Chiang Mai Gay Go-Go and Host bars

The Commercial Gay Scene in Chiang Mai

Thailand is well known for it’s highly visible commercial sex scene, gay and straight, with many foreigners visiting primarily as sex tourists. It is difficult to provide a full description of gay life in Thailand without mentioning the commercial side of the business. Particularly in the case of older foreigners dating younger Thais, the distinction between relationship and prostitution becomes quite blurred. This overlap continues into the gay scene too. The following article is provided for information only and, whilst the existence of a commercial scene is acknowledged, that does not imply any endorsement of it. It is not our intention to either condemn or condone any particular lifestyle choices

COVID Pandemic update. Many of the venues listed maybe temporarily closed or operating limited hours

Although Chiang Mai is Thailand’s second biggest city, compared with Bangkok or even Pattaya the commercial gay scene (AKA gay for pay) is quite small. There are three Go-Go bars, perhaps better described as host bars with shows and a few beer bars with hosts available. Some freelance and some working for the bar (and for whom an “Off Fee” is payable if you wish them to leave the bar during working hours).

The other part of Chiang Mai’s commercial scene are the numerous gay or M2M massage parlours spread across the city offering the euphemistic “massage for men by men” or “rub and tug” as the service is sometimes referred to. You can find details of Chiang Mai’s gay massage places here.

Chiang Mai also has plenty of places where gay people go that aren’t generally in the gay for pay category and where you won’t find hosts and hustlers. You can find details of these places on our bars and restaurants page

To make it easy to find the venues listed go to our Downloads Page to download the Radchada Café quick reference list of gay venues with addresses and directions in Thai, which you can show to your driver. Or you can use our Gay Guide Map.

Gay Go-Go with shows and Host Bars – Chang Puak:

All of the Chaing Mai’s gay male Go-Go bars are located close together in the Chang Puek area. They all have shows including handsome and sexy naked guys in a variety of acts and most also have ladyboy drag acts too. The shows last from one to two hours and are the focus of the evening’s entertainment. There is no cover charge but drinks are significantly more expensive than in regular bars. Chiang Mai Go-Gos are perhaps more Thai orientated and discreet than in Bangkok and Pattaya but foreigners are still very welcome.

Night Bazaar – Host Bars

At some of the beer bars at the Night Bazaar you may find hosts are available or there are freelancers there, though none are specifically host bars. (See advice below)

Gay host bars in Chang Puek Area area of Chiang Mai:

As well as go-go bars there are some host bars in the Chang Puek district of Chiang Mai. Some of these are also Karaoke bars so you will find them listed here too.

Historical Note – Gay Bars in Chiang Mai Night Bazzar Area :

The Night Bazzar area was Chiang Mai’s main tourist location. A few years ago it was also a popular part of the Chiang Mai gay scene with more than fifteen bars there. Some of these bars were notorious for underage boys and western pedophiles. The last of the original bars in this area closed in 2014. Read the full history article here or articles about the old the area, known locally as Sleaze Alley

Since 2015 a new range of bars have grown up along Charoen Soi 6 and nearby. These are listed in our guide page on gay Bars Pubs and restaurants in Chiang Mai These bars are generally social meeting places for gay ex-pats and foreign visitors. This is Thailand and you may still encounter some free lance hustlers around the area, and a couple of bars may have a few host boys. However, it is not the sleazy scene of fifteen or so years ago.

Some Important advice and information

Please remember:

It is a crime to have sex with someone under 18 in Thailand

upon returning home child sex offenders can be prosecuted under extraterritorial laws

Freelancers AT YOUR OWN RISK – Picking up freelancers or street boys (e.g. around Thapae Gate, the Night Bazaar Area or by the river) might be cheaper than going to a go-go bar or Karaoke but you have no recourse if things go wrong and you may be exploiting or abusing children. These guys are mainly from hill tribes, or Burma and often have no ID. Although there are no guarantees, at least in the Go-Go and Karaoke bars the owners should know who works for them, have registered them with the police and have copies of their IDs and work permits. To work in a bar in Thailand you must be at least twenty years old.

You should also remember that, although these men may be attractive and have a friendly smile, very few are gay. Many are doing what they do because they have few choices and options in life and they maybe just homeless street kids. Please understand their situation, show them respect and don’t try to force them to do anything against their will.

Whilst some may have moral objections to it, prostitution is a part of life in Thailand which we neither condone nor condemn. However, we, along with most respectable gay organisations do not and will not support the exploitation of children or those forced to work in the business. Our views on the sexual abuse of children are set out here

Gang fights, problems with drugs and assaults on foreigners have been reported from time to time so please use caution and common sense. Be aware that drug abuse is sadly still rampant in Northern Thailand and penalties for involvement in drugs are severe. For your own safety, stay away from drugs and boys who use them. There have also been cases of drugs used in date rape attacks and to rob foreigners. You can read other warnings here

Please be aware that prostitution is illegal in Thailand in accordance with the Prevention and Suppression of Prostitution Act, B.E. 2539 (1996) This article is for information purposes only, it is not an incitement to commit illegal acts and readers are responsible for their own actions. Please refer to the terms and conditions of use for this website. Please also note that, in Thailand, the penalties for foreigners having sex with someone under the age of eighteen are severe.

Chiang Mai Gay Bars that have closed Down:

• Chiang Mai 19
• Coffee Boy
• Doi Boi
• New My Way
• Power Boys