For you locals, when was the last time you saw the entire walking street sign fully functional as it is in this picture?

Virgins - The Holy Grail?

Many of you reading this column are middle aged.   Some of you may have long since forgotten what it was like to be with a young 20's something year old female.  Chances are good, that if you ever had a virgin, it was long ago and memories of that experience are foggy.   Perhaps some of you may have never had that kind of opportunity.

When I was a younger man, I had the good fortune of 2 virgins back in the US.   Both were very exciting moments and if I had to do it all over again I would not have changed a thing about it (except for perhaps getting some pictures of the girls).   Five years ago, before discovering Thailand, if you would had met me in California and asked me if had any expectations of ever having another virgin I would have probably told you sadly that my expectations for that opportunity again were virtually nil.   Little did I know at that time that a little raunchy office banter would lead me to investigate Thailand.  That 10 day vacation turned into a complete relocation for me, and unbeknownst to me at the time, some fresh opportunity to yet again, experience a virgin.

In the space of 5 years, I have had the pleasure of 3 more virgins.  Probably another dozen girls with extremely low sexual experiences.  And a number of others with varying levels of experience?   Just what that number is I do not know because I have lost track.

2 of those girls who gave me their first experience are/were in my home town.  The other I found in a Pattaya beer bar.  Today, I'm going to tell you about the Pattaya beer bar girl.

Girls who work together at the bar often know each other long before they come to work here.  Frequently they come in groups from the same home town.  The next time you are at in Pattaya ask several girls at any one bar where they are from and frequently a group of them will say they are from the same place.   Or, they will tell you that they work with close friends in a neighboring town.   This is how the industry grows.  Girls typically come here by word of mouth and they come here with friends or even female relatives, be it cousins, or in-laws, or even sisters.

Moving into the beer bar business is a scary proposition for these "fresh from the country" girls.   They know the rice fields, they have seen the sleepy back country landscape but for many, they have no idea what to really expect when they arrive.   

So, when a new girl comes from the country they always go to work with someone they know in a safe circle of friends.  Such was the case about 18 months ago on one of my visits to Pattaya.

When I roll into town and I'm out on the prowl, I look for girls with the right attitude.  I look for a girls who "perk up" when they see me and those who look like they are having fun.   I sometimes spy the shy girls but they are harder to see because they often look similar to disinterested girls and I quickly pass those types by.

The beer bar area you see to the left is adjacent to walking street.   At the time of my visit, I was making one of the bars in this building kind of a "home spot" where I would go and hang out in my spare time when I wasn't on the hunt.   The girls at that beer bar knew me because they had seen me a number of times during that week and also in months before.  I don't always know all the girls there because some leave and some new girls arrive but I did know the core workers.   Well, as it turns out, one weekend night I was coming up empty.   I must had been through 6 go-go bar and several beer bar establishments and yet, I didn't really see anything I liked.   On the way back to my room around 2 am, I checked my email and then made a final stop to my usual beer bar home spot.   There were still a handful of girls behind the counter and when I arrived and sat down, one of the senior girls that I know came over to me.   She leaned over and said in English "Will you take her" and she pointed to one of her co-workers.   The girl she pointed at seemed to be a little embarrassed by the comment.  She followed up by saying that this girl was new and that she hadn't gone when anyone yet.  This new girl had been asked by a couple of guys but she didn't like what she had seen up to that point and was scared.  Again I was asked, "Will you take her".

She looked fairly average.  Nice but nothing out of the ordinary.  Her jean and shirt we very basic and reminiscent of that typical country with little money.  Not much make up, normally well proportioned and nice face but it would not be one to catch my attention normally.

I motioned to have her brought over and they introduced her to me.  It helped a great deal that I could utter some basic Thai because she had absolutely no English skills at all.  I found out where she was from and how long she was working.  I ordered a drink and one for her and we'll began to play a game.

The beer bars have board type games behind the counter.  There are about 4 or 5 types that are most popular.  These aren't exactly like Monopoly, they are simpler.  One of the games is called Connect Four.   Looks like vertical checkers.  That object of the game is simple, just stack up 4 checker in a row.   It can be a difficult game to win if the players are skilled at it.  We play a handful of games and I beat her quite soundly without even trying.  This is a clear indicator that she hadn't been there for long.   Beer bar girls play these games so much during the week that most will whip you soundly in Connect Four with eyes shut and one hand tied behind their back.

