Kaweewat Siwanartwong

Anyone who's been going out in Bangkok knows that queer nightlife never stays still for long in this city. Bar-hopping and clubbing are already among the top things to do in Bangkok, but LGBTQ+ nightlife here? It takes things to the next level. The Thai capital is fast becoming a proper mecca for queer parties, with venues that cater to pretty much every taste going. Whether you're after sweaty dancefloors, intimate cocktail spots or something a bit more leftfield, there's a place for you. So we've rounded up our picks of the brightest spots lighting up the scene right now. Add them to your Bangkok to-do list, but remember to party responsibly, look out for your mates and keep those good vibes flowing. See our best nightclubs in Bangkok if you want to dance the night away.

Updated February 2026: We’ve refreshed our list of the best record stores in Bangkok to keep you on top of the best new spots to dig. Recent additions include Recoroom Vinyl & Vintage Audio and Format BKK, as well as a special entry Cassette Shop for those who prefer their music on tape. Running your fingers along the spines, hearing that faint crackle as the needle meets the groove. It's a pleasure analog music lovers know can't be replicated by any streaming service. Unless you’ve been living under a digital rock, you’ll know that record shops in Bangkok are making a serious comeback. Communities for people who speak the same language, they’re where you’ll find vinyl lovers digging and poking through grooves new and old in search of a hot release or rare first pressing.  From old-school institutions that have been around since your parents' day to hidden underground spots brimming with character, the city's vinyl scene is thriving in ways you might not expect. Whether you're into jazz, soul, indie, international releases or boundary-pushing molam, Bangkok's got you covered. We've rounded up the very best record shops across the city, from the well-loved classics to the newer spots making serious waves. Trust us, there's enough here to keep any crate digger happy for hours. We update this article regularly to ensure the information remains accurate and current. So grab your tote bag and get ready to hunt for some proper analogue joy. Your next favourite album is out there so

'Coffee might be the reason we walk into a cafe, but community is the reason we want to come back.' Last year, we invited Khun Wa (Thananop Eimsunthorn), a cafe curator with a radar for cool spaces all across Bangkok, to reveal his map of must-visit spots. So many that you cafe hoppers could barely keep up, quite honestly.  This year, he’s back by popular demand with a 2026 update on new openings and must-trys – because it seems that 'just good coffee' no longer cuts the mustard.  'I feel honoured and excited every time,’ says Khun Wa. ‘It's like getting to explore the city all over again. Every place I visit sparks new conversations and ideas that really help refresh my creative energy.' From 'technique' to 'lifestyle,' he sees this year's vibe as cafes moving away from showcasing technique (think roasting profiles or latte art) and toward creating living spaces that connect more deeply with specific communities. We've seen the rise of cafes for runners, matcha cafes and spaces with clearly defined workshop areas. Today's cafes aren't just selling drinks. They're selling a worldview and creating a shared sense of belonging. When we asked why food, baked goods and various activities have become central this year, Wa offered a sharp insight. 'Great coffee is the core that gets people through the door. But craft menus like homemade sourdough, activities like run clubs and design events, are the tools that make people want to come back. These elements give a cafe its story and t

Welcome to a very very hot March, but nothing beats art with the bonus of AC, right? March is packed with exhibitions and events worth braving the heat for. The big one this month is Mango Art Festival, one of the city's major annual art gatherings that always delivers. Alongside it, a wave of new shows has just opened across galleries, giving you plenty of fresh reasons to step out and see what artists have been up to. Not sure where to begin? We've pulled together the top art exhibitions in Bangkok happening right now. Honestly, there's plenty on offer and the cool galleries are reason enough to venture out. Pop back each week for fresh recommendations as new shows keep rolling in throughout the month. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok. Get ahead of the game and start planning your month with our list of top things to do this March. Whether you're a regular gallery-goer or just art-curious, these are Bangkok’s best spots to live the art life. From alleyway masterpieces to paint-splashed corners you might walk past without noticing, here are our top spots to see street art.

