Sang Thaew

Songthaew travel

Within Thailand there are several options to get around. Not all of these are available everywhere. Within the capital city of Bangkok you will find the taxi, the tuk tuk and the motorcycle taxi. It will not be till you reach the outer suburbs that you are likely to come across a Sang Thaew.
The Sang Thaew is simply a converted pick up truck. It is roofed open but open sided and an average sized Western European will have to bend slightly on entrance and exit. Usually there are two cushioned perimeter benches facing inwards. Occasionally there is a central bench as well. At the entrance area there is space for a brave two or three to stand. Songthaew literally means 'Two rows' ...song meaning 'two'. The Song Thaew is often called a 'Baht Bus' by Western visitors to Thailand.
All Sangthaew have strategically placed bell pushes to alert the driver when you want to alight. The bellpushes connect to a wide variety of noises based on the drivers sense of humour.
The Sang Thaew is a communal taxi operating a looped or back and return route. The fares charged are regulated by distance. Mostly the price will remain the same on a looped route regardless of whether you travel 10 yards or a 1000.
The Songthaew can be flagged down anywhere on its route and, using the bell push, stopped anywhere as well.
To use a Sang Thaew you simply flag the vehicle down, climb in and sit down. When you want to disembark press the bell and climb out. You then walk to the front of the vehicle and pay the driver or his/her assistant. On regular routes this is only 10 Baht. You would be expected to pay in small change and not offer something stupid like a hundred or a thousand Baht.
Initially you need to have some sort of idea of the route the Baht Bus is taking. If you are familiar with the terrain you can always hop off when you see you are going wrong. Pay the driver of course and the climb on another heading in your direction.

The Song Thaew is a cheap, safe and fun way of getting around and familiarising yourself with wherever you are.
Within Pattaya in Thailand there are no Tuk Tuk's and so the Sangthaew is the best and cheapest choice for getting about.
Although the Song Thaew stick to set routes they are hireable. If you are in a hurry and want to go to a particular location you can always negotiate a 'to the door' deal. This works best if the Song Thaew is empty or only has a couple of people on board. Within Pattaya most will be prepared to assist for about a hundred Baht. More often than not though if a meter taxi is at hand it will be cheaper than the Sangthaew for this sort of deal.
Travelling in a Sang Thaew is fun. A great way to explore your new environment and a fun way to meet people.

Sex Tourist

What is a sex tourist?

There are several definitions of a sex tourist:

• "Someone who travels to a country for the sole purpose of having sex".
• "Travel for the purpose of sexual intercourse with prostitutes."
• "Someone who travels to another country for the purpose of paying to have sex, especially with children.
• "a vacation to a destination that has no restrictions on sexual services or activities, as prostitution."

But they don't do they. They eat, they drink, they stay in hotels, they visit the various sightseeing spots, they rent cars, they buy gifts for the folks back home, they watch movies, they dance, they swim, they spend money...oh oh and yes they have sexual relations too.

What is a Tourist?

Tourists get a few dictionary definitions of their own:

• "Someone who travels for pleasure rather than for business."
• "one that makes a tour for pleasure or culture."
• "someone who visits a place for pleasure or interest, usually while they are on holiday."

Note the mention of 'pleasure' there. So what does a tourist actually do?
They eat, they drink, they stay in hotels, they visit the various sightseeing spots, they rent cars, they buy gifts for the folks back home, they watch movies, they dance, they swim, they spend money...oh oh and yes they have sexual relations too.....sometimes with their partners and sometimes with people they meet on their tour.

Pattaya Walking Street

I will be the first to admit it. Men like beautiful women. They also like women who are friendly, women who listen to them, women who seem to care. These women may be younger than them by 20, 30 or even 40 years. If the women are adult, over the age of consent, are consenting and no-one is being hurt then I see nothing wrong in any relationship developing further.

