A brief history of Gay Thailand, Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Gay Chiang Mai, Gay Phuket and Gay Koh Samui.

Gay Thailand

Thailand has one of the richest histories of any country in the world today. Known for most of its history as Siam, we can see evidence of advanced culture in Thailand generations before civilization spread through the rest of the Eastern world.

Archeologists have found evidence that the area that would one day be called Thailand was the first Bronze Age culture on record as well as one of the earliest agrarian societies in the globe. There is some evidence that the first rice farmers ever lived in Thailand before exporting their knowledge throughout Asia. At the time most people lived as hunters and gatherers and did not even consider the idea of actually farming and cultivating their own food.

Yet, there is a good deal of dispute as to who exactly the earliest Thais were. Some people believe that the early Thais immigrated to the region from China roughly 4.500 years ago. Other people believe that the Thais are indigenous people and instead migrated to and settled in various regions of what is now China. Either explanation would be consistent with the genetic similarities between the Thais and certain modern Chinese.

Part of the confusion lies on the fact that throughout its history Thailand has had a close trade and cultural relationship with its neighbors including India, China and Cambodia. As such, the Thais absorbed a fair amount of different cultures into their indigenous people. Like America, Thailand was a true cultural melting pot.

Khmer culture made its face known in Thailand in the 11th and 12th Centuries and still persists in various forms to this day. You can see evidence of this in the various restored temples and ancient Buddas that you will see on nearly any tourist excursion around the territory. Like many elements of Khmer culture Buddhism is still widely practiced in the country.

The Sukhothai kingdom was the first monarchy established in Thailand in 1238 and gradually expanded to take over what was then a loose knit collection of city states. It is during this period that the system of writing that would become modern Thai and Theravada Buddhism were first established.

It was also during this period where a highly integrated caste system was developed in Thai society. The King was at the top of the three tiered system, slaves on the bottom and everyone else was left in between.

Thailand was "discovered" by Europeans in 1511 when Portuguese missionaries first appeared on the scene in an attempt to spread Christianity around the world. At this point the tradition of dealing diplomatically with their neighbors saved Siam from the colonization that befell many other Eastern nations.

Through diplomatic channels the Europeans became convinced that Thailand was the most important country in Asia and therefore it was left unconquered. In the mid 1500s Portugal set up the first European embassy in the territory.

This lasted until the late 1600s when France, helped by Greek "adventurers" tried to stage a coup and take over the country. The coup was thwarted and Siam choose to close its gates to all foreigners for nearly a century.

In 1767 Burma was the next country to attempt to take over the kingdom of Siam. The Burmese were initially successful, but in less than a decade the Thais rallied and expelled all of the Burmese from the country.

It was at this point that the Thais decided to attempt to normalize relations with the West. By the early 19th century, with Bangkok crowned as the new capital, commercial treaties were signed with Great Britain and westerns were once again able to explore Thailand's beauty.

The seeds of trouble were being planted in the region. France was just starting to set up its colonies in Indo China, while Britain was colonizing Burma and Malaya so while the country was independent it was constantly surrounded by potential western conquerors.

Thailand's rulers were able to craftily keep much of their independence by opening themselves up to lucrative European trade and agreeing to let western leaders send envoys to act as governmental advisors.

Still, even with this detente, the Bangkok government did have to give up some land to the invaders including parts of Cambodia, Laos and territory in Malay. This turned out to be a small price to pay to avoid the rampant colonialism that afflicted much of Siam's neighbors.

By 1934 the first democratic elections were held allowing the people of Siam to take control of their fate for the first time in their history. In was shortly thereafter, in 1938 when the country officially changed its name from Siam to Thailand, thus completing the transformation of monarchial Siam to democratic Thailand.

Pibul Songgram became the Premiere of Thailand in the late 1930s and had his mind on expanding the territorial influence of the country as soon as he took power.

He had his chance when France fell to Germany at the beginning of World War II and used this opportunity to attempt to reclaim portions of Cambodia and Laos from their Gaulic colonial masters.

