It isn’t solely about sex. Is it?
Covid has tailored the tourist industry to its bare bones, affecting all who made a living from it, to a point of desperation. There are ‘bargains’ in all departments of course, but that’s not necessarily good for the several-hundred-thousand who relied on the tourist’s paying good money for pleasures of the flesh and Tom Yum Goong. The flesh is still here, maybe a little chubbier it has been noticed. Too much free time, beer and chips, no ‘exercise’, and fewer walking cash dispensers! It’s a very hard fact, but no one in the sex industry could have built this pandemic into their business planning.
It is personal to the individual, and on that note I will selflessly share my experience. It started 8 years ago, after a short visit. I had an ‘l’ll be back’ moment, a non-religious epiphany, if that’s possible. I arrived here on holiday to see my daughter. She had moved here to live in a changed culture after completing her education in the UK. I went back home, gave myself a month or two to ponder the leap…then I leapt!
Yes I had heard all the stories as to how Thailand held men captivated. In reality, this country can do exactly ‘what it says on the tin’, if you pick that particularly tin. Wall to wall debauchery, the sex and drugs and rock and roll…Thais love their music! But much the same as many places on the planet, boys will be boys whilst out in the garden! The essential difference is the backdrop, the setting, the cultural distortions. This rarefied atmosphere is a long way from home…wherever that might have been. But conveniently forgotten, for now, whilst you get your knees dirty! And there is more, much more.
I’ve met many guys during my years here whose raison de être is not dissimilar to my own? I’ve travelled all over this country and never tired of the people, their culture, the food, the diversity of life in every nuance of the word. It has included the ‘s’ word, but that’s us being men! And it works both ways, whether for business or pleasure…welcome to the temple. Someone once penned ‘the pearls ain’t free’. But not just in the capital city.
The country’s geography is diverse and often stunning; the sea can be viewed from a piece of paradise; the aroma of food ever hanging in the air; the weather is warm and humid…all these things healthily contribute to your enjoyment. As too does the sex industry, but not exclusively. I will say they (your heart’s desire) are seamlessly attracted to you, and they have their motives. Ask the one who you love, judge the response accordingly, you’ll now understand you’ve been negotiating forever. You’re well experienced, of course!
Mankind has travelled the globe for centuries. They have procreated for far longer. If sex is a basic biological function, and is sought as a prize or trophy, then you can skip the preliminary rounds and get a bye to the final. Whether a win is achieved is for you to decide, but back to those pearls, it’s a market not without dips. Further, you might be swallowed up (metaphorically even!) by man’s collective worst enemy! Or you may lean the other way, I’m not one to judge. You pay your money…you know the rest. Beware the dark side though, that’s all I will say.
Stephen Leather (British Author, ‘Private Dancer’) included the observation, ‘Hookers hook, that’s what they do, and they don’t fall in love with the clients. Period.’
But do come to Thailand, try not to be distracted by the many nice prizes on show. Travel, eat, stop, sleep. It’s fantastic, it’s your call.
Visit once and you’ll know you want to come back…and only you’ll know why. Apart from me!
Andrew Burns
