Welcome Cowboy 2 back to Soi Cowboy. One of several bars reopening over the last month in this Night Entertainment Area.
any will quickly read past our headline this month, and others will pause on our mention of the 2nd Wave of the Coronavirus pandemic. So, before MIDNITE HOUR is flooded with accusations of hyperbolic Second Wave ramblings, or worse, let's take a look at the cold, hard facts - and see for ourselves whether or not we are already in the dreaded 'Second Wave'. ...Then, after that, we shall take a look at Thailand's miraculous (which should be called 'methodical') smack-down of the Virus - and therefore why the authorities continue to allow the Night Entertainment Venues remain to open.
Coronavirus Overview A LOOK AT RESURGENT 2nd WAVE 01 August 2020
This is a quick look at the global figures, as well as several individual countries exhibiting resurgent numbers of Coronavirus cases. It is readily observed that, even though the individual nations are isolated, the original peaks, the declines, and the resurgences have occurred at relatively the same timeframe in each country. On viewing the evidence at hand, it would be difficult to deny that the 2nd Wave has already begun. We can project (statistically) that many countries that are still in the earlier stages of the viral spread will also, at some point, have their "2nd Wave". However, with the 2nd Wave already ramping up in many countries, and several countries continuing to incur increasing numbers in their original infestation (1st Wave) it is apparent that, while we now know what works, and what does not, most of humankind is ignoring safe practices to the extent that these various and individual 2nd Waves are indisputably taking hold.
Take note of the last graph below, Thailand. We remain 'in the eye of the storm' (figuratively, of course) - a blessing and a curse... A blessing in that we are currently spared the disease, and a curse in that we are not building up 'herd immunity', as is, for example, Sweden. As we have stated previously, unless a successful vaccine is developed (and there is no guarantee) strict isolation at the borders, and within populations, only postpones the inevitable...
As the above upsurges are recent, we have used both 'new case' and 'death' data, as we note near identical statistical patterns in every case. In each instance, the graphs accurately reflect the trends in the spread of the Coronavirus. Bangkok Eyes has reproduced the above information as a public service - this information is readily available to the public on the Internet and through other sources. This information is not to be construed as a prediction, or an estimate, or a projection relating to the resurgence of Coronavirus, either as to length of time, location or severity.
All charts sourced at www.worldometers.info from W.H.O. data.
Because "as the Coronavirus goes, so goes Thailand's Nightlife", we at MIDNITE HOUR have been tracking the Coronavirus closely from the outset. While we are pleased that sane minds have allowed the Night Entertainment Scene to reopen, and even more pleased to see that in spite of a dearth of foreign custom, many of Bangkok's Nitespots are managing to keep their heads above water.
Nevertheless, there is a large number of bars that are still closed, some of those have closed permanently. Furthermore, several bars / restaurants which opened up over the last two months have found they now have to close yet again. And there will be more of the same until such time as a normal tourism stream is reestablished. The reopening of the bars was not the panacea - the Night Entertainment Industry, as a whole, is still struggling to survive.
An unintended consequence of the continued border shut-down is that many of Bangkok's hotels have had to close. Hotels, unlike bars, once having gone out of business, would need to find new owners, and those new owners would have to re-staff, and mobilize their kitchens, restaurants etc. This is not something that can be done overnight. (Bars on the other hand, even if they have gone out of business, can ramp up in a month, or two, at the outside, even if under new management.) A collapse of the hotel industry in Thailand undeniably would be a serious, long-term blow to the economy. Should the isolation of nations / closure of international borders continue, the collapse of the 'hotel economy' will have a direct, follow-on impact on Bangkok'sNight Entertainment Industry.
Since the implementation of the Emergency Decree in March, the Government has judiciously (some say over-cautiously) rolled back the restrictions on the population in progressive Phases (1 through 5, so far). Phase 5, which allowed for the bars to reopen and serve alcoholic beverages, commenced on 1 July 2020 and was to run to 14 July. As the proposedPhase 6 rollback was not forthcoming, the conditions in the Phase 5 rollback have continued to this day. There have been recent UNOFFICIAL discussions by the Soon Borihan Satanakarn Covid-19 as to what the upcoming (as yet undated) Phase 6 rollback will be. However, so far, these 'new' conditions are but 'tweaks' of those already in place in the current Phase 5 rollback : -
Items Under Consideration In Proposed Phase 6 Rollback
** 1. Certain approved businessmen, embassy staff and those with special permission can enter the country. Current precautions are in effect, to include quarantine.
