Edwards got his nickname because he often wore a cowboy hat and the soi was given its name in reference to him by longtime nightlife columnist Bernard Trink.

The number of bars grew to 31 by the end of the century, all located on the ground floor.

[2] Some scenes from the 2004 film Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason were both shot in Soi Cowboy[4] and set there.

In the film the actor Hugh Grant plays a character[5] who visits a Soi Cowboy massage parlour.

[6] In August 2006, scenes were shot in Soi Cowboy for the film Bangkok Dangerous.