Aydan Stuart

It’s no secret that Phuket is a magnet for night owls and beach-loving hedonists. With exuberant parties under starry skies running all weekend long, it’s easy to overlook the island’s other evening attractions – from adrenaline-pumping Muay Thai fight nights to cultural shows that journey through Thailand’s history. Luckily, we’ve got you covered.   Partygoers can stick to the classics – MAYA Beach Club and the like – for night after night of big name DJs bringing the best in house and tropical beats to heavy crowds. Or, if your idea of a good night leans more towards the laid-back, head to Royal Phuket Marina for some yacht-themed networking or frolic with the kids at a day-long pool party atop HOMA.    Throw in some cultural shows and hard-hitting boxing bouts and, wherever the wind takes you in Phuket this weekend, this quick-fire guide will make sure you end up in the right place. Did you know that Julian Marley is coming to Phuket this May?

The smoke may be rolling in over the hills but despite the grey skies, the Chiang Mai calendar is looking as colourful as ever this week with a mix of music, film, theatre and fundraisers popping up across the city.  Two big dates hit this week: International Women’s Day and the Hindu festival of Holi. In response, the city’s going all in – throwing powder at Chiang Mai University's Holi Festival while director Claire Gordon champions women-led theatre with four showings of The Cagebirds.  Music lovers have plenty to pick from too. Pae MVL (formerly of Mild) drops into Jing Jai Market for a mini-concert among the vintage stalls, while Beats Against Breast Cancer at Lansieow brings Chiang Mai’s music community together for a charity fundraiser supporting a long-time local. After dark, things (rightly) get a little wilder as Lanna Rugby Club’s Drag Fundraiser Night returns to The Moat House rooftop, promising sequins, heels and plenty of laughs, while Zoe In Yellow marks its ‘sweet sixteen’ with a birthday bash and the launch of a brand-new zone at the city’s most infamous party square. Here’s everything worth checking out in Chiang Mai this week.   Recommended:  Check out Chiang Mai’s best festivals this season here   Skip the events and sip cocktails at one of Chiang Mai’s best rooftop bars

Thailand’s love affair with bling has been raging for centuries. Even the country’s former name, Siam, means ‘gold’ in Sanskrit. There are three main pillars of Thai jewellery: silver, gold and gems. Silver is often tied to northern hill tribes, known for intricate handwork passed down through generations while Thai goldsmithing was once reserved for royalty. The use of gemstones as ornaments can be traced back to the Ayutthaya period.  Today, while styles have evolved, the craftsmanship and sparkle live on. Many brands continue to celebrate by working with  local communities that use techniques passed down through generations, weaving Thai cultural elements into their designs. Thai jewellery remains rooted in detail, meaning and a deep connection to tradition. From delicate charms to bold statement pieces, the Big Mango offers a stunning array of locally-crafted jewellery to suit every style and budget. Based on recent online buzz, global recognition and appearances in fashion shoots, everyday looks, and even on the big screen, we've curated a list of the city's finest jewelry ateliers. Here are our top picks for the best of Bangkok's bijoux.

It may have taken a decade or so but the Chiang Mai festival season is well and truly back. If you like sweat-free camping, friendlier ticket prices and a crowd that leans a little… unconventional, then you’re in the right place.     Chiang Mai and its neighbours are leading the charge this year with an almost back-to-back lineup of parties that range from family-friendly Glastonbury-style long weekends to one-day techno raves that go well past dawn and in-your-face events that turn the tables on what makes a festival good.    Sure, this isn’t the land of mega-EDM blowouts like EDC or Wonderfruit – but that’s kind of the point. Northern Thailand does things differently, with music, art and culture leading the way. Below, we’ve rounded up the festivals in the north that are genuinely worth clearing space for on your party calendar this year. We’ll see you there, in costume of course.

Ok, we know New Year’s Eve is still not over but, if you’re like us, you’ll be wanting to spy out the best recovery options before the hangover arrives – after all, there’s nothing like pre-party clarity to help you ease into a day of bed movies and electrolytes.    So, while you pour yourself another drink, browse through our top picks for the best hangover cures for January 1 – we’re talking saunas, ice baths, IV drips, slap up breakfasts, massages you can fall asleep in and a big list of other ideas that should help soothe you right into the New Year. For now, bottoms up! But keep this list in your back pocket for when tomorrow comes.   

New Year’s Eve in Chiang Mai doesn’t stick to just one script – and that’s why we’re sharing a bit of everything to get you in the mood.    You can do the full movie-style moment under fireworks, lanterns and stage lights, dance your way into 2026 in a sweaty club corner, clink glasses over a long dinner or head for the hills to chant your way into a calmer, more enlightened version of yourself. Either way, Chiang Mai delivers every option for an end-of-year send-off that’s as varied as it is memorable – second only to the Thai New Year just a few months down the line.   From big-ticket countdowns and neighbourhood festivals to lantern-lit rituals and rooftop celebrations, here’s how Chiang Mai is welcoming 2026. Choose wisely. Or don’t. It’s only New Year’s Eve. 

