What are ping pong shows

Ok, let us break down exactly how our night went down to paint the full picture.

The second we arrived in Patpong, promoters began trying to attract us into ping pong bars. We wanted to work up our liquid courage first, so we stopped at a bar with an outdoor patio for some beers and shots. We hadn’t realized that there would be such aggressive promoters, so while starting to get our buzz on, we read a blog post about how to avoid getting scammed at ping pong shows. We built up a resolve to drive a hard bargain with the promoters to avoid paying a large entry fee.

After several rounds of drinks, we finally felt ready. We wandered back to the main street and talked with the first promoter who came our way. We stuck to our guns and negotiated an entry fee of $5 per person, and based on the blog post we had read, we made it explicitly clear that we would ONLY pay the entry fee plus any drinks that we purchased.

We paid our entry fees, the promoter walked us upstairs to the bar (which wasn’t very crowded yet at that time in the night) and we each purchased one beer and sat down to watch the amazing spectacle.

BUT THEN...the performers kept coming over and setting their drinks on our table. It turns out that you can purchase “lady drinks” as a form of tipping the women. We didn’t actually agree to purchase any, but probably six were set on our table making it look like we did. 

We literally watched the “show” for 10 minutes. I didn’t even finish my beer. It quickly became clear that things were getting suspicious, and we needed to get out of there, so we asked for our check.

*This is when things get interestingggggg*

Instead of just bringing a bill to our table like a normal bar, we were summoned to the back of the bar to meet with this older, madam-looking woman. She began frantically writing on a piece of paper tallying our “bill” using line items that no one (including her) could understand. She pulled out a calculator and made a big show of the whole thing. The total came to something like 6,000 baht, or the equivalent of $200 USD...for the TEN MINUTES we were there. Keep in mind we had negotiated $5 entry fees per person, and purchased one $2 beer each, so we couldn’t even fathom taking this total seriously.

Luckily, we were drunk and thought the whole situation was hilarious at the time. We refused to pay that total and the madam kept just sternly cutting down the sum on her calculator and making us “final offers.” It’s as if we were now bargaining for products and services we never purchased in the first place...just bartering for our lives to get out of the bar.

The best part...after probably 5 minutes of this “negotiating,” the madam pulls out her cell phone, shows us a contact called “Mafia Boss” IN ENGLISH and pretends to start calling this person. 😅

Our friend pulled up the bar’s address on Google Maps and countered with “Oh yeah, is this the correct address, ma’am? I’m calling someone too.”

The second best part...all of the promoters / bouncers were rather small women and they were surrounding us during this whole thing. We could have easily pushed past them and left at any moment had we wanted to.

Anyway, after the Google Maps threat, the madam cut our price down to around 1,000 baht and we agreed that about $15 each was a fair price to pay and ran the fuck out of there laughing, warning the other shocked and concerned tourists to GTFO as we were literally *pushed* out the door by the tiny women bouncers.

Again, despite reading a blog post right before we went in, we were still super naive to the fact that the business model behind ping pong bars is just to scam drunk tourists for the highest price they’ll pay. Should you make the choice to go to a ping pong show in Thailand, make sure you negotiate your entry fee, know the prices of the drinks you’re buying, tip the women directly if you want to tip and beware of the “lady drinks” scam, and keep in mind that your final bill will likely still be larger than you expect.

If you’re traveling anywhere in Thailand you won’t be able to miss the signs and adverts for Thai ping pong shows.

I know for me it was one of the most unique and memorable nights of my trip to Thailand.

Today I’m going to share with you the backstory of Thailand ping pong shows and some tips for enjoying one on your next trip.

What is a Ping Pong Show in Thailand?

A Thai ping pong show is a type of stage entertainment that usually takes place in a strip club or bar. Women use their pelvic muscles to perform tricks and blow objects from their vaginas.

Ping-pong balls are the most common item used. However, over the years, performers have experimented with a wide variety of items.

The ping pong shows have been popular in Thailand and especially Bangkok for decades. Naturally, these are quite controversial shows, with concerns about human rights and sex tourism often discussed.

In Thailand, these shows became popular in the mid-70s when a ping pong show appeared in the film Emanuelle in Bangkok. The shows are actually prohibited by Thai law under obscenity legislation.

However, the popularity of these performances with tourists means they can be found still throughout the country.

Now that you found out what is a ping pong show in Thailand, let’s see what you can expect from a sex performance.

See Also: Thai Ladyboy, What is it and How to Spot

What Can You Expect to See?

Since this is a sex show in Thailand, you can expect to see a very graphic display during your visit, with girls showing pussy being only the warmup.

Usually, each show will feature a few different women, and the variety of the acts depends on the venue.