Take a look at this:
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Michael Douglas ...25 years different.
Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon ...12 years
Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes ...16 years
Harrison Ford and Callista Flockhart ...22 years
Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher ...16 years
Joan Collins and Percy Gibson ...32 years
Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster ...26 years
Margaret and Pierre Trudeau ...30 years
Rupert Murdoch and Wendy Deng ...37 years
Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn ...34 years
Billy Joel and Katie Lee Joel ...32 years
Donald Trump and Melania Trump ...24 years
J. Howard Marshall and Anna Nicole-Smith ...63 years
Cary Grant and Barbara Harris ...47 years
Klaus Kinski and Deborah Caprioglio ...42 years
Des O'Connor and Jodie Brook Wilson ...39 years
Clint Eastwood and Dina Ruiz ...35 years
Iris Robinson and Kirk McCambley ...40 years
Allegra Mostyn-Owen and ??? ...22 years

I could go on listing and listing.
Age is largely a state of mind and you really are only as old as you feel. No-one thinks twice about age differences if the people involved are rich and famous so why pick on the less well off? Is it jealousy perhaps? Or perhaps they don't like the idea of someone having fun.
Perhaps the reasons go deeper than this. None of us liked to think of our own parents doing 'it'. Even today the Idea of Howard and Anna Nicole makes me wince. Maybe its just human. We should all lighten up.

Relationships may be long term

The very phrase 'sex tourist' to me conjures up a picture of a 'dirty old man' a 'pervert' but in reality it is nothing like that at all.
Okay they may be older tourists but what is wrong with being old? What is wrong with looking for love, romance, pleasure or fun?
Believe me when I say that in Pattaya or Phuket in Thailand or Balibago in Angeles City in the Philippines if you sit long enough you will see someone you know. It may be your doctor, your vicar, your bank manager, the man from the corner shop, your dad, your uncle, your brother, your grandad, husband or boyfriend. These people are the so called 'sex tourists'.
Not all these relationships are of short duration. You would be amazed at the number of men who over a glass of Thai Whiskey end up marrying Bar Girls or entering long term relationships with Kathoey.

Women do it to

Most people would be surprised to learn that the first women 'sex tourists' were recorded in the 1840's in straight laced Victorian England.

Movies play their part. 'Shirley Valentine' did actually play a part in promotion as did 'How Stella Got Her Groove Back'.
And with women the description usually gets changed from 'Sex Tourist' to something along the lines of 'A Shirley Valentine', 'A Holiday Romance', or 'A Bit of a Fling'. I feel that is a little bit unfair.

Our Kids Do It Too

One would have to be a complete ostrich with head buried in the sand not to realise that our children do it too.
Their first holiday abroad alone or with their mates to Spain, Ibiza, Greece or wherever is not confined to lying on the beach, playing snooker and drinking beer.

The Hidden Agenda

There are the symposiums, the conferences, the annual general meetings, the golf holidays, the casino visits. So many of these take place far away from home. Exotic locations.
Why can people not just admit that underneath it all there is a hidden agenda. No, no-one likes to be called a sex tourist do they?

And Me?

I stumbled upon the world of the 'Pleasure Tourist' by accident.
I took advantage of a cheap ticket to Bangkok just to see what it was like and eventually a year or so later ended up in Pattaya by accident. The same happened in the Philippines...I thought I was landing in Manila and ended up in Clark.
I don't regret either. I am an avid people watcher, it is probably my second favourite activity. I have seen a lot, learned a lot and continue to learn. Lastly, I admit it....I am no Angel.

A Motorcycle Taxi in Pattaya

Motorcycle Taxis in Pattaya

Traveling around in Pattaya is both cheap and easy once you become familiar with the one way system. The obvious choice is to use a Sang Thaew. Changing once or twice you can reach practically anywhere in the city. At 10 Thai Baht a trip they are an extremely good deal.
There are times though when the traffic is at a standstill or when you want to get somewhere in a hurry. It is then that the Motorcycle Taxi comes into its own. The Motorcycle Taxi will get you anywhere in the City fast. At 30 Thai Bahy a trip it is more expensive than the the Sang Thaew but still cheap at the price.

Locating a Motorcycle Taxi in Pattaya

Locating a motorcycle taxi in Pattaya is easy, especially in the middle of the city. You will find groups of motorcycle drivers on the corner of practically every Soi (street). They will also be found near every shopping centre or hotel.
The motorcycle taxi drivers may be male or female. They are recognised by the waistcoats they wear. These may be Green, Red, Yellow or Blue in colour. Often there is a number in the middle of the back. Usually there will be Thai or English script as well. Sometimes there are sponsored advertising the area, hotel or shopping complex that they are based near.

So numerous are motorcycle taxi's it is often enough just to stand by the road, raise your arm and shout "Motorci!" ....not, not motorcycle. Nine times out of ten one will appear within twenty seconds.
Explain where you want to go and put on the passenger motorcycle helmet that you will be provided. Don't expect it to fit you. I do not have an especially large or unusually shaped head but I have never had one of these helmets fit me yet.
Once you reach your destination simply hand back the helmet and hand over your 30 Thai Baht. Don't haggle. Anywhere in the city the cost is the same. Expect to pay more going out as far as Naklua or Jomtein. Expect to pay more late at night as well. After midnight the price goes up to around 50 Baht a trip.

The Motorcycle Taxi Driver Code

When approaching a group of motorcycle taxi drivers give your destination. You don't choose your driver. They take turns religiously. You may see numbers hanging on posts which are moved around to indicate whose turn it is next.
If you see a motorcycle taxi driver dropping someone off don't bother to approach them for a lift. They will not take you. It is not there area, they have come in from another area in the city.

The Ride

You would be surprised how much luggage that a motorcycle taxi is capable as well as yourself and in general it can be a very safe journey too. To the driver this is their livlihood and whereas they drive fast they are in general very safe.
It can be a frightening ride though. Something which every visitor to Pattaya should experience.

Walking Street, Pattaya

Sign at north end of Walking Street              

Walking Street is part of the city of Pattaya, Thailand. It is a tourist attraction that draws foreigners and Thai nationals, primarily for the night life. It is a red-light district with many go-go bars and brothels. The street runs from the south end of Beach Road to the Bali Hai Pier. A large video sign was erected in March 2010 at the Beach Road entrance, replacing an earlier metal arch, and a small arch adorns the Bali Hai entrance.
Walking Street is closed to vehicles from 6:00 pm to 2 am, and car parking is provided at the Bali Hai end. The area includes seafood restaurants, live music venues, beer bars, discothèques, sports bars, go-go bars, and nightclubs, and is illuminated at night by many colored neon signs. The closing time of 2:00 am has been extended for many entertainment establishments.

Gallery

• 

  Night view
• 

  Prostitutes on Walking Street
• 

  A dancer in the display window of a go-go bar, Walking Street, Pattaya, New Year's Eve 2008

Soi Diamond Pattaya

Located between Walking Street and Pratamnak (Second) Road it is usually accessed via the Diamond Arcade on Walking street. If you are unsure just look for the picture . If you enter Walking Street from the Beach Road end it is on your left hand side around 200 metres down.
It is home to over 25 bars, gogo bars, hotels and restaurants and is one of the most popular night life zones in Pattaya. You can spend the whole evening on Soi Diamond or, as most people do, move on to the melting pot of Walking Street itself.
Soi Diamond itself has two component parts, the Diamond Plaza at the Walking Street end which has two walkways with a beer bar complex in the centre plus many of the gogo bars, and the alleyway at the Pratamnak Road end. Both areas have plenty of bars and gogo bars but the restaurants are mainly located in the alleyway itself.

Bargirl Stories

Some bargirls not all are not loyal to anyone – they flit like the wind. If wind is blowing cash out of one farang’s pocket and into her purse, then that’s where the loyalty for the night is going. It doesn’t matter which pocket it’s coming from – whatever pocket holds the promise for the bigger wad of cash – gets the kitty so to speak.
This guy’s story is so typical because he found a hot girl (mistake number 1 if you’re looking for loyalty), and decided to hang out with her for the night. In the hot bargirl’s mind the decision was more for the next hour or so – to see what you could offer. She’s gotta evaluate you and see if you have the big wad or a non-wad. If you have a big one – and she can see that you’re gullible. She’ll hang out with you for a week or more. Maybe “up to you” if you’re really throwing cash her way.
If a bargirl finds an easy mark she’s going to hang around with him (you?) for a long time as long as you’re spoon-feeding her more cash than she could make hanging around a bar. In fact, that should be a serious clue for every farang monger coming to Thailand.
IF a bargirl or god help you, bargirls, are hanging around you and seem to love to be around you and want you to take them everywhere you’re going – they are getting something out of the deal – that is better than making just 100-500 baht per night at the bar… They might be getting your love. When a farang falls for a bargirl and falls in love – the money that flows is like the Amazon and Nile rivers… after all – what is money when it comes to Love – right? For me – money is nothing anyway, whether for love or anything else – but for a guy that has never had love – to suddenly have this drop gorgeous girl hanging on his every move – and ignoring the studmuffs that are running around barfining 6 girls at a time – this guy feels it and is in love with the idea at first… and after she’s nice to him a few hours or few days – he is completely hooked. Like a fat, bald, smoking, Singha drinking fool.

