Latest news with #Bangkokians
Time Out
26-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time Out
Chagee returns to Bangkok with three new locations
Bangkokians don't just like food, they love it. But it's not just about the meal – what you sip alongside it matters just as much. Here, grabbing a refreshing drink after eating feels like second nature. And when it comes to beverages that cleanse the palate and brighten your day, tea is the go-to. One brand that keeps popping up in conversations is Chagee. Known for using whole, high-quality tea leaves and without artificial flavouring, this international tea brand has carved out a name for itself. Now, Chagee is back in full swing with three new locations at Park Silom, Exchange Tower and Vanit the heart of Chagee's comeback is its Tea Bar concept, where each branch offers a cosy space to sit and sip your drink. The idea is to create a calm and welcoming atmosphere where diners can slow down, take a breather and experience tea a little differently. Think soft lighting and natural materials like wood and stone with curved lines that make the space feel easy on the eyes. From the height of the counters to the textures of the tables, every little detail has been thought through. It's that sweet spot between home and work, somewhere you can truly unwind. On top of the new spaces, what makes Chagee's return more exciting is the tea itself. This is a brand that puts wellness front and centre. Every cup is brewed from real, whole tea leaves with zero artificial flavouring, no artificial sweeteners and not a trace of trans fat. What's new this time around is Chagee's Teaspresso series, made using a brewing method inspired by espresso-making. By using a high-pressured brewing method, Chagee is able to extract a bold, full-bodied tea base for creamy lattes and icy frappes.
Time Out
16-05-2025
- Time Out
A surfer's guide to Phuket
Phuket may be the country's most visible surf hub, but it's only the beginning of Thailand's coastline story. Dew learned to surf in Rayong, with the Laem Yah Surf Club – a grassroots crew based at Mae Rumphueng Beach. 'It's a great beginner spot, especially for Bangkokians,' she says. The waves are gentle, the line-ups are friendly and it's far less crowded than southern Thailand. Many instructors here also compete at a national level, so the standard of teaching is strong even if the waves are soft. From there, Thailand's surfable coastline stretches hundreds of kilometres in both directions – north toward Myanmar and south all the way to Malaysia. And with each monsoon season, more spots are being discovered, documented, and quietly ridden by a passionate handful of locals and visiting surfers. Following pages like Phuket Surfing Club is a great way to find out the next hot surf spot in Thailand, and be sure to keep informed on surfline or other wave apps, but keeping your ear to the ground and hearing the voices of other surfers will pay back tenfold in the long run. Some of the up-and-coming or under-the-radar areas that are gaining interest this year include Ranong, with a rugged coastline still largely unexplored; Chantaburi, said to have some good wind swells; Hua Hin, great for beginners; as well as Chumphon, Koh Phayam, Koh Chang, Pattani and Songkhla. With a surf culture still in its youth, Thailand is wide open for adventurous surfers who value community, curiosity, and softer, more soulful rides over the competitive crush of global hotspots. Phuket's waves might not rival Bali or the Mentawais, but that's part of the charm. 'Thailand is the perfect place to learn,' Dew says. 'The waves are softer, and everything else, and there's still so much coastline yet to be explored for surf.'
Time Out
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Review: What to expect from the Shake Shack x Potong collab
Since landing at Central World in 2023, Shake Shack has been winning over Bangkokians at lightning speed! With its sleek vibe and premium menu, this iconic American burger chain has already expanded to three more locations across the city. While it's on the pricier side, Shake Shack feels less like a burger pit stop and more like a cosy escape from Bangkok's bustling streets. While the signature ShackBurger is a solid option, it doesn't quite steal the spotlight from the competition. But Shake Shack seems determined to up its game. The brand has joined forces with Pichaya 'Pam' Soontornyanakij – recently crowned the World's Best Female Chef 2025 and the talent behind Michelin-starred Potong – to create a limited-edition menu infused with bold Thai flavours. Naturally, we couldn't resist giving it a try. Available at all Shake Shack locations across Bangkok through July 6, the collaboration features two special burgers, a snack, and a dessert that showcase Chef Pam's culinary creativity. First on the list is the Jaew BBQ Pork Burger (B235), created as a thoughtful alternative for locals who don't eat beef. This burger debuts Shake Shack's all-natural applewood-smoked pork patty, which is topped with Chef Pam's tangy jaew BBQ sauce, melted cheese, fresh shallots, culantro and crispy pork crackling – all sandwiched in a toasted potato bun. The standout element of this burger is undoubtedly the pork crackling (kaeb moo), a popular Thai snack made from deep-fried pork skin, often found at noodle shops. While not something you'd expect in a burger, it pairs surprisingly well with the jaew BBQ sauce, which