Marisa Marchitelli

Chiang Rai is often reduced to a quick temple stop from Chiang Mai. Stay a little longer and the province reveals something much more compelling.  This is one of Thailand’s most agricultural regions, where rice fields stretch across broad valleys, tea plantations climb the hillsides and small hilltribe villages sit between long mountain ridges. It’s expansive, lightly populated and best explored by car. That connection to the land feeds directly into the food. Chefs here are working with an exceptional range of local ingredients, from rare mountain herbs and fermented vegetables to forest produce and tea grown just down the road. The result is a foodie scene that feels grounded, inventive and increasingly worth the drive.  Add to that pottery studios, tea houses and riverside cafes spread across the countryside and it’s pretty clear that Chiang Rai rewards those willing to take their time.  And with time in mind, here’s how to spend a long weekend discovering a different  side to the province of the city of kings.

March brings a livelier energy to Thailand’s getaway scene, with food, wine and travel experiences worth planning around. Khao Yai leads with two distinctive reasons to leave the city - the once-a-month forest bar K-BAR at Khao Yai Art Forest and GranMonte’s hands-on harvest season among the vines. Phuket draws attention with a one-night chef collaboration at Aulis and crispy Peking duck Fridays at Yue Restaurant & Bar, while Le Méridien Chiang Rai tempts travellers with early-booking travel fair deals. For something more romantic, Silavadee Pool Spa Resort in Koh Samui offers private pool villas and honeymoon indulgence by the sea. If you’re looking for an excuse to travel this month, these are the getaways worth planning around.

If your feed lately has been filled with beautiful cars, it’s not a coincidence. March in Bangkok is stacked with car culture events, from relaxed morning meetups with coffee to full-scale national showcases featuring major automotive brands. This list draws from the Monthly Bangkok Car Events Calendar, compiled with support from Alla Meller and JB Photographer, who regularly track and update car gatherings across the city.  Judging by how packed March already is, Bangkok’s car scene is clearly heating up. Right now it’s one of the most active communities in the city, easily rivaling the energy of the live music scene. Whether you’re a driver, a tuner or just someone who enjoys looking at great cars, it’s time to clear some space on your calendar.

Valentine’s in Chiang Mai has never been a one-size bouquet. While some dates demand the best in fine dining, the rest of the city (and those who look to be impressed) are turning eyes toward things like tarot readings, cross-cultural performances and – for those of us who are still single – a few delightfully odd ways to meet a stranger.  Jing Jai Market opens the Valentine’s season with outdoor movies and craft workshops under the trees, setting the tone for a week that skips the usual cliches. Lobbyist at Nimman Mai? Design Hotel pairs cocktails with love readings, Kalm Village hosts a music and Hmong textile night and the Museum of Broken Relationships invites visitors to post a letter to their future selves.  Those who still like to party can mosey on down to the Amazing Valentines Festival at Central Airport, while the more quirky Look Inside Bar sets up piñatas and puzzles for the brave. If food is your jam, Simple Pleasures Café fills the garden with blues and sizzling South Indian kitchen service, while Palette at 137 Pillars House finishes dinner with a melting chocolate dome worth drooling over.  The weekend also rolls straight into the 49th edition of Chiang Mai Flower Festival, with the city blooming well beyond the old city walls and a parade of floats carrying Valentine’s straight through to Sunday. Here’s where to spend the day of love with a little more personality and of course some petals too.  Looking for other things to do this weekend in Chiang Mai? Our

The point of Shambhala In Your Heart – Chiang Mai’s 10-day culture and arts festival – has never been spectacle. It’s about slowing down enough to hear music properly, to meet strangers who quickly become friends and to remember how easy life can be when the day follows the shape of the mountains. The backdrop of majestic Doi Luang, Chiang Dao, sets the pace from the moment you arrive – unhurried, grounded and a little wild. Running since 2010, the gathering was founded by self-described Japanese hippies who fell in love with the nearby hot springs and crisp mountain air.   Photograph: HU    Just as all good festivals emerge, what began as a circle of friends has grown steadily, yet Shambhala has kept almost exactly the same shape – handmade by volunteers, analogue and gently resistant to the modern festival machine. They even write attendees names in a book like it’s 1995. Photograph: HU The first weekend – remember, it’s a 10-day festival running from February 6-15 – welcomed around 2,500 visitors – many camping straight through the week.  Once past the makeshift gates, the site looks like a postcard from another decade. Teepees rise from the grass, strings of fabric flags crisscross the trees and the smell of wood smoke drifts through food stalls serving simple, hearty plates. Photograph: HU A row of hilltribe vendors sells woven bags, jewellery and tie-dye. Nothing is polished and that’s the point. People arrive with tents, hammocks, children and dogs, planning to

