Kaweewat Siwanartwong

We've hit month five now, and yes, May marks the start of rainy season. But rain or shine, events don't wait around. Plans roll on regardless, and this month's looking pretty packed. Bangkok Pride Festival leads the charge with its city-spanning parade and proper programme, joined by Drag Bangkok Festival and Thailand's Drag Star. Coffee gets equal billing as World of Coffee Bangkok lands alongside Thailand AeroPress Championship, bringing brewers, baristas and plenty of caffeine-fuelled buzz. The music lineup's strong this month. Kraftwerk rocks up with a full multimedia show, whilst Hanumankind stops by on his Asia tour. Reggae gets its moment through Reggae Rumble Thailand Tour, and J.I.D delivers sharp lyricism on the God Does Like World Tour. Then Laufey adds a gentler touch with her Bangkok date. Away from the stage, the annual Neilson Hays Library Book Sale offers a slower pace – shelves of secondhand finds inside one of the city's most elegant buildings. Keeping track of what's coming? Our Bangkok’s top concert roundup for 2026 stays updated with the latest gigs worth marking in your diary. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok. Subscribe to our free Time Out Bangkok newsletter and get the very best of the city delivered straight to your inbox.

This will be the first time a Marley heir has performed alongside Thailand's top reggae artists, which is pretty monumental when you think about it. Julian Marley, the son of Bob Marley himself has linked up with The Uprising for what’s shaping up to be a milestone gig. He and Alexx Antaeus just scored a Grammy nomination for Best Remixed Recording with their amapiano take on ‘Jah Sees Them’. When he talks about dabbling in different genres, he makes it sound completely natural, like it's just part of the journey. And his father's influence? Still there, always present, guiding everything he does. It's not just Julian Marley taking the spotlight. You've got some Thai reggae legends on this bill too. JOB2DO are there with all the tracks everyone knows and loves, doing what they do best with that easy, laidback feel. Malaiman Downtown bring their own unmistakable  flavour, and then there's INJA, who basically shows up to set the whole place on fire. Jamaican reggae heritage meets Thailand's homegrown talent, all on one stage. If you plan to go, here’s what you need to know before the night starts. When is Julian Marley performing in Bangkok? Julian Marley is set to play a one-night-only live show in Bangkok on Friday 22 May. Where is Julian Marley performing in Bangkok? Julian Marley brings his signature sound to the stage at UOB LIVE, located within Bangkok’s EM District and perched atop the Emsphere. The venue can host up to 6,000 guests, accommodating concerts, entertainment

Post-Songkran calmdoesn’t last long. Bangkok is already back in motion, with a run of events that make staying in feel like a missed opportunity. Start with Sea Reverie, where Passakorn Pachana’s shifting seascapes sit somewhere between memory and horizon, offering a quieter reset before the weekend gathers pace. Film fans have Moviemov Italian Film Festival on the calendar, bringing a tightly curated slice of contemporary Italian cinema to local screens. Things pick up quickly from there. Record Fest BKK returns for crate digging and live sets, while DJ Spiller lands for a one-night session that still carries serious disco-house weight. Over on Charoen Krung, The International Jazz Celebration spreads across multiple venues, moving between standards and newer sounds in a neighbourhood that already knows how to hold a groove.  If you’re easing into things, Little Market keeps it low-key with crafts, food and small finds worth lingering over. Bangkok Art Walk pushes things further, taking over streets across several dates with a mix of art, vinyl, books and outdoor activities that reward a slower wander. Pick one or try a few. Either way, the city wastes no time reminding you it’s fully awake again. Get ahead and map out the rest of April with our guide to what’s on. Stay ahead of the curve with our pick of Bangkok’s best things to do.  Subscribe to our free newsletter for the best of Bangkok, delivered straight to you.

Summer lands in Bangkok’ April with a bit of force, and it has everyone hunting for shade come mid-afternoon. Parks and gardens start looking fuller and greener, though the real action's happening indoors – galleries are filling up with fresh exhibitions just as Songkran creeps closer. The city feels busier without being louder, just more switched on to what's about. Ditching the aircon at home suddenly makes proper sense. Most galleries give you somewhere cooler to breathe, and something decent to look at that isn't glowing at you from a screen. Drifting from one space to another becomes a bit of a routine. Not sure where to kick off? A few exhibitions are standing out across the city right now, each with its own rhythm and point of view. It's worth popping back regularly since new shows crop up steadily, giving you yet another excuse to get outside even when the heat's doing its best to keep you in. 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 April. 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.

