Kaweewat Siwanartwong

There is a certain cruelty to early fame in Thailand. It sticks, fossilises and refuses to move on even when the person inside the image does. We know NOTEP or Note Panayanggool as an artist, an influencer, a brand, a woman who seems to operate somewhere between sound bath and electronic music. Yet the country first met her as something else entirely – Note The Star, runner-up on a televised talent show, ukulele in hand, smile fixed in place. That version of her lingered longer than she wanted. For years, she tried to outrun it, forming an indie band, leaning away from pop sweetness, pushing herself towards edges that felt less tidy. But reinvention is rarely a clean cut. There were fractures along the way, moments where ambition and expectation collided hard enough to rattle her sense of self. Eventually, the noise inside became louder than the one outside. She stepped back and began what she now describes as a spiritual journey, not in a hashtag sense but as a necessity. Photograph: Vivi Suthathip Today, Note Panayanggool feels like a complete picture. Or at least closer to one. She is a Thai artist, musician and environmental advocate whose work moves across disciplines, often blurring where one ends and another begins. Since starting out as a singer in 2010, she has expanded her practice into sound design, installations and collaborations that orbit environmental causes. Music is still the anchor but it is no longer the destination. Photograph: Vivi Suthathip From hyp

We're officially saying hello to 2026, the Year of the Horse. According to the Chinese zodiac, it's meant to be dynamic, energetic and full of fresh starts, a calendar page that  nudges you towards action rather than hesitation. Whether your 2025 resolutions made it past January is beside the point. Abandoned lists don't cancel out ambition, and new ones can be written anytime – preferably without self-judgement. If one of your goals this year is to get out more often, you're in luck. We've rounded up some of the best things happening across Bangkok this January, and there's plenty to tempt you off the sofa. The music scene is particularly busy this month. Till Lindemann brings his industrial theatrics to town, Tyga hits up a Bangkok venue, Salin performs and Wolf Alice are back doing what they do best. But it's not all about gigs, there's loads more going on. So whether you're after live music, cultural happenings or just fancy trying something new, read on for our pick of January's highlights. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of the best things to do in Bangkok.

It's 2026. The fireworks are done, the confetti's been swept and January's rolled in looking slightly sheepish. If you're nursing a hangover in Bangkok and wondering what on earth to do with yourself, we've got you sorted. It's admittedly a quieter weekend. Everyone's still in that holiday limbo but there are some gems happening if you know where to look. VIVIN New Year's Festive Brunch is basically recovery disguised as a meal, and we're not complaining. Teakwood interiors, comforting food and a glass of fizz will do most of the heavy lifting while you ease back into existence. When you're ready to face other humans, Time To Shine Comedy offers a gentle re-entry into social life. Expect jokes that land somewhere between sharp and relatable, perfect for when your brain's still a bit fuzzy. Music fans can take their pick without having to rush anywhere. Melvo Baptiste's DJ set brings soul, disco and rare groove, all handled with proper taste rather than showing off. If you want something darker, HORN presents Yasmin Regisford with her Paris-honed selections that build through the night with serious focus. Fancy something completely different? The Wim Hof Method Community Session swaps late nights for breathwork, cold water and a genuinely clearer head. It's bracing in the best way. For a slower vibe, the Poet Showcase at Smalls pairs spoken word with an intimate space that actually makes you want to listen instead of checking your phone. Look, it's not the busiest week Bangkok

It sounds almost too good to be true, but here we are. One of the world's biggest pop stars becomes a tourism ambassador and suddenly the entire internet is paying attention to Thai handicrafts. That's the Lisa effect for you. The BLACKPINK member has this uncanny ability to turn literally anything she touches into a global sensation. Remember when she posed with a Labubu doll? That once obscure collectible became an international must-have overnight. A casual Instagram story featuring a snack? Expect it to sell out within hours. Now the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has officially tapped Lisa (full name Lalisa Manobal) as their Amazing Thailand Ambassador for 2026. It's a pretty savvy move considering her influence extends far beyond the music charts. The TAT has now taken things further by spotlighting specific Thai food and fashion items that Lisa has already turned into viral moments. Rather than starting from scratch, they're capitalising on products she's naturally gravitated towards, the ones that have already sparked conversations and sent fans scrambling. It's an interesting approach to soft power. Let one of your most famous cultural exports casually showcase local products, then amplify what's already working. In the bizarre economy of modern fandom, where a celebrity's offhand choice can reshape entire markets, Thailand is playing it smart.  Here are eight picks that Lisa has put on the map.

