Kaweewat Siwanartwong

So 2025 was pretty huge for live music in Bangkok, wasn't it? We had Doja Cat, BLACKPINK, TV Girl, The Smashing Pumpkins and Tyler, The Creator all gracing stages across the city. Not a bad lineup.   The good news? 2026 is looking just as packed. Alright, Oasis might not be on the cards just yet, but there's still a serious roster of artists lined up to play Bangkok stadiums and arenas over the coming months. And rumour has it even more big names are yet to announce tours like BTS.   Givēon, Central Cee, Taeyong, Kraftwerk... the list goes on. Whether you're into R&B, grime, K-pop or electronic legends, there's something coming your way. Here are the best major gigs heading to the capital this year.   RECOMMENDED: Confirmed: Tomorrowland Thailand officially debuts on December 11-13 After 12 years, Studio Lam is closing with an epic 49-night farewell party

No matter what time of year you visit Bangkok, this teeming, eccentric and buzzing city will always be filled with events, culture and things to do. And right now we're talking about books. Bangkok is a bookworm's paradise with readers tucked away in corners all across the city. In fact, there's so much going on that you'll inevitably experience a bit of decision paralysis. Hey, we've been there too, but Time Out has your back.   Ready to start turning pages? Here are three reading events in Bangkok. And if you're more of a borrower? Head to these lovely Bangkok libraries.

January has a reputation for dragging its feet, the calendar pages sticking together like they’re in on a joke. This week, though, Bangkok plays nice. Mornings hover around a civilised 19-21C, enough to tempt even the most committed homebody outside. If you can talk yourself off the sofa, the city offers plenty of gentle distractions worth planning around. Start with Between Earth And Light, where Jean-Paul De Croux’s abstract paintings reward slow looking and a longer attention span. Over at Bangkok Kunsthalle, Salt for Svanetia from 1930 anchors a moving image programme that connects early cinema with questions of labour, belief and material history. Food memories take centrestage at Mustard and Memories, a dinner that treats familiarity as something to be reshaped rather than preserved. For fresh air, Music in the Park turns green spaces into easy listening rooms, no tickets or grand gestures required. If your appetite leans elsewhere, Pancakes and Booze Art Show brings syrup, drinks and emerging artists under one roof, cheerfully blurring dinner plans and gallery visits. Film lovers are covered too, with Bangkok Outdoor Cinema returning just as evenings cool down, offering open-air screenings that feel communal without trying too hard. Take our word for it, the options are plentiful and you’ll be glad you went. Get ahead of the game and start planning your month with our list of the top things to do this January. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-u

Bangkok nights are always lined with choices, but New Year’s Eve turns the dial up to 11. With a dizzying number of rooftop countdowns, pulsating club nights and luxurious riverside dinners, the sheer volume of options can be genuinely overwhelming. Tempted to just stay in with a playlist and a few drinks? We get it. But trust us: if you're ready to ring in 2026 with a bang, the capital has lined up a well-rounded roster of parties for you to peruse. Whether you're after a fancy champagne-fuelled affair with views over the city or a sweaty club night that goes until sunrise, there's genuinely something for everyone this year. The only catch? You'll want to sort yourself out pretty sharpish. New Year's Eve tickets in Bangkok have a habit of vanishing faster than anything, and trust us, FOMO on January 1 hits different. So before you end up refreshing sold-out event pages at 11pm on December 30, have a look through our picks for the best ways to spend December 31 in the Thai capital. From riverside countdowns to club takeovers, here's how to say farewell to 2025. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of where to find Christmas magic in Bangkok.

Hard to believe December has slipped in again, but here we are, watching Bangkok swap its usual gleam for something a little more golden. No snow here, obviously, but there's still plenty of sparkle once the fairy lights go up along Sukhumvit and those enormous Christmas trees start appearing in every mall atrium. Jangly carols drift through night markets, bars get that extra twinkle and the whole city shifts into celebration mode. With everything happening at once, the season can feel a bit overwhelming. Luckily, Time Out is here to guide you through everything you need to make your yuletide in Bangkok a truly merry occasion.  If you fancy a proper Christmas dinner without the stress of brining, basting or staring into your oven wondering if you've just ruined everything, Bangkok's got you sorted. The city's mastered the art of letting you celebrate without any of the usual chaos. Grand hotel dining rooms roll out gleaming roasts and generous spreads, cosy pubs do turkeys to perfection, neighbourhood spots serve up comforting plates and even curry houses create festive specials that feel wonderfully familiar. Consider this your starting point for finding the brightest, warmest corners of Christmas spirit across Bangkok, places where the season feels effortless, inviting and just indulgent enough to make December worth savouring.  Get ahead of the game and start planning your month with our list of the top things to do this December. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans

It sounds almost too good to be true, but here we are. One of the world's biggest pop stars becomes a tourism ambassador and suddenly the entire internet is paying attention to Thai handicrafts. That's the Lisa effect for you. The BLACKPINK member has this uncanny ability to turn literally anything she touches into a global sensation. Remember when she posed with a Labubu doll? That once obscure collectible became an international must-have overnight. A casual Instagram story featuring a snack? Expect it to sell out within hours. Now the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially tapped Lisa (full name Lalisa Manobal) as their Amazing Thailand Ambassador for 2026. It's a pretty savvy move considering her influence extends far beyond the music charts. The TAT has now taken things further by spotlighting specific Thai food and fashion items that Lisa has already turned into viral moments. Rather than starting from scratch, they're capitalising on products she's naturally gravitated towards, the ones that have already sparked conversations and sent fans scrambling. It's an interesting approach to soft power. Let one of your most famous cultural exports casually showcase local products, then amplify what's already working. In the bizarre economy of modern fandom, where a celebrity's offhand choice can reshape entire markets, Thailand is playing it smart.  Here are eight picks that Lisa has put on the map.

We're officially saying hello to 2026, the Year of the Horse. According to the Chinese zodiac, it's meant to be dynamic, energetic and full of fresh starts, a calendar page that  nudges you towards action rather than hesitation. Whether your 2025 resolutions made it past January is beside the point. Abandoned lists don't cancel out ambition, and new ones can be written anytime – preferably without self-judgement. If one of your goals this year is to get out more often, you're in luck. We've rounded up some of the best things happening across Bangkok this January, and there's plenty to tempt you off the sofa. The music scene is particularly busy this month. Till Lindemann brings his industrial theatrics to town, Tyga hits up a Bangkok venue, Salin performs and Wolf Alice are back doing what they do best. But it's not all about gigs, there's loads more going on. So whether you're after live music, cultural happenings or just fancy trying something new, read on for our pick of January's highlights. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok.

There is a certain cruelty to early fame in Thailand. It sticks, fossilises and refuses to move on even when the person inside the image does. We know NOTEP or Note Panayanggool as an artist, an influencer, a brand, a woman who seems to operate somewhere between sound bath and electronic music. Yet the country first met her as something else entirely – Note The Star, runner-up on a televised talent show, ukulele in hand, smile fixed in place. That version of her lingered longer than she wanted. For years, she tried to outrun it, forming an indie band, leaning away from pop sweetness, pushing herself towards edges that felt less tidy. But reinvention is rarely a clean cut. There were fractures along the way, moments where ambition and expectation collided hard enough to rattle her sense of self. Eventually, the noise inside became louder than the one outside. She stepped back and began what she now describes as a spiritual journey, not in a hashtag sense but as a necessity. Photograph: Vivi Suthathip Today, Note Panayanggool feels like a complete picture. Or at least closer to one. She is a Thai artist, musician and environmental advocate whose work moves across disciplines, often blurring where one ends and another begins. Since starting out as a singer in 2010, she has expanded her practice into sound design, installations and collaborations that orbit environmental causes. Music is still the anchor but it is no longer the destination. Photograph: Vivi Suthathip From hyp

Even though Christmas and New Year are just around the corner, Bangkok's cultural scene shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, things are ramping up, with galleries and museums packing their schedules with exhibitions that deserve your attention before the year wraps up. If you're wondering what's actually worth your time, start here. We've rounded up the best museum exhibitions and art shows happening in Bangkok right now, from contemporary installations to historical retrospectives that'll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about Thai art. There's plenty to see across the city, whether you're into cutting-edge contemporary work at MOCA Bangkok, intimate gallery shows in Charoenkrung or major exhibitions at the National Gallery. The variety is impressive, and the quality? Even better. Can't make it to everything? Don't worry. We're updating this list with the latest openings and must-see shows, so you'll always know what's hot and what's not in Bangkok's art world.  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 December. 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.

