Gay Student Life

[lumphinibaby]

Hey all.

I might have the opportunity to go study in Bangkok later this year. Would just like to know if there is a particular student scene in the overall gay scene? ie particular bars/clubs visited. I'm not a massive scenester but would definitely be interested in meeting new people when I first get there. I have visited Bangkok before but had little interest in gay places at that time and stuck to mainly 'normal' bars and clubs.

Any help is welcome.

Edit: Sorry but just wanted to add I'll be 23 at that time, so a relatively old student.

Edited January 28, 2009 by lumphinibaby

[Scott]

I've heard there's a number of gay venues in the Ramkamheng area. I haven't been there, but have some younger friends who enjoy the area. Where are you going to school?

[Ijustwannateach]

The real gay Thai scene is remarkably ecumenical. There will be gay student groups you run into which hang out informally together; there are a number of pubs which have different age range emphases but no real discrimination (there aren't really 'student only' pubs, or 'under 25 only' pubs, though there are places where 50+ year olds would definitely seem out-of-place). There are a few political organizations and clubs which have younger groups associated with them, but not many people here are politically active for the gay scene.

I think you will find that in the absence of the kind of homophobia which is prevalent in English-speaking countries, people aren't threatened by gays here. As a result, they can socialise as gay people much more informally without as much specific need for balkanisation or support groups, though some exist. Just look around and let your gaydar do its thing. Even if you're mistaken, your mistake is not likely to lead you into a life-threatening situation as it might in a homophobic country.

I've seen several very happy-looking younger gay foreigner-Thai couples around Bangkok. You're sure to attract a lot of attention, so enjoy it but don't let it spoil you!

[Scott]

Ahh, IJWT, let it spoil him. It's pretty hard not to get spoiled here!

[lumphinibaby]

Hey guys. Thanks so much for the replies I've gotten.

IJWT: What you say kinda matches up with the impression I got speaking to Thai students when I was there in 2005. Where I study most of the gay students rarely frequent gay specific clubs but tend to kinda cluster in particular places so im quite happy and used to that situation.

Scott: If it happens (and it's quite a big if at this stage) it will be Chulalongkorn so i'll be really centrally located. Ramkamheng is more north, no? Either way not a far distance by BTS or MRT.

Again thanks. Any more replies will be greatly appreciated ;-)

[ozfarang81]

I've seen several very happy-looking younger gay foreigner-Thai couples around Bangkok. You're sure to attract a lot of attention, so enjoy it but don't let it spoil you!

i guess im 'younger' looking at 27, and my bf is 24yo and thai. we have noticed a few similar aged couples around bangkok too. its nice to see although we don't know any such couples personally, it would be nice to meet them. spotted a similar aged couple sitting opposite us on a flight to chiang mai in november, they seemed very happy.

although i live primarily in melbourne, my bf and i have an apartment in ramkhamhaeng area and i am in bangkok about every 6 wks for 10 days, sometimes more frequently. if u want company let us know!

[PeaceBlondie]

The main method seems to be avoiding touristy, farang-infested places. If you are Thai or speak Thai, there may be 88 clubs in and around BKK that have gay customers. They're like Ray Stevens said about Santa Claus: 'they're everywhere!"

[jdinasia]

There are most definitely clubs and areas that are mostly students (and those that are student age) but it really does require some amount of Thai language to get along well in those areas as English skills tend to be absent in most of the locals in those areas

[kunjet]

There are many younger guys who go to the bars at Ramkamheng and Ratchada, but I personally prefer Ortokor and Lang Suan bars. Lang Suan has many Chula and wealthier students. Ortorkor get more average people. A small bottle of Walker red at Lang Suan is around 1200B, at Ortorkor around 800B, so it is significantly more expensive, but also a lot more centrally located (can walk from BTS Ratchadamri). Either way, it will be very cliquish, so go with a group of friends and share a bottle.

[lumphinibaby]

There are many younger guys who go to the bars at Ramkamheng and Ratchada, but I personally prefer Ortokor and Lang Suan bars. Lang Suan has many Chula and wealthier students. Ortorkor get more average people. A small bottle of Walker red at Lang Suan is around 1200B, at Ortorkor around 800B, so it is significantly more expensive, but also a lot more centrally located (can walk from BTS Ratchadamri). Either way, it will be very cliquish, so go with a group of friends and share a bottle.

Funnily enough this is exactly why me and most of my gay friends I have from my university avoid the scene at all costs. But again, thanks for all the help. I wasn't really expecting such solid information, rather just generalisations.

