Has the curtain been pulled back or do we live in a time where we are no longer shocked but engaged by what were once taboo areas of cities? We have just come back from Bangkok, a city known for redlight districts, strip bars and prostitutes.
Bangkok is a hot and steamy city normally, but once the sun goes down, people and couples head out for drinks and a bit of fun in many areas of Bangkok. One such area is Soi Cowboy near the Terminal 21 shopping centre at Asok.
Soi Cowboy is a street lined with neon strip clubs and bars serving overpriced alcohol and blasting loud music. It’s not overly long at around 150 meters, making it easy to check out. Standing out the front of these establishments you will find women of all shapes and sizes wearing near nothing to entice people to pay for a dance at the least and sometimes more.
Like all people, these types of streets and areas hold a bit of mystery about them. There were young people, midlife couples and older men enjoying the goings-on at Soi Cowboy. Depending on your attitude, you can be shocked or you can embrace the experience a red light district brings and enjoy the people watching and a few drinks.
We spent a night in Soi Cowboy
This is the attitude that Bec and I landed on when we strolled into Soi Cowboy around 8 pm one hot Bangkok night. We took a seat at the Penny Black Asok Bar, grabbed a couple of cold drinks and sussed out the vibe of the place.
Along with the people, there were girls of all ages and sizes standing out the front of strip bars trying to entice customers to part with their money. Many people may have the image of redlight districts such as Soi Cowboy being a seedy place full of sleazy men looking for cheap thrills. In reality, it couldn’t be further from the truth.
What we saw in Soi Cowboy amazed us. No, I am not talking about the girls or ladyboys — and there were plenty of them. What I am talking about is the number of families we saw walking through Soi Cowboy. This wasn’t early evening, this was later between 9 and 10 pm when most kids would be home in bed. Having travelled with our kids for a long time it had me thinking — would I have walked our young kids through a red-light district?
I know popular redlight districts like Amsterdam’s De Wallen, Hamburg’s Reeperbahn or P Burgos Street in Manila. It seems traditional red light districts are increasingly being marketed as must-see destinations and are considered tourist attractions. When doing some research for this article I read that plenty of people had been there with their parents as kids, and walked past the shop windows with girls in them. Amsterdam’s redlight district is known worldwide and has been famous for many years.
By no means am I here to judge what any other parents do as we are all different and have different attitudes about kids seeing ladies parade around in lingerie on the streets, or people smoking marijuana. I guess a lot of it comes down to our views and the societal views we were brought up in.
I know Europe and the Netherlands’ views on sex are more liberal than in many places, but in today’s age, the whole world’s view towards these types of things is becoming more liberal thanks to many things, including social media. There is a broader global shift in how society views these once-forbidden zones.
Yes, I do think redlight districts are becoming more mainstream. People are curious and sex sells, so when you put these things together, redlight districts are a money maker. One thing the more mainstream appeal brings is a safer and more visible area for the workers. If you choose to bring your kids along, that’s your choice, but I am one father who wouldn’t have wanted to have the discussions about what I had seen with my daughters when they were little.
We’ve been giving straight-up travel advice for midlife couples for over 26 years. Take a look at the story behind Street Eats & Window Seats — and for more from our Thailand travels, head to our Thailand guide.
What is Soi Cowboy in Bangkok?
Soi Cowboy is a short street in the Asok area of Bangkok, near Terminal 21 shopping centre. It is one of Bangkok’s most well-known red light districts, lined with neon-lit strip clubs and bars. It is around 150 metres long and easy to walk end to end. Despite its reputation, it attracts a wide range of visitors including tourists, couples and even families.
Is Soi Cowboy safe for tourists?
Yes — Soi Cowboy is generally safe for tourists. It is a busy, well-lit and well-trafficked area. The usual precautions apply — be aware of your belongings and avoid getting into situations you are uncomfortable with. As a couple we walked through and spent time there without any issues.
Can couples visit Soi Cowboy in Bangkok?
Absolutely. Soi Cowboy is not just for solo men — we visited as a couple and found it an interesting and entertaining area to spend an evening. Grab a drink at one of the bars, watch the people and take in the atmosphere. It is a side of Bangkok that many tourists visit out of curiosity.
What is the best bar in Soi Cowboy?
We spent our evening at the Penny Black Asok Bar which had live music and a good atmosphere. It is one of the more relaxed options on the street and a good place to sit, have a drink and watch the activity outside without feeling pressured.
Are red light districts becoming tourist attractions?
Increasingly yes. Areas like Soi Cowboy in Bangkok, De Wallen in Amsterdam and P Burgos Street in Manila are all marketed as must-see local experiences. The mainstream appeal has in many ways made these areas safer and more visible. Whether you visit is entirely a personal choice.
