End of Washington Square?

It has been rumoured that Bangkok’s Washington Square on Sukhumvit soi 22 is to be cleared by its owners.

Washington Square is located across from Sukhumvit soi 33 not far from the Emporium shopping centre, with the Dubliner Irish pub at the entrance.

This rundown but relatively quiet bar area of Bangkok’s bustling Sukhumvit road has long been the haunt of Vietnam War veterans in search of cheap booze and food, good music and a laid back atmosphere. There is also a distinct lack of the yobbish farang culture that can be seen in other parts of the city, namely Nana Plaza and Soi Cowboy.

Some bar owners have received a court letter detailing that the owners of the Square have been granted the right to terminate leases in early January, 2009. Consequently, the court will enforce tenants' departure by then.

There has been no word on what, if anything, the owners of the square plan to do with the land, but with the price of prime land in Bangkok currently sky-rocketing it would certainly favour land owners to make better use of it. Condo projects and shopping developments would bring in a much better return than bar leasing, for example.

Other popular tourist entertainment areas, such as Nana and Soi Cowboy, are also located on prime land and perhaps it is only a matter of time before these end up being moved on.