Bangkok Gay Travel
wolfyy’s Bangkok gay guide to top hotels, hostels, gay bars, clubs, saunas, & the gay district.
The Gay Travel Experience: Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok gay travel has always been fun, fast-paced, and full of exploration. It’s safe, too. Thai culture is very accepting of LGBT+ individuals and being gay in Bangkok is pretty easy.
Bangkok’s buzzing gay district is both an electrifying and culturing experience. The area showcases a wonderful transgender community. And with so many solo backpackers around, Bangkok is among the best destinations for single gay travelers.
Why do gay men love Bangkok? Because it’s an impressive Southeast Asian destination where you can always count on finding other gay travelers. Bangkok’s gay scene is huge, with a multitude of gay bars, clubs, and all sorts of gay-friendly establishments.
Most gay travelers only spend a day or two in Bangkok, often quickly jetting off to other popular cities like Chiang Mai or the Phi Phi Islands. But truthfully, I don’t think this is enough time at all!
You might be eager to cover as much of Thailand as possible but leave at least two if not three days for Bangkok if you can. My fellow blogger Claire offers itineraries of all different lengths, with her longest being a 4-day Bangkok itinerary.
LGBT foreigners have no issues traveling Thailand, as overall the society is more open than most others in Asia. Plus, Thailand’s tourism industry benefits from LGBT travelers and plans to continue to do so.
Bangkok is an incredibly gay-friendly city for a few reasons. The interpretation of Buddhist religious fundamentals has developed in a way that allows for more tolerance of homosexuality, as opposed to that of other religions. So being gay in Bangkok is pretty easy!
Gay Bangkok: Hotels, Hostels & Where to Stay
An enormous city, Bangkok has a huge variety of places to stay, ranging from luxurious hotels to backpacking hostels. Bangkok has plenty of gay friendly hotels and even one fabulous all-gay hotel with a resort feel.
Below, I’ll cover some recommended gay-friendly hotels and hostels in Bangkok for gay travelers. Whichever you end up choosing, be sure to keep transit time to attractions in mind!
Bangkok Gay Hotels
There is one exclusively gay hotel in Bangkok, but It may not be the one you’ve heard about! Recently the popular Babylon Gay Hotel closed down, leaving only one other option for all-gay accommodations.
Blu Cabin Gay Poshtel
Blu Cabin Gay Poshtel is now the go-to Bangkok gay hotel. It’s sort of a mix between a hostel and a hotel, yet has a bit of a resort vibe.
The communal lounging areas, heated saltwater pool, sun terrace, and jacuzzi are a few of the luxurious amenities where travelers can meet new friends and relax. Rooms at Blu Cabin Gay Poshtel are indeed cabin-themed, set up in a hostel-type layout.
Completely private rooms with private bathrooms are available, some with two beds for couples or friends. I love the ones that have little desks, too! Their shared rooms are even cheaper—perfect for backpackers on a budget.
Other amenities include a fitness center, a massage space, and prepared breakfasts. Convenient access to nearby transit is also great for travelers. There’s even a gay sauna attached to the hostel, which I’ll mention in the saunas section of this guide!
Bangkok Gay Friendly Hotels
International hotel chains in Bangkok concentrate in a different neighborhood than most hostels. Typically with infinity pools and rooftop bars, you’d find most of Bangkok’s luxury hotels in Khlong Toei and Bang Rak.
Luxury hotels in Bangkok may be cheap for the room, but beware that they come with western food & drink prices. Cocktails at a Bangkok hotel rooftop bar can cost you $10-15 USD and they can be hard to resist!
I stayed at the Novotel Sukhumvit 20. The service was impeccable. Novotel had such friendly staff who know how to make a visit memorable. I highly recommend this hotel.
Gay travelers in Bangkok love the plethora of infinity pools available at different hotels. Why not show off your sexy swimsuit in a glorious pool with city views?
Here are some awesome highly-rated and gay-friendly hotels in Bangkok that travelers love.
Hostels in Bangkok
The cheapest Bangkok hostels start as low as $5 USD per night. For only a little bit more at around $12 USD per night, you can book a “pod hostel,” which I love because you get your own private space with a drawstring curtain.
Check out Bangkok hostels on Khao San Road if you plan to go the hostel route. Khao San Road is the famed “backpacker street,” which has loads of cheap places to stay. It’s close to the scenic Chao Phraya River and a lot of other popular attractions, too.
Below are four incredibly highly-rated Bangkok hostels I recommend.
Bangkok Gay Travel Experiences
Tour Local Canals
My local boat tour through the canals off the Chao Phraya River was one of my best Bangkok travel experiences. Grab a boat near any waterfront market and you’ll be on your way.
Steady canal waters make for a relaxing ride. The rear porches of local’s homes hover over the water’s edge. Friendly locals wave as you take in all the raw beauty that comes with traversing the quiet waterways of a metropolis.
Get your own personal tour guide, especially if you don’t have much time to spend in Bangkok. They know the fastest way into and out of the temples, the ins and outs of the markets, etc.
