MIDNITE HOUR - Bangkok Eyes December 2012

he Night Entertainment Scene in Bangkok dates back to at least the 17th Century, however it only became a burgeoning industry and major source of tourist dollars in the middle of the 20th Century. And with major dollars come big temptations. And of those temptations, the illicit drug game is by far the most lucrative - IF you don't get caught.

Historically, we note, even owners / managers of successful Night Entertainment Venues will, on occasion, succumb to "the temptation". The problem is that sooner or later, they do get caught. This month, Midnight Hour will take a look at three internationally 'celebrated' Night Entertainment-related drug busts that went down over the last half century - which, for better or worse, helped to shape Bangkok's reputation abroad.

The Band of Brothers

Back in 1966 ex US servicemen William Herman "Jack" Jackson and Leslie "Ike" Atkinson opened Jack's American Star Bar on ''New" Petchburi Road - at the far end of what was then known as the "Golden Mile Night Entertainment Area". It was also Thailand's first Nitespot to serve 'soul food', and there was a steady stream of 'soul music' to go along with it. Even the Thai ladies frequenting the bar would have their Afro hairdos fragged to perfection. The piece de resistance, however, was the live music - of which the US Air Force band Salt 'N Pepper were the most popular (a mix of both white and black American servicemen). It quickly became the "in place" for black Americans stationed in Thailand and those coming here on R&R from Viet Nam.

Internet sources. Collage bangkokeyes.com - Copyright 'fair use' allowances and restrictions apply.

Two stories about the same drug network, one the real deal (Sergeant Smack), and the other a real con job. However, both Ike Atkinson and Frank Lucas were real-dealers; were in fact real drug kingpins.

         Those of us who frequented Jack's, however, had no idea what was going on behind the scenes.   It wasn't long before they brought in Jimmy Smedly, also a retired military NCO and a member of Ike's old "band of brothers", to manage the club.   They also hired Luchai Ruviwat a Chinese-Thai, as bartender and, as it later turned out, 'leg man'.

         Not happy with their ongoing, and waning Military Payment Certificate black-marketing, they decided in 1968 to up the ante and start dealing in small (1 ky bags) amounts of locally procured heroin.   By 1970 they had a well organized stream of heroin going into the States in concealed compartments of military duffel bags.    When Jackson was arrested in 1972 in the States, they, Ike and the 'band of brothers' in Thailand and the US, didn't even blink.   They should have, as the DEA were then able to start unraveling the network.   By 1975, Smedly and Ike (and another 'brother', Thompson) then arranged to go big time and started shipping large quantities of heroin in hollowed out furniture that was being sent back in military hold baggage.   A routine cargo pre-inspection revealed a sloppily constructed bit of furniture, which, when disassembled, exposed a large amount of heroin.   That began the final chain of DEA bluffs and deals, and finally, arrests and convictions of the members of the network.

         A lot of recent press has been given this case by another convicted drug dealer, Frank Lucas, who claimed that Ike Atkinson's network was in fact his, and that Ike worked for him.   He, Lucas, claimed that his drug network was smuggling heroin into the US in coffins, and even sewn into the bodies of corpses.   All of this has proven to be false - see The Return of Superfly.

The SuperStar Connection

The kingpin of the SuperStar Connection (named after Bangkok's SuperStar A Go-Go bar on Patpong 1) was Brian Peter Daniels, who allegedly shipped hundreds of tons of marijuana into the US from about 1976. But he called Switzerland "home", not Bangkok. (Let it be said up-front that the owners and management of the SuperStar were never implicated in the drug dealings.) For those of you not in Bangkok in the '80's, the SuperStar A Go-Go was a jumping place - to include 'The Skull' doing his impromptu wig-outs on the ground floor - to the in-the-bar spiral staircase that went up to the smoke-filled SuperStar Disco, which romped to all hours of the morning (with a rear exit to Patpong 2).

