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 sequence of firsts. A buddy, 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 utterly and unapologetically myself in a overseas 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 protected house.
When you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood and planning a visit to Thailand, listed here are my high suggestions that will help you expertise Bangkok the best way it was meant to be: protected, fabulous, and stuffed with pleasure.
1. Go to throughout #BangkokPride for peak LGBT power.
June is Delight Month. Final yr, I attended Bangkok Delight for the primary time. But it surely wasn’t simply my first Delight in Thailand — it was my first Delight, 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 Delight 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 one of the LGBTQ+-friendly international locations in Asia, however Delight turns that friendliness into full-on solidarity. Locals, expats, and vacationers all come collectively in a single large, lovely parade. Even company allies step up with Delight-themed occasions and assist.
Bangkok’s celebrations hold getting larger each time. This yr, Bangkok Delight Parade 2025 guarantees to be one of many largest and most inclusive Delight parades in Southeast Asia, as town celebrates variety, 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 Delight 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, count on fab style and creative expression throughout!
And that’s not all – Delight celebrations are occurring all month lengthy throughout Thailand, with occasions like Pattaya Delight, Samui Delight Nation, and Chiang Mai Delight 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 middle by day, it transforms into a celebration central when the solar goes down, particularly for the LGBTQIA+ neighborhood. Positioned proper within the middle of town and served by each BTS and MRT, Silom is the place skyscrapers meet sass, and the company crowd provides method to drag queens, go-go dancers, and queer vacationers simply searching for 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 on the whole is pleasant towards LGBTQ+ vacationers, however Silom appears like a queer sanctuary. Persons 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 an entire group of mates, this space has your again. It’s additionally bought nice meals, native markets, and plush inexperienced areas like Lumphini Park only a brief stroll away. There are additionally a couple of LGBTQ+-friendly spas and saunas close by for those who’re seeking 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 at all times been fierce, sickening, and iconic in Bangkok. You’ll discover all the pieces from basic pageant queens to boundary-breaking performers.
Earlier, I discussed Stranger Bar in Silom, so let’s speak about it extra. It’s a slightly cozy bar and so unassuming, you’d miss it for those who’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 for those who arrive and there appears to be nothing occurring on stage, simply wait a couple of extra minutes.
However in fact, we are able to’t speak about 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 normal 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 lovely, inclusive areas. Search them out. You’ll really feel good supporting the neighborhood — and doubtless get higher espresso, cocktails, or conversations than on the large chains.
The town can be stuffed with allies, which is most evident throughout Bangkok Delight 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 consumer’s paradise to start with, however with all these offers, likelihood is you received’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.
Normally, Thailand is famously on the correct 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 frequent. Holding fingers? Completely advantageous. Tongue-wrestling within the BTS Skytrain? Perhaps save that for the membership after darkish or get a room. When you’re on the BTS or strolling via a temple even when in your method to Delight, 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 at all times been amongst its cultural cornerstones. Mix pleasure with cultural sensitivity. You may be assured and nonetheless be thoughtful. You possibly can 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 social gathering, discover temples, take pleasure 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 greatest crop high, keep hydrated, and don’t neglect: in Bangkok, the one factor hotter than the climate is variety. And also you. I’m positive you’ll be fierce, too!