Japan then began to exert its influence on the region and convinced the west to grant territorial concessions to Bangkok. Letting the Japanese get involved in Thailand politics turned out to have its own problems as World War II expanded and Japan attempted to expand its influence on the region.

By 1942 Japan had enough influence over Bangkok that it was able to pressure Thailand to declare war on both the United States and Britain.

America quickly came to the aid of the people of Thailand and helped build one of the strongest anti-Japanese underground movements in the region. This alliance was also not without repercussions.

In return for their help during the Japanese occupation, Bangkok was pressured to return the territories Japan had helped them acquire back to British and French control.

Pridi Phanomyang became the first premier after the end of the war and one of his first moves was to briefly jail his old friend Pibul Songgram as a war criminal. In order to demonstrate to the world his rejection of the policies that lead to the Japanese control of Thailand, Pridi also changed the name of the country back to "Siam."

The new premiere was not without problems of his own. His post-war government soon became plagued by rumors of entrenched corruption and inflation was rampant. The people became dissatisfied with his rule and Pibul was able to organize an overthrow of his government in 1947.

Pridi was forced to flee the country and moved to China where by the mid 1950s he became the leader of the Communist "Free Thai" movement.

Pibul quickly renamed the country Thailand and set himself up as an absolute military dictator. By this point the country needed hard currency and was concerned that it was vulnerable to its neighbor, China.

In order to solve both of these problems, Pibul normalized relations with the United States. In return for massive amounts of military aid, Pibul sent advisors and troops to help America during the Korean War. In return Thailand was named the seat of the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization from 1954 to 1977.

This entrenched a strong pro-western stance in Thailand, which helped protect the country against the specter of Chinese communism.

Pibul managed to stay in charge of the nation until 1957 when Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat staged a military coup and took the reins of power. Sarit was terrified that the Chinese would extend their influence into the region and in 1958 imposed martial law over the region and suspended the constitution. The country would not see constitutional law again until 1968.

Sarit remained premier until his death in 1963 when Gen. Thanom Kittikachorn took power. Despite the suspension of civil liberties the Thai economy boomed under the control of Sarit and Kittikachorn because of strong exports and even stronger financial aid from the United States – which was delighted to have a strong anti-communist government in the region.

In the 1960s Thailand saw its opportunity to strengthen its ties with the United States as America started sending its first series of advisors to Vietnam to fight the communist aspirations of the Vietcong.

The government committed thousands of troops to fight alongside American soldiers in Southeast Asia. Bases for United States troops and airfields where the states could launch air strikes against North Vietnam were quickly built and supported.

More American money soon flooded the economy and Bangkok became increasingly dependant on US financial aid to keep its booming economy afloat.

In 1967 Thailand became one of the founders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

Gay Thailand, Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Gay Chiang Mai, Gay Phuket and Gay Koh Samui

Soon the crash had to come. By the 1970s the price of rice – a key export product – began to drop in response to modern farming techniques. Tin and rubber prices also crashed, leaving a huge hole in the Thailand economy.

Even more ominous for the Thais, the Vietnam War was spreading to its neighbors, Cambodia and Laos. During the early 1970s there were actual communist insurgencies inside Thailand itself.

Malaysian Communists and Thai Malay separatists staged an ongoing insurgency that last into the 1980s.

This growing economic and security pressure was to be the death of the constitutional government. In 1971, Thanom Kittikachorn and three military aides staged a coup, suspended the constitution and restored absolute military rule. Parliament was abolished and the economy began to improve as American soldiers began to be transferred from bases in Vietnam to Thailand barracks bringing with them American dollars.

Students were responsible for demonstrations that abolished the Kittkachorn government in 1973 and established the first civilian government in Bangkok in more than 20 years.

Democracy continued to rule in Thailand until 1976 when the military once again seized power and ruled without a constitution until the early 1990s.

Civil authority was resumed in 1992 and in 1995 a new constitutional law was adopted that lowered the voting age to 18, guaranteed equal rights for women, and lowered the influence of the military in the government.

