Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for LGBTQIA+ travellers in the world. Its tourism industry has directly courted gay travellers for a long time, and the country is home to many robust LGBTQIA+ communities. It’s known for its fantastic LGBTQIA+ nightlife, with plenty of options throughout the country. Although the main gay scene is found in Bangkok, Phuket, Koh Samet, and Pattaya are also popular gay destinations. If you’re an LGBTQIA+ traveller in Thailand, you can expect a fun, welcoming atmosphere and plenty of great parties.
Thailand: is it LGBTQIA-friendly?
Thailand is a fantastic country for LGBTQIA+ travellers. Public displays of affection in general are traditionally seen as taboo and this extends to heterosexual couples as well. You’re unlikely to be harassed for displaying affection, but avoiding it is generally seen as more respectful. While LGBTQIA+ travellers will generally have no issues travelling here, LGBTQIA+ rights in Thailand for locals are still a work in progress.
As of 2022, transgender people cannot legally change their gender, while the recognition of same-sex marriages or civil unions are still in the works. LGBTQIA+ people also face barriers in many employment areas, despite anti-discrimination laws passed in 2015. The Bangkok Rainbow Organisation and Thai Transgender Alliance are two organisations working to change that, and they may also be able to assist you if you run into any trouble during your trip.
Where are the best LGBTQIA+ areas in Thailand?
You’ll find the biggest LGBTQIA+ scene in Thailand in its capital city, Bangkok, and it’s a great city to meet LGBTQIA+ locals and travellers. Phuket is one of Thailand’s best islands and is also home to some of its best gay hotspots. Pattaya is well known for its nightlife and beautiful beaches, and Koh Samet is the perfect spot for partying on the beach.
Gay bars and clubs in Bangkok
Bangkok’s main gay area is based around two streets: Silom Soi 2 and Silom Soi 4. Silom Soi 2 is where you’ll find gay clubs and parties, and Silom Soi 2 is where you’ll find more relaxed bars and dining options.
These are, by far, the best spots for meeting LGBTQIA+ people in Thailand. Bangkok is Thailand’s most popular tourist destination and is home to plenty of amazing attractions outside of its gay nightlife. The Grand Palace Museum, Wat Arun Ratchawararam Temple and Erawan Shrine are all great places to visit during the day.
Pride Bar & Restaurant
Pride Bar & Restaurant is the successor to the famous Telephone Bar, which sadly had to close in 2021. Pride Restaurant, right next door, bought it out and expanded its restaurant to include a gay bar that’s always packed. They have a lovely seating area outside where you can watch crowds roam up and down Silom Soi 4. The restaurant serves a delicious selection of Thai and international dishes.
The Stranger Bar
The Stranger Bar is the best spot in Bangkok for drag shows, and it’s right next door to Pride Bar. You’ll find queens putting on incredible performances every night of the week, and the shows are always fun and engaging.
The show usually starts at 10:30 pm, and there are multiple short performances running each night. There’s no entry fee to get in, but you do need to order some drinks. It’s a very popular spot and not too big, so you might have to queue for a while before you can get in, but don’t worry, it’s well worth the wait.
Balcony Bar
Across the road from Pride Bar and The Stranger Bar, you’ll find one of the best karaoke bars in Bangkok. It bills itself as ‘The Fun Pub’, and there’s certainly plenty of fun to be had, drinking delicious cocktails and belting out your favourite karaoke hits. The balcony also frequently hosts cabaret shows and go-go dancers, with shows starting at 10:30 pm. If the lines are a little too long for your tastes at The Stranger Bar, Balcony is a great alternative.
DJ Station
DJ Station is one of the busiest, most popular gay clubs in Bangkok, at one end of Silom Soi 2. Silom Soi 2 is home to most of Bangkok’s gay clubs, and the whole street is almost like a club complex, so you need to pay to get into the street itself.
The club starts filling up at around 11:30 pm, and things kick off at midnight with an electric drag queen lip-sync show. The club is spread across three floors, and there are more relaxed lounge areas around the dance floor. As one of the most popular gay clubs in Bangkok, you might want to avoid going on a Saturday night if you don’t like dealing with large crowds.
