Bangkok Ping Pong Shows are Real

🏓Is a Bangkok Ping Pong Show Real?🏓

Stumbling Across a Ping Pong Show

            I can tell you that these shows are 100% real. Some people may find them degrading and not tasteful while others may enjoy them. I am not here to defend or even give my opinion on the event rather I want to provide information on what a Bangkok ping pong show is all about. First and foremost, these shows are not just happening on Khao San Road. I am sure there have been some before nearby but to find an actual ping pong show can be difficult if you are not staying at a hostel unless you go to the one pictured below.

Finding A Ping Pong Show

            I have had travelers ask me before if there are signs that read, “Ping Pong Show.” I can assure you that this is not the way to find a ping pong show. Finding an authentic ping pong show is rather easy if you are staying at a hostel. Most of the hostels have relationships with the tuk-tuk drivers and they will take you. Do not try to bargain with the doormen, they know they have you red-handed and you will pay whatever they say because you do not know how to get back home. Organize all of the pricing with the driver before you ever agree to go to the show. If you do not do this then you will get rip off, guaranteed!

            You can negotiate just about everything in Thailand. This is part of the reason Thailand remains one of my favorite locations after traveling to 100+ countries. Thailand is exciting and really does offer adventures around every corner. A ping pong show should be viewed the same way, an adventure. You will know you have arrived at an authentic ping pong show once you see an abandoned looking building with no signs and one single guy standing outside ha-ha. 

            The driver will then talk to the guy and you will pay the money and go inside. Remember, always have an agreed-upon price before arriving. The larger your group is the better bargaining power you have. The ping pong show is not going to want to turn away a large group that may spend a lot of money. Are you ready? It is time to go inside the ping pong show now.

Entering the Show

            The ping pong show is exactly what you think it is, two men will be hitting a ball over a net as the crowd drinks beers and watches the game. Totally kidding ha-ha, that could not be further from what you are about to see. There were about 20 chairs that surrounded a very small stage, no bar, and no DJ ha-ha. The bathrooms were used by everyone and were directly attached to the dancers changing rooms. Will get back to that in a minute.

            The show has about 10 different dancers all of which have a different skill set, to say the least. I do not want to get into the details too much, but the ping pong ball trick is not the only trick you will see. Every show is different, but most will include eggs, bananas, long ribbons, whistles, horns, pens, cigarettes, candles, darts, spinning tops, bottles, firecrackers, razor blades, and chopsticks. Yes, everything that you are imagining in your head is exactly what happens.

Prices Will Add Up

           Keep in mind that if you buy drinks during the show, you will be paying about double the norm. About halfway through the show, I had to use the restroom, and this is when I found out that the bathroom is also a changing room. As I was taking a pee, I began to notice out of the corner of my eye that several dancers were watching me take a pee. I like to think I did a pretty good job of not even acknowledging what was going on ha-ha. However, I am sure they could see me laughing. I did not know what else to do. After a few beers, you have to go to the bathroom lol. I couldn’t just stop in the middle, that would have been even weirder. 

            Regardless of the bathroom festivities, the ping pong show was interesting and story-worthy. The tricks that some of the dancers will do will make you have a variety of emotions. Opening beer bottles with their **** was one that was very interesting and more interesting was the guy in the front row who got sprayed in the face with the beer as she opened it. This show is not for everyone and it is one of those experiences that is 100% up to you.

Final Thoughts on Ping Pong Show

            Whether you think the show is moral, ethical, or downright nasty, they will continue and have since the ’70s. Your opinion has absolutely no effect on whether or not these girls will continue to perform at ping pong shows. A ping pong show has been something that has gone on for generations and will continue for many more. We went as a large group and I would encourage you to do the same if you wanted to attend. It is defiantly a bit of culture shock and its one of those events that you truly do not understand until you attend. Next time you are in Bangkok Thailand you will have a decision to make….When in Bangkok?

Next Up…Check Out Hanoi Vietnam and the Intense Everyday Driving