Kaweewat Siwanartwong

Finally we say hello to the first week but last month of 2025. We've already torn open the first doors of our advent calendars, and there are even more daily treats in store in Bangkok thanks to the city's epic cultural calendar. If you want to have fun this weekend, read on. There's lots more on offer. The Sunset Film Club at The Commons Thonglor is running seven nights of open-air cinema. Popcorn in hand, you can catch everything from Clueless to Love Actually while the sun dips behind the city. On the other side of Bangkok, Bangkok Kunsthalle hosts Spencer Sweeney for a one-night listening session that turns a temporary booth into a cosy music corner.  Over at Tryster Songwat Flea Market, more than 50 vendors line the streets by the river with food, drinks and vintage finds. There's a Minus 196 bar on site too, perfect for sipping something cold as the sun softens over Songwat. Music in the Park offers something different: the Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra reimagining Irish classics. It's a rare chance to hear familiar melodies in a sweeping orchestral style. And Siwilai Radical Club celebrates its second anniversary with a night that moves from dining room beats to the Discotheque's orange glow. Ojas, NNNN and Danilo Plessow keep things flowing as the city drifts towards the weekend. Get out there and enjoy. Get ahead of the game and start planning your month with our list of the top things to do this December. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up

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

The final stretch of 2025 arrives with that familiar Bangkok mood shift, when the heat finally backs off and the city gets a touch sentimental. It's the season when everyone pretends to slow down yet somehow ends up saying yes to every gathering, screening and gig that pops up on the calendar. Christmas may hover at the edges with its twinkly soundtrack, though the months ahead promise far more than festive cheer. Suan Luang's botanical fest returns with flowers blooming across the park, turning the grounds into a weekend escape of soft scents and slow wandering. TV Girl drops by with their dreamy melancholy that somehow suits Bangkok's late-year evenings better than it should. Doja Cat storms in with her first show in Thailand, a spectacle that feels long overdue. Black Country, New Road bring their shifting, knotty sound to a crowd that likes its emotions served with a side of distortion. If you prefer something gentler, the Dutch Thai jazz night folds brass and breezy improvisation together, while Goodhood and Goodfood host a neighbourhood do that feels like stumbling upon a block party that actually knows what it's doing. The Bangkok Art Book Fair comes back with its usual crush of zines, prints and people comparing tote bags.  This is when the city reveals its many pockets of delight. Bangkok, as always, saves its best for the year's edge.  Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok.

There's a peculiar silence that follows when you tell someone 'I don't drink'. It lands awkwardly, like you've just admitted to something vaguely embarrassing. But that silence has been shrinking lately. Gen Z are leading a quiet revolution, choosing clear heads over hangovers and questioning why socialising has to revolve around a bottle. After lockdown rewired our habits, old rituals started looking a bit naff. Drinking less isn't just about health anymore – it's cultural. Which raises an obvious question: if you're not drinking, where the hell do you go in a city that's built on the mythology of nights out? That's how I ended up deep inside Sammakorn Village, a residential labyrinth in Bangkok that's home to more than 6,500 households and, rather improbably, one of the most unusual bars in Asia. STØCKHØLME Sober Bar is Thailand's first alcohol-free bar and the first in Asia. It opens from 2pm-10pm, welcoming everyone from the sober-curious to families who rock up with dogs and teenagers in tow. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taste of The Place (@jiranarong2) I'd expected earnest kombucha, wellness lectures and maybe a queue of yoga mats. Instead I walked into something warm and surprisingly mischievous, where cocktail shakers were working overtime and two people, Korranath 'Oak' Thamamnuaysuk and Weeree 'Wee' Yomjinda, greeted me like friends determined to prove that sobriety has never meant boring. What followed was two hours of tasting,

Music still does that thing where it brings people together and tears them apart simultaneously. Some reckon punk's dead, just a relic from when rebellion meant eyeliner and leather jackets. But rock and roll – that stubborn bastard – won't lie down. It morphs, it sweats, it relocates. And in Thailand, surprisingly, it's still kicking. That’s where The Young Wolf comes in. A band so saturated in colour you'd think the 1970s never ended. Their gigs are proper fever dreams – shimmering jackets, hair that crackles with static, the sort of sound that makes your chest hurt in a good way. Their cover of a certain Led Zeppelin track racked up over four million views, and suddenly Bangkok had something new to shout about. I wanted to know who they actually were underneath the sequins and sweat. So I sent over some questions – the type that start simple and end up unpicking what makes a band tick. The sort that remind you rock and roll isn't just noise. It's how you survive. Photograph: The Young Wolf The howl begins 'We met through the small gig circuit in Bangkok,' they tell me. Five strangers who kept running into each other across sticky floors and dim bars. 'We jammed together in a rehearsal room. It was chaos until one night it wasn't. The gear clicked, the room caught fire, and The Young Wolf was born.'   The five-piece – Jonathan on vocals, Jimmie Petzh and Nonney on guitars, Song Song on bass, Little on drums. A lineup that would become something more than the sum of its pa

