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
+ Vintage Market
Made By Legacy Flea Market: Number Nine / Sermsuk Warehouse / Jan 26-28
Bangkok's famous vintage flea market returns at a new riverside location. The Sermsuk Warehouse at Pepsi Pier occupies more than 10 rai of land so the market will definitely be bigger than ever before. The three-day event features 200 vendors in a special setting with Taksin Bridge as the backdrop. It will be a treasure trove for those who love vintage items in good condition, as well as a foodie playground. Get off at BTS Saphan Taksin and take a short boat ride from Sathorn Pier to cross the Chao Phraya River to get there.
- 3pm-midnight / Sermsuk Warehouse, 721 Charoen Nakhon / http://fb.com/MadeByLegacy / B100 per person for a one-day pass.
+ Central Creative Districts
Bangkok Design Week 2018 / Charoen Krung, Klong San, Rama I and Sukhumvit / Jan 27-Feb 4
Various venues in four creative districts of Bangkok -- Charoen Krung, Klong San, Rama I Road and Sukhumvit -- will get your creative juice flowing with inspiring activities. Here are some highlights that you shouldn't miss.
Head to TCDC and Warehouse 30 on Jan 27-28 and Feb 1-4 for "Creative Music" to catch live performances by noted indie names such as Bedroom Audio, Stylish Nonsense, Jelly Rocket and more.
PINN Creative Space at The Shoppes Grand Rama 9 offers an exclusive tour/crash course for those who want to create cool products (and sell them like hot cakes). Get the basics on digital fabrication tools and pick the experts' brains. There will be four rounds of this tour (1-3.30pm) on Jan 27-28 and Feb 3-4. Each round is open to 10 people only. B350 fee per person comes with a tote bag. Sign up at http://goo.gl/DPZ27X.
SME owners who want to seek one-on-one advice from the experts should check out a consultant service at TCDC. The experts have been handpicked by TCDC and they are ready to lend their advice at special price of B550 per hour (regularly B1,000). Go to http://goo.gl/iHYjMz.
Check out selected works by the graduates of CommDe (Chula's Communication Design Program) at "Future Tapped" exhibition. The programme has produced five classes of graduates so far and this exhibition will be the first of its kind. It runs until Feb 18 at the Faculty of Architecture's Department of Industrial Design.
Food-wise, we would like to recommend a pop-up dinner party at 28 Block Party #1: Local-motive in Charoen Krung 28. 80/20, Tropic City, Jua, 100 Mahaseth and Black Pig Tattoo join force to offer an eight-course meal and three cocktails for the price of B4,500 on Jan 28 from 5-11pm. The menu is inspired by local waste around Si Phraya-Talad Noi community. Proceeds will go to the development of Charoen Krung-Si Phraya neighbourhood. Call 099-118-2200 to book a seat.
Chinanatown Fair 2018 in Soi Nana combines art, architecture and design. Open houses by art and design studios, creative street market, exhibitions and a block party will be hosted by residents of the artsy soi themselves. Enjoy food and drink from many unique bars and restaurants in the neighbourhood. More than 20 venues join this fair from 4pm-midnight on Jan 28. Free entry.
Check out marketplaces of creative handicraft products at YELO House (Jan 26; 4-10pm, Jan 27-28; 1-10pm), W District (Jan 27-Feb 4; 11am-8pm) and in front of Bangkok General Post Office (Feb 1-4; 4-10pm).
- Visit http://fb.com/BangkokDesignWeek.
Parties
+ Two years of Beam
Beam 2nd anniversary / Beam / Jan 27
After pushing the underground house/techno music scene to the forefront by hosting numerous parties with live performances from renowned DJs, Beam shows no signs of stopping. The Thonglor nightclub will be celebrating their second anniversary this Saturday, by doing what they do best: spreading good vibes with the power of deep electronic music. Montreal's DJ Jacques Greene, who performed during Beam's opening night, will be back to headline the celebration on the main stage along with future hip-hop & bass collective Yeti Out on the Dalmatian stage. Support acts include Sarayu and Noxro. Free bevvies (beers and standard drinks only) will be available until 11pm.
From 9pm / BEAM, 72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit 55 / http://fb.com/beamclubbkk / B500.
