Kaweewat Siwanartwong

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.

Right, Songkran's done. The streets have dried off, the water guns are back in storage and the city's remembering what normal feels like. But don't mistake quiet for boring. Saneh Art by Songkran Festival runs until April 30, keeping that festive energy alive with towering sculptures dotted across the city centre – worth a proper wander if you've got time. Over in Chinatown, TagTEAMS 2026 brings sound artists and the genuinely curious together for electroacoustic sets and multimedia pieces that completely reshape how you listen to music. Fancy something easier? Summer of Youth screens Billy Elliot and The Breakfast Club outdoors, both still sharp on the chaos of growing up. Record lovers should clock Record Store Day Celebration: The Art of Listening, a solid reminder that music deserves your full attention, not just background noise. Early risers get treated to something stranger: a planetary alignment as Mars, Mercury and Saturn line up before sunrise. Brief, beautiful and oddly grounding – if you can peel yourself out of bed. Get ahead of the game and start planning your month with our list of the top things to do this April. 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.

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

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.

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.

We keep this article updated regularly to make sure everything stays accurate and current, pop back anytime for the latest or check out our best bar list for 2025 if you’re looking for some more to add to your list.  New year, new bars to explore. With such great feedback last year, we asked the folks at Paikapai (@paikapai.official) back to help us put together this year's guide to Bangkok's best new bars, and their enthusiasm for the project never gets old. Their story isn't complicated. What started as regular 'post-work drinks’ with mates turned into a whole community. The name literally means 'let's go!' in Thai, which pretty much sums up their approach to how they check out new bars and share with their audience. When they're deciding if a bar makes the cut, they always look past the menu first. For Paikapai, atmosphere matters most – does it feel welcoming? Can you actually relax here? Then come the cocktails, which need to be excellent, and service that feels warm rather than rehearsed. Those elements together make somewhere worth returning to. Bangkok's bar scene feels particularly alive right now. Bartenders are getting creative with local ingredients, making Thai gin and rum something to seek out rather than overlook. You get drinks like Wasteland's 'fossil fuel' that you won't forget in a hurry. Entire neighbourhoods transform too. Soi Nana in Yaowarat has gone from ‘quiet street’ to ‘global drinking destination’ in just a few years. That energy makes sense when y

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.

Early mornings start to pay off this weekend. From April 19-23, Mars, Mercury and Saturn gather low in the eastern sky, visible from around 5am until sunrise. Astronomers call it a planetary grouping, though the term hardly captures the quiet thrill of spotting three distant worlds sharing the same stretch of sky. You step outside, eyes adjusting, and suddenly they’re all there, subtle but unmistakable. Bring a camera if you’re keen, though it works just as well without one. Moments like this don’t demand much, only a willingness to wake early and look up. The rest takes care of itself, slowly brightening with the day. April 19-23. Free. The sky, 5am onwards

A spinning needle still holds stories that streaming skims past. Format BKK teams up with Swee Lee for ‘The Untold Tracks’, a conversation tracing Rasmee Isan Soul from its earliest sketches to its place in today’s shifting music landscape. It stays close to the source, with reflections that move between memory, method and meaning. Expect a look at studio moments that test patience, where sound takes shape slowly before reaching vinyl. Isan roots sit firmly at the centre, carried across global influences without losing their weight. Analog arrives as more than format, a deliberate choice that shapes mood and connection in ways digital rarely matches. Paeng Rasmee also reflects on performance beyond music, where acting sharpens perspective and adds depth to every story she chooses to tell. April 18. Free. Register via here. Format BKK Ari, 4pm-6pm

Pets remember everything, even when their vision begins to fade. That quiet heartbreak sits at the centre of 24 Eyes of Hope, an annual CSR campaign by Thonglor Pet Hospital that focuses on restoring sight for dogs and cats living with cataracts. This year, the programme selects 12 animals, offering surgery for 24 eyes at no cost to owners who face financial limits or lack access to care. Applications open through personal stories, either a short video or written piece shaped around a simple prompt: if sight returns, what should they see first? It’s direct, a little emotional, and hard to ignore. Entries are submitted via the hospital’s Facebook page or LINE @jaothonglor, where each story carries the weight of something deeply personal. Until April 30. Free. Thonglor Pet Hospital.

