Chiang Mai is often described as Thailand's "Rose of the North" for its cool climate (part of the year), and picturesque moated city walls. The surroundings offer great opportunities to visit hill tribes, forests, mountains etc. The gay scene is small but busy, with a number of small gay bars & saunas scattered around the city. There are several gay hotels & guesthouses too. Gay students from the large University of Chiang Mai are often in evidence. Chiang Mai province is hilly and very pretty.
Getting Around
The songtaow, a pickup truck with bench seats on the back, is the most usual form of public transport, and some local buses. Motorcycle taxis will take you short distances, but check the fare and be aware of accidents.
For trips outside the city, you can hire jeeps, cars or motorcycles (international driving licence required), but be sure to get 1st class insurance.
Otherwise, try taking a tour from a local agent, to see the many sights of this fascinating region.
AMORA TAPAE HOTEL (gay friendly) 22 Chaiyaphum Road (close to Tae Pae Gate) 053 251531 Not a gay hotel, but highly recommended for the high standards of service, accommodation and food at a reasonable rate in city center.
Gay couple offer bungalows about 15 km east of Chiang Mai city - email for information.
CHIANG DAO NEST (gay friendly) 144/4 Moo 5, Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai Province 0 6017 1985 ; Email: chiangdaonest@lycos.com ; Straight owned, simple bungalows from 600 baht, about 80kms north of Chiang Mai city.
MAE NAI GARDENS 104/10 M.12, Tambon Mae Ram, Amphur Mae Rim, Chiang Mai (about 20km from Chianhmai City) +66 89 7006668 , +66 86 8549393 Thai themed gay friendly accommodation in the foohils of Doi Suthep.
ORIENTALTHAI GUEST HOUSE (gay friendly) Loi Khoa Rd, Chang Klan, Chiang Mai Tel: 053 276742: Fax 053 206267; email:orientalhouse@hotmail.com Near the night market
PARADISE DEVELOPMENT & REAL ESTATE 64 Moo 1, Ban Pa Hiang, Sanpamphaeng, Chiang Mai 053 880295; email: info@paradise-development.com Gay owned, rent a vacation home in Chiang Mai
Souvenir Bed & Breakfast 26 Kampaengdin Rd. Soi 3 T. Changklan Muang, Chiang Mai,50100 Tel. (053) 206-165 & Mobile: 084-7402-458 E-mail:souvenir-guesthouse@hotmail.com A small but charming gay owned guesthouse. Set in a garden and away from all the noise, Souvenir is like a private home. Guests enjoy a delicious breakfast, cable TV and friendly staff, who will help you plan your stay in Chiang Mai. About 10 minute walk to the Night Bazaar and gay bars. Room rate is 250 with bathroom outside the room and 300 with private bathroom. Prices are per person. Fan only
SEVEN SUNS (Formerly know as New Connections & Lemongrass) 155 Ratchamanka Rd. Phrasing Muang Chiang Mai Thailand 50200 Tel: +66 53 841325; E-mail:bookings@sevensuns.net 12 roomed gay guesthouse located within the old city walls SOHO BAR & GUESTHOUSE 20/3 Huay Kaew Road, opposite Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel. "Soho offers comfortable contemporary accommodation with modern amenities at reasonable rates. Rooms are air-conditioned with shower room, king-size bed, refrigerator, cable television and tea/coffee making facilities. There is a daily maid service and the management and staff concentrate on providing open, trusting and friendly accommodation to the discerning gay traveller whether travelling alone or with a friend."
Pubs, Bar & Cafes
ART GALLERY COFFEE & DRINKS 119 Kampangdin Road, opposite Mae Ping Hotel, Phone 0848034265 Small gay intimate coffee/cocktail bar - delightful venue for a quiet before or after dinner drink. Open till 1.00am.
CAFE DE NIMMAN B1 & B2, Rooms Project, 61 Nimmanheminda Road 053 218405 Not gay, but gay friendly and the Katoey waiters serve some of the best food in Chiangmai. Reservations recommended as it is always busy.
