Meena Janekrabuanhad

Meilee Tal is heading to Melody of Life 17 at centralwOrld with ‘Hello Goodbye’, her latest song. She acts, models, dances and creates content too, but when asked which role feels most like her the answer is simple: ‘singer-songwriter’.  Her entertainment career began at four and a half, with music, acting and fashion all part of her upbringing. Those interests now feed into her music and performances. At the Bangkok festival, she says she plans to perform ‘Hello Goodbye’ in full for a live audience for the first time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Meilee Tal (@meileetal) Before her set, we sat down with Meilee to talk about her new single, her connection to Thailand, the projects that have shaped her life, and the goals she hopes to achieve in the years ahead. ‘Hello Goodbye’ and trying something new Photograph: Meilee TalArtist How is ‘Hello Goodbye’ different from your previous work? Meilee: This gave me the chance to have fun exploring different things, from the music and choreography to the overall image. I feel like it reflects who I am at this point in my life, as I got to experiment with things I hadn’t tried before. What are you most looking forward to about performing ‘Hello Goodbye’ live at Melody of Life? Meilee: I’m really excited because this will be the first time I get to perform ‘Hello Goodbye’ in full in front of a live audience. I want everyone to see another side of me through this performan

Floods have swept across Thailand, turning familiar streets into waterways and leaving communities to navigate rising water, damaged homes and disrupted daily life. But somewhere between the heartbreaking reality and the Thai humour people are using to cope, another scene unfolds: neighbours helping neighbours, volunteers loading trucks with food and people doing whatever they can to keep their communities moving. Instagram - Peyrealoy_Instagram - Peyrealoy_ A flood on your feed vs a flood at your feet, up to your waist, past your neck… It’s impossible to scroll through your feed right now without seeing something about the floods in Thailand. But forget the news reporters broadcasting live from the streets. Here, Thai people are dressing up as Aquaman, joking that you shouldn’t get your feet wet in case you reveal your hidden mermaid tail, and fully embracing the chaos with their best Tom Holland-inspired Umbrella dance. Behind the humour people are using to keep spirits high, however, Thailand is still dealing with rising waters, damaged homes and communities in need of help. Enter Bangkok Community Help Foundation, a non-profit providing food and essential supplies to communities affected by the floods.  The organisation was co-founded by Friso Poldervaart, a Dutch national who has called Thailand home for more than 15 years. What started as a relief effort during COVID-19 has since grown into a team of thousands of volunteers supporting communities across Thailand throu

Beyond sawadee ka, there are plenty of Thai words you might be confidently throwing around completely unaware that they have a whole different meaning than you intended. We’ve rounded up some of the funniest Thai words with double meanings, plus a few slightly embarrassing stories of how we learned them the hard way. Read on, have a laugh, and hopefully avoid accidentally saying something you definitely didn’t mean to.

Not only is the Land of Smiles very sabai sabai, this wonderful country can also be super unserious. You don’t need to live here to know that Thai ads have a knack for taking the most ordinary situations and going completely off the rails. From absurd characters and exaggerated reactions to unexpected plot twists and humour that comes out of nowhere, Thai ads aren’t afraid to be weird. In fact, the weirder, the better.  And perhaps that’s exactly why they work. The Thai ads we’ve compiled know how to entertain first and advertise second.

Not everyone who visits Thailand wants to see another temple. But what if it had cats? So many cats that you forget all the statues and keep your eyes down for a game of feline ‘I spy’ as hundreds of furry faces run carefree among the colourful ceramic chedis. At Wat Pho (or its official Thai name, Wat Phra Chetuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Rajwaramahawihan), the temple is a safe haven for visitors looking for a little peace of mind, a place where monks share their teachings and, in this case, a home for some very cute little creatures, too. About 200, to be exact. A tail of 200 temple cats Photograph: Meena Janekrabuanhad - Time OutWat Pho's cat residents: Grass Jelly and Cotton Ball At first there were just 20 – some stray cats wandering around the neighbourhood, others abandoned at the temple. Venerable Monk Mahanalin was, at some point along his journey in the Sangha, tasked with looking after them, making sure the temple remained a clean and safe place for both people and cats. They were never meant to permanently stay. In fact, Ven. Mahanalin says he wasn’t even a cat person. And yet, here he is years later, introducing us to hundreds of cats he named himself, with a gang of them following him at all times.  ‘This is Pizza; Mom Mam (the oldest of the bunch who’s been here for 10 years); nong Mali, the youngest and newest resident; and Botun, who has to take daily medication. Mafuang and Mafai are siblings, both born here. Green Beans is the shyest of them all, and Grass Je

