Free riverside art hang this May

Mark the date, send the group chat and make an evening of it. This one suits anyone who prefers their culture with a side of conversation rather than silence. Art Island drops the hushed gallery routine and sets everything on a pier right in the middle of the city, where sound, movement and people all share the same space.

At Bangkok Island, the riverside turns properly sociable. Browse an art market packed with handmade crafts, paintings and experimental pieces by emerging names, all part of a push to give new creatives a platform. A workshop zone keeps things hands-on, while a film screening space opens the floor to anyone keen to show their work. Or claim a spot in the chill zone, food in hand, and watch the river go by.

Music carries through the evening. Head upstairs for open-air DJ sets on the boat's rooftop, running all night while the vessel stays docked. It's not a setting you come across often – skyline views and a steady breeze included.

Bangkok Island, Rama 3 Soi 64. May 24, 4pm–midnight. Free entry.