Tita Honghirunkham

Bangkok’s book scene is having a quietly excellent moment. Beyond the usual shop-and-go routine, the city is leaning into more social, more experiential ways to read: bilingual book clubs, thriller discussions over wine and heritage spaces turned into treasure hunts for pre-loved finds. Whether you’re trying to clear a long-neglected reading pile or just want an excuse to be around people who actually finish books, there’s plenty happening right now. And with the year’s biggest fair still to come, this is just the warm-up. Here’s our reading radar for 2026 so far. 

Each year, the travel world looks to TIME’s World's Greatest Places – a curated list of 100 standout destinations, from hotels and trains to national parks and restaurants, selected by its global network of editors for what’s new, newsworthy and genuinely worth your time. The 2026 edition (released Mar 12) puts Thailand firmly on the map – five times over. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the line-up spans a striking mix: DaiDib DaiDee in Nan, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok, The Blue Jasmine Train, Khao Yai Art Forest and Dib Bangkok all made the cut. As TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool notes, the selections ‘reflect the breadth of the country's tourism appeal, spanning heritage hospitality, luxury rail travel and contemporary art.’  In other words: Thailand's travel story is looking a lot more layered than just sun and sand.  

The heat at street level in Bangkok can be punishing at times. Rise above it though and the skyline turns genuinely spectacular. Crucially, the rain rarely shows up at sunset either, which means the city stays dry most evenings throughout the year. In many ways Bangkok feels almost engineered for drinking outdoors at height. The scene has been building for a while. Moon Bar at Vertigo opened back in 2002 and has been considered one of the world's great high-altitude bars ever since. Then The Hangover Part II landed in 2011 and put Sky Bar on just about every bucket list going. Dozens more rooftop bars followed in its wake. Two decades on, Bangkok's rooftop culture is less a passing trend and more an entire ecosystem – sky-high spectacle venues, design-led cocktail lounges, lively party bars, river-view terraces and even a few quieter park-facing spots. So whether you're after a landmark experience, a serious cocktail above the green lung of Lumphini Park or a full evening of Nikkei cuisine 60 floors up, the city has a version of it waiting. The only real challenge is deciding which one to start with. Here's where to go.

To stay sane in Bangkok heat during Songkran, you've got options. Shaved ice, juice bars, even the fleeting seasonal flex that is khao chae. But here we are spotlighting a different kind of internationall cool – Italian gelato! It arrived on the back of Thailand's Italian restaurant boom, settled into the mall food halls and boutique side streets and never left. Gelato is churned slower and served at a slightly warmer temperature than standard ice cream, giving it a denser, creamier texture and a more intense flavour hit – exactly what you want when 40-something-degree heat is trying to end you. Here are ten spots across Bangkok and the greater metro area with the greatest scoops.

When it’s blazing hot, you might as well match the weather.  Let’s look at the brighter-than-the-Bangkok-sky side of Thai summers – it’s prime time to set yourself free with beach fashion. Hitting Pattaya, kicking back in Hua Hin, or lounging poolside in the city – either way, sun chasers need their bikinis! The best way to commit to enjoying the heat – or pretending to  – is to shop local swimwear. Thai designers are inspired by everything – childhood memories, eco-friendliness, Thai patterns, silk – anything that sparks a story in their swimwear. So whether you’re an extreme-sports enthusiast or a vitamin D-soaking, pose-perfecting sun worshipper, we’ve been thinking of you. Here are 10 brands handpicked as must-haves for riding out the heat this season.

