Kaweewat Siwanartwong

This week rolls in with its usual tricks – warm stretches broken up by the odd downpour that appears out of nowhere and vanishes just as fast. It barely stops anyone though. Plans carry on, maybe tweaked a bit, but still worth doing. This weekend's shaping up as a nudge to get out and try something different. One Piece fans finally get their big moment with a massive pop-up landing at ICONSIAM, while film lovers can settle into Sala Saneha for screenings that feel intimate and unhurried. Over at Bangkok Planetarium, there's one last chance to visit before it closes for a while, and worth catching if you've not been in ages. Mornings get a bit more interesting with The Matcha Run Club, where the chat matters more than how fast you're going. Come evening, Queer club HORN celebrates a year of late nights with a line-up that keeps things lively without overdoing it. The Have You Seen Documentary Film Festival shifts the mood entirely, creating proper space for real stories and honest conversations. Then there's Sake Playground down by the river, pulling together a lovely crowd for drinks, food and the kind of easy evening that stretches on longer than planned. Rain or shine, the week moves forward. Don't spend it all indoors waiting for perfect weather. Bangkok's got far too much going on for that. 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 with our round-up of the best things to

Updated March 2026: We’ve refreshed our best spa list to bring you the best in new openings around the city. Auriga Spa takes pole position, with its huge collection of hydrotherapy pools, while wellness market leaders PAÑPURI add an organic spa to the offerings of Park Hyatt. Bangkok's spa scene is heating up – and not just because of all the new onsens.  With so much to choose from, if you don’t know where to look, start here. Whether you're after a luxury treatment or something decent that won't completely empty your wallet, the city's packed with places promising to fix your aches and melt away that work stress. Thai massage has a reputation for good reason, and you'd be hard-pressed to find another city where getting a massage feels as essential as grabbing lunch. It's just part of life here, but there’s far more to spas than your typical yogic stretch. We've pulled together the best spots across the city for when you're feeling utterly knackered or your shoulders are screaming at you after too many hours hunched over a laptop. From full luxury experiences to brilliant mid-range finds, these are the places that'll actually leave you feeling human again. So, whenever the stress gets too much or your body starts staging a protest, you know exactly where to go for some relief.Subscribe to our free Time Out Bangkok newsletter and get the very best of the city delivered straight to your inbox.

Sometimes, moments of quiet sensory attention can feel almost radical. Yet scent has a strange way of interrupting that rhythm. A trace of jasmine drifting through evening air. A faint hint of wood lingering in a hallway. The soft sweetness of a room spray that appears without warning and suddenly rearranges memory. Long before sight or touch, fragrance reaches the emotional part of the brain. It reminds us of people, places and moments we thought we had forgotten. Perhaps that is why scent remains one of the quietest forms of emotional therapy. It is also the central language of Ganda Saitum, founder of Ganda Scent & Object. Her practice does not treat perfume simply as a cosmetic product. Instead it functions more like a library of emotions. Each fragrance captures a moment, a mood or a fragment of memory.   “Scent is something very honest, it speaks before we have time to explain it.”   Interestingly, Ganda did not originally plan to become a perfumer. Her career began in publishing, working as a beauty editor during the era when print magazines still held  sway. Those years exposed her to countless products and perfumes. She spent long days reviewing fragrances and analysing trends. Creation arrived later. ‘One day my husband, Surasak Ittirit, joked that maybe I should start making something of my own,’ she recalled. ‘He said: “If you only review things, you will become a very good critic’’.’ The comment stayed with her. Photograph: Ganda Saitum Soon afterwards she enro

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 list is from 2025. Our latest ranking for 2026 is live here. People who don’t live in cities will tell you they’re busy, lonely and expensive places. But there’s a reason so many people choose to live in them: with world-class art and culture, unbeatable food and nightlife, buzzing neighbourhoods and a dizzying amount of stuff to do and see, there’s simply no better place to be.  Every year, we take the pulse of city living by quizzing thousands of locals across the planet about life in their hometowns. This year, more than 18,500 city-dwellers shared their insights on everything from food, nightlife and culture to affordability, happiness and the overall city vibe. When urban living can sometimes feel isolating and costly, this year we wanted to get a sense of what, exactly, makes a city feel like home. Sure, the nightlife is great, but is the city safe and walkable? Is good quality food and art available at a reasonable price? Is it easy to make friends, find love, and access nature?  Livability was a key factor in our ranking this year. But a great city to live in is, naturally, a great city to visit. So, along with the thousands of responses from locals around the world, we asked Time Out’s global network of city experts to vote on the places they think are particularly exciting right now. After crunching all that data, here we are: Time Out’s definitive ranking of the world’s best cities in 2025. Read on to see how your hometown fared… RECOMMENDED:🛍️ The coolest n

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.