The Italian film industry doesn't do subtle. It rocks up like a Fellini fever dream – all sweeping gestures, crumbling palazzos and someone in outsize sunglasses chain-smoking whilst quoting Sartre. But occasionally it loosens the collar, ditches the silk scarf and lets a few fresh voices slip through. MovieMov – Italian Film Festival is one of those moments. Running April 21-24 at House Samyan, with English and Thai subtitles, the lineup brings just enough introspective angst to properly derail any plans for easy viewing. These aren't your standard arthouse exports either. The festival grows from initiatives involving students, young professionals and local institutions.

It's probably not time to ditch the AC just yet, but April is still the month where you can wave goodbye to the old year in the Thai calendar without shedding a tear. Thai New Year is here, which means the city starts to properly wake up – parks get busier, restaurant tables spill out onto pavements, and suddenly there's a flood of festivals and events worth getting excited about. Summer is long here, and with it comes Songkran, the festival everyone's been waiting for. Bangkokians are more than ready to make a celebratory splash, and that long holiday? Perfect timing to explore the city's stunning parks, museums, galleries and – let's be honest – its night life scene. Things are hotting up now, so it's time to shake off that winter hibernation and get stuck into what Bangkok does best: fantastic green spaces, world-class museums and galleries, plus restaurant and bar offerings that are genuinely unbeatable. There's loads happening this month, and we've rounded up some of the best bits to help you make the most of it. Trust us, you won't want to spend April indoors. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok. Subscribe to our free Time Out Bangkok newsletter and get the very best of the city delivered straight to your inbox.

2026 makes one thing obvious: Thailand’s music scene sits at an all-time high. Big concerts get announced months, sometimes a year, ahead. Artists keep releasing new albums without pause. Across Bangkok, the livehouse scene steadily spreads, pulling more people out on weeknights. Music culture right now looks lively, busy and hard to ignore.  What makes today’s livehouses stick is their intimacy, a rarity in large concert halls. You stand just a few steps from your favourite artists and catch every move on stage up close. The atmosphere stays relaxed and open. Come alone, bring a date, or gather a group of friends, it all works. Many venues sit within easy reach of BTS or MRT, and ticket prices stay friendly enough not to sting. Live music, suddenly, feels far more within reach. So here’s the plan. Time Out lines up 15 venues and livehouses across Bangkok, from cosy indie spots to full-production stages. Get your ears ready and start ticking them off – your next favourite band waits somewhere on this list. RECOMMEND: Bangkok’s top concerts of 2026

We keep this article updated regularly to make sure everything stays accurate and current, pop back anytime for the latest. 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

Bangkok doesn't really do slow. The city runs hot – always another plate to try, another bar to find, another corner of the night to chase down. Sometimes you just need out. Not far, but far enough: somewhere the air is cooler, the pace drops and the view stretches past concrete and neon. Chiang Mai answers that call. Head north and the landscape shifts, mountains roll in, the Ping River winds through and centuries of Northern Thai culture sit quietly on every corner. The food up here has its own character too: bold, rooted and built on recipes that haven't needed fixing. This guide is put together by the Koktail Thailand Restaurant Guide, spotlighting restaurants where mountain panoramas and riverside vistas do more than set the scene – they're part of the meal itself. Local ingredients take centre stage, each dish a small piece of the larger story that Northern Thailand has been telling for a very long time. RECOMMEND: Best egg noodles in Bangkok Bangkok’s top 13 steakhouses Confessions of a Bangkok food voyeur