Japan has shabu-shabu, China has huǒguō and Thailand has suki. The names, broths and sauces differ, but the ritual is much the same: gather around a bubbling pot, throw in whatever takes your fancy and inevitably burn your mouth because you couldn’t wait another half a second. Thailand’s version grew out of Chinese hotpot, adapted to local tastes and popularised by restaurants such as COCA, which began as a 20-seat Cantonese dining room in Bangkok in 1957. Suki has since become a fixture of family meals and shopping-centre dining, with each restaurant’s house sauce serving as its calling card. Thai suki brings its own character to the hotpot table. The broth is usually light and savoury, taking on flavour from the vegetables and meat as they simmer. The more you add, the tastier it gets. Seasoned suki diners crack an egg into the broth at the start so it cooks into soft ribbons and gives the soup a richer texture. You’ll also find versions inspired by Thai favourites such as tom yum – because Thailand has a tom yum take on almost everything. Not that we’re complaining. Thai suki shares the seemingly endless choice of meats and vegetables found in other hotpots, but it has staples of its own. Morning glory and glass noodles are among the essentials, with the noodles soaking up the broth and sauce for slippery, savoury mouthfuls. Suki’s secret weapon? The dipping sauce. Every restaurant has its own ratio, but the familiar sweet, sour, spicy and salty balance remains: tiny but f

People come to Thailand for the food, but what if the food is also dessert? That spicy, sour bowl of tom yum? The soy sauce found in practically every Thai kitchen? Bangkok’s ice-cream makers have turned them into frozen scoops – and some of the results are considerably tastier than they sound.  From suki sauce and fish sauce caramel to pad kra pao, dried fish and even ‘holy water’, here are 10 of Bangkok’s weirdest ice cream flavours to try and judge for yourself.

‘Made in China’ really doesn’t quite mean what it used to. From cult fashion labels to design-led lifestyle brands, a new generation of Chinese names is winning over Bangkok and you no longer need to book a flight to Shanghai or Beijing to get your hands on them. In fact, some of these brands have made Bangkok their only home outside China. Stores once saved for the next trip abroad are now popping up around our very own city, bringing a distinctly Chinese take on fashion, design, food and lifestyle to Bangkok’s streets. Here are the Chinese brands Bangkokians are currently obsessed with and where to find them.

I just moved here, and I thought that would be the hardest part. Turns out belonging is a whole other battle.  Even in the social hubbub of Bangkok, making friends as an adult is hard, so I’ve turned to hobbies. Think of them as little whimsical side quests around Bangkok: no social pressure, no commitments, no need to be particularly good at anything. Just show up as you are, try something new and see where it takes you.   Maybe you’ll meet a like-minded friend. Maybe you’ll come out the other side with a new favourite pastime. Or maybe you’ll spend two hours awkwardly making some wonky trinket that doesn’t work properly but you’ve had a great time making it anyway. Worst case, you’ll have a funny story to look back on. Welcome to ‘hobbymaxxing’ in Bangkok. A series about trying new things, facing (social) fears and making new memories, one hobby at a time. First up: journalling. Trading your phone for a pen Journalling seems like a good place to start, even if it’s quite personal (so much for making new friends!). It’s low-entry, low-pressure and requires very little commitment beyond finding somewhere to sit and putting pen to paper, essentially. And in a city that’s always rushing to get caught in traffic, there’s something quite nice about deliberately doing the opposite. Find somewhere to slow down, open your notebook and scribble your thoughts. Serious ones or complete nonsense. Photograph: I found something goodEverything to Journaling

Light casts shadows through the glass, falling across a vinyl record spinning at a steady 33 rpm. The crackle of the needle settling into the grooves awakens analogue sound – imperfect, but that's why people love it.  In our fast-paced world, where almost everything can be commanded with the touch of a fingertip, sinking into a chair and listening to an entire record has become a rare and almost exquisite act. A ritual, even, for those who appreciate sound.  Japan’s traditional jazz cafés, known as Jazz Kissa, remain among the few places where you can walk in, leave the outside world behind and simply immerse yourself in the music – unbothered and uninterrupted, with no ads to skip and no algorithm deciding what you listen to next. In Bangkok, we have similar spots – usually referred to as listening bars – although they’re usually a little more connected than the social Faraday cages of Japan.  The Japanese sense of nostalgia is captured in the pages of Jazz Kissa: The Soul of Japanese Listening Culture, a photographic exploration of Japan’s iconic cafés and the culture of deep listening that surrounds them.  Behind the book are three people who appreciate the art of listening in their own way: Katsumasa Kusunose, a music historian and photographer who has spent nearly half his life immersed in jazz cafés; Ted Gushue of ERG Media, a publisher with a belief in the enduring power of print; and Devon Turnbull, a sound architect who turns loudspeakers into sculptural works of art

