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             As Planet Earth continues to be consumed with all things Coronavirus - (the disease, the political ramifications, the economic and social restrictions), likewise MIDNITE HOUR is so consumed...   It is not so much the current SARS CoV-2 contagion which affects our Bangkok Nitelife Scene, but rather the political, economic and social disruption.   While we see impressive favorable reductions in Thailand's Coronavirus critical data, as long as international travel (read: 'Tourism') remains closed off, we will see no 'light at the end of the tunnel' regarding the restoration of "Night Entertainment" to the Night Entertainment Capitol of the World.

            As we 'go to press' we note that the Thailand Government has, comparatively speaking, done an excellent job in managing the Coronavirus outbreak (details in "Coronavirus Beat-Down: below).   Since the official 26 March implementation date of the Emergency Decree restrictions, the Government (through the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration [CCSA] ), has laid out and commenced implementation of the multi-phase rollback of the Decree restrictions.   Phase 1 was from 3-17 March.   Phase 2 was from 18 March to 1 July.   We are now entering Phase 3 which gives even greater freedom of movement and access.   A summary of Phase 3 guidelines follows.

               This month MIDNITE HOUR held off on our month-end survey of the Night Entertainment Areas so we would be able to evaluate first-hand the on-the-ground impact of the Phase 3 rollback of additional Emergency Decree restrictions (which became effective 01 June 2020).   Our 3-day delay in the end-to-end survey of the major expat Nitespot Areas was most revealing.   What struck us hardest was our earlier suspicions of an entirely new and devastated Night Entertainment landscape were already starting to come true...

               Several of the Night Entertainment Areas are already starting to lose Venues through attrition.   (Here, we are not referring to Nightspots that have had to close due to the restrictions of the Emergency Decree, but rather those Venues which have decided to close up shop permanently, regardless of the outcome of the Decree.)   Within the several Night Entertainment Areas we cover each month, we have personally confirmed / received credible reports on 13 Venues which have gone down, lock, stock and barrel.   The Coronavirus is, indirectly through restricted tourism, killing the bars.   (Details below in our monthly review.)   And this could be just the beginning - many bars will not even bother to announce their departure from the Nightscene.   In each successive Phased rollback, the Authorities have avoided entirely mentioning the one thing that remains on the 'critical path' to a Night Entertainment recovery - the reopening of the borders and the allowing of tourism to resume.   As mentioned elsewhere, even if the bars were allowed to open immediately there would not be enough local custom to keep them afloat.

               It is undeniable that 'border closure' is part-and-parcel of the Nation's successful multi-part program to contain the Coronavirus.    (See Coronavirus Beat-Down immediately below).   Nevertheless, unless, and until the Nation's borders are reopened for tourism, Bangkok's Night Entertainment will continue on this unending downward spiral.

         First, lets talk about what DOESN'T work in containing the Coronavirus disease:

* - Isolation.   What does not work to control Coronavirus contagion is Isolation.   Corroborating supplemental data continues to pour in that across-the-board Isolation of the general public, of those who have not contracted the disease, hasn't worked - and that a combination of other measures has.   Take the examples of the U.S. states of New York and New Jersey.   Early on these two states implemented severe lockdown measures on the general public, only to see the Coronavirus contagion continue to escalate, killing thousands (only in recent days have they noticed a 'flattening of their curves').
         On the other hand, Thailand, which never went into lockdown, but implemented other controls, saw a relatively small outbreak, and a rapid reduction of the vital Coronavirus data.   Then, take the example of Sweden, which didn't lock down (but practiced safe-distancing), which was originally reviled by the WHO and the MSM for being a rogue nation endangering the lives of their own population.   However, over night (26 May to be exact) they became WHO's 'poster-boy' darling, stating Sweden should be the model for others to follow.   These are, of course, only three examples, but they are now typical of the recent data from other countries / areas around the globe.
         Epidemiologists who apply (real) statistical analysis (like you studied in college) are now showing that there is an abnormally narrow deviation from the data - there are virtually no exceptions - Isolation isn't shown to be critical to the suppression of Coronavirus.   The only observations where 'Isolation' has apparently worked is where other preventive measures were also in the mix.   There is just NO data which supports direct correlation / causation.
         Let's put a name on it - "The Isolation Contradiction".   What the evidence is showing is those families -and inmates of institutions- which were arbitrarily locked-down were unable or unwilling to exercise proper social distancing, etc, within the home / institution.   The result is that a very large percent of Coronavirus infection has been found to be in-home / in-institution.
         We should remember that from the git-go the primary purpose of Isolation was to 'flatten the curve' - or in plain English, slow the spread, so that the planet's medical facilities would not be overwhelmed by the sick.   No one, including the epidemiologists (those who don't have an agenda), has ever stated Isolation would prevent Covid-19.   Therefore, now that the 'curves have been flattened', any justification for maintaining Isolation among uninfected persons / groups has evaporated.

