Bangkok’s Red-Light District: We Lived in the Middle of It – With Our Kids

Bangkok After Dark: “Welcome to the Jungle”

Right in the heart of Bangkok’s Red-light district, we found our base for seven intense days: Hom Hostel. The location was perfect—Starbucks and Burger King on the ground floor, a minimart in the basement, and a small market right outside our door. Here, we could grab anything from makeup to sandals, underwear, and handbags. And just a few minutes’ walk away was the BTS Skytrain station, our gateway to the rest of the city.

But there was one thing we hadn’t quite realized: We were staying in the heart of Bangkok’s infamous red-light district—Nana Square. A name announced in an almost oddly soft voice over the Skytrain speakers: “Next station… Nana.”

We had planned to film this and turn it into a little skit, but as usual, I blame my husband for forgetting. However, here’s a YouTube clip that captures this unique pronunciation—sorry in advance if this is just an inside joke for us!
🎥 Watch it here

If you’ve been on the BTS and heard it yourself, this probably brought back some memories. If not, it only takes a few seconds to get it.

“Dirty Pretty Things”

We arrived in Bangkok during the low season, in August, which may have made the atmosphere a little calmer than usual. But even so—Nana Square was impossible to ignore. When the sun sets, the neon lights flicker on, illuminating a side of Bangkok that sparks curiosity, outrage, or fascination. It’s not just about cheap street food and souvenirs—it’s about what’s hidden in the shadows, what remains unsaid, yet lingers in the back of many people’s minds when they think of Thailand.

Bangkok after dark is a beast baring its teeth. And Nana Plaza? It’s not for the faint of heart. You hold your 10-year-old’s hand just a little tighter as you walk through the street.

Luka thought Bangkok’s nights were exciting—the lights, the sounds, completely different from anything he’d seen before.

This is Bangkok’s “naughty central,” as Hotels.com so elegantly puts it. Streets lined with neon signs, women in short dresses and sky-high heels, their eyelids shimmering with metallic eyeshadow as they wait—for what, who knows. Narrow alleyways glow red, bars filled with boys, girls, ladyboys—and every variation in between. Here, more than just souvenirs are bought and sold.

Most people pretend not to see it. For others, it’s the whole reason they’re here. Elderly Western men stroll hand in hand with girls young enough to be their granddaughters. Small groups of tourists weave through the streets, nervous yet intrigued—it’s both alluring and repulsive at the same time. This is a billion-dollar business—a shadow industry that Bangkok can never quite shake off. And for many, this raw, unapologetic reality is exactly what makes the city so electrifying.

“Blurred Lines”

Directly across from our hostel was Hooters, and a little further down, Bully’s—spots catering to Western tourists looking for burgers, beer, and big-screen sports. But it wasn’t just the bars that set the mood. Street vendors filled the air with the scent of grilled meat, noodles, and exotic spices, while hawkers tried to convince passersby that their sunglasses, handbags, or souvenirs were the best deal. The sidewalks were a mix of every nationality—a chaotic blend of backpackers, expats, businessmen, tourists, and those who simply belong here.

Read more about the traffic in Bangkok here

For a family of five, living in the middle of this chaos was… an experience. During the day, Nana felt like any other busy Bangkok neighborhood—people rushing to work, small cafés buzzing with customers, and traffic roaring past in classic Thai style. But after dark, the vibe changed. The music from the bars got louder, and on every street corner, people stood with agendas beyond small talk. We never felt unsafe, but it was impossible to ignore the stark contrast between Bangkok’s light and dark sides.

“Behind Blue Eyes”

Nana is not the Bangkok you see in glossy travel brochures. It’s the city in its rawest form—a place where luxury hotels stand shoulder to shoulder with alleyways filled with stories you’ll never fully understand. A district where modernity collides with tradition, where tourism and local life blend into an unpredictable and mesmerizing chaos.

For us, Hom Hostel was our retreat in the middle of it all—a place to regroup after long days of exploration. And while we hadn’t chosen Nana deliberately, it gave us a unique insight into a side of Bangkok that isn’t just about temples and markets. It’s a city that lives, that breathes, that never really sleeps.

Perfect, we thought. Not because of the sex industry rotting in the alleyways, but because we refuse to raise kids in a bubble. Our children are no longer little. They see. They understand. They ask. And we explain. Because we refuse to raise kids who believe the world is a Disney movie.

We lived here. Right in the middle of it. With three kids. And yes, at times, it was uncomfortable. But we don’t regret it.

Because what should we have done? Shielded them from it? Pretended this world doesn’t exist?

Instead, we took evening walks together. We talked. We discussed. They asked questions, and we answered—honestly. Because this is the real world. Not a censored, family-friendly version.

Nana showed us a reality we wouldn’t have chosen, but one we wouldn’t have missed, either. Our children learned something here—something far more valuable than any textbook could teach them.

That the world is gray, not black and white.
That money buys more than just things.
That freedom isn’t a given.

Some people will say we’re crazy for bringing our kids here. That we should’ve chosen a safe, sterile holiday bubble, far away from anything ugly or uncomfortable.

But you know what? We believe the opposite. Kids don’t need to be protected from reality—they need to understand it. Because one day, they’ll step out into it. And it’s better to be prepared than to crash headfirst into their own ignorance.

So no, we don’t regret it. We didn’t choose Nana.

But maybe we were meant to end up here.

Bangkok isn’t for everyone. Some fall head over heels in love. Others never want to return.

We did both.

We’ll be back, Bangkok.

But maybe not to Nana Square.

Read more about Bangkok with Kids – Our First Week of Travel