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
+ Japan Expo in Thailand, Siam Paragon, Sep 1-3
Whether you plan to to travel or study in Japan, this expo by Jeducation has you covered. There will also be live performances by dance-group World Order (best known for their cool robotic moves), BNK48 and more. The opening ceremony will take place at 11am on Sep 1.
11am-8pm. Royal Paragon Hall, 5/F, Siam Paragon. www.japanexpothailand.org. Free entry.
+ Celebrating Women in Health and Wellness, The Home, Sep 6
Make sure you keep your health and wellness info up-to-date by hearing directly from some of today’s top experts in nutrition, fitness and general medicine for women. The homey and inspiring space of The Home BKK will be hosting a discussion led by Alessandra Marazzi of “The Resilience Path”. You’ll hear different perspectives and experiences from speakers such as Dr Donna Robinson of MedConsult Clinic and Morgane Quinchone of the American salad café, Dressed. The event is open to anyone currently working in health or interested in that field. Gentlemen — you’re encouraged to join in and have input too! Everyone’s ticket also gets them a welcome drink and some snacks, but book fast because capacity is limited!
6.30pm. The Home, BKK, Sukhumvit Soi 23. goo.gl/nqVQ74. B500 online, B650 at the door.
+ Art Weekend, The COMMONS, Sep 9-10
The cool community mall will dedicate the upcoming weekend in support of local artists. Noted illustrator O Terawat, friend-to-Guru street artist ALEX FACE, collage-creator Nakrob/moon/mars/nut and more will showcase their talents. You’ll also have an opportunity to buy original pieces, join workshops, meet the artists (and ask for selfies) and see them in action. All participating artists will work a single canvas during the “Unblanking the Canvas” event, resulting in a unique mix-media masterpiece (and more selfie ops for you).
Noon-8pm. The COMMONS, Thong Lor Soi 17. goo.gl/H1vhth. Free admission.
+ Short Film: Shortcuts, CAT Channel, Until Sep 7
Those aspiring to become filmmakers should consider this contest organised by CAT Channel. Uni students are welcome to submit a short film which illustrates “shortcuts to business success with digital technologies”. The first prize is B100,000 in scholarship. Two runners-up will also receive scholarships. All top three films will be screened at CAT First Class Cinema at CentralWorld. The twenty finalist teams will receive fund to create their short films and join a workshop led by film director Chayanop Boonprakob.
For more info and to apply, go to www.catshortfilm.com, 086-354-5888.
PARTIES
+ Pay Day Disco Soundsystem, Studio Lam, Sep 1
The brainchild of local DJs Tek and Chote, Slum Disco Soundsystem is back to blow your socks off with something blastingly different from the usual tech house, Berlin-style techno and EDM that Bangkokians have become too accquainted with. If you’re looking for something in the way of boogie, funk, disco and house, and you’re looking for a party that doesn’t stink of people showing off and being up themselves, then head to Studio Lam next Friday baby! We highly urge you to spend that hard-earned cash wisely even though the event may state otherwise.
9:30pm-2am. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51. goo.gl/Rnmt4t. Free admission.
+ Shapov, Levels Club & Lounge, Sep 7
Russian rising-star DJ Shapov, who has been signed to Axwell’s Axtone Records, will be showcasing his pulsating sound. Perhaps best known for the anthemic single Belong which he collaborated on with Axwell, Shapov is also now part of “the million listeners per month club” on Spotify. So far this year, Shapov has performed at Tomorrowland, Ushuaïa, Aquarius, Parookaville, Life In Color, solidifying his status as a festival veteran.
9pm-2am. Levels Club & Lounge, Sukhumvit Soi 11. B350 at-door ticket comes with one drink.
+ Blast Pool Series #0024, DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit, Sep 2
Start September on a high note with the twenty-fourth edition of Blast Pool party. The techno-house open-air party will take place at DoubleTree as usual. Four DJs from three countries — homeboy Superstar Panda, Ashane from Sri Lanka and Blast resident Spaniard duo Adiero + Nukier — will headline. Free open-air sangria starts from 2-3pm.
