User:DictionArry666/Co-Co Walk, Thannon Phyathai, Krungthep

Co-Co Walk, Thannon Phayathai, Krungthep is a 'covered market' style area in Krungthep (Bangkok) in Thannon Phaythai located just North of Siam Square at Rachathevi Station (Skytrain) opposite the four-star Asia Hotel.

History
The area was formerly the site of a Cinema/Theatre, now demolished. It stands next to the Hollywood Arcade, a largely defunct shopping precinct that is now devoid of retail outlets, but signs of limited occupation by commercial activities still persist. At the rear of this and the cinema, was Hollywood Street, but although a roadway of sorts persists, there are no longer commercial premises of any sort in evidence, and the area is used for car parking by visitors to Co-Co Walk.

There is speculation that the whole area is being acquired by a developer that intends to extend from the present Discovery Centre at Siam Square, right through to the New Peturburi Road. A derelict site adjoins the Hollywood Arcade, and run-down buildings run from there to the canal and the little-known Thannon Phayathai underpass, that affords access to the Asia Hotel from the Eastern side of the carriageway now that U-turns are made impossible due to the division of the highway by the Skytrain supports.

Hollywood Street was formerly the location of numerous vendors of "unauthorised" copy software and DVD films, that have now mostly relocated to the nearby Pantip Plaza in the New Peturburi Road, near to the Pratunam area.

Current Status
Although the rear of the area is still largely untennanted, several bars and restaurants occupy the areas visible from the public footway and the station.

Co-Co Walk is readily accessible from the overhead Ratchtevi Station by two escalators and a stairway. The station connects directly with the Asia Hotel, at third floor level, giving access to it's shopping area and overlooking its' very large marbled entrance foyer.

The entire area is open to the atmosphere, and none of the establishments located here are air-conditioned.

The restaurants are in the relatively low-priced category, and the associated bars are of the "non-girly" variety. Frequentees are mostly locals, supplemented by a few refugees from the Asia Hotel because all the restaurants except one on that side of the road are now gone - being replaced by joints that advertise foot massage. The food served is entirely Thai, and the menus are almost entirely in Thai, but buffet fare is also offered.

There are a couple of outlets attempting to sell "antiques", some whose existence is for purposes that are not evident to the beholder, and there is now just one of the software outlets remaining; the latter survives, despite its' obscure location tucked-away all by itself on the Northern edge of the complex, due no doubt to its' extensive repertoire, offering the lowest prices in Krungthep, the willingness of the vendor to procure other items, and because it's free of the hassle associated with Pantip Plaza - to where the other 'Hollywood Street' vendors have moved.

See the entry on Pantip for general details of the software and IT scene.