Mention Song Wat and most people picture weathered shophouses with Chinese-style storefronts. What they don't realise is that tucked between these century-old buildings, something rather brilliant has been happening. The younger generation has been slipping bits of modernity into every corner, and it's now become one of Bangkok's most interesting districts to explore. Song Wat isn't just about the food, though there's plenty of that. The art scene here is properly thriving. Shopkeepers and artists have been working together, turning the whole district into a sprawling outdoor gallery. The recent buzz has given confidence to people who actually care about preserving history and culture in old commercial areas. Support it to grow with the times and what you get back is architecture that future generations can still see with their own eyes, not just in history books. Photograph: rongklannuea What's Song Wat known for? Song Wat has basically become Bangkok's hipster area without really trying. Art is everywhere throughout the district. Street art on walls, designer bits in unexpected shops, galleries that range from big impressive spaces to tiny rooms down alleyways or tucked behind coffee counters. If you love art, Song Wat is brilliant. You just need to know where to look. Right now there are loads of new places opening. Restaurants, cafes, galleries, bars worth staying in until late. If you fancy a change of scene and want to walk around taking street photos, stopping for sn

November in Bangkok means art season running at full tilt, with the city's beautiful contradictions on full display – gridlocked traffic outside, hushed white cube spaces within. Art lives everywhere here: sprawling museums with cathedral-high ceilings, scrappy project rooms above third-wave coffee spots, galleries that look structurally questionable yet house work capable of stopping you mid-stride. Need to feel confused, delighted, unsettled or quietly gutted? Bangkok's got you sorted. The range is genuinely unruly. One evening you're facing neon installations unpacking migration politics, next morning you're locked eyes with a centuries-old portrait that feels disturbingly alive. Contemporary pieces question what existing in this particular metropolis actually means, modernist works get reinterpreted for right now, and the odd old master hangs about with surprising swagger. What makes things tricky is sheer choice. New shows open constantly, so deciding where to spend your Saturday afternoon becomes its own minor ordeal. Consider this less a definitive ranking and more your orientation map through a city that simply won't quit making, showing and interrogating through visual culture, monsoon season be damned. Everything below we've visited personally, stood in front of and probably Instagram-stalked first. Every single exhibition here deserves your time. 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

As the country mourns the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, Bangkok's tempo shifts. Venues stay open and music still plays, but with a quieter grace. It's a month of small joys and thoughtful gatherings before the year slips away. Anyway, we're almost there – one month until NYE. November brings slightly cooler air, though 'cool' is pushing it. The 11th month unfolds with a gentler energy, making space for moments that feel both present and reflective. Kick things off with Ghost2568: Wish We Were Here, a surreal blend of art, nostalgia and light that lingers somewhere between memory and dream. Or escape reality altogether with Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in Concert, where the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra breathes life into John Williams' score beneath a 40-foot screen. For something warmer, TYLA's We Wanna Party Asia Tour lands in Bangkok – all amapiano shimmer and attitude. Transport stretches a disco-lit day across 14 hours of pure movement at Chang Chui. Then swap sequins for strings at the Southeastern Old Time Gathering, a weekend of bluegrass, Irish trad and old-time tunes that feel like they've travelled across centuries to reach you. Get out there, enjoy! Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok.

Planning Halloween already? It maybe a little early, but the nights are drawing in, the air feels cooler, and before long, the season’s most mischievous celebration will be upon us. Thailand may not have the same obsession with ghosts and ghouls as other countries, but Bangkok knows how to throw a night worth remembering.  Soon enough, downtown Bangkok will shift into a carnival of costumes, flickering lights and characters that seem plucked from another world. Streets, bars, galleries and rooftops will offer everything from quirky pop-ups to immersive experiences, leaving little excuse not to get involved. It’s never too early to start plotting your own night of mischief, assembling your coven, or deciding which haunted corners of the city you’ll explore. Looking for something strange, eerie or delightfully absurd? Time Out Bangkok has your back. While we might not carry proton packs, we know where the best thrills are hiding. From haunted bars and rooftop rituals to costume competitions and spooky markets, our ever-growing guide will keep you informed and entertained. By the time the last lanterns flicker and the city’s ghosts retreat, you’ll know that Bangkok’s Halloween is not just a night on the calendar – it’s a festival of mischief, style and just enough fright to make it unforgettable.

