Another
year goes by and the DT "monthly Newsletter" returns yet again? Yes
and no - yes recounting the past but no in regard to the future.
We've regrouped and will now focus on what we enjoy best - this
website - updating all of our darts information and reporting darts
news in this newsletter. We're no longer involved with any
league administration - a time consuming task that goes mostly
unappreciated at best. Cheers to those of you who do perform that
task!
DartsThailand.com is an independent darts publication. We are not
affiliated with any darts league, club, association or organization
in Thailand or any other country and therefore have no conflict of
interest reporting all darts news. Gearing back up is taking some
time and the news here is what we have found and contributors so far
have sent us. Apologies to any who've we have missed. Email us and
we will be most happy to include your darts information and or news.
You can always add an event to the DT Calendar yourself - if you
have any problems with doing that just give us a holler.
After publishing
this newsletter our first priority will be updating our darts venue
page. Providing DT readers - especially those visiting Thailand -
with as much information about "your" darts bar or venue (including
links to your website and or FaceBook page) has always been the best
service we provide you to connect with new dart players and
customers. So we're really happy to be back and look forward to
providing you as much darts news especially at the grass roots level
in the future. Our intention is to return with a regular monthly
news letter although it may sometimes be every other month. After
all - there are only so many hours in a day with darts to be thrown -
beers to be drunk and women to be chased! - - Johnny
Bangkok Darts Bars Update is not
always a happy or pleasant newsletter article and even more so in
this issue. Washington Square's long time favorite for so many
including all of us at DT is the demise of the Silver Dollar Bar.
Although its skeleton structure still remains BBC, CNN nor DT can
confirm the authenticity of YouTube videos of Ned chained to the SD
Bar pool table screaming - I'll never leave. After years - maybe
decades of local bar talk from "insiders" claiming to know of the
final days of Washington Square - it's finally happened leaving even
the most hardened square regular with a tear in his eye. Ironically
the only remaining darts bar in what's left of the square is "Square
One" the very first bar on the square founded by the famed Cowboy
for whom the infamous Soi Cowboy is named. But for Square One
and the half dozen or so few bars left around the Soi 22 entrance of
the square - across from the Regency Hotel - their days are
definitely
numbered. In
Washington Square's more recent heyday it contained eight dart bars.
Entering from from Sukhumvit Rd. - Sportsman, Silver Dollar, Texas
Lone Star, Wild Country, Cat's Meow, Bourbon St. and 52 Bar are now
only found memories of WS. Nearby Larry's Dive on Soi 22 is also
gone. Numbers remain the same but some bar name changes in nearby
Queen's park Plaza - look for our new update. So much for the bad
news and now onto the good.
From the square - B52 moved to Queen's Park Plaza but unfortunately
no longer has space for darts. Sportsman is slated to open a new
operation on Soi 13 - including darts. Bourbon St. has been operational in their fine new location on Soi 63 Ekamai -
still one of Bangkok's most popular eateries but sadly without
darts. Owner Doug Harrison is a handy darts player although seeing
him at the darts oche now days is about as common as a direct
overhead solar eclipse. When in Bourbon St. - tell Doug he needs a
darts board and you can quote his golf teacher Ned Hughes on that.
The best news we have for this article is three brand new darts
bars. 1) Buddy's Bar on Soi 22 just in from the Sukhumvit
intersection is part of the expanding D'Pelican Inn group. It's a cozy diner style open-air place with a nice darts
throw area. 2) The Side Pocket is located on Sukhumvit Rd on the second floor
across from the Landmark Hotel. It's operated by longtime Bangkok
darter Matt - but not their best player. The lovely Miss Ann -
pictured left - is their "in-house" darts pro. It's not only a great
bar with darts but also pool tables - a great menu and some of the
best live music in Bangkok. We'll have both of these featured in
upcoming newsletters. 3) is our featured "Dart Bar of the Month" -
iDartsThailand on Ekamai (just a stone's throw from Bourbon St.)