Bangkok is evolving into a city where pets can come along for the ride. Cafes are setting out water bowls, shopping centres are relaxing rules and public spaces are beginning to open their gates. Benjakitti Park already has a dedicated dog park and Lumphini Park is preparing one of its own, signs that the capital is slowly learning to make room for our fur babies. In this changing landscape, a few pets have become unlikely ambassadors, none more recognisable than the stars of the page Eyebrows are the Crown of Calorie. The appeal goes beyond dramatic brows, glamorous wigs and runway-ready outfits. At its heart is a story about responsibility, creativity and the bond between a man and his dogs. For Prompirya ‘Black’ Batmabisek, adopting a dog was never part of the plan. He loved fashion and design and pets were new territory, until one ordinary day and an unexpected visit that changed everything. Photograph: nesmailova What inspired you to get your first dog?I’ve always loved fashion, creativity and design, but I’ve never raised a pet before. One day I accompanied a friend to buy a dog and saw a tiny Chihuahua sitting alone with an injured leg. I felt sorry for him and decided to take him home myself. The seller told me he would stay small – which turned out not to be entirely true. Calorie had weak muscles and needed acupuncture for almost a year before he could walk normally. That was four years ago and it was the start of everything. How did the idea of the ‘dog with eyeb

ฉันรู้ตัวว่าฉันต้องชอบ (และอาจจะกำลังต้องการ) มายังเทศกาลนี้ตั้งแต่อยู่หน้าประตูทางเข้า โดยเฉพาะหลังจากที่ผ่านงานอีเวนต์ที่ต้องใช้พลังงานแบบน็อนสตอบในช่วงที่ผ่านมา Abonzo Yama Mitsu ตั้งอยู่บนเนินเขาที่ลาดเอียงพอดีๆ นอกตัวเมืองเชียงราย พร้อมวิวหุบเขาและแม่น้ำกกแบบ 360 องศา เวทีกลางแจ้งหันหลังให้กับทิวเขาที่สลับซับซ้อนสุดลูกหูลูกตา โดยมีแสงพระอาทิตย์ตกดินเป็นเฟรมภาพที่สมบูรณ์แบบอยู่ไกลๆ ที่นี่เป็นสถานที่ที่สะกดสายตาด้วยธรรมชาติเสียจนทำให้คุณต้องรู้สึกผ่อนคลายทันทีที่มาถึง Photograph: Marshmallow Restival ฉันได้รับการต้อนรับด้วยรอยยิ้มกว้างที่คุ้นเคยจาก ตั๋ง-จิรปาณ ขาวคำ นักไวโอลินจากกรุงเทพฯ ที่ฉันเคยร่วมงานและได้ดูเขาแสดงมาหลายปี ฉันเป็นแฟนคลับตัวยงของเขาเลยล่ะ ปรากฏว่าเขาเป็นหัวหน้าวงไวโอลินในวง Marshmallow Symphony Orchestra ฉันไม่ได้คาดคิดมาก่อนว่าจะเจอคนรู้จักที่นี่ การได้เจอเขาตั้งแต่วินาทีแรกเลยทำให้ใจฟูขึ้นมาทันที ‘ผมได้รับคำเชิญจาก ‘โน้ต’ เพื่อนของผมที่เป็นคอนดักเตอร์ เขาพานักดนตรีจากกรุงเทพฯ เชียงใหม่ เชียงราย และพะเยา มารวมตัวกันเพื่อวงออร์เคสตรานี้ครับ’ ตั๋งบอกกับฉัน ‘เราเล่นครั้งแรกในงานแต่งงานของผู้จัดงาน แล้วเขาชอบสไตล์มาก เลยขอให้จัดวงขนาด 30-40 คนมาเล่นในงาน Restival นี้ ผมรู้สึกว่าได้รับการดูแลดีมากและประทับใจกับประสบการณ์ทั้งหมดจริงๆ’ Photograph: Marisa Marchitelli Marshmallow Restival นิยามตัวเองว่าเป็นเทศกาลแห่งการพักผ่อน ที่นี่ไม่มีโชว์ตอนเที่ยงคืน ไม่มีตารางเวลาที่ทุกคนต้องเร่งรีบ มีเพียงเวิร์กช็อป โปรแกรมดนตรีที่คัดสรรมาอย่างดี และวิวดอยที่ทอดยาวให้ทุกคนได้ปล่อยใจไปกับมัน ผู้คนส่วนใหญ่เป็นครอบครัวคนไทยรุ่นใหม่ที่มีเด็กๆ วิ่งไล่จับกันระหว่างแถวเก้าอี

I knew I’d enjoy (and probably needed) this festival before reaching the gate, especially after the run of high-octane events of late. Abonzo Yama Mitsu sits on a rolling hill just outside Chiang Rai town, with a 360-degree view over the valley and Kok River below. The open stage backed out onto layers of endlessly folding hills, with sunset perfectly framed in the distance. It’s the kind of place that is so naturally captivating that it demands you unwind the moment you arrive. Photograph: Marshmallow Restival I was quickly greeted with a big and familiar smile from Jirapahn ‘Tung’ Khaokum – a Bangkok-based violinist I’ve worked with and seen perform over the years. I’m a big fan. Turns out he’s the first violin in the Marshmallow Symphony Orchestra. I hadn’t expected to know anyone here, so seeing him right away lifted my arrival spirits. ‘I was invited by my friend Note – the conductor, who brought musicians from Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Phayao together for this orchestra,’ Tung told me. ‘We first played at the organiser’s wedding and they liked the style so much they asked for a 30- to 40-piece band for the Restival. I felt really taken care of and very impressed by the whole experience.’ Photograph: Marisa Marchitelli Marshmallow Restival dubs itself a relaxation festival. No midnight sets, no frantic timetable, just workshops, a well-curated music program and a long, lazy view of the mountains. The crowd was mostly young Thai families with kids chasing ea

