Meena Janekrabuanhad

Apple’s highly anticipated iPhone Duo has been making headlines, but so have reviews of software and hardware issues – the kind that has you considering answering Samsung’s plea to switch over after all these years. But before making any impulsive purchases, we’ve crunched the numbers and put together a pretty convincing case on what that several months’ worth of paycheck can get you in Thailand instead. From island-hopping, enough Muay Thai lessons to go pro and a lifetime supply of 7-Eleven toasties, it might just make you want to upgrade your holiday rather than your phone. Another phone model will come along. Your current human model is only getting older. Here are alternative ways to spend the same B79,900 in Thailand 1 iPhone Duo OR 2,282 7-Eleven toasties This one’s for the people in the maths problems. That’s one toastie a day for more than 6 years. While the regular ham and cheese is currently priced at B29 we used the B35 ham and cheese croissant for those who prefer something a bit fancier or in case of inflation. 1 iPhone Duo crackgate OR 1,331 freshly cracked coconuts Did you even come to Thailand if you didn’t watch someone chop open a fresh coconut? At B60 each, the budget buys 1,331, or roughly 3.6 a day for a year. As for the other crack: some early iPhone Duo owners have reported broken inner screens, though the scale of the problem remains unclear. Which cracking sound would you rather hear? 1 creased iPhone Duo OR 1,598 perfectly folded crispy rotis Watch

Forget Casper the Friendly Ghost and the fake villains getting unmasked in Scooby-Doo. Thai ghosts have serious form: Krasue flies with her organs dangling, Mae Nak refuses to let death end her marriage and Pee Pob has an appetite for internal organs. Rooted in folk beliefs, Buddhist teachings and stories passed down through generations, Thailand’s supernatural scene has plenty of contenders for a Halloween showdown. So we’re pitting them against Sadako Yamamura, Beetlejuice, Annabelle and other international horror legends to see who gets sent back to the grave. Again. Welcome to the Battle of the Boos. Some competitors are ghosts, others are monsters or magical beings. Folklore and film versions vary, so we’ve named particular screen incarnations where it matters. The scores and winners? Entirely our call based on our deepest fears and our most scaredy-cat writer. Prepare yourselves, it’s going to get boo-tal.

Sprite, Boy, Love, First, Bank, Ice – what do they have in common? They’re all Thai nicknames. Thailand has never shied away from an unconventional name and it’s music scene follows suit. The Jukks take their cue from an armpit, Serious Bacon bring breakfast into indie pop and Pancake make pop rock sound like a dessert order. Add ModernDog’s alternative rock and Big Ass’s guitar anthems and you’ve got a playlist with plenty to explain before you even press play. These are the Thai bands whose funny names come with songs worth knowing.

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

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)

Holidays are for loved ones, so why should the four-legged members of the family miss out? Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok’s The Festive Paw-lidays runs from December 1 2026 to January 3 2027, with Champagne afternoon tea and Italian dinners at Ms.Jigger, seafood feasts and gingerbread decorating at Stock.Room, plus rooftop countdowns at Bar.Yard and Maa-Lai Library. At this pet-friendly hotel in Langsuan, the furry ones get their own hamper, too. Kick off the holiday season with paws and presents Photograph: Kimpton Maa-Lai BangkokBangkok The festivities get an early start on November 20 2026, when the hotel unveils its lobby Christmas tree in collaboration with Bangkok design studio THINKK Studio. An ornament-making and dog toy workshop gives you a chance to put your own creative Christmas spin on a one-of-a-kind gift. Speaking of presents, the Merry Maa-Lai Hampers collection includes a Pet Hamper at B1,777 net, alongside festive goodies for humans. Pre-orders are open, with collection from November 1 2026 to January 10 2027. Order at least three days ahead. That's one more name crossed off the nice list. ’Tis the season for festive feasting Photograph: Kimpton Maa-Lai BangkokBangkok For the humans, there's plenty to get excited about, too. Ms.Jigger and Ruby’s embrace their feline side with ‘Purr-fect Festive Tales’, inspired by a rather sophisticated black cat. From December 1 2026 to January 3 2027, Ms.Jigger’s Festive Afternoon Tea pairs specially created sweet and savoury