This virtual darts palace is operated by Andy and you can read all
about it in the article below. Back To Top
A-ZDarts.com
hardly need any introduction being one of the largest online darts
supply companies in the world. But news to me is the "on the road"
show they are able to put on as seen from the above photos on their
website. Always enjoy my visit to the A-Z shop when visiting my
parents in the Sacramento CA area. Be sure and stop in and see them
if in the area as mentioned on their website. Onhand to help are
John Baxter and his fine staff of darts pros - including
Scotty Burnett. Needing a good set of soft-tip darts John set me
up with some dandy darts
Eddie Lawrence signature series Puma darts seen photo left. John
always provides DT a darts shirt to be "filled in" when I return to
Thailand. If you're interested in DT filling in one of your darts
shirts - contact us. Seen below is the lovely Miss Ya. A FAQ we
receive at DT is - are your photographed gals really darts players?
Answer - yes. Miss Ya not only owns that motorcycle and her own
darts but is a skilled player. I got a draught pint that says she
can kick your butt at any darts game of your choosing. Back To Top
A-ZDarts.com
FaceBook & Website
iDartsThailand.com on
Ekamai Soi 63 Sukhumvit Rd. Bangkok is
definitely the most impressive darts venue I've ever see and I doubt
if many or any could top that claim. Purpose built for darts -
iDartsThailand has two floors with twelve Darts Live boards
comfortably spread with every seat in the house able to see the main
stage board - with super size projection above it. They also have a
fully stocked bar - food menu - darts supplies and even a pool table
for their less skilled patrons. You really do need to see this place
to believe it - Andy Ho who runs the operation will be happy to show
you around. If all this ain't enough to already spark your
interest then check out their specials. The
one that really caught my eye - their October Beer Buffet - all
the draught beer you can drink for only 399 Baht. Whoa baby all the
draught beer you can drink in a great darts bar - now it just don't
get no better than that!
"Dartoid" AKA Paul
Seigel is a regular visitor and longtime friend of DT as well as the
Thailand darts community. DT staff Jayke, Damian and me recently
accompanied Paul to iDartsThailand on Ekamai Soi 63
Sukhumvit for an absolutely great night of darts in their venue
which can only be described as a darts palace. Now consider this
observation is from four steel-tip players. But Dartoid says it best
in his recent column "It's time to wake up and smell the plastic!"
click on his website link to read the entire article. It's spot-on
and a great read for both soft & steel tip readers. Be sure and
follow all Paul's darts adventures around the world from the
following links and we'll be sure to let you know the next time he's
headed back to Thailand. One more point about iDartsThailand
that still has me chuckling - the lovely gals in these photos are
not waitresses or only waitresses - their title is DI. Being retired
army DI has (had) only one meaning
to me - Drill Instructor in basic training. But no these DI gals are
"Darts Instructors." Now if they had DIs like this when I joined the
army - I'd of spent my entire career in boot camp!
Pattaya
is one happening darts town in Thailand and it's really great to see
such a boom in the popularity of darts there. Recently visited a few
bars there with Jayke and typical of DT reporting policy - we had no
plan - out on Saturday night with total focus on TV football (soccer
for our American readers). Even so - we met lots of great people -
darts people and will soon return on their darts nights - just about
every other night - for more photos and reports. The scoring machine
pictured left is standard in all Pattaya dart bars. Strange - never
seen one in any dart bar in relatively nearby Bangkok. I prefer the
traditional board & marker - not because of my strong skill in maths
but my personal hatred of learning new devices.
