The Ultimate Travel Guide to Lesbian Thailand

Thailand is our favorite country in the world to travel to! It’s such a diverse country that has beautiful islands, adventurous jungles, stunning temples, and delicious foods; we can’t get enough of it.

It’s no problem to walk hand in hand, cuddle and/or kiss on the streets. In this blog post, we will tell you all about lesbian Thailand: the best places to visit, our favorite things to do, and practical information for lesbian travelers.

Thai people are super friendly and welcoming, it’s accurately called the land of smiles. Also important: in Thailand, we can truly by ourselves as a lesbian couple.

Thailand Map

Lesbian Thailand – Where To Go?

Thailand is a much-visited country, but besides popular destinations like Bangkok and Phuket, there are still many hidden gems to explore in this beautiful country. The (gay) hub of Asia, Bangkok, can’t be missed during your Thailand trip, though we will also tell you about the lesser-visited places.

1. Bangkok

Bangkok is the capital city of Thailand. We absolutely love this busy and dirty (sometimes smelly) city, though we can see why many people hate it.

You really need to know where to go in this big city! Besides the famous sightseeing spots Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Lumphini Park, and the many markets, there is a large gay scene.

The gay area of Bangkok is located in Silom. Silom Soi 4 is a pedestrian street full of gay bars. Sadly, all lesbian bars and clubs closed its doors in Bangkok.

Luckily, women are welcome at most gay bars. In Silom Soi 2 there are the best Bangkok gay clubs! Silom Soi 2 is a little ally with many gay clubs.

There’s an entrance fee for the ally, but with the ticket, you can enjoy clubs like DJ Station. Every time we visit Silom Soi 2 there are also women – so it’s a mixed crowd!

Go Grrrls and Lesla Party are lesbian parties organized in Bangkok regularly. Make sure to check out their Facebook pages to see what’s going on!

We love staying at Lamphuhouse when we’re in Bangkok! It’s in the touristy city center, but you can easily take a riverboat or Grab (Asian Uber) to other places. And the food on Soi Rambuttri is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Read about the best sightseeing spots in Bangkok!

2. Koh Samui

This island is perfect for a romantic getaway and for families. Koh Samui is Thailand’s second-largest island, which has very relaxed vibes.

There are many luxurious resorts on the island, perfect for the ultimate holiday. Our favorite lesbian-friendly hotels and resorts are W Koh Samui, Fair House, Silavadee and the Four Seasons.

Koh Samui is easy to access, as there’s an international airport on the island, with regular flights from and to Bangkok.

We highly recommend a day trip to Ang Thong Marine Park and Koh Wao to explore the underwater world and the beauty of the surrounding islands!

Besides beautiful beaches and nature, there’s also great gay nightlife on Koh Samui. We saw one of the best cabaret shows ever at Starz Cabaret. And Pride Bar is a cool LGBT bar to check out.

3. Chiang Mai

Located in the north, in the mountains, you find the beautiful and laid back city Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second-biggest city, though it feels more like a big town.

The city has a lot to offer, there’s something for everybody. Enjoy a Thai massage, take a cooking class, go shopping, visit elephants in an ethical elephant sanctuary (please don’t ever ride elephants), and visit one of many temples!

The city, and especially the old part, has many Buddhist temples. There are over 300 temples in Chiang Mai! Definitely visit Doi Suthep, up in the mountains.

An extra special moment to visit Chiang Mai is during the Chiang Mai Lantern Festival in November. It’s one of the most magical and romantic moments we have ever experienced (we also got engaged there!).

If you want to feel like a queen in Chiang Mai, go and stay at the beautiful Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai. Other fantastic places to stay at are Anantara, 137 Pillars House, Veranda High Resort and Raya Heritage.

Take a day trip to Chiang Rai! There are some really special Thai temples (white, blue, gold!).

4. Khao Sok National Park

Nature lovers can’t miss Khao Sok National Park. This national park is breath-taking and we can’s stop talking about it.

Everybody who visits Thailand should visit Khao Sok National Park. Khao Sok National Park is located in Southern Thailand and is the perfect place to enjoy nature and relax.