If there’s one rumour about Chiang Mai that refuses to die, it’s that the city has somehow lost its digital-nomad magic. The reality? Quite the opposite. New coworking spaces are popping up every month, laptops are still hogging cafe tables and a steady stream of nomads continues to roll into town – many of them deciding to stick around rather than move on.   And if you’ve ever toyed with the idea of basing yourself in Chiang Mai – even temporarily – you’re in very good company. This weekend marks the return of Nomad Summit 2026, one of the city’s biggest digital-nomad meetups and, frankly, the closest thing laptop lovers have to their own Coachella.   More than a decade deep, this annual summit has long drawn founders, indie hackers, thought leaders, freelancers and the perpetually curious to the northern Thai capital to learn, connect and – let’s be honest – have a very good time while doing it.    Sure, the main focus is clearly about networking, big ideas and the odd late-night conversation about the good and evils of AI, but there’s way more to this event than just business. Here’s our run down of what’s on, how to sign up and where to go for the biggest pool party in the city.  Photograph: Nomad Summit What is the Nomad Summit?   This ‘aint no sterile corporate shindig – speakers and attendees join from a range of backgrounds and countries, from remote pros and founders to freelancers, investors and people who just really love the vibes.  This week-long event is desig

If you hadn’t already noticed, the north is in full ‘brrr’ mode as a chilly weather surge has rolled into town. Since early this week, the mercury has dropped a fair few notches, leaving city mornings with crisp low-teens and mountain tops like Doi Inthanon going full ice age – with grass-level lows hitting a record-breaking -5C and air temperatures hovering around 2C if you can believe it! Needless to say, things are getting frosty.   City minimums are said to reach 11C this weekend, as cold air from China sweeps across the country. And while this is all fine and lovely – we all love a break from sweating – the government has issued warnings to keep warm as a 75-year-old man has become the first reported fatality linked to the almost-Baltic chills.    But with winter properly here and the smog still keeping its distance, there’s no better moment to see the cooler side of Chiang Mai. If anything ever called for adventure, it’s cold mornings, rolling mist and a perfectly legitimate excuse to finally wear that jacket you’ve been eyeing in your wardrobe for the last fifty-so weeks. 

Christmas in Chiang Mai might lack snowflakes and woolly jumpers, but it makes up for the lack of frost with sunshine, cocktails and a calendar bursting with events. Sure, the midday heat is real and Santa has likely swapped his red suit for a Hawaiian shirt, but the city is firmly in festive mode. Get ready for a packed few days of feasting, drinking, dancing and zero excuses to stay home.   You can absolutely do Christmas the classic way – piling plates high at indulgent spreads at Skugga Estate, Anantara or Melia – but that’s just the starting point. Elsewhere, Christmas Eve spills onto rooftops, into tiki bars and across dancefloors, with DJ-led blowouts, jungle parties, fire shows, markets and Chiang Mai-style celebrations that are far more exciting than sitting through another rerun on the sofa.   We say skip the stay-at-home movie marathon and lean into the tropics. Whether it’s refreshing rooftop cocktails, basslines till late, Christmas dinners with a twist or playing bar games into the night, this is December in Thailand – and Chiang Mai is doing it its own way. 

For years, Thailand’s cocktail crown sat firmly on Bangkok’s head, a city that’s saturated with rooftop bars and hidden speakeasies. But, in more recent years, energy has been shifting further afield, with a number of out-of-the-capital bars capturing the interest of drinkers and critics alike.    While Phuket’s beach-side cocktail scene has a wealthy market ready to sip on gold-infused martinis, Chiang Mai is taking a more creative approach that’s more in tune with its own audience. And out of the many Chiang Mai cocktail bars we’ve reviewed and shared along the way, a little speakeasy-style spot hidden up a flight of bright orange stairs is pushing the city onto the national (and now international) map: Bar Not Found.   In just over a year, this bright, quirky, colour-soaked cocktail den has snagged spots on multiple awards rankings and produced mixologists now making waves on the competitive circuit – from World Class Rising Star Thailand to the Sip Supernova finals in China.   Not bad for a bar that opened its secret living room lair for the first time in September 2024.   Photograph: Time Out – Apiwat Singharach Colour first, then the cocktails   The Bar Not Found story is disarmingly humble. Before launching a venue together, Foam, Game, Jane and Amber were already friends – bartenders, chefs and industry folks moving around Chiang Mai’s growing drinks scene.    Lockdowns, hidden bars and late-night ‘what ifs’ eventually solidified into a plan and the idea for Bar Not