In Bangkok, the music scene has transformed over the past few years, led by crews of DJs and collectives – both Thai and international, who are tackling imbalances in the industry by carving out their own creative corners. These collectives do more than play music: they build communities, experiment with sound and space, and create opportunities for voices too often overlooked. And the number of groups pushing this forward is far greater than most realise. Collectives are the empowering force. DIY at heart, they share resources, skills and ideas, providing spaces free from discrimination and harassment. Each crew has its own identity: some focus on multidisciplinary arts, others on workshops and mentoring, and some simply craft nights that feel electric and alive. What unites them is a vision of equality, inclusivity and diversity – for their members and for everyone who joins. Detour is the one for those chasing tracks you hear once and immediately need to know more. RomRom bends genres and expectation, from Bhangra to Brazilian hip-hop, creating nights defined by atmosphere rather than label. Non Non Non gives a queer sanctuary, where electronica, EBM and techno collide and the crowd feels at home. Kleaning Service turn up once a month with their offbeat 'cleaning' sessions, a tongue-in-cheek disguise for nights that refuse to behave predictably.  Transport, meanwhile, are a softer, warmer embrace of the dancefloor. moor brings underground international talent rarely seen i

October arrived with a bit of rain, but Bangkok doesn’t really do dull seasons. The city thrives on contrast – traffic outside, white-walled calm within. It’s a place where art lives in every possible corner: vast museums with echoing halls, hidden rooms above coffee shops, galleries that look like they might collapse yet hold works that could floor you. If you want to be confused, delighted, unsettled or quietly moved, this city rarely disappoints. The variety is unruly. One evening you might stumble across a show where neon tubes light up the politics of migration, the next morning you’re staring at a centuries-old portrait that feels impossibly alive. There’s contemporary work that questions what it means to exist in a city like this, modernism reinterpreted for the present, and the occasional old master hanging with surprising confidence. What complicates things is choice. With new exhibitions opening constantly, picking where to spend an afternoon can feel like work in itself. So think of this less as a definitive guide and more as a starting point – a way to orient yourself in a city that refuses to stop making, showing and questioning through art, no matter the weather. 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 October. Whether you're a regular gallery-goer or just art-curious, these are Bangkok’s best spots to live the ar

October in Bangkok doesn’t tip-toe in. As the rains finally turn polite and the air dries, the city arms itself with spectacles that crackle in neon, shadow and trembling melody. Museums open new worlds. Theatres unfurl fresh tales. Bars and cafes welcome midnight whispers. On the music front it’s chaos of the best kind. The Smashing Pumpkins return after nearly three decades, giving a set that could flicker from 1979 to their new rock-opera. Mariah Carey is back too, hair flips intact, marking 20 years since The Emancipation of Mimi with seven-octave theatrics Bangkok hasn’t seen in years.  Sean Paul finally touches down for his Thai debut, bringing the riddims that once soundtracked every school disco. Connan Mockasin drifts in with his woozy dream-funk, while Blackpink stage a three-night stadium takeover that will probably sell out faster than you can open a group chat. Over at the Contemporary World Film Series, Something Like an Autobiography plants its flag. Penned by Mostofa Sarwar Farooki and his actress-wife Nusrat Imrose Tisha during lockdown, it folds their marriage into fiction, even as Farooki steps in front of the camera for the first time. It’s a quietly radical piece about memory, identity and how lives unspool when we least expect. And for those who sleep with their lights off: the Junji Ito Collection Horror House turns dreams into architecture. Over 1,500 square metres, you might find Tomie’s cursed beauty, balloon-headed predators or Souichi’s mischievous

Kaburaya, the cult favourite taishu sakaba from Tokyo with more than 100 branches across Japan, brings its lively neighbourhood spirit to Bangkok for a pop-up at Tonchin Ramen. Known for grilled skewers, oden and small plates made for casual drinking, Kaburaya first opened in Ikebukuro in 2002 and quickly became a go-to spot for afterwork crowds looking for easygoing food and quick bites. For this Bangkok appearance the team takes over Tonchin’s kitchen with a focused menu of yakitori, yaiton and classic izakaya dishes. Expect the kind of warm, buzzy atmosphere found in Japan's standing bars, mixed with Tonchin's own energetic ramen house vibe. The pop-up runs later than Tonchin's usual hours, giving diners extra time to snack, sip and enjoy a rare Tokyo crossover in the heart of Chidlom. Reserve via @tonchinbangkok. Tonchin Ramen, Mercury Ville Chidlom. From December 8, 5pm-11pm