At most shrines listed here: dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), remove shoes where indicated and approach with the same sincerity the locals bring.  Songkran – Thailand's glorious new year – officially runs from April 13 to 15. It marks the sun's move into Aries on the traditional astrological calendar, a moment Thais have celebrated for centuries as a time of cleansing, renewal and fresh starts. Water is the whole point: it washes away the old year's bad luck and blesses whatever comes next. While half the city is weaponising water guns on Silom and RCA, a deeply moving ritual plays out in parallel: the annual pilgrimage to Bangkok's shrines.  Before the buckets come out, Thais light incense, make offerings and ask the gods for a head start on the year – a tradition that long predates every DJ booking and foam cannon currently on the lineup. (Not yet sorted on that front? We've got every party and wet stage worth hitting this Songkran right here and for the dry-hair contingent, how to have a brilliant dry Songkran and still have the time of your life). The good news is that in Bangkok, there's always room for both the sacred and the soaking wet. Whether you're a true believer or a respectful sceptic along for the ride, here are the shrines worth a stop this Songkran – or any time you need a little reassurance that someone, somewhere, is tipping things in your favour, be it career breakthroughs, burning love, cold hard cash or even a lucky lottery number!

This isn't a wellness article. There's no advice here about what you should or shouldn't do after sex. It's simply a selection of writing that explores love, longing and relationships through language that feels beautiful and honest. The list moves between worlds: a Japanese novel you can find in English translation, a Thai novel that's made the crossing too, and three Thai titles that still await the wider readership they deserve.  If you read Thai, you're in luck across the board. If you don't – Norwegian Wood and The Blind Earthworm in the Labyrinth are both available in English. Here are five books worth reading after sex.

It's April, Bangkok is 40-something degrees and someone is definitely about to blast you with a supersoaker.  Songkran is the one time of year your outfit actually needs a strategy – fast-drying fabrics, prints that survive a soaking, silhouettes that hold up from the first water gun to the last street party.  This year, shop local and look chic doing it – eight Thai brands worth wearing into the chaos. Not sure where to take the outfit for a spin? We've got the best Songkran water fight zones in Bangkok covered for that here.   Happy splashing! 🎉

While a bouquet of flowers may bring a smile, a thoughtfully crafted dish has the power to touch the heart. From classic Western cuisine to modern Thai or Asian fusion, the perfect meal creates a lasting impression – especially when shared in the right setting with someone special. This Valentine’s Day, if you’re seeking a memorable culinary experience to share with your love, explore our handpicked suggestions for dishes that exude passion and romance.

The official public holiday may run from April 13-15, but add in the weekend before, things start rolling from next Saturday. Give it a good five to six days if you want the full arc. Songkran is one of those rare experiences where stepping outside almost guarantees you’ll get drenched – so much one of a kind that in 2023 Unesco formally recognised Songkran as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Songkran marks the Thai new year, rooted in the Sanskrit ‘saṃkrānti’ – meaning 'stepping into'. The water has a meaning. Every drop is, in theory, washing something away: bad luck, the weight of the past year, whatever you're carrying into April. This year the government, the tourism authority and the retail sector have invested hundreds of millions of baht building what they're calling a 'festival economy' – better infrastructure, more organised zones, bigger productions.  Bangkok during Songkran runs on two tracks. Early mornings are all incense and stillness, families reconnecting, scented water poured over the hands of elders. By mid-morning, the switch flips: communal, chaotic, loud. Here’s what’s on our radar, though the party list is definitely far from finished.

Availability and pricing confirmed for the 2026 season. Not all restaurants list specific service windows, so always call ahead or book through official channels – several require advance reservations and operate limited daily quantities. Another round of hot-season essentials, coming right up. First, though: have you actually met khao chae? In the most reductive translation possible, khao chae is rice soaked in cool jasmine-spiked water. That description, however, does it roughly the same justice as calling Muay Thai a bout light cardio. But first, a bit of history.: Khao chae is a dish with centuries of court intrigue behind it, a recipe born from the convergence of two cultures and a preparation method so meticulous that most serious restaurants will only offer it for a matter of weeks. The story begins not in a Bangkok kitchen but in the Mon kingdoms of what is now Myanmar. The Mon people have long observed Thingyan, their version of the Songkran water festival and their custom of eating cool rice in scented water during the hottest time of year travelled with them as communities migrated into Siam. It was, in those early days, less refined meal than practical ritual – a way to stay cool and mark the season. The royal chapter arrived during the reign of King Rama IV in the mid-nineteenth century, through Chao Chom Manda Sonklin (the king's wife of Mon ancestry) who introduced the dish to the palace kitchen. And what the palace kitchen touched, it transformed. King Rama V