Long before hashtags, influencers and TikTok, there was a small blue book that could be found tucked inside every backpacker’s pocket. Its author? Joe Cummings – the man who wrote the first ever Lonely Planet guide to Thailand and lifelong Thaiophile who introduced a generation to the kingdom’s best temples, towns and tuk tuk rides.  As a writer myself (with a few Lonely Planet books under my own belt, as it happens) I couldn’t help but jump at the opportunity to interview the legend himself on a recent Time Out Thailand podcast episode. Before I knew it, we were sat together in the podcast studio inside Sukhmuvit 31’s Public House. As planned, we switched into Thai – a second language for both of us – to begin unravelling the stories, surprises and side-quests of a writer, musician, actor and accidental cultural icon.    Photograph: Joe Cummings His first calling to Thailand was spiritual  Cummings’ story starts far from the tropics. Born in New Orleans and raised everywhere his army father was stationed, he grew up without a hometown – ‘we moved every two or three years,’ he recalls as we discuss his father’s role in the Army.  With travel in his blood, it’s little surprise that when he finally flew the nest, his compass pointed due east. Landing in Bangkok in 1977, he arrived just as Thailand was entering one of its most fascinating eras – a time where stories were just waiting to be told. Thailand in the late ’70s, he says, was ‘slower, quieter, and the air was worse.’

ก่อนจะมียุคออนไลน์ในปัจจุบันที่เต็มไปด้วยติ๊กต็อก เหล่าอินฟลูเอนเซอร์ และแฮชแท็กสารพัด โลกของนักเดินทางในสมัยก่อนนั้นมีเพียงหนังสือเล่มเล็กปกสีน้ำเงินที่แบ็กแพ็กเกอร์ทุกคนต่างพกติดกระเป๋าไว้เสมอ แล้วใครกันที่เป็นผู้เขียนมันขึ้นมา หากไม่ใช่ชายหนุ่มผู้หลงใหลในมนต์เสน่ห์ของสยามเมืองยิ้มอย่าง ‘โจ คัมมิงส์’ชายผู้จับปากกาเขียนไกด์บุ๊ก Lonely Planet Thailand เล่มแรก และเป็นผู้ที่หลงใหลในเมืองไทยแบบสุดหัวใจ ผู้พาคนทั้งยุคออกเดินทางไปรู้จักเสน่ห์ของอาณาจักรสยาม ตั้งแต่วัดที่งดงามที่สุด เมืองที่มีชีวิตชีวาไปจนถึงการนั่งตุ๊กตุ๊กที่ไม่มีวันลืม ตัวผม ในฐานะนักเขียนที่บังเอิญมีหนังสือ Lonely Planet อยู่บ้าง จึงไม่พลาดโอกาสที่จะได้พูดคุยกับตำนานที่ยังมีลมหายใจคนนี้ ในพอดแคสต์ตอนล่าสุดของ Time Out Thailand เรานั่งคุยกันที่ สตูดิโอ Public House ซอยสุขุมวิท 31 และตามแผนที่วางไว้ เราเริ่มต้นสนทนาเป็นภาษาไทย ภาษาที่สองของเราทั้งคู่ ซึ่งกลายมาเป็นสื่อกลางในการคลี่เรื่องราว ชีวิต และการเดินทางของนักเขียน นักดนตรี นักแสดง และ ‘ไอคอนทางวัฒนธรรมโดยบังเอิญ’ คนนี้   Photograph: Joe Cummings ‘จิตวิญญาณ’ เสียงเรียกแรกที่นำพาเขามาสู่แดนแห่งสยาม เรื่องราวของคัมมิงส์เริ่มต้นไกลจากดินแดนอาคเนย์อันร้อนระอุ เขาเกิดที่เมืองนิวออร์ลีนส์ สหรัฐอเมริกา แต่เติบโตตามทุกพื้นที่ที่ผู้เป็นพ่อถูกส่งไปประจำการในฐานะนายทหาร นั่นจึงเป็นเหตุผลที่เขาไม่เคยมีบ้านเกิดอยู่ที่ใดเลย ‘พวกเราเปลี่ยนที่อยู่ทุกสองถึงสามปี’ โจย้อนเล่าถึงวัยเด็กที่เต็มไปด้วยการเดินทางของเขาและพ่อผู้รับใช้ชาติ ดังนั้นการเดินทางจึงเหมือนอยู่ในสายเลือดของเขา และไม่น่าแปลกใจเลยเมื่อกนกตัวนี้ได้บินออกจากรังตามเข็มทิศที่ชี้ตรงไปทางทิศตะวันออก เขาโผยบินลงที่