2-8pm. DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit, Sukhumvit Soi 26. Buy one ticket and get another for free before 4pm, free entry for the ladies from 2-3pm, B400 with one drink, B700 with one hour of all you can drink.
+ SWAY x COME FULL Present BURN It UP EP.3, Sway, Sep 5
A line-up of six DJs will deliver a night of various genres from hip-hop to trap and dubstep for this third edition. Ketchpboyz, OG Smith, EN2 & Mc Skyway and more will bring down the house.
9pm-2am. Sway, Thong Lor Soi 10, Arena 10. goo.gl/et3bCY. Free admission.
+ ‘New York, New York’ G-Spot Theme party, Vertigo TOO, Sep 2
G-Spot takes the party experience to new heights — on the sixtieth floor of Banyan Tree Bangkok to be exact. The fun-filled night will feature drag queen shows, games, costume competition, DJs and drink promos. “Make America gay again” with your best/outrageous outfit for a chance to win a B10,000 voucher redeemable for treatments at Kharites Medical Aesthetic Clinic in Sukhumvit Soi 11. Drag queen shows happen at 9pm, 10pm and 11pm by Pangina Heals and her amazing crew. Buy-one-get-one promo starts from 6-9pm.
6pm-1am. Banyan Tree Bangkok, Sathon Tai Road. bit.ly/2w92KCJ, call 087-015-6600 to reserve a table. B500 entry fee after 9pm comes with two drinks of Finlandia Vodka.
SHOWS
+ Stand-up Comedy Open Mic!, Comedy Club Bangkok, Sep 1
Manchester-born Ellen Tomlinson will make you go “555” as she headlines for the open-mic night. Ellen started stand-up in 2012 and quickly became a rising star in the UK comedy scene. She performed her “Sawadee-NAH!” show, which was inspired by her experience in Thailand (duh), at the Women in Comedy Festival 2015. Expect fresh and observational jokes.
8:30pm. Comedy Club Bangkok, Sukhumvit 33/1 above The Royal Oak Pub. www.comedyclubbangkok.com. B250 for advance tickets via www.comedyclubbangkok.com, and The Royal Oak Pub B350 at the door.
+ Thunder From Down Under, Moonstar Studio 8, Until Sep 5
Ladies and good Judies, listen up! This is the closest you’ll ever get to seeing Magic Mike IRL. Thunder from Down Under, the all-Aussie and all male revue show, is coming to Southeast Asia for the first time. The group has enjoyed a 15-year residency at the Excalibur Hotel & Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, making it the only Australian act to achieve this longevity ever! The guys will be gyrating from Aug 30 until Sep 5. Two dates are especially reserved for women-only and gay-only audiences on Sep 4 and Sep 5 respectively. General and VIP tickets as well as VIP tables are available via Ticketmelon.
Moonstar Studio 8, Lat Phrao Soi 80. www.wildnight.asia, goo.gl/PQqWCn. B2,500 for general standing ticket with one drink, B7,500 for seating VIP ticket with two drinks and B40,000 for VIP table for six people with bevvy package.
+ Memories Do Not Open Asia Tour, Impact Challenger Hall 1, Sep 15
2017 is turning out to be a good year for music fans in Bangkok (although your wallet may take a bit of a beating). Andrew Taggart and Alex Pall, the EDM-pop duo known as The Chainsmokers, are coming to Bangkok! Well-known for hits like #Selfie, Closer and Something Just Like This (a collab with Coldplay), they’ll be rocking the Big Mango on Sep 15. Nick Martin, a rising DJ from Greece who signed with Armada Music earlier this year, will warm up the crowd for them too. Tickets are on sale via ThaiTicketMajor.
8:30pm. Impact Challenger Hall 1, Muang Thong Thani. goo.gl/k6P8iG. B2,000, B3,000 for standing tickets.
+ OneRepublic Live in Bangkok, IMPACT Arena, Sep 21
It’s abundantly clear that this year will go down as a golden year for big concerts by international names. American rock band OneRepublic will play in Bangkok on Sep 21 at IMPACT Arena. While we’re counting down the days to hear IRL their mega hit Counting Stars, which has garnered over 1.8 billion views on YouTube, their new dancehall-inspired single No Vacancy should easily rock the crowd too. Tickets are on sale via ThaiTicketMajor’s website and all its counters.
