Kaweewat Siwanartwong

There's a peculiar silence that follows when you tell someone 'I don't drink'. It lands awkwardly, like you've just admitted to something vaguely embarrassing. But that silence has been shrinking lately. Gen Z are leading a quiet revolution, choosing clear heads over hangovers and questioning why socialising has to revolve around a bottle. After lockdown rewired our habits, old rituals started looking a bit naff. Drinking less isn't just about health anymore – it's cultural. Which raises an obvious question: if you're not drinking, where the hell do you go in a city that's built on the mythology of nights out? That's how I ended up deep inside Sammakorn Village, a residential labyrinth in Bangkok that's home to more than 6,500 households and, rather improbably, one of the most unusual bars in Asia. STØCKHØLME Sober Bar is Thailand's first alcohol-free bar and the first in Asia. It opens from 2pm-10pm, welcoming everyone from the sober-curious to families who rock up with dogs and teenagers in tow. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taste of The Place (@jiranarong2) I'd expected earnest kombucha, wellness lectures and maybe a queue of yoga mats. Instead I walked into something warm and surprisingly mischievous, where cocktail shakers were working overtime and two people, Korranath 'Oak' Thamamnuaysuk and Weeree 'Wee' Yomjinda, greeted me like friends determined to prove that sobriety has never meant boring. What followed was two hours of tasting,

Don't say you're not feeling it. The drop in temperature feels like permission to step out and claim the city for yourself. November's last weekend arrives with a mix of nice breeze evenings and beautiful sunsets, and Bangkok's event calendar is packed with treats that tempt every kind of curiosity. Movie Nights in the Netherlands Embassy Garden offer the chance to watch Dutch cinema under the stars, while the Open Air Cinema Festival brings Swiss comedies to a leafy outdoor setting, where laughter travels as freely as the evening breeze. For those chasing music and movement, Beamcube's Last Dance closing week promises four nights of sound and rhythm, where local favourites and international headliners keep the decks rolling from sunset to late hours. L'Impératrice lands in town for a live show drenched in disco, funk and irresistible groove, while Resonate's Bangkok Island Boat Party carries deep minimal house across the Chao Phraya, the skyline sliding past as basslines roll. And for something playful and thoughtful, A Weekend with Meta AI x Song Wat transforms the historic creative quarter into a hub of interactive art, music and AI-powered imagination, while Grooves and Goodies in Ari invites you to browse rare vinyl, vintage treasures and handmade pieces in a weekend that's more about discovery than haste. So get out there, soak it all in and make the most of it. Get ahead of the game and start planning your month with our list of the top things to do this November. Stay

Music still does that thing where it brings people together and tears them apart simultaneously. Some reckon punk's dead, just a relic from when rebellion meant eyeliner and leather jackets. But rock and roll – that stubborn bastard – won't lie down. It morphs, it sweats, it relocates. And in Thailand, surprisingly, it's still kicking. That’s where The Young Wolf comes in. A band so saturated in colour you'd think the 1970s never ended. Their gigs are proper fever dreams – shimmering jackets, hair that crackles with static, the sort of sound that makes your chest hurt in a good way. Their cover of a certain Led Zeppelin track racked up over four million views, and suddenly Bangkok had something new to shout about. I wanted to know who they actually were underneath the sequins and sweat. So I sent over some questions – the type that start simple and end up unpicking what makes a band tick. The sort that remind you rock and roll isn't just noise. It's how you survive. Photograph: The Young Wolf The howl begins 'We met through the small gig circuit in Bangkok,' they tell me. Five strangers who kept running into each other across sticky floors and dim bars. 'We jammed together in a rehearsal room. It was chaos until one night it wasn't. The gear clicked, the room caught fire, and The Young Wolf was born.'   The five-piece – Jonathan on vocals, Jimmie Petzh and Nonney on guitars, Song Song on bass, Little on drums. A lineup that would become something more than the sum of its pa

Mention Song Wat and most people picture weathered shophouses with Chinese-style storefronts. What they don't realise is that tucked between these century-old buildings, something rather brilliant has been happening. The younger generation has been slipping bits of modernity into every corner, and it's now become one of Bangkok's most interesting districts to explore. Song Wat isn't just about the food, though there's plenty of that. The art scene here is properly thriving. Shopkeepers and artists have been working together, turning the whole district into a sprawling outdoor gallery. The recent buzz has given confidence to people who actually care about preserving history and culture in old commercial areas. Support it to grow with the times and what you get back is architecture that future generations can still see with their own eyes, not just in history books. Photograph: rongklannuea What's Song Wat known for? Song Wat has basically become Bangkok's hipster area without really trying. Art is everywhere throughout the district. Street art on walls, designer bits in unexpected shops, galleries that range from big impressive spaces to tiny rooms down alleyways or tucked behind coffee counters. If you love art, Song Wat is brilliant. You just need to know where to look. Right now there are loads of new places opening. Restaurants, cafes, galleries, bars worth staying in until late. If you fancy a change of scene and want to walk around taking street photos, stopping for sn