Even though Christmas and New Year are just around the corner, Bangkok's cultural scene shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, things are ramping up, with galleries and museums packing their schedules with exhibitions that deserve your attention before the year wraps up. If you're wondering what's actually worth your time, start here. We've rounded up the best museum exhibitions and art shows happening in Bangkok right now, from contemporary installations to historical retrospectives that'll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about Thai art. There's plenty to see across the city, whether you're into cutting-edge contemporary work at MOCA Bangkok, intimate gallery shows in Charoenkrung or major exhibitions at the National Gallery. The variety is impressive, and the quality? Even better. Can't make it to everything? Don't worry. We're updating this list with the latest openings and must-see shows, so you'll always know what's hot and what's not in Bangkok's art world.  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 December. 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.

Bangkok nights are always lined with choices, but New Year’s Eve turns the dial up to 11. With a dizzying number of rooftop countdowns, pulsating club nights and luxurious riverside dinners, the sheer volume of options can be genuinely overwhelming. Tempted to just stay in with a playlist and a few drinks? We get it. But trust us: if you're ready to ring in 2026 with a bang, the capital has lined up a well-rounded roster of parties for you to peruse. Whether you're after a fancy champagne-fuelled affair with views over the city or a sweaty club night that goes until sunrise, there's genuinely something for everyone this year. The only catch? You'll want to sort yourself out pretty sharpish. New Year's Eve tickets in Bangkok have a habit of vanishing faster than anything, and trust us, FOMO on January 1 hits different. So before you end up refreshing sold-out event pages at 11pm on December 30, have a look through our picks for the best ways to spend December 31 in the Thai capital. From riverside countdowns to club takeovers, here's how to say farewell to 2025. Stay one step ahead and map out your plans with our round-up of where to find Christmas magic in Bangkok.

Hard to believe December has slipped in again, but here we are, watching Bangkok swap its usual gleam for something a little more golden. No snow here, obviously, but there's still plenty of sparkle once the fairy lights go up along Sukhumvit and those enormous Christmas trees start appearing in every mall atrium. Jangly carols drift through night markets, bars get that extra twinkle and the whole city shifts into celebration mode. With everything happening at once, the season can feel a bit overwhelming. Luckily, Time Out is here to guide you through everything you need to make your yuletide in Bangkok a truly merry occasion.  If you fancy a proper Christmas dinner without the stress of brining, basting or staring into your oven wondering if you've just ruined everything, Bangkok's got you sorted. The city's mastered the art of letting you celebrate without any of the usual chaos. Grand hotel dining rooms roll out gleaming roasts and generous spreads, cosy pubs do turkeys to perfection, neighbourhood spots serve up comforting plates and even curry houses create festive specials that feel wonderfully familiar. Consider this your starting point for finding the brightest, warmest corners of Christmas spirit across Bangkok, places where the season feels effortless, inviting and just indulgent enough to make December worth savouring.  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

There are many ways to unpick a person's listening habits. Some people journal, others overanalyse dreams, but most of us simply wait for that neon billboard masquerading as self-reflection: Spotify Wrapped. It arrives every December like a digital horoscope announcing that your personality is apparently built on Scandinavian synth pop and whatever you played once by accident in March. This year they're even telling you your listening age, my friend at 25 got told she has a 70-year-old’s taste in music. I don't get one from Spotify. I'm the stubborn Apple Music holdout who refuses to migrate, so I must accept my sonic identity will remain unquantified forever. And that is what eventually led me, in a knotty roundabout way, to Da Minot. If you've never pressed play on Indian folk before, especially the intricate lineage from the Khasi and Jaintia hills, prepare your ears for something ungoverned by genre categories. India-born artist Hammarsing Kharhmar's ensemble Da Minot does not simply borrow from heritage. It treats ancestral rhythm as oxygen, using instruments like the duitara, bom and various bamboo flutes to carve out a sound that feels older than language and newer than the internet's attention span.   Before this interview, while waiting for him to reply to my email, I returned to their songs again. I told myself I'd listen to one track, then fell straight into another, then another. They have that effect. A pull that is both meditative and defiant. T

