Every week, we sift through tonnes of activities, shows, art exhibitions and things to do. Here is our especially curated list of what's hot this week in Bangkok and beyond. Enjoy!
Activities
+ Let's Get Natural
Soft Beldi Soap Workshop / Bangkok Soap Opera / Jan 20
Learn how to make Moroccan paste-like beldi soap. This isn't your usual bar of soap as it feels like jam (but don't eat it) and can be used like a shower gel. By the end, you'll get a 150ml jar of beldi soap packed with local herbs and essential oils to take home.
10:30am-2:30pm / Bangkok Soap Opera, Ekamai 10 / book your spot by emailing info@bangkoksoapopera.com / B1,550.
+ German Flicks
Open Air Kino 2018 / Goethe-Institut Thailand / Jan 9-Feb 27
Watch German-language films (with Thai and English subtitles) at Goethe for free every Tuesday. The film selection includes a nail-biting suspense, an extraordinary dad-daughter relationship and even a comedy based on the refugee crisis. Enjoy them amid the greenery of the institute. The opening ceremony will take place on Jan 9 at 6.30pm.
7:30pm on Tuesdays / Goethe-Institut Thailand, Sathon 1 / http://facebook.com/goetheinstitut.thailand.
+ Tiny Poland
Wonderful Poland in Stamps / Bangkok General Post Office / Until Jan 15
The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Bangkok, in collaboration with Thailand Post, is hosting an exhibition to illustrate the history and wonders of Poland through stamp collections. It is in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the republic's independence.
9am-7pm / Bangkok General Post Office, between Charoen Krung 32 and 34 / http://goo.gl/AKxcN6.
+ Child Play
The Kitchen Wonderland / IKEA / Jan 13-14
IKEA will host an activity to celebrate the upcoming Thai Children's Day. The kiddies will get to learn about kitchenware, utensils and how to prepare fruits and veggies. There will also be a papier-mâché workshop and four activities. Kids who complete all four will receive an accessory bag. 300 units of French fries will be given away for free each day. Kids can sign up for Småles membership when they come with their parents and receive free treats on spot. Must bring either the child's birth certificate or house registration book. IKEA is also having a big sale until Jan 7.
10am-8pm / IKEA, Megabangna, 38 Moo 6 Bang Na-Trat (km.8) / http://facebook.com/IKEAThailand.
Parties
+ Kolour Crowd
Kolour In the Park 2018 / Thai Wake Park / Feb 24
The fourth edition of Kolour In the Park will take place over the last weekend of February. An international line-up will take over two stages while large art installations, a gourmet food market, swimming in the lake and late-night after parties will add to the good vibe. Why are we telling you this so early? Head over to their website to register now to get access to early bird tickets, which go on sale from Jan 17.
Thai Wake Park, 18/4 Soi Sudsawas, Lieab Klong 6, Lam Luk Ka, Pathum Thani / www.kolourinthepark.com, http://facebook.com/wearekolour.
+ Apocalyptic EDM
Dropzone Festival / Wonder World Extreme Park / Mar 2-3
Have you ever wondered what it's like when EDM fest and post-apocalyptic world collides? Of course not. But if you do now, consider joining Dropzone Festival, which features top DJs of the world playing on several stages in a dark sci-fi setting. The confirmed "Audiomancers" include Futuristic Polar Bears, A-Trak, Liquid Soul, Kaskade, and (gasp!) Paul van Dyk. Early bird tickets are available via Ticketmelon. You must be older than 20 years.
From 2pm / Wonder World Extreme Park, 86/1 Khubon, Khan Na Yao / http://goo.gl/SWzGKq, http://facebook.com/dropzonefestival / B3,500 for a regular two-day pass, VIP passes and packages are available.
