Extremely underrated channel Karl. I love hearing your stories and experiencing you reliving all those memories from your past. I wish I had been there in the 80's and 90's. My first Thailand trip wasn't till 2004. Your channel deserves many, many more subscribers. Great video and great channel Karl.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much. Yes my channel’s growth has been quite slow, it does seem to be gaining momentum a bit now though. Thanks for your kind words

I graduated uni in 1972, drove a taxi in NYC and did a RTW backpacking trip in 1974... after traveling through the Middle East, arriving in Bkk was heaven. No military and I don't remember any bars on the soi, just a little mom and pop store where I had chocolate milk and pound cake in the morning. The girls were in the lobby of Malaysia Hotel. Bangkok was like a small town, Sathorn Tai had canals. I retired early and spent near 20 years in my wife's village in Tak Province. Like you, I am sure, I fell in love with Thailand my first day off the plane... thanks for the vlog.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

That’s great, good to hear how it was in the 70’s Ken, thanks

@stevecoombes2375

4 күн бұрын

I too stayed in the area in the 70s. Used the Malaysia to cool down in their coffee bar. Later went travelling around southern Thailand, Malaysia etc. Returned to Thailand in mid 90's married a wonderful lady and we now have a laid-back life in rural Isaan where I will spend the rest of my days.

@karlsthailand

4 күн бұрын

@stevecoombes2375 That’s great Steve. Sounds like Thailand was a life changing experience for you too. Cheers

Great video. I can totally relate. Three of my buddies and I used to go hang out in Negril, Jamaica every year beginning in 1987 through 2000. Wild times. Lots of close calls. Too many girls, too many characters to name. All my friends have passed. Drugs, booze or car wrecks. I’ve been back, but I got the same sad feeling I felt in your video. All of our old hole in the wall places are gone. All the little shacks on the beach with the Christmas lights and Marley posters have been replaced by fancy resorts, Burger King and Taco Bell. It’s a weird feeling when all that’s left are your memories. Keep on keepin’ on!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Sounds like very similar experiences in different parts of the world. I was just thinking, most of the people mentioned in my video are dead now too. We still have the memories. Thanks

@psaint60

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand I was doing Muay Thai here in Chicago for a long time and after my wife of 25 years gave me my walking papers and took the house and most of my money, I started hanging out with the Thai guys I trained with. Not long after that I was sharing an apartment with two Thai girls. Three of the best years of my life. Then I came home one day and they were gone. I learned to speak a fair amount of Thai, learned how to make tons of Thai food and got hooked on hillbilly Issan music like Yinglee and Tai Orathai. I got a couple of offers to go over there to teach English and then COVID happened and since then I’ve been wondering if it would still be worth the trip. Like I said, all my friends are gone, lost my home, I put my son through flight school, so now he’s an airline pilot with no time for the old man. So I’ve got nothing keeping me here. My other option is going to Ukraine with a guy I used to work with to remove land mines and save a few farmers. Any thoughts? Cheers! 😂

@andrewmcneill4107

Жыл бұрын

Psaint60 Absolutely wonderful comment. I first landed in Bangkok in 2003. I can relate to this video in so many ways. I also lived in Kingston - Jamaica from 1988/89 in 18 Renfield Drive, off Washington Blvd. I worked on the corner of Orange St and North St, downtown Kingston. It was a great time to be in Jamaica and I had the time of my life. I returned frequently during the 90's to Kingston, slowly watching all my haunts vanish into history. I went back in 2018 and walked the downtown area again, remembering all my old friends and all the wonderful people I met. I looked for an old restaurant King St that I had my first date in with my ex-GF as I used to know the owners, wonderful people and great food. Sadly it was long gone and I just stood outside looking at the building with a tear in my eye. I thought about ex-GF and all the times we spent in that restaurant and wondered where she was and how she was doing. I wish I could see her now and I often wonder what she's been doing since the time we first met in 1988. The years don't matter - it's the memories that count.

