Kaweewat Siwanartwong

A quick burst of rain suggests the seasons might finally be shifting. The heat's still clinging on, but evenings are starting to ease off, and the city's waking up properly again. Perfect really, because there's a solid week of things to get stuck in. Over at Speakerbox, Sao Moonlight Gypsy is leading a night of folk, alt-country and bluegrass in a low-lit room that's made for proper listening. Fancy something with a bit more punch? Rajadamnern Stadium runs Muay Thai bouts every night from 8.10pm – all ritual, rhythm and serious crowd energy. Rather take it easy? Sama Garden's running its movie nights in a glasshouse setting, pets welcome, with a lineup of crowd-pleasers from 500 Days of Summer through to About Time. Meanwhile, Nothing Sacred hands the bar over to MODERN-DAY CULTURE for one night only, mixing custom cocktails with vinyl and a menu that won't let you leave hungry. Brunch gets a celebratory upgrade at Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, where El Sabor de Cinco de Mayo brings Latin flavours, live sets and an afternoon crowd ready to make a day of it. After dark, Resonate hosts a rooftop party with 360 views, shifting from open air to a club room afterparty without missing a beat. If shopping's on the agenda, carve out time for Hey! Thrift, BANAKÉ x MICHELUI and Flea Spirit – three markets absolutely worth the wander. What are you waiting for? Get out there. Get ahead and map out the rest of March with our guide to what’s on. Stay ahead of the curve with our pick of Bangkok

Want the luxury experience without the eye-watering price tag typical of 5-star hotels in major cities around the globe? Bangkok is home to some of the world’s leading hospitality brands offering levels of service perhaps unmatched elsewhere. But here’s the twist: Bangkok is also incredibly great value for money. Joining the ranks among Time Out’s best cities list, seasoned travellers will be quick to notice that it stands out for being one of the best places to visit in the world at far less than you might expect to pay elsewhere. So we set ourselves a challenge: find the best hotels in Bangkok where a night typically costs B10,000 or less, but the experience feels far beyond the room rate. In places like London, New York or Paris, this price point might barely get you a decent boutique room, but here that same budget unlocks a very different level of hospitality.  Sprawling suites, river views, award-winning dining, museums, galleries and parks all within arms reach – the options are vast but our criteria are simple: exceptional rooms that feel more luxurious than the rate suggests and something you can brag about when you get back home. So, whether you’re visiting the city or planning a blowout staycation, these hotels prove that Bangkok might just be the best place in the world to experience a city stay without that eye-watering check-out bill.  

What’s your weekend looking like? Club nights, bar-hopping or a slow wander through a flea market?  If the latter sounds more your speed, you’re in luck. Four flea markets are on the horizon, each bringing its own mix of vintage finds, handmade pieces and low-key people-watching. Here’s the breakdown of what’s coming and where you’ll want to be.

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

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

Lumphini Park runs a little busier right now as it marks its 100th year, with International Jazz Day arriving at just the right moment. While celebrations spill across the city, International Jazz Day: In the Key of Peace keeps things grounded with an open-air gathering shaped around access and community, organised by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Music Division with UNESCO Bangkok. The programme moves from emerging talent to established names, featuring Horwang School Big Band (Horwang Music Academy), Casean Consonant and Bangkok Big Band, each offering their own take on jazz’s wide repertoire. Two guest performers close the bill: Koh Mr. Saxman with his smooth phrasing, and Saxpackgirl bringing a more contemporary edge. May 3. Free. Lumphini Hall. 3pm onwards

Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok launches its first Weekend Brunch with El Sabor de Cinco de Mayo, bringing a lively daytime crowd together over bold Latin American cooking with Thai touches. Expect a sociable setup with live entertainment running through the afternoon, setting an easy, celebratory tone. Food comes via interactive stations, including a Ceviche & Aguachile Bar and an Anticuchos & Satay Grill, alongside a playful spread of bites and brunch staples. On the music front, Siam Cubano runs through Salsa, Bachata and Merengue, while DJ Camilo keeps energy levels high behind the decks. A new brunch format for the hotel, and one that lands with confidence. May 2-3. B1,990-3,490 via here. Bar.Yard. Midday-3pm