February might be the month of love, but March keeps Bangkok in a pretty flirtatious mood. The heat settles over pavements, linen replaces layers and the city remembers how good it feels to be outside. Weekends fill up quickly now. Parks host lazy wanderers, galleries tempt the curious and nights stretch longer than intended. Take a look at Mango Art Festival, it’s back as a huge playground for collectors and camera rolls alike, with installations and performances that'll have you reaching for your phone. T-Pet x T-Pop Festival pairs idol culture with four-legged companions, which sounds improbable but somehow works brilliantly. People Festival and MEK Music and Market go grassroots, mixing live sets with independent stalls and conversations that drift well past midnight. Silent Theatre Festival proves words are optional when movement tells the story. Central Cee brings sharp West London lyricism to a local stage, a reminder that global rap feels entirely at home here now. And Chilli Fest crowns the season with heat levels that test your courage as much as your taste buds. The thing about March is it rarely whispers. It beckons, really, pulling you out of whatever comfortable routine February left you in. So don't waste the month watching the temperature climb from indoors. Get out there and see what all the fuss is about. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok.

We're out here having a grand old time celebratin' St Pat's in Bangkok, so we are. There's a rake of things to do, so let's get out there and give it a lash.  Look, Bangkok will celebrate pretty much anything if you give us half a chance. St Patrick's Day rolls around and suddenly the whole city's gone green, pints are flowing and everyone's having a proper laugh whether they're Irish or not. Sure, some people reckon it's all a bit much, but honestly? It's just a nice way to mark other cultures living in the city. And, if you're far from home, celebrating your national day with a bunch of mates (and strangers who'll be mates by the end of the night) feels pretty special.  St Patrick's Day marks the death of Ireland's patron saint, but really it's become a full-blown celebration of Irish culture. Loads of green, plenty of Guinness and drinking songs you'll definitely be belting out by midnight whether you know the words or not. So where should you head in Bangkok to get properly stuck in? We've rounded up the best spots to celebrate. RECOMMEND:Where to celebrate St Patrick’s Day in Bangkok

Ireland is known for its jolly culture of drinking and socializing in pubs. An amiable atmosphere, hearty traditional comfort fare, live sports showing on huge TV screens (accompanied by vigorous chanting), cheerful music and lots of booze—all these characterize good ol' Irish pubs.Bangkok is home to more than a few of these drinking spots. Experience laid-back vibes, exuberant conversations and charming Irish hospitality at these beloved joints.

The first full weekend of March lands with heat! Bangkok's waking up earlier, dressing lighter and actually stepping out the door. The city's cultural scene is doing the same. This weekend brings Maxnifier VI, an exhibition that brings printmakers from different continents together under the idea of 'Mail Art'. Works get passed hand to hand before ending up side by side on the same wall. Over at Funky Lam, there's free tam mak hoong for women all month, which sounds small but feels like more when you're there. Mae Naak: A Classic Opera is back to haunt the stage, Sunju Hargun's doing an all-night DJ set and Print Pop-Up is spreading fresh ink across tables. Mango Art Festival also has its moment on the calendar. The festival sets up at River City Bangkok with the theme 'ICON', suggesting that today's throwaway objects become tomorrow's collectibles. Japan's YOD TOKYO and Editions sit alongside Manila's Gallery. Sort of. and Malaysia's A4 ART GALLERY. Joan Cornellà turns up among independent names while newcomers claim their own space. Meanwhile, the BAC Passport Winter Edition 2026 turns gallery hopping into something like a gentle sport with 27 venues from Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center to Numthong Art Space handing out stamps in exchange for showing up. Finish the routes before 31 May and you'll collect more than souvenirs. Get ahead of the game and start planning your month with our list of the top things to do this March. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans

Just recently, at a whisky event that promised the usual swirl of ice and polite applause, something else cut through the room. Not a saxophone – it was thinner, stranger, almost trembling. I remember turning to a friend and asking, 'What is that?' The answer leads me to Sorrawat 'Ben' Suviporn. Ben is one of the partners behind Studio Lam, the vintage-style bar long considered a sanctuary for Thai musical heritage. For years it's been a meeting point for luk thung devotees, mor lam obsessives, jazz heads and anyone willing to let African rhythms sit beside Latin swing, funk and soul. It's a place where crates matter and curiosity is currency. Yet the sound I hear that evening doesn't come from a record collection. It comes from plants. Under the name Melt and Reform, Ben works with bioelectric signals from living organisms, translating their electrical activity into control voltage, then shaping that data through a modular system until it becomes something like music. Or perhaps something before music. The project grows out of Melt Experience, an earlier collaboration rooted in plant medicine, inner stillness and guided frequencies. Over time, the work shifted from symbolic use of natural elements to actual dialogue with Mother Nature herself. Photograph: prakaanmaltwhisky Melt and Reform feels almost alchemical. Frequencies dissolving, field recordings bending, bioelectric signals reshaped into song. I ask Ben when he first realises sound can be treated as something aliv