Kathoey or Ladyboy

Nong Tum is perhaps the most internationally recognised Kathoey for her portrayal in the film Beautiful Boxer.

Kathoey or katoey (Thai: กะเทย;) is a male-to-female transgender person or an effeminate gay male in Thailand. Related phrases include sao (or phuying) praphet song (Thai: สาวประเภทสอง,"a second kind of woman"), or phet thi sam (Thai: เพศที่สาม, "third gender"). The word kathoey is thought to be of Khmer origin (the equivalent Khmer word is "kteuy"). It is most often rendered as ladyboy in English conversation with Thais and this latter expression has become popular across South East Asia except in the Philippines where the term bakla is often used. "Bakla," however, is (like "pinoy") a term applied to Filipino homosexuals and transsexuals in general. In the Philipines, unlike in many Western countries, almost all transsexuals consider themselves to be gay, and so they often call themselves by the English word "ladyboy" because it indicates a distinction which is not made by the Tagalog words.

General description

The term "kathoey" is not an exact equivalent of the modern Western trans woman, in that "kathoey" suggests that the person self-identifies as a type of male, unlike the term sao praphet song, which (like "trans woman") suggests a female gender identity, or phet thi sam, which suggests a third gender. The term phu-ying praphet thi sorng, which can be translated as "woman of the second kind", is also used to refer to kathoey. Australian scholar of sexual politics in Thailand Peter Jackson claims that the term "kathoey" was used in premodern times to refer to intersexuals, and that the usage changed in the middle of the twentieth century to cover cross-dressing males. The term can refer to males who exhibit varying degrees of femininity – many kathoeys dress as women and undergo feminising medical procedures such as hormone replacement therapy, breast implants, buttock augmentation, genital reassignment surgery, or Adam's apple reductions. Others may wear makeup and use feminine pronouns, but dress as men, and are closer to the Western category of effeminate gay man than transgender.
The term "kathoey" may be considered pejorative, especially in the form "kathoey-saloey". It has a meaning similar to the English language "fairy" or "queen".

Social context

Kathoey work in predominately female occupations, such as in shops, restaurants and beauty salons, but also in factories (a reflection of Thailand's high proportion of female industrial workers). Kathoey also work in entertainment and tourist centers, in cabaret – Alcazar and Tiffanys in Pattaya are among the best known – and as sex workers.

Pattaya: Kathoeys on the stage of a cabaret show.

Kathoeys are more visible and more accepted in Thai culture than transgender or transsexual people are in Western countries or the Indian subcontinent. Several popular Thai models, singers and movie stars are kathoeys, and Thai newspapers often print photos of the winners of female and kathoey beauty contests side by side. The phenomenon is not restricted to urban areas; there are kathoeys in most villages, and kathoey beauty contests are commonly held as part of local fairs.
Some believe that this higher acceptance is due to the nature of the surrounding Buddhist culture, which places a high value on tolerance. Using the notion of Karma, some Thai believe that being a kathoey is the result of transgressions in past lives, concluding that kathoey deserve pity rather than blame.
A common stereotype is that older well-off kathoey provide financial support to young men with whom they are in a personal relationship.
Kathoey women currently face many social and legal impediments. Families (and especially fathers) are typically disappointed if a son becomes a kathoey, and kathoey women often have to face the prospect of coming out. However, kathoey generally have greater acceptance in Thailand than most other Asian countries. Legal recognition of kathoeys is non-existent in Thailand: even after genital reassignment surgery, they are not allowed to change their legal sex. Discrimination in employment remains rampant. Issues can also arise in regards to access to amenities and gender allocation; for example, a kathoey who had undergone sexual reassignment surgery would still have to stay in an all-male prison.

