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You are here: Home / Travel / Naughty Nightlife in Thailand: A Tourist’s Guide to Bars, Girls & Pay for Play

Naughty Nightlife in Thailand: A Tourist’s Guide to Bars, Girls & Pay for Play

It's no secret that hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to Thailand each year for the naughty nightlife.

This has given Thailand a reputation as a “sex tourism” destination, which is a little unfair, since it is just a small part of Thailand and, while somewhat unique in its delivery, is not something you can't find elsewhere in the world.

Some holidaymakers are put off coming to Thailand because of this reputation, while others are intrigued to see what all the fuss is about. The reality is that it is easily avoided if you don't want to see the neon lights, and easily found if you do.

Indeed, if scantily clad bar girls aren't what you're looking for, there are plenty of other nightlife options: regular pubs and bars, cabaret shows, nightclubs, night markets; and of course, lots of restaurants.

And while some bars in the likes of Patong in Phuket, Chaweng in Samui, and Soi Cowboy and Nana in Bangkok will come as a bit of a shock to the average holiday maker, many bars that have girls walking around offering conversation and company are generally very relaxed. You can have a drink, play some pool, have a laugh and then leave. There's no obligation to talk to or sit down with the working women.

If you're planning on visiting Thailand and are new to this type of nightlife, have a read of this guide to better understand how the bar scene works, and to familiarize yourself with some of the terminology you're likely to hear.

pattaya-walking-street

A Tourist's Guide to Thailand's Naughty Nightlife

What Is a Bar Girl?

A bar girl is exactly that: A girl, or woman, rather, who works in a bar. But we're not talking your typical bar tender or table staff here.

A bar girl dresses provocatively, exposing a teasing amount of skin. She is employed to flirt with customers and make sure they enjoy the bar enough to stay and buy lots of drinks, and hopefully come back again. A bar girl is like a hostess, just more tactile.

Depending on the bar, the women are usually working an angle with the customers. This is certainly the case in hotspots like Pattaya's Walking Street and Soi Cowboy in Bangkok.

The goal is to be taken back to the customer's hotel room (or home). Although often not explicitly discussed in the bar, the fee for this sexual service will cost somewhere between 1,000 and 3,000 Baht, depending on the location and the arrangement between woman and client.

This is of course prostitution, though it is not openly discussed in these terms by the bar or the service provider.

* For the record, I'm using girl, woman and lady interchangeably in this article. All girls working in bars in Thailand must be over 18, so legally speaking they are women, though the term used in Thailand is “bar girl”.

What Are Lady Drinks?

Most bars that employ bar girls operate a commission structure on drinks. These drinks are considered “lady drinks”. If you buy a bar girl a drink, the girl receives a commission from the bar.

You don't have to buy a girl a drink, but if she is sitting with you and entertaining you it is considered par for the course. It also reflects well on her job performance, as her boss will consider that she is doing a good job by getting you to splash your cash on more booze.

Bear in mind that these lady drinks usually cost more than regular drinks. This is certainly the case in go-go bars, which we'll come to in a moment.

The reason for this commission structure is that most bars pay a very basic wage for the girls, and the drink commission tops up their wage – similar to the tipping structure in a restaurant.

Note that some bars don't pay a basic wage at all; the girl is simply attached to the bar by way of association and allowed to ply her “trade” there.

Part of the job description is to get punters drinking more, and part of the girl's intent is (usually) to get a punter tipsy and lure him into her honey trap, so to speak.

If a punter doesn't end up taking the girl home, a few lady drinks is a nice little commission for the time she has spent sitting and chatting with the punter. Time is money, as they say.

What Is a Go-Go Bar?

Go-go bars (also called a-go-go bar) are similar to strip bars.

The club has a stage, complete with poles and space for approximately 10-20 girls to dance. The stage is elevated and surrounded by seats for punters.

At the back of the club you'll find sofas and tables, and depending on the budget the club is usually quite glamorous – decked out with fancy lighting and a swanky bar.

Go-go bars tend to have a lot of girls milling about in between dances. Some may not be dancing and will be working the floor instead – approaching tables and sitting with customers in the hope of getting a few “lady drinks”.

In this type of bar you should be careful of getting into a situation where you are sitting with a few girls at your table at the same time. Before you know it, you may have bought three rounds of drinks for your companions and clocked up a hefty bill!

Upon negotiation, the girls dancing in go-go bars are, generally speaking, available to take home. Like a regular “bar girl” bar, you will most likely have to pay a bar fine.

What Is a Bar Fine?

If you want to take a lady home with you before the bar closes, you will have to pay a “bar fine”.

