Celebrate the history of one of Sukhumvit Road’s oldest and weirdest places to survive into these politer times this Sunday night.
Check Inn 99 will reflect upon all the characters its hosted with a launch party and readings from a “Bangkok Beat,” a book compiled by Kevin Cummings of short stories, interviews, poems, profiles and more from the bar’s colorful and sometimes checkered history.
“In reading Bangkok Beat you will get up close with many well-known and not so well-known expats and characters staying in Thailand and Southeast Asia,” reads the announcement from owner Chris Catto-Smith. “You’ll also find a section of noir poems by John Gartland, in which the author depicts life in the city’s dark zone. Between the covers of Bangkok Beat you will get to know: champion male and female Muay Thai boxers, a surfing historian, a legendary mamasan, Chris Coles – noted expressionist artist of the Bangkok night, and a gold chain snatching ladyboy.”
Head down the time machine-hallway leading into the bar to hear readings from the book by Bangkok writers and entertainment by Kevin Wood and the one and only Music of the Heart band. Copies of the book will be sold will be available for purchase and T-shirts designed by Coles.
Illustration by Colin Cotterill excerpted from cover of “Bangkok Beat”
FIND IT:
Check Inn 99
97 Sukhumvit Road, between sois 5 and 7
BTS Nana