Recent developments

Kathoey working in a go-go bar in Bangkok's Nana Plaza entertainment area

In 1993 Thailand's teacher training colleges had implemented a semi-formal ban on allowing homosexual (which included kathoey) students enrolling in courses leading to qualification for positions in kindergartens and primary schools. In January 1997 the Rajabhat Institutes (the governing body of the colleges) announced it would formalize the ban, which would extend to all campuses at the start of the 1997 academic year. The ban was quietly rescinded later in the year following the replacement of the Minister of Education.
In 1996, a volleyball team composed mostly of gays and kathoeys, known as The Iron Ladies (Thai: สตรีเหล็ก, satree lek), later portrayed in two Thai movies, won the Thai national championship. The Thai government, concerned with the country's image, barred two of the kathoey from joining the national team and competing internationally.
Among the most famous kathoeys in Thailand is Nong Tum, a former champion Thai boxer who emerged into the public eye in 1998. She was already cross-dressing and taking hormones while still a popular boxer; she would enter the ring with long hair and makeup, occasionally kissing a defeated opponent. She announced her retirement from professional boxing in 1999 – undergoing genital reassignment surgery, while continuing to work as a coach, and taking up acting and modeling. She returned to boxing in 2006.
In 2004, the Chiang Mai Technology School allocated a separate restroom for kathoeys, with an intertwined male and female symbol on the door. The 15 kathoey students are required to wear male clothing at school but are allowed to sport feminine hairdos. The restroom features four stalls, but no urinals.
Also on 2004, Nong Poy won Miss Tiffany's 2004 and Miss International Queen 2004 and since then she has become an icon of transgendered beauty for both women and men in Thailand.
Following the Military Coup in Thailand in 2006 kathoeys are hoping for a new third sex to be added to passports and other official documents in a proposed new constitution. In 2007, legislative efforts have begun to allow kathoeys to change their legal sex if they have undergone genital reassignment surgery; this latter restriction was controversially discussed in the community.
Bell Nuntita a contestant of Thailand's Got Talent TV shows become a YouTube hit when she first performed singing as a girl, and the crowd become amazed when he switches to a man's voice.

Thailand Dreaming: SHORT TIME BARS

Thailand Dreaming: SHORT TIME BARS: "Apart from Agogo and Beer Bars, there is another group which are called 'Short Time Bars'. They are usually 'Inside' bars as opposed to o..."

Foreign men look for Asian women

For people that arrive in Pattaya for the first time it must seem a little strange to them when they see most men trying to meet up with Asian women. Everywhere you look there are bars, massage parlours and just beautiful women everywhere. Finding Asian women in Thailand is not hard at all in fact to meet up with Asian women is quite easy. The Asian women are just waiting for the white men to arrive so they can take care of them. They are beautiful, charming and breathtaking all at the same time and because of their subservient ways they are what finding Asian women is all about.
Many men travel to Thailand because finding Asian women is their goal. They want to meet up with Asian women so they can be treated with respect and give them the things they have always dreamed of. Meeting up with Asian women also gives the white man many other options than if they were other women. For one they are incredibly beautiful and they know how to maintain the house clean and take care of all the domestic duties. They are great when it comes to working in the kitchen and making sure the home is clean, these types of things give them pride. And they love to keep their men happy in the bedroom so that they will not go looking somewhere else.
All of these reasons add to why finding Asian women is good and explains why they are do devoted to their husbands and lovers that you do not have to worry about them going looking for something better as long as they are provided for. One reason men like finding Asian women is that the men have had problems with women in the past and they know that if they meet up with Asian women than they will be treated so much better.
There are many reasons to meet up with Asian women but two others are how beautiful and delicate they are, like a fine china doll. When finding Asian women it is incredible to see how they all look so young and look as if they are just adolescents or teenagers. Most of them are 10 to 15 years older than what you think and stay that way for years and years.
A friend of mine once said if the Hunchback of Notre Dame and the Elephant Man had sons they would find a nice Thai lady to care for them as Thai ladies care more about the heart than the looks.

Nana Plaza in Bangkok

Located in Sukhumvit Soi 4, Nana Entertainment Plaza is Bangkok's sleaze central. Notorious for its racy themed go-go bars - from school-girl and leather dominatrix to ladyboy - it's literally a 'sex mall', with three storeys of eye-popping activity all focused around a square-shaped central atrium. Unlike at the better-known Soi Cowboy or Patpong, Nana is a 'more adult' scene. That means no families, no markets and few curious tourists strolling in for a look. It is still worth a look if you are looking for an exotic visual experience, and a photo to talk about when back home.