This is definitely a camera-eats-first kinda list. We’re judging these places purely by their looks (because, let’s be honest, it’s hard to go wrong with a butter and sugar combo), so expect an obscene amount of cuteness as we run through Bangkok’s best looking desserts. Those who know the drill will already have cameras at the ready. And if you’ve been dragged along but aren’t exactly a café person, well... please be patient and don’t tuck in until the perfect picture is taken. And for those who do prefer to eat with their eyes, this list covers cookies, parfaits, puddings, cakes, pastries, macarons and pretty much every kind of sweet treat you can imagine – provided it’s cute enough to make the cut. Bangkok has never been this sweet.

Move over, elephant pants. Thailand has another wardrobe staple worth adding to your closet: it comes in pairs and is made of leather.  That’s right, Thailand's homegrown leather shoe brands have grown from humble workshops into respected names recognised both locally and internationally the past few years, and we’re all here to celebrate them. With carefully selected premium leathers, skilled handcraftsmanship and versatile designs, these shoes are actually built to last rather than simply chasing seasonal trends.  And before you think it, forget the idea that leather shoes are only for boardrooms or black-tie events. Everyone’s going for the leather shoe look these days, seamlessly blending artisanal quality with everyday looks. We’re talking timeless loafers and Derby shoes, rugged boots and leather sneakers. They literally go with any outfit.  To celebrate this new Thai craft, we’ve rounded up 12 leather shoe brands made in Thailand worth knowing – from heritage names that have stood the test of time to emerging labels worth keeping on your radar.  

This home-grown chain keeps the format flexible, with six broths and nine dipping sauces spanning Cantonese, Hainanese, Teochew and other styles. Build your pot around Hainanese-marinated pork, Neo meatballs, shrimp wontons, seafood balls, vegetables and jade noodles, or start with the aromatic grilled-fish shoyu broth. The extensive menu gives everyone at the table room to follow their own cravings without turning dinner into an expensive production. It’s relaxed, reliably good value and particularly easy with a mixed-age group. Multiple locations across Bangkok and beyond. Opening hours vary by branch  

Surviving in Yaowarat is no small feat, but Texas Suki has been doing it since 1979. It serves old-school Thai suki on a Texas-sized scale, with a light, clean Cantonese-style broth that is naturally sweet and savoury. The meatballs are a crowd favourite: order a mixed plate of signature Texas meatballs, fish balls and other seafood varieties for springy, pleasantly chewy bites that soak up the broth and sauce. Firm jade-green egg noodles also hold their bite without turning mushy. The house suki sauce leans sweet and tangy, making it approachable for newcomers while keeping regulars happy. Unlimited fresh chilli, garlic and lime let you adjust it yourself – pile them on, then mind who you talk to afterwards. Free-flow tea refreshes the palate between mouthfuls. Multiple locations in Yaowarat and at Sena Fest (second floor). Open daily 11am-10pm  

Sinnic keeps things personal: each diner gets an individual pot and a set of meat, vegetables, broth and dessert, with extras available if you want to keep going. Choose from three broths: clear chicken soup, a lightly sweet and savoury black broth or the standout jaew hon, which brings northeastern Isan herbs, spice and gentle sourness to the pot. Premium options include seafood, Kurobuta pork belly and tender Thai Wagyu. Three sauces cover the bases: rich white fermented bean curd, punchy jaew hon and a reliable chilli-oil-and-garlic combination. For an extra B40, add vivid blue rice coloured with butterfly pea and cooked with coconut oil. Fresh melon or coconut ice cream cools things down at the end. Town Hall, 88/8 Sukhumvit 49, Khlong Tan Nuea, Watthana. Open daily noon-10pm

