REMAINS OPEN
* King's Castle - REMAINS OPEN * Emperor Club - REMAINS OPEN - 5th level above Shenanigans. * Morimoto - REMAINS OPEN - 3rd 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 - REMAINS OPEN * Wild Cat - REMAINS OPEN PATPONG 1
The Black Pagoda and friends continue to find innovative ways to promote the "Patpong Scene". BTW, the windows of the Black Pagoda (suspended over Patpong 2) are once again transparent, affording two-way viewing - restoring one of the unique features of that lounge bar.
PATPONG 2 Up on The Ramp, the Qeen 501 Studio Bar was close down like Alcatraz when we passed by the other evening. We'll check back next time 'round and see if it might have been just a temporary closure...
PATPONG 2 As anticipated, the Penny Black opened their new downstairs digs last month. Let the good times roll...
SOI COWBOY Pigtails, a long time abuilding, opened new in August in what was formerly the London Calling. Comfortable seating, if sometimes no place to put your feet.... Welcome to the machine...
NANA PLAZA
It looks like Stockings, will soon be opening in the Covid-killed Temptations up on the second level.
NANA PLAZA
Mandarin has absorbed the adjoining lot, which up until Covid-closure, was the Mercury Ladyboy Bar. Also up on the second level.
NANA PLAZA
The Mani Bar & Grill, open only two months, has closed. We'll check back to confirm, and get back atcha'. Located in the Maison Hotel grounds.
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT) The Bad Shah Club has reopened after the long lockdown due to the Pandemic. Renovations looking good. Located in the Nana Hotel. Welcome back to the same old same old.
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT) With renovations going on into the night, it looks like the Swan Isan Mak Muang has finally been scratched. Just plainly no customers. Rest assured, the Swan Group has something else in mind for that upstairs area - a wait-and-see item...
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT) It looks like the Charmming Massage has finally fallen into the black hole of history. It's been too dark for too long. Located in Subsoi Big Mango.
The Welcome bar, long closed during the Pandemic, reopened last month (as mentioned here). However, this month we find they are once again closed. Only time will tell if this is permanent - several bars on the Soi tend to open and close with alarming irregularity. See them in better days in the file photo below...
SOI KATOEY (Silom Soi 4)
Touch Bar opened newly in the long-running (should one not include Covid closures) Happy Bar (which closed last month). We like their signage : "All (local) drinks 89 Baht" and a reminder in Thai that Covid is still among us. Located at the top of Subsoi Starlight. May Fate deal them all aces and faces...
SOI 22
The Bal Sabai Foot Massage has opened newly in Park 22 across the Soi from the Marriott. It appears they have location, location, location on their side. Welcome them to the neon circus..
SOI 22
The Pakwan Massage has an interesting evolution. They started out as Hip Massage Bangkok at that location. They closed down, only to reopen upstairs at that same location. Meanwhile, the Pak Wan Bar & Restaurant set up shop on the ground floor. This month the bar-restaurant has disappeared, and the Pakwan Massage now occupies the entire premises. Rub-a-Dub-Dub....
SOI 22
Venues in transition August through 1 September 2022 - not inclusive of the above.
* Full Moon Massage - NEW - Next to AW Massage. (Photo to follow.)
* Radn Waraisin Massage - NEW - (Ex: Chaowang M & Spa CLOSED) (Photo to follow.) * Yu Ka - RECLOSED * The Otto Bistro half of the Otto Bar & Bistro - CLOSED SOI 22
Last month we requested reader assistance in trying to read the new Blaq Lyte Eleven lounge sign (below, top). We got no replies, but this month we found the solution. Apparently the sign installers couldn't read it either, and installed it backwards. See second photo below. BTW, if you want to enter Blaq Lyte Eleven, you can't get there from here any more, you have to go down the Subsoi that the Lotus Massage is located on... Gotta let the train roll on...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11) The Koreana was closed (again) when we passed by the other evening. We begin to wonder if they intend to stay in business...?
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)  SOI 7 PLAZA
(And the Soi 7 Bier Garten)
Soi 7 Plaza is in a state of turmoil as they continue with their top-to-bottom reorganization. The remaining bars relocating to the Northwest corner as the rest of the Plaza is cleared (to include the area adjacent to Sukhumvit Road - see new map below). Yet, in spite of the chaotic conditions, two new bars have sprouted up : the Rain Bar and the Happy Place Bar (- Welcome them to the mayhem).... It remains to be seen whether this is the slow demise of the Night Entertainent Area, or will it be rebuilt in a new configuration as per current rumor...(?)
Big B's Bar, one of the oldest in the Plaza has moved out to streetside in order to avoid the bulldozers. May she continue to prosper. -Yes, the other Big B's Bar is still thriving on Soi Ambassador (Soi 11).
SOI 7 PLAZA
SOI 7 PLAZA
After a long Covid winter, the Joy has reopened. Second level, S 33 Compact Hotel.
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
As noted last issue, the Healthy Massage (Soi 33 Branch) has fully opened. Located next door to the Pan Pan Italian Restaurant.
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Venues that transitioned from August through 1 September 2022. -Not inclusive of the above.
* RIP - RECLOSED in Subsoi Pan Pan.
SOI DEAD ARTIST (Sukhumvit Soi 33)
Two months ago we noted the opening of The Entrance bar in the long-defunct Sip Song digs. We heard from them that they were going to have their sign up 'soon'. As it happens, they haven't put up any signage, so they might as well use the old Sip Song sign hiding above in the shadows...
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7 / 1)
This month Midnite Hour takes a look at what was hot in November 1965. The mid-1960's were the beginnings of the rapid growth of the expat Night Entertainment Scene in Thailand - largely due to the rapidly expanding war in Laos and Viet Nam.
The New Champagne Room was one of the "Big Four" in the New Road Night Entertainment Area in the '60s & '70s and featured various well-known international acts. Margot & Chiverto (also as Margot Y Chiverto) were an internationally known Night Club act in the '50s, '60s and '70s, also appearing in film, most notably Santa Chikita (1953) and Acteón, (1965). They were known professionally as 'The Aristocrats Of Adagio'
The Starlight Night Club, another favorite, and perhaps the largest Night Entertainment Venue in the New Road Night Entertainment Area, featured 'local' Philippine bands as well as international acts. The Kolmedys featured above, right, were favorites on the international scene from the '50s through to the early '80s with eccentric head-balancing, juggling and unicycle performances. They made their way to Bangkok in 1965, billed as coming from Spain, but were actually from Hungary (an Iron-Curtain country at the time). The photo above, right, was a '50s promotional photo, and not taken at the Starlight.
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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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SINCE 2005 
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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William R. Morledge |
1989 - 2022 BANGKOK EYES - bangkokeyes.com
September's Nitelife News 
