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It's a Shut Down! Bangkok’s Chinatown was temporarily closed off as Blackpink's Lisa shot her brand-new single “Rockstar” along its bustling street. Shopkeepers were reported to have been paid a whopping 20,000 baht
by the Thai star’s team.
The solo track was released on June 28, featuring a contemporary R&B and Hip-Hop sound that embodies the star’s signature style. The single was accompanied by a music video shot down Yaowarat Road, more popularly known as Bangkok’s Chinatown, and showcases an eclectic street food scene against neon-lit buildings abuzz with dancers and performers.
Lisa’s team rented out the area for a few hours for three days in May, offering 20,000 baht to shopkeepers and an additional 1,000 baht to passersby for any disturbances caused by the shoot. Although some critics argued that the compensation was barely enough, fans of the Thai K-pop star are quick to defend that it was significant as the closure was only from 2 AM to 5 AM — a time when shops are typically closed.
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Kick off the new year with a literary adventure at the Naiin Book Fair, Bangkok’s first major book event of 2025! Running from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, 2025, this 10-day extravaganza will take over the fifth-floor hall of Samyan Mitrtown on Rama IV Road, transforming it into a cozy, storytelling haven inspired by the theme “Reading Recreation Around a Campfire.”
Hosted by Naiin Bookstore, a beloved destination for readers across Thailand, the event promises more than just great book deals. Expect a campfire storytelling experience led by celebrated authors, artists, and other likeminded readers. It’s the perfect way to bring stories to life — beyond the page and into the heart of the community.
From bestsellers to hidden gems, the fair will feature a wide selection of titles from top publishers at special discounted prices. Whether you’re looking to stock up on new reads or discover fresh voices, this is a must-visit for book lovers of all ages.
Conveniently located at Samyan Mitrtown, the fair is easily accessible by MRT, making it a breeze to swing by and dive into your next great read.
For more updates and details, visit Naiin on their website, or follow them on Instagram or Facebook.
Location: 5F, Samyan Mitrtown shopping mall, Rama IV Road, Pathum Wan
Opening Hours: from 10 AM to 9 PM
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The Labubu craze is taking the world by storm – especially in Thailand. With their captivating charm and unique designs, these dolls have become must-have accessories, especially after Blackpink's Lisa flaunted her Labubu accessoryand posted on Instagram.
They are flying off the shelves and dominating online marketplaces like never before. Yet, authenticity is a growing concern among fans and collectors. Before we delve into that, let's give a little background on the famous Labubu doll for those who may not be familiar.
Facebook/POP MART
What is Labubu?
Meet Labubu, the enchanting elf character that has taken Thailand by storm.This playful and fuzzy doll has captured the hearts of many, becoming a beloved icon in recent months. Labubu originates from "The Monsters," a captivating series created by Kasing Lung, an artist born in Hong Kong and raised in the Netherlands. Inspired by Nordic fairy tales, Lung masterfully designed characters that blend magic and mischief, bringing them to life in his art.
Since the launch of "The Monsters" story series in 2015, Lung has gained international acclaim, showcasing his work in exhibitions around the globe. Labubu stands out with its charming features: pointy ears, sharp teeth, fluffy fur, and a playful smile that radiates joy. Yes, if you’ve visited POP MART, chances are you’ve seen this charming character.
Why Did They Go Viral?
POP MART figures, such as the Skullpanda and Molly series, have always attracted attention so it wasn’t surprising that Labubu also reached a mainstream audience. Labubu gained some traction in Thailand last September 2023 during the launch of POP MART’s first Thai store at CentralWorld.However, the craze truly took off in April 2024 when Thai singer and Blackpink member Lisa posted an Instagram story featuring a giant Labubu plush toy from the "Macarons" series.This caused a frenzy, as the toy became a popular accessory among her fans.
Additionally, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) named Labubu as part of the "Amazing Thailand Experience Explorer," a campaign designed to engage both travelers and locals. This announcement came shortly afterPOP MART launched the world’s first Labubu-themed store at Mega Bangna,Southeast Asia’s largest shopping center. Additionally, as a result of celebrity endorsements, Labubu figures became ubiquitous in Bangkok, with Labubu keychains appearing everywhere.
Facebook/POP MART
What Makes It So Unique?
POP MART's USP lies in its exclusivity, featuring limited edition releases often created in collaboration with specific designers and brands. This approach gives fans a sense of owning something rare, making each item a valuable collector's piece to enhance their collection.
How to Purchase a Labubu?
To ensure you purchase an authentic Labubu, shop directly from POP MART’s official store or from trusted online reselling marketplaces.
A Labubu doll typically starts at THB500. Among the most popular items are the Labubu Plush Doll Pendant, priced at THB1,050.Additionally, there are always new collections being released, such as the New Year celebration series featuring Labubu plush door decorations worth THB550.