The competition for your thirst this year has never been fiercer. Bangkok's juice bar scene has evolved from simple refreshment stops into full-blown lifestyle destinations – popping up across hip community malls and planting flags smack in the middle of the CBD. With the self-care wave that's swept through 2026 showing absolutely zero signs of slowing, the battle isn't just being fought on flavour anymore. Juice bars are bringing their A-game on value, from wildly Instagrammable glassware to packing every single order with serious nutritional firepower. So Time Out has done the rounds – and pulled together 10 juice bar landmarks that cover all the bases: healthy, refreshing and downright cool.

Twice a year, one of Bangkok's most beautiful heritage buildings turns into a book lover’s playground. The Neilson Hays Library’s biannual sale spreads hundreds of titles across its neoclassical interiors, with prices starting from just B20. Stock covers fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, cookbooks and more, in both Thai and English. The smart move is to go more than once – titles rotate daily, so what’s not there today might appear tomorrow. Even if you leave empty-handed (unlikely), the setting alone is worth it. Founded in 1869 and housed in its current building since 1921, the library still carries its original details – from wooden shelves to ceiling fans – alongside more recent recognition, including a UNESCO conservation award. When: May 16-24 (closed May 18), 9.30am-5pmWhere: Neilson Hays Library, SurawongPrice: Free entry

Not all book fairs need crowds and queues. The Bank of Thailand Learning Centre offers something more relaxed: a three-day fair by the Chao Phraya that blends browsing with lingering. Beyond a solid mix of publishers and genres, the event layers in workshops, live music and a riverside reading zone that actually encourages you to sit down rather than rush through. There’s also access to the centre’s museum and learning spaces, which makes this feel more like a day out than a quick shop. It only comes around once a year, so it’s worth blocking out properly. When: July 10-12, 10am-6.30pmWhere: BOT Learning Centre, SamsenPrice: Free entry Full details: botlc.or.th

A book discussion that assumes you’ve actually done the reading. This session from Read Me Again centres on Uketsu’s Strange Pictures, a Japanese mystery that’s been gaining traction for good reason. Held at Bo BKK around sunset, the format is guided rather than performative – expect prompts, small-group exchanges and a steady conversation flow in either Thai or English. After that, it opens up into casual networking with a glass of wine in hand. It’s low-pressure but not low-effort: turning up without finishing the book is the only real faux pas here. When: May 17, 5pm-6pmWhere: Bo BKK, SathonPrice: B750 (includes one glass of wine) Reserve your spot here.

If your reading list has been stuck in “I’ll get to it”, this is a solid reset. theWHOLESOME Book Club teams up with Read Me Again for guided sessions at The Commons Thonglor, split neatly into Thai and English back-to-back discussions – join whichever suits, or stay for both. The upcoming line-up keeps things current without being predictable. May leans into BookTok with It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover; June shifts to Pride Month with The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller; July goes more literary with Han Kang’s Greek Lessons. Expect structured prompts, a relaxed crowd and just enough moderation to keep things moving. Snacks are included, which helps. When: May 16, June 20, July 18, 2pm-3pm (Thai), 3.30pm-4.30pm (English)Where: The Commons ThonglorPrice: B329 (includes snacks)

At the opposite end of the spectrum, DaiDib DaiDee strips things back completely. Set on a small permaculture farm in Pua district, this family-run stay is intentionally low-tech. Guests arrive by tractor, sleep in bamboo huts or shared dorms, and take part in daily farm life — from rice planting to cooking meals with ingredients grown on-site. There’s no Wi-Fi, no fixed schedule, and no attempt to polish the experience. That’s exactly the point. It’s immersive, hands-on and quietly grounding — a reminder that travel doesn’t always need an itinerary. Where: Pua District, NanBooking: Direct via daidibdaidee.com or email daidibdaidee.backtothenature@gmail.com