Hard techno takes centre stage for one night, with Max Durante landing in Bangkok for the first time. A long-standing figure of the underground, he steps up for a two-hour vinyl set, no shortcuts, no digital crutches. Max starts his DJ career in 1987, later becoming a resident at Tresor Berlin in 2017, and has played across global stages since the early 90s. His reputation rests on raw selections and a stripped-back approach that stays true to techno’s roots. Expect him behind the decks in his signature balaclava, a look he wears long before it becomes a trend. Two hours, all vinyl, all focus – a rare chance to catch one of the originals at full force. May 2. B300-350 via here. BERLIN BKK. 8pm

Nothing Sacred turns cocktail bar for one night as MODERN-DAY CULTURE takes over the entire space. Expect a custom drinks list built around house ferments alongside their own signatures, with vinyl spinning from start to finish. The pairing makes sense – both share a distinct flavour and sound, and the night brings them together without overthinking it. The kitchen lines up its cosiest, most comforting ferments for a special à la carte menu, bringing back favourites that regulars always ask for seconds of. Every dish lands familiar yet slightly reworked. A first for the venue: the balcony opens, giving more room to settle in and catch the full Nothing Sacred x Modern Day experience. May 2. Reserve via info@nothingsacredbkk.com. Nothing Sacred. 6pm onwards

Picture a Bangkok street where artists work in front of you, jazz drifts through the air and conversation comes easily between stalls. That’s the mood as the fourth Bangkok Art Walk returns to Chakraphong Road and Lan Luang Road, bringing art, collectibles, home decor, music and playful activities together across six weekends. It starts on April 25-26 and May 2-3 with art, books, vinyl and cassette shops, ideal for a slow browse and a few well-chosen finds. On May 16-17 and May 23-24, street art takes focus alongside fashion stalls and wellness activities such as city running and cycling. The final weekends, June 13-14 and June 20-21, close with an art market, plus plant shops and pet goods for a softer finish. June 21. Free. Chakraphong Road and Lan Luang Road. 4pm-10pm

Early May calls for a slower plan. Swap packed bars for a glasshouse screening where greenery frames the screen and the evening air carries the mood. Another sweet detail: pets are welcome. Dogs curl up by your feet, cats rest quietly in carriers, and no one bats an eyelid. The atmosphere stays easy, a touch whimsical and gently sociable without trying too hard. Six films line up for the run: 500 Days of Summer, Bangkok Traffic (Love) Story, Inside Out, Night at the Museum, School of Rock, About Time. Expect a mix of romance, comfort watches and crowd-pleasers, the kind you half-quote along with while the night settles around you. May 1-3. B550 via here. SAMA Garden.

Many know Rajadamnern Stadium as a place to watch Muay Thai, but step inside and it quickly reads as something deeper – a living monument to Thai heritage, strength and spirit. The action starts at 8.10pm, as fighters enter the ring with ritual and rhythm setting the tone before each bout. Every strike lands with purpose, every cheer carries weight. Looking for something memorable after dark? This one delivers. Watching a fight here goes beyond spectacle, each movement and tradition reflecting the country’s cultural backbone.Everyday. B1,500 via here. Rajadamnern Stadium. 8pm onwards

A one-night gathering lands at Speakerbox in Thonglor, bringing local and international artists together across folk, alt-country and bluegrass in a close, low-lit setting. Sao Moonlight Gypsy tops the bill, folding indie-folk honesty through rhythmic passages and softer, more haunting ballads. Sao performs alongside Don (guitar), Kim (bass) and Jued (violin), building a layered live set shaped by storytelling and tight musicianship. Uncle Tree, the solo project of Natee Sridokmai, follows with warm acoustics and reflective songwriting. A member of Selina and Sirinya, he appears here with Geoff Nostrant on flute. Fleur Wiber adds alt-country and psychedelic folk, fresh from Catch Fire and Live at Noise House Lat Phrao. Little Brothers close with bluegrass standards, banjo-led and built for easy camaraderie. April 30. B400 via here and B500 at the door. Speakerbox. 7pm onwards