This girl, and we'll call her Terri, was dressed very plainly.  She was pretty but not super gorgeous.  I don't think she would have been a typical choice for me.  My fascination this evening was all about being one of her first experiences.

Well, we didn't wait terribly long to get moving.   I paid the 200 baht bar fine (bar fines are 300 now) and we started to gear up.  You would have thought she had won a small lottery or something with her friends wishing her good luck and sending her off with a small fan fare.  I guess the girls were teasing her about her first farang / first experience.  (Seems like these girls know everything that is going on within their own circle of friends).

We went straight back to my hotel.   Terri had a pretty decent idea what was coming.  Obviously she was briefed.   She showered, I showered and by the time I was out she was deep under the covers with towel intact.   This is pretty much standard practice.  Most girls won't remove the towel.  You have make that happen.  No worries though because they expect you to take the lead on this.  The towel comes off.   Terri was a little up tight a fairly stiff and I understood it.  We had some light coming out of the bathroom so I could see what is going on.   I tried my best to make her comfortable as I eased into her personal space.  She wouldn't let me go down and have a look.   Ok, I accepted this.  I gently press on just as we are getting to the event, she buries her head in one of the pillows.   I joke with her a little bit, I say in Thai "where did you go", she and I had a little laugh and we made it through her first experience.  It was nice.  I didn't really see any physical signs of a "first experience".  The girls seem to bleed very little if at all.   Obviously in some way their hymen is previously open (or you might say broken).   There might be a little tiny bit of bleeding.  Perhaps there is some type of normal activity that reduces that tendency for the hymen to be intact in this culture.   It's also possible that due to the normal Asian development, hymen tissue separates early in their life cycle here normally.   (I wonder if Mrs. Stick would take a crack at this question about the general condition of most girl's hymens before sex?).  I was gentle with Terri and she didn't seem to be in pain at all.  Terri was about 26 so she was most definitely on the older side for the "big event". 

Anyhow, the next morning I gave her a 1,000 baht bill, told her that I would stop by and see her again that day, and she made her way home.

The Next Night...

The next evening about 7pm I went back to the bar but, something has changed.  Where is that girl I met last night?   Here she is with new outfit -- bare mid drift!   Wow, sexy.  She is also wearing some makeup and had her hair done.   Ok, she is getting into the program.  She looked a lot nicer.  I sensed a new air of confidence about her.  Not bad Terri.   I decided to take her again that night....

......but on the this night I decided to enhance the activities. This time, I asked to take a shower with her.   She was very unsure about this.  But, I persisted and Terri relented and we did that shower, BUT, the Galt had plans!!   As the shower came to an end, I sat her down on the western toilet.   I spread out her legs (girls resist this so a slow pry-bar hand action is required) and took a little survey of the landscape and I begin to explain to her that she needed some adjustments.  She was wide eyed and just a bit unsure about what I was talking about.   My broken Thai didn't help matters and I'm sure that she was considering a quick exit.   But, my slow and gentle approach won out, I introduced her to a Mach 3 razor.  These razors are great because it is nearly impossible to nick your skin with those blades.  They are a bit on the expensive side, but they work wonders.   In Terri's case, we needed to remove her leg hair.  She didn't have that much.  Most Asian girls here don't have much hair although there are a few in the crowd who do.  In this case, her leg hair was average.   Ok, there you go, nice......  Now, I explained to her that farangs also liked a little bit of sculpturing at the Y.   With interest, she seem to take a liking to my artistry.   We were starting to have some fun.  Splendid.   Terri was studying my work.  I think it sank in.   Humm.... Nice finish.  A da vinci, I am not.  But, I do know what looks great at a girl's nether region.

Our evening was nice, like before the sex was nice.  I know she didn't bury her head again in the pillow.  I remember solidly that she was much more engaging.  Again the next day I gave her another 1,000 (remember this was about 2 years ago when prices were not as high as they are now, I would probably give her 1,500 today).

The following day was my last day on that trip.  I had to say good bye to her.  She almost cried in front of me.  Her eye welled up with tears and she was wiping those droplets away.   It was very sweet and in my own way I felts some sadness for her.   I liked her.  She is was nice girl.  Honest.  Sweet.   Certainly she would make a good girlfriend to someone or maybe a serious longer term partner.   I think if I would have asked her, she would have come home with me.  But, that wasn't part of my plan.  I said good bye.