Bangkok’s contemporary art scene gets a serious upgrade with Dib Bangkok, a 7,000sqm museum set inside a former 1980s warehouse near Khlong Toei. Designed by Kulapat Yantrasast, the building strips back to raw concrete while preserving original Thai-Chinese details. The standout feature is a sawtooth skylight that floods galleries with soft natural light — ideal for the museum’s ambitious programming. The inaugural show, (In)visible Presence, runs until Aug 3, 2026, featuring 81 works from 40 Thai and international artists. It’s polished, expansive, and clearly built with global ambition. Where: Sukhumvit Soi 40 Hours: Thu-Mon 10am-7pm (closed Tue-Wed) Entry: B550 (Thai) / B700 (non-Thai) dibbangkok.org

Launched in Nov 2025, The Blue Jasmine Train is less about getting somewhere and more about how you move through the country. This nine-day Bangkok–Chiang Mai loop carries just 37 guests, with only two nights spent on board. The rest unfolds across curated stops: temple hopping in Ayutthaya, almsgiving in Uthai Thani, pottery in Sukhothai and an ethical elephant sanctuary visit in Chiang Mai. The train itself is a standout – restored 1960s Japanese sleeper cars, reworked with teak interiors and Thai textiles. Butler service is included, but the tone stays relaxed. It’s thoughtful, unhurried travel – the kind that rewards slowing down. See Time Out’s first look here Departures: July, Nov, Dec 2026From: B195,000 (all-inclusive) thebluejasminetrain.com

Opened in 1876, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok turns 150 this year with its Unfolding Legacies programme running through Mar 2027. Recent updates keep things fresh: suites have been quietly refreshed, the riverside spa now offers CBD-infused Thai treatments, and dining continues to evolve. The relaunch of Le Normandie under Anne-Sophie Pic adds serious culinary weight, while Baan Phraya leans into refined Thai classics. It’s heritage, yes — but never static. Where: 48 Oriental Avenue, Bang Rak. mandarinoriental.com/bangkok

Set on once-degraded land near Khao Yai National Park, Khao Yai Art Forest is part open-air gallery, part ecological revival project. Founded by Marisa Chearavanont and curated by Stefano Rabolli Pansera, the site blends contemporary installations with landscape restoration. Expect works like Fujiko Nakaya’s mist-filled Fog Landscape and Elmgreen & Dragset’s minimalist K-Bar pavilion (open just once a month, six visitors at a time). It’s not a quick visit – you wander, pause, and let the environment shape the experience. A major new earthwork by Delcy Morelos is also on the horizon. Where: Pak Chong, Nakhon RatchasimaHours: Thu-Fri midday-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-6pm.Entry: B500 khaoyaiart.com

What is it? A brand-new homemade gelateria in Salaya with a distinctive mascot and an Affogato made with nitro cold brew. Why we love it: Scoops & Spokes only launched in late 2024, which makes it the youngest shop on this list by some margin – but it's already found a clear identity. The gelato is labelled ‘heart-made’ rather than homemade, which is a bit earnest but accurate: the care in the product is obvious. The Affogato with nitro cold brew is the sleeper hit on the menu and the caramel toast pairing is worth ordering alongside it. Time Out tip: It's in Salaya, so it's a deliberate trip from central Bangkok – pair it with a visit to Mahidol University's weekend market nearby to make the journey worthwhile. Salaya, Nakhon Pathom. Find the address and current hours on Instagram @scoopsandspokes_th.

What is it? A hideout-ish Yaowarat gelateria making small-batch, fresh-churned gelato that changes its menu every Saturday. Why we love it: Deliberately off the main drag on a narrow Chinatown street – so Hey Gelato has the feel of a secret that's been let out of the bag. Everything is made in small batches and churned fresh daily. The Saturday menu rotation keeps regulars coming back and the shop also does sorbet and sorbetto (a hybrid sorbet-gelato) for anyone wanting something lighter. Time Out tip: Go on a Saturday if you can – the weekly new flavours are when the team is most excited. 21 Plaeng Nam Rd, Samphanthawong, Chinatown. Find current hours on Instagram @hey.gelato.