This list is from 2024. Our latest ranking for 2025 is live here. In 2024, what exactly makes a neighbourhood cool? Craft breweries, natty wine bars and street art are well and good, but the world’s best, most exciting and downright fun neighbourhoods are much more than identikit ‘hipster hubs’. They’re places that reflect the very best of their cities – its culture, community spirit, nightlife, food and drink – all condensed in one vibey, walkable district. To create our annual ranking, we went straight to the experts – our global team of on-the-ground writers and editors – and asked them what the coolest neighbourhood in their city is right now, and why. Then we narrowed down the selection and ranked the list using the insight and expertise of Time Out’s global editors, who vetted each neighbourhood against criteria including food, drink, arts, culture, street life, community and one-of-a-kind local flavour. The result? A list that celebrates the most unique and exciting pockets of our cities – and all their quirks. Yes, you’ll find some of those international hallmarks of ‘cool’. But in every neighbourhood on this list there’s something you won’t find anywhere else. Ever been to a photography museum that moonlights as a jazz club? Or a brewery with a library of Russian literature? How about a festival dedicated to fluff? When communities fiercely support and rally around their local businesses, even the most eccentric ideas can become a reality. And that, in our eyes, is

This will be the first time a Marley heir has performed alongside Thailand's top reggae artists, which is pretty monumental when you think about it. Julian Marley, the son of Bob Marley himself has linked up with The Uprising for what’s shaping up to be a milestone gig. He 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. It's not just Julian Marley taking the spotlight. You've got some Thai reggae legends on this bill too. JOB2DO are there with all the tracks everyone knows and loves, doing what they do best with that easy, laidback feel. Malaiman Downtown bring their own unmistakable  flavour, and then there's INJA, who basically shows up to set the whole place on fire. 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 Bangkok? Julian Marley is set to play a one-night-only live show in Bangkok on Friday 22 May. Where is Julian Marley performing in Bangkok? Julian Marley brings his signature sound to the stage at UOB LIVE, located within Bangkok’s EM District and perched atop the Emsphere. The venue can host up to 6,000 guests, accommodating concerts, entertainment

We update this article regularly to ensure the information remains accurate and current. Please check back for the latest updates. Every weekend, dancefloors fill with crowds that look like they've walked straight out of a street style blog. Sequins, sunglasses and a studied sense of nonchalance are everywhere. But past the queue-snaking clubs and glitter-drenched Instagram backdrops, there's more happening. Bangkok still knows how to party but change is on the horizon. Iconic venues like Studio Lam have already shut their doors (thank you for the great memories) but, if there's one thing the city does best, it’s fighting for the right to rave. Clubs are going strong and the community is pushing forward, determined to keep the scene alive, dancing and kicking. Bangkok's after-hours scene, in all its forms, continues to confound, delight and seduce. Whether you're chasing beats in a basement or sipping bourbon under LED constellations, one thing's clear: sleep can wait. From the old guard spinning vinyl in converted warehouses to sleek newcomers rewriting the rules of nightlife, the Thai capital remains relentlessly restless. Time to get your party on.   RECOMMENDED:  🕺Best LGBTQ+ bars and nightclubs in Bangkok  🍻The 10 best beer bars in Bangkok  🍽️Bangkok's 7 sexiest dim-lit bars and restaurants

Despite the heat (and a bit of smog), spending an entire weekend indoors, however, rarely lifts the Bangkok spirit. Overcome the indoor-outdoor dilemma and head to Music in the Park, a BMA-organised party that keeps you outdoors – and for good reason.. The concept stays refreshingly simple: gather live musicians in leafy parks, wait for evening breeze and invite the public to slow down for a while. Performances appear across several neighbourhoods throughout the month , so no heroic journey across town is required. This weekend, head to Lumphini park with friends, bring a picnic and wander across lawns as songs drift gently through the trees, reminding us all that the most pleasant of evenings often ask for very little effort. March 15. Free. Sala Phirom Phakdi, Lumphini Park. 5.30pm

