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Features
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Tales from The *Ting* in Thailand: T @ Jumunjy's
Reported by *Ting*
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Submitted 06-02-06 16:48
The *Ting* is spending two months on Ko Pha-Ngan, the full moon beach party island, investigating the expanding music scene, working on her album and getting amongst it with random Thai Experiences.
In the main port of Thong Sala lies this beautiful little tucked away paradise of a bar called Jumunjy. From the outside it looks small and like not much is going on, but once you walk through the junglfied archway you enter an exotic paradise where everyone (almost) knows your name. We took some time to speak to the owner and resident DJ T about how he came to be here and how Thai life is treating him so far.
T at Apache Bar
Hi Tristan, lets start at the beginning where are you from? How long have you been in Thailand and why the move?
T: Hey Ting, can I start by saying thank you for giving me this chance finally after 3.5 odd years to explain my disappearing act. From a small village out of the sticks in Surrey called Chobham where blue rinses and whippet busses rule the streets. I’ve now lived on KPG with my wife Bim for about 2.5 years. (All references to time are vague as it doesn’t exist out here other than for dreaded visa runs, Rangong Rangong….. hahaha)
How did the name Jumunjy come about?
T: We had one hour before we had to make the official decision on the name of the bar, for the legal paperwork in Koh Samui, but we still couldn’t think of one, then it came to us on the front cover of a DVD in a hooky DVD shop (Jumanji). Neither Bim or I had seen the movie but the name sounded great and matched the crazy design of the bar, so with a bit of a re-spell to make it sound more cool, that was it Jumunjy! It stuck and the rest is history.
I understand that you built this bar yourself. How long did this take? Did you have any help? What did you use? and do you have any plans for expansion?
T: Wow that’s quite a question, one that I’ve spent til 5 in the morning retelling too many times. Thanks to the help of a few JDs here’s the briefest I can retell it.
I was randomly offered a falling down building for rent, on a shopping trip to Thong Sala, the Island’s main town. As I lived on the North of the Island in a small hut at the back of a Buddhist monastery in the jungle that looked out over a valley and mountains, the town didn’t really appeal to me much. But for this one road that this building was situated on. The only road in town to have nearly all wooden shop fronts, a proper old school Thai street, I asked the price and he said the same that I was paying for my bungalow. As by now my money was running out a chance to have a business and a home in one sounded like a sweet idea.
With still no real dollar to build with, Bim and I set out to collect all we could, hundreds of pieces of shipwrecked drift wood and tonnes of old rope, basically anything on the beach we could carry. Next we went on the hunt for some jungle bamboo. It took a long time but we finally found a real monster of a bamboo stand. After a week of battling with it, we had a few hundred meters of wicked bamboo and a few million paint ball sized mosquito bites.
Next we gutted the old building to a bare shell, (smashing fun!). A bit of Gabba and a fucking big hammer, didn’t take long. Then the work really started to turn this empty square building into a jungle. 8 Months later we emerged from the 40 degree heat inside after living on a budget that stretched to 5 Bhat noodles (spending a penny) water and a kilogram of chicken every 2 days. Skinny and knackered we opened the 2nd August 2004 with a 500 Bhat bar float and that was it. Every card maxed and all accounts bankrupted, it wasn’t looking good just a few days to go before I had to make another visa run.
T loves his Pink Shampagne
Our opening night blew our minds, half the ex-pats turned up over 60 people in our tiny bar it was mental. All was going to be ok. Since then we have grown from strength to strength, we are now famous for our restaurant and cocktails, with friends coming back again and again from all over the world.
As for expansions, we now have 1 of the busiest launderettes on the island, Jumunjy Fressh, and the new bar opening with full air con and a surprise for any movie lovers out there, the rest is still secret. The Livin’ Room will be open in March this year. I personally love the swing and the waterfall in the corner near the secret door!
What’s your favourite parts of the bar?