It’s the classic set up – rugby lads in skirts, refs in heels and a night that swaps scrums for sequins all in the name of charity. Lanna Rugby Club is hosting its second annual Drag Fundraiser Night (because one dress up just isn't enough, clearly) atop The Moat House rooftop where the club’s men’s and women’s teams will trade their cleats for heels, serving up big performances, bigger personalities and plenty of laughs. Glitter and glam are very much on the cards, fundraising for youth rugby programmes and sponsorship for the next generation of Chiang Mai players. Aside from the show, there’s a raffle, fully-stocked bar (for added Dutch courage) and a great opportunity to tackle a great cause in the company of sports leaders, trainers and city players alike.    Mar 7. B300. The Moat House Rooftop. 7.30pm-late

Let’s be honest, who doesn’t know about Zoe in Yellow these days? Magnet for some, kryptonite for others, there’s no denying that it’s still the best place in the city for a backpacker party. What you may not know is that she’s celebrating her sweet sixteen birthday this weekend, and everyone is invited. Expect the usual high-energy atmosphere and bucket-friendly bartenders that have a habit of overpouring, as well as the launch of 48 Garage – Zoe in Yellow’s newest bar zone that has a distinct garage feel (duh!) and is already a hit among backpackers. If you’ve not been to Zoe in what feels like an age or simply love the place and go every weekend, this celebration is bound to leave you impressed, overwhelmed and maybe a little bit drunk – not least due to the free open bar from 8pm-9pm.    Mar 6. Free. Zoe in Yellow. 6pm-late

If you’re into Thai pop, you’ll know homegrown Pae MVL (formerly of Mild) is hard to pin down these days – which makes his appearance at Jing Jai Market this weekend all the more welcome. Taking to the stage at everyone’s favourite weekend market, his laidback vibes echo perfectly among the trees and market stalls with an evening show that brings his most popular singalong tunes and a handful of pop favourites to gushing crowds (he’s a new dad now too, how dreamy). Sure, it’s getting a bit smokey, but this may be the last weekend you can actually get out, so why not round up your friends and make the most of the opportunity?    Mar 6. Free. Jing Jai Market. From 7pm

Chiang Mai’s film crowd gets something a little different this week as Afterimages: Hong Kong Independent Showcase arrives at CMU’s Media Arts and Design space. This three-day programme dives into the raw and experimental scenes of Hong Kong’s independent film movement. And while we all know the global spotlight often lands on the ‘golden age’ of Asian cinema, this is your chance to see the underbelly of Hong Kong’s short film production and witness how a new wave of filmmakers grapple with identity, politics and life in a rapidly changing city. Viewings and talks take place across the weekend, including 310 Tung Chau Street (2016), Letter to the Outsider (2018), Family Family Day (2019), Reverberation (2023), In Your Shoes (2024), Summer Insects, Ice (2025) and many more. Head to Dude, Movie socials for the full lineup and timings. All showings take place at the Media Arts and Design faculty of Chiang Mai University.    Mar 6-8. Free. Media Arts and Design faculty, Chiang Mai University. Times vary.

With such an important day, comes an equally important need to go and see some women-led theatre. Director Claire Gordon brings David Campton’s The Cagebirds to the stage alongside an all-female cast exploring the themes of the show, covering freedom, control and individuality through a haunting single-room setting where a group of women live under the watchful rule of the mysterious Mistress. Their fragile balance is disrupted by the arrival of the ‘Wild One,’ sparking a sharp exploration of conformity, manipulation and what it truly costs to break free. Each performance is followed by an optional dinner where you can stay, discuss the themes of the play together and enjoy a well-deserved glass of wine.    Mar 7-8. B600, tickets here. Fellowship Cafe. Showtimes 4pm and 7pm

It’s that time of year once again and the city is swapping water throwing for splashes of colour as Chiang Mai University’s Cultural Square gets covered in neon powder in celebration of Holi Festival, the Hindu Festival of Colours. Knowing the city, there’s a clever mix of Bharata culture and Lanna influences on display, with the whole day packed with music, art, food and fun – all while raising funds for local charitable initiatives. Aside from the colour throwing, there are workshops on rangoli art, mandala making and henna writing, as well as a ton of food stalls selling everything from Indian classics to local faves – don’t miss a cooling glass of thandai, the classic Indian milk drink. On stage (of course there’s a stage) things are kept lively with Hindustani classical music performances and kirtan sessions featuring both international and Thai artists. While the day stays relatively ‘clean’, by sunset the grand finale kicks off at which point the powder comes out and a Bollywood dance party takes over to welcome the changing season. Mar 7. Free. Cultural Square, Chiang Mai University. 11am-8.30pm

