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| DARTS THAILAND
NEWSLETTER |
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VOLUME 028 |
THAILAND'S BEST (ONLY) DARTS
NEWSLETTER |
JULY 2011 |
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The DT Newsletter is back. For some who have more recently found DT you hay
have assumed it was a long ago discontinued feature. But no we just lost
track of time - nearly two years worth. Now I could tell you how busy we've
been with lots of details and bore you to tears but in this case I'll just
tell you the truth. We were playing darts and drinking beer. Since our last
newsletter we have an additional league and the DT photo galleries
is now one of the largest darts photo galleries to be found online.
We also have a very active FaceBook page and you can also follow us
on Twitter.
DT newsletter is back and on a regular basis. Some editions may be
shorter than previous additions depending on what we have to report.
We'd like to invite our contributing writers back as well as any
aspiring new darts writers - all are welcome. Can't say much about a
DT salary as a matter of fact the word nothing would best describe
it. Keep in mind that we at DT do adhere to a stringent alcohol
policy. We expect all contributing writers to start |
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beforehand but demand that you are drinking while doing any work for
this site. We're quite proud of all those contributing to DT - present and past as well and can report with 100% honesty that there
has not been a single instance of anyone violating our alcohol
policy. What you see on this website should be proof enough of that! |
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| After
years of talk and speculation of when Washington Square will close
down & many business having already moved out - it's now a reality
for the bars with three darts bars recently closing. One of the true
landmarks of the Square - The Texas Lone Staar had a grand party on
28 May and closed their door for business on the 29th. This place
was an institution not only as a great bar but a VFW meeting place
and where some of Thailand's better known writers held book
signings. Although it's been some time since the Lone Staar had any
league teams they always had a darts board. Two doors down - the
Cat's Meow hadn't been open regularly or at all for and has also
closed their door for business - actually the door's been removed.
Up until recent years - Cat's Meow |
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| had been a bar that always had
active league teams. And the bar in-between - The Wild Country - had
their last night of business on 19 June. There's been no talk of any
of these three relocating to a new location. |
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The
remaining bars and businesses in the Square are still open -
business as usual but with most patrons wondering for how long.
Bourbon St owner Doug Harrison said "Bourbon St. Restaurant & Oyster
Bar Bangkok is still open and will be for another year at least.
Maybe more." Great news especially considering their new location on
Ekamai - (between MK Gold and Park Lane shopping center and less
than a 5 minute walk from the BTS) should open in 3-5 months. So it
doesn't look like the years of rumors and "inside information" of
when Washington Square will close down is any real factor - but the
more sad reality is with declining clientele how long the remaining
businesses can stay afloat. We hope for the best on this and will
keep you posted of future developments. |
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| In the past two years neither tourism and or local trade has seen
any recovery and sadly quite the opposite. While some of the newer
larger bars enjoy a healthy growing clientele generally the smaller
local style pub bars have suffered most. One example is in the
Queen's Park Plaza bar complex. Flaming Moe's used to be one of the
most happening darts bars in Bangkok. Other than on darts events
nights when a second board was hung in the pool table area - it was
a one board venue. But a venue where you could walk in any time -
not only darts leagues nights - and expect to find players already
on the board. Many local as well as regular visiting darters
considered this THE darts venue and it was not at all unusual to
seem some great games in here many times finishing up in the wee
hours of the morning. Sadly Flaming Moe's is not going to reopen in
another location but now just another one of the great Bangkok dart
bar memories. Flaming Moe's was bought in late 2010 and became Sin
Bin which closed it's doors for business in mid May. It's now reopened as Sin Bin but as a music bar and no longer a darts
bar. The rest of the darts bars in the plaza remain but all with
less players and as a result fielding fewer league |
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| teams. So much
for the farewell section and now onto the hailing of new darts bars. |
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On the positive side - The Ball In Hand on Sukhumvit Soi 4 has added an excellent two-board throw area to their pool hall and now has league teams as well as holding darts events. BIH is a welcome return of darts on Sukhumvit Soi 4 (Nana) and we expect their darts enthusiasm will become contagious in the Nana bars area. Another pool hall - Hustlers in the Times Square building on Sukhumvit will soon be putting in two boards and also getting into the league action. Nice to see these pool halls seeing the light. It's totally beyond me why anyone would want to spend time playing "stick & ball" when they can enjoy a real game - darts!
