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.”

Thailand, known for its vibrant LGBTQIA+ community, has made history as the country finally approved the bill legalizing same-sex marriage, also known as the Marriage Equality Bill, on Tuesday, June 18.

In a parliamentary vote, the Thai Senate passed the bill with a staggering difference of 130 votes to four, with 18 abstentions. With this, Thailand is now the first country in Southeast Asia to approve such a bill.

To celebrate this milestone, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including politicians, celebrities, activists, and diplomats, gathered at the front of the Government House, decorated with rainbow flags, carpets, and balloons that represent the community.

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who was not able to attend the celebrations due to COVID-19, shared his excitement over the win in a social media post.

“I am proud of the collective effort of all stakeholders, which reiterates the power of 'unity in diversity' of the Thai society. We will continue our fight for social rights for all people regardless of their status,” the post read.

LGBTQIA+ advocates also mark this as a “monumental step forward” towards equality in the country and the region.

The Marriage Equality Law grants full legal, medical, and financial rights for married couples of all genders, including inheritance, adoption, and health care. Thailand is also now the third country in Asia to allow same-sex marriage, following Taiwan and Nepal.

If you grew up loving the songs from Disney movies or have a kid who enjoys them now, you might want to grab tickets for the “Music of Disney” on June 22.

Presented by the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO), the family-focused concert will perform tracks from classic Disney princess animations in the Main Hall of Thailand Cultural Centre. Sing along and listen to the sound of a beautiful symphony led by master conductor Vanich Potavanich.

The performances will feature talented vocalists Pijika Jittaputta, Kimiko Mashima, Gracy Wizzle, and Kemawat Rungtham. Some of the most memorable scores and songs to expect include the ones from Mulan, Aladdin, Tangled, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Moana, Pocahontas, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty.

The show will have two time slots: 2 PM and 7:30 PM – so, you can relax after lunch or dinner! Tickets range from THB600 to THB2,500 and are available via Thai Ticket Major outlets.

Plan a family day and enjoy a day listening to your favorite Disney songs with your loved ones. For more updates, follow RBSO’s Facebook page.

In search of a place to have your weekend family bonding? Here’s something for you to check out! One of the biggest kite festivals in the Bangkok Metropolitan area, “Kite on the Lake,” is happening this weekend with various activities for kids and kids-at-heart to enjoy.

Taking place at the IMPACT Lakeside from May 17 to 19, the event will see over 100 colourful kites with different designs navigating the skies, spanning more than 3,000 square metres.

Visitors can also enjoy various workshops, where they can learn how to paint and craft kites, among others. There will also be over 50 merchant booths where guests can purchase food, beverages, snacks, craft beers, merchandise, and many more products.

To top it off, the event will feature live music performances against the refreshing lakeside backdrop, offering a festival-like atmosphere.

The best thing about it? Everyone is welcome here, including pets! Admission to the event is also free, with free shuttle services and parking spaces provided.

Mark your calendars and bring the whole family to this spectacular event! To learn more, visit IMPACT Organizer’s Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) pages.