Soi Cowboy

Soi Cowboy at night, with elephant

Soi Cowboy at dusk

Check out the latest WikiSexGuide's Soi Cowboy video from April 2014!

‘’‘Soi Cowboy’’’ is a well-known red-light district in ‘’’Bangkok’’’, ‘’’Thailand’’’. Soi Cowboy is 150–200 meters, is crammed with nightlife, establishing it as one of the city's most concentrated adult entertainment hubs in Bangkok. Soi Cowboy, alongside Nana Plaza is one of the most well known of red-light districts in Bangkok.

Though compact, Soi Cowboy holds significant sway in the Bangkok sex guide scene, frequently cited as the most accessible red-light district for those new to Thailand.

Soi Cowboy during the day, with Fanny's, Dollhouse and Midnite Bar visible on the left

1 Location and How to Get There
2 History of Soi Cowboy
3 Go-Go Bars and Nightlife on Soi Cowboy
4 Ladyboys and Transgender Bars
5 Prices, Bar Fines, and Typical Costs
6 Short-Time Hotels Near Soi Cowboy
7 Dating Apps, Tinder, and Casual Sex
8 Safety, Rules, and Behavior
9 Soi Cowboy vs Nana Plaza vs Patpong
10 Best Time to Visit
11 Final Notes
12 See Also

Location and How to Get There

Soi Cowboy is located off Sukhumvit Road, just between Sukhumvit Soi 21 (Asoke) and Soi 23.

Nearby landmarks: Terminal 21 shopping mall, Asoke intersection
BTS Skytrain: Asok Station
MRT: Sukhumvit Station

Soi Cowboy is easily accessible on foot and well-lit at night. Taxis, motorcycle taxis, and Grab are widely available nearby.

History of Soi Cowboy

Soi Cowboy takes its name from T.G. “Cowboy” Edwards, a retired American airman who opened one of the first bars here in 1977 and was known for wearing a cowboy hat. He owned one of the area's earliest bars back in 1977, and he was rarely seen without his famous cowboy hat. The moniker gained traction thanks to Bernard Trink, a Bangkok nightlife columnist who had been there for years.

Since the late 1970s, the soi evolved into a ggo-go bars strip, and it's managed to stay fairly consistent, unlike other parts of Bangkok's nightlife scene. It's weathered several government crackdowns and shifts in regulations.

Go-Go Bars and Nightlife on Soi Cowboy

Soi Cowboy is full of go go bars. Most Soi Cowbo venues are open-front or glass-fronted, allowing visitors to see inside before entering.

Typical features include: Stage dancing, alcohol service, noisy music and bar seating facing the dance stage.

Most dancers in Soi Cowboy are sex workers and may agree to leave the bar with customers after payment of a bar fine and separate personal fee. Sex services take place outside the bar, usually at the customer’s hotel.

Popular and long-established venues include: Baccara, Tilac, Kiss, Country Road, Midnite and Cockatoo whihch is popular among ladyboys.

Bar lineups and quality vary nightly.

Ladyboys and Transgender Bars

Soi Cowboy is also known for its visible ladyboy presence. The most famous venue is Cockatoo, a bar featuring transgender performers. Transgirls may also be found working in mixed venues along the strip and through nearby dating apps. Sex with transgirls cost usually around 1500 to 3000 baht, plus the bar fine.

Compared to Patpong, Soi Cowboy’s ladyboy scene is more centralized and easy to identify in here.

Prices, Bar Fines, and Typical Costs

Soi Cowboy prices fluctuate depending on the bar, time, and individual dancer.

Beer: 150–200 baht
Lady drink: 200–250 baht
Bar fine: 800–1,500 baht (can be higher for popular dancers)
Sex: 1500 to 3000 baht (can be higher or lower also)

Soi Cowboy is generally more expensive than Patpong but slightly cheaper and less aggressive than Nana Plaza.

Short-Time Hotels Near Soi Cowboy

Sex does not take place inside the Soi Cowboy bars. Most sex happen in nearby hotels or short-time hotels around Sukhumvit and Asoke.

Many hotels in the area are extremely guest-friendly
Some hotels nearby charge an extra fee for a second guest
Hourly rooms can be found within walking distance of Soi Cowboy

Soi Cowboy visitors should confirm hotel policies in advance if they wish to bring escort to their room.

Dating Apps, Tinder, and Casual Sex

Tinder is one of the most commonly used dating apps in Bangkok for casual sex and escorts. It is widely used by tourists, expatriates, and local Thai girls, and is often mentioned alongside ThaiFriendly and Badoo when discussing dating app casual sex and how to get sex in Bangkok without visiting a red-light district or paying a bar fine. Most bargirls in Soi Cowboy and other red light areas of Bangkok seek clients same time on the streets, bars and dating apps.

Safety, Rules, and Behavior

Entry is restricted to persons 20 years and older
Drugs are not allowed and periodic checks have occurred historically
Violent behavior is very rare but not tolerated
Government signs stating “NO-ONE UNDER 20 YEARS” are posted at bar entrances

As with any prostitution zone, visitors should monitor spending, avoid excessive intoxication, and settle bills promptly.

Soi Cowboy vs Nana Plaza vs Patpong

Soi Cowboy – compact, open, tourist-friendly, easy to navigate
Nana Plaza – large, multi-level complex, more intense
Patpong – mixed nightlife, shopping stalls, declining go-go scene

Many red-light district visitors explore all three during a stay in Bangkok.

Best Time to Visit

Weekends are busier
High season: November to February
Bars open from 7:00 PM
Peak hours: 9:30 PM – midnight

Final Notes

Soi Cowboy remains one of the most well known locations in Thailand prostitution tourism and an important part of the Bangkok red light district network. While not big in size, it offers a concentrated introduction to Bangkok nightlife, go-go bars, ladyboys, and casual encounters.

For first-time visitors, Soi Cowboy is often the easiest place to start Bangkok sex experience.