Gay Bangkok - a pink guide
Hit the gay bars, lesbian joints, cabarets and saunas
Thai people are very tolerant and welcoming of the gay crowd and offer a very relaxed and comfortable environment for the gay community and its visitors. Like most of Thailand, Bangkok is generally an extremely gay-friendly city. A wide range of hotels, guesthouses, bars and clubs in the city cater for gay and lesbian clientele from all over the world.
Gay and lesbian Bangkok can be fun, naughty, refined or private, depending on what you prefer. There are plenty of discreet gay massage places in Bangkok, as well as pockets of lively bars and go-go venues. Some visitors may prefer the tasteful restaurants and spas that are welcoming of a gay atmosphere in Bangkok. Wherever you go, Thais and foreigners alike are sure to make you feel welcome and comfortable.
Thailand has a larger than average gay community, which readily embraces people of all orientations. The feminine side of society is celebrated and many Thai boys find it much easier to ‘come out’ in this country, especially in Bangkok. Visiting gay men find it easy to find themselves a partner here, with many attractive young men who are openly gay, well presented and fun. Gay couples also find it a great place to enjoy a holiday.
Then there are the famous ladyboys, who add a fun character to the gay community. Most ladyboys are ‘she males’ who are equally at home with women and men. They often find themselves partners in both gay and straight men and are always ready for a party. These ladyboys can be quite assertive, but generally take good care of themselves.
The lesbian community in Bangkok is much smaller and more discreet, but definitely has a place here. There are several lesbian/mixed establishments on Sukhumvit Road that cater especially to foreigners, and the indifferent attitudes in Thailand makes this a popular place for Western lesbians to come and vacation, live, or meet lovers. An increasing number of women are turning bi' or lesbian (they are often let down by Thai men), but they are far more discreet.
Anjaree: Thailand's sole lesbian support/social group and, for more than 20 years, it has been publishing a newsletter, arranging regular meetings and special events, and engaging in political activism. Unlike the gay and straight scene in Thailand, there is virtually no lesbian go-go scene to speak of. Tel: (02) 668 2158, mobile: 086 677 9009, email: anjaree@hotmail.com.
Gay pride
Bangkok is also home to the Bangkok Annual Pride Week, which takes place in mid-November and culminates with the vibrant Gay Parade. For a more extensive overview of the gay and lesbian scene in Bangkok, we recommend the following:
Utopia Asia: extensive Asian gay network site with plenty about Bangkok
Drededned’s: a useful info resource and classifieds site, along with some events listings
Purpledragon: arranges tours of the region for gay travellers and groups
Ask darika: provides finger-on-the-pulse gossip about the gay scene in Thailand; Darika is a local gay celeb
Gay hotels in Bangkok
Gay-friendly hotels and guesthouses tend to be centred around the Silom area of the city. The most popular budget hotels for gay visitors are the Pinacle (17 Soi Ngam Duphli, Rama 4 Road, tel: (02) 287 0111-21, email: lumpinee@pinnaclehotels.com), Malaysia Hotels (54 Soi Ngam Duplee, Rama 4 Road, tel: (02) 679 7127-36, email: info@malaysiahotelbkk.com) plus the slightly downmarket Rose Hotel (118 Surawongse Road, Bangrak, tel: (02) 266 8268-72) and Suriwong Hotel (31/1 Suriwong Road, tel: (02) 266 8257-60, email: surawong@loxinfo.co.th).
Ladyboys in Bangkok - enjoy their fabulous shows
The hand down favourite place to stay among affluent homosexuals is the Sukhothai Sukhothai (13/3 South Sathorn Rd.,tel: (02) 344 8888, email: info@sukhothai.com), which is very, very gay. Glitz Boutique Hotel (135/18-19 Surawong Road, Bangrak, tel: (02) 634 0001-5) in Silom is a smartly designed contemporary hotel with all mod-cons, which is very gay-friendly and close to all the colourful nightlife. Tarntawan Place (119/5-10 Surawong Road, tel: (02) 238 2620, email: tarntawan@tarntawan.com) is another popular openly gay hotel that is well worth recommending.
Baan Num is a tiny guesthouse run by a delightful lesbian couple, which has only three rooms but bags of charm. Room Rate 350-450 baht. (430 Soi Somdejprapinklao 7, Prapinklao Road, Bang Yi Khan, tel: 089 686 9110, (02) 883 1280, email: baanmum.bkk@gmail.com).
The best rates for these hotels can be found on Agoda.com
Gay Restaurants in Bangkok
Some popular restaurants that are frequented by Bangkok’s gay and lesbian communities are Harmonique, (22 Charoen Krung Rd., Open Mon-Sat 11:00-22:00, tel:(02) 630 6270), Cabbages and Condoms (Tel: (02)229 4610, Open: 10:00-22:00) and the Old Dutch. Visitors are sure to find great food and friendly company at any of these establishments. Eat Me (1/6 Soi Phiphat2 (off Convent Rd., tel: (02) 238 0931, email: info@eatmerestaurant.com) offers a friendly atmosphere, industrial décor and art shows and is gay owned and operated.
