Tita Petchnamnung

As day melts into night, Bangkok's glittering skyline comes alive at rooftop level, revealing the city’s enchanting side. Up in this rarified air a number of bars compete to tell their own story – some embrace local heritage with traditional Thai design and temple views, others exude a cosmopolitan energy with Western influences. All are good reason to raise a glass at sunset and toast the twinkling cityscape below.

Y2K’s sparkliest comeback is happening right here in Bangkok and it’s all about what's sitting on people’s molars and canines. Tooth gems have been quietly blinking within Bangkok’s fashion scene and now gemmed out teeth are biting back harder than ever, flashing more boldly across the city. The real appeal of this dental decoration trend lies in its zero-commitment ease. The whole process is surprisingly zen. These dental rhinestones bond to your teeth using specialised dental adhesive – no drilling, no filing, no permanent alterations. You can keep it subtle with a single crystal cutie or go all out with a faux grill look with no hardware anxiety. With proper care (normal brushing and not trying to pry them off with your fingernails) they’ll stick around for about 6-12 months before naturally wearing away. Just enough time for our attention span to reset and crave the next design. This trend reflects how we approach beauty these days – fluid, playful, experimental and entirely on our own terms. It's beauty without the pressure of forever. Try the sparkle, live with it then pivot when new inspiration strikes. Sometimes the slickest style choices are the ones you can change course without consequences, smile safely intact. Here are some studios ready to gem up your grin.

What’s emerged in Bangkok lately is a network of running communities that have transformed the city’s maze of concrete into the tightest community you'll ever sweat through. Bangkok’s run clubs have cracked the code on making an overwhelming megacity feel navigable and social – and increasingly, romantic. As dating apps lose their grip worldwide, these running crews are becoming the new meeting ground where genuine connections form naturally between breaths and strides. Runners here have found the rhythm of moving together through streets that suddenly make sense when you’re part of the pack. They’ve mastered the art of accountability disguised as fun, where showing up becomes less about personal discipline and more about connection. And now it’s the kind that flows organically during runs, without the pressure and awkwardness of traditional dating setups. Strava’s 2024 report reveals a 59% global rise in running clubs, with 58% of members making new friends through fitness groups. In Bangkok, this trend is evident as local running crews replace digital swiping with real-life connections. While the city becomes more dense and technology isolates us, these running crews create genuine closeness in Bangkok. Here are Bangkok’s top running communities. Hope you find your match!

Bangkok’s dining scene never ceases to impress with new restaurants constantly adding fresh energy to the city’s vibrant food landscape. While elegant fine dining establishments often steal the spotlight with their refined menus and impeccable presentation, casual eateries play an equally important role in shaping the city’s culinary identity. From bustling street-side stalls to trendy bistros, these spots capture the capital’s lively spirit through bold flavours, creative concepts and inviting atmospheres. If you’re planning a romantic evening for two, a laid-back family dinner or even a solo food adventure, there’s no shortage of exciting options. The city’s diverse culinary landscape continues to expand, offering everything from Cantonese and French delicacies to comforting Burmese dishes. Whether you’re drawn to modern fusion cuisine or timeless classics, there’s always something new to discover. Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

When Love of Siam graced Thai silver screens in 2007, it was a cultural timestamp etched into many people's collective memory. For the first time, a mainstream Thai movie dared to centre same-sex love not as spectacle but as something soft, lived and defiant. It asked audiences, tenderly yet without flinching, to sit with queerness in the everyday. Families watched in living rooms, teens talked about it in hallways, the media debated it. Suddenly, queerness wasn't something happening offstage. It was right there, in the glow of the screen, part of the script we all shared. Fast forward to 2025 and Thailand has officially made history as the first Southeast Asian country and the third in Asia after Taiwan and Nepal to legalise same-sex marriage. As of January 23, queer couples share the same rights to adopt, inherit and simply exist within the law. The language of the Thai civil and commercial code has been stripped of gender, reflecting a truth human beings have always known: love transcends the simple binary categories. But this legal shift didn't materialise out of nowhere. Thai queer cinema has long been quietly laying the groundwork, beautifully and with unflinching honesty. Many films and series have shattered controversy, rewired family stories and rewritten national identity, fuelling a B100 billion tourism boom and propelling boys’ love dramas to global fame. Thai queer narratives on screen have travelled far, resonated deeply, and returned home with renewed energy as

