The Legendary Thermae

The original Thermae was a Bangkok fixture that had been around since the R&R days of the Viet Nam war. A late night (after bar hours) club, the original Thermae was jammed with off duty go-go bar girls, massage parlour girls and bascially every kind of free-lancer out to make a few extra bucks. Unfortunately the old Thermae was ripped down during the summer of 1996 (RIP) to reportedly build condos on the spot (Bangkok is growing up my friends). The new Thermae (which sprang up at almost the same time as the original was being destroyed) is located just down the street from the old Thermae (Sukhumvit Road between Sois 13 and 15 but about 50 meters closer to Soi 15, in the basement of the Ruam Chitt (sic) building). Alas, much of the old ambiance has been lost to the newer, larger and more sterile Thermae of late.

While many people find the Thermae to be the quintessential Bangkok sex experience. I'd exercise a little caution here. Unlike many of the go-go bars and massage parlours, the Thermae does not employ the girls you will find there. Nor do they make them go to get HIV or any other STD tests. Many of these girls have regular 9 to 5 jobs in Bangkok or are going to college or are just poor in general and in need of funds! They only show up in the Thermae when they run low on money and want to make a quick buck. If you take a girl out from the Thermae, make no mistake - it's going to be cheaper than if you tried to buy out a go-go girl at the King's Castle. However, if she rips you off or feeds you a "waxy" nipple ;) you will have no recourse (not like you would anyway) but in this case, there will be absolutlely NO WAY to re-locate this woman later. Just a thought.

December 16, 1996 at 14:56:09:
I just returned from a month in Asia including the last few days in Bangkok -- a couple of updates. The new Thermae definitely doesn't have the ambiance of the old Thermae, but there are more women there than the old Thermae. The new Thermae is on Sukhumvit between Sois 13 and 15, just 3 or 4 buildings down from the old Thermae. They are building a new bar beer right smack in the middle of the Nana Plaza - ruining the "ambiance" of the place....what a shame. Many of the 2nd and 3rd floor bars have closed, but the place is still active and worth a visit. ENJOY

December 16, 1996 at 18:56:33:
Yes I agree with your comments. I was in BKK a couple of months ago and I visited both. The new T doesn't have that "live in" feel about it compared with the old one...however it is still interesting place to visit. When I went, I was there early, really for a drink more than anything else. However, a single guy there doesn't last long and I was propositioned pretty quickly! I did a package deal which included her and her friend back at my place for a short time!! Enjoy!!