Who Is Boss Hog?

[Rinrada]

Without pushing Sticks column in any way (he has given uz a mention on occasions) I see this week that he is doing a couple of ongoing interviews with Boss Hog. ...might be of interest

...and as some new-bods might say ...whos he?

Seems he (B.H)is selling up and going back stateside...another next week.

[xbusman]

He is a rather large developer of bars on Soi 4 and elsewhere around Sukhumvit, large as in figuratively and literally. Rather a unique character as most of those sorts can be (hope Dave doesnt read this). He definately pushes an American style operation and has been successful but I think in the long run the American style probably makes a little too much friction. Having spoken to him I think he sees the writing on the wall for the nightlife industry and is cashing in his chips while he is ahead and whole. Pretty sharp operator all in all I would guess. Will be interesting to see who fills the void.....

[chuchok]

He is a rather large developer of bars on Soi 4 and elsewhere around Sukhumvit, large as in figuratively and literally. Rather a unique character as most of those sorts can be (hope Dave doesnt read this). He definately pushes an American style operation and has been successful but I think in the long run the American style probably makes a little too much friction. Having spoken to him I think he sees the writing on the wall for the nightlife industry and is cashing in his chips while he is ahead and whole. Pretty sharp operator all in all I would guess. Will be interesting to see who fills the void.....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Read the interview.It is very interesting.

[Jack Jones]

...now therein lies a book.

[joe beets]

A very interesting read.

Looking forward to the follow-up.

Thanks for the tip.

(At the risk of raising the hackles of the OT police...)

I scrolled down a bit and read about the sale and ultimate closure of Woodstock.

In favor of -- wait for it -- another a-go-go bar!

That ought to fill a long neglected niche.

Mighty sorry to hear this news.

The end of an era.

[Marmite the Dog]

I thought most of his recent ventures were complete failures, that's why he's going back to the States with his tail between his legs....

[chuchok]

I thought most of his recent ventures were complete failures, that's why he's going back to the States with his tail between his legs....

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Did you read the interview?

[Marmite the Dog]

No, but I've heard things from fellow bizness types. I guess I'd better read it then.

[Marmite the Dog]

No, I'll stick to my original statement.

The last place of his (the 'British' pub) was a disaster. How adsurd, thinking an American can run a British pub. Just look at the mess the Bull's Head nearly became when they had an American manager. It just doesn't work.

Edited February 17, 2005 by Marmite the Dog

[chuchok]

No, I'll stick to my original statement.

The last place of his (the 'British' pub) was a disaster. How adsurd, thinking an American can run a British pub. Just look at the mess the Bul''s Head nearly became when they had an American manager. It just doesn't work.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I got the impression that he has made squillians.Guess we will have to wait for the second half of the interview.

Any guy with the attitude that he has with regards to suppliers(brass stuff etc) is normally a cut above the rest anyway.

I never new who he was.I had only read his name on stickman before.

[Marmite the Dog]

You're right, he seems to have a good attitude with regard to business, just I belive that he'd begun to lose the plot a bit with regard to the bar business. I'm sure he's nicely minted & good luck to him when he heads back to the States.

[ProfessorFart]

It always raised a question mark when a supposedly successful Westerner calls time on Thailand and heads home. There could be a number of reasons but more often than not they've managed to show a facade of success whilst struggling beneath the surface. Maybe the endless hassles just got too much for him.

Shame about Woodstock too. Yet another Bangkok institution bites the dust. I had many happy times with good mates there during a particularly golden period of my life. The place had plummeted over the past two years however mainly due to abysmal management which had seen an exodus of the great staff they once had in favour of the dull eyed individuals that were there recently.

[CLOSER]

One goes another fills the viod.

[monochaser]

No, I'll stick to my original statement.

The last place of his (the 'British' pub) was a disaster. How adsurd, thinking an American can run a British pub. Just look at the mess the Bull's Head nearly became when they had an American manager. It just doesn't work.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Which bar is "the british pub"?

[Marmite the Dog]

That one on Sukhumvit between Sois 2 & 4

[udon]

I've met Boss a few times and he is a no nonsense guy. Real name is John.

I wish him well.

[HarryHacker]

That one on Sukhumvit between Sois 2 & 4

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Bullys??? I think thats the name.

[mbkudu]

That one on Sukhumvit between Sois 2 & 4

Bullys??? I think thats the name.

I was there a few months ago at around 9:00 pm and you could hear a pin drop.

Edited February 20, 2005 by mbkudu

[kreon]

i've heard from another owner in nana, that he's overextended himself and lost control of the day-to-day running of his businesses

obviously the shortened closing times and the thai's stcky fingers have not helped either

but his price tag of i believe bt70m plus is unreal, i guess the indians are the smartest of them all

au revoir

[monochaser]

Anyone know what his portfolio of bars is?

