Big Mango Owners on the Attack!

I just knew that no matter what we would say about us leaving the plaza, it would be twisted and contorted into many different messages. I guess that is the nature of the beast really. It is funny to me that no one really wants to discuss the real issues. There seems to be this feeling that we don’t want the plaza to succeed but yet what we are doing is discussing and debating the current state of the plaza and the possible outcomes for the plaza. I would want the plaza to absolutely rival the other BKK naughty nightlife areas but somehow I don’t think it can given the way it is managed. Anyway. I guess people love controversy at the end of the day over the simple truths. Seems the Pattaya-Addict boards is getting some traffic over it all. Anyone know what they are saying?

It is funny to me that in some ways we broke a lot of new ground by blogging about buying, running and now - shutting down a bar in Nana Plaza. I don’t know of any other owners who did that but I also did not think we would garner the reactions that we did when openly discussing why we left the plaza. Oh well. Onward and upward.

Related Posts from the past:

39 Responses to “Big Mango Owners on the Attack!”


  1. 1 Old Asia Hand Nov 5th, 2007 at 2:48 pm

    I have always thought that forums and discussion boards related to Thailand attract more than their fair share of sneering, antagonistic folks and, in my observation, that sorry state of affairs has grown far worse over the last couple of years. Thailand really does seem to be a magnet for the socially unsuccessful and emotionally retarded who find here, for whatever reason, the fantasy that they have suddenly become men of respect and significance.

    If these guys would just stay home and jerk off to their newly improved self-image, it wouldn’t be anyone else’s concern; but alas, too many of them insist on publicly struting their imaginary advancement at every opportunity. They seem to see their new status as self-annointed Sons of Thailand as a license to pee on everyone else in sight, endlessly trumpting their superior understanding of how things work here and the greater intimacy of their connection with ‘real Thais’, no matter what the subject might be.

    Don’t let the shitheads get you down.
    View all comments by Old Asia Hand

  2. 2 smitty Nov 5th, 2007 at 2:56 pm

    OAH - not down just confused. I guess if all I talked about was barfines, mamasans and where the best happy hour was then people would be happy. We actually try to raise the bar a bit and tell people the realities of places like Nana and suddenly we are on the attack. I was going to superimpose my head on a photo of Godzilla trampling Nana plaza just for added effect.
    View all comments by smitty

  3. 3 laocowboy Nov 5th, 2007 at 4:21 pm

    OAH: Here! Here! We’ll fcukin said:

    BigMango is a business end of story:
    View all comments by laocowboy

  4. 4 Mississippi Joe Nov 5th, 2007 at 8:41 pm

    I’d say for a couple of foreigners you have done very well in business in Thailand. I just know the next place you will open will be better than the previous one. I just got a kitchen pass to visit the Big Mango on our next trip and hopefully the new one will be open. Don’t let the trash talking dummies get you down. Gossip runs wild in Thailand it is part of the culture. Finish it, and move on to a better place.

    MJ
    View all comments by Mississippi Joe

  5. 5 pmmp Nov 5th, 2007 at 9:47 pm

    I just received my registration info. and tried accessing http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/Big-Mango-owners-attack-Nana-t13165.html and got error messages that the link is out of date or broken. All search attempts for this article also failed. Perhaps they removed it.
    View all comments by pmmp

  6. 6 Johnny C Nov 5th, 2007 at 10:04 pm

    I just read it.They are not commenting neither you or the bar.there are four posts showing their concern on Nana’s future.They are not saying anything bad
    View all comments by Johnny C

  7. 7 smitty Nov 5th, 2007 at 10:13 pm

    jc - anyway u can share the links? it would be cool to know actually what they are saying.
    View all comments by smitty

  8. 8 Jack Dawson Nov 5th, 2007 at 10:18 pm

    Jeez, you make it sound like its a bad thing to be “socially unsuccessful and emotionally retarded.”

    As far as piling on, someone said it better than me, “It’s not enough that I succeed, my friends have to fail.”
    View all comments by Jack Dawson

  9. 9 Johnny C Nov 5th, 2007 at 10:21 pm
  10. 10 Bangkok Bad Boy Nov 5th, 2007 at 10:29 pm

    @pmmp: I think you have to be a member for a certain amount of time, or to make a certain amount of posts, before you get “access all areas”, as it were.