@psaint60

Жыл бұрын

@@andrewmcneill4107 I was always curious about Kingston, but all my Jamaican buddies always told me it was too dangerous and too much city life. I just loved Jamaica for the music and the food. We used to see guys like Cocoa Tea, Gregory Isaacs and Sanchez in these little football yards. Since we had so many Jamaican friends, it wasn’t unusual for us to be the only 4 white guys at the show. Which made us sort of a novelty item for the girls. Amazing. Your story reminds me of a time we were up in the cliffs at Rick’s Cafe where everyone watched the sunset and guys jumping off the cliffs. A big catamaran pulled into the little harbor and it was from a resort called Hedonism, which was a kinky sort of swingers nudist thing. But what caught my eye was this incredible brown girl with long dark curly hair, who was the tour guide. She had a perfect body and was wearing the smallest dayglo green bikini I had ever seen. All my Jamaican buddies saw my reaction and as she walked up the long stairs from the boat to the bar, all my friends were egging me on to say something to her. As she got closer, my friends and some other Jamaican guys started saying I was too chicken. Well, I called their bluff and said something out of the ordinary and I ended up buying her a drink, asking her what time she got off and if I could buy her dinner. For the next two weeks we were inseparable. Her name was Ramona. She was a scuba instructor at the resort and she was half Cuban and half Jamaican. After I went back to Chicago, I tried to keep things going by phone, but calling her every day was soon costing me $300 a month and she got all pissed off when I said we had to cut it to once week. Then she started talking about me coming down there to marry her and I said maybe further on up the road a bit. Then I got the hard sell of if I wouldn’t do it, some older guy told her he would marry her to get her off the island. I just told her to do what she had to do. About a year later she sent me a postcard of herself as a swimsuit model. She was living in Canada with some old photographer. She said she wasn’t very happy and said she missed me a lot. But she didn’t leave a phone number (this was way before cell phones). I wrote back to the address on the card, but I never heard from her again. I only have one picture of her left. And like you said, every now and again I think about those two weeks and I wish it never would have ended. Just wasn’t meant to be I guess. Are you still hanging out in Bangkok?

@andrewmcneill4107

Жыл бұрын

@@psaint60 I used to live in Bangkok, but left for business opportunities back in the UK, but I still consider it my 2nd home and often return. I'm a photographer and I have exhibited there frequently over the years and I have another exhibition there at the end of 2023. These days my travels are through South America, primarily Colombia and the Amazon region. I can totally relate to your memories of Ramona. My ex=GF's name was Traphene, she was tall as hell, towering over me, jet black skin and long straight black hair as she was half Indian and Jamaican. Her teeth were like piano keys (DIAMOND WHITE) she was the most beautiful creature I had ever laid eyes on, but she was ghetto as hell as she came from Trenchtown...;).... She was draw-droppingly sexy and just lit up every room she walked in and was so tentative and loving. I then moved to Miami in 1990 and had a similar experience with a Cuban girl, but Traphene always had hold of my heart and even to this day she is still in there, somewhere. Travel is the most enriching activity in life and as they say; “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”

Well that was different. Brilliantly put together, with a tinge of melancholy and more great stories with a cast of dodgy characters. Always had more fun in the dingy establishments than in the shiny, glossy bars. Great work as always Karl.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Me too Mark. Staying in the Khao San Road would have bored me rotten back then. I enjoyed all the life and character of the place. Thsnks

Great video mate. Just love you going back and reliving you foot steps and bringing it back to life for us all. Awesome 👌

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Warren, yes I enjoyed going back overall

You sure have some awesome memories of your Bangkok’s past Karl! Thanks for sharing 😊

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

hey were crazy but happy times Marietta and I’m glad that I can share some of it with you. Thanks for your continued support of my channel. It’s great to read your feedback

I always have mixed feelings happy and some sad when I look back at life . I find my self staying busy planning new adventures is more fun ! Thank you Karl for sharing and keep them rolling please . Enjoy ...

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Karl but the pile of pictures is limited and coming to an end as much as I enjoy making this content

Stumbled across this channel, this was just fantastic, was totally absorbed in the stories and visualising what you were saying. Didn't want it the end. Thank you.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks do much. It was a strange experience going back there with all those memories. Happy that you enjoyed it

Fantastic video Karl. Could listen to your stories for hours!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Don’t get me started lol. And thanks

Thanks for taking us down memory Lane with you mate A lot of places have lost their good vibes it kinda sucks really Thanks again mate can’t wait for the next video mate

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Nigel, regards to Colin

The best vid to date Karl, absolutely loved every minute mate!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks P4L, It was fun to make and getting access to Freddy’s was the highlight for me

Great video Karl keep these ones up mate love em

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Dean, unfortunately the pictures are very limited and I pretty much stopped taking them in 1992 so just a special or 2 to go now

Great video. Loved hearing your stories!

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Thanks so much, glad you enjoy them

Totally Amazing Karl, oh man how you have and are still living an amazing life there, I just love viewing your vlogs, I’m hoping to get out there let next year, would love to sit down and could listen to you … keep these extended vlogs comin’ ✌️🙏🙏🙏🙏

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Tom, pictures are almost dried up now Tom, I never took many after 1992. Another species or two where I visit locations. Thanks for you support

Great Video Karl xx

Great video, Karl. I never went to any of those places but after listening to your stories I wish I had done. 😀

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

You should have been there Brian lol

Making this video must of made you sad to see the places and remembering the good times with meeting different characters and on the other hand happy to look back at all the great memories made there, nothing stays the same and times change but thanks again for great video, well done Karl….Have a coffee on me 🙏👍

