Bangkok Thailand,
either you will love it or hate it. East meets West in
Bangkok. Beautiful temples,
floating markets, traditional festivals, cultural
events, Thai hospitality combined with an ultra modern
transport system, top class hotels, fantastic
restaurants (seafood) pumping nightlife, bars, and the
best shopping I have ever seen, at prices far lower than
you could ever dream about.
Bangkok is a major international city, but you will find
a week is more than enough time to see and do most
things. It would be a good idea to mix time in Bangkok
with a holiday on the beach or in the countryside of
Chiang Mai, so you can experience more of what Thailand
has to offer. |
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Although the modern metropolis now
extends to the west side of the river, the original city
of Bangkok and almost all its tourist sights lie on the
east side of the Chao Phraya river. When the city was
founded, a canal was dug around its original extents to
make a defensible area now referred to as Rattanakosin
Island. A wall and fortress defences originally
protected the city. Some of the forts can still be seen
today. This old royal precinct is where most of the
major sights are, such as the Grand Palace, Wat Po and
the National Museum.
Across the river is the old city of
Thonburi, which existing long before Bangkok's founding.
In fact, Thonburi was the capital of Siam for a short
period before the new capital was established. One of
the city's most recognizable landmarks, Wat Arun, is
located in Thonburi.
To the north of the old royal
precinct is the Banglampu area popular with budget
travellers. Further north and slightly east is the Dusit
district, where the royal family's current primary
residence (Chitlada Palace) is located, near to the
houses of parliament and the Dusit Zoo.
To the east along the river is the
city's Chinatown district, called Yaowarat. Further east
are the big riverside hotels set amid the oldest
embassies and former trading houses of the west. Heading
north away from the river at this point is Silom Road,
home to many of the main tourist hotels as well as the
city's most notorious "entertainment" area: Patpong.
Still further north of Silom is the main shopping
district centered on Siam Square, which includes
Mahboonkrong (MBK) Center, Siam Discovery, Siam Center,
World Trade Center, Narayanapand, Gaysorn Plaza, Amarin
Plaza and Central Chidlom. |
A little further north of the Siam Square
area is the Pratunam, the city's garment district. Heading
west from Siam Square is the Sukhumvit road area, home to
many more tourist hotels, business hotels and entertainment
areas.
Bangkok has a budget so suit everyone ,
this can be seen in the wide range of Bangkok hotels, places
to eat, bars, nightclubs and different things to see and do.
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A
NEWCOMERS GUIDE TO BANGKOKS DRINKING BARS - CAFE
BARS
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Thailand
has a thriving gay and lesbian bar scene, which attracts
tourists from all over the world. In Bangkok, the gay
bars are concentrated along Silom Soi 2 and Soi 4, with
Soi 2 being considered 'more gay'. Slightly seedier bars
can be found off Surawong Road, along Soi Anuman
Rachathon and Soi Tawan. Other bars can be found
sprinkled along Sukhumvit
Gay
facilities in Bangkok include hotels/guest houses and
appartments, bars and pubs, discos, karaoke, cabaret,
restaurants, saunas, commercial bars (go-go and host
bars), and commercial sauna/massage places. There are
also a number of escort services.
Southeast Asia’s gay hub, Bangkok boasts the best – be
it fabulous bars and clubs, world-class saunas or
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.
Bangkok's nightlife has a reputation for being wild and
rowdy. But at the same time it's relaxed, safe,
enjoyable and great fun! Rapidly establishing itself as
Asia's capital of cool, Bangkok's diverse nightlife
scene features everything from excellent live music and
good jazz clubs to ultra cool bars, trendy clubs and
great restaurants - and go far beyond its
once-upon-a-time sleazy and naughty image.
ASIAN - THAI MEN LIVE
ON WEBCAMS - FREE WEB CAM CHAT - CLICK HERE! |
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Balcony
86-88 Silom Soi 4
Bangkok
Open-fronted bar with popular
terrace. Lots of seating around the bar, tables inside
and outside to watch the passing parade. Friendly
relaxed atmosphere with cheap food and drinks . Lots of
fun things always going on -Upstairs has a mini-karaoke
and small Internet cafe. Open from 6:00 till 02:00
daily, with Happy Hour from 6:00 till 8:00 every day.
Lots of special shows and events throughout the year -
Isaan nights are popular here.
