Wat Pho, Thailand’s Temple of the Reclining Buddha – Keep Calm and Wander

Wat Pho, Thailand's Temple of the Reclining Buddha - Keep Calm and Wander

Wat Pho, also known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, is a must-see destination for travelers visiting Bangkok, Thailand. Located in the Phra Nakhon district, Wat Pho is one of the oldest and largest temples in the city and is home to a number of important cultural and historical artifacts.

The highlight of Wat Pho is the enormous reclining Buddha statue, which measures 46m long and 15m high. The statue, which is made of brick and covered in gold leaf, depicts the Buddha in the final moments of his life as he enters the state of Nirvana. The statue is an awe-inspiring sight, and visitors can walk along its length, taking in the intricate details of the statue’s form and design. Visitors can walk along and around the statue’s length, marveling at its size and beauty.

In addition to the reclining Buddha, Wat Pho is home to more than 1,000 other Buddha images, as well as a number of beautiful murals and decorative elements.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

Bangkok’s Wat Arun at Night – Keep Calm and Wander

Bangkok's Wat Arun at Night - Keep Calm and Wander

Visiting Bangkok’s Wat Arun at Night

The vibrant city of Bangkok transforms into a sparkling oasis of lights and sounds as the sun sets on Bangkok. And at the heart of it all sits Wat Arun, the iconic temple known for its stunning architecture and breathtaking views.

Located on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn) is one of the most visited temples in Bangkok. Its towering spires and intricate details make it stand out among the city’s many temples. But Wat Arun at night truly shines.

As a warm glow illuminates the temple, the intricate details of its stonework and glazed ceramic mosaics come to life. The spires, decorated with Chinese porcelain, shimmer, sparkle in the light, creating a mesmerizing effect.

By Alain – Full Story at Keep Calm and Wander

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

Gay Bangkok for First Timers – The Nomadic Boys

Gay Bangkok for First Timers - The Nomadic Boys

Our guide to gay Bangkok 2023 has all the information you need including the best gay hotels to stay, gay bars, where to play and practical safety tips.

Gay Bangkok Guide for First Time Visitors

“OMG Stefan, we almost hit that car…I can’t…I’m going to keep my eyes firmly closed! Just let me know when we’ve arrived safely at Stranger Bar while I pray to the gay gods for safe passage…”

Nothing beats the rush of adrenaline as we whizzed through the CRAZY traffic jams of Bangkok hanging on for dear life inside a cutesy tuk-tuk with its driver smiling at these two hysterical giggling foreigners in the back…

We both love it – the feeling of the humid, almost putrid air hitting your face as you swerve from one end of the street to the other, car horns manically beeping at each other.

We’ll be frank, Bangkok is by no means a pretty city. Our initial reaction on our first visit was: what a hot mess! It’s polluted, it’s dirty, rats compete for space on the busy pavements, the traffic is mad, and concrete blocks line the streets as far as your eyes can see.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian Bangkok – Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Bangkok - Our Taste for Life

Bangkok is known as the gay capital of Asia. We’ve spent quite some time in Bangkok over the years. And we’ve always been thankful for its liberal and open-minded attitude towards to the LGBTQ+ community. Not only can we be ourselves without fear of discrimination, but the gay nightlife in Bangkok is some of the best in the world. From pulsating gay nightclubs and exclusive lesbian parties, to several acclaimed gay-friendly hotels, gay and lesbian Bangkok has a lot to offer.

Bangkok’s lesbian scene aside, there’s a lot to love about beautiful, busy, bombastic, Bangkok. On the one hand, you have the rich Thai culture in the form of jaw-dropping temples, bustling markets, and sensational local cuisine. On the other is Bangkok’s edgier side, with its wild nightlife, epic rooftop bars, and opportunities for urban exploring.

In my experience, lesbian Bangkok is a bit like marmite. You either love it, or you hate it. But the one thing I insist on is giving it a chance. I’ll admit, as a first-timer arriving in the city, the chaos of it all can be overwhelming. But we’ve visited Bangkok over a dozen times now. And despite being everything we usually hate about big cities, we’ve actually grown quite fond of her.

