- Continents
- Countries
The Land of Smiles has it all. In Bangkok the pace is chaotic, and the nightlife unforgettable, with some of Asia’s finest cuisine. Chiang Mai glitters with temples in the sun, while the jungles beckon with a sense of adventure. And when you’re ready to unwind, Thailand’s coasts are lined with some of the world’s sexiest beaches (and that’s just the sand).
Despite Thailand’s open arms policy towards gay foreigners, LGBT locals are still fighting for equal rights and protections. A divide exists between how gay westerners and gay locals are treated.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Other Type of Partnership
Right to Change Gender: Illegal
Same-Sex Adoption: Married Couples Only
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in Some Contexts
Equal Age of Consent: Equal
Thailand is an exceptional destination for gay travellers. Most major cities in Thailand, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and even Patong (Phuket), have vibrant gay scenes with colourful nightlife – their cabarets are world-renowned! Even smaller cities tend to have gay-welcoming bars frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Gay Villages
Bangkok: Silom (Specifically Soi 2 and Soi 4)
Phuket: The Paradise Complex
Chiang Mai: Night Market Area (Specifically Charoenprathet Alley 6 and Charoenprathet Road)
Pattaya: BoyzTown, Sunee Plaza and Jomtien Complex
Gay Pride/Events
White Party Bangkok: Annual in December
Phuket Pride: Annually in April
TropOut Phuket: Annually in April
Pattaya Pride Rainbow Festival: Annually in February
Best Gay Beaches
Pattaya: Dongtan Beach
Phuket: Pa Tong beach in front of “La Flora Resort Patong”
Best Gay Bars
Bangkok: Telephone Club
Bangkok: Fake Club
Bangkok: White Rabbit
Chiang Mai: Ram Bar
Chiang Mai: Secrets Bar
Chiang Mai: Pandee Gay Bar
Chiang Mai: Sound Up (Club)
Phuket: Boat Bar
Phuket: Zag Bar (Men only)
Best Lesbian Bars/Events
Bangkok: Lesla at Chit Chat (Thailand’s largest Lesbian monthly event)
Bangkok: Vega Cafe (Lesbian-owned cafe/bar with Karaoke. Mixed crowd.)
Bangkok: Go Grrrls (Lesbian monthly parties)
5. Ko Samui
Home of the infamous Full Moon Party, Ko Samui is a long-celebrated tropical oasis. Ko Samui tends to be populated by younger backpackers, but the shockingly beautiful island has plenty to offer seasoned travellers as well including some of the country’s best snorkelling and scuba diving.
4. Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s premiere resort island and has one of the country’s largest gay scenes. The main drag is buzzing – often overcrowded – and not worth too much of your time. However, renting a scooter and exploring the island’s less visited sections may lead to secret beaches, memorable food experiences and some incredible Andaman vantages.
3. Chiang Rai
On the cusp of Myanmar and Laos, sits the province of Chiang Rai. Climb the region’s colourful mountains or descend into its lush valleys and the snaking Mekong.
2. Chiang Mai
When you’ve had just about enough of Bangkok’s frenzy, take shelter in calming Chiang Mai. This northern capital is distinctly Thai and has a wide-range of cultural activities to keep visitors entertained.
1. Bangkok
Bangkok is the true epicentre of Gay Asia and the East’s answer to ‘The City that Never Sleeps’. It is a thrilling extravaganza full of cultural highlights, historic sights, gastronomic delights and BIG city nights. After a day exploring the sprawling city, head to Silom for some of the best gay nightlife in all of Asia including world-class Cabarets and drag shows, exceptional gay bars and dangerously packed gay clubs.
Best Time to Visit: Winter (Nov-Mar) is the ideal time to visit Thailand. Temperatures are cooler, and – depending on which side of the country you visit – there’s less chance of rain. Even then, it will be hot and sticky, with daytime temperatures easily exceeding 30C/85F.
Electricity: A-, B-, and C-type sockets.
Time Zone: (GMT+07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta
Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Thailand, there are no vaccinations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic.
Visas: A visa is not typically required for American, Australian, British and Canadian citizens travelling to Thailand for fewer than 30 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
LGBT Rights in Thailand
Despite Thailand’s open arms policy towards gay foreigners, LGBT locals are still fighting for equal rights and protections. A divide exists between how gay westerners and gay locals are treated.
Gay Activity: Legal
Lesbian Activity: Legal
Gay Marriage: Other Type of Partnership
Right to Change Gender: Illegal
Same-Sex Adoption: Married Couples Only
LGBT Discrimination: Illegal in Some Contexts
Equal Age of Consent: Equal
Gay Thailand Travel
Thailand is an exceptional destination for gay travellers. Most major cities in Thailand, including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and even Patong (Phuket), have vibrant gay scenes with colourful nightlife – their cabarets are world-renowned! Even smaller cities tend to have gay-welcoming bars frequented by locals and tourists alike.