However, the Thailand "Headquarters" for the "Superstar Connection" drug network was nominally the SuperStar and as might be expected, there were a number of senior members of the network located here in Bangkok - including Messrs Hill, Forwell, Merrill and Colflesh & Colflesh, the last two freshly retired from the US Special Forces. The actual drug bust was the result of a four-year DEA investigation into Daniel's activities. Everything came together in Hong Kong, when DEA officials managed to compromise a planned operation. They at that time became privy to knowledge of an entire seagoing shipload of marijuana to be sent from Thailand by way of Seward, Alaska onward to Seattle.

Shipping containers of marijuana aboard the vessel Encounter Bay in Seattle harbor after being confiscated by the US Coast Guard. Rather hard to hide under a blanket.

The ship, the Encounter Bay, was a converted rig supply ship of Panamanian registration. It set sail from Thailand, and was tracked across the Pacific, and on arrival in Seattle at the end of June 1988, the US Coast Guard brought the vessel under it's control. They arrested all 18 crew members - three Americans, one Englishman, and a New Zealander - the remaining were crew from Southeast Asia. And they confiscated 72 tons of marijuana (originally reported as 60 tons), with an estimated street value of US$280 million. The remainder of the 23 in the network were not on board, and were subsequently arrested. With convictions across the board, the SuperStar Connection ceased to exist.

The 'Mississippi Queen' Group

Foremost among the Patpong 1 bars that stand out and above the rest during the 1970's was the Mississippi Queen. A single shophouse wide, it seems to be THE bar that Patpong-hangers of that era remember over the others. It was where "the bar scene" was shot for the film Deer Hunter. And yet, this most popular watering hole also had it's dark side.

All rights to owner (unknown). - Copyright 'fair use' allowances and restrictions apply.

The Mississippi Queen, the one and only, in happier times.

The Mississippi Queen (1972-1982) proprietor, Douglas, also had the Memphis Queen (opened 1977) and the Tahitian Queen (opened 1978) in Pattaya - although the Tahitian Queen was sold early on. The group also included the original Roxy Bar on Patpong 2, managed by Barry Marsh. Likewise, the Roxy was one of Patpong II's best bars ever.

All rights to owner (unknown). - Copyright 'fair use' allowances and restrictions apply.

Although the entire story is not known, both Douglas and Marsh got involved with a larger syndicate which included Hayward, an Australian footballer, a hairdresser by the name of Fellows, and some heavier hitters by the name of Evans and Allan. The group's activities were being monitored closely for some time by both Thai police and Australian authorities. The authorities in both countries knew the heroin was being shipped into Australia, but it was some time before they looked more closely at a company, managed by some of the same persons-of-interest, that was exporting marine plywood to Australia. It was quickly revealed that every fourth or fifth sheet of plywood was sandwiching heroin. Arrests were made, and trials were conducted both here and in Australia, resulting in lengthy sentences for the parties. The Mississippi Queen, Memphis Queen and the Roxy continued on for a while after the convictions, but eventually closed, although a remnant of the Memphis Queen sprouted up as a bar beer on Patpong 2 thereafter. The Tahitian Queen in Pattaya is still going strong under the 'new' owners, and is now the longest running A Go-Go bar in Pattaya.

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A Thai Smile a long time forgotten....

? Old
BANGKOK NIGHT SCENE
PHOTOS ?

Any old PHOTOS of
Bangkok's Nightlife ?

Please CLICK HERE and send to us for publication.

Many Thanks,
William R Morledge

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Historical Minutiae Dept.

Patpong Ripoffs?

- AN UPDATE FOR 2013

Sir,

I'll be visiting Bangkok in January and I'm looking forward to it, but I want to make sure I have an enjoyable time without being taken to the cleaners by the cons and ripoff that go on.

I keep hearing and reading horror stories about people getting ripped off with outrageous bills when they visit some of the bars and clubs on the Patpong soi's. This makes me extremely leery of visiting the area. Are there any of the bars and clubs there that operate on the up and up, or at least don't rip you off with hidden charges or sky high prices?

Thanks for having a great site!

D.

Greetings, D,

The good old days of Patpong ('70's and '80's) are gone, and the bad old days of Patpong ('90's and the '00's) are for the most part behind us, and it is once again a fun place to go nightcrawling.   Nevertheless, you remain on your own recognizance, and taking a few simple precautions will insure a pleasant night out, be it in the Patpongs, Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy, or other.

