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Travel Article	Travel Article Archive

By Michael J. Darton

A, Keng, & Tom -- friendly staff of BBB Inn, Bangkok We Have 21 Photos From Bangkok! View Thumbnails View Slideshow

Click on the link for a handy PDF version of our February 2008 Thailand travel feature!

There is a well established and thriving gay scene in Bangkok with streets full of go-go bars with wondrously explicit shows. You can be sure to meet a mix of men both local and international.

Getting there

Staff at the gay-owned A&F Tour Travel (120 Silom Road) are super knowledgeable. Director Franz has a wealth of experience on travel in and around Thailand as well as neighboring Laos and Cambodia. Or they can fine-tune a package trip to your desires; why not try a three day side-trip to Phuket, Chang Mai, or Hong Kong? Their website shows the range of flights, accommodations, and travel and tour services.

Bangkok's new Suvarnabhumi International airport recently opened, making arriving in Thailand easier. I flew in with British Airways, which offers a range of seating options. For a bit extra I booked premium economy with extra leg room (well appreciated on a long flight), individual TV sets, and better food with more attentive service.

As you wander out of Bangkok airport you will be amazed at how many people approach you to offer you a taxi, limousine, hotel, or maybe even a massage. I advise making a beeline to the stand emblazoned "Taxi Meter Hire" to avoid scams or overcharging. Soon Bangkok's efficient Skytrain, which operates all over the city, will extend out to the airport.

Accommodations

Tarntawan Place Hotel (119/5-10 Surawong Road; +66-0-2238-2620) is first-class and conveniently located between Silom Road (the main gay district) and Surawong Road. The style, decor, and service here are superb, and everything from simple rooms to deluxe suites are at competitive prices. All have cable TV, telephone, coffee and tea facilities, as well as 24-hour room service. They offer laundry service and daily newspapers and are affiliated with a nearby fitness center. It's good to book ahead.

BBB Inn (918 Rama 4 Road; +66-0-2236-2259;) is a gay hotel offering decent rooms with hot showers, TV, and air conditioning for a great price. The location is right around the corner from "Boys Plaza," which glitters at night with neon-lit clubs and go-go bars. Management has an easygoing attitude, and the young men working here are friendly and polite -- always happy to chat or play pool in the reception area. They run a 24-hour bar service, and have no problem at all with overnight visitors and friends staying in your room; in fact, they encourage it!

Unico Grande Hotel (533 Silom Road; +66-0-2378-3004) is just off Silom Road, which makes it ideally located for shopping and nighttime fun. This is an all-new hotel with a pool and fitness area, restaurant, and efficient room service.

Pan Pacific Bangkok (952 Rama IV Road; +66-0-2632-9000) sits at the beginning of Silom Road and offers tranquil respite once inside. This world-class hotel is a heavenly escape from Bangkok's hustle and bustle. Rooms have panoramic views of the city. The toilets are even fitted with state-of-the art seat-warming and personal washing features -- quite a surprise if you don't expect this level of pampering!

Clubs, pubs, and go-go bars

Telephone Pub (114/11-13 Silom Road, Soi 4) has long been one of most popular venues, and is run by the hard-working, knowledgeable, and charismatic Lee Harris. The mixed crowd of ages, nationalities, and types here has always impressed me; everyone fits in, and that goes for lone travelers or those arriving in large groups. Telephone Pub's menu is as lavish as ever and with a wide, wide selection: over 250 dishes to please every palate -- from traditional Thai favorites such as Tom Kha Kai (spicy coconut chicken soup) to dishes with a more northern Thai flavor. They have regular events here, and the telephones are all back in working order, so you can call up that table you've been eyeing all night and have some fun. Their website is full of maps, information, tips, and even contains a list of Bangkok hotspots, in both Thai and English -- handy for printing out and showing your taxi driver.