Located at the Amari Bangkok hotel off Ratchaprasong The Indian restaurant Nila moves forward with a second chapter that feels wider, yet still grounded in memory and ritual. The menu now travels across India, gathering regional favourites and quieter dishes that rarely leave home kitchens, each chosen for meaning rather than novelty. Plates like peri peri jheenga, mochar chop and anjeer kofta arrive with a sense of place, shaped by how they are cooked and why they endure. The bar sits alongside the kitchen, not apart from it, so drinks and food speak to each other throughout the night. Reserve via 02-653-9000. Nila, Amari Bangkok, midday-midnight.

Sake gets a fresh setting at Soul Songwat Sake Festival, where riverside views meet an easy, sociable crowd. More than 60 labels line the space, each offering a different take on Japan’s long-held brewing traditions, while visiting brewers and founders stay close by, ready for conversation rather than ceremony. DJs keep things moving, chefs and restaurants serve food that pairs without trying too hard, and guests drift between tastings at their own pace. A Play Mart corner adds another layer, stocked with limited bottles, glassware and small design-led finds worth taking home. Set against Songwat’s industrial edges, the festival frames sake not as something distant, but as a drink that fits comfortably within Bangkok’s shifting, contemporary rhythm. March 21-22. B190-2,590 via here. Soul Songwat, midday-midnight.

This evening unfolds through food and sound, where dinner quietly meets performance. Chef Kob of Anakade prepares a three-course menu drawing from regional Thai cooking, each dish carrying its own sense of place without feeling heavy-handed. Between courses, Groovy Doopy rework Isan traditions through a jazz lens, joined by Sunny Rattana and Neung Nuengsaran, creating something familiar yet slightly unexpected. The rhythm of the night feels unforced, moving between flavours and melodies with ease.  March 21. B3,000-5,000 via here. Sala Sudasiri Sobha, 6.30pm

Dating in Bangkok often feels hurried, all quick swipes and shorter conversations. Singles Listen, an OMG Matchmaking Gay Edition, offers a softer alternative set at Cielo Sky Bar & Restaurant, high above the city as evening light turns golden. The format stays simple: more than ten short conversations, each designed to feel easy rather than performative, with carefully selected guests who actually want to be present. A drink and small bite loosen the mood, while the skyline does most of the work. Matches continue beyond the table through the platform, then spill over into a relaxed mingle once the formalities end. March 21. B1,499. Cielo Sky Bar & Restaurant, W District, 6pm-9pm

Documentary cinema in Thailand often sits at a distance, quietly labelled as something for specialists rather than casual viewers. The film festival gently challenges that idea. Created by four final-year students from Srinakharinwirot University, the project begins as a thesis and quickly turns outward, shaped by a desire to make real stories feel accessible again. The format stays refreshingly open: four carefully chosen films, followed by conversations with the filmmakers themselves. The experience feels closer to a gathering than a formal screening, where reality unfolds through different perspectives and proves just as compelling as fiction, if not more so. March 21. Free. Reserve seats here. Cinema Oasis, 10am-8pm

HORN turns one, and the night leans confidently forward rather than looking back. The club marks the moment with Adam Munnings, now based in Berlin, whose sets carry a decade of dance floors from Tokyo to New York and across Europe. Arrive early and the line-up unfolds with intent: 5.5MM opens with offbeat diva energy, before Inging and Maytae push things harder with precise, driving selections. Gaspray keeps the room alert, shifting through influences with ease, while Sriracha Czaddy raises the temperature with playful urgency. Mae Happyair closes in her own assured way, moving across genres without hesitation. The first 100 through the door leave with a small keepsake, though the real draw stays the music and the people it gathers together. March 21. B300 before 7pm, B500 before 9pm and B700 before 11pm. HORN, 5pm onwards

