It is an early Saturday evening – not quite 8pm – and it has been a very long time since I ventured in to what was once my old hunting ground, Soi LK in Pattaya. This time I have a very different agenda, I wanted to make observations as to how it has changed over the last decade. Tonight I will be the only sober patron in Soi LK.
Firstly, the very bar I sit in and write this blog is a far cry from the old days; in fact you would have considered it a near impossibility. I am in one of those new craft beer pubs that are now popular in the UK, and I must say the beer is very nice – the price however is not. The pint of wheat beer I selected was 379 baht called ‘Witte Trappist’ – so Pattaya is for Cheap Charlies only is it? Interestingly it appears the choice venue for two Thai police officers that sit behind me on the outside terrace area.
Now any good blog needs an angle, a story that will keep you – the reader – engaged, and I just cannot find it. What I see is what I have always seen in this Soi. It remains a melting pot for older guys and young Thai women whom work the bars and ago-gos here. Roll back ten years and there were no ago-gos , with the exception of Champagne ago-go. Now every other venue is one.
I am forty-two years old – so very much one of the youngsters of this Soi (I am guessing the average age here is mid-fifties) – but unlike in previous years, it no longer feels like my local stomping area. I don’t feel at home like I used too. It probably has a lot – if not, everything – to do with not being filled with 10 or so bottles of beer like the old days here.
The Memories Come Flooding Back
As I sit here the memories do come flooding back. I hear a football match playing on one of the screens inside the bar, the noise of the motorbikes and cars passing though Soi Diana next to Soi LK, the mix of different music coming from the various bars behind me that together make a pleasant mess of a noise and, finally, I can smell the various food from the various vendors scattered along the Soi. All strangely very compelling.
Ten years ago I was in awe of when someone I knew in a bar in Soi LK was made a senior forum member of, at the time, a growing website called Pattaya Addicts. Now I am MD for Thaivisa, Pattaya Channel TV, Hua Hin Channel TV, Thailand Channel TV and Inspire digital media. Thaivisa is by far bigger digital media than any other media for foreigners with an interest in Thailand (consistently attracting 1.2 million unique visitors to its website each month). Things change very quickly and so do perceptions.
Quick footnote, this craft beer I am drinking – yes, it is expensive – but it is very tasty indeed. Can I really justify another pint taking my bin to a cool 758 baht for two pints of what is still just beer?
So, there have been lots of changes over the last ten years and when I re read my blog title ‘Saturday evening in Soi LK, but what’s changed?’ I suddenly see my story, that elusive angle I was looking for: What has changed? The answer is ME.
Where is that next pint of Witte Trappist I ordered…
[poll id=426]
Let Dan know where you need help and he will send you recommendations and help you get set up
Subscribe to Newsletter
Come on Dan, from picture your obviously sitting in I Rovers bar, used to be Irish Rovers.
Saying you will be the only sober guy in the Soi whilst I can see your words in jest just doesn’t do Pattaya any favours.
Yes plenty of new agogo bars though still plenty of sports bars and good old fashioned rock and roll bars with decent music.
And the ever present Billabong on the corner, that will attract many drunk and people of all ages before closing time as well as the odd fisticuffs.
Hi John, I was actually sitting the other end on the corner of Soi Diana in the craft beer bar. I do like the I Rovers bars too though!
John, you’ve got your corner wrong. Think the bar is called Craft Cottage and is on the corner of LK and Diana
That’s hardly in LK Metro.
With that fence looks like I Rovers , up in the heart.
From where you sit at that place couldn’t even see the Soi.
John O’Donoghue is incorrect, Dan is sitting in the Craft Beer bar at the start of Soi LK Metro. That fence Dan was sitting behind is at the corner of the South entrance to Soi LK Metro on Soi Diana. I Rover is, as John correctly remarked; “up in the heart’ of LK Metro. If Dan was at I Rover – He could observe Billabong Bar not the ‘Nana” Burger stand. Also; the “LK METRO” sign is clearly visible at the entrance of the zone in the upper right hand side of the photograph. From that vantage point Dan could indeed see exactly who was coming and going to and from LK Metro.
Did you actually venture up and down the whole of LK ?? Would have liked a bit more info on the whole street and maybe a comparison against walking street, as 99% of people on LK actually go into bars and drink. So many new quality bars and GOGO’s would be an interesting piece on your thoughts.