This payment is to compensate for the bar losing a worker for the evening, who would have otherwise generated revenue through encouraging punters to buy drinks.

The bar fine is usually set at 300-500 Baht, depending on the location and bar's reputation. You can always avoid this fee by waiting for the bar to close, but by that time another customer may have stepped in and taken your preferred companion home.

The price for the lady's companionship is decided between the lady and the customer, not by the bar. The bar has nothing to do with this aspect of the transaction.

The lady usually gets a cut of the bar fine fee too.

What Is a Ping Pong Show?

A Ping Pong Show takes place in a strip club or go-go bar type setting.

It's a pretty degrading spectacle, in which women use their pelvic muscles to retain and then eject Ping Pong balls from their vaginal cavity.

Other variations on Ping Pong balls include razor blades, candles and even live animals such as eels, goldfish and frogs.

This type of show is available in the red light areas of Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. Touts canvas customers with a promise of “a night you'll never forget”.

The entrance fee is usually somewhere around 300 Baht, but be warned, you'll likely pay a lot more.

These seedy shows are notorious for scams. You'll overpay for drinks, be pressured into tipping the girls, and may even be accosted for an “exit fee” when you want to leave.

I've never been to a Ping Pong Show, but from what I've heard it's best to stay well away.

What Is a Freelancer?

Outside of lady bars and go-gos there are women who work as freelancers (independent prostitution).

They may hang out in regular bars, in clubs, and even on streets like Beach Road in Pattaya or Sukhumvit (lower) Road in Bangkok.

These ladies are not attached to any bar or pimp (usually) and are working independently to secure clients for sex in exchange for money. This is your more typical type of prostitution.

Quite often tourists encounter such women in nightclubs but are unaware that they are working an angle until much later in the evening when the lady asks about a fee for going home. This can be quite awkward, and freelancers in clubs are often shy about asking, choosing their words gently such as “Can you pay?”

How to Avoid Bar Girls & Go-Go Bars?

Perhaps you're on holiday with kids and you don't want to be around the naughty scene at all, and you certainly don't want to hear women in short skirts and high heels hollering, “Hey handsome man, I like you!” as you stroll by with your daughter of an evening.

Fortunately, it's very easy to avoid.

Such bars are usually housed on a particular strip (no pun intended) or down a side road. The neon lights, obvious signage, loud music and girls luring people in are dead giveaways and will allow you plenty of time to take another turn.

Moreover, if you're back at the hotel by 10 pm, you probably won't see much action at all, as the night-time scene doesn't really get going until then anyway.

Knowing where to book a hotel is also an easy way to avoid any such bars. For example:

  • Booking in Bangkok? Don't book too close to Soi Nana. Soi Cowboy is another strip to avoid, though it's an easy road not to walk down anyway, even if your hotel is close by. Patpong is similar.
  • Don't go to Pattaya. You might choose Jomtien, about 3 km south of Pattaya .
  • Booking in Phuket? Choose a location away from Patong.
  • Booking in Koh Samui? Avoid the Green Mango and Soi Reggae strips. Probably best to stay outside of Central Chaweng, but the bars are easily avoided anyway.

Safe Sex in Thailand

If you are planning on participating in “pay for play” in Thailand you should take precautions. Thailand has the highest prevalence of HIV and AIDS in SE Asia, with approximately 500,000 people living with HIV.

While most (40%) of new infections arise through men having sex with men, sex workers and their clients account for around 10% of new infections. STI cases are also fairly high, at approximately 90 per 100,000 people (1).

It is safer to bar fine a girl from a bar over paying for a prostitute on the street, and potentially safer than hooking up with a freelancer in a club. This is because most bars have testing policies in place that requires workers to get sexual health tests on a regular basis.

In Summary

The bottom line is that company is easily bought in Thailand.

Whether it's the company of a bar hostess for a few drinks and a chat, or a companion for the evening back at your hotel, one of the loosely estimated 250,000- 2 million sex workers in Thailand will be happy to oblige.

Conversely, avoiding this side of Thailand's nightlife is easily done. The red light areas are fairly small and restricted to main tourist hotspots. Plenty of families holiday in Thailand without ever seeing this side of the land of smiles and instead enjoy mixing with the millions of Thais who work elsewhere.

It's up to you!