After dark, Bangkok has plenty for a gay or lesbian visitor to see and do. Many gay and lesbian tourists are often shocked and thrilled by the openness and friendliness of Bangkok’s gay scene. The main concentration of gay venues is focused around Silom Road Soi 4, Soi 2 and Soi 2/1.
Gay bars in Bangkok
The Happen Entertainment Bar is a friendly and busy place, popular with the gym crowd and it also contains a good shop above the bar.
Some great bars in this area include the Telephone Pub and Restaurant (114/11 Silom Soi 4, tel: (02) 234 3279) as well as the equally fun Balcony. A popular after hours venue is God (60/18-21, opposite Silom Complex, tel: (02) 632 8033). Formerly the Freeman Dance Arena, which hosts regular cabaret shows and DJ Station (8/6-8 Silom Soi 2, tel: (02) 266 4029) a large and rowdy nightclub popular with both Thais and foreigners.
Café Society (12/3 Silom Rd. Suriwong, tel: (02) 235 9758, email: john@coffeesociety.co.th) is another gay-friendly café that is situated near the Sky Train station between Soi 4 and 2. As well as being a great place for people-watching, they serve very good coffee and internet access is freely available. Heaven (4th floor, BIS Building, 119 Soi Mahesak, tel: (02) 266 9092 - Mr Kai or Mr Toon) is another popular venue near to the Silom Road area. It is a sauna with very nice rooftop garden and host of private rooms. Recently opened in the funky 9 Nightclub, also on Silom Soi 4, (tel: (02) 266 3682) which has a nightly cabaret at 21:00 and regular events.
Gay saunas and massage in Bangkok
Some notable saunas and massage are the Babylon Sauna Barracks (34 Soi Nandha, South Sathon Road, tel: (02) 679 7984, open: Sun-Thurs 12:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 12:00-01:00,), Arena (491/19-21, Silom Plaza, 2nd floor, tel: (02) 635 3645, open: noon-midnight) and Aqua Spa Club (11/5 Soi Sathorn 9, tel: (02) 286 5233, open: 14:00-24:00).
There is also Hero Men’s Fitness Club (65 Sukhumvit Soi 11, tel: (02) 251 1033), the Banana Men's Fitness Club (49/9 Sukhumvit Soi 11, Klong Toey, tel: (02) 651 0002), and Nobody Massage (4/10 Soi Prapaipak (opposite Novotel Lotus Hotel), tel: (02) 260 9289). Hero Sauna (65 Sukhumvit Soi 11, tel: (02) 251 1033) is an upmarket sauna and contains an indoor waterfall and a great spa. The Beach Resort Sauna (316 Soi Preedeepanomyong 42 (Panich-anan), tel: (02) 713 0007) and the Gent’s Club (Thonglor Soi 8, Sukhumvit 55, tel: (02) 390 0197) are also popular venues among gay and lesbian clients in Bangkok.
There are a good number of gay go-go bars in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok. On Soi 7 there is the Man’s Club (Soi 7, Sukhumvit Road, tel: (02) 255 4675), also the Big Boy Cocktail Lounge (1/34 Sukhumvit Soi 11, tel: (02) 253 3727) and Jet Set (32/19 Sukhumvit Soi 21, tel: (02) 258 4311).
The Siam Ratchadamri is a far smaller area than either Silom or Sukhumvit, but it still houses some interesting gay-friendly entertainment. Gypsy Pub and Restaurant (Ari Soi 2), is a great place to eat and enjoy the atmosphere and there are two notable saunas; the Chakran Sauna (32 Soi Ari 4, Phaholyothin 7, tel: (02) 279 1359) and the V Club Massage (32 Chakran Building, Soi Ari 4, tel: (02) 279 3322).
Lesbian bars Bangkok
Being much smaller and private by nature, the lesbian scene tends to be more restricted to private groups and gatherings at individuals homes. The Bangkok lesbian crowd are generally welcomed at most gay venues, yet their options are limited to a number of mixed places. Sukhumvit Soi 4 is the trendiest gay area in Bangkok, but it is perhaps a bit too hectic for some people and is often crowded with ‘straight’ tourists. The best-known ‘tom’ club (as Thai lesbians like to call themselves) is Zeta (Open: 20:00-02:00, tel: 086 039 3671) in the RCA nightclub complex (south of the city); it’s strictly female only and no males at all are allowed past the door.
Mambo (Washington Theatre, 22-24 Sukhumvit Road, tel: (02) 259 5128), is a mixed cabaret place that can be fun for groups to visit. This is quite an upmarket establishment and reservations are recommended. On the same lane is the lively Thumb Up with its mostly lesbian clientele that is particularly popular on Fridays. Nearby is the more down to earth Relax (Sukhumvit, soi 23), which is a karaoke restaurant with a mixed crowd.
Updated and correct: January 2012
