So I had a chance to finally checkout Bangkok's redlight district(S)… yes there is more than one area. Ok, so I've passed through these areas before, its really not hard to miss because they are usually located in commercial/business areas or even near residential areas. I guess if you're going to these places, you want to have access to hotels, etc. where you can "sample" the services.
Before you wonder what kind of perv I am (aren't we all?)… let me say that it wasn't all curiosity, but more about taking photos for a couple of friends who are writing a paper on the sex trade in Bangkok. Going to these places wasn't the hard part, but trying to find someone to go with me was… luckily I found someone brave enough to go with me. I think deep-down inside, most people might be apalled by the young Thai girls sitting on bar stools along the street trying to get clients to come into their clubs, but at the same time, they are also strangely curious about the whole situation. Maybe it's like a car-crash; everyone knows its horrible, but then again people who pass by slow down to get a good look.
When I went, there was a 80-20 split… 80% of the people (mostly foreigners) were there for the "services", but 20% were just curious. Demographic breakdown: asian (i heard japanese and chinese) group tours, single (mostly white) westerners, curious couples (fearing for their lives, but curious), small group of guys looking to party… After talking to some people, you realize that most of these more infamous spots are where tourists and foreigners go – I couldn't find a Thai person there (other than the ones working). I've heard that most Thais go to more discreet places elsewhere.
The atmosphere at these places is more or less upbeat and friendly. Even though there are the occasional agressors who try to pull you into the clubs, they are not that pushy when you turn them down. The most agressive ones are the katoeys (ladyboys)… By the end of the night, I was pretty sick of the whole situation. About an hour of wandering around the city to take photos, and I was ready to head home, luckily far away from this part of Bangkok.
Good job Ving! It’s important to get out an explore the city you live in… sorry to hear about the sustained rainfall. Vancouver is just the opposite – we’re hoping for rain this weekend but WAYYYY below the average (around half the average for the summer / fall months thus far).
The red light districts look interesting – why is it so scary? Is it a scuzzy area like Hastings & Main?
Not scuzz, per se… but just a little too much for me. AND definitely not like Hastings & Main. There’s more class here and probably more reasons why the girls are working here. There were plenty of people enjoying themselves. After a couple of hours wandering, I kinda got use to the atmosphere… It looked like most people were more interesting in wandering the streets than going “behind the door”.