Charoen Thai Suki serves traditional Thai suki, or ‘suki boran’, with a single sweet, aromatic pork-bone broth and no frills. The meat arrives coated in egg and sauce; as it cooks, the marinade enriches the initially light stock. There’s an order of operations. Bring the broth to the boil and add all the vegetables at once to release their natural sweetness, then thoroughly mix the meat with its egg and marinade while you wait. Tip the lot into the boiling pot, stir and let it simmer until the flavour has worked into the meat. This isn’t the kind of hotpot you eat as you cook – patience pays off here. 32/3 Phet Kasem Rd, Wat Tha Phra, Bangkok Yai. Open daily 10am-11pm

70 years later, COCA’s original suki sauce recipe still packs a punch. Fans will swear that their sauce is what makes or breaks a good suki – hitting that tangy, chilli-garlicky sweet spot. Following a recent makeover, COCA now offers plenty of broths to choose from. Classic Thai tom yum is an easy favourite, and there are four new ‘wellness-inspired’ options, including low-sodium genmaicha broth, roasted rice chamomile for a more calming bowl, umami emerald pearl and kombu and a rich black garlic boost broth.   But whatever soup suits, follow the tradition of pairing it with vegetables that arrive fresh and crunchy, alongside a spread of meat and seafood, giving that premium grocery store feel for everything on the table. Calorie conscious diners can tuck into lean chicken, while those ready for a full protein experience might opt for Australian wagyu. And if you prefer to go light on the greens then that’s an option too.  It’s hard to go too far wrong with whatever ends up in your pot. And for the true suki sauce lovers, finish with the bizarre but absolutely scrumptious suki sauce ice cream. Trust us on this one. After all, there’s no such thing as too much sauce.  Cloud 11 (first floor), 888 Sukhumvit Rd, Bang Chak, Phra Khanong. Open daily 8am-10pm

Agong means grandfather in Thai-Chinese, and Ruenpetch’s founder spent more than two years developing the signature marinade and dipping sauce that have sustained this traditional Thai suki for generations. The choice is refreshingly simple: one broth made with chicken-bone, cabbage and daikon. Soybean-paste-marinated meat enriches it as it cooks, while the fermented-red-bean-curd dipping sauce delivers the real punch. Ruenpetch leans more heavily on the bean curd than most, creating an earthy, savoury umami base, with sesame seeds and sesame oil adding nuttiness and a smooth finish. It’s the kind of suki your mum might have grown up eating before bringing her own children back years later. You don’t have to take our word for it; trust the grandfather behind the recipe. Multiple locations on New Phetchaburi Road, Ratchaphruek Road and Bang Na-Trad Soi 23. Open daily 10.30am-9.30pm  

Fish sauce isn’t the first ingredient that springs to mind when you think of dessert, but at Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed Samlor, pastry chef Saki Hoshino makes a persuasive case for it. Blending Thai and Japanese culinary influences, this ice cream turns fish sauce into a sweet-salty caramel that tastes far less alarming than the name suggests. It may not replace chocolate as your default order, but polishing off the whole container is surprisingly easy. 1076 Charoen Krung Road, Bang Rak. Open for dinner on weekdays and lunch and dinner on weekends (closed Tuesdays)

Watermelon and dried fish might sound like an eccentric combination, but it’s based on a traditional royal Thai summer snack. Chilled watermelon is usually topped with sweet-salty crispy dried fish and fried shallots, balancing juicy fruit with savoury crunch. Turn the watermelon into ice cream and the pairing still makes sense – think of the fish as a particularly unconventional topping with a little extra protein.  245 Soi Phutthabucha 29, Bang Mot, Thung Khru. Open daily 8:30am-6:30pm

For those accustomed to rushing through life – from the morning commute to racing home at the end of the day to reclaim a few quiet hours alone – THE BARAI HUA HIN feels like a summer break from being an adult.  About a three-hour drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin has long been the city’s seaside escape, known for its royal history, old-school holiday charm and a slower pace but with all the comforts.  Set on a quiet stretch of beachfront, THE BARAI HUA HIN started life as a spa. With boundless success, it’s now expanded into a hotel where four elements shape everything from the architecture to the wellness experience.  It’s also the first hotel in Thailand to join Hyatt’s Unbound Collection, a luxury portfolio of hotels picked for having a story, a sense of place and a personality of their own – not just a nice pool, although this hotel does have one of those too. From slow mornings by the beach and special meals cooked by the chef to guided wellness sessions and local excursions, the days at THE BARAI HUA HIN have a way of filling themselves here. Come without plans and let the day unfold.  Why stay at THE BARAI HUA HIN? For more than two decades, The BARAI has been a Hua Hin favourite for some serious spa time. Now, its hotel brings that same sense of restoration beyond the treatment rooms, turning a few hours of pampering into a full stay built around slowing down and feeling well.  The idea is simple: ‘Curated Wellness, Your Way’ – whether that means filling your day with trea

