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MONTHLY NEWS
COLUMN

Bangkok,
01 May 2020
William R.  Morledge


May's Nitelife News
Bangkok's Bars - 20 Years Ago  
A Smile in the Land of Smiles.
Reader's Corner: C-Virus Booze Ban
Bangkok's Graffiti Update  - #170

NOT the 'Street Of Joy', Soi Cowboy remains in lock-down desolation after an evening summer shower,.

             As we 'go to press', the Coronavirus continues to dictate - dictate the Bangkok Night Entertainment Scene, dictate our personal lives and livelihoods, dictate the Global economy, dictate the movement of human populations and dictate the actions of Governments around the globe.   Such is a 'pandemic'.   And this is something 'brand-new' to most of us - there is scarcely anyone alive today who remembers Planet Earth's last real global pandemic.   Nevertheless, since our last month's issue, we have seen that this Novel Coronavirus is not omnipotent.   There is light at the end of the tunnel - the Coronavirus is beginning, ever so slightly, to ebb...

Coronavirus In Thailand
A LOOK AT THE RELEVANT CHARTS


A quick glance at the current charts will show that Coronavirus is on the wane in Thailand.





All charts sourced at www.worldometers.info from W.H.O. data.


            Last month we made the observation that the Coronavirus was highly contagious but not very deadly.   What we are now finding -through ever-greater testing- is that it is even more contagious than first postulated.   This is due to the very significant number of persons who have tested positive for Coronavirus antibodies, but who didn't present with symptoms - which, of course, thereby boosts the stats on total number of infected.   Statisticians then did a quick retake - extrapolating to obtain new 'adjusted' totals, and then recalculating a new, much-reduced percentage of infected who have died.   The Media were quick to push these new-found stats as proof that the virus was not as deadly as we thought, and that we are actually better off than originally imagined - 'Just look at the numbers,'....   Well, OK...   Nope, there are still just as many dead people as there were before, therefore it is exactly as deadly as it was before the statisticians got hold of the numbers.   To say the same thing another way, its still the same 'too many dead people', the only thing that changed is we found out it was more contagious than we thought.   This statistical manipulation is, we guarantee, not going to soothe mourning families.

Hey, wait a minute....

               It appears, nevertheless, that the Coronavirus is in fact on the ebb in Thailand, and the recent statistics show it is ebbing more quickly here than in many other parts of the globe.   However having said that, it is less apparent WHY - Thailand has been, from the start, in a state of "Partial Lockdown", (not full lockdown as found in the USA) - all of Thailand's essential services have remained open, persons are able to venture outside to go jogging in most areas, and go to restaurants (ordering food to take out).   We, Thailand, have exercised social distancing, the near universal wearing of masks, self-isolation whenever reasonable and possible, almost universal testing of body temperature, and required use of sanitizing gel when entering commercial and government establishments, as well as increased personal hygiene and area cleanliness around homes and businesses.   Our wet markets are clean and thriving, as are the curbside food stalls.   In spite of remaining 'semi-open', and not being the most rigorous of 'lockdown nations', all appearances are that Thailand has 'turned the corner' and is headed steadily toward a full reopening.   MIDNITE HOUR has reproduced charts from www.worldometers.info regarding the numbers of new cases, active cases and daily deaths which show very encouraging trends.   

            There is a great deal of conjecture as to the reason(s) the Coronavirus in Thailand has receded as quickly as it has.   -Some of which is scientifically supportable...   (There are also a number of pseudo-scientific reasons floating around, however we won't be covering them in this article.)   Below are the most rational actions taken to date to control the pandemic - in no particular order of efficacy :
CORONAVIRUS BEAT-DOWN

* - 'Social Distancing'. - Maintaining a distance of 1 - 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 washing (thereby preventing it from entering the mouth, nose, or perhaps the eye, from touching), and the cleaning of hard surfaces within the home and workplace 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.

* - Wearing of masks.   The prevention of projecting virus-laden moisture and/ or droplets of saliva in the breath onto another individual or surface.

* - Time & Herd Immunity. - The longer the Coronavirus is around, the greater the amount of 'herd immunity'.   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 (and thus a measure of immunity).   There is currently no accurate way by which to gauge how much of the population (by %) has developed antibodies, or 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 extended testing and evaluation - 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.   Preliminary testing of this, and other medicines has shown at least some positive results in reducing the effects of, and the prevention of Coronavirus.   While very encouraging, testing needs to continue.

* - Herbal Medicines.   Local ya samunphrai such as Faa-thalai-jone, ginger, garlic.   Much is claimed on the efficacy of these and other herbals, however there are no scientific data available demonstrating their value in treating Coronavirus.

            Based on promising positive trends reflecting a diminished Coronavirus infestation (see graphs above), the authorities have advised that starting 3 May 2020 we will see the phase-in of 'easing' of the restrictions of the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations B.E. 2548 (2005) - as implemented by the Prime Minister on 26 March 2020 (and incrementally expanded to include the 22:00-04:00 hrs curfew and a one month extension of some provisions of the lock-down).   Much of the advisory information comes from valid sources, and much comes from 'usually reliable sources'.   To the best of our knowledge, as at this date 01 May 2020, the following guidance has been provided from official sources through the newspapers to the Thai public :


            It should be noted that the Government will continue to monitor the Coronavirus pandemic, and should there be an observed resurgence of the virus, the stricter controls previously implemented will be reinstated.   In summation, barring substantial improvement in the Coronavirus data, it does not appear that Thailand's Night Entertainment Scene will be reopening before June 2020.

