Patpong, located in central
*The one picture I can show*
Here are three reasons to run the Red Light:
For the Thrill - Patpong is an assault on the senses. With every step, peddlers harass you, trying to lure you to check out a “Ping-Pong Show.” You pass booths selling cheap trinkets to take home. You pass by the plethora of Girlie Bars, each one bearing tacky neon lighting, with the pulsing techno beat streaming out the entrance. You’re tempted to come inside for a drink. The air is sticky. There’s a constant cloud of cigarette smoke trailing you. The streets are packed with horrified tourists. And all the while you ask yourself, “What exactly IS a Ping-Pong Show?”
Anyone can charter a bus to a famous landmark, take a picture and leave. You can’t do that in the Red light district. It requires immersion, forcing you to see, smell and hear everything.
For Facing Reality - You can read about the sex trade in a newspaper or online. But when you see it live, there is no substitute. When you're in
For the Folks Back Home - When you share your latest travels, do your friends look at you with glazed eyes? Are they bored? Disinterested? Here’s what you do. Go to the Red Light! Just tell them about the time you went to the Ping-Pong show. And when you share (I can’t do that here), they’ll laugh. They’ll cry. They’ll pass out. But they won’t be bored. And you might scare them away from table tennis for good.
The Red Lights in
Just mind the ping pong balls.
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This is the last essay from my Thailand. I know I promised a 4th, but too much time has passed. To make up for it, I've included a video:
It's a little dark and grainy. But I did really sing!
On to the next trip! Booking soon. Details to follow...
2 comments:
Reading this post about Bangkok reminded me of this week's Amazing Race episode. Would you have done the karaoke taxi task? :) That was funny to watch and it looked like a lot of fun!
I haven't seen the episode yet, but if I'm in TAR, and there's a karaoke task, I'm taking it.
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