Nowadays, in the Patpongs the "King's Group" bars (the King's Castles, King's Camelot, King's Corner, Queen's Castles) will, or at least should, bring you your chit in the cup (your bill) at the time you are served your drink.   They will request you sign the bill - and when you leave, you only pay for the chits you have signed.   Or, in the event they do not, you can opt to pay when you receive your drink.

Generally speaking, stay out of the upstairs bars on Patpong 1 and Patpong 2. The exception is the Black Pagoda on Patpong 2, which is an honestly run bar.

Some general rules for all bars (not just the Patpong bars) :

1. Ask when going into a bar about cover charges, minimum charges, or 'show' charges.   You will occasionally see street touts barking out, "No cover charge, no cover charge," and holding a sign saying, "Buy ticket, includes price of one free drink", or words to that effect.   It is best to avoid all bars requiring any such payments.

2. Make sure you get your bill when you get your drink, and then look at the bill to make sure it is yours, and that it is correct - BEFORE you take the first sip.   Again, you have the option of paying immediately if it appears it would be better for you to do so.

3. If you buy a hostess or a dancer a drink (entirely at your option), ask her beforehand what the price of her drink will be.   Ask her each time you buy her a drink, and don't entertain any unclear replies, as occasionally, they are asking you, round-about if you also want to buy a drink for the mamasan or a girlfriend.   If the young lady you are sitting with appears with a drink that you didn't order, ask her about it immediately, and bring the mamasan over immediately to get things straightened out - do not wait until later.   Often there are a number of prices for 'lady-drinks', depending on what drink you buy her.   The cheapest lady-drink would be a small glass of soda (known in the old days during the Viet Nam war as a 'Saigon Tea') - it is basically a 'courtesy drink'.   If she wants a beer, it will be a different price.   If she wants a shooter or a cocktail with an umbrella in it, different again, etc.   And of course, when she comes back with her drink, make sure she puts her chit in your cup at the same time.   And then have a look at the chit to make sure it is yours, and that it is accurate.

4. Don't be hesitant to say an up-front, and polite, "No," at any time during the evening.

5. Don't discuss ANYTHING with door touts, or street touts, and especially, don't go anywhere with a street tout to see a bar he, or she, is recommending - it will be a rip-off bar.   Never go into an unmarked (no 'neon' sign) bar.   If you want to go into a bar, just walk in, giving the door touts (if any) the blind-eye.

6. The drunker you get, the drunker you are.   Your chances of being ripped off multiply exponentially when you are three sheets to the wind.   As are your chances of stumbling into a "pay-for-show" bar, or mistaking a ladyboy for a real young lady, etc.

7. The only unregulated aspect of Patpong 1 & 2 is after 02:00 a.m. - after the bars close- when an unsuspecting person could likely be accosted by an aggressive streetwalker - many of whom are ladyboys.   The results of any such arrangements with these streetwalkers are quite often disastrous.   Don't.

8. Nowadays, it is unusual to experience any serious problem whatsoever, but if you do have a serious problem in, or outside of, a Night Entertainment Venue, and it can not be settled immediately with the mamasan or other management, it is your right and your responsibility to bring in the Tourist Police to settle the matter.   Never resort to violence, not even pushing or shoving, or pounding on the bar top, or shouting - you would be the grasshopper; they would be the ants.

The above precautions may sound like a lot of effort, but all will quickly become a matter of habit.   And there is the added benefit that the staff, seeing you taking these basic precautions, will assume you are an 'old hand' and not easily manipulated.   Have a comfortable and enjoyable visit to Patpong and the other Night Entertainment Areas.

Best,
Boge

? ASK US (ALMOST) ANYTHING !

Email bangkokeyes@gmail.com and "ASK US" - - Click Here

	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.
'Boge' Hartman Historical Research

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Let the December 2012 Follies begin...
BANKOK EYES' Expat Night Scene.

PATPONG I
MAP

The King's Castle II that was closed last month has reopened, now that renovations have been completed. Across the street, the King's Castle 3 that closed for renovations a few months back, and reopened last month as a 'temporary' King's Castle 2 (while the other one was being renovated) has changed it's name to just plain King's Castle (photo below) - at least for now..... It has also taken back it's old transgenderites and sent all the real ladies back to the newly reopened King's Castle 2.

