Pattaya, the most famous of all Thailand’s gay beach holiday resorts, is a great destination either in its own right or as part of a wider travels in Thailand. Just a two hour road transfers from Bangkok’s International Airport, this once small fishing village on a stunning bay has grown so much in the past 15 years that it has expanded southwards around the Royal Cliff headland and now encompasses Jomtien Beach in the next bay.

Collectively they offer two great gay centres and probably the nicest stretch of gay beach we know of anywhere in the world. The original BoyzTown in Pattaya City has over 40 gay bars and shows, several clubs, two saunas and many restaurants located in a few tightly packed streets just one block back from the beach. The Jomtien Complex – a 10 minute tuc-tuc ride away – is newer with a less frenetic atmosphere but still with a great selection of 25 gay businesses and some wonderful restaurants.

Jomtien Beach is both wider and the water cleaner that Pattaya Beach and the jet-ski and windsurfers are kept well off shore out of the way of swimmers in the warm sea. It is here that a section has been virtually taken over by the gay community. Deck chairs and sun parasols can be rented on a daily basis with manicures and beach Thai massages readily available from local vendors.

Pattaya and Jomtien offer a relaxed and casual location for a holiday. There is plenty to do and see both by day, including some world-class outlet shopping malls with VAT refundable, and by night.

Pattaya hotels have been  confirmed as welcoming to gay men and lesbians, either individually or as a couple. As is common throughout Thailand, if you invite a “joiner” back to your room, they will be required to deposit their ID card at reception for your and the hotel’s protection and a small “joiner’s fee” may be charged.