Wedding season is sneaking up, and you still don’t have anything to wear for the big day? Nordic Bespoke Tailor on Sukhumvit Soi 18 has a 24-hour express suit service to get grooms, brides and wedding guests fully suited without the usual weeks-long wait. Nordic Bespoke Tailor has been tailoring in Bangkok since 1999, crafting bespoke business suits, classic tuxedos, and wedding-day ensembles for both men and women. You choose the cut and fabric rather than hoping something off the rack will do. Entry packages start at B7,900 for a jacket, trousers, shirt and tie or scarf, with the final quote depending on cloth and design. Women’s tailoring includes trouser suits and blazers, alongside dresses, blouses and skirts for you to be the best-dressed guest there. Whether you want a polished office look or something more formal for a wedding, the point is to have the clothes cut to your proportions, rather than squeeze yourself into a standard size. Photograph: Nordic Bespoke TailorBangkok The process starts with your measurements, preferred silhouette, personal style and fabric. Nordic’s range includes lightweight wool, cashmere blends and airy linen fabrics. Especially handy in Bangkok, where looking put-together and not getting overheated can sometimes feel like two competing dress codes. Photograph: Nordic Bespoke TailorBangkok Those visiting Bangkok and hoping to squeeze in a suit before heading home, book ahead and confirm your fabric, fitting slot, final price and deadlin

Bangkok's heat has you hiding indoors? Another Yard at SUBSOLUM brings the countryside upstairs, with rolling green hills, drifting mist and drinks and light snacks from Newstand on the 39th floor of T-ONE Building, Sukhumvit 40. The indoor landscape is due to open on November 14, giving the Thong Lo area a greener-looking place to take a breather. Between the UV umbrellas, sunglasses, sun jackets and generous layers of sunscreen, getting outside can feel like an expedition before you’ve even left the pavement. Here, the hiking boots can stay at home. So can any ambitions of conquering a summit (unless it’s by elevator). The project follows SUBSOLUM’s Quiet Room, which ran until November 5 and invited visitors to do absolutely nothing among white floor cushions and sweeping city views. Another Yard gives the raw industrial space a countryside makeover, setting soft green contours against Bangkok’s skyline.  That distinction gives the idea a little more bite than another photogenic green corner. How much do we love nature itself, and how much do we love the version where we can turn down the heat? You can ponder that over a drink or simply enjoy the unlikely pairing of hills and high-rises. Newstand is providing drinks and light snacks, so there’s something to sip while you slow down. After all, sometimes the best way to enjoy the outdoors in Bangkok might be to bring it inside. November 14-December 9 2026. Must purchase a drink/snack at Newstand to enter, T-ONE Building, 39th

Being single finally has its financial perks. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Single Journey 2026 campaign brings singles together for free activities, from riding the Royal Blossom train to Kanchanaburi to beach time in Khao Lak and a coffee meet cute at Charter Bangkok in Thonglor.  Under the theme ‘Single and Loving It? Let’s Travel Together’, the campaign has eight total events designed to encourage shared adventures and support local tourism. No need to wait for a friend to be free, plan a solo trip all by yourself or keep postponing that thing you wanted to do. Your plus-one could be someone you haven’t met.  The first Pattaya rooftop film night has passed and registration for the sound bath at Sea Life Bangkok and hiking in Chiang Mai has closed but here are the later five events now open for registration and for fellow singles to mingle. Ride a train from Bangkok to Kanchanaburi on November 18 Choo choo-se some new company aboard the SRT Royal Blossom, travelling from Hua Lamphong through Nakhon Pathom to Kanchanaburi. There are 80 spaces so possibly 79 new friends. Applications close November 6 at noon – plenty of reason to get on board before the deadline. Run through Bangkok’s old town on November 21  Morning Run Party pairs a run through historic streets with team challenges and landmark photo stops. There are 120 spaces and applications close November 9 at 11.59pm. Don’t pull a Cinderella and leave it until midnight. You might find someone who can keep up wit

The comeback of the year? The legend that never goes out of style? That has to be Hello Kitty. And now, Thai fans are getting the full Sanrio experience as Thailand’s first-ever Sanrio Sweet Café opens at Central Chidlom on November 14 2026.  Those who are a fan of the Sanrio universe, don’t worry the whole gang will be there including Kuromi, Pompompurin, Cinnamoroll and My Melody. So, whether you’ve been obsessed with Hello Kitty since you were little or have a soft post for Kuromi’s mischievous charm, there’s plenty to look forward to. We’re expecting desserts and Sanrio merchandise, though the menu, prices and product range still need confirming. Before you spend your entire pay cheque on sweets and drinks, remember to save a little for the shop. After all, what’s one more Sanrio keychain in a collection that stopped being sensible 10 plushies ago? Find it on the fifth floor of Central Chidlom from November 14 and get ready to plan a very sweet café date with your fellow Sanrio-obsessed friends!