Gay Villages
Bangkok: Silom (Specifically Soi 2 and Soi 4)
Phuket: The Paradise Complex
Chiang Mai: Night Market Area (Specifically Charoenprathet Alley 6 and Charoenprathet Road)
Pattaya: BoyzTown, Sunee Plaza and Jomtien Complex
Gay Pride/Events
White Party Bangkok: Annual in December
Phuket Pride: Annually in April
TropOut Phuket: Annually in April
Pattaya Pride Rainbow Festival: Annually in February
Best Gay Beaches
Pattaya: Dongtan Beach
Phuket: Pa Tong beach in front of “La Flora Resort Patong”
Best Gay Bars
Bangkok: Telephone Club
Bangkok: Fake Club
Bangkok: White Rabbit
Chiang Mai: Ram Bar
Chiang Mai: Secrets Bar
Chiang Mai: Pandee Gay Bar
Chiang Mai: Sound Up (Club)
Phuket: Boat Bar
Phuket: Zag Bar (Men only)
Best Lesbian Bars/Events
Bangkok: Lesla at Chit Chat (Thailand’s largest Lesbian monthly event)
Bangkok: Vega Cafe (Lesbian-owned cafe/bar with Karaoke. Mixed crowd.)
Bangkok: Go Grrrls (Lesbian monthly parties)
Best Places to Visit in Thailand
5. Ko Samui
Home of the infamous Full Moon Party, Ko Samui is a long-celebrated tropical oasis. Ko Samui tends to be populated by younger backpackers, but the shockingly beautiful island has plenty to offer seasoned travellers as well including some of the country’s best snorkelling and scuba diving.
4. Phuket
Phuket is Thailand’s premiere resort island and has one of the country’s largest gay scenes. The main drag is buzzing – often overcrowded – and not worth too much of your time. However, renting a scooter and exploring the island’s less visited sections may lead to secret beaches, memorable food experiences and some incredible Andaman vantages.
3. Chiang Rai
On the cusp of Myanmar and Laos, sits the province of Chiang Rai. Climb the region’s colourful mountains or descend into its lush valleys and the snaking Mekong.
2. Chiang Mai
When you’ve had just about enough of Bangkok’s frenzy, take shelter in calming Chiang Mai. This northern capital is distinctly Thai and has a wide-range of cultural activities to keep visitors entertained.
1. Bangkok
Bangkok is the true epicentre of Gay Asia and the East’s answer to ‘The City that Never Sleeps’. It is a thrilling extravaganza full of cultural highlights, historic sights, gastronomic delights and BIG city nights. After a day exploring the sprawling city, head to Silom for some of the best gay nightlife in all of Asia including world-class Cabarets and drag shows, exceptional gay bars and dangerously packed gay clubs.
More Info
Best Time to Visit: Winter (Nov-Mar) is the ideal time to visit Thailand. Temperatures are cooler, and – depending on which side of the country you visit – there’s less chance of rain. Even then, it will be hot and sticky, with daytime temperatures easily exceeding 30C/85F.
Electricity: A-, B-, and C-type sockets.
Time Zone: (GMT+07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta
Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Thailand, there are no vaccinations needed for entry. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic.
Visas: A visa is not typically required for American, Australian, British and Canadian citizens travelling to Thailand for fewer than 30 days. There may be exceptions, and all visas are the responsibility of the traveller.
Travel writer and Out Adventures’ chief wordsmith, Lino DiNallo, visits Thailand’s premiere Elephant Sanctuary. Read about his experience.
Read MoreThe Tourism Board of Thailand’s new LGBT campaign isn’t just an example of sticky fingers. Here’s why the country is a true LGBT ally.
Read MoreA Q&A with Out Adventures’ gay Thailand guide.
Read MoreIn his latest memoir gone awry, our staff writer takes on the Land of Smiles and it’s famous New Year celebration, Songkran.
Read MoreSeven solid reasons to visit Thailand on a gay tour with Out Adventures.
Read MoreFive fast facts about Thailand’s Songkran festival. Gay travel with Out Adventures.
Read MoreCheck out this visual preview of the slick and sublime hotels and resorts featured on Out Adventures’ gay Thailand tours.
Read MoreA trip of a lifetime. Out Adventers’ gay Thailand tour is a very good sampling of the Thai culture from the people, food, religion and history.
There is no better way to experience Thailand if you’re a member of the LGBT community looking to explore the world in-depth and in-style.
Everything was attended to!
It’s a great way to cover a lot of ground in countries that might be daunting, or impossible to negotiate otherwise. Deluxe, comfortable, professional, fun.
We had such an excellent tour leader. He went to great lengths to ensure we were all enjoying ourselves and was very knowledgeable about the country and its history.
It was a perfectly scheduled adventure shared with like minded guys.