The Irish Rovers is a "must see" darts venue in
Pattaya - run by affable publican Simon - pictured above. By no
means a small place but what you notice right off the get-go is how
efficiently they have utilized their floor space. Three competition
darts lanes with a forth used as a warm up board. Irish Rovers runs
regular darts events that attracts players not only from Pattaya but
many Bangkok players as well. A well stocked bar is across from
their pool table with every seat in the house having easy view to
their many TVs and one large screen. They also have a great menu and
rooms for rent. Last but certainly not least is Irish Rovers' bevy
of babes and we will take up Simon's kind offer to return for a
photo session. Expect to be seeing some of the lovely gals from
Irish Rovers as Darter of the Month in upcoming newsletter issues.
Ah - so you have to wait till the lazy bums from DT photo department
return before you can see some
photos? Not at all - you can check out their photo galleries on both
their FaceBook & Website by clicking the following buttons.
The Mee Chew Bar is a
long established Pattaya Darts bar run by a darts legend - Mel. The
photos and newspaper clippings of him and other greats leave you
with absolutely no doubt that you're talking to one knowledgeable
darts player. We only missed it by a few weeks as one of Mel's darts
pals was recently at Mee Chew visiting - Gary Anderson - won't miss
another opportunity like that again in the future.
Mee Chew has a
great laid back atmosphere were some serious darts happen.
Will
definitely be back here with some future reports.
The Londoner Bar in Pattaya is run by our good friend Angus - the
least distinguished looking gentleman upper right - in the above
photo. Angus was a great supporter of darts even as a non-player
here in Bangkok where he previously owned a pub. Guess the Pattaya
Darts Enthusiasm Bug bit him as he is now an active player in
Londoner Bar and their winning team. But his claim on their FaceBook
- of hitting his first 180 has yet to be confirmed by any player or
even any of his own staff. As
the Saturday football games finished - we enjoyed a few games of darts. Angus holds court with the regulars every night and Londoner Bar is
definitely a friendly darts pub worth visiting.
Located in Chonburi -
about midway between Bangkok and Pattaya - Chonburi Darts Club is
run by the affable Aek - seen in the grey shirt. Only a few months
old - they hit the ground running becoming a popular darts venue and
have already hosted the first Chonburi Darts Open - many photos on
their FaceBook. CDC has four steel-tip boards and one soft-tip and
also a pool table and a snooker table. They have a food menu and
their Thai food is excellent. They have a great selection of darts
and darts supplies and carry both Puma and Winmau dart boards. We
really enjoyed our visit on Sunday and long time friends Sam & Noi
just happened to pop in while we were there. Look forward to
our next visit and am sure you'll see a lot more of CDC in upcoming darts
news. Special
thanks to the lovely Miss Tan (lower right) for allowing Jayke
(lower left) to win a few games otherwise all of us would've had to
listen to him whine the rest of the way back to Bangkok.
Actions speak louder than words and
boy ain't that the truth with Pattaya City Darts Organisation (PCDO).
In their relatively short existence they've accomplished more than
many well established darts organisations. Many thanks to Charlie -
administrator of PCDO for sending us this information. Job well done
Charlie - now someone needs to buy that guy a beer or two or three!
And speaking of that - we here at DT look forward to some darts and
a "few" beers when down your way next.
Scully's
Korong Vale Hotel in Korong Vale, Victoria is our featured venue in
DT's new International Darts Highway report. Thailand's darts
communities are unique to most in that so many of our players come
from all parts of the world. This feature allows us to introduce
darts venues of our players from "back home."
Scully's Korong Vale Hotel is a long established business founded in
1891 that was recently taken over by our good friends Gary & Amon
Sinnott - photo below. More about Scully's from their FaceBook: Good
Family fun. Darts, pool and good music. Excellent authentic Thai
food and a great range of Aussie food favourites. Dart players well
catered for - 2 permanent boards and strong competition - 3 teams
playing League Tuesday nights, Open board Friday nights. Visiting
dart and/or pool teams welcomed! We can provide good strong
opposition and we have 12 rooms available for accommodation for just
$30.00 per night single, $40.00 double, inc. Breakfast.
Only 240 Km from Melbourne, we will provide you with a great weekend
of darts,
food, booze and friendship.
