Asian men will be friendly, as they very much want to meet the western man. They know a bit of English, so that they can communicate with you. And it may extend past the hotel room. You will find gay friends and nightclubs readily available to welcome you.

And it is good news if you are over 35. Thai people are not obsessed with the young. And middle aged gay people, and even seniors, will be able to find others their age, or with an interest in you, or both. You need only to ask around to find out about the local gay nightclubs.

Many gay establishments were commercial, such as bars, saunas, and go-go clubs, until recently. Now the bigger cities have non-commercial discos, coffee houses, and bars. And for the truly enjoyable gay experience, visit a local go-go boy bar.

Although the gay community is obvious, kissing and hugging in public is looked down upon. A public show of affection in any way is inappropriate to the Thai people, and it is the same for gays as it is for straight people. If you do see two Thai men arm in arm, they are just friends and are not displaying any other type of affection.

Modesty is also an important trait of the Thai people. They will even cover themselves while changing clothing. This may even extend to the hotel room. It is best to talk about your special interests beforehand.

A lot of bars and night spots have drag shows that star what the Thai people call ladyboys. They are very popular, but usually cater to a straight crowd. In bars where you might find a man to take home for the night, this is a relatively safe practice, as the bars know whom they are hiring.

There are many other cultural differences that you should be aware of. One would be the fact that you are considered the social superior. That may sound strange to us, but the Thai people do consider the western man to be the social superior. Therefore, you will be accepting the check and paying for everything. It is understood and expected. You will be more respected if you dress the part. Leave the shorts and tank tops at the beach, and dress for the occasion. Long, pressed pants and a neatly tailored dress shirt will gain respect. A lot of compliments on your part will be a good thing. Criticism is not taken well, even constructive criticism. So, refrain from doing that. You may find that your new boyfriend wants to share your clothing, and even your toothbrush. Be patient, and be generous. There are just a lot of differences in the cultures. You may find his footprints on the toilet seat. You will just have to look the other way on that one. Once you begin to understand the differences and practices of the Thai people, you should have a marvelous time on your gay tours to Thailand.

The author of this about Thailand essay is Howie Holben. Howie caretakes Spirit Journeys, a gay tours firm. Spirit Journeys provides spiritual gay vacations throughout the world.