The product range also includes laptop bags, phone cases, and tote bags. Fans especially enjoy buying the “blind box”or“surprise toy,”which contains a random figure from The Monster series. You’ll discover which figure you receive only after opening the box.
Facebook/POP MART
How to Know if Your Labubu is Authentic or Fake?
Given its overwhelming popularity, the emergence of counterfeit items is a significant issue, making it difficult for collectors to distinguish genuine items and have confidence in their purchases. If you encounter an online listing with a suspiciously low price that either tempts you or raises concerns about being scammed, don’t fret.
Here are essential tips to help you easily identify the genuine plush pendant series you desire, ensuring your collection remains authentic and valuable.
1. Check the Packaging
Authentic Labubu packaging features a matte finish with a smooth texture, complemented by embossed details on the series name.
Pay close attention to the finer details on the packaging, particularly the trash can symbol located at the bottom of the back of the package. The arrow in this symbol should have rounded corners, while counterfeit versions often have square corners. Additionally, fake packaging typically has a glossy and uneven surface.
For verification, look for muted pastel colors, clear and precise printing on the box, and a holographic sticker with a QR code on the back.
2. Check the POP MART Logo
Be on the lookout for the hologram sticker featuring the “POP MART” logo located in the top right corner of the package.
The “POP MART” logo should be clearly printed with a three-dimensional effect, giving it a premium look. In contrast, a counterfeit logo may appear poorly printed, with distorted letters and a lack of depth.
3. Scan the QR Code
To verify the authenticity of POP MART products, scan the QR code on the hologram sticker. A genuine package will have a sharply printed QR code, while counterfeit packaging often features blurry or poorly processed QR codes that may not function correctly or redirect you to a fake website.
4. Examine the Face and Teeth
When examining Labubu's appearance, you'll notice that its face features a smooth, matte finish with sharp paint lines, glossy eyes, and airbrushed blush. In contrast, a fake Labubu would have unrefined features.
To verify authenticity, you can use a black light to check the paint on Labubu's nose. Authentic paint will react and glow under black light, while fake versions will show no reaction when exposed.
Another distinguishing feature is the number of teeth. Labubus have exactly nine teeth that may vary in shape or size, growing directly from the blue line, with clear gaps between each tooth. In fake versions, the teeth are poorly painted and have noticeable gaps.
5. Quality of Fur
A genuine Labubu features soft, fluffy fur with intricate stitching that seamlessly integrates into the vinyl doll. In contrast, counterfeit versions typically use cheap materials and rough fur.
Facebook/POP MART
6. The Feet
The left foot should have a POP MART logo printed on it, a hallmark of authenticity. Authentic versions consist of a soft, flexible material rather than a hard texture that is glued in one place.
7. Verification of Identity Card
Each Labubu doll or keychain comes with a proper identity card in pastel tones and is packed with a dark, clear logo. Don’t be deceived by imitations — low-quality prints are a telltale sign of fakes.
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K-Pop fans in Bangkok, this one's for you! The stars of NCT Dreamare taking over ICONSIAM with their first-ever “Dream Vibe” exhibition in Southeast Asia, running now until Feb. 2, 2025. If you've ever dreamed of stepping into the world of NCT Dream, this immersive experience is your backstage pass.
Set on the 7th floor of ICONSIAM, the exhibition dives into the group’s journey, friendships, and musical milestones. From nostalgic memories to exclusive content, every corner of this showcase is crafted to bring fans closer to NCT Dream.
Highlights of the exhibition include a stunning photo gallery documenting NCT Dream’s evolution from their rookie days to global fame, titled "Yo! Dream!"
Perfect for capturing fun snaps with friends, the section"We Go Up" channels the group's playful side in this interactive, basketball-inspired zone. Then there is "Life Is Still Going On," a beach-themed virtual space that invites fans to relax and vibe out.
Prepare to feel the waves of nostalgia in the "Drive" section, featuring childhood memorabilia, iconic outfits, and debut photos that’ll tug at your heartstrings.
Facebook/NCT DREAM
"Dear Dream" is another emotional highlight, sharing exclusive stories and interviews from the band, and giving fans rare insight into their journey.
And finally, don’t forget to stop by the "MD Zone," where you’ll find Bangkok-exclusive merchandise, like adorable Thai-inspired elephant-print pants and DIY keyrings, including those featuring NCT Dream!
Tickets for the exhibition are priced at THB400 for students (with valid ID) and THB500 for the general public. Grab yours at the entrance and get ready to soak in the dreamy vibes!
For more information, visit ICONSIAM on their website, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
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While they enjoy massive popularity during Halloween, horror movies have proven to be a timeless genre. And among the industry’s most successful storytellers is none other than Banjong Pisanthanakun, the Thai filmmaker known for cult classics such as “Shutter”and“Alone.”
