The Travelling Fairy DancerPeople Watching, Thai Style
December 20th 2009 00:41
Reclining around a silver pole, ‘lady boys’ bat their false lashes, beckon with oddly long fingers and occasionally tear into the crowd to coax unsuspecting tourists into an expensive photo opportunity.
Bangla Road, Patong Beach swarms with the weird and the wonderful, from Japanese honeymooners in matching, striped sailor outfits to European men in Speedos and large geckos competing for shoulder space with monkeys. And that’s before midnight.
Sitting at a bar on a street facing bench ensures a night of endless entertainment, wholly made up of the parade of passers-by. The constant attempts by hawkers to peddle their wares, a cause of infuriation for many visitors, can be lessoned by a simple, ‘no thanks’, repeated a couple of times. Or, the experience can be a highlight once a few friendly words are exchanged.
Patong Beach, its soft sand concealed by thousands of umbrellas, is best observed from a comfortable, padded beach chair. Although they will cost you (THB70 – 100), the service once seated is worth it, along with front row seats of turquoise water, sporting action and a constant cast of colourful characters.
The one thing I wondered about were the trays of seafood, held high in the sun by their sellers, for hours at a time. We bought beer, fruit, dresses and fake tattoos on the beach, but hot, raw prawns seemed a little destructive.
Anybody ever been tempted?
Bangla Road, Patong Beach swarms with the weird and the wonderful, from Japanese honeymooners in matching, striped sailor outfits to European men in Speedos and large geckos competing for shoulder space with monkeys. And that’s before midnight.
Sitting at a bar on a street facing bench ensures a night of endless entertainment, wholly made up of the parade of passers-by. The constant attempts by hawkers to peddle their wares, a cause of infuriation for many visitors, can be lessoned by a simple, ‘no thanks’, repeated a couple of times. Or, the experience can be a highlight once a few friendly words are exchanged.
Patong Beach, its soft sand concealed by thousands of umbrellas, is best observed from a comfortable, padded beach chair. Although they will cost you (THB70 – 100), the service once seated is worth it, along with front row seats of turquoise water, sporting action and a constant cast of colourful characters.
The one thing I wondered about were the trays of seafood, held high in the sun by their sellers, for hours at a time. We bought beer, fruit, dresses and fake tattoos on the beach, but hot, raw prawns seemed a little destructive.
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