Some of the most common stunts in ping pong shows include:

• Razors – once inserted the woman will try to cut the string with the razor inside them
• Darts – a woman aims and shoots darts from her vagina at balloons
• Ribbons – Similar to a magician, the lady will perform magic tricks with ribbons. But instead of using hands, the ribbons will go in and out of the mouth and vagina.
• Candles – these are blown out with just the force of the vagina!

Ping Pong Show Price

I’ll share some of my top tips for ping pong shows shortly, however, the most important thing about ping pong shows in Thailand is to ensure you aren’t scammed. The price of a ping pong show ticket is going to be 500 Baht or a bit more.

You will be charged higher prices in Bangkok, and most venues also make you purchase at least one drink.

Drinks are a little more expensive than in other venues in Thailand. During my most recent visit to Bangkok, I paid 500 Baht for entry and then drinks on top of that. It’s also customary to tip staff and waitresses at these venues.

See also: 10 Best Vacations for Single Guys to Get Laid in Southeast Asia

My Top Tips for Visiting a Thai Ping Pong Show

There are lots of stories about tourist robberies at ping pong shows in Thailand, so keep your wits about yourself.

I had a good experience visiting one in Bangkok, but I’d recommend following these top tips:

• Don’t visit alone – the larger your group, the better.
• When entering a venue, ensure you decide on a set price with the hostess first. Be careful of ticket touts in the streets and getting scammed.
• When purchasing a ticket through a tout, clarify what your ticket entitles you to.
• Be very careful when checking your bill and making purchases. It’s not uncommon for tourists to receive huge bills. Pay for your drinks as you go instead of opening a tab.
• Don’t take valuables with you and keep money and phones close to you. Don’t ever leave your bag unattended when you go to the toilet or bar.
• Take a photo of the menu before ordering a drink. I heard stories, where some of the ping pong show venues in Thailand have two different menus with different prices where they can overcharge your bill and bring as proof the second menu with bigger prices.

See also: Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Thai Massage

Ping Pong Show Bangkok

Bangkok is the best place to catch a ping pong show, although you can expect to pay a little more here. Find out when is the best time to visit Bangkok.

My first experience was at a ping pong show in Bangkok, this is the city where you will find most of the venues.

There are many shady and dodgy ping pong show venues in Bangkok, but I recommend you go to the most touristy places there are fewer chances of you being scammed.

• Soi Cowboy, Sukhumvit Road – As I previously said, my first experience of a ping pong show in Thailand was on Soi Cowboy where you will find the most popular venue in the city. The entry to the club is actually free, but the drinks are very expensive to make up for it. The girls usually start with a lap and pole dance show, then move on to the main event.
• Patpong Night Market, Silom – This area has so many options for ping pong shows and is a lively area to stroll at night. Be careful with the doormen and staff here who will try and rip you off with high entrance fees or drinks prices.
• Khaosan Road – the main area for backpackers in Bangkok offers many nightclubs with ping-pong shows. Here you are often not charged an entrance fee, but drinks can be extortionate.

See also: Where to Stay in Bangkok: Best Hotels and Hostels

Ping Pong Show Phuket

Heading to Phuket, there are many more bars to catch a show at. The best party area in Phuket is Bangla Road located near Patong Beach, one of the most lively beaches in Phuket. Here you will find many ladyboys, Thai prostitutes, and drug issues.

You will easily find a ping pong show on Bangla Road, Patong within minutes of walking. It is advertised in front of the clubs. Expect to pay high prices here for drinks as a tourist.

One popular venue for ping pong shows in Phuket is the Wake-Up Club Phuket (temporary close in 2022) which offers a daily show for an 800 Baht entry fee.

If you wondering where to stay in Phuket, try some party hostels, like Slumber Party Hostel and Bodega Hostels – they are my favorite.

If you fancy beach resorts, then check my article where I selected the best beach resorts in Phuket.

Ping Pong Show Pattaya

Pattaya certainly has a reputation for sex tourism and Thai strippers. The main nightlife area in Pattaya is Walking Street, but you may also want to check out the Pattaya Soi 6 area.

Within seconds of entering Walking Street, you will be called to visit a ping pong show. You’ll have no issue finding a ping pong show in Walking Street, Pattaya, as it is advertised everywhere. Remember, always ask for the entry and drinks menu before ordering.

Ping Pong shows in Thailand are certainly a unique and interesting experience to have as a traveler. Of course, I suggest doing your research about these shows before visiting and making a decision for yourself.

Make sure you follow my top tips, so you aren’t scammed or robbed at these venues, and be careful with how much you drink. Wherever you decide to visit, I assure you that you will be baffled and amazed by the acts at these shows!

See also: Southeast Asia Packing List & What to Pack for Backpacking

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