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 can be bombarding me with a collection of firsts. A pal, 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 might keep in mind, I felt utterly and unapologetically myself in a international land. Bangkok wrapped me in a sort 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 at all times 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 house.
In case you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and planning a visit to Thailand, listed here are my high suggestions that can assist you expertise Bangkok the best way it was meant to be: secure, fabulous, and stuffed with satisfaction.
1. Go to throughout #BangkokPride for peak LGBT power.
June is Pleasure Month. Final 12 months, 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 hundreds 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 coloration. The ambiance is joyful, inclusive, and deeply emotional. Thailand is already one of the vital 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 massive, stunning parade. Even company allies step up with Pleasure-themed occasions and assist.
Bangkok’s celebrations hold getting greater each time. This 12 months, 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 here 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 reside performances from native and worldwide artists. There will even be consciousness zones, schooling cubicles, and secure areas for discussions. And naturally, anticipate fab trend and creative expression throughout!
And that’s not all – Pleasure celebrations are taking place 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+ 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 provides solution to drag queens, go-go dancers, and queer vacationers simply searching for a great 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 generally is pleasant towards LGBTQ+ vacationers, however Silom looks like a queer sanctuary. Individuals 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 mates, this space has your again. It’s additionally obtained nice meals, native markets, and luxurious inexperienced areas like Lumphini Park only a brief stroll away. There are additionally just a few LGBTQ+-friendly spas and saunas close by if you happen to’re seeking to unwind (or discover, no judgment).
3. Catch a drag present.
Approach earlier than RuPaul’s Drag Race made drag mainstream, this artwork type and inventive expression has at all times been fierce, sickening, and iconic in Bangkok. You’ll discover all the things from basic pageant queens to boundary-breaking performers.
Earlier, I discussed Stranger Bar in Silom, so let’s discuss it extra. It’s a reasonably 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 night time in common intervals, so if you happen to arrive and there appears to be nothing taking place on stage, simply wait just a few extra minutes.
However in fact, we will’t discuss Bangkok’s drag scene with out mentioning the exceptional 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 neighborhood — and doubtless get higher espresso, cocktails, or conversations than on the massive chains.
Town can 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 varied rainbow-themed decors and provide fabulous reductions or free actions.
Bangkok is a consumer’s paradise to start with, however with all these offers, likelihood is you gained’t be leaving with out some critical retail remedy. So be sure to pack mild and go away a giant house in your baggage for worth-it finds!
5. Be proud, however learn the room.
Typically, Thailand is famously on the fitting aspect of historical past on the subject of LGBTQIA+ points. Bangkok’s queer scene is heat, vibrant, and customarily 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 arms? Completely nice. Tongue-wrestling within the BTS Skytrain? Possibly save that for the membership after darkish or get a room. In case you’re on the BTS or strolling via a temple even when in your solution to Pleasure, perhaps don’t blast RuPaul at full quantity. It’s not about dimming your shine. It’s about figuring out when and the place to show it up.
Whereas Thailand is accepting, it stays a non secular nation. Respect has at all times been amongst its cultural cornerstones. Mix satisfaction with cultural sensitivity. You may 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 celebration, discover temples, bask in Thai meals, or all of the above, you’ll discover a secure house, a yearning for equality, and an entire lot of affection. So pack your finest crop high, keep hydrated, and don’t overlook: in Bangkok, the one factor hotter than the climate is range. And also you. I’m positive you’ll be fierce, too!