There are many ways to unpick a person's listening habits. Some people journal, others overanalyse dreams, but most of us simply wait for that neon billboard masquerading as self-reflection: Spotify Wrapped. It arrives every December like a digital horoscope announcing that your personality is apparently built on Scandinavian synth pop and whatever you played once by accident in March. This year they're even telling you your listening age, my friend at 25 got told she has a 70-year-old’s taste in music. I don't get one from Spotify. I'm the stubborn Apple Music holdout who refuses to migrate, so I must accept my sonic identity will remain unquantified forever. And that is what eventually led me, in a knotty roundabout way, to Da Minot. If you've never pressed play on Indian folk before, especially the intricate lineage from the Khasi and Jaintia hills, prepare your ears for something ungoverned by genre categories. India-born artist Hammarsing Kharhmar's ensemble Da Minot does not simply borrow from heritage. It treats ancestral rhythm as oxygen, using instruments like the duitara, bom and various bamboo flutes to carve out a sound that feels older than language and newer than the internet's attention span.   Before this interview, while waiting for him to reply to my email, I returned to their songs again. I told myself I'd listen to one track, then fell straight into another, then another. They have that effect. A pull that is both meditative and defiant. T

There are corners of photography you tiptoe into, and others you breach with a steady breath and a sharpened sense of responsibility. The naked form sits stubbornly in the latter. For decades the unclothed body, especially the female one, populated magazines like wallpaper. Familiar, unchallenging, endlessly posed. Today, many of those images read as dated relics, tinged with voyeurism and a faint whiff of something that doesn't sit quite right anymore. The female nude once felt like a default, a visual shorthand for seduction. Now it often feels like a reminder of an era when the camera wasn't always kind. The male nude, by contrast, has always been trickier. Less culturally sanctioned, less expected, shadowed by stigma yet charged with a different kind of electricity. Contemporary photography has swung the doors wide open, and the male body has entered the room with a force that feels both overdue and disarmingly intimate. Photograph: Ohm Phanphiroj This is where Ohm Phanphiroj steps in. Or perhaps more accurately, where he has stood all along, in that uncomfortable sweet spot where desire, danger and vulnerability meet. An international, award-winning photographer, filmmaker, educator, former fashion director and self-declared chronic observer, Ohm has carved a body of work that traces sexuality, identity, exploitation and the unvarnished male form across continents. His images are not polite. They're tender in one moment and confrontational in the next, as if caught bet

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,

Reading in the Park returns for its third chapter after EP2 quietly proved that strangers will happily sit together and read if given the chance. More than 500 people turned up last time, which says a lot about how hungry Bangkok feels for slower forms of company. EP3 continues that gentle idea through the Bangkok Offline Reading Club, inviting people to step away from feeds and notifications and show up properly. Cooler weather helps, making grass seating and long chapters feel like a small luxury rather than a test of stamina. Over 200 readers have already signed up, each bringing a book or e-reader and agreeing to keep phones tucked away. Swapping titles is encouraged, whether planned or spontaneous. The aim isn’t networking or productivity, just shared quiet. A small note of care remains around PM2.5 levels, so pace yourself and listen to your body. January 24. Free. Register via here. The Amphitheatre in Benjakitti Park, 4pm-6pm

Start the year by giving your bookshelf a gentle refresh at Read Fest, a reading festival that treats books as shared pleasures rather than homework. The fair returns with a programme designed to suit every age, encouraging families to wander, linger and discover titles they didn’t know they needed. This edition follows the theme Reading Journey, unfolding inside Hua Lamphong Station, a place already shaped by departures, arrivals and quiet anticipation. Words travel well here. Across the festival, conversations sit alongside live music, hands-on workshops, exhibitions and an art and craft market that invites slow browsing. A dedicated Reading Space turns the station hall into an open library, welcoming anyone to sit with a book for as long as they like. It feels relaxed and generous, reminding visitors that reading doesn’t need rules, just time, curiosity and a comfortable place to pause.   January 23-25. Free. Hua Lamphong Railway Station, 10.30am-10pm

Book lovers have got a fresh excuse to leave the house as The Wholesome Book Club opens a new chapter. They're teaming up with Read Me Again to turn solitary reading habits into shared moments, swapping silence for conversation and coffee. The setup is simple enough. Each month centres on a single title, giving everyone time to read, reflect and show up with opinions fully formed or happily confused. There's something quite nice about knowing you've all tackled the same story, ready to dissect it over a cuppa. January's pick is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a novel that still gets people talking about justice, empathy and growing up awkwardly aware of how the world actually works. It's the kind of book that probably sat on your school reading list years ago, but hits differently when you revisit it as an adult. January 17. B329 via here. The Commons Thonglor, 4pm and 3pm