PATPONG I

PATPONG II
MAP

The G's Restaurant (which is also a cocktail lounge) has opened new in the old Pat Pong 24 digs. They are located next to Foodland. Welcome them to the sharkpool.

PATPONG II

The World (Linda's Place) up on The Ramp has taken over the reins from the long-running Kob's Place (Linda's Place). All in the family? Wish them all aces and faces as they wade into these dark waters.

PATPONG II

Mike's Place has closed - they say for just four or five days. We will check back and get back atcha.

PATPONG II

The Matador House (up on The Ramp) has reopened without fanfare. Business as usual.

PATPONG II

SOI COWBOY
MAP

We sure do thank Bangkok's Finest for giving us all this extra new protection (which includes usually unmanned police booths at each end). We have been going to Soi Cowboy since before it was Soi Cowboy, and never even knew we needed protecting. Of course, now with this new very much in-your-face Safety Zone, it begs the question; 'What do we now need to be kept safe from?"

SOI COWBOY

NANA PLAZA
MAP

Door Art Of The Month
Award

The flashy (literally) new neon at the brand-new Lone Star Saloon A-Go-Go is even more eye-catching than it's predecessor, Carousel (now closed). (Inside, however, no discernible changes have been made - the mechanical bull still sits there virtually unused). Wish the Lone Star luck as they cast their dice against the pitted wall of fate....

NANA PLAZA

The Nana Plaza has some new signage - hardly a sneak-preview, it has been up for many days, now, but no one has yet turned on the lights. When they do, we will be back for some additional pics for the archives. (That's the Landmark Hotel in the background).

NANA PLAZA

SOI NANA
MAP

A for-the-archives pic of Apsara Day Spa, located across from the Rajah Hotel Compound (reported new last month, but without photo). Keep on a slippin' and a slidin'.....

SOI NANA Soi 4 Sukhumvit

SOI KATOEY
MAP

The Balcony, long using the sidewalk in front of the opposing (closed) shophouse for their overflow traffic, have got hold of the keys and have opened the shophouse for their own uses. May they continue the tussle....

SOI KATOEY - (SILOM SOI 4)

SOI DEAD ARTISTS
MAP

Shock news of this month (hot on the heels of the closure of the Renoir last month) is the sudden closure of Christie's. Once the flagship bar for a number of Soi 33 bars, their staff have moved down the road a piece to the Santana. It's a neon jungle out there....

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

As noted above, the Santana has reopened after several months' battle with licensing. The new Santana has staff from the Renoir and Christie's, both of which have recently closed. (The young ladies sitting outside on the left are staff of the Club Asuka, located in the side soi.) Let the good times roll.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

The Naree Massage opened last month, however they did not have their neon nailed up at that time, so we include a pic this month - for the archives, of course. Status quo ante.

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

The Gauguin Club has reopened after a couple months' down-time. May they persevere.

- File photo

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

The Joy finds itself closed more often than it is open. This month it is, once again, closed. It is located upstairs in the S 33 Hotel compound. We'll be keeping an eye on any 'progress' and advise next time around.....

- File photo

SOI DEAD ARTISTS - SOI 33

WASHINGTON SQUARE
MAP

Washington Square has been slowly closing down as a Night Entertainment Area for the last several months due to a major land redevelopment by the owners. Most of the Nitespots have already either closed or relocated; the Area has dropped below the "critical mass" required to sustain customer interest. Midnight Hour will no longer report on this Night Entertainment Area on a monthly basis. However we will continue to track that area and report any additional closures of existing bars as they occur.

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA
MAP

A pic for the archives. The Hideaway Pub Pool Bar took over from the Long Island in September 2002 and has been going strong ever since. May they keep on keeping on...

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA

It looks like the Tuk-Tuk Bar is up and running again. Let it rock.

QUEEN'S PARK PLAZA

SOI EDEN
MAP

An as-yet unnamed complex four loc wide has opened in Soi Eden. It has what appears will be a Le Hanoi Restaurant, and what looks like the Soi's second Tarntip Massage parlor. We also see at least one bar beer within. We will revisit again next month for another update - the neon will likely be a lot easier to sort out then....