Gaia Beats occupies a unique middle ground on the Chiang Mai festival circuit. It avoids the high-octane EDM spectacle of Thantawan, yet stops short of the deep-rooted ‘hippie’ eccentricity found at Shambala In Your Heart. This was only the festival’s second year, and while I missed the inaugural edition, which was smaller and ran for just one day, I arrived expecting something fairly intimate, even with the expansion to a three-day format. Walking into the festival, the first thing that hit me was just how beautiful it all looked, and how much thought had clearly gone into it. At its heart, the festival was about connecting with nature and community, and showing that a good party did not have to come at the planet’s expense. Photograph: David A. Kerr About an hour east of Chiang Mai in Mae On, Gaia Beats took over Sense Hot Spring Wellness – a hotel and spa complex tucked into forested hills. Before I even made it to a stage, the visual language of the place stopped me in my tracks. Giant dome-shaped bamboo and fabric shades stretched over pathways and gathering spaces, sunlight filtering through lush bamboo landing on the site’s unmistakable deep purple buildings. Psychedelic, hand-painted signage created by a team of volunteers popped up throughout, reinforcing the sense that every detail had been crafted by hand. Photograph: David A. Kerr That sense of care carried across the entire site. The property sprawls with clusters of buildings set among water features and gar

There's no way to travel all of Asia in one lifetime, but you can damn well bet that we're going to try. From bustling city destinations to wild island paradises, there's so much on the regional travel menu that we'd gladly spend our annual leave on in 2026 – and if you're having a hard time choosing, then you're in the right place. We talked to our Time Out editors and travel contributors in Asia to suss out what's on their radar for the coming year. These destinations are emerging hotspots: long overlooked or previously hard to reach, but now on the map for travellers seeking alternatives to well-trodden destinations like Bali, Tokyo, and Bangkok. Many on the list have become better-connected, too – all the more reason to buy that plane ticket in 2026. And it goes without saying: they all have spectacular natural attractions, rich culture, and fantastic dining scenes to satisfy the pickiest of travellers. Here's Time Out's list of the best places to visit in Asia in 2026.  Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Asia newsletter for the best travel inspiration straight to your inbox. READ MORE: The most spectacular places to visit in Asia and The most gorgeous islands in Asia 

When fire tore through Route 66 at RCA this past October, it sent shockwaves across Bangkok’s nightlife community. For decades, Route 66 was a constant: a first club for many, a last stop for others and a defining fixture of RCA’s late-night rhythm. That sense of loss ran deep because RCA itself has been on Bangkok’s nightlife map since the ‘90s, evolving from one of the city’s first purpose-built entertainment districts into a proving ground for generations of clubs, DJs and partygoers. Its sudden rupture landed just as Bangkok was gearing up for a new wave of big openings, creating an oddly symbolic moment for a city that rarely stops dancing. From backpacker streets to built-for-scale districts There was a time when Bangkok nightlife was easy to explain. You went to Khao San Road for backpacker chaos or Patpong for R-rated neon-lit spectacle. Clubs were transient, tourist-facing and rarely built to last longer than the season. Bangkok has since outgrown that model. As the city’s middle-class expanded and travel tastes evolved, nightlife followed suit. Purpose-built zones like RCA offered something different: space, scale and the freedom to think long-term. Over time, the city’s club scene began to look less like a backpacker rite of passage and more like a fixture of urban life. Today, locals and tourists share the same dancefloors. Clubbing in Bangkok is no longer something that happens on the sidelines of the city. It is central, social and very much year-round.

Chiang Mai is famous for its strong WiFi and even stronger iced americanos, but let’s be honest – you didn’t come all the way to the north just to stare at the same laptop screen in a different time zone.  We all know that the best part of the digital nomad lifestyle exists around your working hours. Clock off, step outside and Chiang Mai rewards you with a lineup of places designed for real life, not just productivity.  Ok, sure, some of these may still be ‘productive’ in some senses – for example a podcast studio or 3D printing labs – but we all know that’s the more recreational side of life in the digital world. Others sit firmly in the fun category – think long lunches that turn into friendships and recovery rituals that feel like a full-body reset. So, whether you want to create something, move your body, meet people or simply exhale, this is your guide to Chiang Mai beyond the nomadic keyboard.

