Phuket's Soi Gonzo bars ripped out

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Phuket's Soi Gonzo bars ripped out
Tanyaluk Sakoot


Soi Gonzo today, looking toward the back of the Aussie Bar and Bangla Rd. Photo Tuk Suksungnern

PHUKET: -- The same-same girlie bars lining both sides of Soi Gonzo, one of the grubbier side-streets off Patong’s famed Bangla Rd, have been ripped out.

Only the famed Aussie Bar, at the Bangla Rd entrance to the soi, remains.

The big tear-down is nothing to do with the army-driven clearing of businesses on public land. It’s a purely commercial decision.

The Phuket News understands that the bars will return, but the existing buildings were old, with antiquated power lines and water pipes, which would all have had to be ripped out anyway. It was simpler to tear down the whole thing.

This is not the only remake under way on Bangla, an exemplar of the Buddhist truth that there is no such thing as permanence.

Patong business leader Preechawut “Prap” Keesin, today revealed to The Phuket News that he is a partner in a new business that is close to completing a seven-month project that is seeing the Ocean Plaza building to the east of Soi Gonzo gutted and completely renovated.

“We are renewing the building to create a restaurant and coffee shop on the second floor. The ground floor will be a shopping mall and in the basement we have just opened the Tazmania Pool Lounge.”

He added, “Patong should have different options: colourful lifestyles and family options. I realised that lots of restaurants in Patong are Italian, Indian and so on. I thought it would be great to have a restaurant with a Thai and Latin theme. It will be beautiful restaurant.

The restaurant will open in time for the 2014-15 high season, he said, with opening hours from midday to midnight.

Source: http://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket%E2%80%99s-soi-gonzo-bars-ripped-out-47709.php

[pn]2014-08-06[/pn]

[terryp 5,102]

so basically a PR article for one of Patongs parasites  

[doctorproc156 556]

Good news, the same should be done to all the red light districts throughout Thailand. As they have become major tourist destinations (the majority of people who visit aren't even interested in the services anyway) and provide proper sanitation and fire safety installments.

[KarenBravo 10,114]

What a shame.

Good memories of Soi Gonzo from my fast receding youth.

[Ianatlarge 830]

Terrible, terrible. I had many fine, existential, experiences at many, if not all of these fine establishments, at one time or another. Many fond and happy memories. Now to be replaced with Starbucks and Gucci handbags. What is happening to Thailand? It is loosing its heart and soul.

[Just1Voice 24,314]

The only thing permanent is Change.

[steelepulse 5,831]

Well I'm sure the rents aren't going down.  This is a nice excuse to jack up the key money and monthly rents.  Why am I not surprised that old Prap Keesin is in on this and I'm sure his dad is too, if nothing else, a silent partner.

 

I have good memories of Soi Gonzo going back to the Didi days, and if I'm not mistaken, the U2 bar used to be there also.

[Deli 4,194]

Good news, the same should be done to all the red light districts throughout Thailand. As they have become major tourist destinations (the majority of people who visit aren't even interested in the services anyway) and provide proper sanitation and fire safety installments.

 

Just stay away if you don'y like them, or even better, move on.

[KarenBravo 10,114]

Well I'm sure the rents aren't going down.  This is a nice excuse to jack up the key money and monthly rents.  Why am I not surprised that old Prap Keesin is in on this and I'm sure his dad is too, if nothing else, a silent partner.

 

I have good memories of Soi Gonzo going back to the Didi days, and if I'm not mistaken, the U2 bar used to be there also.

 

U2 bar on Bangla is the same owner is the old Gozo bar that eventually became part of the Aussie bar.

This family used to own Soi Gonzo, but, I think they sold it years ago, though, I could be mistaken.

As far as I remember, U2 bar has always been on Bangla.

[khaowong1 1,377]

Same same but different. 

[steelepulse 5,831]

 

Well I'm sure the rents aren't going down.  This is a nice excuse to jack up the key money and monthly rents.  Why am I not surprised that old Prap Keesin is in on this and I'm sure his dad is too, if nothing else, a silent partner.

 

I have good memories of Soi Gonzo going back to the Didi days, and if I'm not mistaken, the U2 bar used to be there also.

 

U2 bar on Bangla is the same owner is the old Gozo bar that eventually became part of the Aussie bar.

This family used to own Soi Gonzo, but, I think they sold it years ago, though, I could be mistaken.

As far as I remember, U2 bar has always been on Bangla.

 

 

Wow, U2 bar still around? I thought it was on the corner of soi gonzo and bangla, but I haven't been to Patong but once in about 7 years so my memory could be letting me down on exact location.

 

Let's hope the new suckers punters will be able to make a go of it, but I can't see rents and key money allowing a profitable bar except maybe a few in the front of the soi.
 

[KarenBravo 10,114]

Yes, U2 still there. Next door to the still running Kangaroo bar.

[IBoldnewguy 163]

The only thing permanent is Change.

 

A truth bar none....

[lee b 2,880]

Have i got this right, was soi gonzo the place that had the large pool bar right at the end when you walked through all the inside mini bars? I'm a little mixed up on location here....

[Paulzed 530]

It's life Jim but not as we know it!