It is kind of a tradition for me now so I might as well continue it. It is the end of the year. Another one behind us. Another one seemingly looming in front of us. 07 was not bad but it was not great and I am hoping 08 is better. We shall see. Let us take a journey though - back to the beginning. We always forget how things start.
It all started here folks. The idea of a blog was not new to me since I had been doing some routine blogging since around 97 for work. Yes. Sometime ago. Back before blogs were in. Before they were cool. Hell - before I knew what a barfine was.
The first review we did was about Tulip. Still one of my favorite spots.
The reader submission thing started pretty much straight away - thanks to ~h.
pmmp burst on to the scene covering after-hours. Yes - we were the first to try and track the after-hours scene as a separate beast. Then the weeklies started. Quality writing indeed and a twisted take on all things nightlife related. They were not always produced weekly but that is because gathering all the information for the weekly sometimes prohibits regular postings. I am sure you can understand why.
The blog kept growing. Business was good and we opened up the Duke. 06 was not a bad year all in all. Of course as our continuing role in the overall coverage of Thailand’s political morass continued we cannot help but mention the coup.
Well 07 came and it was full of surprises. Probably the biggest one for us was having to shutter the Mango for the time being. Maybe looking back this will be a good thing but who knows yet. We continue the search for the new Mango location but bkk is a tough nut to crack. Let me tell you. In the meantime the old Mango location is still vacant. Could they be asking too much rent? Just maybe.
So that brings us to the here and now. What is next?
p1 - the mango
p2 - the blog
p3 - the duke
p4 - the guide in beta but steaming along
p5 - the new mango. it will come back to life.
p6 - well. wouldn’t you like to know. 
Prediction section:
The political mess will continue but my guess is the economic situation, which is not good, will force the higher ups to start taking some action.
Nana will continue to slide and Cowboy will kick ass. Potentially the slide in Nana and the empty bar spots will force some changes but could be too little too late. Surrounding businesses are already feeling the hurt from Nana not doing well. More bitching too come.
Thailand will get warmer.
That’s it. My crystal ball is cloudy this year. However I predict I will get to new spots this year. More soapies and more exploration on the outer areas. Ram Intra, Sukhaphiban, Lamchiak, Nawamin and the list goes on. These places are rammed with coyote joints, bars and clubs. Tantalizing. I will report as I find them but I am hoping others will chime in and share about the less traveled to joints as well. I also hope to get to Sihanoukville. Word is that this place is like the full-moon parties of yesteryear. Sounds good to me.
On the web front. Strange year indeed. Stick goes away and now Stick is back. DTR did a remodel. Killed his traffic from the looks of the things. BBB is out but TAFKABB is lurking. Blogs are popping up a plenty. My only hope for Thailand is that they put some real bandwidth into this place.
New Year’s eve is fast approaching. You can catch us in the Duke if u feel so inclined. For those not in Thailand, may the force be with you. Have a great New Year and keep the home fires burning.
peace.
Cheers, it’s been a wild ride. All the best to you guys for 2551.
View all comments by TAFKABBB
Happy New Year to all ye wonderful chaps and chap-esses at the Duke.
I’m sure you will take pictures and post them?
View all comments by Daywalker
Peace bro. Looking forward to 2008 for sure. Some notes for tonight:
- Central World where many of the bombs went off last year will be returning to schedule and hosting the big countdown. Should be a fun time and hopefully safe for all
- Charlie Brown’s on the Cheap Charlie’s sub-soi of Suk Soi 11 is having an excellent all you can eat Mexican and Margharitas special
- Cactus bar on Soi Cowboy is having free Mexican food all night. I stopped by last night and John has already started his celebration. Well, I guess he starts on Jan. 2 and runs through til NYrs Eve
- Most bars are open all night. Nana and Soi Cowboy are fun places to be for sure
- BTS/MRT have extended their hours and stop running at 2:00am
- The Duke of Wellington has live music, snacks and drinks at midnight. Like most others we will stay open as long as it takes
Happy New Year!
View all comments by pmmp
Safari bar in Patpong had a sign up when I visited the other night - free sushi, of all things, at midnight tonight. Takes all sorts.
Cactus John is a legend.
