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

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.