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

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

An evening of spoken word and live sound takes shape as a shared experiment rather than a polished recital. Some of Bangkok’s sharpest poets step forward to tell their stories, personal, political, quietly devastating. As each voice settles, the Kinetic Poetic Kollective Band responds in real time, building an unrehearsed soundtrack that follows every turn of phrase. The music shifts freely from cinematic swells to hip hop, funk, jazz and moments that feel almost ambient, guided entirely by instinct. Nothing is planned, nothing repeated. Each collaboration exists for one night only, then disappears. That unpredictability is the point. You listen closer, breathe slower and feel the room lean in together. It leaves you thoughtful rather than dazzled, moved without being told how to feel. An experience that rewards attention and lingers well after the final word fades.   January 4. Free. Smalls, 9pm onwards 

Czech contemporary art gets a brief, welcome stretch in Bangkok with the return of Jan Bican. Known for treating streets, bodies and public space as his canvas, he brings new works that feel quietly confrontational without raising their voice. Light plays a central role, cutting through shadows and reflections, asking you to slow down and actually look. Bican’s pieces often sit between opposing ideas: exposure and privacy, intimacy and distance, softness and control. That tension gives the work its emotional charge. Seen far from its European context, the effect sharpens rather than softens. You notice how easily the themes travel, how little translation they need. It invites wandering, second glances and the occasional pause mid-step, which might be the point.   January 3-28. Free. Vanich House Bangkok, 10.30am-6pm

Sunday nights take a different shape when a dance floor fills with 140 to 180 bodies moving for the same reason. It starts earlier with free workshops split between beginners and open level, easing everyone onto the same rhythm before the lights drop. By the time special guests step up, the room feels loose, confident and ready to keep going. Not everyone needs to dance all evening. A free chill area sits nearby for friends, spectators and anyone catching their breath. Professional cameras quietly document the night without getting in the way, while generous fans keep things bearable when the floor heats up. Complimentary parking at the Sheraton helps too. It feels organised without being stiff, sociable without trying too hard. A weekly ritual that knows how to balance movement, rest and the pleasure of staying out later than planned.   Every Sunday. B300-400 at the door. amBar Bangkok, 8pm onwards

Saturday mornings with Stuart and Kam offer a bracing alternative to lie-ins. From 9am-midday, their Wim Hof Method community session gathers people who already know the drill and are keen to keep going. Think guided breathwork that sharpens focus, followed by the shock of ice baths that never quite get easier, then the slow reward of sauna heat and time in the hot tub. It is less about proving anything and more about showing up, week after week, alongside others who understand why you would choose cold over comfort. Conversation comes easily after shared discomfort and the mood stays grounded rather than evangelical. You leave steadier, clearer and slightly smug, in the best possible way. A solid way to reset before the weekend disappears under errands and unanswered messages.   January 3. B1,650 via here. Breath Inspired, 9am-midday  

Yasmin Regisford lands at HORN with the confidence that feels earned. A recent arrival on Paris’s electronic circuit, she stepped away from fashion in 2023 and found a sound that moves with purpose. Her sets favour driving techno softened by flashes of trance, emotional without tipping into sentimentality. What makes her interesting is control. Tracks are chosen with intention, transitions are tight and the energy builds without ever feeling frantic. You can hear someone still shaping their voice but doing it in public, night after night. With new releases lined up, this appearance feels like catching a DJ mid-sentence, before the story hardens into myth. Expect precision, groove and a sense of forward motion that carries the room along, best experienced close to the speakers where subtle shifts actually matter. January 3. B500 via here. HORN, 10pm onwards