April comes with the long-awaited holiday, a beloved Thai tradition, has returned once more. While many joyfully embrace the water-splashing festivities of Songkran, the Thai New Year, others may choose to stay dry and sit out the soaking celebrations for their own reasons. If you're not exactly interested about being drenched during this chaotic water fight of a festival and are wondering how to make the most of the holiday, fear not. We've put together a list of activities designed for those who'd rather not become walking puddles, along with some personal recommendations from our team of writers (who clearly love staying dry). Hopefully, this will give you a few ideas on how to enjoy the Thai New Year without needing to dry off every five minutes. Here’s wishing you a fantastic and dry holiday ahead!   READ MORE: Where to get soaked in Bangkok this Songkran Where to eat Thai summer must-have 'khao chae' in Bangkok Best juice bars around Bangkok to beat the heat 6 Thai fashion brands for a stylish Songkran outfit

We're always updating this piece to keep things fresh and on point, so feel free to swing by whenever you fancy the latest. And if you're after a few more spots to explore, have a look at our best listening bars for even more musical inspiration. Ever tried making a martini at home? Chuck two and a half ounces of gin or vodka and half ounce of dry vermouth into a cocktail shaker, add cubed ice and give it a proper shake for 10 seconds. Job done. Except it never quite tastes the same as when you're perched at a bar, does it? We tried, and out of frustration, we ended up in Soi Nana. Not the notorious soi just off Sukhumvit, but Chinatown’s version – a narrow lane that used to be all apothecaries and aunties selling dusty jars of ancient remedies.  These days it's transformed into a brilliant strip of neon lights, roadside conversations and the satisfying clink of glasses. Most of the shophouses have converted to bars, and if you're wondering where to start, don't worry. We've got your back. The spots included here aren't just about perfect cocktails, though you'll definitely get those. What makes a truly good bar? For us, it's simple. A menu of genius drinks matters, obviously, but so does the overall vibe. There's absolutely no point sipping the perfect negroni if you're stuck in a bar that smells like bin juice. To earn a place on this list, a bar has to be fun, friendly and inclusive, whilst looking and tasting the part. No exceptions. Subscribe to our free Time Out Bangkok

Let’s be honest. The old stereotype of glasses wearers being nerds or overly serious types just doesn't hold up anymore. These days, glasses have turned into fashion-forward confidence boosters that say just as much about you as any piece of jewellery. Picking the right pair isn't just about matching your face shape anymore either. They need to work with your whole vibe: your outfit, your hair, the way you live your life. Even on those days when you're after a little something extra to pull your look together, glasses do the job perfectly. Finding frames that work for both everyday wear and special occasions used to feel like a mission, but not anymore thanks to the dozens of  Thai eyewear brands out there that get it.  To help you find your next pair of super specs, we've rounded up five Thai eyewear brands worth knowing about. Each one offers a mix of classic and contemporary styles with designs that actually stand out, and we've chosen them because the quality speaks for itself. No gimmicks, just well-made frames that do what they're supposed to do.

After winning over Thai fans at Summer Sonic 2024, Laufey confirms her first solo show here with Laufey: A Matter of Time Tour in Bangkok. A solid return, all things considered. She blends jazz, classical and contemporary pop with carefully arranged melodies and lyrics that stay with you long after the final note. The tour follows her win at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards, where A Matter of Time takes Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Produced by Spencer Stewart and Aaron Dessner, the record refines her sound with a sharper emotional edge. With over 4.25 billion Spotify streams, Billboard chart highs, Forbes 30 Under 30 and TIME Women of the Year, she’s clearly operating well beyond niche status. May 31. B1,800-4,300 via here. Impact Arena. 7pm

Atlanta has a habit of turning out rappers who sharpen every bar until it cuts clean. J.I.D sits firmly in that lane, all quick-fire delivery and tightly controlled energy, backed by a stage presence that holds attention from the first track. He first lands on the radar in 2015 with the DiCaprio EP, introducing a fast-talking storyteller from the city’s east side. Since then come Grammy nods, a near two-billion-stream collaboration with Imagine Dragons, and last year’s The Forever Story. Live, he keeps things stripped back.  May 26. B2,600 via here. Lido Connect. 8pm