View all comments by TAFKABBB
If you go to Sianoukville, bring a good book, maybe a little light reading, say some Faulkner. The half hour wait between the Koh Kong boat arriving and the Phnom Penh bus departing, to me, is the perfect amount of time to spend there (actually a little long).
Yeah, stood in the Nana entranceway last night around reporting time (8 pm or so) staring at the empty space where your bar used to be, the motorcys parked right on the way in, the midget tout(s), the busted escalator and, of course, the girls and boys and girly-boys scurrying by on their way to to their respective bar stools.
Didn’t have to buy anything. Best free show on earth.
It’s a dump but it’s our dump.
Happy 2008. Keep your head down, especially on putts and chip shots.
View all comments by Jack Dawson
I must say the mere mention of cactus, cactus john and sushi in the same comment is quite frightening.
another fun thing on new years is to cruise into the big clubs at say 3-5 in the morning. narc on 23 is known for going until 10 in the morning.
jd - the escalator not working? Shocking news indeed.
So wait - u can boat from Koh Chang to cambodia?
View all comments by smitty
Best in 2551 to all.
smitty: Real bandwidth would kill 15% of the economy
and if the Chinese ever stopped making Christmas tree lights there’d be a 6 month lag but sure as shit the Thai soapie/karaoke sector would suffer a massive drought.
Kenneth: royal flush in the rollover
As usual they Bkk establishment has missed a “pulse” issue.
Bkk godfather players get the Bkk government to issue a 7500 baht mpnthly pension to every woman who’s ever been involved in the “demimonde” for five clean years and stayed out of jail.
That alone could turn the Isaan vote around.
View all comments by thongsuk
From the Land Of The Undead, which I plan to escape in a few short weeks, Happy New Year to all my fellow lowlife.
(@ Jack Dawson, re NEP - total agreement here. I make occasional forays out to Pingpong and Cowboy, but as shitty as it is, I still feel more at home at Nana. Maybe I find my own level there, or maybe the passing show is just better, or maybe I have a thing for the Nana carpark freelancers (especially the ones who cluster on the corner near the pharmacy opposite Big Dogs, looking like a Hello Kitty charm bracelet) close brackets)
View all comments by Pants Elk
happy 2008 and thanks for the laughs.
i hope you get ‘mango 2′ opened soon.
View all comments by bo
Happy 2008 to all you kindred spirits out there. Another 57 days and I’ll be back in LOS.
View all comments by hanuman
Under 25 days for me. This time with an O Visa and a pallet of Cialis.
View all comments by Pants Elk
Not Koh Chang, Koh Kong. You take an Ekkemai bus to Trat, grab a 100 baht van to the border, cross it, and then a $2 motorcy ride to Koh Kong (sleepy oeanfront town in Cambo). From there, after crashing a night, there’s an 8 am, 4-hour boat to Sianoukville (maybe $20 now).
BTW, there’s a “chicken ranch” in KK (and I don’t mean KFC).
View all comments by Jack Dawson
Congrats Smitty / PMMP for another year of a great Blog. I look forward to more in ‘08. Good luck with another “Big Mango” - from what I’ve read and heard, it was a success and a good place for food and drink.
Happy New Year
View all comments by Calvin
jd - thx. sounds like a trip. not a big fan of KFC anyway.
c - thanks for reading and hopefully mango will rise again.
b - thanks and happy new year.
pe - a pallet. are u the guy selling it on soi 4?
ts - will take my chances. I need the bandwidth.
View all comments by smitty
Happy Belated New year! Another year and a lot of information shared for the blogs, thanks guys. May 08 bring in wealth and health, well you can always go to the pharmacy for the health part. PMMP did ya get all that penicillin i sent ya as your x-mas day present?
Guys to a great 2008!
GL
View all comments by GoodLife
goodwife: I did receive the penicillin. I will make sure to take some after I bang all your bride’s maids. When is the wedding btw?
On a more serious note, thanks much for the Nyquil/Dayquil. It was a lifesaver recently. You da man.
View all comments by pmmp
goodwife: Did you get that ‘rash’ I sent you for xmas via your missus ?
View all comments by Daywalker
gl - thanks and happy new years to you too. I don’t want to be a best man but if I have to I will. Just don’t ask me to dress up for it though. I have yet to use the drugs but I am sure the time will come.
View all comments by smitty