Krung Thep is what the Thai call their capital, a much-shortened nickname for what is the longest city name in the world (ask a Thai to recite the whole thing for you). In typical Thai fashion, Bangkok’s epic poetic title has been simplified for everyday use to its practical essence: City of Angels.

Most tourists experience Bangkok in similarly boiled-down little sweet or sour bits: disarming charm, dazzling smiles, exotic temples, bustling markets, choking traffic, 5-alarm peppers, pestering touts. But poke under the polished tourist veneer and Bangkok rewards the explorer with magic moments amidst its free-for-all collision of old and new, rich and poor, the sacred and the profane.

“Paradise” is a word that is often applied to describe the abundance of what Bangkok has to offer. It’s a genuine paradise for shoppers, from the bargains at Chatuchak, the world’s largest outdoor market, to the refined silks and jewels of this royal kingdom. It is also a paradise for foodies, from the singular specialties of its sidewalk hawkers, to the finest cuisine from around the world served up here at stupefying low prices. It is certainly a paradise of 5-star accommodation, service, and even world-class health care (get your nose, eyes or dental work done here and your holiday will pay for itself).

Many have also described Bangkok as a paradise for gay life. It certainly may seem that way to visitors for its sheer abundance, high visibility, and “anything goes” reputation. In fact, GLBT life here is just as complex and contradictory as anywhere else in the world. And while Bangkok’s queer scene seems amazingly diverse, it’s just the tiny tip of an iceberg: most of the Thai gay world is invisible and inaccessible to tourists.

The key to enjoying your time in Bangkok is to relax, take it easy, and keep your sense of humor. When you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by culture shock, go sit in a quiet temple courtyard. When you’re wound up by the entire sensory overload, pamper yourself with an afternoon in a spa or sauna. When your emotional dam threatens to burst, go light some incense at a phallic shrine. Take a deep breath. What’s that smell?

Don't go with touts who want to take you anywhere or taxi drivers that don’t turn on their meters, and use your common sense. Do look both ways when crossing the streets. No one will assault you here; just don’t tempt anybody to enjoy their “good luck” by leaving your valuables unattended. Relax and remain receptive for one of those unforgettable magic moments that Bangkok inevitably supplies when you least expect it.

The population of Bangkok is about 11 million people. That's nearly half a million Utopians.

Navigating the local gay scene is easy with our interactive Utopia Map of Gay & Lesbian Bangkok:

Click here for Bangkok hotels and accommodations.

Click here for Bangkok bars and clubs.

Click here for Bangkok cabaret.

Click here for Bangkok discos.

• Exclusive Gym (E&G) UTOPIAN VERIFIED JAN 2019
  105/5 Naret Rd, Sirpaya, Bangrak
  02-266-5349, email

  Gay-only gym. Members and visitors workout with underwear during weekdays. Boxing, yoga and fitness.
  Add your review, comment, or correction

• Famous 24-hour Fitness UTOPIA VERIFIED JUN 2023
  3/F, Unit 311, 313 Riverside Plaza Mall, 257 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Samrae, Thonburi, Utopia Map
  +6698-341-4155, email

  LGBT-friendly 24-hour gym that caters to locals and visitors. The fitness center is convenient located near Avani+ Riverside Hotel as well as Anantara Riverside Hotel. They strive for fun workouts with friends and keeping members on track with their fitness goals. Whether you're looking to lose weight, get toned up, improve or start your journey, they invite you to come and meet their team of fitness professionals and make new friends in the community!
  Utopia Member Benefit: B$550 DAY PASS
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Click here for Bangkok karaoke.

Click here for Bangkok massage and spas.

• Lumpini Park
  Utopia Map

  Especially from dusk until closing and also the first two hours before sunrise when the park opens for early exercise. Lots of business men out for a jog and then a stroll through the darker areas of the park perimeter.
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• Shopping Centers:

  • Amarin Plaza
    Next to the Erawan Hotel, Utopia Map

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  • Big C UTOPIAN VERIFIED JUN 2017
    Opposite CentralWorld

    Reported to be active.
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  • Discovery Center
    Siam Square Sky Train Station, upper floors, Utopia Map

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  • Pratunam Center UTOPIAN VERIFIED JUN 2017
    500m away from Big C

    Some activity.
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  • Silom Complex
    Utopia Map