Paint starts flying as Art Battle lands in Bangkok, turning the room into a fast-paced studio. Artists race the clock across three rounds, each given 20 minutes to create their strongest work while the crowd circles the easels, watching every decision unfold. The format keeps things simple. At the end of each round, the audience votes to decide who moves forward, shaping the outcome in real time. Every piece then goes up for silent auction, so you can leave with a favourite if bidding goes your way. Now staged in more than 50 cities worldwide, Art Battle brings together competition, community and a front-row view of creativity under pressure. May 23. B99-450 via here. The Fig Lobby Bangkok. 7pm

One of Japan’s most distinctive banjo voices arrives in Bangkok for Bangkok Banjo Fest. Takumi Kodera earns a reputation as one of the finest players of his generation, moving easily between bluegrass, jazz and a style that carries his own signature. Precision meets warmth here, grounded in tradition but never boxed in. Expect shifting tempos, intricate picking and plenty of character across the set. It’s a full evening dedicated to the banjo, giving the spotlight to a sound that rarely gets this much room in the city. May 23. B900 via here and B1,100 at the door. The Royal Oak. 7pm

Julian Marley arrives in Bangkok with The Uprising, carrying forward a legacy without making a fuss about it. The set lands with quiet confidence, rooted in classic reggae yet shaped for a live crowd that knows what it came for. Support comes from familiar names across the scene, including JOB2DO, Malaiman Downtown and INJA, keeping the energy steady from start to finish. It’s a line-up that shifts smoothly between generations and styles. The final Bangkok stop lands at UOB LIVE, right in the city centre and a short walk from BTS Phrom Phong, built for shows that aim a little higher. May 22. B2,950 via here. UOB LIVE. 6pm

The annual sale at Neilson Hays Library returns for 2026, and regulars know the drill: arrive early, bring a sturdy tote, and prepare to leave with more than planned. Set against the library’s quietly elegant architecture, the event offers shelves of secondhand titles in Thai and English, covering novels, art books, children’s stories, older prints and the occasional rare find, with prices starting from B20. Selections come partly from the library’s own collection, alongside books gathered specifically for the occasion. Every purchase supports the upkeep of the historic building, so it’s shopping with a purpose. Word is, a small surprise also waits for visitors this year, a gentle thank you for turning up and browsing. May ​16-24. Free. Neilson Hays Library. 9.30am-5pm

Thailand AeroPress Championship returns to crown the country’s top brewer, with the winner heading to the World Championship in Mexico. Organised by The Coffee Calling, this one carries a reputation as the original ‘coffee party’, where baristas and caffeine devotees gather from morning through to the final round. Expect a steady mix of competition and good company. A DJ line-up keeps things moving, while drinks come via Dripp. Food lands from Jee Kia with Isan-style Japanese plates, stir-fried sukiyaki by Suki Phonsiri and special dishes created for the day by Electric Sheep.  May 10. Free. The Warehouse Bangkok. 10am-9pm

Bangkok gets its first proper look at Hanumankind as he lands for a debut solo show in Thailand. The rapper sits firmly in that rising-star lane, building international attention as an Indian artist making serious noise on the global stage. Early buzz arrives with ‘Big Dawgs’, before Monsoon Season follows and pushes things further. Then ‘Victory Lap Three’, a link-up with Fred again.., sharpens the spotlight. This Bangkok date forms part of his Asia tour, with stops across Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. If you keep an eye on what’s next in hip-hop, this one demands attention. May 10. B2,000 via here. Ambience Space. 8pm

After 55 years, Kraftwerk finally lands in Bangkok. The Düsseldorf group writes the rulebook for electronic music, shaping everything from techno to EDM, with traces heard across synth-pop, electro, industrial and house. Any genre built on a drum machine carries their imprint. What sets them apart sits in restraint: stripped-back structures, looping patterns, a precision that borders on the mathematical. Catching a name this influential in the city rarely happens, especially one that treats a live show as a full multimedia installation. Expect ‘Autobahn’ and ‘The Model’ paired with stark visuals and tightly controlled sound.  May 10. B3,300-5,500 via here. Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. 8.30pm

