Sukhumvit Nightlife: Who’s Keeping It Alive?

[123Stodg]

I don’t know about you lot, but since Covid ended, I’ve noticed a massive shift in the type of crowd now haunting Sukhumvit’s nightlife. In fact, I’d go as far as to say that without a few key groups propping it up, the whole scene might collapse faster than a plastic patio chair under a heavy bloke.

 

When I first landed here decades ago, Sukhumvit was the go-to spot for Western expats and tourists: Aussies, Yanks, Brits, Germans, and the odd Scandinavian sweating their way through the heat. They were the backbone of the nightlife, packing out Soi 4 and Soi 11 like clockwork. It was a good giggle. These days? I’d estimate they’re barely 20% of the crowd. The other 80%? A melting pot of Indians, Arabs, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese punters.

 

And here’s the kicker: Indians alone probably make up two-thirds of the crowd on certain sois. Walk down Nana or Soi 11 now, and it’s a completely different vibe. What started as a playground tailored for Western tastes has shifted into something distinctly Asian-centric. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, it’s just fascinating to watch how the balance of power (and wallets) has changed. Are we watching Sukhumvit morph into something new and sustainable, or is it just clinging to whichever crowd happens to have the deepest pockets right now? Throw in the explosion of weed shops over the last few years, and it’s like stepping into a completely different universe.

 

So what happens if even one of these major financial pillars, say the Indians or Arabs, stops showing up? Does the whole thing come crashing down? Let’s be real: Sukhumvit’s nightlife already feels like it’s teetering on a fragile dynamic. With sky-high prices and waning appeal for many of the old crowd, it just doesn’t have the same draw anymore. Sure, the bars, clubs, and streets still buzz, but would it all go belly-up if those propping it up decided to take their wallets elsewhere?

 

What’s your take? Have you noticed the shift? And where do you think the nightlife would end up if some of these groups suddenly disappeared?

[Nemises]

4 minutes ago, 123Stodg said:

A melting pot of Indians, Arabs, Chinese, Koreans, and Japanese punters.

 

And here’s the kicker: Indians alone probably make up two-thirds of the crowd on certain sois

Not just Sukhumvit.
 

You need to get out more.

[ChaiyaTH]

Since they did the scam inflation prices I simply moved to other areas in Bangkok. Same for entertainment, I started going to the Thai venues where they apparently can still offer you a gogo with the same alcohol for a fraction of the price, so clearly it is not 'inflation'.

I only still like to visit the irish pub in cowboy for a cider once a in a while but that's about it.

[ChaiyaTH]

12 minutes ago, Nemises said:

Not just Sukhumvit.
 

You need to get out more.

True the issue of fewer people is everywhere, even on islands where all housing is booked, restaurants and bars look scarily empty most of the time. Does still have the difference of pricing and offers tho.

[Yagoda]

Im there once a month and have been going down there for almost 40 years now, there were always Indians and Africans and always will be.

 

 

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

48 minutes ago, 123Stodg said:

When I first landed here decades ago

Yes, things were different at that time. No SkyTrain, no mobile phones, no social media, and 500B for sexy time.

I think there are many factors, and they all work together.

 

And obviously many other areas and many people also changed significantly. 

[dddave]

I feel lucky to have gotten to Bangkok and it's Sukhumvit delights when I first did, in 2002.  Not only Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza (and the great NANAPLAZA.COM forum from which I still have friends) but so many other areas: Washington Sq, Clinton Plaza, Soi-33 "Artist's" bars,  Queen's Park, Soi-10, Soi 7/1 along with Soi "0", under the X-Way and Soi-1 across the street. There was also, just down Soi-7, the never to be duplicated "Soi-7 Beergarten" with it's revolving inventory of hundreds of freelancers, day and night. There was a real thumping vibe along Sukhumvit then with countless mini-street bars opening around midnight and partying past dawn.  

 

It was a very special time and place.

[Yagoda]

19 minutes ago, dddave said:

I feel lucky to have gotten to Bangkok and it's Sukhumvit delights when I first did, in 2002.  Not only Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza (and the great NANAPLAZA.COM forum from which I still have friends) but so many other areas: Washington Sq, Clinton Plaza, Soi-33 "Artist's" bars,  Queen's Park, Soi-10, Soi 7/1 along with Soi "0", under the X-Way and Soi-1 across the street. There was also, just down Soi-7, the never to be duplicated "Soi-7 Beergarten" with it's revolving inventory of hundreds of freelancers, day and night. There was a real thumping vibe along Sukhumvit then with countless mini-street bars opening around midnight and partying past dawn.  

 

It was a very special time and place.

Great memories.