CHEERFUL CHARLIE'S ENGLISH FISH & CHIP SHOP Thapae Road Soi 1, By the side of the Meridien Hotel, Loi Kroh Road. 086 9162418 "If you are looking for a nice change, a taste of England in the heart of Chiang Mai, Thailand, than visit Cheerful Charlie`s English Fish and Chips Restaurant. Simple, no fuss, delicious, down to earth and great value. The fish and chips are traditional, taste great and makes a nice change from all of the local spicy rice dishes. Fish and Chips, sausage and mash, fruit pies, ice cream., tea and coffee, beer, wine and spirits. Open from 11.30am."
GARDEN BAR 2/25 Soi Viangbua, Chotana Rd next to Lotus Hotel
DD CLUB 161 Soi 4, Chang Phuek Road, Chiang Mai 053 21424 Meeting place for gays & lesbians
GLASS ONION Room 1 project, 61, Nimmanhaemin Road. 053-218479 Sophisticated wine bar popular with gays.
NIMMAN KITCHEN BY KRIT Located in parking area off Huay Keow Road, halfway between Kad Suan Keow Shopping Mall and Amari Rincome Hotel and opposite Hill Side 4 Condo. Phone 053895199. Extensive Thai menu, with a good selection of Northern dishes. Among the most tempting dishes are the wide range of fish, served steamed with Chinese mushrooms for example or deep fried with chili sauce or with garlic.Open daily from 11am until 12 midnight. Inexpensive. LA VIE EN ROSE BY KRIT Located in parking area off Huay Keow Road, halfway between Kad Suan Keow Shopping Mall and Amari Rincome Hotel and opposite Hill Side 4 Condo. 053-895199 This recently opened bar has a nicely decorated interior and a cool out-door terrace. There is friendly music, which makes conversation with the local population (both Thai and expats) and the occasional tourist quite pleasant. Next door, owner Krit runs a well-known Thai restaurant. In front of the bar there is extensive parking space. Open from 18:00 till 24:00 hours. .
MARINA BAR (ladyboy bar) c.e.c. entertainment complex, 92-98 Loikhroh Road, 01-883-2592 Free cabaret show most night at 23:00
METRO BAR Opposite Lotus Hotel, Soi Viangbua, Chotana Road
MEMORY BAR Soi 3 Sri Donchai Road Phone 0895563746 Open 5pm to late, with soft music - free style and friendly.
SOHO BAR 20/3 Huay Kaew Road, opposite Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel. "Soho Bar is one of Chiang Mai’s most sophisticated gay-friendly venues. You can socialise here in pleasant convivial surroundings, in either the street-side bar or in the tastefully-decorated and more relaxed interior lounge bar. Music is played at a volume which doesn’t intrude on conversation. The bar sits on the prime location of Huay Kaew Road, almost directly opposite the Chiang Mai Orchid Hotel."
Discos
CHALERMKRUNG SAUNG SA LUN off the Canal road near Phucome Hotel, 2 Khanklong Chonprathan. A popular Thai music venue that attracts the local in-crowd to its roomy and modern pavillion.
CHIANGMAI BURNING Phone: +66 85 225 2169 "Chiang Mai Is Burning puts on a gay-friendly house music dance party every other month. Everyone is welcome, but the promoter is gay and wants to have a large gay presence at his parties. Come and Shake Your Butt to the house grooves of DJ Astrolabe!"
CLUB G 68/2 Chiang Mai - Lampoon Rd Ear-splitting music, dance floor full of bar tables. Go over Nawarat Bridge, turn right, drive 1km.
ADAMS APPLE CLUB 1/21-22 Soi Viengbua, Chotana Rd Phone 053-220380 Fully air conditioned and with seating for over 80 people (max 100) Adam's Apple Club offers an exotic nightly show and Go Go dancing. Open from 8.30pm to 12.30am, Showtime 10pm.