Rejoining the darts scene after major renovations is JUSMAHTHAI. Their "Inaugural Darts Knockout" was a great event introducing newer players to a great venue with two |
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| spot-on throw areas - more in an article below. And last but certainly not least & most recently joining the Bangkok darts action is the Singha Darts Club - Thailand's Largest Darts Venue with four boards. SDC also has a room for pool and another for karaoke. SDC is part of the Singha Beer House complex with a full menu that can be enjoyed in the bar or their outdoor beer garden area. SDC also has a a banquet room available for parties and mini darts tournaments. We'll feature more on SDC in our next issue as they continue to put in some finishing touches but their darts bar is fully functional already holding league matches. Keep your eye on the DT Events Calendar as SDC will be hosting many tourneys & weekly events. SDC is located on Asok Rd. off Sukhumvit Rd. |
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| The face
of darts is continually changing and evolving in Bangkok. The
overall projected growth rate of darts is excellent and we are
always happy to welcome new players - teams and new
venues. But I will admit that I shed a tear whenever I hear of any
bar closing - especially a darts bar! - - Johnny GO BACK UP |
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| The Aloha Bar located on Sukhumvit Soi 22 where you
can always find a friendly game of darts. They welcome all players
to join their Tuesday and or Friday league teams. Photos of the
Aloha bar darts events and league action can be found in the Photo
Galleries. Click on Aloha Bar logo to check out their website. GO BACK UP |
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TDA (Thailand Darts Association) will be issuing ID Cards to all league members. With your player ID number there will be no more confusion of players with the same name. Unlike many other darts leagues most players here only use a first name or nickname. We've already begun collecting players' registration forms including photos. We now have an approved card and printing has started. Registration forms are available from team captains or at the Sportsman Bar or you can download a PDF form - CLICK HERE.
One question already being asked - will not having an ID Card
restrict visiting players from participating in a league match. No -
visiting players are always |
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| welcome as usual. If you've here long
enough for us to get you a card printed - you'll get one. Another
question asked about minimum time or games played to receive your
card as some want one to take back home - great advertising for our
darts here as well as your host bar. And last but certainly not
least is the discount benefit of card carrying members. Already talk
of certain Pattaya darts bars offering a drink discount for card
carrying members and hopefully some Bangkok venues will follow suit.
Pattaya as well as Hua Hin are already included and plans to include
Chiang Mai and Phuket are in the works. |
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| (29 March 2011) Yorkshire's "Gentleman of Darts"
none other than Kenny (a.k.a. KennyTheDart & ktd) has been hosting
some of Bangkok's most popular darts events for some time. Best
known - after four - his Christmas Knockout. All Kenny's darts
tourneys are
invitational events and only the fun players who have never won a
trophy or top trophy in our local events receive invites. It's great to see the support
these events receive especially from those without invites who come
out to support the players competing - cheering them on and chocking
games. Supporting all of our leagues and events are the 52 Bar -
Aloha Bar and Corner Bar - all popular darts venues but smaller an
unable to host events. Until Kenny came up with a solution - the tri
bar knockout. |
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The preliminary playoffs were held in 52 Bar and
Corner Bar. All invited players were divided into two groups to play
in either 52 Bar or Corner Bar. Four finalists - four from each
bar received trophies. With a rare display of coordination rarely if
ever seen in our local darts events - both the 52 Bar and Corner Bar
finished the preliminaries at about the same time. Now it was time
to move down to Aloha Bar for the finals. With the eight finalists and the
remaining spectators from 52 and Corner Bars assembled in Aloha Bar
it was "Game On" for the finals competition for one grand trophy to
be presented to the overall
champ. The final match came down to CW and Bryan and right down to
both on single dart double outs with Bryan's dart being victorious. |
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It's said a man's success is due
to a good woman and in this case of this event that is true three
times over. Kenny's great idea was supported by three great darts
supporters and lovely ladies as well - Miss Jar of 52 Bar - Miss
Jeab of Corner Bar and Miss Charinee of Aloha Bar. Hmm - so maybe
the never before seen efficient organization of this darts event
wasn't just pure luck? |
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| (14 May 2011 JUSMAGTHAI - ADERHOLT'S
ANNEX) Saying that you remember playing darts in JUSMAG is a sign
that you've been around for a while playing darts in Bangkok
especially if you know what darts score it signifies when a players
shouts JUSMAG. Although they've been off the darts scene for some
years - their reentry was a first class event in the newly renovated
Aderholt's Annex. Special thanks to Al and DJ command
and GM for setting up this event. As well "Sport Corner" Ron made
his darts emcee début with a |
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"little bit" of organizational
assistance from old hands Pisuth and Adul. A great night was had by
all and no worries if you missed this one as they plan to hold
quarterly darts events in the future.
Those in attendance received draw prize tickets with great winning
odds considering all the sponsors with prizes ranging from food gift
certificates to bottles of wine and spirits to a darts board and
darts set and supplies provided by - Bourbon St - Duke's - Sunrise
Tacos - Sport Corner - ACSA (American Community Support Association)
- TDA (Thailand Darts Association) Cobra Darts - Target Darts.
