The best things to do in Bangkok this April

Jung Narate’s exhibition proves that making art can be as legitimate a career as any desk job – only with more colour and fewer spreadsheets. He painted every single day for a year, creating 366 works, including one for a leap day, without missing a beat. Each piece became a visual diary, capturing his moods, moments, and daily encounters through strokes and shades on canvas. The result is a collection as varied as the weather – sometimes bright, sometimes stormy, but always authentic. Until Apr 30. Free. BNC Creatives RCA, 10am-6pm

The 53rd National Book Fair and 23rd Bangkok International Book Fair return to the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. Under the theme Read Big, the event features over a million books across seven zones, with 1,200 booths representing 400 publishers. Highlights include the PUBAT Creative Zone’s themed exhibitions, the Book Power Exhibition showcasing works endorsed by Thai cultural leaders, and whimsical displays like a giant desk with oversized stationery. Visitors can also join storytelling games and reading challenges, making this much more than a book-shopping experience. Until Apr 7. Free. Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, 10am-9pm

Get ready to kick off April in style and prepare for Songkran celebrations. This bustling market, featuring 200 vendors, is the perfect place to refresh your wardrobe, stock up on essentials, or simply indulge in a bit of retail therapy. With such a variety of stalls, it’s a lively destination for shoppers of all tastes. From fashionable pieces to quirky treasures, there’s no shortage of options to explore. So, gear up for the summer fun, embrace the festive vibe, and ensure you’re all set for the season ahead. April 3-6. Free. Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, 4pm-11.30pm

An exhibition by seven artists brings together traditional and modern Thai art in a celebration of the essence of cultural heritage. In Phra Nakhon, an area rich in history, timeless architecture and artistic treasures from the Ayutthayan to the Rattanakosin eras remain a testament to Thailand’s enduring identity. This unique showcase blends classical and contemporary styles, offering a fresh interpretation of the nation’s artistic legacy. Set on Phra Arthit Road, a historic and cultural hub, the event highlights the creativity and spirit of Thai culture. Visitors, both local and international, are invited to explore the connections between past and present while gaining a deeper appreciation of the artistic traditions that continue to shape the country. Apr 1-May 31. Free. 10 10 Art Space, 10am-7pm

Artist D-Jai Kosiyabong's solo exhibition explores the intersection of visual art, sound, language and memory, offering a multi-sensory experience. By blending painting with sound, Kosiyabong challenges traditional ideas of communication, creating a space where meaning emerges from the gaps between different forms of expression. Her innovative approach encourages viewers to reconsider how they understand and interpret the world around them. The exhibition invites a deeper reflection on how language can dissolve into pure sensation, moving beyond words and inviting the audience into a realm of raw experience. Apr 3-May 31. Free. SAC Gallery, 11am-6pm

It’s a celebration of creativity, culture and relaxation all in one place, offering a space for a creative community to come together, chill and find inspiration. Visitors can unwind and rejuvenate through the appreciation of diverse artworks. The event showcases over 60 art and craft vendors, offering a variety of handmade Thai products, unique visual designs, and quality lifestyle goods. There are also creative activities to engage in, along with delicious food and live music to enhance the experience. Apr 4-6. Free. Slowcombo, 10am-8pm

Prepare to fill your bag with must-have finds at this second-hand market hosted by Rookie BKK, a community dedicated to promoting sustainable shopping. This inaugural event embraces the 3R concept – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – offering a platform for people to buy, sell and trade quality items, thereby giving new life to clothing, household goods, crafts, home decor, toys and more. In addition to the shopping experience, attendees can enjoy exciting activities and the chance to win prizes, as well as live DJ performances that will bring an extra layer of energy to the market. Apr 4-6. Free. Next to Red Building Vintage Chatuchak, 4pm-midnight

Gather friends, family and loved ones for a rooftop cinema experience in central Bangkok. Enjoy the cool breeze and panoramic city views while watching six classic films over three days. The event features a large screen with high-definition visuals and wireless headphones offering superior sound, ensuring you and your companions can fully immerse yourselves in the flicks. The lineup includes 500 Days of Summer, Catch Me If You Can, School of Rock, The Fault in Our Stars, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Bohemian Rhapsody. Apr 4-6. B500 via here. Tenth floor, Siamscape, 6.30pm and 9.20pm

Chilli enthusiasts and spice lovers won’t want to miss this fiery festival, which features a much-anticipated chilli-eating competition. Contestants will face a series of increasingly spicy chillies, culminating in a heat level of 2,200,000 on the Scoville scale. The winner will receive a B10,000 cash prize, while the second and third runners-up will enjoy a one-night stay with breakfast and dining credit at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok. Registration is required via Google Form. In addition to the contest, guests can sample a range of spicy dishes from top Bangkok restaurants, including Chef Ton’s Zaab Niran and 80/20’s Burmese curry by Chef Thaf. The event also offers craft beers, cocktails, special chilli sauces and even chilli-inspired tattoos from California Ink Bangkok. Apr 5. B200-800 via here and B300 at the door. Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, 2pm-9pm