A long night of grooves waits at legendary 12x12 as Rocco Universal arrives from Bali for a rare appearance in Bangkok. Resident at Potato Head and the driving force behind Cosmic Tiger, Rocco  carries a reputation that precedes him, most often gliding between warm house rhythms and deeper club textures at the stage. Local favourites also step behind the decks. DJ Seelie brings her careful track curation while Pez keeps the floor moving with familiar confidence, carrying the room forward until the wee hours. March 14. B200 at the door. 12x12. 8pm onwards

As night falls over Bangkok, BLOSSOM gathers a crowd drawn to the darker club sounds and steady rhythmic builds of late night breakbeats. Come early and move from groove toward heavier pressure, guiding your hips through moments of tension before the eventual releasing that burst of energy reserved for only the latest of hours.  The lineup brings together selectors who favour experimentation over easy formulas. Savemekilly opens the evening with restless rhythms, followed by the curious selections of Want One? followed by Olle and Winkieb, with music stretching well past midnight.  March 14. B300 via here and B500 at the door. BLAQLYTE BLOQ. 9pm-late

A gathering of vintage treasures, art. objects, craft, and hands on workshops is afoot, settling comfortably inside The StandardX Bangkok Phra Arthit – a design minded address near the old riverside quarter of Chao Phraya River. Rub shoulders with collectors browsing racks of unusual finds while makers share their work across neatly arranged stalls. Creators including Wishulada, Smile Silver, Studio899, Basic Teeory and Mind Hom present objects that feel personal rather than mass produced. Be sure topause and peruse small workshops along the way, where artists explain their process and let you try it out too. A nearby coffee break fits naturally between discoveries, before another slow wander through displays that celebrate creativity with a gentle sense of style. March 14-15. Free. The StandardX, 10am-7pm

Code, sound and language share the same stage in this audiovisual programme exploring connection across digital and human systems. Artists from Southeast Asia and Central Asia gather in Bangkok for a series of performances that make use of augmented reality, treating technology less like machinery and more like the living. Projected art moves between scanning and sensing, with algorithms appearing beside images and layered audio compositions for full Matrix-like immersion. Walking through, you’ll encounter screens flickering with shifting visuals while speakers carry fragments of speech, rhythm and electronic texture to really set the scene. The result feels reflective rather than technical, but installations still manage to recognise how bodies, languages and networks quietly link across great distances. March 14. B300 via here and B350 at the door. Bangkok Kunsthalle. 4.30pm-9pm

For those who just can’t say no to a coffee, then take a walk down Coffee Road as it returns to Terminal 21 Asok. Office workers stop by after long afternoons while casual wanderers arrive for a slower midday break, all united by the promise of a decent cup. Baristas line the space with stalls serving everything from careful pour-overs to bold iced blends, each offering a slightly different idea of what constitutes a perfect brew. A bassy DJ booth keeps the atmosphere lively, turning the gathering into an easy going coffee party where music and caffeine share equal importance. Stroll through the venue with cup in hand, chatting with friends or discovering unfamiliar roasts along the way. Be warned, however, you only have two hours to see it all. March 13-22. Free. Terminal 21 Asok. Midday-2pm

Music drifts through Bangkok once again as Soundscape returns after a well received 2025 edition featuring names such as Phum Viphurit and LANDOKMAI. This year, the festival expands its programme, placing a new generation of Thai artists even more centre stage across several party-packed evenings. The lineup begins with PURPEECH and Mirrr on March 13. March 14 opens with a daytime gathering featuring YONLAPA, Valentina Ploy and Mindfreakkk, followed later by a headline performance from The Toys before coming to a close with Tilly Birds on Sunday. Beyond the stage, a free exhibition organised by The Hechyeomoyeo gathers more than forty visual artists, inviting you to get involved with playful installations such as the luxury Glambot camera which captures cinematic moments on the big screen between sets. March 13-15. B999-2,500 via here. 515 Victory Hall. 7pm

You may recall this first being planned to take place in Bangkok’s famously disused New World Mall, but with an actual fear of ghosts (real ones), a new address gives this horror gathering a welcome change of scenery. The event now settles on the sixth floor of Hua Lamphong Post Office, a building whose faded grandeur still suits the mood, minus any uninvited ghouls. Evenings bring outdoor screenings beneath the night sky, while a haunted house exhibition recreates memorable scenes from cult films. Crew members share eerie stories from the set, offering glimpses behind the camera. A short film competition champions emerging horror talent, with talks where audiences question directors and actors about their craft. Food stalls and music keep spirits lively between screenings. All in all, the programme mixes Thai film favourites such as Bangkok Haunted with international chillers including The Thing and Unfriended. March 13-15. Free. Sixth floor, Hua Lam Phong Post Office, 7pm-11pm

