During this last visit to Thailand, I read a huge article in the Bangkok Post about what they refer to as Bangkok’s “Street of Shame.” The lower end of Sukhumvit Road turns from shopping and entertainment to one of the world’s biggest open-air flesh markets after 2:00 a.m. If you are wandering the streets of Bangkok at 2:00 a.m, this is obviously what you are looking for and will not consider this a “street of shame.” The Bangkok Post went on to say that …Sukhumvit Road from Soi 2 to Soi 15 had at least 37 mobile bars (mini-vans filled with drinks), and more than 204 tables and 1,180 chairs on a Friday night... This is all illegal since Bangkok bars have licensed and official closing hours.
The next record is possibly for the amount of “ladyboys” gathered there. (I still remember the absolutely gorgeous “ladyboy” working as a cosmetologist at a high-caliber department store in Bangkok. He/she was so exquisitely made up and dressed that I felt dowdy and ugly.) Some “ladyboys” serve drinks while others shout, “I want to go with you.” Prostitutes from over 16 countries have recently been joined by transvestites from other parts of Asia and the Middle East. Many of the prostitutes come from the former Soviet Union and are locally known as “Natashas.”
There is also a tremendous amount of drugs offered mainly in Soi 3 and 13. A large percentage of foreign men who frequent this area late at night come from countries in the Middle East where these activities are banned. Duh! That’s a surprise… Many of the drug dealers are Africans and there are fights between them nightly over “turf.” If you decide to visit this area, go at your own risk and those visiting this area really don’t need or care about the above information.
Let’s talk about sex in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is peaceful compared to Bangkok and Pattaya but it offers “soapie massages” with or without “happy endings” that are popular with male visitors. There are tons of Massage clubs dedicated to men looking for a “soapie massage” or “naughty massage.” Many of these establishments offer Karaoke, restaurants, several with gyms, and a “fishbowl” on the main level where you select a man or woman. There are names like One-2-Come, His Club, House of Male, and one called Pandoras that is a favorite of Japanese and Koreans. Loi Kroh Street in Chiang Mai reminded me of the Pat Pong area in Bangkok with its many bars, gay and otherwise, massage parlors and women sitting and waiting…
To answer your unspoken (or spoken) questions, no, neither of us have visited these “establishments” or participated. But we must admit, it’s fun reading about the offerings,” club names, walking in the red light areas, Pat Pong, etc. and have never felt threatened. We’ve been visiting Thailand for 30 years and nothing changes but the locales. If this is what you want to do and experience on your holiday, it’s your business. Don’t kill the messenger….