Siwilai Radical Club is turning two and the celebration comes with a love note to everyone who has danced, eaten, created and lingered inside its upcycled walls. Built from more than five tons of reclaimed materials, the space has grown into a meeting point for artists, diners and dancers who treat it less like a venue and more like a shared home. Its ethos of circularity never feels preachy, just baked into the way people move through it. For the anniversary, both rooms blend into one smooth journey. The evening starts with local talent setting the tone in the Dining room before the night drifts towards the Discotheque’s orange glow. Ojas and NNNN take charge of the system, leading up to a set from Danilo Plessow, once known as Motor City Drum Ensemble, closing the celebration with proper warmth. December 7. B500-700 via here and B950 at the door. Siwilai Radical Club, 6pm onwards

The Monchhichi crew has landed at the Monchhichi Holiday Store in Emporium and it’s soft, sugary hug. Shelves are stacked with licensed gifts, including Thailand-only editions that are almost impossible to walk past without pausing for a second look. It’s the kind of stop where you tell yourself you’re shopping for others, then suddenly you’re holding something for yourself too. Inside, the selection leans quirky and charming, made for anyone who enjoys a little nostalgia with their presents. They’re also offering a Furoshiki wrapping service, using Monchhichi-patterned cloth that turns even the smallest gift into a keepsake. A sweet way to make holiday shopping feel less like a chore and more like a tiny celebration. Until December 10. Free. Emporium, 10am-10pm 

An evening with the Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra is even richer when the set list is built from the catalogue of legendary Irish bands and singers. These songs, usually heard in pubs, stadiums or late-night playlists, have been reshaped for a full orchestra, giving familiar melodies a fresh sort of weight. It’s the kind of concert where you catch yourself hearing an old favourite in a new light. The event comes from a collaboration between the Embassy of Ireland in Thailand and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, marking 50 years of diplomatic ties. A cultural celebration sounds formal on paper, yet this one leans more towards shared joy, a musical nod to the connection between both places. A good chance to sit back and let the arrangements do the storytelling. December 7. Free. Lakeside area, Gate 1, Benjakitti Park, 5pm onwards

Season one of Tryster turned a warehouse at Long Tang Tang into a weekend ritual and now the team is taking the whole affair outside, setting up by the river on Song Wat Road. The street still thrums with its usual energy, so you can wander past cafes and old shophouses before slipping into Tryster Song Wat Flea Market, which might be the most relaxed vintage spot along the Chao Phraya. More than 50 vendors are joining, each bringing food, drinks or well-picked lifestyle bits that feel made for slow browsing. A Minus 196 bar is parked on site too, perfect for settling in with something cold while the sky softens over the river. December 6-7. Free. Song Wat Road, 11am-9.30pm

Slide into the makeshift neighbourhood disco nook where Artist-in-Residence Spencer Sweeney takes charge of the decks for a one-night listening session that feels like visiting a friend with unnervingly good taste. He brings with him a stash of records and that instinctive way of reading a room, turning the corner into something between a living room hangout and a tiny listening lounge. You can expect an easy crowd, cold drinks and a soundtrack that keeps the evening moving without ever shouting for attention. It’s the sort of night where you tell yourself you’ll stay for one track, then suddenly an hour’s gone and you’re still nodding along.  December 6. Free. Bangkok Kunsthalle, 7pm-11pm

Logan D is finally playing in Bangkok and the city’s DnB crowd can breathe again. The UK heavyweight has shaped Low Down Deep from a humble label into a full-blown institution, the kind that shifts from 300-person sweatbox nights to 2000-capacity blowouts at Bristol O2 Academy and London’s Indigo2 without losing its grit. Their Easter bank holiday parties with Logan and Majistrate are practically folklore at this point, spoken about with the same fondness people reserve for old mates. What makes Logan stand out is that his influence stretches far beyond the booth. He’s also built one of the most reliable distribution networks in the scene, supporting labels like Urban Takeover, Sweet Tooth, Dubz Audio, Higher Stakes, Subway Soundz and Killer Bytes. A proper architect of DnB culture. December 6. B400-500 via here and B600 at the door. Jungle Jam BKK, 10pm onwards

AVANTCHA TeaBar is turning a regular day into a green-tinted celebration, the sort that makes you linger longer than planned. Anyone who registers through the online link can claim a complimentary Matcha Latte, part of a 500-cup giveaway that feels like a small love letter to the neighbourhood. The team is also knocking 15% off all retail matcha and hojicha for the day, which is reason enough to pop by if you’ve been eyeing a tin for home. DJs will be on deck with a line-up that keeps the atmosphere bright, matched with an immersive set-up that leans fully into the colour theme. Whether you already swear by matcha or you’re just tea-curious, it’s an easy excuse to sip, browse and hang out. December 6. Free. AVANTCHA TeaBar Bangkok, 11am-5pm