Death waits for everyone, yet most people still struggle to speak about it. Thankfully, Death Fest breaks the ice by  inviting visitors to treat mortality as part of everyday conversation rather than a distant shadow. The theme this year, ‘old sick dead’ – a possible nod to the economic nickname Thailand’s recently acquired – but look closer and you’ll find something softer: a reminder that quality of life matters whether someone feels healthy, unwell or approaching their final chapter. Five areas shape the programme: ‘Old School’ hosts practical care sessions for families; ‘Human Life-brary Cafe’ welcomes thoughtful discussions with specialists; ‘Life Journey’ gathers services connected with ageing and palliative support; and ‘Friends Eat’ encourages us to hold onto shared meals with loved ones, before it’s too late. There’s also some reflective activities to get into, from a coffin showroom that’s less morbid than you might expect, to family portraits and a reading corner where volunteer grandparents share stories with children. March 13-15. Free. Hall 6, IMPACT Exhibition Center. 9am-7pm

Coffee takes a brief holiday as Bangkok turns gloriously green for World Taste of Tea – a gathering that celebrates tea culture in all its forms. Traditional ceremonies lead the show, sitting comfortably beside casual drinks that city crowds currently queue for, offering a curious mix of heritage and modern taste all under one mall ceiling. You can even meet with the iconic  Yerba Mate, the South American favourite now charming wellness devotees across the globe. Meanwhile, matcha specialists arrive from Japan alongside well known cafes from around Thailand, inviting guests to compare earthy notes one cup at a time. Browse the tables for rare leaves, elegant brewing tools and pastries that pair with a cuppa.There’s an air of ‘trade show’ but is delivered more casually than most, where conversation flows as easily as the next carefully prepared pot.  Until March 17. Free. Central World. 10am-10pm

Deep grooves load as Alik takes his place behind the decks in Bangkok. The French DJ (who now calls the Thai capital home), mixes easily across house, deep house, Afro-house, fro-tech, tech-house and minimal techno, building a set that feels both patient and hypnotic in the same beat. As night settles over the skyline, dancers gather with that familiar anticipation only a good DJ can summon. Are you following?  March 12. Free. Bar.Yard. 9pm

The Grand Line calls across Bangkok as Netflix reshapes Lumpini Park for the arrival of One Piece: Head to the Grand Line. Don straw hats beneath shady trees while fans queue for triumphant check-in photographs, quietly pledging loyalty to pirate lore. A small fleet of themed pedal boats waits by the lake, each one offering visitors a moment as captain of their own ship. Determined riders can pedal across the water in search of Laboon, the legendary whale rising from the surface. While the park often hosts events, this one resembles a pirate-themed theme park  shaped by a devotion to this anime classic. The project brings together the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and Tourism Authority of Thailand, turning a familiar public space into a playful stage for global pop culture. Until March 15. Free. Lumpini Park. 7am to 10pm

What if your favourite photograph could walk out of the album and onto your back? That's exactly what's happening at EmSphere this week, where Thai fashion label MATTER MAKERS is making memories wearable. Photograph: MATTER MAKERS The brand has teamed up with Kanrapee.Chok (Kanrapee Chokpaiboon) – the photographer and artist behind cult photobook 'The Good Place' – for an immersive experience that makes you part of the lens.  Titled Memories Matter, it takes dreamy images from the photobook and prints them onto fabric as part of the exclusive 'We Met In The Good Place' wearable collection. Now, instead of flipping through pages, you get to carry those moments around with you on your back. But the event on March 12 is way more than just a chance to browse new threads. There's a VR zone where you can literally step inside 'The Good Place' through a 360 degree game that flips through the pages from the inside out. You can also mess about with film cameras on site and snap your own memories for free, no darkroom required. Photograph: MATTER MAKERS If you're feeling spendy or simply love his work, grab two pieces from the collection and you'll score a limited edition poster featuring Kanrapee's photography for free – something you can proudly hang up at home to match your new threads the next time guests come to visit.  The whole thing goes down at the MATTER MAKERS store on EmSphere's first floor from 5pm to 9pm, and it’s absolutely free.

