A Rookie’s First Trip to Flipper House and Soi 7 (DONE)

Story One: A Rookie’s First Trip to Flipper House and Soi 7

So in February 2023 I retired at the age of 59 after 41 years at work. I had visited a few Thai places in the UK and wanted to experience the bar girl and go go life out in Thailand.

In March 2023 I booked flights for February 2024 flying out on a Monday and returning a week on Thursday giving me nine nights away. The flights were from Manchester with Emirates and cost £800 plus £80 for seat reservations. Manchester is 50 miles from my home and flying at 800 p.m. and landing back at 700 a.m. meant I could get to the airport by train in 2 hours for just £15 each way.

I booked the flights 45 weeks before leaving and there were times when it seemed a lifetime away but I managed to keep busy during my first year of retirement. In May I had a video consultation with you which proved very helpful. After that I booked accommodation at The Flipper House Hotel on Soi 7. I booked a deluxe room for £40 a night perhaps a bit expensive by Thai standards but being used to UK prices I was more than happy with it.

I had already bought insurance so I then settled down for 7 months to watch as much stuff on YouTube as I could.

So the big day finally comes around. I was at the airport early with no travel problems but we took off almost an hour late with just 95 minutes to connect. I was getting a bit concerned but it was soon clear we were making up time and we landed in Dubai just 15 minutes behind schedule. Connection went okay and we landed in Bangkok on time at 645 p.m.

I had booked a taxi from 740 p.m. to give myself time to get through immigration change some cash and just generally get my bearings after so long in the air (I don’t fly much). I had booked in mid December with a company of female only drivers called Nam’s. Communication with them was excellent as were the directions they gave me within the airport. I found my driver easily.

Arriving in Pattaya and Exploring Soi 7

Walking out of the airport building the heat hit me for the first time. As we put my bag in the car I was offered a bottle of ice cold water which was very much appreciated. The drive took under an hour and a half and we turned off Central Pattaya Road onto Beach Road. I got my first look at what I had been watching on YouTube for almost a year Beach Road Soi 6 Second Road and Soi 7.

I can’t fault Nam’s and I will definitely use them again if available. We were met outside Flipper House and my case was carried in. Check in was easy with a security deposit of 500 baht required. I was shown up to my room on the fifth floor and as the air conditioner safe fridge and bathroom were being explained to me a cockroach appeared on the floor. The guy left the room returning 2 minutes later with a second guy and the two of them now armed with an aerosol and broom proceeded to gas and beat the thing to death. An interesting introduction to Thai life.

I was very happy with the room big with plenty of shower space and four complimentary bottles of water. After unpacking I asked the front desk where the nearest 7 Eleven was as I wanted to stock up with a few drinks and bars of chocolate. I then went to a massage shop over the road from the hotel for a foot and lower leg massage which I really needed after my trip. The service was very good and for 200 baht plus 100 baht tip less than £7 in total it gave me an idea as to how much cheaper Thai life could be.

After returning to the hotel to shower I decided to hit the beach for a walk followed by my first bar at Lisa on the beach with a live band. I don’t drink alcohol these days and a Diet Coke cost me 50 baht plus a 10 baht tip. I then made a couple of circuits of Soi 7 and Soi 8 for a first proper look at the bars and all the girls standing outside all quite surreal after so many months of watching it online. I eventually retired for an early night at about 100 a.m.

I was out by 1100 a.m. down Second Road to Soi Diana for my first look at LK Metro. I had done plenty of research looking at maps online and I found it without any trouble. By now it was noon and very hot indeed. After a couple of cold drinks I found two places I had been looking for Kink and Olivia’s Bar. I had a salad for lunch before getting lost on my way back to the hotel but eventually made it at 300 p.m. It was still very hot but housekeeping had left another few bottles of water.

At 415 I left to find my first gentleman’s club. I was looking for a place I had researched and found it half an hour later. The experience was very interesting and very enjoyable. I had a back and head massage across the road from the hotel before showering and headed to the Food Hall in Central Pattaya shopping mall (on Central Festival) to eat. Fish and chips was 170 baht less than £4 and I decided this would be my regular spot for a late afternoon meal as I don’t really do foreign food.

