It could be argued that Pattaya, rather than Bangkok, deserves the title Thailand’s Naughtiest City. Certainly its reputation for non-stop partying and sexy nightlife grows yearly. It’s all based on customer choice.

Where to Find Sexy Nightlife in Pattaya

Take a stroll down Walking Street in South Pattaya, a pedestrianised precinct from early evening till morning. Packed with go-go bars, massage parlours, restaurants and beer joints, the scene is crowded and noisy and gives the casual punter an idea of what is on offer. The ubiquitous girlie and gay bars are there, but alongside these there is are Irish pubs and lots of loud discos.

Away from South Pattaya, beer bars, restaurants and streetside hostelries can be found, where drinking and chatting are the order of the evening (especially around Sois 7 and 8 in Central Pattaya). More relaxed than the frenetic scene in South Pattaya, customers can still find companionship at the bar for the price of a drink.

Transexual Cabarets at Alcazar and Tiffany

North Pattaya is the quietest area, but it has the famous Alcazar and Tiffany Cabarets, which feature transexuals dressed to kill. Both these cabaret houses are immensely popular with Thai and foreign tourists, who come to marvel at the glittering costumes and the quite fantastic-looking transexuals.

In the less than 100 bars in the area, many are pub-restaurants providing music from western rock to Thai folk and trendy pop to country music, all provided by local bands and singers.

Gay NightLife in Pattaya

Boyz Town is favourite for the gay nightlife scene and this area of gay go-go bars and beer halls can be found around Sois Pattaya 1 and 3. Soi 3 is credited with being the largest concentrated gay area in Thailand with male go-go bars and nightclubs catering to Thais and foreigners.

A quieter area can be found at the nearby Sunee Plaza. An even quieter one is just out to town at Jomtien Beach where the scene is more mixed than in Pattaya.

Pattaya’s Gay Scene

Homosexuality is accept throughout Thailand with minimum of fuss or prejudice, and Pattaya is proof of this, even if it can sometimes feel a trifle overdone and too rich for some people’s taste. However, areas for the sex trade are well sign-posted, and it is almost impossible to wander in unexpectedly and be shocked. The people involved in the scene are invariably friendly, reflecting the liberal and tolerant nature of the people.

There are homosexuals who offer their services through the go-go bars, but these are not necessarily prostitutes or rent boys. Often a gay Thai male is just interested in finding a partner. Again, not all male escorts/prostitutes are gay. Sometimes it’s a mere matter of making a living.

Katoeys or Ladyboys

There are also the ladyboys (Thailand’s transexuals, transgenders) who are flamboyant and extravagant, OTT in every sense of the word. They provide a dramatic background to the gay and lesbian scene with their confident and well groomed appearance.