I’m not really sure how to approach writing this post, but it’s something I wanted to get down on (e)paper, so I’m going to try. First off, I’ve never really been one for the whole bargirl scene; there’s just something about my psyche that isn’t turned on by paying for sex. I’m not judging people who do, but it’s just never been my thing, and let’s just leave it at that. At any rate, Bangkok being the city it is, with the plethora of adult entertainment it has, if you’re a guy, you will inevitably find yourself looking at gyrating naked girls on a stage at some point in your time here. I found myself in just such a place the other night and was frankly surprised at how unlike the stereotypical titty bar the place was – in some respects, anyway.

Many people unfamiliar with the extremely complex and nuanced way that prostitution ‘fits’ into Thai culture think that Bangkok’s three main red-light districts (Cowboy, Nana, Pat Pong – the rest are much more subtle and don’t cater to foreigners) are nothing more than thousands of sad men staring at half-naked girls on stage as they shuffle around waiting for a bit of money in exchange for some ‘boom boom’.

Well, actually, that’s a pretty good description. Not sure where I was going with that… let me try again.

I was surprised the other night when I found myself at one of these places that I rarely frequent and saw something that was… well, ‘classy’ might be too strong a word, but it certainly wasn’t the sleaze you so often see.

Two girls came out, gyrating in time to a funky Sarah Brightman techno remix, each wrapped shoulders-to-ankles in what must have been 10 meters of muslin cloth, and proceeded to unwrap it so that it formed a kind of wall around the stage area. Four more girls then came out, dressed in intricate Indian/Thai outfits, and proceeded to do a fully-choreographed dance to the song. About halfway through, a similarly dressed ladyboy came out, towering over the other girls, and led them through the rest of the song.

Admittedly, the girls were topless (not the ladyboy, whew) and sex was all around us like hot and cold running water, but I was nonetheless surprised. The bar could have simply just let their girls dance and flirt with guys, but they went to a considerable amount of trouble to buy the material and costumes, choose the music, choreograph a dance and get a ladyboy in to a straight bar to participate in the show.

I know it’s a small consideration, but it made me realize that not all of the places are skeezy halls of filth akin to Mos Eisley. Granted, most are, but… it just goes to show that even when you go to see something that’s ingrained in Bangkok’s DNA, there’s still some room for surprises.

Taken in secret with my phone in your average Bangkok girlie bar. This unimaginative scene is what many bars are happy to have, but at this bar, it was broken up by an interesting - yet still erotic, natch - dance show. Granted, it's not a huge departure from the norm, but at least they're trying something new!

Taken in secret with my phone in your average Bangkok girlie bar. This unimaginative scene is what many bars are happy to have, but at this bar, it was broken up by an interesting – yet still erotic, natch – dance show. Granted, it’s not a huge departure from the norm, but at least they’re trying something new!