Bar Drinks and Decisions

I then headed north for a first look at Soi 6 which was a definite step up from Soi 7 and 8. Back on Soi 7 I stopped at Shooters just across from the hotel to check out my first dancing girls. I had a couple of drinks. Two girls asked if I wanted them to join me but I said no I just wanted to watch. Following advice online I kept a close eye on my bill and let them see me do that.

After another quick shower (the heat was really something) it was back down to LK Metro and Fival go go bar. As in Shooters I had two drinks but sat on my own despite a couple of approaches. However there was a guy alongside me with a girl half on his lap and it was quite eye opening to see what they were getting up to in public. I was around the LK Metro area from midnight until about 145 a.m. and then back at The Flipper House for some well earned sleep.

The next day I was out after breakfast at 1145 and I hired a deck chair on the beach for a 3 hour dose. After a couple of drinks at 7 Eleven I stopped and returned to the hotel for a shower and I noted that I had managed to sit in some chocolate. I took my shorts and two T shirts to the laundry just across from the hotel who said they would be done in 24 hours for 150 baht very good.

After another meal at Central another foot massage and some general wandering around I ended the day back at LK Metro and the Crystal go go bar. This time I decided to indulge. Three drinks for me three drinks for her and plenty of very nice contact. I kept a close eye on my bill and it was a very good experience indeed. After a couple of drinks elsewhere and a chalice on the beach I was back in The Flipper House by 230 a.m.

And that really was the pattern to my day for the next six days and nights. After breakfast food was a late afternoon meal at Central Festival and a burger in LK Metro around 100 a.m. The heat had a real effect on my appetite. I didn’t really appreciate how hot it would be which might sound silly to say when you’re visiting Thailand but it really was baking and making me tired at times. The brief rainstorm early Saturday afternoon was a welcome relief.

There were another three gentleman’s clubs which were good fun and great value. Nights were LK Metro and the surrounding area. I did go to Walking Street twice but for some reason it didn’t do much for me. It seemed a bit touristy with even a few couples and families taking photos. Also the rushing clubs are down there which raises a bit of a red flag for me. On the whole I found the LK Metro area to be a far better option for entertainment. I was in the go go bars round there every night with upstairs at Kink being of particular interest.

Future Trips and Practical Travel Tips

Between the go gos The Matador live music bar on Soi Buakhao (just off LK Metro) was a regular haunt and the Triangle Bar was another favorite. I didn’t bar fine any girls although that is definitely going to happen next time.

I’ve already booked a return visit for next November around 9 nights and right now in March 2024 it seems a very long time away. This time I’m flying with Lufthansa and changing in Munich for £600 around £200 less than the Emirates flight. Again I’m flying late and landing early at Manchester. I’m not bothering with seat reservations so a big saving on the flights.

I know you’ve had a few issues with Flipper House but I had no problems at all and I’m very happy to be back there in November.

Lessons for the future there’s no need to take as much stuff. Most toiletries can be bought in 7 Eleven cheaper than back home likewise with clothes. The laundry on Soi 7 was superb eight pairs of underpants for 70 baht and two shirts for 45 baht.

I wasn’t flying home until 840 p.m. and had planned to save a few baht by traveling to Bangkok Airport by bus but ended up booking a taxi from the hotel as I couldn’t be bothered dragging a suitcase around in the heat. I took your advice and traveled with £50 notes and exchanged at TT Boost for between 44.80 and 45.30 to the pound. I also took some baht in cash which I got online at 44.22 to the pound as well as some baht on a Wise card.

So all in all a fantastic experience made all the better by so much invaluable advice from people like yourself online. Thank you all very much. I’m hoping to make two visits a year whilst funds permit and every time I buy something in the UK I find myself converting the price into baht and asking myself “Do I need to spend this money or could I do more with it in Thailand?” I can’t wait to return in November and will be booking a third visit for February in the next month.

