Patpong is an entertainment district in Bangkok's Bang Rak District, Thailand, catering mainly, though not exclusively, to foreign tourists and expatriates. While Patpong is internationally known as a red light district at the heart of Bangkok's sex industry, it is in fact only one of several red-light districts with some catering primarily to Thai men while others, like Patpong, cater primarily to foreigners.
Pattaya is a city in Eastern Thailand, the second-largest city in Chonburi province and the eighth-largest city in Thailand. It is on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand, about 100 kilometres (62 mi) southeast of Bangkok, and has a population of 328,961 as of 2021.
Soi Cowboy is a short street (soi) in Bangkok, Thailand, with some 40 establishments, mostly go-go bars. It caters mainly to tourists and expatriates. Soi Cowboy contains one of the three largest groups of foreign-oriented bars in Bangkok, the other two being Patpong and Soi Nana Tai.
Nana Plaza is an entertainment complex and red-light district in Bangkok, Thailand. Originally built as a shopping center, Nana Plaza occupies a three-story commercial building in the Khlong Toei District of Bangkok about 300 metres (330 yd) from the BTS Skytrain's Nana Station. It describes itself as the "worlds largest adult playground". Its name originates from the influential, property-holding Nana family, Lek Nana being the most prominent member.
A go-go bar is a type of business establishment where alcoholic drink is sold and dancers provide entertainment. The term go-go bar originally referred to a nightclub, bar, or similar establishment that featured go-go dancers; while some go-go bars in that original sense still exist, the link between its present uses and that original meaning is often more tenuous and regional. Speaking broadly, the term has been used by venues that cover a wide range of businesses, from nightclubs or discotheques, where dancers are essentially there to set the mood, to what are in essence burlesque theaters or strip clubs, where dancers are part of a show and the primary focus.
Sin City is a nickname that may be applied to an urban area that caters to various vices. These vices may be legal or illegal activities which are tolerated.
Watthana or Vadhana is one of the 50 districts (khet) of Bangkok, Thailand. Neighbouring districts are : Ratchathewi, Huai Khwang, Suan Luang, Phra Khanong, Khlong Toei, and Pathum Wan.
Parinya Charoenphol, nicknamed Toom, also known by the stage name Parinya Kiatbusaba and the colloquial name Nong Toom or Nong Tum, is a Thai boxer, former muay Thai champion, model and actress. She is a kathoey (ladyboy), a Thai word referring to what is often considered a distinct gender in Thailand and elsewhere generally considered to be gender-nonconforming men or transgender women. At the age of 18, she underwent sex reassignment surgery.
A motorcycle taxi, or cart bike or bike taxi, is a licensed form of transport in some countries. The taxi typically carries one passenger, who "rides pillion" behind the motorcycle operator. Multiple passengers are common in some countries.
Tourism is an economic contributor to the Kingdom of Thailand. Estimates of tourism revenue directly contributing to the GDP of 12 trillion baht range from one trillion baht (2013) 2.53 trillion baht (2016), the equivalent of 9% to 17.7% of GDP. When including indirect travel and tourism receipts, the 2014 total is estimated to be the equivalent of 19.3% of Thailand's GDP. According to the secretary-general of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council in 2019, projections indicate the tourism sector will account for 30% of GDP by 2030, up from 20% in 2019, Thailand expects to receive 80 million visitors in 2027.
Jomtien or Jomtien Beach is a town on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand about 165 km south-east of Bangkok in Bang Lamung District, Chonburi Province. It is about 3 km south of Pattaya and is home to high-rise condominiums, beach side hotels, beaches, and restaurants.
Kathoey or katoey, commonly translated as ladyboy in English, is a term used by some people in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, whose identities in English may be best described as transgender women in some cases, or effeminate gay men in other cases. These people are not traditionally transgender, but are seen as a third sex. Transgender women in Thailand mostly use terms other than kathoey when referring to themselves, such as phuying. A significant number of Thai people perceive kathoey as belonging to a separate sex, including some transgender women themselves.
Terminal 21 is a chain of mixed-use complexes with 4 locations in Thailand; Asok and Rama III in Bangkok, Korat, and Pattaya. The first location was opened in October 2011, located on Sukhumvit Road, by the Asoke intersection, in Watthana District of Bangkok, Thailand. The second location, Terminal 21 Korat, was opened in December 2016 and is located on Mittraphap Road in Nakhon Ratchasima Province. Terminal 21 Pattaya was opened in October 2018 and is located in Pattaya District of Chonburi Province. There is a proposal for Terminal 21 Rama III to be built by the Chao Phraya river in the Rama III neighbourhood of Yannawa District in Bangkok. On October 20, 2022, Terminal 21 Rama III officially opened.
Sunee Plaza is an area in Pattaya known for gay nightlife. It is just off Soi V.C., which intersects Second Road in south Pattaya. It is built around two parallel streets, with a cross-linking street. All the buildings in the plaza are owned by Madame Sunee, a Thai national, and are leased to the various businesses. In the past, Sunee Plaza had been referred to as "the heart of the extreme city."; however in recent years, the Plaza hosts only a few bars. As of 2019, Most of the gay life in Pattaya has now relocated to Jomtien Complex.
Boyztown, formerly Boystown, is a gay red-light district in Pattaya, Thailand. It is located in Pattayaland Soi 3, between Soi 13/4 and 13/5. Established in the 1980s, it reached its height in prominence in the 1990s and 2000s, before declining in the 2010s and 2020s.
Soi Pratuchai was walkway ("soi") in the Bangrak district of Bangkok, Thailand known for being a gay-related entertainment district, catering mainly, though not exclusively, to foreign tourists and expatriates. While Soi Pratuchai was internationally known as a red light district for gays at the heart of Bangkok's sex industry, the city in fact has numerous gay-related red-light districts that are far more popular with Thai.
In Thailand, one can find several different gender roles, identities and diverse visual markers of masculinity and femininity. Beyond the traditional male and female roles, there are categories for individuals who are gender non-conforming, whether in looks or behavior. These are generally regarded as sub-types of each sex, rather than a distinct gender identity, and correlate strongly with homosexuality. Demand and support for positive self-identity is growing in Thailand.
Miss Tiffany's Universe —now known as Miss Tiffany—is a beauty pageant for Thai transgender women in Pattaya, Thailand, which has taken place annually since 1998. The winner represents Thailand at Miss International Queen pageant.
Walking Street is an entertainment and red-light district in the city of Pattaya, Thailand. The street is a tourist attraction which draws both foreigners and Thai nationals primarily for its night life. The Walking Street area includes seafood restaurants, live music venues, beer bars, discothèques, sports bars, go-go bars, nightclubs and hotels. Tourists are able to watch a variety of sex shows.
Calypso Cabaret is a Thai transgender cabaret. It is performed at the open-air mall Asiatique in Bangkok. Calypso Cabaret was founded in 1988 in a renovated movie theater on Sukhumvit Road. It relocated to the Ambassador Hotel theater in 1992 and later to Asia Hotel on Phaya Thai Road. It moved in 2012 to its current location, Asiatique on Charoen Krung Road. The show's director is German television actor Hans Hoenicke. According to The Nation, the company has achieved "international fame stardom" through consistently being called a "must do experience" in travel blogs, periodicals, and travel guides.