Nalinthara Thai Massage This spa oasis is set on a beautifully curated property with white colonial-style structures surrounded by shady, immaculate gardens, right alongside the Kok River. Inside, the rooms carry a sense of old-world charm, with carved wooden details and high ceilings.  The real draw, though, is outside. The riverside terrace opens up to long views across the water, creating a setting that feels noticeably removed from the city. Timing matters here. Avoid the late afternoon and you can have your treatment outdoors, with the breeze gently moving across the river and onto your massage bed.  Nalinthara Thai Massage. Rim Kok, Chiang Rai. 10am-9pm

Set within a calm, design-forward space, Studio Aborigi focuses on textiles that carry both cultural weight and everyday usability. The studio works closely with hill tribe communities across northern Thailand, sourcing traditional fabrics and techniques, then reinterpreting them into contemporary clothing, bags and home pieces. What stands out is the refinement and balance. Nothing feels overly precious or costume-like. The cuts are clean, the palette is considered and the craftsmanship is allowed to speak without overstatement. You’ll find naturally dyed fabrics, handwoven details and subtle pattern work that reflects the origins of the materials and ties everything back to the region’s craft traditions in a way that feels current. Studio Aborigi. Rop Wiang, Chiang Rai. 9am-5pm, closed Sunday

A morning here feels like a step into Chiang Rai’s past. Si Biao Panich is one of the city’s oldest bakeries; dating back to the 1950s, it still operates with that same unpolished, deeply local rhythm. Order sheets are filled out by hand, drinks options are vast and familiar and the menu offers a mix of Thai, Chinese and old-school café staples. They even offer Turkish eggs with homemade yogurt. Try the kaya toast, soft buns and strong coffee alongside a banh mi or congee. They’ve got it all!  What makes it special isn’t just the food, but the sense of continuity. The space is filled with small details and stories, from framed write-ups about the shop’s history to regulars who’ve clearly been coming here for years. Before you leave, make sure to pick up a few curry puffs to take on the road. They’re one of the bakery’s signatures and exactly the kind of thing you’ll wish you had more of later. Si Biao Panich Bakery & Breakfast. Muang, Chiang Rai. 7:30am-1pm, closed Tuesday

Kuma leans into a more contemporary expression of Chiang Rai’s ingredients, but without the rigidity of a formal tasting menu. Instead, the experience is built around a structured à la carte offering, with dishes grouped into cold, warm and main sections that encourage a more flexible way of ordering. The menu reads like a conversation between local produce and modern technique. Ingredients are clearly doing the heavy lifting, but they’re handled with precision and a willingness to push into less familiar territory. You see that in combinations like smoked rice paddy eel with gooseberry jelly and crispy chicken skin, as well as a rich, perfectly cooked raw beef heart paired with Chiang Rai tomme, pea eggplant and fried acacia. There’s a strong sense of play across the courses. Pumpkin mochi tempura sits alongside river prawn mousse stuffed into sesbania flowers, while a cup of dancing shrimp bisque brings in long pepper and wild almond milk. Even the mains carry that same balance of control and curiosity, from grilled catfish presented in multiple expressions to wagyu picanha with mustard green relish and umami-rich jus. Kuma. Rop Wiang, Chiang Rai. 5pm-10pm, closed Monday-Tuesday

Sawanbondin translates to ‘heaven on earth’ and the space is just that. Flooded with natural light, the tea room opens up to a surrounding farm, with natural materials, soft tones and an overall sense of calm that sets the perfect ambiance for a tea ceremony. Chiang Rai is one of Thailand’s key tea-growing regions and the focus here is entirely on locally grown leaves. Teas are prepared with precision, often served in simple, elegant sets that let the character of each variety come through. You start to notice the differences in aroma, texture and finish, especially when moving between lighter and more oxidised teas. There’s an attention to detail in both the brewing, the setting and the refined service. Nothing feels rushed, and that’s very much the point.  Sawanbondin Tea House. Muang, Chiang Rai. 9am-5pm

Around the corner from the famous blue temple, Chivit Thamma Da leans fully into the nostalgia of an old riverside home with vintage interiors, intricately layered details and a sense of history that feels convincing – even though the space is relatively new. The setting is half of the appeal with lush garden seating spilling out toward the river, shaded by enormous flame trees, romantic fountains and architecture draped in vines and climbing roses. There’s even a cute, non-aggressive rooster wandering about. With a clear focus on local sourcing, the menu highlights ingredients from nearby producers and coffee grown in Doi Chang and Doi Phahee. There are sweet touches to be discovered such as the piano sitting on the edge of the porch with a politely firm note inviting guests to play (only if they actually know how). Chivit Thamma Da Coffee House. Bannrongseartean, Chiang Rai. 9am-6pm