+ Third Time's a Charm
Jai Thep Festival 2018 / Lanna Rock Garden / Feb 2-4
Chiang Mai also knows how to get down and party, y'all. The third edition of this music and art festival returns in early February. Six areas will be set up on 37 rai. Music-wise, you can expect live bands, electronic music, ambient and world genres and experiment sounds. Join a holistic workshop to learn something new or enjoy some wordsmithery at the spoken word stage. Join Jai Thep with an open heart. Bring your tent and camp for free but space is limited. If you don't have one, tent options are available at extra cost. Tickets are available via Ticketmelon. This fest is kid-friendly, too. Children younger than 12 can attend for free with their paying parents.
From 11am / Lanna Rock Garden, 17/4 Banpong, Hang Dong, Chiang Mai / goo.gl/beS4MT, http://facebook.com/JaiThepFestival / B750 for Sunday ticket, B1,200 for phase-1 two-day ticket, B1,300 for phase-1 three-day ticket, tents start from B950 per person (B500 deposit, B450 rental fee).
+ A Big Blast
Blast Pool Series #0029 - HOLA 2018! / DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit / Jan 13
Kick off 2018 with Bangkok's noted techno-house open-air party. Two headliners are Bassel Darwish, a young and talented producer from Spain, and No Requests, a new artist from London. Darwish has worked the crowd at renowned clubs such as Elrow, City Hall Barcelona and Florida 135 in his hometown of Barcelona on top of his tech house productions through top labels. No Requests has released tracks through Toolroom Records and Zulu Records. Blast resident duo Adiero + Nukier will warm up the crowd.
2-8pm, ladies get in for free from 2-3pm / DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit 26 / www.facebook.com/BlastSessions / B400 with one drink, B700 with one hour of all you can drink.
Shows
+ Hello Katy
Witness: The Tour 2018 Bangkok / Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani / Apr 10
KatyCats, are you ready for Katy Perry's second concert in Thailand? Witness the California gurl deliver fireworks on the stage with her many hits so don't let this concert be the one that got away (if you're chuckling now, you're a real fan). Tickets go on sale on Jan 13. Citicard members have access to pre-sale tickets on Jan 9–10. Customers of Ocean Life Insurance also have access to pre-sale tickets on Jan 11–12.
Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani / www.thaiticketmajor.com / Ticket prices start at B3,500.
+ Diva Duo
AMP SHA Concert / Royal Paragon Hall / Feb 3-4
Two of Thailand's biggest divas and besties -- Amp Saowaluck and Marsha Vadhanapanich -- will join forces on the same stage for the first time. Together under their belts, they have many emotional hits fans know by heart. This will definitely be a nostalgic trip for those who grew up with their songs. Get your tickets from ThaiTicketMajor.
Feb 3 at 7pm, Feb 4 at 5pm / Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, Rama I / http://goo.gl/TMR8oQ / B1,500, B2,000, B2,500, B3,000, B3,500, B4,000.
+ Genie Gathering
Chang Music Connection presents genie fest 19 / Rajamangala National Stadium / Feb 10
Genie records under GMM Grammy will host a giant concert, featuring an all-star line-up. 20 leading Thai rock acts such as Bodyslam, Paradox, Big Ass, Potato and Labanoon will perform their hits. The tickets will be on sale from 10am on Jan 7 and you can buy them each for only B1,000 (regularly B1,500) on that day only!
Rajamangala National Stadium, Ramkhamhaeng Road. Visit www.genie-fest.com.
+ Music and Mask
The Mask Concert 3 / Royal Paragon Hall / Feb 17-18
This spin-off concert of the very popular show The Mask Singer returns for the third time. Expect a lot of mysterious singers in elaborate/ridiculous masks and costumes battling it out with their powerful voices.
Feb 17 at 7pm, Feb 18 at 2pm / Royal Paragon Hall, Siam Paragon, Rama I / http://goo.gl/deQUFQ / B1,500, B2,000, B2,500, B3,000, B3,500.
