What's the next best spots for nightlife after Bangkok, pattaya, phuket?

[khunPer]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

What happened to the big bar area across the lagoon next to the Reggae Pub?

I got there after the big place burnt down, but there were still loads of bar beers nearby.

Haven't been back this century, so don't know what the current scene is.

Still a number bars there, but during the last decade or so it's thinning out. Some bars has been replaced by gym, others by big pizza and burgers. Audience at Samui change towards children-families and couples, not heading for bars; and younger folks that mainly are interested in parties and the club-scene. The latter also seem to prefer a different type of six-pack than some of former the bar guests...????

[khunPer]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

13 hours ago, khunPer said:

and if I share a photo of the original Ark Bar none of today's young folks would think of visting that place

That's not the original. The original was further up the beach, but it was already ruined from what it started out as by the time that photo was taken.

Thanks. That photo was, as said, dated as 2000-2001, and showed the beach front of what I presume is the present location for comparison.
 

This 1990-1991 one Ark Bar-photo might be more like "the original" you mention...

 

 

It's not my photos, but originates from a group sharing old-time Samui-photos...????

[khunPer]

12 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

A lot more than 2 decades. It was burned when I went in '93, assuming talking about the really big building that had a memorial to Jim Morrison of the Doors.

There was a smaller building across the road that was being used as a disco.

Those big buildings all had thatched roofs and were fires waiting to happen. There was a huge hotel on the beach that had same sort of roof, JR Palace or something like that. It burnt down too- but I heard it was arson. I still have a burnt knife I found among the debris which I kept as a souvenir of an amazing building. I don't think we'll ever see such fantastic buildings again. It's all concrete now- sad. 

Thanks. It all happened before my time here, so I only know from what others tell or share.

 

To my knowledge the "original" burned building on the land-side of the lake road – the lake-front side became the now legendary Reggae Pub – was only rebuild about a decade ago, but in concrete and reopened at the pubs 2008 birthday party, when the place was still full of visitors and the annual February 12 birthday  huge get-together – this is my snap-shot of the new building at that time...

 

 

–and the new entrance to the old live-music stage and disco at the lake-side...

 

 

This photo, with thatched roof buildings both sides of the road, seen across the lake, is dated 1984...

 

[gk10002000]

Ao Nang has all the little outdoor bars one could want, and in a very pretty location. 

 

The commerce casino in Los Angeles California on a weekend night has all the action, including betting and gambling!  Las Vegas too I guess, although I have not been there in over a dozen years

[fhickson]

On 11/8/2019 at 5:00 PM, Mrfox said:

Kinda bored from them, been in and out over 6-7 years. Can't say that explored every crack but many.

the reason your bored is because all nightlife areas are basically the same.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, khunPer said:

Thanks. That photo was, as said, dated as 2000-2001, and showed the beach front of what I presume is the present location for comparison.
 

This 1990-1991 one Ark Bar-photo might be more like "the original" you mention...

 

 

It's not my photos, but originates from a group sharing old-time Samui-photos...????

I have to say that those days were a whole lot more fun than now.

People never been back then don't know what they are missing, but life moves on.

[thaibeachlovers]

9 hours ago, khunPer said:

Thanks. It all happened before my time here, so I only know from what others tell or share.

 

To my knowledge the "original" burned building on the land-side of the lake road – the lake-front side became the now legendary Reggae Pub – was only rebuild about a decade ago, but in concrete and reopened at the pubs 2008 birthday party, when the place was still full of visitors and the annual February 12 birthday  huge get-together – this is my snap-shot of the new building at that time...

 

 

–and the new entrance to the old live-music stage and disco at the lake-side...

 

 

This photo, with thatched roof buildings both sides of the road, seen across the lake, is dated 1984...

 

Thanks for those photos. Tales me back to a better time of my life. I only started going very early 1990s, but the walkway is the same. I think they replaced the thatch roof with tiles though.