Pet lovers have a new hangout this week (and let’s be honest, there are a few of those in Chiang Mai) with the arrival of Pet Picnic – a six-day hangout for those with paws, picnics for their parents and playful fun for everyone else. Taking over the META Mall landscape, throw down a blanket or secure a table for a mix of bring-your-own and buy-on-site picnic options, alongside a massive pet fair with everything from pet food to treats, bags and accessories on sale. There’s plenty happening beyond the shopping too: a fast-and-furious eating competition for hungry cats and dogs (with prizes worth over B10,000 up for grabs), an exotic pet zone featuring rare reptiles, birds and other curious creatures, and a cute petting farm where kids can get cosy with rabbits, guinea pigs and miniature pigs.  Mar 3-8. Free. META Mall. 10am-10pm

Chiang Mai’s music and market communities join forces with Beats Against Breast Cancer – a day-long fundraiser packed with live bands, secondhand markets, great food and plenty of ways you can show support. Fundraising for breast cancer treatment, funds will go towards local community anchor Lexi, a long-term resident who has recently been diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. It feels as if all the local’s upcoming bands are here to show their support, with Echo Resort, Terror Terror, Phased Plasma Rifle, Dada Sun, Swan Bay and Electro Mass all making a merry appearance. Pair that with food from Lansieow’s best (Dinky’s, Green Dog, Under Tree, Minibar and more) as well as an art and secondhand market all raising money for the cause, this is your calling to support the community and be part of it too.  Mar 8. Free entry. Lansieow Freeative Art Space. 2pm-10pm

Born in Ibiza and known for their signature live sax-and-violin formation, Bioxial takes a unique approach to house music. Lighting up stages at Hard Rock Hotel Ibiza, O Beach and Cova Santa – they’re no strangers to sunset-charged atmospheres, and Phuket’s no exception. As they blend soaring sax lines with expressive violin played live of the melodies of house music, enjoy fire shows from the shoreline and a hefty offering of drink deals to keep you well watered. Backed by Solis resident DJs, simply add a special crafted dining menu paired with cocktails to the mix and this is your chance to do a full day-to-late beachfront session properly for once. Feb 26-Mar 1. Solis Beach Club. 1pm-late (fire shows 7pm)

Cafe del Mar dips deeper into the underground with a sultrier turn this week, serving downtempo house and slow-burning melodic builds courtesy of a double-bill from Simone Vitullo and Newman (I Love). Founders of Go Deeva Records and long-time pioneers of organic house, the duo are never far from one another, and while starting to chill, the night will only build from there. As usual, the club’s buy-three-get-one-free drink promos will no doubt keep you locked in until well past reasonable bedtimes and for bigger groups, why not splurge on a VIP table with bottle service and backstage access from B20,000 per booking?    Feb 27. B1,000. Cafe del Mar. 10pm-late

Head over to Bang Tao’s beachside dancefloor as the temperature rises with French duo GROSSOMODDO. Known for their groove-driven fusion house sets layered with warm percussion and a sun-drenched Mediterranean energy that pairs perfectly with the Phuket summer, there are few better places to party this weekend than here. So, if your idea of a Saturday on the beach comes with an afterparty and drink promos all night, then this one’s calling your name.    Feb 28. B1,000. Maya Beach Club. 7pm-late

Forget your Google Maps pins – they’re all probably out of date anyway – and let Rush On guide you through some of the more hidden parts of Phuket through a playful gamified tour of Patong, Kata, Old Town, Rawai and beyond. Sign up and you get access to all you need for a self-guided scavenger hunt adventure packed with puzzles, challenges and genuinely great spots to update your map with. Bike or car tours are also available, although we prefer scavenging as there’s a prize waiting at the finishline… if you can make it. Prefer a bit of competition? Their guided Saturday challenge races add a social, fast-paced twist for teams and solo players of all ages. We hear the spirit is fierce.  Feb 5-8 (and most weekends). B149 to B1,000 depending on your package, tickets here. Various locations. Midday-8pm (Saturday races 4pm onwards)

If you clocked a screening time for the Japanese Film Festival this weekend – pause. There’s been a plot twist. Organisers of the Japanese Film Festival 2026 in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai have issued an apology after incorrect screening times briefly appeared on Ticketmelon. The good news? The corrected timetable is now locked in.  Here’s the schedule you’ll want to follow.   Chiang Mai Where is the Chiang Mai Japanese Film Festival happening? Auditorium, 3rd Floor, Communication Innovation Center Building, Faculty of Mass Communication, Chiang Mai University   What are the (new) showtimes?  Friday February 27, 2026 6.30pm – Ghost in the Shell (1995) – the cult cyberpunk classic that defined anime for a generation kicks things off with a late-evening slot.   Saturday February 28, 2026 1pm – Angry Squad: The Civil Servant and Seven Swindlers – A sharp, fast-moving caper where a straight-laced bureaucrat gets tangled up with a band of con artists. 4pm – How Dare You? – A bold, contemporary drama that skewers social expectations with humour and bite, asking just how far you can push before someone pushes back. 6.30pm – She Taught Me Serendipity – More tender than the rest, this fate-driven romance about chance encounters and the quiet, life-shifting moments that arrive when you least expect them.   Sunday March 1, 2026 1pm – The 94-Year-Old Gay – This heartfelt and quietly radical portrait of love, identity and resilience through the eyes of a 94-year-old man living proudly and u

