BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
1927 - 2016
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BANGKOK EYES PRESENTS -
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1927 - 2016
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With apologies to the Rolling Stones for taking our headline from their song 1. (and using it out of context), we note, as have the newspapers and several other Night Entertainment blogs, that there is an increasing density of black ladies-of-the-evening on the prowl at the lower end of Sukhumvit Road.
Polychromous negotiations in front of the Landmark Hotel.
In this regard, a number of people have mentioned to us that there have been so-called 'foreign invasions' of varying nationalities over the years, but they have been (largely) of the male variety, not-so-much female. (Starting in 1976, the German 'invasion', then the Japanese 'invasion', the Arab 'invasion'.... ....and now the Chinese 'invasion'.) Those of you who have been here for any length of time will recall that this is not accurate. In 2005-2006 there was a distinct influx of what was called (by some) the "Russian hooker invasion", which was actually an influx of young ladies from a number of East European countries. *Click* to see our article White Heat <
 link> in our April 2006 edition.
Still..... blondes have more fun....
This particular so-called 'invasion' from the Dark Continent
has been growing slowly for a couple of years, only now receiving Media attention - as the increasing numbers on the street become unavoidably obvious. Part of the reason they are more noticeable is they are decidedly more aggressive than the home-grown variety of 'ladies-of-the-evening'. ( But take note, the 'new-kids-on-the-block' from Africa are not half as aggressive as Bangkok's local transvestite hookers [katoeys]. )
A long night for a short lady....
There has not been any perceptible crackdown on this curbside build-up of young African ladies - but then why would there be? This very same area of Sukhumvit Road - centered at Soi Nana - is where the transvestite hookers [katoeys] continue their nightly prowl around the entrance to Nana Plaza, and the local demimondaines continue to crowd around the Nana Hotel parking lot. -And neither of these groups is being harassed by Bangkok's Men In Too-Tight Uniforms for what is, at least on the ledger-book, an illegal act - or three. How long this 'Sweet Dark Angels' demographic bubble will last is anyone's guess, but it has been around long enough to garner a paragraph, or two, in the ongoing history of Bangkok's Night Entertainment Scene.
MIDNITE HOUR MAIL BOX
BANGKOK EYES
Let the October 2017 Follies begin-
Mizu's is the true mollusk of Patpong 1 - opening shortly after the end of World War II, it was the original home of the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. Our greatest fear is that it will close before we have had a chance to do full photo coverage of upstairs and downstairs for the historical records....
 PATPONG 1
The Thai Smile Bar has closed its doors - perhaps for the last time - if our gander through the window was seeing things correctly. We'll keep an eye out, and if it comes back on line, we shall duly report....
PATPONG 2
Alack-and-alas... Cowboy's Five Star bar sits darkened and gutted to the gunwales... It has been there for at least 25 years - before we were keeping regular surveys of the Bar Areas. Greener grass, ladies.... We have included a couple of archive photos below.
-File photos 2008 SOI COWBOY
Excuse us as we hack our way ever so slowly through the vagaries of learning how to present decent video clips on MIDNITE HOUR - what with finding a reliable editing / compression app with universal codecs.... This month we have attempted to capture Spankys animated signage - something that just couldn't be done with still photography... We shall include this clip in the archives.
VIDEO CLIP
NANA PLAZA
Caught in the midweek monsoon deluge, we ducked into the new Hillary 1, and as the rain didn't let up, we decided to try a pizza. While we waited, we met a number of the superstar outside waitresses - each with a classic Thai Smile... Several of the young ladies spotted our Sony camera going to waste - and requested a near-endless number of photos. One of those appearing below.
. SOI NANA
SOI NANA
The latest bar to open in the Rajah Hotel compound is the Yardbird. A mini bar, actually, but you never know - from tiny acorns... Welcome them as they cast their lot with the rest.
On a general topic, the Rajah Hotel has a considerably greater amount of space available for future Night Entertainment Venues than would be apparent to the casual observer. In addition to the as-yet unopened areas in the upstairs and downstairs of the outbuilding at the right, the entire 2nd level above the new Hillary 1 awaits new Nightspots. As does the entire 2nd level above the recently closed Night Witch Bangkok. (Who knew !). And additionally to all of the above, when the new structures (old Hillary 1 area) are completed, there will be additional ground level space for potential Nitespots. This would potentially create a Night Entertainment Area as large as Nana Plaza. Not that this will likely eventuate - for one, without A Go-Go licenses, the area is forever limited: it will never be more than BBs and Pool Bars.... 
SOI NANA
Located deep in Soi Nana, the Naree Massage is sporting some new signage - at last something that can be seen from down the street a ways. May they continue to slip and slide...
SOI NANA
The Heaven's Bar (located across from the entrance to Soi 6) has closed yet again. It appears to be caught up in the renovations of the entire complex. Another wait-and-see, but somehow we don't think it will be resurrected after the compound upgrade....
SOI NANA
SOI NANA (Sukhumvit Soi 4)
The Adam Spa is now just The Adam - but with much larger neon. Yes, it's still a 'spa'...