Always, always, a version of you exists before everything clicks. Before composure settles, before confidence arrives without question. GalileOasis teams up with Film I Trust and brings that version back with Summer of Youth, a two-night outdoor screening that trades polish for something more honest. Saturday April 18 at 7pm opens with Billy Elliot (2000), where a boy from a mining town chooses ballet against every expectation placed on him. It stays tender, funny, quietly devastating. Sunday April 19 at 7pm follows with The Breakfast Club (1985), five teenagers in detention who slowly drop their labels and start to recognise one another. You sit under the evening sky, watching stories that still understand awkwardness, longing and the strange work of growing up. April 18-19. B250 via here. GalileOasis, 7pm

TagTEAMS 2026 arrives without fuss, yet quickly shifts the mood of Chinatown. Sound takes the lead here, shaped through acousmatic works, multimedia pieces and live electroacoustic sets that unfold across the programme. The Thai ElectroAcoustic Music Society launches its first edition with intention, bringing together over 60 artists from across the globe, spanning emerging names and established figures. You catch fragmej nts of sound that travel, stretch, then settle somewhere unexpected. Screens flicker, speakers hum, small rooms hold moments that ask for patience rather than spectacle. Electroacoustic music reads as both deeply personal and widely shared, shaped by place yet open to anyone curious enough to stay and listen a little longer. April 17-19. B300-1,000 via here. Bangkok Kunsthalle.

Songkran wraps, but not everything disappears with the last splash of water. Thai art stays put, holding the centre a little longer than expected. Towering sculptures by internationally recognised Thai artists remain scattered across the city. Earlier moments of artist talks and hands-on workshops pass, leaving behind quieter encounters with each installation. What lingers now is space to take your time, to look properly, to notice details that might have slipped by during the rush of the festival. Even the stamp-collecting frenzy fades, replaced by something slower, more reflective. April 16-30. Free. Entertainment Plaza, Lumpini Park, 10am-8pm

What is it? The first live house by Marshall lands on Charoenkrung Soi 36 and changes the pace of the street. Opened in August 2025, it doubles as a creative hangout for rising artists. The look mixes mid century polish with rough industrial edges, so every corner gives you something worth snapping. Why we love it: This place actually makes sense floor by floor, which is rarer than it should be. Downstairs runs as a cafe by day, then shifts gears after dark with a bar and a small stage where you are practically shoulder to shoulder with whoever is playing. Upstairs, things get more niche in the best way. The second level is built for vinyl lovers, with listening spots and proper gear to browse, while the third keeps things practical with rehearsal rooms. Right at the top, there is space for exhibitions and bigger music happenings. You can spend hours here without realising it, moving around as the mood changes. Time Out tip: Start with coffee downstairs, then wander up for a slow vinyl session. Once night settles, head back down, grab a drink and stay close to the stage. It is the easiest way to turn one visit into a full night out.

What is it?When it comes to rock music spots in Thailand, The Rock Pub still holds its ground. This long-running venue, now settled beside BTS Sanam Pao, brings nearly four decades of noise and nostalgia to a fresh space. Inside, a proper stage anchors the room, with more breathing space up front. Expect everything from heavy metal and grunge to Brit rock, emo and solid Thai acts, plus seriously tight cover bands. Why we love itThe new home keeps the spirit intact but gives everyone a bit more room to move, which, frankly, helps. You can hang back with a drink and actually hear yourself think between sets, or edge closer when the guitars kick in and the crowd thickens. It still draws a mixed bunch, old-school fans who have been here since the early days and younger faces figuring it out in real time. There is something reassuring about a place like this sticking around, doing exactly what it always does, just slightly sharper. Loud, a bit sweaty and properly unpretentious. Time Out tipIf you plan to get near the action, wear shoes that stay on your feet and keep your wits about you. Prefer a calmer night? Go for a table mid-room for the best sound. Grab a cold drink and something to eat, you will likely stay longer than expected.

