Thailand

Thailand is one of Asia’s most welcoming destinations for LGBTQI+ travellers and a long-time fixture on the global gay travel circuit. Same-sex activity has never been criminalised, and Thai culture has a deep-rooted tradition of gender diversity — kathoey (often translated as ‘ladyboy’) individuals have long been part of mainstream Thai society. Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai all have established LGBTQI+ scenes.

Thailand passed a Civil Partnership Bill and is on a path toward same-sex marriage recognition — as of 2024, marriage equality legislation was advancing through parliament. Legal protections against discrimination are limited compared to Western standards, and transgender legal recognition requires medical procedures. That said, day-to-day experience for LGBTQI+ visitors is overwhelmingly positive.