November in Bangkok means art season running at full tilt, with the city's beautiful contradictions on full display – gridlocked traffic outside, hushed white cube spaces within. Art lives everywhere here: sprawling museums with cathedral-high ceilings, scrappy project rooms above third-wave coffee spots, galleries that look structurally questionable yet house work capable of stopping you mid-stride. Need to feel confused, delighted, unsettled or quietly gutted? Bangkok's got you sorted. The range is genuinely unruly. One evening you're facing neon installations unpacking migration politics, next morning you're locked eyes with a centuries-old portrait that feels disturbingly alive. Contemporary pieces question what existing in this particular metropolis actually means, modernist works get reinterpreted for right now, and the odd old master hangs about with surprising swagger. What makes things tricky is sheer choice. New shows open constantly, so deciding where to spend your Saturday afternoon becomes its own minor ordeal. Consider this less a definitive ranking and more your orientation map through a city that simply won't quit making, showing and interrogating through visual culture, monsoon season be damned. Everything below we've visited personally, stood in front of and probably Instagram-stalked first. Every single exhibition here deserves your time. 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

As the country mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, Bangkok's tempo shifts. Venues stay open and music still plays, but with a quieter grace. It's a month of small joys and thoughtful gatherings before the year slips away. Anyway, we're almost there – one month until NYE. November brings slightly cooler air, though 'cool' is pushing it. The 11th month unfolds with a gentler energy, making space for moments that feel both present and reflective. Kick things off with Ghost2568: Wish We Were Here, a surreal blend of art, nostalgia and light that lingers somewhere between memory and dream. Or escape reality altogether with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert, where the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra breathes life into John Williams' score beneath a 40-foot screen. For something warmer, TYLA's We Wanna Party Asia Tour lands in Bangkok – all amapiano shimmer and attitude. Transport stretches a disco-lit day across 14 hours of pure movement at Chang Chui. Then swap sequins for strings at the Southeastern Old Time Gathering, a weekend of bluegrass, Irish trad and old-time tunes that feel like they've travelled across centuries to reach you. Get out there, enjoy! Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok.

Planning Halloween already? It maybe a little early, but the nights are drawing in, the air feels cooler, and before long, the season’s most mischievous celebration will be upon us. Thailand may not have the same obsession with ghosts and ghouls as other countries, but Bangkok knows how to throw a night worth remembering.  Soon enough, downtown Bangkok will shift into a carnival of costumes, flickering lights and characters that seem plucked from another world. Streets, bars, galleries and rooftops will offer everything from quirky pop-ups to immersive experiences, leaving little excuse not to get involved. It’s never too early to start plotting your own night of mischief, assembling your coven, or deciding which haunted corners of the city you’ll explore. Looking for something strange, eerie or delightfully absurd? Time Out Bangkok has your back. While we might not carry proton packs, we know where the best thrills are hiding. From haunted bars and rooftop rituals to costume competitions and spooky markets, our ever-growing guide will keep you informed and entertained. By the time the last lanterns flicker and the city’s ghosts retreat, you’ll know that Bangkok’s Halloween is not just a night on the calendar – it’s a festival of mischief, style and just enough fright to make it unforgettable.

In Bangkok, the music scene has transformed over the past few years, led by crews of DJs and collectives – both Thai and international, who are tackling imbalances in the industry by carving out their own creative corners. These collectives do more than play music: they build communities, experiment with sound and space, and create opportunities for voices too often overlooked. And the number of groups pushing this forward is far greater than most realise. Collectives are the empowering force. DIY at heart, they share resources, skills and ideas, providing spaces free from discrimination and harassment. Each crew has its own identity: some focus on multidisciplinary arts, others on workshops and mentoring, and some simply craft nights that feel electric and alive. What unites them is a vision of equality, inclusivity and diversity – for their members and for everyone who joins. Detour is the one for those chasing tracks you hear once and immediately need to know more. RomRom bends genres and expectation, from Bhangra to Brazilian hip-hop, creating nights defined by atmosphere rather than label. Non Non Non gives a queer sanctuary, where electronica, EBM and techno collide and the crowd feels at home. Kleaning Service turn up once a month with their offbeat 'cleaning' sessions, a tongue-in-cheek disguise for nights that refuse to behave predictably.  Transport, meanwhile, are a softer, warmer embrace of the dancefloor. moor brings underground international talent rarely seen i

