Reggae Pub 26th Year anniversary on Koh Samui, 12th February 2014

After last years massive celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Reggae Pub in Chaweng, the clock keeps ticking and next week it's time to celebrate already the 26th anniversary of the Reggae Pub on Wednesday 12th February!

Musical guests include 'Thai Dern Len', 'Bob Color' who knows how to get a party going, 'Super Smile' and 'Big Root' plus a fireworks show.

A Samui institution and still going strong! Happy Birthday and enjoy the evening!

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Reggae Pub Chaweng, 25th Anniversary on 12th February 2013

This is my 14th year on Koh Samui and there were a few constants during this time, one of them is the Reggae Pub.

I've spend a few evenings/nights in there with friends and also some outings with my wife were had here.

The Reggae Pub is a big name in Samui's nightlife, the whole street leading up to the Reggae Pub is even named after it, Soi Reggae!

Big party ahead!

One of my memories is the drinking beer as fast as you can contest, which I won at one occasion. There must be even a picture of that floating around somewhere!

DJ Sergio is also unforgettable with the Reggae Pub. Some good times were had although now it's been a while since I last visited.

This coming 12th February a milestone in the Reggae Pub's history with the 25th Anniversary coming up and a big party is in the making.

Reggae pub, Chaweng, a trip down memory lane

If you've been there or not, the 12th February might be a a good time to be at the Reggae Pub and enjoy a good party.

Don't forget to use my Camille's Samui hotel recommendation blog and my Camille's Thailand hotel recommendation blog for all your hotel bookings on Koh Samui and around Thailand. By doing so, you will support my blog. Thanks folks!

Camille

Controversy in Thai society because of a sexually explicit video

Controversy in Thai society because of a sexually explicit video

Recently a video on You Tube with very explicit sexual content by the overnight sensation Ja Turbo caused shock waves in Thai society and Hi-so hypocrites are now portrayed as shameless as immoral low-so entertainers. This is an interesting development in Thailand which likes to portray itself as a very traditional country with supposedly above average moral views and behavior.

Ja Turbo with Hi-so host Woody on the right

Dirty dancing leaves everybody in spin

"Describe the online community any way you want – powerful, fickle or suspicious – but, overnight, it has all but redeemed the most controversial Thai female teen singer of the hour and put a well-loved celebrity on a pillory of hatred and anger. Ja Turbo, whose real name is Nongpanee Mahadtai, had put on a show that made Michael Jackson’s crotch-grabbing move look like a teasing act in a parents’ day performance. The YouTube clip of her show has attracted 15 million views and counting. Naturally, she came under fire from left, right and centre. Until Woody came along, that is.

He invited “Nong Ja” to his show and asked some hard-hitting questions, some of which, critics say, were his own thinly-veiled commentaries. Woody was joined by two like-minded commentators who helped create an impression of holier-than-thou adults character assassinating a helpless teen who had been forced to be naughty and bitchy to stay competitive in a fierce nighttime entertainment business.

The rest, as they say, is history. The online world re-evaluated and then embraced her while turning against him. If the compassion showered upon Ja was amazing, the extreme hostility towards Woody was shocking. He has been cursed, scolded, scorned and virtually torn to pieces on YouTube. Tens of thousands of stinging feedbacks prompted the TV host to clarify his stand, which probably has made things worse."

The video in question by Ja Turbo

Considering what kind of reputation Thailand really has outside of Thailand, one of a sex holiday destination and the lack of control over said industry because too many people in high places make lots of money off of this industry, it's indeed questionable to say the least how the so called hi-so society of Thailand reacted to this phenomena.

Here's an interview with Nongpanee Mahadthai, aka Ja Turbo.

It will be an interesting story to follow.

Camille

Ekachai Srivichai show in Plai Laem

Ekachai Srivichai show in Plai Laem

Ekachai Srivichai is a well known Luk Thung artist from Southern Thailand, he's actually from Nakhon Si Thammarat.

His show in Plai Laem is part of the temple fair, organized around the Royally sponsored cremation ceremony of Prakru Suntinonthakhun at Wat Plai Laem earlier this week.

Early in the evening there were already plenty of people who wanted to make sure they got good seats and the entrance was already bustling with activity before the night broke.

Part of the early crowd may be that Ekachai is also part of the 'Meh Yok' tribe, which basically means that he's the sugar boy of older ladies who happily spend lots of cash and expensive gifts on him and similar artists like him. I strongly suspect however that Ekachai is gay so I wonder how that all fits in the picture? Than again, what do I know as Western outsider ;-)

Tickets aren't going to break an arm and a leg and with 150,-THB you're going to have a night of sanuk! I didn't stay on for the show, since a 4 hour show including support acts and the comedy guys is a bit too much for me.

A fellow blogger called the Cyber Captain describes how the live show is is in his blog.

Having worked in the music industry myself for a good amount of years, especially being on the road a few years, I must say that the stage was very big and looked very professional! Plenty of space for show troupes to dance!

A glimpse backstage with my good old universal back stage pass from my touring days was almost like a trip down memory lane, although none of the bands I worked with had such elaborate dance troupes and costumes.

The dancers in the troupe are almost all gay and when wondering around with my 5 year old son in his Thai school uniform we attracted a lot more attention from the male dancers and not nearly enough attention from the female dancers!

Some of the female troupe practicing their moves. It most certainly looked like a well orginsed and professional show. According to the feedback my wife received from the locals the show was very well received.

Here's one of his early songs, Maa Kud, his breakthrough in the Thai Luk Thung scene. Strangely enough a song I know since a fairly long time and always liked a lot but never knew it was his;

Camille