Gay / Lesbian

Chiang Rai is a small town without much of a gay scene. There are a few commercial bars around the Wangcome Hotel, but otherwise there aren't many places catering to gay visitors. Like all of Thailand, Chiang Rai is quite relaxed in its attitude towards same-sex relationships. It's a place to take someone special for a few days on your own.

Gay visitors may want to pay homage to the city's modern City Pillar shrine, a forest of 108 stone phalli at the top of Doi Tong in the northwest corner of town.

Resources for Gay Travelers

The resources listed on our main Gay/Lesbian page for Thailand provide information about and services in Chiang Rai. A few specific recommendations follow:

The North

The North Hotel is a small, family-and-friends-run hotel in the city center of Chiang Rai.