Story Two: From Tragedy in the United States to Love in the Philippines

I was married to a nice American woman from 2006 until she passed away from cancer in 2020. Before she died my wife had often encouraged me to get remarried and have children after she passed away as she knew that I always wanted children but we were unable to have them because of the tumors she developed not long after our marriage that prevented her from getting pregnant. She would tell her friends that came over to visit that I was 44 a good cook good looking (of course) and made a decent living so hook him up with a new wife when I’m gone.

I’m a practical man and I knew at 44 years old I should not wait too long before I started dating again. My plan was to wait at least 6 months to a year to start dating but my bookkeeper who was a 20 year old brunette 5’3″ 115 hard body literally threw herself at me and that was impossible to turn down. So we started dating and she was saying she wanted to get married and have children her clock was ticking. But about 2 months into our relationship she decided to go back to her ex and have a romp with him “just one more time” to make sure she was making the right decision.

When we found out she was pregnant I was fine with it until I found out that I could not be the father because I was on a business trip during that time frame. Unfortunately I was not secure enough not enough of a man to accept her having a romp with her ex “one last time.” She actually said to me that she had to do that and she knew she needed to be with me because when they were having aerobics she was thinking of me the whole time.

I politely declined her offer to stay together and moved on to several other crazy 20 somethings in the US. All of them ended up in a similar manner with an unfaithful deceptive series of events causing me to send them back to the streets from whence they came.

In early 2022 one of my clients who is about as unattractive as a guy gets cross eyed 300 pounds gruff short beard not rich all the things American women complain about showed me a picture of his 29 year old fit cute girlfriend from the Philippines. I was thinking “Wow if he can meet a nice girl from the Philippines surely I can as well.

So I started planning a trip to the Philippines as soon as things opened up from COVID. I believe in being effective and the Philippines is a big country so I signed up for Filipino Cupid. I made it very clear what I was looking for and I did not want to waste time with women that did not fit the bill.

Meeting Online and Planning a Trip to the Philippines

I met some beautiful women on the app but it was obvious they were used to being persuaded by men. And while I believe a man should make the first move I want to see a woman willing to invest just as much. Chasing a beautiful woman will quickly put them on a pedestal and the pressure below them so I don’t do that. If I find I’m the one making the most effort I just stop messaging and if you’re important to them they won’t let much time go before they are messaging and calling you.

I was about 2 weeks out from leaving for Subic and I had just blocked a beautiful young lady who seemed to have some kind of mental issue and was getting to a point where I was just going to head over and see who I could meet in person. I decided to give it one more go when I saw a beautiful petite girl named Rose. She had the sweetest smile so I sent her a very short message saying “Hello how are you?” And she responded.

We had our first video chat about 24 hours later as I always want a video chat right away to confirm that this attractive woman isn’t fake. We got along famously. She was a very sweet innocent 28 year old girl from the province of an island called Samar. She came from a very good conservative Catholic family. She had dated one local guy briefly who cheated on her and she decided she could not trust local men. She had chatted with different foreigners but none had ever come to meet her in person.

After about a week of chatting I told her I would meet her in Subic and I sent her $25 for a one way ticket to Subic. The next day she told me she made a mistake and she is not allowed to meet men by herself and asked if I could meet her in Manila so I could meet her family. I was thinking “Here we go with the usual BS.” I had already booked an Airbnb in Subic and had tickets from Manila to Subic for both of us and I told her no.

To my surprise she thought about it for a few seconds and she said “Okay no problem.” I don’t want to be the guy she makes rules for I want to be the guy she breaks them for. So once she said she would meet in Subic I ended up getting sick on the plane and staying in Manila to meet her family anyways and I’m glad I did. Her family was very nice very welcoming and I got along great with them.

We spent two nights in Manila and then went on to Subic. We got along great other than she did not cook and I found myself doing most of the cooking when we did not go out to eat. Other than that she was an absolute doll. She did not demand anything and it actually took about 2 weeks for her to start asking to buy food at the grocery store. Foolish me I thought she loved all the same food I did but in reality she did not feel right asking me to buy her anything.

