Kaweewat Siwanartwong

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.  

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

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

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

Vintage shoppers, take note – and bring cash. Hey! Thrift returns to its original riverside spot at Mahapho Riverview on Song Wat Road, and it’s every bit as packed as you remember. Anyone who caught the first round knows the drill: racks loaded with secondhand clothing, plenty of solid finds at prices that don’t sting, plus accessories and small home decor pieces scattered throughout. Food and drink stalls line the edge, with views across the Chao Phraya River keeping things easygoing. Already planning a wander around Song Wat? Add this to your route. May 1-3. Free. Mahapho Riverview. 2pm-9pm

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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