Even now, as the May rains drench Bangkok, my friends and I often find ourselves reminiscing about that icy New York February and the unforgettable fashion show, One Night in Bangkok. Over plates of pad krapow and messy 2am cocktails, Vickteerut remains the centrepiece of our conversations. We agree that Vickteerut stood out as one of the sharpest in Thailand’s four-pronged designer showdown at New York Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2025, alongside Matter Makers, MERGE and Vinn Patararin Photograph: Pang Sudhinaraset Pang Sudhinaraset, the visionary behind Vickteerut, brought Thailand face-to-face with New York’s fashion sentinels. With bold determination, she carried Vickteerut's identity on her shoulders, making a statement that bridged the fashion worlds of both cities. Sudhinaraset’s poised presence, with shoulders squared, was a graceful testament to the strength and beauty of Thai heritage.  Her fashion voice is undiluted, necessary and most importantly hers. And here’s what she has to say… Photograph: Vickteerut   In such an industry that’s full of sharp eyes and strong opinions, how do you stay aware of that and stay true? ‘I listen, but I filter. Trends speak loud, but intuition whispers. I’ve learned to trust the latter.’ “Fashion is cyclical but authenticity is always current.”   Photograph: Pang Sudhinaraset   What does being a woman in fashion mean today, especially as a Thai?  ‘It means a voice from Thailand that speaks with clarity, not just beauty. I want mys

These international films will scratch your travel itch until your next flight east, capturing Thailand’s multifaceted energy from neon-lit Bangkok corners to hidden island paradises you swore you’d keep secret.  Consider this your emergency travel fix until you’re back dodging tuk-tuks and hunting down the perfect mango sticky rice.

Bangkok’s denim game is right up there with the world’s fashion hotspots. While you're in town, why not grab a pair of jeans that’s built to last? Check out our guide to find denim that’ll stay stylish for the long haul.

Attempting to put together a list of the 50 best restaurants in Bangkok is an unenviable task. No matter how hard you try, you’re going to be leaving out not just good restaurants, but mind-bendingly good restaurants. Indeed, the process of assembling the following list involved not only signal-boosting some of our favourite culinary craftspeople, but also a painful triage of a host of excellent venues. That’s just how dense with excellence this city is when it comes to quality dining.  What makes eating out here so brilliant is the sheer diversity – both cultural and economic – of the Big Mango’s food scene and our top 50 aims to reflect that. Were we to focus purely on the set-menu avant-garde and quiet-luxury omakase counters, it would be a disservice to a readership that doesn’t just want food to look at, photograph and read about, but wants to eat. Therefore, we include some of the city’s most dazzling palaces of haute cuisine alongside humble streetside vendors. We’re serious eaters more than withering critics, and Bangkok is a city full of serious eats. Hence, we want to share our favourites and leave it to you, the reader, to be the withering critic. Dive in and enjoy the ride!

Too many shots in Thonglor? One dry martini too many in Sukhumvit? To brace for that foggy brain and sunglasses-indoor hangover hell, keep on reading.  Here’s where to bounce back, bite down, and balance yourself out.

Ever wondered what the SHA letters mean on Thai hotel websites? It’s not just random alphabet soup or a bureaucratic stamp. SHA, SHA Plus and SHA Extra Plus stand for types of Safety and Health Administration certifications. These badges (first implemented during the COVID pandemic) ensure that your relaxation and wellness time is as safe as it is spectacular. They guarantee that your hotel of choice is committed to strictly following comprehensive health and wellness protocols. SHA vs SHA+ vs SHA++ : What’s the difference? Photograph: Tourism Authority of Thailand SHA This baseline certification assures you that the hotel is safe, up to standard and ready to welcome guests. Regular cleaning? Done. Clear safety signs? In place. Hand sanitisers within reach? Always.   SHA+ (SHA Plus)   Spot the SHA Plus logo and you’ll know that at least 70% of the staff in certified venues are fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated team members are carefully placed away from direct guest interactions and are thoroughly trained in COVID-19 emergency protocols. SHA Plus also holds the unique authority to issue the SHABA certificate, a key document that confirms strict health and safety standards and is essential for entry into various travel schemes. SHA++ (SHA Extra Plus)   This highest level of certification takes things up a notch by partnering with certified hospitals to offer RT-PCR testing – a powerful and fast method for detecting viral genetic material. It carefully amplifies specific genetic

