Gay guide to Bangkok for first timers (2025)

“OMG Stefan, we almost hit that car…I can't…I'm going to keep my eyes firmly closed! Just let me know when we've arrived safely at Stranger Bar while I pray to the gay gods for safe passage…”

Nothing beats the rush of adrenaline as we whizzed through the CRAZY traffic jams of Bangkok hanging on for dear life inside a cutesy tuk-tuk with its driver smiling at these two hysterical giggling foreigners in the back…

We both love it – the feeling of the humid, almost putrid air hitting your face as you swerve from one end of the street to the other, car horns manically beeping at each other.

We'll be frank, Bangkok is by no means a pretty city. Our initial reaction on our first visit was: what a hot mess! It's polluted, it's dirty, rats compete for space on the busy pavements, the traffic is mad, and concrete blocks line the streets as far as your eyes can see.

Yet, we love everything about Bangkok!

We've been traveling to Thailand every year since we started Nomadic Boys and its capital is a place we often talk about moving to permanently. It is exciting, unpredictable and in our opinion has one of the best gay scenes in the world. For example, on any given day, the gay streets of Silom are on fire, packed with gays from all over (Bangkok is a major transport hub) with drag queens on hand to entertain.

We hope our gay guide to Bangkok will inspire you to visit in 2025 and help you to fall in love with this city as much as we have.

How safe is Bangkok for gay travelers?

Trust us, it's very safe!

The Thais are the most tolerant and chilled people we've ever encountered. This has helped a very international LGBTQ community thrive all across the Thai capital. Just switch on your Grindr when you arrive and you'll see what we mean…

We've been to Bangkok many times and have never had any hassle from anyone for being gay. We found the Thai people to be respectful, humble, and above all else, so welcoming. They shy away from confrontation, opting for peace and tranquility. Not once did we ever feel put out anywhere. This is one of the main reasons why we rate Thailand as one of the most gay friendly places in Asia.

This is also why we feel so safe when walking the streets in Bangkok. Not once did we feel dodgy as we would in a city like Delhi or Cape Town, where valuables must be out of sight or locked away!

All travelers, straight and gay, should exercise the same level of commonsense caution as you would back home… “Stefan, pay attention when you're walking – get off your phone!” – a phrase Seby harks at me, whether walking down the streets of Silom or sashaying down the boulevards of the Gaixample in Barcelona…

For the latest travel safety advice, entry requirements, and any travel restrictions to Thailand, we recommend looking at the US Department of State advice for Thailand as well as the British Foreign Office Thailand page.

Where is the gay area of Bangkok?

Silom is the OFFICIAL gay area of Bangkok with a less-than-glamorous beginning, starting as part of a dyke and irrigation system in the 1850s. Fast forward to the present, where it is now the pulsing heart of the bustling gay district.

Silom Soi 4 is the main gay street in Bangkok. It is packed with gay bars with large outdoor terraces like Balcony, Circus, and Stranger Bar. We love it here. There's always something happening, every day of the week!

A few blocks down from Silom Soi 4 is Silom Soi 2. This is another gay street full of small gay clubs, dominated by DJ Station. Around the back of Silom Soi 2 is another famous gay club called G Bangkok (aka GOD). This is also where you'll find some of the best gay restaurants in Bangkok.

Finally, if gay massage is your thing, you'll wanna head over to Silom Soi 6, which is where the bulk of the gay massage parlors can be found.

Where should gay travelers stay in Bangkok

Though we are comfortable in our relationship as a gay couple, we’d be lying if we said that we are not at least a little bit nervous when entering a new hotel for the first time – would this place make a scene? Would we be welcome, or would there be judgment?

Thankfully, in all cases when traveling through the capital city, these were all just the nagging worries of divas. We couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome! We never had any problems booking a double bed in any of the hotels we stayed at. We summarise our favorite gay hotels to stay in Bangkok in 2025 below. Note that we've also stayed at The Quarter Silom

Are there any gay tours in Thailand?

Over the years we've been coming to Bangkok, we've made loads of friends who have shown us the best of the city's gay scene. We'll never have the real nitty-gritty history that a local will have, which is why we always seek out tours led by locals when we want a deeper insight into the big city. We also love gay tours because they are a great way to quickly make new friends whilst discovering the gay scene together. Here are some of the best gay tours happening in Thailand you should check out:

What are the best gay bars in Bangkok?

