Chiang Rai visit

[Leonardo691]

I am heading to Chiang Rai in February for a week. Any suggestions for gay activities there. Are there any?

[Brad the Impala]

Found a very handsome and obliging local masseur on Gay Romeo.

One of my favourite places in Thailand is a restaurant by the river. Chivit Thamma Da. http://www.chivitthammada.com

[Oliver2]

There used to be a bar near the Wangcome Hotel, not far from the Night Market-IMHO the best in Thailand. I'm not sure if it still survives. We were in CR a year ago and saw no signs of a commercial scene. Maybe the sites are more active.

[BOY69]

As far as I know no commercial gay scene in Chiang Rai , I read somewhere that used to be few gay go go bars many years ago but they gone.

[llz]

There used to be a bar near the Wangcome Hotel, not far from the Night Market-IMHO the best in Thailand. I'm not sure if it still survives. We were in CR a year ago and saw no signs of a commercial scene. Maybe the sites are more active.

Regency Bar is the name of the bar and was still open one year ago.

[Mancs]

A google reviewer said there were no other customers at Regency Bar 2 weeks ago so it seems to be still open. I think it was the same bar I went to a few years ago. I was the only customer. It was a host bar with about 7 young men, two of whom started dancing on a mini stage when I went in. I was the centre of attention. I took off a very pleasant young man and had a good time.

[Oliver2]

As a foot-note to the above may I recommend some of the day-trips from Chaing Rai? Mae Salong, Chang Saen and the Golden Triangle and Mai Sai are our favourites.

[Manforallseasons]

If you are not planning to go outside of Chiangmai Rai a long weekend is enough.

[Mancs]

Not of gay interest, apart from handsome young men around, but the day shopping trip to Myanmar at Mae Sai is worth doing, especially if one has never been to Myanmar.

[frequent]

Not of gay interest ... but the day shopping trip ...I've always understood retail therapy to be an integral part of the "gay identity"

[Oliver2]

I agree with Mancs....I find border towns of any description fascinating. I like the bridge and observing the movement of people and goods. And Mae Sai has some interesting shops too.

[Captain Swing]

Not of gay interest, apart from handsome young men around, but the day shopping trip to Myanmar at Mae Sai is worth doing, especially if one has never been to Myanmar.

I hear there's a cave near Mae Sai that might provide an interesting adventure.

[AsDaRa]

And what about a fairy tale looking white temple not far from Chiang Rai?

[Oliver2]

Sorry....I can't stand it; kitsch! Thailand's Disney World. P loves it though and it's worth looking at, even if you have the same reaction as me.

[bkkguy]

I hear there's a cave near Mae Sai that might provide an interesting adventure.

more interesting when it rains I hear

[Andaman!]

Regency Bar is the name of the bar and was still open one year ago.

Still open - 5 guys in the bar and no other customers when I arrived and two more guys arrived later. 3 were playing cards and showed no interest in anything else. Of the others, three were too super-twinky and the fourth had a gorgeous tight manly body and was sooooo cute but was not available to be offed due to starting work at 0500 next morning. Lady behind the bar said off fee was THB 300 and tip for long time THB 1,000.

[BonTong]

Ah, the memories of Chiang Rai! Some year's ago we stopped by the old Lobos bar with a few friends (mixed Farang and Thai). It was a slow night; we bought plenty of whiskey and persuaded the Mamasan to lock the door. Once we got the handful of mountain boys who were there sufficiently "warmed up" they put on quite a show. A memorable evening. :)) :))

Last time I went to Regency it was about as described above.

[christianpfc]

Regency is the only gay bar in Thailand I haven't been to, until recently (Mon2dec2019). Still open 5 boys and no other customer during my stay. One boy I would take for free.

[sglad]

As a foot-note to the above may I recommend some of the day-trips from Chaing Rai? Mae Salong, Chang Saen and the Golden Triangle and Mai Sai are our favourites.

I second this especially if you're going during the cool season. Must bring boyfriend or that special someone for plenty of spooning under the blankets!