+ A Big Deal
Yak Fest / The Ocean Khao Yai / Feb 24
This new festival by Yuthana "Pa-Ted" Boonorm, best known for organising Big Mountain Music Festival, will bring together different lifestyles in one place. There will be five "villages": Talk Village, Bitchyland, Organic Village, Rap Village and B Village. All the cool people from different fields will be there. Alex Face, Rukkit, Yuree Kensaku and P7 represent street art. The music line-up is diverse -- from Rasmee Isan Soul to rapper UrboyTJ to indie diva Gene Kasidit to The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band. Party-wise, Trasher Bangkok and Rap is Now will show up. Giant inflatable dolls by nine artists will stand tall for your selfie ops.
Noon-midnight / The Ocean Khao Yai, Thanarat Road, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima / http://goo.gl/dZqH1w / B2,000.
Art
+ Kawaii Creatures
Character in My Mind / Sky Lobby / Jan 8-Apr 2
The Sky Lobby at Centara Grand at CentralWorld will host an adorable cartoon exhibition featuring paintings by Sitthinon Mongkolsangsuree and Thanaphan Dejboon. The former obsesses with creating cute big-eyed girls due to her interest in fashion and design. The latter draws cats in fantasy setting. Together, they make one hell of a kawaii exhibition.
10am-8pm / Sky Lobby, 23/F, CentaraGrand at CentralWorld, Rama I / 02-100-1234 ext 6753-6.
+ Social Satire
NONSENSE / ARDEL Gallery of Modern Art / Until Jan 21
Amarin Buppasiri playfully comments, via his paintings, on the heavily edited pictures people put out on their social media. What lies beneath the artificial/staged beauty some craft with their smartphones? The empty quest for more likes? Are we collectively marching towards superficiality?
Tue-Sat 10.30am-7pm, Sun 10.30am-5.30pm / ARDEL Gallery of Modern Art, Boromrachachonnanee, Tawee Wattana / www.ardelgallery.com, 02-422-2092.
+ Aspiring Photog
People & Human / 10ml. Cafe & Gallery / Jan 9-14
Nadia Kitirath, the boss lady of her own PR agency Nadia-K, captured stories about New York's Off-Off Broadway community from 2008-2009 during which she interned at Jonathan Slaff & Associates. Some of her snapshots have been published by The New York Times and Time Out New York. She's putting on her first photography exhibition, which gives you a glimpse into the Big Apple's theatrical movement. Free admission.
10am-8pm / 10ml. Cafe & Gallery, Vibhavadi Rangsit 16/6 / http://facebook.com/10mlcafegallery.
+ FRACTALS AND KALEIDOSCOPES
KRUNGTHEP FEVER DREAM / GALERIA SUCIO / JAN 13-FEB 12
Robert Stratton is a digital artist, designer and programmer from Brooklyn, US, who has lived in Bangkok for six years. At the core of the work is a tension between the photographic evocation of a time and place and the reshuffled shapes, colours and textures in the increasingly processed versions of the photo. In his work, he uses software he wrote to manipulate photographs he has shot in and around Bangkok. Not only his kaleidoscopic pictures are mesmerising to look at but they also make you wonder, "Where was this picture taken?".
Tue-Sun, 10am-6pm / Galeria Sucio, Sukhumvit 39 / http://facebook.com/GaleriaSucioSukhumvit39, 083-959-991.
Food
+ OOH LA LA
CHÂTEAU PALMER COMES TO CRU AND RED SKY / CENTARA GRAND AT CENTRALWORLD / JAN 11
Experience fine French dining accompanied by the rare selections of wine from the Bordeaux region with this one-off partnership between Château Palmer and fine dishes by chef Christian Ham. Enjoy the likes of Smoked duck foie gras terrine with Alter Ego de Palmer, Margaux 2011 and Grain-fed beef tenderloin and cheek parmentier with Château Palmer, Margaux 1998.