Selective Fear & Loathing
(DEATH - IT'S  ALMOST  NATURAL)


This graphic excerpt may be copyrighted
         ; Below are the stats on some of our planet's major ways to die.   With the Coronavirus upon us, we find ourselves frequently paying lip service to how terrible even one death is, how hard it is on the surviving family members, etc.   But then, we don't hesitate to turn a blind eye to a number of other even more deadly 'plagues' that currently curse mankind.   We never give a second thought to any of the below ongoing scourges that continue to decimate the human population...

MALARIA
Disease burden:   According to the latest World malaria report, released in December 2019, there were 228 million cases of malaria in 2018 compared to 231 million cases in 2017.   The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 405,000 in 2018, compared with 416,000 deaths in 2017.

AIDS
AIDS-related Deaths In 2018 (the last year for global reporting) : around 770,000 people died from AIDS-related illnesses worldwide.

THE ANNUAL FLU
Until recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the annual mortality burden of influenza to be 250,000 to 500,000 all-cause deaths globally; however, a 2017 study indicated a substantially higher mortality burden, at 290,000 - 650,000 influenza-associated deaths from respiratory causes alone.   Further, another 2019 study of additional deaths which were directly caused by influenza estimated that 99,000 - 200,000 deaths were caused from lower respiratory tract infections alone.

VEHICLE DEATHS
Globally, around 1.3 million auto deaths per year have been estimated by the WHO, with the latest reports amounting to 1.35 million.

SUICIDE (US)
US suicide rates --In 2018, there were 48,344 recorded suicides, up from 42,773 in 2014, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

DRUG OVERDOSE (US)
In 2018, 67,367 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States.

(Complete stats year 2019 unavailable : use year 2018.   All sources: Internet)





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THE  CORONAVIRUS  BOOZE  BAN

   READER :
      Ahhh, I see you've now got a Bogeyvirus booze ban in Bangkok.   In the old days you may have been hiring an old van and doing a smuggling run from one of the border states - bringing in moonshine, and making a bloody fortune!
      Ban probably won't affect you too much...   Here, there's been a bit of a rush on booze (Victorian lockdown laws more draconian than other states).   Me, not a huge drinker either, but do like my two generous wines of an evening, one whilst cooking supper, one whilst eating it.
      Stay clear of geezers wot sneezes!

   MIDNITE HOUR:   
      Yes, first they put in place a curfew from 22:00 - 04:00 hrs, which 99.9 percent of everyone gave not a shite about one way or another - as nothing was open anyway.   Their only purpose was to stop the all-night 'block parties' deep in the back-sois and the all-night khao-tom shops-on-wheels.   This of course didn't work, because the authorities had no way to adequately police the curfew, and the khao-tom stands just moved into the sois.   (Those few of Bangkok's Finest out on the beat caught a few after-hours passenger vehicles, and motorcycles that couldn't outrun them, and tried to play it up big in the Press as 'breaking news'.)
      Subsequent to that time, the Authorities cut off booze sales for 11 days -10th - 20th inclusive- (and then extended it to the end of April).   But they were mooting that anyway - to try to keep down the DWI manslaughter figures over the long (big city+upcountry) Songkran holidays.   (They then cancelled -postponed- Songkran.)   But 'I'm all right, Jack', I've got brandy and limoncino to sip on of an evening.   The rest of the alkies ran out the day before and did a 'toiletpaper-style-raid' on the liquor stores, so they also are 'all right, Jack'.   Then there are the hard core who know where the LOB's are... (Lights Out Bars).   Somewhat risky, in that if you are caught you will have to empty your wallet on the spot to the Men-In-Too-Tight-Uniforms.   (A late note: as we do our late edit, we hear that in a couple of days (3 May) we will once again be able to buy the grog.   We hear that it will not be allowed to serve in restaurants, however...)
THE  CORONAVIRUS  ISSUE

   READER :   Hello:
      I find it absolutely hilarious that your “nightlife” newsletter was by far the best piece of reporting on this corona virus associated with Thailand than any other news agency!   Keep it up!
   MIDNITE HOUR:   
    Kind words, indeed.   Normally the website preparation takes 4 days a month.   This time it took 21 days - among the most critical was getting reliable translations for the pivotal Thai documents and to assimilate what the legitimate epidemiologists were saying.   Bangkok Eyes tries to stick to the 'historical', and someday, hopefully, we will be able to look back dispassionately on these unique times.   As I had to get out into the (virtual) trenches to take the photos, I  -at least potentially-  exposed myself to a number of questionable places, people and surfaces.   On completion of the photo sessions, I went on a self-imposed home-hibernation, and have since returned to what's left of 'normal' life.



