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  1. #1
    たのむよ。
    The Gentleman Scamp's Avatar
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    Farewell to The Bulls Head

    This place was the closest thing I had to a regular pub. It was The Old China Hand of Bangkok, and now sadly it has been shut down due to some dispute with the landlord - and by landlord I don't mean Billy the pub landlord, but the land owner.

    A huge send off party was planned for the last day (last Thursday) and a Lee Shamrock pub quiz special for last Wednesday but alas, the police and bailiffs turned up unannounced Monday and started gutting the place, so there was no send off party after 17 years.

    It was arguably the best pub in Bangkok. There was a bit of a clique ton that long outside table but the staff always remembered your name, the manager was always in house when it was busy and it had a very good atmosphere inside and out, and the location was perfect.

    Just days after hearing about this I hear the same thing has already happened to The Pickled Liver, which I'd only been to a couple of times. I'd only just discovered the beans, cheese on toast which was a third of the price of what it is at The Black Swan, which is a nice pub and could not be closer to the BTS if it tried yet lacks a family atmosphere.

    Is it just pubs with atmosphere and character that are being targeted?

    Is this just another step towards a uniform plastic, glass and concrete Bangkok that is so desperate to keep up with the Jonse's that anything with soul is getting the boot?

    Now what have we left with? A handful of shitty faux Irish pubs photocopying newspapers and undercooking eggs and toast to an endless loop of tired Pogues classics.

    I'll miss The Bulls Head, it was a genuine home from home which is what a public house should be but these days so very rarely is.
    Last edited by The Gentleman Scamp; 15-07-2011 at 11:09 PM.

  2. #2

    R.I.P.


    dirtydog's Avatar
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    Scampy, when will you learn, normal people do not travel thousands of miles to goto an English style pub in Bangkok, now if they had had naked dancers and stuff they would have been raking it in and been able to buy most of Sukhumvit Road by now.....

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    In both cases, I believe the landlord wanted such a ridiculous increase in the rent that they could not sustain a business.

    They are both looking for new premises I heard.

  4. #4
    たのむよ。
    The Gentleman Scamp's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirtydog View Post
    Scampy, I've missed you, and you know what - normal people do not travel thousands of miles to go to an English style pub in Bangkok.
    No but normal expats travel a couple of stops on the BTS to go to one.

  5. #5
    The Pikey Hunter
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    ^ No. In the BH case it was related to unpaid tax. There is a court notice pasted on the outside of the premises from when the bailiffs went in.

    I doubt if the Bulls Head will reopen though. It would cost a fortune to fit a place out similarily and nowadays there is a lot of competition in the market.
    You, sir, are a God among men....
    Short Men, who aren't terribly bright....
    More like dwarves with learning disabilities....
    You are a God among Dwarves With Learning Disabilities.

  6. #6
    The Dentist English Noodles's Avatar
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    I liked the Bulls Head, only ever went in now and again. They had some good comedy nights on.

  7. #7
    The Dentist English Noodles's Avatar
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    Same people own the Barbican on Silom don't they?

  8. #8
    The Pikey Hunter
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    Quote Originally Posted by English Noodles
    Same people own the Barbican on Silom don't they?
    Yes. Same holding company.

  9. #9
    I am in Jail

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    The Pickled Liver just re-located to Soi 7-1 I think.

  10. #10
    The Dentist English Noodles's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Professorfart
    The Pickled Liver just re-located to Soi 7-1 I think.
    This gets done about once a week at the moment on the forum.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat klong toey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by English Noodles View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Professorfart
    The Pickled Liver just re-located to Soi 7-1 I think.
    This gets done about once a week at the moment on the forum.
    I pickle my liver everyday.

    Not to worry Mr Bobcock is taking us out to drown our sorrows.
    The demise of so many pubs is a saddening event,i am still waiting for a pm from the event organiser,has any one received their invite yet?.
    Last edited by klong toey; 16-07-2011 at 01:34 AM.

  12. #12
    The cold, wet one
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    That is sad news. My parents really liked that pub & I often visited when in BKK in my early days. Good chips & curry sauce (if you had been "overseas" for a few years). Will tell mum tomorrow. Ta, Scampster.