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Comments Sort by : newest | oldest

  1. Patrick says

    November 13, 2023 at 10:24 am

    I have been to Thailand quite a few times and always enjoyed myself there . I love the Thai women and i have found , that you can meet a lot of different free thinking open minded women , even if you dont go to the girly or go go bars . As long as you are nice to them and treat them with respect ( and buy them a few drinks) you are bound to have a really good time . Also as i like playing pool and billiards i have found that bar girls are quite adept at playing as well . Just watch out for the hustle from the really skilful players
    Reply

    Nov 13, 2023 at 10:24 am

  2. thomas stalnaker says

    April 24, 2023 at 5:01 pm

    women worldwide demand my body my choice consideration one woman may enjoy her trade while another may think it disgusting as long as there are peaches on the shelf there will be a buyer. it degrades no one we all make our own choices in life.
    Reply

    Apr 24, 2023 at 5:01 pm

  3. Thomas says

    April 23, 2023 at 12:04 pm

    This trade is worldwide and is the oldest profession known to have ever been implemented there is no shame in this trade of consenting adults I do say adults 2 people of legal age making a transaction man has been trapped by the appeal of woman since created. It just so happens some females and males find it less burdensome to trade sex as a form of work and justifiably may be very good for the sexually addicted as a outlet to achieve the desired release than forceing a unwilling wife or other person I hold a doctorate of human welfare and fully support prostitution and fancy bar girls to any man or woman of any legal age
    Reply

    Apr 23, 2023 at 12:04 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      April 24, 2023 at 4:53 pm

      Valid points, but the problem is, particularly in Thailand and other second and third world countries, that prostitution is inherently linked to poverty and lack of opportunity. If one looks at the demographics of prostitution in Thailand there is a clear trend: A young woman from a rural area, with not more than a high school education of a low standard. Married off young to the first boy she is caught cavorting with. Has one or two kids very young. Immature husband neglects her and the kids, usually drinking, gambling, cheating, etc. She then finds herself alone with kids to support and a lack of state support or opportunity. Her choices are then very limited. A factory or farming-related job is barely enough to support one....and so the story unfolds from here, in a number of different guises. The cold, hard fact is that better education, state support and opportunity would see far fewer women end up working in the sex industry. Indeed, no young girl ever dreams of growing up to be a piece of meat in Pattaya or elsewhere. It isn't black and white, but prostitution is ethically problematic, especially in countries like Thailand. Have you read this piece I wrote a while back: https://www.thethailandlife.com/thai-bar-girls . And this may interest you: https://www.thethailandlife.com/prostitution-thailand
      Reply

      Apr 24, 2023 at 4:53 pm

      • Enjoyed Nana with eyes open says

        November 14, 2023 at 1:17 am

        Well said Peter. " We all make our own choices in life ", a quote from an individual born to a more comfortable status me thinks.
        Reply

        Nov 14, 2023 at 1:17 am

    • Jim says

      June 5, 2023 at 8:36 am

      I don't think anybody needs to be ashamed or apologize for anything dicussed here.
      Either join the discussion fruitfully or do not feel compelled to offer shame as it is a useless perspective respectfully!
      If you experience the high society perspective then you will find a different viewpoint entirely.
      Education and poverty are not the consideration or link here at all.
      Even everyday professional women use the sex scene such as Pattaya on weekends to find release, sex or even a life partner.
      Some women have financial security already but want a man who is loyal and appreciates them and does not think of having a mistress to make them feel like a bigshot.
      There is just so much more to this but I do not disregard the trafficking of human lives and think it is terrible.
      My last post was for M respectfully
      Reply

      Jun 05, 2023 at 8:36 am

      • BRUCE SPILLER says

        September 29, 2023 at 12:49 am

        HI I AM WIDORDER WENT TO THAILAND 45 YEARS AGO. AND THINKING OF GOing AGAIN. TO FIND A NICE LADY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LETTER. Kind regards BRUCE.
        Reply

        Sep 29, 2023 at 12:49 am

  4. M says

    April 21, 2023 at 10:21 am

    You should all be ashamed of yourselves. This is not honoring Thai women and many other migrant workers in Thailand at all. A bunch of men chatting about having sex with minors and women who are WAY younger than them. No wonder Thailand is known for sex trafficking. You're paying into it, regardless of if they're "of age" or not. Control your lustful behaviors. Sex was never intended to be discarded and exploited, but because of the Fall of man, here we are, paying for satisfaction and "no strings attached". These are real women. And protect your own selves, too, you were created with dignity and purpose, and its about time you all stepped up.
    Reply

    Apr 21, 2023 at 10:21 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      April 21, 2023 at 4:09 pm

      Hi M, this article is a documentation of the way the nightlife industry works. I am not condoning or condemning any particular behaviour. You might be interested in reading my latest article on the history of prostitution in Thailand and its impact on society. https://www.thethailandlife.com/prostitution-thailand
      Reply