What is it? A Nonthaburi-based gelateria that's made it into the city proper with a Siam Paragon branch – and a menu that takes the ‘More’ in its name seriously. Why we love it: The coffee here is as considered as the gelato, which immediately sets Grazia apart from single-track dessert shops. The signature Grazia Semi-freddo – a gelato cake with a soft cream centre – is the standout menu item, with an exclusive Gelato Bar available only at the Siam Paragon branch.  Time Out tip: The Siam Paragon branch has the widest menu, with a few exclusives you will not find elsewhere – the pistachio is the one to try if you are riding the Dubai chocolate wave. G/F (North Zone), Siam Paragon, 991 Rama I Rd, Pathum Wan. Find current hours on Instagram @grazia.gelatocoffeeandmore.

There's a version of Bangkok that never sleeps – and increasingly, it's running. What was once a city defined by street food and nightlife has quietly, then very loudly, become one of Southeast Asia’s most energetic wellness hubs. Run clubs, reformer Pilates studios, trail loops through Lumphini Park – fitness here has gone fully mainstream. So when HYROX arrived in Thailand in May 2025, the city was ready. More than 8,000 athletes turned out at BITEC. By March 2026, that number had surged to 17,500 – a record for Asia. If you’re new to it, HYROX sits somewhere between endurance race and functional fitness showdown. Founded in Hamburg in 2017 by Olympic champion Moritz Fürste and event specialist Christian Toetzke, it fills a gap: a standardised competition forf people who train in gyms but never race. Expect eight one-kilometre runs, each followed immediately by a workout station – sled pushes, rowing, wall balls – designed to test strength, stamina, speed and grit. Take on the race at a new Bangkok venue Photograph: hyroxtha The third Bangkok edition lands at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), moving into a larger, more central space with direct MRT access. Think easier logistics, bigger crowds and a more electric race-day atmosphere. The event runs August 14-26, with race waves scheduled until around 8pm on Friday and Saturday, and 3pm on Sunday. Athletes' can access the venue only on their race day, so if you’re planning to soak up the atmosphere across t

Thailand's annual book pilgrimage is back. Book Expo Thailand 2026, the 31st edition of the National Book Fair, takes over Halls 5 to 7 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre from Oct 23 to Nov 1, bringing ten packed days of browsing, discounts and new discoveries. It has a strong act to follow. The 30th edition, held earlier this year, drew more than 1.5 million visitors across 11 days, smashing previous records with total sales topping B474 million. Gen Z made up over 70% of attendees, with horror and detective fiction leading the way. Photograph: Thai Book Fair Organised by the Publishers and Booksellers Association of Thailand (PUBAT), the fair brings together publishers from across the country under one sprawling roof. The layout spans seven dedicated zones: general titles, fiction and literature, Y fiction (under the Wonder Y banner), comics and teen reads (Book Wonderland), children's and educational books, second-hand books and foreign-language titles. Special discounts and publisher-led promotions run throughout the event — making this  one of the better times of year to stock up without too much justification required. You can come with a list or just browse; either way, it’s easy to lose a few hours moving between shelves. Getting there is straightforward. Take the MRT to Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre and head out through Exit 3. Event Details Oct 23-Nov 1.  Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, Halls 5-7 (LG Floor).  MRT Queen Sirikit Nat

