WHAT’S ON: THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND
MUSIC & DANCE All about jazz College of Music, Mahidol University Salaya campus Jan 27-29, 10am-11pm
The “Thailand International Jazz Conference” is back with top quality jazz music for jazz lovers and jazz education for interested students and people. The three-day event comprises music performances, jazz education activities, a solo competition and a band competition. Joining the event will be world-renowned artists such as Javon Jackson, Delfeayo Marsalis, Emmet Cohen Trio, Laurent de Wilde Trio, and Sketchbook Quartet. Visit tijc.net.
Music by the cliff Khao Yai, Thanarat Road, KM 21 Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima Feb 11, 3pm-4am
Presented by Heavy Organizer, the “Rimpha Music Festival 10” will bring over 40 musical acts to perform on three stages. The line-up includes 4Eve, Lham Somphol, Slot Machine, Sek Loso, Moderndog, Nont Tanont, Scrubb, Silly Fools, Singto Numchoke, Greasy Cafe, The Toys, Lipta, Tattoo Colour, and Telex Telexs. Expect to enjoy many activities presented in the natural environment and indulge in great food and drinks. Tickets cost 1,500 baht from megatix.in.th/events/rimpha10. Visit heavyorganizer.com.
Paul Kim to hit Bangkok Muangthai Rachadalai Theatre The Esplanade, Ratchadaphisek Road Feb 25 at 8pm
Presented by Live Nation Tero, the “Paul Kim Live in Bangkok 2023” will be the first-ever concert in the Kingdom by South Korean singer and songwriter Paul Kim who is known for a string of hits including Me After You, Empty, and Traffic Light. The 34-year-old artist has made his mark singing songs on many iconic K-drama soundtracks such as So Long from Hotel Del Luna; Every Day, Every Moment from Should We Kiss First?; and Dream from The King: Eternal Monarch. Tickets cost 1,800, 2,800 and 3,800 baht from thaiticketmajor.com.
Westlife in concert Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani Feb 28 at 8.30pm
Westlife will make a comeback with their greatest hits and special surprises for Thai fans during “Westlife The Wild Dreams Tour In Bangkok”. Presented by Live Nation, the concert is part of the Irish pop vocal group’s latest concert tour to promote their 12th album, Wild Dreams, which was released in November 2021. Once again, local fans can expect to listen to such hits as Swear It Again, Flying Without Wings, If I Let You Go, My Love and Uptown Girl rendered by Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan. Tickets cost 1,500, 2,500, 3,500, 4,500, 5,500 and 6,500 baht and can be purchased from Thai Ticket Major outlets (visit thaiticketmajor.com).
CHINESE NEW YEAR Auspicious offerings and dishes Gourmet Market and Gourmet Eats Until Jan 21, 10am-9pm
The “Happy Chinese New Year 2023: Sek Sook Ruay Sub Rub Choke” campaign features eight worship sets filled with a selection of premium quality products, at all branches of Gourmet Market; as well as eight auspicious delectable menus, at all branches of Gourmet Eats. Also, many renowned restaurants in the Market Hall of Siam Paragon are serving their unique auspicious dishes believed to attract wealth and fortune to diners. Visit facebook.com/GourmetMarketThailand and facebook.com/gourmeteatsthemallgroup.
For eternal prosperity Iconsiam, Charoen Nakhon Road Until Jan 24, 10am-10pm
“The Iconsiam Eternal Prosperity Chinese New Year 2023” has brought a replica of Wong Tai Sin, a Chinese deity, for everyone to pay homage to at Rassada Hall, 1st floor. Highlights include a performance of the country’s longest great dragon lantern, the country’s first rabbit dance, Chinese operas and cultural performances at the River Park, daily from 6.30pm. Meanwhile, visitors are invited to pay respect to Chao Mae Tubtim which is enshrined at Sooksiam and indulge in a variety of Hainan cuisine. Visit facebook.com/ICONSIAM.
Land of fortune and fun Central Embassy, Phloenchit Road Until Jan 29, 11am-9pm
Central Embassy is beautifully adorned with Chinese papercut featuring nine lucky Chinese characters and auspicious patterns during the “Chinese New Year 2023: The Luckiest Empire”. Visitors are invited to try online Chi Chi sticks through a QR code, and learn the history of China’s tea culture and experience Taiwanese-style tea tasting in an exhibition. There is a fabric screen printing activity for shoppers who spend at least 5,000 baht, until Jan 22 and there will also be a free papercut workshop from Jan 23-29. The “Chinatown Market” on the 5th floor brings a range of auspicious products and Chinese-themed accessories. A lion dance will parade throughout the venue on Jan 21-22 at 1pm and 5pm and a 9-coloured lion dance will be performed in front of the shopping centre on Jan 22 at 5pm. Visit facebook.com/centralembassy.