** 2. Already approved individuals from Burma, Laos, Cambodia will be allowed to enter the country, but only incrementally, as total numbers will be considered.
** 3. Previously approved commercial exhibitions will be permitted, and foreigners associated with these commercial ventures will be allowed to enter the country. Current precautions are in effect, to include quarantine.
** 4. Previously approved foreign crews making / filming movies will be allowed into country in limited numbers. Current precautions are in effect, to include quarantine.
** 5. Persons seeking medical treatments in Thailand will be allowed into country, conditions will apply.
** 6. Persons holding the 'Elite Card' will be allowed into country. Current precautions are in effect, to include quarantine.
Note: these discussed items have not yet been discussed further at the Soon Borihan Satanakarn Covid-19 preliminary meeting, let alone at the 'big' meeting in attendance by the Prime Minister. They are, as mentioned above, UNOFFICIAL. Phase 5 conditions, as outlined in our last month's issue are still in effect.
In summation, all credit due to the Thailand Government for their handling of the Coronavirus Pandemic to date. The various restrictions implemented under the Emergency Decree and the incremental rollback of those restrictions has 'shown the way' as to what works, and that which does not. Nevertheless, even though Thailand's expat Night Entertainment Business is 'open', that sector which attracts foreign visitors remains in limbo and in danger of further collapse as long as the borders remain closed to tourism.
*We note the local Thai Night Entertainment Areas are open and doing reasonably well, as, of course, their main source of custom is not foreign tourism. (Examples of local Thai Nitespot Areas: Sri Nakarin South, Soi Thonglor, Soi Udomsuk, Soi Ekamai, RCA.)
READER : Greets,
Great photos on the Beer Garden on Soi 7. Great to see the tired old place reopening. I had also heard that it was going to close. But you implied that there was some question about two women there catching Coronavirus. I happen to have on very good authority that two of the women from the Beer Garden did in fact pass away from the virus. You might want to correct this in your updates next month.
MIDNITE HOUR:
While we do not doubt the credentials of your reliable source on the death of two Soi 7 Bier Garten women from Coronavirus, there are a number of considerations that must be made before we could responsibly put this into print. First, we would have to reconfirm their deaths from a second source, a reliable medical source - and of course, that the cause of death was the Coronavirus. But just as importantly, we need to be absolutely certain the women in question contracted the CoronavirusAT the Biergarten. Were we to state, or even imply they became infected at the Bier Garten, we would first need creditable epidemiological proof. Should we lump the Bier Garten in with the "Thonglor" and the "Boxing Ring" CoV-19 'hotspots' without such proof, we would be acting in a most irresponsible manner, and potentially impact the Bier Garten business in a most negative way. Should you have any concrete proof of the deaths, and that Coronavirus was the cause, and that the transmission of the disease was sourced back to the Bier Garten, we would very much appreciate it if you could forward same to us.
READER : Hi!
I'm currently studying in the Department of Urban and Regional planning, Faculty of Architecture, Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok During my term break, I'm a research assistant doing research about an ordinary culture heritage in the Bangrak area.
Firstly, I decided to explore an ordinary heritage site in the east of Bangrak area (which include some part of Rama IV Road), and I found out that Patpong area was a one of the historical areas in the nightlife entertainment center Bangkok area.
I went to Patpong area few weeks ago, and accidentally found Patpong Museum in Patpong 2 Road and I get some interesting information and some initially source from Patpong Museum. So I was understand about history of Patpong in intermediate level, but I received a great information that I can learn and find more information about a old night entertainment center in Patpong area such as Madrid restaurant, Safari bar and Grand Prix bar (which is the first A Go-Go bar in Patpong).
Until I found Bangkok Eyes, while I browsed the internet to find more old pictures and historical evidence for this research and decided to email to ask for more information. I wonder if you can share and give advice or give some more information that is beneficial for this research, that consist of -
1. Old picture of Patpong area in 1960-1970s period.
2. The old pub or A Go-Go bar that stayed since late 1960-1970 period.
3. Some information about how Pingpong show was happen and why it was very famous and make a reputation for Patpong and others red light district in Thailand.
