Bruce's Channel: EAT. DRINK, TRAVEL: kzfaq.info/love/zjp1w5FTEHSWUNYLjDGx5A Phil Jablon's old cinema & theatres website: seatheater.blogspot.com/ Pridi Banomyong Wikipedia Page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pridi_Banomyong J Bar & Cafe: www.jbarcafe.com/

Hat's off to you, Pat. 22 years in Phra Khanong on Pridi 16 and you have taught me some things I never learned about. I had been told by other old timers about the many cinemas but I did not know so many still existed. I do remember the one where the condo now stands. Before everybody had a cell phone in the early 2000s, girls would sit there with phones people could rent to make calls. Also there, one of Phra Khanong's last video rental shops. Your friend need go no further than the uber-hip "The Beat" Hotel on Pridi 3 for some ghostly possibilities. Before it was gutted and transformed into "The Beat", it was the "69" Hotel, a dreary, filthy, sleazy, rat infested flop house populated by the saddest collection of addicts and society's castaways as one could imagine. Police pulling a body out of there was common enough that it wasn't even particularly noteworthy. Pridi 3 was pretty tough in those days, a dilapidated lumber yard where "W" district now sits. not a place to wander at night. What was wonderful at night was the almost endless line of food vendors stretching down '71 from 10PM onwards till dawn. Even members of the Royal Family had been known to pull-up for a special bowl of noodles or a custom made "Ma Muang Poo" The saddest, most unforgettable sight for me in Phra Khanong was January 1, 2009. My girlfriend and I were in a taxi on Sukhumvit returning from a New Years party. We passed Soi Ekkamai and all of a sudden began seeing ZOMBIES...that is, people looking like walking dead: burned clothing, faces and bodies black with soot, staggering, screaming and crying, a vision of hell and you could see more of the same further ahead, all the way to Phra Khanong. These were the lucky ones who had escaped the horrendous SANTIKA Nightclub fire in Ekkamai that killed at least 66 known victims, just as the New Year was rung in. Again, a pyrotechnics show gone to hell, exactly like the 2003 Station Club fire in Warwick, Rhode Island in which more than 100 died. AFAIK; nobody was ever held accountable.

So much fun to see my neighborhood of 25 years. I even saw my barber and recognised several of the cats.

An old girlfriend of mine lives in Phra Khanong. The last time I saw her was in 1989, but we've recently re-established contact. She's a grandmother now - scary!

Wow I watched his ads growing up in LA area. :D

Great historical coverage of the five Cinemas in Phra Khanong

If it wasn't for your 'nerdy' insights, I probably wouldn't have ended up being a subscriber. These nuggets of information from days gone by, coupled with your cinematic style makes your channel one of my favourites. Keep on keeping on Pat.

I keep learning more and more about Bangkok from your videos. No one on KZfaq does it better

"This is KZfaq and someone got to do it." Amen 😎

Another interesting video about something that I had no idea that I was interested in

Pat makes everyone look like a star

This video is a nice trip down memory lane. Used to go to Phrakhanong weekly to teach a returnee whose parents owned a gold shop at the soi 71 intersection. They prepared a meal after every lesson, so some of the best Thai food I had was there.

Yep great area 👍

Hi Pat ..in th.all change pretty quick...people live very much in the present...then and now...that sentimental look into the past ...that can lead to sorrow ( which it did in the past to me ) is pretty foreign to thais ( at least those I know )..so I learned, adopted and I guess changed to live fully in the now ..still remember and don't forget...but be in the present...because thats the place where all the action happens...just to...change once again...

Good one and no looking behind either

Entertaining and Informative; the cats are good too.

Two words, entertaining and Informative. cool

That's were another spectacular sites in Bangkok I love it. Thanks for sharing with me.

Another great video.Give thanks 🌴👍

Another fascinating insight into Bangkok of the past by Pat, particularly the old Phra Khanong cinemas of that era. Not too far away from Khlong Toey harbour where my ship used to dock. Must give it a walk around on my next visit to Krungthep👍

Enjoyed the history! The rest... (?)

Thanks for another very nice video

Hi pat. I’m so glad to take the time to make videos that are well planed out. You gave your guest a mic, nice. I like to shots of cats. I would be happy if you shot other animals as well. I live in Arizona now but i plan to retire in Bangkok in a few years. I would enjoy meeting you sometime in the future. Gary.

I'd love to do a ghost tour of Bangkok, must be some great grizzly stories 👻

Next video at udomsuk with me right bro? haha...You've gone that way down the bts line. Top stuff as always mate.