    If you don’t qualify for access, you get a “no such page” message.
    View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy

  11. 11 pmmp Nov 5th, 2007 at 10:35 pm

    bbb: yup, that must be it since none of the URLs above are working. I didn’t see this little warning when signing up. Oh well. Thx.
    View all comments by pmmp

  12. 12 Johnny C Nov 5th, 2007 at 10:39 pm

    Is there any way I can attach web archive file on this post.Thats the only way you can see addicts posts.
    View all comments by Johnny C

  13. 13 Orion Nov 5th, 2007 at 10:59 pm

    “Pattaya Addicts”???

    Is that a new derogatory slur? :D
    View all comments by Orion

  14. 14 Bangkok Bad Boy Nov 5th, 2007 at 11:09 pm

    @Johnny C: Just copy & paste the text of the page into the comment box.

    @Orion: I would certainly take it as an insult :)
    View all comments by Bangkok Bad Boy

  15. 15 Thongsuk Nov 6th, 2007 at 12:17 am

    Yeah, That’s it. Pattaya Addicts. Sure.
    Wouldn’t wanna make them feel left out :-)
    View all comments by Thongsuk

  16. 16 Johnny C Nov 6th, 2007 at 2:04 am

    Guys I am posting topic #1 from addicts

    One of my favorite places in bkk is closing its doors this Friday (Oct 26, 2007).

    The Big Mango Cafe in Nana Plaza announces that it will not be renewing its lease and will be closing up shop. They will be having send off parties on Thursday and Friday to “celebrate”. I’ve always had a good time at the Big M, and wish Nicholas and all the crew future success in whatever they chose next.

    Farewell,
    Strike

    Big Mango Announcement

    Steve Zodiac
    Oct 26 2007, 01:21 AM
    Post #2

    Pattaya Addict

    Group: Trusted Member
    Posts: 32
    Joined: 25-February 07
    Member No.: 2,282

    For fucks sake, first Jeff sells the Jungle bar in Phnom Phenh & now the Mango is no more…………Look like Ineed to find acouple of new watering holes in Dec. :(

    This post has been edited by Steve Zodiac: Oct 26 2007, 01:25 PM

    JASONTHAI
    Oct 26 2007, 02:42 AM
    Post #3

    Supreme Pattaya Addict

    Group: Trusted Member
    Posts: 445
    Joined: 24-June 07
    From: Croydon, London
    Member No.: 6,310

    QUOTE (Strike @ Oct 25 2007, 05:11 AM)
    One of my favorite places in bkk is closing its doors this Friday (Oct 26, 2007).

    The Big Mango Cafe in Nana Plaza announces that it will not be renewing its lease and will be closing up shop. They will be having send off parties on Thursday and Friday to “celebrate”. I’ve always had a good time at the Big M, and wish Nicholas and all the crew future success in whatever they chose next.

    Farewell,
    Strike

    Big Mango Announcement

    Now the one on the right in the last photo looks like my sort of girl, petty the place is closing down

    ——————–

    wmode=”transparent” align=”middle” type=”application/x-shockwave-flash” />

    tripper
    Oct 26 2007, 10:22 AM
    Post #4

    Pattaya Addict

    Group: Trusted Member
    Posts: 32
    Joined: 29-December 06
    Member No.: 218

    The guys at the Big Mango are looking for a new location and will re-open asap. I expect they will be able to keep most of the staff.

    arpita21_ind
    Oct 26 2007, 12:09 PM
    Post #5

    Pattaya Addict

    Group: Trusted Member
    Posts: 42
    Joined: 21-September 07
    Member No.: 9,787

    Well hope that they shall open soon…………..

    may be in a new place…….