October arrived with a bit of rain, but Bangkok doesn’t really do dull seasons. The city thrives on contrast – traffic outside, white-walled calm within. It’s a place where art lives in every possible corner: vast museums with echoing halls, hidden rooms above coffee shops, galleries that look like they might collapse yet hold works that could floor you. If you want to be confused, delighted, unsettled or quietly moved, this city rarely disappoints. The variety is unruly. One evening you might stumble across a show where neon tubes light up the politics of migration, the next morning you’re staring at a centuries-old portrait that feels impossibly alive. There’s contemporary work that questions what it means to exist in a city like this, modernism reinterpreted for the present, and the occasional old master hanging with surprising confidence. What complicates things is choice. With new exhibitions opening constantly, picking where to spend an afternoon can feel like work in itself. So think of this less as a definitive guide and more as a starting point – a way to orient yourself in a city that refuses to stop making, showing and questioning through art, no matter the weather. 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 October. Whether you're a regular gallery-goer or just art-curious, these are Bangkok’s best spots to live the ar

October in Bangkok doesn’t tip-toe in. As the rains finally turn polite and the air dries, the city arms itself with spectacles that crackle in neon, shadow and trembling melody. Museums open new worlds. Theatres unfurl fresh tales. Bars and cafes welcome midnight whispers. On the music front it’s chaos of the best kind. The Smashing Pumpkins return after nearly three decades, giving a set that could flicker from 1979 to their new rock-opera. Mariah Carey is back too, hair flips intact, marking 20 years since The Emancipation of Mimi with seven-octave theatrics Bangkok hasn’t seen in years.  Sean Paul finally touches down for his Thai debut, bringing the riddims that once soundtracked every school disco. Connan Mockasin drifts in with his woozy dream-funk, while Blackpink stage a three-night stadium takeover that will probably sell out faster than you can open a group chat. Over at the Contemporary World Film Series, Something Like an Autobiography plants its flag. Penned by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and his actress-wife Nusrat Imrose Tisha during lockdown, it folds their marriage into fiction, even as Farooki steps in front of the camera for the first time. It’s a quietly radical piece about memory, identity and how lives unspool when we least expect. And for those who sleep with their lights off: the Junji Ito Collection Horror House turns dreams into architecture. Over 1,500 square metres, you might find Tomie’s cursed beauty, balloon-headed predators or Souichi’s mischievous

Here we are again, only this time we’ve landed at Funky Lam Kitchen – a modern Laotian menu that doesn’t flinch from bold, full-throttle flavours. The cocktails and the wine list aren’t there to soothe but to spar, chosen deliberately to hold their ground against the fire. Step inside and you’re in a space that feels like someone’s memories turned into design: a renovated shophouse lined with old BMW motorbikes, walls hung with images that hint at histories both personal and political. Funky Lam isn’t simply another addition to Bangkok’s dining map. It’s the dream realised by Sanya Souvanna Phouma – the man who gave the city Bed Supperclub, Maggie Choo’s and Sing Sing – alongside his fellow Laotian partner Saya Na Champassak, whose grandmother, once the princess of the south, was famed for menus devised with the palace chef for royal tables. Together, they’ve built something more than a restaurant: a love letter to Lao cuisine, a revival staged with funk, grit and affection. Photograph: Funky Lam Kitchen And that’s why I’m here, to ask how two men who grew up in Paris, haunted by both French kitchens, the stories tucked between plates of olam and glasses of Beer Lao and Laotian memories, ended up here. The inheritance of nightlife and airways ‘It’s in my DNA,’ Sanya says when I ask if his father’s club influenced him. His father, Prince Panya Souvanna Phouma – Harvard graduate, son of a Prime Minister, head of Royal Laos Air – once co-owned The Third Eye, a psychedelic club

Let us tell you straight off: if someone in Thailand says they’ve never heard of Arak ‘Pae’ Amornsupasiri, I’d raise an eyebrow. He’s lived through so many chapters – starting out as a guitarist in Slur in the late ’90s, then branching into solo music and acting, and lately daring to helm his own films. His debut The Stone: Phra Tae Kon Ke didn’t just stir the Thai scene – it went international. We found a fitting place to talk in one go: REC.Bangkok, the sleek Wireless Road bar we’ve taken over for the afternoon. Its dim lights, sharp corners and relaxed energy felt like the perfect backdrop for Pae’s many facets – cool, intense, playful.   Photograph: STYLEdeJATE Each role, a fresh mountain to climb Pae isn’t someone you can pin down to one job description. Singer, actor, director – each title could be its own full-time career, yet he insists on doing all three. Not out of some restless inability to choose, but because every role offers him a new kind of friction to wrestle with. And he seems to enjoy the fight. What links these identities is a stubborn urge to not simply meet expectations but to vault quietly over them. As an actor, he’s always battling that silent question: how do you satisfy the director, the writer or the creative who hired you? Sometimes their request is modest, almost underwhelming. Yet Pae wants to push further, or at the very least match the depth of what they had in mind. When he switches to music, the challenge shapeshifts. He asks himself: how