The bars were all to the left of the big sign which was still there. Quite a lot of them.

 

First two photos of the "new" reggae disco- the horror the horror. 

[khunPer]

25 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Thanks for those photos. Tales me back to a better time of my life. I only started going very early 1990s, but the walkway is the same. I think they replaced the thatch roof with tiles though.

The bars were all to the left of the big sign which was still there. Quite a lot of them.

 

First two photos of the "new" reggae disco- the horror the horror. 

The bridge disappeared and was replaced with a dirt dike you could drive on – almost possible in 4WD jeep during rain, I talk from experience – but with entrance by the thai boxing stadium to the left of the bar area, which then became in front of Reggae Pub. Now the whole lake is being surrounded by a promenade walk, which was finished at the Chaweng side together with a 2nd road about a decade ago.

And so we are so different, i.e. "the horror the horror". I experienced Reggae Pub as being better after the rebuild, and the concrete roads were a major improvement, especially when raining and during the monsoon-season. However the pub probably didn't follow the change of audience aiming mainly on the 40+ guests, so today there is not much action there, and there has been no birthday parties for a couple of year; probably cost too money with half the island attending a free buffet, 3 bands – including a named Bangkok-band – and huge firework on the lake.

The nightlife scenes has changed to the Soi Green Mango area; including Green Mango Club, Sweet Soul Café, the newer trendy Hush Club, and the soon to be opened Black Club, not to forget some large pubs and cafes, including the always heavy loaded "Henry Africa's Bar". There are however still some few beer bars with lady hosts left. There are also Hard Rock Cafe and Hooters, but those you can find almost same, almost everywhere. They are also also constructing a Hard Rock Hotel behind the cafe. Furthermore opposite the beach road is the huge Ark Bar Beach Resort with beach party and some named foreign DJs playing. Music style is dance and tech-dance, and Thai-oriented disco in Sweet Soul, whilst a number of the pubs, including Hard Rock Cafe, has good old-fashioned live bands playing rock and reggae. The area is amazingly crowded this low season. Furthermore in Chaweng Noi at south is The Beach Bar with a couple of sound stages, it has replaced the long time temporary closed Sound Club, and Lake View Arena's big moon-parties (same owner group). I think some complained about noise until early morning.

 

The Henry Africa's photo here, from the entrance of Soi Green Mango, is borrowed from the Internet. Henry Africa's has slowly bought all the right hand side bars half the way up Soi Green Mango, and made them to one big venue...

 

This might be the Soi Green Mango entrance you remember, and some of us are happy that have changed...????

 

1997

 

1998...

 

2019, early evening before it's getting crowded (the yellow GM sign is noticeable in the back)...

[Mrfox]

10 hours ago, fhickson said:

the reason your bored is because all nightlife areas are basically the same.

You might be right, just seem more fun back then, when the girls actually were fun. Now it feels so commercialized i.e. they don't even try...It's strictly a transaction.

[LivinLOS]

On 11/10/2019 at 10:12 AM, khunPer said:

555 – no more Bauhuaus. Was still there the first years I came to Samui from 2001, and still foam-parties, but more foam that guest, and it ended up being foam only, so they gave up.

 

But you missed the great Lamai-era with Fuzion Club after party – one of the very best House Music clubs – and the amazing always fully packed Super Sub late night club, which unfortunately only lasted about 8 years.

 

Super Sub...

Super sub used to rock.. My old lady used to be one of the stage dancers there for a few months.. Gecko on the beach (brandon block new year.. messy ????  )..

These days the club scene seems to be bangkok only (a bit at the cabana style over priced beach club scenes) or passing Thailand.. The likes of epizode over on Phu Quoc just showing Thailand what its missed and showing the FMPs for the boozy low grade events they have become. Shame that Cambodia managed to mess up the Kazantip event that could have been another huge deal for SE asias electronic music scene. 