Melvo Baptiste is heading for the penthouse at APT 101 and it is a quiet flex. Raised on soul records rather than algorithms, his taste was shaped early and sharpened later across dancefloors that reward patience. Known as the voice of Glitterbox and a trusted presence at Defected, he brings the sort of credibility that does not need explaining. He has shared conversations, decks and long nights with Jocelyn Brown, Jazzy Jeff and David Morales, though the real draw is how he stitches a room together. Expect soul, rare groove, funk and disco handled with care rather than theatrics. Nothing rushed, nothing forced. Just music that knows when to hold back and when to let go, best enjoyed high above the city with a drink sweating gently in your hand.   January 2. B500 via here. APT 101, 6pm onwards

Thursday nights are getting a little sharper at All Time High. Leaf, Laugh, Love Comedy is rolling out a weekly show that trusts its audience to keep up. Advanced Open Mic Thursdays hands the stage to Bangkok’s seasoned comics, the ones who have already done the rooms and are now trying to break their own habits. This is where new jokes wobble, ideas get reworked mid-sentence and punchlines arrive half a beat later than planned. Watching it happen feels oddly intimate, like being let into a notebook you were never meant to see. Each week brings a rotating line-up, different rhythms and the occasional glorious misfire. The reward is honesty rather than polish. If you like comedy as a craft rather than background noise, this is the night that makes sense of why people still bother doing it live.   January 1. Free. All Time High, 8pm-11pm

Start the year at a gentler pace, preferably with a long table, good light and a second helping. VIVIN on Sukhumvit 22 is marking the moment with a two-day festive brunch inside its teakwood house, the kind of place that makes you forget your phone exists. The menu leans comforting without being sleepy: roasted suckling pig from tribal black pig, a souffle omelette that barely survives the walk from kitchen to plate and duck confit parmentier built for lingering afternoons. Cold cuts and Thai cheeses share space with truffle-laced wheels, pate en croute and bowls of pasta that feel indulgent in the right way. A glass of GranMonte sparkling wine arrives early, salads follow later and conversation tends to stretch. Everything is rooted in VIVIN’s local, artisanal approach, though nothing about it feels worthy or forced. Just unhurried eating, done properly.   January 1. Free. Reserve via 080-463-5747. VIVIN Suk 22, 1pm-6pm

Bangkok’s film crowd doesn’t often slow down long enough to gather in one room, which is what makes Asia Pillars: Film Connection quietly appealing. The event pulls together directors, producers, writers, cinematographers and editors alongside animators, VFX artists and game developers, all under the same roof. Experience levels don’t matter much here. Some guests arrive with decades behind them, others with a single short film and a hopeful look. Around 300 industry names tend to show up, which makes the room feel busy without tipping into awkward. Each edition invites a handful of guest pillars, people worth listening to, though the full line-up drops closer to the date.    January 27. B500 via here. Viva Aviv The River, 6pm

Bangkok’s reputation as a concert capital didn’t arrive by accident and the calendar for next year looks just as crowded. Bangkok Music City returns after last year’s strong showing, taking over the Charoenkrung Creative District for two days of business talk and live sound. Thai names lead the charge, with Apartment Khunpa, Bedroom Audio, DEFYING DECAY, Kosum Boy and Lepyutin opening proceedings, joined by artists flying in from across Asia. South Korea sends OWAVE, 87dance, Animal Divers, Milena and SUAUN, while Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam add their own voices. France’s FÜLÜ and Jamaica Moana from Australia and New Zealand stretch the map further. Spread across Bangrak Post Office and Talad Noi, it’s free with registration, which feels quietly generous, or you can skip the queues with a Priority Lane ticket for B350.   January 24-25. Free or B350 for Priority Lane. Central Bangrak Post Office area and Talad Noi district 

January sees FAC51 The Hacienda resurface in Bangkok, reworking a secret city-centre venue as a retro-future rave playground for one night only. Three decades on, the Manchester institution still carries global weight, making this Southeast Asia revival feel quietly historic rather than nostalgic. It’s a nod to the long flirtation between Manchester and Krung Thep, a relationship sparked in the ‘80s and kept alive by those who still dress, dance and listen with intent. Born in 1982, The Haçienda didn’t just host parties, it rewired nightlife, setting templates that cities still borrow from. This edition brings a Bangkok first for Basement Jaxx, the duo who bent dance music sideways at the millennium. 25 years after ‘Rooty’, their DJ sets still feel playful and unruly, hopping between house staples, broken rhythms and carnival-minded twists. Expect sweat, smiles and a crowd that forgets what time it is meant to be. January 24. B2,600-9,250 via here. Venue to be announced.

