BC Bar

[frodo77]

Can somebody please tell me what happened to BC Bar in Jomtien Complex. I knew both Bill and Chen, the owners. I live in Chiang Rai, so not in contact with them. Thanks.

[Gaybutton]

Someone else will have to tell you about BC bar. I don't know.

But you are the first board member I am aware of who lives in Chiang Rai. Can you tell us about any gay scene there, along with any other information about Chiang Rai you would like to share with us?

[frodo77]

I met my bf, who is from Chiang Rai, in 1999. I had a condo in Pratamnak, Jomtien. I was still working in Canada and visiting Thailand for 2 to 3 months at a time each year. When we visited Chiang Rai, from what I remember, the bar scene was very quiet and limited and only 3 to 4 bars. I am now retired and residing in Thailand since 2012. We moved to Chiang Rai 7 years ago and live in a modest 2 bedroom bungalow with our 2 cats in a farming community 26 kms south of the city. We do not visit the bars, so cannot say how they are at this time.

[Gaybutton]

We do not visit the bars, so cannot say how they are at this time.

Do you know if any gay bars exist at all and if so, how many?

I'm curious because when we talk about Thailand's gay scene, I don't recall Chiang Rai being mentioned. I visited Chiang Rai once about 15 years ago. I remember a grand total of one. It was a small place and when I went there were a couple aging lady boys in there and that was about it.

[Jun]

I visited BC bar about once, so do not know it well.
However, it was advertised for sale in 2023 and disappeared off the well maintained "Supertown Jomtien Complex" map in 2024, so I presume it has closed.
There are quite a few empty units in the middle of the complex & I only really take any notice of the ones I used to like (e.g. Divarium).
Hopefully someone else can add more detail.
https://www.facebook.com/bcbarjomtien/

As for Chiang Rai, recent google reviews suggest this one is still open: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NXye4mZBomFpXi1H9

[Gaybutton]

As for Chiang Rai, recent google reviews suggest this one is still open: https://maps.app.goo.gl/NXye4mZBomFpXi1H9

Looking at the photos, it's been such a long time I can't tell whether that's the same bar I had been to. I think it probably is not. It appears to be infinitely more lively than the bar I was in. Of course, I have no idea whether the bar I went to was Chiang Rai's only gay bar at the time. I don't remember the name of the bar, but if it was usually the way it was when I was there, my guess is it is probably long gone.

[Jun]

Getting back to the topic of BC Bar, I just realised what a good job the "Supertown Jomtien Complex" website & FB page have been doing of keeping their map up to date.
Plenty of people have done gay maps in the past, but few have kept their information as up to date as this one.
https://www.gaysupertown.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/gaysupertown

Incidentally, in January their map showed "Bavarian Boys (Opening Soon)" on what I believe was the BC bar site.
It's no longer on their latest map.
I saw the signs for "Bavarian Boys" last month, without noticing any signs of it being open.

Dragon Lounge has also closed. I won't miss that at all. In fact, on the last trip I walked past several times and didn't even notice it had closed until someone pointed it out !
I prefer the open fronted Jomtien bars, where you can easily watch any cute boys walking past.
Now if they closed up the front of the bar to conceal debauchery, that would be different.