8:30pm. IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani. goo.gl/gSbh3Z, 02-262-3838. B2,000, B3,000, B4,000, B5,000.
+ Lucy Rose Bangkok Cinema Show, Heaven, Sep 22
Enjoy a night of film and live music with Something’s Changing, a new album by Lucy Rose which will be performed by a full band ensemble. On top of the concert there will also be the viewing of a short documentary capturing an account of her debut tour in Latin America last year; don’t miss out on this killer top floor venue offering a 360 degree view of Bangkok!
9pm onwards. Heaven Bangkok, 17-20/F, ZEN, CentralWorld. Get tickets goo.gl/ZCvh7x.
ART
+ Bangkok Art Book Fair 2017, Bangkok CITYCITY Gallery, Sep 7-10
Head on down to the BANGKOK ART BOOK FAIR 2017, an annual event which will see collaborations with artists, designers, illustrators, independent publishers, small publishers and Thailand’s contemporary art organizations. Entry fee is B60 per person. Children under 12 years of age can enter free of charge.
Sep 7, 6pm - Sep 10, 9pm. Bangkok CITYCITY Gallery, Sathon Soi 1. www.fb.com/BKKABF, 083-087-2725.
+ Art Weekend, The COMMONS, Sep 9-10
Go show your support for local artists such as O Terawat, ALEX FACE, Nakrob/moon/mars/nut, Supmanee C, Pianissimo Press, LoveSyrup, Him HP, Nut.Dao and more at The Commons during the first instalment of its Art Weekend. There will be opportunities to pick up original pieces, join enriching workshops, meet artists and see how each of them bring their own works of art to life... from scratch. Don’t miss the highlight of the event, “Unblanking the Canvas”, where all the attending artists will work on one single canvas to create a unique mixed-media masterpiece!
12pm-8pm. The COMMONS, Thong Lor 17. www.fb.com/thecommonsbkk, 089-152-2677.
+ Two Men Look Out Through the Same Bars: One Sees the Mud, and One Sees the Stars #2, WTF Gallery and Café, Until Sep 24
This exhibition is presented by two artists who continuously question the world around them, noticing things especially in those very mundane objects that we have stopped paying attention to. Sometimes it’s hard to see the reality of visible things and the mysterious things that have never been mentioned may perhaps be the truth. At least, this is the premise of artists Latthapon Korkiatarkul and Thanarat Siripidej. Go check it out!
Tue-Sun, 4pm-10pm. WTF Gallery and Cafe, Sukhumvit 51. www.fb.com/ArtCentre.SilpakornUniversity, 02-221-3841.
FOOD
+ Taste of Japan, On the Table Tokyo Café, Until Oct 31
Indulge in East meets West fusion dishes that give well-known western food a bit of a Japanese twist. Dishes like Spaghetti cream mentaiko (B270) and Hokkaido cold cappelini (B280) will be available for a limited time at all of On The Table’s locations.
www.fb.com/OnTheTableTokyoCafe
+ Four Hands Dinner, Mandarin Oriental, Sep 16
Chef Arnaud Dunand and Chef Alessandro Frau bring their culinary talents to Lord Jim’s Restaurant for one day only. The two exceptionally talented chefs will be serving up an eight-course dinner that consists of Italian and contemporary French cuisines which also includes wine pairing.
Lord Jim’s Restaurant, Mandarin Oriental, 48 Oriental Avenue. Visit www.mandarinoriental.com/bangkok, 02-659-9000. B8,500++.
+ Fragrance & Fashion, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, Sep 9
To be presented at the 18th annual World Gourmet Festival, “Fragrance & Fashion” will mix food, fashion, wine and art. There will be five acts throughout the course of the event, each act inspired by a specific fragrance like Radiant Bergamont and Sensual Bouquet.
Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel, 155 Ratchadamri Road. Visit www.worldgourmetfestival.asia, email wgf.asia@anantara.com, 02-126-8866.
