<strong>Patpong Museum: </strong>Prostitution, the CIA and the Vietnam War are all on display in a new, niche museum about Bangkok's raunchy Patpong Road. Warning: Some readers may find some of the following images offensive.
Patpong Museum: Prostitution, the CIA and the Vietnam War are all on display in a new, niche museum about Bangkok's raunchy Patpong Road. Warning: Some readers may find some of the following images offensive.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>War relics:</strong> The Patpong Museum's displays highlight the road's unofficial ties to the US Central Intelligence Agency's deadly activities in Laos during the US-Vietnam War in the 1960s until 1974. A Kalashnikov, also known as an AK-47, was the preferred assault rifle of communist troops in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam during their wars against America.
War relics: The Patpong Museum's displays highlight the road's unofficial ties to the US Central Intelligence Agency's deadly activities in Laos during the US-Vietnam War in the 1960s until 1974. A Kalashnikov, also known as an AK-47, was the preferred assault rifle of communist troops in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam during their wars against America.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Anti-communist displays: </strong>Exhibitions include this piece of anti-communist propaganda produced by the Thai government during the 1970s. It juxtaposes China's strident political indoctrination under Chairman Mao Zedong with Thailand's orderly, practical school lessons.
Anti-communist displays: Exhibitions include this piece of anti-communist propaganda produced by the Thai government during the 1970s. It juxtaposes China's strident political indoctrination under Chairman Mao Zedong with Thailand's orderly, practical school lessons.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Patpong bar reviews: </strong>The museum features a collection of popular American expat columnist Bernard Trink's reviews and photos, which appeared in Thailand's newspapers during the 1980s and 1990s. His writing focused on Bangkok's night spots and massage parlors, among other topics.
Patpong bar reviews: The museum features a collection of popular American expat columnist Bernard Trink's reviews and photos, which appeared in Thailand's newspapers during the 1980s and 1990s. His writing focused on Bangkok's night spots and massage parlors, among other topics.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Patpong's origins: </strong>During World War II, Luang Patpongpanich's son Udom, pictured, reportedly studied in America, where he joined Washington's newly created Office of Strategic Services (OSS) which eventually morphed into the CIA. According to museum displays, he transformed his family's land into Patpong Road and lined it with shop houses, which he rented to his OSS and CIA friends.
Patpong's origins: During World War II, Luang Patpongpanich's son Udom, pictured, reportedly studied in America, where he joined Washington's newly created Office of Strategic Services (OSS) which eventually morphed into the CIA. According to museum displays, he transformed his family's land into Patpong Road and lined it with shop houses, which he rented to his OSS and CIA friends.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Chinese roots: </strong>A hand-carved, hardwood Chinese Moon Gate adorns the Patpong Museum's entrance.
Chinese roots: A hand-carved, hardwood Chinese Moon Gate adorns the Patpong Museum's entrance.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Plastic ears: </strong>"Five ears, human ears, cut off and assembled on a chain so you could wear it on a necklace or something. These are made out of rubber," says the museum's founder and curator, Michael Messner, after describing the macabre behavior of CIA officer Tony Poe, who was known to frequent Patpong Road.
Plastic ears: "Five ears, human ears, cut off and assembled on a chain so you could wear it on a necklace or something. These are made out of rubber," says the museum's founder and curator, Michael Messner, after describing the macabre behavior of CIA officer Tony Poe, who was known to frequent Patpong Road.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Air America: vs Mao:</strong> An artistic juxtaposition of imagined neon logos adorns the Patpong Museum, emphasizing the fight between communist China and the CIA's Air America during the 1960s to 1975.<br />
Air America: vs Mao: An artistic juxtaposition of imagined neon logos adorns the Patpong Museum, emphasizing the fight between communist China and the CIA's Air America during the 1960s to 1975.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Retro advertising: </strong>An old advertisement for a Thai alcoholic beverage is displayed at the Patpong Museum.
Retro advertising: An old advertisement for a Thai alcoholic beverage is displayed at the Patpong Museum.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Patpong Night Bazaar: </strong>These days, most visitors to Patpong Road prefer the bustling Patpong Night Bazaar to the thoroughfare's more X-rated offerings.<br />
Patpong Night Bazaar: These days, most visitors to Patpong Road prefer the bustling Patpong Night Bazaar to the thoroughfare's more X-rated offerings.
Richard S. Ehrlich
<strong>Souvenir shopping: </strong>Outdoor stalls fill Patpong Road every night, selling souvenirs, jewelry, luggage and handicrafts alongside knockoff wristwatches, fake designer fashion accessories and other popular items.
Souvenir shopping: Outdoor stalls fill Patpong Road every night, selling souvenirs, jewelry, luggage and handicrafts alongside knockoff wristwatches, fake designer fashion accessories and other popular items.
Richard S. Ehrlich