Before hyper-realistic fruit-shaped cakes, there was luk chup – a traditional Thai dessert that has long been known for its almost-too-real appearance. Taking the form of tiny fruit and vegetable shapes painted in vivid colours and finished with a glossy jelly coating, beneath the shiny exterior is a sweet mung bean paste made with coconut milk and sugar. Baan Luk Chup takes the tradition a step further, moving beyond the usual miniature fruits to recreate familiar Thai dishes and cute characters in luk chup form. Our favourite has to be the nam prik pla too – a cute dish of ‘chili paste’ and ‘mackerel’ that flips the concept savoury. Although the filling is absolutely still sweet. With so many playful creations, see how many you can recognise before taking a bite. Locations at Arun Amarin and Charan Sanitwong 50. Open daily 8am-7pm and 7am-6pm, respectively

This dessert could be cute or turn sideways very quickly. Baan.rukrom cafe & bakery is primarily a cake-decorating café where you can come in with your own inspiration and leave with your very own masterpiece. It might not end up in an art gallery, but it will, eventually, end up in your stomach. Choose from cakes, cookies and cupcakes to decorate, with the final level of cuteness entirely in your hands. Whether it turns out picture-perfect or a little more abstract, there’s no pressure – it’s all part of the fun. There are also ready-made cakes and baked treats for those needing a little bite without needing to put in the work. 493, 8 Pracha Rat Sai 2 Rd, Bang Sue. Open 10am-6pm (closed on Wednesdays)

If cuteness had a home in Bangkok, it would be HUUS PLATE. Housed in a renovated old house, the three-level café is known for its Japanese milk bread, shokupan and shonuts – a pastry that combines a shokupan with a doughnut. Innovation at its best.  But good pastries alone won’t land you on this list. HUUS PLATE also doubles as a space for hosting collaborations with different brands and artists, with the décor, themes and desserts changing to match. One visit might bring a new character, another a new world but one thing stays the same: the cuteness. 5 Sukhumvit 60 Alley, Phra Khanong Tai. Open 10am-6pm (closed on Mondays)

Quiet Room by SUBSOLUM is inviting Bangkokians to do absolutely nothing on the 39th floor of T-ONE Building, Sukhumvit 40. Running until November 5, the New York loft-inspired pop-up pairs floor-to-ceiling skyline views with plush white cushions and a Newstand drinks pop-up. Think the apartment you’ve saved to Pinterest, with the view but without the mortgage. Between work deadlines, notifications and the pressure to make every waking hour productive, even relaxing can feel like another task. Here, the idea is to put your phone aside and spend some uninterrupted time with yourself. View this post on Instagram A post shared by SUBSOLUM (@subsolum.bkk) Arrive. Disconnect. Sit down. Gather your thoughts. Or don’t. Then leave. The airy, minimalist space pairs exposed concrete with expansive windows framing Bangkok’s skyline. It looks more like an art space than a corner of a busy office building, with an industrial loft aesthetic that lets the cityscape do most of the decorating.  Plush white cushions sit on wooden platforms, ready for you to stretch out, crack open a book or stare dramatically into the distance. Doing absolutely nothing is equally acceptable, without guilt or the requirement to meditate. There’s no itinerary, no productivity hack to master and no pressure to emerge as a brand-new person. Revolutionary, we know. Newstand is also popping up with a range of drinks, giving you something to sip while you take a breather. It’s a preview of the bran

Need a break from Bangkok, but not quite ready to disappear into the mountains for a week? RXV Wellness Village in Suan Sampran (just 45 minutes out of the city) offers a change of pace we all need, without having to commit to a full-blown retreat.  The newly renovated 4,000-square-metre facility is part medical gym, part spa, part hydrotherapy – and, depending on your idea of fun, possibly the perfect place to spend a day being taught how to breathe. What is RXV Wellness Village? Photograph: RXV Wellness VillageBangkok The facility covers all the health bases, from Bor Naam, RXV’s hydrotherapy ‘onsen’ experience, cold plunges, saunas and steam rooms to a surprisingly extensive menu of more than 100 treatments and activities. Options range from traditional Thai massage and Pilates to physiotherapy, micronutrients testing, IV drips and hyperbaric chamber therapy – all guided by their integrative wellness philosophy. You can come for beauty and relaxation, work on physical rebalancing, try mindfulness and breathwork, or go deeper with a more personalised health programme. Photograph: RXV Wellness VillageBangkok Every visit starts with a consultation with a wellness advisor and longevity doctor, and an optional fitness assessment for those that mean business. From there, you’ll get a programme of treatments and activities based on your goals. The schedule is meant to be a guide and not completely set in stone. If you realized actually all you needed is sleeping in and a prop