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  • Thaniya Plaza
    Soi Thaniya, Silom (Saladaeng Sky Train Station), Utopia Map

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  • Tesco Lotus
    Onnut branch, Utopia Map

    1/F facilities, near Swensen's.
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• Southern Bus Terminal UTOPIAN VERIFIED OCT 2015

  Facilities are cruisy all day. On the ticket booth floor on both sides the rooms at the end have holes to check if the cubicle next door is looking for fun.
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CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT -- Silom, Suriwong, Sathorn, Lumphini, Chinatown

• Bumbu Restaurant Café (Asian fusion)
  241/4 Sathon Tai Rd, Sathon Yannawa
  02-675-8360, email

  Gay-owned restaurant serving Singaporean, Malaysian and Indonesian fusion cuisine with a twist of Thai and western flavors. Try their Bakut Teh, Rojak, Chilli Crab Spaghetti, Chicken and Chinese Claypot Rice, Sesame Chicken Rice, Tom Yum Sapaghetti, and Salted Fish Spaghetti. Famous Indonesian deserts like Kueh Da Da and red bean pancake. Housed in a heritage Thai house with contemporary decoration. Convenient parking.
  Utopia Member Benefit: 15% DISCOUNT on food and beverages.
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  Eat Me Restaurant (modern international and regional) UTOPIA VERIFIED NOV 2023 20m off Convent Rd (in Soi Pipat 2), Utopia Map, business card Reservations: 02-238-0931, email Romantic, modern interior complimented by fine art exhibitions. Inventive, superb cuisine, plus friendly service from owner Darren and staff. Menu changes monthly, with daily specials and choice deserts and cocktails. Handsome waiters and patrons (lots of stars and trendsetters). Rich music selection and occasional live jazz performances. Add your review, comment, or correction

• Feelsogood Cafe UTOPIA VERIFIED OCT 2023
  Tang Hua Pug Bld, 69/5 Sathorn Soi 10, Utopia Map
  02-531-0070, 086-531-0070, email

  Gay-owned cafe in the heart of Silom, located between Sathorn Soi 10 and Silom Soi 9. Walking distance to the W Hotel, Sathorn Square, Ascott Hotel and Chong Nonsi BTS. Quiet and friendly. Cold and hot drinks, cakes and daily sandwiches. They also deliver within the Silom area. Online ordering available.
  Utopia Member Benefit: 15% DISCOUNT.
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• G's Bangkok Restaurant (German) UTOPIA VERIFIED NOV 2023
  Patpong Soi 2 (next to Foodland), Utopia Map
  081-170-9187, email

  Friendly, gay-owned German restaurant in the heart of the Patpong nightlife area. German dishes include homemade lentil soup, German sausages, original schintzel and much more. A variety of cordially sorted German beers and international wines to compliment your dining experience.
  Utopia Member Benefit: 10% DISCOUNT and FREE COFFEE after dinner.
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• O..Ho...Restaurant (Thai and western)
  2/8 Soi Sri Bumphen
  02-286-5292, email

  Located just around the corner from the Malaysia Hotel, 25m down Soi Sri Bumphen. Gay owned and operated, fully licensed restaurant with a la carte menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Air conditioned. Soft background music with mood lighting. Prices are very reasonable with most dishes B$40-220. Open daily 9am until midnight.
  Utopia Member Benefit: 15% DISCOUNT on total evening dinner bills.
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• Starbucks (coffee and snacks)
  Surawong Rd (near Soi Duangtawee), Utopia Map

  Cruisy day and night.
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• Sukhothai Hotel (Sunday brunch buffet)
  Utopia Map
  Reservations: 02-287-0222

  Fabulous, expensive and frequented by higher class gays. In addition to their Sun brunch, don't miss their afternoon tea time chocolate buffets!
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  SUKHUMVIT -- Sukhumvit, Thonglor, Ekkamai

• Bonjour French Restaurant (fine dining) UTOPIA VERIFIED MAY 2023
  1217/2 Sukhumvit Rd (between Soi 59 and Soi 61), Utopia Map
  02-714-2112, email

  Open daily for dinner. The owner has patiently restored his beautiful house and created a French garden complete with fountain. Cozy and chic. Private room available. Parking. Gay and lesbian-friendly.
  Utopia Member Benefit: FREE COCKTAIL.
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• Khingklao (Northern Thai cuisine)
  61/1 Sukhumvit 22, Utopia Map
  02-259-5623