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

The saddest thing was afterwards and realising that most of the people I mentioned are now dead. I did enjoy telling the stories though

Love this Karl thank you

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Willy, glad you enjoyed it and thanks for the feedback

Thanks Karl. Really enjoying this video series.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Pete, the well is starting to run a bit dry now on the picture front but the memories still abound

Enjoyed this. Well done, Karl.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Eddy, I quite enjoyed making it

Thank you for sharing your pictures and stories of the past in Thailand. I've watched all those videos and they are amazing. If you are still in Bangkok I would love to meet, grab a couple of beers and listen to more of your stories.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure Wyn, unfortunately I recorded this last month and I’m upcountry now. Thanks

Great video Karl & more great memories 👌 Really enjoy listening to these 👍

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Mark

great stuff Karl really enjoyable, I stayed at a Malaysia hotel back in 89 as a young lad to say i was shocked was an understatement, I can always remember loads of ladies hanging out in the bar area.I Recall the bedrooms being huge

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

That’s great Nj 741. I hope the video brought back some good memories for you

bloody good stuff Karl, very funny and enjoyable watching you look back and laugh about the stuff you did back then.

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Cheers, yes I quite enjoyed reliving the memories while I was making it too. Thanks

Great memories Karl,sometimes it's better to keep them as that but it's hard not to want too go back and see.Thank you for your sharing these wonderful old videos. 🙏

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Leonardo, glad that you have enjoyed them. It was strange going back but overall I enjoyed making the video

Brilliant video - Karl great trip down memory lane and fantastic that you managed to get into Freddy's!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Jimmy, yes that made the trip worthwhile for me, a time capsule of memories under a few layers of dust

Brilliant trip down memory lane Karl. I jumped out of a taxi at the Malaysia Hotel on my first trip to Thailand in 1997. A week's stay ended up being about 3 months at My Place, Freddy's, Lee 3/4, etc. Many a drinking session was had where one con-artist or another would sidle up to explain how much money could be made from 'a run' or some other nefarious errand. Never seen the atmosphere captured so accurately as in your videos.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Glad that it brought the atmosphere back for you Mike, I especially appreciate your feedback because you personally experienced it yourself. Thanks for the coffee too Mike, believe me it all helps offset the cost of running Karl's Thailand.

@mikemgperkins

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand I often wonder what happened to some of the larger-than-life chatactets we met - eg, a German (or Swiss) who would turn up each time he got out of prison and raise hell on the soi; a northern English guy with long dark hair and a large nose who had been there for ever and was into every scam going; a very camp local good-time guy who suffered an older European client die 'mid-servicing', and far too many others too numerous to mention. The whole district was a real-life x-rated soap opera. I will watch all your videos and read all the comments for any updates.

Your description of the events are so good that I feel like I was there with you.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Keith, glad that it got you involved

I love your look back in time Thailand videos. I remember in the early 80's going to this huge Bangkok bar called Cleopatra's. It was a kind of Go Go bar that had these small rooms in the back. Several rooms. The movie the Deer Hunter was shot in the area in the back where these rooms were. Anyway, do you have any recollection of this Bangkok bar?

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks, yes I have clear memories of seeing Cleopatra’s, it was Patpong 2 wasn’t it? I was never a regular there though so I doubt if I ever went in there more than once or twice. I love that film and will try to find a copy, I haven’t seen it for years. I did realise some scenes were filmed in Patpong but not which bars. Thanks for the feedback Tim

@maloz63

Жыл бұрын

​@Karl's Thailand just discovered this channel through steady eddie, better late than never, the bar scene from the Deer Hunter was Mississippi Queen, on the site of Goldfinger, patpong Rd was supposed to be Saigon's infamous To Do St, now Dong khoi st

Love the old stories, great channel

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Dave and thanks for your comment

Good staries, great narration....🙂....even made me melancholic...🙂

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks RSH, it was a bit emotional tbh, what I never mentioned was that as I made the video I realised that nearly everyone I talked about is now dead, I guess it was a long time ago. Glad you enjoyed the video.

Just stumbled across your channel and really enjoyed the first two videos I watched (This and the Koh Samui one). Ive lived in Bangkok for the past 7 years but given ive not turned 40 yet, visiting in the mid 80s was well before my time. Fantastic to hear the trip down memory lane, the pics and associated stories are great. Really makes me wish id have experienced Thailand in those days. Keep up the good work

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Don't sweat it about missing the past, just think how old you'd be now if you were there at that time lol. Thanks and welcome aboard James!