If the idea of standing in the street getting soaked for three days doesn't  thrill you, Bangkok can offer a more inviting option on the water rather than in it .  The Bangkok Water Festival 2026 is running free boat rides across 10 cultural stops in the old town, right along the Chao Phraya. The festival runs April 13-15, with two routes threading through some of the river's most storied neighbourhoods. You can hop on and off as you please, switching between routes at Tha Tien Pier (Wat Pho Pier) on Soi Pratunokyung. Route 1 runs from 9am to 4.30pm, taking you from Wat Rakang Pier through Wat Arun, Wat Kalayanamit, Wat Prayurawongsawat and Yodpiman before finishing at Wat Pho. That stretch of riverbank is dense with history – temples, old communities and the kind of riverside scenery that still manages to feel unhurried even in the middle of a busy city like ours. Route 2 picks up from 10am to 5.30pm, looping from Tha Tien Pier out to SookSiam at ICONSIAM, across to the Kuan Yu Shrine Pier in Khlong San, then back again. A nice contrast – ancient and contemporary sharing the same stretch of water. A couple of extras worth knowing. There’s a paid ferry between ICONSIAM and Sathorn Pier by the BTS running all day for eight baht. There’s also a free shuttle boat from Sathorn Pier to Asiatique, running from 10am to 8pm if you want to stretch the day a bit.

Photograph: livenationth/sonymusicthailand If you missed The Kid LAROI last time round, here's your chance to make up for it. Born Charlton Howard in Sydney, the 22-year-old first broke through with Stay, his monster 2021 collab with Justin Bieber – and has kept busy ever since with a string of singles and a world tour.  Earlier this year he returned with Before I Forget, his first full-length album in two years – a raw, emotionally candid record of wistful R&B ballads written in the aftermath of a breakup. The tour takes its name from one of the album's lead singles and Bangkok gets its date on Monday June 29 at Samyan Mitrtown Hall. Photograph: livenationth/sonymusicthailand Tickets Prices range from B2,800 to B3,500 across two standing zones: Zone A and Zone B. The fan club presale opens on April 22 from 10am to midnight via tkl.world.  Live Nation Tero members get their window on April 23, 10am to midnight – sign up free here before then.  General sale follows on April 24 from 10am via here. Six tickets maximum per transaction. Note that each ticket requires a unique full name in English – no duplicates across an order. The Kid LAROI – A Perfect World Tour plays Samyan Mitrtown Hall on Monday June 29. Tickets B2,800-B3,500 via livenationtero.co.th.  

Always, always, there was a time before you had it all figured out. Before you were competent, before you were composed. Photograph: galileoasis On April 18-19, GalileOasis and Film I Trust invite you back to that version of yourself with Summer of Youth, a two-night outdoor screening series. Tickets are priced at B250 and include a free ice cream courtesy of Baan Pad Kajeen. Photograph: galileoasis Kicking things off on Saturday April 18 at 7pm is Billy Elliot (2000): the story of a boy from a working-class mining family who discovers ballet, a pursuit his world tells him is decidedly not for him. Raw, funny and devastating, it's a film about desire, dignity and the courage to want something no one around you understands. Photograph: galileoasis On Sunday April  19 at 7pm, it's The Breakfast Club (1985): five teenagers – the rich girl, the hothead, the jock, the nerd and the loner – are thrown together in Saturday detention and forced to actually see each other. John Hughes at his sharpest. Whatever your story is, come sit in the garden, watch the classics, grab your ice cream and lift it high – for the misfits, the dreamers, the ones who grew into their own rhythm. Tickets are available via the registration link here. Note that all sales are final – no refunds after payment. April 18-19. GalileOasis, 535 Wat Phraya Yang Alley, Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi, Bangkok.

Photograph: Sansiri Some homes are built. Others are composed – note by note, material by material – with the kind of obsessive care that turns architecture into autobiography. The Sansiri Luxury Collection is the latter. A curated body of work four decades in the making: flagship residences and ultra-luxury homes conceived alongside world-class architects and designers, appointed with furnishings chosen for their artistry and finished with materials selected for their permanence. Every detail is deliberate. Every surface, considered. Nothing is accidental, because nothing is left to chance. Here, a home transcends the ordinary. It becomes a living work of art – one that reflects a singular sensibility, deepens in value with time and stands as a testament to the craft behind it. Something rare enough to be cherished. Enduring enough to be passed down. Photograph: Sansiri Three principles define the Collection: World-Class Design that transforms space into genuine experience; Materials & Craftsmanship that set an entirely new standard; and Sansiri Luxury Collection Life Curator - an unparalleled living service that anticipating every wish, attending to every detail, down to the desires you hadn't yet thought to name such as a professional art piece restoration,space management, flower arrangement service, pet customization dress, even a small event preparation for your beloved family members.  