7pm / Centara Grand at CentralWorld, 999/99 Rama I / Email diningcgcw@chr.co.th, 02-100-6255 / B7,999.
+ SO HIPSTER
HIPSTER NIGHT / AMARA BANGKOK / EVERY FRIDAY
Tie your manbuns high and wear your flower crowns -- it's Hipster Night. The event starts at 6.30pm at Amara Bangkok's all-day dining restaurant, Element, and goes on into the night. There's a fizzy adult beverage buffet for B399 and two rounds of happy hour on selected drinks from 6.30-8.30pm and from 11-10pm. A live band will get the party going and guests can request songs by sending a message to the event's LINE account. And there's no entrance fee, too!
6.30pm / Amara Bangkok, 180/1 Surawong Road / Email fnb.bangkok@amarahotels.com, visit http://bangkok.amarahotels.com, 02-021-8888 extension 5320.
+ DUTCH DELICACIES
TWO-MICHELIN-STARRED CHEF EDWIN VINKE AT JOJO / THE ST REGIS BANGKOK / JAN 22-27
Dutch chef Edwin Vinke from the award-winning restaurant De Kromme Watergang brings his exclusive menu to Jojo Restaurant for a limited time. A lunch and dinner menu with an optional wine pairing is available for patrons to enjoy.
The St Regis Bangkok, 159 Ratchadamri Road / Email fb.bangkok@stregis.com, 02-2207-7777 / B3,800++ for six-course lunch menu (plus B2,000 for wine pairing), B5,800 for eight-course dinner menu (plus B,2500 for wine pairing).
+ After you X Starbucks
STARBUCKS DESSERT / STARBUCKS RESERVE EXPERIENCE MEGABANGNA / ONGOING
Coffee and desserts are a perfect combination, and if you're a coffee and dessert lover, you better be sitting down for this. Starbucks has partnered with famous dessert shop After You to bring patrons a range of delectable dishes that include Banoffee crumble pancake (B245), Affogato (B135) and, of course, the famous Shibuya honey toast (B185). The menu is available exclusively at the Starbucks Reserve Experience at Megabangna.
Starbucks Reserve Experience, Megabangna, 38-39 Bang Na-Trat Road / Visit http://starbucks.co.th.
Travel
+ Longer Stay, Better Rates
Longer Stay / Travelodge Pattaya / Until Apr 30
Get a 10% discount when you stay at Travelodge Pattaya for three nights. Sign up for the discount via www.travelodgehotels.asia for free. The membership also comes with a 12pm check-in and 2pm checkout. Both Pattaya Beach and Walking Street are within walking distance from the hotel, which is designed for budget-conscious travellers. Book online.
Travelodge Pattaya, Moo 10, Pattaya Sai Song Road, Chon Buri / www.travelodgepattaya.com, 038-103-777 / B1,444 per night with a breakfast buffet.
+ It's All About U
Discover U Package / U Zenmaya Phuket / Until Mar 31
A two-night's stay comes daily breakfast, 30-minute head and neck massage, welcome cocktail, round-trip airport transfer, Phuket Town or Rassada Pier, 20% off on F&B and free shuttle bus to Jungceylon Shopping Centre.
U Zenmaya Phuket, 6/181 Moo 6, Kamala, Kathu / www.uzenmayaphuket.com, 076-336-888 / from B9,883 per person.
+ Staycation
Well Relaxing Package / Well Hotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 / Until Mar 31
Relax in the heart of Bangkok with this three-night package from Well Hotel Bangkok. Included are daily international breakfast buffet, free minibar, a 60-minute Thai or aromatherapy massage for two, a B500 dining voucher and free admission to join a group exercise class. The hotel is walking distance to the BTS and MRT, as well as countless malls, restaurants, cafes and nightlife spots. This package applies to four room types. Stay longer to receive special rates. Book by Mar 31 for stays until Jun 30.