Kitikong Tilokwattanotai’s latest exhibition feels like a conversation across centuries. The artist revisits one of humanity’s earliest canvases, goat parchment, a medium that once held the first flickers of human thought and record. By working with this ancient material, Kitikong bridges the gap between the ancient and the contemporary, layering centuries-old craft with modern printmaking. Etching, one of the oldest printmaking techniques, guides the series. Each incision on the plate negotiates between control and chance, a subtle  dialogue between hand and surface. When transferred onto parchment, the prints carry a quiet tension, permanence brushing against fragility, memory pressed into form. The work lingers somewhere between past and present, inviting viewers to trace the line where history, material, and imagination meet. Until February 6 2026. Free. Archives Design, 11am-6pm

Rooftop nights in Bangkok have never sparkled quite like this. Picture a cosy terrace under the stars where the city’s lights mingle with sequins, laughter and the energy that makes you forget the week ever existed. DJs spin grooves that nudge your feet while drag performers command the stage with charisma, glitter and an effortless sense of showmanship. Expect moments that catch you by surprise with a wink, a beat drop, a costume change that feels almost cinematic. It’s a night that celebrates life in its boldest, most colourful form, inviting everyone to join in without hesitation. By the end, the city feels smaller, the music larger, and the night a little more unforgettable. November 29. B300 via here and B400 at the door. dusitD2 Samyan, 5pm onwards

A weekend in Ari that feels like a small universe for the city’s new generation. Every corner fills with possibility, from rare records to vintage houseware, curated art and carefully chosen lifestyle pieces. The event has carved out a space to linger, browse and stumble across hidden grooves while soaking up the kind of positive energy that makes you want to stay a little longer. A chill community vibe runs through the flea market, where conversations with fellow collectors and casual browsers alike feel effortless. For vinyl enthusiasts, the dedicated Listening Spot is a quiet revelation: bring the records you’re considering and hear them the way they were meant to be played. It’s a gentle reminder that discovery often lives in unexpected details and shared moments. November 29. Free. Format BKK Ari, 2pm-9pm

Resonate brings its London-bred spirit to the Chao Phraya with a night that feels part floating rave, part love letter to the city. The collective of UK expats has spent years obsessing over house, deep house, minimal and all the peculiar joys that come with it, now hoping to share that world with Bangkok’s dancers. The plan is simple: gather people who care about sound, build a space where strangers talk like old friends, and let the river carry the mood. The Bangkok Island Boat Party sets off with house, deep house and minimal selections that sway with the water. Rolling basslines slip beneath the skyline, garage-leaning rhythms unfurl with a wink, and the deck turns warm and familiar as the lights ripple across the surface below. November 29. B500-650 via here and B800 at the door. Bangkok Island, 3pm-midnight

Eric Duncan, better known as Dr. Dunks, brings the sort of after-hours magic that feels lifted from a Manhattan night you half-remember and never quite forget. His story began in downtown bars during the mid ‘90s, back when the rooms were smokey, the beats unhurried and nobody wondered what time it was. Years later, he still carries that charm from city to city, showing why he has remained a reliable figure across projects from Rub N Tug to Still Going without ever losing his edge. This weekend, he returns to the booth with the ease of someone who genuinely enjoys the messier corners of nightlife. Japanese vinyl digger Takamichi opens the evening with warm grooves that feel crafted for friends who like staying out longer than planned. November 29. B300-400 via here. Siwilai Radical Club, 9pm onwards

Meta teams up with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to give Song Wat a weekend time-travel experiment. The historic quarter turns into A Weekend with Meta AI x Song Wat – a city stroll threaded with technology, creativity and the pleasant surprise of seeing familiar streets dressed in new ideas. The programme opens with the Meta AI Song Wat Fun Run, a lighthearted start before visitors wander through moments shaped by Meta’s tools, from playful prompts to content-making tricks tucked between shophouses painted by illustrator Sahred Toy. Outdoors, the Meta AI Playground keeps things easy with photo corners, food and music, while the Meta AI Hub offers a quieter pocket to send a note to your future self and explore interactive pieces that treat AI less as spectacle and more as a companion for curiosity. November 29-30. Free. Song Wat Road, 11am-7pm

