Bangkok's nightlife is known far beyond the borders of Thailand. The three most famous entertainment and red light districts are Nana Plaza, Patpong and Soi Cowboy. Patpong also has a large night market and attracts a mixed crowd.
Patpong is best reached by taxi, Tuk Tuk or Skytrain (Sala Daeng station). The quarter consists of two parallel streets to Silom Road, between the Thanon Surawong and Thanon Silom and is one of the busiest areas of Bangkok in the evening hours.
The district is named after the founding family Patpongpanich, immigrants from China who bought the property in 1946. First, the Patpong 1 road was built and commercial buildings were built and rented. What started out as a business district was transformed into a Patpong nightlife with sex shows and pubs in the 1970s. In recent years, attempts have been made to get away from the image of sex tourism. With live music bars, tourists and Thais who are not interested in sex can now be brought to the neighbourhood. In and around Patpong there are a lot of good clubs and the popular disco "Lucifer", which is visited by young Thais and tourists from 11 pm on.
During the day the two streets are no different from the others. But from 8 p. m. on, the neon lights come on, the bars open and the night market dealers start to build up their stands. The fascinating turmoil begins and attracts masses of tourists from all over the world. It's a fairground atmosphere. In between you will find the small kitchens, which prepare inexpensive Thai food. Fast food such as McDonalds and numerous good restaurants are also available on site.
When the night market begins, the roads are closed to traffic. Dealers mainly sell counterfeit branded goods such as watches, clothing, belts and leather bags. Handmade art objects and Asian souvenirs are also on offer. In Thailand they haggle for the price. The seller usually starts with a fantasy price. The buyer's negotiation skills then ultimately determine the selling price. However, it can be assumed that the retailer still earns well even with a 50% discount. Whoever buys a counterfeit brand should remember that they will have to pass through customs at the airport later.
In addition to the night market, business with love is also flourishing. Unlike in Soi Cowboy, for example, very aggressive advertising is used here to lure men and even women into the GoGo bars. The main thing is paying customer. Those who are not interested should simply ignore these tugs and go on. Care should be taken when moving into the back room or the upper floors. Here it can happen that one is held by the bouncers until a certain amount of money is consumed. Usually the drinks there have outrageously high prices. In the GoGo-Bars on poles, willing people find dancing, sparsely dressed Thai girls. If a man wants to take a girl with him to sexual services, he has to trigger this first with a "Barfine". This amount is negotiated in advance. Afterwards he can agree with the girl what, where and for how long. No observer would come up with the idea that prostitution is actually illegal in Thailand. People often try to guide couples into the erotic shows. The ping-pong shows, for example, in which the girls with their sex parts shoot ping-pong balls and other objects through the area. Before entering this milieu, one should inform oneself well beforehand.
There's a curfew in the entertainment district at 1:00 at night. Then the nightclubs and the market close. Dismantling begins and tourists gradually lose their way back to their hotels. The street is again fulfilling its original purpose. But no matter whether it's day or night in Bangkok - this city never sleeps.