Morning plans feel lighter here, where showing up matters more than keeping pace. This easy-going gathering treats the run as optional, leaving space for conversation, small encounters and the kind of connections that form without effort. Matcha flows alongside music, while a DJ set keeps things gently moving rather than overwhelming. Games break the ice, strangers become familiar, and the mood stays refreshingly unforced. A lucky draw adds a playful edge, with prizes sourced from Chulalongkorn alumni labels like Simplify, YVIS, Maison KEEPS and Fat Crying Club. Tickets cover everything, from food and drinks to activities and a well-considered goodie bag.  March 21. B350 via LINE: @goodcha.bkk. Slowcombo, 7.30am-midday

Seven voices meet on the same wall, each shaped by different cities yet speaking through the same visual code. Artists from Thailand, France and Switzerland treat graffiti less as rebellion and more as a shared language, one that carries stories of ambition, missteps and quiet persistence. Styles shift from sharp lettering to loose, almost instinctive forms, but a sense of dialogue holds everything together. Youth lingers here, with all its uncertainty and small acts of bravery. Misjudgments sit beside moments of clarity, neither cancelling the other. What stays is the belief that expression matters, even when direction feels unclear, and that instinct often knows before certainty catches up. March 20-May 3. Free. Maison JE Bangkok, 11am-7pm

A last call feels overdue at Bangkok Planetarium, which prepares to close on March 30 for a long-awaited refresh. Since 1964, the domed theatre has quietly shaped how generations here imagine the sky, all reclining seats and soft narration. Monthly programmes rotate between educational reels and space-age fantasies, keeping each visit slightly different yet comfortingly familiar. That sense of nostalgia lingers, especially if you grew up visiting on school trips or slow weekends. The coming renovation promises change, though it also means a pause until late 2026. For now, the original setting remains intact, ready for one more visit. Go soon, take your time, and let the stars hold your attention before the lights dim. Until March 30. B30-50 at the door. Bangkok Planetarium, 9am-4pm

Sala Saneha treats cinema and companionship as equal pleasures, and it shows in the way the place runs. Screenings begin exactly on time, no adverts and no trailers, just the film as intended. Doors open half an hour earlier, giving you space to arrive slowly, settle in and take stock of the room. The programme favours Thai classics, each paired with English subtitles, so even first-time viewers can follow every glance and pause. It feels considered rather than precious. Afterwards, conversation carries on over a wine list stretching past 2,000 bottles, generous without feeling showy. You come for a film, but you stay for the rhythm of the evening, unhurried and quietly indulgent. March 19-23. Free. Sala Saneha. Check the schedule here.

Call it a citywide fixation: One Piece takes over Bangkok with surprising ease. Fans who once followed Luffy on small screens now find those stories stretched across real space. Netflix brings a slice of the Grand Line to Lumpini Park, yet ICONSIAM answers with something more immersive: a 600-square-metre pop-up café that plays like a living archive. Scenes from past arcs reappear as walkable sets, while newly issued wanted posters chart the crew’s long evolution. A stamp trail links ten zones, gently guiding visitors across the space. At the centre, a five-metre Gear 5 Luffy looms with cartoonish confidence, slightly surreal, unmistakably designed for photographs and quiet disbelief. Until 31 October. Free. ICONSIAM, 10am-8.30pm

What is it? Sitting on the fifth floor of the Grande Centre Point Hotel in Thonglor, Let's Relax Onsen and Spa brings a slice of Japan to Bangkok. The setup features five hot spring baths filled with Gero onsen powder imported from Takayama, alongside steam rooms and saunas for a complete rejuvenation experience. Why we love it: This spot works brilliantly as a bridge between Japanese tradition and Thai hospitality, giving you an authentic onsen experience without needing to leave the city. The mineral-rich baths do most of the heavy lifting when it comes to relaxation and the Gero onsen powder from one of Japan's most famous hot spring regions adds a sprinkling of legitimacy. It's not just about soaking either. The combination of steam rooms and saunas means you can build out a proper thermal routine rather than just hopping in and out of a bath. Time Out Tip: Like traditional Japanese onsens, these are gender-separated and strictly no swimwear allowed.  5/F, Grande Centre Point Hotel. Open daily, 10am-midnight 