T: All the big shiny bottles on the top shelf (haha). No I really don’t know I sit everywhere, it’s all pretty cosy with loads of big cushions. I spend most of my time behind the bar… they got something right in school — if you keep walking on this path, you’ll end up behind bars! Haha).
My favourite place has to be behind my 1200s. There’ve been a few problems with the neighbours recently, so we usually just play breaks and beats in the bar now, and save the hard stuff for Apache and Pirate bars’ monthly big mash-ups.
Talking of your 1200s. I know that you’ve been pushing the boundaries of the party scene here, where from personal experience I would have said that it was ONLY psy trance on this Island, you’ve been DJing and also running parties spinning hard house amongst other genres! Tell us more about what made you decide to play something else and how the people over here have been responding to this different music.
T: After a few years of psy trance parties, this island is starting to sound like a broken record to me, (or aptly for psy trance another one of those hooky Thai CDs, d-da b-ba… d-da... ba… d. you know the ones) So I decided to put on a massive outdoor party for the Thai new year, with a 10K rig which gave me an excuse to bring out my tunes and other equipment from home. As for the people out here, there’s such a mix it’s almost impossible with one arena to please all, but we do our best to play all styles of electronic dance music along with the help of DJ Rob (UK), DJ Stone (Wales), DJ Boy (Thailand) and now you too!
We get big crowds punching the air and dancing til they drop every month at the Apache bar and Pirate bars’ moonset party (as seen on TV).
You not only run your own bar but also a monthly event at the Apache bar, which is much bigger. You are being booked all over the Island now, do you see yourself and the hard dance scene continuing to expand?
T: The time has come. This Island has some of the most amazing venues for parties in the world, beaches, jungles, waterfalls and so on…
At the beginning of last year this island had never had a hard house beat dropped on it, since then we’ve played Jumunjy bar, Amsterdam bar, Pirate Bar, Apache Bar, Sheesha Bar, Paradise Waterfall, the Full Moon, all drawing big crowds of happy dancing people.
I came along to your event at the Apache bar last week, it was great to hear so many genres mashed in together. You dropped at one point Tony De Vit – ‘The Dawn’, what else can we expect from a typical T set and what are your thoughts on cross genre-ization (*Ting*-ism)?
T: I got my decks couriered here from the UK last April, and since then friends have slowly been bringing out my vinyl in their hand luggage (thank you all!!!!), which means I’ve had a real mix coming out. At first I thought OH NO this will never work, but as I started practising again after a 4 year break it all came together, as a big funky, old school, hard house, hard core, techno, trance, gabba, jigsaw! (T-ism, close to the largely popular strain of Ting-ism the UK knows and dances their asses off too.)
What’s next for the Jumunjy king?
More vinyl maybe, a shopping trip to the UK, who knows, we haven’t stopped working and building and promoting in 2 years now and there’s still another 2 businesses in the pipeline, so we’ll wait and see.
King of the Jumunjy
T: Apache is a special party and doesn’t stick to any fixed dates. There’s so many parties on the Island we’re always waiting for the best slot.
If you’re coming call me T on +66 96524280
The Pirate Bar Moonset party is always 3 days before the full moon.
Is there anyone back home you want to say hi to?
There’s sooo many hellos so I’ll start with the parties:
All my old skool school buddies, that ODBS — remember the parties at the Mansion house in Worthing?!
All the Helter Skelter Technodrome crew.
All the old Sunny Side Up Chunnel Club crew YES YES!
To Will and Spencer for the Frantic parties. P.S. thanks for looking out for Roo.
To Paul for all the Penny parties, are you still in Croatia?
Wayne and Joel – cheers for all the monkey business parties at Camba and X-Static.
Damian for all the Thai Pan parties and all the rest of the Perth WA crew.
To all the Insomniac Sunday party people, SSUP, Fever, Grays Inn, Cool Eddies, The Joiners, 414, The Fridge, Mass, George IV, Crash, Antiworld.