  This Lanna style restaurant is a cool oasis in the bustling city -- filled with charming Thai crafts, handsome staff, and an award-winning menu with such hard-to-find specialties as tom yum huablee (banana flower soup), nor oo-a (stuffed bamboo shoot), and khao soy (soft and crispy noodles in a coconut cream broth).
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• Vega (mixed)
  Sukhumvit 39, Utopia Map
  02-258-8273, 02-662-6471

  A place owned by a group of dees and toms. It's a kind of casual, trendy pub and restaurant. There are usually several tables of lesbians in groups. At night they have live bands and late at night people just get up and dance. Upstairs they have a karaoke room, also.
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  OTHER AREAS

• Kaloang Home Kitchen (seafood and Thai cuisine) UTOPIA VERIFIED APR 2023
  Take Sri Ayuttaya Rd all the way to the river, Utopia Map

  Foodie alert! Inexpensive and homey, with attentive service by matronly ladyboys. Popular with gays. Don't miss some of the best examples of Thai specialties served here including yam huablee (banana flower salad), kai pahd medmamuang (fried chicken with dried peppers and cashew nuts), yam tuaploo (crunchy wing bean salad), yam pladookfoo (crispy catfish with sour green mango), and fresh shrimps and fish prepared in a variety of tasty ways. Metro Magazine High Fives Award for their seafood.
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• Sala Rim Naam (Royal Thai cuisine) UTOPIA VERIFIED NOV 2023
  Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Ave Utopia Map
  Reservations: +66 2-659-9000

  Take the hotel shuttle boat from their private pier inside the Oriemtal (you must be well-dressed to enter the hotel). Superb river-side experience at the world's top hotel. The lunch buffet is cheaper than the evening dinner show and you'll be able to sit by the windows for a gorgeous view of the river.
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Click here for Bangkok saunas.

CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT -- Silom, Suriwong, Sathorn, Lumphini, Chinatown
• C&B Gentlemen's Barber UTOPIA VERIFIED DEC 2022
  37/3 Plaza Bld, Room 215, Patpong Soi 2, Surawong Rd, Bangrak, Utopia Map
  +662 004-7337, email

  Bangkok's premier gay salon, conveniently beside Hot Male Bar, and opposite Dream Boys Bar, just minutes walk from the Saladaeng Sky Train Station. Charming, well-trained staff specialize in treatments ranging from cut and color to foot and facial masseurs who are ready to help you recuperate from jet lag, or get you looking your best for your night on the town. They even have henna tattooing!
  Utopia Member Benefit: 10% discount on regularly priced services.
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• Diabshop UTOPIA VERIFIED FEB 2021
  69/3 Saladaeng Rd, 02-636-0232

  Thailand's first and specialized shop for Diabetics. All kinds of helpful products for Diabetics and much more. Gay-owned.
  Utopia Member Benefit: 10% DISCOUNT.
  Add your review, comment, or correction

• Eros
  3/F Thaniya Plaza, Soi Thaniya, Silom, Utopia Map
  02-231-2015

  Erotic crafts of Thailand including carvings, paintings and ceramics. Quite a lot of same-sex depictions sprinkled amidst the imaginative and often humorous couplings of humans and creatures.
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• Excelsior
  115/1 Siamheritage, Suriwongse Rd
  081-234-5923, 02-234-2399, email

  Gay-friendly custom made clothier with over 30 years of business experience. Worldwide mail order. They keep your measurements for 10 years.
  Utopia Member Benefit: 20% DISCOUNT..
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• The Legend
  3/F Amarin Plaza, Utopia Map and 3/F Thaniya Plaza, Soi Thaniya, Silom area, Utopia Map

  Superior Thai crafts.
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• Savile Row UTOPIA VERIFIED JAN 2018
  118 Suriwongse Rd (inside Rose Hotel), Suriwong, Utopia Map
  02-235-4427, email

  Gay-friendly tailor shop. They have been catering for the international gay community for 20+ years. Reasonable prices on a wide range of quality fabric to choose from. Have your custom tailoring done in 24 hours. Their specialty is fitting large to extra large men. To copy your favorite size or style, just bring it with you. Ask for Aron, the director.
  Utopia Member Benefit: 15% DISCOUNT.
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