Best Gay Friendly Hotels in Bangkok

Need a decently-priced, comfortable room in an awesome location for sightseeing, shopping and the gay scene?

Glow Trinity Silom

Tucked away off the main road in Silom but close enough to the skytrain and gay bars and clubs, Glow Trinity has gone through a complete renovation and turned into a great, modern hotel.  The well designed and super clean rooms feature large, comfortable beds and free WiFi.  If you just can’t get to sleep, the late-night Sauna Mania is just around the corner.  Helpful, gay-friendly staff and great value for money make this a best seller on Travel Gay Asia. BTS – Chong Nonsi.

The Heritage Silom

A great value, very gay-friendly 4-star hotel located just a 10-minute walk from the Silom gay scene and close to Sauna Mania.  Like the I Residence, the BTS Chong Nonsi station is just next door.  The Heritage has modern rooms that feature LCD TV’s and free WiFi.  The hotel has a small pool, sun terrace, fitness room and a choice of restaurants and bars.  Very popular choice with TGA users.  



Siri Sathorn Hotel

Sister hotel to the renowned Sukhothai hotel, the all-suite Siri Sathorn is an affordable luxury serviced residence, conveniently located in a quiet side street, just a few minutes’ walk from the gay nightlife in Silom.  It features a spa, gym, swimming pool, bar, restaurant and café.  The in-house restaurant offers a reasonably-priced lunch buffet with a variety of menu that is also popular with non-hotel guests.


Somerset Park Suanplu Hotel

With its great location and affordable rates, The Somerset is always a popular choice, particularly with gCircuit’s Songkran party-goers and those who want to be relatively close to Babylon.
The spacious one- or two-bedroom apartments include a separate dining area, kitchens with microwave and refrigerator and free internet access.  An extensive breakfast buffet is offered.  The hotel has a pool, tennis courts, a gym and sauna. If you need a massage, the new gay spa The Prince is just around the corner. Nearest BTS station:  Chong Nonsi.  

Bandara Suites Silom

A member of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), the Bandara Suites Silom offers very spacious hotel rooms and even larger multi-bedroom suites.  Facilities include free WiFi, two swimming pools, a gay-friendly spa, gym, sauna, jacuzzi, business center, bar and restaurant.  All suites are equipped with a kitchen, dining area and have good-sized bathrooms.
Consistently a popular choice given Bandara’s reasonable rates, a prime location, good facilities and completely gay-friendly service.  It’s less than a 10-minute walk to gay bars in Soi 2 (DJ Station, G Bangkok etc.), the BTS Sala Daeng Station and the MRT Lumpini Station.

Mode Sathorn

Brand new in 2013.  The Mode Sathorn is a sparking new contemporary urban resort set in the heart of Sathorn.  The location is excellent – right next to the Surasak skytrain station, and just a couple of minutes from the gay nightlife in Silom and less than 10 minutes from the Siam shopping district.

Stylish guest rooms have all the facilities you would expect of a brand new hotel, including free WiFi, LCD TV, satellite TV, media hub as well as tea & coffee facilities and minibar.  ”Executive Mode” rooms include access to the Excutive lounge, an à la carte breakfast and all-day non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.  The hotel has a fully equipped gym, an infinity-edge pool and sun decks with fabulous cities views.  There are no less than 6 dining options, ranging from an all-day bistro to a 38th floor bar & snack lounge.

TOP GAY EXPERIENCES IN BANGKOK

BANGKOK GAY NIGHTLIFE

Many view Bangkok as the gay hub of Asia, boasting some of the best bars and clubs, saunas and inventive go-go boy shows. When it comes to catering to the rainbow crowd, prepare to be blown away by a variety of fun and decadent delights tailored to all the kings, queens and everything in between in this ‘City of Angels’.

DJ Station - Silom

You haven’t been to gay Bangkok if you haven’t been to DJ Station... Nestled at the far end of the cramped cul-de-sac of Silom Soi 2, this three-level club kicks off each night with a series of lip-syncing divas before things get hard and heavy as sweaty topless boys take to the stage. Indulge in cheap drinks and an excellent music selection – guaranteed to make even the most reluctant dancing queen shake her groove.

Babylon

Coming neck to neck with DJ Station is Babylon. Not only does this fabulous men’s complex feature wet and dry saunas, it also houses a dark maze, well-equipped gym, pool, restaurant, private cabins and hotel rooms. A firm favourite among local and international visitors, Babylon has something for everyone (provided you’re not too picky). Whatever rocks your boat, lose the garb and get lost (or found) in this ancient city, where its exclusively male inhabitants are perpetually ready, willing and able.

Soi Twilight - Silom

Leave your inhibitions at home before entering this ‘twilight zone’. Known locally as Soi Pratuchai, this street off Suriwong Road (behind Silom Road) is strewn with several establishments specialising in many variations (and interpretations) of ‘sexy shows’ and go-go dancing. Depending on what tickles your fancy, fight off the hassling and have a look around before settling down as each place caters to a different fantasy.

Silom Soi 4

One of the city’s long-established gay nightlife spots, Silom Soi 4 is known for its small concentration of chic restaurants, bars, karaoke as well as award-winning pubs like Telephone and Balcony Bar. The overall atmosphere here is jovial and friendly. And if you enjoy dramatic diva impersonations or random fashion shows, stick around for the lip-syncing staged nightly right in the middle of the street.

