Ever wondered how the things we lose—both big and small—shape who we are?

Taipei-based illustrator Zito Hsu dives into this emotional journey in her solo exhibition, titled “Sometimes I Lost, Sometimes I Found," running at River City Bangkok, until Feb. 23, 2025.

The idea for this exhibition began during Zito’s residency in Taiwan, where she started “Lost & Found LAB.” She invited people to share their stories of items—not just everyday things like pens and umbrellas, but also deeply personal intangibles like lost friendships, freedom, or the carefree joy of childhood.

These heartfelt submissions inspired Zito to create a collection of works that explore these themes, using a palette of light blue hues for her playful characters, who express a wide range of emotions. One of her key symbols, a cat’s milk tooth, represents transformation—a nod to her beloved pet cat, Choco, and the changes we go through in life.

The exhibition is split into zones, each offering a unique take on loss. In the "Cloud Memory Gate," you’ll find 12 thought-provoking sentences capturing shared feelings of loss. At the "Blue House – Lost & Found LAB," there’s a memory “tree hollow” where you can leave your own story of something you’ve lost.

Then there’s the "Walker" zone, which steps into the 3D world with wooden sculptures exploring modern social culture.

Finally, the "Audience Response Sharing" zone allows you to reflect on others’ experiences—and maybe even find some solace in their stories.

"Sometimes I Lost, Sometimes I Found" is a powerful reminder that every loss, no matter how small, carries an emotional connection and can sometimes lead to surprising rediscovery, offering a chance to reflect, connect, and heal.

Location: RCB Galleria 2, 2F, River City Bangkok, 23 Soi Charoen Krung 24 Talard Noi, Sampantawong, Bangkok

Opening Hours: Daily from 10 AM to 8 PM

Admission is free. For more information, visit River City Bangkok on their website, or check them out on Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter).

Shop all things cute, popular, and everything in between, as beloved retailer and variety store chain MINISO has opened its new flagship store in Bangkok!

Located at the Asiatique the Riverfront, MINISO’s newest store houses over 20 Intellectual Property (IP) collections featuring well-known pop culture characters, including Harry Potter, Disney’s Stitch and Lotso, Sanrio’s Kuromi, and Hello Kitty, among many others.

Aside from adorable merchandise items, customers can also look forward to multiple immersive IP-themed experience zones, such as the Harry Potter-themed fireplace zone, giant displays featuring Winnie the Pooh characters, and a super-sized Lotso Bear area.

In celebration of its opening last Jan. 11, Thai actress Davika Hoorne joined the ribbon-cutting ceremony and explored the store’s newest offerings.

MINISO’s new store in Thailand is part of the brand’s ongoing expansion efforts in Southeast Asia. This includes the recent opening of its 1 Utama store in Malaysia, as well as the launch of its largest Singapore store last December in PLQ Mall.

“Through this store, we aim to provide Thai consumers with superior and diverse shopping options. At the same time, we aspire to lead the market with innovative IP collaborations and experiential designs, propelling the brand toward greater global achievements,” said MINISO Thailand’s CEO, Jun Wang, during the grand opening event.

Check out MINISO’s new store at Asiatique the Riverfront or follow them on Instagram for updates.

Location: MINISO, Asiatique the Riverfront, Wat Phraya Krai, Bang Kho Laem, Bangkok

Bangkok’s burgeoning art scene is taking a bold step forward with the debut of Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s latest immersive project, "A Conversation with the Sun," premiering at the One Bangkok Forum from Jan. 24 to Feb. 2, 2025.

The acclaimed Thai filmmaker — best known for his Cannes Film Festival Palme d'Or-winning film “Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives” — is renowned for pushing cinematic boundaries. Now he is entering a new realm, blending virtual reality, moving pictures, and performance art to create an introspective, sensory experience.

Presented as part of the 7th Bangkok Experimental Film Festival, “A Conversation with the Sun” invites viewers to explore the ephemeral nature of existence through light, memory, and the cycles of life.

Supported by CHANEL, the project reflects the brand’s ongoing commitment to championing the arts and culture scene in Thailand by collaborating with visionary artists like Apichatpong and previously, Korakrit Arunanondchai.

"A Conversation with the Sun" encourages participants to step beyond the physical world, bringing together a powerhouse of artistic collaborators, making it a truly cross-disciplinary masterpiece.

Among them is Ryuichi Sakamoto, the legendary composer whose haunting soundscapes set the emotional tone for the piece. Joining him in the piece is the Japanese digital artist Katsuya Taniguchi, who crafts striking VR landscapes, merging shadow, light, and movement to elevate the experience into something both immersive and otherworldly.

Location: One Bangkok Forum, Wireless Road, Lumphini, Patumwan, Bangkok

For more information, visit One Bangkok on their website and Facebook.

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

K-Pop fans in Bangkok, this one's for you! The stars of NCT Dream are 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.

"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!

Location: 7F, ICONSIAM, 299 Charoen Nakhon Rd, Khlong Ton Sai, Khlong San, Bangkok

Opening Hours: Daily from 11 AM to 8 PM

For more information, visit ICONSIAM on their website, or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

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.”

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.

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.

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.