Soi Cowboy, Bangkok (Part I)

[Nana Plaza]

The Soi Cowboy in Bangkok is something of a landmark & institution in the city, amongst the male tourust contingent. The Soi, which was named from the days of American GI’s, continues to have an amazing ability to re-invent itself, just when it begins to look a bit tired & dated.

Soi Cowboy is simply one small street of about 150 metres long which runs from Asoke, very close to the underground MTR station, to Soi 23 at the other end. It doesn’t matter which end you arrive from because there is a feast of bars and go go dance clubs on either side of the street. In the space between the streams of visitors pass by food vendors selling everything from barbecued chickens to frogs and kebabs. Novelties, clothes, flowers and all manner of items are paraded in amongst the welcoming invites of the girls whose job it is to lure visitors into their club or bar.

Dean Barrett's guide to Soi Cowboy. He is a US born novelist who has lived in Asia for many years.



What with all the new buildings that have gone up around Asok(e) in the last few years, I think it's days are numbered. It'll be going the way of the Clinton Plaza, I reckon.

[mrgolf]

Soi Cowboy is one of my favorite night time hangouts in BKK. Lots of good times at the Dollhouse. Ae was my fave.

[Geordie]

In compartison the the Nana Plaza or Patpong, the Soi Cowboy is seedy, if that's possible Bangkoks most infamous street eh, where half naked girls dance in grimy bars to frantic western beats! I often wonder just how many girls have died for one reason or other in their quarters above the bars?

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

Any updates on Soi Cowboy? I haven't been there in over a year. A friend of mine told me that it appeared that it was dying (he was there in July). So, what's the scoop? Is it thriving or is it dying now?

[English Bob]

Spice Girls bar & Baccara bar are doing a nice trade but then they have some of the nicest ladies on the street, and a glass ceiling helps. It's all a question of when you go, sometimes it appears quiet & other times relatively busy, what with all the Xmas punters in town.

I think Sheba's & bar Suzie Wong are the most expensive bars along Soi Cowboy, more so than Nana Plaza.

[Nana Plaza]

Fire breaks out a Soi Cowboy pub

A fire broke out at a pub on Soi Cowboy early Friday. Nobody was injured.

Police said fire fighters spent about 15 minutes to put out the blaze after it broke out at the Raw Hyde Pub at 2:30 am.

If I were asked to describe the RawHide establishment is Soi Cowboy, pub is one word I wouldn't use

[buddahas]

It is what it is.

[Khun Moo]

I was going to organise an outing there in a few weeks with some mates.

Any suggestions where to go, best bar for whatever, etc?

[Kodos]

Surely a proper outing would include going to all the bars

[Khun Moo]

I didn't say I wasn't going to all the bars.

I was asking about the best bar for whatever. Jeez, do I have to spell it out?