[mokwit]

59 minutes ago, dddave said:

I feel lucky to have gotten to Bangkok and it's Sukhumvit delights when I first did, in 2002.  Not only Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza (and the great NANAPLAZA.COM forum from which I still have friends) but so many other areas: Washington Sq, Clinton Plaza, Soi-33 "Artist's" bars,  Queen's Park, Soi-10, Soi 7/1 along with Soi "0", under the X-Way and Soi-1 across the street. There was also, just down Soi-7, the never to be duplicated "Soi-7 Beergarten" with it's revolving inventory of hundreds of freelancers, day and night. There was a real thumping vibe along Sukhumvit then with countless mini-street bars opening around midnight and partying past dawn.  

 

It was a very special time and place.

oh man, you should have been here in the nineties [insert decade prior]

 

Seems to me it all stopped on a dime in 2005.

[Jonathan Swift]

I think you summed it up quite well. Additionally, there are a lot of Israelis up North in Pai, I mean a LOT. This may start trickling down to this area. The ones I've spoken to are nice enough, but not very exciting. Maybe they won't be seen in that neighborhood. I noticed the radical change when Prayuth intervened and eliminated all the fun sidewalk bar/vendors. I had so much fun there when I first came in 2013, that made me so sad. But everything changes, and it will always be so, especially in Thailand. 

[Dewey]

2 hours ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Since they did the scam inflation prices I simply moved to other areas in Bangkok. Same for entertainment, I started going to the Thai venues where they apparently can still offer you a gogo with the same alcohol for a fraction of the price, so clearly it is not 'inflation'.

I only still like to visit the irish pub in cowboy for a cider once a in a while but that's about it.

Which other areas are you talking about. Asking for a friend 😅

[ChaiyaTH]

5 minutes ago, Dewey said:

Which other areas are you talking about. Asking for a friend 😅

Not telling of course.. sorry.

[Purdey]

Ee ba gum, we didnt have these luxuries like bar stools...

[Dewey]

40 minutes ago, ChaiyaTH said:

Not telling of course.. sorry.

Even in PM ? 🙂

[saintdomingo]

Are the Indians spending money.?

Or any of the others

?

[RSD1]

2 hours ago, Dewey said:

Which other areas are you talking about. Asking for a friend 😅

Kidding aside, truth is, there aren’t really any other Bangkok nightlife spots where foreign tourists and expats still gather in significant numbers.
 

Silom used to be a big party hub: late-night discos in Patpong and the small bars in Soi 4, but that scene has mostly fizzled out.

 

Khao San Road is still going strong, but it’s turned into something very loud, chaotic, and still full of young backpackers. Always has been. The crowd is 90% tourists, and it’s more about cheap booze and bucket cocktails than anything else. I don’t really count it as part of Bangkok’s proper nightlife scene.

 

You could mention Thonglor and Ekkamai, but those spots are more geared towards locals, with only the occasional foreigner in sight. As for RCA? Who even knows these days, does anyone still go there?

 

[Yagoda]

12 hours ago, RSD1 said:

Kidding aside, truth is, there aren’t really any other Bangkok nightlife spots where foreign tourists and expats still gather in significant numbers.
 

Silom used to be a big party hub: late-night discos in Patpong and the small bars in Soi 4, but that scene has mostly fizzled out.

 

Khao San Road is still going strong, but it’s turned into something very loud, chaotic, and still full of young backpackers. Always has been. The crowd is 90% tourists, and it’s more about cheap booze and bucket cocktails than anything else. I don’t really count it as part of Bangkok’s proper nightlife scene.

 

You could mention Thonglor and Ekkamai, but those spots are more geared towards locals, with only the occasional foreigner in sight. As for RCA? Who even knows these days, does anyone still go there?

 

Go to Phaya Thai. T-Ded 99 etc.

 

For experienced mongers only. If you're a rookie tourist, you're not going to have fun. If you're a cheap Charlie you're not going to have fun. If you have to ask how much, you're not going to have fun. It's nice because there's no Indians, although you have to put up with obnoxious Chinese. Koreans like it too.

 

I love partying with Koreans they're so weak and and malleable and determined to impress. If you pull out a doobie and light it and share, they'll whip out a full ounce bag,then spill half of it because they don't know how to roll, then end up producing a 3 gram spliff that looks like a droopy penis slapped with a hammer which they will hold up to the approval of their fellows and fire up.

 

[RT555]

I first went there in 1990...Oh yes I've seen the changes what a great time to be there.

I think just the last 12 years give or take..my circle have gone to other places .....within Sukhumvit though but just avoid the strip so to say because it does get old.... IMO

[Tom89]

18 hours ago, mokwit said:

oh man, you should have been here in the nineties [insert decade prior]

 

Seems to me it all stopped on a dime in 2005.

I first came over in 1990. I'd say the best time was the decade of the 90's. The fact that I was a helluva lot younger helped too. 

