WHAT’ S ON: THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND
Swiss wonders
Prince Mahidol Hall
Mahidol University, Salaya campus May 12 at 7pm and May 13 at 4pm Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of its chief guest conductor Claude Villaret presents the “Window To Switzerland” concert featuring with flautist Sebastian Jacot as guest soloist. The programme will feature two ballades for flute and orchestra by Swiss composer Frank Martin and a full performance of Maurice Ravel’s mythological masterpiece Daphnis Et Chloé.
Tickets cost 300 and 500 baht (100 baht for students). Call 02-8496262/6 ext 6603 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com.
Sounds of electronica
Asiatique The Riverfront Charoen Krung
May 13, 4pm-midnight The “Super Summer Sound 2017” music festival will feature a great line-up of pioneering and influential electronica acts headlined by Underworld from England. They will be joined by Japanese-French musician Maika Loubte and local acts including Kidnappers, up-and-coming duo DCNXTR, ambient-pop duo X0809, newcomer Telex Telexs and DJ Nolens Volens. Tickets cost 3,800 baht from www.eventpop.me. Call 062-593-2224.
Unplugged in the vineyard
Winery Lawn, Silverlake Vineyard Pattaya, Chon Buri
May 13 at 7pm Presented by Silver Entertainment, the “Silverlake Unplugged Dream” festival will feature acoustic music performed by famous artists and acts including Paradox, Jetset’er, Praow and The Parkinson.
Tickets cost 900 baht from Counter Service at all branches of 7/Eleven and www.allticketThailand.com.
Chamber recital
Siam Ratchada Auditorium Fortune Town, Ratchadaphisek Road May 16 at 7.30pm The Orfeo Trio will return to the Kingdom for a chamber recital featuring works by Brahms, Beethoven and Turina in the programme. Founded in 2012 in the United States, the trio comprises cellist Leonid Shukaev, violinist Evgeny Zvonnikov and pianist Julie Bees. They are active performers with considerable chamber music experience. Tickets at the door cost 600 baht (300 baht for students). Call 081-682-8000.
Forever songs for King Rama IX
Thailand Cultural Centre Ratchadaphisek Road May 13-14 at 4pm To pay tribute to the late King Bhumibol, Opera Siam presents “48 Forever” concert featuring the world’s first symphonic edition of all HM’s 48 compositions performed by more than 200 performers. Lasting for four hours with a 90-minute dinner break in the middle, the epic performance will present HM’s complete songs in a wide and extensive variety of musical styles — from jazz-influenced to symphony-pop, musical theatre to opera, string quartet to full blown orchestra with a 100-voice choir. Set to participate will be renowned singers, orchestra and classical ensembles and several choirs conducted by Somtow Sucharitkul, Trisdee na Patalung, Denny Euprasert and Vanich Potavanich. Part of the proceeds will go to Ramathibodi Foundation to support the construction of Chakri Naruebodindra Medical Institute.
Tickets cost 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 baht (including a private dinner reception) and 300 baht for students from www.thaiticketmajor.com, www.ticketmelon.com and www.48-forever.com.
Classical concert
Siam Society, Asok Road
May 17 at 7pm
Held in collaboration with Silpakorn University’s Faculty of Music, “The Emperor” concert will see Pro Musica Quartet performing in a programme that includes Haydn’s String Quartet Op 76 No.3 “The Emperor” and Tchaikovsky’s String Quartet No.3 Op 30. The quartet includes Leo Phillips (violin), Rueychai Saengow (violin), Tasana Nagavajara (viola) and Iris Regev (violoncello).
Tickets cost 600 baht (500 baht for Siam Society members and 100 baht for students). Call 02-661-6470—3.
Indie concert
Muang Thai GMM Live House, 8th floor of CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road May 20 at 8pm
Two favourite indie groups — Tattoo Colour and Polycat — will be performing in the next “Soundbox” concert series which will open with “Rock On Radio Live Session” by three emerging yet promising bands. They are My Life as Ali Thomas, a folk-indie trio; Telex Telexs, a synth-pop quartet; and Chanudom, theatrical/rock trio.
Tickets cost 900 baht from Thai Ticket Major booths (visit thaiticketmajor.com).
Latin rhythms and colours
Prince Mahidol Hall
Mahidol University, Salaya campus May 19 at 7pm and May 20 at 4pm Mexican violinist Raul Teo Arias will make his Thailand debut as guest soloist with the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Claude Villaret during the “Latin American Music Night” concert. This is an opportunity to hear pieces that rarely appear on orchestral programmes but are engaging and alive with Latin rhythms and colours. The programme will feature works by Ponce Piazzolla and Jobim.