What is it? Hidden inside the old Lido cinema, this Siam Square spot now doubles as a creative hangout with shops, screenings and live music all under one roof. Head upstairs and you’ll find its live house, split across two halls. One offers tiered seating with clear views, while the other keeps things close with a circular stage. Why we love it: Location does a lot of the heavy lifting here. You step off BTS Siam and you’re basically there, which already makes midweek gigs far less of a commitment. But it’s not just about convenience. The space adapts easily, so one night you’re at a full-scale concert, the next you’re watching something softer and more stripped back. Hall 2 works well if you like a proper view without craning your neck, while Hall 3 pulls you right up close with that wraparound stage.  Time Out tip: Go early and sort food first. There’s plenty around, but Kluay Kluay upstairs is a solid, no-fuss option. Before heading up, swing by the photo booths downstairs. Slightly silly, always fun, and you’ll want something to remember the night.

What is it? If you’ve spent any time around Bangkok’s alternative music circles, DECOMMUNE usually comes up sooner or later. It’s a live house with a bit of history behind it, shifting homes from Thonglor to Phra Sumeru, then ChangChui and now Muang Ake. The address changes, but the intention stays clear. Music first, always. Why we love it: What keeps people coming back is the sense that everyone is in it together. There’s no strict line-up formula or genre box to tick. One night might bring noisy guitars, the next something more experimental, maybe even a leftfield electronic set. It attracts a crowd that actually listens, not just shows up. The room stays unpolished in the best way, a little rough around the edges, but that’s part of the charm. Artists treat it like a familiar stage, while regulars settle in like they know exactly where they belong. It’s easy, unpretentious and quietly vital to the city’s music scene. Time Out tip: If you’ve been following them across every move, this next chapter is worth watching. A new space usually means new ideas. Keep tabs on upcoming announcements around mid-year, you’ll want to see how they reset the mood this time.

Bartemp turns one, and the beloved club marks it the only way it knows how: a full seven-day run, April 10–18, no rush, no half measures. The week moves across electronic music’s many shades, from house and techno to deeper, more exploratory selections, the kind that catch you off guard in the best way. At its core, Bartemp stays loyal to its DJ community. Selectors from Bangkok, upcountry and overseas take turns behind the decks, a mix of fresh faces and trusted names, each given the freedom to shape the night. Songkran slips neatly into the schedule on April 14–15. Doors open early from 3pm, water flying, heat easing, and the party starting while the sun is still out before carrying on well past dark, just as regulars would expect. April 10-18. Check the prices here. Bar.Temp, 9pm onwards 

Club Demure arrives as a Sunday ritual shaped around ease rather than excess. The gathering moves at its own pace, beginning with art, small conversations and a kiki that is more intimate than performative. Golden hour settles softly across the space, setting the tone before the evening shifts. Music follows a ‘Soft & Slay’ thread, curated by DJs who favour warmth over intensity. Performances from Jessica Hvsh and Lady Judy add moments of sharp expression, grounded in presence rather than spectacle. Each corner offers room to move, pause or simply exist – a space for queer connection. April 12. B350 via here and B350 at the door. SUNDRY, 4pm-midnight

Bangkok is about to witness another grand phenomenon in music and contemporary art. TagTEAMS 2026, organised by the Thai ElectroAcoustic Music Society (TEAMS) in collaboration with Bangkok Kunsthalle, marks a genuine first for Thailand, bringing together music and contemporary art in a way the city hasn't seen before. Running April 17-19, 11am-9.30pm, the festival takes over Bangkok Kunsthalle with 26 speakers arranged inside a cubic room, sending sound moving through space in every direction, ambient noise reimagined as something you could almost reach out and touch. But first – what actually is electroacoustic music? Simply put, it takes the sounds already around us, speech, location recordings, everyday noise, and reconstructs them into works of art. Over 70 artists from across the globe feature in the programme. Trevor Wishart takes the most mundane objects – whiskey glasses, say – and stretches them out into sonic worlds you wouldn't expect. Curtis Roads goes the opposite direction, zooming so far into sound that individual particles become the whole point. Elsewhere, works blur the line between sound art, digital art and installation, the cross-disciplinary programme that pulls in experimental art lovers and the creative-minded. Tickets start at B300 per day for concerts, B500 for a one-day pass and B1,000 for the full three days. Students get 30 percent off concert tickets with code STUDENT2026 – just bring your student ID on the day (undergraduate and below only). Get