4. Any miscellaneous culture or tradition that last long more than 50 years in this area and still survive in present day (something that a routine of citizens in Silom area for more than 50 years).
Finally, Bangkok Eyes give me a great information for my research but I wonder if i can get deeper information of academic purpose. Hopefully that you will provide me some essential information.
Thank you.
MIDNITE HOUR:
During preparations for the Patpong Museum, and before it opened, we worked closely with the owners, and we were able to provide them with many photos and items of interest, so much of the information from your visit to the Museum will be the same information that Bangkok Eyes might be able to provide you.
Regarding your inquiry,
1. Old photos. Our back issues occasionally have old photos of Patpong - example :
bangkokeyes.com(Tim 'Wanchai' Young) <link> You are welcome to browse all our archived issues and download any photos you might want to use in your research. Should you use any of our photos or quote from our sources, please give accreditation.
2. Night Entertainment Venues which have survived from the 60- 70's era (Includes early 80s due to 'reincarnations') to the present are as below: (Note: This list is pre-March 2020. It will be up to you to ascertain whether or not these Night Entertainment Venues have survived to present times, as it is possible that some or all venues will not survive the ongoing Pandemic.
PP1.
Madrid - Oldest continuously operated bar in Patpong.
Derby King (was a bar, now a restaurant)
Rose (2nd Floor)
Takara (2nd Floor- at various locations on the Patpongs)
Thigh Bar (at times called Sawasdee)
Safari Super Star (at 2 locations on PP1)
PP2.
Pink Panther Tavern Two (Tony & Tooey)
Old Other Office (Previously 'Other Office' - the oldest surviving legacy on
the Patpongs).
Thai Room (was a restaurant, now a pool bar)
Crown Royal Three Ladies (up on The Ramp)
Matador (up on The Ramp)
Spanish Eyes (at other location for a time - up on The Ramp)
King's Castle (more than one location on PP1)
(Note: While the Patpong Cafe and the Crystal Palace exist today on PP2, they are not the original PP1 bars of those names from the early era.)
3. The ping pong shows are very old; we cannot verify that they originated on the Patpongs. The ping pong shows, along with many other shows and erotic dances were adopted by some Patpong bars; Patpong became well known for these and other shows, to include live sex shows. The ping pong shows, however, continue today.
4. The enduring tradition (I wouldn't call it 'culture'), on the Patpongs is the 'door touts' and the no-name rip-off venues. Day and night, these touts approach people on the street, offering them various services in unlit bars and unidentified 'massage parlors'. This is one of the more unsavory aspects of the Patpong Night Scene, as these door touts are almost always associated with 'rip-off venues' where customers are cheated.
Lastly, we note that while the Grand Prix was the first Nitespot in Bangkok to regularly offer the A Go-Go format, there were other Venues on Patpong and in Bangkok prior to the opening of the Grand Prix which offered A Go-Go as imported 'live entertainment' for limited engagements. Therefore, the Grand Prix is generally credited with being the 'seminal bar', the bar that began Thailand's 'A Go-Go' era.
READER :
I have a question about Agogo in Bangkok. I am sending an old clipping that I was told was from 1967 but it shows an Agogo bar on Patpong 2. I thought Agogo started in 1969? Can you provide confirmation on this by any chance?
MIDNITE HOUR:
Thanks for writing in and forwarding the clip of the Patpong Terrace. We have records on hand showing the Patpong Terrace was a popular bar in the early '70's. (Above pic from 1972.) It was definitely not yet open in 1967. While there was in fact some A Go-Go dancing prior to 1969, it was always in Nitespots featuring live performances, and would last a week or so, until the Nitespots brought in replacement acts. It was in 1969 that Rick Menard brought A Go-Go to the Grand Prix as a regular and ongoing fixture... and as Tim Young of the Bad Apple used to say, "... the rest is history."
READER :
'Z anyone remember about a beer bar on the corner of Sukhumwit Boulevard by the name of Siam Smile? A Scandinavian kafé?
