Bangkok has one of the best gay sauna scenes in Asia. The combination of low prices, high quality facilities, and a culture that does not treat the sauna format as inherently shameful makes it a standout destination for this. Venues range from basic but clean bathhouses to the full resort experience that Babylon represents.

Babylon Bangkok

Babylon is the one that most people have heard of before they arrive, and it earns its reputation. It is not a typical small-room sauna. The complex includes an outdoor pool, a gym, dry sauna rooms, steam rooms, a lounge area, and a cafe. You can also book hotel rooms in the complex and stay overnight. Entry fees are low by any Western standard — around 300-400 baht for a full session. Many people spend a full afternoon or evening there rather than treating it as a quick visit.

Babylon is in Sathorn, not Silom, which means a short Grab ride from the bar area. Factor that in if you are planning your evening.

Other venues

Several other saunas operate in the Silom and surrounding areas. Facilities vary but most include a basic steam room, showers, lockers or private rooms, and some common cruising areas. Prices across the board are very low by European or American standards. A locker entry at most venues runs 150-250 baht, a private room somewhat more.

Most venues are open throughout the week and see reasonable traffic on weekday afternoons as well as weekend evenings.

The saunas

    • Baan Tewa — Tucked away in a town house not far from Chongnonsi BTS station, Baan Tewa offers beauty treatments as well as “massage for men by men”.
    • Babylon Sauna — Best Sauna in Bangkok, facilities include bar, cafe, restaurant, internet access, swimming pool, steam room, massage, sauna, sun terrace, maze, jacuzzi / hot pool, relaxing cabins, dark room, gym, spa
    • Banana Men's Fitness Club — Has gym, steam, cafe, small "no hands" restaurant and of course massage - also does out calls for massage.
    • Bangkok Massage — Located upstairs next to X-Boys, large massage venue, good selection of masseurs, many types of massage and scrub, nice rooms (but no shower in room).
    • BBB Massage — In the same premises as BBB Inn, just round the corner from the go-go action of Soi Pratuchai, this is a massage service specialising in hot oil treatments and offering a fair selection of guys.
    • Beach — Actually in a small sub-soi off to the right on Soi Panichanan, but well signposted. Nicely done in a converted house with bar, small restaurant (mainly Thai food) and gym downstairs and cabins and video rooms upstairs. Outside is a nice pool area with deckchairs and a sauna and steam. Mostly Thai crowd, few western visitors.
    • Bonny Massage — Located above Dick's Cafe in Soi Pratuchai, have nice massage rooms (no shower in room) and good selection of cute massage guys, emphasis is supposed to be more on the massage and they offer thai massage from 250 Baht, oil, cream and body scrub from 500 Baht.
    • Chakran Sauna — Chakran offers a pool, jacuzzi, gym, steam room, dry sauna, dark room, private cabins, café bar & restaurant, massage service and rooftop onsen. Its customers are mostly Thai, Asian and some Westerners. There are foam parties, naked nights and themed events. Nearest station is BTS skytrain.
    • Chakran Sauna — Chakran is a multi-story, upscale sauna with many features: a pool, jacuzzi, gym, steam room, dry sauna, dark room, private cabins, café bar & restaurant, and massage service at the adjacent V Club. Its rooftop onsen, "Ikuze," is the first men-only one in town and is popular with Thai, Asian, and Western customers. Chakran offers night and weekend foam parties, naked nights, and themed events. The OG Gathering is a favorite, and the entry includes one drink.
    • Dejavu — Mostly Thai clients. Dejavu gets particularly busy on the weekend when there is a themed party (Orgy Zone, Mask Party, etc).
    • Farose — Popular with locals, few western visitors. Fairly basic decor, has a sauna, steam, spa, rooftop area and music bar
    • Farose 2 — Foreigners haven’t always reported a friendly welcome at this large and busy venue, but intrepid visitors might like to take a punt in view of the reputedly hot action
    • Farose II Sauna — claims to be the largest in Southeast Asia Farose II features a jacuzzi, dry sauna, swimming pool, gym, dark room, private cabins, karaoke, dancing room, restaurant, free beverages. Mostly frequent by Thai guys but you can spot a few Foreigners
    • [venue:farose-sauna-–-saphan-kwai-2589] — Frequented by young Thai clients, a few mature guys and very few foreigners.
    • Fundoshi — This Japanese-flavoured venue is open daily from 3:00 PM to 3:00 AM, providing two- and four-handed massages in smart, clean rooms, starting at 650 Baht for one and a half hours, with a minimum tip of 1,000 Baht.

Practical notes

Bring ID if you look young. Towels are included at most venues. Condoms are available at all serious venues either free or for a small cost. Lockers are typically included in the entry price.

Bangkok saunas are consistently cheaper than comparable facilities in Europe, Japan, or Australia. Budget around 200-400 baht depending on the venue and what you want.

For the broader Bangkok picture, see the Gay Bangkok Guide.