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It's hidden away but well worth the effort to find. Kon Thai Pub
features what's called Thai Country Rock which has been influenced
by the music of the American South.
That may seem strange but during the 1970s when the Americans had
military bases in Thailand, from which they conducted their conflict
with Vietnam, all areas of Thailand had bars and pubs which played
American country and blue grass music. These were popular with both
the US soldiers and their Thai friends.
Today, this heritage can be seen with long hair Thai men carrying
a guitar and wearing either a plaid shirt or a black T-shirt with
an American logo playing country music at the beach or in restaurants
with friends.
At Kon Thai Pub, the band plays both American and Thai country
songs using Western instruments. The pub itself looks like a clubhouse
from the American South.
The interior is all wood with graffiti and paraphernalia as beer
signs, old bicycle and motorcycle parts hanging from the walls.
At the center of the pub is what looks like a large tree and the
bar itself is a beautifully crafted piece of wood that sweeps and
curves around the center of the room.
Even the bar stools are made from tree trunks. Each one is a piece
of art. While not that comfortable to sit on, they look great. The
overall effect is sitting in the swamps of Mississippi and listening
to the emotional sounds of the working classes.
Kon Thai Pub is a favorite with local Thais and resident Westerners
as they have a good menu of basic Thai food and inexpensive beer.
The music is familiar and not too loud and it's a great place to
relax.
If you're interested in seeing how young Thai people relax and
enjoy an evening with country music, Kon Thai Pub is your best bet.
It's located in Phuket Town across from the Phuket Garden Hotel.
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