   READER :   Hello:
      The Eyes on BKK is quite interesting, and you really are putting your life on the line for its timely publication !   Stay alert and keep your guard up !!
   MIDNITE HOUR:   
    Thanks your timely comments.   However I wouldn't want to go overboard on "how I put my life on the line".   All things considered, the decision to go out into potentially contaminated areas to photograph The Scene in shut-down and to visit the few "Lights Out Bars" was/ is just another of life's endless 'risk assessments'.   We went out with masks, exercising social distancing - basically, don't touch things, don't get near others...



   READER :   Hi,
Great edition.   Must read for expats!



   READER :
   Wow, very comprehensive reporting on the situation, congratulations!   The photos gave me a really good feel for the desolation of the Night Entertainment Areas.



   READER :
   Flights to Thailand from USA cheap, no bar fines, girls negotiating, hotel rooms cheap and the dollar against the Baht almost all time high.   Two problems.   NO money and border closed.   Bummer.


GO-GO  GURU  CASHES  IN
Bar Manager par-excellence Departs Bangkok After 20-Plus Years

'Dave The Rave'

   READER : Dear Friends,
      This email goes out to my good friends so YES it is meant for YOU.   I fly back to England on Monday, April 20th to begin the next chapter in my life.   Thank you for being a good friend over the years.   It is time for this old rock star to exit the stage!     Love & Best Wishes,     Dave.


   MIDNITE HOUR:   Hi Dave,
      Hang in there Buddy.   A friend I knew in Viet Nam in the '60's used to say, "You never know what's twitching around the next corner,".   Who knows...., when this C-virus stops disrupting our lives, you may decide to get back home to Bangkok...

THE  ROSE  -  1966
   READER :
      My first Bangkok eye-opener was in 1976 when I went there on a backpacker holiday.   I recall visiting a very wild Grace Hotel coffee shop - everyone called it the chicken farm.   In all my reading and digging on your site or the other blogs, I find quite a bit about the 1960's scene at the Nana Hotel coffee shop, and of course the Thermae.   But I can't find any info on the Grace Hotel in the '60's era.   So what say you?
   MIDNITE HOUR:   
      While the Nana Hotel and the Grace Hotel are of the same approximate vintage, the evolution of each of their coffee shops into freelancer havens was quite different.   By the mid 60's the Nana Hotel had already become a 'chicken farm', primarily due to the G. I. foot traffic into, and out of Soi 4 - on their way the Rajah R&R hotel located just a hundred meters down.   It would be a few years before the Grace Hotel's entertainment facilities evolved into a 24/7 freelancer destination.   But that isn't to say that in the 60's it had zero entertainment possibilities.   The above advertisement for the Rose (restaurant, bar, cafe) regularly appeared in the local Press in '66 and '67.
NO  SHOE  IN

   READER :
   A friend put me onto this.   He says that the countries that customarily take their shoes off before going inside have a much lower rate of Coronavirus infection.   He says the Western countries are just 'tracking it in'.   This doesn't sound entirely logical, have you heard anything from anybody else on this?


   MIDNITE HOUR:   
      Ha!   We have seen one incidence of this being implied on a very reliable YouTube channel.   However, even though there is some apparent correlation between 'shoes-off' and less Coronavirus infestation, a lot of unambiguous verification would be needed prior to stating there was legitimate correlation / causation.   It is more likely there is more than one reason some countries have a substantially lower rate of the C-virus.   That being said, what could it hurt?   As there is no downside, take off your shoes....
Thanks for reading and for writing in.
Don't hesitate to send your questions and comments - always welcome.
Note: Text may be edited for brevity and/ or clarity.
'Reader's Corner' moderator -


'Boge' Hartman
Historical Research
*   Zootramp Publications


 


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BANGKOK EYES
Let the May 2020 Follies  begin-

               As Bangkok enters its 2nd month of Night Entertainment shut-down due to the global Coronavirus pandemic, we note there are some encouraging statistical data which indicate the Government containment measures are successful in bringing the virus under control.   However, even should ongoing containment efforts further suppress the contagion, it will be a long time before the 'good news' translates to a reopening of Bangkok's Night Entertainment Scene.   As noted last month, due to the financial strains imposed by the shut-down, the longer the Coronavirus remains a disruptive force in Thailand, the greater will be the number of Night Entertainment Venues that will disappear.   We face the increasing prospect of a vastly different world of entertainment when things return to "normal".   While we at MIDNITE HOUR have already noted some negative signs in the Night Entertainment landscape, we will continue to give the benefit of the doubt to all Nitespots that were open immediately prior to the shutdown - we will consider these Night Entertainment Areas and Nitespots "Closed Temporarily" - until status is otherwise known.   This month, we will continue to document the various Night Entertainment Areas / Nightspots currently affected by the Coronavirus close-down in Bangkok.