Thailand remained a democratic society but the economy went into a tailspin during the 1997 Asian Economic Crisis. Bangkok needed to be bailed out the International Monetary Fund. Still for the first time in recent history economic and political crisis did not result in military rule.

Despite the effects of the deadly Tsunami in 2005 Thailand remains a peaceful pleasant tourist destination to this day.

Gay Thailand, Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Gay Chiang Mai, Gay Phuket and Gay Koh Samui

Gay Thailand and Gay Bangkok

Bangkok, known as the City of Angels is the center of gay life in Asia. From bears to twinks to every shape size and age of man or boy in between, this the place to go if you want to show your pride, mingle with guys and find some hot exotic romance.

Still Bangkok has much more to offer than just hot nights. This is a city with a rich culture and history; so you can dive into the local culture during the day, eat wonderful meals at night and make the most of your vacation.

One of the most popular destinations is the Damnoen Saduak floating market. You can sample local food while an experienced guide will take you on a boat ride through the canals where you can purchase tons of souvenirs for friends and family back home.

No trip to Bangkok is complete without a bike tour through the city and its outskirts. Whether you take a guided tour, or decide to tool around on your own bike, this is the best way to be mobile and discover the life of the normal residents of Thailand.

Temples abound in Thailand and will thrill nearly any western visitor with their splendor. Wat Trimitr,Wat Po and Wat Banjamaborpitr are three of the most beautiful. Plan to bring your camera and try to bring a local guide so you can learn the rich history and nuance of each and every place of worship.

The Grand Palace is the most popular tourist destination in the city. For centuries it was the residence of Thailand's powerful kings. Make sure you take time to see the Reception Palace, the Funeral Palace, The Throne Hall and the beautiful revered Temple of the Emerald Buddha.

Just be prepared; the Thais take their temples seriously and will not let you inside if you are wearing shorts or flip flops.

If you want to be a little bit less active you can always take an overnight in a converted rice barge. The most popular cruises leave from Bangkok and travel to the ancient capital of Ayuthaya.

When you are done sightseeing Thailand offers nearly every type of cuisine from traditional Thai food to classic Western cuisine. No matter what your tastes, you should be able to satisfy your hunger before your night on the town!

Still many guys go to Thailand for one main reason, to meet and mingle with eligible single guys. There is nothing wrong with that - everyone likes a little exotic nighttime fun on their vacations; after all when you are far away from home you can easily let yourself be free and assume that what goes down in Bangkok stays in Bangkok no matter who it is that you go down on.

When you first get to the city you will want to spend your evenings partying along Surawong Road - the capital of gay nightlife in this capital city. Many of the taverns, go-go bars and sexy discos are located in the infamous Boy Plaza where the action is hot and the boys are cool.

As you head down to get down check out Future Boys, The Boys Bangkok and Dream Boy; three of the best all boy go-go bars in the world competing against each other in Boy Plaza. Both bars open at 8 p.m. and have shows starting at 10:30 p.m.

If you are feeling like a little switch hitting check out Kings Castle No. 3. This club has plenty of lovely things - some of them are actual genetic girls, while others have a little extra meat under their skirts. They are all so beautiful you won't know which is which until they come up and get down and dirty. Not for everyone but if you are into this type of thing you know who you are!

Do you like muscles? If a strong man is your thing then check out the Tawan Club. This is one of the longest running clubs in Bangkok and has all the delts, pecs and six packs a muscle hunter could ever hope to bag!

For those nights where you just want to eat and drink in a friendly setting check out Silom 4 a wonderful gay area with bistros with cold drinks and good food where you can chill out and talk with other cool guys!

Petchaburi Road features gay karaoke and good drinks. If that's your thing, you'll have a great night belting out the classics!

The Sapan Kwai and Kao San Road areas of the city feature gay venues that cater almost exclusively to local Thais. These are nowhere near as western friendly as the other gay sections of town, but the brave Anglo will probably be able to have some fun.

Nearly all of the bars in both of these sections have hosts, cabarets and go-go dancers are much rarer.

The Ramkhamhaeng section is the last of the gay friendly parts of the city.

