Prostitution – Thailand’s Largest Industry Although tourist guides will tell you that Thailand has an export-led economy made up mostly of agricultural products, such as rice, tapioca, coconut, rubber, pineapple, and prawn products, a closer look will show that prostitution is most likely more significant in economic terms than anything else. Although perhaps not admitted […]

Thailand’s Ladyboys Unbeknownst to me until we arrived in Thailand, there is what is currently called “a third sex” in Thailand. The Thai word for this type of person is “kathoey” and the anglicized version of this word that is commonly in use is “ladyboy.” We had actually been in Thailand for several weeks before […]

Life in the Thai Countryside and Thai Customs and Beliefs: We took an overnight bus to the northern province of Phayao, where Stephane’s cousin, Michel, lives with his Thai wife and their two children. It was exciting for us, as it was not only our first visit in a town outside of Bangkok, but also […]

The Thai New Year – One Big Water Fight!!! Celebrating the Thai New Year in Bangkok was one crazy experience! It’s traditionally a religious festival in which Buddhists bathe Buddha images, monks, and elders and there is a procession of principal Buddha images. “Songkran,” the Thai word for the New Year, means “to move into” […]

Bangkok’s Red Quarter and Prostitution: We walked along Silom Road and wandered into the Patpong district. Clothing and jewellery stalls lined up in the middle of the avenue all sold exactly the same things. But the biggest attraction was the go-go bars, discotheques with paid dancers in bikinis, strip clubs, and sex shows. This was […]

The City of Angels: Bangkok’s official name is translated into English as “Great City of Angels, Repository of Divine Gems, Great Land Unconquerable, Grand and Prominent Realm, Royal and Delightful Capital City Full of Nine Noble Gems, Highest Royal Dwelling and Grand Palace, Divine Shelter and Living Place of Reincarnated Spirits.” Shortened for everyday use, […]