 PATPONG  1  
MAP
            Except for a solitary 7-Eleven, the entire length of Patpong 1 sits in silence...   Although I will say, it pleases us to note we do not have to gaze upon that wretched 'tent city' night market of fake-brand goods which normally chokes the street each evening...
 PATPONG  1 

 PATPONG  2  
MAP
            Patpong 2's "The Ramp" (upstairs) and "The Island" below (and all the bars within) - remain in limbo for approximately another month, while the step-by-step 'easing' is implemented....
 PATPONG  2 

VIDEO CLIP
      After a number of starts and stops, Glamour finally got its feet on the ground.   A pleasing atmosphere and staff - a pleasant place to visit.   With the lock-down now having been extended, it remains to be seen if it will return to its previous entertaining ways.   For that matter, it remains to be seen if it will return at all...
 PATPONG  2

 SOI COWBOY  
MAP
            The Cactus has been completely gutted.   It is unclear at this juncture if they are doing a total renovation, or if they have found a way out from under the Machine.   A wait-and-see item...
 SOI  COWBOY 

 NANA  PLAZA  
MAP
            The K&S Bar and the Hillary 4 partially illuminated by passing traffic.
 NANA  PLAZA

 SOI  NANA  
MAP
            A photo of the slightly obscured Nana Plaza in lock-down taken from Strikers Sports Pub.   Strikers was, up until that time, open as a 'speak-easy' (lights out), but closed almost immediately afterward when the Nana Hotel closed down.   Yes, you heard that right....
 SOI  NANA  -  (SOI  4  SUKHUMVIT)

 SOI  KATOEY  
MAP
            G's Bangkok in normal times also functioning as an 'oasis' - is in fact a 'restaurant'.   -And therefore permitted to remain open during the current lock-down (but only for take-away orders, as per the emergency decree).
 SOI  KATOEY 

 SOI  22  
MAP
            The Wine Depot attempted to stay open at the commencement of the lock-down last month, but quickly changed their mind when they saw the Government's intent to 'enforce'.
 SOI  22  

 SOI  AMBASSADOR  
MAP
            Progress on the Wine Connection has slowed, but not entirely ceased.   Depending on 'the easing' of the Emergency Decree, will we see it opened next month?   Or July?   Located in the front of the Ambassador Hotel.
 SOI  AMBASSADOR  (Sukhumvit Soi 11) 

  SOI  7  PLAZA  
(AKA "Nana Plaza @ 7")
MAP
            The Soi 7 Plaza remains in deadly darkness as the lock-down drags on.   Will the bars, many just opened, survive the extended lock-down?   Will the Soi 7 Plaza Night Entertainment Area?
 SOI  7  PLAZA

 SOI  DEAD  ARTISTS  
MAP
            Subsoi Pan Pan (off of Soi Dead Artists - Soi 33), a predominantly 'Japanese' cul-de-sac, now stands idle, day and night....
 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

            What was the Check Inn 99 became the Christie's/Napoleon. However the Christie's/Napoleon fell flat on their face, and put the premises up for lease.   This month, it looks like they have a taker: KTC Entertainment is furiously renovating - in spite of the lock-down.   What they will name the new venue is anybody's guess....
 SOI  DEAD   ARTISTS (Sukhumvit 33) 

 SOI  EDEN 
MAP
             The Tarntip Massage, lights on, is not actually open.   Which is more than we can say for three specialty massages deeper into Soi Eden, where one might find a 'masseuse' or two lurking in the shadows....
 SOI  EDEN  (Sukhumvit 7 / 1) 


 

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

20 YEARS AGO

May
With thanks to Cool Text -cooltext.com

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
May 2000

   *  - No changes that month / year.

(Total Nitespots that month: 34 )

Patpong 2
May 2000

   *  The King's Garden reopened after a month of renovations.   Recently, however, that real estate was absorbed by the King's Corner 2 katoey A Go-Go.

   *  The Le Buchon Restaurant - Bar reopened after a month of renovations.   They are still at that location today.


(Total Nitespots that month: 58 )

Soi Cowboy
May 2000

   *   The Moonshine Joint closed briefly for renovations.   They are still at that location.

(Total Nitespots that month: 33 )

Cowboy Annex
(Asoke Corner + Asoke Plaza)
[ ~June 1998  to  04 February 2005 ]
May 2000

   *   The Boomerang & Sawasdee - RELOCATE
          (Switch places, Boomerang now at side fence, Sawasdee now at front.)
   *   The Oasis - NEW at the front.
   *   The Sakura - CLOSED - at front.
   *   The Asoke Beer House - NEW - (Replace Blue Bird - CLOSED) - at front.

(Total Nitespots that month: 15 )

Nana Plaza
May 2000

   *  The Angel-Witch Rock Dancers opened newly in the Agogo 2000 digs (CLOSED).   (Original Angel-Witch at the top of escalator, they would move later to present digs.   Likely no one other than Dave will remember this...)

   *  The Fantasia closed that month, while renovations proceeded within.   The Diamonds Bangkok are currently occupying that location today.

(Total Nitespots that month: 41 )

Soi Katoey
( Silom Soi 4 )
May 2000

  *  The 2nd level Space Pub closed its doors.   It was located just before, and next door to Telephone Pub.   No separate Nitespot occupies that space today.

(Total Nitespots that month: 15 )

Soi Dead Artists
( Sukhumvit Soi 33 )
May 2000

   *   In the Peep In Park (Now the S 33 Compact Hotel) were the following new openings:
         - Peep Inn ('S.T. Hotel') - NEW - Downstairs
         - (An unnamed Club) - NEW - Downstairs
         - Wine Gallery - NEW - 2nd level.
         - Blue Sky Club - NEW - 2nd level.
         - 'Entertainment Club' - REOPEN - 2nd level.