Meeting Her Family and Getting Engaged

I spent 3 weeks with her and took her back to her family. Warning do not trust your girlfriend to get you to the airport on time. I ended up missing my flight because time is not really their strong point.

I came back to the US as I have a business to run and it doesn’t make near as much money without me but I booked a ticket back to the Philippines 7 weeks later. As crazy as it may sound I took an engagement ring with me this time and I proposed to her in front of her family. She said yes of course and we became officially engaged.

I made a total of six trips over there over a year and a half. We saw a lot of different islands. We talked every day on video call. I got to know her family especially her little sister who has near perfect English. She moved to the US in January 2024 and we are now trying to have our first child. She has learned to cook. She keeps the house very clean and even helps in my business. She finds anywhere she can help out and adds value to my life however she can. She is already great friends with my mother and my family they absolutely love her.

I know men will say I’m making a mistake and taking a huge risk bringing her back to the US. But any marriage is a risk and I am old enough to have dealt with enough women to see a woman with the qualities of a wife.

Story Three: The Freelancer Who Became a Wife, A Four Year Success Story

My name is Alan and at the time I was 43 but a very fit 43 year old and I live in London. My story is about my third trip but I feel I need to give you some background.

My brother and my friends have been coming to Thailand for many years but as I was married I never made the trip. However in 2014 I went through a bitter divorce and my brother convinced me to go with them to Pattaya. I knew what the deal was and I knew what went on so I worked hard and saved up my money and we came out to Pattaya in February 2016.

We visited all the usual spots like Soi 6 LK Metro and of course Walking Street. I was a proper butterfly spending time with every girl that took my fancy and I had a great time. On my return to the UK I rebooked to go back out to Thailand in April for Songkran. This would be my second trip as I had now been bitten by the Pattaya bug. I’m not going to say much about this trip as it was virtually the same as the last one lots of mongering drinking and partying.

I like to post things on Facebook but my Facebook friends list consists of family work colleagues and close friends and I really didn’t want them finding out about my mongering. So I decided to create another Facebook profile but this time I blocked all the people that needed to be blocked except my friends that came out with me to Thailand. I started to send out friend requests to girls all from Thailand and before long my friends list had grown.

Now on one occasion I came across a Facebook profile of a girl that I instantly liked so I sent her a friend request which she accepted. I went through her photos and posts like a stalker and saw that she was hooked up with a local guy from Bahrain. I couldn’t believe it but I’m not one of those guys that will try and poach another man’s girl. It’s just not me. However all the while I wished I could be with this girl as I really liked her.

I had decided to go back out to Thailand in October and this would be my third trip of the year. My brother decided he would join me this time. We were going out for 2 weeks. We were joined by four other friends who had never been to Thailand and then more friends would join us a week later.

Meeting Nat During the Lockdown

We landed at Bangkok and took a taxi straight to Pattaya for two nights. We then headed over to Koh Samui for two nights. We decided to take some girls with us to Koh Samui to keep us company. We returned to Pattaya and paid the girls for their time and said our goodbyes. Everyone was happy.

Here we are back in Pattaya where I had no intention of staying with just one woman. The day after we came back to Pattaya King Rama 9 unfortunately passed away and eventually went into lockdown. No clubs were allowed to be open on the first night so we decided to go to the Major Cineplex Cinema at the Avenue Mall. I found a freelancer and asked her if she wanted to join me which she said yes.

On our way back there is a bar complex between the Avenue Mall and Soi Diana and we realized a bar was open but with no music and dimmed lights. So we stopped off for a drink. The bar only had about six girls in. The mamasan knew the girls probably hadn’t made any money this night. I decided I would ring the bell. Big mistake. From nowhere another eight girls came running and we were shocked. All of a sudden seven staff turned into 14. However I didn’t argue with them. I just paid the bill and left and never went back to that bar again.