Gay bars and clubs in Phuket
Phuket has the second biggest LGBTQIA+ scene in Thailand (behind Bangkok). You’ll find most gay bars and clubs concentrated in Patong, a beach resort on the west coast of the island. Beyond the bars, Phuket is home to many beautiful beaches and attractions, such as the Big Buddha, historic Phuket Old Town and the Wat Chalong Buddhist temple.
Zag Club
Located in Phuket’s Paradise Complex, the ZAG Club is one of Phuket’s most popular gay hotspots. It’s divided into a more laid-back bar/lounge area, dance floors and an exclusive VIP area. There’s also a terrace bar that spills out onto the street. It’s open from 8 pm to 2 am, and happy hour is between 8 pm and 10 pm.
Connect Bar & Restaurant
Connect Bar & Restaurant is located right in the heart of the Paradise Complex. It’s one of the best places to meet gay people in Phuket. You’ll find a lot of travellers here, as it’s part of the popular Connect Guesthouse. Buffet nights on Thursdays and Sundays are a particular favourite.
Tangmo Club
Tangmo Club has plenty of entertainment on offer every night. This club features drag queens, cabaret performers, comedians and more. Performers here are highly trained and deliver exceptional performances night after night. Inside, it’s cosy and dimly lit, perfect for settling in and enjoying a show. On the other hand, the outdoor terrace is great for people-watching fellow visitors in the Paradise Complex. Tangmo Club is open from 10 pm to 2 am every day of the week.
Gay clubs and bars in Koh Samet
Koh Samet is often called Thailand’s ‘Gay Island’. Its proximity to Bangkok has helped it develop a thriving gay scene. There aren’t any gay-specific bars and clubs but there are plenty of gay-popular spots where you can meet LGBTQIA+ travellers and locals. Koh Samet is also home to stunning beaches and world-class resorts.
Tubtim Resort
Tubtim Resort is the daytime hangout for gay travellers in Koh Samet. This resort has a fantastic restaurant, serving international and Thai cuisine. One reason many visitors love Tubtim? They’re happy for you to bring your own alcohol. But don’t worry, the bar has a great selection of drinks and cocktails for you to choose from as well. It has plenty of seating on the beach, so you can soak up the sun and fresh air.
Silver Sands
This beachfront dance party is the highlight of Koh Samet’s gay nightlife. It’s particularly busy on weekends when tourists and Bangkok locals head to the island to party all night long. Located on Sai Keaw Beach, Silver Sands has plenty of benches for outdoor seating and plays a range of international and Thai music to keep the party going. It’s part of the Silver Sands Hotel, and during the daytime, Sai Keaw is a beautiful beach for swimming and sunbathing.
Pattaya
Just under 2 hours from Bangkok by car, Pattaya is a popular beach resort destination with a few excellent hotspots for LGBTQIA+ travellers. The Jomtien Complex is a more laid-back affair, with cozy bars and relaxed entertainment. Boyztown has more of a club vibe, with lots of go-go dancer shows and drag performances.
Sunee Plaza is a ‘seedier’ part of the city that was once one of its most well-known gay areas. It’s had a number of closures in recent years, but some clubs are still going strong. Note: Pattaya is one of the main spots for gay sex workers in Thailand. You should be aware that sex work is illegal in Thailand, though in practice, this is rarely enforced. Most importantly, you should always ask for a photo ID if you have any doubts about whether or not someone is over 18.
Jomtien Complex
The Jomtien Complex, near Dongtan Beach, is home to a number of gay bars. They tend to be a little more laid back than other bars in the area. There are also a few bars hosting cabaret shows and other live performances.
The Blue Hawaiian is a great low-key option where you can easily hold a conversation without having to compete with loud music. Dorothy’s Bar is a fantastic show venue, which hosts cabaret shows and other live events. There’s also a karaoke section, so when there are no performers, the patrons are the evening’s entertainment. Many, like Adonis Bar and Angel Bar, are open-air bars, perfect for warm evenings.