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Dick's
Cafe Bangkok
Duangthawee Plaza, 894/7-8 Soi
Pratoochai, Suriwong Rd
Hassle free
uniformed waiter bar, Popular stylish, classy bar in the
heart of the Suriwong and Patpong scene, a very relaxing
and pleasant place for lunch or a drink or something to
eat before or after hitting the surrounding go-go bars!
Open from midday till 1:00 AM The food is good and
they cater for Thai guys too. A very relaxing place to
wine and dine your thai friends.
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Telephone
Pub, Restaurant & Karaoke
Silom Soi 4
Bangkok
The oldest and most famous gay bar and
restaurant in Bangkok, with Thai and western menu.
Open from 8:00 till 02:00 every day. Always popular with
locals, expats and visitors - the cruisiest bar in town.
Groups of thai boys will often hunt for trade here.
Hassle free and good service.
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X1
Pub & Karaoke
Soi Anuman Ratchathon (off Soi
Thantawan, off Suriwong) bangkok
On the 1st
floor of the X Group complex, large karaoke bar with
hosts available, does not really get going till late.
Very popular with young Thai men who think they can sing
a tune!
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Solid
Bar
39/2 Soi Anuman Ratchathon
(off Soi Thantawan, off Suriwong) Bangkok
Small friendy
bar located just around the corner from Tawan, near
Golden Cock. Go-go stage and table seating downstairs
and very small lounge seating upstairs. Good selection
of dancers and friendly staff who circulate freely. No
scheduled shows, but drinks only 100 Baht every night
and the guys are always friendly! Sometimes if busy they
get a fuck show on the small stage. Khun lek and his
thai staff will take good care of you, highly recommend
a visit here next time in thailand.
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@Richard's
60/17 Silom Rd , Bangkok
Phone: (0) 81907-5560
Located in the small sub-soi
between Thania and Soi 2, next to Freeman, where the Mix
used to be, now (Jan 2006) owned by the eponymous
ex-Telephone owner Richard and associates. Friendly,
relaxed atmosphere, 70's music, a nice place to take
your Thai boy for a drink.
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Freeman
Dance Area, Silom, Bangkok
Freeman Dance Area, entertainment on three floors. First
Floor : Bangkok's hottest dance music and DJ's Latest
hi-tech lighting and video systems Fast, efficient bar
service. Second floor : Fast, efficient bar service.
Viewing balconies to watch the action below. Third floor
: Sit and relax with old or new friends in the Red Room.
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Pharaoh's
Music Bar
Pharaoh's Music Bar is the latest addition to the scene
in Silom Soi 4, the heart of gay Bangkok. It is located
at the end of the street on the right, above Sphinx.
Providing dual lounge karaoke with computer and VCD
entertainment
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Sphinx
Pub and Restaurant, Bangkok
Located on Silom Road, in the very heart of Bangkok,
Sphinx is one of the city's most popular restaurants,
and the winner of several awards, offering Regional Thai
and International cuisine.
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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. Given its
Bangkok’s best gay club, it can get suffocatingly packed
on weekend. DJ Station for dancing in Bangkok is a must
visit. |
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Soi Twilight -
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 in Soi Twilight bangkok caters to a different
fantasy.
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| Gay Bangkok - There are many wild gay
venues in Bangkok, and the commercial gay hangouts are
localized in the Patpong/Suriwong Road area. Sois 2 and
4 in Silom Road are very well frequented. Soi 2 caters
more for the dance crowd and Soi 4 is known for its more
friendly, relaxed bar crowd. |
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Bar @ Siam Square
Novotel Bangkok
on Siam Square's newest addition has been crafted to
appeal to the gay post-work cocktail crowd, or
those looking for traditional pub-style entertainment.
Architecturally it's a treat; dark and snazzy, with
sleek comfy furnishings, soft vibrant lighting and
modular paneling on ceilings and walls lending a sexy,
futuristic feel. Meanwhile, no less than 13 plasma
screens screening wall-to-wall sports, pool tables,
arcade games and a pinball machine bring to mind a
trendy gay bachelor pad, though there's a cocktail, wine
list and international food menu that should appeal to
the thai boys too.
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What to say
about Bangkok, other than it is
one of the most welcoming cities
for gay men anywhere in the
world? As with any large
cosmopolitan city, Bangkok has a
bustling nightlife that caters
for just about every type of
person regardless of their
background. So you will find
plenty to do here if you are
looking for a 'gay' holiday.