Specialty coffee takes centre stage here, riding a global wave that shows no sign of slowing. This exhibition gathers producers, roasters, baristas and industry voices from across the map, all under one roof to support the wider coffee scene. Expect a mix of tastings, conversations and hands-on moments, alongside plenty of chances to pick up high-quality beans and serious kit. For anyone even mildly obsessed with their morning cup, it’s a field day. Behind it all sits the Specialty Coffee Association, the force behind World of Coffee, working with the Barista Association of Thailand and Exporum Inc. to bring the scene together in one place. May 7-9. B300-1,100 via here. BITEC. 10am-6pm

Bangkok gets its own jazz gathering again, nearly two decades after the last one faded out. Led by Pajaree Sanguanprasert, the Scatt Jazz Bangkok Jazz Festival sets out to rebuild that sense of ownership, while opening the door to something broader. Quick note: this isn’t the old Bangkok Jazz Festival revived. A different team, a different spirit. Still, that long gap lingers, and this answers it. Workshops bring musicians, bands and curious listeners closer to artists from the World Jazz Network alongside leading Thai players. Rehearsals lead to collaborative sets, before a final concert gathers everything together. Jazz here acts as exchange, conversation and shared ground. Until May 2. Free. Register via here. Srinakharinwirot University Prasarnmit Demonstration School (Secondary).

First staged in Cheongju Craft Biennale, this group exhibition arrives in Bangkok following a debut as the Invited Country Pavilion in Cheongju, South Korea. The project grows from an ongoing exchange between Thailand and the Republic of Korea, setting craft alongside contemporary art across Southeast and East Asia. At its core sits ‘Elastic Time’, a curatorial thread that questions how time behaves across the region. Forget neat timelines. Here, past, present and future overlap, repeat and quietly reshape one another. The Cheongju edition sets the tone as a cross-cultural conversation, where material, process and memory carry equal weight. Artists approach craft not as something fixed, but as a way to consider what unfolds now, and what might come next. Until August 16. Free. Jim Thompson Art Center. 10am-6pm

H0M0HAUS starts as an open artistic home, welcoming all genders and identities whilst using art to connect lived stories, shared histories and the emotional weight of right now. After two previous editions, the festival's back in 2026 with a sharper focus, asking audiences to really look at the body and confront patriarchal structures through performance.  Now in its third run, the theme ‘The Last: Radical Reincarnation’ centres on renewal after rupture. It traces what happens when silence breaks, when something once suppressed finds its voice again, and how pain can shift to become a catalyst for making. The idea reflects an ongoing reality. Across the region, people of diverse genders still negotiate rights, freedoms and dignity, often facing scrutiny despite legal progress like Thailand's move towards marriage equality. Photograph: pxwxriz This year brings four performance programmes that pull together different strands of live art with technology, offering a proper mix of formats and approaches. Panel discussions open up space for dialogue with queer artists, workshops invite hands-on engagement with drag and its many questions, and networking sessions encourage fresh connections across communities. A behind-the-scenes exhibition of H0M0HAUS adds context, with special programmes running throughout. Photograph: pxwxriz H0M0HAUS #3 takes place from June 5-14 across multiple Bangkok venues including Bangkok Art and Culture Centre and Goethe-Institut Thailand, alongside P

Early May deserves something slower. Swap packed bars for a glasshouse screening where greenery frames the screen and evening air does half the work. For three nights, SAMA Garden teams up with Skyline Film for a small run of open-air films, set within a leafy structure at BITEC BURI. Think relaxed crowd, soft lighting and that rare Bangkok luxury: space to stretch out. Another nice touch: pets are welcome. Dogs curl up by your feet, cats in carriers settle beside you, and nobody minds. It's low-key, a little whimsical and just the right kind of sociable. Here's what's screening across the weekend: Friday May 1 Photograph: Fox Searchlight Pictures 500 Days of Summer – 5.30 pm (screening starts at 6.15pm) Tom meets Summer, and what begins as a bright, easy connection slowly fractures through a mosaic of memories. The story skips backwards and forwards, tracing the gap between expectation and reality. Sweet, awkward, quietly devastating. Growth rarely arrives neatly, and this one doesn't pretend otherwise. Photograph: GTH Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story – 8.15pm (screening starts at 8.45pm) Mei Li hits 30 and watches romance slip further out of reach. Then comes Loong, a BTS engineer who brings a flicker of possibility to her routine. Their bond builds between train rides and late nights, shaped by timing that never quite aligns. Bangkok hums in the background as she decides whether to hold on or let it pass.   Saturday May 2 Photograph: Disney/Pixar Inside Out – 5.30 pm (sc