* - Herbal Medicines.   As noted last month, proponents for the use of local ya samunphrai (herbals) such as Faa-thalai-jone, ginger and garlic have shown no scientific data to support their claims that these herbal remedies are effective in treating Coronavirus.


         Next, lets talk about what DOES work in containing the Coronavirus disease.   Note: Currently there is no way to determine how successful any one of the below precautions is in the suppression of the Coronavirus, nevertheless, the empirical evidence is undeniable - both 'new cases' and 'deaths' are now at a minimum - due to these currently in-place measures.

* - 'Closing the Borders'. - Restricting international travel, thereby short-stopping new Coronavirus-infected individuals from entering the country.   Incoming travel from abroad was / is restricted to repatriation of Thai Nationals (who must enter into 14-day quarantine), and officials who are involved in the Corona Virus Pandemic eradication efforts.   Some foreign nationals have been allowed to exit the country on restricted flights after being tested (they would still be quarantined at their home country destinations).

* - 'Restricting Internal Travel'. - The Central Government delegated the Provincial Governors (including Krung Thep) to manage their own in/out travel restrictions (wherein many Governors did not allow others to enter their provinces without going through a 14-day at-home quarantine).

* - 'Scanning of Body Temperature'. - When entering public facilities and retail shops, temperature scanning of the individual has become commonplace.   Evidence of high temperature could indicate infection by Covid-19, and a person would not be able to access the facility.

* - 'Social Distancing'. - Maintaining a distance of 1 to 2 meters prevents the passing of the virus through direct contact with another human.

* - Hygiene. - Personal and Area - The removal of the Coronavirus from the skin by soap-and-water hand-washing (thereby preventing it from entering the mouth, nose, or perhaps the eye, from touching), and antiseptic cleaning of hard surfaces within the home and workplace - specifically areas / objects that could harbor Coronavirus for a number of hours or days before dying off.   Refraining from touching surfaces while away from home : door handles, elevator buttons, escalator handrails, etc, while using personal (hand) sanitizers whenever available.

* - Wearing of masks.   The prevention of projecting virus-laden moisture and/ or droplets of saliva in the breath onto another individual or surface.   The wearing of masks also limits the amount of moisture / saliva laden breath of others from reaching your face - regardless of what WHO and the CDC have been babbling...   Also wearing a mask in public tends to reduce the amount of times a person touches his / her face (statistically, it's mostly 'her').

* - Time & Herd Immunity. - The longer the Coronavirus is around, the greater the amount of 'herd immunity'.   Through expanding antibody testing, it is now known that there is a much larger than expected number of persons who have been exposed to the virus, and who, without exhibiting symptoms, have developed antibodies.   Further, it is now officially recognized that a measure of immunity is provided by the development of antibodies.   There is currently no accurate way by which to gauge how much of the population (by %) has developed antibodies, therefore it cannot be accurately known how much any resultant herd immunity has contributed to the current level of amelioration of Coronavirus in Thailand.   Accurate data on this can only be obtained after widespread, statistically significant testing and evaluation has been completely effected - and this will take considerable time.

* - Increased medical care. - to include improved medical procedures and the use of off-the-shelf chemical medicines, such as hydroxychloroquine sulfate in combination with Zithromycin antibiotic and zinc.   Preliminary testing of this, and other medicines continues to show positive results in reducing the effects of Coronavirus.   While very encouraging, testing should continue on a full spectrum of medicines / chemicals while attempts are made to develop a vaccine (which may, or may not ever be developed).

* - 'The Curfew'. While this is specifically more a necessity in Thailand than in other countries (because Thais love to congregate in any numbers at all-night kwei tiew and khao tom restaurants, and / or go to all-night gambling spots -also in any numbers), the Curfew can help to insure other C-Virus preventives are observed.