Sea Life Bangkok is one of those places you always mean to revisit – and Glowing Ocean: Discover the Magic of the Sea at Night, on now until September 20 2026, might just be the nudge that finally makes it happen. Photograph: Sea Life Bangkok The whole inspiration draws from the mystery of darkness at sea – the hour when the sun drops below the horizon and the parts of the ocean where light simply never reaches.  Move through the space and you'll find yourself above (and below) moonlit water, bioluminescent creatures glowing as they dance through the currents and an atmosphere that feels genuinely otherworldly. Photograph: Sea Life Bangkok To add to the allure, a series of light installations and interactive moments are scattered across the aquarium. An interactive neon fire wall responds to your touch by conjuring sea creatures; mood lighting adds a new dimension to the seahorse zone; glowing florals in the rainforest section; a full moon hovering above the goldfish tank; simulated moonlight rippling across the water in the shark tunnel; and in the Gentoo penguin zone, projection-mapped northern lights cast over an ice sculpture. Photograph: Sea Life Bangkok There's also a sea creature stamp-collecting trail running throughout. Once you've collected one, just ask a staff member where to head next! If you're already a Sea Life regular, this is genuinely worth coming back for – the familiar route feels entirely new. And the Gentoo penguin zone has just finished its renov

From April 22-26, the Ministry of Culture is throwing a massive five-day celebration across three very different corners of Bangkok in celebration of the Rattanakosin –  the period that began in 1782 with the founding of Bangkok and, 244 years on, continues to define both the city’s historic heart and Thailand's cultural identity. Living Rattanakosin – that's the name they've given it and it says everything. Not ‘remembered’ or ‘preserved’, but ‘living’ – 244 years old and still with a pulse.  The full billing in Thai is ’The Rattanakosin Cultural Festival 2026’ (มหกรรมวัฒนธรรมรัตนโกสินทร์ 2569) and the Ministry of Culture has clearly decided that a city this old deserves a birthday party that actually feels like one. For five days in April, contemporary stages and night-time museums come alive, as well as temple fairs and architecture that looks its most beautiful once the sun goes down – all of it happening simultaneously across three corners of the city. Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park Photograph: Chulalongkorn University The massive urban park of Chulalongkorn University becomes a creative playground for the week. An outdoor multimedia exhibition marks 244 years of Rattanakosin, setting the mood with plenty more to get stuck into besides. Dress up in royal Thai costume and have your portrait rendered through generative AI, browse the cultural market for local products, food and drinks, or join the creative cultural courtyard for Thai heritage demonstrations, tra

If you've ever watched one of those old films or music videos with a packed ballroom and thought – God, I wish I could actually be there – well, now you can. Clear the evening of April 5, because Jelly Roll Jazz Club is throwing ‘Lumpini Swing Station’, a night that takes the grand and storied Lumpini Hall and turns it into what might just be Bangkok's most electric dance floor right now. The music comes courtesy of Yusu Jazz Band and the Silpakorn University Jazz Orchestra, both bringing the kind of live swing that gets into your chest and moves your feet before your brain has any say in the matter. Woven in between are special dance performances that'll keep the energy high all night long. Photograph: Swing Era Thailand Photograph: Swing Era Thailand Never swung a day in your life? Not a problem. The event is genuinely beginner-friendly, with free introductory dance classes on the night – no prior experience needed and no, you don't need to bring a partner! Just come with good energy and your finest vintage outfit. It all kicks off from 5pm at Lumphini Sathan, right in the heart of Lumphini Park. Jazz obsessive, dance floor regular or just vintage-curious – you're going to want to be there.

