GAY BANGKOK
Bangkok, home to more than 8 million people is one of the busiest cities in the world and home to one of the most diverse gay scenes. Most of the popular tourist areas are located within the central districts and are well served by the BTS skytrain.
The three main areas popular with gay visitors include Siam & Lumpini, which is the heart of the city, filled with shops and restaurants; Silom & Sathorn, home to the city’s gay district and Sukhumvit an upmarket area known for its high-end shopping and 5 star hotels. Most gay visitors stay in or around Silom or Siam area.
The main gay bars and dance clubs are located on Silom Soi 2 and Soi 4. Well know bars such as Balcony, Stranger and Telephone tend to get busy after 10 pm with mostly foreign customers. DJ Station is always a popular option for late night dancing.
With more than 10+ gay saunas in Bangkok, you are spoilt for choice. Babylon and R3 are two of the most poular! Most offer massage. You can also visit some of the many day-spas where you can have any type of “service” you require. Those looking to meet some hot GoGos for a private dance should head to “Patpong”, Bangkok’s ‘red light district’ that includes a gay section on Soi Twilight (aka Soi Pratuchai).
International circuit parties take place during New Years and SongKran attracting thousands of guys from Asia and around the world. Bangkok is busy all year, though peak season is from November to February, when the weather is comfortable, with temperatures varying from 25°C to 32°C. Around April and May, it is very hot, so be prepared. Rainy season is from June through October.
DINING
Dining options abound – one can open up the wallet for Michelin-starred tasting menus one night and spend $3 on the best noodles you’ll ever have the next—and be equally satisfied with both meals. Thais are always eating, and visitors who adopt this cultural trend will be deliciously rewarded.
Whether you’re savoring a tasty street vendor special, enjoying a snack of fresh fruit, or sitting down to a five star meal, Bangkok restaurants offer a wide variety of Thai food as well as international fare. Right now, one of the best restaurants in Bangkok is Gaggan. Gaggan Anand’s eponymous Indian restaurant, which serves set tasting menus.
Known as one of the hottest fine-dining venues in Bangkok, modern Thai restaurant Le Du makes it to the list for its convenient Silom location, casual yet classy decor and atmosphere, bold, beautiful and artfully presented food.
Horizons has pretty much everything Bangkokians look for in a restaurant. This stylish, multi-purpose rooftop space offers 360-degree views of the city, and both indoor and outdoor dining. Menu choices include Asian and Western fare, from tapas to main courses, as well as creative cocktails by expert mixologists.
‘Eat Me’ is a gay-owned favorite amongst the local gay crowd; its cool minimalist decor and intimate tables also add to the appeal. Also a gallery that features rotating exhibitions, Eat Me serves daring and creative food by chef Tim Butler. His regional and international cuisine is complemented by a great wine selection and cool cocktails. Named one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants, this venue is truly a beloved gem in Silom.
Ciao Pizza is a gay managed pizza restaurnt with one of the best Italian chefs around – Chef Gerardo Calabrese, who has gained over 20 years of experience as a pizza chef, and his team serve true Italian pizzas and traditional dishes that cater for everyone in a rustic Italian setting.
BAR HOPPING
Bangkok’s bar scene is wide and varied mixing long established venues. Telephone & Balcony with upstarts like Stranger bar. Twinks and chubs, bears and pups, leatherboys and ladyboys. There’s nothing closeted about Bangkok’s status as the uncontested hub of Gay Asia. Whether you want to chill out and eye-surf the candy, get your dancebeats on or cruise for a new toy.
DJ Station is the giant of Bangkok’s gay scene which never seems to go out of fashion. Located on Silom Soi 2, this three-story club is busy every night and extremely packed on weekends, making it impossible to do much more than sway side to side.
The Stranger is a new, trendy jewel in its crown. Run by an Irish guy and his Thai partner, Stranger boasts black and silver decor with glittery masked decor and unambiguously named drinks such as “Sperm Shot” and “Golden Shower.”
Telephone was founded in 1987, and is one of the oldest gay bars in town. Originally, every table had a telephone, which customers could use to call their eye-candy across the bar. Sadly now the telephones are gone, but the flirtatious vibe is still strong in the air.
Tawan is another veteran of Bangkok’s gay scene. This go-go bar opened in 1987 and positioned itself as the place for muscle-men lovers ever since. It’s located just of Surawong Road, which runs parallel to Silom Road. Tawan’s provocative go-go shows leave little to the imagination.
Probably one of the most famous go-go bars in town, Dream Boys surely will fulfill every gay guy’s fantasy. With two large stages and lots of seating, this bar offers daily sex shows.
Getting Around
The best way to get around Bangkok is by Skytrain or Metro, which is fast, affordable and easily navigable for visitors. The city also offers an extensive network of buses, but these are prone to traffic jams, which the city is notorious for. Taxis are fairly cheap, but again, gridlock is a regular issue.
Bangkok has a tropical climate, meaning it is steadily warm and humid throughout the year and prone to rain. The best time to visit Bangkok is November to February which is known as the ‘cool season’.
Tags: Gay Bangkok