Slowcombo is turning Samyan into a small haven for pups and people who prefer their weekend with a side of wagging tails. On November 29, the space shifts into a gentle, pet friendly corner of the city, the kind you wish existed more often. The day leans towards mindful pleasures rather than manic excitement, stitched together with eco-conscious stalls, an endearingly low-key photo booth and trainers from Pawmehome offering guidance that feels genuinely helpful. Sweetrosed brings a dog sound bath that borders on meditative, the sort of treat both humans and their companions secretly need. It’s a gathering for anyone who wants to be around animals without the usual fuss, a chance to enjoy warmth, community and creatures who ask for nothing more than attention and a snack. November 29. Free. Register here. Slowcombo, 10am-8pm

Flying Whale gathers seven artists and illustrators for a show that feels like a gentle exhale in a season usually obsessed with glitter and performance. Tum Ulit, faan.peeti, katangg, 2an, May&Clay, Pou Rawiwan and PYH bring fresh pieces shaped by distinct lines and quiet emotional weight, each one building a small world that speaks without fuss. The spark for the exhibition comes from a question many of us try to dodge. In a world addicted to speed and endless self-proof, do we ever get a moment to step back and look at life without treating it like a scoreboard? Beyond Festivity treats Christmas less as spectacle and more as a pause. A pocket of warmth, longing or peace. A brief reminder that feeling alive can be simple and honestly quite soft. Until December 14. Free. 5/F, Central Pinklao, 10am-10pm

Beamcube’s closing week feels a bit like saying goodbye to a friend you only ever met under strobe lights. The final stretch runs from November 27-30, gathering four evenings of rhythm, sweat and the kind of shared mood that makes strangers feel briefly aligned. The line-up leans on the community that shaped the venue, with local crews sharing the stage with Arthi, DITA and MLiR. It’s a rotation that captures the spirit of the place, built on trust, warm faces and an unspoken invitation to stay a little longer. For anyone who has ever found themselves at the Cube, this is the last dance worth showing up for. November 27-30. B300-600 via here. Beamcube, 9pm onwards and 6pm on November 29-30

An open air cinema in the embassy’s garden feels like the kind of plan you say yes to without thinking. Three evenings of Swiss comedies, three chances to sit under the sky with friends and let the week soften a little. The festival opens with Bonjour Switzerland on November 25, a bright crowd pleaser that returns again on November 27. In between comes Tambour Battant, a gentle whirl of small town oddities and stubborn charm. Registration links are on each screening date, so you only need to pick your night and bring a sense of humour. November 25-27. B40. The Embassy of Switzerland, 6pm onwards

Three open air screenings take over the Embassy’s garden, each one carrying its own mood under the night sky. I Don’t Wanna Dance sets the tone with a tender coming of age tale about grit and fragile ambition. Before the film, Thai choreographer Pakhamon Much Hemachandra adds a contemporary performance that reframes the story through movement. Planet Soil shifts the gaze downward to the restless world beneath the ground: roots, fungi and tiny creatures form an ecosystem that keeps our plates filled and our climate steady. The evening comes with a regional photography showcase from Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam, capturing the strains placed on fragile landscapes. Facing War moves the lens to high-stakes diplomacy. With rare access to NATO’s War Room and Jens Stoltenberg, the film traces the uneasy conversations shadowing the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Until November 27. Free. Register via here. The Garden, the Netherlands Embassy, 6pm-9pm

The fourth annual Yuzu Safari returns to Bangkok, this time in collaboration with Masters of Food and Wine and led by Mason Florence, for a one-day celebration of Japan’s most aromatic citrus. Yuzu’s delicate tartness, floral notes and bright fragrance have inspired chefs and artisans for centuries, and here its legacy meets contemporary interpretation. Across the afternoon, leading chefs from Asia reveal their takes on the fruit through immersive workshops, a lively cocktail reception and a six-course dinner at Park Hyatt Bangkok, a space renowned for refined design and culinary excellence. A roving sake trolley offers keepsake cups, while wines curated by Jev, Koko Wines and Wine Garage, alongside artisanal Japanese vintages by Natan labels, weave through the menu. Namika Inoshita of Natan Wines brings Shikoku-grown natural wines that reflect craft and femininity, rounding the evening with elegance and depth. November 22. Starts at B6,750. Reserve via here. Park Hyatt Bangkok, 3pm-9.30pm

BangCork Wine Fair is back after a successful first outing, landing at Friend Friend, Emporium on December 6-7. The venue might have shifted from Song Wat, but the vibe stays intact, with two full days of records spinning from midday ‘til 8pm. 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. You'll find bottles from across the globe, courtesy of top producers and importers like Fin, Cloud Wine, Winearoi, Koko Wines, The Grand Crew, Tipsy Tickles, Soul Wines, Must Wine Bar, Grapey and Veraison. They're bringing a solid 100 labels to the table, matching the scale of last edition's debut. Photograph: koko_wines Don’t forget to grab sourdough from Dough and handmade salads from Olive & Apple. Record collectors will want to check out the Vinyl Market, where you can pick up some wax to take home. Now, the practical stuff. Entry costs B700, which gets you two tasting tokens, or B1,500 for 10 tokens. You can top up more once you're in. Grab advance tickets via Ticketmelon right here. 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 runs December 6-7 at Friend Friend, Emporium, midday-8pm.

