Discover the best 10 destinations to enjoy gay Thailand

Get sweaty in Bangkok alongside Thailand’s most streetwise locals and young backpackers from across the globe. Where East truly meets West, Bangkok melds traditional Buddhist ways of life with outrageous hedonism, creating a vibrant atmosphere ripe for exploration. Despite being one of Thailand’s more expensive cities with its fair share of hustlers, Bangkok is still among the most affordable cities in the world, where tuk-tuks tout for the price of a sandwich and hip boutique stores compete on price.

The veritable capital of ‘Gay Asia’, Bangkok is the first call for gay parties across the continent, boasting an infamous party scene to make even Ru Paul blush. While backpackers abound in cheap accommodations and the red light scene, there is more to the nightlife here. There are countless cabarets, clubs, saunas, go-go and karaoke bars around the city, with LGBT offerings centred in Silom. Outside of Silom, you’ll also find Sukhumvit Road, Aor Tor Gor and Khao San Road ready to welcome you. While some Bangkok gay bars and clubs are more respectable than others, if it’s plush sophistication you’re after, the city can provide. Try a roof-top infinity pool to escape the heat or check into a luxury hotel complete with spa, bar and bistro. Discover the best luxury offerings and our favourite Bangkok gay club in our dedicated Bangkok travel guide. Or, for when you’re done partying, take a look at the best day trips from Bangkok.

Where to stay in Bangkok

Bangkok’s riverside is home to some of the city’s most luxurious stays, perfect for travellers who value elegance and exclusivity. The Capella Bangkok enchants with its contemporary Thai design and breathtaking views of the Chao Phraya River. For those seeking ultimate privacy, its riverside villas boast private plunge pools and 24-hour butler service. Over at The Siam, expect a boutique retreat that blends Art Deco influences with traditional Thai aesthetics, offering personal butler service, private pools, and even Muay Thai boxing lessons in an intimate setting. For classic luxury, the Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok remains an iconic choice, with a rich history dating back to 1876. It features beautifully appointed suites, world-class dining, and the famous Oriental Spa—a true sanctuary of serenity.

One such day trip from Bangkok is to the glorious Koh Samet, known fondly as Thailand’s gayest island. Just two hours’ drive from the capital towards the southeast, Koh Samet is an ideal location for a weekend escape to the beach. Popular among Bangkok’s middle and upper classes, as much as the international gay community, Koh Samet serves laid-back parties in a tropical paradise, with crowds and prices peaking on the weekend. Like most Thai islands, Koh Samet is similarly gorgeous, with endless sunshine on palm-strewn beaches kissed by turquoise waters. Part of the Khao Laem Ya Ko Samet National Park, Koh Samet has an entry fee of 200 baht ($6USD) but this small amount goes towards protecting the natural environment and wildlife ecosystems on land and at sea.

Choose a beach based on your personality; party people can mingle and undertake water sports on Haad Sai Kaew and Ao Hin Khok; families can have fun on Ao Wong Duean; while shyer beachgoers can enjoy a romantic escape to Ao Wa, Ao Pakarang or Ao Kiew Na Nok. For one of the best beaches in gay Thailand travel straight to Ao Phai, home of the Silver Sands Bar and open-air nightclub and neighbour to Ao Tubtim, Koh Samet’s unofficial gay beach. Ao Tubtim was put on the map by Tub Tim Resort, another of the island’s best gay beach bars. Straighter and more Thai-style than what’s on offer in Phuket or Pattaya, nightlife on Koh Samet is for tourists and Bangkok gays keen on beachside karaoke and Thai pop disco.

If Koh Samet was likened to Baby Spice then Pattaya would definitely be Scary Spice, the wildest of Thailand’s many islands. Famed for its boys, epic nightlife and cheap, cheap luxury, Pattaya is bound to please those who really wanna zigazig ah. The Pattaya gay scene begins on the beach and moves into town come sundown. For gay-friendly beach days, try the popular Dongtan and Jomtien Beaches, before heading to the Walking Street entertainment district for cabarets, clubs, bars and raucous karaoke sessions. The Boyztown district sees the majority of gay bars, massage shops, restaurants and gay-oriented accommodations, seconded only by Sunee Plaza for go-go clubs and more massage. Alternatively, dive into the more exclusive world of Pattaya, splashing a little extra on luxury accommodation, rooftop pools, world-class spas and fine dining experiences.

While Pattaya has seen years of overdevelopment and a sex trade run rampant, most recently the government has begun efforts to restore the island’s natural beauty and crack down on illicit trade. And although the sex industry is very much alive here, there is now emphasis on sustainable development and vanilla-flavoured fun for all.

Where to stay in Pattaya

Pattaya’s coastline promises luxury with a laid-back vibe. Andaz Pattaya Jomtien Beach is a stylish beachfront haven known for its tropical contemporary design, offering spacious suites and private plunge pools that blend seamlessly with lush gardens. For something more intimate, MASON redefines luxury with its minimalist, stone-crafted villas designed to reflect Pattaya’s coastal landscape. Each villa features private pools and direct beach access, ensuring an exclusive retreat with uninterrupted sea views.

Another beach paradise with a reputation for naughtiness is the southern island of Phuket, hosting luxurious villas that overlook the Andaman Sea. Equally as affordable as Pattaya yet becoming more expensive each year, Phuket offers much of the same craziness as above. Complete your bingo card of things to do in Thailand; trying a cabaret, club or go-go bar and revelling in the lack of inhibition, or go upmarket to Phuket’s burgeoning luxury resorts, where cocktail bars, fine dining, classy spas and infinity pools lie in wait.