The Imprint Project opens its first chapter with a focus on marks that travel further than borders. Conceived as an international printmaking initiative, the idea is simple and generous: one country at a time, letting each exhibition carry its own cultural residue. This edition brings together 16 artists from Poland alongside works from Pracownia414 Studio, forming a conversation that moves through technique, texture and intention. Printmaking here isn’t treated as a historical footnote but as a living language shaped by social conditions and personal memory. Etchings, presses and layered surfaces reveal how identity settles on paper in quiet but deliberate ways. The project itself acts as a meeting point, linking artists across continents while offering audiences a chance to read the traces left behind. Not grand statements, but thoughtful impressions that reward close looking and patient attention.   Until January 30. Free. Arun Amarin 23 Art Space, 11am-4pm

Book lovers get a fresh excuse to leave the house as The Wholesome Book Club opens a new chapter. Teaming up with Read Me Again, the club turns solitary reading habits into shared moments, swapping silence for conversation and coffee. Each month centres on a single title, giving everyone time to read, reflect and arrive with opinions fully formed or happily confused. January’s choice is To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a novel that still prompts questions about justice, empathy and growing up awkwardly aware of the world.  January 17. B329 via here. The Commons Thonglor, 4pm and 3pm

Bangkok starts 2026 with a familiar pleasure, bringing back the fourth edition of Bangkok Outdoor Cinema just as evenings turn comfortably cool. After consistently warm receptions, the series returns feeling confident rather than flashy. Over three consecutive weeks, three locations host open-air screenings alongside live music, panel conversations and food stalls representing different BMA districts. Film crews and creators also set up shop, turning each night into a loose meeting point rather than a fixed event. The first stop lands at Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, with How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies on January 17, followed by My Boo Part 1 the next evening. Entry stays refreshingly free, which feels quietly radical.   January 17-18. Free. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 7pm

The title barely needs explaining. Pancakes, drinks and art share the same room and somehow it works. This travelling pop-up began in Los Angeles and has since become a favourite for those who like culture without stiff rules or quiet corners. For one night, The Warehouse Talat Noi hands its walls over to emerging artists, each surface layered with fresh work that invites wandering rather than polite viewing. While you move around, stacks of pancakes appear on repeat, fuelled by syrup and good intentions, with a bar close enough to keep spirits high. Live music threads through the evening, giving the space a loose, social rhythm. Everything on display is for sale, which matters. It’s less about spectacle and more about supporting artists while eating something comforting at the wrong hour, a little messy and entirely enjoyable.   January 17. B250 at the door. The Warehouse Talat Noi, 7pm-midnight

January arrives with a small gift for anyone craving cooler evenings and an excuse to linger outdoors. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Music in the Park series returns with a lineup that makes weekends feel gently purposeful rather than overplanned. Benchakitti Park hosts The 1st April alongside NotFake, offering relaxed sounds that suit long walks and borrowed picnic mats. Over at Suan Luang Rama VIII, the Time Soul Percussion Group brings rhythm that feels communal rather than showy. Lumphini Park takes a more traditional turn, pairing a long drum band from Wat Mahannaparam School with a khon performance that rewards close watching. Each location keeps its own mood, encouraging people to drift, listen and stay awhile. It’s less about chasing headliners and more about shared air, familiar melodies and the pleasure of finding culture exactly where you already are.   January 17. Free. Benchakitti Park, Suan Luang Rama VIII Park and Lumphini Park, 5pm

Thairath Studio trades comment sections for a live, slightly uncanny night that feels closer to a shared thought experiment than a talk show. The stage becomes a mothership, framing a single question with unsettling ambition: what happens when every belief is tested against the idea of an ending? Faces familiar from the Thairath Studio YouTube orbit lead the discussion, with Puak Phongsathorn, Pharaoh Chakkraphattranon and the duo Wi and Wat guiding the conversation. They’re joined by an eclectic trio: Joe Bongo bringing Buddhist and mythological threads, Korn KT grounding things with astronomical clarity and Pong Kapol lending his legendary paranormal instincts. Together, they trace disasters, prophecies and theories through myth, science and conspiracy, while quietly circling technology and morality. The night doesn’t offer answers so much as company, inviting the audience to sit with uncertainty and consider how the next 35 years might still be rewritten. January 17. B799-1,499 via here. Siam Pavalai Paragon Cineplex, 7pm-9pm

