Pattaya is an interesting city. The areas closest to the beach are popular for sex tourism and all night partying while just 15 minutes off the main thoroughfares of Walking Street, Beach Road and Second Street you find quiet and tranquil communities far removed from the activity of the beach areas. The difference between the two areas is startling. During our stay in Pattaya I was exposed to both areas of the city.
My friend lives outside the city and spending time at his home was near meditative. Once we left my friend's house and moved closer to the beach area, I went into a state of near shock.
If you are easily offended, especially at the sight of men of varying ages walking with young Thai girls in hand...Pattaya is not the place for you. While I am not easily offended, I am easily affected. The exposure to the sex tourism I witnessed in Pattaya was an eye opening experience for me. Having seen the red light district of Amsterdam was no preparation for the reality of what goes on in Pattaya. I found the entire scene unsettling and tried to focus on the positive points I could take away from my time there.
While it was hard for me to believe that nearly every female or lady boy could be bought, I kept reminding myself this was a job for them and just hoped that they were willingly engaging in this activity and not being forced into the sex trade. I found myself reflecting on how fortunate I am to have been raised in a country where I can easily obtain an education and elevate myself through my mind instead of my body.
With the sex tourism business being so foreign to me, I used my time in Pattaya to dialogue with the locals and learn the logistics of the business. I received a crash course education in the different categories of girls, how they are obtained and the perception of foreigners and locals engaging in the activities. Having heard the phrase "me love you long time", as popularized by the movie Full Metal Jacket, my crash course in the sex tourism business taught me that "long time" is terminology referring to the purchase of a girl for overnight services. So as it turns out, someone can "love you short time" too, for a period of 3 hours if you want.
Maintaining normalcy amid the chaos of Pattaya is possible, as long as you put blinders on and remain grounded. Jon, his friend Jimmy (who came to visit for 10 days) and me found ourselves taking in the famous Thai body and foot massages on an almost daily basis. At the price of less then $10 dollars for a two hour package, this was a luxury not to be passed up during our stay.
We also ventured out to Koh Larn, an island of the coast of Pattaya for a two day respite. It was amazing to see the difference in culture resulting from just a 45 minute ferry ride away from Pattaya. Koh Larn is a small and quiet island with no presence of sex tourism. As it turned out, The Buddhist Temple on Koh Larn was holding a festival during our visit and we had the opportunity to participate in the party, dine on the local cuisine and mingle with the locals.
After an eye-opening week in Pattaya, the boys and I made our way to Vietnam...first stop Hanoi.
Jimmy and me enjoying our ride on the Bhat Bus that circles Beach Road and Second Street for a mere 10 Bhat ($0.34) per rider.
Jon and Jimmy enjoying a beer at one of our favorite dance clubs that played a wonderful assortment of hip hop music.
My favorite Mama Son, Tum, that I meet during my time in Pattaya. She ran a tight ship with her girls but was very open to answering questions about the sex tourism business for me.
As the only non-working girl on many of our outings in Pattaya, the working girls were quick to befriend me and make sure I was OK.
I took the opportunity to do hair and makeup for the mama sons and girls one afternoon on drinking street to help them get ready for the night time rush.
The boys and me on the beach in Koh Larn.
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