Lesbian & LGBTQ+ Travel in Phuket, Thailand (2024 Guide)

Phuket, Thailand, has a thriving gay scene centred around the Paradise Complex in Patong. Here, you’ll find small pedestrian streets packed with;

• Carbet entertainment venues
• Bars
• Clubs
• Restaurants
• Cafes
• Guest Houses
• Hair Salons

There are a few generic LGBTQ+ venues and lesbian bars around the Paradise Complex. However, you’ll find that the majority of the gay scene in Phuket caters to gay men.

Most LGBTQ+ people visiting Phuket will spend the day down on Patong Beach. Then, spend the evening at the Paradise Complex, where clubs stay open until 2 am.

My Experience as a Lesbian in Phuket, Thailand

I’m a masc presenting lesbian, and I have visited Phuket, Thailand, with my wife several times. Being lesbians, we don’t hang out at the Paradise Complex as the venues here are primarily gay men only.

Instead, we spend most of our time in cis bars, clubs and hotels in and around Phuket and have never experienced any form of discrimination when doing so.

Regarding hotels, we usually stay in Phuket Town, Patong, or at a resort. This includes staying in independently owned properties and major chain hotels.

When booking accommodation, we always book a double room and have never been questioned about the double bed or given twin beds instead. In fact, in all of our visits to Phuket, I have never experienced any form of homophobia or discrimination.

Gay Pride in Phuket

Phuket Pride was established in 1999. However, in 2018, the event committee took a year off to assess how they could be more inclusive.

The event did not return in 2019. Meanwhile, global circumstances prevented the event from occurring in 2020 and 2021. Sadly, as of today (Spring 2024), gay pride in Phuket has yet to return.