The legendary Australian wine brand is entering a fresh chapter by appointing Troye Sivan as its new Creative Partner, bringing together wine, design and contemporary culture. Troye, an Australian singer, actor and style icon who's basically everywhere right now, is lending his taste to add a flavour of fashion to Penfolds – the big announcement dropping during last week’s Paris Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2026 event.   To launch this new partnership, his first project is already here: a limited edition label for Penfolds Bin 389 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz. And we know where to get one. Photograph: Penfolds Taking the torch of creative collaboration from Japanese streetwear brand NIGO, Troye has some big shoes to fill following Penfolds' first creative partnership success. Already making waves, it's part of the brand's ongoing obsession with pairing influential artists with its 180-year winemaking heritage – and the results look gorgeous. Photograph: Penfolds The collection comes in two formats. There's a standard 750ml gift box, then the proper collector's piece – a 1.5 litre magnum that Sivan co-created with South Korean craftsman Rahee Yoon. The packaging uses translucent red and white tones designed to feel warm and celebratory, meant to capture those special moments when people gather together. Only 20 bottles of the magnum exist worldwide, so they're seriously hard to come by.  Thankfully, the 750ml bottles are much easier to find, launching globally in March 2026 and

If you're the type who enjoys discovering new labels without the stuffiness of a traditional wine tasting, this is worth blocking out your weekend for. Bangcork Wine Fair is back for another round, and this year it's pitched up at Two Palms Taproom from April 3 to 5 – three solid days of discovering bottles you've never heard of, soundtracked by tunes from DJs who'll be playing records throughout. New venue, same vibe. Photograph: bangcork.winefair The fair brings together 15 wine vendors showcasing over 200 labels from around the world. It's a serious lineup of some of the biggest names in the scene – but without any of the stuffiness that usually comes with more formal wine tasting events. Each day runs from 3pm right through to midnight, so you've got plenty of time to explore, drink and forget about the spit bucket. Photograph: bangcork.winefair Entry costs B700 and gets you two tasting tokens to start. Although if you’re anything like us, you’ll go for the B1,500 option for a swirlingly generous 10 tokens. You can always top up more once you're there too, although tickets do last for all three days; letting you spread out your wine-filled weekend in any way you please.  There's a group deal running too for those drinking with friends (because what’s better than that on a weekend afternoon?). Buy five tickets and if you're among the first 15 groups, you'll snag a free bottle of wine. Tickets are live on Ticketmelon here, giving you ample time to prepare yourself for

The call from the Grand Line echoes in the heart of Bangkok as Netflix transforms Lumpini Park, turning it a paradise for pirates celebrating the arrival of the highly anticipated sequel series One Piece: Head to the Grand Line. Fans prepare to embark on an adventure, take check-in photos and enjoy special activities packed throughout the entire week from March 8 to 15. Photograph: Netflix Set sailing on the lakes of the park (that magically connect to the four blues) and climb  aboard a pirate pedal boat where you become ship captain. With all your might, pedal out to the middle of the lake to meet Laboon, the legendary giant whale waiting to greet you in the water. It’s as if Lumphini Park has become the city’s very own One Piece theme park – if not for its fleeting stay. Photograph: Netflix So, who’s behind this Grand Line in Thailand setup exactly?That’ll be or red-coloured buddies at Netflix, joining forces with Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT). Aside from instilling imagination, they’re  bringing pop culture to the heart of the city, pulling in  tourists and anime fanatics from across the globe to promote the upcoming series and proving the city can handle massive international events that turn public spaces completely unexpected. Photograph: Netflix You'll find everything happening at Lumpini Park with no admission fee, easily reached via MRT Silom Station, Exit 1.  Photo zones and general activities run from 7am

Picture this: you’re sprawled on a beanbag under Bangkok's night sky, watching The Shining flicker across a massive screen while the city lights twinkle in the background.  Cloud 11's rooftop garden is one of the capital's favourite hangout spots and this latest event brings together film, music, fashion and design all in one green space, right in the heart of Bangkok. This weekend, the16,000 square metre rooftop garden teams up with Doc Club & Pub to launch its first Outdoor Cinema experience. The lineup spans horror classics, music documentaries and all those films you've always meant to watch but somehow never got round to.   Here's what's showing across three nights Friday March 13 6pm – A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) 8.30pm – The Shining   Saturday March 14 6pm – Blur: To the End 8.30pm – Bohemian Rhapsody   Sunday March 15 6pm – Imagine: John Lennon (1988) 8.30pm – 2001: A Space Odyssey   Tickets are B500 per screening but there's a catch – there’s only 100 seats available for each session, so you'll want to move fast. To book, go to this Google form, transfer the fee, then confirm by submitting your name and transfer slip at. One thing to note: the outdoor cinema is part of Mek Music & Market, so you'll need to pay B130 for admission at the door, on top of the film ticket itself. 