Look, we all know the feeling: your reading list grows taller by the week whilst your phone pings away, pulling your attention in seventeen different directions at once. Actually sitting down with a book properly, without distractions – has become something of a lost art. Which is exactly why Read Me Again's 'Books I Haven't Finished' happens. This Sunday, Nextopia and A Keen House are turning an ordinary afternoon at Siam Paragon's fifth floor from a sacred space for readers who just want to get stuck in without the constant buzz of notifications. Photograph: A Keen House Here's the best bit: you hand over your phone at the door. The whole afternoon becomes genuinely distraction-free – tackling that novel you've been meaning to finish for ages, or cracking open something new you picked up from a book fair. Bring whatever you fancy. Your current read, a sketchbook, even a diary for jotting down thoughts in peaceful silence. It's open to anyone craving a proper break from screens and a chance to remember what paper actually means, surrounded by people who get it. Photograph: readmeagnn If your 'pile of shame' has been giving you grief, or you simply fancy living at a slower pace right in the heart of the city for a few hours, this is your answer. Grab your books and we'll see you at A Keen House, Nextopia 5th floor Siam Paragon, this Sunday April 19 from 11am onwards. Time to turn some pages.

Every April 30, musicians and music lovers across the world come together to celebrate one of the most boundary-defying art forms ever made. Born in the late 19th century from the African American communities of New Orleans, jazz has always been about something bigger than notes on a page.  It's a conversation between musicians, between cultures, between generations. Spontaneous, soulful and endlessly alive – it sounds best when it's happening right in front of you. Bangkok has built a proper jazz scene over the years, with dedicated venues, homegrown talent and a growing audience that genuinely gets it. And this year, the city pulls out all the stops. Whether you're a lifelong devotee or someone who's never sat through a full set, April is a brilliant time to lean in.  Clear your diary, here are three events worth showing up for. Photograph: Siwilai Sound Club The International Jazz Celebration on Charoen Krung Now in its fifth year, this three-day, three-night programme runs from April 24-26 at Siwilai Sound Club. Built on the idea that jazz belongs to no single nation or era, the event draws international and local artists across wildly different styles, tracing a sonic arc from the swing-heavy 1930s all the way through the expressive, rule-breaking sounds of the '50s and '70s. Raw improvisation is the whole point here – not polished performances playing it safe, but musicians actually talking to each other on stage. If you've never experienced live jazz that properly mo

Stargazers are in for a cosmic treat this weekend weather permitting, as three planets appear together in the morning sky. From April 19 to 23, Mars, Mercury and Saturn are putting on a show in the early hours. Look east from around 5am until dawn and you'll spot all three hanging out close together – no telescope needed. They're visible to the naked eye right across the country. It's what astronomers call a planetary grouping , when several planets line up from Earth's perspective. The beauty of this one? You don't need any fancy equipment. Just drag yourself out of bed before sunrise, glance towards the eastern horizon and there they are.  If you're handy with a camera, this is your moment. Set that alarm, grab your kit and see what you can capture in the pre-dawn darkness. Got something brilliant? We want to see it. It's not every day three planets decide to cluster together like this, so the early wake-up call is definitely worth it. Just make sure you've got the coffee ready.

Heading home after Songkran? You'll want to hear this one. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has just dropped the details on new petrol station hours kicking in once the water-slinging festivities wrap up. From April 20, stations across the country will stop selling fuel between 10pm and 5am – but don't panic, there's method to the madness. The timing gives everyone a proper chance to make their way home after the festival and settle back down before the restrictions kick in. Smart, really. Here's the thing though: it's not a total shutdown. Stations won't be closing their doors completely during those late-night hours. Instead, they'll only be serving up specific types of fuel – B20 diesel and E20 petrol, to be exact. Everything else goes off the menu between 10pm and 5am. If you're planning your Songkran travels, make this your reminder to fill up the tank properly before you hit the road. No one wants to be caught short on a long journey home. The new measures are part of wider efforts to regulate fuel sales, though the government's being pretty sensible about the rollout – letting everyone get home from the festivities first before anything changes. Stay safe out there during Songkran, and check out our full festival coverage for everything you need to know.

