Joey's Guide to: White Party Bangkok NYE 2020
White Party Bangkok is da bomb...there’s a reason I’ve flown halfway around the world to go to every single WPBKK since they launched in 2015. Follow this guide to plan your trip to Bangkok to ring in the New Year!
WHAT: One of the biggest gay parties anywhere in Asia and probably the best one during NYE.
WHEN: December 27-31, 2019
WHERE: Bangkok, Thailand
Parties
Friday, Dec 27 AGM (nighttime)
Saturday, Dec 28 Military Ball (nighttime)
Sunday, Dec 29 Jock Ball (afternoon)
Monday, Dec 30 White Party main event (nighttime)
Tuesday, Dec 31 New Year’s Eve (nighttime)
The nighttime parties end fairly early, usually between 1:30am to 2:30am, with the end time varying from night to night. There is no official end time advertised, but in past years, as the nights progress they close a little bit later for each event.
Because the official parties end so early, most boys will head to one of the local gay clubs or find an after hours that’s usually a house party (or homepa).
Inside Info: Homepas
Most homepas are private affairs hosted in hotel suites, unadvertised and with limited space. Hosts will invite their friends, who might invite their friends, etc. Your best chance of attending a homepa is networking. Someone in your circle of friends (or their friends) might know of one. Go meet lots of new people at the party and get an invitation that way. Otherwise, host your own homepas - just be careful not to piss off your neighbors or the hotel staff!
Which Parties to Go to?
Mandatory:
Jock Ball (Dec 29)
White Party main event (Dec 30)
New Year’s Eve (Dec 31)
Recommended:
Military Ball (Dec 28)
Optional:
AGM (Dec 27)
5 parties in 5 days is a lot, but the good news is that you really don’t need to go to all of them.
The 3 most critical parties happen on the last 3 days. I love a daytime outdoor party, so Jock Ball attendance is a must - it’s a good, slightly more chill way of getting warmed up for the nighttime parties later on. The namesake White Party main event will be packed and all the boys will be out in full force. Finally, you obviously need to ring in the new year at the New Year’s Eve party, and that will likely be the best party of WPBKK.
If your schedule and energy level allow it, check out the Military Ball. You won’t be disappointed if you make the effort to go, nor will you miss too much if you can’t attend. The AGM party is the one that you can comfortably take a pass on without FOMO.
Tickets
Ticket details + purchase link
Get the VIP weekend pass. You’ll want access to the VIP-only areas of the nighttime dance floor (see the Venues section) and the pass will get you into all the parties I consider mandatory to attend.
Venues
GMM Live House is the massive venue where all the nighttime WPBKK parties happen, located on the 8th floor of the CentralWorld mega mall, which has tons of shopping and dining options.
The main GMM Live House dance floor is rectangular and holds a couple thousand people. WPBKK usually sets up two large, elevated VIP-only areas along both sides of the party area, each with their own bar. These VIP-only areas is the main reason to spring for the VIP tickets!
A second, smaller Zen Hall dance floor is opened on the busier nights, with a separate DJ and bar. This space is never too packed and has good AC, so it’s a great area to chill and cool down without completely escaping the music.
Outside of the dance floors, there’s lots of room to relax and socialize. The lobby space between the two dance floors is a good meeting area and where the non-VIP bathrooms are located. Closer to the venue entrance is a smaller lobby space with a bar and food, plus the VIP bathrooms. Nestled in the back past the dance floors is a quieter area if you want to escape the hustle and bustle.
SEEN Sky Bar is a brand new WPBKK venue for 2020, hosting the Jock Ball daytime party. From what I can find online and knowing previous Jock Ball venues, I have high expectations that this is gonna be a breathtaking venue with gorgeous views.
Where To Stay
Hotel or Homeshare?
I’d go for either a traditional hotel or an apartment-style hotel. There do exist some condos on Airbnb, but the selection isn’t that good.
Neighborhood + Hotel Recommendations
Near CentralWorld: I recommend being walking distance to CentralWorld where all the nighttime parties are hosted. There are lots of good hotels but here are some recommendations:
Hansar is one of favorites, a boutique hotel where a good number of boys stay so there’s always a homepa here. Off the main road and away from the busy interactions so it’s nice and quiet. Great if you can afford it.
Grand Hyatt Erawan is literally a 1 minute walk to CentralWorld. Lots of boys stay here too. Don’t ask me how I know ;)
Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok is a much nicer than most other Courtyards, especially those in the US. Probably the best value of all the hotels I’d recommend, made even better with the possibility of corporate discounts as it’s part of the Marriott chain of properties. A bit of a hidden gem.
Arnoma Grand Bangkok is my budget pick, right across the (very busy) street from CentralWorld. Not as ritzy as the other picks but IMO a better value and nicer than a Holiday Inn for not much more money.
In Silom: This is the gay district where the local gay bars and clubs are. Could be a good option if you plan on heading to the local gay hang outs after the main WPBKK parties. My hotel picks:
SO Sofitel Bangkok is another one of my favorites. Great hotel with some nice suites, and a favorite of many WPBKK veterans.
W Bangkok is part of one of the most LGBT-friend hotel brands out there, and also a favorite of the boys.
I don’t have a budget pick in this area yet, but let me know if you have any suggestions!
Getting There
Which airport?
Just one: Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
From the airport:
Taxi: I usually recommend taking a taxi, especially if it’s late at night, you’re tired, or you have any significant amount of luggage. Note that most taxi drivers do not speak any languages besides Thai and don’t like (or can’t) take credit cards. During the daytime near CentralWorld there can be a bit of a traffic jam, especially around NYE. Cost is about 250 - 400 Baht
TIP: Screenshot the name and address of your hotel in Thai to show to the taxi driver.
Rail: Good option during the daytime if you don’t have much luggage and your hotel is very close to a BTS (skytrain) or MRT (subway) station. Take the Airport Rail Link, then get off at Makkasan (station A6) to transfer to the MRT, or to the last station at Phaya Thai (A8) for the BTS. Just remember that hauling luggage up and down stairs is not fun in the hot and humid Bangkok weather :|
Local Transportation
Rideshare: When you don’t have cash or can’t articulate to a driver where you’re trying to go. Grab is the local equivalent of Uber.
BTS Skytrain: When you’re close to a BTS station and so is the destination. BTS runs from 6am to midnight. Clean, inexpensive, and very reliable.
Taxis: When it’s quicker or more convenient than ordering a Grab and you can pay in cash. Most hotels will flag down a taxi for you in the lobby.
Tuk-tuks: When it’s late and you don’t mind haggling. Take it at least once, it’s a thoroughly authentic Bangkok experience. Easier to find and flag down after midnight when the BTS shuts down. Don’t pay more than 100 Baht less than what they ask.