A great food spread was provided and not only is the new bar
beautiful but it's got the best prices in all Thailand. Aderholt's
Annex is huge compared to most Thai bars and also has a large
dinning area with a large screen TV - two pool tables and two great
dart throw areas.
JUSMAGTHAI is a joint Thai - US military compound on 7 South Sathorn Rd. and a photo ID is required for entry. Aderholt's Annex is open from 3:30 - 11 PM - Mon - Fri (except holidays) - open Sat or Sun for special events. Last Friday of the month is their steak night special and a daily 4 - 7 Happy Hour "buy one got one free" on their already unbelievable prices! Your return to darts with a top notch venue is appreciated by all the Bangkok darts community! By the way - if you hear someone shout JUSMAG - that means that a darts player has just scored 26 - aka - bed & breakfast. |
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BANGKOK
LEAGUES UPDATE |
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LSDL (Lover Sukhumvit Darts League) Season XXII has just passed the half way mark. This season's two divisions from last season's one saw a tight pack - with close points only now emerging into a bit wider gap in both divisions. Although business is down for most Lower Sukhumvit bars - we're still optimistic about an expanding league for the upcoming season.
BIDL (Bangkok International Darts League) is now underway with a bit a reshuffling to the schedule with the late entry of one team. Be sure and dispose of the original schedule and use the revised schedule. How can you tell one from the other? The original was a printed sheet - the revised schedule a laminated printed sheet.
Welcome back to the Domino teams and Boy returning to the league with team of new enthusiastic players. We also welcome the TG - Thai Airlines team - as many have quickly noticed a formidable team. We look forward to more state enterprise company dart teams joining the league in future seasons.
BMDL (Bangkok Mickey Mouse Darts League) has now finished Season III. Plans for the after-season party & awards are now in the works. Captains will be contacted to see how many will be attending the party to get an better idea how many will be attending and plan accordingly. Looking forward to another great season and more possible teams joining. By popular request from all - the "point cap" will be removed in this league for nest season.
SCORE SHEET TURN-IN POINT - The primary point for turning in score sheets (all three leagues) is The Sportsman. The Corner Bar will remain as the alternate turn-in point. The reason for this change is that the Sportsman opens earlier allowing for admin to collect score sheets easier. Great job by the Corner Bar with this task in the past and we wish the CB new owners luck with this and everything in their newly acquired place. Nothing quite like the relaxing pleasures of running the day to day operation of a Bangkok bar! GO BACK UP |
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| Well we're back........many things have happened
since our last Newsletter. The collapse of the Berlin Wall, the end
of prohibition and Witkowski almost won a game but the break wasn't
quite long enough. This month we bring you a new item where we delve
into the celebrity world of Dart's players and find out what the
stars do in their own time at the oche. |
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As
some of you may or may not know, pint size Irish rocker Bono (real
name Paddy Smugford O'Bono) owns the most expensive set of darts in
the world. In between his charity work and preaching to nations that
we mustn't waste resources, Bono has been known to have had a set of
gold encrusted darts made by slaves in South Africa which set him
back a cool day's earnings of 3 million Euros.
'Oi bought them to
help me with me charity work which I don't talk about' said the 4
foot 10 Joshua Tree superstar speaking from his private jet which
runs on Krug Champagne.
'Oi haven't got a dartboard yet but Oi
helped the African economy so I did'. Bono and close friend and U2
guitarist The Edge (real name Mr The Edge) had entered the Dublin |
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all-comers darting doubles but were refused entry due to a no silly
hat rule and Bono not reaching the height requirements. Instead they
had to retire to a nearby hotel which they rented for the week and
had a friendly game against Eurovision losers and all round
talentless pop duo Jedward.
Bono is now believed to be organising a charity concert to help the
vertically challenged darter and will be releasing a single to raise
awareness conveniently at Christmas. 'Oi don't want to talk about
how much money we'll raise' said the midget 'Oi'll wait until Oim
photographed with world leaders and the world's press are there to
be sure before they coax
that figure out of me so I will' |
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Here at Darts Thailand we tried to contact Bono but couldn't find
him listed in the Dublin White Pages. We did find a Mr Bone but he
threatened us with the police if we rang him at 3am again asking if
they managed to beat Jedward in the superstar challenge. We did find
a Mr Edge but it turned out he was a plumber and couldn't play
guitar and only liked hurling not darts.