A Kid from Yesterday returns with a fifth solo outing that feels quietly defiant. Somphon ‘Paolo’ Ratanavaree’s latest body of work steps back from certainty and sits without knowing, a rare move in a culture obsessed with definitions. Titled “Just” BEING BE/NG BE—NG, the exhibition borrows from Camus’ Philosophy of Sisyphus while nodding to the calm discipline of a Zen garden. The result isn’t comfort or escape, but acceptance of contradiction. Cigarettes sit opposite raked sand, everyday habits facing ritual stillness, neither winning the argument. This space doesn’t promise healing or answers. It allows doubt to exist without apology. Being human here means pausing, noticing and carrying on regardless. In a world eager for declarations, the show suggests something softer and braver: existing without explanation might already be enough.   January 17-March 1. Free. Street Star Gallery, 8am-6pm

Baan Tepa’s annual gathering returns with the kind of ease that makes you want to clear an afternoon. It’s a meeting point for farmers, bakers, food producers, artisans and compost collectives who work closely with Baan Tepa across the country. The focus stays on connection, eating with a clearer sense of origin rather than shopping for the sake of it. Seasonal fruit and vegetables sit alongside handmade goods, while Chef Tam and the team cook special dishes that feel generous rather than showy. Visitors are encouraged to wander, chat with producers and taste as they go, picking up ingredients trusted by Michelin-listed kitchens for home use. Entry costs nothing, pets are welcome and the atmosphere remains unhurried. Come hungry, stay curious and leave with better food and a few good conversations.   January 17-18. Free. Baan Tepa, 10am-4pm

The third chapter of this dinner series feels like catching up with an old friend who’s changed their haircut and picked up better stories. Seven courses arrive slowly, keeping a few favourites while quietly rewriting everything else. A margarita opens the evening, bright and unapologetic, setting the tone before the plates begin to speak. Kolkata flavours anchor the menu, leaning towards home-cooked comfort rather than restaurant polish. Each dish carries the warmth of familiarity with just enough surprise to keep the table alert. The heart remains steady while the details shift, inviting conversation as much as appetite. Cooking and feeding others has always felt like a love language here, and this night lands as its clearest expression yet. Same table, evolving menu, new reasons to linger long after the last course.   January 17. B1,700. Reserve via LineOA: @fvevents. F.V Sukhumvit 39, 5pm onwards

Thailand's night markets are some of the best in the world. If you want proof, here it is. Travelbag puts three of the city's night markets in the top 10 of the world's most searched and shared destinations. The study looks at what actually matters when you're hunting for the perfect night market experience. Things like how safe you feel wandering around after sunset, how much buzz the place gets on social media, and what real visitors have to say about their visits. Put it all together and you also get a guide to where the best street food action happens globally. Photograph: TAT Taking the top spot is Chatuchak Weekend Market. This sprawling Bangkok institution is genuinely one of the largest markets anywhere, with more than 15,000 stalls packed into its maze of alleys. You can find pretty much anything here, from sizzling street food and fresh tropical fruit to vintage clothing and quirky homeware. For anyone who lives to eat, Chatuchak is basically paradise. The air fills with the smell of crispy pork with kale being tossed in giant woks, vendors scoop creamy coconut ice cream into coconut shells, and endless rows of grilled skewers send smoke spiralling into the Bangkok night. The numbers back up the hype too. Over 368,000 people search for this market online every month, and there are more than 14,600 TikTok posts of travellers filming themselves taste testing their way through the stalls and sharing their favourite finds. Photograph: Jodd Fairs Night Market Not far