Clear some shelf space, plushie collectors. British soft toy brand Jellycat, known for its smiley-faced characters and ridiculously soft toys, is set to open a dedicated shop on the G floor of Central Chidlom in Bangkok. Thai fans have been hunting for their favourites in department store toy sections for years. Now, blue ‘Opening Soon’ signage points to a space of their own. Photograph: JellycatBangkok The question for anyone whose TikTok feed is full of plushies: will Bangkok also get one of Jellycat’s interactive shopping experiences? At the Jellycat Diner at FAO Schwarz in New York City, buying a soft toy comes with a full American diner routine. The experience features staff playing chefs, ‘grilling’ burgers and hot dog plushies on a pretend hotplate, adding imaginary ketchup and wrapping orders to go. Personalised stickers complete the takeaway treatment. It’s one of those whimsical experiences that gets both kids and adults equally excited. Could Bangkok be next? We’re ready to clock in as honorary chefs. Photograph: JellycatBangkok While an official opening date is still under wraps, Jellycat fans might want to start saving their baht now. When those doors finally open at Central Chidlom, we wouldn’t be surprised to see queues stretching around the block. Could we see a Thai street-food-inspired experience or even exclusive plushies made just for Thailand? For now, though, those remain wish-list material but keep your eyes peeled (and wallets ready) for whatever

Follow the yellow flags and bring an appetite. Bangkok’s Jay Vegetarian Festival 2026 brings plant-based street food to Yaowarat and Talat Noi while Chinese temples offer a glimpse of the festival’s religious side. What is it? The Jay Festival (เทศกาลกินเจ) is a Thai-Chinese tradition rooted in Buddhist and Taoist beliefs. Devotees follow a strict plant-based diet as part of a religious observance intended to purify the body and mind. Its food rules go beyond a typical vegan diet. Meat, poultry, seafood, eggs and dairy are off the menu, along with pungent vegetables such as garlic, onions, Chinese chives, scallions and leeks. These are traditionally believed to disturb the body’s balance and spiritual calm, although the precise restrictions vary between traditions. Animal-based seasonings, including fish sauce, oyster sauce and shrimp paste, are excluded too.  But don't expect a festival of sad salads and steamed vegetables. Sizzling stir-fried noodles, crispy spring rolls, rich curries and peanut desserts give you plenty to work through. Beyond the food, it is a time for self-discipline, spiritual reflection and making merit. When is it? The festival falls during the ninth lunar month of the Chinese calendar, usually in September or October. In 2026, the nine-day observance runs October 10-18, with some devotees starting a preparatory day on October 9. Yaowarat’s festival runs October 9-18, while Chow Sue Kong Shrine in Talat Noi celebrates October 9-19. Individual temple ce

Bangkok is getting a night in Anyma’s sci-fi universe. The Italian-American producer brings Anyma Presents ÆDEN: Bangkok to MCOT Land in Huai Khwang on December 5, marking the audiovisual production’s first Southeast Asian presentation. Remember those towering CGI figures, robotic characters and surreal creatures taking over giant screens at Coachella? Yep, that’s the visual world we’re talking about. Those performances give a taste of Anyma’s approach: futuristic imagery moving with hypnotic electronic beats, with the screens carrying as much of the story as the music. The solo project of Matteo Milleri, Anyma combines melodic techno with digital art and meticulously staged performance. His recent work includes ‘Bad Angel’ with BLACKPINK’s LISA, pairing his cinematic electronic sound with her vocals. Their collaboration fits neatly into a world populated by characters somewhere between human and machine.  ÆDEN develops the world through cinematic visual storytelling, exploring the relationship between technology, nature and humanity. The interest lies in how the music and imagery work together, turning the dancefloor into part of the narrative.  Anyma’s website also promises supporting artists, though it does not yet name them. Check the organiser’s updates for the Bangkok line-up and set times as the date approaches.  The hype is real, with Tier 1 and Tier 2 tickets already sold out. Tier three at B4,300 and VIP standing at B8,000 are still available. Don’t miss your chance