Great Chinese NY CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road Until Jan 29, 11am-9pm
The “CentralWorld The Great Chinese New Year 2023” brings a range of offering sets, auspicious items and Chinese New Year-themed products at the “World of Chinese Market”, at the Eden Zone, 1st floor, where more than 30 restaurants are serving special menus. There will be a Chinese fan dance from Jan 20-22 and a mask-changing Chinese opera on Jan 21. Each show lasts for 10 minutes and will be staged at 11.50am, 3.10pm and 8.20pm. More lion dance shows will be presented by the Luk Chao Phraya Dragon and Lion Dance team daily at noon, 2pm and 6pm until Jan 22. Visit facebook.com/CentralwOrld.
Sumptuous and auspicious dishes Emporium and EmQuartier Sukhumvit Road Until Jan 31, 11am-9pm
Held under the “Emporium EmQuartier Happy Chinese New Year 2023”, “The Marvelous Lunar Market” gathers seasonal delicacies fit for emperors from over 30 well-known restaurants, at Quartier Avenue, ground floor of EmQuartier, daily from 10am-8pm. This is also an opportunity to indulge in auspicious dishes cooked with premium ingredients that are available only during this Chinese celebration at leading dining establishments within Emporium and EmQuartier. Visit facebook.com/Emporium-Emquartier. EXHIBITIONS
Orchids and mutants Tang Contemporary Art Room 201-206, River City Bangkok Charoen Krung 24 Until Jan 28, 11am-7pm Tuesday-Sunday
“Orkys” is a solo exhibition by Himbad, an international artist based in London, who depicts a fantastic world, with a distinctive and unique aesthetic, unveiling an anthology of artistic inspiration that sources from a heritage of high culture, with references to mythology, poetry, literature and science. On display are a dozen of his new paintings that portray his typical supernatural creatures, with orchids on the backgrounds. Visit tangcontemporary.com or call 02-000-1541.
Porcelain tank MOCA Bangkok, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Until Feb 5, 10am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday
“Dragonerpanzer” features a life-size porcelain tank created by ceramist Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch who took his inspiration from a real historical event about a king of Poland who traded 600 of his highly reputed Dragoon soldiers for 151 porcelain pieces from a king of Prussia in 1771. The porcelain tank is based on Leopard 2, a battle tank made in Germany, and adorned with Chinese porcelain patterns found on the real vases that were part of this trade. The exhibition aims to give people their full power and meaning, like the real soldiers and arts that were traded between these two powerful realms. Visit mocabangkok.com or call 02-016-5666.
In memory of Silpa Bhirasri RCB Photographers’ Gallery 1 2nd floor, River City Bangkok Charoen Krung 24 Until Feb 12, 11am-8pm
Held to pay homage to acharn Silpa Bhirasri or the father of Thai contemporary art, the “Remembering Silpa Bhirasri: 100 Years After His Arrival In Thailand” exhibition features rare photographs and historical documents that reconstruct Prof Bhirasri’s life and career, portraits and photographs with his students from different periods of his career, as well as prototypes of his sculptural works and an archive that includes his original government contract and course syllabi. There is no admission fee. Visit rivercitybangkok.com.
Floral art 5th floor, Temporary Exhibition 4 MOCA Bangkok, Kamphaeng Phet 6 Until Feb 19, 10am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday
“Vita Longa Est” features floral paintings and table installation by Italian artist Arianna Caroli whose passion for flowers stemmed from her experiences while painting flowers. Viewers will be exposed to the strong healing and energy of the colours in her painting and may even become lost in a web of stems pistils and petals. The artist considers her paintings to be mandalas or meditation artwork that can transport viewers to a state of peace and contentment. Visit mocabangkok.com.
Labyrinth of connectivity La Lanta Fine Art 3rd floor of N22 Art Warehouse Narathiwat Ratchanakharin 22 Jan 21-March 25, 10am-7pm Tuesday-Saturday
“Flower & Cosmos: The Universe Within” is the first solo exhibition by renowned Thai floral artist Sakul Intakul, who portrays the connectivity of individuals through contemporary art in various disciplines. On display are large-scaled hanging wood sculptures, free-standing metal sculptures, paintings and immersive installations juxtaposing materials used in Thai floral art with digital media. The opening reception is on Saturday at 5pm and will feature his live performance and a poem recital by Vivi York. Email info@lalanta.com or call 083-095-2028.