+ Get lost in the electric valley
Electric valley 7 / Pai / Jan 26
For a party that is like no other, head out of the city and into the town of Pai. Known for taking place in a secret valley surrounded by mountains, rivers, and rice fields, Electric Valley will be occurring tonight, its long line-up of DJs ensuring the party will last all night long. A taxi will be parked in front of the Why Not Bar, where it will transport attendees to a secret location where the party will take place. In this seventh outing, the theme of the party is video game characters so make sure to grab your favourite gaming character outfit (we assume it will be a Mario plumber hat) and party your heart out to electronic sounds of drum and bass, future house and tech house.
8pm-5am / Pai, Mae Hong Son / http://fb.com/electricvalleypai / Tickets are available now at the Purple Monkey & Why Not Bar for B200, tickets will also be available at the door of event for B250.
+ Good food, good music, good karma
Karma kitchen / Coastal / Feb 17
The folks at Karma Klique will be bringing a new instalment of Karma Kitchen, a day-night event filled with DJs and food. All proceeds will go to Scholars for Sustenance, a non-profit organisation who collect excess food from donors to provide fresh, quality meals to those in need. The ticket to the event will give attendees access to the party located at the tropical style bar Coastal, as well as the after party at Studio Lam. Taking over the stage are international DJs which include Canada's Thomas Von Party and the UK's DeLorean along with local favourites such as Sunju Hargan and DOTT. Food vendors so far include popular burger truck Daniel Thaiger, with more to be announced. The tickets will be limited to just 200 people so those who are looking to donate to a good cause while grabbing some delicious food should act now.
8pm-1am / Coastal, Sukhumvit 39 / http://fb.com/karmaklique / Early bird tickets will be available at B250.
+ Let's rave and get wet
S20 Songkran music festival / Apr 13-15
Get ready for the Thai New Year as one of Thailand's biggest (or wettest) Songkran parties is splashing its way back for three days of wild festivities. Limited early-bird tickets will go on sale at noon on Feb 1 which is a 3-day pass to the event, so be sure to mark your calendars before they are sold out.
http://goo.gl/S2K8tt / Early-bird tickets will be available for B3,400.
Shows
+ Because you loved her
Celine Dion live 2018 in Bangkok / Impact arena / July 23
Celine Dion, one of pop music's world-famous singers, will be making her Thailand debut this summer as part of her Live 2018 Tour. The highly-anticipated concert tour will take the French-Canadian legendary icon to seven cities around the Asia-Pacific, some of which she will perform in for the first time, including Bangkok, Singapore, Jakarta, Taipei and Manila. Instantly recognisable and highly influential, the singer is renowned for her numerous international number-one hits such as The Power Of Love, Because You Loved Me and My Heart Will Go On, and has won multiple Grammy Awards including Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Performance. Tickets will go on sale on Feb 3 at 10am in all ThaiTicketMajor outlets, however, Team Celine members will be able to purchase pre-sale tickets starting from Feb 1.
IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani / http://goo.gl/T2JmRG / Team Celine pre-sale tickets will be available on Feb 1, general sale tickets will be available
on Feb 3.
+ All-new Russell
Russell Peters deported world tour / Impact exhibition hall 1 / March 4
It's time to laugh out loud (and possibly get offended) as global stand-up comedian Russell Peters will be bringing his signature cultural humour back to Bangkok in March, with this being his third show in the city. The entertainer will be delivering his distinct observational style of comedy and satire with all-new material as part of the Deported World Tour. Peters has previously made fans in Asia hoot and howl with laughter in sold-out shows in 2015 and 2016 before taking a break from touring to star in his own Netflix series The Indian Detective.
6-8.30pm / IMPACT Exhibition Hall 1, Muang Thong Thani / http://goo.gl/MeDKbX / Ticket prices start from B2,000.
+ Get peachy
Jamnight live! with Peach Pit / About studio / Mar 2
HAVE YOU HEARD? in collaboration with Jameson Irish Whiskey will be bringing their second show from their #JAMNIGHT Live! series featuring quirky Canadian indie pop band Peach Pit. The group are known for their laid back sound for what they call "chewed bubblegum pop", and their peculiar outfits worn on stage. Supporting them are local indie bands Penny Time and Lord Liar Boots. There will also be a market zone where attendees can buy band merchandise as well as food for those hungry for a quick bite before the show.
6pm-midnight / About Studio, Pradit Manutham / http://goo.gl/ZVpu7t / B1,200.