Reggae fans, here’s your calling. Reggae Rumble is Thailand’s biggest reggae event, headlining this year with the legendary Julian Marley & The Uprising. The son of Bob Marley himself has linked up with Thailand’s freshest reggae party folks for what’s shaping up to be a milestone gig starting in Koh Phangan on May 15, then touring Phuket on May 21 and ending hard at UOB Live in Bangkok on May 22.  Julian Marley and Alexx Antaeus just scored a Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording with their amapiano take on ‘Jah Sees Them’. When he talks about dabbling in different genres, he makes it sound completely natural, like it's just part of the journey.  And his father's influence? Still there, always present, guiding everything he does. And it's not just Julian Marley taking the spotlight. Thai reggae legends are joining the show too. JOB2DO are bringing the best of old-school Thai reggae to the set along with Mailman Downtown in Phuket and Jimmie Tae and the Rasta Band in Koh Phangan. And then there's INJA, who will be introducing the night with a light and fiery set of his own.  Jamaican reggae heritage meets Thailand's homegrown talent, all on one stage. If you plan to go, here’s what you need to know before the night starts.   When is Julian Marley performing in Phuket? Julian Marley is set to play a one-night-only live show in Phuket on Thursday 21 May at the incredible Lotus Arena.     When is Julian Marley performing in Koh Phangan? Julian Marley kicks-off his tour of

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment have issued warnings to folks in Chiang Mai after farmers reported livestock killed at the hand (or is that paw?) of a stray tiger.  It is unclear at the time of reporting whether this big, hungry cat wandered in from the wild or slipped out of a nearby enclosure. But given that this patch of Chiang Mai has never recorded tiger activity before, officials are leaning toward the great escape theory. Either way, authorities aren’t taking any chances. A crack team from the ministry and local authority are monitoring the area around the clock until the tiger is located. Camera traps have also been set up in the area.  For hikers and weekend adventurers eyeing a trip up Doi Inthanon, the overall risk remains low. Still, local authorities have advised residents and visitors of Ban Mae Pa Kom, Chom Thong district to avoid the area for the time being.  We say, maybe skip the hikes this week and find better things to do in Chiang Mai instead. 

Chiang Mai’s festival scene isn’t exactly short on guitars, hippies and golden-hour folk. In fact, Northern Thailand has, in the last few years, become a circuit of its own – where live bands, local sounds and day-trance DJs dominate the hills most winter weekends. But Thantawan Festival never quite followed the script. When it first emerged, Thantawan positioned itself as the outlier: Chiang Mai’s biggest DJ-forward, lifestyle-leaning weekender. While other fests played into the acoustic and rootsy feel of Chiang Mai, founder Damian Johnston and his crew were flying in international selectors – stacking lineups with house, techno and sunrise sets that stretched well past sensible bedtimes.  It sat slightly on the fringes of the city’s music ecosystem – not fully underground, not fully mainstream – yet still managed to pull serious crowds, with electronic devotees jetting in from across the globe to dance its stages. However, scenes evolve – and so do the festivals that define them.   This February 20-22, Thantawan Festival marks a bold new pivot in a bid to attract a larger Thai audience – and it might just be the reset the festival needs. Trading a heavily DJ-dominated bill for an almost endless list of bands – including some of Thailand's hottest acts – gives the festival a whole new energy. It’s less Berlin-in-the-mountains and more Glastonbury-in-Thailand, a sunflowery-glow up that will no doubt be make or break. Live headliners this year include Thai rap icon 1MILL, eve

Cantonese cuisine has long shaped the way Bangkok eats – from the city’s love of roast meats and clear, aromatic broths to the everyday rituals of dim sum, noodles and stir-fries that have quietly woven themselves into the capital’s food culture. And while generations of Chinese-Thai kitchens have happily blurred the lines between the two, one new opening is giving classic Cantonese flavours a sharp, modern-city polish. Enter Xian Yuan, a sleek newcomer perched on the fifth floor of Central Park, with leafy views across Lumpini Park and a clear eye on Bangkok’s business crowd. Inspired by the idea of creating a ‘heavenly sanctuary’ in the city, the space leans into modern Chinese Zen – calm, considered and quietly luxurious with hints of blue willow on the clean upholstery – while the menu brings finesse to familiar comforts. Dim sum gets a contemporary upgrade, from har gow enriched with ankimo (monkfish liver) to warming soup dumplings filled with tender black-bone chicken. Photograph: Xian Yuan At the barbecue station, dishes light up with the kiss of applewood. Smoked Peking duck and rich suckling pig are served with fragrant sweet and savoury chestnut filling, while a live seafood counter keeps flavours clean and textures pristine.  For bigger moments, there are steamed red grouper with soy, and fish har gow and fragrant rice wrapped in lotus leaf and oven-baked with a whole Japanese abalone that are sure to impress. And with seven private dining rooms accommodating ev

