The updated and expanded Utopia Guide to Thailand offers a comprehensive glimpse at the gay and lesbian scene in 23 cities including Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Samui, and Pattaya. Listings include organizations, bars, discos, accommodations, spas, restaurants, and more. A special section highlights venues that are especially welcoming for women. Enjoy savvy comments and recommendations from hundreds of local Utopians and gay travelers. Click here to order the collector's First Edition

CHIANG MAI -- area code (66-53)

Chiang Mai is many people's favorite city in Thailand. Ancient, lush, and generally cooler than the rest of the country, it has seen the rise and fall of mighty and influential civilizations. Within the moat-bound Old City, you can still escape down cobbled lanes and wander through quiet temple courtyards, past old teakwood houses, and into bustling markets offering goods from the Golden Triangle. The Ping River is the lifeblood of a city whose charming rural atmosphere stubbornly clings on despite misguided stabs at development in the last decade. Chiang Mai is Thailand's laid back "LA" to Bangkok's New York City hustle.

The population is approaching 200,000 (that's about 8,000 Utopians). Chiang Mai has a relaxed bit of gay nightlife, mostly commercial in nature, with some popular saunas where locals and visitors can meet and socialize.

• Chiang Mai Gay Scene Updates message board
• Lesbian listings
• Men in Chiang Mai message board
• Travel in Chiang Mai message board
• Gays and lesbians celebrate their unions with traditional bai sri soo khuan ceremonies in Chiang Mai.

• Long Yang Club Chiang Mai
  Email. LYC holds regular social events, including dining out, sports, charitable activities, entertainment and more. A great place to meet new friends whether you are single or a couple.
• Rainbow Sky Lanna
  Email. Local chapter of Thailand's first officially registered gay association, a private non-profit organization, working for public interests especially for the homosexual, bisexual and transgender community.

Asian Plus Travel 61/7 Muangsart Rd, Nong Hoi, 089-191-5169, 053-802-169, email. Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand travel agent providing personal, gay-friendly tour guides and offering unique travel experiences of Thai culture, nature, sightseeing and night tours. All with a professional attitude and great service. Utopia Member Discount

Comments from Utopians:

"The highlight of my trip to Thailand was the remarkable tours organized and conducted by Asia Plus Travel. Bird is a remarkable guide and he and his team bring the history and culture of the region alive. It is added bonus that they understand gay travelers and can offer wonderful insights about gay life as well. I was satisfied in every way and touched by the kindness and care of all involved." -- veniceCA, Apr 4, 2008

"I will be back for the third time with Asian Plus Travel. I have seen places and gone places that I never thought I could find and all thanks to their guide and driver. Well-timed tours, not rushed at all but full and good." -- tonyaj, Feb 18, 2007

• Bird Tour Guide
  081-883-1297, FAX 053-904-771, email. A freelance tour guide in Chiang Mai and northern Thailand for more than 8 years. Bird is gay and loves to meet people from everywhere around the world. Bird's English-speaking professional gay guides will share their local knowledge and experiences with visitors. Strictly a professional service, so please remain respectful. Licensed by the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Chiang Mai Professional Guide Association.

  Comments from Utopians:

  "I was traveling alone in Chaing Mai and decided to call Bird because of recommendations on this site. It was the best decision of my trip. He is a top-notch guide, having worked for some of the best high-end travel services before striking out on his own, so he knows his stuff. But, more importantly, he listened to what I was looking for and then gently persuaded me to try additional things that he thought I would appreciate. As a result I had a wonderful experience visiting Chiang Mai. I cannot recommend him highly enough." -- nytraveler, Nov 22, 2007

  "I will extoll the fantastic service provided by Bird of AsianPlusTravel in Chiang Mai. First class service with a smile day and night. Instead of being crammed into a van overflowing with screaming tourists, Bird provides the personal touch in a new and very clean air-con Honda with all the usual amenities. Bird's prices are lower than average yet his service is far above average. I have visit Thailand six times; three to CM, and I have never been treated by a tour operator with such grace and importance. For all of your travel needs, not just a day tour, contact Bird!" -- bushtraveler, May 13, 2007

  "Bird Tour Guide is highly recommended. He made a very good arrangment for us." -- hoang25d , May 1 ,2007

  "We were in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for the first time from Feb 22-Mar 1. Bird Tour Guide made perfect arrangements for us. We came back home full of good memories." -- kennix999, Mar 6, 2007

• Destination Lanna Chiang Mai
  125/6 Moo 8 Tonpao Sangamphaeng, 053-386-899, 081-595-9158. A gay and gay-friendly tour operator around Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand. They specialize in uniquely customized tours to suit your personality, interests and preferred lifestyle.
• Jade Northern Thai Tours
  24/12 Patan Rd, 089-854-1621, 053-872-121, FAX 053-872-121, email. They will help to organize your stay and will accompany you in the city of Chiang Mai and a. Customize your stay from the time you arrive until the time you depart. Gay-friendly. Utopia Member Discount

Click here for Chiang Mai hotels and accommodations.