FILMS Nigerian comedy TK Park, 8th floor Central-World, Ratchadamri Road Jan 21 at 4pm
The Royal Hibiscus Hotel will be the opening film of the “Contemporary World Film Series” which will resume at TK Park after a five-year break. Directed by Ishaya Bako, one of the top contemporary filmmakers of the country, the Nigerian comedy tells about a talented and creative chef working in London who decides to return to her family-owned hotel in Lagos only to find that her parents intend to sell it to a rich, handsome man. Nigeria’s Ambassador to Thailand, Oma Djebah, will introduce the film and Nigerian snacks and drinks will be served after the screening. The film is in English. Tickets cost 20 baht. For reservations, email filmforum17@gmail.com or call 02-257-4300.
GET-TOGETHERS Fun with dinosaurs Icon Art & Culture Space 8th floor of Iconsiam Charoen Nakhon Road Until Feb 24, 11am-7.45pm
After the successful showcases in Malaysia and Singapore, the Jurassic Dinosaur Adventure Park is brought to Bangkok allowing dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages to witness interactive life-like models of the prehistoric creatures and primaeval forests filled with man-eating plants. The playground also presents the skeletal features of dinosaurs of different species and many fun-filled activities. There are four rounds a day, each lasting for two hours. Tickets cost 350 baht (450 baht for children and 250 baht for seniors) on weekdays and 450 baht (550 baht for children and 250 baht for seniors) on weekends and holidays from trip. com/t/Jurassic-ICON.
Hackathon Verso International School Bang Na-Trat Road, KM15 Jan 28 and Feb 4-5
Verso International School is holding “Verso Hack 2023” open to students aged 13-18 years. “Verso Hack” is a guided hackathon where participants work with their peers to gain fundamental tech skills and entrepreneurial thinking skills, and meet other aspiring student entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts while using their creative problem-solving skills to solve a real-world challenge. They will be mentored and coached by experts from the startup and tech community. Tickets start at 3,900 baht per participant, including meals and materials. Visit verso.ac.th/hack or email versohack@verso.ac.th.
Register for Inventors’ Day Bitec Event Hall 100 – 104 Bang Na-Trat Road Feb 2-6 at 9am onwards
The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) invites students and interested members of the public to register for a string of seminars, panel discussions and workshops to be held during the “Thailand Inventors’ Day 2023”. Up to 18 topics for seminars and discussions will be presented at the Main Stage of Hall 101 while over 60 workshops will be conducted on the second floor of the same hall. They will be open for both on-site and online participation, free of charge, but pre-registrations are required. Visit inventorsdayregis.com.
LECTURE/TALK Understand food cultures Lecture Room, 4th floor Siam Society, Asok Road Jan 26 at 7pm
Siam Society is holding a talk on “Migratory Feasts: Voices From The Kitchens Of Singapore” conducted by Anurag Viswanath, a Singapore-based independent writer. She will take participants to explore gender, politics and economics through the vector of food, based on her new book of the same title with the talk. The fee is 200 baht (free for members and students). Email pinthip@ thesiamsociety.org or call 02-6616470—3 ext 203.
A little-known episode Siam Society, Asok Road Feb 2 at 7pm
Siam Society is holding a lecture on “The King and the Consul: A British Tragedy in Old Siam” conducted by Simon Landy. It will explore the UK and Thai archives to reveal the twists, turns, and tensions of the little-known episode regarding the violent death of a Siamese official at the new British consulate that happened months after Britain and Siam had finalised the historic Bowring trade treaty in 1856. The incident pitted King Rama IV against the first British consul, Charles Hillier, and has continued to shape official Thai attitudes towards foreign ownership of land up to today. The fee is 200 baht (free for students and members). Email pinthip@ thesiamsociety.org or call 02-6616470—3 ext 203.
CONTEST Student startup
Sasin School of Management is accepting applications for the “SCG Bangkok Business Challenge @ Sasin 2023”, Asia’s longest-running global student startup competition which will take place on March 17-18. Held under the theme “Planting the Seeds of Innovation”, the competition is open to teams of 2-5 undergraduate and postgraduate students working on a new venture to pitch to real investors, entrepreneurs, and business professionals on the panel of judges to vie for cash prizes worth totalling 150,000 baht. The top winning team will get a chance to compete with teams from top universities from around the world in the global competition scheduled for June 22-24. Applications should be made via submit.link/1i9 by Feb 12. Visit bbc.sasin.edu/2023.