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Let the June 2020 Follies  begin-

               It has been 2-1/2 months since the Governmental restrictions due to the Coronavirus have put a lid on the Bangkok Night Entertainment Scene.   This month, we have seen a further loosening of the Emergency Decree restrictions which allow the opening of Traditional Massage Parlors and some Spas.   This month's survey includes a new category - "REOPENED" which reflects a reopening of Venues which were previously closed due to the Decree.   We also include other openings and closures, as per usual.

 PATPONG  1  

MAP

            The Kiss, as with all other Night Entertainment Venues on Patpong 1, remains in darkness.   We note that there were a couple of Massage Parlors which could have got away with calling themselves 'Traditional' (under Phase 3 - Emergency Decree) that did not reopen - when they could have...   We are pleased to report that, at least for the time being, the eyesore tent city cluttering the roadway with counterfeit goods has not returned.

 PATPONG  1 

 PATPONG  2  

MAP

            Cosmos Club (Vinai's Cosmos) rolled up the red carpet and padlocked the door for the last and final time on 12 May 2020.   Of course, as we are now mid-Coronavirus pandemic for more than 2 months, there has been no 'red carpet', no Khun Vinai sitting Buddha-like on his dais....   
         As Patpong 2 Road was struggling to remake itself (even before SARS-CoV-2) there was only a handful of the original "Patpong Era" bars remaining: the Pink Panther, the Old Other Office, the Crown Royal and Cosmos Club.   So the closing of Cosmos was not only a huge 'loss' on its own, it seemed to many of us to be a harbinger of the bad times to come.   
         Cosmos' popularity transcended the 'turndown' that affected the Patpongs this last decade, its faithful denizens myriad over the years.   Not long after its opening, Cosmos, a lounge bar, became the favorite on the Patpongs among the 'old-fart' expats, (tourists not so much), so its demise last month was largely lamented in our dwindling rag-tag ''community".   Nevertheless, its closure was not entirely a 'shock' to us (we stragglers) - as last year Cosmos went up "For Sale" for a brief period ...the handwriting was on the wall, so to speak.   No takers, Cosmos removed itself from 'the marketplace' and went back to being just Cosmos.
         Khun Vinai and his twin brother Somchai go way back in the Patpong Saga, way before the opening of Cosmos.   The brothers were innovators, with such ground-breaking bars as Fire Cat (the first of the wave of 'Upstairs Bars' on PP 1 introducing walk-in nudity & shows in the '80's), and the upstairs Cleopatra (above the Bat Boat) which was the first no-holds-barred A Go-Go bar on PP 2.
         The genesis of Cosmos is, however, not quite as Vinai has posted on the outside of the bar.   It did not open in 1992 - not by a furlong or two...   In 1992 up until February 1994 it was the E.C. Pub.   At that juncture it split into the E.C. Pub and the Melody Bar A Go Go - both fun and raunchy bars.   By April 1994, both the E.C. and the Melody had closed - to make way for the soon-to-open Sawasdee Club (not to be confused with Sawasdee Bar on PP 1).    The Sawasdee Club opened in June 1994, and continued on until November 1995.   Cosmos opened in the old Sawasdee Club digs in December of 1995, and not a moment before...
         All is not lost, however.   The day following the closure of Cosmos Club, the upstairs neighbors commenced negotiations with the landlord to take over the reins (results of those negotiations still unknown at this time).   We also hear chatter that a bunch of 'old farts' have mooted taking over, with a plan to run the place, so it could be -pandemic willin' and the cricks don't rise- that the old Cosmos will continue on ...in one form or another...

 PATPONG  2 

            As had been envisioned, when Phase 2 of the rollback of the Emergency Decree restrictions was implemented, the Patpong Museum was considered to be an "allowable" Venue".   On 17 May 2002 they reopened full force (and for the remainder of the month were promoting a 'twofer' deal.)   Welcome back to the fray.   (We note that other related Venues, inclusive of the upstairs Black Pagoda, have been renovated top-to-bottom, and are hopeful of a July 2020 reopening...)

 PATPONG  2

            The "Funny" sign just popped up last month on the wall of the King's Corner 2...   Could this be a 'name-change'?   Or a split into two separate bars?   A wait-and-see item...

 PATPONG  2

 SOI COWBOY  

MAP

            A photo of the Baccara on the night the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) closed down Bangkok's Nitespots at the commencement of the city-wide lockdown brought about by the oncoming Coronavirus pandemic.