While election weekend gets underway, many of us who can’t vote (or would rather not doom-scroll the results) may be wondering how exactly to fill the time. With bars and restaurants understandably dry for the duration, distraction becomes a little harder to come by – unless you’re willing to swap a drink in hand for something a bit more cerebrally enriching. If that’s you, you’re in luck. Long a capital of creativity, Chiang Mai is turning to performance this weekend, as the Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival (CMPAF) takes over theatres and public spaces across town – starting right now.  From Friday to Saturday, CMPAF offers a timely reminder that entertainment doesn’t have to come with a bar tab (note to self), and instead, a lineup of contemporary performance rubs shoulders with tradition and international artists, sharing the floor with local creatives and audiences who know this city inside out. Now in its 2026 edition, CMPAF has grown from a tight-knit artist-led initiative into one of Northern Thailand’s most exciting platforms for performance. A mini-Fringe Festival if you will, under the theme ‘Lives in Rhythm’. Here’s what to expect and where to find performances all weekend – our best solution to avoid the election chatter. Mostly. Photograph: Cozomia Performing Arts Archive What’s on at the Chiang Mai Performing Arts Festival this year? Major shows will be hosted across the city, many with multiple performances to catch across the three days. Artists from acr

While competition for the nomad dollar is fierce across Southeast Asia, Thailand is still very much winning the remote-work popularity contest. In the latest global rankings, Bangkok swaggers confidently into the number-one spot as the world’s favourite city to plug in, power up and get that remote-work brain firing, with Chiang Mai right behind it in a very respectable second place. The rankings come courtesy of nomads.com – the world’s largest digital nomad platform and community – whose users have collectively crowned Thailand’s two heavyweights above cities like Melbourne, Buenos Aires, Da Nang and Tokyo. Not bad company to beat. Thailand scores particularly high for affordability, safety and overall likeability, with just one minor blemish on the scorecard: internet speeds – which, frankly, says a lot. Turns out there’s more to the digital nomad dream than just the Mbps.  While busy Bangkok tops the ranks, given its connectivity and fast-paced lifestyle with literally everything at your fingertips, the quieter, more culturally-minded Chiang Mai is hot on its heels, with a calmer, creative vibe that happily trades a few megabits for peacefulness and good coffee. Just read our off-duty guide for digital nomads in Chiang Mai, and it’ll all make more sense.  Last week’s Nomad Summit only adds weight to these rankings. The gathering brought in close to a thousand digital nomads from across the globe to participate in a conference of digital minds, in the flesh.  The news also

If your idea of a good time involves great cocktails and seven bars in one night, keep reading. Our friends up in Choeng Doi Distillery are officially rolling out ‘Sonklin Weeks’ – a citywide cocktail crawl that shines a spotlight on their contemporary rice spirit, one glass at a time.  From January 18-31, Chiang Mai’s most respected cocktail bars including Bar Not Found, BRINE, The Continental, Bar Foucault, Bar San, THUUB and The White Rabbit are each serving a one-off signature cocktail using Sonklin as the star ingredient. And the distillery wants you to try them all – with prizes involved of course.  So, what’s the challenge? Well, as this is a bar crawl (of sorts), grab yourself a Sonklin Passport from any of the participating venues, order the Sonklin cocktail, collect a stamp and move onto the next. Five stamps unlock a complimentary distillery tour at Choeng Doi Distillery; collect all seven and you’ll score the tour plus exclusive Sonklin merchandise and special distillery-only rewards. Photograph: Choeng Doi Distillery And for those of you (like us) that may not handle seven cocktails at seven bars in just one night, you’re in luck – these stamps can be collected at your own pace over the next two weeks. All you need to do is find a few friends to share the bragging rights with.  In short, drink local, collect stamps, get a craving for contemporary rice spirit and discover Chiang Mai’s bar scene one cocktail at a time. Cheers to that, we’ll see you on the crawl. 