Hiking and kayaking are also popular activities in the National Park, as well as wildlife spotting. If you are lucky you might spot a wild elephant!

Khao Sok National Park has many limestone mountains, caves, and a big lake. Sleeping on the lake is one of the best things to do in Thailand.

Please put this National Park on your lesbian Thailand itinerary, you will not regret it. Watch our YouTube video to see the beauty of the Khao Sok:

Read this article for more information about Khao Sok!

5. Koh Phangan

Koh Phangan is an island located close to Koh Samui. While Koh Samui is known as a romantic (family) island, Koh Phangan is known for its crazy full moon parties.

The parties on Koh Phangan are great, but the island has many faces. The island is divided into zones. Zone 2, for example, is the full moon party area of the island, while zone 5 is the health and wellness area.

So besides a wild side, Koh Phangan has a hippie-side too (a bit like Ibiza)!

Definitely visit the lesbian-owned bar and restaurant L’Alcove, for the most relaxing and lesbian vibes of the island. L’Alcove has great drinks, foods and a perfect view on the beach.

Another lesbian-owned place on the island is the hotel and spa Chantaramas.

If you are into diving, or you want to get your dive license, the island Koh Tao – next to Koh Phangan – is the island to go to! Koh Tao has over 70 dive schools and is one of the cheapest places on earth to get your PADI.

6. Red Lotus Lake

This lake is definitely a hidden gem! Not many Western tourists visit the Red Lotus Lake, probably because it’s out of the direction.

But if you visit Thailand in December, January, or February, and you have enough time to make a detour, visit the Red Lotus Lake in Northeast Thailand.

It’s as magical as Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai. In the winter months, the entire lake turns pink because of the flowers! How romantic is it, to visit a pink lake on Valentine’s day?!

Find out more about the Red Lotus Lake!

7. Phuket

Thailand’s largest island is Phuket (pronounced  “Poo-ket”, not “Foo-ket”!). Phuket is not our favorite island in Thailand to go to, though it should be on this list!

Phuket is big and has a lot to offer. From relaxing to partying to adventurous activities and sleeping in treehouses: all is possible.

Phuket is also easily accessible through an international airport. Phuket is a popular destination within Thailand, so it can get quite crowded at certain spots.

That’s the reason we prefer other islands. Patong is the place to go to if you want to party, it’s famous for its (crazy) nightlife.

There are also quite some gay bars and clubs in Patong. Phuket is the only place in Thailand that organizes a Pride every year!

Accommodation-wise there’s something for every budget in Phuket, from the most luxurious resorts to basic hostels.

We loved staying at the gay-owned CC’s Hideaway, located peacefully in the mountains. Keemala has gorgeous treehouses, and Banyan Tree is a beautiful luxurious resort.

8. Krabi

Krabi is the perfect place to go to if you don’t want to visit an island, but are looking for beautiful beaches. Like Khao Sok National Park, there are incredible limestone mountains and cliffs in Krabi.

Krabi is the ideal location to relax and enjoy nature. Waterfalls, jungle, caves and white-sand beaches, you can find it all in the Krabi area.

Ao Nang and Railay beach are the most beautiful (and popular) beaches to visit. Don’t miss out on Wat Tham Sua, aka the Tiger Temple. It’s a bit of a hike, but the views from the temple are stunning.

And in case you are craving island, Krabi is the perfect hub to travel to Koh Phi Phi and Koh Lanta. Koh Phi Phi is a very famous island, as it was featured in Leonardo Di Caprio’s movie The Beach.

9. Koh Mak and Koh Kood

These two islands are our favorite islands in Thailand. Both are located close to the well known Koh Chang, but somehow not many people make their way to Koh Mak and Koh Kood (also known as Koh Kut).

Koh Mak is a very laid-back island, and it feels like Thailand of 30 years ago. There are no 7-elevens on the island (yet), and it can be difficult to get cash (bring enough before you go!) or to pay with your credit card.