[Mrfox]

On 11/11/2019 at 12:03 AM, khunPer said:

I can only speak in details about Samui, where I'm a frequent gust in the club-scene nightlife normally not less than three time a week, and that is not dangerous at all if you behave fairly "normal" – i.e. stay away from drugs, and don't argue and mingle with the wrong folks – I find my native Scandinavian home country many fold more dangerous.

 

Times are changing, and so is the nightlife venues. I heard about "Past glory" already 18-years ago, when I came to the island first time – today "past glory" for some is even something that I have experienced, and a decade from now "past glory" is now – the change of venues doesn't mean that it's past the good times, just that it's different, and in progress from old times' "glory". Also hot places are changing, from for example from Lamai to Chaweng Beach, if you are looking for party nightlife.

Back in the hippie days in Lamai, folks lived in primitive bungalows on the beach – fan only when there were power in the grid – when raining the roads were mud bath, no concrete, and don't mention the rainy season. It had it's charm, but I bet many young folks would run screaming away today, where the standrad is a nice aircon room like Ark Bar Beach Resort in Chaweng – and if I share a photo of the original Ark Bar none of today's young folks would think of visting that place – the need for good and preferably gourmet restaurants, trendy pubs and cafes, and organized safe parties.

 

Ark Bar 2000-2001 – click here to see what it's like today...????

But if you look for something like Samui once was, perhaps Koh Rong by Cambodia might be of interest, they are said to also have a Full Moon Party.

 

However, if you are beoynd old folks memories of "past glory", the experience of an up-to-date genuine FMP might also be of interest...????

 

By dangerous place, was referring to some of the earlier replies near the border of Malaysia and Thailand. Koh samui seems to be overran by lady boys now?? Sorry to say but they are a bunch of messed up and sad bunch. 

[khunPer]

4 hours ago, Mrfox said:

Koh samui seems to be overran by lady boys now??

Actually very few, apart from when entering one of the two Cabarets in Chaweng.

[CG1 Blue]

7 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Thanks for those photos. Tales me back to a better time of my life. I only started going very early 1990s, but the walkway is the same. I think they replaced the thatch roof with tiles though.

The bars were all to the left of the big sign which was still there. Quite a lot of them.

 

First two photos of the "new" reggae disco- the horror the horror. 

Reggae Pub is still there, and the road leading up to it (Soi Reggae) is lined with beer bars and that familiar "welcome, hansum man!" chorus all the way along the road. 

 

Sadly Reggae Pub itself is empty these days. I still pop in from time to time, hoping that it's made a come back. I used to love taking a break from Soi Green Mango to watch the live bands play in there, and seeing the tourists partying with the local girls on the dance floor. 

 

But as KhunPer says, pretty much all the busy nightlife is in the Green Mango area now - with some late night venues down by Solo. I still love Chaweng - been going there since 2001. But I do envy you guys who knew the place before it was commercialised. I'd love to have seen it then! 

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/12/2019 at 6:52 PM, khunPer said:

The bridge disappeared and was replaced with a dirt dike you could drive on – almost possible in 4WD jeep during rain, I talk from experience – but with entrance by the thai boxing stadium to the left of the bar area, which then became in front of Reggae Pub. Now the whole lake is being surrounded by a promenade walk, which was finished at the Chaweng side together with a 2nd road about a decade ago.

And so we are so different, i.e. "the horror the horror". I experienced Reggae Pub as being better after the rebuild, and the concrete roads were a major improvement, especially when raining and during the monsoon-season. However the pub probably didn't follow the change of audience aiming mainly on the 40+ guests, so today there is not much action there, and there has been no birthday parties for a couple of year; probably cost too money with half the island attending a free buffet, 3 bands – including a named Bangkok-band – and huge firework on the lake.