As Gallery’s Night wraps up, the Night at the Museum Festival takes the party to museums from the capital to the provinces. This year, more than 50 spots nationwide join the fun in throughout December. Venues include Museum Siam, the National Museum of Royal Barges, Silpakorn University Art Gallery, Museum Pire, Phaya Thai Palace, Chulalongkorn University Museum of Natural History, Siam Serpentarium and loads more. Each spot has special after-hours tours, night markets, live music and stargazing sessions in the dark. In Bangkok, most venues kick off from December 19 onwards, though a few start earlier on December 5-7, like The Wireless House One Bangkok and Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. It’s worth checking opening times since there are so many taking part this year. A few highlights: the EGAT Learning Centre in Nonthaburi is doing an electricity and energy exhibition after dark. The Thai Film Museum in Nakhon Pathom has film screenings plus craft stalls and food vendors. Over in Pathum Thani, the National Memorial has a new exhibition where visitors can try VR games. There's also the King Rama II Memorial Park in Samut Songkhram, opening up its puppet collection and Amphawa Cultural Heritage Museum at night. The Princess Sirindhorn Observatory in Chachoengsao hosts astronomy exhibitions, while Museum Sing Buri hosts lighting installations. If you're planning a trip to the provinces between December 23-25, don't forget to pin down some after-hours visits. For Bangkok, most k

Here's another activity for this lovely cool weather, get out of the house for some good vibes and live music. Anyone who fancies hearing a mix of genres and styles should check out Winter Sound Festival at Siwilai Sound Club. The festival runs across three nights from November 27-29. Kicks off on November 27 with bossa nova, featuring songs by Astrud Gilberto, the legendary Brazilian singer, and tracks from Antônio Carlos Jobim, another icon of the genre. Things shift gears on November 28 with a rock and roll night paying tribute to Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King and Stevie Ray Vaughan. If you're into American-influenced sounds, this one's unmissable. The festival wraps up on November 29 with dance-style jazz, going all out with the New Orleans sound, the birthplace of jazz itself. Each night starts at 9pm and runs until just before midnight, giving you plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere. If you've ever been, the setting of Siwilai Sound Club makes it the right spot to experience live music without the massive crowds of larger venues. Winter Sound Festival runs from November 27-29 at Siwilai Sound Club. Grab tickets at Tictetmelon, they’re priced at B600 per night, and B1,800 for three nights.

There's a reason Bangkok's earned itself the nickname 'City of Concerts'. With Thai and international acts lined up well into next year, the capital's music scene shows no signs of slowing down. Following last year's success, Bangkok Music City is back for another round. The capital's largest music business conference and showcase takes over the Charoenkrung Creative District on January 24-25 2026. Anyone who missed it last year, now it’s time. The two-day event will open with performances from top Thai acts including Apartment Khunpa, Bedroom Audio, DEFYING DECAY, Kosum Boy, Lepyutin and more to come. But it's not just about watching gigs, the showcase is designed to put local musicians in front of an international audience, with artists flying in from across Asia. Photograph: Bangkok Music City The other highlights include sets from South Korea's OWAVE, 87dance, Animal Divers, Milena and SUAUN, alongside Indonesia's Ardhito Pramono, Singapore's Shye and Vietnam's Nghịch. There'll also be acts from further afield, with France's FÜLÜ and Australia-New Zealand's Jamaica Moana making the trip over. The event takes place across the Central Bangrak Post Office area and Talad Noi district, making full use of Charoenkrung's creative spaces and street-level venues. Entry is free if you register through the Bangkok Music City app (available on iOS and Android), or you can skip the queues with a Priority Lane ticket for B350. More artists are being announced in the coming weeks, so