That was brilliant, Karl. Great memories.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Capetonian

Best Thai vlog I have seen in a while; fascinating stuff Karl. You have inspired me to go back to that area next time I am over in Bangkok. I was in Bangkok first time in 1992. Thanks

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

In that case we may have met way back then lol. Glad you enjoyed the vlog, thanks

@thaiventurer3624

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand Most probably our paths crossed as some point but I did spend most of time in Pratamnak, Pattaya around the Island View Hotel (knocked down now and where the chocolate factory place is now) PLUS on Soi Diamond at the carousel bar, which is still there and the long gone surrounding gogos like Caligua and Paris!

Fascinating trip back in time with you Karl,cheers

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks CVE

Great content as always Karl,stay blessed 😎

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Jamie

Brilliant Video Karl. I frequented that area many times in the 80’s and stayed in the Boston in…..fantastic memories

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it and thanks. The Boston Inn was certainly high in character 😂 if not in comforts lol

@michaelharms851

11 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand yes staggered back from the Malaysia hotel on many occasions to the luxury of the Boston Inn. I’ve been to Thailand the best part of 60 times and still go 2 to 3 times a year and keep meaning to revisit for ol’ times sake

Hi Karl a mate told me to watch your channel after hearing my stories over the years of when I was in Bangokok in the early 90s. He said your stories are familiar with Karl’s and how true he was , wow great memories of my time in that area. A good mate of mine was a local in that area for many years he was an Aussie named Paul G he introduced me to many expats and many Thais in the area you never know you may have been one of them. Great channel mate keep up the great work.

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot Rodney, I don't think the atmosphere of that place will ever be replicated again, which doesn't mean it was all great but it was rarely boring

@rodneyjoyce8341

11 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand 100% mate it was never boring and yes it had its not so great moments but all good and bad memories remain in my memory to this day. I stayed at My Place for awhile, what an area to stay anything and everything happened there. Keep up the great work Karl

I know these sois well. Thanks very much for the walk-around, and love the stories!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Gene, do you know the sois from the past ?

Thanks for the memory - I stayed in the Malaysia in 1974... Sundown was played on the juke box constantly... whenever I hear that song I am transported back to the lobby instantly... I would not recognize it now - - but it is a feeling... a wonderful feeling.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

That’s brilliant Ken…1974, we’re you in the military? And can you remember the Blue Fox bar opposite by any chance?

Thanks a lot for this video! I also stayed a lot here in this area from 1987-1999! Brings back memories indeed! I first stayed at Madam Guesthouse down that small cul de sac. back then "Madame" an old chinese lady and her drunken son Khai owned the house. She died I think around 1990, and her son "Khai" kept it going and probably he still does to this day unless he has drunk himself to death! Lol He hired some young guy to help him, but for unknown reasons this guy didnt like me and being a nonalcoholic myself all the noise and drinking-sessions made me leave the place and move into the newer Lee GH at the entrance to the soi (Lee Travel Inn), tiny rooms but they had at least private bathrooms with shower! I stayed here after that every time I was in Bangkok until 1999! After that I avoided Bangkok until 2008, when I moved to Sukhumvit Rd. I only did a short visit to Soi Sri Bamphen once a few years ago, but it was dead like in your video. I wasnt into bars and partying ´back then so I never entered Blue Fox. I did have my breakfasts regularly at Wong´s Place since they had aircon. Wongs sister "Lek" used to run the bar in the daytime and I used to go there for food and a chat with her every morning for a few years!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

That’s great, I do remember Lek, Wong’s sister, quite a pretty lady as I recall. The time periods that we stayed there pretty much match perfectly, even the date we stopped staying there lol. I never stayed in that cul de sac but my mate Mike was a drinker and liked it there.

I love your storytelling Karl. So glad i found your channel. New subscriber here! 👍

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Thanks very much PTT and Welcome aboard!

@jonhobson3592

6 ай бұрын

Me too 😅

Thank you for showing us Sathon area of Bangkok. As an old, residential, very inner suburb, it retains some old charms like time capsule. Many residents must be early 20th century immigrants, especially Chinese ethnicity. Good to hear another story of Mike. He would be delighted in heaven so many fans get to know his late 80s Thai adventure on KZread.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Shane, yes the Chinese influence in Bangkok is very strong and long standing. Mike and I were good friends for 28 years and I miss him for all his flaws

@shanexxx

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailandHi Karl, I came across a good 2003 Bangkok clip on KZread. Hope you like it, cheers. Almost 20 yrs seem not that long ago at all. kzread.info/dash/bejne/hZ-irqmsidm7Zdo.html

Excellent video.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers ASC, happy you enjoyed it

UNREEL!!! Karl, best i knot say much, yaw channel, but was in the area in the same era. Great Video's from Karl UNREEL!!!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Is that right Rodney? Do you remember any of the people I mentioned? Thanks

Good vid karl

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Dave, glad you enjoyed it

Fantastic. My first visit was in 2001. Been again etc. Loved the first time, abit rawer. And naive. But lovely time. Great vlog x

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Nicholas, you can’t beat your first visit can you? Glad that you like the vlog

Great video. I lived in BKK in the 80s and 90s so this was quite nostalgic for me. Cheers

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

I've had a few responses from people such as yourself who actually experienced it first hand which is great because it means I got the atmosphere right. Thanks for your comment

karl that was funny and very interesting a great story .. im sure you have alot more to come ! thanks kenny b nottingham

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

The pictures are running dry now Kenny but not the memories

This is a great channel, even though it was before my time I want to read about the history of these places and Bangkok. My era was 2008. Heading over next month, I would love to see these places.