On the banks of the Chao Phraya River stands Iconsiam, a mall whose architectural design draws inspiration from the graceful curves of the bai sri banana leaf vessel and the traditional Thai sabai shawl. Embodying both modernity and heritage, within its impressive 750,000 square metres this mega-retail landmark offers an exceptional collection of luxury shops, world-class entertainment venues and top-tier dining outlets. There is much to admire here but if you find yourself flagging from all the retail therapy at opulent boutiques, you’ll discover opportunities aplenty to refuel with a well-deserved bite. The range of cuisines available is wide, so here are a few tasty Time Out suggestions to get your teeth into:

On Sukhumvit 26, inside the buzzed-about Tur Hair Salon, there’s another beauty ritual brewing at Ying Fun (literally translated as big grin), a small tooth gem studio with big personality. Palmy, the spark behind the shine, admits it all started with a bit of self-obsession. She says, ‘I got one gem, fell in love, kept adding more… eventually, I thought, why not get certified and do this properly?’ and Ying Fun was born. A year later, Ying Fun has morphed into a cult favourite with an international crowd. There’s something magical about the way Palmy’s studio becomes this crossroads of cultures: ‘I get to meet people from all over the world. It’s like travelling without leaving the studio.’ It’s this beautiful collision of cultures that keeps her obsessed with what she does. The studio's chill energy comes courtesy of a certified vibe curator. Each session becomes this intimate story exchange. Every contour, every bite becomes a moment to unleash something fresh and personal. Ying Fun sees two crowds: the bold statement-makers and the subtle sparkle seekers. Either way, Palmy’s game. She once glued crystals inside someone’s teeth. Told us to be the wildest request she’s had but she still made them shine. Every request that comes through surely gets the brief and is delivered properly here. How to book? Contact via Ying Fun or call 081-805-9790 19 Attha Kawi 1 Alley, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110

  This home studio in Silom isn’t just some aesthetic hideout but it’s lived. Old bones, fresh beats and a whole lot of hustle behind closed doors. Tangkwa, the owner, caught the tooth jewellery fever all the way in Barcelona, where ‘grillz’ ruled the streets. Naturally, she had to try tooth gems out herself and from there Tangkwa never looked back. As she puts it, ‘I fell in love with how they made my smile feel uniquely mine.’ That spark stuck. Back in Thailand, it was all about crystal kits and endless trial and error tutorials. Not one to settle, Tangkwa reached out to Anya Maneechai, a London-based tooth gem connoisseur, to get the real insider knowledge. Fast forward two years and gemming has become her obsession and craft. What started as a magnet for European visitors chasing the trend at a killer Thai price has evolved into a local hotspot. Tangkwa has seen it all at Seventh Floor – stories unfolding, beauty traditions clashing and blending as well as people’s identities shining through the way they choose to gem up. She explains, ‘Most clients go for small and cute designs like hearts, butterflies and silver sets.’ But every now and then, someone drops in with a wild freestyle idea that shakes things up. The moment that sticks with her most was when twins came in for matching gems with perfectly synced design and placement. ‘It was like gemmed-up telepathy. I was obsessed!’ How to book? Contact via Seventh Floor, no walk-ins. 12 Si Phraya Rd, Bang Rak, Bangkok 10500

This studio is gemming up in the good old Siam Square area on the 2/F of Lido Connect inside Rentroom – the beloved multi-brand clothing destination for many of Bangkok's fashionistas. Mwmwmw.g is Muk's creative atelier that has decided to go beyond the art of grillz. She founded Mwmwmw.g as her dedicated tooth gem studio. Tooth gems caught her eye as the freshest evolution in dental couture. ‘It’s way cooler,’ she says, as well as subversive, bold and very personal. Here, it’s all about fusing artistry with desire. That’s the vernacular they speak at Mwmwmw.g. The clientele is also compelling. Muk says, ‘Most of our clients are 18-32 but we get folks in their 40s and 50s too.’ The space is stripped-back, minimalist and cozy. It feels more like hanging out at your friend’s downtown apartment, the one with racks of cool clothes who happens to casually pop in a tooth gem between playlists. Precision and vision orchestrate the experience. Teeth might be small canvases but that only amplifies creativity for Muk. She says clients seek both maximalist statements and quiet elegance. Most ask for bold gold-dipped designs, while others prefer a slick, stripped-back style. The wildest request landed at Mwmwmw.g was a crystal on a back molar. She laughs, ‘No one can see it except the wearer. Still, I did it happily and excitedly!’ How to book? Contact via Mwmwmw.g  2/F Lido Connect Siam Square Soi 2, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