สวัสดีครับ..สมัยนั้นผมยังอายุเพิ่ง14ปี เข้าไปเรียนที่กรุงเทพฯ จากบุรีรัมย์อาศัยอยู่ที่แฟลตซอยสุขุมวิท93 บางจาก จำได้ว่าสมัยนู้นพระโขนงคึกคักมากกก โดยเฉพาะวันหยุดสุดสัปดาห์จะเป็นที่รวมพลของเหล่าคนจากต่างจังหวัดโดยเฉพาะคนทางภาคอีสาน ของขายเพียบ ไม่มีตึกสูงเหมือนสมัยปัจจุบันมีแต่อาคารพาณิชย์ห้องแถวเก่าเรียงรายเหมือนในวีดีโอเลย ตอนนี้ผมอายุ46ปีแล้ว

I love your description : His history is very complex:) I guess it more as a minefiled these days;)

Great channel bud . Good to educate us westerners

Hope Land was the first hotel I stayed at the first time I came to Thailand back in 2017. I never knew about this history. Crazy.

I love it! I visit this area daily for my workout and street food. Great area of a great city.

Amazing walk down memory lane... Bangkok in 1979 just being there was an exciting feeling. 1980 :s 1990's those feelings changed, Bangkok is slowly becoming Singapore but for excitement and exotic culture Bangkok is still unique.

that guys attention to details is great

As always very enjoyable.

Another great video! Back in 1993, I used to train with Master Toddy in his backyard in that area, after he returned back to Thailand from pioneering Muay Thai in Manchester, England. There used to be a Boxing gym under that flyover; and Master Toddy had all sorts of stories from his days of street fighting in that area, when he was a teenager. It sure has changed a lot since then, but it brings back memories watching your video clip. Keep up the great work!

The poster on the right appears to be a 1992 movie. It says เจาะเวลาหาโก๊ะ ("Back in time to find Goh" - or something like that).

Thanks for this. I believe Phra Khanong 100 years ago used to be some agglomeration of wooden houses on both sides of the khlong and a commercial area selling goods brought from up river. It follows the On Nut Road up quite well.

"I would like to wake up screaming". No way not to watch the episode after that opening! Jedi mind trick!

10 shots of cats in this video, you really do have a soft spot for cats

Ive walked through that overpass community on the way to On Nut . There was a little piglet with a collar roaming around freely ! Brave little piggy 😃

I have the barber shops marked. Will most certainly visit them. On my next vacation.

Thanks. The movie theater background on Phra Khanong, I wasn't aware of and it was interesting to see. It will all be a nice reference to look back on for those wanting to appreciate what Bangkok was like in by gone days.

I ❤ Bangkok

Jeez! That's changed a lot since I lived there on Soi 48 in 2002. There was FA there back then apart from Thai markets.

This channel deserves way more subscribers!

"Potential snobbery of Thonglor" As a former Thonglor resident, I can attest to my obnoxious snobiety. Great content as always Pat!

Prakanong started to hurt when Tesco Lotus (now Lotus's) and Carrefour (now Big C) opened at Onnut. The Welco, Asian, Thai Daimaru and another department store, the name of which I forget, closed down.

I live next to the market overlooking the cinema. I've often thought it must have been a thriving retail area before the big stores came along. There are a lot of foreigners around here now and I think that the market could be an attraction if it was renovated. I only know the area since 2008, so never saw the old cinemas. But I remember there were few western people and it felt distinctly rougher than now.

Love it. Spent 4 months there back in 2016 and will return there for the first time since in a few weeks. Really cool to see how it's developed, even in that short time

London,Asia,Holiday,Chao Praya, Prakanong Rama Prakanong Theater were six cinemas in that area.

Loved it, will watch this in 10 years and reminisce. There was also lots of shopping around where j bar is today, most those side streets were shopping. Phra Khanong is so close to on nut yet has a different feel and unique points that make living great like w District and a big fresh market.

Pat I have got a couple of stories you can find for your channel. 1. When the jetty collapsed on the river killing many people waiting for the boat . 2. When a tanker truck crashed into a car a tank load of fuel exploded on the streets of BKK 3. A story about the old "Rose Hotel" in Patong area.

Nice one Pat great viewing again.

Enjoyed the vblog did you go to the Catz Cafe ? I often walk through Phra Khanong on the way home to Bangchak.

interesting as always pat. like no other chanel information. thx

I love your geeky history lessons 🙂 Keep them coming!

Thanks again Pat. Inspirational editing and educational above all 😎

Nice one pat , enjoyed that

Super Pat. 👍

Another good video Pat.

I lived in Le Luk Condo for 1 year and Wyne Condo for 2 years. They tried to develop the W District into an art colony; there used to be an art gallery there. I remember the alien statue with the baby, the UFO building and the glass pyramid on top of the Jasmine Hotel. I didn't know about the theaters and Elvis at the Hopeland. Thanks. I enjoyed that neighborhood. Some good restaurants there.

Bkk Pat your videos are outstanding, you capture Bkk like no other and you make me miss it so much. Next time I visit I'd really like to buy you a beer. Good on ya mate, keep up the good work

Another interesting historical tour. Thanks Pat.