It's about time! The Los Angeles-based duo are heading back to Thailand. Fronted by vocalist Paul Jason Klein alongside bandmates Jake Goss and Les Priest, LANY bring their Soft World Tour to Bangkok this November, celebrating their latest musical chapter and that brilliant connection they've built with fans across the globe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by LANY (@lany) Details are still pretty thin on the ground, but here's what we do know. The Bangkok show takes place on Tuesday November 10 at UOB Live, EmSphere. It's part of an Asian run that sees the band hitting Taipei, Hong Kong, Seoul, Osaka, Tokyo, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Cebu and Manila before rolling into Thailand. Photograph: LANY The full Bangkok concert details should drop closer to the date, but this marks another homecoming of sorts for a band that's found one of their strongest international fanbases right here. LANY's Bangkok performances consistently sell out, with Thai crowds famously singing every single lyric straight back at the stage. Artist pre-sale kicks off on March 24 at Thaiticket Major, with the Live Nation Tero pre-sale following on March 26. General tickets go on sale from March 27 at Thaiticket Major. Prices start from B2,800 and B3,800 for regular seats, climbing to B9,000 for special packages. 

Condragulations to our queen Gawdland! Thai drag star Gawdland first made waves as a finalist on Drag Race Thailand, and since her energetic entrance into RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World, she proves herself a formidable racer time and time again. Week after week Gawdland shows her charisma, uniqueness, nerve and talent are plentiful, winning RuPaul's final seal of approval as winner of series three of RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs the World and the next Queen of the MotherTucking World. Photograph: gawdland Throughout the competition, Gawdland impressed the queen of drag, RuPaul and the judges with stunning looks and undeniable stage presence. Gawdland finds herself in the top two of the talent contest and with two RuPeter badges, having won the sewing challenge as well as the notoriously difficult Snatch Game. We sat down with this fierce drag for a proper chat – have a read here.

Thailand's hot season doesn't just deliver relentless heat. It also brings one of Bangkok's loveliest natural displays, and you can see it right now. All this month, tabebuia trees burst into bloom across the city, and it makes sweating through 35-degree scorching worth it. Head to Wachirabenchathat Park (most people just call it Rotfai Park) where the tabebuia trees are blooming in full force. These trees are pretty clever about their display. They drop every single leaf before blooming, which means you get dense pink clusters covering the branches from top to bottom. The effect looks remarkably similar to Japanese sakura, except you're in Bangkok rather than queuing to admire the cherry blossom in Kyoto. Photograph: กรุงเทพมหานคร This whole spectacle typically lasts just one or two weeks before the petals start falling, and it varies depending on how the weather behaves. When the cool season lingers a bit longer, the colours tend to be more vibrant and the display lasts longer. For the best photos, the cycle path and wide lawn areas are where everyone congregates. Go early morning when the light is still soft and you can actually move without bumping into other flower lovers. It's one of those fleeting Bangkok moments that reminds you why the hot season isn't entirely terrible.  

Self-care isn't just a buzzword anymore. It's embedded in how people live now, and not just adults either. Kids are growing up learning to look after their bodies from the start, which means exercise has become way less intimidating and much more part of everyday life. And if you've been paying any attention lately, you'll have noticed run clubs absolutely everywhere. The Matcha Run Club gets what this trend is really about. On March 21 from 7.30am until midday, they're hosting a special edition morning at Slowcombo in Samyan that's less about smashing personal bests and more about actually enjoying yourself. The running bit is totally optional, which is quite refreshing. The movement happens to be on the menu alongside matcha, music and meeting new people. There's a DJ spinning tunes, game sessions to get involved in and a lucky draw with prizes worth more than B300,000 from Chulalongkorn alumni brands such as Simplify, YVIS, Maison KEEPS and Fat Crying Club. Your ticket (B350) covers food, drinks, all the activities and a goodie bag to take home. Tickets are available via LINE at @goodcha.bkk. The Matcha Run Club, Slowcombo, Samyan. March 21, 7.30am to midday.

It’s as if Bangkok has gone completely One Piece crazy! If you grew up following the Straw Hat crew's adventures, well, this really is your week.. In addition to Netflix bringing the Grand Line to Lumpini Park,  ICONSIAM has joined the crew with a One Piece Pop-Up Cafe that takes over 600 square metres of the iconic mall with a full 360-degree One Piece universe to explore. Fans can explore the crew's growth and character development across more than 25 years of storytelling, with the latest wanted posters of the Straw Hat gang straight from the Marines, as well as recreations of key pirate adventures and a stamp hunt across all 10 locations. Photograph: ICONSIAM The real showstopper, however, must bethe ‘Gear 5 Zone’. Right in the centre of the hall stands a five-metre-tall Luffy Gear 5 statue, looking massive and ready for snaps.  And for real One Piece devotees, this event delivers more than just the character exhibitions – there are also loads of recreated scenes from various islands throughout the story, giving fans the chance to snap realistic photos like they've actually boarded the ship with the crew. All completely free, find this treasure trove at ICONSIAM's Attraction Hall, running until 31 October. Open daily 10am-8.30pm