Rain clouds might be rolling in, but this one’s worth stepping out for. From June 12-14, Loop Flea Market sets up at Yodpiman Riverwalk along the Chao Phraya River, bringing its familiar mix of curated secondhand and low-key community energy to the water’s edge. It’s not a rush-through kind of market – this is where you take your time, dig a little deeper and let the finds come to you. Browse curated secondhand by the river Regulars know the rhythm. The crew behind Cheeze Looker keeps things tight – racks are carefully sourced, not overloaded, and the crowd comes with intention. Streetwear heads show up already styled in the latest pickups, traders swap stories across rails, and you’ll spot the same faces drifting between buyer and seller. It’s less about scoring a bargain and more about sharpening your eye – pieces here tend to carry a bit of history, and a bit of attitude. Photograph: lookermag Settle into a slower market pace What keeps people coming back is the feel of it. Nothing’s frantic, nothing’s throwaway. The standard is set by the people who show up, and it shows in what makes it onto the racks. Expect to linger longer than planned – especially with the river right there and the usual Bangkok heat softened by a bit of breeze.  Details are still thin, so keep an eye on Looker Magazine's Instagram for updates before heading down.

Big news on the gig front: David Byrne lands in Bangkok this August. Yes, that David Byrne. The art rock architect and former Talking Heads frontman confirms a one-night stop as part of the Who Is The Sky? Tour, and you can feel the buzz already. Fresh from a headline-grabbing set at Coachella, he brings the same precision and theatrical punch. Expect a proper stage production: choreography, visuals, a band in constant motion. The sort of performance that sticks with you long after you've left the venue. Photograph: IMDb The setlist pulls from his latest record, Who Is The Sky?, a reflective collection that wrestles with questions of purpose, creativity and what keeps an artist going. It sits alongside older material, and Byrne's catalogue has always been about evolution. Quick refresher: he led Talking Heads between 1975 and 1991, folding art rock, funk and global sounds together long before anyone else caught on. Generations of artists still trace a line back to that era. He plays at UOB LIVE at EMSPHERE on August 10. Tickets start from B2,800. Presale opens May 7 at 11am, with general sale from May 8 at 10am via ThaiTicketMajor. Seating details drop soon, so keep checking.

Parents, are you actually ready? Bangkok is getting its first live taste of Snoop Dogg’s Doggyland, as Headstand Entertainment brings the children’s YouTube hit to ICONSIAM this July. If the name’s new to you, Doggyland is a computer-animated series for young kids created by Snoop Dogg with October London and Claude Brooks in 2022. Think bright colours, catchy songs and gentle lessons folded into the fun, covering everything from the ABCs and numbers to self-worth, hygiene and good habits. It's educational, but crucially, it doesn’t feel like homework. Photograph: Doggyland The show centres around a cast of animated dogs, each with their own vibe. Woofie's the supportive mate who's always cheering everyone on (and happens to have a belter of a voice). Then there’s Yap Yap, a high-energy pup bouncing through life with relentless enthusiasm. Snoop himself voices Bow Wizzle, the wise mentor keeping the puppies in line. Now, Headstand Entertainment hauls the whole gang over ten thousand miles to ICONSIAM this summer. Details are still fairly thin on the ground, but here's what we know: the live stage show lands at CONSICON Hall on the seventh floor across two dates – July 18 and 19. Expect music, dancing and the kind of positive energy that'll have your kids (and probably you) grinning from ear to ear. The songs cover letters, numbers, colours, hygiene and good habits, so parents can actually join in rather than just standing about looking tired. Tickets drop on April 24. Want

