THINGS REALLY got started when an author by the name of Christopher
G. Moore wrote and published a book called A Killing Smile in the early 90s
Bangkok. This groundbreaking novel was dark and menacing, brave, humorous, a meditation
on the underbelly of the city of Sin. An
expose of an exciting city at one of her most exciting times – Bangkok at night,
millions flock to admire her night markets, her bars, food stalls, her endless
strips of neon blinking under her starless light. There are no stars in the
Bangkok night for they are all on the street. Look at them. Here they are.
Buck-toothed street vendors, spikey transsexuals, immaculate prostitutes hand
in hand with tattooed Vikings. Men with beards, beggars dragging their crippled
bodies along the streets, the man who looks like he swallowed a golf ball sells
watches to tourists. Have you seen him? Other books followed including The Big
Mango by Jake Needham, Skytrain to Murder by Dean Barrett, Kicking Dogs by
Collin Piprell and Private Dancer by Stephen Leather. The mainstream commercial world of literature
paid full attention when the talented John Burdett and Timothy Hallinan achieved international
acclaim and success with their respective Bangkok based series. Bangkok was in.
The internet followed and Stickman launched his hugely successful
site. The visual arts took note with Chris Coles bursting onto the scene with expressionist
paintings that perhaps capture the Bangkok night life better than any other
medium. Then came the music with Cambodian’s internationally acclaimed band
Krom led by Christopher Minko. The movement gains speed with Poet Noir John Gartland. Perhaps the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle
fell into place when the bar and restaurant Checkinn99 run by Chris Catto-Smith
opened his arms to the arts and finally the movement had a headquarters. Once a
year we celebrate this artistic movement with music and readings and displays
of art and photography at the Checkinn99 between Sukhumvit Sois 5 and 7.
Be there on January 8th 2015 to enjoy a
celebration of an artistic movement. James Newman is to
host a cast of authors including Tom Vater, Dean Barrett, Jame Dibiasio, Harlan Wolfe, Thom Locke, John
Daysh, and Poet Noir John Garland. Art exhibition by Chris Coles and photography
showcase by Stickman. Hosted by James A. Newman January 8th 2015.