Walking down Soi 4 from Sukhumvit Road, you'll know you're approaching Nana when you spot the line of street vendor carts preparing an array of weird and wonderful bites. These include 'som tum' (spicy green papaya salad), 'kai tod' (charcoal-grilled chicken) and fried insects, among other odd delicacies - comfort food for the bargirls who mostly hail from Thailand's northeastern Isaan Province.
Young girls in halter tops and short mini-skirts can be found filling up bags of crispy invertebrates, which they chop up and eat with rice and a dash of 'nam prik', chili and shrimp jam

Nana Entertainment Plaza

Greeting you when you pass beneath the monstrous 'Nana Entertainment Plaza' entrance sign is a mass of glowing neon signs, yelling at you from all directions. Shouting even louder than the neon is the intriguing cast of upfront characters - ladyboys and girls - who will try and accost you... it's all light-hearted and unthreatening.
On the ground floor are mostly open-air beer bars to choose from. Girls will try to tempt you in for a drink or a game of Jenga but not much really happens here. The shows and the A Go Go Bars with naughty names like Lollipop and Red Lips are located on the first floor.  Girls here will step into your path and will try to drag you in for a look with a naughty laugh.

Nights in White Satin

Ascend up the escalator to the first floor and it's mostly go-go bars. These include Spankys, Fantasia and Rainbow 3. Rainbow 4 is one of the biggest, with hordes of Japanese-looking girls attracting a busy mix of Westerners and Japanese spectators.
G-Spot, Cassanova and Temptations are among the most popular, and it's no surprise - they're ladyboy bars and put on dazzling shows. Angel Witch, on the left, with its lesbian and dominatrix shows is also a big hit. A lot of thought and energy clearly goes into the costumes and performances here - girls in elegant but provocative strips of white satin were strutting gracefully to 'Nights in White Satin' on our visit.
For relative calm, head for Big Dogs bar on the left corner of the entrance. This is a humble watering-hole, with beers and a raised terrace view onto the street and alleyway.

How to get there: walking distance from Nana BTS Skytrain station

SHORT TIME BARS

Apart from Agogo and Beer Bars, there is another group which are called "Short Time Bars". They are usually "Inside" bars as opposed to open air bars. In the old days, they had the older and less desirable bargirls, but in recent times, the market has changed. Now you will find some of the best looking girls working there, as they can earn as much in the day as going Long Time. They are usually open in the afternoon and while many close by midnight other stay open until the mandatory closing time. Many an Expat uses these places "On the way home" or for an "Afternoon out with the boys". There are good and bad, as in other places, but the good can be better than the best of the rest. Soi Yodsak and the newer Soi Chaiyapoon have the most, but others are dotted around all over the place, from Naklua to Jomtien and as far afield as the famous Butterfly Bar out of town on Soi Siam Country Club.
Due to the current "Social Order" directive, these bars have been told not to offer on-site accomodation, while others have been told to register as hotels, should guests wish to stay on the premises. Luckily, Pattaya being Pattaya, many places ignore such stupid instructions.

The Difference Between A Pattaya Beer Bar & A Go-Go Bar

Weather you are a seasoned traveler, or are looking to visit Pattaya for the first time it is important to have a general idea on how things work. People all over are accustomed to Bars and Pubs, what some may not be used to are the fact that girls are employed in the Thai Bars to entertain customers. The staff in Go Go Bars have the same job, although it can be a little more detailed for them. What ever type of bar you like to drink at, you will always find that talking and dealing with these girls is a fun, good experience and not a sleazy one which many people expect.
It is probably best to explain the different types of bars in Pattaya, the first and most common been the “Pattaya Beer Bars” or “Pattaya Girlie Bars“, these are often very small complexes with few seats and girls standing around trying to call customers into the bar. Bar’s in Pattaya generally serve most common beers, and mixed spirits such as Bacardi Breezes or Smirnoff’s. Beer Bars in Pattaya will generally charge 70-190 baht per drink, depending on what you like. Beer Bars will almost always have a number of games that can be played by the customers with the staff, the most popular choice is probably Connect 4, Janga or the Nail Game. Bar Girls will often ask if you would like to gamble or bet on each game, with the winner getting a drink. Very few tourists come in and are able to beat these girls, this is because they play the game so often they have become very good. Bar Girls in the Girlie Bars will almost always be hoping you “Bar Fine” them and take them for the night, they will usually expect around 1000 to 2000 baht, although this can be bartered down to 1000 quite easily.
The Beer Bars / Girlie Bars that can be found in Pattaya are fun, they can be a great location to meet other like minded tourists, or you can always just sit alone searching for that next Thai Stunner to take home. As said previously, drinks in the Beer / Girlie Bars are well priced although the Lady Drinks will always cost a fair bit more, this is basically a tip for the bar girl. Beer bars are best for the follow

