Getting Around Bangkok's Red Light Districts

A lot of guys who want to travel to Bangkok to experience the nightlife scenes can feel a little intimidated upon entering a country where the language and faces look completely different then their own.

It's only normal to feel that way. But it's safe to say if you can read and speak English then you have nothing to worry at all when you're traveling around Bangkok, especially when you want to pay a visit all three of Bangkok's wild red light districts.

The names of the red light districts are Paptong, Nana and Soi Cowboy.

Patpong is suitable for females visitors because the area has been commercialized. It was even officially deemed as a "Entertainment Zone" by the Thai government back in 2004. So you'll find lots of shops selling legitimate and illegitimate brand name merchandise and tourist trinkets right next to the neon lit go go bars. Sometimes you'll even find couples with young children and grand parents strolling through Patpong, gawking and looking curiously at Thai bar ladies twirling seductively around a stripper pole.

Nana and Soi Cowboy on the other hand are geared more towards the male gender and thus raunchier in most aspects so it attracts male visitors more so. There's too much info about Bangkok's red light districts to write about here so I included some great links which you'll find below.

However I do get asked a lot about which red light district someone should stay next to and my answer is always in the area of Nana's red light district. Why? Because Nana has the most girl friendly hotels in the area. Let's face it. Most men visit Bangkok's red light districts because that's where sex is for sale. So undoubtedly men will take the females or whoever they meet in the go go bars back to their hotels rooms.

Hotels that are girl friendly in Bangkok do not charge joiner fees and it's a good thing since these fees range from 500THB to 1000THB, depending on the hotel's policy.

But enough about that, you can find a list here at Bangkok Guest Friendly Hotels for accommodation choices that don't charge joiner fees.

Bangkok has two incredibly efficient train systems. It's not a vast network like most major cities, but the trains here will take you to all of the red light districts in Bangkok easily.

The first train system is called the Bangkok Transit System or BTS and it's a two way elevated train system that glides above several major streets which gives the BTS the name "Sky Train".

The second train system runs under the streets of Bangkok called Mass Rapid Transit, or MRT for short.

Make sure you follow the train station maps as there are multiple exits to different parts of the area. I already did the work of listing the closest stairway exits leading you to the red light districts.

Here are the train stops and directions to Bangkok's 3 Red Light Districts:

• Patpong - BTS Station Sala Daeng (S2) and use stairway exit #1. If you choose to use MRT then get off at Silom station and use exit #2.
• Nana - BTS station Nana (E3) and be sure to use stair exit #2 or else you'll be making quite a walk back. There are no MRT stations nearby.
• Soi Cowboy - BTS station Asok (E4) and use the escalators at exit #1. If you choose to use the MRT then get off at Sukhumvit station and use exit #4.

Trains arrive frequently during off hours and during rush hours it can get quite packed full of people especially at some stations. You should keep in mind that the BTS and MRT operate between 6am to 12am everyday. Since all of the red light districts close at around 1am or 2am you won't be able to use the trains at all. But there are alternate travel options which you'll read about below.

Bangkok's taxis are as colorful and varied as an ice cream store. In most instances it's cheaper to ride a taxi too than it is to eat ice cream at a posh ice cream shop in Bangkok's pricey department stores.

The initial cost of a taxi ride is 35THB ($1US) which includes 2km. Every subsequent km cost 5THB (.15¢). Yes riding a taxi in Bangkok is cheap but when you're stuck in traffic during rush hour it's no fun at all. Taxi drivers rarely speak other languages but they will understand Patpong, Nana and Soi Cowboy easily.

Taxis are especially a great bargain when you travel with at least 4 people, even cheaper then taking the BTS and MRT.

There are thousands of taxis in Bangkok and are very easy to find. Except when it rains. It seems like everyone in Bangkok hails a taxi just to get away from the rain.

If you notice that the driver hasn't turned on the meter upon entering the taxi just say "Meter" and they'll understand you. If you they don't or try to negotiate a fare just get out when you get the chance.

Tuk Tuk's are one of the most well known 3 wheeled vehicles in Thailand. You'll often see the drivers weaving around cars and buses stuck in traffic.

Personally it's not my favorite way to get to and around the red light districts. For one thing tuk tuk drivers like and want to charge foreigners more. And why bargain with someone like that? Besides taking a taxi is cheaper, air conditioned and you'll spare your lungs from the car pollution.

I only recommend taking a tuk tuk just for fun and the experience.

Hiring a motobike taxi is my favorite way to zip around Bangkok because sometimes it's just too hot to walk around. The cost is cheap and makes a lot of sense for traveling between Nana and Soi Cowboy red light districts because they're close to each other. It cost me 20THB to 30THB. Some motobike taxis might try to charge you more. Just find another, there are plenty around

I wouldn't recommend using a motobike taxi to get from those two red light districts to Patpong as it's a bit further away. However, motobikes are great to get you to any of the red light districts assuming your hotel is nearby.

Motobike taxis can be found along the corners of streets. You'll see a group of guys wearing orange vest lounging next to their motobikes. Technically you have to wear a helmet, but it's optional as you'll see plenty of Thai people on motobikes without helmets too.