Neon Nights and Golden Temples: 24 Hours in Queer Bangkok

Bangkok's air is thick, sweet-scented with orchids, chilli and incense. This city hits you like a wall of sound and colour. Since the passage of the Marriage Equality Act, Thailand has become a safe haven for LGBTQ+ travellers. If you have just 24 hours, we'll show you how to combine Buddhist serenity with the energy of nighttime Silom.

Safety and Dress Code

Morning: By Boat to the Kings

09:00 — River of Kings and Wat Arun Take the Chao Phraya Express river ferry. Head to Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn). The towers encrusted with Chinese porcelain look incredible in the morning light.

12:30 — Street Food and Michelin Cross the river to the old city. Find Jay Fai (Michelin star) or grab Pad Thai with prawns from any street cart. Lunch costs $5-15.

Afternoon: Shopping and Massage

15:00 — Air-Conditioned Oasis (Siam) Head to the Siam shopping malls (Siam Paragon, ICONSIAM). Get a traditional Thai foot massage at a spa.

Evening and Night: The Silom Empire

19:00 — Sunset over the City Head up to the Mahanakhon SkyBar rooftop. The view over the megalopolis at sunset with a cocktail is the perfect start to the evening.

22:00 — Silom Soi 4 and Soi 2 The Silom district is the beating queer heart of Asia.

• Start on Silom Soi 4: grab a terrace table at Telephone Pub or The Stranger Bar with the best drag shows.
• Closer to midnight — Silom Soi 2: club DJ Station, three floors, lasers and an international crowd until 3am.

Where to Stay

Frequently Asked Questions

Is street food safe to eat? Absolutely. Choose carts where Thais themselves are eating and where food is cooked over fire right in front of you.