SOI KATOEY
Rising from the ashes of what was once the Cave Club (up until three months ago - ground floor Holiday Inn) is the brand-new Talli. Welcome them to partytown.
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Five & Nine started out as a restaurant a few months ago, so we paid scant attention. However we were met with bar hostesses sitting on the small verandah this time around. We asked: it is now a bar (but they still serve food...) Let the nightgames begin....
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The deep-in-the-soi Keep In Touch, open about two months now - has some new signage worthy of note - it can actually be seen from the top of the soi (Soi Starlight). Keep on runnin'...
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Luna Lounge has sprung up from nowhere in the old upstairs digs of the long-defunct Overground. Located in the Honey Plaza enclave - which may be a problem as far as being seen by passing foot traffic. Nevertheless, welcome them to the bright lights, big city....
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
The Marigold Massage has also put up some new signage - out at roadside, where it can do some good... May they fare well on the slippery slopes....
SOI 22 (Sukhumvit)
Insanity is big and bright and proven to be an extremely entertaining and successful Nitespot. However, I, from another era, don't know what constitutes the gray matter between the ears of the modern 'clubber'. In our day, there were disk jockeys [DJ's] with a sense of music, a sense of humor and a sense of who they were. They knew they were there to play music - they had no pretensions of Superstardom. Wolfman Jack, Huggie Boy, Art Laboe just to name a few. Do today's clubbers really flock to Night Entertainment Venues because there is a super hot DJ (or three)? Today, we see DJ's promoted on giant posters, newspaper entertainment sheets and marquees as the next coming of Elvis. Rather than ranting on, our thoughts have been paralleled 'to a T' by commentator Paul Joseph Watson (with apologies for borrowing his copyrighted material) :
"There is .... this bizarre exultation of modern DJ's as if they're Magicians of Musicianship, when they're just pretentious wankers whose sole function involves pressing a button every five minutes. At least old-school DJ's used to require a few practical skills to entertain a crowd. Now thanks to Electronic Dance Music -EDM- the enjoyment of which requires the listener to be mashed off his tits on bath salts, even Paris f-ing Hilton is calling herself a "DJ".
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
Wax Sugar Club have reopened, and put up some less conspicuous neon over the door (not as seen in the file photo below). Let the rock continue to rock...
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
Zaks remains a busy Nitespot (at least downstairs) - their outdoor lounge is most conducive. May they keep on keeping on.
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
The Harmony 2 Massage, located on the ground level behind the parking lot in the Fenix Bldg, didn't stand a chance - or so we thought... This time around, they had in fact reopened, lights ablaze - they are obviously back full-tilt. Welcome them back to the neon circus.
SOI AMBASSADOR (Sukhumvit Soi 11)
While mid-survey, in need of resting weary feet, we chanced by the White Bar at the very back of the QPP for a cool Schweppes tonic. In later conversation with the vivacious proprietress (3rd from the right, below) she requested we promote the White Bar on Bangkok Eyes. The service being great, and the servers being friendly, we could only say 'OK'.
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
The Classic Club finally went the way of the Hesperornis - after running on empty for the last several months (and lately without a sign). Don't you know what the night can do?
QUEEN's PARK PLAZA (Sukhumvit 22)
The Check Inn 99 now seems to be running with a full head of steam. We thought of making Check Inn 99 the Door Art of the Month, but we are holding out for their trademark marquee'd awning... Get down tonight....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) Now that Blue Heaven has moved out from the back of the small alley next to Tenderloins, the Anego has ratcheted it up a notch. Let 'er rip, then, gents.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)
The Tsubaki Club has taken over (expanded into) their now-defunct next door neighbor's digs (the Tomoe Club). When we stopped by to talk to the mamasan, we noted an impressive bevy of attractive hostesses awaiting prospective Japanese customers....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)
The Tsudoi is the latest Nitespot to give up Soi Dead Artists for greener pastures (they have a map of their new location taped to the door, for those interested). May they be dealt a better hand....
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)
The Kocho Ran massage has closed down, and they are renovating late into the nights. Only time will tell if they reopen, or if a new Nitespot will take their place.
SOI DEAD ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)
What was, as late as last month, the Bai Fern Massage has become the Cheers Bar (but they still have massage upstairs)... Break a leg, ladies...
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7/1)
Monsoon rains generally provide an inch to 2 inches of water in Soi Eden, thereby discouraging nightcrawlers from wading in. Not to worry, we only have about one more month of rainy season before the beginning of the cool season....
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7/1)
The Casablanca (actually Dick's Cafe Bangkok) now closes on Thursdays - and the only way you would know that is if you wade through a sea of parked motorcycles to read a very tiny sign. Or, of course, read it here....
SOI TWILIGHT
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Bangkok Eyes is an historical news outlet, and as such, all graphic excerpts herein are considered, under current legal precedents and
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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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--- Datzit Fernow 
William R. Morledge |
1989 - 2017 BANGKOK EYES - bangkokeyes.com
October's Nightlife News 
