Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Over the last few years,
gà·teu·i
(transgender, also spelt
kathoey
) cabaret has emerged to
become a staple of the Bangkok tourist circuit.
Calypso Bangkok
(
0 2688 1415;
www.calypsocabaret.com
; Asiatique, Soi 72-76, Th Charoen Krung; admission 1200B;
show times 8.15pm &
shuttle ferry from Tha Sathon (Central Pier))
,
Mambo Cabaret
(
9.45pm;
0 2294 7381;
www.mambocabaret.com
;
59/28 Yannawa Tat Mai; tickets 800-1000B;
show times 7.15pm & 8.30pm;
Chong
www.playhousethailand.com
; basement, Asia Hotel, 296 Th Phayathai; 1200B; show times 8.15pm & 9.45pm;
Ratchathewi exit 1)
host choreographed stage shows featuring Broadway high kicks and lip-
synched pop tunes by the most well-endowed dudes you'll find anywhere.
Go-Go Bars
Although technically illegal, prostitution is fully 'out' in Bangkok, and the influence of
organised crime and healthy kickbacks mean that it will be a long while before the exist-
ing laws are ever enforced. Yet, despite the image presented by much of the Western me-
dia, the underlying atmosphere of Bangkok's red-light districts is not necessarily one of il-
licitness and exploitation (although these do inevitably exist), but rather an aura of tacki-
ness and boredom. See
Click here
for background on Thailand's sex industry.
Daeng exit 1)
, arguably one of the world's most famous red-light districts, earned its notori-
ety during the 1980s for its wild sex shows involving everything from ping-pong balls to
razors to midgets on motorbikes. Today it is more of a circus for curious spectators than
sexual deviants; see the boxed text below for more on the history of this street. These
4pm-2am;
Sukhumvit exit 2,
Nana exit 2)
are the real scenes of sex for hire.
(Nana Tai), Th Sukhumvit;
4pm-2am;