Weekends call for films under the sky and The Sunset Film Club knows it. They’re setting up an outdoor cinema at the top yard of The Commons Thonglor, rolling out seven screenings across December like a gentle countdown to the holidays. It’s the kind of setting where popcorn tastes better, drinks last longer and you can sit back without feeling rushed. The programme is a mix of comfort watches and seasonal favourites: Clueless on December 6, UP on December 13, 50 First Dates on December 20, How the Grinch Stole Christmas on December 24, The Holiday on December 25, About Time on December 27 and Love Actually on December 31. Think of it as a warm-up to the end of the year, one film at a time. December 6-31. B450 via here. The Commons Thonglor, 6pm and 9pm

ATELIER 9, one of the newest galleries in town comes from André, a Parisian transplant who opened the doors only last month, and the space already feels like it has a quiet confidence about it. Their latest reception, A Feast for the Ethereal, brings together past and recent works by Gaspard R Pleansuk and Philippe Moisan to create a conversation that drifts between ritual, trace, memory and spirit. The show has a way of pulling you in gently, as if you’re stepping through layers of time rather than moving from one piece to the next. Both artists approach the unseen with a kind of tenderness, leaving marks that feel both intimate and expansive.  December 5. Free. ATELIER 9, 5pm-8pm

Bangkok is about to claim a new chapter in its nightlife story with the opening of a ‘hyperclub’ designed for anyone who measures life in beats and movement. The debut brings ARTBAT to town, the electronic duo whose sets have commanded the biggest stages across the globe. Their sound, equal parts melodic and relentless, promises to shape the evening from the first note. Joining them is Nakadia, Thailand’s own Techno ambassador, who has clocked more than 1,700 performances across 72 countries, including residencies in Berlin and appearances at Tomorrowland. Her sets, a mix of precision and propulsion, return home with a reputation that precedes her, making this opening more than a party. December 30. Price to be announced here. FVTURE Bangkok, 9pm

One at A Time closes the year with a party made for those who feel music rather than chase it. Gene on Earth leads the evening, a selector whose sets never shout but linger, coaxing shoulders to loosen and ears to lean a little closer than usual. Each track feels deliberate, a quiet mastery of groove and restraint that keeps the room suspended just enough to notice the small details. Elaheh and Shinfish, the trusted residents, weave through the night with unhurried precision. They drop the right record at the exact moment, and occasionally something unexpected, which somehow lands perfectly. It’s the kind of night where time stretches softly around the music, where dancing is measured, smiles are exchanged over shared beats, and the year quietly folds itself into a groove that feels entirely your own. December 20. B500 via here and B700 at the door. Bar Temp., 9pm onwards

In just a few weeks we'll be counting down to 2025 before most of us have even caught our breath. Bangkok's hit its year-end mode, and nature's still got one more gift for us before the year ends. If you missed this year's two major super full moon events, the Harvest Supermoon on October 6, glowing away in the middle of harvest season, and the Beaver Supermoon on Loy Krathong night, November 5, which was the closest full moon of the year, don't worry. Tonight's your last chance to catch up. On the night of December 4, we'll see the final super full moon of 2025. The moon will swing closer to Earth at about 357,219km, much nearer than the usual distance of roughly 380,000km. This makes it appear about 30 percent brighter and around 10 percent larger, easily visible to the naked eye without any fancy kit. If the sky's clear, the moon will rise above the eastern horizon as soon as the sun sets and will hang about in the night sky until dawn.  If you've got nothing on tonight, try heading out with someone you love, mates, family or your father before Father's Day arrives tomorrow. Pick somewhere with a fairly open sky where light pollution isn't too brutal, like Benjakitti Park or Lumpini Park in the centre, or along the Chao Phraya River where there's a decent breeze.  You could even catch it alongside the Vijit Chao Phraya, with its lights, colours, sounds and romantic nighttime atmosphere by the water. Just standing by the river watching the moon rise above the tall buildings

