Soi Cowboy Explained

Coordinates:13.7368°N 100.5625°W
Length M:150
Location:Khlong Toei Nuea, Watthana district, Bangkok, Thailand
Terminus A:Asok Montri road
Direction A:West
Terminus B:Soi Sukhumvit 23
Direction B:East
Known For:Red-light district

Soi Cowboy (th|ซอยคาวบอย,, pronounced as /th/) is a short (150 meter long) street (soi) in Bangkok, Thailand, with some 40 establishments, mostly go-go bars. It caters mainly to tourists and expatriates.[1] Soi Cowboy contains one of the three largest groups of foreign-oriented bars in Bangkok, the other two being Patpong and Soi Nana Tai.[2]

Location

Soi Cowboy is near Sukhumvit Road, between Asok Montri Road (Soi Sukhumvit 21) and Soi Sukhumvit 23, within walking distance from the BTS Skytrain's Asok Station and the Bangkok MRT's Sukhumvit Station. The Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit Hotel is nearby.[3]

History

The first bar opened in Soi Cowboy in the early 1970s, but it was not until 1977 that a second bar opened on the street[2] by T. G. "Cowboy" Edwards, a retired American airman. Edwards got his nickname because he often wore a cowboy hat and the soi was given its name in reference to him by longtime nightlife columnist Bernard Trink. The number of bars grew to 31 by the end of the century, all located on the ground floor.[2]

In popular culture

Some scenes from the 2004 film were both shot in Soi Cowboy[4] and set there. In the film the actor Hugh Grant plays a character[5] who visits a Soi Cowboy massage parlour.[6]

In August 2006, scenes were shot in Soi Cowboy for the film Bangkok Dangerous.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Fuller. Thomas. At Home Amid the Red Lights. 2015-01-25. New York Times. 2007-10-27.
  2. Book: Steinfatt, Thomas M. . Working at the Bar: Sex Work and Health Communication in Thailand. Greenwood Publishing Group. 2002. 9781567505665. 30–32.
  3. Web site: Guest Friendly Hotels Near Soi Cowboy. 2015-11-23. 2016-08-09.
  4. Web site: Lights, Camera, Location! Famous Movies That Used Thailand as a Location. The Beat Asia. 18 April 2023.
  5. Web site: Vergnügungsviertel Soi Cowboy in Bangkok. de. Soi Cowboy entertainment district in Bangkok. Entdecke Thailand. 26 June 2024.
  6. Stereotypical Depiction of Thai Women in Hollywood Films. Saranphon Poltecha. 2017. Thammasat University. Thailand.