Bangkok has a vibrant gay scene, from international circuit events to world class drag shows!
Bangkok is a vibrant city, year round and knows how party.
It is hard to imagine that just over 30 years ago, Bangkok was a crowded and noisy city, a quick point-of-entry to your onward destination to North or South Thailand. Today it is considered one of the most interesting and exciting cities in Asia with stunning skyscrapers, world class shopping malls and some of the best hotels in the world at some of the lowest prices. Add in its unique history, cuisine and culture, some temples and world class shopping and you have all the ingredients for a memorable city escape!
Today, the “City of Angels” or “Big Mango” (think Big Apple), has cleaned up its pollution problems and is more organised than ever. The city has invested in its public transportation system and cut down on those crazy freelances buses! Traffic is still a problem however and sometimes It can take over an hour to reach even a nearby destination by car, so choose a hotel that is close to public transport to avoid the mad traffic jams! (the city’s long rush hours (7 am – 9 am) and (5 pm – 8 pm).
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Most of Bangkok’s gay scene is concentrated in the Silom area, around the Sala Daeng and Silom MRT stations. Soi 4 is a great place to begin your night.
Bangkok is a sprawling metropolis with more than 8 million inhabitants. It can seem daunting to navigate at first, however there are several subdivisions and a convenient transportation system stitching all the key areas together.
SILOM – The Gay District and Bang Rak
With the two main party streets, Soi 2 with its discos and clubs and Soi 5 with its bars and restarants, Silom is the main gay neighbourbood in Bangkok. If you are looking to party then Silom is probably the best place to book a hotel. This area is surrounded by Rama IV Road on the north, Yaowarat on the northeast and Charoen Krung Road west, with Silom and Surawong roads running through the centre. This downtown area is home to embassies, banks and shopping malls, including the Silom Complex and gay bars. Explore the chic urban areas dotted along Sathorn 12.
Bang Rak district lies across Chao Phraya River, where one can find plenty of fine-dining options, spots to watch the sunset, or even hop on a river boat at Si Phra Ya Pier! Taking a cruise will help you discover the numerous tourist attractions and impressive temples that straddle the river. At night time, you will experience vivid local markets awakening around the ferry piers!
Banglampoo & Historic Bangkok
This are is located in Ko Rattanakosin and includes important sites such as the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Po, as well as the Dusit Zoo and the Vimanmek Palace Museum along with countless wats (temples), the National Theatre, the National Library and Museum.
Riverfront
The top hotels in Bangkok can be found near the river close to Saphan Taksin. The further upriver you venture, the more colonial style the architecture. Across the river in Thonburi you will find sparkling new shopping centres and restaurant options.
Chinatown/Yaowarat
West of the Grand Palace and along the river you will find the bustling Chinatown district with great food stands and a unique atmosphere.
Sukhumvit Road
The main east west thoroughfare is straddled overhead by the BTS. Here you will find some of the city’s best rooftop bars, a busy expat community, shopping including Central Embassy and Terminal 21 malls, nightlife and entertainment.
Thong Lo – Thonglor (Sukhumvit Soi 55)
This is the meeting point for the young and trendy of Bangkok. The area has great boutique malls, new concept restaurants and bars. This district really comes to life at night.
Where to Stay?
Bangkok has several different districts, all with their own unique charm. With traffic it can take between 15 minutes to 1 hour to get from one to the other, so you are best staying close to the Skytrain. Most of Bangkok’s gay scene is concentrated in the Silom area, around the Sala Daeng and Silom MRT stations. Hotels in this area tend to book out fast, especially during the key events, so reserve early.
Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action
Most of Bangkok’s gay scene is concentrated in the Silom area, around the Sala Daeng and Silom MRT stations. Soi 4 is a great place to begin your night. Be aware that entrances to the sois/alleyways can be easy to miss so keep your eyes peeled! Here you will find the famous Telephone and Balcony bars and the popular Stranger Bar!
Telephone Bar is one of the most famous gay bars in Bangkok and is well worth a visit to meet local guys and visitors from around the world!
G.O.D. A welcome alternative to the overcrowded DJ Station in Soi 2, G.O.D (Guys On Display) is a spanking new club boasting larger space, sexy house beats.
Maggie Choo’s is one of Bangkok’s trendiest theme bars. Sunday Gay’s Night has been successful and very well know among party-goers from around the world.
For shows, check out Calypso, a Bangkok institution for over 25+ years. Experience the most unique and eccentric drag cabaret shows with a large troupe of acts.
Bangkok’s main gay nightlife; the most popular area with gay travellers. Silom has a huge choice of restaurants and bars, with both skytrain and metro stations providing fast connections across the city.
Close to Nightlife
SO Sofitel Bangkok has hosted numerous gay parties such as gCircuit, Sundance Asia and Hi-So Rainbow. At 30-stories high, SO Sofitel Bangkok has sweeping city views from its stylish restaurants, gym, infinity-edge pool. The gay nightlife in Silom is just a few minutes away by taxi. Check Rates Now!
Great Value
Trinity Silom is tucked away along a quiet side street, conveniently close to both the BTS skytrain station and the Silom gay nightlife including DJ Station and Telephone Pub. The hotel offers comfortable, well-designed, great-value rooms with free WiFi, an onsite restaurant, swimming pool and gym. Check Rates Now!
Cheap and Cheerful!
Located in the heart of Sydney overlooking Hyde Park, the Hyde Park Inn offers comfortable rooms, studios and apartments. Each room has LCD cable TV, air conditioning and kitchenette. Free WiFi available. A light Continental breakfast is provided daily to the room. Check Rates
From the quiet, leafy avenues that cut through the historic royal areas of Dusit and Rattanakosin to the frenetic streets around Sukhumvit and the calm walking paths of Lumphini Park, Bangkok offers everything a city lover might want!
One of Thailand’s most popular attractions (for visitors and Thais alike), the Grand Palace is a complex of ornate buildings at the heart of Bangkok.
Once known as the Venice of Asia, Bangkok is crisscrossed with canals and the Thai people have been traveling around on them for a long time and using them to sell goods.
The Temple of Dawn stands majestically over the water on the west (Thonburi) bank of the Chao Phraya River. It is one of the most beautiful temples in Bangkok.
Though often overshadowed by other major cities, there is an emerging contemporary art and street art scene. The BACC showcases some great examples.
Bangkok’s Chinatown has so many stalls and alleys, it’s easy to get lost here. But fun, too because you can always just stumble into a tiny food stall or restaurant and grab a delicious bite to eat.
Long-running, gay-owned restaurant & bar on Silom Soi 4, next to all the gay bars. FORK & CORK by Sphinx serves tasty Thai and international food and a good selection of wine.
Yes it’s one of BKK’s biggest tourist attractions, but it’s well worth the praise. Get lost in the stalls and you’ll stumble onto some truly unique and independent clothing shops and brands.
Exceptional Royal Thai Cuisine. Benjarong, located at Dusit Thani Hotel, offers delicious dishes and fabulous 5-star service, with both indoor and outdoor seating.
