Mango Hiatus is now on Hiatus

Posted by pmmp | Blog, General | Posted on January 29th, 2010

Finally back from Hiatus [cheers erupt from the millions of adoring bloggers around the world, okay, maybe not]. Apologies for taking so long but there has been quite a bit going on, which I’ll talk about in this post.

First, a brief history. I came to Thailand in 2005 and it’s been quite the ride. Both ssB and I left the IT (Information Technology) world behind to live and work in Thailand.  Many of us have done or thought about doing this. The weather, cost of living, culture, and food are certainly attractive, but let’s not kid ourselves, it’s mostly about the puss. We did however want to start a new business and not just party our asses off.

We moved here around the same time and really didn’t know what type of business we wanted to start or run. Our main goal was to basically start/run something that would pay some of the bills while we were here. We looked at various type of businesses, but we both wanted something that was different than what we’ve done in the past, and certainly not boring.

While sifting through the hundreds of businesses for sale, we saw an ad for a bar being sold in Nana Plaza. It was a not-yet-open bar called Boss Hogg’s right above Lucky Luke’s. Having visited the Plaza many times by then, we were excited at the idea of becoming bar owners in the heart of one of Bangkok’s most notorious red light districts. We jumped in and the rest is now history.

Over the years though, we both stayed in touch with the IT world through various web projects and consultant gigs. It’s a field that we both enjoy, so it was hard to just give it up and solely run pubs. We continued to enjoy it so much in fact that last year we decided that we would follow any opportunities that came up and slowly disengage from running the the two pubs that we now had.

The first opp came ssB’s way about four months ago and he was off to pursue. There have been many inquiries over the past few months on where ssB went, well, that’s where he went. He is still based in SE Asia and part of the Mango, but full-time in IT again.

Running the pubs then fell onto my plate, and since I also wanted to get back into IT eventually, my first task at hand was to sell our English Pub in Silom. And so, prior to the holidays we sold the pub in Silom and the road was now clear for me to rejoin IT.

At this point, we had to decide on a direction for the blog since we would no longer be around to give it the attention it deserves. We are both still part of the Mango, and the blog is a major part of the marketing we do, so we wanted to make sure that it lived on.

The blog didn’t start out as a marketing tool for the bars btw. ssB started the blog before he even moved to Thailand. He wrote about life in general, and then about living, working and playing in Thailand. As the blog grew, we started taking reader submissions and a little community grew around the blog and the bar.

We both enjoy writing and sharing our experiences, and the reader submissions and comments have made the blog one of the more interesting places to find out about various life experiences of people that live or visit Thailand. It’s mostly just simple and fun entertainment, but hopefully the information posted has also been useful.

Fast forwarding back to today, I’ve decided to get back into IT, so the reins of the bar and blog will now fall into the hands of other people. I will still be involved with the Mango though, so I wanted to make sure the blog would be handed over properly and that it will continue to be a fun and valuable resource for people.

With all this in mind, the blog has now been folded in under a newly re-designed www.bigmangobar.com website with pointers to wickedtraveler.com and other links to related information. The new website was also deployed on a faster and more dedicated server.

The www.bigmangobar.com website is still “under construction” and we still have to work out the kinks, but we wanted to get it up and running since it’s been down way too long. Once again, apologies for the delay.

The site is mostly functional at this time, but we will be adding a few more things over the next few weeks to round it off. We also still have over 1000 posts in the archives that are being categorized and re-published. You will see them come back online soon enough.

As for wickedtraveler.com, we are still working on it. In the meantime, the site will stay up as it is running now and we will update folks later when it’s all sorted.

We do hope you enjoy the new site. It’s basically broken down into bar information, the blog, and links to other sites. Hopefully, it will be a site that people continue to visit, enjoy, and contribute to.

As for me, there will be no more Mango Weekly’s I’m afraid [cheers erupt from the millions of not-so-adoring bloggers around the world]. Some of the Weekly content has surfaced and will continue to surface, but in a different form. I will still be contributing content, and you will still see me around the bar from time to time, but I will no longer be devoted full-time to the bar and related websites.

As I’ve stated earlier, it’s been quite the ride. I’ve met so many great people and have had so many strange, enjoyable, and interesting experiences. I wasn’t sure how it would all work out, but luckily it all worked out just fine. On to the next for now and stay tuned for further announcements and updates.

