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Sutthisan
- AND THE SOIs INTHAMARA...
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Say, "Sutthisan" and the taxi driver understands that you mean the Sutthisan Night Entertainment Area on Sutthisan Road (actually Sutthisan Winitchai Road). We don't know anyone who knows how long this entertainment area has been in existence, and truth be told, it may not have a specific date at which it came into being, in that it most likely slowly morphed into a Nitespot location over an extended period.
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The Bai Tong is one of two large venues that has entrances on both Suthisan Rd and Salirat Thawipak Rd.
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 SUTTHISAN ROAD
We do know, however, that there were Night Entertainment Venues in this area going as far back as the 1960's and 1970's. Sutthisan Road stretches from Pahonyothin Rd. in the west to, and past Wipawadi-Rangsit Highway, and continues on to Rachadapisek Rd., and beyond, reaching almost to Lad Prao Rd. However the sole area of interest to those seeking Night Entertainment is the western-most area starting at Pahonyothin Road (see map below).
SUTTHISAN ROAD
Virtually all the soi's leading off of Suthisan Rd in this area are named Inthamara (followed by a number), this applies even if they have a second name. In that the Nitespots in Sutthisan are located both on Sutthisan Road and the Sois Inthamara, the two names are interchangeable, or of equal use, when referring to that "Night Scene". Your taxi driver will know both 'Inthamara' and 'Suthisan' equally well.
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The Airline House Karaoke
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SUTTHISAN ROAD
As far back as memory serves (the 60's & 70's), Sutthisan has been a 'local' Night Entertainment Area. And as with other Thai Entertainment Areas, we farang are welcome, should we venture down there. Up until fairly recent times, however, most of the bars were small, single shophouse-wide, and not otherwise geared up for "Western" entertainment. In years gone by, the typical reaction of farang visiting the Sutthisan bars was, "dingy, depressing."
SUTTHISAN ROAD
To a certain extent, that is still true today. There are still a number of small places, usually including "Karaoke & Restaurant" in their names, and several of those are still what one would call 'dingy, depressing', however on the other hand, there are a few one might judge 'cozy' - depending on experience factor and mind-set.
SUTTHISAN ROAD
Today's Sutthisan, however, is undergoing rapid modernization, with a growing number of 'Entertainment Emporiums' (Emporia?). Examples of this are T-DED99 and RCA 2. Here, examples can be found of scantily dressed A Go-Go dancers (or perhaps you would prefer to call them Coyote dancers...) and all the conveniences of tap beer, air conditioning (in the 60's & 70's there was none), and all the comforts of a modern bar.
SUTTHISAN ROAD
It was interesting to note that during the Thaksin rule, his Night Entertainment henchman, Purachai, didn't include Sutthisan Night Entertainment Area in his formulae for "In the Zone" and "Not in the Zone" - it was as if it didn't exist because the foreign Press didn't know about it. The local precinct Men In Tan, however do enforce the up-to-date closing times. And while we are on the subject of 'enforcing', there is a prevalent belief amongst some farang that this is a 'safe' place to obtain recreational drugs. Nothing could be further from the truth - recently (in the last two weeks) there have been two major swoops in this area, and the cops who should have known what was going on are getting busted along with the perps and users.
SUTTHISAN ROAD
Although we found nothing to really write home about, we would certainly recommend a visit to Sutthisan - if only to observe, and perhaps participate in, a different 'flavor' bar scene.
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The two "RCA" bars in Sutthisan have no relation to
the RCA (Royal City Avenue) Night Entertainment Area.
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SUTTHISAN ROAD
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*Click* and Go >>>>
to see our full Sutthisan Road Pictorial
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SUTTHISAN ROAD
SUTTHISAN ROAD
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*Click* and Go >>>>
& see Sukhumvit Psycho's write-up on Sutthisan Road.
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Announcement:
"Navigating the Bangkok Noir"
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CHRISTOPHER G. MOORE
&
CHRIS COLES
Present :
Liam's Gallery in Pattaya/Jomtien Beach presents the Bangkok Noir paintings of Chris Coles and the Bangkok Noir novels of Christopher G Moore, two of the founding members of the Bangkok Noir Movement.
Both Chris Coles and Christopher G Moore will be on hand for the Opening Night Friday, December 11th, starting at 6:30PM, and both will be signing the two latest Christopher G Moore books, THE CORRUPTIONIST and THE VINCENT CALVINO READER'S GUIDE, which feature Chris Coles paintings on their covers.
Liam's Gallery
Soi 4 Pratamnak Road
Pattaya, Thailand
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- In the LAND OF SMILES -
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This month's Thai Smile Award goes to our favorite Patpong II 'Meeter & Greeter' PR lady.
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Historical Minutiae Dept.
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Lolita's
- WHEREABOUTS KNOWN
Hello,
Is Lolita's Patpong in Bangkok still open? I read about this place a long time ago, and now, in just 2 weeks, I will be in BKK. Should I be looking for it, or has it closed?
O.T.R.
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Greetings, O.T.R,
Lolitas in Patpong has reverted to Mike's Place - it's original name. However, Lolita's still exists on Sukhumvit Soi 8. Check out their website at
Lolita's Patpong < link>.
Thanks for writing in.
'Boge' Hartman
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? ASK
US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !
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We can answer virtually any (reasonable) question on the Expat Night Entertainment Scene in
Bangkok - be it Historical or very recent. Send us an e-mail and
we will do our best to answer you soonest.
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'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
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* Zootramp Publications
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 TOP
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Let the December 2009 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.
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The Lucifer Disko Tk has not only gotten past the 'soft opening' stage (they are now open nightly), they have some giant new neon nailed up. It is difficult to tell from the photo but this new demon is about 6 meters high (we had to combine two photos to get the below image). Regrettably, it is next to invisible to the passer-by, as the tent-city bric-a-brac shops hide it almost entirely....
PATPONG I
The Pussy Collection has some new sponsored neon banged up which needs to be posted to the archives. All else remains as it was.
PATPONG I
The Xtra Time has gone from an indoor lounge / pub to an open-fronted one. Same pleasant service within.
PATPONG I
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Door Art Of The Month
Award
The Bada Bing ! - Bangkok's newest A Go-Go- has rolled out the red carpet, as well as some of the best Door Art we have seen in a while. This originally was to be an expansion of the recently closed Funky Dojo, however there was a name-change involved (same owners). And if the sign looks familiar to you Sukhumvit nightcrawlers, yes, it is related to the Bada Bing ! located in the Queen's Park Plaza in Soi 22. Welcome them to the neon jungle.
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PATPONG II
Having had it's 'soft opening' last month, the King's Pool have finally turned out the whole magilla. Well, ... almost the whole magilla... they expect that by this time next month, they will have some neon to nail up-front somewhere. Open-air lounge in front, pool in the back. Welcome them (formally) to the big uphill.
PATPONG II
After a brief hiatus, Bobby's Arms Pub & Restaurant has reincarnated itself at the Cafe de Paris location (both owned by Bobby). And fear not, the Cafe de Paris has not disappeared; it will be opening in a few days' time just upstairs in Bobby's old Roberto's digs. By the time you read this, the full menu will be available. All is well. Welcome them back to the sharkpool.
PATPONG II
It's official; the Rio has taken over the reins from the Our Place. A Go-Go remains the prime descripor. And in spite of there being a new owner, both old and new neon will be burning concurrently for the short term. Most of the old staff are remaining.... Welcome them to the machine.
SOI COWBOY
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The Waiting Game....
It's not all hot licks, A Go-Go and lathered bodies - there are the quiet times when the customers just don't come....
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SOI COWBOY
The Carnival has a great spread of neon which can best be appreciated when seen live - the blinking signage gives an entirely different impression. It is, by the way, confirmed - the Carnival is Nana Plaza's 5th transgenderite bar (after Casanova, Obsession, Cascade and Temptations). Unfortunately, they have the usual percentage of loud, vulgar, pushy katoeys employed there....
NANA PLAZA
Although the grand opening won't be for another few days (9 December), the Nomads Music Bar is romping up a storm nightly - live bands and much of the old Noriega's crowd returning. Wish them luck as they enter (re-enter) the piranha pool....
SOI KATOEY
The Soulmate Club has the rest of it's kit up, and is looking lively. They had their official Grand Opening a couple of weeks back, and haven't looked back since. Keep on keeping on.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
The Kocho Ran was putting the finishing touches on the reception area when we passed by the other night, and should be opening right about ....NOW.... They are located on the 2nd floor of Peep Inn Park, and will offer typical Japanese style massage. Best of luck to them as they enter the fray.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
When we passed by Legends the other night - only darkness shone out from within. The Darwinian Imperative cannot be ignored, and all that, but it looked to us like Legends would make a go of it. Obviously, we don't have a crystal ball - at least one that works....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
On the other hand, even the best idea for a bar will not fly if one does not heed location, location, location. Although we are sorry to see Villa Italia pitch headlong into the Abyss, it was, to be honest, no surprise. Better luck, and better location, next time, gang....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33
This is a pic for the archives, and to (at last) record the full name of the "Square One" - that is; Taffy's New Square One....
WASHINGTON SQUARE
Bar David has gone the way of the touchhole cannon. It has been replaced by a neonless bar, which is going by "Bar" alone (new neon is on the way, we're told). Time to recognize bad juju as bad juju, and call in the monks - something is seriously wrong here. This is the EIGHTH bar to have occupied these premises since December of 2006 (three years exactly). Do the maths - an average of 5 months per bar - that's not what we call longevity....
QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA SOI 22
Another pic for the archives. Rumor's has got some new sponsored neon up - much like the old. Modus operandi unchanged - a (very comfortable) pool bar.
QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA SOI 22
The Star Inn was once-upon-a-time home to the Cigar Club, which was a pleasant outdoor drinking spot. This has gradually been taken over by the restaurant within. The restaurant now has taken over completely, so we will be removing the Star Inn from the Night Entertainment rolls. (Note: the restaurant is quite popular with foreign customers.)
SOI EDEN SUKHUMVIT SOI 7/1
Red Massage has gone the way of the Gastornithiformes... It was almost immediately replaced by Mario Massage. Mario is also a gay massage. May they persevere.
SOI TWILIGHT
! ORDER NOW !
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Archives
2002 - 2009, BANGKOK EYES / bangkokeyes.com
December's Nightlife News 
PATPONG I 