The beaches on the island are very pretty and quiet, you will have the most beautiful beaches for yourself. We highly recommend adding Koh Mak to your itinerary if you are a bit more adventurous and like to explore islands.

Koh Kood is a little bit more developed and has many beautiful and luxurious resorts. Beach hopping on Koh Kood is amazing, as the beaches are stunning and the water is really clear.

10. Pattaya

The most popular gay destination in Thailand is Pattaya. It’s not the best place for queer women though, it just offers a lot for (gay) men, and also caters to a darker side of tourism (sex tourism).

Pattaya is well known for the large population of kathoeys, but unfortunately, life is still pretty tough for these women.

Pattaya is famous for nightlife, but also for festivals – so that might be a reason you want to visit!

Best Time to Visit Thailand

Thailand is a great country to visit all year round. Though there are periods of the year that are hotter or rainier than others. Thailand is a big country, therefore the climate can be different from place to place. We will tell you all about it below!

• Cold and dry season: The “cold” and dry season in Thailand is generally between November and March. This is a great time to visit Thailand, weather-wise. It’s Thailand’s high season, therefore it will be busier this time of year. Temperatures are around 25 degrees Celcius (77F) on average, so not that cold. In Northern Thailand, it can be a can get chilly at night and early in the morning.
• Rainy season: From July till the end of October, you can expect most rain in Thailand. It won’t rain all day but when it rains, it rains hard. The east coast of Southern Thailand gets most rain in November.
• Hottest season: April and early May are often the hottest periods of the year. If you can’t handle the heat, this time of the year might not be a good moment to visit Thailand. Temperatures can go up to 35 degrees Celcius (95F) – and it’s very humid (like, you’re dripping sweat without moving).

Is Thailand Safe to Visit?

Yes, Thailand is a safe country to visit. Thai people are incredibly friendly and are always happy to help you. Thailand is also a safe country to visit for LGBT travelers.

We already visited Thailand over 7 times and always feel comfortable traveling everywhere in Thailand, also as lesbian travelers.

The border provinces with Malaysia are advised not to travel to because of unrest.

Thai Events You Can Not Miss

• Songkran: Songkran is the Thai New Year. It’s always celebrated on the 13th of April, but the celebrations tend to be longer (1 day before and 1 day after). People celebrate by throwing water to each other, lots of fun!
• Chiang Mai Lantern Festival – Yi Peng: the lantern festival in Chiang Mai is held every year on the second full moon of the Lanna calendar (exact dates change yearly). This festival is a very magical festival and we highly recommend experiencing it when you are in Thailand!
• Phuket Pride: Phuket Pride is often held in April. It’s the only Pride celebration held in Thailand.

Thailand has set up a beautiful Go Thai Be Free campaign for LGBT+ tourists. Since 2018, Thailand organizes a special annual LGBT symposium for professionals in LGBT tourism.

Practical Thailand Information

• Language: Thai
• Currency: Baht (฿)
• Visa: Many countries, like the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, can travel to Thailand visa-free for 30 days. Though, in order to enter Thailand, you need to have a ticket out of Thailand.
• Food: Thai food is super delicious, and it’s totally safe to eat street food. Definitely eat pad thai, tom kha kai, khao soi, tom yum (spicy), massaman curry and mango sticky rice.
• Budget: Thailand isn’t expensive, you can easily live like a queen without spending much money. It’s possible to travel to Thailand on every budget.
• Transportation: traveling in Thailand is very easy and convenient. There are many buses and trains that go everywhere. It’s easy to (internationally) fly into well-known places like Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Koh Samui. Definitely travel by a tuk-tuk taxi at least once! They are often more expensive than regular taxis, but they make for the ultimate Thai experience!
• Temples: there are many temples around Thailand. Make sure to dress properly when you visit a temple, otherwise, you are not allowed to enter. Cover your shoulders and knees.
• Simcard: we always buy an ICE sim card, they often have great deals. It’s better not to buy your sim card at the airport, as it will always be more expensive.

Enjoy this beautiful country!! If you have any questions, drop them below or send us an (old-school) email.

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Together we can help each other travel the world!

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