I got back to my hotel room around 3pm or so and took a nap and then just laid around and enjoyed the air-con. It was weird to wake up in the mid-afternoon after a morning of hard drinking. I had made plans to meet up with the Super Bowl crew to hit the infamous Patpong area around 8:30pm. This is an area full of go-go shows, strippers, and prostitutes that helps give Bangkok its seedy reputation. Up until last night I had not ventured there even though my hotel was really close. Just about EVERYONE in Thailand both Thai and foreigner alike have told me that I HAVE to go there at least once just to experience it. Even Ann had told me I should go. After meeting back up with the Super Bowl group, the nine of us left for Patpong in two cabs.
The first place we hit was the old tried and tested 7-11. I think they should rename this city 7-11cock. I even have a picture on Kho San road where there are two 7-11s right across the street from each other.
I bought a large Chang beer as did a few others in the group and they also bought a bottle of whiskey and some cokes. We started walking around the district checking places out while drinking. The area was really crowded as along with being the seedy sex district, Patpong is also a market area for craftsmen. I really love the fact that we can walk through this commercial district drinking beers right out of the bottle and also passing around a whiskey bottle. The whiskey was passed freely around and soon we were all in an artificially good mood once again. I think this was a first for me to get drunk in the morning and in the evening.
Soon some people decided that they wanted to see a show. Others did not as they had been there before and just wanted to drink beer and walk around. We agreed to meet at the (you guessed it) 7-11 in one hour and we went our separate ways. I went with the group that wanted to see the show, and ironically it was mostly women in this group except for me and another guy from Seattle named Christian. Christian had been before and he was our guide. There were these Thai people all over the place shoving placards of sexy shows with a list of what the women did with their anatomy with prices on it in an attempt to lure us into their fine establishment. One go-go show professional recruiter approached us and we agreed we would take advantage of his special, which was pussy cigarette smoking and ping pong throwing with no cover and one beer for 100 baht beer ($2.50). What a deal, and we were lead by this Thai young urban professional to his place of business.
I like going to strip clubs with women. It brings a sense of legitimacy to the outing. Instead of being a perverted male leering at females disrobing, I am part of a social group going to interact at a valid entertainment establishment. We sat down and ordered a beer. Suddenly, these two annoying Thai girls came up and started yelling 300 baht in obnoxiously loud voices and showed us a different placard than what prompted us to come to this bar, and her sign that said 1 beer + show 300 baht. We told them “no” we are only going to pay 100 baht as advertised by our recruiter. They yelled at us and said “no 300 baht,” again in a really loud obnoxious voice. They then told us to leave. We told them we would drink our beer and then leave. They hovered around us for a second hoping we would give in and pay the 300 baht. Then, like vultures who realize there is no decaying rotting flesh around to eat, they left. They never came back either. I hate to split hairs over a couple of bucks, but they need to stay true to their original advertisements.
When I was done with my beer the girls were still half-way done. There was a friendly Thai man that worked for the place near the stage, and he saw I was done with my beer and asked if I would like another one. I told him no thanks as I did not want to pay 300 baht. He smiled and said “for you, 100 baht.” I feared a scam, but his smile disarmed me, and he returned with a Singha for 100 baht. I drank this beer, and we left. The show itself was interesting, but it was no big deal. I saw things that I did not think could be done with the female anatomy, but on the whole I was not that impressed.
As we were leaving the two annoying girls were harassing another group of foreigners for 300 baht. I said to the newcomers “don’t give in,” as we were departing. I do not understand why they try this scam. I have heard this same scam from just about everyone that has been to Patpong. It seems logical that if they just were nice to people then people would become comfortable and want to drink more. Instead they try to fleece people for an additional 200 baht by really angering them by this silly scheme. The place was empty except for us. Even if they are successful and get an additional 200 baht from people, they probably will not stay. If they were accommodating many people would end up spending much more than 300 baht. I have thought about this long and hard and I do not understand their motivation for doing this. May be they feel that it is part of the ambiance of the place and that it is their duty to try and scam foreigners as it is part of the Patpong experience.
We left and joined the group again. I was supposed to meet Sofia at 10:30, and it was now 11:30, but I was in no hurry to meet here. The disco tech places here are basically sweat shops, and I did not feel the need to hurry there and sweat like crazy. Just walking around Patpong it was unbelievably hot even at this time of night. I tried to get the Seattle crew to join me, but they declined. I gave all the girls a big hug and the guys a handshake, and we parted ways. Sadly, they are leaving for the South of Thailand today. I got Mark’s email and told him I would send him an email and to look me up if he ever gets to Chicago.
I take a cab to the Novotel disco and join Sofia and her two friends Jay and Pat. I like this disco a little better as it is not as crowded as the other two I have been at and it is a littler cooler. It is in the basement of this hotel, which is why it is probably a little cooler. Once again it is the same songs I have heard from previous discos, but in general it was a good time.
I only have two more days in Thailand. I am so sad. I have gotten so used to this country, but I still have a lot to look forward to. The temples of Angkor are one of the 7 wonders in the world. I will be touring this by bicycle in just a couple of days.