With Bangkok's weather finally playing nice, this weekend's the perfect time to drag yourself (and a fellow bookworm) to turn pages with a bunch of strangers. Reading in the Park is back for round two, welcoming the cool breeze that's just rolled in. It's happening this Saturday November 22 at the amphitheatre in Benjakitti Park from 4pm-6pm. What makes this thing work is how it actually gets people off their phones and chatting face-to-face, which led to the whole Bangkok Offline Reading Club community forming in the first place. This edition feels particularly well-timed now that the weather's turned, and it's appealing to head out for some fresh air and sprawl in the middle of a park with a good book. As with the last one, this is part of the Offline Book Club series run by the BKK Lit Fest team, which means you'll be expected to give your phone a rest for a bit. On the day, just bring whatever you're reading (physical book or e-reader, they're not fussy), chuck in a mat and you're sorted. If you've got a book you reckon others should read, bring a spare copy along, and there's usually some swapping going on between readers. The whole thing's free, so there's really no excuse not to give it a go while Bangkok's actually bearable outside. Reading in the Park happens on Saturday November 22 at the amphitheatre in Benjakitti Park from 4pm-6pm. Entry is free. RSVP via here.

Thai motorsport is about to shift up a gear in 2026, as Tasanapol 'Tern' Inthraphuvasak becomes the first Thai driver to compete in FIA Formula 2 after signing with French powerhouse ART Grand Prix, a team that's churned out world-class racers like nobody's business. His name might not ring bells with casual fans yet, but amongst Formula devotees, Tern's been building a reputation as one of Thailand's most promising talents over the past couple of years. The 2024 season saw him make his FIA Formula 3 debut with AIX Racing, where he snagged a second-place finish at Hungaroring in his first year, not bad going. He moved to Campos Racing for 2025 and really started turning heads: sprint wins at Silverstone and Hungaroring, also a feature victory at Monza's 'Temple of Speed', helped him finish seventh out of more than 30 drivers. That consistency caught ART Grand Prix's attention pretty sharp-ish, and they've signed him up for what'll be his rookie F2 season, the final proving ground before drivers reach Formula 1, motorsport's ultimate endgame. The 2026 FIA Formula 2 campaign kicks off at Melbourne's Albert Park from March 6-8 2026, where Tern will be flying the flag as the only Thai driver on the grid. It's more than just one racer's achievement though: it's a sign that Thai motorsport is genuinely maturing, with home-grown talent increasingly capable of competing at the sharp end internationally. Whether Tern can maintain his trajectory remains to be seen, but for now, Thailan

Here's some disappointing news for dance music fans. Creamfields Asia has officially been cancelled. The festival was meant to happen on December 13-14,  with Calvin Harris headlining, but organisers have pulled the plug, citing 'challenges that prevent the team from delivering the experience our fans deserve'. It's a gutting blow for everyone who'd snapped up tickets, not to mention the artists who were lined up to perform. But there is a silver lining: all ticket holders will get their money back. If you paid by credit card, expect your refund within 60 working days. Sorted your tickets via bank transfer, cash or at the counter? You're looking at a 15-day turnaround. Anyone who paid through those methods can get in touch at cs@thaiticketmajor.com or pop into one of the 11 main Thaiticketmajor outlets from November 21 onwards. As for whether Creamfields Asia will make a comeback? That's anyone's guess at this point. The organisers have kept pretty tight-lipped about what exactly went wrong, though they've thanked fans for their support through what's clearly been a rough patch. Here's hoping the festival can sort itself out and return bigger and better down the line.

When Cinema Oasis announced plans to host Bangkok's Amazing Stoner Movie Fest, I wondered how this was going to play out, especially given Thailand's rather murky legal situation around the stuff. The four-day event on November 20-23 brings together cannabis enthusiasts and the curious-but-never-tried crowd for a celebration of stoner cinema. No smoking required, naturally – though the festival's existence does make you wonder: wait, there are film festivals like this? The line-up features 10 feature films competing for the Golden Ganja trophy (which comes with B30,000 prize money), and eight short film programmes containing 49 films vying for the Baby Golden Ganja trophy and B5,000. Some screening slots remain mysteriously TBA, which only adds to the intrigue. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cinema Oasis (@cinema_oasis) It's not just the films themselves either, there's a talk titled 'Thai Ganja: Boom or Bust?' featuring Thai cannabis legalisation activists. Timely stuff given nobody seems entirely sure what's legal anymore. The festival runs across two zones: inside Cinema Oasis you'll pay B160 per screening or grab an all-day pass for B420 (very on-brand pricing there). Outside screenings kick off in the evening and won't cost you anything. Photograph: Cinema Oasis Though cannabis oil remains dubious in medical circles and Thai laws continue to shift like smoke in the wind, this festival feels like a cultural moment for Bangkok, and it's

