Once marginalized, Bangkoks LGBTQ+ culture now flourishes in the spotlight.

Matt Hunt/Neato/Alamy

There may be no country in Asia friendlier to LGBTQ people than Thailand.

These days, transgender actors and business leaders are celebrated.

Two people outside of a club in Bangkok

Artists SILVY and Mint at the anniversary celebration of Fake Club, a nightclub in Bangkok.Credit:Matt Hunt/Neato/Alamy

It seems clear that BangkoksLGBTQ sceneis not the tawdry affair it used to be.

In 2022, my husband and I were holed up at a friends beachfront villa on Koh Samui.

We decided we may as well extend our stay.

Two people hold hands and rainbow flags in Bangkok, Thailand

A couple holds hands, and flags that read “Marriage equality, love wins,” after the passage of the marriage equality bill in Thailand.Chalinee Thirasupa/Reuters/Redux

So we went to Bangkok and checked in to the Siam.

Their underwear was way more vibrant.