Wolf Alice returning to Bangkok feels a bit like bumping into an old friend who’s somehow become much cooler since you last met. The band haven’t played Thailand since headlining Mangosteen Music Festival back in 2018, which now feels like another era entirely. Since then, two albums have landed, a Mercury Prize has been picked up for Visions of a Life and their reputation as one of Britain’s sharpest live acts has only hardened. This Asia run stops in Bangkok, Jakarta and Singapore, folding songs from the recent ‘The Clearing’ alongside beloved older cuts. Ellie Rowsell remains the quiet force at the centre, slipping from tender reflection to snarling guitar drama without warning. Expect moments that feel intimate, followed by stretches that leave the room slightly breathless and very loud.   January 11. B2,200-2,400 via here. Ambience Space, 7.15pm

So remember last year when whispers started flying around about Tomorrowland possibly coming to Thailand? Turns out those rumours were bang on the money. The world's biggest EDM festival has just confirmed it's actually happening. Tomorrowland Thailand is officially set for December 11-13, marking the first time the legendary Belgian festival has properly landed in Asia. And when we say properly, we mean it. This isn't some scaled down version either. Photograph: Tomorrowland Photograph: Tomorrowland The festival has chosen Wisdom Valley in Pattaya, Chonburi as its new home. The sprawling 960,000 square metre site will host several massive stages, including the iconic CORE and Freedom stages making their Asian debut. There'll also be brand new stages and experiences created specifically for Thailand. Organisers are expecting over 50,000 people each day across the three day event. Photograph: Tomorrowland Getting Tomorrowland to Thailand wasn't just a case of picking a nice spot and hoping for the best. The festival has partnered with the Thai Government and Tourism Authority of Thailand to make this happen. Thailand beat out several other Asian countries to host the festival, which says quite a bit about where the country sits on the global entertainment map right now.  Said the Tourism Authority of Thailand,   “Hosting Tomorrowland in Thailand marks an important milestone in our ambition to position the country as a leader in global tourism and creative experiences. We

Well, the name kind of says it all doesn't it? Pancakes, booze and art. If you've ever wanted to combine your love of breakfast-for-dinner drunk food and discovering emerging artists, this is basically your dream night out rolled into one slightly chaotic package. Pancakes and Booze Art Show comes back to Bangkok on January 17 at The Warehouse Talat Noi, and if you missed it last time, this is your chance to see what the fuss is about. This travelling pop-up originated in Los Angeles and has become something for anyone who likes their culture served with a side of syrup and a decent drink in hand. Photograph: pancakesandbooze Here's how it works. Emerging artists get to showcase their work across The Warehouse Talat Noi, covering the walls from floor to ceiling with their pieces. While you're wandering around checking out the art, there are unlimited pancakes on offer to keep you going, plus a lineup of live music acts playing throughout the night. You can actually buy the art too, which is kind of the point for the artists involved. Photograph: pancakesandbooze What makes this different is the vibe. It's deliberately unpretentious and welcoming, giving up-and-coming artists a chance to sell their work in a genuinely relaxed environment. The artists get a proper platform to sell their stuff without the usual gallery stuffiness, and you get to discover new talent while stuffing your face with pancakes. Everyone wins. The crowd tends to be a good mix as well. You'll find se

