BootsnAll Travel Community

Just a querie guys and gals about travel in SE Asia..
I'm looking to travel alone to a number of SE Asian countries - Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and would be keen to know which cities have the most vibrant gay scences? Also are there any gay hostels or hostels located in predominatley gay districts that would be worth staying at. I don't want to limit myself to staying in just gay-freidnly places, but once in a while it would nice to interact with like-minded people, you know.
Are there any bars which are popular with other gay travellers at all?
Also, is it illeagal or completely unaccepatble to be queer anywhere in SE Asia. I'm as straight acting as they come, so I'm not worried about being abused walking down the street or anything, but should I be wary of some places?
Thanks

Surely.. after 130 views.. someone has something to contribute?

I saw this article about Singapore that you might find interesting. Sorry, I've never heard of any gay hostels in Asia but would be surprised if there weren't any in Bangkok. Looking from the outside, a lot of what I saw of gay tourism in SE Asia was a bit on the creepy side, a lot of middle-aged guys with young local boys. That's just the sex-tourism side and it looks pretty similar to the straight version -- older guys from richer countries doing what they can't get away with at home...

I would highly recommend the website www.fridae.com


the article on Singapore's pretty accurate, but the club Taboo's closed down now. The law's pretty strict on locals who are gay, but tourists should be fine. Its all about the pink dollar....
I think a lot of it comes down to the religion of the coutnry you're in.
I would be wary of being open in religious/Muslim countries like Malaysia/Indonesia.
But countries that are predominantly Buddhist like Thailand would probably be more tolerant.

This is probably a late response considering you've probably left for your trip or just arrived, but anyway, Bangkok is definitely the gayest city in SE Asia. Thailand and the Philippines have relatively liberal views on homosexuality so you won't have problems there. There are some cool gay bars in Bangkok, Manila, and Singapore, but for some place else in SE Asia, I'm not so sure.

As for gay hostels or hostels in gay areas, I don't know. But, this may sound gross, some bathhouses have overnight rooms that can be used as accommodation (which I have NOT done in case people out there are wondering why I know this). I don't recommend this, but if you want to meet up with other fellow gay travelers, just pop by a gay bar. And if you're lucky enough, you might meet other gay travelers at the hostel.

I read that Chiang Mai and a pretty good gay scene.

I've never been a fan of gay run places, not sure why, other than the the towels in the hallways thing, which always put me off.

But I'm sure if you hang around enough gay bars you'll find like minded people.