Cheers!

pmmp

46 comments
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46 Responses to “Mango Hiatus is now on Hiatus”

  1. Daywalker says:
    January 30, 2010 at 10:43 am

    So you are IT nerds then?

    :twisted:

    View all comments by Daywalker

  2. pmmp says:
    January 30, 2010 at 10:46 am

    You got a problem wit dat? :)

    View all comments by pmmp

  3. Daywalker says:
    January 30, 2010 at 10:47 am

    I have a problem with my Mac…. so if you could take a look at it……

    View all comments by Daywalker

  4. Spats says:
    January 30, 2010 at 11:49 am

    I am pleased to hear that you have a more dedicated server. The last one was a lazy slag.
    Good to see you back

    View all comments by Spats

  5. UnCochinoWetback says:
    January 30, 2010 at 4:48 pm

    great to see you guys are still alive. i was afraid the rumors of you guys getting gender reassignment surgeries might be true.

    but now i gotta change my damned bookmark. bugger.

    View all comments by UnCochinoWetback

  6. AUK says:
    January 30, 2010 at 4:51 pm

    Welcome home, welcome, you’ve been gone, far too long.

    View all comments by AUK

  7. bobonzo says:
    January 30, 2010 at 5:01 pm

    welcome back boys

    View all comments by bobonzo

  8. pmmp says:
    January 30, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    @ucw: who said those rumors are not true?

    @AUK/Spats/bobonzo: Thanks!

    View all comments by pmmp

  9. Canadian Boy says:
    January 30, 2010 at 7:08 pm

    … about fuckin’ time.

    Any good looking chix in the IT field???

    View all comments by Canadian Boy

  10. johno says:
    January 30, 2010 at 7:11 pm

    Welcome back from a well deserved and needed rest.

    During my trip to Bkk it was truly a pleasure to visit the BMB, meet you and have the most delicious burger ever placed in front of me.

    You are truly a great blogger, a wonderful host and a really cool guy. Thank you for taking time from your busy day to chat with me, it was certainly appreciated. (Maybe it was the quality fabrics I was wearing that did it?).

    Looking very forward to returning to the daily blog read.
    (I still need to change my handle….)

    Thanks man.

    View all comments by johno

  11. Pattaya Ghost says:
    January 30, 2010 at 7:16 pm

    Welcome back. Spiffy new blog theme, too. Best of luck to both you and ssB. I’ll miss seeing you guys as infrequently as I have over the past year. Please stay in touch. Look forward to seeing how the New Mango Blog evolves.

    And I second the sentiments on the new server. The old one was indeed a slag.

    Wish I could be with you guys for DW2. Just back from Phnom Penh and I’m partied out.

    View all comments by Pattaya Ghost

  12. Canadian Boy says:
    January 30, 2010 at 7:20 pm

    So PG,

    What’s going to be your role around here?

    Good to see you back.

    View all comments by Canadian Boy

  13. Katechon says:
    January 30, 2010 at 8:28 pm

    We also still have over 1000 posts in the archives that are being categorized and re-published. You will see them come back online soon enough.

    Ouf! This archive is quite precious : it really is both an informative and entertaining read for anyone planning a vacation here, or even to settle down in the Land of Sluts… Granted, that was before the avalanche of Canadian Boy’s stuff….
    [Just kidding, CB! (When will you be back in Bangers, mistah?)]

    Anyhow — Happy New Year, Ex-Burger Boys. And Good luck!

    View all comments by Katechon

  14. Daywalker says:
    January 30, 2010 at 9:33 pm

    Party underway…. heaving… many gorgeous girls.

    Good turnout. If everyone is having half the fun I am, then they should be ashamed of themselves.

    Thanks to all those that turned up. There were people that couldn’t be here due to other commitments, but we had a drink on your behalf.

    It’s still early……… I am gonna hurt tomorrow.

    Enjoy…..

    :twisted:

    View all comments by Daywalker

  15. pizzaman says:
    January 31, 2010 at 1:22 am

    Good luck dude.

    Runnin a bar/bars is tough work.

    As a mate of mine once said “Much better to be at the party than the one running it”

    keep bloggin’ whatever else you end up in!

    View all comments by pizzaman

  16. doctorbond says:
    January 31, 2010 at 2:51 am

    Welcome back and adieu
    :)
    Hope you’ve got those star trek uniforms safely stashed – I’m sure they’ll be another film out soon

    View all comments by doctorbond

  17. I Phukit says:
    January 31, 2010 at 10:50 am

    Welcome Back, you were sorely missed. I have looking for a reason to get back to BKK soon. So who will be the next sucker running this blog?