For your next denim haul in the Siam ‘hood, head over to the Siamkit Building. Hold’em Denim, a local brand, takes the classic appeal of the material and gives it a unique spin, drawing inspiration from the high-stakes poker game of Texas Hold 'Em. Their designs channel the excitement and aesthetic of a winning hand in casino culture.

Another great denim shopping experience awaits at Sukhumvit 33. Nama also has a retail presence at Terminal 21. Craftsmanship and materials are the focus here, using premium Japanese selvedge denim sourced directly from Okayama, Japan – the denim capital of the world. Their jeans, made using vintage sewing machines, are uniquely stylish and built to stand the test of time. Personalisation is available here too, through Nama’s ‘Craft Your Own’ service.

If you find yourself wandering in the Siam Square neighbourhood, take a detour down Soi 2 for a bespoke denim shopping experience. Founded by Vitchapong ‘Boom’ Hutasuwan, a passionate denim collector with deep roots in the industry, Selvedgework offers made-to-measure pieces as well as a curated selection of ready-to-wear. The art of denim here is in the fabric – over a dozen selvedge denims sourced from Japan, Italy, the USA and local mills. Whether you favour a classic straight leg or a razor-sharp skinny fit, you can customise every detail, from buttons and pocket linings to laser-etched initials.

This upcycled fashion brand stitches sustainability into every denim patch, creating handmade treasures that are as unique as they are eco-conscious. To snap up their latest pieces, swing by their stalls at Chatuchak Market (Section 3) or visit Comma And at Central World. For a more relaxed, artsy experience, pop into Neighborhood Drama in Udomsuk Soi 7. Their DIY collections include bold statement tops, reworked cropped sweatshirts and denim remixes. A quick scroll through their Instagram will show you one of their latest re-dos: vintage Levi jeans reworked with sequins and stitched-on team logos.

The revamped Speakerbox is back in its Thonglor stomping ground after a months-long facelift. Now with serious space gains and just a block and a few steps from its original location, Speakerbox 2.0 still retains its no-frills drinking spot with a dive bar soul. Speakerbox welcomes you with the bar area slinging music-inspired cocktails and pulling double duty as a chill café by day, and there’s no entry fee for its bar atmosphere. The main event though is hosting resident musicians and underground acts on the regular. This all happens in the live room, a purpose-built environment where sound quality takes priority, creating an optimal setting for live performances which can easily fit a crowd without anyone having to elbow their way through. Each night brings a different genre, so keep up with the lineup at Speakerboxbkk. And if you find your musical match in the city, tickets are available through Ticketmelon or at the entrance on event nights.

Bangkok’s premier electronic playground has moved! Mustache Bangkok has relocated from Sukhumvit Soi 23 to its new home at the Escape Glass House on EmQuartier’s 5th floor, now even bougier. This 300-capacity venue delivers house, techno, afro house, and minimal beats through a Funktion One sound system, renowned for its high-quality sound and deep bass. The spacious terrace offers a breather between dance sessions. Their monthly events never disappoint, turning warehouses, boats, and rooftops into one-off party spots. Want in? Keep an eye on their socials and mark your calendar.

Bangkok’s audiophiles gather here when generic club beats don’t cut it. Music aficionados might highly rate the custom tube sound system, engineered for acoustic live shows. Studio Lam dishes up international influences, from reggae to funk to jazz, while staying firmly rooted in Thai musical heritage – specifically the Isan region’s molam (a freestyle, rap-like genre) and luk thung (its more traditional rural counterpart). Founder Maft Sai (of Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band fame) created this space as an antidote to Bangkok’s commercial club scene. Check studiolambangkok on Instagram for their rotating roster of live performances. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 6pm-midnight. Closed on Mondays. Studio Lam proves Bangkok’s alternative music scene punches well above its weight. Come for sounds you’ve never heard before, stay for the community – local crowds are thriving out here in Sukhumvit Soi 51.