  13. #13
    sabaii sabaii
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    Quote Originally Posted by dirtydog
    now if they had had naked dancers and stuff they would have been raking it in
    Getting raked up the ass like those 2 Farang landlords in Pattaya, you mean ?

    There's plenty more until they relocate, The Londoner, Black Swan and Robin hood spring to mind

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat
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    Hi NR ,

    long time no see ,

    don't be such a stranger .

  15. #15
    On a walkabout Loy Toy's Avatar
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    I have had some good nights in the Bulls Head, particularly with two mates now departed. In fact I am now surprised to learn that they had food.........never noticed.

    Maybe I was "tossing the boss" too often.

  16. #16
    たのむよ。
    The Gentleman Scamp's Avatar
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    Duke Of Wellington, there's another one that's gone.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat
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    I heard the the Robin Hood/Molly Malones/Hustlers/Hanrahans consortium was going to take over Bulls Head?
    Also heard that consortium might be parting company and split up the group so not sure what to believe.

  18. #18
    Sprayed On Member
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp
    Duke Of Wellington, there's another one that's gone.
    It's just having a refurb. Has changed owners though.

  19. #19
    I am in Jail

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    Been there a few times.
    Will I miss it? Probably not.

  20. #20
    Being chased by sloths DJ Pat's Avatar
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    Will the Robin Hood go down the same route? Hope that boring, patronisiing Johnny English does.

    Although I've just remembered we can blame Mr.Brown for that atrocity of an act.

  21. #21
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    Bobby's arms goes back longer i think

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by DJ Pat
    Although I've just remembered we can blame Mr.Brown for that atrocity of an act.
    Why? He was a former manager and not the miserable fat kunt who owns it.

  23. #23
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Gentleman Scamp View Post
    This place was the closest thing I had to a regular pub. It was The Old China Hand of Bangkok, and now sadly it has been shut down due to some dispute with the landlord - and by landlord I don't mean Billy the pub landlord, but the land owner.

    A huge send off party was planned for the last day (last Thursday) and a Lee Shamrock pub quiz special for last Wednesday but alas, the police and bailiffs turned up unannounced Monday and started gutting the place, so there was no send off party after 17 years.

    It was arguably the best pub in Bangkok. There was a bit of a clique ton that long outside table but the staff always remembered your name, the manager was always in house when it was busy and it had a very good atmosphere inside and out, and the location was perfect.

    Just days after hearing about this I hear the same thing has already happened to The Pickled Liver, which I'd only been to a couple of times. I'd only just discovered the beans, cheese on toast which was a third of the price of what it is at The Black Swan, which is a nice pub and could not be closer to the BTS if it tried yet lacks a family atmosphere.

    Is it just pubs with atmosphere and character that are being targeted?

    Is this just another step towards a uniform plastic, glass and concrete Bangkok that is so desperate to keep up with the Jonse's that anything with soul is getting the boot?

    Now what have we left with? A handful of shitty faux Irish pubs photocopying newspapers and undercooking eggs and toast to an endless loop of tired Pogues classics.

    I'll miss The Bulls Head, it was a genuine home from home which is what a public house should be but these days so very rarely is.


    Are you referring to the Old China Hand in the Wanch, Hong Kong? Set up by Bazza, (Barry Lovegrove), the best raconteur East of Suez, in the early eighties.

    Bazza retired from there and went back home to New Zealand where he became a Judge, (no shit Sherlock!), but now he's retired again and must be slipping into a mountainous anecdotage.

    Ah well! The way of the world.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Hicks
    It was The Old China Hand of Bangkok

    Quote Originally Posted by Andrew Hicks
    Are you referring to the Old China Hand in the Wanch, Hong Kong?

    Do you research the books you write?

    Does that involve reading stuff?

    Come along Andrew, get a grip.

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat Bobcock's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by harrybarracuda
    In both cases, I believe the landlord wanted such a ridiculous increase in the rent that they could not sustain a business.
    Only partially true from what i heard.

    Quote Originally Posted by klong toey
    Not to worry Mr Bobcock is taking us out to drown our sorrows.
    In your dreams, I made a general comment to one person not a bunch of TEFLing free loaders, they say a fool and his money are soon parted, I'll happily prove I'm not your fool.....

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