Of course, like any city, the hot spots in Bangkok come and go constantly. What's cool today might not be hot tomorrow and new places are popping up all the time.

These venues are great places to start your gay Bangkok adventures but be sure to keep your ears open and get ready to find fun new spaces with all your new boy friends!

The best thing about Bangkok is that it is ever changing. You need to keep a close look at this site and the bars and clubs and accommodations area. New arenas come and go and we try our best to keep this part of the site as updated as possible.

We can wait to see you show your pride in Bangkok!

Gay Thailand, Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Gay Chiang Mai, Gay Phuket and Gay Koh Samui

Gay Thailand and Gay Pattaya - Beach Boys And Beyond!

If sultry beaches and beautiful water is your bag, then Pattaya is a must see for any visitor of Thailand or the region. The name of the town comes from the Thai for the South West winds that blow in every year to signal the start of the rainy season.

What may amaze the more than one million visitors that descend on Pattaya every year in their carnal quests for sandy beaches and exotic recreation is that the town as we know it did not even exist 40 years ago.

For centuries Pattaya was a tiny fishing village virtually unknown to outsiders where a traditional way of life in the safety of the calm bay. Before the 1960s barely 100 families fished out their meager livings along these pristine waters.

It was the Vietnam War that fueled the forces that would change Pattaya forever. As more and more American soldiers were sent to Southeast Asia, air force and army bases began to spring up nearby.

More often than not these soldiers could not get enough time off during their recreation periods to make the long trip to Bangkok. So they started exploring the Pattaya beaches.

Savvy entrepreneurs soon realized there was a growing market of thirsty and horny soldiers that would pay hard currency to have their appetites satisfied.

The result was an ever-growing stream of bars, hotels, clubs and restaurants that would change this sleepy village into one of the hottest tourist destinations in the world!

Who would have believed 50 years ago that those sleepy fishermen were sitting on what would one day become some of the most valuable tourist real estate is all of Asia?

Because Pattaya is a new city it does not have any of the temples or ancient statues that are the cornerstone of most Thailand tourist experiences. This is truly a place to go when you want to spend your days relaxing on the beach and your nights looking for love.

Most will probably spend our days diving in the crystal clear waters or else lounging on the three main beaches : Pattaya, Jomtien and Wong Prachsan.

All of that is fine and dandy, but at the end of the day what's the point in bronzing your beautiful body if you are not going to try to get some action with your attraction.

You guys will be happy to know that you can get down with a boy or waiter at nearly all of the gay bars, clubs and discos in Pattaya and in most cases not pay more than 400 Baht. That doesn't include tipping the boy, so be generous, this is one area where you do not want to get a bad reputation.

For your first carnal excursions try Boyz Town, the center of gay nightlife in Pattaya. This is where the action is, and if you cant get laid here, you cant get laid anywhere!

For many of us typical cruising seems sort of Boy George, but we also understand that many of you love it. Cruising still thrives in Pattaya despite the abundance of boys, and if you want to find a random encounter look for guys underneath the trees along the beach road leading into Boyztown, take a walk in Royal Garden in day time with a big smile on your face or a night stroll along any area of Pattaya. Remember, the smile and a happy simple hello will get you an introduction. You won't be disappointed! However, take precaution, anytime you pick up someone outside of a beer bar or go-go bar you are dealing with an unknown. It is not for everyone and caution should be exercised!

When you get tired of Boyztown or want to save a few Baht, you can visit Sunee Plaza. This section of town is just as gay friendly, but the prices are much lower. Unfortunately the clubs change names and owners at a rapid pace, so its best to go with someone who has been in town recently and is up to date on the current cool places. Sunee has a bit of a reputation for younger guys so be careful and ask for ID for any boy you go with. If a boy does not have an ID, you should not take him with you! Regardless of what you hear, the youngest age you should ever take in Thailand is 18. Don't believe anything else you read.

Be sure to check out the Bars and Clubs section of our City Guild for the latest information on all the best places to visit.