    So we can have the fun continue………

    BEST OF LUCK TO ALL THE CREWS AND STAFF…………

    ——————–

    c alex
    Oct 27 2007, 07:28 PM
    Post #6

    Advanced Pattaya Addict

    Group: Trusted Member
    Posts: 119
    Joined: 24-August 07
    Member No.: 8,565

    DAM…i loved that place…always started each evening in Nana with a drink and a game with one of the girls there. Bummer…decent food too!

    manggaawn
    Oct 27 2007, 07:44 PM
    Post #7

    No ID?….No problem

    Group: Moderator
    Posts: 2,258
    Joined: 31-December 06
    From: USA
    Member No.: 22

    Shame about that. very good place. I see Gai is still there (1st on right) nice girl, but shit fuck. even dropped some spanish on me.

    ——————–

    Penfold
    Oct 28 2007, 02:24 PM
    Post #8

    Advanced Pattaya Addict

    Group: Trusted Member
    Posts: 182
    Joined: 12-September 07
    Member No.: 9,418

    My fave bar in BKK
    Wicked food, good pool, well priced beer and no hassle for ladydrinks and tips etc
    Not the best looking girls, but thats not what the place is for when you have thr Rainbow go-gos 50yards away
    Shame to see this place go

    sybarite
    Oct 28 2007, 11:58 PM
    Post #9

    Supreme Pattaya Addict

    Group: Trusted Member
    Posts: 261
    Joined: 23-January 07
    Member No.: 865

    QUOTE (myspace.com/penfold_xxx @ Oct 28 2007, 07:24 PM)
    Not the best looking girls..

    Makes me feel a lot better now that I never got round to going there.

    ——————–
    I overstayed whilst on a sex tourist visa

    The Deported One
    Oct 30 2007, 04:45 AM
    Post #10

    “Prettier than Joe”

    Group: Moderator
    Posts: 3,891
    Joined: 15-February 07
    From: Smile
    Member No.: 1,891

    Thats a damm shame I always had a great time in there

    ——————–
    The Return of the Great Shopper “Joe”

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  17. 17 Johnny C Nov 6th, 2007 at 2:14 am

    Here is #2

    Big Mango owners attack Nana, not happy campers
    Rating
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    mikebkk
    Today, 03:15 AM
    Post #1

    Pattaya Addict

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    One of the owners hits out at Nana

    cheers
    Mike

    http://www.tfs2m.com/main/2007/11/0…hrine/#more-520

    Cool Kangaroo
    Today, 06:32 AM
    Post #2

    Supreme Pattaya Addict

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    Joined: 26-January 07
    From: Brisbane Australia
    Member No.: 987

    Thanks Mike, A very interesting read!
    I have often felt that the place seemed to be getting grubbier and more rundown over the years, and it really isnt the place i walked into 6 years ago on my first night in Bangkok. It would be sad to see it go, but as always in Thailand, as one place disapears another pops up.

    pentire
    Today, 10:48 AM
    Post #3

    One Life, Live It !

    Group: Trusted Member
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    Joined: 7-February 07
    From: East Anglia, UK
    Member No.: 1,448

    Yes, so sad to see the slow demise of Nana Plaza and surely it must be quite worrying to all those recently constructed hotels in the lower Sukhumvit area who’s many guests choose to stay there specifically because they like to monger in NEP. Certainly I fall in to that category

    ——————–

    « Next Oldest · Bangkok Corner · Next Newest »
    View all comments by Johnny C

  18. 18 KhunJ Nov 6th, 2007 at 6:59 am

    Glad I didn’t invest in that neighborhod.
    Years ago, I spent tens of thousands a baht a month in there.
    I recall my last time in there. Ganged up on by barstaff demanding drinks. How many time do I have to say NO?
    Buy me drink? NO! Please buy me drink? NO, NO, NO !
    You cheap charlie, sticky man…..
    CHECK BIN! By By.

    With 50,000+ customers reading Stickman and the other blogs, I predict a slow high season and a super dismal low season next summer. The locals have abandoned the place and the Tourits Punters scour the internet for info and will be doing the same.

    The word is out: Don’t expect to find a good lay in Nana Plaza. A ripoff joint.
    Sorta like the upstairs bars on PatPong. The reputation is there. I have never been in one and never will. Everybody knows to avoid them.

