Gay and Lesbian Pattaya
Pattaya’s gay scene is alive and thriving, illuminated and friendly. Like the rest of Thailand, Pattaya accepts homosexuality without fuss, stigma or prejudice and gay people can freely express themselves (decently) anywhere in Thailand. This reflects the liberal and tolerant nature of the country, and makes for an enjoyable time in a welcoming atmosphere where there is a large local gay community.
Thais are naturally friendly and petite, so that both gay and lesbian visitors find them attractive and pleasant company. There is a preportionately large gay scene in Thailand, thanks to a tolerant attitude among all, while the lesbian community is gorwing but discreet. As with the girlie scene, many gay boys are simply out for financial gain (or at least a wealthy foreigner to take care of them), and can be quite promiscuous. There is also the surprise added attraction of the ladyboys (Thailand’s third sex) who are numerous and tolerated. They are characters unto themselves that thrive off the gay and bi-sexual visitors and provide a flamboyant atmosphere to the gay and lesbian scene with their confident and well groomed appearance.
Pattaya’s (mainly male) gay scene is centralised in an area of its own in Pattayaland Soi 3 where male go-go bars and nightclubs invite Thais and foreigners into their neon-lit party dens to join in the colourful excitement. This may be the largest concentrated gay area in Thailand and draws a large crowd on most nights of the week. There is a scattering of other friendly gay venues around town, some of which are mentioned in the recommended list below.
Like the ‘bar girl’ culture, there are a lot of willing ‘boys’ in Pattaya who offer their services through the go-go bars, or on a ‘freelance’ basis. After an introductory chat and a few drinks, an agreement may be made to leave an establishment with a partner, and, if a fee is involved, this will usually be negotiated beforehand. A lot of gay males use the sex industry as a medium for finding a partner and this may explain why they seem less interested in the financial gain than the bar girls. Also, not all ‘rent boys’ are gay. Since the prostitution scene is a lucrative prospect to many Thais, even straight boys will pretend to be gay to make a living like the girls do.
The same non-issue of homosexuality applies to lesbians who are welcomed everywhere, be that in a straight pub, or transgender venue. Thai people usually don’t show their affections in public though, so kissing and cuddling in some places may be deemed inappropriate by law of culture only. There are however very few lesbian go go bars, as this simply isn’t part of their scene. Usually lesbian visitors need to be more persistent and patient in finding suitable venues where they can meet like-minded girls. The lesbian scene in Thailand is much smaller than the gay scene but there are an increasing number of ‘toms’ (as the Thais call them), or bisexual girls, although they are very discreet.
Some recommended gay hang-outs, pubs, and clubs:
Boyz Boyz Boyz
Popular meeting place for both foreigners and locals. Late night dancing complemented by a nightly "Divas and Dudes Show". 325/87, Pattayaland Soi 3, Pattaya.
Le Café Royal
Comprised of a piano bar, terrace bar, restaurant, and coffee-shop with live entertainment from 8.p.m nightly. The Throb/Splash nightclub opposite offers fun by the pool later in the evening. 325/102-109, Pattayaland Soi 3, South Pattaya, +66 (0)38 423 515.
Panorama
Huge, popular, mainly open air bar in the centre of the busiest gay area in Pattaya. Decent Happy Hour daily from 3 to 8pm. 244/10-11 Pattayaland Soi 3, South Pattaya, +66 (0)38 710 597.
Le Cage
Situated right next to the award winning White Night Buffet Bar, offering reasonably priced drinks in a relaxing environment. Sit outside on the terrace or inside with air-con. 273/98 Soi VC, Sunee Plaza, South Pattaya, +66 (0)38 720 583.
Dick’s Café Jomtien
With an established branch in Bangkok, Dick’s Café now has 2nd branch just a street away from the renowned Jomtien gay beach! Known for its friendly staff and welcoming atmosphere. Jomtien Complex 413 / 129 Tappraya Road, Jomtien, +66 (0) 38 252 417.
Also, not all ‘rent boys’ are gay. Since the prostitution scene is a lucrative prospect to many Thais, even straight boys will pretend to be gay to make a living like the girls do.
Renting boys
First timers to Pattaya will want to know exactly how it all works, and it’s much the same as the girlie bar scene. Most bars are informal venues full of cute young guys who are welcoming and Have the famous friendly Thai manner. Although (when it’s slow) they tend to agressively try to attract people into the bar, they are generally polite and you’re welcome to come in sit and enjoy a cocktail while you eye up something that catches your fancy. Invariably a boy will approach you, but there’s no pressure. Drinks for the boys cost a bit more, you can chat and get to know each other, if you decide you want to take him home there will be a bar fine to pay (usually between 200 and 500 baht depending on how classy the place is), and of course you privately negotiate with the boy about his fee. Unlike the girlie scene there are limits to what some of the boys will do, and for what price. A lot of them are small, then there are those who aren’t actually gay, but simply working in the gay bar scene and ‘acting’. Fees can either be for ‘short time’ (a couple of hours), long time (all night) or a whole week if you really like him. Read our section on bar girls for a similar description of how these people operate.
