Punch and Kick Like a Pro: Best Muay Thai Gyms in Bangkok

Put yourself and your fitness first this June! Asia's largest group fitness festival, The Ultimate Fitness Force 2025 (TUFF 2025), is making its way to TRUE ICON HALL, ICONSIAM Mall.

Taking place over two days from June 7 to 8, 2025, this thrilling event is hosted by Fitness First Thailand in collaboration with ICONSIAM, and Les Mills Asia Pacific, and it is gearing up to welcome over 8,000 participants from across Asia and beyond. 

This year’s lineup features the largest Les Mills experience yet! Get ready for 13 adrenaline-pumping classes across two days, including fan favorites like BODYPUMP, BODYCOMBAT, BODYJAM, RPM, LES MILLS DANCE, BODYBALANCE, and the exciting launch of Les Mills Pilates!

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. Kick up things a notch with Red Hot Dance Ignition by Fitness First, a sizzling dance workout that blends Pop, Hip-Hop, House, Latin, Shuffle, K-Pop, and EDM with a fierce, feminine flair.

And who better to lead these epic sessions than the best in the biz? You’ll train alongside Les Mills top global trainers, presenters, and ambassadors, including Thailand’s finest fitness superstars.

Your energy levels are guaranteed to soar even higher with an immersive stage production featuring cutting-edge sound, lighting, and visuals that’ll make every workout feel like a concert.

There will be non-stop action and the opportunity to test your strength and endurance with the HYROX Physical Fitness Challenge, a worldwide fitness competition designed for all skill levels.

Standard class passes are priced at THB900 per session, with premium options available, such as VIP front-row access and exclusive meet-and-greet sessions. There is even a discount for Fitness Trainers around the world! Tickets are available on Eventpop here.  

For more information, visit Fitness First Thailand on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. 

Location: True Icon Hall, Iconsiam, 299 Charoen Nakhon Soi 5, Charoen Nakhon Road, Khlong Ton Sai Sub District, Khlong San District

Love is in the air, especially in Thailand! In celebration of the upcoming enactment of marriage equality in the country, digital travel platform Agoda is inviting same-sex couples to join their newest competition, #AgodaLoveWins, for a chance to win their dream honeymoon!

From Jan. 22, same-sex couples in Thailand can already legally obtain their marriage licenses in accordance with the Marriage Equality Bill, passed by the Thai Senate in June last year.

With the competition, Agoda is giving away a holiday voucher worth up to THB350,000 to a lucky same-sex couple of Thai nationalities who will be obtaining their marriage license until Jan. 31.

To join, couples must post a photo or video of themselves with a description that tells their love story and their dream honeymoon destination. All entries can be posted on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, using the hashtag #AgodaLoveWins and tagging Agoda’s official social media pages.

Couples must also register their participation here, where they can input the necessary information and the link to their social media post.

The winning couple can enjoy their holiday voucher, which can be used in Agoda’s over 4.5 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, until May 26, 2025.

“This is our way of helping same-sex couples in Thailand begin a new chapter filled with joy and unforgettable memories. We look forward to witnessing the inspiring stories and dream destinations shared by this incredible community,” said Pitichoke Chulapamornsri, Senior Director at Agoda, in a press release.

To see full terms and conditions for #AgodaLoveWins, visit their website.

Hold onto your hats (or your nearest T-Rex expert), as Jurassic World: The Experience is stomping its way to Bangkok in the second quarter of 2025!

This colossal collaboration between AWC, NEON, and Universal Live Events & Location Based Entertainment promises to turn Asiatique The Riverfront Destination into an adrenaline-filled family-friendly adventure.

Spanning over a jaw-dropping 6,000 square meters, this isn’t your average dinosaur exhibit. Visitors will step into the wild world of Isla Nublar, the legendary island from the blockbuster franchise, complete with life-like animatronic dinosaurs and iconic movie-inspired environments.

Stroll among the giants and explore the island’s wonders. Discover educational insights along the way and encounter delightful surprises at every turn.

And for those who like their dino-ventures with a side of deliciousness, the experience will include a Jurassic World-themed café and restaurant, the perfect way to refuel after escaping Isla Nublar’s untamed wilderness.

Asiatique is no stranger to hosting blockbusters. Back in 2023, it brought us the magical Disney100 Village, which featured everything from a Frozen walk-through to a Pixar mini-golf course and an Iron Man Experience.

This time, Jurassic World: The Experience aims to provide an exhilarating, high-quality experience for guests of all ages that's almost like the real thing, because who doesn't dream about dodging velociraptors by hiding in a car?

To receive updates and exclusive perks, join the waitlist here. Find out more Jurassic World events on their Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Gamers rejoice, as Southeast Asia's first Nintendo Authorized Store by SYNNEX has officially landed in Bangkok!

Located on the third floor of Siam Paragon, this 356-square-metre flagship store is an absolute must-visit, whether you’re a lifelong follower of Japan’s largest gaming company or a super big Super Mario Fan.

Visitors are invited to shop until they drop at the store's strategically designed, immersive zones. This includes the Merchandise Zone, a treasure trove of over 350 Nintendo-themed goodies. Offering a range of 350 Nintendo character-themed products, including adorable plushies, action figures, stylish stationery, video games, consoles, and gaming gear. There’s a little something for every Nintendo fan.

Not sure which game to grab? The Experience Zone lets you test-drive over 60 iconic Nintendo titles, like Super Mario Party, The Legend of Zelda, Kirby, and Pikmin. It’s the perfect way to find your next obsession before purchase — or just have a blast for free while you’re there!

