Bangla Road Nightlife Photography 2009

Soi Bangla the walking street is the heart of all Phuket nightlife. As a result, it can be wild with all sorts of human creatures. This post’s photographs capture an evening of Bangla Road nightlife. Consequently, some playful bar scene experiences are included in the photo essay.

Because of the street’s reputation and popularity, touring Bangla is not for the faint-hearted. I recommend a couple of drinks to help find your mojo. Incidentally, don’t be surprised when the touts wave laminated A4-sized cards at you advertising the latest trend. Most often this card waving is for ping pong girlie bars and shows.

If you’re not too squeamish the Ping Pong show is very entertaining. Unfortunately, I was the one chosen from the audience to partake in the show. I am pretty convinced it was their intention that I become the attraction. My showtime act was to hold a blown balloon between my knees. I became extremely  focused on not moving a muscle while the actor fired darts at the balloon to pop it. With this in mind, I was extremely hopeful that she would not miss the target and send a dart into my leg! No more details will be given. I’ll leave it up to your imagination as to how she was firing those darts. Thankfully, no Tahnia legs were damaged in this fiasco.

Finally, I recommend roaming through Bangla after 10 pm as the street is overflowing with people. The atmosphere is electric with live music pumping and leaking onto the street from nightclub sound systems. Not only are the sounds pumping, also lasers and lighting shows add to the feeling of being at a New Year celebration. Although, this is the regular vibrancy and atmosphere on Bangla Road every night of the week.

I loved my time living in Phuket. Do take a second and check out the other blog posts with a Thailand focus.