Revamped in 2023 with a new location in the Ratchaprasong district, and for easiest access, we recommend getting off at BTS Chit Lom. The volume cranks up from 8pm to 11.45pm nightly as live bands take over. They pair a straight-up American-Thai menu with a soundtrack of international hits, pop and rock classics. Work through their cocktail list or grab a cold one and sing along against a backdrop of walls showcasing music collectibles, platinum records, and signed memorabilia from world-famous artists. Additionally, special tributes pop up regularly – keep an eye on their socials to stay clued in. This March 2025 marks women’s history month and Hard Rock International is rolling out limited-edition Shakira tees as part of their year-long campaign celebrating female voices in music. Get a piece!

Blueprint was born out of Bangkok’s need for a venue that puts live music front and centre – not just as a backdrop for socialising. Designed with purpose, it’s a no-nonsense space, a distraction-free zone where a diverse genre of artists perform. Located on the second floor of Flow House, A Square, Sukhumvit 26, Blueprint houses professional-level sound systems, stage-grade lighting, and a thoughtfully designed stage for an immersive experience. And instead of relying on traditional revenue-sharing for performers, it operates on a ticket-based earnings model – a way to foster an open scene where different sounds, styles, and communities can thrive. Check out the artists taking the stage weekly on Instagram at @blueprintlivehouse, and grab tickets on Ticketmelon.

Moo Deng’s first birthday bash has come and gone. Over four days, 28,890 local and international visitors flooded Khao Kheow Open Zoo to celebrate this basin baby. Photograph: Khamoo and the gang They carved her a cake from earth’s bounty. A fruit-and-veggie cake was sculpted for the birthday girl herself.  Photograph: Khamoo and the gang Then Moo Deng rang in her first year with a birthday shower that gave us a chaotic, wet-floor ballet.  Photograph: Khamoo and the gang Next came the first-ever official Moo Deng Coin by B.Leila, a collectible currency crafted for the Wildlife Sponsorship Programme. Photograph: Khamoo and the gang As the confetti settles, the zoo offers its star resident (and us) the ultimate grand gesture: a rebrand of the Khao Kheow Open Zoo’s Hippo Village. Plans are still under wraps but teaser visuals appeared on the zoo’s Facebook page, causing fans to swoon in the comments: ‘So pretty, just like Moo Deng,’ said one. ‘Hey, Moo Deng, let me know when it’s finished so I can visit often,’ said another. Post-birthday, her keepers wrapped it up with heartfelt words on Facebook: ‘The event’s wrapped up – thank you to everyone who came to see Moo Deng! And to the international fans who flew in from all over the world. We never thought people would cross oceans just to see a hippo standing in a basin.’ And that’s our girl, closing out her first chapter. This went from a full-blown zoo celebration to an international spectacle, with fans crossing oceans

Chut thai where ‘chut’ cuts straight to the bone, meaning ‘outfit.’ But peel back the surface and you're staring into centuries of textile artistry and encoded culture.  From the Dvaravati to the Srivijaya eras, spanning the sixth to thirteenth centuries, the wrap skirt was designed to move with the monsoon and with meaning. It’s fashion, function, faith and flirtation, all woven into one. You could trace it back to a story told in homegrown silk and the ancient trade routes that pulse through Thailand’s past.  For women, there’s the ‘pha nung’ and its cousin ‘pha sinh’. From North to South, each province translates climate and spirit into their chuts. Mountain communities speak different textile languages from coastal cities.  Then in 1964, Queen Sirikit unveiled chut thai ‘phra ratcha niyom,’ a polished royally endorsed national costume. The men’s suea phraratchathan followed in the late 1970s, rooted in that Raj-pattern legacy with modern grace. Now the story moves forward: UNESCO recognition. Thailand aims to immortalise the artistry behind its national costume, the know-how, craftsmanship and rituals, by seeking a place on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, with evaluation set for 2026. This nomination is part of a larger cultural preservation effort, an ever-growing vault of 396 relics and rituals already safeguarded as national heritage, with Muay Thai and Songkran circling close by.  The proposal weaves a story of shared heritage and mutual respect, threaded

