Our Ultimate Guide to gCircuit 2018, Thailand’s Gayest Celebration at Songkran
Songkran is the traditional celebration for the Thai New Year, which starts on April 13 every year and lasts for three days. It’s also known as the “Water Festival” as people believe water will wash away bad luck. So make sure your phone is safe and pack extra clothes for the day in case you get soaked while exploring the city. But with that in mind, it’s easy to understand how the streets outside Silom — where all the gay bars are found — are packed with half-dressed, soaking wet men.
Bangkok is really crazy but a whole lot of wet-and-wild fun during Songkran. It’s also nice to get away from the chaos and relax at your hotel pool for a couple of hours. One of our favorite spots is the Bangkok Peninsula, where stars like Madonna have been known to helicopter onto the roof. On the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the Peninsula offers magnificent views of the cityscape, especially at sunrise when the pink sun climbs from behind the tall buildings.
Another gay favorite is the So Sofitel Bangkok. Popular with LGBT visitors for its proximity to the gay bars, you’ll pick from four themes (water, wood, earth and metal), each featuring ostentatious and over-the-top designs by Christian Lacroix. There’s also a rooftop lounge that offers not only a view of the beautiful Lumpini Park below but a view of eye candy sipping cocktails at the bar.
During Songkran, one of the largest gay circuit events in Bangkok takes place. Known as gCircuit, the three-day extravaganza includes rooftop pool soirées, a big foam celebration at the city’s popular gay sauna and large dance parties that rage all night and well into morning.
The festival attracts hot gay guys from all over Asia as well as Western tourists, so there’s always somebody hot to gawk at or pick up. And you’ll find locals and visitors alike on Hornet while you’re there. Hornet is also one of the official sponsors at gCircuit, so look for us while you’re there!
The following is our guide to the Songkran gCircuit Festival Party:
gCircuit 2018 kicks off with an opening party called “Zodiac” on Friday night at GMM Live House and Zen Event Hall, featuring DJs Binomio and SR EDU (back to back), Yinon Yahel, Louis T and Taki.
On Saturday, DJs Spectrum K and Javy headline the daytime bear pool party called “Big Oasis” from 1–7 p.m. at the Royal Orchid Sheraton. Then guests are invited to hop over to the main event, “Empire of the Sun,” at the GMM Live House and Zen Event Hall from 7 p.m. until late into the night. DJs Nacho Chapado and Ivan Gomez, Twisted Dee, Head and Chu will keep you dancing until dawn.
On the last day, Sunday, gCircuit closes out its three-day extravaganza with a daytime pool party called “Oasis,” which runs from 1-7 p.m. at the Royal Orchard Sheraton and features DJs Preeda Tony and Jay Santos. That’s followed by the official closing party “Latex” at the GMM from 7 p.m. until late, which features DJs Mauro Mozart and Renato Cecin (back to back), Enrry Senna, Spectrum K, and Sun J.
The Songkran gCircuit Festival Party 2018 is gonna be a blast!
All images and video courtesy of gCircuit.
