The rumours have been going around for a while now about a new Gay English Language magazine for Thailand. Anyway, it appears they are rumours no more according to this website: Out in Thailand is a new magazine being published from 2 January 2011
Apparently the new editor of this Thai owned magazine, is a former editor of the now defunct Spice magazine, and a resident of Chiang Mai. We wish them well and look forward to the first edition.
That time of year again and the Loy Kratong festival has arrived in Chiang Mai. Known locally as Yi Peng, the festival falls on the full moon in November which is the 21st November. But is true Thai party tradition a bit of exaggeration comes into play and the full party runs from 19-22 November.
For those who don’t know the main points of the festival are:
1. Release of Kratongs, or small banana leaf floats with a candle, into rivers an waterways. As the Kratong floats away it takes with it your bad luck for the year and appeases the god of water.
2. Especially in Chiang Mai, the release of Khom Loy or fire lanterns which are mini hot air balloons with a glowing flame that can be seen for miles as they float skyward.
3. The Loy Kratong parades. Carnival floats or big Kratongs parade through the city on their way to the river which is the centre o celebrations and release of Kratongs.
As with Songkran party madness has taken over this festival, and it is now also a big excuse for the unrestrained launching and throwing of fireworks well into the night. The high spot of the festival is the celebrations at Narawat bridge (end of Thapae road) which at times resembles a war zone.
For more information on the various parades and events you can download the schedule from the Chiang Mai Municipality website
Click above to download schedule (Excel file in English and Thai)
For the gay tourist the best part of Loy Kratong is the parades with many of the student or university entrants comprising scantily clad young men marching in traditional pants or sarongs. However, you may find some of the GO-GO venues a little disappointing. There will be plenty of Thai customers visiting Chiang Mai for the festival and out to have fun so the bars may be full, later in the evening, but many of the hosts who work there like to get out and party too so it may be an underwhelming experience.
Enjoy but stay safe. Remember a lot of alcohol flows during the festival and many who have consumed too much can be found riding cars or motorcycles and throwing fireworks. Not the safest of combinations!
Last night brought some really good news for the Bon Tong Boys. Our old favourite hang out in Santitham Plaza has re-opened! Formerly Fit bar, the owner Mr Ting has re-opened with a complete revamp and a new name LaLa! Located right in the centre of the Santitham Plaza bar soi, LaLa now boasts a long indoor bar you can sit at, as well as outdoor seating areas where you can watch the boys go by. Drinks are at local prices and food is also available.
Santitham plaza is a large modern condominium projected located in the centre of Santitham. In the middle is a row of bars that are very popular with Santitham’s large student population many are packed every night. The venue also has a large barbecue restaurant (moo kataa), other restaurants, a large swimming pool, fitness centre, massage and karaoke bars. Ample parking is also provided.
Trivia: Khun A, former owner of Cruise Bar at the night bazzar and known to many of our readers also has a large bar in Santitham Plaza, unfortunately catering for the straight crowd, but you never know 
Or in this case the Fang Lagoon Homestay. We’ve heard a lot about this place and a couple of friends of Radchada have stayed there and report good things. Frank liked it so much he’s a repeat visitor. Visit asiancoop.com for a full report.
Whilst not strictly in Chiang Mai we though this place was of sufficient interest to visitors to warrant a mention. Fang Lagoon Homestay is situated in the countryside near the town of Fang in Chiang Mai province. About 150 Kms north of Chiang Mai the trip is worth it just for the scenery as the road winds up through the mountains before passing Chiang Dao and onto Fang making it quite a drive. here are a couple of photos from asiancoop.com to whet your appetite:
You can see more pictures and read more at
asiancoop.com – Fang Lagoon Home Stay Revisited
The deal is you get to stay in a rustic local wooden style house, and have an escort pamper you and cater to your every need. They do a range of packages which include food, accommodation, massage treatments and your escort. During the day they can take you to other places of interest around their such as Doi Angkang or Doi Mae Salong. Fang also has a couple of gay bars or why not make a side trip to Wiang Heng up near the border with Burma, and home of many of the Bon Tong boys!
For more information call the boss, Khun May on +66 80 125 2509 or this website also has some details and prices Fang Lagoon Home Stay for Men
The last week has seen Chiang Mai’s oldest Wine Bar, Darling move to it’s new location, still on Huay Kaew Rd, but, closer to the centre of town. It’s new location is inside SoupaSteak restaurant giving two complimentary gay venues under one roof.
Brian, SuperSteak’s proprietor and well know local businessman said of the move, “this will allow us to provide an excellent range of wines to compliment our food offerings and extend our services to a wider range of customers”. He went on, “Darling has been around for a long time and it will be great to attract so many long-standing Gay customers to our new location”. “We are sure they will not be disappointed!”.
