Karon gay bar

Karon Beach, by Peregrine Thailand's largest island is like an emerald in the Andaman Sea. For many years Phuket was on a major trading route between India and China, used by ships from Portugal, France, England and the Netherlands. Today Patong, its busiest town, again attracts an international crowd, tourists this time, the island's greatest source of wealth.

Tolerant sexual attitudes, fine weather, many beaches and plenty of nightlife bring high proportions of gay travellers among visitors arriving here. Outside the nightclubs the secret hideaways such as Kalim Beach beckon too. There you might share with locals a feast of seafood and barbecued meats. For more tranquility, try the even more secluded Karon and Kata beaches.

Phuket Gay Guide

Plenty of festivals keep things busy. The whole country observes religious and family rituals, but dousing people, especially foreigners, with water is the best-known tradition. The annual Phuket Pride takes place in April, with six days of celebrations, including parade, festival, stage entertainment, games, pool and beach parties, drag shows, and dances.

There are buses into Phuket Town, but not to Patong on the west coast. If you plan to rent a car have karon valid international license, and remember Thais drive on the left-hand side of the road, like Brits and Ozzies. Most places are walkable, and local buses are cheap and cheerful. Taxis should be inexpensive, although travelers report being overcharged at times.

Your hotel bar generally help you get around, one way or another. Rent a car if you want to explore the island's sights, including cave temples, forest pools, hot springs, waterfalls, and out-of-the-way beaches. Much of Patong becomes one big nightclub after dark, buzzing with the energy of the bars and dancing in the streets, as well as atop the bars.

Most gay action is to be found around Paradise Complex, with a score of gay bars and clubs, several gay guesthouses, cafes, coffeehouses and other services. From there the streets of Paradise Complex are wall-to-wall gay establishments all the way to the Royal Paradise Hotel. The girl bar district is mostly around Bangla Road, off Rai-U-Thit to the south, running back towards the beach.

The local currency in gay Thai karon. Each baht is divided into satang - however with exchange rates of about 3 cents to 1 baht you're unlikely to give satangs gay thought. Notify your local bank of travel plans to be sure your credit card transactions work smoothly, and see if your bank has Thai partner banks to save on ATM withdrawal fees.

In case of a lost wallet, keep hour international phone numbers for your bank handy, and account information in a safe place. Make a report at the tourist police office bar soon as possible - you may need the paper for your bank. If a passport has gone missing, you'll need the paperwork for sure.

Sex work is technically illegal, but widely tolerated so long as both people are 18 or older. Most Thai men in the tourist clubs are working.