Bangkok Gay and Lesbian Travel

Bangkok is the most GLBT-happy destination in Asia. Plus, you can forget (most of) the jokes you’ve heard about Thailand’s seedier offerings, as Bangkok is quickly replacing its sketchier side with more upscale enticements. Largely free from any overt discrimination, Bangkok’s GLBT community has successfully created a thriving and constantly evolving club scene. The Silom area—particularly the gay bar- and club-lined Silom Sois 4, 2, and 2/1—is the most tourist-friendly and enjoyable area in the city to dance the night away. The Lang Suan area (meaning “behind the park”), just north of Lumphini Park, attracts swarms of hip Thais. Though the bars in Lang Suan aren’t officially gay, they attract many looking for that scene. Even further afield, a cluster of about a dozen clubs in the Aor Tor Kor area, on the eastern end of Kamphaengphet Rd., next to the Chatuchak Market, entices young university students with cheap whisky sodas and cheesy Thai pop. For more “sophistication,” Bed Supperclub (www.bedsupperclub.com) in Sukhumvit hosts the popular Think Pink every Sunday night. Lesbian nightlife in Bangkok has a less noticeable presence, but the ladies-only Zeta, in the RCA complex, is undeniably the most popular club in the scene.

• 70’s Bar, 231/15 Sarasin Rd. tel: 02 253 4433 One of almost half a dozen bars on the northern side of Lumphini Park, where drinking digresses into exuberant dancing as the night progresses, all under red lighting and shimmering disco balls. After a few drinks, catchy Thai pop hits will have you belting out the choruses. From midnight to 1am it’s almost impossible to navigate the crowd; arrive early to grab a spot. Beer 150฿. Cocktails 180฿. Open nightly 6pm-1am.
• DJ Station, on Silom Soi 2 tel: 02 266 4029 This place is awarded “Best Gay Disco” nearly every year by Metro. DJ packs in hundreds of farang and Thais who pulsate to the latest pop hits. Features a nightly cabaret (11:30pm). Cover M-Th and Su 100฿, includes 1 drink; F-Sa 200฿, includes 2 drinks. No shorts or sandals. 20+. Open nightly 11pm-2am.
• The Expresso, 8/6-8 Silom Soi 2 tel: 02 632 7223 Directly across from DJ and under same ownership. Before the place gets packed around midnight, the water cascading down the curved wall enclosing this brightly lit bar provides a serene escape from the chaos next door. Be sure to check out the playful and often controversial matching outfits of the 2 DJs. Drinks 200฿. No cover. Open nightly 9pm-1am.
• Fake Bar, 359-360 Kamphaengphet Rd. More intimate than most of the hip clubs in the area; the trendy purple decor complements the crowds of young Thais who pack into Fake around 11pm to drink and dance, if they can find the space. Drinks 80-150฿. Open nightly 8pm-1am.
• Balcony Bar, 86-88 Silom Soi 4 tel: 02 235 5891 The sidewalk bar at Balcony is the best place for people-watching on popular Soi 4. Frequent events, such as fancy dress parties, cabarets, and Mr./Miss Silom Soi 4, are always rowdy and welcoming. Drink specials are constantly changing; expect to pay around 150฿ for a mixed drink . Beer 80฿. Open daily 5:30pm-2am.