Thermae NEWS

updated February, 2001

February 2001: it had to happen
Following the crackdown of all the bars and pubs in Bangkok, and within the never-issued regulations for the so called "entertainment areas", Thermae is forced to close at 2:00 am. The never ending nights at Thermae are now a memory. Some nights the place tends to stay open until 4:00, but those nigths are exeptions. Around 2:00 am the lights are switched on and the night crowd asked to leave.

An advice informing people the Thermae now closes at 2:00 am

July 1999: the Clinton Plaza and 13 Night Market are borne
2 small entertainment centers are borne from the ashes of the old Thermae: Clinton Plaza, located at the left of the old Thermae massage parlour, and a bunch of beer bars located over the old Thermae site, now called "13 night market". The bars are: The Elephant Bar; El Burrito Feliz Bar; Arcadia; Thai Angel Bar; The Rib Shack Bar; Lek's Boozer and the 13 Thai Dance Pub.

April 1999, news from the Holy Ground of the Old Thermae:
Since 1966, after demolition, the ground where the Old Thermae was located remained abandoned. Today a new entertainment place (small bars) is popping up from the Old Thermae place, between Soi 13 and Soi 15, Sukhumvit. It will be a group of beer bars (at least 10 up to now), all of them ground level. Something similar to the Buckskin Joe Village (soi "0")?
Enjoy a picture of the bare structures, and imagine...

Feb 1999, short report:
Thermae is more and more crowded. Now somethimes it is difficult to enter after 2 am. The scene often moves outside to Thermae steps, where at least air is a little less smoky than inside. Somebody complains about Internet, guilty to have brought Thermae to the net masses. Indeed, Thermae seems to be just back to the old times...

12 May 1998: "Thermae will stay where it is"
Words from Thermae cashier, interviewed from Neimon last April, 28th. Maybe not so authoritative, but a voice to be taken into account.

8 April 1998: Will Thermae be relocated again?

I heard some rumors in Autumn, last year. But nobody confirmed.
The April 4th issue of Trink (check here, it's a very nice site, but remember that changes weekly: www.bangkokpost.com/trink/trink.html)
comes with the following news:
"FROM the rumour-mill (and thus unconfirmed). It's current lease due to expire, Thermae constellation will move to the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 13. More about this as I learn of it."
So, stay tuned.

18 March 1998: A piece of (old) Thermae for sale IS NOW READY!

Did you read "A Killing Smile" by Christopher Moore? The book whose story is mainly located in the Thermae? Well, the Author prepared a special limited edition made with quality leather, special imported paper, and of course a piece of Thermae history hand-stitched into each of the 275 signed and numbered copies: a piece of the black naugahyde coverings obtained from two the booths salvaged from the original Thermae. I don't think these will last very long. This is definitely a collectors item.

There is a school of thought that ancient items, if properly contacted, can tell their story, and the naughahyde from the old Thermae booths have some story to tell.
This limited first edition IS NOW READY!

Whant to know more? Check Christopher G. Moore page: www.cgmoore.com