@karlsthailand

3 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the channel. Someone said that Wong’s Place is still open late at night so that might be the place to try. I haven’t been in there for must be 25 years now. The atmosphere has definitely changed but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad place now. Cheers

I love the way you telling stories mate ..

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, have you seen my other videos where I tell stories from the past?

@abcdefuxkk

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand i binge watched all of them mate . good old days heyy ..

Great video!!! I stayed up a few flights of stairs at Freddy's in 1986 and I remember well the balcony area with a view over the racket from the soi below. Do you remember the curiously named 'TTO Guest House'?

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Yes, I do remember TTO guesthouse but don't recall ever staying there. Cheers

I’ve watched a couple of your videos after just coming across them. I love the way you present them and it’s so interesting as I was also six months in Thailand in the late 80s. What a Time to be alive, and to travel !!

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Glad you liked them. It was a special time indeed, people forget that in the 80's people just couldn't understand why people would want to travel so far. It took a lot more gumption to undertake a trip to Thailand then but the flipside was it was very rewarding and the feeling of adventure was palpable. Cheers

@RamonesGabba

11 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand - In 1988 i spent some time in Hua Hin. Such a sleepy town and much like your experiences with video cafes all playing Preditor and Terminator :). Progress is a unstoppable monster and the Thai's should take advantage like any nation but for us older folk its hard to see the old infrastructure get eaten away. I was last there in 2017. Keep the feeds coming :)

Hello Karl, After watching your video, I wish I was at the Blue Fox and Wong's Place in their hey days. Sounds like a good laugh. I understand how you feel about these old places that you once roamed with your buddies, and scammers 😂 That's the trouble with growing older Nothing lasts forever I suppose Your memory is indeed very good and so is your ability for story telling I sincerely hope to get a chance to meet up with you somewhere, sometime in Thailand this December for a few beers Take care and keep the stories coming!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

I actually did have an awareness at the time that it wouldn’t last which was part of my motivation to take pictures. I’m happy to meet up with people if we happen to be in the same place at the same time, I’d love to hear some of your hunting stories

What great contwnt you have I really enjoy your videos and looking back at the older days in Thailand I am only 36 and my first trip was about 4 years ago. It cool look back and see a vintage pattaya.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Jordan, I try to stuff that’s a bit different but at the end of the day we are all in the same pond lol. Happy that you like it anyway. You’re still young so I’m sure that you will enjoy Thailand for a long time to come

No mobile phones..............no internet.......................no facebook/twitter addiction...................... Many thanks Karl, for reminding me of a much much better time. I too visited Bangkok for the first time in 1986...............but my annual visits were just the four or five weeks vacation time I would get from from work each year. The only beer choices I think were Kloster, Singha or Amarit if I remember??? Once again, thank you very much for bringing back great memories. Bangkok will never be the same again...............nor will I.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

My pleasure Simon. Yes, your memory is spot on with the beer choices although Amarillo was hard to find until the came up with Amarit NB at the beginning of the 90’s

I love you how your taking us back in time to the 80s your stories are very entertaining showing how Thailand has changed Karl got a day off working it’s - 5 in England so I’m enjoying some of your content ❤

@karlsthailand

5 ай бұрын

That's a very popular video John and I really enjoyed making it. Cheers

great that karl loved it take care we need more

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

I’m running out of pictures lol Leroy. Another special or 2 to come yet. Thanks

great video, makes me think of when I came to Australia from the UK in 80's party time, I wish I had gone to Thailand for a holiday, well I did but its a long story

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

You’ll have to tell me about it sometime. Cheers Gordon

Great times Karl love your stories then and now photos especially add a nice touch. I was last in Thailand 2004 heading back to Pattaya 23rd October your videos bring back good memories.👍🏻

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Glad it triggered some memories for you and enjoy your return here. Thanks

Absolutely love these stories...