Tickets cost 300 and 500 baht (100 baht for students). Call 02-849-6565/6 ext 6609 or visit www.thaiticketmajor.com.
Pitbull concert
Impact Exhibition Hall 3-4 Muang Thong Thani
May 25 at 7.30pm
American rapper Pitbull will make a comeback to present a full show during “Singha Music Presents Pitbull Climate Change Tour Live in Bangkok 2017”. This will be the first chance for Thai fans to get to their feet and dance non-stop to a repertoire of more than 30 hits from his 10 albums. The concert is part of his Asia tour to promote his 10th album, Climate Change, which was released in March.
Tickets cost 2,500 and 3,500 baht from Thai Ticket Major booths (visit www.thaiticketmajor.com or call 02-262-3838).
Golf and dive
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Ratchadaphisek Road
Until May 14, 11am-8pm
The “Thailand Golf & Dive Expo 2017” features a complete range of products and services by local and foreign entrepreneurs throughout 250 booths. On offer are diving courses, diving trips, live-board boats, diving equipment and accessories, underwater cameras, 50 golf courses and accommodations, golf equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. The event is also packed with many activities for divers and golfers.
Visit www.thailanddiveexpo.com and www.thailandgolfexpo.com.
Celebratory fair
Megabangna, Bang Na-Trat Road Until May 31, 10am-10pm
Held to celebrate Megabangna’s fifth anniversary, “The Unbox Of Magical Moment” fair presents many fun activities including a magical castle, a wind-up doll parade, games and entertainment, and a free weekend mini concert by Gale from Thailand’s Got Talent (May 13), Better Weather (May 20) and Lipta (May 27), all starting at 5pm.
There is no admission fee. Visit www. mega-bangna.com or call 02-105-1000.
Remember love in time of war
Seacon Bangkae, Phetkasem Road May 12-21, 11am-8pm
The classic love story of Khu Kam will be presented in a living museum setting that will get visitors back to the WW II era which is the background of the novel. On display will be replicas of the story’s five major landmarks — Bangkok Noi train station, Bangkok Noi dockyard, underground bunkers, Angsumalin’s riverside house and Bangkok Noi canal. Some 20 Khu Kam characters will reprise their roles here. The history-based novel, its author, and different versions of Khu Kam movies will be presented in an exhibition. There will also be a stage play recounting the love story between Kobori and Angsumalin in time of war on May 12-14 and May 20-21 at 2pm and 5pm.
Call 02-721-8888.
Masterpieces by Thai women
Future Park, Phahon Yothin Road May 12-23, 11am-8pm
The ninth “Roy Rak … By Thai Housewife Group” fair features special prices on a wide range of five-star Otop products including woodcarvings, woven products, handmade leather bags, herbal cosmetics, indigo shirts, cushions, silverware, processed foods and original recipes of Thai desserts.
Call 02-958-0011.
Japanese ceramics
Shibui Gallery, River City Bangkok Charoen Krung 24
May 14-27, 11am-8pm
Collections of modern Japanese ceramics will be exhibited at Shibui, a new gallery at River City Bangkok. Many of the works featured are from designated National Living Treasures of Japan and other prominent contemporary artists whose works are included in major private collections and displayed in national museums of modern art. Among the featured artists will be Hamada Shoji, Shimaoka Tatsuzo, Kishimoto Kenin, Nishihata and Tadashi.
Email jw.shibui@gmail.com or call 081-841-5450.
Euro film fest
SF World Cinema, CentralWorld Ratchadaphisek Road
May 19-28 at 7pm, plus a 5pm show on Sundays
The “European Union Film Festival 2017” will premiere a selection of highly-acclaimed films from 11 countries in Europe. Ranging from documentary to drama, comedy, thriller and drama, the selected movies reflect the diversity and uniqueness of European cultures and lifestyles. After Bangkok, the festival will move to SFX Cinema Maya Chiang Mai from June 3-11 and SF Cinema City at CentralPlaza Khon Kaen from June 17-18. All films come with Thai and English subtitles.
Tickets cost 120 baht (80 baht for the screenings in Chiang Mai and free entry for the screenings in Khon Kaen).
Visit www.sfcinemacity.com or call 02-268-8888.