The Haçienda first opened its doors back in 1982 in Manchester, and pretty much changed clubbing forever. The legendary venue didn't just define the music scene of its era but helped spread dance music culture across the entire world. Everything that makes a great club today can be traced back to The Haçienda. That energy you feel on the dancefloor, the forward-thinking programming, the commitment to diversity, it all started there, and clubs in cities everywhere are still copying the blueprint. Photograph: fac51_thehacienda Now FAC51 The Haçienda is bringing that iconic spirit to Bangkok with an impressive lineup of artists and DJs. The event's supported by the crew behind Maho Rasop, Bar Temp, Transport and Bangkok Community Radio, so you know it's in good hands.   Photograph: fac51_thehacienda Only 2,000 tickets are up for grabs though, so if you're planning to go you'll want to sort yours out sharpish. Need the lowdown on tickets, the lineup and what stages to expect? Here's everything you need to know about The Haçienda coming to town. What is Haçienda? It’s the legendary Manchester club that basically defined acid house and rave culture. The baggy, dance-focused ‘Madchester’ sound of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s was born here and now, the Haçienda experience will be reborn in Bangkok for one night only.   When is Haçienda in Bangkok? This iconic Manchester club comes to Bangkok on January 24. Where is Haçienda in Bangkok? The event takes place at Ambience Space, a

Walk up to the fourth floor of The Warehouse Talat Noi and you'll stumble upon something that looks like it's been beamed in from a sci-fi film. Electric Sheep is a Mediterranean restaurant that takes its name from Philip K. Dick's dystopian novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, the 1970s fiction later adapted into Blade Runner.   The spot is the brainchild of Yoan Martin and Amerigo Tito Sesti, two chefs who spent seven years working together at J'AIME, the Michelin-awarded French restaurant in Sathorn. One day they both clocked the state of the planet and decided to open somewhere properly sustainable. Electric Sheep was born with a mission to use Thai ingredients in every dish. As the chefs put it, they're going 'back to nature, through culture, dreaming future'. Photograph: Electric Sheep Chef Yoan hails from the south of France while Chef Tito grew up in northern Italy. Different countries, sure, but both rooted in Mediterranean food culture, which they've brought here and paired with local produce.   Photograph: Electric Sheep Photograph: Electric Sheep The space itself is brilliantly moody. Dim neon lights glow against bare concrete walls, and there's a small room at the front with shelves and pink twilight lighting that feels like some sort of experimental lab. Even the menu system is unusual: instead of paper, you get film sheets in a box with a tiny light projector at each table. Slide them in one by one to see what's on offer, then send your choices to

If your phone starts buzzing with alerts mid-way to work this morning, don't worry. There's actually a pretty good reason for it. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has just rolled out a new real-time PM2.5 air pollution alert system using Cell Broadcast technology. The clever bit is that you don't need to download anything at all. When you wander into areas with red level dust, your phone will ping you automatically with a warning. And judging by today's readings, you might be hearing from it quite a bit. The city's average PM2.5 level has hit 58.5 87.2 µg/m³, with 50 areas across Bangkok showing orange level pollution (anything above 37.5 87.2 µg/m³e breaks the safety threshold). Photograph: TQM Insurance Brokerb Here's where the air is particularly grim right now. Top five PM2.5 levels by district in Bangkok. Bang Rak District: 87.2 µg/m³ Sathon District: 74.6 µg/m³   Chatuchak District: 74 µg/m³ Pathum Wan District: 72.6 µg/m³ Prawet District: 71.7 µg/m³   If you're heading out today, we recommend wearing a PM2.5 mask, skipping your outdoor run and keeping tabs on air quality through the AirBKK app.  The administration says it's committed to protecting public health and tackling air pollution through coordinated action. In the meantime, maybe that work from home request doesn't sound so unreasonable after all.

Bangkok is getting a pedestrian bridge across the Chao Phraya River and it could become one of the city's most exciting new landmarks.  The project connects two historic neighbourhoods and gives locals and tourists a fresh way to experience the river without hopping on a boat or dealing with traffic. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is pushing ahead with plans to build the bridge between Phra Pokklao Bridge and Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat Bridge. It'll link Tha Wat Thong Thammachat Pier on one side with Tha Sawat Pier in the Song Wat Road area on the other. For those who don't know, Song Wat is one of Bangkok's oldest trading and cultural districts, so this location isn't random. Right now the project is in the detailed design phase and officials are preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment report. The goal is to wrap up all the planning by the end of this year so construction can kick off soon after. Photograph: BMA What makes this bridge interesting is that it's not just about getting from point A to point B. The design treats it as a public space where people can actually hang out, take in river views and experience the Chao Phraya from a completely new angle.  The bridge will make life easier for residents, students and business owners who currently have to take longer routes or rely on short boat trips to cross between Phra Nakhon and Thonburi sides. It's all part of a bigger push to give riverside areas back to the people and create a more walkable city