Tawan Go-Go Bar

Possibly the pinnacle of Bangkok’s sanctuary for size queens, Tawan Go-Go Bar is famed far and wide for its extensive selection of sinewy hosts who will entertain muscle worshippers both on and off stage. Packed almost every night, this bar stages regular shows as well as ‘special shows’. Drink prices are steep but worth every baht considering there’s no admission fee.

Adonis Massage

Tense and sore from the night before? Aching for some kneading attention? There’s no better way to cure stiff muscles than a sedate session of traditional Thai massage – especially when offered by handsome gentlemen! Adonis Massage, one of Bangkok’s best massage parlours, is famed for its impressive range of masseurs (available in all shapes and sizes), a variety of treatments and massage rooms with private showers.

Chakran Sauna

Combining lounge, gym, sauna and a restaurant under one roof, Chakran Sauna is most recognised for its exquisite décor that exudes a sophisticated Mediterranean mood. Snug in Soi Ari 4, Phaholyothin 7 (Art BTS Skytrain), away from the prying eyes, Chakran is a place to get groped, grabbed and then some. Special daily events and activities include fumbling in a dark room, fondling in a private chamber and frolicking by the ultra sexy pool – take your pick!

Best Local Thai Restaurants in Bangkok

There’s a huge genre of restaurants in Bangkok that fit somewhere in the middle of street food and sit down restaurants.

Some call them shophouse restaurants and others call them local Thai restaurants. Whatever you want to call them, these are not at all fancy, but you also don’t have to normally suck in bus fumes, and I think they are the location of some of the best food gems in the entire city.

• Yong Lee – They add some serious passion to their family recipes at Yong Lee. The food is a mixed bag of Thai and Chinese and even some random Western influence on the menu, and the restaurant is a true throwback in time. Everything is amazingly tasty. What to eat: Pla Kapong Pad Prik Dam (ปลากะพงผัดพริกตำ), Beef Tongue Stew
• Lan Thung Khao Tom Hua Pla (ร้านตี้งข้าวต้มหัวปลา (ตลาดพลู) - This shophouse is one of my choices for best restaurants in Bangkok for their amazing Thai Chinese food. What to eat: Pla kahpung neung manao (ปลากะพงนึ่งมะนาว), Water mimosa (pad pak gachet ผัดผักกะเฉด) – Also try 55 Pochana restaurant.
• Ran Gaeng Pa Sriyan (ร้านแกงป่า ศรีย่าน) – Of all the restaurants in Bangkok I’ve eaten at, this one probably serves the overall most spicy food. The food is on fire, and it’s unbelievably good! What to eat: Thai jungle curry (gaeng pa แกงป่า), Nok Sab Pad Kee Mao (นกสับผัดขี้เมา)
• Rod Ded Isan restaurant (ร้านอีสานรสเด็ด) – Right across the street from King Power shopping center, this old shop Isaan food restaurant consistently serves delicious food, and their yam woon sen (glass noodle salad), I think is the best in Bangkok. What to eat: Mungbean noodle salad (yam woon sen ยำวุ้นเส้น), som tam, tom yum
• 55 Pochana (ห้าสิบห้าโภชนา) – For greasy meaty Thai Chinese food, this longstanding classic restaurant always satisfies. I’m sure they use plenty of pork lard, because the food is that good! What to eat: Dok kajon pad kai (ดอกขจรนผัดไข่), Bpet krob pad kra pao (เป็ดกรอบผัดกระเพรา), Pla pad prik tai dam (ปลาผัดพริกไทยดำ)
• P’Aor (ร้านพี่อ้อ) – The tom yum soup here is so incredibly rich and flavorful that it’s almost unbelievable. They make a rare dish of tom yum soup with noodles. What to eat: Kuay Teow Tom Yum Goong Nam Khon (ก๋วยเตี๋ยวต้มยำกุ้งน้ำข้น), Ba Mee Yok Neau Ob (บะหมี่หยกเนื้ออบ)
• Khao Tum Bpet Jay Oy (ข้าวต้มเป็ด เจ๊โอว) – Everything they do is beyond delicious at this Suan Luang hot spot. What to eat: Gai Song Kreung ไก่ทรงเครื่อง, roasted fish, pork satay,
• Lan Luam Dtai (ร้านรวมใต้) – For southern Thai food, I think this is the best restaurant in Bangkok, and I’m addicted to southern Thai food! What to eat: Goong Pad Sataw (กุ้งผัดสะตอ), Gaeng Kee Lek (แกงขี้เหล็ก), Kua Kling Moo (คั่วกลิ้งหมู)
• Tho Po Channa (โต๋วโภชนา) – When a restaurant is only open for a few hours per day, you know it’s one of the top restaurants in Bangkok. This place is a little far and hard to find, buy they serve outstanding food. What to eat: Goong tod gratiam (กุ้งทอดกระเทียม), Pla chon tod lard prik (ปลาช่อนทอดราดพริก)
• Som Tam Boo Maa Restaurant (ส้มตำปูม้า) – I ate here a lot when I first moved to Thailand, and it’s still my go-to restaurant when I’m ready for an incredibly satisfying Isaan meal. What to eat: Pla pao (ปลาเผา), Nam tok pla chon tod (น้ำตกปลาช่อนทอด), Larb pla duk (ลาบปลาดุก)
• Gold Bay Leaves - This former hotel chef now has his own local restaurant and he does both delicious Thai and even Western food. What to eat: Pad makua muang (stir fried purple eggplant ผัดมะเขือม่วง), Panang fettuccine, Neau yang (grilled beef เนื้อย่าง), cheesy spinach.