Straight or gay -- the distinction isn't made in Thailand as it is in the U.S. In this largely Buddhist country, sex and sexuality come without the guilt and other baggage that accompany them here. Many men engage in sex with both men and women, without worrying about how to label themselves.

Thailand does have a gay culture, but much of it has been created by westerners. As a visitor, looking for nightlife, for gay sex, or for gay friends, this is largely the culture you'll find. Here you'll meet outgoing and friendly Asian men who are interested in meeting westerners.

This can give the impression that most Thai men who we'd think of as gay are looking for westerners. That's not the case. But those you meet will often be interested in meeting Americans.

Thai culture does not place a premium on youth in the way that western societies do. If you're over 35, you can easily feel over the hill in the U.S. You can still be quite desirable in Thailand.

Until quite recently, the visible, public gay establishments in Thailand were virtually all commercial: bars, go-go clubs, and saunas, and massage parlors. These still account for the majority of gay spots, and you won't really have seen gay Thailand until you visit a go-go boy bar.
But the largest cities now have a few discos or bars that lend themselves to non-commercial encounters, as well.