The nightlife scenes has changed to the Soi Green Mango area; including Green Mango Club, Sweet Soul Café, the newer trendy Hush Club, and the soon to be opened Black Club, not to forget some large pubs and cafes, including the always heavy loaded "Henry Africa's Bar". There are however still some few beer bars with lady hosts left. There are also Hard Rock Cafe and Hooters, but those you can find almost same, almost everywhere. They are also also constructing a Hard Rock Hotel behind the cafe. Furthermore opposite the beach road is the huge Ark Bar Beach Resort with beach party and some named foreign DJs playing. Music style is dance and tech-dance, and Thai-oriented disco in Sweet Soul, whilst a number of the pubs, including Hard Rock Cafe, has good old-fashioned live bands playing rock and reggae. The area is amazingly crowded this low season. Furthermore in Chaweng Noi at south is The Beach Bar with a couple of sound stages, it has replaced the long time temporary closed Sound Club, and Lake View Arena's big moon-parties (same owner group). I think some complained about noise until early morning.

 

The Henry Africa's photo here, from the entrance of Soi Green Mango, is borrowed from the Internet. Henry Africa's has slowly bought all the right hand side bars half the way up Soi Green Mango, and made them to one big venue...

 

This might be the Soi Green Mango entrance you remember, and some of us are happy that have changed...????

 

1997

 

1998...

 

2019, early evening before it's getting crowded (the yellow GM sign is noticeable in the back)...

Thanks for your replies. I'm very happy I have not been back to Chaweng this century as I'd hate it.

I did stop off in Mae Nam ( next to Bophut beach ) beach a night when passing through from Phangan, but that place was basically unchanged back then. Perhaps it has changed too.

Every time I see a full moon now it takes me back to the days I'd stay at Than Sadet and go down to Had Rin for the FMP. Memories, memories of happier days.

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/13/2019 at 12:40 AM, CG1 Blue said:

Reggae Pub is still there, and the road leading up to it (Soi Reggae) is lined with beer bars and that familiar "welcome, hansum man!" chorus all the way along the road. 

 

Sadly Reggae Pub itself is empty these days. I still pop in from time to time, hoping that it's made a come back. I used to love taking a break from Soi Green Mango to watch the live bands play in there, and seeing the tourists partying with the local girls on the dance floor. 

 

But as KhunPer says, pretty much all the busy nightlife is in the Green Mango area now - with some late night venues down by Solo. I still love Chaweng - been going there since 2001. But I do envy you guys who knew the place before it was commercialised. I'd love to have seen it then! 

Thanks for that reply.

 

Before it was commercialised. Hmmmm. That's really going back.

According to legend, the first farangs arrived on a coconut boat when there was not an hotel on the entire island.

First came the A frames with communal toilets

Then came the huts

Then the huts gained a brick bathroom add on which was when I arrived.

Then the huts were replaced with concrete.

Then AC and hot water arrived, along with 24 hr electric and tv, internet

Then it went barking, and the big concrete hotel resorts destroyed everything in the pursuit of greed.

 

In 93, there were expensive resort hotels on Chaweng, but they were never above the tree line, and between them were cheap places. I think the place I always stayed at was called Chaweng village, but it was just where the reef began. Right in the middle.

Only wood fan rooms and cold water showers.

Green Mango was where it is now, along with another I forget the name of.

Songtheaws to the town were 20 baht share during the day. Hardest thing was to get an English language paper, but I found one shop sold Bkk Post. Rustic restaurants had VDOs to watch while dining. I knew the good days were over when they stopped showing VDOs.

I think the difference then and now is that we went to enjoy the beach. Now it's all about flash rooms, swimming pools, expensive dining and manufactured entertainment. Somewhere along the line people forgot why they went there in the first place.

Last time I wandered along the beach, couldn't enjoy the ambience for the amplified noise ( so called music ) coming from every beach side restaurant.

First time I took a GF with me we'd swim in the sea in the day time, walk on the beach, and dine on a table on the sand with the sand crabs scuttling around us, gentle waves lapping on the shore, moon above. It was as romantic as it gets. Pity Thai girls have missed out on the romantic gene, but at least I appreciated it.