Jomtien is the coolest gay beach in Pattaya and as such features its own mix of gay bars and clubs. In Jomptien be sure to get to the gay area. Go to the beach and walk past the public toilets directly across from Tuis Place. That is the start of the gay beach. The toilets here are normally 5 baht and paper is another 5 baht. We would recommend taking advantage of the restroom at Tuis Place as it is very clean and only 10 baht.

Mr. Rits is one of the most happening vending areas and is always good service. Rit, like the other vendors along the beach order their food from Tuis and the other restaurants. The food is good and tasty and if you get there in time for lunch, it is a very inexpensive way to have a nice meal.

Sex is great, but we all got to eat sometime. For a different sort of Thai food experience check out the gay friendly Bruno's Restaurant and Wine Bar. Not only can you get regular Thai food, but fondue is also on the menu! Pan Pan is in the same area and some of the best Italian food around. Also check out Manhattan Steak House for some great steaks but they are a bit pricy so be prepared for a big bill.

We all know that some of the best girls are really boys. If you like your men with boobs on top, north and central Pattaya have what you are looking for. Just be careful many of the transvestite and transsexual shows also attract a straight audience so be sure to ask the cute guys if they are friends of Dorothy before you make your move!

These "girls" prove size matters and many of them have huge tittles to satisfy nearly any oral fixation.

The Alcazar has the most famous transvestite show in Thailand and even hosts an annual transsexual beauty pageant. It opens early at 6:30 p.m. and stays open late.

Meanwhile Tiffany on Second Road features the biggest breasted boys in Thailand. It's chicks with dicks heaven.

If the "girls" have gotten you all hot and bothered there are any number of great gay massage parlors in north and central Pattaya.

Finally, the best place to eat in north and central Pattaya is the Mata Hari restaurant. It's not only gay owned and operated; it also features the best wine list in the region.

The bottom line is that Pattaya is a great place for tops and bottoms alike. Many tee shirts in Pattaya have the right slogan: Good boys go to Heaven, bad boys go to Pattaya. True to life, Pattaya is a bit of heaven for good boys and bad boys. We can't wait to see you there with all the other beach boys!

Gay Thailand, Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Gay Chiang Mai, Gay Phuket and Gay Koh Samui

Gay Thailand and Gay Koh Samui

Gay Koh Saumi is a unique Thailand experience. Far smaller than the mainland city of Bangkok, the islanders are still adapting to the modern influx of tourists. As recently as the 1980s there were almost no western visitors. Today, the island sees thousands of tourists a year, but has still kept in touch with small town island life.

This is not the place to go if you are looking for a typical tourist experience. Rather, it is a great destination when you want to get away from it all, look at the beautiful waters and simply relax.

Most of the Koh Samui population is Buddhist, although there is also a high percentage of Muslims as well.

There are roughly 40,000 full time inhabitants. Not much history is known of the island, as the people are legendary for not keeping extensive written records and follow a "take life as it comes" philosophy that does not leave much room for reflection on the past.

The city name comes from the Chinese word for 'safe harbor' and legend has it that these protected waters were often used as a sanctuary by voyagers and fisherman throughout the generations.

Other than tourism, coconut and rubber farming are the main industries and the interior of the island has the densest population of coconut trees of anywhere on Earth.

Most tourists spend their days on the beach, or hiking through the beautiful hills - yet there are other attractions for days when you want to take pictures or learn more about the culture.

There are three main temples that you will want to visit; Wat Samret, Laem Sor Chedi and Wat Khun Aram. Like most temples in Thailand you are asked to dress respectfully whenever you visit and avoid flip flops and bathing attire.

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of the temples here is that they are home to mummified monks that are more than 20 years old. Monks are revered in Thailand and this is how the islanders have chosen to honor their memory. The monks are still clothed and are amazingly well preserved.

Heaven's Garden is another popular tourist attraction. Located in the center of the island it was the inspiration of a local artist, Nim Thongsuk, who decided one day to sculpt his vision of the afterlife. All of the sculptures are based on characters from Buddhist scriptures. Some are so small that many people do not notice them at first glance, while some are huge and seem to tower over visitors.