Mango sticky rice, we love you, but it’s time to make room for the rest of Thailand’s sweet treats. KANOMTHAI Exchange brings a first-of-its-kind dessert swap at Haus of Thura this October 31 and November 1. In Thai, kanom covers sweets and snacks, and this event is all about celebrating the country’s sweet side in all its glorious forms. Ever tried som chun, khanom chor muang, bua loy, luk chup or tub tim grob? If those names have you scratching your head, don’t worry. This is your chance to taste these Thai classics and perhaps find a new favourite. From fragrant floral sweets to colourful mung bean treats and refreshing coconut desserts, there’s a whole world of Thai confectionery beyond the mango sticky rice you already know and love.  Set in Haus of Thura, a blue-and-yellow wooden house overlooking the river and Wat Paknam’s Big Buddha, it doesn’t get much more Thai than this. Expect a gathering of dessert lovers, with favourite local dessert spots joining the exchange to add even more sweetness to the mix. The concept is simple: bring your favourite Thai dessert and swap with other visitors. Planned extras include a cake box for collecting what’s billed as ‘unlimited’ sweets, a bedazzled hand-fan workshop, giveaways and live music between bites. Check the booking terms for collection limits, workshop inclusions and how much dessert you need to bring. Tickets cost B550 per day, with each afternoon running from 3pm-6pm. Bring something you’re happy to share, come hungry a

Still have your pink outfits from Barbie? Time to dust them off: Bangkok Community Theatre is bringing Legally Blonde the Musical to Bangkok Prep International School’s auditorium on Sukhumvit 77 for four performances on November 20-22. Elle Woods has a case to make, with a live band backing her up. Based on the film, the musical follows Elle as she trades California for Harvard Law School to win back her ex-boyfriend. What begins as a romantic mission becomes a lesson in proving people wrong with catchy tunes along the way. Pink remains very much in evidence.  Following the success of Mamma Mia in 2025, expect a show from Bangkok Community Theatre that's as bold, bubbly and brilliant as Elle Woods herself. The show is performed in English with Thai subtitles and runs for approximately two hours and 30 minutes, including a 15-minute interval. Planning a family outing? The organisers recommend the show for ages six and up, with under-threes not admitted. It contains mild language, suggestive content and a brief scene involving an unwanted sexual advance, so parental discretion is advised. There are flashing lights too. Seating is unreserved and first come, first served, so arrive early if you want to choose your spot. Food and non-alcoholic drinks will be available to buy at the theatre.  With just one weekend of shows, pick your performance before planning the pink outfit. There are evening slots on Friday and Saturday, plus Saturday and Sunday matinees. Get ready to slay in

Bangkok has been named the world’s best city in Condé Nast Traveller’s Readers’ Choice Awards 2026, scoring 97.68 out of 100 and beating some of the world’s most celebrated destinations. And it’s quite the comeback. Bangkok didn’t make the magazine’s top 20 last year, when Tokyo, Japan, took first place. This year, the Thai capital has claimed the crown, with Paris in second place, followed by Istanbul, Rome, Valletta, Shanghai, Tokyo and Seoul. But what makes Bangkok the best city in the world? Is it the fact that you can find a Michelin-recommended meal on one street and a ridiculously good plate of pad kra pao from a-hole-in-the wall on the next, without breaking the bank? The Grab bike riders you’d trust with your life? Or the 7-Eleven on practically every corner, ready with unlimited toasties, snacks and everything you need to satisfy those midnight cravings?  Of course, Bangkok’s charm goes beyond its food and convenience stores. This is a city where golden temples stand alongside glass skyscrapers, rooftop bars overlook tangled streets, and a quick coffee can turn into an entire afternoon adventure. There’s always something happening, somewhere to go and something new to eat. But it’s not all sunshine and smooth pavements. The traffic tests your patience, the heat can turn your mood in seconds, and the pavement you’re walking on can quite literally disappear without warning. Somehow, though, the city makes it work. Somewhere between the chaos and the convenience, Bangk