Anyone going to Beatforest, take note. The festival just threw out a curveball. The festival has moved its entire date forward by a day to avoid election alcohol restrictions that would seriously kill the vibe. The event was supposed to happen on January 31 2026 but now takes place on January 30 instead. It's all because of Thailand's election timing, with early voting kicking off on February 1. Thai law bans alcohol sales for 24 hours before election day, which means a bone-dry finale to what's meant to be a proper weekend party. So yes, it's now a Friday instead of a Saturday. Not ideal if you've already booked a hotel for the original date, but the organisers reckon it beats having a completely dry festival. What makes Beatforest worth the hassle anyway? Music is obviously the main thing, but there's more going on than just standing in front of a stage. Between sets you can plant trees, cycle around the grounds or wander through installations where lights weave through the natural surroundings rather than drowning them out. The stage itself works with the environment instead of fighting it, designed so the lighting plays off branches rather than blasting over them. Anyway, the festival team apologises for changing the plan and offers two options. You can get a full refund or roll your ticket over to the 2027 edition. Refund requests need to be in by today, December 30, so don't hang around if you want your money back. It's annoying about the date shuffle, but at least they

If you've got plans to leave Bangkok but don't fancy travelling far, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is a solid option. It takes just an hour to get there. Anyone who loves Thai performing arts, khon, folk performances and traditional theatre, needs to pin Chaiwatthanaram Temple in their diary. The historic site hosts Ayutthaya Nava: International Port Under the Royal Blessing, a major year-end event that brings legendary performing arts to the ancient ruins at night, with spectacular lights and sounds that bring the old temple back to life. The highlight is watching khon, drama, music and various folk performances against the nighttime backdrop of Ayutthaya. You can wander the temple grounds, browse the international ancient market or snap photos of the ruins bathed in coloured lights from every angle. The event runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December through to February 2026, so you can come multiple times and catch different shows. Here's what's on: December performances December 26 – Lakhon nok, story of Phra Aphai Mani December 27 – Khon Ramakien, episode Jong Thanon December 28 – Retro ramwong and Thai music December 29 – Lakhon phantang, story of Rajadhiraj December 30 – International music December 31 – New Year's Eve chanting January 2026 performances January 1-2 – Thai music January 3 – Children's khon Ramakien and Phra Lo January 4 – Thai music January 9 – Lakhon nok, story of Sang Thong January 10 – Luk thung singing January 11 – Ngiew performance, story

Here's your New Year present from Thailand's Expressway Authority. If you're planning to head upcountry or escape Bangkok for the holidays, EXAT is giving motorists a break by opening up 110 toll booths completely free across the capital's major routes. The timing varies depending on which expressway you're using so it's worth checking before you set off. Some routes are free for a full week, whilst others get two days of toll-free travel. Free for seven full days from December 30-Jan 5 2026 Starting from one minute past midnight on December 30 and running until midnight on January 5, you can use these routes without paying a thing. Kancanapisek Expressway running from Bang Phli to Suksawat Burapha Withi Expressway from Bang Na to Chonburi Free for two days from December 31-Jan 1 2026 These routes are free from one minute past midnight on New Year's Eve until midnight on New Year's Day. Chalerm Maha Nakhon Expressway, the original Stage 1 route Si Rat Expressway, also known as Stage 2 Udon Ratthaya Expressway stretching from Bang Pa-in to Pak Kret There's also a little something extra for Easy Pass users. On January 6 only, EXAT is running a special cashback promotion where you'll get up to 50 percent of your tolls refunded throughout the day. It's their way of saying thanks to drivers who use the electronic system and help keep traffic flowing smoothly at toll booths. If you're heading out during the festive period, make sure you plan which routes you'll be taking and wh

British rap icon Central Cee takes his Can't Rush Greatness world tour to Bangkok on March 20 2026. After a massive 2025 run through Europe, North America and Australia, the Doja hitmaker will headline UOB LIVE (Emsphere) for his first-ever full-scale solo performance in Thailand. The west London artist has become one of the biggest names driving UK rap, with tracks like BAND4BAND, Sprinter, Obsessed With You and Let Go turning him into a proper global phenomenon. His influence stretches way beyond music too, he's a streetwear icon with a style that's sleek, cool and effortlessly confident. This marks his first return to Bangkok since his headline set at Rolling Loud 2023, but this time Thai fans will get the full experience. We're talking a proper production – a headline show with all the energy that's made him one of the most in-demand touring artists around. Keen on catching Central Cee live? Tickets go on sale this week, here’s what you need to know. When will Central Cee come to Bangkok in 2026? Global rap force Central Cee brings his ‘Can’t Rush Greatness’ world tour to Bangkok on Friday 20 March 2026 at UOB Live.   General and presale details Tickets will go on sale with a presale on December 22 followed by a general sale on December 23 at 10am via Megatix here. The event is open to all ages although anyone under 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.   Ticket prices Tickets are priced at B5,500 for VIP, B3,500 for Standing Zone A and B2,500 for Standing Zone