[xbusman]

The bars he owns that I am familiar with is Big Dog's right at the entrance to NEP, then there is one called Lucky Lukes I think, then if you turn right at the entrance to NEP there is a new one he just opened, then there are at least two of the interior go-gos, and Bullys over by the JW Marriott. He also owns that little mini mart just next to Big Dogs. There are more but for accuracy you should ask him, he is glad to recite the list. Lots of hard work to make it and he is justifiably proud of the group.

Now, like some sort of Machevaliean puzzle, here are guaranteed lies.

*Ask one businessman about someone elses business and believe exactly the opposite. Big John has made some serious money here. He has been very upfront about the rent on Big Dogs and if you just watch the place for a few hours on any day and do some simple math, that unit alone has been a gold mine. While not every one of his properties may be positive income earners, that one alone could float them all. So I would say he is definately in the positive cash column.

*Ask any business man how much their business is earning and divide it by about 4. If the business is for sale, divide it by ten.

*Ask a farang woman her age and add at least five. Ask her weight and add at least a few kilos.

Just human nature and the accounting system in Thailand is purposefully very obscure. Big John is a very competent numbers man and knows the score. I wouldnt be as concerned about the profitability as I would the future potential.

[monochaser]

very good points you raise, especially the last sentence. I have also noticed that while Bully's was looking very dead a few months back extending to when it first opened, now it has picked up on an apparently big way. I think that opening the front door and leaving it open is a big factor in the biz pickup. Some people here have really ranked on the place but I think it is a tip top spot

[udon]

AFAIK John still owns the Cathouse and rents it out to a Yank named Doug.

[Highwayman]

Bullys, 3pm Sunday (yesterday).

One customer seated at the bar and a family of 4 in one booth. One pool table attendant playing pool by herself. Bar looks nice, good selection of sport on at least three large screen flat televisions. JD and Coke @120 baht. Apart from the outside l can't say that it struck me as being much like an English pub, if that's what it's meant to be.

At the same time the open air bars around the corner on Soi 4 were doing good business.

[Rinrada]

I checked Sticks column lst night for the forthcoming next bit of his interview but ...zilch....maybe hes hanging on to it for a while.

Will buzz him.

[Rinrada]

Who Is Boss Hog

Sticks follow up second interview on Boss Hog is now on line.

Just had a shufti and would suggest nobody miss it.

Basically he re-iterates almost all we already know about what goes on in the "alternative"Bangers scene but punters will be just that.... forever punters.

good observations....R

[monochaser]

Bullys, 3pm Sunday (yesterday).

One customer seated at the bar and a family of 4 in one booth. One pool table attendant playing pool by herself. Bar looks nice, good selection of sport on at least three large screen flat televisions. JD and Coke @120 baht. Apart from the outside l can't say that it struck me as being much like an English pub, if that's what it's meant to be.

At the same time the open air bars around the corner on Soi 4 were doing good business.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

personally I dont give a rat's ass if it looks like an English pub or not. I didnt come to bkk to hang in an english pub. I will say that I like the bar, although I can do without the football. The place is low key, sells guinness and has some decent pool tables. If he gets some hot chicks in there that place will rock. thanks for the tip about sunday afternoon. I need a good quiet spot to play some pool w/o waiting an hour

[Rinrada]

I should be there end of next week and will have a lookesee

[srisatch]

In Interview with Stick Part Deux Hogg says Thailand is no place to bring up kids.....Do you agree??

[Rinrada]

I would suggest that as the owner,manager,boss,operator etc of a number of "girly"bars in the confluence areas of Nana Plaza,Soi C.Buckskins Joes et all the last thing he would have on his mind would be wife (assume )and kids.

For a guy who is sent out by his company on say a 2-5 year contract with a "majour"then to use the old laboured expression... life can be sweet.(especially in the "tropics")

I used to know guys on family status "missions"to the likes of Saudi Arabia,Algeria,Nigeria,Ghana,Malawi and even good old Iraq.

When things were good they appeared to be and could be very good.

Some had been in country only a few years but I knew for inst.one americian guy in Saudi who started with ARAMCO in 1937 and brought up his kids and grandkids there (all got jobs with the firm)He was still living there but retired (plus a little bit of consultancy work)

In Africa i was always meeting the old Colonials who origionally went out 150 years ago and were still there (family not ....???)Days of the Rai and Mem sabs..

Also to use the comparison with say Embassy staff (in reasonable positions)

...boarding school in Blighty or private in Bangers,Tiffin and Pinkers,with a rubber or 2 in the evening...........talking Bridge.

Life is wot you make it........innit