MIDNITE HOUR:
We do. The Scandinavian Smile Bar was a long-lived bar at the Asoke Corner-Asoke Plaza (Cowboy Annex). When the Asoke Corner was torn down by the property owners in January of 2004, it moved to Soi Eden (Sukhumvit Soi 7/1). It continued on until August 2011 - a much longer run, by far, than it had at Asoke Corner.
Bangkok'sNight Entertainment Venues, closed down in late March, have officially been allowed to reopen since 1 July. This month we have seen a number of Nitespots reopen, and several that have gone out of business permanently. As tourism has not yet been reinstated, we can expect to see continuing negative changes - to include more 'non-reopenings', and closures of those that have attempted to reopen already. This month, as with last month, we are giving the "benefit of the doubt" to those Night Entertainment Venues that were closed due to the Emergency Decree shut-down.Commencing next month, those Venues which have not yet reopened will be assumed to be permanently closed.
We welcome SuperStar's return to the fold - one of a very few Venues that have reopened to date on Patpong 1. Keep on keeping on...
PATPONG 1
Thigh Bar has also reopened - and due to the welcome lack of fake-goods hawkers cluttering up the roadway, we were able to get a few good photos of this long-standing A Go-Go bar. Welcome back to the machine...
PATPONG 1
The upstairs Takara Massage, much to the delight of many a resident farang, has opened its doors once again. ...Say no more...
PATPONG 1
VIDEO CLIP
A quick look at the 'dynamic' 21st Century signage at the Twilo (open since last month).
PATPONG 1
Opening in just a few more days are the Kings Castle 1 & 2, at least so says the sign... We note a couple other interesting signs: one in English, and the other in Thai. The first reads, 'No Guides" - the first we have seen of this sign anywhere (we are betting they will be more than pleased to see those guides - come the reopening). The second sign (in Thai) is one from an earlier era : it translates as 'Members Only'. This sign doesn't, and never did mean 'members only', it is a 'Thai-polite' way of discouraging Thai males from entering the bar. - (It's an observable fact that the Thai male-Thai female dynamic in an expat 'girlie bar' doesn't work out well, doesn't promote expat custom). Let's see how long these signs stay up...
PATPONG 1
Lest we are dazzled by the neon of the very few Nitespots that are now actually open - Patpong 1 remains a very dark and foreboding place. We hope this will change in the coming months...
PATPONG 1
Reopened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*Takara Massage *SuperStar *Thigh Bar *Derby King *Thai Lady Bar - (Upstairs ripoff bar)
Up on The Ramp, the now-ancient Three Ladys (already reopened the previous month) has nailed up some brand-new neon - may they karaoke themselves into oblivion...
PATPONG 2
Reopened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*Glamour *Fresh Boys - On The Ramp
*Bar Bar - 'Fetish'
*Vinai's Bar - bar beer
*Top Light Bar *Pink Panther & Pink beer bar *Thai Room - Pool Bar
*Star Of Light - (relocated)
Closed Permanently
*69 Bar - (Was taken over by Star of Light)
*Midnite Bar *Dragon Beer Bar
- (No sign)
The Kazy Kozy was one of a number of Nitespots that reopened on Soi Cowboy this last month (as did their sister-bar Crazy House, around the corner on Soi 23).
We note with interest that our pre-Covid-19 survey also showed the "Iranian bars" to be closed (Midnite, Rio, etc). They were, of course, closed during the Nitespot-lockdown, but now, going on 2 months, none of them has reopened. Closed for good? A wait-and-see item...
SOI COWBOY
Reopened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*Kazy Kozy.
*Crazy House - (On Soi 23)
*Moonshine Joint.
*Jungle Jim's *Cowboy 2.
*Cactus Club *Toy Bar.
*Fanny's.
*Five Star *Country Road.
The last two issues of MIDNITE HOUR have been cautiously pessimistic about the future of Nana Plaza - for example, we saw little and no rebound up to and during the CoronavirusPhase 5 rollback. But that was then, this is now - it is quite evident that the old 'NEP' has sprung back to life, to include two new "names' to add to the roster. Let the good times roll...
Shooters has popped up in that space in the far back, far left corner that once housed the iconic Voodoo. Since that time, many different iterations have tried to 'make a go' of it at that location, none lasting very long. Wish Shooters longevity in their new neon fishbowl...