After receiving an excellent response every time it's been organized, Bangkok kicks off 2026 by serving it up again with the fourth edition of Bangkok Outdoor Cinema, perfectly timed for the pleasant weather. This isn't just some random pop up either. It's a collaboration between the Thai Film Directors Association, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, Thai Film Archive and happening mag, with backing from THACCA Thailand Creative Culture Agency, Department of Cultural Promotion and the Ministry of Culture. So you know it's the real deal. Photograph: BMA Bangkok Outdoor Cinema runs from January 17 through to February 1, happening every Saturday and Sunday. Activities kick off at 5pm, films start screening at 7pm and concerts follow after with loads of artists performing. You get the full package with outdoor cinema screenings, live concerts, panel discussions, tasty food from BMA districts, booths from film crews and creators, plus loads of other fun activities. It's happening across three consecutive weeks at three different locations, and the best bit? Completely free admission.   Here's where and when you can catch it: Bangkok Art and Culture Centre - January 17: screens How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies - January 18: shows My Boo (Part 1)   Sala Chalermthai - January 24: presents Salween 2 - January 25: features Mae Nak Phra Khanong (1978) (Priya Rungrueang Version with live narration by Dokkhimtai Siwaporn)   Asawin Contemporary Art and Culture Space (Asawin Cin

If you're a Bangkokian into independent cinema, chances are you already know Doc Club & Pub. The tiny screening space was a gem for documentary lovers, showing everything from fresh releases to classic films while building a tight-knit community of filmmakers, critics and film fans who stick around after the credits roll.   Sadly, Doc Club & Pub had to stop screenings in 2025. The culprit? Entertainment venue laws that lump small cinemas in with massive multiplexes, making it nearly impossible for micro cinemas to meet the same regulations. The venue tried everything to sort out permits and find workarounds, but the current legal framework just doesn't work for intimate independent spaces like this. Photograph: Doc Club & Pub. But here's the good news for anyone who's been missing those evenings of thought-provoking docs followed by proper debates over cold beers and nachos. Doc Club & Pub recently announced through its Facebook page that it will return in 2026, and this time it will be supersized. The team reckons they'll be ready to open doors again in about nine months.   The venue is packing up from its old home in the Woofpack building and heading south to Cloud 11, a sprawling entertainment complex in the Sukhumvit area. The new Doc Club & Pub will still have its screening room, obviously, but the space promises quality food and drink alongside live music, making it a more rounded experience than before. Photograph: Doc Club & Pub. Details are still a bit sketchy at

Bangkok is getting a pedestrian bridge across the Chao Phraya River and it could become one of the city's most exciting new landmarks.  The project connects two historic neighbourhoods and gives locals and tourists a fresh way to experience the river without hopping on a boat or dealing with traffic. The Bangkok Metropolitan Administration is pushing ahead with plans to build the bridge between Phra Pokklao Bridge and Somdet Phra Chao Taksin Maharat Bridge. It'll link Tha Wat Thong Thammachat Pier on one side with Tha Sawat Pier in the Song Wat Road area on the other. For those who don't know, Song Wat is one of Bangkok's oldest trading and cultural districts, so this location isn't random. Right now the project is in the detailed design phase and officials are preparing an Environmental Impact Assessment report. The goal is to wrap up all the planning by the end of this year so construction can kick off soon after. Photograph: BMA What makes this bridge interesting is that it's not just about getting from point A to point B. The design treats it as a public space where people can actually hang out, take in river views and experience the Chao Phraya from a completely new angle.  The bridge will make life easier for residents, students and business owners who currently have to take longer routes or rely on short boat trips to cross between Phra Nakhon and Thonburi sides. It's all part of a bigger push to give riverside areas back to the people and create a more walkable city

Anyone going to Beatforest, take note. The festival just threw out a curveball. The festival has moved its entire date forward by a day to avoid election alcohol restrictions that would seriously kill the vibe. The event was supposed to happen on January 31 2026 but now takes place on January 30 instead. It's all because of Thailand's election timing, with early voting kicking off on February 1. Thai law bans alcohol sales for 24 hours before election day, which means a bone-dry finale to what's meant to be a proper weekend party. So yes, it's now a Friday instead of a Saturday. Not ideal if you've already booked a hotel for the original date, but the organisers reckon it beats having a completely dry festival. What makes Beatforest worth the hassle anyway? Music is obviously the main thing, but there's more going on than just standing in front of a stage. Between sets you can plant trees, cycle around the grounds or wander through installations where lights weave through the natural surroundings rather than drowning them out. The stage itself works with the environment instead of fighting it, designed so the lighting plays off branches rather than blasting over them. Anyway, the festival team apologises for changing the plan and offers two options. You can get a full refund or roll your ticket over to the 2027 edition. Refund requests need to be in by today, December 30, so don't hang around if you want your money back. It's annoying about the date shuffle, but at least they