Silom Soi 4 is where we come to strut our stuff. Walking down the alley under all the dazzling lights, you can practically taste the good times! Each of the gay bars has a terrace that sprawls out into the street, making sure that there will be a messy street party later.

In short, Silom Soi 4 is EPIC! The only exception to the Silom Soi 4 gay bar bubble is Pangina Heal‘s resident bar, House of Heals, which we've also included in this section. For gay bars beyond Silom Soi 4, check out our bumper guide to the best gay bars in Bangkok.

What are the best gay clubs in Bangkok?

Silom Soi 2 is the place to head for the gay clubs. Located just 2 blocks from Silom Soi 4, we'd head here from around 11 pm onwards. We start at DJ Station first for the drag shows and then dance through each of the other small bars clustered together in this tight street.

For gay boys who want to dance topless and get sweaty, we recommend heading over to G Bangkok just behind Silom Soi 2.

When we first came to Silom Soi 2 many moons ago, we weren’t sure what to expect exactly. We just knew that we were in the mood to dance the night away and get a little sweaty(!). When we arrived, it looked surprisingly organized, albeit heaving!

We could hear the music starting to pound through the clubs we were passing, and our heartbeats started to quicken in excitement. Having said that, come on a Saturday night and it's one huge disorganized busy mess (and we LOVE it!)

Where can you get PrEP in Bangkok?

Condom split? Need to top up your PrEP, or need a full check-up after a hardcore weekend at the White Party(!)? We recommend the PULSE Clinic. There are several dotted around Bangkok, including Nana, Asoke, Phromphong, Phloenchit, and Phayathai. However, the main one is located right in the heart of the gay area in Silom, just across from GOD on the main road, by Sala Daeng BTS station.

PULSE is gay-owned and managed. When you go inside, you quickly realise. It's super gay! The artwork is something else(!), but most importantly, the staff is amazing…honestly, they've seen everything!

The big sell of PULSE is their impressive ‘Check Your Holes' PCR28, which tests for a whopping 28 STIs…your jaw also dropped, right? We only knew 5 of them…but 28?! Prices for the PULSE PCR28 test are 6,700 Baht (around $190).

PULSE also offers PrEP, PEP, and HIV medication, as well as invaluable advice about DoxyPEP…7 days a week!

HEADS UP: claim a 5% discount when buying PrEP online from PULSE or when getting any services at PULSE by using code *nomadicboys*

What are the best gay events in Bangkok?

The main ones to look out for are Songkran G Circuit in April during the Thai Buddhist New Year holidays, and the White Party between Christmas and New Year's. These are huge, attracting gays from all over Asia. Other events to look out for include Bangkok Pride and a Pride Cruise party…everything is set out for you below, which we strive to keep as updated as possible!

• Songkran G Circuit and Songkran Festival (April): the Thai New Year is on the 13th of April, and it's huge! The entire country goes on holiday for the week, and the gays throw this epic party! It is one of the biggest (and best!) gay festivals in all of Asia.
• Bangkok Gay Pride (June): started in 2022 and has been a hit since, growing in popularity each year. It usually takes place on the first Sunday of June.
• White Party Bangkok (December): another epic circuit-style gay party that takes place over several days in the period between Christmas and New Year's. Packages for tickets can be purchased in advance and are usually released in September.
• Pride Cruise Bangkok: takes place at various times throughout the year, usually in December, March, and April. They take place on a four-story party boat with two different stages and room for 320 people. Tickets start from around 500 baht ($15).
• Watch the all-transgender Calypso Cabaret: We love this! A cast where all the female cast is transgender people. It's truly unique, guaranteed you won't ever see anything like it anywhere else in the world. It's campy, colorful, hilarious, and completely over-the-top, rather like my Seby after his fifth Margarita…We want everyone to come watch this cabaret show and celebrate our transgender family. They are all super talented and you will LOVE them!

What are the best gay saunas in Bangkok?

Oh, there was a time (pre-COVID days!) when one of the best saunas in all of Asia stood proud right here in Bangkok. Sadly, gone are the days of the infamous Babylon. However, there are still plenty more gay saunas in Bangkok to check out in 2025:

• Sauna Mania: the best gay sauna in Bangkok, in our opinion, largely because it is centrally located, within walking distance to the gay scene of Silom. It's pretty large with 5 floors, with a gym on the ground floor and a rooftop terrace chillout area.
• Heaven Sauna: popular with bears and older men. Also located close to Silom Soi 4. It has a gym and a glorious open-air Jacuzzi on the rooftop garden.
• KRUBB Bangkok: located around a 25-minute taxi ride west of Silom, so a more local crowd. The best time to come is early evening when guys are leaving office jobs and heading here for some action.
• Chakran Sauna: located around a 20-minute cab ride north of Silom, so it also has a more local vibe. The best time to come is around 7:30 pm when the after-work crowd reaches its peak.