In just a few weeks we'll be counting down to 2025 before most of us have even caught our breath. Bangkok's hit its year-end mode, and nature's still got one more gift for us before the year ends. If you missed this year's two major super full moon events, the Harvest Supermoon on October 6, glowing away in the middle of harvest season, and the Beaver Supermoon on Loy Krathong night, November 5, which was the closest full moon of the year, don't worry. Tonight's your last chance to catch up. On the night of December 4, we'll see the final super full moon of 2025. The moon will swing closer to Earth at about 357,219km, much nearer than the usual distance of roughly 380,000km. This makes it appear about 30 percent brighter and around 10 percent larger, easily visible to the naked eye without any fancy kit. If the sky's clear, the moon will rise above the eastern horizon as soon as the sun sets and will hang about in the night sky until dawn.  If you've got nothing on tonight, try heading out with someone you love, mates, family or your father before Father's Day arrives tomorrow. Pick somewhere with a fairly open sky where light pollution isn't too brutal, like Benjakitti Park or Lumpini Park in the centre, or along the Chao Phraya River where there's a decent breeze.  You could even catch it alongside the Vijit Chao Phraya, with its lights, colours, sounds and romantic nighttime atmosphere by the water. Just standing by the river watching the moon rise above the tall buildings

Germany's annual film festival is back, and this year it's getting a deep look at how we define family in the modern world. Fresh off the heels of the German Christmas Market, Goethe-Institut Thailand is gearing up for KinoFest, its annual celebration of contemporary German cinema across Southeast Asia. The festival brings carefully selected films to both Bangkok and provincial cities, and this year's lineup looks particularly compelling. From December 9-21 at Goethe-Institut Thailand under the theme ‘Family: Extended’, the 2025 programme ditches traditional stereotypes to explore how our understanding of family is shifting. You'll find films that tackle motherhood through lenses of both power and anxiety, shine a light on the often-invisible world of care work and dig into the tensions that simmer beneath family dynamics. The festival wants you to see family not as some fixed ideal but as a space where complexity, conflict and change actually happen. The genre spread is impressive too. You'll find intimate dramas sitting alongside animation, comedies, thrillers, action and documentaries – something for whatever mood you're in. Two films worth flagging: Greetings from Mars (Grüße vom Mars) follows a boy who transforms a stay with his grandparents into an imagined Mars mission, turning the countryside into an intergenerational adventure. Then there's Two to One (Zwei zu Eins), a satirical comedy about three friends who spot an opportunity in chaos, trying to turn soon-to-be-wo

Bangkok's been choking on something nastier than traffic fumes lately, and if you've stepped outside recently, you'll know exactly what we're talking about.  Forget those dreamy golden-hour Instagram posts, the city's currently wrapped in a thick blanket of PM2.5 dust that's turned a simple morning jog into a genuinely risky proposition. Over the past couple of days, dust levels have hit 47-59 micrograms per cubic metre, prompting AirBKK to slap an orange zone warning across the entire capital without any sugar-coating. The still air mixed with Bangkok's legendary traffic is brewing up a smog cocktail that nobody ordered. But the city isn't leaving residents to fend for themselves. A full-team effort is underway, tackling everything from construction sites to work policies, all aimed at helping Bangkok breathe a bit easier. Photograph: BMA Construction sites get the heavy treatment Construction sites are dust enemy number one, and Wang Thonglang district is getting special attention. The moment AirBKK flashed orange, the Deputy Governor turned up unannounced at the COBE Lat Phrao-Sutthisan project site, no messing about. What followed was a proper crackdown: mandatory wheel washing before vehicles leave, constant water spraying, six-metre-high dust barriers and a requirement for all vehicles to be registered in the Green List system. This isn't a plaster on a single problem but part of a bigger plan to cut dust dispersal citywide. Meanwhile, factories and establishments acr

After November's Vijit Chao Phraya 2025 went down a storm with its light and sound shows along the river, the organisers switched things up by using drones instead of fireworks out of respect for the mourning period. It created a gentler vibe, sure, but everyone's been waiting for the pyrotechnics to make their comeback. Well, the wait's over. The fireworks return this December to light up the sky above the Chao Phraya, celebrating the final stretch of 2025 and bringing the good old vibes back to Bangkok's main waterway. The shows will still honour HM Queen Sirikit the Queen Mother, keeping the same theme and concept that's run throughout the event. Here's what you need to know: fireworks will explode over Phra Phutthayotfa Bridge (Memorial Bridge) on December 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 20 and 21 at 8:45pm. Each show comes with light and colour displays designed around the concept 'The Light of Siam, the Mother of the Nation'.   Photograph: Vijit Chao Phraya 2025   The drone shows aren't disappearing entirely. They're just being scaled back to three dates: December 5, 12 and 19 at 8.45pm. But here's where it gets interesting: the organisers have loaded up the weekends and long holidays with extra fireworks displays so you can properly soak up the spectacle. Mark December 5 in your calendar right now. It's the only night that'll feature both 1,000 drones and 2,500 fireworks shots in one go, no holding back. The organisers are calling it the grandest show of the year, and they're not