Despite his well-earned success, it’s apparent that Banjong stays both grounded and approachable. When asked what he considers to be his greatest achievement, Banjong merely shrugged and admitted that he isn’t exactly sure. What he does know is what makes him happy and that is how he "gets to experiment with something new in each project I work on.”
Banjong behind the scenes | Instagram/Banjong Pisanthanakun
Obviously, Banjong is driven by a sincere desire to tell stories, which is how he remains active in the film industry, continuing to breathe life into chart-topping narratives. “I have a new project that I produced, set to release in March 2025,” Banjong revealed. “It’s a comedy called ‘The Red Envelope,’ a remake of the Taiwanese movie ‘Marry My Dead Body.’ The film stars the hugely popular duo Billkin and PP, and is directed by Chayanop Boonprakob, who’s known for ‘Friend Zone’ and ‘SuckSeed.’”
A versatile filmmaker, Banjong cannot be pigeonholed: his skills make him prolific in multiple genres. Yet, he is most renowned in horror; as such, it may come as a surprise to find that Banjong never consciously chose to get into the genre.
The poster for Banjong's 2021 movie "The Medium" | Instagram/Banjong Pisanthanakun
When he and co-director, Parkpoom Wongpoom, began working together, the goal had simply been to “find a great story with the strongest idea.” “It just so happened that at the time, we came up with the plot for ‘Shutter’ and we really liked it,” Banjong shared. “That’s why my first film ended up being a horror film and I’ve been making horror films ever since.”
Through the genre, Banjong and other filmmakers explore topics that would otherwise be considered taboo. “These films allow us to themes such as sin, guilt, and human nature,” he mused.
A portrait of Banjong | Instagram/Banjong Pisanthanakun
Now in his forties, Banjong contributes his passion for horror to childhood memories. While some prefer to avoid the genre, Banjong has always faced such fears head-on. During school breaks as a child, he would often stay over at a relative’s house and, together with his cousins, would rent horror movies to watch at night.
“Thailand is a very superstitious country, full of all kinds of beliefs,” he noted. “Thai people like to listen to ghost stories, and ghost-related shows are extremely popular. That’s probably why we enjoy making horror films and can create them in a unique and interesting way.”
Granted, horror films have changed a lot since he first released “Shutter” in 2004. It’s been over twenty years since its debut, and Banjong noted that the styles have changed. “Back in the day, filmmakers competed to produce creative horror scenes, coming up with unique ideas for ghost appearances and the best jump scares, to the point where it became repetitive and overused,” he said. “But now, horror films have evolved a lot. Today, there’s more focus on creating atmospheric horror. Filmmakers aren’t just trying to scare people with ghost scenes.”
But it’s not just in his beloved genre that Banjong sees such progress. Since the pandemic, the Thai film industry has started to pick up again. One of 2024’s most successful Thai releases, “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies,” has been lauded by critics and by Banjong himself.
“It’s such a positive sign for the industry, and I hope this keeps going consistently. Consistency is key,” Banjong acknowledged. “Thai films are also finding more success in neighboring countries. I hope this continues without losing momentum.”
For more updates, follow Banjong Pisanthanakun on Instagram.
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Looking for a place to celebrate the upcoming New Year in Thailand?
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), under the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, is inviting travelers and visitors to ring in the New Year with the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025” at Nagaraphirom Park along the Chao Phraya River
in Bangkok, with the Wat Arun as its backdrop.
This, along with other nationwide festivities featuring global Thai icons like BamBam, is sure to reaffirm Thailand as a prime destination for cultural and festive experiences.
Mr. Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports, said “The New Year Countdown 2025 is a celebration of joy, renewal, and hope. Events across Thailand, from bustling cities to charming provinces, will offer diverse opportunities to celebrate. Our focus is on enhancing quality tourism, tailoring experiences to visitors’ preferences, and showcasing Thailand’s rich traditions, culture, and heritage. We invite travelers worldwide to discover the unparalleled beauty of Thailand and create unforgettable memories.”
The countdown is one of the many Grand Celebrations as part of the Amazing Thailand Grand Tourism & Sports Year 2025, highlighting the country’s readiness to shine as a Global Countdown Destination.
Here are the New Year Celebrations
set to take place in different places in Thailand soon:
From Dec. 28, 2024 to Jan. 1, 2025, at the Nagaraphirom Park in Bangkok, the “Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025” will offer a lively celebration along the Chao Phraya River with the iconic Wat Arun as its grand backdrop.
The event will feature cultural performances on a floating stage, with live music
from renowned Thai artists like Lula, URBOYTJ, and The Toy, eco-friendly workshops, local culinary favorites, and an awe-spiring drone light show. A stunning nine-act fireworks display will happen on Dec. 31, 2024, meshing dazzling pyrotechnics with advanced tech.
