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This is a thread for you rookies out there, or even for guys who may have been to Bangkok and Thailand in general just a few times and may still need some pointers; for you old-time hands, feel free to pitch in anywhere and lets help the new guys avoid the pitfalls and mistakes that we all made way-back-when!
Note: 2015 this all still holds true except for any updates you may see in RED.
1] Don't pre-plan too much. Yes, we know it's VERY hard not to do this, but once you get there and see what the scene is all about you will realize that you didn't need too many pre-trip arrangements; everything just seems to fall into place!
2] Check out Nana Plaza; over 100 ladyboys work there nightly. 2015 - Nana Plaza has more ladyboys and ladyboy bars than ever.
3] Try and get down to Phuket. This place is great and while most people opt for just Pattaya, if you have the time [we usually recommend 3 weeks or more for any trip] try and do Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, AKA Shemale Island; you will not regret it. 2015 - The Ladyboy scene is not as it once was in Phuket. There is still many ladyboys but they are harder to find and less bars. Tequila Bar is gone Soi Croc is under renovations.
4] Need we say it? Pack condoms and practice safe sex.
5] Tip fairly; this goes for everyone who treats you well, from the hotel cleaning lady to the girls you take home. If their service was good, pay them accordingly; you have more money after all and if you didn't you wouldn't be going all the way to Asia in the first place.
6] Patpong is worth a visit, but a short one only; Nana Plaza is much better, and if you check the thread about the New Bar there may soon be one more alternative to this over-priced, loud, touristy and headache-inducing place.
6a] When going to Kings Castle 3, a must on every new guys itinerary, be sure to ask first if the girl has a dick or not as many of these girls [25%? more?] are post-ops. And don't take home a postie, they're weird.
7]Contacting girls before- hand has proven to be the death of many travellers vacations; it locks you in with one girl and prevents you from having fun and 'butterflying', which should be part of the reason you are there after all! And what if you do not actually like the girl you have fallen in love with via e-mail and fone calls? Chemistry is the best thing and you can't feel this until you are actually on the scene. Don't fall into the Thai Friendly trap, these ladyboys want you to come and see them only!
8] Watch your shit; while most ladyboys are cool and honest people, a few have been known to be light-fingered and some of the ones who walk around Nana Plaza as ferelancers are notorious for this.
9] Don't skimp on Hotel rooms; these are extremely cheap in Thailand and worth it, get a decent place for 50 or more dollars as the difference between that and a 25 or 30 dollar room is quite noticeable. Check the Forum Travel section for more tips on this and don't be afraid to ask questions!
10] Same goes for this main forum; ask questions, get involved, be a part of the scene! We don't bite here, ask away and thee shall learn all you need to know. Read posts from guys like Tomcat, one of the more worldly and articulate guys whom I have ever read up here.
11] Sleep when you're dead..... if you only have a week or 2 get out there and have fun.
12] Paying the girls is always your choice and should be determined by how good they were for you; Bangkok and Phuket are always top dollar and Pattaya can be a bit less. But even this is very reasonable compared to the west and while I won't get into naming specific dollar amounts lest I get dozens of angry ladyboys after me, remember the main reason you came to Thailand and don't hold back on the most important part of your trip.
13] Bar fines; these are established by the bar and usually 500-700 baht or about 15 dollars, lower in beer bars and in Pattaya. This allows you to take the girl away from that bar and keep her for 2 hours or all night, depending on what you and she agree to.
14]Call-backs; don't give your number out unless you REALLY liked the person you just spent time with, because she WILL be calling you again, count on it.
15] Lady Drinks; these are common to most bars and means that a ladyboy will be asking you for one; if you agree, you will pay 150 baht for a splash of flat coke or fanta which they won't drink anyway. But they WILL sit there and rub your hand or your leg and basically annoy the piss out of you, so don't call someone over for a Lady Drink unless you really like her looks or have decided that you wil be taking her home. Do NOT be pressured or forced into buying one of these deals; it's your choice, if you don't want to just politely say no.
16] Lies; it's common practice so get used to it. If a ladyboy you like suddenly breaks a date and says she has to go to the hospital to see a friend, she has another date. If she says she is sick and can't meet you, she has another date. If she says her family back in Issan needs cash and you have to supply that, she wants a new handbag at Emporium. Always use your head, and by that we do not mean not the little one.
17] Soi Cowboy is dead now; save yourself the time and don't go there. 2015 - Soi Cowboy now has Cockatoo Ladyboy Bar which is ok, but still pretty lame down that way.
18] Don't be afraid to walk into Obsessions or any other bars; some people have told me this but in reality there is no need to be, just walk in, take a seat, and be prepared to be surrounded like a steak thrown into the middle of a river full of piranhas. No , seriously, it's not that bad..... they are more like sharks....no, really, just walk in, have a seat and look for the waitress and order a drink; get the mamasan over [ask your server] and ask her to sit down. Buy her a drink and chat; she will be cool and will shoe the other LB's away like flies and they are all scared of her. Select a few you think are cute and ask Mama what she thinks; she will [usually] be honest and tell you which one to take; select 3 or 4 and ask her which is the most friendly, best in bed and most fun, etc..... by the time that girl comes over and the Mama tells her you selected her, she will be as happy as a pig in shit and aiming to please, especially since Mama was in on the deal.
19] Remember the phrase "up to you", because you will hear it often. And make 'em stick to that; if a girl says "up to you" to me I always say " that's right, it's always up to me because I have the cash. Be the same way; if you get attitude or lip or some bullshit silent treatment because you are doing something she didn't want [after she plainly said UP TO YOU], send her back and get another one, or call someone from the list of names you didn't ask me for.
20] Write to Stogie and get HIS advice!
Have fun, lads
Note: 2015 this all still holds true except for any updates you may see in RED.