    View all comments by I Phukit

  18. pmmp says:
    January 31, 2010 at 11:08 am

    @johno: Thanks dude. It was definitely the quality fabrics.

    @Ghost/Cboy: Maybe you guys can do a point/counterpoint and post as the Canadian Ghost? Cboy already has a huge crush on the Ghost, so this will take it to the next natural step. Look to hear from my peeps.

    @pizzaman: True indeed. Go Big Pizza!

    @docbond: Most of the uniforms are at home with me. I will leave it at that. :)

    @IPhukit: Sounds like you’re volunteering? :)

    It was a great party last night. Thanks to all who made it out. No shut down this year, sorry, but a great crowd and no fights. What more can you ask for? Will get pics posted in a few days, and also post some pics from over the holidays. Cheers!

    View all comments by pmmp

  19. Canadian Boy says:
    January 31, 2010 at 11:19 am

    I do have a crush on P.Ghost… I want to ‘crush’ his nuts in the palm of my hand. I’m going to make him love me.

    @ Pmmp, good to have ya back online.

    @Katechon when I’m back in town who’s buy’n the 1st round and where we going?

    View all comments by Canadian Boy

  20. Pattaya Ghost says:
    January 31, 2010 at 11:38 am

    So PG,

    What’s going to be your role around here

    I had proposed that I submit, upon request, satirical posts about hypocritical stick figurines that were Absolutely about Bangkok and then have them deleted 10 hours later, but the Mango Boys instead handed me a brush and bottle of some blue stuff and pointed me toward the toilets.

    So I guess that’s my role now :)

    View all comments by Pattaya Ghost

  21. Pattaya Ghost says:
    January 31, 2010 at 11:40 am

    CB — You still can’t spell worth shit, but in comparison to the people whose blogs you’ve been commenting on in the past day, you’re a rock star. You should reconsider where you might republish your back library of Pattaya antics. Why flush such shiny goldfish down such a stinking toilet?

    View all comments by Pattaya Ghost

  22. 3 amigos says:
    January 31, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    Great to hear that you guys are still around the place and running. We will be there for a month in April-May and will try to catch up for a drink or 3.
    Cheers

    View all comments by 3 amigos

  23. Canadian Boy says:
    January 31, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    PG, I have a feeling you an’ I are gonna have a long lasting relationship.

    Better buckle up cause it’s gonna be a long ride you miserable prick:)

    View all comments by Canadian Boy

  24. Mike says:
    January 31, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    welcome back ……but is it just me or is the formatting of some comments all over the place ?

    View all comments by Mike

  25. pmmp says:
    January 31, 2010 at 5:09 pm

    @Mike: Yeah, there is a bug there. Will fix it soon. Too hungover to fix bugs today.

    View all comments by pmmp

  26. Rick Masters says:
    January 31, 2010 at 7:36 pm

    Yeah, cool party last night. Great to see all the regular guys there. Im just starting to climb out of the hurt locker now..

    View all comments by Rick Masters

  27. bibblies says:
    January 31, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    So my kind of job is more fun than running bars???

    What country is ssB in now? If it’s Vietnam, I’m jealous…

    View all comments by bibblies

  28. Katechon says:
    January 31, 2010 at 10:06 pm

    C-Boy. — I can buy the first 7 rounds if you let me snapshot your pink dick with my mobile in a proper light… I promise I won’t post it on the net…

    o/t — There’s an interesting discussion going on @AbsolutelyBangkok regarding the prostitution industry in Thailand.

    http://absolutelybangkok.com/dr-saul-thailand-the-desire-economy/

    A Ph.D-ed economist studied the Thai “Desire Sector” for some rich foundation…

    Amongst the transactions in the male/female sector, we learn that Farang men (both residents and visitors) constitute… 1.02% of the industry. Only.