So there you have it. More darting celebrities coming soon. Next
month we hope to talk to Niles from 'Frasier' or perhaps that bloke
from '24' and bring you the latest celeb going on. |
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Until next year.. I mean month. Happy darting  GO BACK UP |
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Our
"Venues" page found on our menu bar lists all known darts bars in
Thailand and the page is constantly updated as we receive
information. DT is based in Bangkok and our updates are posted more
frequently. Listings include address - phone number if they have one
as well as links to web sites for those who have them. All we need
to add your bar is confirmation (by email or phone) that you do in
fact have a darts throw area that is available for play. We don't
list bars that have a board as a decoration or is inaccessible. This
is a free service and our Venues page does excellent in the all search
engines.
Knowing a street address and trying to actually find it can be a
near impossible task especially for someone new to the area. We have
easy to read maps of the bar areas here in Bangkok. Our newest
updated map is of the Sukhumvit Soi 22 area the area in Bangkok with
the largest |
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concentration of darts bars. The map is to scale -
sketch traced from a Google
Earth satellite image and incorporates navigation coordinates. But
if you're not into all that high tech GPS positioning - our
printable map is easy to read with major landmarks to put you within
minutes walk of the darts bars. We'll be updating our maps of other
Bangkok area darts bars as time allows.
We don't rate our listed darts bars - nether the quality of their
throw area or any bar in general. Some players prefer a large open
area while others like a smaller cozy bar where the throw area may
have some distractions. Bars with league tags are obviously the ones
where there is more activity on the boards. For those visiting
Bangkok be aware that you are welcomes to join any one of our three
leagues. You don't have to commit to being a full time player or be
here for any minimum amount of time to be eligible to play. Many
visiting players that we meet are not aware of this and are happy to
join a team for the time that they are in |
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Bangkok. But choose your
team wisely as you cannot change teams from week to week
and are committed to play for only that one team for the remainder
of that league's season.
For any darts bar owner (or regular customer) reading this whose bar
is not listed on our "Venues" page - please contact us and we will
be happy to add your bar. We also feature a "Darts Bar of the Month"
in this newsletter and if we haven't already featured your bar we'd
like to do that in the future. As much as I'd love to say I can
visit your bar for photographs - this is only really possible here
in Bangkok. At a minimum we would need a photo of your bar's sign
from outside (so people know what to look for) and a photo of your
throw area. Additional photos and information to best publicize your
bar are certainly encouraged. "The DT Venues Page" - connecting
darts bars with players searching for darts bars! |
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DEPARTED
DARTERS |
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Ian
Robert White - a good friend of the Bangkok darts community and a
close personal friend of mine passed away on 29 April. Ian had been
battling with cancer for years and after a long stay in the ICU in
hospital here fought to get stable enough to travel back to UK to
been near his children. He got to UK on a Monday and died the
following Friday. Ian was a regular in Starlight which later became
Flaming Moe's. Ian had so many friends stop in to see him that many
patrons in the bar assumed it was his bar. In later years Ian was
only able to get to the New Cowboy bar where he held nightly court
at his large raised table in the back of the bar. In addition to
being a fine darts player - Ian was an excellent conversationalist.
Whenever bored with a conversation he'd break into a song verse "Did
you ever cross the seas to Ireland" where he was born. Ian was |
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correcting our many mistakes on this site was nearly a full time job
for him. RIP Ian you are missed by many. - - Johnny |
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It
brings great sorrow to share the bitter news that our beloved friend
and fellow darter of the Saigon International
Darts League, Tom Cummins, passed away Saturday, June 4th. To
the darting community in Saigon Tommy was nothing less than a
legend. From what Tom told me, he was a former horse jockey who met
several notorious underworld figures in his younger days. He later
came to work in the construction industry around the world. He was
Irish to the bone though he spent his youth in the United Kingdom
and to our benefit Tom eventually came to live among us and call
Saigon home. Tom was an early supporter of darts in Vietnam and he
had always been a strong supporter of his team and of his many, many
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darts league in Saigon who loved him dearly and will miss him
sorely. I count myself in that number. - - Gary Dale Cearley |
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We're glad to be back with a newsletter on a regular basis. We've missed doing one as much as we hope you have missed seeing one. We invite all our contributors to return with your fine articles. We'll be in contact for next month's issue - wanted to get this up online first to prove we are in fact back.
If you're a darter traveling to Thailand by all means pack your darts. New to Thailand? Contact us and we'll point you in the direction of the nearest darts bar. Traveling in a group and want an impromptu darts match - no problem.
Johnny "The Big Witkowski"
johnny@dartsthailand.com
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DARTS THAILAND
NEWSLETTER |
VOLUME 028 |
THAILAND'S BEST (ONLY) DARTS
NEWSLETTER |
JULY 2011 |
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