Music, movies, malls and more: What to expect in 2018.
Concerts
From pop icons to bad boys of rock, 2018 looks like a busy year for concertgoers.
Harry Styles May 7
The One Direction singer -- last seen scrambling for safety in Dunkirk -- will perform here as part of his 2018 World Tour. Expect his hits as a solo artist, from Sing Of The Times to Kiwi, and maybe a couple from his One Direction heyday. Expect, too, a crowd of screaming teenage girls.
Katy Perry April 10
Katy Perry is known as an artist whose live shows are a burst of energy, colour and wackiness, from her series of outlandish costumes to dazzling video displays. This will be her second visit to Bangkok (the first was in May 2015). What do want to hear most? Roar, Chained To The Rhythm, Teenage Dream, Last Friday Night, I Kissed A Girl?
Bruno Mars April 30 and May 1
Well, all tickets have already sold out -- for both shows on April 30 and May 1. After his fist gig here in 2014, Mars is set to return with a larger catalogue of hits from his 24K Magic album (Versace On The Floor, That's What I Like, 24K Magic). The stage will come ablaze with Mars' steps and the floor of Impact Arena is sure to tremble.
Imagine Dragons Jan 11
Thai fans can't seem to get enough of American alternative rock band Imagine Dragons. They're coming back again for the third time in four years after blowing away Thai audiences with their high-energy performance back in 2015. Dan Reynolds (vocals), Wayne Sermon (guitar), Daniel Platzman (percussion) and Ben McKee (bass) will be playing their latest hits like Thunder, Believer and Whatever It Takes on Jan 11 at Show DC Oasis Outdoor Arena.
Liam Gallagher Jan 12
This is going to be, well, a mouthful. Liam Gallagher will return to Bangkok for his third visit; the first two in the 2000s was when he was with Oasis. To take place at Bitec Bangna, the show is likely to be packed with both Oasis hits (Wonderwall, Morning Glory, Be Here Now) as well as Gallagher's singles as a solo artist (Wall Of Glass, Chinatown). Besides music, which will be brilliant, fans will expect him to say something loud, scathing and explosive, too.
One OK Rock Jan 18
The Japanese rock outfit has a huge following in Asia, and their third concert in Bangkok will surely pack Impact Arena (their previous gigs were sold out). Their latest album, Ambitions, confirmed their place as the most popular Japanese rock band.
John Legend March 23
One of the most anticipated shows of next year, John Legend's "Darkness and Light Tour" will land in Bangkok at Bitec Bangna. Legend whipped up our enthusiasm (and a touch of nationalism!) in his promo video when he greeted us with the usual sawatdee krab, then his wife Chrissy Teigen chimes in sawatdee ka, in an accent-free rendition. "She's Thai," Legend says and laughs. And indeed that Thai connection will hopefully make his visit to our shores truly special.
Foster The People Jan 28
The indie pop band hailing from Los Angeles are having their first Bangkok concert on Jan 28 at Moonstar Studio on Lat Phrao 80. Fans will be able to hear songs from their fourth album, released last July, and see how far the band has come since their first single Pumped Up Kicks became a hit.
Movies
Again it will be a year of superheroes, monster sequels and remakes. We look at some of the offerings to hit the screen this year, from blockbusters to smaller (possible) gems.