Lesbian Bangkok

I’m confident that if you give Bangkok a chance, you’re guaranteed to find something you like about the city. And this guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to have an unforgettable time. I’ve listed all of the hottest gay bars and nightclubs; gay-friendly hotels and hostels; the best LGBT+ centred events; as well as all the top things to see and do.

By Charlotte & Natalie – Full Story at Our Taste for Life

Lesbian Thailand Travel Resources

Bangkok’s Gayborhood – The Nomadic Boys

BLOG - Bangkok's Gayborhood - The Nomadic Boys

Lights… Camera… ACTION!

10s! 10s! 10s! across the board, as you sashay your way down Bangkok’s Silom Soi 4 street, the beating heart and soul of the city’s incredible gay scene.

We love it here. It’s one of our favourite gay scenes in the world. Regardless which day of the week you come, there’s always life and action. Whenever we visit Bangkok, the first thing we do is head straight to Balcony and have our obligatory “welcome to Bangkok” Pad Thai in their outdoor terrace.

Balcony is one of the many gay bars in Silom Soi 4 – an area with lots of gay hotels, massage parlours, clubs, saunas and restaurants. You can read our full gay guide to the city of Bangkok, but in this article, we take you on a magical journey through the gay area of Bangkok!

Where is Bangkok’s Gayborhood?

The majority of Bangkok’s gay bars and clubs are located in Silom, which is a sub-district of Bang Rak. There are two main gay streets in Silom, known as Silom Soi 4 and Silom Soi 2. Both of these smaller pedestrian-only streets lead off from the main Silom Road, which you can reach via the BTS Skytrain (get off at the Sala Daeng station) or the Silom MRT Station.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Bangkok Gay Travel Resources

Bangkok Gay Tours – The Nomadic Boys

Bangkok Gay Tours - The Nomadic Boys

Aaah, Bangkok… this crazy, chaotic city can certainly overwhelm you with all the traffic and people but we keep on coming back for more! There’s just something so intoxicating about this messy, gritty yet absolutely incredible city…

Thailand is one of the most gay friendly countries in Asia, so it’s not surprising that its capital, Bangkok, has a fabulous gay scene. We’ve spent quite a bit of time exploring the gay bars and clubs in Bangkok, but sometimes you really just want someone in the know to show you around.

Luckily we’ve found these fabulous gay tours with local LGBTQ guides in case you’re feeling a bit nervous about venturing into the maze of streets and venues by yourself. They each offer something different, so whether you’re looking to party with drag queens or relax in the best gay saunas, you’ll find something to love.

Bangkok Gay Tours – Nightlife

This gay nightlife tour takes you on a whirlwind journey through Bangkok’s best gay bars and clubs. You’ll feel like you’ve followed the white rabbit down into the Wonderland that is Bangkok’s gay scene, so it’s appropriate that the first stop of the evening is at the White Rabbit Bar!

This cafe/lounge bar is a lovely spot for dining during the day, but let’s be honest, you’re joining this gay tour for something a bit more exciting than food, right? Luckily the tour includes a shot at each of the venues and of course you’ll be able to purchase more drinks for yourself if you feel like it. We suggest the “rabbit passion” cocktail to keep you going all night long (wink, wink)!

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Bangkok Gay Travel Resources

Bangkok’s Stranger Bar – The Nomadic Boys

Bangkok's Stranger Bar - The Nomadic Boys

What used to be an unassuming gay bar in Bangkok’s Silom Soi 4 gay scene is now one of the hottest gay hangouts in the city. Every evening from around 9pm Stranger Bar has a hilarious drag show featuring some of the most talented, quirky and hottest queens from all around Asia.

We first came here back in 2012/3 and barely noticed it – the gay scene of Silom Soi 4 dominated by giants Telephone and Balcony bars next door. When we returned a few years later it had started making an impact and had become one of the fixed staples on the scene. Then when we were last here in early 2020, it had become THE hottest drag venue in the entire city, busy every evening!