Where are the best gay massages in Bangkok?

The bulk of the gay massage parlors in Bangkok are in Silom Soi 6, with a few spread out in other places. They are inexpensive and offer a whole range of services(!). Just remember to tip generously. If in doubt, budget for 10%. If you're looking for a happy ending, your masseur will discuss this with you in advance and agree on a price. for this. These are the main ones that we liked most, but for a deeper insight, check out our detailed guide to the best gay massages in Bangkok.

• Thann Sanctuary: not located in Silom Soi 6, but this one is super lush. We came here for a couple's massage and left feeling like divine Goddesses ready to take on the world. It is a literal Sanctuary of tranquility and luxury. There are several, but the one we tried was at Chatrium Grand Hotel, 5th Floor, Tower 2. Noted, this is NOT a happy ending type of massage place 🙂
• The Prime Massage: super professional with clean facilities. Another NO-happy-ending type of place, and no skin-to-skin contact. But the massages here are thorough. We felt amazing afterward.
• Relax Thai Massage: Happy Ending is your friend here… Relax Thai is one of the many smaller, unassuming gay massages in Bangkok on Silom Soi 6. Their handsome masseurs wait in a group outside for punters to come along, pick one of them, and then proceed inside. Massages are without clothing, and naturally, likely to end in a very happy way, but this comes down to what you want and what you agree in advance with your masseur.
• Adam Massage: another Happy Ending-type place. Located on Silom Soi 4, right in the heart of the main gay scene of Bangkok. We recommend getting a massage with essential oils…helps things glide easier 🙂

NOTE: We found that gay massage parlors like Relax are similar to all the others around – similar menu and price. Which one you pick comes down to which of the masseurs you click with, so we suggest having a walk around and speaking with each of them. Tips vary from 200 baht to whatever your masseur will “quote” you verbally during your massage for whatever style of happy ending you agree on!

Is there any gay cruising in Bangkok?

Historically, Bangkok was one of the most popular gay cruising hotspots in Asia, particularly around Saranrom Park and Lumphini Park. However, with the rise in popularity of gay dating apps over the past 10 years, the outdoor gay cruising scene has been pretty much quiet. Today, you'd struggle to find any outdoor cruising spaces in Bangkok, so Grindr is your friend if this is what you're looking for.

However, local friends have told of pretty raunchy tales of going jogging in places like Lumpini Park, locking eyes with a stranger, then heading to the public toilets there for playtime. The same for the toilets in some of the Malls like Siam Paragon.

What are the best gay gyms in Bangkok?

It's no secret that we like to keep our bodies looking good, both when we're traveling and at home! But the last thing we want is to get harassed by hairy hetero-apes while you're just trying to use that rowing machine. We like to read reviews of gyms when we're traveling to make sure they're going to be gay friendly. Luckily, Bangkok has quite a few of these!

• Fitness First Platinum Siam Paragon: located inside the Siam Paragon shopping mall. It's huge with two different floors housing multiple areas for free weights, cardio, cycling studios, and even a boxing ring. The changing rooms get pretty cruisy here!
• Olympic Club: part of the Pathumwan Princess Hotel, this is a large fitness center with a sports court, swimming pool, and running track.

Hot tip: If you don't want to join a gym, consider booking an Airbnb in one of the many condos that have a gym (and sometimes a pool). Otherwise, head to Lumpini Park, which has an outdoor gym and calisthenics park…we like to come here just to gawk at the eye candy, to be honest!

What are the best restaurants in Bangkok?