The Secret Hall of Buddhas, located in the temple Wat Samret, will take your breath away. You will have to politely ask a monk to unlock the door for you if you want to see the white marble Buddha that is believed to be at least three centuries old. Surrounding this beautiful icon are dozens of other ancient Buddha images that will delight you.

If you can climb 163 steps you will find four huge footprints of Buddha in the southeast corner of Koh Samui. They are located next to a butterfly garden and once you have made the climb you will be able to see beautiful vistas that make this excursion more than worth the effort.

The northwest corner of the island has a much more eccentric sight - a coconut tree that has naturally grown to look like an eight-headed man. You'll need to wear strong boots to make it into the woods, but this tree is must for anyone who loves to take pictures to bring back home to their friends and family.

Finally the Hin Ta and Hin Yai rocks are natural creations called the "Grandmother and Grandfather" rocks. The wind has naturally eroded these rocks so that they look like giant reproductions of male and female genitalia!

Due to the crystal clear waters, many people come to Koh Samui to scuba or snorkel and check out the cool coral and exotic fish in the sea. This has become so popular that there now exists a gay only scuba and snorkel outlet - Rainbow Scuba. These guys can set you up with any sort of water adventure you desire, and even offer classes to get you certified so you can scuba. They rent good kayaks as well as scuba and snorkel gear.

Of course, once you have seen the sights and bronzed on the beach during the day, you will want to head out and take advantage of the nightlife. While there are far fewer gay bars and go gos than in the larger cities, there is certainly enough to make any trip worthwhile.

Unlike Bangkok most of the boys that are available work freelance - meaning they are not associated with a particular bar. You will have to negotiate with them on your own, but they should not be any more expensive than typical Bangkok mainland boys.

Who would have thought that great reggae and gay rapstas could be found on an Island in Thailand? If that sounds like your kind of exotic pleasures, the Reggae Pub has it all for any visit you might want to take to the dark side.

Every now and then we get tired of hiring the freelance boys in the various gay bars and simply want to cruise around. When you are in the mood to find some random guys you will want to head over to the Chaweng Beach after dark - this is the local headquarters for cruising and hustlers.

Some people like to come to Koh Samui and explore the island on their own. Other people are more comfortable with a guide and a group of people. While its true that you will not find the variety of gay erotic fun in Koh Samui as you would in Bangkok and Phuket, the establishments that are here should more than suit any of your needs.

Koh Samui is not where you want to go if you are looking to be in a bustling metropolis. Instead, it's your headquarters when you want to get away from it all, commune with nature and just kick back and take life as it comes.

We'd love to see you there!

Gay Thailand, Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Gay Chiang Mai, Gay Phuket and Gay Koh Samui

Gay Thailand and Gay Phuket - Island Paradise Phuket

Gay Phuket is an often-mispronounced jewel in South East Asia. By far the most popular island destination in the region, it offers sandy beaches, beautiful Portuguese architecture and a rich history that will delight any seasoned traveler.

The island does have a rainy season and tourists are advised to avoid its charms in September and October when it is soaking wet. For the rest of the year, particularly from November through February, Phuket's limestone cliffs, tropical forests and powdery beaches make it a place that you don't want to miss.

The earliest history of the island comes from the Greeks. Claudius Ptolemy wrote of its charms as early as 157 A.D. For most of the past 2,000 years Phuket was used as a stopover for traders who needed to avoid monsoons. When tin was discovered, migrant workers from as far away as Portugal began to arrive and Phuket soon became one of the most influential meeting points for European traders in South East Asia.

When the price of tin collapsed in 1985, the island government began hawking Phuket as a possible tourist destination. Travelers took the bait and its popularity and economy have soared.

There is a diverse group of people living on the island; 35 percent of the people are Muslim ' representing a variety of religious and cultural histories. Hence, tolerance of all types of lifestyles has become the trademark of Phuket.

While the nightlife of Phuket is always hopping, there are also a variety of activities to do during the day and as with most of Thailand, there are many wonderful western and traditional restaurants.

Dino Park on Karon beach is one of the sillier tourist attractions. It is a small 18 hole golf course set in the age of the dinosaurs. It even features a dinosaur themed restaurant!

