Any seasoned tourist who comes to Pattaya would never forget to mention Walking Street as one of the highlights of his – or even her — trip. Its unique ambiance can be likened to a scintillating song of a mermaid, drawing one to plunge into the depth of experience that is both captivating and alluring.

The marquee at the entrance is emblazoned with psychedelic lights, imbuing a sense of a free-spirited lifestyle.

As you get into the place, you can’t help but be overwhelmed by the cacophony of sounds all around, prompting you to let go and let your hair down as well.

Part of the Walking Street’s charm is its spontaneity. You do as you please, as long, of course, as it is within the bounds of the law and decency.

The wide span of its street serves as the center stage where various activities take place. There is continuous flow of people coming from all directions, reminding us of the never-ending quest of the human species for new adventures, some of which can be had right in this road.

These adventures can include the gastronomic kind. You can either have fine dining or go for street food from street-smart entrepreneurs who post their menus, right on lampposts along the street. Why they are written in Thai when most people you see are farangs is anybody’s guess. Perhaps it is to remind guests that when you are in Rome learn to read Latin (or Italian during these days) and order food in Latin – or Italian, as the case may be.

Or, those with fetish for the macabre, can go and watch a native snake charmer as he cheats death every time he dodges the deadly strike of a seething cobra that sends some in the audience to jump from their seats when the snake becomes too close for comfort.

One may opt for extreme adventure of triple x shows, available at a wave of the hand to peddlers disguised as, well, software or music CD vendors.

For the lonely at heart, there is the adventure of a lifetime. And that is to pursue the girl of your dream by going for the stools where a bevy of lovely (some heavily made up, for sure) girls (and perhaps, some katoeys).

Looking at them shift from one stool to another can be entertaining. No different from a Trip to Jerusalem game, the only difference is that the stools remain where they are with the women plucked out one by one as the night wears on. 

Walking Street is not for the moralist, the religionist or for the plain bigot. It is for those who truly seek adventure wherever they may be found. But it’s good to remember to keep your guard at all times – or end up waking up without your wallet, or, worse, losing your way home to a waiting family – if you get my drift.