Sex Tourism

Pattaya Night Scene

“No, she doesn’t know. She thinks I work at a 7-Eleven,” the smartly dressed lady in her early thirties tells me as she pulls out a picture of her daughter. “She looks Caucasian.” “Her father’s from Texas. Now, do you want to go boom boom or not?” “No, as I said, I just want to ask you some questions.” “Then buy me a beer.” “How much?” “110 Baht.” “I just bought a beer for 55.” “It’s 110 for us girls.” “Can I ask you some more questions then?” “Okay, but better we go to your hotel room and spend the night. I treat you real well. You see.” “How much?” “One thousand for me and three hundred for my boss [about $43]” “No, I’ll buy you a drink instead and we’ll talk.” She motions to one of the ladies sitting in the bar to bring her a beer. “Your English is very good. How is it you speak such good English?” “I lived in Texas for two years before I left my husband who was too weird for me.” “You have just the one daughter?” “Yes.” “And this is your only job?” “Yes, but it’s really slow right now. I have had only three men this month.” “Why is that?” “It’s not the season and there’s just so many girls working now. Too much competition.” “How many women would you say do this sort of thing?” “Hmm, thousands.” “Can you be more exact?” “Well, let’s see, there are maybe 120,000 people living in Pattaya, half of them are women, and at least half of them work in this business.” “So about 30,000?” “Yes, I’d say, at least that many. Can we go now to your hotel?” “No, I’m sorry,” I lie, “My wife is waiting for me back there and I need to go.” I finish my beer and as I leave, she smiles and gives me a little wave goodbye.