[Mrfox]

5 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Thanks for that reply.

 

Before it was commercialised. Hmmmm. That's really going back.

According to legend, the first farangs arrived on a coconut boat when there was not an hotel on the entire island.

First came the A frames with communal toilets

Then came the huts

Then the huts gained a brick bathroom add on which was when I arrived.

Then the huts were replaced with concrete.

Then AC and hot water arrived, along with 24 hr electric and tv, internet

Then it went barking, and the big concrete hotel resorts destroyed everything in the pursuit of greed.

 

In 93, there were expensive resort hotels on Chaweng, but they were never above the tree line, and between them were cheap places. I think the place I always stayed at was called Chaweng village, but it was just where the reef began. Right in the middle.

Only wood fan rooms and cold water showers.

Green Mango was where it is now, along with another I forget the name of.

Songtheaws to the town were 20 baht share during the day. Hardest thing was to get an English language paper, but I found one shop sold Bkk Post. Rustic restaurants had VDOs to watch while dining. I knew the good days were over when they stopped showing VDOs.

I think the difference then and now is that we went to enjoy the beach. Now it's all about flash rooms, swimming pools, expensive dining and manufactured entertainment. Somewhere along the line people forgot why they went there in the first place.

Last time I wandered along the beach, couldn't enjoy the ambience for the amplified noise ( so called music ) coming from every beach side restaurant.

First time I took a GF with me we'd swim in the sea in the day time, walk on the beach, and dine on a table on the sand with the sand crabs scuttling around us, gentle waves lapping on the shore, moon above. It was as romantic as it gets. Pity Thai girls have missed out on the romantic gene, but at least I appreciated it.

Dang commercialization! Looks like modernization ruined another great place

[khunPer]

6 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

First time I took a GF with me we'd swim in the sea in the day time, walk on the beach, and dine on a table on the sand with the sand crabs scuttling around us, gentle waves lapping on the shore, moon above. It was as romantic as it gets. Pity Thai girls have missed out on the romantic gene, but at least I appreciated it.

If you get away from Chaweng – and Lamai – you can still find quiet, cozy beaches on Samui.

 

You mentioned Mae Nam in another post, and that beach is still very "private", however more lights in the horizon of the bay, and on Koh Phangan, than in recent "old time" when I was first time on that beach in 2001. Still some few fairly primitive and relative affordable bungalows left, but also higher end accommodation from modest and up to 5-star; Santibury was already there during the 90ies. You can still sit by a table in the sand for a romantic candlelight dinner with crabs scuttling around you by some of the fairly few beach restaurants, while the Moon is rising over a calm sea. I talk from experience, living on that beach 7/365 for a decade now, and before that just 80 meters back. And if having a little late candlelight dinner, as my romantic girlfriend and I often do on our beach terrasse, we are if not almost alone, then alone on the beach; i.e. "our beach"...????

 

Mae Nam Beach late afternoon image from 2017, still same-same, but I don't re-shoot same picture every year; perhaps I should...????

 

This photo was actually for a friend that was interested in renting a house (at left), but it shows Mae Nam Beach in July high-season, it might not be so different a view from older time Chaweng Beach...

 

The downside of Mae Nam, and other similar still great beaches on Samui, is that you need transportation to get to the nightlife, other than the local sports pub, and at some places also a few bars by the Ring Road.

 

Samui was "invented" as tourist destaination by a pair of German backpackers that got over on a coconut boat i the 1970ies, and wrote about their trip in a travel magazine. By that time Samui's income was fishing and coconuts; actually the island was famous for the latter. There were hardly any roads, and therefore hardly any cars. The work with a ring road began i 1977.

 

A native girl gave me this photo that is supposed to be the first car arriving on the island (looks like somewhere on Mae Nam Beach, it's Phangan in the back)...