      Apr 21, 2023 at 4:09 pm

    • Jim says

      June 5, 2023 at 8:15 am

      I don't think anybody needs to be ashamed or apologize for anything dicussed here.
      Either join the discussion fruitfully or do not feel compelled to offer shame as it is a useless perspective.
      Reply

      Jun 05, 2023 at 8:15 am

  5. BRUCE SPILLER says

    April 5, 2023 at 2:40 am

    Hi Peter. Thank you for all your emails. I'm coming to Thailand for a holiday, looking for lady. If I stay 2 weeks, can I stay 1 more week if I please? Coffee on the way. Bruce.
    Reply

    Apr 05, 2023 at 2:40 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      April 5, 2023 at 6:25 pm

      Hi Bruce, you will be given a 30-day stay on arrival, so you will be able to comfortably stay for 3 weeks.
      Reply

      Apr 05, 2023 at 6:25 pm

    • BRUCE says

      May 20, 2023 at 5:38 pm

      HOW DO I SEND YOU A COFFEE.
      Reply

      May 20, 2023 at 5:38 pm

      • TheThailandLife says

        May 22, 2023 at 12:07 am

        Hi Bruce, you can do that here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/thethailandlife thank you so much!
        Reply

        May 22, 2023 at 12:07 am

  6. Stevo says

    April 4, 2023 at 11:18 am

    I don't know how people can write so comprehensive report and get one huge and well known fact wrong. 18 year old girls "women" can not work in bars as bar girls, the age but since bar girls drink they be 20 in Thailand to enter areas to start work. With most areas a having police check. You might find 18 or 19 year olds freelancing out the street but never in bar unless they doing it illegally.
    Reply

    Apr 04, 2023 at 11:18 am

    • TheThailandLife says

      April 4, 2023 at 4:03 pm

      Indeed, you are correct. My apologies. One does occasionally make an error when writing and publishing so many articles. But it's great to have the community on board to spot those when they do occur.
      Reply

      Apr 04, 2023 at 4:03 pm

  7. BRUCE says

    May 11, 2022 at 4:49 pm

    THANKS FOR THAT. HAPPY WANDERER. BRUCE.
    Reply

    May 11, 2022 at 4:49 pm

  8. David says

    May 9, 2022 at 11:00 pm

    Excellent piece.

    Haven't ventured to the entertainment area's in yrs., although Patpong seemed to have the more aggressive hawkers from what I remember. And still have my prized beer coaster from Tilac bar (Soi Cowboy).

    Generally hang out at the various beer bars on Soi 22 Sukhumvit, although former spots like Washington Square and Queens Park Plaza are sadly now history. Know the owner of Am's Bar, so usually drop by for a game of pool and some pints here (Soi 22), Bar fine info. is up front and I usually have no problem buying at least one lady drink when I'm there.
    Reply

    May 09, 2022 at 11:00 pm

    • TheThailandLife says

      May 10, 2022 at 4:10 pm

      Thanks David. I used to play pool at Gulliver’s Tavern n Soi 5. That's a nice bar to meet a friend for a game and a drink. Spacious with plenty of seating.
      Reply

      May 10, 2022 at 4:10 pm

  9. Rob says

    April 27, 2022 at 1:09 am

    Thanks for the update on the travel restrictions Peter. I particularly enjoyed your rundown of the Thai nightlife. Straight forward and to the point. I wish I had instructions like that available to read before my first visit in the early 1990's. I had to learn the hard way.

    I normally come for a holiday in Thailand once or twice a year but it all stopped with the Covid. Looking forward to coming back soon with the more sensible restrictions. Cheers from Cape Town.
    Reply

    Apr 27, 2022 at 1:09 am

  10. BRUCE says

    April 23, 2022 at 4:04 pm

    HI IM BRUCE. 83IN MAY. FIT. WIDOWED. LOOKING FOR GIRL FRIEND IN THAILAND. BECAUSE OF MY AGE. WHAT AGE SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR. MY WIFE OF 35 years. WAS 20 YEARS YOUNGER THAN ME, AND VERY BEAUTIFUL.
    Reply

    Apr 23, 2022 at 4:04 pm

    • Happy wanderer says

      April 27, 2022 at 5:37 pm

      Have some fun. Don't get attached. Any age you wish to embarrass yourself with. I was widowed after 20 years. Had a great time after waiting a year after she died. Be polite and generous. Most of the girls will treat you right.
      Reply

      Apr 27, 2022 at 5:37 pm

      • BRUCE says

        February 3, 2023 at 4:15 am

        THANK YOU. FOR THAT. BRUCE.
        Reply

        Feb 03, 2023 at 4:15 am

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