SOI EDEN - Soi 7/1 Sukhumvit

Sip Song opened last month (Nov.) - on schedule. 'Indoor-outdoor lounge' is the modus operandi. May the nightwinds blow kindly....

- File photo

SOI EDEN - Soi 7/1 Sukhumvit

SOI TWILIGHT
MAP

The Banana bar beer facing Surawong Road has answered Darwin's harsh call - and been completely gutted - in preparation for a total renovation.

- File photo

SOI TWILIGHT

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

Bangkok Eyes jumps back in time to have a look at who was new - and who was through. We'll be willing to bet that many of you "Old Bangkok Hands" will be reminded of some bars you'd almost forgotten. (We also will be willing to bet you WON'T EVEN REMEMBER an even greater number....)

10 YEARS AGO :

December

      The Bua Luang Karaoke on the 4th floor of the Cosmos stairway reopened.   No Night Entertainment Venue presently exists at that location.
PATPONG   2 - December 2002

      Up on The Ramp, the Jack Pub & Karaoke closed it's doors permanently.   No Night Entertainment Venue presently exists at that location.
PATPONG   2 - December 2002

      Also, up on The Ramp, the Dome Juniority Club closed it's doors   The Friend (no sign yet) now occupies that real estate.
PATPONG   2 - December 2002

      Also, again, up on The Ramp - the Royal Salute Cocktail Lounge closed.   It would soon reopen before eventually closing years later.   No Night Entertainment Venue presently exists at that location.
PATPONG   2 - December 2002

      An unnamed pub which was occupying part of the real estate which had then recently been given up by the Thai Room closed down.   That area is now occupied by the Tavern Three Saloon.
PATPONG   2 - December 2002

      The Thai Room reopened.   It is still there today, however it is not the famous old restaurant of the early years; it has become a pool bar.
PATPONG   2 - December 2002

      The My Lady Bar closed (we are betting you had forgotten that one...) - as it was absorbed by the Country Road.   The Country Road is still there today.
SOI COWBOY - December 2002

      The second floor Temptations opened in the old Spider Web digs.   It is still there today, and is now called Temptations Ladyboy Bar.
NANA PLAZA - December 2002

      The second floor Speed Hip Hop R&B opened new in part of the old Om Trance Club digs.   It is currently occupied by the Bearbie Bar-Karaoke
SOI KATOEY - December 2002

      The third floor g-4 reopened.   It is also currently occupied by the Bearbie Bar-Karaoke
SOI KATOEY - December 2002

      The second floor Om Trance Club reopened in part of it's old digs.   It is currently occupied by the Bearbie Bar-Karaoke
SOI KATOEY - December 2002

ASOKE PLAZA / ASOKE CORNER - (previously Cowboy Annex) - 2002

Asoke Corner / Asoke Plaza
Night Entertainment Area :
-CLOSED DOWN-
( March 2000 - February 2005 )

Ten years ago this month, the following bars transitioned in Asoke Plaza / Asoke Corner (formerly Cowboy Annex).

            * Request (in the 'Corner' on the left) - REOPENED
            * Sweetheart Bar in the 'Annex' - OPENED ---
                                 ( - Ex: Hole In One - CLOSED)
            * Lucky Bar (in the 8-Pak - Ex: Oasis II.) - OPENED
            * Suay Bar Beer (in the 8-Pak - Ex: Sanuk 2.) - OPENED
            * Honey Bar (- in the 4-Pak) - OPENED ---
                                    ( - Ex: Isisdur - CLOSED)

ASOKE PLAZA / ASOKE CORNER PLAZA   - December 2002

CLINTON PLAZA   - 2002

Clinton Plaza
Night Entertainment Area :
-CLOSED DOWN-
( November 1998 - 7 June 2003 )
Ten years ago this month, the following bars transitioned in Clinton Plaza.