The following night the bars and clubs were allowed to open but had to keep the music low and they had to close by midnight. My friends and I went out during the day and did the usual bar crawls and that evening we went to our usual venue on Walking Street Club 808.

The next morning I got a message from the girl that I liked the one who was living with a guy in Bahrain. She sent me a message with an emoji of a dancing girl which surprised me. Had she seen me yesterday? And if so where? I messaged her back asking her if she had seen me and she said yes in Club 808. She said she saw me dancing on the stage and I instantly felt embarrassed. I don’t know why I felt that way as I normally wouldn’t care if someone saw me dancing. I asked her why she didn’t come over and say hello to which she replied she still felt shy. I then told her if she saw me again to come and say hello.

That evening we went back to 808 and we were joined by friends of mine who live in Pattaya. We were in the VIP section in 808 when I saw my Facebook girl in the crowd with her friend. I waved her over and introduced myself and asked her if she wanted a drink. Her name was Nat and we had a drink together. As the club was closing at midnight we all went our separate ways and I went back to my room alone. Later Nat messaged me and thanked me for the drink.

Meeting Nat in Pattaya

The next day I was out and about bar hopping and ended up in Soi 6. As I had an exhausting day I had decided that I would call it a night at 1100 p.m. and head back to my hotel to rest. Out of the blue I get a message from Nat asking if I was coming to Club 808. I told her I was tired. She then said she came to Club 808 to see me and she was waiting for me.

I decided to rush back to my hotel have a shower and head over to 808 to meet Nat. I got there just as the club was closing but I managed to find her in the crowd. I asked her if she would like to get some food. She said yes so we headed over to the KISS restaurant on the corner of Second Road and Soi Diana. The location was ideal for me as I was staying at the LK on Soi Diana (which I believe is now called the LK Residence).

We sat there eating and talking and I asked her about her Bahrain boyfriend. She told me that they had split up and that is the reason she came back to Thailand. Nat told me that she was from Udon Thani and that she has a 2 year old daughter from a previous Thai partner who died in a motorcycle accident before her daughter was born.

We went back to my room for more drinks and had an enjoyable night. In the morning I had made plans to meet my friends and I told Nat that I could not take her with me. So Nat got ready and before she left I offered her some money to compensate her for her time but she refused to take the money from me.

Later that day I made plans to meet up with Nat again. I actually ended up spending the rest of my holiday with Nat which was amazing. She showed me around and I actually got to see another side of Pattaya. We both talked about our lives. She told me that she originally came to Pattaya after her daughter was born as she needed to earn money to support her daughter and her mother. Nat also told me that when she was with her Thai partner they both worked at a 7 Eleven and they were very content with life. After her partner died Nat found herself alone and had to support her family and unfortunately working in a 7 Eleven on her own just didn’t bring in enough salary to support them all which is why Nat decided to come to Pattaya and freelance.

Nat wasn’t a greedy girl. Sometimes she would offer to pay for drinks. I would normally pay for a bottle when we went to Club 808 and she would pay for the mixers. In fact I’m sure I saved more money than I spent on Nat due to the money that she saved me bargaining when out and about in Pattaya daily.

Falling for Nat and Planning a Future

My time in the Land of Smiles had come to an end and it was time to fly back to the UK. I told Nat that I really liked her a lot but I couldn’t afford to look after her full time. She told me that she wasn’t looking for a sponsor but that I also had to understand that she needed money to support her family so she had to work. And working in Pattaya normally meant just one thing for a girl.

Once I was back in London we talked all the time. I found myself totally falling in love with Nat over time. But I hated the fact that she was working in Pattaya. 6 weeks had passed and it was killing me thinking about her. So I decided to take a second job as a delivery rider delivering takeaway food across London.

I told Nat that from now on I was going to support her and that I wouldn’t take no for an answer. I also told her that if she felt the same way that I did she would go back to her village and look after her daughter. She reluctantly agreed because she didn’t want to put pressure on me.