Right now, the global spotlight is on Thailand. A full year after making history with the new marriage equality bill, the nation has just advanced to the first round of the selection process to host WorldPride 2030.  This is massive, especially considering Thailand now goes head to head with two absolute Pride-worthy giants: Barcelona and London. If chosen, Bangkok will become  become the world's 'Capital of Diversity' in 2030. Photograph: Jaksuwong - Time Out Bangkok WorldPride is a global event that promotes visibility and awareness of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer (LGBTIQ+) issues on an international level..  The first edition took place back in 2000 in Rome, overseen by InterPride, an international organisation founded in 1982 in Boston to unite LGBTQIAN+ communities across the globe. This year the event moves to Amsterdam, a city famed for its tolerance and claiming the throne as the most diverse city in the World. Cape Town, follows up in 2028, with all to play for in 2030. Tough competition. Thankfully, InterPride already has Thailand squarely in its sights, with the InterPride World Conference 2026, happening in Phuket from October 29 to November 1.  LGBTQ+ leaders from around the world will gather to assess Thailand's potential before the official winner gets announced in January 2027. Photograph: Jaksuwong - Time Out Bangkok So what does being shortlisted actually mean? To even be considered as a WorldPride host, an organisation must ha

In an age where streaming keeps pushing forward and living costs keep climbing, there's something special about cinemas that feels more important than ever. Film buffs get it (especially the Letterboxd crowd), and Time Out's global team has just ranked the 100 best cinemas worldwide.  The brilliant news? House Samyan is Thailand's sole entry, sitting at number 46 alongside legendary screens from Paris, Tokyo and Berlin. Photograph: House Samyan This isn't just any cinema. Tucked up on the fifth floor of Samyan Mitrtown, House Samyan feels more like a house than a classic cinema, and it is one of Bangkok's film lovers’ best.  For seven years now, it's been the go-to spot for independent films, international cinema and rare classics you won't find anywhere else. From One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Taiwanese new wave gems to Y2K Japanese films that you won’t find screening anywhere else – it has a lot to offer the city’s crowd. The three screening rooms feel intimate. More like settling in at a friend's place than anything else. There's even a balcony with views over Wat Hua Lamphong and the Bangkok skyline (stunning at sunset, if you’re not inside glued to the big screen when ti happens).  Needless to say, House Samyan has become an essential landmark for anyone wanting to experience cinema beyond the mainstream, wrapped up in an atmosphere that's unfussy but full of character. No wonder it made the 100 best cinemas worldwide list.  Check their official website for what'

If you've ever wanted to perform in front of a crowd without the stress of a proper stage, here's your chance. Siam Square turns the shopping district around for one giant street festival this weekend. Running on March 14 to 15 from 3.30pm to 9.30pm at Siam Square Walking Street, this initiative aims to make public areas in Bangkok the go-to places for street performances, sparking social, economic and cultural movement. It's a collaboration between BMA, PMCU and GMM Music, transforming six spots throughout the walking street and creating seven zones of entertainment. Clearly, they’re not clowning around. Photograph: Bangkok Street Performer Zones one and two kick things off with busking bands playing all sorts of styles, while zone three brings the spectacle with singing puppets, homegrown mime x beatbox acts and hula hoop acrobatics from Taiwan. If you fancy joining in rather than just watching, zone four runs a stamp collection hunt where you complete challenges to win prizes. The main stage keeps things buzzing all night with TIGGER from GMM and a lineup of bands. Photograph: Bangkok Street Performer Content creators can check out zone six for music stand and performance, and zone seven offers actual workshop classes in singing, breakdancing and usable hula hoops if you want to upskill yourself. There’s also a tonne of workshops happening at Siammover, which is on the second floor of Siamkit Building. Bangkok Street Performer is free and runs March 14 to 15 from 3.30p

