Cabaret Show Kaaa!

The most striking cultural difference upon landing in Thailand is their language. One of my favorite parts of Thailand is Thai and how it is such a manifestation of their culture. Thai sounds happy and upbeat by nature, just like Thai people. My favorite part of Thai is how the women can end just about any sentence with the term ka, which symbolizes (upon investigation) politeness. Thai for thank you is kop un kap for males and kop un ka for women, so ka kinda makes sense as an abbreviated form of thanks. Women add it to everything: "Thai tea ka," "goodbye ka," etc., even when they are advertising one of their recent national pastimes... Cabaret show ka!! Simpky put - come see the show, please!

Cabaret shows, or lady boy shows as they are known to us, are elaborate cabarets where lady boys and girls alike dress up extravagantly, dance, and lip synch to top 40 and other catchy songs. The result is a fantastic mess. 

My favorite numbers are the cell block tango from Chicago, and a river deep mountain high cover by Celine Dion. I took the liberty of recording a bit of that for your listening and viewing enjoyment. 

http://youtu.be/tSCLQUqiCdQ

Even though this show is $40, it is worth every penny. The only part I don't like is at the end when you exit the theater through a gauntlet of desperate lady boys wanting to take pictures with you in exchange for 100-500 baht ($3-$16). It is sad for me because they usually perform in the show as a way to make extra money towards their surgeries. It is also just downright uncomfortable. 

Cabaret shows are definitely a part of Bangkok lore and culture. They are a must for anyone with the spare hour and a half in the evening.