The celebrations will conclude with a New Year’s Day merit-making ceremony at Wat Arun, inviting guests to participate in almsgiving, honoring and reflecting on the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of Thailand.
From Dec. 21, 2024, to Jan. 1, 2025, at the Royal Park Rajapruek, the festivity will have Illumination Night displays, cultural showcases, and concerts by global Thai icons like BamBam of GOT7. The event will culminate with a grand fireworks display.
The Amazing Thailand Countdown 2025 at ICONSIAM is poised to deliver a world-class celebration on the Chao Phraya River from Dec. 29 to 31, 2024. The event will end with Thailand’s longest eco-friendly fireworks display, spanning 1,400 meters, themed “Celebrating the Everlasting Legacy of Siam,” showcasing Thailand’s valuable cultural heritage. Blackpink's Lisa will also be performing at the event.
CentralWorld Bangkok Countdown 2025
Promising to solidify its status as the “Times Square of Asia,” the CentralWorld Bangkok Countdown 2025 will feature live performances from some of Thailand’s top artists like PP Krit, Billkin, and Ice Paris.
The event will also feature the glittering Merry Ville 2025 Christmas Tree Display, ending with an incredible fireworks show and exclusive performances, setting CentralWorld as a must-visit for year-end celebrations.
More year-end events supported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand can be found here.
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Critically acclaimed Thai movie “Lahn Ma,” internationally known as “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” is shortlisted at the 97th Academy Awards.
The Thai film joins 14 other films from around the world, competing to be part of the final list of nominees in the “International Feature Film” category to be revealed on Jan. 17, 2025.
85 countries and regions were eligible to submit their films in the category for the 97th Academy Awards.
It is also the first time that a Thai film has made it to the shortlist of the International Feature Film category at the Oscars.
“How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies”
The 2024 Thai comedy-drama is about M, a university dropout and aspiring video game streamer, who volunteers to take care of his maternal grandmother Mengju after she was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer.
After seeing how his cousin had inherited most of her paternal grandfather’s estate, M wanted to do the same. As time passes, M develops a deeper understanding of his family’s dynamics and eventually grows closer to his grandmother.
The movie marked the big screen debut of Thai actor and singer Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul and acting debutante Usha “Taew” Seamkhum.
The film was released on Apr. 4, 2024, in Thailand and made its international premiere at the 23rd New York Asian Film Festival on July 17, 2024. “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” also went viral in the Philippines following videos of staff at the SM Supermalls Cinemas who were seen handing out tissues to viewers.
The 97th Academy Awards
The Academy Awards are presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in celebration of excellence in the worldwide film industry. The 97th
Academy Awards Ceremony will be held on Mar. 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theater at Ovation Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
Nominations for the 97th Academy Awards will be announced on Jan. 17, 2025.
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It’s a massive win for Thailand at the 52nd International Emmy Awards as Aokbab-Chutimon Chuengcharoensukying wins Best Performance by an Actress,
making her the first-ever Thai actor to winan International Emmy award. The award show celebrates content initially produced outside of the United States.
The 28-year-old actress was nominated for her role in the Netflix original film, “Hunger,” where she stars as Aoy, a talented street food cook who tests her limits when she trains under the infamous and ruthless Chef Paul (Nopachai Jayanama). The film was released on Apr. 8, 2023, and had an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and 6.6 on IMDb. It also received critical acclaim and several accolades including Best Feature Film at the 2023 Asian Academy Creative Awards.
Aokbab was nominated alongside Mexico’s Adriana Barraza (“El Último Vagón”), French actress Sara Giraudeau (“Tout va bien [Everything is Fine]”), and English actress Jessica Hynes (“There She Goes”). She was awarded last Nov. 25 in New York City where she thanked the cast, crew, and her entire team for their support. She also extended her thanks to the chefs who inspired her character.
Although Aokbab was the only Asian winner at the prestigious award show, several shows were nominated from the region including “The Exiles” documentary and the Kids' animated feature “Sharkdog Season 3” from Singapore; the South Korean comedy film, “Daily Dose of Sunshine,” and “The Night Manager” drama series from India.
Japan was also nominated in four categories including Arts Programming (“Who I Am Life”), Short form series (“Kenshiro ni Yoroshiku [Say Hello to Kenshiro]”), sports documentary (“WHO I AM Paralympic”), and TV Movie (“Deaf Voice: A Sign-Language Interpreter in Court”). Japan — and the rest of Asia — celebrated a historic win last September at the 76th Emmy Awards when “Shogun” actress Anna Sawai took home the Best Female Actor in a Drama Series award, making it the first-ever win for an Asian actor in the category.
To see the full list of winners, click here. Follow The International Emmy Awards on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram for updates.
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