Watching the “Man Parade”

Many of us are members of the Coffee Society, Bangkok’s 24-hour, WiFi spot in the heart of Silom. By the way, all are welcome, the clientele is diverse, and no membership is required! Australian John Hancock was so charmed by the Coffee Society, he bought the place. Started in 2001, the former hotspot had lost some of its luster—the good news is that under John’s leadership, Coffee Society has regained its popularity and former devotees are back in force, I among them!
As John explained during our exclusive interview, “I had had a desire to own a coffee shop for a long time, and when I walked into Coffee Society the first time, I knew this was the one for me. It had a charm about it that I did not find in other coffee shops that were on the market at that time.”
Just who are the devotees, new and returning?
“My clientele ranges from local Thais, tourists from around the world, expats working in Thailand, and many people come from outside the Silom area to enjoy the surroundings of Coffee Society. With Silom Soi 2 and 4 nearby, Coffee Society is very popular with the local and international gay community who are very welcome.”
In my personal opinion, John’s staff is charming, and in a new twist, Coffee Society now has menu service if you prefer not to order at the counter like most people do—and the food is great!
John revealed, “I came to Thailand for the first time seven years ago on a holiday. I fell in love with Thailand and its people and I became a regular visitor. I decided two years ago, ‘why visit this beautiful place and go back to Australia when I can live here?’ So I packed my bags and moved here.”
Same is true for me, and Coffee Society has almost become my office—the pages of my web site have been uploaded from Coffee Society on countless occasions using their free WiFi. For those without their own computers, the hotspot offers a coin-operated Computer Corner for a quick check of your email (ten baht for ten minutes), and premium people watching as the computers face out onto the street. In fact, a great draw of Coffee Society is the outdoor seating area—one of the only such seating areas within blocks—perfect for voyeurs and those hoping to meet someone new and exciting.
“We are open 24 hours, and in the morning, local people and tourists enjoy breakfast and coffee. Throughout the day, business people and tourists mix together, and in the evening couples share quiet times together on the 2nd floor and in our lounge on the 3rd floor. From midnight on, the party goers from the surrounding clubs call in for a coffee and cake before heading home.”