A dying village atmosphere, right in the centre of Bangkok

[stilljustbrowsing]

When I was relaesed from the assylum, I was given a certificate stating that I was considered to be "sane", can you prove your sanity?
How can there be, ever, a village atmosphere in a central city?

[fast eddy]

I guess you would have to visit London to find out, stilljustbrowsing. London is a capital city which consists mostly of villages. Or perhaps you could drop by Greenwhich village in Nooo Yoorrrrkkk to get an idea! There's always an answer to your confusion.
Fast Eddy

[stilljustbrowsing]

I worked at London City Airport for two years so I do have some idea about what you mean!

[Mickyfin]

Well,what can I say,I first went to soi Sri bumphen in 1992,My favourite bar was and still is kennys guest house,all the characters sat on the long wooden bench on the outside of the bar,I madegood friends with kenny and his family who still run the bar,num is still working as cashier,pit doing the waitressing,kennnys brother cooking,and it's never changed,no fancy cocktails,just beer whisky and good food,who can forget the love beer garden? What a place for an afternoon drink,I used to love going down to the coffee shop at the Malaysia hotel after midnight when the other bars were closed,I still visit that area every time I visit,yes there is more development,but a lot of the old character and people are still there,even my old friend joy is still freelancing around the area,there is a few ropey people around there but get over that and you have a gem of a village,in the heart of bangkok,the best city in the world.

[Silom]

I was in 1994 the first time in this area. I could easily find what I’m looking for.
Remember the bar on the corner to the Soi Nam Duple?
Now it’s a 7 Eleven (that’s another story).
Last time I visited it, 3 years ago, Jonnies guest house#, the spirit was still there.
Things are changing, everywhere and mostly not for good, in these times.
But good old treasures still there.
The Goehte Institute right around the corner,
The barbers with their struggle, Farangs who bargain on a 80 Baht haircut and save,
Cheap places to stay, 350 Baht even cheaper ahhhh…………a lot of memories.

How some say; a secret for all these Kausan Rd. people.

[Mickyfin]

The bar on the corner was called the blue fox, I used to go everyday, a bit less hassle and nice n cool, I'll be back around soi Sri bumphen in a couple of months, although if my place ever goes, there really won't be a reason to go back, like so many places in bkk, it's changing, maybe for the better, who knows!

[myplaceguy]

Guys I saw this old post and could not help dropping a note. Good old Soi Sribumphen.. Yes I know the place has had a history and when I say history .. I mean HISTORY. I used to hang out there around 1986 and on into the late 1990..God what life. It was when My Place Guest House with Lek & Swiss Christine was rock & rolling and all the western street boys hung out there.. I can remember Uncle Dave, Robo, Perter the Dutchman, That Mr Fix it guy JingJo so infamous! Would love to see him. I was told he was spotted recently on the streets in Bangkok after years away, Looks like Kenny took over My Place.., so so many old names of guys & girls western & Thai, the bar girls that lived with them and the guesthouses where life was real and was the place to be. I have heard of other old names from this area when Blue Fox was just another hot spot as was "Wongs" before he died, and yes the old Malaysia Coffee shop was still kicking on and the boys would all head to patpong or Soi Cowboy or Sukhumvit for a night out. Yes miss it all. There were the trips to Pattaya and Koh Samui and Phuket and Chiangmai .. damn so many good old days with memories still fresh and the faces still not forgotten. I have heard that some of the old faces although older are still there..surviving ha ha ..God I have to get my arse back there.. Yes there were the junkies and the destitutes plus the backpackers plus the boys..they were what made Soi Srimbumphen and Soi Ngarmduplee famous.. Anyone know any of the guys from goodold days ? Please leave a message !