If this world has ‘rights’ for children, here's one that actually saves you money: meet a couple of basic conditions and your kids can travel Bangkok's MRT for free. What do you reckon? From April 13 children under 14 who aren't taller than 120cm get to hop on the Blue and Purple lines without paying. BEM's running the scheme straightforwardly: just rock up to the ticket office with your kid's ID or passport, grab a free ticket and you're sorted.  Here's how it breaks down. Kids aged seven and under can travel free regardless of height. For children between eight and 14, there's a catch – they need to be under 120cm tall. If they've hit a growth spurt and gone over that height, you're back to paying the adult fare. Parents can collect tickets at any station ticket office, just tell the staff you want to use the children's benefit. And if your kid's confident enough to travel solo, they can sort it themselves at the counter. 

Because good health shouldn’t be a privilege saved for those with pricey gym memberships, Bangkok quietly brings back something far more open. Right now, the retro yet classic rhythm of outdoor aerobics makes a proper return, especially around Lumpini Park, which turns into a bit of a haven for beginner burners. It’s easy to reach on MRT or BTS, and once you arrive, the mood stays light, sociable and surprisingly welcoming – no intimidating mirrors, no sign-up desks, just people showing up and getting on with it. Photograph: BMA If you’re thinking of joining at Lumpini Park, you’ve got three main spots to pick from:– Behind the King Rama VI Monument Plaza, with two sessions: 6pm led by Bangkok Metropolitan Administration instructors, then 7pm for late finishers, run by volunteer instructors– In front of the Library, where stepping starts together at 6pm– Palm Garden, ideal if you clock off early, kicking off from 5.30pm Too far from home? Fair enough. Next Learn pulls together a list of 38 locations across Bangkok, so chances are one sits closer than you think. From large public parks to multipurpose plazas tucked near neighbourhoods, you can move along to properly upbeat tracks without spending a single baht. Photograph: BMA At a time when membership fees climb alongside the cost of living, it’s easy to forget that endorphins don’t come with a price tag. ‘Good health’ doesn’t need to read like a luxury item. Park-side dance aerobics proves the point again, with Lumpini a

After making Thai 'Deathbat' disciples wait more than a decade, that California roar known as Avenged Sevenfold (A7X) is finally set to return this October – and trust us, they're about to shake things up properly. For over 20 years, this lot have proved they're not just metal icons but legends who refuse to fade. Photograph: Avenged Sevenfold So what sets A7X apart from your standard metal outfit? It's not just Zacky Vengeance's fierce guitar riffs or Synyster Gates' razor-sharp solos. The real magic lives in the spirit and theology woven through their name and lyrics. Since forming in 1999, they've carried the weight of Genesis 4:15 – the story of Cain and Abel – as the backbone of everything they do. Their path hasn't exactly been smooth. Losing drumming genius The Rev in 2009 left a devastating wound that nearly ended it all. But redemption and sheer bloody-mindedness pushed them to new heights instead. Albums like Nightmare and Hail to the King shot straight to number one on the Billboard charts, whilst mega-hits like 'So Far Away' captured hearts across the globe. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Avenged Sevenfold (@avengedsevenfold) This return to Thailand after 11 years – not since 2014 – means more than just another gig. It's a chance to explore that grey area between faith and madness through songs that blend metalcore, progressive and even hints of country rock. Brace yourself for the most powerful show of the year: part metal conc

We all know the scene – a Sunday afternoon, the smell of freshly printed pages hanging in the air, the soft rustle of book pages as you hunt for your next read, that intoxicating mix of creativity, romance and the brilliant chaos of browsing quirky treasures. If this sounds like your idea of heaven, mark your calendar for April 26, 10am-7pm, Sant Jordi is back at GalileOasis. Photograph: Embajada de España en Tailandia It's a proper tip of the hat to the most legendary day on the Catalan calendar. Traditionally, men gave women a rose tied to an ear of wheat, whilst women returned the gesture with a book, hence why it's also known as 'the Day of the Book'. Now in its fifth year, this festival celebrates books, romance and everything delightful in between. If you've ever caught yourself daydreaming about wandering through Barcelona's streets on Saint George's Day, this is about as close as it gets in Thailand. Organised by Myriam Rueda, the Spanish graphic designer behind MESA 312, together with the Spanish Embassy in Thailand, it's the perfect excuse for bibliophiles and design lovers to shop, indulge and fall head over heels (with a book or two, naturally). Photograph: Embajada de España en Tailandia Beyond the books and crafts on offer, there's a midday treat worth turning up for. Free Spanish paella rice from La Cava Phuket restaurant, served between 1pm and 2pm on the day. The Sant Jordi event happens at GalileOasis (BTS Ratchathewi) on April 26 from 10am-7pm.