Just a few more days and we'll be stepping into the new year. For those celebrating in Thailand this year, here's an invitation to watch movies across the new year that's actually worth taking up. Film I Trust and Documentary Club put on the 'Countenance of Time' festival, and it's shaping up to be a pretty special way to see in 2026. The idea is to slow down time, let your heart go with film and text, and swap the usual countdown frenzy for something more meaningful. Over three days you can catch 10 seriously good films at libraries, independent bookstores and art spaces around the country.  In Bangkok the festival lands at GalileOasis, which screens Before Sunrise and Before Sunset back to back on December 31 from 7pm onwards. Tickets are B200 for the double bill, so you can spend New Year's Eve falling in love with Vienna and Paris all over again. Or you can head to House of Commons to read your way into the new year. The full film lineup includes:   Before Sunrise (1995) Before Sunset (2004) Comrades: Almost a Love Story (1996) La Chimera (2023) The Gleaners and I (2000) Herb & Dorothy (2008) Happened (2017) Opus (2017) Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy (2021) Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman (2022)   The festival spans eight locations across Thailand: Bangkok: GalileOasis and House of Commons Nongkhai: Nongkhai and Friends Nakhon Sawan: STREAMLINE FILM and Sannyas Chanthaburi: bliss project Nan: Banban Nannan library Songkhla: Greenbook Cafe-Space The whole

Bangkok's getting a breather on its new pet rules. The BMA plans to push back enforcement of the 2024 Animal Keeping Ordinance, which was meant to kick in on January 10 2026, after realising the city isn't quite ready to handle the massive rollout. The delay gives everyone more time to get their furry friends microchipped and registered without the rush. The goal is to cut down on neighbourhood complaints about barking and mess, get the stray population under control and build a proper citywide database so authorities actually know how many pets are out there. The new rules set limits on how many pets you can keep based on your living space, and it counts dogs and cats together. Already got more pets than the limit allows? Don't panic. You can keep them for their natural lives as long as you register the actual number you've got. For condos it goes like this. Up to 20 square metres means one pet. Between 20 and 80 square metres lets you have up to two. Anything over 80 square metres means up to three pets. Houses and townhouses get more breathing room. Up to 200 square meters allows up to two pets. Between 200 to 400 square meters means up to four. Over 400 square meters gives you up to six. Planning to run a mini animal sanctuary? You'll need to officially register as an animal shelter instead. Here's the issue though. Bangkok has absolutely loads of pets, and the current services can't cope with getting them all registered and chipped in time. So the BMA is going all in on

If you're planning to see in 2026 somewhere across Bangkok but anxious about the journey home afterwards, here's some brilliant news. The city's trains are running ‘til 2am. This NYE, December 31, the ARL, BTS and MRT will all stay open for the late-night countdown crowd. That's right, no more frantically checking what time the last train leaves whilst you're mid-celebration. Whether you're watching fireworks along the river, dancing at a rooftop bar or counting down at a street party, you've got a guaranteed ride home. Here's what you need to know about getting around. Airport Rail Link The last trains from both Phaya Thai to Suvarnabhumi and Suvarnabhumi back to Phaya Thai depart at 2am. Perfect if you're heading to or from the airport, or just using the line to get across town. BTS Skytrain The BTS Skytrain system, including the Gold Line, will run extended hours across all lines. For the Sukhumvit Line, the last trains from Khu Khot Station and Kheha Station leave at 2am. The Silom Line's a bit different though. The last train from National Stadium departs at 2.44am, whilst Bang Wa's final service leaves at 2.22am. If you're at Siam Station, the very last train to all destinations departs at 2.45am, making it your best bet if you're unsure about connections. MRT Lines All four MRT lines will run their last trains from origin and terminal stations at 2am. The Blue Line runs from Chalongrat Station, the Purple Line from Chaloem Ratchamongkhon Station, the Yellow Line from S