They won’t rush you and many times they will just hang around nearby until you show interest in moving to the next stop. The fair price is well worth it. Don’t forget to tip!
Experience Rooftop Bar Skyline Views
Moon Bar at Vertigo is one of a few luxury rooftop bars in Bangkok. I fell in love with the skyline views here. Being up so high and feeling the humid breeze felt like a movie scene.
Vertigo is quite expensive and you need to conform to their dress code (just pants and no open-toed shoes).
Apparently, many guests miss this rule, so they hilariously yet practically have black trousers they will give you to put over your shorts! I felt so silly…but it was dark so thankfully it wasn’t noticeable!
Sky on 20 is another amazing city-view rooftop bar, located on the roof of the Novotel Sukhumvit 20 Hotel. They have a huge amount of space and great views.
Shop Bangkok's Malls & Markets
Bangkok is the king of knock-off designer apparel, shoes, and accessories. There are a few gigantic shopping centers where you can buy pretty much anything, including these knock-offs.
MBK Center is an eight-story shopping mall with more than 2,000 small shops. You can easily spend several hours here.
MBK looks more like a traditional shopping mall in structure. Be sure to go earlier in the day. An hour or two before the official closing time, many shops close up.
Chatuchak Market is another awesome place to shop in Bangkok. Chatuchak is a covered outdoor market with hundreds of small stands.
Navigate the narrow walkways and you will find clothing, bath products, jewelry shops, food, and more. Plan to spend about 2 hours here.
The Grand Palace and Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)
The Grand Palace and Wat Pho, which houses the giant Reclining Buddha, are two attractions on nearly every traveler’s list.
These attractions can be extremely busy during the middle of the day. Many people will tell you to avoid the crowds by going first thing in the morning, but I disagree!
To avoid these crowds, it is actually best to visit just before sunset. I have been a few times, and my visit to Wat Pho was absolutely magical at dusk because I was pretty much the only one there!
The secret here is that the Reclining Buddha closes at 8 PM, so if you arrive just after 6 PM, the temple will be basically yours! Plus, the colors reflecting off the temple from the sunset are magnificent.
The Grand Palace is quite large and you can spend a few hours there. If you’d prefer to learn about everything with a guide, join an inexpensive walking tour.
The entrance fee is a steep 500 Baht (roughly $15 USD). For reference, Thailand prices are usually lower! Keep in mind that many tours won’t include this fee.
Visiting in the middle of the day can be very hot. Make sure to wear pants and a shirt that covers your shoulders or you will not be allowed in. If you forget, there are shops that will rent some cheesy cover-ups to you for a few hours across the street.
Visit Bangkok During Songkran
I highly suggest overlapping your trip with the Songkran Thai New Year Festival if you are thinking about visiting Bangkok in the springtime. Experiencing Songkran in Bangkok is truly a bucket-list-worthy experience.
Songkran is celebrated during the month of April. One weekend, all of Bangkok becomes a giant water-throwing party. Everyone runs around with water guns, hoses, or just buckets of water to throw on complete strangers!
I cover all you need to know in my guide to Songkran. Some of the biggest gay events in Bangkok are also held during this time of year.
Thailand Gay Tours in Bangkok
Joining a Thailand gay tour group is a fantastic and easy way to explore the most beautiful parts of the country.
Alongside a group of other gay travelers, you can make a bunch of new friends and make the most of your travel experience. Plus, transportation, logistics, and all sorts of other details are taken care of for you.
Out Adventures is the best and most popular organizer of Thailand gay tours. They offer a couple of different vacation packages and honestly, these tours look epic.
Their Temples & Beaches gay tour starts in Bangkok, stops over in Chiang Mai, and ends in Phuket. Following a similar route, the Out Adventures Thai New Year gay tour takes place during the country’s fun-filled Songkran celebration.
For other Thailand and Bangkok gay tour options, check out offers from these popular gay tour companies.
Bangkok Gay Bars, Clubs, & the Gay District
Bars and clubs in the Bangkok gay district are the most vibrant of any Southeast Asian destination! Alleyways come alive with colorful lights, especially on Bangkok’s famous gay street.
Soi Silom 4: Bangkok's Gay District
Soi Silom 4 is the famous Bangkok gay area, which is located in the Silom District. Numbered alleyways branch off Silom Road, which runs straight through this neighborhood. One of those is Soi Silom 4!
Bangkok’s gay area is a must-see for every tourist if nothing else but to experience the chaos! At night, bars get rowdy and play loud music. Walk by even if you don’t want to go out partying!
In addition to the gay bars below, there are tons of gay-friendly bars in the gay district. It’ll be easy to spot other gay travelers who are always exploring the area.
Telephone Pub
Telephone Pub is a staple gay bar in Bangkok. It has both indoor and outdoor seating, with all tables facing the street. Telephone Pub is toward the end of the famous Bangkok gay street, Silom Alley.
Although in recent years prices of drinks have increased at Telephone Pub, you can still have a cheap time if you stick to the Thai whiskey!