Avengers: Infinity War
After the years-long build-up started in Iron Man a decade ago, Marvel is finally ready to give fans the pay-off they've been waiting for in Avengers: Infinity War, a mash-up of epic proportions that will unite all of Marvel's film protagonists under one title. With the alien warlord Thanos finally falling on Earth with his conquering army, the world's heroes must once again put aside their differences to face this new threat, with help from allies old and new both from this world and beyond. Release date: April 25
Black Panther
Set in the fictional, futuristic African country of Wakanda, warrior king T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) faces enemies from within and out as he fights to protect his beloved homeland. The film will be the first solo outing for Black Panther, who first made his debut in 2016's Avengers: Civil War. Release date: February
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald
Building off from 2016's Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them, the prequel film will focus on the legendary relationship between a young Dumbledore (Jude Law) and the renegade wizard Grindelwald (Johnny Depp). The film will also star Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, the protagonist of the 2016 original. Release date: Nov 16
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
More angry dinosaurs, of course, but also a save-the-beast mission from Chris Pratt. After the Jurassic World Theme Park was overrun by the prehistoric reptiles at the end of Jurassic World, dinosaurs are left to roam freely on the island. When they're threatened by a volcanic eruption, a team of rescuers land on the island to save them. Release date: June 22
Mission: Impossible 6
After almost 20-years working on the Mission: Impossible franchise, you'd think Tom Cruise would want a break. Apparently not, as the film's sixth feature is set to hit cinemas later this year. Plot details are still scarce, but the film will also reportedly welcome newcomer Henry Cavill as well. Release date: July 27
Suspiria
This remake of the horror classic stars Dakota Johnson (Fifty Shades Of Grey) as an American dancer who arrives at a Berlin dance school to study. No sooner could she unpack her bag than a series of blood-splattering murders start, while worms, maggots and angry dogs (if we believe the new one will follow the original film) chip in to the escalation of fear and menace. The film was shot by Thai cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom. Release Date: Likely the second half of the year
First Man
Following up his success in La La Land, Oscar-winning writer-director Damien Chazelle will return with the much-anticipated story of Neil Armstrong (played by Ryan Gosling). The film is said to be a complete retelling of the space race, beginning in 1961 and ending with Armstrong's walk on the moon in 1969. Release Date: Oct 12
Bohemian Rhapsody
Despite the hiccup behind the shoot, the biopic of Freddy Mercury and Queen will hit the cinemas later in the year. Rami Malek (from Mr Robot) plays Mercury, and the film looks at the band's rise and their whirlwind adventure leading up to the Live Aid concert. Release date: Dec 25
Solo: A Star Wars Story
To help ease the unbearable wait for Episode IX next year, 2018 will see the release of Solo: A Star Wars Story, a tangential Star Wars film in the same vein as 2016's Rogue One. This time, the film will act as a prequel to the original trilogy, and will focus on the beloved smuggler Han Solo before his fateful encounter with Luke and Leia. Release date: May 25
Ready Player One
Based on a best-selling novel by Ernest Cline, Steven Spielberg's sci-fi epic takes place in the year 2045, where the world is gripped by an expansive VR world called the OASIS. The film's trailers have delighted fans with its extensive references to pop culture when it was released last year. Release date: March 29
Malls and Hotels
Thai people wait for every new mall like we're waiting for the arrival of a baby, or a messiah, or both. Plus a bunch of new hotels waiting to be unveiled in the coming months.
Icon Siam
Icon Siam, a new riverside complex, is scheduled to open in October, and its opening will add to the riverside property boom. The complex will contain everything bored Bangkokians (and excited tourists) can hope for, including a shopping mall, sports complex, 3,000-seat auditorium, luxury residences, activity space, cinema complex, and even a museum. According to the property's press release, the main attraction is the mall, with many first-time entries to Thailand, including Takashimaya. As we know, this mega-project will keep growing, and the planned extensions include a special rail system and observation tower.
Gateway Bangsue
Gateway in Ekamai, full of Japanese restaurants and outlets as well as a popular organic market, has proved to be a hit community mall for the Sukhumvit and Phra Khanong crowds. The new Gateway Bangsue is expected to open later this year.
Waldorf
The Waldorf Astoria Bangkok will occupy the lower parts of the luxury condominium Magnolia on Ratchadamri Road. The hotel features 170 guest rooms.
Rosewood
With its bold, eye-tricking architecture, the Rosewood Bangkok in Ploenchit will add new gleams to the bustling quarters.
Lancaster
This new hotel on Phetchaburi has actually soft-opened. The property expects to bring more traffic to the Makkasan area. The hotel will feature 231 lavishly decorated rooms and suites -- all with complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi -- to cater to travelling businessmen and families. Guests can indulge in fine dining at Siam Brasserie, or delight in tapas and cocktails at the Lancaster Bar. An entire floor is dedicated as a wellness and fitness hub that comes with state-of-the-art 500m² gym and a relaxing spa.
Edition
The Bangkok Edition, at the long-awaited MahaNakhon Building, is a stylish boutique hotel for globetrotters. The brand has branches in London, Miami Beach and Barcelona, among others. It actually was expected to open last year so its unveiling is eagerly awaited. The Bangkok Edition features 155 guest rooms and spacious public space, offering more than 1,675m² of combined meeting space including a boardroom, main function room and outdoor banquet terrace. A pool, state-of-the-art fitness centre and spa with four treatment rooms also will be available for hotel guests.
Nikko
This Japanese hotel will fittingly open in Thonglor, the "Japan Town" of Bangkok. The 300-room hotel will occupy 20 floors above ground and four floors in the basement. The hotel's facilities will include Japanese and all-day dining restaurants, an executive lounge, five banquet and meeting rooms, a fitness club and a rooftop pool.