   *   '33 Center' - REOPEN.

(Total Nitespots that month: 24 )

Buckskin Joe Village
(~ December 1988  to  9 June 2006)
(Also called Tobacco Road,  Soi Rot Fai,  'The Tracks' , Machim [Thai] &  Soi Zero)
May 2000

   *   The U & I Beer Bar closed.

(Total Nitespots that month: 18 )

Washington Square
(~ April 1999  to  April 2014)
May 2000

   *  ( No changes that month / year. ) -

(Total Nitespots that month: 16 )

Clinton Plaza
(Originally ''Entertainment Plaza'')
[ ~February 1999  to  June 2003 ]

May 2000

      *   Love Scene Bar & Restaurant - NEW - Outside against outer wall.
      *   (A Boxing Ring) - CLOSED - REMOVED   - On the 'Island'.
      *   Wind Mill - CLOSED - Outside, against main building.
      *   Maya - CLOSED - Outside, against outer wall.

(Total Nitespots that month: 23 )

''13 Night Market'' Entertainment Area"
(Originally 'Old Thermae Compound')
[ April 2000 - March 2005 ] 

May 2000

      *  All Nitespots - CLOSED during renovations.

(Total Nitespots that month: 0 )





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VICARIOUS ART CRIMES   #170


MIDNITE HOUR's

But is it ....ART ?



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



GRAFFITI IN THE NEWS


   On January 26, 2020, nine people perished in a single-aircraft accident.   John, Keri and Alyssa Altobelli, Sarah and Payton Chester, Ara Zobayan, Christina Mauser, and Kobe and Gianna Bryant died when their Sikorsky S-76B helicopter crashed just before 10 a.m. in Calabasas, Los Angeles County.


   The decimation of three families, the pilot and one other passenger was a tragedy making national headlines in the USA for several days.   Kobe Bryant, famed basketball player, was the most well-known in the group.   Headlines were mostly focused on him and his family.


   Kobe's death, in addition to generating dozens of side 'stories' of pilot negligence, etc, motivated an entire phalanx of graffiti artists - all paying their individual, highly individualized tribute to a Los Angeles celebrity role model.


   ...But wait..., was Kobe Bryant a celebrity or a role model, or both?   'Celebrities' on the one hand, generally can have a global following of millions, groupies, gossip-hounds, paparazzi, swooning old ladies, the gamut.   All totally fascinated with every aspect of the celebs' personal and public lives - who are they dating or divorcing?   Are they gay?   What socially-responsible crusades do they support?   What did they say lately to whom?   What are they 'going through'?   (Thus, this has been labeled, justly so, "Celebrity Worship".)


   On the other hand, a role model would not necessarily be a 'name' known the world over, and would be exemplary in a specific field (like basketball or baseball).   As a role model, he, or she, would be (for example) an inspiration to a legion of youthful imitators and wannabes.   Kobe was most definitely a role model of this genre.   But as he became so well-known, at least in Southern California, he had also, by definition, become a celebrity - at least, to a certain degree.


   So it is quite understandable that the aforementioned phalanx of graffiti artists (not usually interested participating in sports) took up the spraycan in Kobe's memory.   However, we do note, as in the past, that works of 'street art' such as these are not 'graffiti' in the true sense, as graffiti is 'unauthorized markings on others' property' (and these works could not possibly have been quickly thrown up in the dark of night, when the owners of the structures were nowhere to be found).   It is, however, appropriate to call them 'murals'.   It is regrettable that these murals -consisting of spraypaint on the exterior of various buildings- will not last long enough to become L.A. 'landmarks'.

Photos (excerpted herein) are Copyright: The New York Times, Photographer: Ryan Young


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.





With thanks to Cool Text.com

Graffiti #1172
Things Alien
7 ft high x 10 ft


Graffiti #1173
Barracuda Snap
7 ft high x 8 ft


Graffiti #1174
The Walrus Says
7 ft high x 7 ft (all)


Graffiti #1175
Prehensile Smile
8 ft high x 11 ft


Graffiti #1176
Sofa Pig
8 ft high x 16 ft


Graffiti #1177
Window Seat
6 ft high x 7 ft (all)


Graffiti #1178
Crowed Corner
5 ft high x 9 ft (Include wrap)


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 !





   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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"The Archives" - All Our Back Issues Here

- 2020 -
01 JAN -   Soi 7 "On The Map"
01 FEB -   Soi 33's Dead Artists - RIP
01 MAR -    Queen's Park Plaza gone
01 APR -    Coronavirus Crunch
01 MAY -    Coronavirus Ebbs
- 2019 -
01 JAN -   Soi 71 + "W District"
01 FEB -    Back to Soi 26
01 MAR -   Soi 1 & Soi 3
01 APR -    Mizu's of Patpong
01 MAY -    Mississippi Twins
01 JUN -    Gay Patpong ? -Twilight Gone
01 JUL -    Bars - 50 Years On
01 AUG -    Soi 8 Reviste
01 SEP -    Copyright & the 'Net
01 OCT -    Historic Honolulu - Chinatown
01 NOV -    The Patpong Museum
01 DEC -    Queen's Park Fades - Soi 7 Opens