To all the Tunbridge Wells party people and my close friends I miss you all.
To Cat, for giving me the red pill and showing me really how far the world goes.
To my brother Roo, still partying hard in the UK and keeping me up on the latest music, love the CDs.
Mr A, thank you for flying out and rocking Jumunjy hardstyle. DJ Maverick (Resident DJ at the Bang bar, Basingstoke – 1st Birthday 11th Feb /plug), I owe you big time mate, for the styluses and records, you’re a legend.
Kevin Energy and all the freeform hardcore crew.
Anthony at Mad Records.
Dance Two in Guildford and all the future world crew.
Vinyl frontier in Woking for sorting my first hardcore tunes out.
Mark EG and Chrissy — keeping the vibe alive (Miss the Drome days. Boo hoo).
Mike at MTF Travel for all your travel needs. AYE and safely delivering me my decks (what a mission).
Jo @ Pandemonium
To all the Addison boys, keep fitting them screens.
To my godson Charlie, Jay Dawn and the kids.
And last but can’t miss out to my mum and Dad for all your support and putting up with all those house shaking beats.
Are you finished yet?
Wow that was some list! So quickly…
Your favourite 5:
1. Favourite cocktail?
MDMA and microdots. (Ed: lol)
2. Favourite dance track?
In Complete Darkness — ‘The Fat Controller’
3. Favourite non dance track?
Otis Redding — ‘Dock of the Bay’
4. Favourite place in Thailand
Pangang Beach, Rai Lai, Krabi.
5. Favourite place in UK?
The Technodrome upstairs at the Sanctuary, 4am-ish pounding hardcore techno gabba floor bouncing 12 inches. Sweat dripping from the 100 degree heat. FUCKING ‘AVE IT!
T: mdmayum@yahoo.co.uk
+66 96524280 — please text if you can’t afford to call.
Print out a portion of this interview and bring it to Jumunjy’s to claim your FREE drink! (Sorry not applicable to residents of Thailand).
All photos courtesy of T. Not to be reproduced without permission.
The *Ting* is our roving reporter in Thailand until the end of February. Check out www.theting.net for her latest news.
To book The *Ting* in March and beyond please email Tara at airborneagency@btinternet.com.
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Other Features By *Ting*:
Tales from The *Ting* in Thailand — Part 2: bringing up the rear at Gay Pride, Phuket
Glastonbury 2003, the year that stole our hearts and left our belongings alone!
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: BenHolder on 6th Feb 2006 21:03.34
Respect Tristan!
Had a wikid time out there this year-hope you enjoyed the beach party on NYE in Haad Yao! Dwaino says"Oi Oi Mate"
Keep doing what your doing, because what you are doing is Sorted!
See ya next year
Ben
From: Macey on 6th Feb 2006 22:56.03
Nice One Ting!! Not gonna be able to make it to Thailand while ya over there, spewin. Hopin to be thru there again in november so will defo pop in to say gdayand intro myself to T at Jumngy. Maybe you could mix us up one of your favorite cocktails. Have heard about the Pirate bars parties, supposed to be wicked. The view from the Amsterdam Bar whilst spinning some tunes, that would be a rush. Especially if the balcony were havin it, reckon there would be a bit of movement in the foundations. Keep up the good work takin the Hard grooves global.
From: mikee_b125 on 7th Feb 2006 13:30.45
just dont do any drugs!!!
From: ~deleted9531 on 7th Feb 2006 19:49.40
Nice one Tingaling 
Jealous, me, never! I love Thailand and would love to have the balls to just drop everything and live on KPG. I miss the place soooooooo much. Planning on a holiday with the missus there soon, may bring some tuneage with me.