This is where the problem started. My friends found out and all hell broke loose. They told me “She’s going to take you for everything. You can’t trust a Thai bar girl. If you go down this road you can forget about being friends with us.” It got so bad that they blocked me on our WhatsApp group. My brother had the same negative attitude and I couldn’t turn to my family for help. I was literally on my own.

At the end of the day I’m a grown man and for better or worse it was my decision and one that I would have to live with. I talked with Nat two or three times a day every day but I never told her what was happening my end. I sent her money and she was very grateful and stayed with her daughter in the village.

Christmas came and went and I decided to go out to Thailand to visit Nat. So I booked a trip for the beginning of March. I hadn’t said anything to Nat but I had bought an engagement ring and a wedding band with the intention of asking her to marry me. I kept it to myself as I was now at a point that I didn’t give a damn about what anybody else thought about this relationship.

The Wedding in Thailand

Nat took a bus from Udon Thani and met me at the airport. We went to Pattaya and I proposed to her. Happily Nat accepted. I told Nat that I intended to marry her on this trip and I also told her to speak to her family and make the necessary arrangements. Her mother was apparently shocked but happy for us both.

I had researched what I needed to do to officially marry a Thai girl and take her to the UK. I took the relevant paperwork with me and I had booked an appointment at the British Embassy in Bangkok to process the paperwork and get the necessary stamps required. This whole process would take three long days.

So after spending two nights in Pattaya we traveled to Bangkok. I had my appointment at the embassy paperwork stamped. It was then off to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where we found a guy who took care of the translations that were needed and would wait in line and submit the paperwork for us. As it was going to take 3 days the agent would collect it all and put it on a flight to Udon Thani of course for a fee which I was happy to pay. This allowed us to go and travel to Udon Thani and start preparations for the wedding.

I knew a dowry was usual and this is very common in my culture too as my parents were both from Bangladesh but we were all born and brought up in England. I asked Nat how much I was expected to give. She told me that it was up to me and her mother would be happy with any amount. So I decided I would give 150000 baht which is about £3500 or $3800 at the exchange rate at the time.

Our wedding was small with about 40 to 50 close family and friends and it was held at her mother’s home. We had a great time and I was made to feel very welcome by all of the wedding guests.

The following day we got a message that our documents were now on a Nok Air flight so we made our way to the airport and picked them up. The following day we were at the local registry office getting married officially stamped and approved by the Thai government.

Building a Life Together

Not long after this had all been completed I flew back to the UK and applied to bring Nat back to the UK on a spouse visa.

Eventually my brother and my friends found out about the marriage and after this they all calmed down and went back to how they were previously. I returned to Thailand at the end of April and spent 3 weeks with my wife and new family and had a great time.

My wife’s visa was granted at the end of August 2017. I flew back to Thailand for a week to bring Nat back to the UK to start our new life together. My family finally introduced to Nat and she was made to feel welcome. Nat got on with everyone so well even my brother who had said he didn’t want to have anything to do with her. My friends also came around and now they have the utmost respect for Nat. They apologized to me for the way they had behaved so I forgave them.

Nat started work at my friend’s restaurant as she explained that she did not want to put pressure on me to send money back to her mother and daughter. So she worked very hard to be able to send a good amount of money back to her family every month. After 2 years in my friend’s restaurant Nat managed to get a job working at a Hilton hotel with a much better salary and better working conditions. Nat even managed to buy land back home eventually for her family.

We have been married for over 4 years now and she still takes care of me so well. Every day after work Nat will check that I’ve had a hot meal. If I haven’t she will cook one for me. Nat has supported me throughout some difficult times especially after losing both of my parents. My parents adored Nat and she adored them. I will be 48 years old at the end of the year. We are planning to return to Thailand full time when I retire at 55.

I know a lot of the stories that you receive from other guys always end in disaster well at least most of the time. However I truly believe that you can find a nice decent girl that truly wants to be involved in a relationship and just wants to support her family back in Thailand. I’m very lucky I met a freelancer in Pattaya and I could have been one of the above mentioned stories. However everything up until now has worked out perfectly and both Nat and myself are very happy.