travel thailand
Food and shopping:Hallmarks of the city, they really are too numerous to mention. You can experi- ence anything from high-end dining to fervent street vendors peddling scorpions, crickets and other innumerable delicacies. Shopping is crazy-fun and there are hundreds of options to choose from. The night markets are something to behold and
Sukhumvit Road is a good place to do it, see it, be seen by it and buy it. That includes some things you’ll never forget—I know I’ll never look at a ping-pong ball quite the same way. Add to your list getting a custom-made suit, jsut ask your concierge for a recommendation. Added bonus: Once you do, you can order them freely and have them shipped!
Must Do: Eat out atEat Me. This adroitly-named, gay-owned restaurant was voted one of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants and is deservedly so. Delectable food and luscious beverages, a prodigious wine list and best of all a consummate, handsome, flirty staff. It should not be overlooked. (
eatmerestaurant.com)
Getting Your Gay On: Silom is considered the main gay area in Bangkok, with its Soi 2 and Soi 4 filled with bars, restaurants and clubs, just a short walk apart— Touristy for sure, but worth the stroll. Check out Surawong Road and Classic’s Wet and Wild Show featuring mermen and other aquatic- themed shows. Babylon sets a new standard for what a bath house is, this complex and I mean it when I say complex, has everything: A hotel, restaurant, bar, fitness center, spa and massage and as they say a “wild, sinful and lusty” sauna. They have a little something for everyone, fash- ion shows, foam, pool and rain parties, as well as drag shows galore…Intriguing, yes? Here’s a great resource for gay Bangkok:travelgayasia. com/destination/gay-thailand/gay-bangkok
Phi Phi Island After the craziness of Bangkok, it was time for
some fun...Of a more “natural wonder” kind of thing. An hour and 30-minute flight to Puhket and a two-hour ferry ride lands you on Phi Phi island, one of the most enchanting, picturesque places on earth. There’s a reason it’s been featured in so many films, from Leonardo DiCaprio’sThe Beachto James Bond’sGoldfinger. ThePhi Phi Island Village Beach Resort was
our destination and it’s reachable via water, only, via a long-tail boat, known as Ruea Hang Yao in Thai. One of the divinest resorts I’ve had the plea- sure of staying, it’s located at Loh Ba Gao Bay on Koh Phi Phi Don, within the Nopparattra National Park, Krabi. The resort offers 70 acres of swaying coconut palms, fragrant gardens and a half-mile strip of white sand beaches overlooking the aquamarine splendor of the temperate Andaman Sea. The hotel’s restaurants, service and charming Thai-style bungalows more than earn their 4.5-star rating. You literally have everything you could ever need or want right at your fingertips—if you don’t—they will make it happen for you. There are so many things to rave about during
our stay here. Another long-tail boat with a spirited captain, took us on a day trip toMonkey Beach (sadly sans monkeys), featuring steep hill views, jungle and an isolated, dreamlike sand beach, stunned my companions and I completely. Snorkeling followed inMaya Bay, it’s a shallow
bay completely surrounded by cliffs that make up the limestone atoll. It’s filled with abundant and stunning marine life and though it’s typically busy with tourists and you won’t be alone for sure, it’s well worth the patience needed when sharing the bounty. Highlight of the Stay: The resort has an option
for on the beach night dining, nestled under a picturesque bamboo pagoda. Silk curtains flowing gently in the breeze, waves gently lapping just feet away, coupled with good friends, wonderful four-star food and wine…Just heavenly. The alcohol-fueled romp through the nighttime ocean later, wasn’t bad either. But really,being here just lounging on the beach or at the oceanfront pools, was a complete privilege.
the phi phi island village beach resort The moral of the story: Visit Thailand, be amazed and revel in the secret that Aussies and Europeans have
enjoyed for many years. You’ll come away with the most satisfying, lasting memories you can possibly imagine. For many more photos of my visit to Thailand, check out
ragemonthly.com.
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RAGE monthly | JULY 2017
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