When Bangkok's pavements start feeling like they could fry an egg and stepping outside turns into an endurance test, the city has a plan. And it's pleasantly simple: go somewhere with air conditioning. Heat waves aren't just uncomfortable anymore. They're a health threat that can lead to heat stroke and other nasty heat-related illnesses. Bangkok knows this year's temperatures will climb even higher than last year's scorchers, with the heat sticking around for longer too. So the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has rolled out a network of 'heat escape rooms' across the capital. Photograph: Greener Bangkok These BKK Cooling Centres are exactly what they sound like: air conditioned spaces where anyone can pop in to cool down when the mercury rises. Right now there are 255 locations dotted around the city. You'll find them in 51 BMA schools and 10 vocational colleges, 68 public health service centres, 50 district offices and 76 cultural centre service points. The city has also set up 2,806 clean drinking water stations throughout Bangkok, because staying hydrated matters just as much as staying cool. It's a pretty straightforward response to extreme heat, mixing short-term relief with longer-term planning. You can check which cooling centre sits nearest to you here. When the heat gets too much outside, now you know where to go.

Dig around in your wallet right now and fish out that slightly battered MRT card you've been tapping through station gates for years. Take a good look at it, because its days are numbered. If you’re feeling kind, you could take it to Death Fest. The MRT rail system is pulling the plug on those familiar cards, with the old MRT and MRT Plus versions heading into retirement by the end of March. The whole thing is part of a shift towards the government's new joint ticketing system, designed to let you hop between trains, buses and eventually even boats with a single card. Photograph: Pinghyu Here's how the phase out works. From April 1 onwards, you won't be able to top up your MRT or MRT Plus card anymore, through any channel. The stations are switching over to EMV cards instead, which use the same chip technology as your debit and credit cards. Think of it as one card to rule all your commuting needs across the city's public transport network. But don't bin your old card just yet. You can still use it to get through the automatic gates until May 31, giving you a couple of months to sort yourself out. After that date hits, the system stops accepting both card types at stations completely. No more tapping through from June 1 onwards. Photograph: Pinghyu If you've still got credit sitting on your card when everything wraps up, you've got options. You can swap your MRT or MRT Plus card for a Mangmoom EMV card without paying any issuance fee. Or if you'd rather just cash out, hea

Death happens to all of us, and people pass away every day, but most people find it very difficult to cope with loss. Death Fest reckons we should talk about mortality a bit more openly, and frankly, it's onto something. This might sound like an unusual fair, but Death Fest has become something of an annual gathering for anyone who reckons we should talk about mortality a bit more openly. Running from March 13 to 15 at IMPACT Exhibition Center Hall 6, the event brings together everything from elderly care services to end-of-life planning, and entry is completely free. The theme this year is 'old, sick, dead', which sounds rather blunt until you realise what they're getting at. Quality of life matters whether you're healthy, unwell or facing your final days, and it involves everyone around you too. Family, friends, community and society all play a part. Photograph: The Cloud Inside you'll find five main areas. Old School offers theory and practice sessions where you can learn care skills either solo or with loved ones. The Human Life-brary Cafe hosts discussion circles with experts from various fields. Life Journey showcases service providers covering everything from ageing to palliative care. Friends Eat gathers restaurants where you can share meals with the people who matter most. But let’s talk about Before I Die, an exhibition space designed for activities you might want to experience with family before time runs out. This year brings three particularly interesting highl

