Modern Expat
Magazine
Independent news, stories and guides from Thailand.
Explore ThailandRob Nyquist on building businesses and finding freedom
The Pingd founder and Wootly co-founder on leaving the 9-to-5, working remotely and choosing Southeast Asia. From our August 2026 archive.
Read Rob’s interview
NewsAsia's first Eurovision came to Bangkok, Thailand finished second, and nobody has said if it will return
The Philippines won the first Eurovision Song Contest Asia at One Bangkok Forum on 14 November with 211 points, and Thailand's MANG x DAOU finished second. The EBU has not yet announced a second edition.
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NewsBangkok will keep 35 parks open until midnight for Loy Krathong, but leave the bread krathong at home
The BMA will open 35 public parks in 22 Bangkok districts for Loy Krathong on 24 November 2026, until midnight. Foam and bread krathongs are discouraged, sky lanterns, fireworks and alcohol sales are banned in the parks, and there is an online option.
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NewsA Khon Kaen cave may hold rock paintings 10,000 years old, and officials are only now writing them down
A 10 November survey in Khon Kaen's Phu Pha Man National Park logged five archaeological sites, with red rock paintings estimated at up to 4,000 to 10,000 years old at Pha Thewada Cave. The Fine Arts Department will register and study the sites; no visitor arrangements have been announced.
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NewsCrossing the river tonight? Two Bangkok bridges will shut for Vijit Chao Phraya fireworks until 13 December
A Royal Gazette traffic order closes Memorial Bridge from 20:30 to 21:00 on 12 Vijit Chao Phraya nights and Rama III Bridge for half an hour on eight nights until 13 December. On 13 and 15 November and 5 December neither bridge is open from 20:30 to 21:30.
Read moreFeatured events
PHOODIE Phuket Food Festival
Phuket’s new island-wide culinary festival brings together 50 restaurants and bars for chef collaborations, special menus, mixology, a public festival day and industry awards.
Event details
Project Phuket 2026
The November Afro-led event the calendar was missing: a seven-day programme of Afrobeats, Amapiano, soulful house, dancehall, brunches, pool parties, a boat party and club nights.
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ARTBAT at Café del Mar Phuket
Ukrainian electronic duo ARTBAT headline Café del Mar Phuket with their cinematic melodic techno sound during Phuket's peak-season programme.
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EDC Thailand Official Pre-Party at XANA
Mau P, Loco Dice, Fifi and Baggi open the EDC Thailand weekend with an official beachfront pre-party at XANA Beach Club.
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Sands of Siam New Year's Eve
Café del Mar closes the year with its Sands of Siam beach-club production, DJs and a midnight celebration on Kamala Beach.
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Carl Cox at Café del Mar Phuket
House and techno pioneer Carl Cox opens Phuket's first weekend of 2027 with a headline set at Café del Mar Phuket.
Event detailsLife abroad
with Julian
Join Modern Expat Magazine founder Julian Nevin on his personal YouTube channel. Watch his latest videos about life abroad, with three new videos a week.
Lifestyle and FoodCharcoal-fried noodles in Penang, a 60-year-old guabao stall in Taipei: five street food cities worth a weekend from Bangkok
Five street food weekends from Bangkok: Penang, Hanoi, Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City and Chiang Mai, each with a dish to build the trip around and a MICHELIN Guide Bib Gourmand stall to start with, checked against official tourism sites.
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Money and TaxThailand's AI export boom is real. So why are 69 companies taking 83% of it?
The Bank of Thailand's latest Monetary Policy Report finds AI-related exports grew 54% in the first eight months of 2026, but about 69 mostly foreign firms shipped 83% of them, with 68% imported content. Here is what the numbers show and why the central bank calls the recovery K-shaped.
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TravelThaipusam, Chinese New Year and Sapporo's snow all fall within three weeks: five Asian winter festivals worth flying from Thailand for
Five of Asia's biggest winter festivals are a short trip from Thailand, and all have confirmed 2026/27 dates: the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, Thaipusam at Batu Caves, the Sapporo Snow Festival, Chinese New Year in Penang and the Taiwan Lantern Festival in Miaoli.
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TravelThailand's longest rail tunnel has broken through. Will you really take a train to Chiang Rai in 2028?
The 6,215-metre Ngao Tunnel broke through on 11 November 2026, and the Den Chai to Chiang Rai and Chiang Khong railway is 74% built with a 2028 target. What has been built, what is missing, and what the announcements leave out on fares and timetables.
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