Bangkok's cocktail lovers are raising one last glass to a beloved tropical hideaway. Tropic City, the bar that helped put Charoen Krung and Talat Noi on the map as the city's coolest neighbourhood for nightlife, announces it will close at the end of April after eight years of slinging rum punches and tiki cocktails. The final countdown has arrived, and the farewell parties kick off properly this weekend. Save the date for the big goodbye on April 24-26, when friends, family, drinks, dancing and food come together one last time. After eight years as one of Bangkok's first independent cocktail bars, celebrating tropical drinks and championing music and DJs, Tropic City empties out in style. Photograph: tropiccitybkk Friday April 24 kicks off with Bangkok OGs Neung, Niks, Joh and Bank who shaped the scene (honouraries Tor, Palm, Pop, Chacha and more sadly can't join). Decks get stacked with tunes from DJ Susha, Alex Zaldua, NK Chan, Takamichi, Shir Khan and Ayahtareek. Saturday April 25 brings house party vibes with special guest bartenders, Friend Shift open for any guest to make a drink, Gallery Pizza popping up and a stacked DJ lineup featuring Mo-Funk, Koish, MumsfiliJayja, DOTT and Elaheh. Sunday April 26 marks the last and final day of Tropic City with a proper bar clearing (everything must go), more pizzas from Gallery Pizza and music by DJ Tam Bryce, KAPPA, Brent Burns, Seelie, Pam Anantr, Mumsfilibaba and Pati Mala. Walk-ins only, free entry. If you've ever fancied a

So, the news everyone's been waiting for: Bangkok's Hawker Center at Lumphini Park is finally open – well, soft-opened on April 10, with the full thing kicking off properly in May.  It's pitched as a ‘central hub for street food’ slap bang in the heart of the city, running on a ‘not for profit’ model that's meant to benefit urban residents rather than make anyone rich. Photograph: BMA Head to Gate 5 along Ratchadamri Road and you’ll find it, taking heavy inspiration from Singapore's hawker centres – which, if we're being honest, might feel a bit odd for Thais who love street food exactly as it is: messy, spontaneous, brilliantly chaotic. In fact, netizens have shown a cautiously optimistic response, excited about the set-up, but also worried about the fate of other street food zones in the city. Photograph: BMA Vendors rotate in morning shifts (5am-4pm) and evening shifts (4pm-midnight), pulling together the local favourites people already know from around the park. There's infrastructure now: clean water, drainage, dishwashing stations, standardised seating. Natural ventilation keeps energy use down, trees get relocated then replanted and private partners like delivery platforms offer digital payments to help vendors earn more. Photograph: BMA So here's the thing: does organising street food this way strip out what makes it special? The organisers reckon it doesn't replace the charm, it just gives vendors a cleaner, safer space while keeping their flavours intact. Pho

Bangkok's finally giving its bus stops a long-overdue upgrade. You know the ones – faded shelters where you’re never quite sure if the bus is late or if you’ve imagined the route entirely. Photograph: BMA The city plans to overhaul more than 1,100 stops, split between 600 getting a full redesign and 500 going digital. Out of roughly 5,199 stops across Bangkok, it’s a meaningful first step towards something that actually works for commuters. Photograph: BMA The redesigned stops focus on clarity. Expect clearer bus line information, proper route details and a new ‘Walking Map’ feature showing your exact location and what’s nearby. It’s a small shift, but one that should make navigating unfamiliar areas far less guesswork. The digital stops aim to fix the bigger problem – timing. Real-time arrival displays will link to GPS data from the transport system, replacing hopeful estimates with actual bus timings. There are also plans to connect these with navigation apps down the line, which could make getting around the city noticeably easier. Photograph: BMA Each stop will be adapted to its surroundings, whether it’s in a busy commercial area or along a quieter stretch of road. Information panels will also highlight more than 30 nearby landmarks and attractions, giving you a clearer sense of what’s within walking distance. The first upgraded stops are expected to roll out from May, with the full project set to run through to the end of 2026.

