Las Vegas takes the title for Sin City. But Bangkok wins hands down for the title of Sin Capital. With its multitude of red light districts, Patpong is the only one that is not exclusive to men seeking the pleasures of the flesh. You can see foreign tourist with their children mingling amongst the densely packed Patpong Night Market buying counterfeit goods that operate a stones throw away from go-go bars with bikini-clad-woman shuffling their feet, swinging their hips along to the newest hip hop beats. Their sensual moves luring the gawking male customers inside like bait to a fish.
Patpong is located between two major thoroughfares, Silom and Surawongse roads, not too far from the bustling business district. Though there are foreign visitors who come to Patpong's Night Market to shop for the latest knock offs of international luxury goods at a bargain, most of these visitors are shopping for a bargain in the flesh trade. Technically prostitution is illegal. Bangkok's government has proclaimed a crack down on the sex industry and made an effort to clean up the streets. However nothing has changed and the proclamation has withered and subsided.
Go Go bars such as King's Entertainment Groups located on Soi Patpong are widely popular with Western Tourist but is gaining in popularity with the Eastern tourist such as the Japanese. Soi Patpong is the epicenter of this red light district's namesake. This is exactly where you can find Patpong's Night Market right in the middle of the street open from 5pm to 2pm. The stalls are lined in two columns where you can find fakes of all kinds such as Coach, Rolex, Tiffany and high fashion clothes. You can also find some great local souvenirs but these are usually priced higher. So bargain hard.
All the go go bars, clubs and watering holes open at 7pm and close on the dot at 1pm or else they face the wraith of a police official demanding bribe to avoid a ticket. The beers are all decently priced if you compare it to prices back in your home country. They do not have a large variety of beers inside but that's not what most men go inside for.
All the go go bars are usually filled with drunk and eager Johns by 9pm, packed in like sweaty sardines with constant streams of ladies leading their customers to the short time hotels that are a block away and up some stairs. Most of the bars and clubs in Patpong cater to male clientele, but there are some that cater to men who prefer Bangkok's third gender referred to as "Lady-Boys" or katoey in Thai. Most lady-boys can pass for a real woman so if this is what you want or don't want make sure you ask.
The gay scene is surely not overlooked in Patpong. The rules and laws of supply and demand applies especially in Thailand where thousands of open and closet gays flock to Silom 2 and 4, the center of gay nightlife. These streets are a block away from Soi Patpong and is the largest street that is chock full of gay bars and go go establishments. For some reasons gay establishments are allowed to close later then the establishments that cater to straight men.
Patpong is definitely one of the most visited places in Bangkok. It's strange mixture of sex and counterfeit goods make strange bed fellows that still attract people from all over the world. The sights, sounds and lights burn an unerasable memory that you have to experience in order to believe. If you are thinking about visiting Patpong in Bangkok I suggest you go for it. Don't be intimidated. Just go with the flow.
Edwin M. Clark is a business consultant who travels to South East Asia, specifically to Thailand for over 8 years. His experience and knowledge in the region has provided valuable information and resources for business venturers and mid range to major corporations in the travel industry.
For more information on the hotels mentioned in this article that are located near the nightlife of Patpong visit Bangkok Hotel Reviews - Silom and Patpong Nightlife Areas
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