- 2018 -
01 JAN -   The Pub Crawl
01 FEB -   Bobby Passes On
01 MAR -    Nana - The Plaza - The Soi
01 APR -    Soi Dead Artists - Downsizing?
01 MAY -    Soi's 5, 7, 7/1 Eden
01 JUN -    Soi 24 - Going Nowhere
01 JUL -    Street Bars - They're Back
01 AUG -    Udorn in the 60's & 70's
01 SEP -    Potpourri - Odds 'N Ends
01 OCT -    Khao San + Rambutri Rds.
01 NOV -    Night Market Sri Nakarin
01 DEC -    Soi 23 - Running Hot
- 2017 -
01 JAN -   Soi 22 - the Survivor
01 FEB -    Hua Hin Nights
01 MAR -   Hooking-Up
01 APR -    Soi Than Tawan
01 MAY -    Our Saloon-Count Surveys
01 JUN -    Soi Bua Khao
01 JUL -    Soi 8 - Work In Progress
01 AUG -    NO PHOTO (more or less)
01 SEP -    Stickman Calls 'Time'
01 OCT -    Sweet Black Angel
01 NOV -    Thai King At Rest
01 DEC -    The Dark Arts

- 2016 -
01 JAN -   Railway Bazaar
01 FEB -   Sukhumvit Square Justice
01 MAR -    Paint the Neon Night
01 APR -    Udom Suk Reviste
01 MAY -    Soi Thaniya
01 JUN -    Soi Thonglor Re-up
01 JUL -    Massage Parlor Row
01 AUG -    Check Inn 99
01 SEP -    Pattaya A Go-Go
01 OCT -    Bangkok's Nitelife Maps
01 NOV -    Nitespot Demographics
01 DEC -    Pattaya's Soi 6

- 2015 -
01 JAN -    A Go-Go Bar Ratings
01 FEB -    Are Cops Gouging Nitelifers?
01 MAR -   Bad Company
01 APR -    LK Metro - Pattaya
01 MAY -    Soi 33 goes East
01 JUN -    Rachada Fades
01 JUL -    Freelancers
01 AUG -    Nana Plaza Map 2015
01 SEP -    Soi Nana Map 2015
01 OCT -    Walking Street - Pattaya
01 NOV -    Rachada - The Giant
01 DEC -    A Go-Go's Story

- 2014 -
01 JAN -   Bangkok's Got The Blues
01 FEB -   Soi 26 - Stayin' Alive
01 MAR -    Nightscene rues Mob
01 APR -    My Friend owns a Bar...
01 MAY -    Soi's 3, 5 and 7
01 JUN -    Curfew's Costly Cut
01 JUL -    Soi 13 Makes It's Move
01 AUG -    Pattaya Does The Twist
01 SEP -    Soi's 18 & 20 - Quieter is Better
01 OCT -    Soi's 10 & 14 - Lesser known Sois
01 NOV -    A Good Old Boy...
01 DEC -    Lang Suan & Sarasin

- 2013 -
01 JAN -    Not Fade Away - The Survivors
01 FEB -    Rare Old Photos
01 MAR -   Copa Reprise
01 APR -    Arise, Soi 22
01 MAY -    Where to Next ?
01 JUN -    Bangkok Noir
01 JUL -    MAPS - The Major Update
01 AUG -    Lamai Lamai Lamai
01 SEP -    Tim 'Wanchai' Young
01 OCT -    Soi Wall Street
01 NOV -    Little Thonglor - Soi 11
01 DEC -    Mississippi Queen

- 2012 -
01 JAN -    Mama-San
01 FEB -    Our 10th Anniversary Issue !
01 MAR -    How Gay Nana ?
01 APR -    Sukhumvit' Soi 23 - The Big Picture
01 MAY -    Khao San Road - Unique Bazaar
01 JUN -    Ekamai - It Used To Be Too Far
01 JUL -    Nightlife Pioneers
01 AUG -    The New Puritans
01 SEP -    Nana - On It's Own
01 OCT -    FAIL - War on Nitespot Drugs
01 NOV -    Patpong Unbroken
01 DEC -    Drugs & the Nightscene in History
- 2011 -
01 JAN -    Patpong's 'Glory Days'
01 FEB -    Nightlife In A Digital Age
01 MAR -    Co-Co Walk Plaza
01 APR -    Soi 33 Marches On
01 MAY -    Nightlife Permissiveness
01 JUN -    Ghosts of Nitelife Past
01 JUL -    STATE - The Cinema, Soi & Area
01 AUG -    Soi Darling
01 SEP -    Sri Nakarin South
01 OCT -    Soi 8 Reprise
01 NOV -    Floodless in Bangkok
01 DEC -    Soi Udomsuk

- 2010 -
01 JAN -    Street Bars II - The Triple-Dip
01 FEB -    Our Kind Of Art - II    - Chris Coles
01 MAR -    The Dead Artist Bars - Soi 33
01 APR -    "Soi Ginza" - Thaniya Road
01 MAY -    Night Scene Blues (Red Shirts 1)
01 JUN -    Nitespots Recover Slowly (Reds 2)
01 JUL -    World Cup Special
01 AUG -    Those Old Photos
01 SEP -    The German Invasion
01 OCT -    Racism & Prejudice
01 NOV -    Soi 11 Revisited
01 DEC -    Soi 22 Updater