    Really dumb of the bar owners/managers to let the bar staff chase away the clients with the shitty service/attitudes.
    Seems the owners/managers are more concerned with keeping the bar staff content than looking after their customers.
    O well. My Pen Ri.

    Massage Parlors and Freelance places are getting my hard earned cash.
    View all comments by KhunJ

  19. 19 Samba Nov 6th, 2007 at 7:11 am

    Hi Mango guys.

    There is always someone going to bag you when you go outside the “square”.

    My experience at the Mango was just fine.

    Nana Plaza is “tired”. The bars and the girls are treating their customers like “mugs”.

    They will pay the price for being just a little too clever.

    Just look at the demise of Patpong from its glory days to now when it is almost just a tourist trap.

    Rock on guys.

    Samba
    View all comments by Samba

  20. 20 smitty Nov 6th, 2007 at 10:52 am

    jc - thanks for posting the comments. interesting. Sounds like a catching title but actually some dudes talking some sense.

    I think this comment is the one people should be dwelling on more:

    Yes, so sad to see the slow demise of Nana Plaza and surely it must be quite worrying to all those recently constructed hotels in the lower Sukhumvit area who’s many guests choose to stay there specifically because they like to monger in NEP. Certainly I fall in to that category

    I for one know that the Nana hotel is concerned with the future of NEP. The Landmark is the one most talked about picking up the land when NEP eventually goes. I wonder if they think at all that less people will be around or if they will trade the mongers for turbans?
    View all comments by smitty

  21. 21 divad Nov 14th, 2007 at 8:10 pm

    i thought big mango was shit. the girls i talked to hated the owners. good riddance
    View all comments by divad

  22. 22 smitty Nov 14th, 2007 at 9:29 pm

    divad - which girls are these. Considering most of our staff worked for us for years and will probably work for us again in the future - I find your statement pretty laughable.
    View all comments by smitty

  23. 23 hanuman Nov 15th, 2007 at 1:29 am

    @Divad, david spelled backwards? Is DTR at it again? Or are you just some backstabbing lowlife? In 16 years, I’ve never met a BG that hated the owner. If they do, they just move on to another place. Might I suggest that you do the same.
    View all comments by hanuman

  24. 24 Day Walker Nov 15th, 2007 at 2:04 am

    Divad, David.. or just plain Div?

    What a prick.

    No point getting into a slanging match… the guy is an idiot.

    My guess is his boyfriend put him up to it.

    :lol:
    View all comments by Day Walker

  25. 25 DJ Nov 15th, 2007 at 4:42 am

    Don’t want to massage the owners’ egos, but every staff member I’ve talked with (both before and after the closure) has spoken very highly of both owners (even the poor girl they fired :)). I’ve never heard a negative comment, which might make one think the owners were pushovers.

    Spoke with one former Mango girl today, who asked about ‘พี่ ไม่ มี ผม’ (older brother without hair), and said she wished she was working there again despite the large baht she’s currently pulling in at the agogo.
    View all comments by DJ

  26. 26 Thongsuk Nov 15th, 2007 at 9:26 am

    @ ALL: Do NOT bother.
    View all comments by Thongsuk

  27. 27 Mochalover Nov 15th, 2007 at 9:43 am

    It is obvious that Divad suffers from dyslexia, and what he meant to say was:

    “I thought big mango was a hit. the girls I talked to rated the owners. Good to dance.”

    Either that or he is talking about a completely different place…the Mig Bango bar.
    View all comments by Mochalover

  28. 28 pmmp Nov 15th, 2007 at 10:12 am

    Thanks all. Agree w/Thongsuk, don’t bother.

    DJ: First off, thanks. Second, there’s a little tone issue with “older brother without hair”. For those that care, pmmp is a double entendre. It means the obvious, that for the last few years I was a Pimp, and second it’s an acronym. pmmp = Pii Mai Mii Pom. The Pii has a rising tone and is therefore Ghost, not the falling tone which means brother. So all together it’s Ghost without Hair.

    The girls at the bar started calling me Pii Mai Mii Pom early on because one of the girls saw me as a ghost in a dream and because I used to scare them all the time by popping my bald white head out when least expected. I’ve always had the rather obnoxious talent for scaring the shite out of people.

