Patpong
Bangkok: Classic nightlife since the
Vietnam War
Owned by the Chinese-Thai
Patpongpanich family, Patpong has been reputable since the
Vietnam War for its 200+ go-go bars and the naughty
nightlife. Still, Patpong has
more to offer besides its classic
trademarks. It has
countless classy bars, a huge night
market, and a vibrant nightlife.
Further, it is one of Bangkok's most
popular hotspots for Songkran
water festival and the Mardi Gras.
Rest on a piece of land
rated as the most expensive in
Thailand, Patpong is in Bangkok's
safety zone monitored by
surveillance cameras. Before exploring
this area, you
should know which business lies in
which Soi (alley) otherwise you may
end up in a totally different
world. (Can be shocking if you
travel with children or you're a
macho man ending up in a gay alley.)
Patpong 1, branching out from Silom
road, is a small alley with a high
concentration of go-go bars.
Note that some go-go dancers are
lady-boys. They may look so
real that you have to look at their
Adam's apple or male-shaped feet in
order to figure their true
sex. These lady-boys are
called "Kathoey"
(transvestites) among the Thais but
known among the dancers themselves
as "Nang Fah"
(angel.) Also in Patpong 1 is
the night market (bazaar,) stuffed
with street vendors carrying
clothes, handbags, Thai
handicrafts and souvenirs, CDs, DVDs
(bootlegged), and fake designer
labels, etc. Nearby in Silom Soi 2, Soi Pratuchai,
and Soi Tantawan are mainly the red
light districts or gay bars and
pubs. Silom Soi 4 are
bars and pubs mobbed by young adults and
corporate people. This part of
Patpong is mainly crowded on Fridays
and Saturdays.
Patpong is a footstep for other naughty nightlife
in Bangkok to follow
like Thaniya,
Soi Cowboy and Soi Nana. Also,
Patpong
night market is said to be
a model for Suanlum
Night Bazaar, Bangkok's night
time Chatuchak
Market.
Hours: Recommended 9 pm-12 am, daily
Map
of Patpong Bangkok
BTS Skytrain: Sala Daeng (S2) Exits
1, 3
MRT Subway: Si Lom Exit 2 (from the
exit, cross the bridge to Silom
road)
Rating 4/5
Review
Patpong is no longer just the
nightlife of Bangkok. There
are pubs, restaurants, gay bars, and
a night market. If you're here
for the go-go bars, Patpong is among
the leaders. If you're gay,
the red light district here is also
Bangkok's hot spot. If you're
a shopper, the night market is one
of the oldest in the city. All
in all, Patpong is still most known
for the go-go bars.
Due to the naughty nightlife,
Patpong may not be suitable for
strict travelers with
children. (Despite children with
their parents can be seen here.)
Yet you can take your children to Silom street market (which
adjoins Patpong night
market.) If Patpong isn't for
you but you still want to night
shop, there's Suanlum Night
Bazaar,
carrying similar types of goods, but
bigger and cozier.
Patpong is ideal for
-Go-go bar visitors 5/5
-Party people 5/5
-Gays 4.5/5
-Shoppers 4/5
Reviewer Chai
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