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 good friend, who had been residing 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 may bear 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 protected house.
In the event you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and planning a visit to Thailand, listed here are my prime suggestions that can assist you expertise Bangkok the way in which it was meant to be: protected, fabulous, and stuffed with pleasure.
1. Go to throughout #BangkokPride for peak LGBT power.
June is Pleasure Month. Final yr, I attended Bangkok Pleasure for the primary time. But it surely 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 other people from all walks of life exhibiting up in full colour. The ambiance is joyful, inclusive, and deeply emotional. Thailand is already some of the LGBTQ+-friendly nations in Asia, however Pleasure turns that friendliness into full-on solidarity. Locals, expats, and vacationers all come collectively in a single large, stunning parade. Even company allies step up with Pleasure-themed occasions and help.
Bangkok’s celebrations preserve getting larger 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 variety, freedom, and gender equality. Listed here are the small print 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 stay performances from native and worldwide artists. There may even be consciousness zones, schooling cubicles, and protected areas for discussions. And naturally, anticipate fab style 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, variety, 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+ neighborhood. 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 option to drag queens, go-go dancers, and queer vacationers simply searching for a superb time.
Silom is residence 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 normally is pleasant towards LGBTQ+ vacationers, however Silom appears like a queer sanctuary. Persons are used to seeing all types 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 an entire group of pals, 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 if you happen to’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 kind and inventive expression has all the time been fierce, sickening, and iconic in Bangkok. You’ll discover the whole lot from traditional pageant queens to boundary-breaking performers.
Earlier, I discussed Stranger Bar in Silom, so let’s discuss it extra. It’s a quite cozy bar and so unassuming, you’d miss it if you happen to’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 evening in common intervals, so if you happen to arrive and there appears to be nothing occurring on stage, simply wait a number of extra minutes.
However in fact, 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. Assist 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 neighborhood — and possibly get higher espresso, cocktails, or conversations than on the large chains.
The town can also be stuffed with allies, which is most evident throughout Bangkok Pleasure Month when the most important malls and different institutions splash their exteriors and interiors with numerous rainbow-themed decors and supply fabulous reductions or free actions.
Bangkok is a client’s paradise to start with, however with all these offers, likelihood is you received’t be leaving with out some critical retail remedy. So ensure you pack gentle and go away an enormous house in your baggage for worth-it finds!
5. Be proud, however learn the room.
Typically, Thailand is famously on the proper aspect of historical past with regards to 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 fingers? Completely superb. Tongue-wrestling within the BTS Skytrain? Perhaps save that for the membership after darkish or get a room. In the event you’re on the BTS or strolling by way of a temple even when in your option to Pleasure, perhaps don’t blast RuPaul at full quantity. It’s not about dimming your shine. It’s about realizing 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 pleasure with cultural sensitivity. You will be assured and nonetheless be thoughtful. You may slay and keep respectful.
Bangkok is a kind 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 social gathering, discover temples, bask in Thai meals, or all of the above, you’ll discover a protected house, a yearning for equality, and an entire lot of affection. So pack your finest crop prime, keep hydrated, and don’t overlook: in Bangkok, the one factor hotter than the climate is variety. And also you. I’m certain you’ll be fierce, too!
