Continents/Countries

And the city buzzed with its daily rhythm, life moved quickly and loudly around us, unwilling to change anything or help two "farang" (foreigners) decide what to do differently than we had done here, on hot nights, during our fifteen years of trips to Thailand.

It wasn't blasé that was appealing to us. The prospect of packing, the thought of a long flight, winter in Europe, and the return to everyday life itself sapped our energy and left us in a state of inertia.

We were left with a visit to Patpong, a place that opened our eyes to the workings of tourist life in Thailand a decade and a half ago.

So we go there for a small dinner, to reminisce about what Patong used to be like, and to reflect on the constant interest of tourists, who on December 23, 2025, are significantly fewer than they used to be years ago…

“Patpong is Bangkok’s entertainment district, catering primarily, though not exclusively, to foreign tourists and expatriates. Patpong is known worldwide as the red light district, the heart of Bangkok’s sex industry. (...)

Since the early 1990s, Patpong has also hosted a bustling night market aimed at tourists.

Here you can buy all kinds of souvenirs, such as knock-off clothes and T-shirts, colorful lights, coconut shell bowls, and even local art. Haggling is encouraged here; try to negotiate a better price. The biggest attraction, however, is the adult entertainment venues that surround the market. Visit the neon-lit go-go bars, massage parlors, and discos. You can experience Patpong and Bangkok’s nightlife during an evening outing.”

We have a day of organizing our return and transfer to the airport at 6:00 PM.

Turkish airlines don't offer a Christmas wafer...