+ Multilingual comedy
Zenjiro at Raw comedy / Live lounge BKK / Jan 31
An award-winning multilingual comedian who can perform in English, Japanese and Korean, Yoshimoto Zenjiro will be performing stand-up comedy in Bangkok at the end of this month. Zenjiro, winner of the Stand-Up Bangkok International Comedy Competition in 2015, will be performing his comedy routine in English to discuss race, religion, politics and sex. He has previously hosted numerous TV shows in Japan as well as making appearances in various shows and comedy festivals around the world.
8.30-11.30pm / Live Lounge BKK, Sukhumvit 13 / http://goo.gl/292hdJ / B300.
+ Post-punk electro filth
Spotlight: Das fluff / Live lounge BKK / Jan 26
The next of Live Lounge BKK's Spotlight series of shows will be starting tonight, delving into Berlin-based band Das Fluff. The electro punk group had previously toured all over Asia in 2016, and now they are back in Bangkok with a performance in support of their latest album Flower With Knife. Joining the band will be punk rock band Plague Pits who made their debut in Bangkok last September.
7.30pm-2am / Live Lounge BKK, Sukhumvit 13 / http://goo.gl/nsJgwK / Advance pre-sale tickets are available for B300, at the door B400.
Art
+ For the Adult Eyes Only
Japanese Erotic Grotesque Art Exhibition / Maison Close / Until Jan 31
Maison Close's second exhibition is definitely risqué, showcasing selected works from some of the finest ero-guro contemporary Japanese artists. Ero-guro, or ero guru nansensu, is a movement started circa 1930. It weirdly marries eroticism and grotesqueness (hence the name) into something you want to look away from but quite can't. Works by Toshio Saeki, Suehiro Maruo and more are on display. If you want to Google their names, please know it's NSFW. Opened in November, Maison Close is an art gallery, tattoo shop and bar contained in one shophouse, co-owned by Romain Guiot, who runs Outlaw Creative Cuisine next-door.
3pm-midnight and closed on Monday and Tuesday / Maison Close, 397/399 Charoeng Krung 45 / http://fb.com/maisonclosebkk.
+ Ethereal Beauty
NONENTITY / RCB Galleria / Until Jan 31
Chatchawan Rodklongtan's fifth exhibition, at RCB Galleria in River City Bangkok, will see the debut of the painting Tida Marn 10. Expect the gorgeous blending of semi-naked women and Thai motifs, resulting in captivating and ethereal imagery. Other works on display by this award-winning artist are inspired by Buddhism.
10am-8pm / RCB Galleria, 2F, River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24 / http://fb.com/RiverCityBangkok, 02-237-0077.
+ Wearable Art
Chainreaction / ATTA Gallery / Until Feb 25
Expect artsy accessories by 12 artists who participated in the Handshake project, which supports emerging New Zealand jewellery artists. The project allows select artists two years to develop their idea and artworks, gives them mentoring, and provides exposure and the opportunity to have their works exhibited.
1-7:30pm / ATTA Gallery, Charoen Krung 36 / http://attagallery.com, 02-238-6422.
+ Emotive Art
Emotion / The Peninsula Plaza / Until Feb 7
This ninth solo exhibition by Sompech Wanchit features 40 of his acrylic paintings capturing various moods like its title suggests. Underneath the mesmerising dreamscapes he creates lie consciously or unconsciously expressed emotions. His paintings are visual feasts but those little details he hid will slowly reveal themselves to you.
10am-8pm / The Peninsula Plaza, Ratchadamri Road / 02-254-2384.
+ Otherness
Pieces from Berlin / ARDEL's Third Place Gallery / Jan 30 - Mar 3
Bussaraporn Thongchai's two years in Berlin serves as the original ingredient for this exhibition. She pondered that two years in Berlin was long enough to make her feel like a stranger to the place she came from but too short to make her really acclimate in the new society there. Her new exhibition explores cultural diversity, ethnicity, migration and more. The opening reception starts at 6.30pm on Jan 30.
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, closes on Sunday / ARDEL's Third Place Gallery, Thong Lor 10 / www.ardelgallery.com, 02-422-2092.
+ Imaginary Places
21 exhibition by Siri / 10ml. / Until Feb 11
Dr Maxwell Maltz famously said 21 is the magic number of minimum days for a new habit to form. This inspires Sirinart Saiprasart, aka SIRI, an illustrator and writer at 10 millimetres Publishing, to create 21 paintings of her dream destinations to be on display during this 21-day exhibition. During the same period, she'll be writing a special diary for the exhibition and visitors who partake in writing the diary with her will receive a picture she draws as a thank-you too. Previously, her cute illustrations have been featured in two exhibitions in Taiwan.