This art exhibition invites visitors to express their emotions through words, whether it’s a secret, a love story or anything they wish to share. Participants can write postcards, each featuring new works from 10 artists, and take part in activities that enhance the main exhibition. The theme, ‘what has never been said’, is brought to life through postcard-sized paintings. These artworks serve as a way for people to communicate their feelings beyond words. Additionally, visitors can take home a postcard from someone else as a personal keepsake. Apr 1-Jun 3. Free. MunMun Art Destination, 10.30am-7pm 

The second solo exhibition by renowned illustrator and graphic designer nnene.iie, titled Encyclopedia, presents a visual documentary capturing everyday objects and surroundings in black and white. The exhibition reflects nnene.iie’s practice of sketching everything around her to better understand and define the world. Through intricate linework, striking contrasts and thoughtful textures, nnene.iie simplifies the world into its basic components, offering a new perspective on the familiar. By deconstructing reality into its simplest visual form, the exhibition encourages viewers to appreciate the beauty in overlooked details and embrace simplicity. This collection invites the audience to see the world through the artist's eyes and explore the meaning in everyday moments. Apr 5-28. Free. GalileOasis, 9am-8pm

Two experienced mime artists are set to deliver a new performance filled with humour and fun. Yano, a seasoned Japanese performer, brings years of experience in solo, group, and double acts, always impressing with his versatility. He teams up with Tong Gluea, a lively entertainer renowned for his ability to make audiences laugh. This event goes beyond the performance itself, also featuring an exhibition of Yano's writings about Thailand and a photo display chronicling Tong Gluea's artistic path. Apr 6. B850 via here. Livecube, 3pm and 6pm

Prepare for a city-wide splash fest as Bangkok celebrates Songkran from April 12-15 with events across 12 locations. Grab your water gun and join the fun, which includes traditional activities such as paying respects at five royal temples, walking through a holy water tunnel, and the ritual of pouring water on religious statues. This year’s Songkran offers a full immersion into Thai culture, inviting locals and visitors to experience both the joy of water play and the deeper spiritual rituals of the festival. It’s a lively celebration combining contemporary fun, tradition and Thai heritage, ensuring that everyone has a memorable time. Apr 12-15. Free. City Wide, all day 

The Kangkao crew is all set to kick off the Songkran holiday with an electrifying celebration of techno and electronic music. Get ready for a high-energy experience as the crew delivers an unforgettable soundtrack to welcome the Thai New Year festivities. With an exciting lineup featuring Minkyu, Payu, Mo and Jakrin, the event promises to keep the beats flowing and the crowd moving. Dance and celebrate with the Kangkao crew as they bring the ultimate soundtrack to Songkran. Apr 12. B500-B800 via here. Trinity Sathorn, 8pm onwards

Join the Songkran festivities at the massive aviation park, where live music from many different genres will keep you dancing through the night. Take a break from the water splashing, relax and sip on cool drinks. Treat yourself to a variety of food options, from delicious street snacks to gourmet dining. Carefully selected cafes and bars are also taking part. Fun activities include balloon popping and target shooting, while a traditional water blessing ceremony ushers in the Thai New Year with positive vibes and good fortune. Apr 12-16. Free. Chang Chui Creative Park, 11am-midnight

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the celebration. Get ready for a night full of vibrant lights, colours, electrifying sounds and water fights. The atmosphere reaches new heights with top-tier international DJs helping to create the perfect Songkran party. Apr 12-14. B1,700 via here. Rajamangala National Stadium, 4pm-midnight

A mesmerising performance by Thai artist Sutarath Sinnong in which light, movement and music merge to form a captivating and poetic display. Audiences are invited into a world of shifting visuals, each frame evoking beauty and depth through the interplay of shadows. With its seamless blend of artistic elements, this is a thought-provoking journey that explores the delicate relationship between light and dark. Arp 24. B350 via here and B450 at the door. PoA White Box, Yellow Lane, 7.30pm-8.30pm

Experience a captivating shadow puppet performance about a creature on a remote island who discovers how an unexpected encounter can turn solitude into something beautiful. Following the show, participate in a workshop where you can create your own puppet and take it home as a keepsake. This event is part of the 'Beauty in the Dark' programme in collaboration with Homemade Puppet. It’s an opportunity to explore the art of puppetry while reflecting on themes of connection and transformation. Apr 26. B30-550 via here. PoA White Box, Yellow Lane, 2pm-3.30pm