NANA PLAZA
What once was Rainbow 3 is now the brand new Random. They have a most interesting facade - we hope to have better pics next time round. Welcome them to the neon circus...
NANA PLAZA
The venerable old Playskool is back in the saddle - we knew they'd make it back somehow... Welcome back to the sharkpool...
NANA PLAZA
Reopened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*Witchcraft *Playskool *Obsession *Shooter - (A new bar) *New Lollipop *The Balcony Bar *Diamonds *Temptations *DC-10 *Angel Witch *Straps *Random - (A new bar) *Billboard *Enter *Geisha *Butterflies *Nana Beer Garden
Just across from the Omni hotel, deep in the Soi, the Pine 26 opened their doors right out there in the middle of nowhere. A low-key 'club' with tasteful music (real music) and adequate parking on premises. Welcome them to partytown...
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT)
The Jersey Pub has some new neon nailed up - now you can't miss it... They are in that cluster of bars at the junction of the Soi 6 cut-off. We note that The Cabin - in that same cluster - has closed its doors for good, removing signage and locking down with a vengeance... Regretfully we currently can't locate our file photo of The Cabin, so we'll have to put it up at some future time.
SOI NANA - (SOI 4 SUKHUMVIT)
Reopened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*Heidelberg *Golden Beer Bar *Pine 26 - (A new Venue)
*Elegance Salon & Massage
Reopened But Reclosed On or Before 1 August
*The Mexican - In Rajah Hotel Compound
*Hollywood Salon / Relax Time Massage *OK. D. Massage *The Cabin - Closed Permanently
*Fortune Bar Restaurant .
*Asia Herb Association Massage
The Tapas Cafe was one of several Nitespots to reopen this last month on Soi Katoey. The Soi has reopened virtually all its Nitespots over the last month : the only Venue still closed is the Eat, Drink, Man, Women at the top of the Soi. Welcome all back to the fray...
SOI KATOEY
Reopened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*The Adam Massage *Connection *Stranger *Telephone Pub *Nakarat Massage *Tapas Cafe *Hugs Bar - Karaoke
As one exits Honey Plaza and turns left, going toward Sukhumvit Road, one finds the reincarnated Chill Chill Bar - Bangkok's smallest bar (it is inside, but you have to sit outside) with the smallest sign (its the size of a dinner plate). Welcome them back to the Big Uphill.
SOI 22
There's a brand-new bar beer at the top of Subsoi Starlight - it doesn't have a name, or we would tell you all about it... It is, however, busy - for some reason it just has that 'atmosphere'... Let it flow.
SOI 22
The street bars are starting to make their come-back on Soi 22. The one below, near the Holiday Inn, a case-in-point. Rock on...
SOI 22
Reopened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*59 Bar *(An unnamed Bar Beer) -Newly Opened
*Jasmine Massage - (Opened, then closed then reopened again)
*Hangover *Iyashi Barber Massage - (Opened, then closed then reopened again)
*Terminal 69 - (No sign)
*Shag Bar 2 - (No Sign)
*Squeeze Inn - Soi Titanium
*Chill - Soi Titanium
*Lan Massage - Soi Titanium
*Siri Massage
Reopened But Reclosed On or Before 1 August
*Cali-Mex Bar & Grill - Holiday Inn
*Siam Breeze Massage - Soi Starlight
*Rita Massage - Soi Lemongrass
*Yuuka Snack Bar
Insanity, the late-nite 'disco plus-plus' has reopened its doors for the first time since the Emergency Decree lockdown. Needless to say, they were not doing a roaring business - in fact the whole time we were in the area we did not see a single person enter or leave. Wish them luck as they laser themselves in the dark....
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)
The One For The Road was also back on-line, having reopened in July. For the time being, most of the customers are seating themselves in the outside area enjoying the cool evenings. Welcome back to the neon jungle...