10am-8pm / 10ml. Cafe Gallery, Vibhavadi Rangsit 16 / 089-465-6915.
Food
+ Love at the 'Bucks
Valentine's merchadise / Starbucks / Ongoing
A new collection of drinkware in Valentine's design has come to Starbucks stores nationwide. Choose from a variety of designs that include the Icy blue SS cold cup (B1,150) or go for the Valentine's mug with lid (B980).
Visit http://starbucks.co.th
+ Berry berry popcorn
Mixed berry flavour / Garret popcorn shops / Until Feb 14
Don't have any gift ideas for Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year? Kill two birds with one stone with Garrett's Mixed berry flavoured popcorn packaged appropriately in auspicious red quart petite tins. Available now in limited quantities.
Visit garrettpopcorn.com or http://fb.com/garrettpopcornth / Price starts at B180.
+ When you wish upon a drink
New branch / Wishbeer Thonglor / Ongoing
Wishbeer Thonglor has finally opened to the public. Only 300m away from the BTS Station, Wishbeer Thonglor prides itself in stocking fizzy adult beverages that have been rated 90 or above from ratebeer.com, where people all over the world rate the drinks.
5pm—midnight / Wishbeer Thonglor, 91 Sukhumvit 57 / Visit http://fb.com/WishbeerHomeBar, 02-392-1403.
+ Truffle season
New seasonal tasting menu / Centara grand at Centralworld / Until Feb 28
Feast on a five-course black and white truffle-inspired menu concocted by chef Christian Ham at Red Sky. Enjoy Roasted fillet of lamb with black olive powder, Tuna carpaccio, and Chocolate cream with Yuzu sherbet along with a spectacular view of the city from the 55th floor.
4pm-1am / Red Sky, Centara Grand at CentralWorld, 999/99 Rama I Road / Email diningcgcw@chr.co.th, 02-100-6255 / B2,955++, additional for B1,999++ for wine pairing.
+ Aussie Aussie Aussie!
Australia day / Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit / Jan 26
Celebrate Australia Day at Novotel's rooftop bar Sky on 20. The event includes a slew of drinks including Australian white wine, a spread of Australian style barbecue, and thumping Aussie tunes to get the party going.
5pm / Sky on 20, Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit, 19/9 Sukhumvit 20 / Visit http://goo.gl/255fe1, email h9343-fb5@accor.com, 02-009-4999.
+ Seafood galore
Seafood brunch deal / Compass skyview hotel / Until Feb 25
Feast on snow fish, oysters, scallops, blue crab, and more at Compass Skyview's special seafood brunch deal. Three people can enjoy seafood goodness at the price of B4,400.
12:15pm-3:15pm / Compass Skyview Hotel, Sukhumvit 24 / Visit http://fb.com/compassskyview, 02-011-1111
Travel
+ From DMK to CTS and Back
Daily Direct Flight to Sapporo, AirAsia X / Until Jan 28
This is a good news for Thais who fly to Japan so often like we share a border (you may know one in real life). AirAsia X recently re-introduced daily direct flights between Bangkok and Sapporo which will commence on Apr 10. Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido island, is the second to Tokyo in terms of popular destinations in Japan for Thai travellers. It's about seven hours away on a plane from Bangkok but it'll be worth the wait as Sapporo is known for food, parks, beer, skiing and museums. And it has something to offer tourists all year round. To celebrate this new flight, AirAsia is offering a promotional fare for those who book until Jan 28, whether they fly on a regular seat or Premium Flat Bed Class. Moreover, AirAsiaGO, an online travel booking website and AirAsia partner, is offering a 4D3N hotel-and-flight deal available until Jan 28 only. Both offers are valid for travel from Apr 10-Oct 27.
www.airasia.com and thailand.airasiago.com / promotional airfare starts from B3,990 per trip or B12,900 for Premium Flat Bed Class, B11,999 per person for AirAsiaGO.
+ JUST U & U
Be My Valentine / U Chiang Mai / Feb 1-28
Surprise your significant other with a romantic stay in Chiang Mai. The getaway for St Valentine's Day includes daily buffet breakfast, a bottle of wine, one welcome chocolate set and of course a special bed set-up to get you two in the right mood. The hotel is on Ratchadamnoen Road where the Sunday Night Market takes place. You literally walk out of the hotel's doorsteps and right into the market. You can book now for stays from Feb 1-28. A minimum of two-night stay is required.