All of the many beaches that encircle the island are wonderful places to snorkel and dive. At nearly any point along the coast you can find places to rent equipment and guides to help you explore the beautiful undersea vistas and the exotic fish that call the waters around Phuket their homes.

Ko Kaeo visitors will not only find a beautiful sandy beach, but also a famous replica of the footprint of BuddhaKo Si-Re also features a wonderful reclining Buddha image.

Cape Phanwa is home to the Phuket Aquarium, the place to go if you want to see the beautiful fish that the region has to offer, without having to go to the effort of diving or snorkeling to find them. The nearby Phuket Butterfly Farm has also been growing in popularity with the tourist trade.

The Phuket Submarine offers people the chance to dive 30 meters under the sea in the comfort of full air conditioning and the Phuket Zoo is the safest way for you to see some of the regions more exotic animals.

Patong Beach is tourist central and you will find a wide array of family friendly activities including go-karts, a haunted house, water skiing and Tarzan's Water Bunny Jump.

The Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary covers nearly 5,600 acres and has hundreds of different types of local protected animals.

Wat Phra Thong is the most beautiful temple on the island. According to local legend whenever invaders have tried to steal the beautiful Buddha inside, hornets have attacked and driven them away.

The adjoining island of Ko Nakha Noi has the regions only year round pearl farm that is open to the public. If museums are your thing the Thalang Museum has great artifacts documenting local culture.

Of course, once you've had your tourist fun and have accumulated enough stories that you can safely tell your friends and neighbors, it will be time to head out at night and take advantage of the hot gay island nightlife.

Like all gay centers in Thailand most gay bars have hosts and waiters that you can pay to play with for a relatively cheap price. There are also a number of gay friendly restaurants, go-go bars and massage parlors to meet virtually any taste you may have.

Most of the gay nightlife of Phuket centers around the Paradise Complex on Patong Beach where the people party until the wee hours of the morning.

Nearly all the go-go bars in town open around 8 p.m. and have their first live shows around 10:30 p.m.

Of course you probably won't want to spend your entire trip in the Paradise Complex. When you are ready to branch out there are other hot and happening gay places up and down the popular beach.

For reasons best left to their therapists, lots of straight tourists flock into Simon, which features an all drag show with some very busty showgirls.

One of our favorite hotels is Baan Yaan Dee. Its prices are a bit upscale but it is gay owned and operated and the view is amazing. They have 2 pool suites that open right into the 3-story swimming pool. Check out this hotel and all others in the Accommodations section.

No matter where you decide to go, Phuket is guaranteed to offer you a fun experience on your gay vacation. We can't wait to see you there!

Whether you want to chill out, immerse yourself in history or simply check out the smoking hot nightlife, Chiang Mai, in Northern Thailand, has a little bit of something to please everyone.

Like most of the cities of the north, Chiang Mai is far more laid back than the southern metropolises like Bangkok, and the prices are far more reasonable.

Gay Thailand and Gay Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is not only one of the oldest cities in Thailand, it has also hosted western tourists for hundreds of years. The city traces its own origins back at least 700 years and there are records of European explorers writing home about this "fair and great town" in the 1500s.

The long history of this town is a boon to tourists who can marvel at the archeological and historical artifacts that seem to burst out of the countryside.

For much of its storied history Chiang Mai was an important cultural and religious center for both Siam and Burma, which helps explain the huge number of ruins and temples that still remain to this day.

Although Chiang Mai has always boasted beautiful mountains and a pleasant climate, it did not start attracting large numbers of western tourists until the early 1990s, when people started looking for new places to relax and ways to save money.

Once people started visiting Chaing Mai, word spread fast and by the mid 1990s, Bangkok tourism speculators started buying up large chunks of the city and converting them into vacation havens.

Chaing Mai celebrated its 700th anniversary in 1992 and in 1998 played host to the Asia Games sporting events.

During the day you will want to take a walking tour through some of the more than 300 Buddhist temples including Wat Phra Singh Wat Chiang Man Wat Phan Tao Wat Jet Yod and Wat Suan Dawk all of which are at least 500 years old.

