A dying village atmosphere, right in the centre of Bangkok

[princeraja]

DEAR FRIENDS,
FOR A LOT OF EXPATS, WHO MIGHT KNOW THE BEAUTY OF SOI SRIBUMPHEN, AT THE TURN OF SOI NGAM DUPILEE ( ENTERANCE FROM RAMA 4 ROAD, OPPOSITE TO THE LUMPINEE BOXING STADIUM AND SATHORN SOI 1 AND FROM THE OTHER END, YENAKAT, STARTING AT NGAN LYNCHEE) WE ARE SLOWLY LOSING THE NICE ATMOSPHERE AND COSINESS OF THIS PLACE WITH SMALL SWEET AND WELCOMING GUEST HOUSES, RUN BY LOCAL THAI FAMILIES, TO THE NEWLY BUILT HOTELS AND CONDOMINIUMS.
COME ONE, COME ALL AND ENJOY THE BEAUTY OF THE SMALL COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE LOCALLY STAYING HERE IS WELCOMING YOU WITH OPEN ARMS, ALWAYS MAKING YOU FEEL AT HOME AND FOR THE RE-VISITORS, FEELING LIKE COMING BACK HOME, HOME SWEET HOME.
COME AND EXPERIENCE FOR YOURSELF THIS PLACE I TALK ABOUT, YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOUR HOME FOREVER, COME NOW WHILE THE ESSENCE LASTS.
ANYONE KNOWING AND NOT KNOWING ABOUT THIS AREA IS WELCOME TO COME TO THIS FORUM AND PUT IN A FEW LINES, EITHER TELLING US SOMETHING IMPORTANT OF THIS AREA, (MEMORIES, EXPERIENCES, ETC. ) OR ASKING ANY INFORMATION REQUIRED. WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO BE OF SOME SERVICE.
\\\ //// RAJA.

[Marcel]

I know this area and feel always welcome among the Thai locals. And of course; the food is always great. At my next stop in Bangkok I will for sure visit this area.

[theonceler]

With all due respect, I used to teach a private student who lived down soi Sribumpen, and my impression of the area is very different from the way you describe it here.

For starters, it's the only place in the city where a farang ever came to me begging for money (in fact, the same guy was there for weeks with the same made-up sob-story). It seems to me that the area is populated with miserable looking foreign retirees and their ladyboy "girlfriends", with the odd junkie-looking-type passed-out on a restaurant table somewhere.

It may have been a nice place to stay twenty years ago, but to be honest, the area is in need of a serious make-over if you expect people to come back and enjoy themselves there.

Just my two baht's worth...

[james christensen]

Thanks for deleting me.But, what the ..matter in moral...did I do wrong? Be so kind, and answer me, so I can improved my performance.I came from a country,(denmark) where we respect, human and social dignity, in theire right, to excel in fuld freedom of expression, direct from our highly developed intellectual abstract mind-set.We do have moral, but that is not in the(our) spoken word, but in our deeds.GOD decided that,...that in my genes, I should be created, into a the raw spirit,primitive and barbaric with a superhigh sophisticated mental outlook to match... in 100% of the times, I think, I am stupid in adhere to my feminist belief, that we are all equal human beings, with the same right to live the life as we see fit.I take pride in being me, and not someone holy socialmoralist, who destroy other peoples life, so they can see themself better than YOU.I hade fakesI

[stilljustbrowsing]

Bangkok, as a Village (large though it may be) is being killed, I have seen removal of so many street traders (in the name of what, I don't know) What are they going to do if they cannot ply their wares as they did before?
Look out for an increase in street crime! They still have their familly responsibilities (which they take seriously) and if they cannot do it "legally", I fear they will do it "illegally"

[fast eddy]

I can recommend an excellent beer and music joint. This place is full of atmosphere and quirks - including the patrons. At the risk of advertising you should all check out Wong's place if it's still open. The original Wong died some years ago but I believe that his brother is running the show. A veritable museum of recorded concerts covering 4 decades or more. Can't be missed. This is not a plug from anyone connected to Wong or the bar but the hearty recommendation of a man who has lived continuously in Thailand for the past 12 years. Trust me - you won't be disappointed

[stilljustbrowsing]

So if I jump into a taxi and say "take me to wongs place" I won't be dissapointed when he takes me to the "Wong" place! Absolutely brilliant advice, thank you so much! I can't go wong

[fast eddy]

Even better than that, mate! You don't even have to jump into a taxi because.....like all villages - this one is small enough to walk around!! Ask around if you can't find it and if its still open trust me you won't be disappointed

[stilljustbrowsing]

I'm afraid I don't know "around", I would love to talk to said person but "nobody" can help me (so they say) So I've been going "around', looking for "nobody' for ages, where's my beer? I need a sit down!

[fast eddy]

Good job that 'nobody' can help. Though you don't know all the right people and asking around will surely help you, you are fortunate enough to know 'nobody' so you should be ok! Happy hunting