'Siam' and click radio go for indy music fans

Chankit Trakoolwilai

The Nation

Toy will open at RCA, a popular nightlife venue off Rama IX Road.

"Toy has great potential as there are only a few Indy pubs around today," said Siam Kultangwattana, president of Clubmanage-ment, which owns Slim as well as Leelawadee and Grass Home restaurants.

He said the number of Indy devotees is huge, as reflected by the 300,000-fan base at Indy music channel Click Radio FM104.5MHz. "We plan to open Toy within two months to provide live music to audiences aged between 20-35 years old," he said.

Toy will accommodate up to 400 guests and aims to be a top Indy pub in Thailand.

Siam is confident Toy can succeed as it will feature no other style of music except Indy.

Toy expects to break even within two years by using this concept. The pub owner noted that despite inflation and the recent surge in the cost of living, the entertainment business should witness no negative impact.

In 1997, when the bubble burst, entertainment venues remained packed as the business is not dependent on prevailing economic conditions, he argued.

"As people become more tense, they need outlets to relax," he said.

His first pub, Slim, was a success because it was able to differentiate itself from other outlets that relied solely on recorded music as opposed to live music.

Opened about three and a half years ago, Slim features different music zones that play Trance, House, Electro and Hip Hop.

At the time, young adults were attracted by two similar venues - one on Soi 2 Salueng on Ekamai and the other at Ratchadaphisek Soi 4.

To draw crowds, Slim had to play songs that its target group likes, he said.

With a home-like floor plan, Slim also felt cosier than venues that sported large but unfriendly halls.

"The design is highly important. Like cars or clothes, people are first drawn to its look. If the atmosphere is right and it provides live music, reasonable prices, convenient parking and is accessible, the place will be packed," he said.

Slim takes in about 1,200 customers on weekdays and double that on weekends.

Customers spend Bt300 each on average but that can rise to Bt500 during festive holidays. The pub organises several events for clients, including free concerts.