Castro Bar
Castro Bar is one of the best entertainment venues in Pattaya. Located in the Boyztown district, Castro Bar hosts drag shows, cabarets and more. There are usually several shows on each night, performed by incredible dancers and hilarious comedians. The bar opens around 4 pm and the entertainment starts at 11 pm. There’s also a patio bar that looks out onto the street.
Other Boyztown bars
You’ll find a mix of different cabaret bars, drag shows, and go-go bars in Boyztown. They’re all quite close together, so many visitors will visit multiple bars over the course of one evening. Boyz Boyz Boyz was the first gay venue to open in Pattaya, and it’s still going strong decades later. Their cabaret performances usually start at midnight. Cupidol is a go-go dance bar that hosts regular entertainment along with special events.
LGBTQIA+ events and parties in Thailand
Thailand is one of the best party destinations in the world and there are plenty of LGBTQIA+ parties and events during the year.
White Party Bangkok
Visiting Thailand for New Year’s? Don’t miss out on Thailand’s biggest New Year’s LGBTQIA+ festival. In fact, White Party Bangkok is one of the largest LGBTQIA+ gatherings in the world. It runs over multiple days, usually from the 29th of December to the 1st of January. Each night will have a different theme and is hosted at a different location throughout Bangkok. White Party Bangkok is internationally renowned, so make sure you get your tickets early, especially if you’re after one of their VIP passes.
G Circuit Songkran
The Songkran Festival is one of the biggest LGBTQIA+ circuit parties in the world, attracting attendees and performers from all over. It’s held in Bangkok and spread out over three days during the Thai New Year. The party usually starts just after midday and runs until the early hours of the morning.
Daytime Pool Parties are held at the Royal Orchid Sheraton, and nighttime events are held at the Bangkok Convention Centre. This is a massive event and Thailand is already particularly busy during the Thai New Year, so make sure you book flights and accommodation early.
Bangkok Pride Month
Bangkok celebrates Pride all throughout the month of June. The Bangkok Pride Parade is usually held on the first Sunday of the month, and you’ll find plenty of afterparties in the evening throughout the city. The 2022 Pride march was the first official pride event in almost 16 years.
The Pride Cruise Party, on the Chao Phraya River, is held the following weekend and promises live entertainment, DJs, and a fashion show. W Bangkok Hotel will likely host a Pride Festival and a Pride Drag Brunch, both of which promise plenty of food, drinks and fun. In previous years, Kimpton Maa-Lai Hotel has hosted the LGBTQIA+ Film Festival, showcasing multiple queer-themed Thai films.
LGBTQIA+ hotels in Thailand
Many of the best LGBTQIA+ or LGBTQIA-friendly hotels in Thailand are home to gay-popular bars, events and parties. We’ve highlighted just a few of the best resorts and hotels in each of the main LGBTQIA+ areas in Thailand.
LGBTQIA+ hotels in Bangkok
So/ Sofitel Bangkok is only around a 10-minute walk from the array of bars and clubs on Silom Soi 2 and Silom Soi 4. Meanwhile, W Bangkok is an LGBTQIA+ friendly hotel that hosts some of the best LGBTQIA+ parties during Pride month.
LGBTQIA+ hotels in Phuket
Aquarius Gay Guesthouse & Sauna is the only ‘men’s-only’ hotel in Phuket. It’s located right in the centre of Phuket’s gay scene, and the restaurant is a popular daytime hangout spot for locals. Nap Patong is another great option, conveniently located in the heart of Phuket’s Paradise Complex. Finally, Connect Guesthouse is the accommodation part of the popular Connect Bar.
LGBTQIA+ hotels in Pattaya
The AGATE Pattaya Boutique Resort is a fantastic option close to Jomtien Beach and the Jomtien Complex. Pullman Pattaya Hotel G is a little further from the bars and clubs, but its location in the central, historic district is ideal for general sightseeing. Baan Souy Resort is one of the only official LGBTQIA+ hotels in Pattaya (it’s also straight friendly), and its staff can give you inside tips on the city’s LGBTQIA+ scene.
LGBTQIA+ hotels in Koh Samet
Tubtim Resort is home to one of Koh Samet’s most popular LGBTQIA+ hangout spots. Samed Pavilion Resort is right next to Silver Sands Bar, the island’s most popular gay bar.