            * The Doll House - CLOSED (Clinton Plaza's last A Go-Go)

CLINTON PLAZA   - December 2002

SUKHUMVIT SQUARE   - 2002

Sukhumvit Square
Night Entertainment Area :
-CLOSED DOWN-
( January 2002 - 26 January 2003 )

Ten years ago this month, the following bars transitioned in Sukhumvit Square.

            * U 2 Place (On the Soi 10 side) - NEWLY OPENED
            * Superior Bar Pool (In the rear) - NEWLY OPENED
            * Princess Bar (In the rear) - NEWLY OPENED
            * Ninety Nine Bar 99 (In the 77 Sunset area) - NEWLY OPENED
            * Hot Shots (facing Sukhumvit Road ) - NEWLY OPENED
            * Suzie Bar (Facing Sukhumvit Rd - ex Rushour) - NEW

SUKHUMVIT SQUARE   - December 2002

TOBACCO ROAD   - 2002

Tobacco Road (Soi Zero)
Night Entertainment Area :
-CLOSED DOWN-
( ~ December 1988 - 9 June 2006 )
Ten years ago this month, the following bars transitioned in Tobacco Road.

            * Bart's Bar (at the rear, right) - REOPENED
            * Meena Bar (at the front, right) - CLOSED

TOBACCO ROAD - December 2002

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VICARIOUS ART CRIMES # 86

MIDNITE HOUR's

But is it .... ART ?

New to the world of 'Graffiti'? See our "INTRO"

"The ART and the CONTROVERSY" - CLICK HERE

Graffiti's HISTORY <

link>

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

GRAFFITI IN THE NEWS

Stencil Graff
A CENTER-SHIFT IN STYLES

There have been several recent articles in the international Press on stencil graffiti - all pointing in the same direction; they tell us that stencil graffiti is coming into ever greater use.

This piece (it is the actual stencil) says, approximately, 'This area to be used for graffiti. You may utilize this space freely without prior authorization. Article 028-Ley Animal 001KNITS'.

Having chronicled Bangkok's graffiti continuously for the last seven years, we would have to agree. Stencil graffiti, no different than the spraycan variety, can be as simple as a few words, or an artistic piece of many layers - we might expect anything from a pop culture icon to a philosophical abstract. And as seen in our last month's issue, the stencil graffiti medium facilitates political comment especially in times of social upheaval, when "time on target" must be minimized to the utmost to insure personal safety.

A local Bangkok example of stencil graffiti.

Many reasons are given for stencil graffiti's surging popularity among the world's graff artists. Some of the standard reasons being that it is cheaper, quicker, and easier. And of those reasons, "quicker" seems to be the biggie. What with graffiti becoming a felony in many places in the USA and other places around the world, graff artists would rather get in, throw something up, and get back out in a matter of minutes, rather than the hours it takes for some of the larger spraycan mural sized pieces.

All rights Banksy

- Copyright 'fair use' allowances and restrictions apply.

One of the scores of now-iconic Banksy stencil graffiti pieces - thought-provoking and humorous, as per usual.

Many graf artists in the 'spraycan school' say stencils are low-class and artless - a snobbery that, upon closer analysis, is not very well reasoned. In that there are many graffiti artists that practice both styles (spraycan & stencil), even sometimes using both mediums together in a single piece, this snobbery doesn't seem to be justified. Not to mention, of course, that the world's pre-eminent graffiti artist, Banksy, has used both methods on his way to wealth and international recognition. Like it or not, the stencil is not only here to stay, we will be seeing even more of it as time goes on.

- And now to Midnight Hour's own brand of Bangkok Graffiti ....

Part 2 of 2 - The Hopewell Exhibits

Graffiti #596
East Isle
6 ft high x 4 ft

Graffiti #597
Grameba
7 ft high x 4 ft

Graffiti #598
Lobotomykong
6 ft high x 9 ft

Graffiti #599
'Loha
5 ft high x 4 ft ( x 2 )

Graffiti #600
Meraldo
8 ft high x 4 ft

Graffiti #601
One Better
6 ft high x 4 ft

Graffiti #602
Roseglass
7 ft high x 4 ft

Graffiti, Graffiti , and more Graffiti - Bangkok's original graffiti Site !

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)

--- Datzit Fernow

William R. Morledge

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