Michael Mander, the man behind the former Devil’s Den in Pattaya, has died.
The British founder of the well-known gentlemen’s club in Soi LK Metro passed away this week. His funeral will be held in Pattaya on Tuesday at 2 p.m.
Remembered as a Straight Shooter
In an industry often clouded by colorful personalities, Mander earned a reputation as one of the good guys. He was respected not just by customers, but also by those who worked with him.
“He was a very popular guy and will be remembered by many of the old school,” friend and Pattaya bar legend Ricky wrote on Facebook. “Always ready to help and give advice when asked.”
Colleagues noted that Mander took his responsibilities seriously, especially when it came to looking after the women employed at Devil’s Den. His reputation as a straight shooter set him apart in Pattaya’s nightlife scene.
Mander also guided Devil’s Den through one of Pattaya’s most difficult times.
In June 2020, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, club staff stepped out to support the wider community.
Staff personally visited migrant camps and needy areas in Pattaya, providing meals and snack packets to those hit hardest by the shutdown.
The effort earned the venue widespread praise, reflecting Mander’s ethos that running a club also meant taking responsibility for others.
About Devil’s Den
Founded in Soi LK Metro and patterned after Bangkok’s legendary Eden Club, Devil’s Den became one of Pattaya’s most talked-about venues. The spacious bar was known for its playful atmosphere and unique “yellow line,” a feature customers would hear explained by staff inside the club.
The club marketed itself as a place where visitors could “fulfill their wildest dreams,” with friendly hostesses and a focus on customer experience.
Devil’s Den gained a reputation as a venue where patrons could return time and again for 90 minutes of what the bar itself once described as “being the star of the show.”
A Loss Felt Widely
Mander’s passing marks the end of a chapter for Pattaya nightlife. Friends and longtime residents say his contribution was more than just a successful venue; it was the way he conducted himself in a business not always known for integrity.
“It’s a bit of a cliché to gush about someone who has recently passed, but in an industry full of rogues and scoundrels, Mike genuinely was one of the good guys,” Stickman Bangkok wrote in his Aug. 31 column.