CHEZ NOUS Soi Thaphae 1, opp Night Bazaar
CIRCLE PUB 161/7-8 Soi Erawan, Chang Phuek Road,Sriphoon, Chiang Mai. 053 214996
CRUISE Soi Thaphae 1, (opp Night Bazaar)
FREE GUY CLUB GO GO Cul De Sac off Changpuak Road, between Novotel & Lotus Hotel Soi, Chiang Mai 8pm-1am, special shows at 10pm and 11:30pm, also have massage available
MY WAY GO -GO 3/5-6 Hatsadee Sewee Road, Chang Phuak, Chiang Mai Tel: 053 404361
19 Sirimangklajarn Soi 3, Sirimangklajarn Rd (last house in Soi) Tel:053 894133; 053 217765; Email: admin@houseofmale.com
Traditional Thai house. Gym, pool, video room, masseurs, lounge bar with food & entertainment. Open noon to midnight.
2Brothers 80/7 Loikhork Soi 3 Lane A Road, Tambon Chiangmaikran, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai 053-206403. 089 5604410 Male to male massage, and tour service
All Seasons Spa 7th floor, Doi View Mansion, 9 Soi 9 Nimmanhaemin Road, Tambon Suthep. 053895571, 0865871906, 0841705507 "One step ahead of luxury - that’s what the “All Seasons Spa” offers at it’s private spa. It’s as if you’re in your own private space in the sky." Free transportation. Open 10am to 11pm
Blue’s Club 422/18 Chiang Mai Land 053204968. Experience massage and body scrubs by male therapists at affordable prices. Open 2pm to Midnight.
Classic House 27/2 Thapae Rd Soi 4, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai, 50000 053-904-582 053-904582, Email: info@classichousemassage.com Massage for men by men. Traditional Thai Lanna style rooms with all forms of Thai massage.
Chakkhaspa Rakang Road
Fah Lanna Massage 168/3 Loy Kroh Road, between Chang Klan Road and Charoen Prathet Road, next to Guitar Man Pub 0896950802 "Looking for real, professional, non-sexual bodywork in a relaxing environment? Fah Lanna is a day spa offering massages and body treatments. Many discounted packages available. The place is designed beautifully to create a very welcoming and relaxing atmosphere. Very high standards at reasonable prices"
Gemini Spa Hatsadisawee Road
His Club 21/43 Soi Moo Baan Unn Reun, Changkhlan Road 053204148, 0841705507, 0865871906. More than 20 male therapists to choose from to conduct Thai massage, spa cream, oil massage, body scrub, foot massage, etc. Also has spa and sauna. Open 3pm to 1am. M2M Massage 1/8 Thae Phae Road Soi 1 Phone 053820669, 0806706977. Offering Thai massage, Oil or Cream massage, facials, body scrub and body mask.
Mystic Orient Massage 59/1 Sittiwong Road (Chang Moi Kao Road) T Chang Moi, A Muang, Chiang Mai Tel (053) 874334, (084)3643446, (086)1151960 Private Air Con rooms, Beautiful Lanna Style decor, Relax with our friendly male masseurs
River House Massage 14/1 Wangsingkam Road, Chiang Mai Phone: 053-876-085; Email: info@riverhousemassage.com Hours: 12:00pm - 12:00am Well trained and handsome young masseurs to make your visit enjoyable. Before or after your massage you can sit and relax in the beautiful courtyard garden over looking the Ping River Sanctuary Spa 13/1 Bumrungrad Rd, Tambom Phra Sing (near Suan Prung Gate opposite the Chinese Consul) 0817168522, 0818683039 Special promotion offered for “The Spirit of Package Renewal” a revitalizing salt glow treatment followed by aromatic massage.
The Wall Massage 36 Kampheng Din Soi 1, Amphur Muang Chiang Mai (behind AIS office) E-mail : thewallmassage@hotmail.com Tel: 053-274-275 Mobile: 080-617-5000
Shopping & Services
NIRUT GALLERY Traditional style art, furniture & accessories, made to order also.
Chiang Mai is often described as Thailand's "Rose of the North" for its cool climate (part of the year), and picturesque moated city walls. The surroundings offer great opportunities to visit hill tribes, forests, mountains etc. The gay scene is small but busy, with a number of small gay bars & saunas scattered around the city. There are several gay hotels & guesthouses too. Gay students from the large University of Chiang Mai are often in evidence. Chiang Mai province is hilly and very pretty.