Still haven't sorted your Songkran plans? Wat That Thong has entered the chat. The temple's beloved fair is back and it's teaming up with the Songkran festival for a proper 10-day celebration, running right through to April 15. There’s retro market vibes, classic street food, fairground rides and live music all rolled into one massive neighbourhood party. The food situation alone is worth the trip. You'll find stalls piled high with traditional Thai sweets and all the savoury street food classics you could want. There's an old-school vibe going on with the retro market section, where vendors are selling everything from vintage finds to modern trinkets.  Fancy a go on some temple fair-style rides? They've got those too. And there are photo spots dotted around if you're after some festival content, and live music to keep things buzzy throughout. The fair sits right next to BTS Ekkamai, so you can hop off at Exit 3 and you're basically there. If you're taking the bus, anything running along Sukhumvit will drop you at the temple's doorstep.

Lumphini Park has quite the moment right now. Recently, there's viral b-boy Da Da leading those massive outdoor exercise sessions that pull in 3,000 people. Now Bangkok's favourite green space gets an artistic makeover for Songkran that's definitely worth making a trip for. This Thai New Year, Trendy Gallery and Amazing Thailand bring a proper outdoor art gallery to the park with the Saneh Art by Songkran Festival. There’ massive character sculptures from Thailand's hottest emerging artists, all displayed among the trees and lakeside paths where you normally see joggers and those famous monitor lizards lounging about. The main draw is the large-scale Character Art installations scattered throughout the park. You spot works from some of Thailand's biggest creative names: Nisa Seekhamdee brings her beloved CRYBABY character, Wisut Ponnimit's Mamuang, Kasemwit Chaweewat's POORBOY, Sirinat Saiprasat's TOMATO TWINS and 2CHOEY (aka Cherdsak Moeikhanmak) with his finger face creation. These aren't your average park decorations – they're statement pieces that demand attention. Songkran water splashing is obviously on the cards, and you can create your own artwork, catch artist talks, collect stamps to win Limited Edition prizes and browse the sculpture display if you want to stay dry. Saneh Art by Songkran Festival 2026, Lumphini Park, April 11-15 (sculptures until April 30). Free.

Song Wat is having a moment – and we're not just talking about Bangkok's sweltering temperatures. This heritage district gets even hotter with a four-day celebration that turns the neighbourhood into one big Thai cultural playground. From April 9-12, 'Song Wat Kud Thai' takes over multiple spots along Song Wat Road, with the main action happening in the Lost In Songwat alley. The Made in Song Wat Association teams up with The Mall Group, TAT and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to create three distinct zones: Kudthai House, Kudthai Market and Kudthai Courtyard. Photograph: sawasdee.thaiairways   The market is where food lovers want to be. Brands from across Thailand partner with local Song Wat legends to create collaborative dishes you won't find anywhere else. There’s soft man tou buns stuffed with Pad Thai Khun Chu's intensely flavoured pad thai, or Khiri Thai Tea's rich brew mixed with three types of pistachio milk from Pista&. It's the kind of genre-bending menu mashup that makes Bangkok's food scene so brilliant. An old house in the alley gets a complete makeover as Kudthai House. The ground floor showcases modern Thai fashion and lifestyle bits, while upstairs becomes a secret bar slinging cocktails made with Thai spirits. DJs spin tunes daily to keep things buzzing. Out in Kudthai Courtyard – workshops, outdoor film screenings, mor lam performances and gacha-pon games that appeal to kids and nostalgic adults alike. This year's edition includes a stamp rally where