A mixed crowd packs Dick's Cafe Bangkok (Soi Duangthawee Suriwong Road) nightly. At this bar and restaurant enjoy attentive service and a tantalizing menu. The seats outside face the bustling street, full of passers-by and interesting action.

Balls Sports Bar (Soi Duangthawee, off Suriwong Road) is a new addition to the gay scene. Big screens and live sports action play all around the bar, making it easy to chat up fellow sports fans.

G.O.D. (Guys On Display) Nightclub (Silom Soi 2/1, down the small street next to Noodi Restaurant) has taken over the old space formerly belonging to Freeman's Nightclub. This place certainly lives up to its name, with shirtless men strutting their stuff to hard house and funky sounds. The nightclub has gained its reputation for being a late-night venue and starts to get crowded around 2 a.m.

After a major refurbishment and makeover DJ Station (Silom Soi 2) has more room to offer but still seems to get packed on weekends. Their legendary shows are going strong with comedy, drag, and lip-synching acts all highlighted with camp outfits and over-the-top amounts of glamour.

Dream Boy (38/3-6 Soi Pratoochai, Suriwong Road) is one of the most impressive go-go bars to visit; you can sit and watch the shows with a spread of hot guys. The climax of the show gets as raunchy and sexy as you can imagine. Expect a full-on explicit performance; this show is no place for the fainthearted!

Tawan Club (2/2 Soi Tantawan, Surawong Road) is a long-running and well-established go-go bar with muscle men shows. You can sit at ease and enjoy the visually pleasing happenings, or you can arrange for one of the pumped-up hunks to give you a massage -- out or in.

Shopping and services

Prince Raja: International Tailor (2/6 Soi Sribumphen) is a first-class tailoring business that has been making suits and clothes for the gay community for 17 years. They deliver made-to-measure suits, shirts, and trousers, as well as other garments. You can choose your fabric and let Prince Raja give you that look and fit you've always wanted, all at excellent prices, with quick turnaround and worldwide delivery options.

The Silom road has a market nightly except Mondays. Stalls sell fashionable clothing, shoes, t-shirt, DVDs, and souvenirs; quality may vary, but the prices are certainly pleasing.

One of my favorite places to shop is Suan Lum night bazaar which is open daily from around 5 p.m. Situated in an area called Lumphini, it's easily accessible by taxi. Small boutique stalls and shops sell a range of clothes, souvenirs, and art -- all at unbelievable prices.

For a state-of-the-art shopping experience, visit Siam Paragon, easily reached by taking the sky train to Siam Station. This recently-opened shopping and entertainment complex boasts a jungle rain forest, water fountains, and aquarium -- and of course, it's packed with endless floors of designer shops and departments stores.

Beauty, saunas, and massage

Chang Foot Massage and Spa (Silom, Saladaeng BTS Station) is part of a chain of spas all over Bangkok offering a selection of treatments, including foot reflexology, traditional Thai massage, and aromatherapy massage. One hour of the latter is about $20 U.S. I tried one myself -- it's a great authentic massage. You may be offered to end the session in a more sensual way. I always find in Thailand it's best to be clear what you do and don't want before you begin. It's always your choice, but tipping is expected if you do ask for an extension.

Cutey Beauty (Third Floor, Thaniya Plaza, Silom Road) offers everything from hair-coloring and cuts as well as massage, facials, and body waxing; it's well-run with good prices too. Well worth a visit to spoil yourself when out shopping on Silom Road.

Global Medical Clinic (281/15 Soi Silom Road) offers gay-friendly laser surgery, with a full range of treatments including Bio-Alcamid for lipoatrophy.

Babylon Complex (34 Soi Nadhna, South Sathorn Road, Soi 1) is the most lavish and stylish sauna I've ever seen. They offer a range of amenities, including a pool, gym, restaurant, sauna, steam, and private rooms. The ambiance and entertainment are exquisite, too. Daytimes you can hear classical music, and on selected evenings live jazz singers set a tone of style and glamour.