I recently discovered a little jewel in northern Bangkok called Saphan Kwai. The Saphan Kwai area is home to a dozen or so gay sex venues, consisting of saunas, host bars (many with karaoke), and one go-go bar.

Unlike Silom, Saphan Kwai isn’t known for catering to Farang. One boy, working in a Saphan Kwai host bar, told me only ten percent of his customers are Farang. You may read that these establishments are predominantly Thai-for-Thai, but that’s not exactly true. The host and go-go bars mostly attract tourists from Japan and Singapore. The next largest group is Thai, with Farangs a distant fourth.

From what I understand the weekends are busiest, because tourists from Japan and Singapore arrive on tour busses. That’s what I said…tour busses. Yah gotta love it!

In any case, Farang are welcome at Saphan Kwai establishments. I like this area, because it’s a refreshing departure from the western influenced tourism feel the Silom district gives off. In Saphan Kwai, all the guys have that Thai version of the boy next door look. It’s a subtle nuance, that’s difficult to describe, but after experiencing Silom you will notice the difference immediately.

Unless someone that has lived in Thailand for a while accompanies you, Saphan Kwai is probably not the best choice for someone new to Bangkok. Saphan Kwai might be a little frustrating until you get used to communicating with limited English speaking Thais. In Silom, you can always ask a westerner for assistance, an option that may not be available in Saphan Kwai.

Saphan Kwai is a stop on the BTS Sky Train; so accessing this area is very easy. Assuming you are going to walk from the BTS, use exits 1 or 3, and back track south to Pradiphat Road. Turn right on Pradiphat Road and it’s a short walk to the bars, mostly located on small side streets. If you are going to any of the places on the south side of Pradiphat Road, use the pedestrian cross over bridge located about a block after turning right on Pradiphat Road.

If you want to take a taxi from the BTS station, use exits 2 or 4. This way you can go south to Pradiphat Road without having to make a U turn in heavy traffic. Personally I don’t see any need for a taxi, as Soi 17 is about ten minutes walk from the BTS station.

See Dreded Ned’s map of the area.

I also found Dreded Ned’s listing of Saphan Kwai venues very helpful.

Before discovering Saphan Kwai, I had never been to any host bars. I’m not going to get into the details about host bars right now. I’ll write about them separately. I will say they are more expensive than picking a guy up on-line, but there is something to be said for the quality of experience host bars can offer.