Brian, a veteran catering professional who has worked in some of the worlds top hotels, previously owned the “Mikes Burger” in Chiang Mai as well as a successful restaurant in Pattaya. He opened SoupaSteak in June 2010 together with his long term partner Pong, who is the resident chef. SoupaSteak offers a range of western food options such as steaks and other offerings from the grill, home made soups and a Thai menu. Prices are kept deliberately low so its an affordable place for Chiang Mai’s ex pat community to frequent regularly.
SoupaSteak new home to Darling Wine Bar
Darling’s speciality is the extensive range of quality independently sourced wines. These are not available in any other wine bar in Chiang Mai. In addition they offer a wide selection of Thai and imported beers, innovative cocktails and spirits. Darling’s knowledgeable staff will continue to run the bar and extend Darling’s well known service to the new location.
Staff of Darling Wine Bar at SoupaSteak.
Yes, that refreshing breeze which is the portent of cool season arrived with Halloween. Whilst, parts of Thailand is still experiencing serious flooding, and hurricanes are rampaging around the Caribbean, November has seen the season break in Chiang Mai. After some late rains in October, the high pressure from China has finally pushed the clouds away and lowered temperatures with a gentle wind to add to the comfort factor.
Over the last week we’ve seen clear blue skies with average daytime temperatures around 27 Degrees C falling to an average of 16 at night. The coolest was 15 degrees which has seen Thais reaching for the puffa jackets and the traditional greeting changing from “Gin Kaau ru yaang?” to “Ngaao Mai?”
Many business owners in Chiang Mai are desperately hoping that the changing weather will also bring about a change in their fortunes after one of the worst low seasons in recent memory. With the political upheaval still going on in Thailand, and the worlds economic woes effecting people’s vacation plans, coupled with the ever strengthening Baht, has lead many to worry there may not be much of a high season this year.
If you are still planning a winter vacation don’t be put off. November through February is wonderful in Chiang Mai and now is the time to strike some real bargains for accommodation. Even luxury five star hotels are offering great deals that are hard to resist.
For the latest Chiang Mai weather:
Welcome to the Radchada Cafe's website about Gay Chiang Mai. Here you will find all the latest news about gay life in Chiang Mai and a full guide to all the latest venues including interactive maps.
Click on the navigation tabs at the top of every page to access our Gay Guide to Chiang Mai.
Radchada Cafe is a non-commercial website written by gay people for the benefit of the gay community. If you like the site or have any suggestions please leave a comment to let us know.
If you run a gay venue in Chiang Mai, please let us know about any special events or new things you have going on. Coverage here is free!
Thank you for visiting.
K. Note and the Bon Tong team
A boutique café located in a Lanna Style teak wood mansion hidden in a tranquil garden oasis in the Santitham area of Chiang Mai. Extremely gay friendly.
Enjoy breakfast, morning coffee, light lunch, Pasta dishes, Radchada’s speciality: thin crust Pizza, afternoon tea or early evening cocktails in a peaceful garden and soak up the ambiance of the Lanna Kingdom’s bygone era. For more information visitwww.radchada-cafe.com
If you are unfamiliar with Chiang Mai don't forget to download our Quick Reference Guide to all the Gay venues. A complete listing you can print on one page including addresses and directions in Thai for your taxi/TukTuk driver who can take you right to where the action is.
The best Gay Community Magazine in Thailand
The leading lifestyle magazine in gay Thailand
Gay News from Dragoncastle If you are wondering why many links and posts on this site relate to Burma and the Shan State the reason is simple. Many friends of Radchada Cafe come from the Shan State in South East Burma which borders Thailand, Laos and China.
Shan State is one of the most oppressed parts of Burma where atrocities committed by the Junta against the Shan people are widespread. As a result, many have fled to Thailand and try to survive here as refugees despite less than welcoming treatment by the Thai authorities. To find out more about the Shan, known as "Tai Yai" in Thai, visit some of the links above.
Probably 90% of the young men you will meet in Chiang Mai's host bars and other similar commercial gay venues come from the Shan State, as well as guys from other hill tribe minorities who are denied Thai citizenship. Although mainly straight, the Shan have had a significant effect on the gay farang scene in Chiang Mai, for this reason we try to inform our readers about the Shan people and their problems.
One organisation in Chiang Mai supporting the people of Burma is:
They run a number of operations in Chiang Mai, Mae Sot and Burma to help refugees providing welfare, support and education. Why not visit the best friend library in Chiang Mai on Nimanhemin Rd Soi 13.
The Best Friend depends entirely on voluntary contributions for all their work. You can support their projects with a monetary donation or by donating books, computers or school supplies.
Irawaddy – news from Burma 
