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Thailand has a devoted fan base of gay and lesbian travellers of all stripes. From its white-sand beaches, to its preserved tropical jungles, queer-welcoming cities and, of course, spicy cuisine, there’s something for everyone.
Along its peninsular south alone, The Land of Smiles boasts more beaches than any other Southeast Asian destination. In Phuket, hedonists can drink fresh coconut water on popular Patong Beach by day, and throw back shots of Sangsom with local Kathoey (drag queens) by night. In Krabi, a more peaceful respite awaits LGBT jetsetters with many resorts only accessible by longtail boat. Sea kayaking, snorkelling and even scuba diving are available at both destinations. Meanwhile, baby gays flock to Thailand’s numerous islands such as Koh Tao and Koh Samui to indulge in the azure waters, cheap beer and full moon parties (a wild affair popularized by Leonard Decaprio’s cult classic, The Beach).
Eco-tourism has a long history in Thailand where the endangered Asian elephant still roams in the lush (but slowly shrinking) tropical jungles. The country’s mountainous north is particularly well known for its cool-climate countryside. Fields carpeted in rice paddies collide with jungle and mountain. Gay hikers looking to explore this agricultural region are often rewarded with picturesque waterfalls and a menagerie of exotic birds, butterflies and adorable wildlife.
Bangkok is both the country’s capital and the beating heart of its LGBT scene. While the noisy city isn’t for everyone, more often than not visitors are enthralled by its blend of modernism and tradition. For example, you’ll see saffron-clad monks shopping the city’s numerous megamalls, and BMWs parked in front of centuries old Buddhist temples. A sophisticated rapid train (the MRT) ushers locals between skyscrapers, The Grand Palace and the Chao Phraya River. For those looking to savour the city’s gay nightlife, head to Silom 2 near the Central Business District. In our opinion, Silom 2 offers one of the most (if not THE the most) welcoming and accessible gay scenes throughout Asia.
At Out Adventures HQ, we have a popular saying: Travel Stomach First. In other words, we let our taste buds lead us around the world. And, like so many before us, our taste buds have led us to Thailand where a symphony of fiery chilies, salty fish sauce, fresh sugar cane and tangy citrus fruits paint a culinary masterpiece. In Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Hong Son and other northern provinces, you’ll love the tropical curries. Meanwhile in the south, freshly hooked seafood is grilled with lemongrass and chilies. If you want an authentic taste of Thailand’s famous cuisine, we highly recommend booking a popular street food tour, guided market visit or Thai cooking class.
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.
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
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 in Thailand
Pattaya: Dongtan Beach
Phuket: Pa Tong beach in front of “La Flora Resort Patong”
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)
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)
Home of the infamous Full Moon Party, Koh Samui is a long-celebrated tropical oasis. Koh 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details please see our Covid-19 FAQ.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Thailand, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
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.
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
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 in Thailand
Pattaya: Dongtan Beach
Phuket: Pa Tong beach in front of “La Flora Resort Patong”
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)
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
Home of the infamous Full Moon Party, Koh Samui is a long-celebrated tropical oasis. Koh 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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Covid-19 Vaccination Requirements: Out Adventures requires proof of full Covid-19 vaccination from all guests, following recommendations by the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For more details please see our Covid-19 FAQ.
Other Vaccinations: Based on the entry requirements for Thailand, there are no other vaccinations needed. To determine if you should take preventative measures to reduce the risk of illness, you should consult your doctor or a travel medical clinic, as Out Adventures cannot provide vaccination recommendations.
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.
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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.