PS could anyone tell me what the gay club/s around Chatuchak are called? near the Mor Chit Bus Station. I went there when I was in bangkok before and can't for the life of me remember their name.

[Navalator]

Hey all.

I might have the opportunity to go study in Bangkok later this year. Would just like to know if there is a particular student scene in the overall gay scene? ie particular bars/clubs visited. I'm not a massive scenester but would definitely be interested in meeting new people when I first get there. I have visited Bangkok before but had little interest in gay places at that time and stuck to mainly 'normal' bars and clubs.

Any help is welcome.

Edit: Sorry but just wanted to add I'll be 23 at that time, so a relatively old student.

What do you mean "normal"?

[Ijustwannateach]

^By 'normal' I would suppose he means not oriented towards helping tourists and expats meet various mysteriously helpful and unemployed English-speaking types in search of various commercial advantages. I avoid the 'abnormal' places myself.

I don't remember the specific names, LB, but I think you are still talking about Autokor, which is the place that Kunjet describes above as 'cliquish.' It *is* slightly more moneyed than some of the other areas, and guys will stand around in groups of friends as usual, but if you are not overly in a hurry and are willing to spend a few nights figuring out how a particular club works (and you are vaguely dressed right, in the right age range, etc.) you will make contacts. It's a pretty late area, too, though the conundrum is that the later you go the harder it will be to find space within.

I'm not surprised that many of your student friends simply avoid 'the scenes'- it's not for everyone, and the nicer, more serious Thais have better ways to entertain themselves with their friends.

[matt268]

I've heard there's a number of gay venues in the Ramkamheng area. I haven't been there, but have some younger friends who enjoy the area. Where are you going to school?

Ramkhumheang soi 89/1 just behind the restaurants on the main road... great buzz but safety issue as NO real exits.. remember ID cards... plenty of local gay Thai's there and just wanting a good night out.... a total opposite to silom road scene... enjoy a great night out.... PS try to speak Thai !!!!

[Miserere]

Many of the loos in the shopping malls are 'busy'...just wear your white crop top and tight denim shorts, your sure to meet many friends!

[lumphinibaby]

Guys, you have been great. I rarely use web forums for information but I'm pretty pleased with these replies.

What do you mean "normal"?

Oh dear, I was waiting for this question. I guess I could have used a more delicate term but I think most people understand what I'm implying by the context. Also i did write it as 'normal'. I'm not here to make any judgements on anyone else's or. by extension. my own lifestyle.

[William_R]

The need for Thai language skills isn't nearly as important as some might think. When the bars are open everyone is there to have fun with the friends they came with. When the bars close and everyone dumps out onto the street is when they all make their moves. Just hang out in the crowd for the next hour after things close and those that can speak English will come to you. At all times show no interest - don't cruise. Let them come to you and play slightly hard to get, but always very polite. In all likelihood those that approach you will only want to exchange phone numbers, and then make arrangements later for a meeting. Do not assume the first meeting has sex on the agenda, as it most likely will not.

[jdinasia]

William_R

Is this based upon experience? and if so then where?

[Ijustwannateach]

The need for Thai language skills isn't nearly as important as some might think. When the bars are open everyone is there to have fun with the friends they came with. When the bars close and everyone dumps out onto the street is when they all make their moves. Just hang out in the crowd for the next hour after things close and those that can speak English will come to you. At all times show no interest - don't cruise. Let them come to you and play slightly hard to get, but always very polite. In all likelihood those that approach you will only want to exchange phone numbers, and then make arrangements later for a meeting. Do not assume the first meeting has sex on the agenda, as it most likely will not.

I can see how this might work if you just wanted to meet the bolder English speakers. However, in OP's age group (and indeed in many age groups), I don't think language will be that much of a barrier if they really want to get to know him- they will use imagination and this thing called 'body language' (and he probably speaks a bit of Thai anyway).

[lumphinibaby]

The need for Thai language skills isn't nearly as important as some might think. When the bars are open everyone is there to have fun with the friends they came with. When the bars close and everyone dumps out onto the street is when they all make their moves. Just hang out in the crowd for the next hour after things close and those that can speak English will come to you. At all times show no interest - don't cruise. Let them come to you and play slightly hard to get, but always very polite. In all likelihood those that approach you will only want to exchange phone numbers, and then make arrangements later for a meeting. Do not assume the first meeting has sex on the agenda, as it most likely will not.

Thank you for your reply. What you say reminds me of my visits to gay clubs in Bangkok when I was 18. Sadly I'll be a little older this time around but I hope the same principles apply. Regards.