Our honest advice is to head to one of the many street food markets in Bangkok. They are inexpensive, super clean, and will likely be the best meal you'll have. All locals eat out here for their main meal. The one we went to a lot was across the road from Silom Soi 4, and at Patpong Night Market. Eating out in Bangkok is a treat. We think Thai food is one of the best in the world. Beyond the street food markets, here are a few of our favorite restaurants in Bangkok that we loved:

• Cabbages & Condoms: “Our food is guaranteed not to cause pregnancy”…I mean, it would be rude not to with a tagline like that, eh? The whole concept was created around the idea of promoting education on contraception and family planning. Condoms have been used in the decor, with lampshades made from them and mannequins throughout the restaurant in all sorts of crazy costumes entirely made up of condoms. The food is also good, featuring Thai favorites like Tom Yum Goong, pad Thai, and Seby's favorite, mango sticky rice.
• Lon Lon Local Diner: our friends recommended this to us as THE place to try THE best Thai food in Bangkok! Locals come here for gap glaem – the Thai name for snacks you have while drinking. They're also famous for their crispy salted pork belly.
• Unicorn Cafe: The interior looks like a rainbow unicorn exploded! It's pretty unique – dolls everywhere, colorful unicorn wallpaper, pink chandeliers, and pastel-colored sofas. The food and drinks are rainbow-unicorn-themed as well, often with little ice-cream cones in them to make horns.
• Restaurant Sühring: often lauded as one of the best restaurants in the world. This two-star Michelin restaurant is the brain-child of German twin chefs Mathias and Thomas Sühring, who renovated a gorgeous 1970s villa to create this homey space for dining on exquisite cuisine.
• Indus: the best Indian food you'll have in Bangkok, says we! Decadent chicken tikka for me and malabar prawn curry with garlic naan for my Seby. They also do some amazing set menus for brunch, lunch, and an “epic thali”.

What are the best things to do in Bangkok?

What-oh? Wat Pho, of course! Oh, the fun I had with this wordplay to anyone who'd listen. Seby just gave me his usual deadpan facial expression as we walked through Bangkok's Grand Palace… Here are the main sites to check out, with tour recommendations to book if you don't want to visit independently:

• Feel like a princess at the Grand Palace: welcome to the OFFICIAL residence of the Nomadic Boys! Princess Seby will only be too happy to show you around… That's right, we moved in back in 1925 when the former Kings of Siam moved out. Those former Kings were inhabiting this old place since 1782, and boy, did they splash out! Prepare to be dazzled – colorful sculptures, gleaming golden spires, and ornate decorations everywhere you look.
• Giant 150 ft reclining golden Wat Pho Buddha: You know that feeling the morning after a heavy night out when you've gorged on one too many greasy kebabs and you're just laying there on your couch at home unable to move? This is the vibe the 150-foot-long reclining Buddha gave me. Don't get me wrong, it's super impressive. It's covered in gold leaf ffs!
• Marvel at stunning Wat Arun: If you wanna impress your date, bring them here at sunset. Whenever I see a sour-faced (hangry) Seby, I bring him here and everything suddenly seems ok. Wat Arun is one of the most recognizable buildings on the Bangkok skyline: as your plane takes off as you head to Chiang Mai or the islands, grab yourself a window seat to get a snap of its distinctive prang (spires) rising from the west bank of the Chao Phraya River.
• Dabble in the craziness of Khao San Road: I'll be completely honest with you. Seby and I have not yet been to Khao San Road. We've been to Bangkok over 20 times if not more, and each time we make a conscious effort to avoid it. Why? It sounds like hetty hell…where all the young straight backpackers come to get wasted for as little as possible and then giggle when they see a “ladyboy” trying to entice them into a dubious Ping Pong show… We feel the need to mention it because it's become so famous among the backpacker community. You may even find it entertaining. But for us, just throw us into Silom Soi 4, and we'll be just fine.
• Shop up a storm at a Bangkok mall: We LOVE shopping in Bangkok! ICONSIAM is the most Instagrammable, Siam Paragon is the largest, and Terminal 21 is the best for value because it contains local Thai clothing brands. Whichever you head to, make a day of it. Each one has an entire floor devoted to Food Courts, and if the latest Marvel movie is out, there will likely be a 3D cinema nearby.

What's the best gay weekend getaway from Bangkok?

Koh Samet! This is the nearest island to Bangkok where locals come for a weekend gay getaway.

Honest disclaimer from us: Koh Samet is not the best island in Thailand. Koh Lipe takes that crown for us. But, Koh Samet is one of the gayest. It's the closest island to the Thai capital so the local gay guys head here for a getaway on weekends.

It's around 3-4 hours from Bangkok so more of an overnighter. If your Grindr date goes well and you have a few days to spare it may be worth sharing a van to Koh Samet for a gay beach getaway. On one trip to Bangkok, we did this with a group of Thai friends and it was awesome!

Before you go

Gay map of Bangkok

Here is a detailed map of Gay Bangkok which includes our favorite gay friendly hotels, gay bars, and clubs as well as all the best things to do in Bangkok.

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