Asiatique is fast-becoming Bangkok's go-to dinosaur destination. Building on the success of the Thainosaur exhibition at Tha Tian last year, it now boasts its own permanent natural history museum.  Thainosaur Museum is now home to the largest collection of fossils and replicas from dinosaurs and ancient creatures dug up right here in the kingdom, giving locals and visitors the chance to get up close with the beasts that ruled Siam millions of years ago. The life-size dinosaur replicas are incredibly detailed, right down to individual fur strands and massive claws that'll make you grateful you weren't around back then. Photograph: Asset World Corporation There's Khun Boonchuy the Phuwiangosaurus, apex predator Siammotyrannus, flying lord Karudapterus, and crocodile king Chalawan thailandicus. But the real showstopper is the museum's newest addition, Thaitan, a colossal sauropod stretching over 30 metres that genuinely looks like it could bring back the Cretaceous Period single-handedly. What sets this museum apart from your standard fossil collection is the immersive walkway zones. You wander through different prehistoric eras, getting a sense of when each species dominated the landscape. The journey wraps up with contemporary artwork from up-and-coming Thai artists, all inspired by these ancient creatures. It's a nice touch that connects Thailand's prehistoric past with its creative present. Thainosaur Museum, 1/F, Skyflyer Building, Asiatique The Riverfront Project. Open d

If you've got plans to leave Bangkok but don't fancy travelling far, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya is a solid option. It takes just an hour to get there. Anyone who loves Thai performing arts, khon, folk performances and traditional theatre, needs to pin Chaiwatthanaram Temple in their diary. The historic site hosts Ayutthaya Nava: International Port Under the Royal Blessing, a major year-end event that brings legendary performing arts to the ancient ruins at night, with spectacular lights and sounds that bring the old temple back to life. The highlight is watching khon, drama, music and various folk performances against the nighttime backdrop of Ayutthaya. You can wander the temple grounds, browse the international ancient market or snap photos of the ruins bathed in coloured lights from every angle. The event runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December through to February 2026, so you can come multiple times and catch different shows. Here's what's on: December performances December 26 – Lakhon nok, story of Phra Aphai Mani December 27 – Khon Ramakien, episode Jong Thanon December 28 – Retro ramwong and Thai music December 29 – Lakhon phantang, story of Rajadhiraj December 30 – International music December 31 – New Year's Eve chanting January 2026 performances January 1-2 – Thai music January 3 – Children's khon Ramakien and Phra Lo January 4 – Thai music January 9 – Lakhon nok, story of Sang Thong January 10 – Luk thung singing January 11 – Ngiew performance, story

Good news if you've got a furry friend in Bangkok. The city's pet control ordinance that had everyone panicking about a January 10 deadline is being delayed.  Governor Chadchart Sittipunt and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) have decided to take a breather, fine-tune the details and actually listen to what pet parents have to say before cracking down. The original rules had dog and cat owners scrambling to register their pets, get microchips implanted and sort out sterilisation before the new year. Now, the BMA is taking time to make sure the regulations actually work in real life, not just on paper. Here's the thing though. Even with the delay, you can still register your pets if you fancy getting ahead of the game. The system's open online at petregis.bangkok.go.th or you can pop into any BMA office to sort it in person. The city's making it pretty easy to stay informed too. Updates will come through Bangkok Metropolitan Council channels, the Bangkok Department of Health and the Traffy Fondue app, which is also where you can report any pet-related issues or request free sterilisation and microchipping services. So the takeaway is simple. Don't stress. The BMA's essentially admitting the initial timeline was a bit ambitious and they're working on finding a middle ground that doesn't overwhelm residents whilst still keeping the city's animal population under control. If you need help with vaccinations, sterilisation or have questions about registration, the Traff