This isn't your standard drinks festival. Song Craft bills itself as a showcase of ‘The Art of Taste’ and trust us, that's no marketing fluff. As craft beers make waves across the nation, this weekend boozer is all about Thai ingredients from every corner of the country being put through world class production methods to create some of the best IPAs, pale ales and stouts. Photograph: Song Craft The festival returns from March 27 to 29 after selling out last January. Kegs are already on their way to Lost in Songwat, a cafe inside a Chinese shophouse that's been standing since King Rama V's reign. Over 100 years old and the traditional architecture still looks brilliant. Wooden beams, vintage tiles, the lot. Photograph: Song Craft And while you can easily find some great craft beers in many bars across the city, what makes Song Craft worth the trip is how the brewers and distillers take their ingredients – not to mention all the new samples you’ll get to try.  There’s tropical fruits from the south, grains cultivated in the north, herbs you've never heard of – all transformed through modern brewing and distilling techniques. Rice spirits aged in clay pots, mango sours that actually taste of mango, beers made with Thai botanicals instead of imported hops. But we’re getting carried away.  Aside from the beer pours, makers of said beers are also in attendance, ready to talk about their process and where they source everything. It's a liquid tour of Thailand, and you don’t even

If you've been putting off a visit to Bangkok Planetarium, now's the time to get moving. The beloved stargazing spot is shutting its doors for a makeover on March 30, and it won't be back into our orbit until late 2026. For plenty of Bangkokians, the spot oozes pure nostalgia, first sharing cosmic displays with the city’s wide eyes way back in 1964. That domed roof, those soul-absorbing chairs, the feeling of slipping into another dimension while learning about the stars. Space-themed films (both entertaining and educational) rotate every month, keeping the place fresh, and there's something about the atmosphere that makes you forget you're still in the city at all. Photograph: Bangkok Planetarium Which makes the news all the more bittersweet. After this March, the planetarium shuts down for a major renovation that'll take roughly seven to eight months. So if you've been meaning to revisit or want one last look at the original setup before it transforms, you've got until the end of this month to put on your space boots and disappear into the stars. The planetarium will then not be back in our telescope sights until late-2026, when reopening details will be shared through its Facebook page Bangkok Planetarium. Until then, catch the exhibitions before those iconic chairs go dark for a while and we’ll share news of its new arrival in about half an Earth year.

Since opening to the public last year, Sala Chaloem Thani has impressed everyone with strong programming, free showings and a cool old-school aesthetic.  This time round, the 107-year-old wooden cinema doubles down on that vintage feel, inviting classic film lovers to step back into the ‘70s with a weekend of movies that capture the teenage chaos of yesteryear. Photograph: Thai Film Director Association On Saturday March 21, screenings start local with Wai Onlawon (1976), a Bangkok love story about a provincial lad who bombs his university entrance exam and subsequently falls for his strict landlord's daughter. The film charmingly captures what teenage life looked like in the capital back then – messy romance, foolish outbursts and a good helping of youthful angst. Sunday March 22 brings the international classic Grease (1978), a musical that needs no introduction. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star in this tale of chaotic high school romance set in the 50s. Both screenings kick off at 4pm and entry is completely free. The caveat: tickets are only available at the door, giving none away before 3pm. And with only 200 seats, we recommend getting in line quickly.  Photograph: sawasdeeswing Sunday also comes with a little more spectacle, as once Grease wraps up, the cinema floor opens for full-on swing dance party led by the Sawasdee Swing group. Dancing to the Grease megamix in a century-old wooden theatre? There’s a good reason Bangkok just made Time Out’s top 10 ci

After getting American fans buzzing earlier this year, British electronic pop duo HONNE don't leave their Asian audience hanging for long. This July, the band return to Bangkok as a major stop on their 10 Year Anniversary Tour – and if you caught them last year, you already know this is one you don't want to miss. Photograph: HONNE The gig lands on July 25 at… and it’s sure to be a belter. Named after the Japanese word for inner desires and the contrast of how you act in public, tracks like Warm on a Cold Night through to Love Me / Love Me Not and everything in between make a fitting concept for the lustful yet hidden closed-door cultures of Bangkok. View this post on Instagram A post shared by HONNE (@hellohonne) However, word from their latest shows suggest this new tour is more intimate than usual, with a stripped back approach to some songs and heart-forward delivery that echoes how they first come together. What we’re saying is, if you're there for last year's show, this one promises a different side of the band entirely. Photograph: HONNE Tickets aren't on sale just yet, but you can register for RSVP access via their booking site here where you’ll be able to jump the queue when they do finally drop.  Venue details and official prices are also coming soon, supposedly before the tickets drop, giving you time to plan your time, re-learn some lyrics and book a hotel within walking distance (because we all know the concert Grab nightmares).