Thailand took patriotism to new heights – literally. On October 7 2026, ONE FLAG THAILAND unfurled a 399.76-square-metre Thai national flag above Pattaya Beach in Chonburi, in what the team says is a new world record for the largest flag flown in freefall skydiving. The red, white and blue flag exceeds the 171.46-square-metre Libyan flag listed on Guinness World Records’ public page from October 2025. It also tops the 297.29-square-metre American flag flown on December 7 2025, which the US Parachute Association says Guinness ratified. The skydiving team comprised Thanaboworn Sirikunakornku (SuperToom), Pailin Watson, Amy McClay, Likhit Wongtrakulpad, Varat Bisalbutr and Worakorn Suksanguan. Dr. Kirati Charoencholvanich, dean of Siriraj Hospital’s Faculty of Medicine, joined the mission and brought the flag down to Pattaya Beach. SuperToom already holds a Guinness World Record for the highest-altitude landing of a skydive/parachute jump. On March 14 2026, he landed at 5,442 metres above sea level on Ojos del Salado in Chile, the world’s highest active volcano. He has also skydived with a 150-square-metre Thai national flag over Mount Everest, an achievement the project says was certified by the Nepal Press Association. Getting that much fabric airborne took months of preparation and training. Thai Sky Adventures, which took part, explains that a giant flag creates substantial drag and reacts to wind, demanding careful handling and close coordination between the skydivers. Miss

If you’ve been in Thailand long enough, you’ve probably heard the term ‘farang’ enough times to know it means foreigner – and there’s a good chance the locals are talking about you. But we don’t judge a book by its cover. Being Thai isn’t just about what you look like. Maybe you don’t have a Thai passport, but your heart, stomach and questionable tolerance for spicy food might tell a different story. After all those trips, street-food adventures, motorbike rides and hard-earned lessons, it’s time to put your Thailand knowledge to the test.  Are you still a farang? An honorary local? Or basically Thai already? Take the quiz and let’s see.   1. How do you greet people?  0 points: With a handshake  1 point: Sawadeeka 2 points: Where have you been? 3 points: Have you eaten yet?   2. How do you say ‘tangmo’ three times in a row?   0 points: What does ‘tangmo’ mean? 1 point: You know it means watermelon, but why three times? 2 points: Tangmo! Tangmo! Tangmo! 3 points: You didn’t just say it – you sang it (correctly). For those still confused, Google ‘Tangmo Jintara’, a popular classic Thai country/pop song that can prove your Thai nationality, besides the actual Thai national anthem.   3. How comfortable are you wearing pajamas to your local 7-Eleven?  0 points: Never (unless there is a fire alarm) 1 point: Maybe if it looks more like loungewear 2 points: Occasionally, when I’m lazy 3 points: All the time, it’s basically my living room   4. What’s your go-to breakfast? 0 points: Oa

Don’t just eat your favourite Thai food – smell like it, too. Thai clothing brand GQ’s new Wear The Flavour collection features food-scented T-shirts inspired by eight familiar dishes and treats, from boat noodles and steamed pork buns to egg tarts and lychee jelly. At B299 each, you can smell like lunch without spilling down your front. The unboxing is part of the joke: GQ says opening the  packaging releases the scent of your chosen dish, like lifting the lid on a takeaway. Each shirt also comes with a scented sachet to help refresh the fragrance between wears. There are eight colours to match the eight scents, with unisex and women’s fits available. Dark brown boat noodles bring a streetwear feel, while warm beige egg tart leans towards the café crowd. Milk tablets come in nostalgic pastel blue, with lychee jelly in pink and butterfly pea khanom chan, the layered Thai dessert, in cerulean blue. For something fresher, menthol eucalyptus candy comes in sporty navy. Minimalists can opt for a white shirt scented like a steamed bun with minced pork filling or an all-black version inspired by black sesame glutinous rice balls. Before you retire your usual fragrance, GQ says these scents are designed to be noticed close to the fabric. How long they last depends on wear and care; the brand recommends returning the clean, dry shirt to its box with the sachet to refresh it. That leaves one question: what happens when boat noodles meet BO after a long, sweaty Bangkok day? A new signa

Anyone who has landed at Suvarnabhumi Airport after a long flight knows that the holiday feeling can fade fast in a slow-moving immigration queue. For some travellers, though, arrival in Thailand is about to become a little quicker. Thailand is expanding its automated border control at Suvarnabhumi Airport to passport holders from 31 additional nationalities. That brings the eligible total to 33, allowing more foreign arrivals to use the auto gates instead of joining the regular staffed immigration queue. There are a few conditions. Travellers must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card before arrival. First-time visitors must still use a staffed immigration counter so their biometric data can be collected. The system is also being rolled out in phases, so holding an eligible passport does not guarantee that every traveller will be able to use an auto gate immediately.  So, who can use Thailand’s Suvarnabhumi auto gates? Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Passports from the United States, China, Taiwan and India are not included for now, so those travellers must continue to use the regular immigration queue on arrival.