 SOI  COWBOY 

 NANA  PLAZA  

MAP

            Nana Plaza is in the midst of an implosion - seven (7) Venues are reported to have already closed permanently (photos below).   See Stickman's authoritative article (link) on Nana Plaza this week for the complete run-down..   The Pollyannas amongst us would hope that the bars will find new 'owners' prior to the end of the closedown brought about by the Emergency Decree, but then, things don't usually work out that way, do they....   And this may not be the end of the collapse of Nana Plaza (and other locations, for that matter) - as long as the borders remain closed to tourism, it won't really matter whether the bars are allowed to open or not....

 NANA  PLAZA

 NANA  PLAZA

 NANA  PLAZA

 NANA  PLAZA

 NANA  PLAZA

 NANA  PLAZA

            London Calling, which closed in February also will not be reopening. (See our 01 February issue for photo and details.)

 NANA  PLAZA

 SOI  NANA  

MAP

            The Swan Massage & Salon has reopened.   When we stopped by, they advised that due to the requirement to close at 22:00 hrs (so that they can be home by 23:00 hrs curfew) most of their massage girls come in early in the day to receive customers.   Located deep in the Soi across from the Hotel Omni.   Welcome back to the slippery slopes.

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

            Hooters at the Nana Hotel have reopened.   As is with all other Venues (excepting the few speakeasies scattered about...) they cannot yet serve alcohol.   They close at 22:00 hrs - at least until 15 June (end of Phase 3 rollback), last orders taken 21:15 hrs.   Welcome back to the darker Bangkok.
         While we are on the Nana Hotel, renovations have been completed and staff on premises are saying they plan to reopen 1 July 2020.   A wait-and-see item, of course - depending on whether we avoid a feared "Second Wave" of Coronavirus.

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

            The Mexican Bar-Restaurant has reopened.   Their superb tequila bar is "closed" as tightly as they can close it... for the time being.   Located at the back of the Rajah Hotel near Soi 2.   Welcome them back to the new abnormal.

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

            Four other Massage Parlors qualifying as 'Traditional Massage' Parlors also reopened on Soi Nana on 1 June 2020:

         *   Charmming Massage  - REOPENED - Subsoi Big Mango across from Rajah Hotel.
         *   OK. D. Massage  - REOPENED - Across from the Rajah Hotel on the main Soi.
         *   Na Na Massage  - REOPENED - in the Na Na Condo - also across from the Rajah Hotel.
         *   T-Thai Massage  - REOPENED - Also across from the Rajah Hotel.

 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

 SOI  KATOEY  

MAP

            The Banana Room Club remains in darkness along with the rest of the Soi.   We do note a couple of the "massage" venues' doors were open on the Soi, but the lights were out, and they weren't actively 'open-for-business' - probably wondering whether the Authorities would consider them to be 'Traditional Massage' shops (which they are not).

 SOI  KATOEY 

 SOI  22  

MAP

             Titanium Ice Bar, a long-time stalwart on the Soi 22 Night Entertainment Scene has gone head-first into the meat grinder.   It has been at the same location since before we first eyed Soi 22 as a possible Night Entertainment Area (July 2005).   Prior to the Pandemic shut-down, it appeared to be doing its usual (busy) thing - apparently management couldn't continue, not knowing when the tourist trade would return....

 SOI  22  

            Asia Health Massage and that cluster of (mostly) Traditional Massage Parlors has reopened as of 01 June 2020.   Welcome back...

 SOI  22  

            
      Holiday Relax Massage has REOPENED.

      AW Massage has REOPENED, but across the street from their old digs next to Titanium..

      Jasmine Massage has REOPENED.

      Siam Breeze Massage has REOPENED in Subsoi Starlight.

      Ampha has REOPENED in Subsoi Starlight..

      B52 Bar Beer has REOPENED in Subsoi Starlight.

      BKK 48 Massage has REOPENED in Subsoi Starlight.

      Butterfly Massage has REOPENED.

      Iyashi Barber Massage has REOPENED.

      Nice Massage / Nice Massage 2 have REOPENED.

      Wild Orchid Massage has REOPENED.

      Bear Hug Momiya Massage has REOPENED.

      Chaowang Massage has REOPENED.

      Fah Massage & Nail has REOPENED.

      Paradise S22 Massage has REOPENED in Subsoi Lemongrass.