Bangkok's biggest hotel plants itself right in the heart of the Sukhumvit strip, with 1,388 rooms and suites split across two towers, seven restaurants, spas, fitness and more – needless to say, everything runs large here. The glitzy lobby sets the tone, the ninth-floor pool terrace sprawls and the gym comes stocked with free yoga, pilates and Muay Thai sessions. The spa brings ten treatment rooms, an onsen, steam room and sauna. Goji's evening buffet is a Bangkok highlight, piling Japanese, Indian, Thai and Western spreads onto one floor. Akira Back handles Japanese-Korean-American fusion 37 floors up, and Pagoda does classic Cantonese in retro surroundings. Rooms start from B5,200 a night, bar drinks from B420 and dining from B1,499. Given all that, leaving the property is not a necessity, but if you must, Phrom Phong BTS is just a five-minute walk away – or hop on the free shuttle if you don’t want to work up the sweat. Benchasiri Park sits next door for morning jogs, and EmQuartier, Emporium and Emsphere are all within easy walking distance. Time Out tip: Head straight up to ABar Rooftop, one of Bangkok's best gin selections is to be found here. 199 Sukhumvit Alley 22, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei.

The Tay Flea Market crew return for another season, setting up a full-scale cultural takeover at Suanluang Square. Expect more than 200 vendors, with rails of vintage threads, racks of accessories, second-hand cameras, vinyl records and retro home pieces all up for grabs. Elsewhere, test-drive vehicles double as pop-up stalls, reworked into compact shops selling everything from pre-loved clothing and records to vintage furniture and homeware. It goes well beyond browsing. Food and drink vendors keep things lively, so it’s easy to settle in, graze your way around and let the evening run on longer than planned, with the city ticking away just below. May 7-10. Free. Suanluang Square. 4pm-11pm

Cheeze Pop-up Market returns with a fresh excuse to update your wardrobe, pairing fashion finds with live sets at Flea Spirit – Market & Music. More than 80 vendors set up shop, covering everything from clothing, shoes, bags and accessories to vintage pieces, home décor and plenty of low-key gems worth a closer look. Take your time with it. The layout suits an easy wander, with stalls that reward a bit of patience. This round adds a stronger music line-up, with carefully picked artists stepping up for live performances that carry the evening forward. Once you’ve secured a few new favourites, stick around, grab a drink and let the soundtrack take over for the rest of the night. May 1-4. Free. MunMun Srinakarin. 10.30am-9pm

The long-awaited flea for vintage lovers returns with BANAKÉ x MICHELUI 2026 EP.2, and this round goes bigger, bolder and more iconic by design. The setting shifts from PAPAYA Studio to Hua Lamphong Railway Station, one of the city’s most storied landmarks, giving the whole thing a cinematic edge. Inside, it runs as a full vintage community. Spend hours moving between furniture and home décor zones, rare finds and pieces that verge on one-of-a-kind. Fashion gets a strong showing too, with tightly curated rails aimed at serious collectors. Food and drink stalls keep things ticking from afternoon until midnight, making it easy to stay longer than planned, meet people and catch a soundtrack that carries the night through. May 1-4. B200 via here at B250 at the door. Hua Lamphong. 2pm-mignight

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. Photograph: y.yaimaii 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.

Eight cities, one very familiar voice. Jason Mraz lines up his Asia run for 2026, with Bangkok locked in for October 29 at BITEC Live. By our count, this marks his fifth time in Thailand. The ASIA 2026 TOUR arrives after a seven-year stretch off the road, tracing a neat arc across a career that's quietly shaped two decades of easygoing pop. Expect a retrospective setlist with a full band, moving between newer material and the songs that never quite leave rotation – 'I'm Yours', 'I Won't Give Up', 'Lucky'. You already know how that goes. Photograph: Jason Mraz A new record sits alongside it. Grandma's Gospel Favorites carries a more personal thread, first recorded for his grandmother around 20 years ago. The project returns with that same warmth intact, rooted in family ties and long-held memories. It plays as a softer counterpoint to the bigger singalong moments – nothing flashy, just sincerity done well. Tour Schedule: – October 27 – Manila, Mall of Asia Arena – October 29 – Bangkok, BITEC Live – October – Kuala Lumpur – (date TBA) – November 2 – Taipei, TWTC Nangang Exhibition Hall – November 4 – Hong Kong, AsiaWorld-Expo – November 10 – Tokyo, Tokyo Garden Theater – November 11 – Osaka, Osaka Festival Hall – November 14 – Seoul, Kintex Convention Center That's what's confirmed so far, with more details expected soon. Keep an eye on OD ROCK for updates.