[DonniePeverley]

The indians have completely taken over the sex scene in Bangkok. The men are extremely horny. It's a horny nature i have never seen in any other community. Incidentally they've also taken up most of Walking street in Pattaya too. 

 

They are not big spenders, they will not spend big in bars or pay to watch a dance, but they generally work in packs - so they will ask one lady to cater for 5 friends for a discounted price. 

 

You lose that party atmosphere as a result. 

 

Amazing to think even just 5-6 years ago, bars in Pattaya were refusing indian customers at doors. Now they have fully built Indian nightclubs. 

[jas007]

Last year, I had four or five appointments at the eye clinic at Bumrungrad and finally eye surgery, so I had to spend some time in Bangkok every few months.  Anyway, for convenience sake, I usually stayed on Soi 4 at the Ibis Styles, although sometimes I mixed it up and stayed at the Landmark.  One time I at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit.  It's not a bad walk to the hospital from any of those places. 

 

I only went to Nana Plaza twice during all those visits,.  Some bars seemed empty, but I remember Billboard  being packed with the typical looking expats. 

 

My first trip to that area was in 2000.  A different vibe back then, I think.  Today, they run it all like a business. Strictly business.  Back then, everything seemed more relaxed. More fun.  

 

I can't see it ever collapsing entirely.  Slowing down, perhaps, but it will always be there in some form. 

[RSD1]

11 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

The men are extremely horny. It's a horny nature i have never seen in any other community

I'll take your word for it because you sound like you're impressed and speaking from deep personal experience. 
 

11 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

The indians have completely taken over the sex scene in Bangkok.

 

Actually, they have, and it’s quite bizarre, a stroke of bad luck for the Thai women. Considering how much Thai women tend to dislike Indian men, it’s likely that many have left the game entirely. As a result, those who remain are likely the ones more willing to engage with Indian men.

 

The Nana area has now become predominantly Indian. At least two nightclubs attached to the Nana Hotel cater specifically to Indians, with possibly a few more in the surrounding area. Indian touts can be seen up and down the Soi promoting Indian discos and restaurants. Additionally, many younger Indians with a bit more money now prefer to party in Soi 11.

 

It’s possible that if Indian sex tourists were to clear out, many venues might collapse or at least sell up and consolidate. On the other hand, it’s also possible that the Western tourists who used to frequent the area are avoiding it because of the significant ethnic shift. Perhaps if the Indians left, some of the Westerners then might return.

[cdemundo]

17 minutes ago, jas007 said:

Last year, I had four or five appointments at the eye clinic at Bumrungrad and finally eye surgery, so I had to spend some time in Bangkok every few months.  Anyway, for convenience sake, I usually stayed on Soi 4 at the Ibis Styles, although sometimes I mixed it up and stayed at the Landmark.  One time I at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit.  It's not a bad walk to the hospital from any of those places. 

 

I only went to Nana Plaza twice during all those visits,.  Some bars seemed empty, but I remember Billboard  being packed with the typical looking expats. 

 

My first trip to that area was in 2000.  A different vibe back then, I think.  Today, they run it all like a business. Strictly business.  Back then, everything seemed more relaxed. More fun.  

 

I can't see it ever collapsing entirely.  Slowing down, perhaps, but it will always be there in some form. 

"My first trip to that area was in 2000.  A different vibe back then, I think."

 

My first trip as well was in 2000.

I agree, it was a blast then.

There was a song "Sim Salabim" being played everywhere, some Eurovision artist?, Tiggy?

 

I remember that in the Nana plaza bars the dancers shoes were the most remarkable part of their costumes, 

because that was all they were wearing.

 

Now that was entertainment!

[DonniePeverley]

7 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

I'll take your word for it because you sound like you're impressed and speaking from deep personal experience. 
 

 

Actually, they have, and it’s quite bizarre, a stroke of bad luck for the Thai women. Considering how much Thai women tend to dislike Indian men, it’s likely that many have left the game entirely. As a result, those who remain are likely the ones more willing to engage with Indian men.

 

The Nana area has now become predominantly Indian. At least two nightclubs attached to the Nana Hotel cater specifically to Indians, with possibly a few more in the surrounding area. Indian touts can be seen up and down the Soi promoting Indian discos and restaurants. Additionally, many younger Indians with a bit more money now prefer to party in Soi 11.

 

It’s possible that if Indian sex tourists were to clear out, many venues might collapse or at least sell up and consolidate. On the other hand, it’s also possible that the Western tourists who used to frequent the area are avoiding it because of the significant ethnic shift. Perhaps if the Indians left, some of the Westerners then might return.

 

 

Experience. 

 

Spent a week in Pattaya with colleagues. Ladies walking alone were constantly complaining of being hit on by indian men with phrases 'how much?'. Unfortunately many indians are new to tourism, low regard to women, and view any women in Thailand as a prostitute. 