Open-air cinema, wine sipping and Bangkok have been getting very cosy of late – and Sam Yan community space Slowcombo is leaning right into it with the second instalment of Cut, Action, Sip! Movie Night. But this is no normal film screening. This is a live-dubbed take on the original script masterpiece courtesy of legendary outfit Master Studio, guaranteeing a night that's as funny as it is action-packed because who knows what might get thrown in when everything's dubbed on the fly. Photograph: Slowcombo The headline act is Panda Plan (2024), the gleefully chaotic Chinese action-comedy starring Jackie Chan – and it won't be screening in any ordinary fashion.  And while the film and ridiculous dubbing is what everyone’s here for, wine lovers are also generously catered for: Happy Drinks is on hand with a curated pairing offer, so you can sip something excellent while Chan does what Chan does best.  And if you'd like to make a full evening of it, there's plenty to keep you hanging around after the credits roll – Movie Scene Colouring, Wine Glass Painting and a Trading Card 101 workshops hosted by CardWorld BKK offer something a little more interactive for anyone curious about getting into the collecting world. Photograph: Slowcombo Tickets: Adult B600 (screening plus two glasses of wine) or B450 (screening plus one glass of wine). Students (13-19) B275 (screening and popcorn). Children (3-12) B150. Under-3s free. Book via LINE OA: @slowcombo. March 28. Living Space, G/F, S

Photograph: S2O Songkran Music Festival S2O Songkran Music Festival hits its 11th edition from April 11-13 at its shiny new home, S2O Land on Ratchadaphisek – bigger venue, bolder production, 360-degree water cannons firing in sync with the drops, fireworks and a lineup that goes very deep into the A-list. And because three days apparently wasn't enough, the team has launched K2O: a brand-new spin-off festival running the day after.   S2O Songkran Music Festival Photograph: S2O Songkran Music Festival 'The world's wettest party' is, for once, not hyperbole – and for 2026, it's getting wetter. Running April 11-13 under the theme 'Party in the Universe', S2O has moved to a new purpose-built venue with a bigger footprint for both production and water play.  The signature 360-degree cannon system, firing in sync with the drops, remains. As does its complete unpredictability.  Quick heads-up before we get into the lineup – tickets are already flying and the lower tiers are pretty much gone. If you’ve been thinking about it, this is your sign.   Early Bird 3-Day Pass – B3,500 Tier 1 3-Day Pass – B4,300 Tier 2 3-Day Pass – B4,500 Tier 3 3-Day Pass – B4,800  Single-Day Pass (April 11, 12 or 13) – B2,100 VIP 1-Day Pass – B3,600 (Fast lane, VIP bar and dry zone platform) VIP 3-Day Pass – B7,900 (Full run, all VIP perks)   The line up: Day 1 (April 11): Lonely Club (Alan Walker x Steve Aoki), Lost Frequencies, I Hate Models, William Black, AC Slater. Day 2 (April 12): Zedd, Don Diabl

Bangkok is full of spots made for losing yourself in a good atmosphere. Looking at the cosy book cafe scene that we covered recently in Bangkok's 14 best book cafes for avid readers and the National Book Fair from March 26 to April 6 at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the city is going book-mad.  Now, one of the city's great green spaces is getting transformed into a meeting point for book lovers and curious minds of all kinds. Put it all together and it's pretty clear: the reading habits of city people have forever shifted. A new generation of bookworms are proving that a patch of public green space in the heart of the capital can be just as good a place to crack open your favourite title as any trendy cafe in town. So if your weekend is wide open, here's a plan worth having. Swap the air-con for a shady tree and come settle in at BKK Read & Learn Festival 2026 – Bangkok's reading festival, themed ‘Different Ages, Learning Together’ – held at the Sundial Plaza in Lumpini Park. Photograph: Bangkok Learning City The programme is packed with activities designed for every generation: panel talks swapping perspectives on how we learn at different stages of life, alongside creative activity zones where kids and families can let their imaginations run completely free.  It's a reminder that knowledge doesn't live only between the covers of a textbook – it lives in conversation and laughter, out in the open air, right in the middle of the city! March 21-22. Free. Lumpini