Looking to level up your gaming setup? They’ve got you covered with consoles, video games, and accessories.

“More items will be available at the store in the future, such as accessories and souvenirs in a bid to attract more visitors,” SYNNEX said.

To celebrate their launch, the store is offering special deals on Nintendo Switch consoles and games until Nov. 27, 2024. If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to grab a Switch, this could be it.

For more information, visit Nintendo’s website, or follow them on Facebook for more updates.

Dreaming of the ultimate Christmas bumper harvest? Whether you're hunting for cute and unique stocking stuffers, dazzling holiday décor, or that jaw-dropping gift, Giant Xmas Hope Fair 2024 at Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok has you covered!

Mark your calendar for Nov. 27, 2024, from 11 AM to 8 PM. This leaves you plenty of time to get started on your Christmas shopping, and what’s even better, your festive shopping spree will also support a great cause!

This year marks the 10th Christmas edition of The Hope Fair, a beloved pop-up market twice a year that brings Bangkok’s community together for a day of festive fun and meaningful giving.

For one magical day, over 150 artisans, entrepreneurs, and culinary creators such as Antonius Caviar, BAKED Bangkok, Creative Crochet Club, Petit Souk BKK, and more, will gather to showcase their curated handmade goods, unique gifts, and festive treats. Whether it’s one-of-a-kind crafts, delicious seasonal specialties, or heartfelt treasures, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list.

Over the years, the fair has donated more than THB1 million to The Mercy Centre, funding school repairs and supporting vulnerable children, seniors, and the visually impaired. If you wish to get involved, bring along gently-used clothes or household items to donate at the event — they’ll be collected and distributed to those in need.

Don’t miss this celebration of craftmanship and Santa Claus himself, who will be flying in at 3:30 PM, to spread joy and snap photos with families. And keep your ears peeled for the children of The Mercy Center, who’ll be caroling their thanks and adding a heartwarming touch to the day. The best part is that entry is free and the event is open to everyone!

For more details, visit The Hope Fair on their website or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Location: The Hope Fair, The Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok, 7th Floor Ballroom, BTS On Nut (Exit 3)

Opening Hours: 11 AM to 8 PM

Admission Fee: Free!

Cacao is often thought of as a culinary aid or an occasional sweet treat. However, the chocolates we eat today – oftentimes loaded with sugar – are a completely different experience from raw cacao, which Nalinee Diosara, the founder of Thai-based, Mama Cacao Love, uses as a tool for healing.

“Cacao helps us remember our hearts and activates our spirits. Cacao is the love of Mother Earth,” said Nalinee. “Cacao contains many nutrients that support healing; molecules such as anandamide which is recognized as a love molecule, theobromine to aid focus, magnesium to relax the body, and flavonoids that support cardiovascular health.”

Cacao ceremonies, which have been used for centuries by past civilizations, are still currently being practiced today. It is a form of shamanic practice, wherein a person – the shaman – interacts with the spirit world through altered states of consciousness (in this case, achieved by cacao).

For believers, cacao is a potent tool for opening the heart, stimulating creativity, and releasing negative emotions. “Cacao has taught me a lot and teaches me to overcome many illusions such as abandonment,” shared Nalinee of her experience.

Those who would like to experience a cacao ceremony can expect a few things: aside from consuming raw cacao – which is different from most chocolates we know – participants are also likely to take part in mindful rituals such as breathwork, meditation, or intention-setting. Though fairly straightforward, Nalinee attested that cacao ceremonies can be deeply profound.

[Trigger Warning: Mental Health, Eating Disorder, Suicidal Ideation]

Her experience in learning about cacao has brought Nalinee and her husband to the jungles of the Amazon, where they spent time learning about indigenous medicine. While often associated with Mayan history, cacao is believed to have originated in the Amazon. “Cacao is…a sacred offering that we can give to ourselves and one another. To the Mayans, Cacao connects us with the most important processes: birth, life, and death,” Nalinee said.

Before discovering cacao, Nalinee admitted that she had been depressed and suicidal for over a decade. She had struggled with depression, anxiety, and eating disorders on top of suicidal ideation. “One day, I realized I was doing this to myself and slowly tried to cut old habits that fed into my illnesses,” she recounted. She used art as a lifeline, but also began to try meditation. “One by one, guidance came,” Nalinee said. “I started to open up to my sensitivities and soon after, my husband and I discovered the calling to explore the Amazon.”

After returning from their sojourn, Nalinee and her partner settled back in Thailand and felt compelled to share what they had learned. “It was a calling of home as well as the next step of my service,” she said. Since then, Nalinee has immersed herself further in the shamanic practices of cacao healing.

“The code of conduct of a shaman is responsibility. It is to bring balance into their own life as well as into their community. My shamanic work holds space for others to connect with their inner power, power that helps them remember who they are,” Nalinee stressed.

Today, the couple share more about their ongoing spiritual healing journey with others via Mama Love Cacao, a community that offers cacao healing sessions. And while Nalinee believes that these tools can help people overcome certain hardships, she knows that healing remains to be a continuous process.

“To be healed means that we can still feel old pain. However, in healing, there is more awareness, more space for making new choices, and more compassion towards what currently is,” she explained.

The human experience will always include emotions such as fear, sadness, and anger, and so for Nalinee, healing does not equate to the absence of such emotions, but instead, to the awareness of them that allows one to create new actions and reactions.

“The key is responsibility,” she underscored. “No one can heal anyone but themselves.”

While not everyone may believe in spiritual practices such as these, Nalinee promises that there are many ways to achieve healing. “There are many ways that lead us to the same result,” she said. “The most important thing is that I know and understand what I am doing.”