Chef Amarin ‘Arm’ Sriphan brings both warmth and depth to the table. Gracious and deeply passionate, he walks patrons through his dishes rooted in northern Thai culinary history, with each plate tied to a personal story. His father, Vatcharin Bhumichitr, was a notable Thai cookbook author and that influence runs through the menu – this is food as memory, research and revival. The seasonal menu unfolds as a ‘Thai culinary journey’, beginning with small bites of kai kwa, a crispy fried egg with rice crackers and minced shrimp, alongside miang kana wrapped in kale leaves and grilled chicken satay. From there, dishes build in depth, including nam prik kapi served with fresh and blanched vegetables, salted duck and turmeric-boiled prawns. The highlight is the Chiang Saen-style hung lay curry, a slow-braised pork dish that leans into older interpretations of the recipe – more reduced, more vegetal – with the inclusion of pickled mustard greens – and more complex than the protein-focused versions commonly found today. It offers a glimpse into how the dish may have originally been prepared. Dessert continues with traditional sweets like thong muan, pandan custard and a more adventurous fermented soybean ice cream. This is easily one of the most memorable meals you can have in Chiang Rai. Maison de Chiang Rai. Muang, Chiang Rai. By reservation only. 5:30pm-10pm

The gallery’s modern structure rises cleanly from the surrounding farmland, creating a sharp contrast with the rural landscape. Outside, a sculptural bamboo installation forms a tunnel-like walkway that draws visitors inward, opening up to a circular performance space at its core that’s occasionally used for events and gatherings. Inside, the focus is on artists connected to Chiang Rai and the wider northern region, giving the space a strong sense of local identity. Exhibitions rotate, with many works exploring environmental and social themes tied to the area. One of the most compelling threads centres on the contamination of the Kok River, with artists responding through painting, installation and mixed media. Chiang Rai Contemporary Art Museum. Rim Kok, Chiang Rai. 9am-5pm, closed Monday

Set inside a beautifully restored 103-year-old residence, Singhaklai House Art Gallery offers a layered and intimate cultural stop. Originally known as the OMF Missionary House and designed by Dr William A. Briggs, the building has been carefully restored by the Modchanapai Foundation and now functions as both a learning centre and art space. The structure itself is part of the experience, with its historic architecture and shaded verandas giving a continuity between past and present. The setting feels warm and inviting, like stepping into a private home. Upstairs, changing exhibitions showcase works by national artists and established Thai names, alongside pieces that reflect the identity and landscape of Chiang Rai. Downstairs, the space opens up into a café, making it an easy place to spend time reading a good book. Singhaklai House Art Gallery. 628 Singhaklai Road, Chiang Rai. 8am-5pm, closed Wednesday

End your evening at one of the most original bars in northern Thailand. Marked only by a spray-painted sign outside and a glowing neon banana, Ba(r)nana is a ten-seat cocktail bar built around fermentation experiments. Glass jars line the walls, filled with pickled fruits and unexpected ingredients that will eventually find their way into cocktails. There’s no menu and every drink is B180. Owner-bartender Kiattikoon ‘Toon’ Auengkum asks what flavour profiles you like and builds something on the spot, sometimes guided by your answers, sometimes inspired by whatever he feels like making in the moment. A handwritten scribble alongside the bar makes it clear that everything is homemade, ingredients are locally sourced and open-mindedness is expected. It’s equal parts philosophy and warning. The drinks lean playful and surprising such as the larb-inspired cocktail which somehow lands as savoury and refreshing at the same time. Another features fermented crab. Not everything sounds immediately appealing, but often it is and that’s part of the experience. Ba(r)nana. Rop Wiang, Chiang Rai. Reservation only. 7pm-12am

Doy Din Dang reads less like a destination gallery and more like an active, working environment shaped by the land around it. Low buildings sit among trees and garden paths, with open workspaces that make it easy to catch a glimpse of the ceramic-crafting process. The studio was founded by esteemed ceramicist Somluk Pantiboon, a Thai National Artist, recognised for his fusion of Japanese techniques and Northern Thai terroir. Clay is sourced locally and fired in traditional wood kilns, resulting in surfaces and hues that shift subtly from piece to piece. Walking through the property, you move between work areas, shady garden paths lined by infinite pots and display spaces without any clear boundaries. Inside, shelves are packed with stoneware in every shape and size, in natural tones and organic forms. Many pieces are designed for everyday use, but the craftsmanship and sensitivity to material elevate them to statement pieces. Doy Din Dang Pottery. Nang Lae, Chiang Rai. 8:30am-4:30pm, closed Sunday

Tempo leans into a modern European grill format with a menu built around land and sea, right in the middle of Silom’s after-dark energy. The setup moves from polished starters into a strong, meat-led centre, keeping things classic but with just enough finesse. The opening section brings in dishes like foie gras and Wagyu beef carpaccio before shifting into lighter plates such as burrata with heirloom tomato and lobster bisque. From there, the grill takes over with cuts like USDA Prime tenderloin, Wagyu striploin and ribeye, paired with rich sauces like Café de Paris butter and truffle cream. Seafood and lighter mains balance things out, from grilled tiger prawns to miso-glazed black cod, before desserts like chocolate mille-feuille and a mango sticky rice-inspired finish round out the meal. Tempo, Le Meriden Bangkok, Surawong Road. 10:30am-12am