Well Hotel Bangkok, 10 Sukhumvit 20 / www.wellhotelbangkok.com, 02-127-5995 / B9,499 for Superior Room, B10,999 for Deluxe Room and B14,599 for Executive Room and B19,399 for Executive Suite.
+ Darling Deal
Holiday Season Package / Hotel Yayee / Until Jan 10
Consider this offer from Hotel Yayee, aka Ananda Everingham's boutique hotel, if you haven't had your New Year getaway yet. The stay includes Yayee Breakfast and minibar. Hotel Yayee is in the Nimman area, which means the most happening restaurants, cafes and malls of Chiang Mai are within walking distance. The view from the hotel's rooftop bar isn't too shabby either. Call the numbers below to book.
Hotel Yayee, 17/5 Sainumphueng, Suthep, Chiang Mai / http://facebook.com/hotelyayee, 084-595-0999, 099-269-5885 / B3,700 per night for Big Room, B3,000 for Small Room.
+ Michelin in Phuket
The International Michelin Star Chef Andrea Cannalire / JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa / Jan 12-15
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa will be offering Michelin-level dinners by chef Andrea Cannalire at Ginja Cook and Cucina Italian Kitchen for four days only. Cannalire's culinary approach is to combine influences from different regions of Italy and he works as chef de cuisine at Cielo, which has been awarded one Michelin star. On Jan 12 at Ginja Cook from 4pm, Cannalire will serve a five-course set menu with beverage pairing (B3,800++ per person). On Jan 13 at Cucina at 6.30pm, he will serve a 10 hands eight-course dinner (B2,900 or B4,599 with beverage pairing). On Jan 14 at Cucina from 6.30-10pm, he will oversee an Italian buffet dinner (B1,600 or B2,388 with free-flow beverages) with one choice of main course. On Jan 15 at Cucina at 6.30pm, he will prepare a six-course gala dinner with beverage pairing (B3,200).
JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa / 231 Moo 3 Mai Khao, Talang, Phuket / 076-338-000, email fbdiningexperience@marriotthotels.com.
Movies
+ GOODBYE CHRISTOPHER ROBIN
(directed by Simon Curtis)
Who's in it?
Domnhall Gleeson, Margot Robbie, Kelly Macdonald
What's it about?
The film follows the real-life author A.A. Milne (Gleeson), suffering from the trauma of fighting in a war while trying to get back into writing and raising his son with his wife (Robbie). Unexpectedly, it would be his son, Christopher Robin Milne, that would inspire him to create a timeless classic: the stories of Winnie the Pooh and friends.
Why watch it?
Who would've thought the story behind the creation of Winnie the Pooh could be so dramatic? And hey, it's General Hux and Harley Quinn raising a son.
+ INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY
(directed by Adam Robitel)
Who's in it?
Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson
What's it about?
Parapsychologist Elise Rainier (Shaye) travels to a house in New Mexico to investigate recent hauntings that the family residing there are experiencing. This house, however, has a connection to Rainier -- she used to live in when she was young.
Why watch it?
Start your 2018 right: scare yourself and crap your pants.
+ 24 HOURS TO LIVE
(directed by Brian Smrz)
Who's in it?
Ethan Hawke, Paul Anderson, Tanya van Graan, Rutger Hauer, Liam Cunningham
What's it about?
An assassin (Hawke) is brought back to life but only for 24 hours. Making good use of the time he has left, he goes after his previous employers who betrayed him.
Why watch it?
Assassin on a rampage with a time limit on his life -- formulaic but possibly enjoyable. Possibly.
NETFLIX
+ COMEDIANS IN CARS GETTING COFFEE -- THE COLLECTIONS
Watch Jerry Seinfeld and a slew of comedians drive around in cars and... get coffee. Streaming today.
+ STAR TREK: DISCOVERY (SEASON 1)
Join Michael Burnham and the crew of the U.S.S. Discovery as they continue their journey to boldly go where no one has gone before. The latest episode streams today.