SOI AMBASSADOR
(Sukhumvit Soi 11)
Reopened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*Bilbos *WXYZ Bar - In the Aloft Hotel
*Levels - In the Aloft Hotel
*Club Koreana *Insanity *One For The Road *Soul Salt / Liquid Elephant *Chaba Massage *Bai Po Massage - In Subsoi 11/1
*Cozy Spa - In Subsoi 11/1
Reopened But Reclosed On or Before 1 August
*Market Rooftop *Marshmallow Kitchen - (Closed and moved out)
*Hollywood Waxing *Cali-Mex Soi 11
Big B's Bar has opened newly this month, having branched out from the Long Shots (the first bar to open). Big B is going to branch out even further, she will knock out the wall and take over the next-door booth - may they continue to prosper....
BTW, we have heard from bar owners there that the land owner has dropped the rent to 30 % during the Emergency Decree lock-down, and will be readjusting the rent back to 50% in the coming month - to help ease the financial burden on the bar owners during the current economic draught (and to insure the bar owners don't depart for higher ground....). Nevertheless, a worthy gesture on the part of the land owner.
SOI 7 PLAZA
Opened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*Big B's Bar - Opened newly.
*Ida 789 - Opened newly. No sign, photos next issue.
The failed Christie's / Napoleon has finally been picked up by 33 Society, which looks to be continuing renovations on the 2nd floor. We asked one of the gentlemen at the establishment about the particulars, but he was exercising extreme safety - he doesn't talk to strangers....
SOI DEAD
ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33)
Repened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*SoRa Japanese Karaoke *Dozo Massage - In S 33 Compact Hotel
*RIP - (New Bar) - Soi Pan Pan. Photos in following issue.
The long-running Sip Song Bar looks to have stuffed its last chit into the last plastic cup. Some signage already removed. It had actually reopened last month, only to close this month anyway. (A growing number of such cases in Bangkok, by the way...)
SOI EDEN (Sukhumvit 7 / 1)
Repened in July (On or before 1 August) 2020
*Nannie (Brown) Blue - Previously thought to be closed permanently
*Bangkok Beer Cafe
Bangkok Eyes goes back in time to see
Who was New - And Who was Through
in the Expat Night Entertainment World
How many of these old 'Oases'
Do you remember ?
Patpong I
August 2000
*- No changes that month / year.
(Total Nitespots that month: 34 )
Patpong 2
August 2000
*The Topless beer bar and the adjoining unnamed snooker parlor closed. It would reopen as a single Venue: Top Less Pool Bar, which is still there today.
*The Cleopatra Garden beer bar closed, and was immediately reopened as Cleo Beer Bar. Today those digs are home to Vinai's Bar bar beer.
(Total Nitespots that month: 56 )
Soi Cowboy
August 2000
*Joy's (Ngun in Thai) opened newly in what was the Pink Pussycat. Currently home to Cockatoo.
* The Whooters - NEW replaced the just-closed Je Taime - along the side fence.
* The 'Cat Bar' - NEW opened along the side fence.
* The 'Tiger Bar' - NEW opened on the island.
* The 'Lucky' - NEW opened on the island
* The 'Cheers' - NEW opened on the island.
(Total Nitespots that month: 19 )
Nana Plaza
August 2000
* The Bottoms Up opened in the just closed Pretty Lady A Go Go(& Garden Bar). Today that space is occupied by the Obsession (currently closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.)
(Total Nitespots that month: 41 )
Soi Katoey ( Silom Soi 4 )
August 2000
*The Enterprise Pub closed. Today those premises are occupied by 4 Sports.
*The Om Trance Club reopened after a one-month closure. Today those premises are occupied by Hugs.
(Total Nitespots that month: 15 )
Soi Dead Artists ( Sukhumvit Soi 33 )
August 2000
*The Santana Club opened newly. Today no Nitespot occupies that real estate..
*The unnamed club which closed the previous month in Peep Inn Park, (now S 33 Compact Hotel) has reopened.
(Total Nitespots that month: 24 )
Buckskin Joe Village (~ December 1988 to 9 June 2006)
(Also called 'Tobacco Road', 'Soi Rot Fai', 'The Tracks', 'Soi Zero' & 'Machim' [Thai] )
August 2000
* The Last Stand Bar closed. It was located at the back of the strip...
(Total Nitespots that month: 18 )
Washington Square (~ April 1999 to April 2014)
August 2000
*Bar 22 closed. It was located downstairs in the old Washington Theater building.
