Ping Pong show in Thailand

Ping pong show in Thailand

Our experience with the ping pong show in Thailand. The story starts with the Thailand dream! The idea is to explore Bangkok and afterward Phuket island. On the first days, we spend our time in Bangkok...One night we decide to visit the Patpong night market. The place is famous for fake brands on sale, especially bags, trainers, and watches. It is busy and chaotic every night!

What is Ping Pong show?

A ping pong Bangkok show is a type of performance that was commonly found in some areas of Thailand, particularly in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Phuket. It is an adult-oriented entertainment show that involves various acts using ping pong balls, among other objects, by female performers. However, it's important to note that these shows are often associated with the exploitation of women and are not representative of Thai culture as a whole.

The performances typically include women demonstrating a variety of tricks using their vaginal muscles, such as shooting ping pong balls into the audience, blowing out candles, or playing musical instruments. Other objects, such as darts, razor blades, and even live animals, have also been reported to be used in some instances.

It's crucial to recognize that these sex tourism shows are controversial and often involve coercion, exploitation, and human rights violations. Many of the women involved in these performances may be victims of trafficking or forced into the industry under difficult circumstances.

It is essential to promote responsible and ethical tourism by avoiding participation in such activities. Instead, visitors to Thailand can explore the rich cultural heritage, breathtaking natural landscapes, delicious cuisine, and friendly hospitality that the country has to offer.

Are ping pong shows legal?

The legal status of ping pong shows in Thailand is a complex and often debated issue. Technically, these shows are illegal under Thai law, as they violate several statutes related to obscenity, public decency, and human trafficking. However, enforcement of these laws can vary, and some establishments may continue to operate despite their legal status.

In recent years, there has been an increased effort by Thai authorities to crack down on the ping pong show industry and combat human trafficking associated with it. Raids and closures of establishments involved in these activities have been reported. However, it is important to note that due to the underground nature of these shows and the involvement of powerful and organized criminal networks, eradicating them entirely has proven challenging.

It is strongly advised for tourists and visitors avoid participating in or supporting ping pong shows or any form of exploitative activities. Engaging in such shows not only perpetuates the exploitation of vulnerable individuals but can also lead to legal consequences for those involved. It is better to focus on experiencing the rich cultural offerings and natural beauty that Thailand has to offer.

Is it ethical to attend a ping pong show?

Attending a ping pong show in Thailand is widely considered unethical for several reasons. These shows are often associated with exploitation, human trafficking, and the objectification of women. The performers involved may be victims of coercion, forced labor, or sexual exploitation. Supporting such activities perpetuates a cycle of abuse and contributes to the demand for these shows.

Furthermore, ping pong shows exploit cultural stereotypes and contribute to the negative portrayal of Thailand. They are not representative of the country's rich cultural heritage or the experiences that Thailand has to offer.

Engaging in responsible and ethical tourism involves respecting the rights and dignity of individuals and communities. It is important to make informed choices and support activities that promote cultural understanding, sustainability, and respect for human rights.

Instead of attending ping pong shows, visitors to Thailand can explore a wide range of other attractions, such as historical sites, temples, natural landscapes, traditional arts and crafts, and local cuisine. By engaging in these activities, you can have a more meaningful and ethical travel experience while supporting the local economy and cultural preservation efforts.

Should you attend a ping pong show?

Promoting responsible and ethical choices in your actions and travel decisions is important. It is recommended to engage in activities that respect human rights, and cultural sensitivity, and contribute positively to local communities. By supporting sustainable and responsible tourism practices, you can have a more meaningful and ethical travel experience. Please read my experience below and decide for yourself.

Our experience - Thailand Dream - Ping pong show Thailand

Except for the shopping stands, there are also go-go bars with dancing girls, ladyboys, and young kids which you can see behind the curtains and on some of them. It's just an open area with them completely naked. Moreover, the place is full of Ping Pong show bars. I remember joking back at home with other friends, that a must-do in Thailand is to visit one of those bars, it's the "tradition"!

During our walk around the hundreds of shops, a guy approaches us and informs us that with 100Baht (2.5euro) each person, including a drink, we can watch the Ping pong show.

We refused the offer and we walk away. The guy keeps following us and keeps insisting. After a while, we start joking that we "should" follow the tourist tradition. We decide to go just for a laugh. So now seemed as good a time as any to follow the guy and tell him that we will check it before sitting down for the show. Entering an underground bar we see a lot of foreign men and women and decide to stay just for a joke and curiosity. As Greeks say "Curiosity kills the cat!"

The Thai Ping Pong Shows start

Upon our arrival at the bar, we were in another world:  Very dark lights, a big stage with 4 mild age women wearing only their minor underwear, and tables around. We made our seats at a table and order our drinks.

In the beginning, it was just only dancing and the women trying to attack the attention of the customers. including us. In a short time, they start using the lower part of their body to either hold, or eject blow objects from their inner place. Except for ping-pong balls they use cigarettes, long strings, whistles, and darts.

On one side there were a few men looking with an amazing look (really gross!) and on the other side, we and the other tourists watch with our eyes wide open and our jaws on the floor in unbelievable disgust. The moment they try to distribute us the rackets to "play" a game we felt completely abhorrent about it and decide to leave.

We reach the cashier where a lady pass us the bill, which instead of 200 Baht (2.5 euro) it was 3000 Baht (80 euro)! We tried to complain and they explained to us that there is an extra charge for each look, each chat (if the laugh and the refusal of dancing on the stage, are considered as a chat), and each part of the show we saw.

The exact reply is "YOU LOOK, YOU PAY"!!  What?????!!!!

Money - Thai ping pong show

We try to make a scene and refuse to pay the money. There are no words for what the woman was screaming for. She starts yelling, we start shouting that they try to cheat on us...until we try to leave. A huge manly man is at the exit door and  I also noticed that at the back of the cashier, there are a few dark rooms..and there were our big concerns start... "Oh, my God! they will kill and nobody will find us!" start thinking...

We explain that we do not have much money... Just to note here that 70 euros in Thailand are such a huge amount of money. In the end, they agree to pay less, I really don't remember the amount we gave. We ran out of the bar, to be honest completely scared...

My friend says  "Let's go and find this guy that he brought us to the bar!" I don't agree, I see the man in a corner and I lie that he is on the other side! Who wants more trouble with the Bangkok mafia???? Not me!! Later on, I informed them that the guy was wearing different clothes, most probably it's a tactic to avoid trouble from angry customers.

Trembling and openly relieved from the shock, we smooth our concerns to the hundreds of shops around.

Safety

Back to our hotel safe and in a good mood, we start joking about it. In the next few days, we will be remembering the incident, start imitating the incident and the woman, and overall joke about it.

But actually, it's not funny... At our hotel in Bangkok, we discussed it with the staff. They informed us that it is a common tourist scam around the night market which happens every day and sometimes can be really dangerous...Officially all these bars are illegal but are protected by the corrupted police system. Back at home, I read various stories of the same ping pong show scams and robberies around that market.

Well, I just wish we have carried out our research earlier and avoid that sleazy bar. Be aware...All these places are all over Thailand.

Advice - sex show Thailand

-> Do not trust any person that keeps you pushing to watch the scam and offers you a "great" deal,

-> Do not forget to bring your wallet if you decide to watch the show. You can end up paying way a lot of money!

-> In the show, they can charge you more drinks than your purchased ones. It's different to pay 200 baht than 2000 baht!

-> Be careful if they tell you to interact with the girls on the stage. It costs way a lot of money.