3 Months Later...

It's not often that you get to follow up on a girl you know 3 months down the road.  However, in this case, Terri was still working on my next visit to Pattaya.   I went back to the bar and there she was.  She looked nice and obviously more confident.  She was rather surprised and excited to see me.   We visited for a few moments and her English has markedly improved.  Leaning over to me and in a jumpy excited voice said "I shave every day".   She has the biggest smile on her face.  She made a motion to dump the guy she was talking to at the bar and I stopped her.  I told her that I didn't have time and that she should stay at the bar with her customer.   She was disappointed a little but I didn't want to pick up again where I left off with her because it just wouldn't have been the right thing to do.  It was best to keep my distance.   I didn't take her again.

On my next visit a few months later, she was gone.   I have not seen her since.  I hope she found a love for her life and quit the bar business.   She was not as ease with that job.   Terri didn't belong there.   She was just a nice girl from up country who needed some opportunity and I hope she found what she was looking for.   It was a nice experience for me.  I remember her very well and if I had the chance I would go it all again..... Guess what??   I do have the chance!!  Because there are always new girls in the crowd.  Whoooo Waaaaaa.

 A Caution from The Galt

You will also hear from time to time that someone is "brokering" a virgin.  They may be trying to sell that girls first experience for money.  My instinct is not to believe it.  They are just scamming you.  Typically, a virgin is so scared that they just won't go through any handler like that.  Finding one of these girls in Pattaya is hit or miss.  In the country it's much easier because some girls are just going about their daily routines and they just haven't been sexually active yet.   But, even in the country, it's common to lie about your status.   Perhaps you'll not really know for sure in any given situation.  Much of what you believe to be true will come from a gut instinct.  If a girl tells you she was a virgin before you touched her, she may telling you the truth.

The Galt Promotes Safety During this Visiting Season

One of the problem we have here in with tourist are thieves who will pick your pockets.  I believe it is one of most common crimes and considering no one get hurt physically, I much prefer this type of trouble over physical violence.   Don't get me wrong, people can get hurt with crime but I think most people who do get physically hurt are those who are making trouble for themselves by traveling in the wrong circles.  If you are just a tourist it is very unlikely that you will get hurt here.  I feel pretty safe myself.

However, when you are here you can be distracted quite easily.  There are dozens of things to see and do and you may not always be aware of people bumping into you.

One of the scams that is fairly common is for a number of Katoeys to walk up to you and fool around with you.  They will ask you questions and try to touch you.  If you are not careful they will pick your pockets.   I was with a guy last year who lost a cell phone to them.  He was wearing pants with about 8 loose pockets.   They were all around him and playing with him and when they were gone a minute later, the cell phone was gone too.   The phone was a cheap one and he was quite matter-of-fact about it all.   He was here to have fun and a $60 phone wasn't going to get in the way.

But, this guy was lucky.  He could have lost his passport, or his credit cards or money.   As a visitor here, you are at some risk for this type of activity and you'll need to prepare yourself.

Pick-pockets are also working in larger Discos they are anywhere where crowds are.   If you put things in your back pockets, you can lose those things.   If you come down walking street and look up at the euro-trash girl dancing in the window, you are at risk of someone coming up behind you for the grab.

You'll also need to protect yourself from the girls who you take back to your room.  Oh, yes.  Under the right conditions they may take things from you.  Normally they will not, but they can.   Why tempt them with opportunities?  Don't do it.

I have one really solid suggestion that you'll find very helpful.  I use this technique every day for my own protection.  I place my valuables inside a side pack like the one you see in this picture.   In one pocket, my Passport and Work Permit, in another my phone, in another my cash and ATM cards, and in the front pocket coins/change. 

It's a very effective method to keep things organized too.   When you walk through crowds, your hand naturally falls over it and you can just grip it.   With your hand on it, no one is going to open it.   Its in one central location and if someone touches it, that will attract your attention.

When I have a girl with me at a hotel OR at my house.  This pack does not leave my immediate side.  It's always on me or on my side of the bed.  When I walk to the shower, the pack comes with me.

