Thread: Thermae Bar

Had a bit of a walkabout on Saturday night which got extended as I got talking with a tough Aussie bloke at one pit stop, then met him later on the street after we had gone our separate ways. So we took in a few more bars together until midnight before we said goodnight. His story is another chapter in a book, and I might hear from him again.

Then I took a slow walk down Sukhumvit, stopped for something to eat, and continued on to one of the most famous of all bars in Bangkok for a nightcap.

I know there must be some stories written here about the Thermae Bar and Coffeehouse, but I don't care. It has been a few years since I've had a drink in this "fine" old establishment, and I wanted to feel the ghosts of the earlier years since it has been open since the sixties. Granted, it is not the same bar, though it's very close to where the original was located.

The last time I was there, it had a bit more "flavour" to it since there were some wild old faces of people you just new had been around in the early years. And they were probably still clinging to the memories of the time that it was arguably the most popular bar/coffeeshop in Bangkok.

One drink for old time's sake at 1:30 am. More for the ghosts of days gone by than for myself.

Anyone have some memories of Thermae?

Popped in occasionally in the wee hours of the morning in the mid-'70's. Quite like the bar scene in Star Wars.

What was it like ?

My first threesome was from there. 600 baht each if I recall correctly.

Originally Posted by Sir Wilson

What was it like ?

You never seen Star Wars?

I used to live in Thermaes. Sometimes I had to go to a room I'd rented to shower and change then I would get back.

Great place but slowly got worse over the years like so many good things .

Hoy, used to get so drunk she'd pass out naked on the bed.




Lovely girl.

Front door as night begins

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Popped in occasionally in the wee hours of the morning in the mid-'70's. Quite like the bar scene in Star Wars.

If i'm not mistaken, didn't it double as offering "massages" as well?

Late 1960's into the mid-1970's: Thermae Bar & Massage...

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Popped in occasionally in the wee hours of the morning in the mid-'70's. Quite like the bar scene in Star Wars.

If i'm not mistaken, didn't it double as offering "massages" as well?

Late 1960's into the mid-1970's: Thermae Bar & Massage...

Intimate massages, as I recall - and a lot of women just uglier than a bucket full of assholes.

Had a Cambodian take-away from there on 12th December 2001

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Popped in occasionally in the wee hours of the morning in the mid-'70's. Quite like the bar scene in Star Wars.

If i'm not mistaken, didn't it double as offering "massages" as well?

Late 1960's into the mid-1970's: Thermae Bar & Massage...

Intimate massages, as I recall - and a lot of women just uglier than a bucket full of assholes.

Quite...but the selection were different. Just before Patpong and Sukhumvit had their way to fame, one could take in New Petchburi Road; Soi Asoke; Sathorn Road; etc - littered with venues!!

Somewhere during that time, Klong Toey district fit into the scheme of things with it's reputation regarding bars, go-go, massage, beer bar, etc.

The good old days...

Actually, the best and more well known entertainment value took place in and around the major U.S. military instillations scattered across the country....

Before BKK, Patters, and to a lesser degree Hua Hin.

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by Sir Wilson

What was it like ?

You never seen Star Wars?

I meant what was it like now!

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Popped in occasionally in the wee hours of the morning in the mid-'70's. Quite like the bar scene in Star Wars.

If i'm not mistaken, didn't it double as offering "massages" as well?

Late 1960's into the mid-1970's: Thermae Bar & Massage...

Intimate massages, as I recall - and a lot of women just uglier than a bucket full of assholes.

Quite...but the selection were different. Just before Patpong and Sukhumvit had their way to fame, one could take in New Petchburi Road; Soi Asoke; Sathorn Road; etc - littered with venues!!

Somewhere during that time, Klong Toey district fit into the scheme of things with it's reputation regarding bars, go-go, massage, beer bar, etc.

The good old days...

I started out on New Petchburi Road - in November 1968.

Originally Posted by Sir Wilson

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by Sir Wilson

What was it like ?

You never seen Star Wars?

I meant what was it like now!

No clue...

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Popped in occasionally in the wee hours of the morning in the mid-'70's. Quite like the bar scene in Star Wars.

If i'm not mistaken, didn't it double as offering "massages" as well?

Late 1960's into the mid-1970's: Thermae Bar & Massage...

Intimate massages, as I recall - and a lot of women just uglier than a bucket full of assholes.

Quite...but the selection were different. Just before Patpong and Sukhumvit had their way to fame, one could take in New Petchburi Road; Soi Asoke; Sathorn Road; etc - littered with venues!!

Somewhere during that time, Klong Toey district fit into the scheme of things with it's reputation regarding bars, go-go, massage, beer bar, etc.

The good old days...

I started out on New Petchburi Road - in November 1968.

R&R, huh Davis?

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

Originally Posted by Rural Surin

If i'm not mistaken, didn't it double as offering "massages" as well?

Late 1960's into the mid-1970's: Thermae Bar & Massage...

Intimate massages, as I recall - and a lot of women just uglier than a bucket full of assholes.

Quite...but the selection were different. Just before Patpong and Sukhumvit had their way to fame, one could take in New Petchburi Road; Soi Asoke; Sathorn Road; etc - littered with venues!!

Somewhere during that time, Klong Toey district fit into the scheme of things with it's reputation regarding bars, go-go, massage, beer bar, etc.

The good old days...

I started out on New Petchburi Road - in November 1968.

R&R, huh Davis?

Indeed. 7 months down, 5 to go.

What sitcom is that the cast of?

Where are they and what are they doing now do you think?

Originally Posted by Koojo

Where are they and what are they doing now do you think?

Hooked a nice Norwegian chap.
Living in Oslo with 3 kids.

And lived happily ever after.

https://teakdoor.com/bangkok-forum/26...tml#post577654

I've walked that side street, in through the toilet, past the kitchen and into the main bar area and it was always an experience of sorts.

Some great memories and met some great characters.

The new place from day one never had the same unique atmosphere.

Originally Posted by Koojo

What sitcom is that the cast of?

The Rooters.



As for where they all are now. I ask myself that question very often. I sometimes whichh I had attatched a tracking device to all 280 of them so that I could see where in the world they are now or whether any of them are near me now.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing