The Overstay: Bangkok squat, commune, and hippy hangout
http://www.cnngo.com/bangkok/sleep/bangkok-squat-artists-commune-or-hippy-hostel-hangout-197685
The Overstay is a firm accommodation-cum-alternative community
fixture in the city's sub-culture
by Marissa Carter
5 January, 2010
Travelers arriving in Bangkok to look for hippy, gritty, or just
plain alternative fun might be a bit disillusioned by Khao San road's
efficiently commercialized million baht strip. But for those brave
enough to venture past the usual backpacking bubble, The Overstay
Bangkok is a one-stop shop for the city's unconventional crew -
whether resident or just passing through.
The Overstay's website describes it as a "six tiered cake of fun and
living", albeit one situated in a haunted ex-brothel. It's a hostel,
it's a bar, it's a squat, it's an artists' studio; every floor has a
different concept and use. The ground floor bar, honesty-run of
course using stamps to record drinks bought in guests' Overstay
'passports', is the venue for the regular club nights. Move up a
level and it becomes a hostel, each room sporting an elaborately
painted interior, whilst the second floor above is an open-plan art
gallery and cinema. Homeless hippies can find a place to crash for
free in the third floor's so-called refugee camp, although the
long-time residents' rooms on the two uppermost floors are decidedly
plusher. To top it off, there's a hammock strewn rooftop.
Founded by Israeli Yuval Schwok with just enough cash left in his
bank account to cover the formerly abandoned building's rent, The
Overstay philosophy is one of a cultural centre and meeting place
rather than just a guest house. According to Schwok it's not just his
brain child, but that of every guest that stays. "The idea was to
make a business that respects people both staying and working there,
a fair place that allows poor travelers to stay for free if they need
to, where they can give back when they can." Guests contribute by
singing, painting, and cooking communally, and participating in the
regular language swap lessons and even fire-eating.
The kind of place that makes you want to brush up on your performance
art party tricks, The Overstay is somewhere you will either love or
hate. Head over the river to Pinklao to find out which.
The Overstay, Bangkok http://www.theoverstay.com/
Charan Sanit Wong, Number 80-82 next to Soi 40, Pinklao
.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Sixties-L" group.
To post to this group, send email to [email protected].
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
[email protected].
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/sixties-l?hl=en.