Gay Phuket is centred on the “Paradise Complex” of Patong, an area compacted to a few pedestrian streets with bars, cafés, clubs and restaurants competing to attract the foreign LGBTQ community. The more straight orientated party area runs along Bangla Road. For beachside fun, the rainbow-lined Patong beach is the top Phuket gay beach, running 3.5 kilometres alongside the beach resort town of Patong. Ever popular among gays and the starting point of Phuket Pride, Patong Beach is regularly packed. For a more chilled option, try Karon Beach to the south just below Patong or Bangtao Beach, a short drive north, where the popular gay hangout spot known as Dream Beach Club lies.

Where to stay in Phuket

Phuket is synonymous with opulent beachfront escapes, and Amanpuri is a standout, renowned for its understated elegance, world-class service, and private pavilions overlooking the turquoise waters of the Andaman Sea. For more contemporary chic, V Villas Phuket offers modern pool villas with panoramic ocean views, each complete with a private butler and infinity pool. If ultimate seclusion is what you seek, Trisara Villas & Residences delivers, with spacious residences featuring private pools, lush gardens, and stunning sea views, alongside curated experiences like yacht excursions and wellness retreats.

Where to stay in Koh Samui

Koh Samui offers an idyllic escape with some of Thailand’s finest resorts. Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui is a lavish paradise, with hillside villas that come with private pools and sweeping views of the Gulf of Thailand. The resort also offers immersive cultural experiences, including Muay Thai lessons and private yacht charters. For a more intimate experience, Napasai, A Belmond Hotel exudes traditional Thai charm, nestled in a secluded beachfront location, featuring private villas and exceptional spa treatments. Alternatively, the exclusive Cape Fahn Hotel sits on its own private island, providing a rare level of privacy, with luxurious pool villas that offer breathtaking ocean views.

Where to stay in Krabi

Krabi’s natural beauty is the perfect setting for ultra-luxury. At Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, guests are treated to expansive villas, each with private plunge pools and personal butlers, set against the dramatic backdrop of Krabi’s limestone cliffs. The resort’s wellness focus is enhanced by its world-class spa and personalised experiences like island hopping or Thai cooking classes. Meanwhile, Banyan Tree Krabi offers all-pool villas with stunning views of the Andaman Sea, a perfect blend of nature and luxury. Its holistic wellness programme and beachfront dining add to the allure of this coastal sanctuary.

The beating heart of northern Thailand, Chiang Mai is a veritable utopia for ex-pats, packed with things to do without battling the chaos of the capital. Easily walkable within the tourist centre (Old City), Chiang Mai is one for comfort and convenience. While away your days alternating between spas and street-side eateries, staying hydrating on steaming bowls of Kao Soi (coconut curry noodle soup) and fresh coconut smoothies. The largest city in Northern Thailand bordered by misty mountains, Chiang Mai has all you could ever want. Rent a motorbike or book a minivan to explore the rural regions to the northwest, stopping in Mae Hong Son on the Myanmar border for Western hippie enclaves, waterfalls and authentic tribal villages.

Marvel at the scenery on the journey back to the Old City where a very different cultural experience awaits. Much like Bangkok, Chiang Mai caters to all kinks with its array of go-go bars, cabarets, saunas and street events around Thapae Gate and the Night Bazaar area. Save your good clobber for an evening out in Nimmanhaeminda, where upmarket restaurants, bars and coffee shops line the streets beside a multitude of new boutique hotels. Gay Chiang Mai used to be centred on Santitham and Chang Puek, but today the freshest offerings lie along Gay Soi 6 (Soi 6 Charoen Prathet Road), with a smattering of gay karaoke bars, saunas and massage shops remaining in Santitham.

Where to stay in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s tranquil surroundings make it ideal for a luxurious escape. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai offers private villas set amidst lush rice paddies, each featuring its own infinity pool and traditional Lanna-style architecture. For those interested in cultural experiences, the resort offers Thai cooking classes and meditation sessions. 137 Pillars House is an elegant colonial-style retreat that merges historic charm with modern luxury, offering lush gardens, a serene pool, and impeccable service. With its focus on wellness and history, it’s a perfect base for exploring the rich culture of northern Thailand.

The remoteness of Koh Lipe – accessible only via Hat Yai airport and Pak Bara speedboat port on the border to Malaysia – is its saving grace, allowing it to dodge the development and over-tourism of the neighbouring islands. We can also thank its inconvenience for allowing the preservation of local ecosystems and healthy coral within Tarutao National Marine Park. On land, Koh Lipe impresses with a nice selection of restaurants, bars, shops and hotels which overlook fine white sand beaches stretching the 3.5-kilometre length of the island. Stay for a romantic beach break interspersed with some of the country’s best scuba diving opportunities before getting swept up in the close-knit yet lively local nightlife.

Looking for more ways to spend your days on Koh Lipe? Look no further than our article on things to do on Koh Lipe in Thailand.

Named after the turtles that inhabit the region’s clear waters, Koh Tao is certainly a great place to nest, served as it is by impeccable cliff-cradled beaches and everyday sunshine. Located close to Koh Samui and Koh Phangan, Koh Tao brings a breath of fresh air to the Gulf of Thailand with its bohemian charm and serene natural beauty.

Known for its large number of affordable diving schools, snorkelling sites and dazzling marine life, Koh Tao is a great place to recuperate and learn something new in nature. Lapped by calm waters and affording the best sundown views is Sairee Beach where you can rent a kayak and paddle to Koh Nang Yuan. Chalok Baan Kao Beach is another favourite but venturing off the set path will bring you to the island’s most serene unnamed beach spots, served by a guesthouse or two and caches of untouched coral. Thanks to the island’s regular influx of gay visitors, you’ll be in good company when the evening beckons, particularly in the area around Sairee Beach where most clubs and bars are located.