After 4 years in business, Flow House Bangkok is closing on Nov. 27. The popular flowriding (think indoor surfing) club has been struggling with financial problems for over two years, according to a staff member.

The company announced the news earlier this week on social media. Many expressed surprise and sadness over the news. The club’s Facebook states that over 56,000 riders have visited over the years.

The announcement said that members with Flow Cards or Vouchers must redeem their tickets by Nov. 27, and they may share their remaining credits with friends as the company is unable to offer refunds.

This iconic club is located in A-Square, a shopping hub filled with hip shops in Sukhumvit Soi 26. The soi is dotted with hi-so shopping and entertainment options.

Flow House’s closure follows closely after two other well known expat hangouts, Hemingway’s and Cheap Charlie’s, which were forced out of business because the land was sold to developers.

Just like those establishments, it’s a sad loss for the Bangkok expat community. Visitors who enjoyed flowriding or just relaxing in a beach-themed spot will now have to travel to coastal destinations outside the city. It’s even one of the city’s top-ranked entertainment centers on TripAdvisor.

Co-owner of Flow House, Jay Bunnag, has a passion for flowriding and founded the Thai branch of Flowrider Co. Ltd. Educated in England and with years of management experience, he wanted to share his interests with others.

Bunnag opened Flow House in 2012. It was the first of its kind in Thailand. The beach club immediately gained a following with Thai people and foreigners, alike. People flocked to the beach club to “escape the city and go surf.” It was a place where guests could surf, skate, wakeboard or even snowboard.

Flow House evokes the feeling of being in a surf shop. Surf boards decorate the premises and the walls are painted ocean blue. Staff who teach at the wave pool are decked out in board shorts.

The venue’s closure will leave a gap not only in Bangkok’s family entertainment scene, but also in the Asian flowboarding world. There are only two other flowboarding venues in Thailand. They are Cartoon Network Amazone in Pattaya and Surf House in Phuket.

Annual flowboarding competitions were held at Flow House Bangkok. This year’s Asia Flow Tour occurred on Sept. 10 at the venue. Those who qualified, went on to compete at the Grand Finals in Malaysia, then at the Championships in Singapore.

While Thailand has beautiful beaches, it lacks the weather conditions to enable year-round surfing. Having a simulated flowriding venue such as this was a good substitute.

Flow House boasts a simulated wave machine where people could flowboard. It “brought the beach to Bangkok.” It was a convenient way to enjoy the waves without having to travel all the way to Hua Hin or Phuket.

However, Flow House isn’t just a place to learn how to surf. The two-story space is an entertainment hub as well. It boasts a restaurant, called Surf Cafe. The menu offers both healthy Western and Thai cuisine options.

In addition, it has live music in the evenings. Keeping with the beach theme, reggae was a common genre that could be enjoyed. People often came with their families to enjoy a day.

Chang Surf Bar is located on the second floor. It offers a view overlooking the wave simulator and guests below. Drinks specials are offered on a daily basis, including popular cocktails.

After 4 years in business, Flow House is being wiped out by financial problems. Many people not only in Bangkok, but also around Thailand, are saddened by the loss. It’s loss will leave a gap in city’s the entertainment sphere.

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