    My favorite was after the bar closed and I would hear the last of the girls making their way down from the 3rd floor. I would hide under the pool table and just pop my head out. Luckily the girls have always had a great sense of humor about this despite their intense fear of ghosts and have even returned the favor a few times.
    View all comments by pmmp

  29. 29 DJ Nov 15th, 2007 at 2:57 pm

    PMMP: Great story. I had never put together the ‘PMMP’ acronmym with this quaint label they assigned you.

    Being unable to discern tones in the Thai language (which pretty much sets me dead in the water in understanding the language), I the petname they assigned to you referred to you being an elder or person deserving respect (guffaws suppressed) rather than ghostly.

    Did they ever call you ‘Casper’?
    View all comments by DJ

  30. 30 Day walker Nov 15th, 2007 at 3:37 pm

    Casper… Mr Clean….Baldy-locks…. There were/are many names for Khun Pmmp!
    View all comments by Day walker

  31. 31 pmmp Nov 15th, 2007 at 5:19 pm

    They called me Casper all the time. I also get EQ San (Little Japanese Monk cartoon character) as many bald guys that look like the cartoon character do. In this surreverse world being compared to a ghost or monk is actually a good thing so I’m not complaining. Mr. Clean and Baldy locks, not so much, but only dw calls me those so I can live with that. He’s got that western farang woman way of thinking. ;)
    View all comments by pmmp

  32. 32 GoodLife Nov 16th, 2007 at 1:14 am

    Pmmp …. Mr. Clean Works for me.. ha ha ha.. Hey i hear DW is Lil Clean!

    Pmmp, I think you should just go for it and dye you Eyebrows and Lases Blond.. or shave them.. yea then you would really be the Pmmp.

    Any divad… I smell bullshit. You dont know what your talking about. Those girls thought of the guys as an extended family.

    (why did they always yell ooh smitty when i was with them… WTF?)

    D
    View all comments by GoodLife

  33. 33 Day Walker Nov 16th, 2007 at 1:19 am

    Goodlife…. ‘Lil Clean’? That’s fighting talk where I come from.

    - That’s why I moved.

    :mrgreen:
    View all comments by Day Walker

  34. 34 GoodLife Nov 16th, 2007 at 5:44 am

    DW… Drinking Contest it is then!! Aguavero.. Full Bottle!
    Smitty, Pmmp you want in?

    :~
    View all comments by GoodLife

  35. 35 Day walker Nov 16th, 2007 at 3:05 pm

    Goodwife……

    ‘Lets get it on’ (in the voice of Mills Lane)

    I suggest we drink at the Duke. - Show our support an all that.

    However.. my last drinking outing ended with me vomiting on the floor at Spice Club. So don’t wear your blu suede shoes

    :evil:
    View all comments by Day walker

  36. 36 werewolf Nov 16th, 2007 at 3:19 pm

    I was in the Duke last night… they had a Thai guy playing guitar and singing. I had my back to him, and when I heard a Jim Croce tune playing, I thought it was a CD. It wasn’t… I think Croce’s been reincarnated as a Thai guitar-picker! 4 pints of Tiger beer and a Big Duke Burger (bacon, cheese & fried egg!) rounded out the experience.
    View all comments by werewolf

  37. 37 Day walker Nov 16th, 2007 at 3:28 pm

    WW….Repect to ya for eating the Big Duke Burger! It’s too big for me!

    You have to try the Steak Sandwich.

    - and if you don’t like it… I’ll pick up bill.

    (for the steak sandwich that is.. not the 4 pints that go with it!)

    :mrgreen:
    View all comments by Day walker

  38. 38 Dude Nov 27th, 2007 at 10:13 am

    There are a few new comments now on Pattaya-Addicts and all are pretty complimentary re the Big Mango Bar. Bit sad that the very first response to this post assumed negativity - looks like that poster practices what he preaches.
    View all comments by Dude

  1. 1 We’re Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! at The FARANG Speaks 2 Much Pingback on Feb 25th, 2008 at 8:23 pm

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