Time Out Thailand

Yes we know Chiang Mai has an electric music scene on any given week but we’re loving the variety of gigs and concerts in the coming days. Classical chamber recitals, charitable DJ sets, heartfelt folk and seven different shades of punk await the avid listener. We’ve got Bach, Mozart and Fauré performed at 137 Pillars House and more Bach paired with art and afternoon tea up at the Four Seasons; a cosy but not quaint folk gig at everyone’s favourite surrogate living room, Kindred Studio; while the punks are out in force at Yoda’s CNX Gallery who have not one but two nights of noise for us this weekend. And if that doesn’t sound like enough to get your teeth stuck into there’s delightfully pagan goings on at the Baltic Midsummer Festival, two pizazz filled cocktail loving Pride parties, a charitable dance off at Deaf Shop and a rainy season perfect film night at Alliance Francais. Raincoats at the ready – let’s be having it.

Is rainy season Thailand’s answer to cuffing season? We think so. Is Chiang Mai the most romantic corner of Thailand? Again, yes, we think so too. And while we’re the city’s greatest advocates for going out no matter the weather, staying in and cosying up to your crush sure is cute. So why not both? Go out, to a hotel, and stay in.  The city is awash with hotels perfect for romancing – we’ve got elegant treehouse love nests, boutique retreats, incredibly pretty timewarp stays, arty boltholes, mountainside idylls and even a cheeky love hotel. Whatever floats your love boat. So treat yourself, your partner(s) or the latest situationship and book a weekend at one of these romantic hotel spots in Chiang Mai.

The southernmost point of Thailand’s Muay Thai triangle — with Bangkok and Chiang Mai completing the circuit — and easily the beachiest, Phuket is now home to nearly 40 Muay Thai gyms and camps. With that much choice and plenty of quality, narrowing it down can feel a little overwhelming.  Before we get into the heavy hitters, a quick nod to the island’s smaller family-run gyms, which are often the best places for beginners to find their footing thanks to smaller, more personal classes. Keh Muay Thai, Pasak Muay Thai Gym and Surin Beach Muay Thai Gym are all solid picks, and there are plenty more tucked across the island if you know where to look.  That said, when ‘Eye of the Tiger’ starts playing in your head, these are the big names worth stepping in the ring for.

Chiang Mai has long worn the crown as Thailand’s unofficial vegan capital – and after living (and eating) here for the past few years, I can confirm the title isn’t just hyperbole.   When I first moved north in 2021 as a dairy-free vegetarian, I genuinely couldn’t believe my luck. What started as relief quickly turned into curiosity, and while researching a piece for a UK newspaper, I found myself digging into the city’s plant-based roots.   Aside from the ‘jay’ vegan eateries clustered around the city’s bigger temples – shout-out to Ming Kwan, Suan Dok’s long-running vegan favourite now relocated to Moon Muang Soi 6 – fully fledged plant-based restaurants were once a rarity. Rewind all the way back to 1982 and you’ll find Chiang Mai’s first, Aum Vegetarian, one of Chiang Mai’s original meat-free pioneers. Back then, the scene here already felt generous – especially when every other tofu dish still came with minced pork. But since those early days it's snowballed, with almost 400 restaurants now listed with vegan options on Happy Cow, every travelling vegan’s go-to restaurant resource, aside from Time Out that is.  So, in the interest of research (and with the loosest trousers I own), I hit the streets again to track down the very best in town. Some are new and some stalwart, but all are absolutely delicious.   Check out Chiang Mai’s best farm-to-table restaurants Keep up the health fix with a visit to Chiang Mai’s best yoga studios

MuseArt Chiang Mai’s second outing of the weekend, ‘Pairing’, is an intimate afternoon tea concert that brings together music, art and Mae Rim-zen at Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. Violist Tasana Nagavajara will be performing Bach’s Suites for Violoncello Solo, paired with the artworks of Chatchawan Nilsakul, creating a dialogue between sound and vision. The ticket includes Four Seasons’ delectable afternoon tea, and is best booked in advance as seats are numbered. 21 June. B2400 via ticketmelon. Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai. 2.30pm-4.30pm

As we say, it’s a packed weekend at Yoda’s and Saturday night promises to be an absolute riff fest. Emo shoegaze trio Dist-Sphere are opening the show with their distortion-heavy grooves, followed by angular post-punk grit from Dada Sun. Then fresh off the back of their Parts People EP release we’re expecting a banger A-set from local art-punks Terror Terror who’ve promised to finally introduce their mysterious sixth member to the public, before dreamy indie pop four piece Sunpurr close the night sometime in the wee hours. 20 June. B200. Yoda’s CNX Gallery. 8pm-late