@karlsthailand

Ай бұрын

Thanks a lot. Most of them are great memories for me. Cheers

Gday Karl, great vlog mate, it definately took me back when I stayed at the Malaysia Hotel back in 93 picking up girls from the coffee shop, going to the Blue Fox, my friends and I use to call the area Soi Junkie coz there was so many people using drugs around there. thanks for sharing. cheers

@karlsthailand

10 ай бұрын

Yes, there were a few nicknames for that area, "Needle Alley" was one that I remember. It wasn't all sleaze though, there were some great characters around. Glad it triggered your own memories. So The Blue Fox was still there in 93? I thought it closed about 92. Cheers

Great video, looked totally different back then, my first trip was 2005 been going every year ever since bar 2001

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Dickie, the more time passes the more glad I am that I have the pictures to share

Great video Karl. Handful of weeks and I will be there.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Alan, catch you soon

Great vid mate, Sth.Oz

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Rickman, glad you enjoyed it

Thanks for the memories Karl! I first went to Bangkok back in 2012 being 22 at the time, with little experience travelling i decided to just book it and see what happened.I can remember landing at the airport and someone outside greeted me like a lost friend to get me onto a bus onto the centre which i just went along with....one thing i can still remember was the humidity and the smell which was somthing i had never experienced before but was great as i had finally found a unique country that i was looking for. My time in Bangkok was somthing that i will never forget just endless crazy nights out and waking up the next morning thinking how did that happen and how did i make it back to the hotel. Just a shame to now see Bangkok change into this posh city and lose all the things that made it great...If i thought it was good over 11 years ago then must have been 10x better back in the day when you went.

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Well it was definitely simpler and more of an adventure back then but if you see my other content you will see that Thailand still has plenty of unspoiled adventure on offer. Thanks

@davidduxbury9246

11 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand yeah ill be chilling out with a coffee watching. All the best for the channel.

Amazing stories.

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Thanks. Btw there's a "Thailand in the 80's" playlist on this channel with some other, similar videos.

Thanks for the walk down memory lane, Steve

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

No problem Steve, I’m sure you have many memories of your own. Cheers

The malaysia hotel was also a haunt of Charles sobraj aka the serpent. It's fascinating to hear your tales, as I lived on that soi for a few years 2010-2014 there were some shady places. The blooms condo was infamous, as were the dead end sois around my place bar.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I remember hearing a few things. My friend Jimmy goes into the Serpent story a little on his own video which is linked in the description of mine. Yes, those dead end Sois were quite interesting

Very interesting content Karl

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeff, hope you are well

I stayed at the Hotel Malaysia in 1972. it was quite a scene. The afternoon burger & beer parties at the pool area was legendary. The Chinese Thai Reception Girls would come out with a clip board listing of the Blood test reports for VD & Gonorrhea for hotel residents. She read out the results. Then everyone compared mental notes as to which thai girl the infected man had slept with & how likely it was that you would get the clap. All this while consuming quantities of beer & weed. Memories, Memories ...

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Things have changed so much haven’t they Norman? Even since my first visit in the 80’s. I presume that you were a serviceman back in 1972?

@cdnsk12

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand No, I'm a Canadian. I was a world traveler hippy in those days. I went back to S/E Asia 38 years later in 2009. I spent 3-4 months per year 2009 - 2012 golfing around Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam.

3 min 20 secs: that's my good mate Willie, who was in my video!! Enjoying it so far mate!!

@JBWanders73

Жыл бұрын

Check his t-shirt out

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

He was probably thinking who’s that twat with a gimbal lol

Great video lovely for you to share with us I understand about the ghost so it makes it a little sad but that's life at least you've got those fantastic memories our kid

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers John, most of the people I mentioned in the video are dead now, it was a long time ago. Some of them were dear friends for many years and I miss them. I’m happy that I have the pictures and can share the stoi

Love the tales of Fun Karl ....fkn magic ✨🙌🏻

@karlsthailand

10 ай бұрын

Thanks so much, I try to convey how I felt at the time.

Karl I am sat at Wong's Place right now at 12:43AM and it's all due to this fascinating video. Thanks for illuminating a forgotten part of Bangkok history.

@karlsthailand

3 ай бұрын

Wow. Yes, somebody told me it was open now, any idea of the opening hours. I haven't been in there for over 20 years since Wong was still alive. I will have to get back there. Cheers

@wadewandering6548

3 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand I went to Wong's on a Monday and then again on Wednesday at some point just past midnight. The VHS tapes are still behind the bar but they still play the music videos on DVD now.

Great tales 😊

@karlsthailand

6 ай бұрын

Glad you like them! Thanks

Fantastic video with some great stories. I enjoyed the photos too, especially of the Blue Fox. It's a real shame it got replaced by a 7-11. Planning on staying a night or two at the Malaysia and having a beer at Wong's while it's still around. Cheers.

@karlsthailand

9 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it. Wong's opens very infrequently these days, just for special occasions I think

@wadewandering6548

9 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand in that case I will take my chances and pray for good luck! Do you mind if I share your photo of the Blue Fox on social media? I will credit you and post a link to this video.