The afternoon alcohol ban is finally being scrapped. Well, for six months at least. From today, December 3, you'll be able to legally buy booze between 2pm and 5pm for the first time in decades. It's part of a 180-day trial that's lifting Thailand's longstanding afternoon alcohol sales restriction, which has been in place since the early 2000s. The new rules mean alcohol can now be sold during three windows: 11am-2pm, 2pm-5pm and 5pm-midnight. That middle slot is the game-changer, approved on a trial basis to see how it goes. Shops must be registered to sell alcohol (obviously), and if you're drinking at a venue, you can stay until 1am. Once the trial wraps up, Bangkok's Alcohol Control Committee and provincial committees across Thailand will assess what actually happened during those previously banned afternoon hours. Did it help small businesses compete with big chains and tourist areas, as supporters argued? Or did it unleash chaos, as critics worried? There are some exceptions to all this, by the way. International airport terminals can sell alcohol whenever they fancy to arriving and departing passengers. Licensed entertainment venues operating within legal hours get a pass too, as do hotels registered under the Hotel Act. It's worth noting this is specifically about sales restrictions. The rules around where alcohol can be consumed and advertising regulations remain unchanged for now. Whether this trial becomes permanent depends entirely on how the next six months play

Wolf Alice are heading back to Bangkok for the first time since they headlined Mangosteen Music Festival way back in September 2018. They will hit Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore as part of their world tour, bringing the sound that's made them one of the UK's most vital rock bands. This tour will feature tracks from their latest album The Clearing alongside fan favourites from their Mercury Prize-winning back catalogue. It's been a minute since Wolf Alice last played Thailand, and a lot's changed since then. They've released two more albums, won a Mercury Prize for Visions of a Life and cemented their status as one of Britain's best live acts. Their shows are known for being absolutely electric – frontwoman Ellie Roswell has this rare ability to flip between delicate, introspective moments and full-throttle rock fury in the space of a single song. Want to sing 'Moaning Lisa Smile' at the top of your lungs with a room full of people? Obviously. Here’s everything you need to know about Wolf Alice 2026 Asia Tour.   When are Wolf Alice performing in Bangkok? Bangkok will host Wolf Alice’s celebrated live act for a one-off concert on Sunday January 11 2026.   Where is Wolf Alice performing in Bangkok? The British alt-rock icons are set to take the stage at Ambience Space.   When are the tickets on sale? Tickets go on sale right now through Megatix at this link.   How much are the tickets? General Admission tickets are priced at B2,400, while Bulk Buy tickets are available with a mi

The weather's still decent right now, which for Bangkok is practically a miracle. Perfect timing for a free concert in the park, then. Music in the Park happs this Sunday December 7 at 5pm in Benjakitti Park. It's part of the celebrations of 50 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and Thailand, put on by the Irish Embassy and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Not your typical anniversary party, but we'll take it.The Bangkok Metropolitan Orchestra are doing orchestral versions of Irish classics, we're talking U2, Hozier, Westlife, The Corrs, The Script. Proper bangers, just with more violins than you'd expect. You don't need to be into classical music. These are songs you already know, 'With or Without You', 'Take Me to Church', 'The Man Who Can't Be Moved' – just arranged for a full orchestra. Bring a picnic blanket, some snacks and whatever you fancy drinking. Find a spot on the grass and let the orchestra do their thing. No tickets, no booking, just turn up.   How to get there: BTS: Take the Sukhumvit Line to Asok Station, then it's a 10-15 minute walk to the Lakeside area at Benjakitti Park (Entry Gate 1). MRT: Hop on the Blue Line to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre Station. From there, Entry Gate 1 is only 5-7 minutes on foot. Spend your Sunday evening at Music in the Park, 5pm in Benjakitti Park. Free entry.