Sarasin
Road
Sarasin
Road is
very
close to
Silom
Road.
It runs
along
the edge
of
Lumphini
Park,
off the
traffic
lights
on
Rajadamri
Road, at
the
start of
the Race
course.
Sarasin
Road is
home to
the
legendary
Brown
Sugar
jazz
bar,
which is
also
worth a
visit.
However,
all of
the
other
bars are
gay
bars,
with the
clientele
being
young
professional
Thais
who are
not on
the
prowl
for a
caucasian
man (or
they
would be
at Silom
Soi
4!!).
More
stylish
than the
Soi 4
bars,
with a
younger
crowd.
Silom
Balcony Bar, Silom Soi 4. Along with the Telephone Pub, which is directly opposite Balcony Bar, this bar is probably the busiest in the Soi. You can sit outside watching the crowd going up and down the street, which is a dead end. The bar has a friendly atmosphere and is frequented by Thais, other Asians, Caucasians and a few fag hags. The only downside to this bar is the unneccessary harrasment from the bar staff, trying to get you to sit in their bar and not another. Food is available. Open 6pm each day. Tel: 02- 235 5891
Telephone Pub, Silom Soi 4. Has been around for over 20 years, which says a lot in Bangkok. Telephone Pub has much the same format as Balcony Bar, with outside seating and an array of pretty guys to bring you food, drinks and conversation. Telephone Bar has got to compete with the hustling from Balcony Bar and their waiters will also try to get you to sit in their bar before you have had a chance to check out the rest of this small Soi. Opens at 6pm
Bearbie Bar, Silom Soi 4. This is a stylish karaoke bar opened and managed by Thai 'bears', i.e. chubby hairy guys. The entrance is just before the Balcony Bar, with a Yellow sign above the door which leads you up stairs to the bar. If you like your Thai boys with some meat on their bones then get your lumberjack shirt on and head down to Bearbie Bar. Opens at 7pm. Tel: 02 632 8446
Bar Bar, Silom Soi 4. Not to be confused with the infamous female dungeon bar in nearby Patpong, Bar Bar is an intimate little bar in Silom Soi 4. Not as busy as its noisy neighbours but still has a few people hanging out there. You will walk past it to get to Telephone Bar. Opens at 6pm when the DJ starts playing House, Funk and Hip-hop music.
Lounge 4 Bar, Silom Soi 4. Much the same idea as Balcony and Telephone, though the outside terrace is much more stylish than either of them. Lounge 4 Bar puts on regular lip-sync shows from its bevvy of beautiful ladyboys. The shows take place in the Soi and can be enjoyed from your seat on the Terrace of Lounge 4 Bar, Telpehone Bar or Balcony Bar.
Balls Sports Bar, Soi Duangthawee. This Soi off Suriwong Road is where a lot of the go-go boy and host bars are in the Silom area. Balls Sports Bar is an oasis amongst scantily clad Thai boys where you can get a cool beer and take in the latest sporting event on their large screens.
Club Cafe, Silom Soi 2. This gay bar is in Silom Soi 2, home to the legendary DJ Station. The bars in this Soi are pre-club bars aimed at the crowd going to dance the night away at DJ Station. The Soi is a dead end pededtrian street close to Burger King on Silom Road. A metal detector at the entrance should help you find the Soi.
JJ Park, Silom Soi 2. Popular meeting place for gay Thais. Busy bar with the majority of the crowd heading on to DJ Station aftwerwards. Telephone Bar, JJ Park and then DJ Station is an option for the night.
Espresso Bar, Silom Soi 2. Same situation here. It is a case of take your pick, having looked to see which pre club bar the guy you want to get close to has gone into. Cannot think of any other way for you to decide which is best....
Sarasin Road
Sarasin Road is very close to Silom Road. It runs along the edge of Lumphini Park, off the traffic lights on Rajadamri Road, at the start of the Race course. Sarasin Road is home to the legendary Brown Sugar jazz bar, which is also worth a visit. However, all of the other bars are gay bars, with the clientele being young professional Thais who are not on the prowl for a caucasian man (or they would be at Silom Soi 4!!). More stylish than the Soi 4 bars, with a younger crowd.
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