Sukhumvit Road night strip

It runs along the pavements of Sukhumvit Road, roughly from Soi 3 to Soi 15, in the Sukhumvit district of Bangkok. This is lower Sukhumvit, the stretch around Nana and Asok with the densest concentration of expat bars, gogos and hotels. Nearby bars include The Pickled Liver, Drop In and We For You @7.

They are independent women who walk the pavements after dark rather than working for a bar. There is no bar fine and no mamasan here, so you agree everything with the woman yourself. The strip is one of several freelancer spots in the city, along with the Soi 7 Beer Garden and Insanity.

Settle everything out loud before you go anywhere: the amount, what it covers and when she will leave. Never pay more than the agreed amount because she asks nicely, and never hand over money before you have agreed. Walk away from anyone who keeps changing the deal. VIP members see realistic price ranges on the venue listing.

Generally yes for a walk, but the risks are to your money, not your person. Keep your phone in a front pocket, carry only what you need and keep your drink in sight. The main danger comes after you leave: use a guest-friendly hotel that checks ID at reception, and lock your valuables in the room safe.

They come out after dark, with the pavements busiest around the time the gogo bars empty out. Numbers vary with the weekend, the weather and police attention, so check on the night. Soi 7 and Soi Nana are just along the road if you want a drink in the same stretch before you decide.

The Pickled Liver, Annies Massage, Drop In, Chrome Bar, Beer Garden and We For You @7 are the closest. Soi 7 and Soi Nana are just along the road, and the beer bars there give you somewhere to sit between walks. Rooftop bars and nightclubs are a short ride away.

On the pavement you meet and negotiate in the open, with no venue behind either of you. In a freelancer bar, you buy a drink, chat and agree terms in a more controlled setting, and the venue has a stake in keeping the peace. A bar is easier for a first-timer, but the pavement costs you no drinks.

Agree everything up front, keep your valuables light and decide before you leave where you will take her. If you want a drink first, use one of the nearby bars to chat and gauge the mood. Confirm she is of age by checking ID at your hotel's reception, and go home alone if anything feels off.