If you woke up today feeling a bit hazy in Bangkok, you're not dreaming. And it's something we're facing every year. All 50 districts in Bangkok are now reporting unsafe air quality, with the city's average PM2.5 concentration sitting at 49.1µg/m³. Nong Khaem district is experiencing the worst conditions at 53.4µg/m³, though central areas like Sathorn (65.8 µg/m³) and Bang Rak (61.7 µg/m³) are actually logging even higher readings. Narong Ruangsri, permanent secretary of the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, warned that a high-pressure system moving through China will likely keep PM2.5 at unsafe levels until Tuesday. He's advised residents to wear face masks when venturing outdoors and suggested vulnerable groups stay inside altogether. The current situation marks a sharp deterioration from mid-November, when most districts maintained safe air quality and the citywide average was a relatively pleasant 24.1 µg/m³. Back then, only three districts, Lat Krabang, Bueng Kum and Prawet were nudging into orange-level territory.   Top 12 districts with highest PM2.5 levels: Sathon - 65.8 μg/m³Bang Rak - 61.7 μg/m³Lat Krabang - 60.1 μg/m³Min Buri - 59.5 μg/m³Nong Khaem - 56.8 μg/m³Taling Chan - 56.3 μg/m³Khlong Sam Wa - 56.2 μg/m³Ratchathewi - 56.1 μg/m³Pathum Wan - 55.2 μg/m³Thawi Watthana - 55.0 μg/m³Yan Nawa - 54.8 μg/m³Bang Kho Laem - 54.4 μg/m If you're heading out, wear a PM2.5-rated protective mask and keep strenuous outdoor activities to a minimum. Watch out for symptoms lik

December is almost upon us, and we can't deny that all the year’s best events are here. Well, here's yet another one you'll want to pencil in (or better yet, ink in permanent marker). Goodhood and Goodfood are back for another round, bringing together the city's style-obsessed shoppers and serious food lovers for a year-end blowout at Sermsuk Warehouse by the Chao Phraya River. Two festivals, two weekends, one very excellent excuse to dress up and go out. Photograph: Good Hood Services First up is Goodhood Vol. 6, running December 4-7. This is where Bangkok's coolest shops and those hard-to-find brands all congregate in one spot, so you can actually tick off your Christmas shopping without traipsing across town. But it's not just about the retail therapy, each day wraps up with indie music sets to keep you there well past closing time. December 4 features Tilly Birds, Polycat, Rejizz, DJ Mikepack and DJ About Time. December 5 brings Pun, Blvckheart, Chala Deen, DJ Shockko and DJ Sumairu. December 6 brings Youngohm, Yented, 2Ectasy, DJ Bookythestrider and DJ M Dey Say; December 7 wraps up with The Parkinson, Kachain, Cupnoodle, DJ B-Set and DJ CCK. Photograph: Good Hood Services If you've worked up an appetite from all that shopping (or you just fancy skipping straight to the eating bit), Goodfood Vol. 4 follows on December 12-14. Bangkok's top restaurants turn up with everything from street food favourites to fancier fare, all washed down with decent drinks and backed by

After a French artist cried foul over what she called ‘hypocrisy’ when her mural depicting a nude man, back and bottom visible, was censored by the hotel whose wall it was painted on, street art fans can breathe easy. The work is back, and it's got fresh meaning. Following negotiations with the property owner, Mimi Tibayrenc (also known as Myrtille Tibayrenc) was invited back to finish what she started. The French artist, curator and art centre director based in Thailand has added new dimensions to the original piece, transforming what could've been a straightforward censorship row into something more nuanced. Known for her figurative style inspired by Renaissance techniques, Mimi's work often explores human form and emotion in ways that challenge contemporary sensibilities. Which is exactly what kicked off the controversy in the first place. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration has also weighed in, clarifying that it has no policy of censoring artworks. Instead, the BMA's role is to promote and support artists whilst coordinating cooperation between communities and the business sector in developing Creative Districts and street art projects that reflect local identity. It's a happy ending in the world of public art politics. Mimi's willingness to return to the wall, and the property owner's openness to dialogue, shows that sometimes the best response to censorship isn't anger, but collaboration. It now stands as proof of what can happen when artists and communities talk t

For gentlemen who actually care about what they wear, here's one worth marking in the diary. MenDetails’ 'The Club Market' is a gathering place for classic-minded men who want to pass on their prized pieces and well-maintained quality clothing to others who appreciate them just as much. It's happening November 29-30 at ONE Bangkok's The Storeys, it's basically a two-day menswear swap meet for people who actually give a toss about what they wear. You'll find rare vintage bits, quality pre-loved gear and new stock from vendors who know the difference between a proper Oxford and whatever's hanging in Topman. Photograph: mendetailsclub What makes it work is the lineup, tailors and menswear specialists including Rugged Supply, Mars People, Manii, HEIM, Pinky Tailor and Second Impression have all set up shop. Browse the racks, pick up a vintage watch, then get something made to measure while you're at it. Efficient, really. The whole thing exists because MenDetails Club wanted to expand their network over the usual crowd. It's for blokes who understand why a well-made jacket matters, who've got that one piece they've worn to death but can't quite bring themselves to bin because it deserves better. This market's where those items find new homes with people who'll actually look after them. Look, we all know someone who's got strong opinions about sleeve length or wouldn't dream of machine-washing their knitwear. If that's you, or you're shopping for someone like that, this is where