 

I scanned through the file with old time Samui photos shared public (not my photos), to find some memories from old-time Chaweng Beach for you, and other interested...

 

Chaweng Beach 1980...

 

Chaweng Beach, Blue Lagoon, 1990...

 

Chaweng Beach looking north, undated, but greedy progress with multiple huts for tourists...

[thaibeachlovers]

On 11/15/2019 at 5:05 AM, khunPer said:

If you get away from Chaweng – and Lamai – you can still find quiet, cozy beaches on Samui.

 

You mentioned Mae Nam in another post, and that beach is still very "private", however more lights in the horizon of the bay, and on Koh Phangan, than in recent "old time" when I was first time on that beach in 2001. Still some few fairly primitive and relative affordable bungalows left, but also higher end accommodation from modest and up to 5-star; Santibury was already there during the 90ies. You can still sit by a table in the sand for a romantic candlelight dinner with crabs scuttling around you by some of the fairly few beach restaurants, while the Moon is rising over a calm sea. I talk from experience, living on that beach 7/365 for a decade now, and before that just 80 meters back. And if having a little late candlelight dinner, as my romantic girlfriend and I often do on our beach terrasse, we are if not almost alone, then alone on the beach; i.e. "our beach"...????

 

Mae Nam Beach late afternoon image from 2017, still same-same, but I don't re-shoot same picture every year; perhaps I should...????

 

This photo was actually for a friend that was interested in renting a house (at left), but it shows Mae Nam Beach in July high-season, it might not be so different a view from older time Chaweng Beach...

 

The downside of Mae Nam, and other similar still great beaches on Samui, is that you need transportation to get to the nightlife, other than the local sports pub, and at some places also a few bars by the Ring Road.

 

Samui was "invented" as tourist destaination by a pair of German backpackers that got over on a coconut boat i the 1970ies, and wrote about their trip in a travel magazine. By that time Samui's income was fishing and coconuts; actually the island was famous for the latter. There were hardly any roads, and therefore hardly any cars. The work with a ring road began i 1977.

 

A native girl gave me this photo that is supposed to be the first car arriving on the island (looks like somewhere on Mae Nam Beach, it's Phangan in the back)...

 

I scanned through the file with old time Samui photos shared public (not my photos), to find some memories from old-time Chaweng Beach for you, and other interested...

 

Chaweng Beach 1980...

 

Chaweng Beach, Blue Lagoon, 1990...

 

Chaweng Beach looking north, undated, but greedy progress with multiple huts for tourists...

Thanks again. The 1980 photo of Chaweng was much as it was in the early 90s because all the resorts had to be behind and below the tree line. 

I don't mind the one with the small huts among the coconut trees, as had they not existed I would not have been able to stay on the beach.

It's the huge multi story places with all the trees cut down that I don't like.

Remember Charley's Hut?

I never stayed there, but it fitted into the environment.

There is a balance between no habitations at all, and wanton destruction just to make money. Seems we are now in the latter stage.

Early 90s had the balance right. Something to make everyone happy. 

[khunPer]

Charley's Hut was sold – for 400 million baht I think to remember – but it still exists, as the Thai couple that owned it opened a new small inland Chaley's Hut by the rood along the Airport landing strip between Bo Phut and Bang Rak. They have some returning old time customers coming to say hello, but don't need the income. I was told that the wife spend most of her time playing on the computer, she play the real stock market...????

 

The palm line is still Okay on Chaweng Beach apart from Al's Resort on the middle, and the new Ark Bar in the northern end. But many more people and also jet-ski now; here are both south and north in 2017, to compare with old-time photos – the latest images I have shot – from about front of Al's, seen on right hand in first photo, and left side in second...

 

 

 

[Stocky]

On 11/8/2019 at 6:49 PM, ChipButty said:

Hat Yai some good English style pubs while your there just nip down to Sadao its Malaysia back yard you could be the only farang there 

Oooh, nothing to see down here, just Burkas and terrorists.

????