Why Thailand

•   51st National Book Week and 21st International Book Week

"This year’s Book Week is being held under the theme of the “bookfluencer”, referring to the new trend of influencers whose reading habits are inspiring their followers and the general public to see that reading helps make us smarter. Reading changes us as people, encouraging us to become better versions of ourselves and in that sense, anyone can be a “bookfluencer”. Visitors to the event will find book divided into seven zones: general books, fiction and literature, Wonder Y, Book Wonderland for comics and youth-oriented books, children’s and educational books, old books, and foreign books. The event will also feature lots of activities from various organisers that will align perfectly with influencers and social media fans, including from TikTok, TK Park, and Book☆Walker. Additionally, there will be plenty of special promotions to enjoy, including discounts of up to 80% from major publishers. The event takes place over 11 days from 30 March to 9 April 2023.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/bookthai

•   FIM Asia Road Racing (ARRC 2023)

The theme for the FIM Asia Road Racing Championship 2023 season is “The Battle of Asia”. The 2023 season will be held over six rounds in five countries: Malaysia, Japan, China, and Indonesia will each host one round while Thailand will stage the first and last events of the season. Pre-season practice takes place on 21 - 22 March before the first races kick off on 24 – 26 March with the final round on 1 – 3 December 2023.

The Thai events will take place at the Chang International Circuit Buri Ram. In China the event will be held at the Zhuhai International Circuit, while in Indonesia the event will take place at Mandalika International Street Circuit. By expanding the 2023 season to include more countries, more participants from more countries are joining this year’s event. Developing Thailand into a global motorsport hub is a priority and witnessing the world-class event in Buri Ram is something that all speed fans must experience at least once in their lives. 

More information: https://asiaroadracing.com/

•   Phra Nakhon Kiri Fair, Phetchaburi

The 36th Phra Nakhon Kiri Fair in Phetchaburi will take place from 17 – 26 March 2023 at Phra Nakhon Khiri Historical Park (Khao Wang) and is held in honour of Kings Rama IV, V, and VI who all showed great benevolence towards the province. The event will feature cultural performances and entertainment activities. Phetchaburi province is the gateway to the south of Thailand with lots of beautiful attractions for all to enjoy - locals, Thai and foreign visitors alike. Aside from the province’s cultural and tourist points of interest, it is also a major source of raw materials for the rest of the country. Visitors will get to experience the craftsmanship of the province’s artisans, and the delicious local sweet and savoury dishes that have seen Phetchaburi awarded UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/petburi.culture

•   Metro Art

“Metro Art” is the name given to the inspiring art district that has sprouted around the Phaholyothin MRT station, a destination for both local and foreign art lovers. The district bursts with creative vitality and offers an oasis of relaxation and inspiration while also promoting local artists. Metro Art is easy to get to via the MRT subway system, and free workshops and other activities are planned throughout the year for anyone interested in joining. Activities are held from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

The creation of this artistic space fulfills a dual role in offering an outlet for local creatives to showcase their work and providing a new, easily accessible art destination for the people of Bangkok. The district also offers a creative alternative space for press conferences and other public events. 

More information: https://www.facebook.com/BEM.MRT/

•   Disney100 Village at Asiatique

Disney100 Village at Asiatique is a collaboration between Asiatique The Riverfront, Bangkok’s premier lifestyle riverside tourism destination, and the Walt Disney Company, a world leader in media and entertainment. The collaboration’s aim is to create exciting new experiences for both Thai and foreign visitors, and to celebrate Asiatique’s 10th anniversary. The special pop-up event will take place from 24 March to 31 July 2023 and will feature a variety of special themed zones. The Disney100 Village at Asiatique is an unmissable event for fans of Disney, Pixar, Marvel, and Star Wars. 

More information: https://www.thaiticketmajor.com/disney100atasiatique

•   Salil Journey Riverside

Salil Journey Riverside is a brand-new lifestyle space on the banks of the Chao Phraya River that combines accommodation, restaurants, spa, fitness centre, activity spaces, and retail outlets from leading brands including Harnn and Karmakamet. The Salil Journey Riverside’s living-space concept embraces the idea of offering an integrated place to stay, eat, play, relax, work, and shop. Guests have unlimited use of the hotel’s facilities and the venue also offers “designed services” which aim to give guests an individual, fun experience, which might include a dressing room for getting made up and dressed for photo ops, workshops, fitness classes, and more. The range of activities is designed to meet guests’ demands when it comes to relaxing, being pampered, or socialising. In addition to the accommodation, and f&b, retail, exercise, and social activity options, the venue also boasts a fully-equipped, state-of-the-art ballroom, and a recreational area that includes the Pacific Cigar Divan bar, Bangkok’s first and only rooftop cigar and whiskey bar. Salil Journey Riverside offers the perfect environment for business networking and socialising.

More information: https://thesalilriverside.com/

3. Food 

•   Thai Tea

Thai food is famous the world over, and foreigners are now familiar with local favourites such as tom yang goong, Massaman curry, and som tam, which are some of the most delicious dishes to be found anywhere. But now, joining Thai food on the international stage are Thai beverages. Thai iced tea was recently ranked #7 of the world’s most delicious non-alcoholic drinks on a list compiled by tasteatlas, the popular foodie website renowned for its recommendations for international food and drink.

More information: https://www.tasteatlas.com/non-alcoholic-beverages

•   Dried Fish with Watermelon 

Dried fish with watermelon is a traditional Thai dish that’s great for cooling off in hot weather as its combination of the freshness of watermelon with fried shallots and snake-head fish results in a perfect blend of sweet and salty. It both refreshes and relaxes and offers the additional benefits of vitamins A and C, and amino acids. Dried fish with watermelon is one of the most popular items on the menu at the Michelin-starred contemporary Thai restaurant Le Du. Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn runs the kitchen offering creative seasonal menus.

•   Green Curry

The classic green curry is one of the quintessential Thai dishes according to a survey conducted by Suan Dusit University. In November 2022, the university’s online poll on “Thai Food, Thai Identity” asked 1,044 people across the country for their top five dishes unique to Thailand. The most popular choice was tom yam goong which was chosen by 57.65% of respondents, followed by pad thai which was nominated by 33.17%, som tam which was chosen by 23.89%, green curry by 22.11%, and Massaman curry chosen by 13.23%. The popular Thai green curry gets its beautiful colour from the green chillies, but despite the presence of the chillies it possesses a mellow taste. Other ingredients include pea eggplants, Thai eggplant, green curry paste, galangal, lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves, all of which are healthy ingredients rich in nutrients, which may help in reducing blood sugar and blood pressure levels, help prevent indigestion, and may also help in preventing chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.