• Drinking
• Watching Sport
• Meeting Other Tourists
• Meeting Expats
• Meeting Thai Girls

A Pattaya Beer Bar / Girlie Bar

We should now talk about the GoGo bars, the part that most people have been waiting for; or just jumped to. Pattaya Go-Go’s are different to the Beer Bars of Pattaya, although they still house a number of girls that are hoping to be bar fined by a tourist they are also very different. Pattaya Go-Go Girls are generally far better looking with many men saying they have a much sexier look, they are usually better dancers and have spent some time in a Beer Bar so have great English. Probably the main different from a Beer Bar to a Go-Go would be the stage, all Go-Go’s are built with a stage for the girls to perform on. Performances by Thai Girls can be vary a great deal, some will be a number of girls on stage simply washing each other while others may involve a older lady doing some very strange things in certain places! Go-Go Bars are also obviously set up for a sexual reason, while many people can pass through a Beer Bar and not realise the opportunity they had.
Its no secret that Go-Go bars are the largest reason people come to Pattaya, with many coming just to see the bar and not to get a girl. Go-Go Bars will almost always charge more for drinks, Pattaya Go-Go Bar Girls as said before have better English, more experience with the farang men and will always ask for a bit more money then a Bar Girl – they have essentially been promoted. You will have a hard time walking into a Go-Go Bar with out been asked to buy a girl a drink, although they are not nearly as expensive as the Ping Pong Shows and other special shows that are about. In most cases, you will walk through double doors to find a rather dark room with a stage – stools will be around the stage and this is where you drink!
Have fun at the Pattaya Go Go Bars & Pattaya Beer Bars!

A Pattaya Go-Go

Pattaya Ambience

Pattaya Nightlife

Pattaya Nightlife Outline.

A guide to Pattaya nightlife is somewhat redundant in that if you go to Pattaya you can't miss it. The worn out cliché is "Sin City by The Sea" but that really does sum it up.


A sprawling mass of beer bars and Go-Go's this town is party central. A lot of people say that there is a different atmosphere in the scene here compared to Bangkok. This may be due to the fact that Pattaya has a lot more of the holiday feel about it, especially after they cleaned up the pollution problem that made swimming and watersports unpleasant a few years back.


There are hotels and restaurants to suit every budget and the prices are generally cheaper than in Bangkok.


As far as Go-Go bars go all roads lead to Walking Street in South Pattaya, as well as having good quality seafood at a reasonable price this area is where the cream of the GoGo action is to be found.


Highlights in this area are Happy-a-gogo, Carousel, The Dollhouse and for something a bit different check out Electric Blue, not only does this bar have 3 levels of Go-Go stage but a nice American style restaurant as well. Andy the guy behind Electric Blue was one of the original founders of The Dollhouse group so expect the same quality.


If chilling out at Beer bars is more your style then take your pick from literally thousands, they are everywhere and it's the usual mish mash of music competing against the bar next door, chilled out girls and on the right night a nice sea breeze to complete the ideal relaxation zone.


No matter what .your taste in Thai Nightlife it's all to be found here, get your kicks in the Pattaya Nightlife then relax Jet Skiing the next day. Pattaya is truly a unique place.

Thailand's tourism arrivals up 66 per cent in May

Tourism arrivals to Thailand jumped 66 per cent in May, compared with a year ago when Bangkok was in the grip of anti-government protests that left 92 dead, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) said Wednesday.
Thailand's gain in tourists in May was the steepest in South-East Asia, which was the fastest-growing region of the Asia-Pacific that month.
South-East Asia recorded a 16-per-cent increase in arrivals in May boosted by a 66-per-cent rebound in arrivals to Thailand, a 37-per-cent rise in Vietnam, 33 per cent in Myanmar, 12 per cent in Cambodia and 11 per cent in Singapore, PATA said.
"A lot of that increase came from Thailand, because of the very poor performance it suffered last May," said John Koldowski, PATA's managing director of strategic intelligence.
In May, more than 1.3 million foreign tourists visited the kingdom, compared with 826,000 a year ago, he said.
In April-May 2010, Bangkok was the scene of daily anti-government protests that erupted into bloody street battles with security forces that left 92 dead, about 2,000 injured and parts of the capital in flames.