History walked in wearing the face of Wanlop Rungkumjad. The first Thai to claim Best Actor at the 27th Taipei Film Festival, the so-called throne room where cinema gets consecrated. Mongrel delivered him there, a Taiwanese sledgehammer directed by Chiang Wei Liang and You Qiao Yin. Rungkumjad and his colleague Atchara Suwan breathe life into the undocumented, embodying those who exist like ghosts made flesh in society’s blind spots. The movie’s synopsis goes: An undocumented Thai immigrant moves through Taiwan's rugged mountain shadows. For survival, he tends to the elderly and disabled while his own spirit fractures. Days blur into survival, each breath borrowed time. When dignity starts slipping through cracked hands, the film asks: when everything conspires to hollow you out, what's left to call your own? With the gold horse in his hands, standing before the crowd and Mandarin sharp on his tongue, Rungkumjad said: ‘Before Mongrel, I was ready to give up. I thought it was my last shot at acting. But Taiwanese cinema gave me a rebirth. It made me part of something bigger.’ Throwing it back to 2019, Manta Ray was a submerged meditation directed by Phuttiphong Aroonpheng. Rungkumjad played a fisherman sheltering a Rohingya refugee that caught Venice’s eyes and The Orizzonti Award for Best Film landed in Thai hands for the first time. Six years forward, Rungkumjad has discovered what the margins know well: truth lives in the spaces too dangerous for the centre. In Mongrel, he

The Asian water monitors, omnipresent fixtures sunning themselves at Lumpini Park, just crawled out of legal limbo and into economic opportunity. The Department of National Parks has lifted these prehistoric reptiles from decades of commercial prohibition via a Royal Gazette announcement. While still under the watchful eye of wildlife conservation, water monitors can now be legally farmed for commercial purposes – their skin supple as fine leather, with a finesse worthy of haute couture, driving an entirely new economic sector. The rule is you can breed them but only at licensed hatcheries. No wild capture. No bare-handed snatching from the wild. Each one gets a microchip, a barcode beneath the skin. They’re not trophies, not to be hunted as prey, but to be handled as important national economic assets. But this eco-entrepreneurship of water monitors settles into an ethical grey zone, rooted in wildlife-to-wardrobe capitalism. The fashion world knows intimately how to romanticise skin, call it exotic leather, ship it to Milan, shoot it in monochrome. Yet many see that beneath those arm candies was a living creature, once breathing air. This thrums with the weight of extinction, survival and the strange tension between power and preservation. Water monitors were originally only ‘tolerated’ as urban scavengers. Acting like low-key park janitors, they helped clean the city and control pests naturally. But when their numbers exploded to an estimated 400 giants, some reaching thre

Thai blooded LA hustle fashion brand ‘Tank Air’ just dropped a short film titled ‘Clothing and Ideas in Service of the Matriarchy.’ The credits look like home: directed by Tank Air with a homegrown Thai-heavy crew involved in every step of the making. At its heart is the Sarasas Witaed Bangbuathong School Choir. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tank Air 𑁍 แทงค์แอร์ (@tankair) Tank Air’s been doing this dance since day one. They take fractured roots and spin them into something cohesive and tangible you can actually wear and live your life in.  Behind this is Claire Robertson-Macleod, Bangkok-born, Hong Kong-raised, Thai-English. She’s tuned into today’s cultural conversations and answered with a fashion statement. Tank Air’s sculpted cuts cling to the body like memory itself, born from her lineage of women and shaped by her Thai mother’s grace, her British father’s grit and the electric pulse of Hong Kong’s creative underground where she came of age.  Something deeper happens when each piece begins as rescued textile, taking fractured roots and spinning them into something cohesive and tangible you can wear and live in. Tank Air’s rooted in Bangkok’s streets, reaching toward California’s horizon. Let us spotlight the Bunny knitted baby tee, emblazoned with Tank Air in Thai – ‘แทงค์แอร์’ – telling a story of quiet resilience. Photograph: Tankair ‘No matter the loss, spring back into action in this baby-soft tee, symbolising the world's stron

