A busy week of openings, festivals and food in Thailand, with something for almost every kind of traveller — from buffet hunters in Bangkok to garden lovers heading northeast.
The big news for planners is the Udon Thani International Horticultural Expo 2026, running Nov 1 to March 14, 2027. It takes place on a 1.65km² site at the Nong Dae wetland in Udon Thani province, a part of Thailand most visitors skip. The theme, "Diversity Of Life: Connecting People, Water and Plants For Sustainable Living", plays to the region's strengths: gardens from about 20 countries and organisations, exhibits on royal agricultural and conservation legacies, and a whole strand dedicated to Isan culture — local food, crafts, music and some 200 performances across the expo's run. It's a solid excuse to build a northeast Thailand trip.
In Bangkok, The Sukhothai brings back its Legendary Sunday Brunch at the newly refurbished Colonnade on Oct 4, with a twist: a collaboration with Peony, a Chinese restaurant from Hong Kong's Discovery Bay, contributing six handcrafted Cantonese dim sum creations. The next edition follows on Oct 18. Elsewhere in the city, Ventisi at Centara Grand at CentralWorld runs an Oktoberfest buffet until Oct 4, with free-flow Royal Bavarian draught beer and a dinner spread that changes nightly — yellowfin tuna on Thursdays, South American grill on Fridays, crab and seafood on Saturdays.
There's a sustainability angle too. 137 Pillars Suites & Residences joins Bangkok Climate Action Week on Oct 4 with a day of workshops on sustainable travel, dried-flower art and mindful wellbeing, with proceeds going to the Marine Life Conservation Foundation. Down the coast, The Standard, Hua Hin has packed October with free and ticketed events, including a poolside pop-music party on Oct 7, a morning run and yoga session on Oct 11, a Wicked-themed bingo night on Oct 22, and a beachfront Halloween party from 5pm to midnight on Oct 31.
Two more worth noting: Bangkok's Kromo marks its first anniversary with new art exhibitions and a French-inspired dinner menu at Colette Bistro & Bar, while a free Molly 20th Anniversary Exhibition at Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park (until Oct 25) pairs Pop Mart's mascot with Thai crafts, including Benjarong porcelain.
Beyond the capital, the Thai and Bhutanese tourism authorities have launched a joint "Healing And Happiness" campaign at Tourism Expo Japan, building on their "Two Kingdoms, One Destination" partnership. The idea is to sell Thailand and Bhutan as complementary legs of one trip — wellness, culture and spirituality in each. It's early days, but expect combined itineraries and marketing to follow, and it's a useful nudge to consider pairing the two on a longer Asia trip.
Whether you're plotting a garden-themed road trip to Isan, a seafood-fuelled Bangkok weekend or an October full of Halloween beach parties, this week's Thai calendar has you covered. Most of the city events are one-offs, so check dates before booking.