- 2009 -
01 JAN -    The Santika Fire
01 FEB -    Salt & Pepper
01 MAR -    Nana Plaza - Update & Maps
01 APR -    Soi Nana Update
01 MAY -    The Nightscene & The Riots
01 JUN -    "19" Re-Focus
01 JUL -    Rain Dogs - The Underground
01 AUG -    Soi Thonglor - A bridge-too-far
01 SEP -    Ban Chang - Our Little Secret
01 OCT -    The "Ginza Effect'
01 NOV -    Royal City Avenue (RCA)
01 DEC -    Sutthisan & The Inthamara's

- 2008 -
01 JAN -    2007 - Looking Back
01 FEB -    Owning A Bar
01 MAR -    Expat's Bangkok
01 APR -    Nude Dancing
01 MAY -    After Midnite
01 JUN -    Night Scene In Flux
01 JUL -    Our Kind Of Art
01 AUG -    Trendy Plaza Reprise
01 SEP -    The Elephants Are ....Back
01 OCT -    Grand Prix Intro
01 NOV -    Grand Prix - Rick's Story
01 DEC -    "Old Bangkok Hand"

- 2007 -
01 JAN -    Bombs Blast Bangkok
01 FEB -    Bangkok's Nightscene Websites
01 MAR -    Prasitipol Dance Bar To Fall
01 APR -    Soi 5 Neon Review
01 MAY -    A Go-Go Bangkok
01 JUN -    Arise ! Soi 11
01 JUL -    Anatomy Of A Bar Area
01 AUG -    Soi 26 - Too Far ?
01 SEP -    Chuwit Guilty
01 OCT -    Daytime Nana Plaza
01 NOV -    Cowboy - All Of It
01 DEC -    Another Nitespot Area Falls

- 2006 -
01 JAN -    Pattaya Ascending
01 FEB -    A Go-Go Then & Now
01 MAR -    ' Madrid '
01 APR -    White Heat
01 MAY -    Politics & Nightlife
01 JUN -    Fagin's Bratpack
01 JUL -    King Bhumibol's 60th Anniversary
01 AUG -    Soi 10 - The Final Shaft
01 SEP -    Pattaya's Soi Bua Khow
01 OCT -    Rachada's Other Face
01 NOV -    Soi 22s Other Bars
01 DEC -    Soi Eden Goes A Go-Go

- 2005 -
01 JAN -    Asoke Plaza Crushed
01 FEB -    The 'Nana Scene'
01 MAR -    Asoke Plaza Smashed Again
01 APR -    Sukhumvit 1 Plaza 'Arrives'
01 MAY -    Welcome 'Soi Eden'
01 JUN -    Bangkok's Bareback Riders
01 JUL -    Soi 22 - A Macro View
01 AUG -    Nana's Slide
01 SEP -    Cowboy Street Scene
01 OCT -    The Pattaya Run
01 NOV -    Soi 19 In Focus
01 DEC -    Bad Girls

- 2004 -
01 JAN -    Bangkok's Darkest Year
01 FEB -    Where Is trink ?
01 MAR -    Soi 33 Just Won't Stop
01 APR -    Cracks In The Crackdown
01 MAY -    In The Zone
01 JUN -    "Night-Scene Jumbos
01 JUL -    Easy Square 'On The Map'
01 AUG -    Soi 1 Entertainment Plaza
01 SEP -    Khlong Toey Revisited
01 OCT -    Koh Samui's Night Scene
01 NOV -    Soi 1 Opens
01 DEC -   The Bangkok Pub Scene

- 2003 -
01 JAN -    Cowboy Crackdown
01 FEB -    Sukhumvit Square Smashed
01 MAR -    Soi 10 Survivors
01 APR -    War & The Night Scene
01 MAY -    Entertainment Blues
01 JUN -    '13 Night Market' Reborn
01 JUL -    Clinton Plaza Falls
01 AUG -    Soi 24 Nightscene Review
01 SEP -    Does Soi Nana Measure Up?
01 OCT -    Patpong - Legend & Myth
01 NOV -    Easy Square 'Launched'
01 DEC -    Soi Cowboy Urine-Swoop

- 2002 -
(OUR 2002 TEST COLUMNS :)
01 FEB -    January: Big Changes In Bar Scene
09 JUN -    Sukhumvit Square 'Explosion'

(OUR REGULAR COLUMNS BEGIN :)
20 JUN -    Soi 22's Queen's Park Plaza
01 JUL -    Clinton Plaza - Already Dead?
01 AUG -    Bar Beers Now "Major Players"
16 AUG -    July: Bar Beers Gaining Ground
01 SEP -    A Go-Gos A-building
17 SEP -    Virtual Bars
01 OCT -    A History In The Making
01 NOV -    Pool Bars Come Of Age
01 DEC -    November's Night Follies
15 DEC -    Genesis: Sukhumvit's Night Scene


01 JAN -    Seminal Survey -Paradisio Closes
- 2001 -

01 JAN -    Baccara opens in Cowboy
01 FEB -    Club Habanos Closes - PP1
01 MAR -    farang Connection Closes - Nana
01 APR -    Rock Hard BB Open - Clinton Pl.
01 MAY -    Las Vegas Opens - Cowboy
01 JUN -    'Wall Street' Opens - Soi 33
01 JUL -    Vixens Closes - Nana
01 AUG -    6 A Go-Go's Shut - Clinton Pl.
01 SEP -    Pussy Collection Opens - PP1
01 OCT -    Girl Friend Closes - PP1
01 NOV -    Rainbow III Opens - Nana
01 DEC -    White House Reopens - Clinton Pl.