Five nabbed in Thai fake sex drugs swoop: police

BANGKOK, August 2, 2011 (AFP) - Bangkok authorities arrested five men in a crackdown on sex drugs sold illegally to tourists in streets around the city's red light districts, Thai police said Tuesday.

Raids on July 25 and 28 netted several fake or unlicensed drugs such as Viagra, which is normally prescribed for men suffering from erectile dysfunction.

"We have received complaints from the public that stalls explicitly sell fake drugs to tourists in the evenings," said Colonel Paitoon Khumsraprom of the consumer protection police.

In total five men, two Myanmar nationals and three Thais, were arrested in the two raids, carried out in the China Town and Nana areas of the city.

They were charged over offences including the illegal sale of drugs and selling fake and unlicensed drugs. If convicted they could face up to 20 years in prison.

Police released a list of items seized in the operation, which were estimated to be worth a total of 500,000 baht ($16,800).

These included various types of Viagra, "Waman penis enlarging tablet", Kamagra oral jelly -- in banana, apple and blackcurrant flavours -- and an item intriguingly listed as "Night fire heartily burnable lady's intense emotion".

"This has tarnished Thailand's tourism image," said an official from the Thai Food and Drug Administration, which also took part in the raids.

66 Years old

Thailand opens new parliament

lated Content

• Thai Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn reads a statement during the opening ceremony …
  
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• Thai Prime Minister-elect Yingluck Shinawatra smiles as she poses for a group photo …

Thailand's new parliament officially opened on Monday, faced with the daunting challenge of bringing stability to the kingdom after five years of political turmoil.
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn presided over the elaborate opening ceremony in the capital Bangkok in the late afternoon, allowing the 500-seat lower house to convene for business on Tuesday.
"It is your direct responsibility as MPs to lead the country within the democratic system, for the benefit of the country and people," the prince told lawmakers during a short inauguration speech.
Within days, MPs are expected to vote in the country's first female prime minister, Yingluck Shinawatra of the Puea Thai party, which on July 3 won a crushing electoral victory to take power from the pro-establishment Democrats.
Yingluck will take the helm almost five years after her brother, the deeply divisive Thaksin Shinawatra, was ousted as premier in a military coup. He now lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption.
Thai academic Pavin Chachavalpongpun said 44-year-old Yingluck, who is widely seen as a proxy for her brother, had shown surprising charisma since her electoral success and could become "a very capable prime minister".
But he said the challenges facing the premier-in-waiting, a political novice, are formidable.
"I think the honeymoon period of Yingluck will be very short. She has so many obstacles in front of her," said Pavin, of Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
Thailand's political landscape became increasingly polarised following the 2006 coup, with other Thaksin allies removed from power by the courts and paralysing rallies by both pro- and anti-Thaksin camps.
They culminated in mass demonstrations by his "Red Shirt" followers in Bangkok last April and May, which ended with a military assault and more than 90 people dead. Thaksin is wanted on terrorism charges linked to the unrest.
Yingluck is expected to face pressure from the Red Shirts, many of whom support Thaksin for his populist policies during his 2001-2006 rule. They are likely to demand justice over last year's violence and push for their leaders to be given key positions.
The new government will also need to appease those among the Bangkok-based elite who backed Thaksin's ouster and believe his style of leadership was authoritarian and corrupt.
Economic concerns have meanwhile been raised over the potential impact of Yingluck's vote-grabbing promises, such as a minimum wage hike and higher rice prices for farmers, which the Bank of Thailand has warned could stoke inflation.
The Commerce Ministry said Monday that inflation edged up marginally in July, but permanent secretary Yanyong Phuangrach warned against panic-buying out of concern over new policies, as "that will cause a surge in prices".
Last week, the Election Commission endorsed dozens of winning candidates from the national polls, bringing the total approved to 496 -- passing the 95 percent threshold needed by law for parliament to convene.
The vote body earlier dismissed allegations against Yingluck that banned politicians were involved in her campaign.
Yingluck has formed a dominating six-party coalition that will hold about three-fifths of the seats in the lower chamber, where MPs' first task will be to elect a house speaker, expected on Tuesday.
The Puea Thai said the party agreed on Monday to nominate a former deputy house speaker and veteran politician, Somsak Kiatsuranond, for the role.