Partying in Thailand

Khao San Road: (Bangkok) - The backpacker enclave of Khao San Road in Bangkok has a party atmosphere day and night. It is essentially one main street of guesthouses, cafés, and bars lined with market stalls and dreadlocked travelers.

Nana Entertainment Plaza: (Bangkok) - Bangkok’s main red-light entertainment district is anchored by this multi-story party pavillion on Sukhumvit Soi 4. Its one of the best places in town to meet girls (or boys who look like girls) and have a good time, drinking, dancing, or playing connect-four.

Soi Cowboy: (Bangkok) - Slightly more laid back than Nana Plaza, Soi Cowboy is more of an expat hangout and a somewhat cheaper area to party with local girls. It is located between Sukhumvit sois 21 and 23, near to Asoke Skytrain station.

Patpong: (Bangkok) - Patpong is the oldest red-light area of Bangkok still in operation, with its strip joints and bars originally dating back to the 1970s. It’s located between Silom and Suriwong roads and is bursting with street vendors and bars, and offers one of the most popular night markets in the city.

RCA: (Bangkok) - Royal City Avenue is the place for Bangkok’s young party people to come shake their booties. The street just north of Ekkamai Boulevard features a number of giant clubs that can hold hundreds (thousands?!) of party people who come 7-nights a week, especially when international DJs come to spin at one of the more popular clubs.

Thong Lor: (Bangkok) - Tong Lor is the trendiest nightlife area in the city, drawing Bangkok’s rich and famous as well as professional expatriates, all of whom enjoy al fresco wine bars, popular dance clubs, and whatever else has opened in the past few weeks.

Full Moon Party: (Ko Phangan) - The biggest party in Thailand goes off once a month on Hat Rin Beach during each and every full moon night. Expect tens of thousands of people reveling to loud music along the strip of beach bars and on the beach itself, but be careful of any drug activity as penalties for drug use are harsh in Thailand.

Chaweng Beach: (Ko Samui) - Chaweng Beach is the main nightlife area on Ko Samui. It is one of beach bars and go-go bars, where just about anything goes. Weekly beach parties at Ark Bar and the all-night clubs on Soi Green Mango are best bets for those in need of some excitement.

Patong: (Phuket) - Patong Beach is Phuket’s main place to party, with its hundreds of bars and clubs of every ilk. There are beer bars, go-go bars, nightclubs, and live music venues galore. Soi Sansabai is the main drag.

Walking Street: (Pattaya) - The red light capital of Thailand comes with scores of streets featuring bars and restaurants and is a notorious hang out for those who like to party (and then often get in trouble with the Tourist Police). If you’re looking for action, Walking Street at the southern end of the resort is your best bet.

Loy Kroh Road: (Chiang Mai) - Chiang Mai’s Loy Kroh Road is nothing like the beer bar areas you’ll find in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket or Ko Samui, yet there is plenty of opportunity to party here. All types of bars and restaurants are found here, from girlie and sports bars to family-friendly cafés and restaurants. The popular Night Bazaar lies at the end of this street.

Soi Bintaban: (Hua Hin) - Hua Hin is a lovely, laid-back beach resort not far from Bangkok, and while not a party resort per se, there is plenty of opportunity to have fun. Soi Bintaban in the center of the resort town is where the main action is at, running from the Hilton Hotel away from the beach.