    And the survey confirms intuitive things like :
    Thai men average 2.36 transactions per week, and pay only 1000 baht (30 USD) per transaction — whereas Farang tourists, Japs and Korean pay about TB 2300 (70 USD).
    Farang tourists indulge twice as much as farang locals, with 5 per week versus 2.5/wk…. Farang expats also pay around 500 baht less than your average farang tourists…

    But there are much more interesting factoids to be found in the article…

    View all comments by Katechon

  29. LMW says:
    January 31, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    Great to see you back guys.

    Good to see you have escaped the hell hole that is running a bar in Soi 4 and are now living the dream in IT. ;)

    View all comments by LMW

  30. Khunkunta says:
    February 1, 2010 at 12:48 am

    PMMP,
    I just lost my fone the other day-numba’s an all…still have the same number tho,
    txt me with Spat’s Numba!!!!!!!!!!!
    PPPPPlzzzzzz………..
    Im a freakin lost mess without em….!!!
    KhunKunta!!

    p.s…..
    Penfold never answers so dont txt me his numba!!
    C ya’s in a month!!!!!!!

    View all comments by Khunkunta

  31. pmmp says:
    February 1, 2010 at 1:09 am

    @RickM: Hurt locker? I just got an sms that you’re on a gogo run. Impressive.

    @bibblies: He’s bouncing around SE Asia and still spends quite a bit of time in Thailand.

    @LMW: Thanks, and good one.

    @KhunK: My liver hates you. Message sent.

    View all comments by pmmp

  32. fender says:
    February 1, 2010 at 2:12 am

    Welcome back and congratulations!

    View all comments by fender

  33. Scampering Jack Wilshere says:
    February 1, 2010 at 7:31 am

    Mahalo.

    View all comments by Scampering Jack Wilshere

  34. M says:
    February 1, 2010 at 8:28 am

    Great party on Saturday and I like the new design of the blog.

    Good luck and see u soon !!

    View all comments by M

  35. Pants Elk says:
    February 1, 2010 at 9:27 am

    Hey – someone told me you have a new web site! Where is it? Can you post a link? How do I make a comment? Is there a blog?

    View all comments by Pants Elk

  36. SBDOTKU says:
    February 1, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    Katechon/Purple,

    I’m hoping everyone caught on to that fact that the article is a somewhat humorous bit of BS. Some of the comments made me think otherwise. They seemed to take his facts and overall presentation at face value and were arguing the findings. I, on th other hand, started laughing from the moment I read the stats!

    View all comments by SBDOTKU

  37. jeezo says:
    February 1, 2010 at 4:08 pm

    PMMP,

    So did Faldo ever pick up my card to use or what?

    And are you going to publish that top 10 list I sent over?

    -J

    View all comments by jeezo

  38. pmmp says:
    February 1, 2010 at 5:19 pm

    @jeezo: Let me check on the card and I’ll email you. On Posts, I will be working through the posts in the queue over the next few days, so will also let you know on that.

    View all comments by pmmp

  39. Dutchy says:
    February 1, 2010 at 9:24 pm

    Welcome back to IT ! Where something new shows up just about every day.
    Maybe not as pretty as the girls that show up every day in the bar, but more diverse. Hope to see you guys soon, I’ll be in town the end of Feb.
    The new web layout looks a lot more organized.

    View all comments by Dutchy

  40. katechon says:
    February 1, 2010 at 11:50 pm

    @pmmp was that u, mistah, i saw one friday night, sittint alone — waiting restlessly for some slut, i’d guess — @ the entrance of Climax one friday night?

    View all comments by katechon

  41. pmmp says:
    February 2, 2010 at 1:51 am

    @katechon: Haven’t been to Climax in months. Perhaps it was our bar manager who goes quite a bit and bears a resemblance.

    @Dutchy: Thanks. More to come. Fixes, enhancements, and even some Posts. :)

    View all comments by pmmp

  42. Don Pedro says:
    February 2, 2010 at 2:50 pm

    Great to see the blog back up…looking forward to its many stories and comments.

    Good luck to you, PMMP…and appreciated the effort you put into this.

    View all comments by Don Pedro

  43. rope-a-dope says:
    February 3, 2010 at 12:16 am

    Ahhh…IT…is information technology. Always wondered, obvious I guess, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

    View all comments by rope-a-dope

  44. Hunch644 says:
    February 3, 2010 at 3:17 am

    Mr Pmmp,

    So Hamburger Quality Control’s loss is the I.T industry’s gain? Crazy G.D. world……

    p.s – need a storage expert to work out of BKK? ;)

    View all comments by Hunch644

  45. katechon says:
    February 3, 2010 at 11:43 am

    ah!

    View all comments by katechon

  46. jeezo says:
    February 15, 2010 at 8:37 am

    PMMP,

    Got it. Many thanks.

    -J

    View all comments by jeezo

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