I've recently come back from a 20 month trip around South East Asia. Also worked in Thailand, learn...
I've recently come back from a 20 month trip around South East Asia. Also worked in Thailand, learned the language and really got to know the people.
Member since:02.07.2000
Reviews:23
Members who trust:7
One night in Bangkok makes a hard man stumble (or is it crumble). A couple of years ago I spent about three days in an area of Bangkok called Patpong. Ouch! What a scary place. Was like the Cambodian capitalPhnom Penh, (see op) without the guns and bomb craters. Really, really sleazy and the place was a mess. Was like living in some sort of post-nuclear alien community. At best like a scene from Bladerunner.
Got constantly bombarded with “hey sex show – no cover charge” and offerings of all kinds of crazy stuff. Yes, eventually I lost my will power and not being the prudish type I went inside to see one of these “shows”. Surprisingly you don’t see the sad single old men in there, but sad married couples who clap at the end of each performance like they were watching an Opera or Ballet. Personally I thought the show was ridiculously funny. How anyone can get turned on by what they do is just beyond me. I would like to explain what goes on, but feel that Ciao is not the right place to discuss it. Just use your imagination.
When I asked to pay my bill and leave (which was after one drink) I was told that I had to pay a cover charge (around £60). Oh I wish you could have seen their faces when I said no. The bar staff went and about six Bruce Lee look-a-likes popped out of the darkness. Luckily after threatening to cause a scene I managed to get out and paid about £5 for my beer. Later, a guy that I met said that I was very lucky to get off so lightly. Usually most people (mainly Japanese Business Men) pay up.
The bars were a complete rip-off and nowhere near as good as other more up market areas of Bangkok. Bangkok has so much more to offer and is one of the best cities I've been to. As a city of culture and things to see and do, I would give it four stars out of five.
The only good things about Patpong are that you can stay in a average/clean Hotel for about 11 pounds per night, per room. There is also a large night market offering a whole range of items. If you are ever thinking about going to Phnom Penh (Cambodia), then this place will give you some idea of what to expect in the way of weird looking people.
There are some really dodgy looking characters around this place, so avoid this area of Bangkok (Patpong)if you are of a nervous disposition!
For my photos of other parts of Bangkok and the Kings Palace: http://uk.geocities.com/thai2001uk/index4.htm
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I stayed in Patpong for a few days only. I lived and worked all over Thailand. Take a look at my other reviews. Thanks.
ultras67 17.06.2004 12:22
if you have lived in thailand and learned the language surely you wouldnt have stayed in Patpong! Why in a city where there is so much more than Patpong do you concentrate on just one very small area?
Trev15 19.08.2001 01:55
As the category is 'Bangkok in general' I would have liked a little more about the city/locality. I have been to Bangkok and whilst everything you detail in the op is rampant, there are some beautiful places in the city, great restaurants, terrific people and an inimitable buzz. It's not all smut. Perhaps you could expand a little...?
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Feb 8th, 2001
(Aug 16th, 2001)
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