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 may bear in mind, I felt fully and unapologetically myself in a overseas land. Bangkok wrapped me in a type 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 below are my prime suggestions that can assist you expertise Bangkok the way in which it was meant to be: secure, fabulous, and stuffed with satisfaction.
1. Go to throughout #BangkokPride for peak LGBT power.
June is Delight Month. Final 12 months, I attended Bangkok Delight for the primary time. However it 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 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 Delight Month, Bangkok transforms. The streets come alive with rainbow flags, music, and other people from all walks of life exhibiting up in full shade. The environment is joyful, inclusive, and deeply emotional. Thailand is already some 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 help.
Bangkok’s celebrations maintain getting greater each time. This 12 months, Bangkok Delight Parade 2025 guarantees to be one of many largest and most inclusive Delight parades in Southeast Asia, as the 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 Delight in collaboration with human rights teams, LGBTQIA+ communities, native companies, and allies
- Highlights: Parade floats, drag reveals, 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, anticipate fab trend and inventive 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. Situated proper within the middle of the town and served by each BTS and MRT, Silom is the place skyscrapers meet sass, and the company crowd offers solution to drag queens, go-go dancers, and queer vacationers simply on the lookout 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 among 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 reveals 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 seems 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 mates, this space has your again. It’s additionally acquired nice meals, native markets, and plush inexperienced areas like Lumphini Park only a quick stroll away. There are additionally a number of LGBTQ+-friendly spas and saunas close by in case you’re seeking to unwind (or discover, no judgment).
3. Catch a drag present.
Manner earlier than RuPaul’s Drag Race made drag mainstream, this artwork kind and artistic expression has at all times 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 somewhat cozy bar and so unassuming, you’d miss it in case 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 reveals each night time in common intervals, so in case 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 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 possibly 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 supply fabulous reductions or free actions.
Bangkok is a consumer’s paradise to start with, however with all these offers, chances are high you gained’t be leaving with out some critical retail remedy. So ensure you pack mild and depart a giant house in your baggage for worth-it finds!
5. Be proud, however learn the room.
Generally, Thailand is famously on the correct aspect of historical past relating to 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 fingers? Completely tremendous. Tongue-wrestling within the BTS Skytrain? Perhaps save that for the membership after darkish or get a room. In case you’re on the BTS or strolling by means of a temple even when in your solution to Delight, possibly 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 non secular nation. Respect has at all times been amongst its cultural cornerstones. Mix satisfaction with cultural sensitivity. You might be assured and nonetheless be thoughtful. You possibly can 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 secure house, a yearning for equality, and a complete 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!
