On my recent visit to Thailand I visited Pattaya, against the recommendation of many of my Thai friends. After checking into my hotel, I decided to take a walk and have a drink. As I was sitting there, among bargirls, ladyboys, and others of uncertain gender, I had the same initial feelings that most people probably have on their visit to Pattaya - this is really sleezy. But during my second drink I started to think. In many ways, isn't this more honest than some other relationships? We all know of a relationship where the love is long gone (or never there in the first place), but the man pretends to love the woman because she is pretty on his arm or meets his physical needs, and the woman pretends to love the man because he provides financial security for her. Is there something to be said for the brutal honesty of Pattaya? I saw many men, overweight, balding, probably not rich, socially awkward, who would have no chance of getting affection from an attractive woman in the West. There are some women who have financial obligations and limited options  Maybe there is a brutal honesty to these relationships and we shouldn't be so quick to criticize.

I realize there are side issues, child prostitution, forced labour etc. that come into play. But strictly from the standpoint of honesty, is there something wrong with two consenting adults reaching an understanding that meets their mutual needs? Maybe it is the "in your face" honesty that makes us feel so uncomfortable.

(For the record, I finished my drink and went back to my hotel room )

So after finishing your drinks you went straight back to your hotel room. Did you take honesty back with you without looking at anymore of Pattaya.....lolol?

uncertain gender....hehe

is there something wrong with two consenting adults reaching an understanding that meets their mutual needs? <<<

not much wrong with that IMO .... but for me pattaya is just too much in ur face !!!!

No, I didn't take honesty back with me. But maybe a little bit of wisdom. There is a time and place for everything, but that was not it.

have you been to Cowboy yet?

Wisdom is great she puts out for like 500 baht, no barfine. leaves you plenty of money for cheap alcohol...

i think, another side of Pattaya still have a good place too, not only bar, i went sailing with my friend last time, i forgot the name of this club but it's next to Royal Criff hotel.

I have not been to Soi Cowboy. I did hear a story that the actor Hugh Grant was filming a movie in Bkk and went to Soi Cowboy, where he was chased by some bar girls. But I think the truth is the opposite - he was chasing them.

I agree with the comment about another side of Pattaya. I have a friend there who lives just outside of Pattaya and drove me around the area - there are some really nice areas there. I can see why it became so popular. There needs to be some way to distinguish "Innner Pattaya" from "Outer Pattaya"

Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

THey filmed part of the new Hangover II movie at my friend's bar at Cowboy, and across from another friend's bar on Soi 7/1, and yes Clinton did make a cameo appearance in the movie there. Right in front of the Eden Club....lolol.