If you're a fan of hilarious, slightly chaotic comedy that leaves you watching just one more video at 2am, you're in for a treat. Morgan Jay is coming to Bangkok in 2026 with his ‘Goofy Guy Tour’, and it's about time. The American comedian has built a massive following online with his viral autotuned comedy clips and playful crowd antics. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Morgan Jay (@morganjay) Morgan Jay isn't your typical stand-up comedian. He thrives on audience interaction, silly antics and turning everyday situations into laugh-out-loud moments. His shows are less about perfectly rehearsed punchlines and more about pure, unfiltered chaos in the best way possible.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Morgan Jay (@morganjay) What makes his shows so addictive is how unpredictable they are. You might start the evening thinking it's a normal comedy set and end up joining in a sing-along, being called on stage or laughing at something completely unexpected. It's that mix of surprise, energy and goofball charm that keeps fans coming back. So get ready to laugh, scream and maybe even join in on the chaos. Here's what you need to know before the night starts.   When is Morgan Jay performing in Bangkok? November 21 2026. That's when Morgan Jay brings his ‘Goofy Guy Tour’ to Bangkok. Already a fan of his online stuff? Just picture that same vibe happening live right in front of you. Expect chaos, laughs and a

Diehard Disneyland fans might not have to leave the country to get their fix of the Magic Kingdom after all. The government's dropped a pretty big update: plans have shifted, and instead of that original entertainment complex proposal, they're now exploring the possibility of bringing Disneyland to Thailand. Yes, you read that right. The earlier proposal was all about creating this massive entertainment complex to boost tourism and pump up the national economy. We're talking theme parks, water parks, sports stadiums, concert venues and even a legal casino, quite the lineup. But now the focus has switched to landing a Disneyland theme park instead of that casino-led vision. Officials have instructed the EEC Office to start scouting suitable land, so things are moving. Photograph: Disneyland Tokyo The ambitious plan includes a world-class theme park and an 80,000-seat international stadium within the Eastern Economic Corridor. Infrastructure upgrades are key here, especially that high-speed rail linking three airports, which would make getting around a lot easier for tourists. Right now, authorities are checking out sites across four provinces to attract global investment. Don't expect Mickey Mouse tomorrow though, completion may stretch beyond the current government term, but at least the groundwork's being laid. Worth noting that Asia already has three Disney resorts. Tokyo Disney Resort was the first outside the US and includes the only ocean-themed Disney park in the worl

If you don't fancy trekking out to Suan Luang Rama IX, there's a flower paradise popping up right in the heart of Bangkok near Chidlom this month. Baan Park Nai Lert is transforming its grounds into a spectacular floral wonderland for the Nai Lert Flower and Garden Art Fair, running December 18-21, 10am-10pm. Sure, we can't promise this cold spell will hang around until the end of the year, but what we can guarantee is that flower enthusiasts are going to absolutely love this. The historic Ban Park Nai Lert residence is pulling out all the stops for their annual festival, turning the front courtyard into a replica maze complete with light and sound shows. It's immersive stuff. Photograph: Nai Lert Flower & Garden Art Fair The flower exhibitions sprawl across the front gardens, whilst inside the greenhouse you'll find winter blooms alongside clean energy products to browse. Come evening time from 6pm onwards, the whole place shifts gear as the Garden Illumination zone kicks in, bathing everything in atmospheric lighting with accompanying soundscapes. If you're more of an evening event person, you'll be in your element. Hungry? No worries. There's a whole food zone featuring special menus whipped up by Park Nai Lert's own chefs, plus dishes from well-known restaurants and cafes who've created exclusive offerings just for the festival. You can also get stuck into small workshops covering everything from Thai fabric crafts to dried flower arranging, and there's a lifestyle mark