+ Down Under on the Roof, Avani Riverside, Sep 7-8
A seven-course food and wine pairing are being presented by Chefs Andrew Cole and Nelly Robinson, two of Australia’s finest chefs bringing their expertise and cuisine to Bangkokian palates. Enjoy a Black onyx tenderloin while nursing a Shiraz Red 2015 and finish off with some chocolate truffles, all while taking in the breathtaking view AVANI Riverside Bangkok has to offer.
ATTITUDE Rooftoop Bar & Restaurant, AVANI Riverside Bangkok, 257 Charoen Nakhon Road. 02-431-9100 ext. 1416, email riverside.bangkok@avanihotels.com. B7,800++, B6,800++ if booked before Aug 24.
+ Crazy Shakes, D’ark By Phillip Di Bella, Ongoing
D’ark prides itself in serving premium coffees from around the world and recently, it has some sweet new additions to its menu. Indulge in its aptly named Crazy Shakes that are both pleasing to the eyes and taste, like the Blueberry shake or S’more shake. Just be careful of brain freeze.
D’ark By Phillip Di Bella, G/F, The EmQuartier. Visit www.darkcoffee.com, www.fb.com/darkbyphillipdibella. B350.
+ Fit Food, FoodPanda, Ongoing
Foodpanda now has a selection of restaurants that serve healthy meals that you can choose from to deliver to your doorstep. Enjoy the Super fit wraps from Dressed or vegan desserts like the organic Orange cake from Govinda — all with a press of a button from the comfort of your own home. For the month of August, Dressed is offering free delivery for all orders and Sourced & Grocers is including a free healthy dessert for order above B290, among other offers.
Visit www.foodpanda.co.th or download the Foodpanda app.
TRAVEL
+ Around Thailand in four days
The 44th Thai Taew Thai Fair, QSNCC, Until Sep 3
Have your Crocs ready because you’ll be covering miles at this famous travel fair where hundreds of offers from resorts, travel agents and car rentals await you. This weekend is your last chance to shop for the best deals. After some preliminary scouting, we present you some highlights.
Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers (booth G237) offers buffet lunch, dinner and brunch at Feast at discounted prices. Vouchers for international lunch buffet, international seafood & BBQ dinner and Sunday brunch are each available for B600, B1,000 and 1,500 respectively. Buy 10 of them to get another for free.
Properties under Imperial Hotels (C177-8, 02-227-9518) from across the country offer affordable deals with starting prices at B888 per night only. Their portfolio ranges from The Raweekanlaya Bangkok Wellness Cuisine Resort to Imperial Golden Triangle Resort in Chiang Rai to Metropole Hotel, Phuket.
Grab some good deals at Four Points by Sheraton (P367) where cash coupons worth B1,200 and B2,500 will be sold for B900 and B1,750 respectively. A stay in Deluxe Room with Wi-Fi and brekkie for two can be purchased for B2,999. These offers are valid until Feb 28, 2018.
There are so many more waiting to be discovered. We recommend downloading the “ThaiTeawThai” application onto your iOS or Android smartphones so you can conveniently check the floor plan, exhibitor list, news update and more.
+ September Sojourn
TAT recommends cultural highlights from across the country
Wat Tha Luang in Phichit will host Long Boat Racing Tradition from Sep 2-3 where participants vie for a royal trophy from His Majesty the King Rama X. Besides the race, there will also be a boat parade, OTOP products, light-and-sound performance and more.
A boat race to win a royal trophy from the late King Rama IX will take place from Sep 16-17 in Phitsanulok. A trophy from HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will be awarded to the best cheering crowd as well. Boats of various sizes will compete and a merit-making ceremony on boats will take place too.
The ceremony of Akha Swing Tradition in gratitude for Um Sa Yae Goddess, who gives abundance for crops, at Akha village in Chiang Rai continues until the end of this month.
Go northeast to watch the procession of offerings to the great ancestors in the event of Commemoration to Phraya Krai Phakdi on Sep 16 at Khukhan district in Si Sa Ket.
Another boat race will take place in Narathiwat from Sep 21-25. The rowing race between southern-style boats for a royally bestowed trophy will happen at Tha Phraya Sai Dam.