In his spare time when he's not running Scully's as well as another
business - Gary servers as president of Loddon Darts Association
Inc. and webmaster of their website. Where does the guy find time
for darts and a few beers? Spoke to Gary about a possible friendly
challenge match - one of his locals against one of ours via skype
with a few extra cameras. Hope to still accomplish this one. Be sure
and stop in Scully's but if it's a bit out of
your travel range be sure and visit their FaceBook and click their
like button.Back To Top
13
- 14 Oct 2012
"PEA Darts Open 2012" - PEA Building - Bangkok
10
- 11 Nov 2012
"Vichai Thailand Open & PDC Qualification" - Maxx Hotel -
Bangkok
List
your darts event here - free. We'll be happy to list your event in
this section of DT's Newsletter- all you need do is contact us with
the information. Additionally you can also post your event on our
calendar as well as contact us to add darts bar to our list.
Do you have a regular weekly darts event? If so, send us the
information and we'll list it in each newsletter - example New
Cowboy's weekly "Why Darts?" as seen to the right. Looking to
attract more players in your league? If you're willing to write a
brief overview - we'll give you a spot in each newsletter with links
to your website - a few photos make an even better article.
The main objective of DartsThailand.com is to provide readers with
as much Thailand-wide darts information as possible. Want more dart
players at your events or at your darts bar? Contact us and let us
put the word out to more people looking for "your" event or "your"
darts bar in Thailand. Back To Top
Welcome
to all new readers and to all of you that followed us before let me
say - on behalf of the entire DT staff that it sure is good to
be back and back we are to stay. Keiran, Jayke and me are happy to
introduce our new full time staff member - professional TV cameraman
Damian. And for those who contributed in the past we invite you to
join us again. Again we'll be doing our best to get everything
updated and getting out a more regular newsletter than once a year.
Apologies to PEA Darts Open for getting this issue out so late in
the month - days if not hours before your fine event begins.
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
Another
year goes by and the DT "monthly Newsletter" returns yet again? Yes
and no - yes recounting the past but no in regard to the future.
We've regrouped and will now focus on what we enjoy best - this
website - updating all of our darts information and reporting darts
news in this newsletter. We're no longer involved with any
league administration - a time consuming task that goes mostly
unappreciated at best. Cheers to those of you who do perform that
task! 
A-ZDarts.com
hardly need any introduction being one of the largest online darts
supply companies in the world. But news to me is the "on the road"
show they are able to put on as seen from the above photos on their
website. Always enjoy my visit to the A-Z shop when visiting my
parents in the Sacramento CA area. Be sure and stop in and see them
if in the area as mentioned on their website. Onhand to help are
John Baxter and his fine staff of darts pros - including
Scotty Burnett. Needing a good set of soft-tip darts John set me
up with some dandy darts
Eddie Lawrence signature series Puma darts seen photo left. John
always provides DT a darts shirt to be "filled in" when I return to
Thailand. If you're interested in DT filling in one of your darts
shirts - contact us. Seen below is the lovely Miss Ya. A FAQ we
receive at DT is - are your photographed gals really darts players?
Answer - yes. Miss Ya not only owns that motorcycle and her own
darts but is a skilled player. I got a draught pint that says she
can kick your butt at any darts game of your choosing.
Back To Top
13
- 14 Oct 2012
Welcome
to all new readers and to all of you that followed us before let me
say - on behalf of the entire DT staff that it sure is good to
be back and back we are to stay. Keiran, Jayke and me are happy to
introduce our new full time staff member - professional TV cameraman
Damian. And for those who contributed in the past we invite you to
join us again. Again we'll be doing our best to get everything
updated and getting out a more regular newsletter than once a year.
Apologies to PEA Darts Open for getting this issue out so late in
the month - days if not hours before your fine event begins.
Breakfast.
Only 240 Km from Melbourne, we will provide you with a great weekend
of 