You can walk through the temples on your own or rent a guide for the day. Please remember to dress respectfully when you visit any temple in Thailand; flip-flops and shorts are not appreciated.

If you are into shopping, Chiang Mai has one of the most exciting nighttime bazaars in all of Thailand. This is where you want to go in order to get great deals on silk and traditional hand made crafts.

On days when you don't feel like hiking or walking, you can enjoy any number of boat trips up and down the Ping River. Just sit back, relax, watch the scenery and let your captain take charge!

Chaing Mai is known as the city to go to in Thailand if you want gourmet meals at affordable prices. There are literally dozens of restaurants in the city, and almost all of them are world class. You can find nearly any type of food you desire, and you won't have to worry about busting your wallet.

The most interesting ruins in the region are called Wiang Kum Kham. They are from a lively city that was washed out in a flood 700 years ago.

By far the most popular tourist activity in Chaing Mai is to ride an elephant into the jungle. These tame beasts are so tall that you will be able to see for miles and the beasts are so tame that you will always feel secure. When we last went to the elephant farm in Chiang Mai, the elephant trainers greeted us and they put on a show for us. They showed us how they taught the elephants to paint, play soccer and basketball. All of this was quiet entertaining and just a warm up for the elephant trek through the wilderness. Riding one of these wild beasts is an incredible experience. It is simply one of the most amazing things that can be done in Thailand. The elephants helped build ancient Thailand and they are respected and revered.

White water rafting is another popular activity, as is rock climbing. You can rent all the gear you will need for both activities fairly cheaply if you just ask around. There is a rock climbing wall downtown that you can practice at. It is also in the middle of many gay beer bars. If you are into people watching, watching the climbers ascend the wall while sipping on a beer is very relaxing.

Thailand is becoming known for its amazing gold courses. There are many tours planned that bring US and European citizens to Thailand for a week or two of playing golf at some of the most amazing courses in the world.

For those of you who like to explore on your own, local guides will be happy to prepare trekking maps that will explain how to walk into and through many of the tiny villages that dot the mountains around the city.

Like all of Thailand the people of Chaing Mai are very tolerant and this extends to gays and lesbians. The nightlife is hot and you can engage a host or waiter at most of the gay bars, go go taverns and meeting places. As you would expect there are many Thai ladyboys; not for everyone, but if that's your thing you know who you are.

For all the bars in the area that have shows, your best bet is to arrive around 10 p.m. and scope out the local talent before the hot boys take the stage. All feature red-hot dancers and hosts that will be ready to meet any desire you seek filled. These bars change constantly and many open and close so for the most up to date information, please see our City Guide section. The boys that work the bars here do not make salary so they do not always show nightly. Some nights are great and others just OK. It is our understanding that the boys that participate in a routine get money for that but they don't do this every night.

Far raunchier is the House Of Male. This sauna has large cruising areas, an outdoor swimming area, a bar and lots of dark corners where naughty boys can get to know each other better.

The Night Bazaar area on Chang Klan Road is also a feast of gay establishments that will rock your world. Night Bazaar Bars and Peak BarsChang Klan Rd

At some point in your trip you will want to spend some time in the city center. While this is where most of the straight tourists end up passing most of their evenings, there is also a good deal of gay friendly fun to be found if you know where to look for it!

If you just want to go cruising, head over the Thaphae Gate after dark. This is the headquarters for all of the local hustlers and bad boys looking to have a good time. We were lucky enough to find locals at PJ's Guest House who were willing to show us the ropes and show us where all the night cruising areas were. If you have a local for a guide and they are gay and know the area, Chiang Mai is a wonderful gay meeting area. If you are on your own, you may not find what you are looking for.

As with most cities in Thailand, the gay scene in Chaing Mai is constantly changing but this guide should give a good idea where to start looking for your carnal adventures.

We just can't wait for you to come visit; we know you will have as good a time as we do!

Gay Thailand, Gay Bangkok, Gay Pattaya, Gay Chiang Mai, Gay Phuket and Gay Koh Samui