[sglad]

Not of gay interest, apart from handsome young men around, but the day shopping trip to Myanmar at Mae Sai is worth doing, especially if one has never been to Myanmar.

The Burmese town at the border is Tachilek, not Mae Sai. Mae Sai is on the Thai side.

Nothing interesting about either town unless you're interested in cheap trinklets and knock offs from China. I like the dried fruits (real fruits, not gay farang from Pattaya) but you can get them for the same price or less from Kaad Luang in Chiang Mai. If you're adventurous, you might want to try some of the Burmese snacks and fritters. There's one that's like deep fried tofu that comes with a rich coconut-based (?) dip which I really like.

Warning: Mae Sai and Tachilek get scorching hot during the summer months. I mean really hot.

[sglad]

Sorry....I can't stand it; kitsch! Thailand's Disney World. P loves it though and it's worth looking at, even if you have the same reaction as me.

Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple is definitely worth a visit. It is an art exhibit designed in the style of a Buddhist temple. And if you have the time, you might also want to check out Baan Dam or Black House which is another art exhibit/residence designed in the style of a temple by artist Thawan Duchanee.

[frequent]

The Burmese town at the border is Tachilek, not Mae Sai. Mae Sai is on the Thai side.

Nothing interesting about either town unless you're interested in cheap trinklets and knock offs from China. I like the dried fruits (real fruits, not gay farang from Pattaya) but you can get them for the same price or less from Kaad Luang in Chiang Mai. If you're adventurous, you might want to try some of the Burmese snacks and fritters. There's one that's like deep fried tofu that comes with a rich coconut-based (?) dip which I really like.

Warning: Mae Sai and Tachilek get scorching hot during the summer months. I mean really hot.I think we’re all in awe at the detailed knowledge shown by a 20-something Singaporean who once spent a couple of months in Thailand

[sglad]

I think we’re all in awe at the detailed knowledge shown by a 20-something Singaporean who once spent a couple of months in Thailand

The fact that I, who've spent a total of sixteen months in Thailand to-date , twelve of them in the north and mostly interacting with Thai people, am able to write with nuance and detail, capturing the sights, sounds and smells of the places that I've visited, should come as no surprise.

What is surprising is that you, who claim to have lived in Thailand for thirty years, can only offer a (typically) snide, irrelevant and inaccurate remark about shopping being a part of the gay identity in a thread about Chiang Rai, one of the most visited and culturally diverse provinces in Thailand. I guess you need to stick your head in every thread to remain "visible". So needy.

[frequent]

The fact that I, who've spent a total of sixteen months in Thailand to-date , twelve of them in the north and mostly interacting with Thai people, am able to write with nuance and detail, capturing the sights, sounds and smells of the places that I've visited, should come as no surprise.

What is surprising is that you, who claim to have lived in Thailand for thirty years, can only offer a (typically) snide, irrelevant and inaccurate remark about shopping being a part of the gay identity in a thread about Chiang Rai, one of the most visited and culturally diverse provinces in Thailand. I guess you need to stick your head in every thread to remain "visible". So needy.

https://youtu.be/wcPTdpDZFks

[Oliver2]

Anyone visiting Chiang Rai shouldn't miss the torturous but stunningly beautiful drive to Mai Sai, an ethnically-Chinese town with a fascinating history.

[dab69]

Wat Rong Khun or the White Temple is definitely worth a visit. It is an art exhibit designed in the style of a Buddhist temple. And if you have the time, you might also want to check out Baan Dam or Black House which is another art exhibit/residence designed in the style of a temple by artist Thawan Duchanee.



Black House/White Temple

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/black-temple

https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/black-house-chiang-rai-thailand/

https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/white-temple-chiang-rai-a-photo-essay/

[christianpfc]

Not just White Temple and Black House Museum, recently (2 years ago?), a blue temple in town opened, and the 9 tiered temple out of town got an additional Guan Im statue, the tallest in Thailand, completed.

(In town / out of town is important to people for me who prefer walking or public transport. The blue temple can be reached by walking, all others attractions mentioned in this post are too far to walk. White Temple and Black House Museum are on main road and easily accessed by public transport.)