From: Maria on 7th Feb 2006 23:44.43
Hey Ting babe. Stef is leaving tomorrow to meet you. Hope you both will have a lovely time there! I'm very jealous actually...but what can I do? Just send my best wishes and bring some good energy for us! Mwmmmwwwhhhhaaaa
From: Zimma on 8th Feb 2006 08:01.37
Great interview Ting 
That is definitely somewhere I really gotta to go on holiday 
From: anushka007 on 8th Feb 2006 11:49.03
Really enjoyed reading this Well done Ting
I want my holidays now... I want to be there ...
From: Rainey on 8th Feb 2006 16:36.33
ahhh Rai Lai - lush was there 2 weeks ago
From: Rainey on 8th Feb 2006 16:37.18
and koh Pang crazy!
From: Less is Bat on 9th Feb 2006 09:43.07
Go Baby Go Go Go! Have some serious fun out there and send the world my love! Big kisses and english breakfasts!
From: sunvisordude on 9th Feb 2006 20:29.42
greetings from sao paulo where i'm absorbing 160-190 bpm every night. enjoy thailand 
From: Mich_elle on 10th Feb 2006 20:56.12
Hey baby!!! Roo just informed of your review!!!!!!!!!!
So happy for you babe, cant wait to see you in April!!!!!
So excited...... love u to pieces, big kiss to Bim and Purdey!!!!! See ya soon !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From: djmaverick on 12th Feb 2006 10:59.38
Mr T.
What can I say, Diamond chap, Complete Nutter, And some one you can call a "True Friend". I've got so much Respect for you mate, Your like a brother I never had. And had a total blast coming out & playing@Jumunyi. Missing ya loads and cant wait to get back over to the island for some more Mental Nights.
Thanks for being there.
Mr A, a.k.a Dj Maverick
From: Miss BPM on 13th Feb 2006 13:16.01
OMG Tristian! Hello babe it's Kat (X-Static & T.Wells) How are you babe!? Long time no see/speak - it's been ages!! FAB interview babe! Stay naughty you! x
From: Stakker on 14th Feb 2006 01:41.11
YOu made me wanna go back! 
From: chris glasbey on 16th Feb 2006 13:58.26
Just got back from a wicked 10 days in Thailand visiting my old m8 T!!!! What a dimond bloke... He played a kick ass set at the Pirate bar everyone was loving it then an all nighter at the Apatche bar only to then get rained in ha ha classic. If you havn't been to Jummanyi yet then go cos its the best bar in KPG total chill out (Top munch). T remember when we stacked that Jeep 
Until I can escape the rat race again take care of your self and Bim (and your cook
From: clanger on 16th Feb 2006 15:00.43
Well, what can I say...this evening I met DJ T at Jumanjy myself, cos Im here in Koh Pha Ngan...and guess what, Im going to go to the Pirate Bar tonight to see *Ting* and DJ T in action.....yeah!!!!! clanger (en tour)
From: chris glasbey on 18th Feb 2006 20:09.32
hey t, great to hear you are doing so well in thailand, chris said he had a wicked time out there, will be out to see you with sags and pully in september
cant wait
tom glasbey
From: AVFX on 18th Feb 2006 21:35.28
Good luck with it all honey
Big hugs XXX
From: Miss Cat on 21st Feb 2006 14:31.43
Hey guys, the places looks fab! Keep that mental vibe alive! Love Cat
xx
From: crazy_roo on 4th Mar 2006 01:11.06
hi bro hows ya doing!!! soz long to rep just down in brighton at the mo having a messy weekend with mishell n co!!! glade its going so cool every ones well gelose of ya out there all cant wait to be out!! well c ya soon for some sunny raving!!! c ya on the 23d keep it banging bro!!!!! Roo (",) (",) (",) (",)
From: Shatsworth on 7th Mar 2006 11:50.58
Alright mate, wicked to see ur interview after only visiting u last year, carry on the madness!! Dave
From: Miss Cat on 28th Jun 2006 18:59.59
after all these days, months, weeks and now (scarily) years, iv eventually managed to see ur bar and the great lifeuv created...wow, so proud man...x joe (massiel y joe)
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