 

So these westerners vowed that perhaps Pattaya is not a weekend getaway for us anymore. 

 

I often visit around Nana, Soi 11 ... i hope it's not a stereotype to suggest the Indian guys are very horny. Just go and view it. It's crazy. The problem is, it does drag the 'presitge' of the area down - not that Nana was ever an upclassy area. But many westerners do seek other areas.

 

Problem is Thailand is one of the only countries in the world to allow Indians to enter without a visa, so they are going to be arriving in huge numbers. Even Indians are in disbelief Thailand has removed all visa restrictions, when they don't even let Thai's in without a soul destroying visa process. 

[RSD1]

30 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

 

Experience. 

 

Spent a week in Pattaya with colleagues. Ladies walking alone were constantly complaining of being hit on by indian men with phrases 'how much?'. Unfortunately many indians are new to tourism, low regard to women, and view any women in Thailand as a prostitute. 

 

So these westerners vowed that perhaps Pattaya is not a weekend getaway for us anymore. 

 

I often visit around Nana, Soi 11 ... i hope it's not a stereotype to suggest the Indian guys are very horny. Just go and view it. It's crazy. The problem is, it does drag the 'presitge' of the area down - not that Nana was ever an upclassy area. But many westerners do seek other areas.

 

Problem is Thailand is one of the only countries in the world to allow Indians to enter without a visa, so they are going to be arriving in huge numbers. Even Indians are in disbelief Thailand has removed all visa restrictions, when they don't even let Thai's in without a soul destroying visa process. 

 

When I first saw groups of five or six Indian men huddled around a single girl on the street, trying to negotiate a deal to all take turns, I was always in shock. Over time, though, I’ve grown numb to it after witnessing it dozens of times. Now, I just shrug and think, “Indian go Indian.”

 

Beyond that, many of them drink heavily and smoke weed, often to the point of being sloppy and trashed. They’re also frequently shabbily dressed, which I agree detracts from the area’s overall prestige and atmosphere. If you brought someone unfamiliar with the scene to that area at night, they might genuinely think they were dropped off in a slum. Adding to the rough vibe the various groups of five to ten Nigerian drug dealers loitering on Sukhumvit at night, thus it doesn’t exactly make the place feel safe.

 

That said, perhaps there’s no point in judging what they bring to or take away from the scene. Without them, the market for it might not even exist anymore. The silver lining, I suppose, is that they’re still putting some money into the hands of locals who need it.

[Yagoda]

17 minutes ago, RSD1 said:

 

When I first saw groups of five or six Indian men huddled around a single girl on the street, trying to negotiate a deal to all take turns, I was always in shock. Over time, though, I’ve grown numb to it after witnessing it dozens of times. Now, I just shrug and think, “Indian go Indian.”

 

Beyond that, many of them drink heavily and smoke weed, often to the point of being sloppy and trashed. They’re also frequently shabbily dressed, which I agree detracts from the area’s overall prestige and atmosphere. If you brought someone unfamiliar with the scene to that area at night, they might genuinely think they were dropped off in a slum. Adding to the rough vibe the various groups of five to ten Nigerian drug dealers loitering on Sukhumvit at night, thus it doesn’t exactly make the place feel safe.

 

That said, perhaps there’s no point in judging what they bring to or take away from the scene. Without them, the market for it might not even exist anymore. The silver lining, I suppose, is that they’re still putting some money into the hands of locals who need it.

What a bunch of whiners. The Africans have always been around I remember when big joke used to round them up. The Indians usually stay out of the places that I go, like billboard, the rainbows, the termae. They have their own clubs, and even though they get sloppily drunk they usually are pussies and don't cause any trouble as opposed to drunken Brits or Aussies. The whole area has always been a pig stye and those of you with fond memories of the old days probably don't remember the worm dude worming up and down the street. There are less rats too and since there are no clubs worth going to down there anymore, I avoid soi 11. If the Thai people want to clean up that area, kick out the Filipino ladyboys

[jayboy]

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

The problem is, it does drag the 'presitge' of the area down

 

555

[Patong2021]

Whatever happened to the man without any arms and legs? I remember seeing him and being in shock. 

[Woke to Sounds of Horking]

It's a terrible vibe now compared to what was. Corvid nineteen had a lot to do with it of course.

[Jaggg88]

I first stayed in Sukhumvit in 2004 and can see a massive difference now. I watched a video by Bangkok Pat about this very subject. He says there aren't as many pretty young girls as there used to be and he's correct. He came up with an interesting theory for this. He claims the new generation of girls are more savvy than the previous generation and make all their money online instead of working the bars and streets. Soi 5 is now exclusively for Arabs - the locals now call it soi Arab. Also, many of the hotels are Indian owned.