Chocolate isn’t just something you taste – it can be something you see, touch and experience. To mark its fifth anniversary, The 1 Exclusive is stepping into a more experiential space, moving beyond traditional loyalty perks and into something more immersive. The programme’s latest collaboration brought this idea to life through the Janice Wong First-Ever Chocolate Edible Art Gallery with Mastercard – an exhibition designed to blur the line between art and flavour. Held at the Mastercard Experience Space at Central Chidlom, the exhibition brought together internationally acclaimed pastry chef and visual artist Janice Wong, known for transforming desserts into sculptural works. A two-time recipient of Asia’s Best Pastry Chef award, Wong approaches chocolate not just as an ingredient, but as a creative medium. Photograph: The 1 Here, chocolate became colour, texture and form. Each installation was crafted to reflect both partners, with visual elements inspired by Thai culture. Patterns, colours and familiar imagery drew from local references, including scenes reminiscent of floating markets, reinterpreted through a contemporary lens. The result was a gallery that felt rooted in Thailand, yet distinctly modern in execution. Photograph: The 1 But this wasn’t a traditional exhibition where you stood back and just observed. One of the key ideas behind the project was interaction. Visitors were invited to engage directly with the artworks, including a series of chocolate lollipo

Khao Lak sits just north of bustling Phuket, but moves to a different beat. The beaches are wide and open, the vistas expansive and the draw is as much the space as the scenery. It’s a popular seasonal surfing spot, and also a go-to for divers wanting to explore the famed Similan and Surin Islands. Best of all, nobody is rushing anyone for anything. Set along Bang Niang Beach, La Solaya Khao Lak arrives with that same understanding of pace. The newly opened beachfront resort is built around the idea of letting the day unfold naturally, without schedules, pressure or over-programming. We sure like the sound of that. Designed for flow Photograph: La Solaya Khao Lak Rather than offering an array of activities, La Solaya chooses to focus on atmosphere and unwinding. The resort is designed with the Indian ocean taking centre stage and the day progresses according to her ebbs and flows. Early hours are calm, with gentle light, crisp sea air and spaces that invite lazy lingering. As the day warms up, energy shifts naturally toward the pool and shared areas, without tipping into noise or crowds. By evening, the pace eases again, with sunset views over Bang Niang Beach and lighting that encourages guests to stay present, and just take it all in. Rooms that prioritise ease Photograph: La Solaya Khao Lak La Solaya Khao Lak has 144 rooms and villas, including family-friendly options and private pool villas. Design is understated and refined, with light tones, natural materials and su

Bangkok understands chilli the way other cities understand weather. It shapes daily life, dictates cravings and decides how long lunch will last. For one balmy afternoon and evening, just once a year, the city gives that ingredient centrestage. Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok becomes a roaming kitchen where chefs from across cultures translate heat into flavour, memory and even a friendly competition. Chilli Fest 2026, now in its fourth edition, gathers an impressive circle of chilli-lovin’ Michelin-calibre talent and neighbourhood favourites. Thai curries share tables with Mexican aguachile, modern Korean fire meets Punjabi street food and Southern Thai intensity sits beside Spanish-Japanese tapas. The festival is designed as a moving feast, encouraging visitors to wander between stalls, follow aromas and compare how different kitchens speak the same language of fiery spice.   Photograph: Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok   Chef Thitid Ton Tassanakajohn returns with Gaengsod, celebrating the art of freshly pounded Thai curry through vibrant green curry rice sets and delicate pan sib dumplings. GOAT’s Chef Parkorn Tan Kosiyapong brings Thai-Chinese imagination with Thai wagyu cooked in 18 spices and an experimental pairing of coconut, sato, SCOBY, salt and chilli. From Delia, chef duo Gabriela Gaby Espinosa and Diego Zarco serve taco de carne asada and aguachile negro inspired by Abuelita traditions. I-Sang dishes out buldak bibim noodles and an intensified Korean fried chicken glaze that ba

Bangkok has always excelled at reinvention. Just look at its skyline, food scene or the way a quick errand somehow turns into an all-day adventure. Now, the city is applying that same talent for transformation to beauty and wellness, with clinics like Aura Bangkok Clinic helping put it firmly on the global map. As global beauty culture shifts away from extreme results and towards safety, credibility and subtlety, Thailand is stepping into the spotlight as a beauty destination. Bangkok, in particular, has become a magnet for those who want expert care, international standards and results that look refreshed rather than obvious. Where beauty meets credibility Photograph: Aura Bangkok Clinic Today’s aesthetic travellers are well-informed and very selective. They read extensive reviews, follow credible influencers and expect treatments carried out by qualified medical professionals, supported by experience and ongoing training. Bangkok’s medical aesthetic scene delivers that confidence, pairing state-of-the-art technology with the warm, hospitality-led approach that Thailand is famous for. One clinic that defines these standards is Aura Bangkok Clinic. Founded in 2014, it has treated more than 100,000 cases and built a strong reputation for non-invasive procedures, skin rejuvenation and lifting techniques that enhance such as Ultherapy, botox and filler injections. The focus is on balance and proportion, not chasing social media trends.   Doctors trained to global standards Ph