1] Don't pre-plan too much. Yes, we know it's VERY hard not to do this, but once you get there and see what the scene is all about you will realize that you didn't need too many pre-trip arrangements; everything just seems to fall into place!
2] Check out Nana Plaza; over 100 ladyboys work there nightly. 2015 - Nana Plaza has more ladyboys and ladyboy bars than ever.
3] Try and get down to Phuket. This place is great and while most people opt for just Pattaya, if you have the time [we usually recommend 3 weeks or more for any trip] try and do Bangkok, Pattaya and Phuket, AKA Shemale Island; you will not regret it. 2015 - The Ladyboy scene is not as it once was in Phuket. There is still many ladyboys but they are harder to find and less bars. Tequila Bar is gone Soi Croc is under renovations.
4] Need we say it? Pack condoms and practice safe sex.
5] Tip fairly; this goes for everyone who treats you well, from the hotel cleaning lady to the girls you take home. If their service was good, pay them accordingly; you have more money after all and if you didn't you wouldn't be going all the way to Asia in the first place.
6] Patpong is worth a visit, but a short one only; Nana Plaza is much better, and if you check the thread about the New Bar there may soon be one more alternative to this over-priced, loud, touristy and headache-inducing place.
6a] When going to Kings Castle 3, a must on every new guys itinerary, be sure to ask first if the girl has a dick or not as many of these girls [25%? more?] are post-ops. And don't take home a postie, they're weird.
7]Contacting girls before- hand has proven to be the death of many travellers vacations; it locks you in with one girl and prevents you from having fun and 'butterflying', which should be part of the reason you are there after all! And what if you do not actually like the girl you have fallen in love with via e-mail and fone calls? Chemistry is the best thing and you can't feel this until you are actually on the scene. Don't fall into the Thai Friendly trap, these ladyboys want you to come and see them only!
8] Watch your shit; while most ladyboys are cool and honest people, a few have been known to be light-fingered and some of the ones who walk around Nana Plaza as ferelancers are notorious for this.
9] Don't skimp on Hotel rooms; these are extremely cheap in Thailand and worth it, get a decent place for 50 or more dollars as the difference between that and a 25 or 30 dollar room is quite noticeable. Check the Forum Travel section for more tips on this and don't be afraid to ask questions!
10] Same goes for this main forum; ask questions, get involved, be a part of the scene! We don't bite here, ask away and thee shall learn all you need to know. Read posts from guys like Tomcat, one of the more worldly and articulate guys whom I have ever read up here.
11] Sleep when you're dead..... if you only have a week or 2 get out there and have fun.
12] Paying the girls is always your choice and should be determined by how good they were for you; Bangkok and Phuket are always top dollar and Pattaya can be a bit less. But even this is very reasonable compared to the west and while I won't get into naming specific dollar amounts lest I get dozens of angry ladyboys after me, remember the main reason you came to Thailand and don't hold back on the most important part of your trip.
13] Bar fines; these are established by the bar and usually 500-700 baht or about 15 dollars, lower in beer bars and in Pattaya. This allows you to take the girl away from that bar and keep her for 2 hours or all night, depending on what you and she agree to.
14]Call-backs; don't give your number out unless you REALLY liked the person you just spent time with, because she WILL be calling you again, count on it.
15] Lady Drinks; these are common to most bars and means that a ladyboy will be asking you for one; if you agree, you will pay 150 baht for a splash of flat coke or fanta which they won't drink anyway. But they WILL sit there and rub your hand or your leg and basically annoy the piss out of you, so don't call someone over for a Lady Drink unless you really like her looks or have decided that you wil be taking her home. Do NOT be pressured or forced into buying one of these deals; it's your choice, if you don't want to just politely say no.
16] Lies; it's common practice so get used to it. If a ladyboy you like suddenly breaks a date and says she has to go to the hospital to see a friend, she has another date. If she says she is sick and can't meet you, she has another date. If she says her family back in Issan needs cash and you have to supply that, she wants a new handbag at Emporium. Always use your head, and by that we do not mean not the little one.
17] Soi Cowboy is dead now; save yourself the time and don't go there. 2015 - Soi Cowboy now has Cockatoo Ladyboy Bar which is ok, but still pretty lame down that way.
18] Don't be afraid to walk into Obsessions or any other bars; some people have told me this but in reality there is no need to be, just walk in, take a seat, and be prepared to be surrounded like a steak thrown into the middle of a river full of piranhas. No , seriously, it's not that bad..... they are more like sharks....no, really, just walk in, have a seat and look for the waitress and order a drink; get the mamasan over [ask your server] and ask her to sit down. Buy her a drink and chat; she will be cool and will shoe the other LB's away like flies and they are all scared of her. Select a few you think are cute and ask Mama what she thinks; she will [usually] be honest and tell you which one to take; select 3 or 4 and ask her which is the most friendly, best in bed and most fun, etc..... by the time that girl comes over and the Mama tells her you selected her, she will be as happy as a pig in shit and aiming to please, especially since Mama was in on the deal.
19] Remember the phrase "up to you", because you will hear it often. And make 'em stick to that; if a girl says "up to you" to me I always say " that's right, it's always up to me because I have the cash. Be the same way; if you get attitude or lip or some bullshit silent treatment because you are doing something she didn't want [after she plainly said UP TO YOU], send her back and get another one, or call someone from the list of names you didn't ask me for.
20] Write to Stogie and get HIS advice!
Have fun, lads
About the best advice here and often not mentioned. The girls know all these hotels like their bus routes to work. If you say "I'm staying at the dorm with the noisy fan on Soi 57" it's not going to impress and if you think that the girls don't care where you stay and don't need to be impressed then think again.
& cant wait for the fun to begin!!
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