Lumphini Park – Bangkok’s long-standing green lung and one of its most lived-in public spaces – turns 100 this year, and the city is marking it properly.  For a century, this stretch of green has held the rhythms of daily life. The recently reopened Lumphini Hall brings back a touch of old-world charm, while a wave of upgrades shows the park is still evolving.  From May 1, the revamped Green Bridge will fully reopen, linking Lumphini and Benjakitti for an easy cross-park wander. There’s also a new Japanese-style dog park  – a generous off-leash space that’s likely to draw a regular crowd – plus a newly opened Hawker Center if you’re after something quick to eat. Or keep it simple and do what most peopl.e come here for: find a shady spot by the lake and watch the pedal boats drift past. Photograph: สวนลุมพินี 100 ปี The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), together with the government, is marking the centenary with six days and nights of celebrations that lean into both history and atmosphere. Expect an exhibition tracing the park’s past, retro ballroom dancing, and performances from leading orchestras. The focal point lands at the redesigned clock tower, where a light and sound show takes over after dark. Food runs throughout too, with around 50 of the city's top eateries settingup across the grounds. Come for the celebrations, stay for the feeling of a place that’s been part of the city’s everyday life for a full century. Lumphini Park (MRT Lumphini or Silom). April

Music fans across the globe have every reason to get excited right now. Fujii Kaze, arguably J-pop's biggest name at the moment, announces his new world tour, ‘Prema World Tour,’ and Thailand makes the list. The concert happens on December 26, at Suphachalasai Stadium. The tour comes off the back of his first English-language album Prema, which also happens to be his third full-length release. It's been massive in growing his international following. Thai fans already have a soft spot for him after he picks Chiang Mai as the backdrop for his music videos, showing off Thailand's natural beauty and culture to viewers worldwide. Just recently, Fujii Kaze performs at Coachella 2026, one of the planet's most prestigious music festivals. It's clear he's evolving as a global artist. What makes this Bangkok show particularly special is the serious upgrade in scale. Previous concerts happen in halls, but this time he's going stadium-sized, with space for roughly 35,000 people. Fans can expect a far grander, more complete live experience. The tour also hits Japan, Taiwan, Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, France and North America. Keep an eye on Live Nation Tero for updates, because this is shaping up to be one of the year's unmissable concerts. 

This is properly good news if you're a regular on Bangkok's electric trains: the B40 flat fare ticket is happening. One payment gets you unlimited trips across every single line and route, capped at B60 for the whole day. The policy kicks off on January 1 2027. Anyone who uses Bangkok's train system knows the faff. Multiple operators mean multiple fares, and switching between lines adds up ridiculously fast. A typical day of hopping around town easily pushes past B100 before you've even thought about it. This flat-rate deal sorts that whole mess out. Here's the breakdown: trips under 40 minutes cost B40. Anything longer and you pay an extra B20, capping your daily total at B60. You can jump between any line or colour without getting charged again, and there's no limit on trips during operating hours. For short hops of two or three stations where the normal fare sits below B40, you just pay the actual fare. You'll need to use an EMV contactless card, and stick with the same card all day since the system tracks your journeys. Heading back the same way? The system refunds any excess automatically, keeping your total at B60 maximum. Foreigners can use it too, as long as they're paying with an EMV card. For anyone who's spent years doing mental maths at ticket machines or avoiding certain routes because the fares stack up too quickly, this is a massive relief. Just tap in and get on with your day without constantly checking your wallet.

Wallet feeling a bit heavy lately? Well, it's time to lighten it. The vinyl-digging event of the year is back. Record Store Day returns, that annual pilgrimage for music lovers held worldwide during the last week of April to celebrate analogue music culture and independent record shops. This year it lands in Bangkok as Record Fest BKK, scaled up and more diverse under the concept ‘SPIN THE CULTURE.’ Photograph: Record Fest BKK The main draw? The Collector Garage zone, where enthusiasts with serious stashes showcase their prized possessions and pass them on to new owners hunting for rare finds. We're talking vinyl records, tapes, CDs and music lifestyle merch. This time, more than 40 booths are taking part, plus record labels debuting their latest vinyl releases at the event for the first time. The event packs in mini concerts, DJs, fan sign sessions and workshops. Another highlight is the Talk Sessions hosted by DJ Sonny. Photograph: Record Fest BKK   Workshop fans can try their hand at making NFC keychains and painting vinyl records. You can also swing by the Vinyl Library to test out record players and borrow rare albums from the Public Relations Department's archive of over 500 records. Tickets at the door cost B200. Fancy it? Drop by from April 24-26, from 10am-10pm at NEX HALL, fifth floor, Siam Paragon, for three full days of proper vinyl heaven.