Click here for Chiang Mai bars and clubs.

Click here for Chiang Mai discos.

Click here for Chiang Mai massage and spas for men.

• Antique House (Northern Thai specialties)
  71 Thanon Charoenprathet (next to the Diamond Hotel) 053-276-810. Open-air seating in a century-old teak mansion or in the lovely gardens. Local cuisine at moderate prices.
• Baiporn Restaurant (Thai and Italian)
  Soi 9 Moon Muang Rd, 081-882-7466, email. Gay-owned restaurant with an emphasis on quality Italian wine and cuisine, fresh coffee and juices. An excellent vegetarian selection and welcome ambience.
• Benelux (Belgian and international)
  125 Loi Kroa, 053-281277, email. Gay-owned restaurant near the night bazaar. Open nightly for lunch and dinner.
• The Gallery (Thai food)
  25-27 Charoenrat Rd (avenue running along the east side of the river), 053-248-601, 053-248-602. Lovely open-air dining along the Ping River. Gallery at the entrance offers a wide selection of unique arts and crafts (and some same-sex images, look carefully).
• Hong Tauw Inn (Thai food)
  95/17-18 Nantawan Arcade, Nimanhaemin Rd, 053-218-333. Opposite the Amari Rincome Hotel and located in a wonder shopping area with some of Chiang Mai's most contemporary boutiques (see Gong Dee Gallery below). This restaurant is known for "good Thai taste" according to locals, and indeed their pahd thai noodles are perfectly yummy.
• Lamdoun Kaosoy
  352/22 Thanon Jaroen-rat, (drive north along Thanon Charoenrat on the east side of the river, the road becomes Jaroen-rat), 053-243-519, 053-306-076. Don't miss lunch here! They are masters of the Northern Thai specialty, khaosoy, a non-spicy, curry dish of soft and crispy noodles with the meat of your choice. Side dishes include sticks of marinated satay and coconut waffles. Unbelievably cheap.
• The Pub Chiang Mai
  189 Huay Kaew Rd, 053-211-550, email. An 'olde worlde' English pub in the true tradition and also gay friendly. Great selection of food and drinks including Roast Dinners on Sun. There is also an outside area where you can sit and enjoy the tranquility of a tropical garden. They also have bungalows for those wishing to linger a while.
• Queen Victoria Inn (international)
  252/13-14 prapokklao Rd, 053-418-266, email. A gay and lesbian-friendly traditional English pub in the heart of Chiang Mai city, next to Khum Kaew palace. The bar is very traditional with John Smiths, Guinness, Heineken and Strongbow on draught. The customer area is set out with cozy booths. The menu includes a wide variety of hearty fare from good old fish and chips and pies to Mexican, Indian, Thai and Italian. Large plasma big screen TV. There is also a free pool table available. On Sun they offer a 3-course traditional roast with soup, beef, lamb, pork and chicken, potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables and dessert. It is a carvery style lunch and people are encouraged to eat as much as they can. Utopia Member Discount
• Tha-Nam Thai cuisine)
  43/3 Thanon Changklan (just south of the Mengrai Bridge). Lovely Lanna-style riverside dining with traditional music. Always busy with local Thai. They also maintain a guesthouse.
• West (western food)
  Nimmanhemin Soi 7, 080-122-7136, email. Gay-owned restaurant offering a western menu featuring pasta, pizza, hamburger, fish and chips, great salads and desserts and a good selection of vegetarian dishes from around the world. They have a full bar and a large weather-protected garden as well as an aircon interior. Hours are 11:30am-2:30pm and 5:30pm-10pm with the bar remaining open until they decide to close. Utopia Member Discount

Click here for Chiang Mai saunas for men.

• Art On
  150 Charoenraj Rd (the charming lane that runs along the east side of the Ping River). New location for this small shop, north Wat Gate on the grounds of the beautiful Baan Orapin heritage guesthouse. Featuring good quality, handmade ceramics by Chiang Mai artists. Nearby on this stretch of road, north and south of Wat Gate, are many other upscale arts and crafts shops in beautiful, teakwood heritage buildings.
• Classic Lanna Thai
  2/F Night Bazaar, Thanon Changklan. Traditional silks and antique fabrics made into modern designs. If you find a piece of fabric that you like they'll create a custom design for you.
• DNK International Co Ltd
  106 Moo 4 T. Ban Wan, Hang Dong, 053-441-357, 053-433-377, email. Interior design, manufacturer and worldwide exporter of furniture and home decorative items. Huge selection. Working for/with world famous designers in Europe and America. Gay-owned. Utopia Member Discount
• Gong Dee Gallery
  10/12 Nimanhaemin Rd Soi 1, 053-225-032, email. In the middle of a great colony of upscale contemporary arts, crafts and apparel boutiques. Large and beautifully appointed shop and gallery with a lovely café to boot. Fine art by local painters and gorgeous house ware, Thai greeting cards, and objet. Occasional musical recitals on the in-store piano!