Veyla’s ‘Muse of Rhythm’ is hard to miss. The headphone-wearing figure sits at the centre of this new boutique club in Ekkamai, setting the tone for a night built as much on visuals and atmosphere as it is on music. Bangkok’s nightlife is moving fast, and Veyla is firmly in the category of clubs you visit because you want to feel something: a bassline in your ribcage, the room moving as one, lighting that makes every moment look cinematic. Built around house, Afro-house and tech house, the venue keeps things music-first and tightly curated with an emphasis on global DJs, selector-led programming and long-form sets designed to unfold as a journey rather than peak-and-drop moments. Even the name plays into the concept: Veyla (pronounced way-lar) means ‘time’ in Thai, and the whole space is designed to pull you into the rhythm of the night and keep you there. This isn’t a place for EDM drops, birthday sparklers and table wars. It’s for people who actually come for the groove. A club with a muse Photograph: Veyla Bangkok Every club wants an icon, but Veyla makes it literal. The venue’s dramatic centrepiece is a headphone-wearing statue of a woman known as ‘The Muse of Rhythm’, positioned less as decor and more as the club’s core identity. It’s the kind of instantly recognisable detail that anchors the room, becomes the unofficial logo and ends up in everyone’s first post of the night. The muse is also baked into Veyla’s narrative. She’s imagined as a figure who channels the ene

If you’ve ever booked a painfully early flight out of Suvarnabhumi Airport, you already know the routine: set multiple alarms, pack the night before, then spend the final hours half-awake, worried you’ll miss your ride or get stuck in traffic at the worst possible time. Bangkok is many things, but predictable transport at 3am is not always one of them. This is exactly the problem Go Hotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is built to solve. Designed as a modern, family-friendly stopover option, it keeps the focus on what matters most when you’re flying: a comfortable bed, an efficient setup and the kind of small details that make travel feel less chaotic. Photograph: Go Hotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport Located in Lat Krabang, just 10 minutes from Suvarnabhumi Airport, the hotel positions itself as a practical base for late arrivals and early departures. Whether you’re landing after midnight, leaving before sunrise or simply planning a quick overnight reset between destinations, this is the kind of stay that helps you switch off fast, wake up calm, and catch your flight on time. Made for stopovers, not overthinking Photograph: Go Hotel Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport The experience starts with an airport-first mindset. In the lobby, a real-time flight information screen keeps departures and arrivals visible, which sounds simple but makes a huge difference when you’re travelling on tight timing. There’s also a free shuttle from the hotel to the airport twice daily, making it easi

EDC Thailand 2026 may have been all about massive drops, neon-lit stages and thousands of hands in the air, but one of the weekend’s best moments didn’t happen at the main stage. It happened at Binary Beach. Created by The Title, an Official Sponsor of EDC Thailand 2026. Binary Beach was built as a full experience zone inside EDC Thailand 2026, giving festivalgoers a break from the main event: stepping out of high-energy chaos and into something calmer, more curated and distinctly Phuket. Photograph: Rhom Bho Property Binary Beach worked as a proper lifestyle landmark. It was designed for lingering, resetting and recharging, with a setting that leaned into seaside relaxation without breaking the festival mood. For anyone who needed a break from the crush of the crowd, it offered a smoother rhythm, with space to breathe and a vibe that matched Phuket’s identity as a global leisure destination. Photograph: Rhom Bho Property Modern mor lam, Ya-Dong cocktails and a wellness reset The Mini Tropical Stage brings a cultural twist to the soundscape, blending electronic music with Thai traditional influences through a modern mor lam approach. It offered a fresh entry point into Thai music culture, without ever losing the pulse of the festival. Photograph: Rhom Bho Property Then there was the Ya-Dong Bar – a sleek, contemporary take on Thai local drinking culture, featuring four cocktails created specifically for the event. To balance it all out, Binary Beach also included a crea

Thailand’s festival scene has been on overdrive. Bigger crowds. Bigger noise. Bigger schedules. The kind of weekends that are fun, but also require a recovery period. Marshmallow Restival is built for the opposite mood. A three-day ‘restival’ (yes, restival) designed around slowing down without dropping out. It takes place January 30-February 1 at Abonzo Yama Mitsu, a hilltop cafe about 10km from Chiang Rai city centre, with a setting that already does half the calming for you. The idea is a new kind of reset, where rest is the point rather than the reward at the end. As the organisers put it, ‘Marshmallow Restival comes with the concept of the Art of Rest, introducing a new resting experience - not stopping, just pausing.’     The anti-burnout festival Photograph: Marshmallow Restival Post-Covid, events came roaring back with a vengeance. New festivals landed every month, the crowds got bigger, the queues got longer, and a fun weekend away started to feel like a full-body workout. Marshmallow Restival is the intended antidote: a festival that still delivers music and atmosphere, but without leaving you depleted. The event is organised by Meaning Maker, a new Bangkok-based creative collective of filmmakers, artists, curators and story crafters dedicated to ‘crafting meaning and curating memories’. They describe the post-Covid boom in festivals as something people needed, but also something that came at a cost. ‘After the pandemic, people eagerly needed interaction at concer

