Chiang Mai, and Thailand in general is such a comfortable place for the gay community that foreigners feel welcome and safe here. The Thai are seldom prejudiced, openly accepting all around them, which is why ladyboys are prominent. For this reason Chiang Mai is a popular place for gay couples to meet and settle. It supports the lively and large community with plenty of gay bars or gay friendly restaurants and guesthouses. For gay visitors it’s a memorable experience.
Many have found their special partner here while others prefer to simply have a bit of fun! The Chiang Mai gay culture is centred on bars, bistros, private massage cluges and even go-go clubs; but many also prefer a quieter life.
For the first time visitor looking to meet boys, there are a number of thriving bars in an area behind the Night Bazaar Centre, as well as other bars, clubs and saunas spread out throughout the city (see listings below) Additionally, there are many gay-friendly hotels and guesthouses. The lesbian scene is somewhat more subdued, with the first official lesbian bar opening up in January 2004.
Chiang Mai is a popular destination for many gay men, especially those aged 35 and older. Thai culture does not place a premium on youth in the way that Western societies do, and older men can still be quite desirable in Thailand. Chiang Mai is also a popular place to retire, for straights and gays. Thai boys are gorgeous, with toned bodies, lovely features and a soft nature. It’s no wonder some have become ladyboys, they have a very feminine side to them and the ladyboys themselves can be great fun. Everyone is friendly here.
In the past, the most visible, public gay establishments in the country consisted of bars, go-go clubs, saunas and massage parlours. Although these still account for the majority of gay venues, tamer discos, bars and coffeehouses are sprouting up around Thailand.
Gay bars and restaurants in Chiang Mai
Update: Jan. 2010
Glass Onion:
is a sophisticated and classy wine bar popular gay owned and run, attracting gay and stylish people later in the evening. Located across town on Nimminhemin avenue. Rooms, The Boutique Mall, 61/2 Soi 17, Nimmanhaemin Road, (053) 218 479.
Soho Bar:
this gay friendly bar has a relaxed but classy atmosphere with a garden bar and trendy interior. Convenietly located near Kad Suan Kaew mall. 20/3 Huay Kaew Road. Tel. (053) 404175, 0 85 8645407
Power Boys Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai’s latest greatest showbar, with three caberet performances a night, a male revue in the Boyz Room and whole hotel of facilities, Boonruangrit Rd besides Chiang Mai Ram Hospital, Northwest moat corner, tel: (053) 211 100.
Lotus Garden Bar:
next to Lotus Hotel, is an open-air bamboo hut bar filled with friendly people. Located opposite Adam’s Apple Bar. 2/25 Soi Viengbua, Chotana Rd, Chang Phuak (053) 21 – 5376
Bubbles Disco:
both in Pornping Hotel, are lively places for gays and straights, featuring live bands. Beneath Porn Ping Tower hotel near Night Bazaar (053) 270099 Ext. 5222
Caesar Club and Discothéque
is geared towards gays but is open to everyone. The late night disco plays tribal, house, trance, dance, pop, and disco music. Kaew Nawarat rd, opposite Arcade Inn at the Arcade Bus Depot.
The Long Yang Club
LYC Chiang mai is a Social Club promoting friendship between Asian and Western Gay men and Lesbians. The LYC holds regular social events, including dining out, sports, charitable activities and entertainment, details of which are on their webpage. http://lyccnx.110mb.com, lyc.cnx@gmail.com
There has, for some time, been a cluster of ‘rent boy’ type gay bars behind the Night Market (near D2 Hotel rear) and further down beyond the renovated Plaza Mall, but the atmosphere is drying up as big developers push this scruffy corner out.
Chiangmai gay friendly pub
Others
DD Club
is a great place to meet ladyboys 161 Chang Phuek Road soi 4.
Garden Bar
2/25 soi Viengbua Chotana rd. Tel: (053) 215 376
Chez Nous
Tapae Soi 1, Night Bazaar right besides “The Peak”
Circle Club
161/7-8 soi Erawan, Chang Puak Rd., Chang Puak, Chiang Mai, Tel: (053) 214-996.
New My Way
3/5-6 Hatsadee Sewee Rd., Soi 3, Chiang Mai, Tel: (053) 404 361.
Gay massage and spas in Chiang Mai
House of Male
is a sauna and gym, with swimming pool, bar and friendly single people. Large complex, popular enjoyment place for some. 19 Soi 3 of Sirimankalajarn rd. Tel: (053) 89 4133, admin@houseofmale.com
Blue’s Club
is located among the karaoke bars of Chiang Mai Land, south of the Night Market. It offers massage and body scrubs by male therapists at affordable prices, open until midnight. 422/18 Chiang Mai Land, Changklan Rd. (053) 204 968. info@blueclub-spa.com
Sparoma Sauna and Fitness
has a pool, gym, sauna, restaurant, Jacuzzi, video theatre, karaoke and massage. It is located on 10/1 Moo3, Paded Rd., (053) 812 900.
All Seasons Spa
Nice luxurious place with great views, located in the Nimminhemin area popular with locals. Free transportation and private rooms. 7th floor, Doi View Mansion, 9 Soi 9 Nimmanhaemin Rd, Tel: (053) 895 571, (086) 587 1906.
B-Beez
Quiet place in a nice converted shophouse in the Nimminhemin area, offers Thai or oil, cream and aromatherapy massage with a good selection of masseurs. 1/8 Soi Lanna Villa, Chiang Mai-Lumphun Rd., open until midnight, (053) 406 270, b-beez@hotmail.com
Classic House Massage
Centrally located off Thapae gate for the visitor to Chiang Mai, decorated in nice Lanna traditional style, service includes body scrub treatment, aromatherapy, facial and 4 hands massage, 27/2 Thapae Road, Soi4, tel: (053) 904 582. info@classichousemassage.com
His Club
Advertises itself with ‘More than 20 male therapists to choose from’ offering various treatments, and includes a spa and sauna, open until 1am. Chiang Mai land area, among the Karaoke bars. 21/43 Soi Moo Baan Unn Reun, Paa Prao Nok Rd., Paded, Tel: (053) 204 148, (084) 170 5507, hisclub-cm@hotmail.com
One-2-Come
A social place that includes a beer garden and host of extra facilities, all in a nice large converted house, with private rooms, large beds, a jacuzzi. 360/1 Changklan Road, tel: (053) 204 385. one2come@hotmail.com
source: http://www.1stopchiangmai.com/hospitality/gays/
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