      Hang Out Bar has REOPENED in Subsoi Lemongrass.

      Rita Massage has REOPENED in Thai Candy Massg., (CLOSED) - Subsoi Lemongrass.

      Bangkok Passion has REOPENED in Subsoi Lemongrass.

      Anatasia Massage has REOPENED in Subsoi Lemongrass.

      Dive Massage has REOPENED in Subsoi Lemongrass.

      Nang Merry Massage & Coffee has REOPENED.

      Mekkhala Massage has REOPENED.

      Buddy's Bar has REOPENED (serving food for the interim).

      B2 Massage & Spa in Honey Plaza is CLOSED permanently - it WON'T be REOPENING.

      Honey Bar bar beer has REOPENED - no alcohol, in Honey Plaza.

      Lek @ 22 Massage has REOPENED.

      No Idea is still OPEN.

      Wine Depot has REOPENED in Park 22.

      Kiss Bangkok 2 MOVED into Absolute Bankok Massg - now (CLOSED) in Subsoi Hana.

      Hana Massage has REOPENED in Subsoi Hana.

      Dolla Massage has REOPENED in Subsoi Hana.

      Kaede Massage has REOPENED.

      Miss Neko Massage has REOPENED.

      Marigold Massage has REOPENED.

 SOI  22  

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  

MAP

            In spite of simultaneous Pandemic restrictions and new construction, the outdoor night market 'food court' continues to carry on, if only slightly diminished from the first of the year.   (We note a new Taco Bell opened up across the street in front of the Ambassador Hotel - it ain't Mexican, it ain't Tex-Mex, but it ain't bad...)

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

            
      Smile Jasmine has OPENED NEW in what was the Sabai Massage - now CLOSED.

      Ban Thong Dee Massage has REOPENED.

      Phoenix Massage has REOPENED.

      P.P Bar Beer & Massage has REOPENED.   Massage only.

      Niraon Massage has REOPENED.

      Hollywood Waxing & Massage has REOPENED.

      Lotus Massage has REOPENED in the Subsoi.

      Grace Massage has REOPENED in the Subsoi.

      Praew Spa 2 has REOPENED in the Subsoi.

      Baan Phuan Massage has REOPENED.

      Grace Foot Massage & Salon has REOPENED.

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

  SOI  7  PLAZA  

MAP

            While we weren't expecting any activity at all, we re-surveyed Soi 7 Plaza - just to be on the record.   As it happened, it was raining, and the pundits were correct - rain water comes down directly on the pathways, or off the roofs onto the pathways - the drainage within the compound is almost non-existent.   The photo below shows the water on the pavement (lower left).   (The Drop In Bar is not open, however a few of the food stalls (open) provided a modicum of light in the compound.)

 SOI  7  PLAZA

            The After Sammy Bar has become the first Soi 7 Plaza confirmed casualty of the Pandemic shut-down.   It has now become an unnamed soup kitchen.   May they reincarnate in a better time and place...

 SOI  7  PLAZA

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  

MAP

            New (Massage) has reopened.   Some months ago, several of Bangkok's specialty massages were cracked down upon by the local Sign Gestapos...   If they weren't legitimate massage parlors (if their primary function was the offering sexual services) they would not be allowed to display the word, "Massage" on their signage.   New was one of those, and for that matter, still is.   We wonder, therefore, how they are qualifying under the current Emergency Decree, Phase 3, as "Traditional Massage Parlors"?   Perhaps we don't want to know...

 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

            
      Kocho Ran has REOPENED.   A Japanese massage. - Subsoi Pan Pan.

      7-Heaven Massage has REOPENED.   A Japanese massage. - Subsoi Pan Pan.

      My Raku Massage has REOPENED.

      Top Thai Massage & Spa has REOPENED.

      Po Massage has REOPENED.

      Rakuten Spa has REOPENED.

      Dream Heaven Nuru Nuru Gel has REOPENED.   A special services Venue.

 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

 SOI  EDEN 

             The Caribbean (2) & the adjoining Victoria Bar Restaurant have closed down, and will not be reopening.   These days, who can blame them?

 SOI  EDEN  (Sukhumvit 7 / 1) 

            
      Kawinya Massage has REOPENED.

      Good Time Massage has REOPENED.

      Wood Bar has REOPENED.   A special services Venue.

 SOI  EDEN  (Sukhumvit 7 / 1) 

 

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