Wherever you are in Thailand, fine dining has a tendency to show off. Big statements, rigid rituals and concept-heavy menus can sometimes leave diners more puzzled than pleased. And while I’m always open to having my horizons expanded, Cuisine de Garden’s latest seasonal revamp does something far more interesting: it lowers its voice and introduces a touch of sweetness instead. And while a few moments may make you second-guess your choices, a few mouthfuls in, you’ll be glad you didn’t.   Chiang Mai’s OG fine diner  Photograph: Aydan Stuart – Time Out Cuisine de Garden has built its reputation quietly over the years, emerging as one of Chiang Mai’s pioneering fine dining spots – appearing way before the local audience was ready.    From its outset, the restaurant set out to explore a ‘Lanna Nordic’ identity – pairing local Thai ingredients and culinary memory with Nordic techniques, playing into fermentation and a respect for seasonality.    Chef Rinnameth ‘Nan’ Thaisuchat leads the operation from the semi-open kitchen. With no formal training, they’re completely self-taught – an impressive feat in the face of big kitchen names that most fine diners pass through.    This gives way to some exciting quirks that I personally think only make the place better. Cuisine de Garden turns its back on strict plating and planning, instead allowing its menus to evolve in response to what’s available, with tasting menus that ebb and flow with the seasons, or whatever is found in the mark

If you’ve been following Chiang Mai Design Festival 2025 this year, you’ll know there’s been tons of local and international guests showing off their best all around the city. From music to art, fashion to technology, the north is buzzing and alive – making this one of the busiest and most exciting Of all the venues, Three Kings Monument may be the most interesting. There’s back-to-back happenings at both the Lanna Folklife Museum and Chiang Mai Arts and Cultural Centre just behind, but it’s what’s on the courtyard itself that has caught our attention.  Slap bang in the middle you’ll find the Russian-Thai Business Council (RTBC) pavilion – a bright white and orange display of Russian heritage, art, craft and contemporary design.  From Gzhel porcelain to contemporary fashion and design, the Russian Soul Pavilion brings three cultural landscapes of Russia into the heart of Chiang Mai. Discover it for free and try your hand at the creative workshops until December 14.  Photograph: Time Out Thailand Local Plus – Design Week theme with a Russian twist   For Vladimir Kovalev, Executive Director of RTBC, the decision to debut here was obvious. ‘Chiang Mai was our clear choice,’ he tells Time Out. ‘It’s not just a city; it’s Thailand’s creative capital.’    Visit on any given day and you’ll find Vladimir’s team – many having flown in specially from Moscow – keen to share their best. With design at the heart of the city this week, he adds ‘this philosophy perfectly matches what we w

At the end of the year, Chiang Mai turns into a living, breathing open-air playground with festivals, events, parties, expos and hangouts that mark the city’s highest season. And from December 6-14, Chiang Mai Design Week takes over the city, with over 300 events, workshops, galleries, pop-ups and concerts that feels equal parts creative conference and street festival.  Now 11 years strong, this year’s theme is all about ‘Local Plus’ – a powerup week where everyone – from designers, musicians and students to travellers, entrepreneurs, neighbourhood aunties – gets involved. It’s no doubt one of the best times to be in Chiang Mai, and to help you navigate the ocean of opportunities, here’s our lowdown on what to see and do this creative week.   Photograph: Chiang Mai Design Week So, what actually is Chiang Mai Design Week? At its core, it’s a festival that spotlights local creative talent – from designers and architects to artisans, technologists, food innovators, sustainable-living champions and emerging makers. The official mission (and they've stuck to it brilliantly) is simple: share ideas, build community and show how design can solve real-world problems. From December 6-14, you can expect to see:  Design exhibitions and installations  Hands-on workshops (ceramics, textiles, printmaking, woodworking – you name it, it's got it) Talks and panel discussions Live performances, music and full-blown concerts Experimental food and craft programmes Photograph: Chiang Mai Desi

Anyone who keeps an eye on Chiang Mai’s live-music undercurrent has almost certainly stumbled into a Terror Terror set. Maybe you caught them shaking things up at Mycelium last year, tearing through the stages at Thantawan Festival or perhaps blasting through the 2am haze at Yoda’s CNX Gallery.  Formed in Chiang Mai in 2023, Terror Terror has quickly become one of the city’s most popular homegrown alt-rock bands. The musicians, hailing from local and international homes, fuse Western post-punk urgency with Thai indie sensibilities – a combo that strikes hard among those in the local scene. Their single ‘Wasted’ hit number one on Bedroom Radio and climbed to number 13 on Cat Radio’s Top 100, later becoming one of Bedroom Studio’s 50 Most Played Tracks of 2023 among Thai listeners. Photograph: Terror Terror   Chiang Mai’s alternative music scene is rising The band sits within a rapidly shifting Chiang Mai soundscape. As Rosie, the lead singer, puts it, ‘Chiang Mai has a strong lineage of folk rock sound, but most people only see that sort of stuff performed at holiday celebrations or walking streets.’  So, over the last decade, indie, experimental and DIY venues have flourished among local music enthusiasts, reshaping the landscape – powered by pioneers like Chiang Mai Originalive, Minimal Records, North Gate, Tempo Wave, Punk Rock Chiang Mai, as well as a hometown festival circuit that is now booming.  The band’s identity spans genres – ‘a bit indie, punk and garage rock’ –