Bangkok is a city that runs on movement – trains, taxis, tuk-tuks, motorbikes, expressways, shortcuts, side streets. You don’t have to be here long to realise its biggest talent is flow. But the past week has delivered a different kind of reminder: Bangkok and its surrounding routes are also constant works-in-progress. And when construction zones sit directly over live traffic, the safest thing you can do is re-route around them. Several recent incidents have involved infrastructure works and major corridors used by everyday commuters and weekend escapees, including the Rama II axis heading southwest toward Samut Sakhon and the South. If you’re heading out of town, or simply moving across the city, it’s worth travelling with more caution than usual.   The Rama II problem (aka why it feels cursed) Photograph: Nathathida Adireksarn / Associated Press Ask anyone in Bangkok and they’ll have a Rama II story. Sudden merges. Shifting lanes. Bottlenecks that appear out of nowhere. And construction that seems to last forever. People call it a curse because it feels relentless, but the reason is more practical than supernatural: Rama II has become a long-running construction corridor while still carrying huge volumes of traffic. That combination creates risk. When a major artery doubles as a worksite, the margin for error shrinks. Sightlines get worse. Lane markings change. Temporary barriers shift. Drivers speed up to escape congestion, then brake hard at chokepoints. Heavy equipmen

If your feed has recently filled up with fluffy ears, red bib and wide-eyed smiles, you are not imagining things. Monchhichi, the Japanese character first introduced in the 1970s, has arrived in Bangkok in a big way, fronting one of the most extensive holiday collaborations in the city this season. Running across multiple locations under Monchhichi x The Mall Group: The Great New Year 2026, the campaign transforms The Mall Lifestore, Emporium, Emquartier, Emsphere and Paragon Department Store into festive playgrounds built around character installations, exclusive merchandise and immersive photo moments. It is the first large-scale Monchhichi collaboration of its kind in Thailand, positioning the long-loved character not just as a nostalgic toy, but as a cultural icon reintroduced for a new generation.   A Japanese character with global staying power Photograph: The Mall Group Created in Japan in 1974, Monchhichi has spent decades building a devoted following across Asia and Europe. Known for its soft brown fur, oversized ears and signature pacifier, the character has evolved beyond a children’s toy into a collectible embraced by adult fans, designers and pop culture collectors. That longevity is part of the appeal. In Bangkok, where nostalgia-driven design and character culture have found renewed popularity, Monchhichi arrives at exactly the right moment. The collaboration taps into that sentiment while scaling it up into something highly visual and public-facing. Rather t

Thailand has reached a major tourism milestone, welcoming its one millionth visitor from the United Kingdom in 2025 and marking a full recovery of one of its most important long-haul markets. The achievement comes as international arrivals from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa collectively hit their highest level on record, underscoring the strength of Thailand’s global tourism rebound. The milestone visitor arrived at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on December 17 on a direct Thai Airways flight from London. Officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thai Airways International and partner organisations marked the occasion with a formal welcome, reflecting the significance of the UK market to Thailand’s tourism economy. The traveller received a package of premium travel experiences designed to highlight the country’s high-end hospitality, wellness and dining offerings. A record year for long-haul travel The UK milestone forms part of a broader record-breaking year for long-haul tourism. In 2025, Thailand surpassed 10 million long-haul arrivals for the first time, accounting for more than 30 percent of total international visitors. This shift reflects a growing reliance on long-stay and higher-spending travellers, particularly from Europe and North America, as the country focuses on value-driven tourism rather than volume alone. UK travellers continue to play a key role in that strategy. Arrivals from the UK are expected to reach around 1.1 million by th

MBK Center is leaning into what people love most about shopping in Bangkok with a new high-season campaign shaped by real visitor insights. ‘Step into Thainess – Shop like a Thai’ highlights the warmth, charm and cultural buzz that define the city, inviting everyone to experience one of Bangkok’s OG malls through a more expressive, Thai-style lens. Shopping with real Bangkok energy The campaign video draws directly from Google Reviews, celebrating the moments that keep MBK on every must-visit list: smiling bargains, casual chats with vendors, discovering Thai crafts and walking away with more stories than souvenirs. CMO Puttachad Srinisakorn notes that MBK is more than a mall. It’s been a cultural destination for decades that houses a lively mix of visitors and vendors from all walks of life. MBK’s popularity is backed by major recognitions, including the Travelers Choice Awards 2025 in the Things to do in Bangkok category on Tripadvisor and the Trusted Thailand certification from the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Inside, the offer is sprawling: explore floors dedicated to fashion, IT gadgets, and souvenirs, or unwind at premium beauty clinics and spas. Foodies can dive into the famous Food Legends by MBK, a hub of legendary street-food staples. Inclusivity is key here – the center is fully equipped with dedicated prayer rooms and a wide variety of certified Halal dining options, making it a welcoming stop for everyone. Photograph: MBK Center Culture sits at the heart of t