@karlsthailand

9 ай бұрын

@@wadewandering6548 No problem so long as you add the credit and the link.

@wadewandering6548

9 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand thanks mate. I hope it will draw more traffic to your channel.

Great content as per Karl. I'm in Thailand now writing a book about my smuggling days and failed run to Japan 55 as seen on the ne Banged up abroad!

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks. That’s interesting , is ‘your’ episode up on KZread by any chance? I’d love to see it if I haven’t already

@thestewozshow7042

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand no mate its brand new I think its on Sky but everyone of my friends our finding it hard to get because its not released on channel 5 yet. I've been coming out Asia since I was 26 but hardly any pics kind of wish I'd tried a bit more watching yours.

@thestewozshow7042

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand just sent pm to FB mate

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Ok, cheers, if you find a way of seeing it in the future please let me know. I do enjoy watching them. You weren’t a denizen of Soi Sri Bamphen were you?

@thestewozshow7042

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand not Guilty...this time 555

Great content Tuned from South Africa...I'm about to start my journey next year (relocate to Cambodia then later South Korea)

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Nice, I have spent a lot of time in Cambodia from the 90’s onwards and actually prefer it now compared to back then. I hope it works out for you with your relocation plans

Hi Karl, Sri Bamphen was the first area in Bangkok I used to stay in the mid 80’s. I remember the Blue Fox was a great place to hang out, I was staying in a place above it called “TT Guest House” if my memory is correct. Also stayed one night at the notorious Boston Inn because Malaysia Hotel was full. The Boston was supposed to be haunted; I remember waking up in the morning and the door was wide open, nothing missing though. Some great memories from that area. Cheers.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

That’s great Sweaty Cap, TT Guesthouse rings a bell but so much time has passed. I do remember the ghost rumours about the Boston Inn but ghost rumours are pretty common in Thailand lol. The Blue Fox was a time capsule wasn’t it? Very laid back. Cheers for Sharing your own memories

@overlandnsea

Жыл бұрын

Sweaty cap- i lived there late 80's ..... do you remember the skinny Swiss guy Rambo who was a herion addict whos family sent him money each month to keep him going ... Kenny's bar on the corner was a great hang out for the ''international young criminals " who were mainly very young English kids who's landed in the area whilst supposedly passing through Bangkok on their way to Koh Pangan for the full moon parties but had gotten stuck in Soi Nam Duplee ( as we called it - incorrect spelling !! )... Kenny the owner was the big strapping Thai guy who was said to be an ex con murderer ... used to prey on young unsuspecting MALE travellers who'd he'd drug up in the guest house rooms he rented above the bar and then have his wicked way with them ( he was gay ) then there was Patrick the equally swarthy and dangerous Thai local who used to slither around the same place for the same reason.. Untold bad assed locals / off ''duty'' Hookers and westerners on the slide and lost who lived & loved around the Blue Fox / Malaysia and other places of that magical little part of Thailand... it was our ''special'' community and strangers were ( sometimes ) not made too welcome .. i had a great time living there.... the enjoyable pass time of people watching was second to non.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Kenny is actually in one of my pictures on the video although not centre frame

@peteb4148

11 ай бұрын

I stayed at the Boston many times in the late 80's. I remember the staff were very dodgy. That might answer the ghost stories

Very nice videos

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much Eugene, glad you are enjoying them

Good morning, it's very amusing to see you return to places that you knew more than thirty years ago because I myself had this experience very recently when I returned to Thailand this year when I was not there returned since 1994. In Bangkok and Koh Samui (Bo Phut). I can then better understand your astonishment and your nostalgia. Thanks for the video Karl.

@karlsthailand

8 ай бұрын

My pleasure Chris, glad that you got something from it and could relate it to your own experiences

Great video m8….I got to meet Nigel a few times and had a great night out with him a while back….sadly he passed away a few years back …. He had some stories to tell RIP NIGEL

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Do you know I never saw him after he became well known. I just knew him as one of the local personalities in that area in the late 90's. I never did go out with him one to one. I'm sure he had some amazing stories lol

Nice one Karl very interesting

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mike, glad you enjoyed it

Great to hear your stories 👍

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much, glad that you enjoyed them 49erCreek

Great Video Karl .This was the first area I stayed in Thailand back in March 1990 ...I was actually going to stay at the Boston Inn but it was full so stayed at a guest house round the corner ...I went back at stay for one night at the Malaysia in 2019 but didn't recognize much about the area

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Boston Inn was full? Now that is a shock lol. Yes, the atmosphere has totally changed there now. Cheers

@bunnyplanet3810

11 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand That's what they told me !!.. it was the only address I had from an old round the world guide book ..I was very green and was sitting out front of the Boston Inn contemplating what to do next when a friendly Aussie pointed me in the right direction ... 33 years on I'm still going 😁

Great video very intresting, as we get older we see things changing and most of the change's do not seem to be for the better.