is sweet, slightly spicy, and packed with flavours of fish sauce, chili and tamarind. It's like a bite of Thai street food in burger form. That said, if you're sensitive to spice, tread carefully – this one brings a bit of heat. The real star of the menu, however, is the Black Pepper Burger (B265 for a single, B375 for a double). Featuring a juicy 100% Angus beef patty smothered in Chef Pam's rich black pepper sauce, double cheese, fresh onions and crispy shallots. Shake Shack describes it as a tribute to classic Thai-Chinese black pepper dishes found in old-school Bangkok shophouses, and I couldn't agree more. Though I haven't yet had the pleasure of dining at Potong, the combination of freshly cracked black pepper, scallions, soy sauce and oyster sauce delivers a wok-fried, caramelised depth that's both nostalgic and utterly satisfying. For a snack, the limited menu offers seafood mayo fries (B130). These crinkle-cut fries are topped with Chef Pam's tangy seafood mayo, crispy pork crackling and fresh cilantro. The sauce, inspired by Thai street food dipping sauces, is a clever nod to local flavours, as Thais often pair fried foods with zesty dips. However, this dish didn't quite hit the mark for me – the sauce made the fries soggy quickly and the mix of flavours left a lingering sweet-and-sour aftertaste that felt somewhat unbalanced. To end the meal, there's the mango sticky rice shake (B210), a blend of vanilla frozen custard, fresh mango, glutinous sticky rice and salted coconut cream, topped with whipped cream, crispy mung beans and mango powder. Mango sticky rice is obviously a crowd favourite and this shake pulls it off well. The sticky rice texture really comes through and the coconut cream adds that rich, familiar taste. That said, it was a bit too sweet for me to finish on my own. I'd definitely suggest sharing it with a friend. Overall, I'd say the Shake Shack x Chef Pam collaboration is worth a try especially if you're curious about Chef Pam's cooking but don't want to wait for a table at Potong. It's a fun and accessible way to experience her flavour-packed style and honestly, it's worth the splurge.
Time Out
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Thailand puts Loy Krathong up for UNESCO status
Thailand's next cultural moonshot is pushing for the inclusion of the Thai full moon festival, Loy Krathong, on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. With the Thai Cabinet giving the green light this March, official approval from UNESCO is expected to take three to five years. Loy Krathong lands every November with a full moon. People release lotus-shaped banana leaf baskets called krathong, adorned with candles, incense and flowers, before being set afloat in rivers, lakes and canals. But today, krathongs are getting wilder and more varied. Though the vessel is now a personal canvas, the essence of the festival remains sacred. The act honours Buddha and the water goddess Phra Mae Thorani, as well as its core Buddhist message: letting go and starting anew. As the water flows, so do your wishes, carried downstream to new beginnings. Bangkokians usually hit up Asiatique for the full-on firework glow-up or head to Wat Arun and Lumpini Park for something more low-key. Lately though, greener ways to celebrate have popped up. Last year, Chulalongkorn University teamed up with Siam Square for an eco-minded event featuring a 30-metre LED pool mimicking floating krathongs, plus games, food stalls and live acts. This isn't Thailand's first UNESCO rodeo. The country has already secured heritage status for Songkran, traditional Thai massage and the Khon dance drama, among other homegrown cultural delights.
Time Out
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Attack on Titan Final Exhibition looms over Bangkok ‘til June 18
Thai fans can step back into the world of Titans as the exhibition makes its Bangkok debut Bangkokians show no sign of slowing down when it comes to Japanese anime exhibitions. Lately, the Big Mango has welcomed a steady stream of them into local galleries. This time, it's the Attack on Titan Final Exhibition that has taken over the city, running until June 18. It's been almost two years since the final episode of this dark fantasy manga and anime series by Hajime Isayama aired. Yet its incredible world, gripping plot and complex characters continue to spark conversations among fans worldwide. Now, with the exhibition in the capital, fans can step back into the world of Titans and experience the adventure once more. Showcased at CentralWorld Pulse, this exhibition brings Attack on Titan to life with eight zones where fans can explore Isayama's original drafts and sketches of Titans, characters and objects from the manga archives as well as jump into a thrilling battle sequence in a cinema-style setting. Photograph: CentralWorld One of the standout experiences is the 'Titan War' theatre, where you'll get to watch two 10-minute animation episodes on a giant 2.4-meter-high, 9-meter-wide screen. Feel the rush as the Titans fall from the sky in a battle sequence that puts you right in the middle of the action. And don't miss the special zone, designed just for Thailand, where you can check out the jaw-dropping four metre tall inflatable Titan Head, complete with a wall-climbing effect that makes you feel like you're stepping straight into the anime. Tickets for the Attack on Titan Final Exhibition starts at B300 on Ticktmelon.