H3F (Happy Three Friends), despite the name, are four Thai musician friends launching their first headline show, ‘Rumblin' with Chalawan’ inside the canvas-roped Muay Thai ring at World Siam Stadium following their recent album drop, Chalawan Sound. Thai-born and groove-soaked, H3F has spent nearly a decade knuckling through the indie underground, preaching a work motto of ‘cheesy lyrics, sloppy groove.’ And their Chalawan motif is surely a one-of-a-kind banner and a slithering motif to reflect this gospel. A Chalawan is the mythic crocodile king who shapeshifts into a man, steals hearts and drags maidens to his underwater world. It’s also Thailand’s Jurassic-era crocodilian. So, allure and seduction might just be what this concert is really about. Photograph: official.h3f We can’t really anticipate how this concert will unfold. Choosing a stadium ring as their first stage is definitely intentional, with only ropes and a shared sense that something primal is about to erupt in a raw, stripped-down arena where instinct has traditionally squared off with spectacle. The Muay Thai reference has been circulating through Thailand’s music bloodstream lately. MILLI is getting ready to drop HEAVYWEIGHT, an album with Muay Thai combat-ready aesthetics and that Head in the Clouds LA set summoning Muay Thai legend Buakaw Banchamek to the stage. Even Young Thug’s Sp5der campaign found its way to Thailand’s boxing training camps. The ring is having its moment and H3F are stepping through

Bouncing into the world on July 10 2024, oinking and slinking, she was given the name ‘Moo Deng’ for her ‘deng’ (slippery and spring-loaded) nature. Born to mama Jonah and papa Tony, this little chaotic cannonball quickly graduated from family mascot to full-blown international heart-stealer. One year on, Moo Deng’s friends are throwing her a four-day ultimate birthday blowout. From July 10-13, Khao Kheow Open Zoo will celebrate with candles on a special gigantic cake for our beloved baby hippo at the home she shares with many species of friends and family. The celebration includes free entry for children under 12. There'll be an exclusive auction of Moo Deng’s personal belongings, keepsakes from the hippo who melted hearts between naps, with every baht bid going to sustainable animal care. Photo galleries will display hippo portraits like fine art, alongside merchandise galore and parades all celebrating our Moo Deng. Who could have predicted that Thailand would find soft power in a waddling baby hippo with pink chubby cheeks? A slippery bounce here, a squeal there and suddenly, Thailand’s Chonburi is in the global consciousness.  Moo Deng singlepawedly carved her zoo and the surrounding region into the travel radar. Tourist buses now roll through roads that once mostly saw local traffic. Hotel bookings surge. Street vendors sell hippo-themed everything. Moo Deng has given Thailand a new kind of cultural currency, as tourism boards around the world scramble to see this 32-ki

Those jasmine scented cannabis cafes, street cool parlours and puff bar sanctuaries that bloomed post 2022 just received their death warrant overnight.  On June 25 2025, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s cabinet delivered the final blow when Minister Somsak Thepsutin’s signature hit the Royal Gazette, officially ending the 2022 liberalisation that had pulled cannabis from narcotics lists. Now the billion-dollar lifeline that once throbbed through Bangkok’s backstreets and neon arteries bleeds slow and tourism now bleeds out under the weight of this move. This regulation amounts to aesthetic assassination. Cannabis flowers now carry the ‘controlled herb’ label. That means if you want to research, grow, trade or export, there’s a licensing tango to navigate under the Traditional Medicine Wisdom Act – source tracking, timestamps, quantities and monthly data drop offs. Public sales can be said to be extinct. No vending machine shelves, no online herb dispensaries, no ads allowed, everything’s off limits. Though Bangkok’s dispensaries are finding loopholes in white coats, they might soon be playing the game with pharmacists on the payroll. Now only licensed medical doctors, Thai traditional healers and Chinese medicine practitioners can prescribe it and only in measurable doses for up to 30 days at a time. Soon scoring a joint in Thailand will mean navigating the same bureaucratic maze as getting antibiotics. The hope is to shift cannabis from a vacation thrill to clinical c