A little shelf indulgence is in order: the Neilson Hays Library Book Sale returns to Bang Rak from November 14-22 2026, with free entry and pre-loved fiction and non-fiction, mostly in English. Classic novels and contemporary reads are part of the hunt at this twice-yearly fundraiser on Surawong Road. Just skip November 16, when the library is closed. The stock combines community donations with books withdrawn from the library’s own shelves, including a smaller selection in other languages. You might turn up a novel you’ve been meaning to read or leave with something you’d never have searched for. Book prices start at B20 and proceeds support the historic library’s upkeep and its educational and arts programmes. Not to encourage your book-buying habit or anything, but that’s a decent excuse to pick up an extra title. Don’t count on a catalogue to plan your haul or a spare copy of the book that catches your eye. Leave time to dig around for a new read. If your own shelves need some breathing room, give a few well-loved reads a second life by donating them. The library also welcomes volunteers to help with book sales, including sorting, pricing and cashiering. Message its social media page for donation details and available shifts. November 14-22 2026, closed November 16. Free admission. Neilson Hays Library, 195 Surawong Road, Bang Rak. 9:30am-5pm. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Neilson Hays Library (@neilson.hays.library)  

Come for the bratwurst, stay for the bands. One Oktoberfest 2026 brings German food, communal tables and five days of live music to One Bangkok Park from October 28-November 1 2026, with burgers from 25°, pasta from Pete’s Pasta and sets by H3F, Safeplanet, LANDOKMAI and Phum Viphurit. Halloween parties on October 30-31 give you another reason to dress up for dinner. Pull up a chair for German classics Photograph: One BangkokOne Oktoberfest The festival opens with a ceremonial keg tapping at 6pm on October 28. After that, grab a spot at the Long Table communal seating area, with drinks from European and Asian brands to choose from. Food comes from restaurants and food trucks: 25° serves burgers, Pete’s Pasta rolls fresh pasta and Alexander’s German Eatery brings hot dogs and honey ham. There’s also pork knuckle, bratwurst and giant pretzels, alongside smoky barbecue, fish and chips and desserts. Pick your night for live music Photograph: One BangkokOne Oktoberfest 2026 Jazz and swing start from 6pm, with a programme featuring The Stumblrs, Hot Club of Siam, Jelly Roll Jazz Club, Penny and the Cats and a show by The Hop. Concerts and DJ sets follow from 7pm-11pm: H3F, Purpeech and DJ Bestboi play October 28; YENTED, The Paradise Bangkok and DJ Abouttime take October 29; Asia 7, Safeplanet and DJ Kenny follow on October 30. LANDOKMAI, Phum Viphurit and DJ Dee Iris play Halloween night on October 31, before WIM, Burin and DJ PM8 close things out on November 1. The Halloween

Bangkok knows a thing or two about looking after visitors: traditional Thai wellness, massages that hurt so good and five-star hospitality are all part of the appeal. The city’s established medical sector also draws international patients considering facial rejuvenation. But deciding where and with whom to have surgery takes more than a quick scroll through Instagram. Thailand has experienced, board-certified surgeons and internationally accredited hospitals, but you’ll need to check the credentials and aftercare arrangements for your chosen procedure. Beauty Butler, a Bangkok-based, English-speaking medical concierge, coordinates surgeons, hospitals, accommodation, transfers and aftercare through its team of coordinators and nurses. Your face deserves rather more consideration than a last-minute hotel upgrade. First things first, let’s talk Photograph: Beauty ButlerBangkok Before booking flights, start with a consultation. Beauty Butler offers a free video call with the surgeon before any deposit is required, giving you time to discuss your goals and gripes and agree on a proposed plan. Ask about the surgeon’s experience, the recommended technique, potential risks and aftercare once you leave hospital. Get it all on the table before getting on the table yourself. Different faces, different facelifts Photograph: Beauty ButlerBangkok A facelift calls for an individual approach: what to lift, what to leave alone and how to aim for a result that still feels like you. For som

Those art-history textbook pages are about to feel a little closer to home. Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse lead Muse: Beyond Human, a free exhibition at Dib26 on Sukhumvit 26 from October 27-30 2026. The four-day show pairs Picasso’s Nu couché et musicien (1967) and Matisse’s Femme en costume oriental (1920) with contemporary art and selections from Dib Bangkok’s collection. Organised by Dib Bangkok with support from Christie’s, the exhibition forms part of the Bangkok Art Biennale Collateral Program, with special thanks to UOB and Bangkok University. The contemporary line-up includes Peihang Benoit, Natee Utarit and Dana Schutz, so there’s good reason to look beyond the two headline names. Photograph: Biography, Ordovas | Pablo Picasso (left) , Henri Matisse (right)Artists The two paintings are reported to have a combined value of more than B200 million. Picasso’s work revisits the relationship between artist and model, replacing the painter with a musician playing beside a reclining nude. Matisse’s portrait, painted in Nice in 1920, depicts a model in a striped robe. Seeing the originals offers a chance to look at details that can get lost in a textbook reproduction. Photograph: Femme en costume oriental (1920)Henri Matisse The thread connecting the works is the muse: the person or subject an artist transforms through imagination. The exhibition considers how portraiture and depictions of the human figure reflect the artist’s perspective as much as the sitter’s identit

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