Pride party number two of the weekend is another banger, as MAI The Sky Bar welcomes the fierce drag queens and kings of BLOW Entertainment to the highest rooftop bar in the city for some raucous numbers. Meanwhile two brilliant mixologists go head to head, MAI The Sky Bar’s own Khun Dino and visiting Khun Santos from HONG’s Sky Bar are shaking up bold Pride-themed cocktails all night. Entrance is free, but it’s best to call 052 090 600 or email maiskybar@meliachiangmai.com to reserve a table. 20 June. Free. Rooftop at MAI The Sky Bar, Melia Chiang Mai. 6pm-11pm

Folk around and find out on Saturday at Pong Noi’s Kindred Studio, the undeniably perfect setting for a cosy evening of live folk music. Get there early to bag your spot on the sofas as two singer-songwriters take the stage. Meg Norquoy and Austin Hughes are joint headlining, performing their respective original tracks at our favourite surrogate living room. If you’re a fan of poetry, lyricism and feeling things, this one’s for you.  20 June. B200. Kindred Studio. 7pm-11pm

Celebrated with great aplomb across Scandinavia and the Baltic nations, Midsummer marks the longest day of the year, so if you’re from that part of the world or just Midsummer-curious, head to the Baltic Midsummer Festival at the beautifully retro Anusarn Sanpakoi. This year the organisers are exploring how Baltic and Northern Thai cultures express connection to land and place and the activities link Lanna and Scandi practices, from working with herbs and fresh flowers to make crowns and yadom, learning folk dance from both regions and getting nimble at bonfire rituals, with folk and tribal DJs setting the scene all night. 20 June. B100. Anusarn Sanpakoi, Wat Ket. Tickets here. 6pm-10pm

MuseArt Chiang Mai is on a roll this week, with lovingly curated Chamber Music concerts cropping up in some of the city’s finest venues. Saturday’s recital is hosted at heritage hotel 137 Pillars House, which is a treat in and of itself and a massive slice of Chiang Mai history. Accomplished trio Tasana Nagavajara (Viola), Jonas Dept (Piano) and Nutt Kasemsant (Clarinet) will be playing the hits by Bach, Mozart and Fauré. Ticket prices include a welcome glass of wine and canapés. And with only 100 seats available, this one’s very special.  20 June. B1450. 137 Pillars House. Get tickets on ticketmelon. 5.30pm-10.30 pm

The first of this weekend’s Pride parties comes with Latino flair as mixologist in residence Benz Naphat will be slinging his signature tequila cocktails crafted with Teremana Tequila, from Blanco to Reposado and Añejo. DJs will be turning up the volume as the booze doth flow, plus there’s 15 percent off food and beverages for those of you who turn up in your best Pride attire. 19 June. Free entry. The Wang Bar, Chiang Mai Marriott Hotel. Call 053-253-666 to reserve a spot. 7pm-late

Forget Duo Lingo! Promoters and celebrators of all things French, Alliance Française are screening a programme of gripping films this month. Friday sees thriller Le Mohican take to their big screen, a razor sharp tale of a Corsican shepherd taking on local mobsters as he refuses to sell his coastal land to criminals. Eeek. 19 June. B100. Alliance Francaise. 8pm-10.30pm

The champs at Deaf Shop are throwing a fundraiser shebang on Friday, ‘Let’s Beat Breast Cancer’, for friend and regular Lexi who’s seeking urgent cancer treatment that costs a fair bob. So if you’ve been meaning to check out Deaf Shop, now’s a great time to go, especially if you’re feeling charitable. Expect the usual inimitable vinyl-only DJ sets as well as extra sparkle and magic with tarot readings, face and body painting, a raffle with great prizes and a second hand market to dig through. 19 June. Free Entry (Donations at the door). Deaf Shop. 6pm-late

There’s a lot going on at Yoda’s CNX Gallery this weekend, one of our favourite live music spots in the city (no frills, just vibes). Thursday sees Chiang Mai’s extremely welcoming punk community give the stage to Hong Kong noise band David Boring for what promises to be a very raucous show. Support comes from local legends Echo Resort, Monkeys A Lot and Pasha Plohoy & Gangue who’ll be playing indie, post-punk and shoegaze, so a lovely heady mix all round. 18 June. B222. Yoda’s CNX Gallery. 8pm-late

Spend the day outside at this special edition of art in the park, a joyful melody of movement and creativity. Bring your skates, sketchbook and curiosity. There’s light art supplies available to share, music in the background and a space that welcomes all levels whether you’re a seasoned skater, a casual doodler or just craving a little more play in your day. 14 June. Donation based. Chiang Mai Railway Station Park. 2pm-6pm

In keeping with their vegan menu and eco-conscious store that sells second hand items and has a refill station for all your toiletries, the lovelies at Free Bird Cafe are hosting sustainability minded, green friendly creative workshops this weekend. Pop along on Saturday to try soymilk painting and food waste dyeing workshop from 10am to 1.30pm or the intriguing and probably quite intricate rust printing and dyeing workshop on Sunday June 14th, from 12:30pm for just over three hours. Wear something you don’t mind getting messy, you’ve been warned!  13-14 June. Various costs. Free Bird Cafe. 10am (13 June) and 12.30pm (14 June)