Young Thug’s recent release to the free world creates an almost surreal backdrop to his clothing brand's latest drop. SP5DER, the American streetwear brand established in 2019 operating from Los Angeles with Atlanta roots, has always embodied freedom and controversy in both his personal narrative and fashion story arc. But today we’re dissecting the fashion move that dropped just days ago. The new collection comes with a lookbook video titled ‘CAMPERS THAILAND’ positioned literally inside a Thai boxing ring. The visual surely hits hard: no studio gloss, no sanitised aesthetics, with Muay Thai fighters, skin inked in sacred sak yant tattoos, every line whispering stories of power and protection in sweaty gyms, battered pads, cracked tiles under bare feet – a move that inevitably can be read as either respectful contextualisation or calculated exoticism. Photograph: sp5derworldwide The aesthetic punch is undeniable, though the cultural calculus is way murkier in today’s climate where authenticity and appropriation exist in increasingly narrow margins. Many applause, many raised eyebrows. Beyond Thailand’s fight culture, the lookbook also incorporated traditional Kayan neck coils and ceremonial elements heavily inspired by the heritage of Myanmar and the Karenni ethnic group. Given that in 2025 fashion moments demand transparency around cultural engagement, the operative questions are not aesthetic but operational. Did SP5DER establish partnerships with Thai culture and Southe

During her HEAVYWEIGHT interview earlier this year, MILLI teased, ‘I'll bring Muay Thai to the mix,’ when asked if she had another show-stopping moment – like her iconic mango sticky rice performance at Coachella 2022 – up her sleeve. Not stopping there, she asked us to picture her mid-punch, perhaps landing a cheeky kick, while keeping it stylish. Fast forward to Head in the Clouds Los Angeles 2025 and MILLI obliterated any expectations by hauling legendary fighter Buakaw Banchamek on stage during her ONE PUNCH set. Buakaw Banchamek strutted onto the stage shirtless, personifying the essence of classic Muay Thai. He wore gold-trimmed pants proudly stitched with his name, and atop his head rested the Mongkhon – a sacred traditional headdress, symbolising mastery and readiness for combat. As MILLI delivered her rap, moving across the stage, Buakaw followed with precise, shadowed jabs, powerful knee strikes and swift kicks, while the dancers hit the floor. For the uninitiated, Buakaw Banchamek is a K-1 World Grand Prix champion, WMC Super Welterweight titleholder and one of Muay Thai’s all-time greats who has ruled the rings at Omnoi and Lumpinee stadiums, holy grounds of Muay Thai where only the most skilled fighters earn their place. Dropping Buakaw mid-MILLI was like a glitch that sharpened the beat. Glitched in, then ONE PUNCH took over. This was not some hollow stunt. It was a sharp, intentional move. MILLI owned her roots and showed them raw, with no watering down for We

Currently, a Bangkok train ride can set you back anywhere from B15-62 – the further you go, the more you pay. But come September 30, Thai citizens get to ride the entire network for a flat B20. The catch is you’ll need a Thai ID to unlock this transit goldmine, so it’s mostly a locals-only win. While the B20 flat fare is a game-changer for Thai citizens, it also highlights a troubling disparity. Migrant workers, long-term residents without Thai IDs and tourists, many of whom rely on Bangkok’s public transport daily, are excluded from this benefit. For a city that prides itself on being a global hub, this locals-only win feels like a missed opportunity for inclusivity and equity in public infrastructure. The flat rate applies across all seven colored lines: red, purple, green, blue, pink, yellow and gold. This cuts travel costs big time for daily Bangkok commuters, whether you're trekking in from the outer rings or just hopping between Siam and Asok. B20 full stop. This unified fare covers the Bangkok Mass Transit System (BTS) – the elevated train network (aka the Sky Train), the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) – the underground metro system and the Airport Rail Link (ARL) that connects downtown Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi Airport. How to enjoy B20 fares Register through the Tang Rat app and tap in using either:  Contactless EMV cards (standard international credit/debit cards from Europay, Mastercard and Visa) Registered Rabbit cards (Bangkok's transit payment card system) Payment com

Siriraj Medical Museum’s ‘Night at the Museum’ experience has its final evening on May 23 – your last chance this year to explore Thailand’s most mysteriously preserved medical history. From 5-7pm, 75 visitors will be guided through the dimly lit corridors of Congdon’s Anatomical Museum, where real human skeletons stand alongside preserved organs and anatomical specimens. Expert narrators will lead guests through an experience explicitly warned as ‘not for the faint of heart.’  Do you have what it takes? Tickets cost B100, sold only at the venue from 4pm. Max three tickets per person. No advance bookings. While you’re there, check out ‘75 Years of Siriraj Museum to the Public’ in the Srisavarindhira Building, running from 9am-5pm with free entry.