And you're "looking somewhere else than Pattaya" decision is based on a post from MickP??
HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa
OK, pardon me, wiped my tears. I almost fell down.
Never been to Thailand? Go to all those towns you mentioned in your own opening post. You can't go wrong anyway as the three places have very large gay scene ... by far more than any other place in Thailand. And ... each place is somewhat different than the other, at least a little.
Visiting them all will help you on a second trip (if there is one) and will whittle down your favourites.
Very good hint from Goji: book accommodation well in advance, especially over the periods Christmas thru New Years.
(S'cuse me, I have to go laugh again. Bigly! MickP?? hahahahahahahaha)