Gala dinner for charity
Latitude Marquee, Laguna Phuket May 13, 7pm-midnight
Presented by the Phuket Hotels Association, “A Magical Island Event” is a charity gala dinner featuring cocktails and a sit-down international buffet dinner with live cooking stations by top chefs from Phuket’s best hotels, with live music performance by Marcus Collins, X Factor 2011 star from the UK, and Phuket’s hottest DJ Benjamin Jenkins. The night includes a live/ silent auction offering some of the best prizes ever donated for a fundraiser on Phuket. Proceeds will support hospitality scholarship and community training programmes in Phuket.
Tickets cost 3,900 baht (4,900 baht for VIP premium seating and a 10% discount for table bookings for 10 people). Visit phab.phukethotelsassociation.com or call 076-271-538.
Day of LGBTI understanding
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Pathumwan intersection
May 17, 1.30pm-8.30pm
Held to celebrate the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (Idahot), the 2017 “We are a #RainbowFamily” commemoration will feature the Idahot Learning Forum, spotlighting personal stories and the latest research on challenges facing LGBTI people and their families in Thailand. The forum will take place on the ground floor and will be followed by a star-studded evening commemoration featuring a photo exhibition on LGBTI family and community life, community performances and a chat show-style dialogue from 4.30pm.
There is no admission fee.
Visit idahotthailand.org.
Empower entrepreneurs
C asean, Cyber World Tower Ratchadaphisek Road
May 15-16, 8am-6pm
Organised by Echelon Connect (e27), the “Echelon Thailand 2017” is a digital insights, connections, talent and funding platform and power-packed conference set to empower entrepreneurs with the tools to build and grow their companies across Southeast Asia and beyond. It will offer talks, panel discussions, workshops, presentations and a forum by more than 70 speakers from Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Japan and more.
To register, visit e27.co/echelon/ thailand/register.
Asean tourism
Siam Society, Asok Road
May 16 at 7.30pm
Siam Society is holding a lecture on “Asean Travel & Tourism: The Next 50 Years” to provide a snapshot summary of the past, present and future of Asean travel and tourism in the light of changing times and new realities. The talk will feature ideas on reshaping and rethinking the Asean tourism agenda for the next 50 years. The speaker will be Imtiaz Muqbil, executive editor of Travel Impact Newswire who has been covering the Thai, Asean and Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industries since 1981.
Donation fee is 200 baht (free for members and students). Call 02-661-6470—3.
City and music
RCB Artery, 1st floor, River City Bangkok, Charoen Krung 24
May 16 at 2pm-5pm
British Council is holding a seminar on “Bangkok River Exchange III — Cities Of Culture” where Liverpool City Council director of culture Claire Mccolgan and two guest speakers — Pranitan Phornprapa and Piyapong Muenprasertdee — will share how music can transform the city and re-energise tourism.
There is no admission fee.
Call 02-237-0077.
Play with paper
ODS, 3rd floor of Siam Discovery Rama I Road
May 13-14, 11am-noon and 3pm-4pm Mieko Fujimori of Awagami Papermill, Japan, will conduct an Awagami Orizome-shi paper dyeing workshop which will offer an insight into a traditional Japanese practice that continues to be in use as a decorative paper technique still mastered today. Participants will explore the effects of geometric folding forms on Awagami paper to create lovely combinations of patterns and colour.
There is no admission fee but seats are limited. Call 02-658-8204.
Paint harder
Pullman Bangkok Grande Sukhumvit May 19 at 7pm
The hotel’s InBlu Bar will be transformed into an impromptu paint bar class, “Work Hard; Paint Harder”, where six international artists will present their personal workshops and insights into their creative process. They include contemporary artist Amy Diener from New York, digital artist/photographer/ illustrator Hassan from Kuwait, selftaught artist Luanna Lee from Hong Kong, and graphic designer-turned-artist Jang Onanong and the duo — Nikki Kanika and Vicky Prapaporn from Thailand.
The fee is 499 and 699 baht
(no admission fee for observation). Call 02-204-4000.
Run for kids
Lumpini Park, Rama IV
June 11, 5am-11am
Ronald McDonald House Charities Thailand is holding the “RMHC Mini Marathon Run For Kids 2016” to raise funds for children patients and needy families. There are two distances — 10.5k run and 3k fun run. There will be a family fun fair, entertainment and a fancy costume competition with prizes.
The fee is 450 baht for the 10.5k run and 350 baht for the 3k fun run. Applications should be made by June 10. Visit www.rmhc.or.th or call 02-277-6670/1.