Good news lands twice for Bangkok – and neither slips under the radar. A year after Thailand rewrites the rulebook with its landmark marriage equality bill, the country moves into the first bidding round to host WorldPride 2030, putting it firmly on the global map. Close behind, the capital picks up a major accolade. Bangkok secures a gold medal – the highest tier – from the United Nations Development Programme's Gender Equality Seal, becoming the first city in Asia-Pacific to do so. The bar is steep: a minimum score of 94.8 percent across five performance areas and 40 indicators, covering everything from internal systems to public services and international engagement. That level of performance shows up in everyday policy. City staff can now dress in line with their gender identity, while workplace protections take a more direct approach. Public-facing programmes expand too – from Pride Clinics to free sanitary products – pointing to a broader shift in how services meet real lives. It builds on something Bangkok has long been known for. Beyond policy, the city continues to offer space for  LGBTQ+ communities to live openly – across nightlife, creative scenes and healthcare that reflects the people it serves.

Travel in 2026 favours unhurried days and sharper details – the sort of trips where the journey itself doesn’t test your stomach. In Phuket, Sawanu Travel picks up on that shift with its first open house, offering a clearer look at what time on the Andaman can be when it’s done properly. Front and centre is the ‘Kelly’, a high-spec cruiser that truly rewrites the usual speedboat routine. It moves quickly but stays composed, easing that familiar wobble. Inside, wide windows keep the cabin bright and breezy, while the open deck delivers uninterrupted sea views that demand a quick photo stop. Two spacious restrooms cover the basics, leaving you free to settle in without fuss. Photograph: Sawanu Travel The programmes keep their original shape, just sharpened. Four routes anchor the line-up. Phi Phi and Khai Islands Programme plays as a full day for water lovers, with sliders, paddleboards, clear kayaks and floating mats turning the sea into a playground.  Phi Phi and Bamboo Island Programme takes a slower pace, made for long swims in glassy water and proper switching off. Phang Nga Bay and James Bond Island Programme frames those dramatic limestone cliffs, adds canoe sessions and a stop at the heart-shaped tree viewpoint. Similan Islands Programme draws divers and snorkellers with bright marine life and the landmark Sailing Rock. What stays with you sits beyond the itinerary, though. Traditional dance performances unfold between stops, Baba-Yaya dress anchors the sense of place

Lumphini Park's a bit busier than usual right now – it's celebrating its 100th year, and International Jazz Day rocks up just in time to join the party. The occasion's sparked festivals, late-night sets and bar takeovers across Bangkok, but International Jazz Day: In the Key of Peace keeps things properly grounded with an open-air gathering on May 3. Photograph: Bangkok Big Band The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration's Music Division (Office of Culture, Sports and Tourism) have put it together with UNESCO Bangkok, focusing on accessibility and community. The programme moves from emerging talent through to established names, with sets from Horwang School Big Band (Horwang Music Academy), C asean Consonant and Bangkok Big Band – each bringing their own spin on jazz's broad repertoire. Two guest performers round things out. Koh Mr. Saxman delivers his signature smooth phrasing, whilst Saxpackgirl adds a contemporary touch that bridges classic and modern sounds nicely. It all kicks off from 3pm at Lumphini Hall. Entry's free and you don't need to book, though seating is limited, so worth getting in early if you can.

Since 1961, the National Theatre Thailand has been a proper cornerstone of the country's cultural life – staging khon masked dance drama, theatre, Thai classical music and the odd international production. In 2022, the doors shut for a long-awaited overhaul, pausing a legacy that spans generations. This May, it opens again. After nearly two years behind scaffolding, the venue returns with a sharper edge, upgraded to meet international standards and ready for a broader mix of programming. The shift in how performances land is noticeable: new lighting rigs, refined colour systems and enhanced acoustics reshape the atmosphere, while a 4D scent system adds an unexpected layer, threading fragrance through key moments on stage. It's a technical upgrade, sure, but also a rethink of how audiences connect with performance. Photograph: BIGGYPHOTO Before the official reopening, the Fine Arts Department invites the public to preview the space through a series of system test performances. These sessions put lighting, sound and scent through their paces, whilst offering a rare chance to step inside free of charge on May 9-10 and 16-17. The programme runs as follows: May 910am – Classic Meets Now: Sweet Songs from Then to Now’ (Western orchestra)  (tickets)1pm – Khon performance: Ramakien episode Kesorn Tamala Sacrifice (tickets) May 1010am – Thai classical music performance: The Graceful Sounds of the Land (tickets)1.30pm – Hybrid theatre: Phu Chana Sip Thit (The Conqueror of Ten Directi

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