If you've been missing the smell of fresh paperbacks, your wait is almost over. The Thai Book Fair is back at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center from March 26-April 6. This year's theme is ‘Read The Legend’, which is fitting for an event that's become something of a Bangkok institution. Running daily from 10am-9pm across Halls 5-8 on the LG floor, the fair sprawls across more than 360 booths packed with everything from Thai literature and translated novels to children's books and imported titles you won't find elsewhere. Photograph: Thai Book Fair Hall 8 hosts the main stage where authors launch new releases and chat about their work, while Hall 5 has a cosier Author's Salon for more intimate discussions. If you're after proper industry talk, head up to Room MR 205 on the second floor for the Book Symposium seminars about publishing and reading culture. Photograph: Thai Book Fair Worth noting is the Read as a Legend Award from The Ministry of Books, which spotlights quality Thai writers and pushes reading culture forward. It's not just about flogging books but actually celebrating the people behind them. The fair runs for 12 days solid, so there's plenty of time to browse, meet your favourite authors and maybe discover a new legendary read of your own. Just hop on the MRT Blue Line to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Station, take Exit 3 and you're basically there.

Thai dancers are among the world’s best. So it makes perfect sense that Red Bull Dance Your Style is back in Bangkok for its third year, raising the bar even higher. The Thailand Qualifier round kicks off the search for the country's top 12 freestyle dancers. Add in four wild cards and you've got 16 performers battling it out in the National Final, all fighting for one golden ticket to the World Final in Zurich this October. Photograph: bencapture_photo, prms.13 and rakjerry Four world-class Red Bull Dancers are flying in just for this event. Kyoka, Majid, Poppin C and Waackxxxy will be performing sets you won't see anywhere else, bringing their unique styles to Bangkok's dancefloors. If you fancy getting involved, online registration for dancers opens from March 2 to 31 here. The actual qualifier happens on April 2 at ELYSIUM Immersive Club Bangkok, and here's the best bit for spectators wanting to watch the action unfold for free with no tickets needed and no age restrictions from 3pm to 8pm. Photograph: bencapture_photo, prms.13 and rakjerry There's also a bonus workshop on April 3 at HOSTBKK where Poppin C and Kyoka will teach classes up close. It's completely free but spaces are limited, so registration opens March 17 through April 2 at the same website.  

Your furry mate could use a health MOT and you've been putting it off because vet bills are no joke. Well, Bangkok's making it ridiculously easy to sort your pet out without spending a baht. Iconsiam teams up with the Bangkok Department of Health, PETs CARE and PET Safari this weekend for a proper pet wellness event that's completely free. Professional veterinary teams set up shop at PET Safari every first weekend of the month, starting March 7 and 8, offering health checkups, microchip implantation, pet registration and rabies vaccination from 10am to 6pm. It's walk-in only though, so timing matters. They handle 100 microchip and registration slots per day and 200 rabies jabs daily. The service covers dogs and cats exclusively. Photograph: Canva Things to know before bringing your pet to check in Your pet needs to be healthy and not currently under treatment. Age-wise, they should be at least three months old for vaccination. Safety is non-negotiable, so bring them on a leash, in a cage or using a pet stroller while you're wandering around. And grab your ID card because they'll need to verify it. Document wise, here's what to bring along Pet owner's ID card Copy of house registration where the pet lives Certificate (KLS.1) and Registration Application Form (KLS.2), available at the event Power of Attorney if someone else brings your pet   The whole setup happens at ICONSIAM on floor B1 in the Escalator Lobby B, right in front of the PET Safari shop. Two days only, co

Bangkok's dining scene has seen its fair share of French-Japanese restaurants come and go. Hippopotoshi, the newest opening on Soi Ruamrudee near Ploenchit, takes a different approach entirely. The chef behind it, Hitoshi Komatsu, has spent years in the kitchens that make grown men cry. We're talking three Michelin-starred restaurants in France and those notoriously impossible-to-book Tabelog Gold rated places in Tokyo's Ginza district. But here's the thing about Bangkok diners. We've become pretty savvy about what good food should taste like, and we can spot someone trying to charge Michelin prices for mediocre cooking from a mile away.  Photograph: Karina Samoilenko Komatsu seems to understand this. Instead of recreating that high pressure fine dining experience, he's opened a place that feels refreshingly normal for the neighbourhood. Soi Ruamrudee has always been that area where embassy staff, expats and local Bangkokians mix, where you can find everything from street food to hotel restaurants within a five minute walk. This fits right into that energy. Classic French techniques, Japanese precision, but served in a way that feels like it belongs in Bangkok rather than trying to pretend it's somewhere else. What the place feels like The atmosphere is casual in the best possible way. No white tablecloths making you nervous about spilling something, no waiters hovering ominously over your shoulder. Just a comfortable space where you can actually relax and focus on what mat