We caught up with the super charismatic owner of Stranger Bar, Chakgai. In this interview, Chakgai tells us what it’s like owning a bar in Bangkok, what gay life is like in Thailand and what it is about Stranger Bar that has made it become so successful over the years.

By Stefan Arestis – Full Story at the Nomadic Boys

Bangkok Gay Travel Resources

Lesbian Bangkok: Off the Beaten Path – Once Upon a Journey

Lesbian Bangkok

Bangkok is one of our favourite cities in Asia and we keep coming back to it. There’s so much to see and do in Bangkok. But while most people visit famous places like the Grand Palace, Khao San Road, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, there are so many other great lesser known places to visit. We already discussed the best things to do in Bangkok and all Instagram worthy spots in Bangkok, but we love to tell you about Bangkok off the beaten path! This is our top five hidden gems around Bangkok.

Wat Samphran aka Dragon Temple

Wat Samphran is a unique temple you won’t find elsewhere in the world. By accident, we found out about this place and couldn’t believe our eyes. A pink building with a dragon? Why aren’t people talking about this place? It’s not mentioned in the travel books and therefore not many tourists know about it yet. The temple is 17 floors high and you can walk through the body of the dragon to reach the top.

The top makes for a great view. Not only the dragon temple itself is worth visiting, but there are also other beautiful structures around the complex. For example a giant bronze Buddha and animal statues like a giant turtle and elephant. We recommend taking at least two hours to explore the complex. Wat Samphran is a temple, so make sure to dress properly.

By Roxanne & Maartje – Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

 

Bangkok by Bicycle – Once Upon a Journey

Bangkok by Bicycle - Once Upon a Journey

Bangkok is one of our favourite places in Asia. There’s so much to see and do in the city! And one of the best ways to explore Bangkok is by bike and boat. This way you can explore off the beaten path and get to know the different faces of the city. From busy markets in China Town to green palm plantations in the outskirts to the fresh breeze on one of the canals. Sounds amazing right? Ready to hop on that bicycle and explore? We will tell you all about our adventures during our bicycle tour through Bangkok.

Bangkok Bicycle Tour

It’s no secret us Dutchies like to bike! We don’t just bike in the Netherlands, we bike all over the world. So no surprise, 30 years ago a Dutchman named Co van Kessel started to show tourists around Bangkok by bicycle. His company never stopped doing just that! It’s a unique way to see a city.

At Co van Kessel, there are multiple bicycle tours you can do, varying from 3 to 9 hours. We hop on the bicycle for 5 hours, or well, we also go on the water by boat. With our bicycles, how fun! Make sure to book a tour in the morning for better temperatures.

By Roxanne and Maartje – Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Thailand Gay Travel Resources

 

Intagrammable Bangkok – Once Upon a Journey

Intagrammable Bangkok - Once Upon a Journey

As the capital city of Thailand, Bangkok is the perfect city to start your travels in Thailand or elsewhere in Asia. And Bangkok is so much more than just a hub, it’s a city with many things to see and do. From beautiful temples (have you ever seen a dragon temple?) to crazy markets to chaotic streets with tuk-tuks everywhere.

We are huge fans of Bangkok and love exploring the city. We found you the best Instagram spots in the city. Are you ready to see the 13 most Instagrammable places in Bangkok?! Grab your camera + outfit and let’s GO!

AIRPLANE GRAVEYARD

Abandoned places are always a bit creepy, but so cool, don’t you think?! The airplane graveyard in Bangkok is a unique place to visit. Always wanted to sit in a cockpit? This is your chance! There are multiple airplanes you can explore and you can take the coolest pictures. It’s not fully abandoned though, there is a family living in one of the airplanes. Be prepared to pay around 200 baht per person to enter the property. You can get to the airplane graveyard by taxi or by river taxi (way cheaper). Go to Wat Sriboonreun (last stop of the Khlong Saen Saeb), and from there it’s just a short walk.

By Roxanne Weijer – Full Story at Once Upon a Journey

Thailand Gay Travel Resources