U Chiang Mai, 70 Ratchadamnoen Road, Sri-Poom, Muang / www.uchiangmai.com, 053-327-000, reserve@uchiangmai.com / from B7,299 per night.
+ Travelling while Giving Back
Discover a Hidden Community in Krabi with Sustainable Tourism / Local Alike / Until April 30
Local Alike, a Thai social enterprise specialising in community-based tourism, has joined force with EverydayKrabi to come up with five curated packages for those who love to explore Krabi. Each focuses on different sides of Krabi from forest conservation activities at Laem Sak Village, hot springs in Klong Thom, to islander life on Koh Lanta. They are available as either 1D trip or 2D1N trip. Visit Local Alike's website for more info.
+ Fancy Flights
Oh Lala Deals / Air France / Until Jan 31
Air France offer special fares on return economy flights to major destinations in Europe and America. An all-inclusive flight to Milan costs B21,135 while flying to New York and back costs B43,000. Book online by Jan 31 for travel until Nov 30.
+ Honeymooners' Hideaway
Honeymoon Package / Centara Muscat Oman Hotel / Apr 30
Surprise your significant other with a three-night stay at Centara Muscat Oman Hotel. To sweeten up this offer, the hotel will throw in free upgrade to Business Suite, one private dinner on the rooftop for two, one-hour massage for two at Spa Cenvaree and in-room romantic decoration. The hotel is close to several attractions such as The Royal Opera House and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque. If you're adventurous and active type, diving, dolphin watching, golfing are available in Oman's capital city.
Centara Muscat Hotel Oman, Way 6816, Ghala Heights, Wilyat Bausher, 3564, Muscat / www.centarahotelsresorts.com/special-offers, http://goo.gl/kM5B4w / From B16,822++.
Movies
+ The Post
(directed by Steven Spielberg)
Who's in it?
Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood.
What's it about?
Based on true events, the film follows the first female newspaper publisher, Katherine Graham (Streep), as she joins forces with editor Ben Bradlee (Hanks). Together, they race against The New York Times to publish an exposé on the truth behind the Vietnam War and in the process put their careers and the newspaper on the line.
Why watch it?
Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks in a Spielberg movie? I mean, come on.
+ Maze runner: The death cure
(directed by Wes Ball)
Who's in it?
Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario, Thomas Brodie-Sangster.
What's it about?
The conclusion to the Maze Runner series finds the Gladers, led by Thomas (O' Brien), breaking into the Last City to save their friends and to find a cure from a plague known as "The Flare".
Why watch it?
We dunno. You tell us.
My next guest needs no introduction with David Letterman
Over two years after he left his legendary stint as the host of The Late Show, David Letterman is back, this time on Netflix. The first episode of his talk show, which is available to stream now, features former President Barack Obama in his first interview since leaving office.
+ Black lighting (season 1)
Jefferson Pierce is a principal at a high school who seems to be a normal family man. In reality, he's a retired superhero named Black Lightning. But when a local gang threatens the peace of his neighbourhood, he takes on the vigilante mantle once more. The first episode of the latest addition to the DC TV superhero roster is available to stream now with the second episode dropping this Tuesday.
TV series
+ High maintenance (season 2)
Cinemax - Every Saturday at 10pm; Streaming on HBO GO via AIS Play and AIS Playbox
A delivery man, simply referred to as "The Guy", delivers cannabis to various people around the city. The show features his different experiences on different days with different clients. The comedy-drama series' second season premiered on Jan 20 with the second episode of the season showing tomorrow.
NETFLIX
+ My next guest needs no introduction with David Letterman
Over two years after he left his legendary stint as the host of The Late Show, David Letterman is back, this time on Netflix. The first episode of his talk show, which is available to stream now, features former President Barack Obama in his first interview since leaving office.
+ Black lightning (season 1)
Jefferson Pierce is a principal at a high school who seems to be a normal family man. In reality, he’s a retired superhero named Black Lightning. But when a local gang threatens the peace of his neighbourhood, he takes on the vigilante mantle once more. The first episode of the latest addition to the DC TV superhero roster is available to stream now with the second episode dropping this Tuesday.
