Greater than a decade in the past, I set foot in Bangkok for the very first time. It was my first solo backpacking journey, however because it turned out, the Thai capital could be bombarding me with a collection of firsts. A pal, who had been dwelling in Bangkok on the time confirmed me round and determined it was time for me to have a correct immersion. He led me into my first homosexual membership and dragged me to my first drag present. For the primary time since I might keep in mind, I felt fully and unapologetically myself in a overseas land. Bangkok wrapped me in a form of heat that I didn’t know I used to be lacking — a mixture of loud celebration and quiet acceptance.
That’s why it’ll all the time have a particular place in my coronary heart. It’s not simply due to the events, the meals, or the tradition (although, sure to all of that). To me, Bangkok isn’t simply one other cease on my journey map. It’s my secure area.
Should you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ group and planning a visit to Thailand, listed here are my high ideas that will help you expertise Bangkok the best way it was meant to be: secure, fabulous, and filled with delight.
1. Go to throughout #BangkokPride for peak LGBT vitality.
June is Pleasure Month. Final yr, I attended Bangkok Pleasure for the primary time. However it wasn’t simply my first Pleasure in Thailand — it was my first Pleasure, ever. Earlier than that journey, I had by no means marched, by no means waved a rainbow flag in public, by no means stood shoulder to shoulder with 1000’s of individuals shouting for love and equality. However one thing about Bangkok made me really feel like I used to be precisely the place I wanted to be. I didn’t simply really feel tolerated or accepted. I felt celebrated.
Throughout Pleasure Month, Bangkok transforms. The streets come alive with rainbow flags, music, and folks from all walks of life exhibiting up in full colour. The ambiance is joyful, inclusive, and deeply emotional. Thailand is already probably the most LGBTQ+-friendly international locations in Asia, however Pleasure turns that friendliness into full-on solidarity. Locals, expats, and vacationers all come collectively in a single huge, stunning parade. Even company allies step up with Pleasure-themed occasions and help.
Bangkok’s celebrations hold getting greater each time. This yr, Bangkok Pleasure Parade 2025 guarantees to be one of many largest and most inclusive Pleasure parades in Southeast Asia, as town celebrates range, freedom, and gender equality. Listed below are the main points together with the route.
- Date: Sunday, June 1, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM onwards
- Route: From Nationwide Stadium BTS to Ratchaprasong
- Organizers: Bangkok Pleasure in collaboration with human rights teams, LGBTQIA+ communities, native companies, and allies
- Highlights: Parade floats, drag exhibits, mini-concerts and dwell performances from native and worldwide artists. There may even be consciousness zones, training cubicles, and secure areas for discussions. And naturally, count on fab trend and inventive expression throughout!
And that’s not all – Pleasure celebrations are occurring all month lengthy throughout Thailand, with occasions like Pattaya Pleasure, Samui Pleasure Nation, and Chiang Mai Pleasure lighting up the nation with love, range, and pleasure.
2. Keep in or close to the Silom space.
Though the Silom district is a enterprise heart by day, it transforms into a celebration central when the solar goes down, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ group. Positioned proper within the heart of town and served by each BTS and MRT, Silom is the place skyscrapers meet sass, and the company crowd offers strategy to drag queens, go-go dancers, and queer vacationers simply in search of a very good time.
Silom is house to Bangkok’s most iconic homosexual bars and golf equipment. Simply off Silom Soi 2 and Soi 4, you’ll discover a number of the metropolis’s most legendary queer venues. Soi 2 is the wild one, lined with high-energy nightclubs like DJ Station and G.O.D., the place the beats are loud, the boys are sweaty, and the drag exhibits hit like a shot of tequila to the soul.
Soi 4 is the place you pregame. It’s lined with homosexual bars like The Balcony Pub and The Stranger Bar aka Home of Drag Queens.
Bangkok basically is pleasant towards LGBTQ+ vacationers, however Silom looks like a queer sanctuary. Individuals are used to seeing all kinds of expressions right here. Nobody bats a watch at same-sex {couples}, flamboyant outfits, or spontaneous dance-offs on the street. Whether or not you’re solo, partnered, or with a complete group of buddies, this space has your again. It’s additionally received nice meals, native markets, and luxurious inexperienced areas like Lumphini Park only a brief stroll away. There are additionally a number of LGBTQ+-friendly spas and saunas close by in the event you’re trying to unwind (or discover, no judgment).
3. Catch a drag present.
Method earlier than RuPaul’s Drag Race made drag mainstream, this artwork type and inventive expression has all the time been fierce, sickening, and iconic in Bangkok. You’ll discover every thing from traditional pageant queens to boundary-breaking performers.
Earlier, I discussed Stranger Bar in Silom, so let’s discuss it extra. It’s a fairly cozy bar and so unassuming, you’d miss it in the event you’re not paying consideration. However when you go inside, you’ll be greeted by stellar performances that may be – relying in your timing – campy, comedic, charismatic or captivatingly chaotic. It has exhibits each night time in common intervals, so in the event you arrive and there appears to be nothing occurring on stage, simply wait a number of extra minutes.
However after all, we will’t discuss Bangkok’s drag scene with out mentioning the outstanding Pangina Heals, host of Drag Race Thailand, who additionally took the world by storm when she was controversially eradicated on Rupaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World. And right here in Bangkok, Pangina and her drag household’s commonplace of over-the-top excellence is in full show at Home of Heals.
4. Help queer-owned or allied companies.
From cute cafés to queer-run hostels, Bangkok’s LGBT+ entrepreneurs are creating stunning, inclusive areas. Search them out. You’ll really feel good supporting the group — and doubtless get higher espresso, cocktails, or conversations than on the huge chains.
Town can be filled with allies, which is most evident throughout Bangkok Pleasure Month when the largest malls and different institutions splash their exteriors and interiors with numerous rainbow-themed decors and provide fabulous reductions or free actions.
Bangkok is a client’s paradise to start with, however with all these offers, chances are high you gained’t be leaving with out some severe retail remedy. So ensure you pack gentle and depart an enormous area in your baggage for worth-it finds!
5. Be proud, however learn the room.
Normally, Thailand is famously on the best facet of historical past in terms of LGBTQIA+ points. Bangkok’s queer scene is heat, vibrant, and usually very open.
However right here’s the tea: you continue to have to remain conscious and respectful of your environment. Know that public shows of affection (PDA) aren’t tremendous widespread. Holding palms? Completely fantastic. Tongue-wrestling within the BTS Skytrain? Possibly save that for the membership after darkish or get a room. Should you’re on the BTS or strolling by way of a temple even when in your strategy to Pleasure, possibly don’t blast RuPaul at full quantity. It’s not about dimming your shine. It’s about understanding when and the place to show it up.
Whereas Thailand is accepting, it stays a spiritual nation. Respect has all the time been amongst its cultural cornerstones. Mix delight with cultural sensitivity. You could be assured and nonetheless be thoughtful. You may slay and keep respectful.
Bangkok is a type of locations the place being LGBTQ+ doesn’t make you stand out, it simply makes you a part of the enjoyable. Whether or not you’re right here to get together, discover temples, take pleasure in Thai meals, or all of the above, you’ll discover a secure area, a longing for equality, and a complete lot of affection. So pack your greatest crop high, keep hydrated, and don’t overlook: in Bangkok, the one factor hotter than the climate is range. And also you. I’m certain you’ll be fierce, too!
