WHAT’S ON: THIS WEEKEND AND BEYOND

MUSIC & DANCE Lipta’s exclusive show The Forestias by MQDC Bang Na-Trat Road (KM7) May 21, 5pm-6pm

Lipta, a star pop duo with a string of hits over their 17-year career, will be delighting fans at “The Colors Of Nature” festival with a one-hour concert in a chill forest setting, where they will debut a special song. Besides the exclusive show, participants will enjoy the beauty of nature in a “magical forest”. The festival is running daily from 10am-6pm until May 29 and presents workshops showing how to make kites, terrariums, resin jewellery, plant pots and natural scented candles.

Call 1265. Classical night

Neilson Hays Library, Surawong Road May 27 and 28 at 7pm Neilson Hays Library is holding an evening concert featuring music by Johannes Brahms and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky performed by a string sextet of international musicians. The repertoire includes Brahms’ String Sextet No.1 In B-Flat Major and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir De Florence. The sextet includes Rhys Watkins (violin), Omiros Yavroumis (violin), Aibek Ashirmatov (viola), Tasana Nagavajara (viola), Rowena Calvert (cello) and Noa Lev Chorin (cello).

Tickets cost 950 baht (850 baht for members). Reservations are required. Visit neilsonhayslibrary.org or call 02-233-1731.

FAIRS & SALES Lifestyle and fashion CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Road Until May 22, 10am-9pm

Held to boost Thai exports by the Department of International Trade Promotion, “The Marché By Style Bangkok 2022” will feature the latest eco-friendly products and services in fashion, leather, furniture, gifts and premiums, housewares, home decor and wellness by some 150 exhibitors. Shoppers are invited to browse a wide range of export-quality products, with a special focus on innovative items developed under the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) concept. The trade fair will also be packed with online and offline activities.

Visit stylebangkokfair.com.

Exotic pets 1st floor, Seacon Bangkae Phetkasem Road Until May 22, 11am-8pm

Held in collaboration with Thailand Exotic Pet Keeper Association, the “Exotic Friends & Contest” features a contest for the country’s most exotic pets including frogs, sugar gliders, forpus birds and ball pythons. Then, meet and greet with many types of lovely exotic pets and shop for a wide range of pet products.

Visit seaconbangkae.com.

Online auction Until May 28

Phuket Hotels Association invites interested people to join “Absolutely Fabulous Online Travel Sale”, an online silent auction featuring spectacular five-star stays and exciting experiences with big discounts for the highest bidder. They are donated by sponsors in Dubai, Sydney and the Maldives, as well as Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Krabi and Koh Samui. The silent auction also includes a range of exhilarating activities such as yacht charters, golf, tennis, surfing classes and gym memberships. It is being continually updated with new prizes. Bidders can check back on their progress, make new offers and see what other exciting prizes are coming up. Proceeds will go to fund scholarships for talented young people in Phuket.

Visit phab.phukethotelsassociation. com/silent-auction.

Animal camping in the city 1st floor, The Street Ratchada Ratchadaphisek Road

May 20-22 and May 27-29, 1pm-5pm

Everyone in the family is invited to have fun with the “Butterfly & Animal Camping” activity which brings a variety of butterflies and exotic, yet lovely animals. They include Siam Tree Nymph, moth, American pygmy goat, sun conure, and red tegu. There will also be a “Hoya Paint” art workshop.

Visit thestreetratchada.com.

Food and beverage Impact Challenger 1-3 and Hall 5-10 Muang Thong Thani May 24-27, 10am-6pm and May 28, 10am-8pm

The Department of International Trade Promotion in collaboration with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Koelnmesse, Germany, is holding “Thaifex-Anuga Asia 2022”, a trade show that will bring entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry from around the world to join business matching, explore new opportunities to expand their trade and get inspired by the ground-breaking innovations and cutting-edge technology. This is a hybrid edition. The on-ground trade show will feature over 3,200 exhibition booths while the virtual trade show will offer a new dimension of virtual F&B trade exhibition via thaifex-vts.com. Members of the public are invited only on May 28.

Visit thaifex-anuga.com and thaifexvts.com.

Hope fair Ballroom of Avani Sukhumvit Sukhumvit Road (BTS On Nut exit 3) May 26, 11am-8pm

The “Hope Fair” will be back for visitors to indulge in some much-needed retail therapy. Discover gourmet treats and delicatessen, designer clothing and accessories, children’s educational games and clothes, home décor, organic make-up, and toxin-free household products.