Another enjoyable video Pat .. keep Going ! 👊

Thanks again Pat!One stop up from Ekkamai[Satantee tatbai-Phra Khanong-Mind the gap!]on the Sky Train. Gotta check it out.

Tremendous vid Pat...love it!

I did Choy Lee Fut Kung Fu for 11 years and naming my favorite Shaw Brothers movie is very very easy, Martial club.

Always enjoy watching your content Pat. I’d love you to show on a map exactly where you’re talking about. Not sure if it’s practical to use a known map on KZfaq though.

I've walked around the area many times but never knew the history, thanks for adding some context. I randomly came to meet Bruce at a party a few months back, cool guy.

My home for the past five years! I live inside W District and shop the Phra Khanong market several times a week. You missed Soi 2 with a great street food scene. I love it here. I like to describe it as being on the edge of the downtown. You get the condos and international food right next to the urban Thai experience of street food and the fresh market. I don’t really spend much time across the street around the J Cafe but it is interesting to walk around and is definitely a quieter part of the neighborhood. The khlong end of the area is quite interesting to walk around also. Thanks for the cinema history. Didn’t know that.

Nice that you interviewed Bruce and helped promote his KZfaq channel. He's definitely posted a lot of videos, but the attention to detail, nuanced insights and detailed research that goes into your videos are absent in his, at least at this time. I did click on your link and viewed several of Bruce's more recent videos of Thailand and his recent trip to Cambodia.

Really enjoying your channel Pat. I do have trouble reading your footnotes at the bottom of the screen which appear as though cut in half

Great video once again mate looks like I'm the first to start watching it. First 30 seconds and I'm hooked already

Hi Pat, Sterling work as all ways my friend. Out of Interest do you no what year Elvis was in BKK ? Many thanks....

Topline-Diamond, ones of the famous Look-Tung and Mor-lam Music companies are located in Soi Sukhumvit 48, near Phra Khanong area.

Good job Pat 😉 Thanks 👍

Nice Video Pat!

Great video! its really interesting how over the past year or two the amount of clients we have who now seek properties in Prakanong rather than On nut..both areas have great charm but I agree that Prakanong has always been a gem of a place and now its added much more to its arsenal.

awesome amazing you got into that old cinema. know phra khanong well. What is the aisa hotel story link please stayed there so many times used to belong to the club there in 1994

I like the nightly / rainy ambient atmosphere of your videos. It's got a noir movie atmosphere that reminds me the graham greene spy novels. Thanks to this video I also discovered the work of Philip Jablon. Great work.

Bbk all the way!! Love your work have a coffee ☕️

Another great video Pat. A friend is still trying to sell me a condo in phra khanong, maybe I should take another look? Or maybe not, my wife would veto it 😁

Pat, Nice story telling , either from you or from Bruce, I will be curious about the ghost in Asia hotel, it’s where I like to stay, good breakfast, and location to get by .

Not geeky one bit. Much appreciate what you do.

Thanks Pat for another fantastic video mate 👍👍

You are the man, Pat. Thanks so much for all your hard work, bringing such important insights about our amazing Bangkok to light.

Thanks Pat , great job on the local history - very interesting and professionally produced .

Nice one, Pat. I love the diversity of Phra Khanong, it feels grounded somehow. I’m in town next week for a bit, if you fancy a beer sometime.

Khun Pat's channel has some Thai language translation programs. Because some Thai people, if they don't have Thai language, they don't watch at all. It will increase the follower base as well. 😊😉👍

We visit this area a lot and I had no idea of it’s rich history. Thank you for the upload. Your editing is wonderful and you are a natural storyteller. We’ve been with you since you started and great to see the high level of interest in your channel :-)

96 died in that hotel fire in Jomtien many years ago. Is that haunted enough ? I've stayed in that hotel for a couple weeks back in 2019. Didn't see any ghost, but it sure was noisy ! Very nice pool, great breakfast, great location... they even have a bowling alley.

👍😀

The only truly informative and respectful channel about Thailand, past and present 🙏 thank you sir, I've stayed here in January 2020 a little before the storm... I miss Thailand and Thai people 🙏

At 3:03 the dog in the background starts talking a dump in the middle of the soi.

14:56 ... can cats develop claustrophobia ??? First thought it is in a submarine. Cool shot

Another interesting and informative video Pat as only you do them. I love the way you research your subjects and places. It’s fantastic looking at the old cinemas and what is there now. I’m just querying the Elvis appearance as I’m fairly sure that he never played in Bangkok. Anyway, thanks for great videos.

Bruce is full of it

I really like Phra Khanong and was very possibly staying in a hotel around the corner from J Bar (which I walked past regularly) whilst you were filming this. However, apart from seeing one of the theatre frontages you mentioned (and not really appreciating it) I had zero knowledge of the history of the area. Thank You for your researching and passing on the info.

Answer: The 36th Chamber of Shaolin

not geeky at all Pat.. great boots to the ground research. ghosts of past... now make a time machine

12:00 there was a party going on in the back :p