For more info, go to www.tourismthailand.org/thaifest or call 1672.
MOVIES
+ WHAT HAPPENED TO MONDAY? (directed by Tommy Wirkola)
Who’s in it?
Noomi Rapace, Glenn Close, Willem Dafoe.
What’s it about?
Set in a dystopian future where each family is only limited to having one child, a group of septuplets named after each day of the week are living their lives using the same identity and only going out on their designated day. Despite successfully living in secret for many years, the disappearance of one of their sisters, Monday, causes them to risk capture to find out what happened to her.
Why watch it?
Yet even further evidence that Monday causes a lot of problems.
+ THE EMOJI MOVIE (directed by Tony Leondis)
Who’s in it?
TJ Miller, James Corden, Anna Faris, Patrick Stewart.
What’s it about?
An emoji named Gene is somehow able to do multiple expressions, a truly harrowing issue for an emoji on a phone. With the help of a few friends, he sets out to become a normal emoji, but instead embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Featuring Professor Xavier and Captain Jean-Luc Picard himself, Patrick Stewart, lending his classical acting training and Shakespearean chops to play the role of... the poop emoji.
Why watch it?
We’re actually asking you. Why the heck would you even watch this?
+ AMERICAN MADE (directed by Doug Liman)
Who’s in it?
Tom Cruise, Domhnall Gleeson.
What’s it about?
The film is based on the true story of Barry Seal, a pilot who ends up running drugs and guns for the CIA in the 1980s and eventually running into infamous drug lord Pablo Escobar.
Why watch it?
It’s the closest thing we’ll have to a Top Gun sequel before the actual one comes out.
+ KILLING GROUND (directed by Damien Power)
Who’s in it?
Harriet Dyer, Mitzi Ruhlmann, Tiarnie Coupland.
What’s it about?
A couple’s camping trip takes a turn for the worse when they stumble upon an empty tent that seems to be the scene of a crime.
Why watch it?
It has the components of a terrifying film: a mysterious setup, protagonists with no powers or skills in a dangerous situation... and camping.
+ SECURITY (directed by Alain Desrochers)
Who’s in it?
Antonio Banderas, Ben Kingsley.
What’s it about?
A war veteran (Banderas) takes a job as a security guard at a mall. His hopes of an easy job go down the drain on his first night when a teenager seeks refuge at the mall with a bunch of henchmen hot on her tail.
Why watch it?
It’s Paul Blart: Mall Cop but serious, gritty and more intense.
+ INHUMANS (directed by Scott Buck)
Who’s in it?
Anson Mount, Serinda Swan, Iwan Rheon.
What’s it about?
If you watch Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, then you’re probably aware of Inhumans. Based on Marvel’s comics of the same name, the series follows the Inhuman Royal Family, who flee to Earth after being ousted by a military coup on their planet by the king’s brother who’s bent on making a first strike on humankind. The first two episodes will premiere in cinemas.
Why watch it?
If you’re a Marvel fanatic, you really don’t need a reason. If you’re not, they’ve got a giant dog named Lockjaw with superpowers. Got you interested, huh? It will be showing at all Major cinemas here in the big BKK.
+ RIVER CITY BANGKOK FILM CLUB
23 Trok Rongnamkaeng, Yotha Road, Talad-Noi Sampantawong
Room 201, Second floor
The River City Bangkok Film Club are showing five different films throughout the Saturdays of September. The first film, Soul Kitchen, paints a picture of the diverse ethnicities of the German community using food and music. Directed by German film-maker Fatih Akin. No admission fee and free snacks and drinks from the German Embassy and Goethe Institute.
Visit www.rivercitybangkok.com.
+ DISNEY MANIA
Everyone loves Disney. If you don’t, we assume you’re a heartless, lonely person with no emotions. But anyways, iFlix is giving its subscribers their Disney fix with a whole slew of films from the most magical company on earth. So sit back and get the feels on with Toy Story or stand up and belt out Let It Go with Elsa. But don’t forget: Disney owns Marvel, so that also means you get Marvel movies like Captain America and Iron Man.