(Total Nitespots that month: 17 )
Clinton Plaza
(Originally ''Entertainment Plaza'')
[ ~February 1999to June 2003 ]
August 2000
*Living Room Pub opened NEW in the main building.
*Growler's Bar - CLOSED - located at the back of the main building.
*Tanwa Bar
- CLOSED - located at the back of the main building.
*Wind Mill reopened after a month, and the Kangaroo which replaced it closed after that month. - Located at the back of the main building.
*Hollywood East - OPENED - located against the back wall.
*Chan's Corner - OPENED - located in the Warehouse.
*B.J.'s Bar - CLOSED - located in the Warehouse.
*Pop Eye Bar - CLOSED - located on the Island.
(Total Nitespots that month: 20 )
''13 Night Market'' Entertainment Area"
(Originally 'Old Thermae Compound')
[ April 2000 - March 2005 ]
Graffiti, born in the caves of prehistory, perpetuated forth on the walls of Pompeii and the Great Wall of China, carved into park benches and trees with a pocket knife, dirty ditties scrawled on bathroom walls, gangland markings throughout the projects, 'Jesus Saves' or 'All Your Base Are Belong To Us' on some forlorn rock in the desert... It might be found anywhere.
Kids t'day...
However, in modern times, technology has brought about a virtual graffiti explosion, an unprecedented proliferation, a revolution of dimension and color. But unlike Pompeii or the caves of our ancestors, modern day 'contributions' - be they crude chicken-scratchings or spectacular 5-storey 'murals' - have one thing in common : impermanence. Today's graffiti, all of it, shares a common destiny : oblivion. Usually sooner than later.
Chapeau bougainvillea
But the last thing today's graffiti writers want is for their works to fall into said oblivion - for that spells anonymity - and that is their major fear... So they will record their works with digital photography. And if they can sell poster copies, or T-shirts (or etc) with reproductions of their works, they will do that as well (for cold, hard cash is no small part of today's graf artists' "total-equation".)
Additionally, nowadays, as with so much else, graffiti has become 'art' - the collectible kind. As mentioned in these pages previously, works of graffiti (or authorized 'similaricons') are now being shown in art galleries, and auctioned off at major auction houses. 'Graffiti art' is now a 'business'.
Taken all together, the graffiti artists' common wish (being spared from oblivion, from anonymity) is achieved : Their works, at least some of them, are being preserved indefinitely - and certainly longer than the walls on which they were originally placed.
The Game Of Death
Modern graffiti's 'permanence' is yet again enhanced by its popularity in the 'printed Press' - several local and international publications regularly offer colorful pieces on graffiti. - and of course, these publications archive their work. And these archives, while not the Library of Congress by any means, would likely last indefinitely, if perhaps somewhat obscurely.
'Masterpiece in Road-Grime'
Last and not least are the websites (by graffiti writers themselves, or third parties), and the blossoming YouTube channels and other Internet Media channels. These sites regularly, and often exclusively, exhibit graffiti as 'art' or 'novelty'. And like printed media, they 'archive' their output, thereby doing their part in staving off the oblivion the graffiti writers so greatly fear. -However, having said that, one has to hedge one's bets on how long anything 'archived' on electronic media will last, as the www is not a National Archive - there are no guarantees as to how long anything will 'stay up'. -And the beat goes on...
This month Bangkok Eyes has researched the popular YouTube site -
Factsopedia <link> as a resource. We recommend visiting their channel for 'a highly interesting take' on graffiti and 'vandalism' in general.
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 excerpts of any original artwork and excerpts of photographs resides exclusively with the creators.
Graffiti #1195
Murphy's Off
8 ft high x 12 ft (center image)
Graffiti #1196
Trash Eater 2
7 ft high x 8 ft (main)
Graffiti #1197
This Way Down
8 ft high x 8 ft
Graffiti #1198
Cubal Scarecrow
6 ft high x 5 ft
Graffiti #1199
Ecliptical Reprieve
9 ft high x 12 ft
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 artists.
Bangkok's original site !
SINCE 2005
The MIDNITE HOUR Graffiti Page is prepared by Staff Contributor "Boge" Hartman.
(Boge's photo, above, is not a graffitiper-se, although there are those who have insinuated....
-
Ed)