- 2000 -

JAN -    'Cowboy Annex' Starts Up
FEB -    Agogo 2000 new at Nana
MAR -    Flowers - Clinton's 1st A Go-Go
APR -    Angel Witch new at Nana
MAY -    Dubliner now at Washington Sq
JUN -    Coco Loco opens at Clinton Pl.
JUL -    Bottoms Up new at Nana
AUG -    Crack House opens at Clinton Pl.
SEP -    Doll House / White House open at Clinton
OCT -    Rock Hard to open at Clinton Pl.
NOV -    Big Dogs opens at Nana
DEC -    Lolita opens in Cowboy Annex

- 1999 -

JAN -    Masquerade Closes @ Nana
FEB -    "Entertainment Plaza" Start-Up
MAR -    SuperStar is PP SuperBar !
APR -    Washington Square goes Critical
MAY-    New Klymaxx closes (Cowboy)
JUN -    'Wet Lips opens (Cowboy)
JUL -    Sam 2000 opens (Cowboy)
AUG -    Monica's opens (Clinton Plaza)
SEP -    Muzzik Cafe open on PP1
OCT -    No Probl'm now Cat's Meow
NOV -    Titty Twisters opens at Nana
DEC -    Londoner Brew Pub new on Soi 33
- 1998 -
JAN -    Nancy Bar opens on Floor 2, Nana
FEB -    Tabasco Charlies opens - (NEP)
MAR -    Cowboy 2 is a 'Pizzaria' - Soi Cowboy
APR -    New A Go Go Duck opens - Cowboy
MAY -    Raw Hide opens on Cowboy
JUN -    Para Disio opens - Floors 2 & 3 - NEP
JUL -    Patpong Cafe opens - PP2
AUG -    'Funny Girls' becomes 'Girlfriend' - PP1
SEP -    Masquerade opens on 3rd Floor - NEP
OCT -    Virgo opens on Cowboy
NOV -    Obsession, Beverly Hills, Red Lips open
DEC -    Lucifer Disko Tk opens atop Radio City

- 1997 -
JAN -    'Hot Rods' opens @ Nana
FEB -    Crazy Lady closes (Nana)
MAR -    3 Lounges closed - 'The Ramp'
APR -    Blue Sky Bar closes - PP1
MAY -    Crackdown at Nana
JUN -    Crystal Palace opens - PP2
JUL -    Limelight closes - PP1
AUG -    Rainbow II opens @ Nana
SEP -    Cowboy's Butterfly Gone
OCT -    Shadow drops Crazy Jack (Cowboy)
NOV -    Hollywood 2 now on 3rd Floor (NEP)
DEC -    Susies opens @ Buckskin Joe Village
- 1996 -
JAN -    Shooters opens on 3rd Floor (NEP)
FEB -    XTC Closes, then Reopens (NEP)
MAR -    Tapas back on line (Soi Katoey)
APR -    Long Gun expands (2X) [Cowboy]
MAY -    Apache reopens on 'The Boy'
JUN -    Pink Panther "upstairs" closes
JUL -    Iconic Mile's Place gone...
AUG -    Upstairs Touch Bar closes (PP1)
SEP -    Pharaoh opens in NEP carpark
OCT -    Spirit House opens in NEP
NOV -    Crazy Lady opens in NEP
DEC -    Long Gun 2 opens (now Rawhide)

- 1995 -
JAN -    PP1 Butterfly Closed
FEB -    Camelot Castle Opens
MAR -    NEPs Bubble Gum gone...
APR -    Tiny 'Imagine' Closed
MAY -    (Quietest month on record)
JUN -    NEPs Mon Cherie axed
JUL -    Play Skool opens (NEP)
AUG -    Opium Club new on The Ramp
SEP -    D.L Irish Pub (ex: Bamboo's)
OCT -    NEP 3rd Floor Opens
NOV -    Klymaxx 2 opens on Cowboy
DEC -    Chick's opens upstairs (PP1)
- 1994 -
- 1993 -
JAN -       -
FEB -       -
MAR -   Saloons - More Areas Added
APR -    Saloons -Adding "Nana"
MAY -    Red Diamond Closed
JUN -    Saloons - Tomatohead Closes
JUL -    Pretty Lady A Go Go
AUG -    Mars Party House closed
SEP -    Matterhorn & Star Pub
OCT -    Sawasdee Cocktail Lounge - New
NOV -    Thigh Bar name change
DEC -    Smile Club to open...
- 1990 -
JAN -   Buckskin Joe - Initial Survey

- 1989 -
01 JAN -    (Coming Soon)
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