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Actually I'm not one of those people who always tells people things were better in the past and some things in Thailand and other countries I prefer now to the 80's or 90's. Our memories are skewed though because we tend to remember the good times more than the bad. I make these videos just because I have the pictures and the memories and people seem to be interested. Yes, change is something that becomes more noticeable with the passage of time. Cheers

Great tales Karl. Prob good job the video phones were not around back then 😂

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

You might be right lol

Hi Karl. I stayed at the Boston Inn for a week in 1982 . I remember wondering why the bed had a huge mirror on the ceiling above it! I could not afford the Malaysia Hotel back then. Amazing week it was incluing getting drugged on a canal trip and extorted of $80 us. I now go back to Thailand every year and like to stay a few days at the Malaysia Hotel. Great pool. I think I also stayed at Penguin hostel. I like the sathorn area. Thanks for the channel.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Boston Inn in 1982? That’s even earlier than me lol. $80 was a fortune back then, it must have been quite a scam? Thanks

@andrewk4881

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand I'm sure it was the Boston Inn I stayed at.....the building was demolished maybe 7 or 8 years ago and then they put up the tin hording thats on the street front now. I think it was 1960s architecture..Maybe it was a GI hotel like the Malaysia.

Just the cover photos alone would tell so many wonderful memories Great flashback times. 👌

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers Kev, I enjoy bit of nostalgia

Said this before but I love this stuff as had similar experiences. Life moves on and change comes to everyone, but like you probably when I look back I am thankful for the adventures that I had as it made life so enjoyable. Hope there is more to come but you might be running low on material now. All the best.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers, yes I’m getting towards the end of my supply of pictures from that time. I will be doing a few more specials like this one though occasionally

It’s a formative time in one’s life when you are a young adult. It sounds like you had an amazing time.

@karlsthailand

10 ай бұрын

Formative indeed and in some ways the train definitely left the tracks when I discovered Thailand and yes I have had and continue to have many amazing experiences here. Cheers

Great walk down memory lane old mate. Things never stay the same. I feel your pain.

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

It was a bit sad tbh but it was only knowing what it once was that spoiled it for me. Glad you enjoyed it, thanks

Great stories hang onto them.

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

When I forget them I'll have this video to remind me lol. Thanks so much

Many thanks Karl for the shots of the Blue Fox. Great times there in the early 80's. The place would get packed for any of the Duran/Hagler/Leonard fights and a host of great women to party with. I stayed just down the road at the Reno another RnR hotel. Some weeks I never got out of Soi Ngam Du Ple except to crawl up to Lumpini Stadium for a night !!

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

Thanks for those memories from the early 80's. The Blue Fox had so much character didn't it? I so rarely see any pictures taken there though and I'm glad I managed to get a few before it became a 7-11.

The song you play at the start "Malaysia Hotel" by La Souris Déglingu is fantastic. Never heard it before and had to use Shazam to identify it. I'll add it to my Morlam playlist even though it isn't Morlam. Oh and I just subscribed. Looking forward to watching your videos. I'm in Bangkok now, planning to move to Thailand in 2023 permanently.

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Cheers. Yes, as soon as I heard it I knew I had to use it

@Oliastralboy

11 ай бұрын

@@karlsthailand Karl. The version I got off Shazam doesn't have that delightful female vocal rap running over the top. Did you dub that in?

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

No, I have only heard it with the Thai lady speaking. Is the version without the overdub any longer?

I know exactly how you feel……I get the great memories and sadness whenever I visit soi7/8 in Pattaya…..had fantastic times there from 2004-2010…….you just never think it’s going to come to an end……

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

That’s right David, that block of bars on 7 and 8 used to be crazy

@daviddenham1511

Жыл бұрын

@@karlsthailand met my wife in Soi 8, fell in love with her instantly, although she wasn’t a bar girl but even if she was wouldn’t have made a difference to me……love her so much! (18years together)

Amazing video, we should meet for drink talk about the street, I knew all those characters, bygone era.

@karlsthailand

10 ай бұрын

Next time you make it to Pattaya give me a shout

Great stories

@karlsthailand

Жыл бұрын

Thanks KCL

Wow Karl, you are blowing my mind. I was living in a parallel universe, Lamai Beach in late 1987. Then hanging out in Khao San (rather than Ngamduphli) with similar characters, similar stories. Knew Wong well before his untimely demise. Brings back great memories. Cheers!

@karlsthailand

11 ай бұрын

That's great Todd, happy that my video reminded you of your own experiences of those times and of Wong. Thanks

@sorry9388

11 ай бұрын

How did Wong die?

@toddwilkie4881

11 ай бұрын

@@sorry9388 Cancer. A couple friends went to visit him in the hospital.