The infamous Thai lady boys and the Red Light District

The following blog is rated "R-Restricted" for sexual content. This is not for everyone... consider this a warning.

Non-sexual massage parlors are literally on every street corner in Bangkok. I desired to try my first Thai massage and with a million choices, I consulted my handy travel guide for a good recommendation. Upon arrival of the corner shop, i was greeted at the door by a pretty "girl" dressed in a nice dress, who asked "Would you like massage?" in a high pitched masculine/ feminine voice. Something was a bit funny, and signaled a mental "red flag". Granted, both Thai men and women speak in a higher pitched voice... but this individual caused me to be suspicious. Upon closer inspection came the realization that this was my first (of many to come) encounters with a Thai lady boy.

So there i stood, with guidebook in hand and still a bit stunned while the greeter waits for a response. I envision the full body massage and quickly did a 180 degree turn.
Bangkok is the transvestite and transexual capital of the world. Encountering "lady boys", as they are commonly called, is quite common. Not only do they work in prostitution and in the go-go bars, but also commonly assimiliate into normal society as well. The receptionist at my internet cafe was a lady boy. I visited many restaurants where lady boys were waiters or hostesses. (Interestingly, they usually provide great service compared to others.) Yes they tend to be a bit flamboyant and escentric, but dont openly hit on you.

Except on one occasion... Im in the 7-Eleven gtting a drink and 2 lady boys come in dressed in their Friday night best outfits, high heels, lip stick, done hair, accessories, the works. All done up and ready for a proper night on the town. The second i enter the 7-eleven, these two wont stop gazing at me, eying me up and down. (Keep laughing Geneva friends.. especially in light of my past encounters!) As timing had it, I got in line behind them where i received some high pitched "hellos", pucked lips, and gentle touches on my arms. I avoided eye contact and interaction but couldnt stop laughing to myself. It was all too amusing. In hindsight, I should have asked to have my picture with them... that would have been hilarious!

Latter in the day I decided to experience Bangkok's infamous red light district. In the past, I've read a lot about this scene- not from travel guidebooks, but rather from various human rights books on the subject of sexual trafficking of women and children (one form of modern day slavery). I found the red light district both enticing and depressing. One of the beauties of Bangkok is that one can find any product or service under the sun for very cheap. Same is true for the sex industry there... whatever your heart desires- and i mean anything- it is easily available and cheap.

In the red light district I did not expect to see very beautiful, fit, women - all of whom were for sale. It was sad to know that most of these girls were likely doing this against their will- most likely they do not have a choice. Many are bonded servants working off a debt of one form or another... often which are impossible to pay off without years and years of working. They are also easily disposable if and when they are no longer useful. It is all part of a very sophisicated, organized and very profitable industry that exploits their bodies. Economics dictates that with less demand, less "supply" will result. So, i kept walking, dodging the numerous overtly verbal salesmen on the street.

Afterwards, i made my way to the other side of town to a hole-in-the-wall blues bar for some live local music. As I sat down and order a drink I overhead the middle of a conversation at the table next to me (I kid you not!!). (Again, I offer a friendly forewarning that this is R-rated, and only recommend my guy friends and brothers to read further for a twisted good laugh.) I decided to tone down some of the language.

Austrailian guy, early 30s, speaking in a strong Aussie accent to a girl next to him:
"... yeah, I just come back from one of the islands. One night I was partying with my mates and I start up a conversation with this beautiful, and i mean drop dead gorgeous woman. I have not seen a woman this beautiful in a long time... nice body in all. After some drinks and talking i ask if she wants to come back to my place. She agrees and upon arrival we start making out. Things get heavy and she takes off her shirt. I was like... she's got a nice chest. Then she asks if i want a blow job. Of course! and she proceeds to give me a blow job and finishes me off... you know what i mean. Then we make out more and she says she wants to have sex. Cool... and she takes off her dress..... (long pause).... and I look down... and she had a dick!! ....yes, she had a dick and i just had a blow job. (long pause, terrified look on his face)... and i freaked out... I mean, i really freaked out and panicked. I yelled so loud that the girl/guy ran out of my place and i started pacing back in forth in horror. I didnt know what to do but i had to talk to somebody. So i called my mother and i said, "mom, i just got a blow job from a dude and im freaking out." .......

(then i missed the rest of the conversation as the band starting playing). Hope those of you who read found this blog entertaining- its a bit off color, but funny in a twisted sort of way.