DJ Station
You absolutely have to party at DJ station, Bangkok’s most popular gay bar and club! Gay travelers all over the world visit and know about DJ Station. I think it’s one of the best places to party.
DJ Station is a short walk from Soi Silom 4. It’s part of a cluster of bars in a single alleyway that all share an entrance. You’ll find a queue out front at the alley entrance so don’t be confused when you don’t see a door on the street.
G Bangkok (Formerly G.O.D.)
G Bangkok is a hugely popular after-hours Bangkok gay club. The club’s location is just a block away from DJ Station in the nearest alleyway. G Bangkok parties officially start at midnight, but the majority of people come at 2 AM after most other bars close.
Expect flashing lights, shirtless men, and a bit of a circuit party vibe. Without a doubt, the best local gay club for dancing!
G Circuit
If you’ll be heading to G Circuit, make sure to bring your sexiest gay circuit gear!
White Rabbit
White Rabbit is one last bar I want to mention—the first spot my friends and I stopped at before exploring the gay district later in the evening.
While not specifically a gay bar, White Rabbit is just around the corner from Bangkok’s most popular gay bars. It’s a cute first stop to start your night before anything gets wild!
The bar has a relaxed lounge feel and is open to the street with free wi-fi. If you go after midnight though, White Rabbit will likely be quite crowded!
Bangkok Gay Saunas
Krubb Bangkok Social Club & Sauna
Krubb Bangkok Social Club & Sauna is the crowd-favorite gay sauna in Bangkok. It’s highly rated for its sexy yet zen-like modern facilities.
They have a dry sauna, a large shower area, a relaxing pool, a gym, and plenty of lockers. Everything is much more modern than your average bathhouse!
Krubb might be a little further from the city center, but their facilities and friendliness are well worth the trip.
Sauna Mania
Sauna Mania is a convenient local gay sauna since it’s right around the corner from Bangkok’s gay clubs in the Silom area. Being able to shower and then head out clubbing is pretty convenient!
Weekdays have varying themes including underwear, towel, and naked. Sauna Mania’s facilities include a lovely onsen, hot tub, steam room, dry sauna, and bar. They have a nice gym too, so you can exercise before enjoying a bit of cruising.
Wear some sexy workout clothes for the gym and a jockstrap for the cruising after!
Chakran Sauna
Chakran Sauna is actually part of the Blu Cabin Gay Poshtel, a gay hostel mentioned earlier in this guide.
People tend to have strong opinions about this sauna, one way or the other. It’s popular for massages by younger Thai guys as well as the rooftop pool that has a fantastic view.
Bangkok Gay Travel Tips
Be sure to factor in taxi/tuk-tuk fares for wherever you’re staying. Given Bangkok is such a large city, you will need to take cabs quite frequently. If you stay too far away, your hotel savings may not be worth it.
Is Bangkok Cheap?
Many world travelers will rave about how cheap Bangkok is. It is true some things, like accommodations, are quite cheap. However, Bangkok is not as inexpensive as it once was.
Prices have been driven up as travelers from all corners of the world visit the increasingly international city. With higher demand for everything, restaurants and bars have most easily been able to hike up prices.
Alcohol in Bangkok bars is not that cheap anymore. I noticed a definite increase in the price of a basic mixed drink between my visits to Bangkok in 2016 and 2019.
Usually, only the locally produced liquor will be cheap. Be careful not to drink too much of this stuff, though, You might end up with a nasty hangover.
Hotels are still affordable in Bangkok. So is street food. The biggest thing to note is that anywhere tourists are located, prices will be high.
Taxi Fares in Bangkok
Tuk-Tuk fares can be cheap if you make sure to bargain! Don’t be afraid to “pretend walk away” if the driver won’t accept your haggling. Over-charging is very common since Bangkok has so many tourists.
How do you know what is a fair price? Start by downloading the Grab Taxi application. This app will give you the current fair price for your journey. Any significant traffic will increase the price, as the app includes surge pricing.
Show this quoted price to your tuk-tuk driver and make sure they beat it. Otherwise, walk away.
I’ve done this many times. I also let them know that the Grab price is for an actual taxi, not just a tuk-tuk. So, it has to be cheaper!
Gay Life in Thailand
Thailand attracts many LGBT travelers given its reputation as a very tolerant nation. Same-sex relations were legalized back in 1956.
Thailand passed the Gender Equality Act in 2015, banning discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation. It was a huge leap for Thailand! This was the first law mentioning homosexual people in the nation.
Lastly, same-sex marriage is not legal in Thailand; however, the progressive country is making progress toward its legalization. As exemplified in right here in Bangkok, there are vibrant gay communities throughout the country.
Next, discover one of my favorite islands ever with wolfyy’s Koh Lipe gay travel guide.
Or, dive into wolfyy’s Koh Samui gay travel guide and explore one of Thailand’s most visited islands.
For more inspiration, explore wolfyy’s full list of gay travel guides.