At my last trip to Pattaya, I had a go-go girl ask me why I take it into the bathroom.  Why did she even ask? (gets you thinking).

I explained to her in my best Thai that if I had forgotten how much money was in there the next day, I would have no worries about her in thinking that she may have took something from me. 

When you take this pack with you, it protects you and the people who are around you.   It's just that simple.  You can buy these almost anywhere around town.  You'll see them for sale in many shops.

(by the way in case you are wondering, Yes, that is me in the picture, the Willy Wonka of my Chocolate Factory, but no Oompa Loompas here).   See, I take my own advise.  Everything I tell you in my column I do in practice.  I give you my word on that.

Let me show you something interesting ...  See this cabinet?   It has a lock on it.  Locks are very popular in Thai furniture.  There is a good reason for it.  It protects people from themselves.    Even inside households all across the country, people are stealing from each other.  Also, thieves are breaking into homes as well.

It's sad but true.   In your own household you must lock up valuables so pilfering finger don't reach those items.   Stealing is a sneaky evil.  I suspect that Thai transgressors are naturally adept as such activities because in this country "The ends justify the means" and people are accustomed to lying and doing things that separates others from their money.

I think part of the problem is in the schools with "Under Exposure" you can see what I write about that in this column.   I don't see this problem coming out of teaching in the households but I could be wrong about that.

One More Step in Preparation

For those of you coming over for a visit.  One more thing that will be really helpful to you.  Don't forget to make a copy of your passport and Visa once you arrive.   Copy the identification section.  Place that copy in your luggage.   Don't keep the copy with your Passport.

If you somehow loose your passport, a copy of the identifying areas will greatly reduce the difficulty in getting your passport replaced.    If you don't have anything to help the embassy officers you may be forced to have documents flown over from your home country and that is a difficult and costly thing to have done.  So, make the copies and hold them in a separate place just in case you loose that passport during your stay.

Tony's New Europa Dance Club

Tony, of Tony's Entertainment complex is a long term figure in Pattaya.   He had been there for a number of years.  His accomplishments are pretty respectable.   He is probably known best for Tony's Disco.  The main Disco is viewed at his rock solid money maker, but he also owns exercise centers, a restaurant or two, a hotel and a number of other businesses.

Soon, he'll be opening a new club.  It may even be open right now as I was there a few weeks ago.  I was with him as we walked through the place and he was issuing final instructions to his contractors on the finishing touches.

The left half of this building is a fitness center. The right half is the new Europa Dance Club. 

It has a nice layout.  Tony has adopted the hexagonal shape as one of his design motifs.  The inside is done in purple and has a nice flow to it.  The club has two levels inside.  There is a stage for live entertainment.   You'll also find about 6 pool tables in there.

There are a couple of unique items.  A swing hangs from the ceiling.   I would only guess that is so they can strap a hot babe in there and let her sail through the air.

The larger hexagon area on the right is what Tony calls a "swimming pool".   Tony speaks very good English and so does his brother.   But, I would call this cement pool more of a tank.  In the picture on the right, you'll see that it's not complete yet.  The glass is missing from the sides.   I would suspect that some girls will be swimming in the tank during the course of normal operations.   I don't know for sure, but this what makes sense.

The club is in a slightly out of the way place.  You have to go down Walking Street past Tony's main disco and turn left at the first street you come to.  This takes you right passed Catz, Boesche, and X-Zone on the right.    Walk about another 100 feet and look for an entrance on the right that leads you into a parking lot.  At the back of that lot is the club.  Tony has very large signs all around and I saw a sky light there.   Look up to the sky for a light beam.  You shouldn't have any troubles finding it.

Let me put a wrap on this column for today.  Thailand has some unique opportunities.  In terms of the girls, most any ordinary guy can come here and feel a little bit like Elvis.  No, you won't be able to sing, but you can rock the house with the ladies.

If you look carefully you might even find a fresh girl in the crowd.  They are there.  Look for those who are really shy.  I don't know if you'll succeed without some Thai language.  It's going to be a hit or a miss.  Also, remember there also girls here with very little farang experiences too.   So, that is pretty close to a similar situation.

And remember, you have to see this place for yourself.   Do not believe everything your read on the web.  Do not send money to people here in Thailand unless you know them first.  Keep your radar on and you'll have a great time in the Land of Smiles.

John Galt