After 55 years, one of electronic music's most groundbreaking acts is finally heading to Bangkok. Kraftwerk, the German pioneers who basically invented the blueprint for everything from techno to EDM – are bringing their Kraftwerk Multimedia Tour 2026 to Thailand. If you're not familiar, Kraftwerk have been at it since the ‘70s, crafting those instantly recognisable synthesiser sounds and robotic vocals that changed music forever. Their influence is everywhere: synth-pop, electro, industrial, house. Basically every genre that uses a drum machine owes them a debt. But what makes them properly special is how they stripped everything back to its essentials, creating these hypnotic, repetitive patterns that feel almost mathematical in their precision. It's rare to catch a band this influential playing Bangkok, especially one that treats their performances like proper multimedia art installations. If you've ever wanted to experience 'Autobahn' or 'The Model' in person whilst being completely mesmerised by cutting-edge visuals, this is your moment. Here's everything you need to know about getting tickets. When are Kraftwerk performing in Bangkok? Kraftwerk are bringing their legendary live experience to Bangkok for a single performance on Sunday May 10 2026. Where is Kraftwerk performing in Bangkok? German electronic pioneers Kraftwerk will perform at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. When are the tickets on sale? Tickets go on sale via Thaiticketmajor and Trip.com from

After months of cryptic teases about some enormous new venue, FVTURE Bangkok is finally throwing open its doors on December 30. The 6,000-capacity beast is billing itself as Asia's first 'hyperclub' of this scale, packed with enough tech to make even the most jaded raver pause mid-sip. We're talking the first L2 and L2D L-Acoustics system in the region (that's over 40 subwoofers for those keeping score) comes with a 500sqm LED wall up front and another 500sqm of modular LED lighting scattered throughout. Essentially, it's a 360-degree sensory assault in the best possible way. View this post on Instagram A post shared by FVTURE (@fvture.bkk) For the grand opening they've secured ARTBAT, the Ukrainian duo whose melodic techno has turned them into Beatport chart fixtures. Artur and Batish have credentials, their productions consistently dominate the platform's top sellers – so expect them to give all that hardware a thorough workout. Supporting is Thailand's own Nakadia, a veteran selector who's been flying the flag for Thai dance music internationally for over two decades. Given the sheer scale and all that kit, this is clearly designed to compete with Europe's big superclubs rather than Bangkok's more intimate haunts. The opening night should give us a good sense. Early bird tickets are going for B1,300 on Ticketmelon (though you'll need to arrive before 10.30pm to snag them). Standard entry sits at B1,300 as well, whilst VIP standing goes for B2,000.

People from Suan Luang Rama IX know it well – the big festival that kicks off every December when botanical event takes over the park. This year it runs December 1-10. The Suan Luang Rama IX Botanical Festival starts as a showcase of the garden's star specimens before morphing into something between a plant market and seasonal celebration. You'll find stalls flogging gorgeous greenery and flowers at decent prices, handy when you can't be bothered driving across town. There's local food to try, photo spots dotted about and displays from government departments alongside private businesses. Photograph: Supakitpit Akbanjod Locals who turn up annually already know what to expect. For this neighbourhood, it feels like a reunion. You'll spot families from Prawet wandering together, all dressed up nicely exploring the grounds with neighbours, people from Samut Prakan arriving early to spend entire days here. These scenes have become part of the furniture for residents. What's actually lovely is that it happens in a garden, nudging Thais who usually do weekend loops round shopping centres to visit a stunning green space instead.  A massive garden, solid event, not too far from the city – it’s no wonder so many people mark it in their calendars. Suan Luang Rama IX Botanical Festival runs December 1-10. Entry is B20 per person. MRT Yellow Line, Suan Luang Rama IX Station.

Morlam, that folk performance art and vocal music from Thailand's northeast and Laos, is having a crack at turning this traditional form into what they're calling ‘the melody of life’. Traditional culture reimagined without the usual nostalgia trip? Rare enough to be worth your time. There are just two performances on November 24 and 25 at Bangkok Kunsthalle, and calling it Molam Collective actually undersells what Jitti Chompee and Alexandre Fandard have managed here. Chompee, who runs 18monkeysdancetheatre and serves as artistic director at NCCT, knows how to make bodies speak when words fall short. Fandard, a French choreographer obsessed with improvisation, brings restless intelligence to everything he touches. Photograph: bangkok_kunsthalle Classic Isan melodies thread through contemporary movement in ways that shouldn't work but absolutely do. The whole thing's improvised, meaning nobody's seen this exact version before and nobody will again. Well, that makes it feel precarious and wildly alive. The evening splits in half.  Part one: Fon Français opens with an artistic encounter between Alexandre Fandard, a French dancer, and morlam melody, connecting with healing practices through physical expression. Part two: Fon Farang continues with performances by Jitti Chompee and artists from Khon Kaen, creating a physical dialogue between cultures that folds morlam's roots seamlessly around contemporary choreography. Shows run at 7.30pm on November 24 and 25. Tickets are B1,0