Traveling can be an incredibly rewarding and memorable experience. With so many beautiful places in the world with vibrant cultures, amazing landscapes and delicious cuisine, it can be a difficult task to decide where to travel next. The LGBTQ+ community faces an even bigger challenge as LGBTQ+ acceptance, laws and protections vary widely around the globe. This set of travel guides was designed to provide you with a brief overview of each country, including some of the most popular destinations and attractions. You’ll learn about the best times to visit, events and tours available, and up-to-date insights on LGBTQ+ laws and protections in each country.
Thailand is a popular destination in Asia for LGBTQ+ travelers. The Thais are extremely welcoming people and have been embracing LGBTQ+ tourists for decades. Thailand is frequently referred to as The Land of Smiles, and for good reason. Most involved with the tourism industry in Thailand speak English, so language barriers will rarely be a problem here. The capital city, Bangkok is very modern, and a transport hub for destinations in Asia. Chiang Mai to the north is the country’s second-biggest city. It is located in the mountains and famous for its temples and outdoor adventure. The Thai islands are popular beach destinations, particularly Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Tao and Koh Phi Phi.
Although Thailand is not as LGBTQ+-friendly as North America and Western Europe by comparison, by Asian standards, it is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly countries on the continent. Thailand is one of the few countries in Asia that is reviewing passing civil partnership legislation. In addition, anti-discrimination laws have been in place in Thailand since 2015 and it offers some of the best protections for the transgender community in Asia.
Nonetheless, as with most places in Asia, Thai society is conservative. Outward displays of affection are generally uncommon by both straight and same-sex couples. For example, when greeting someone for the first time, the Thais do not hug or kiss and rarely shake hands. Instead they traditionally put their palms together in a lotus bud by the chest and bow the head. LGBTQ+ travelers to Thailand are unlikely to ever encounter homophobia during their holiday. It is a destination that is sure to captivate you so that you will no doubt be planning your next trip back to the Land of Smiles as soon as you’ve departed.
Why Visit & When to Go?
Thailand offers the perfect holiday. Bangkok is the largest transport hub with a terrific LGBTQ+ scene, Chiang Mai in the north is a great base to get a more cultural insight into the temples and enjoy some outdoor fun in the mountains and finally, the islands in the south offer the ideal beach holiday.
Thailand is tropical and hot throughout the year. It has three seasons: hot, cold and rainy. The cold season is from November to February, when temperatures are on average a comfortable mid 20s Celsius (77 F). This is Thailand’s peak season, especially around Christmas, New Year’s and the Chinese New Year in February. The hot season is from March to June, with average temperatures around 30-35 degrees Celsius (86-95 F). This may be too hot for some, so Thailand is less busy during this shoulder season.
The rainy season varies slightly depending on which coast you are visiting, but generally starts around June and continues to late October. During this time, it does not rain constantly, but almost every day there are periods of intense rain lasting for no more than a few hours. This is Thailand’s low season with some islands shutting down completely and boat services limited during stormy weather.