Around 100 vendors will be on-hand to answer questions and share their expertise. For the first time since its inception, the fair will feature a second-hand luxury goods section including gala dresses, branded bags, accessories, and assorted decor. Dr. Penguin the clown will be giving away balloons and entertaining the crowd with magic tricks.

Visit thehopefair.com.

The best of Thai products Grand Hall, The Mall Bangkapi Lat Phrao Road May 26-June 1, 11am-8pm

The “Kud Thai Market 2022” features a wide range of Thai agricultural products guaranteed for their quality, freshness, taste and hygiene direct from modern farmers and entrepreneurs. They include organic produce and products from young smart farmers, authentic Thai products from the best sources, premium fruits and a selection of delicious food. The market will move to The Mall Tha Phra from June 2-8, The Mall Bangkae from June 9-15, and The Mall Ngamwongwan from June 16-22.

Call 02-310-1945.

EXHIBITIONS Pure perception Atta Gallery, Warehouse 30 Charoen Krung 30 Until June 12, 1pm-6.30pm Wednesday-Sunday

In “Pure Perception? (Her)”, artist Kamin Lertchaiprasert shows that we are able to perceive an unadulterated reality through a stage of mind that contains loving-kindness and being without expectation. On display are 20 pieces of artworks to bring viewers into the artist’s intimate circle by reviving his inner experience and his interaction with colleagues, comrade, community, and family members. The exhibition also revolves around a consideration of environmental issues and Mother Earth.

Visit attagallery.com.

Toxic effect RCB Galleria 4, River City Bangkok Charoen Krung 24 Until June 26, 11am-8pm

“Toxic Effect” features thought-provoking sculptures by leading female sculptor Chainapa Lepajarn who reflects the negative emotional states many women have suffered in a male-dominated world where they often encounter inequality, exploitation, and pressure from society and their families. These emotions can drive them to their depth, but society has repressed them not to speak up or express themselves straightforwardly. This is what the artist calls the “toxic effect”.

Visit rivercitybangkok.com.

Udom’s art world RCB Galleria 2, River City Bangkok Charoen Krung 24 May 21-July 24, 11am-8pm

“I Need A Life Coach” features over 100 paintings and sculptures by Udom Taephanich, an actor, speaker and artist who earns his name as a top stand-up comedian. The exhibition reveals his artistic side and he makes art for his own pleasure to reflect his boundless imagination and present his artistic freedom. They can be perceived as his personal diaries waiting for viewers to discover.

Visit rivercitybangkok.com.

Italian cinema and culture Exhibition Room, 3rd floor Sambassatra Suphakit Building Thai Film Archive Phutthamonthon Sai 5 Road May 27-Aug 28, 10am-5pm (except Monday)

To mark the 76th anniversary of Italy’s Liberation Day, the Embassy of Italy in collaboration with the National Museum of Cinema of Turin and the Thai Film Archive is holding an exhibition titled “Dolce Vita: Italian Cinema And Culture”. It will get viewers closer to Italian cinema through videos, photographs, posters and VR movies on the loop. There will also be a screening of four Italian films at Sala Cinema. The programme includes Ennio on May 27, La Strada on June 5, Accattone on June 12, and Fire At Sea on June 19.

Visit fapot.or.th/main/news/862.

GET-TOGETHERS Comics art festival Bangkok Art and Culture Centre Pathumwan intersection Until May 22, 10am-7pm Tuesday-Sunday

BKK Unzine, a digital art magazine, is holding the “BKK Comics Art Festival” to shine a light on the country’s rich comic book culture. On showcase are pieces from expert and emerging artists including Aphichat Rodwathanakul, Art Jeeno, Jod 8 Riew, Jonathan Scott, Namsai Khaobor and Nirut Chamsuwan. Also presented are the revamped, comic-inspired design of the new Belgian passport whose unique aesthetic features art from classic European comics.

Visit bkkunzine.com/comics.

Into space with Snoopy 8th floor of Central@CentralWorld Ratchadamri Road Until May 31, noon-7pm MondayThursday and 11am-8pm on weekends and holidays

Presented by House of Illumination, “Snoopy Space Odyssey” is a new immersive art 360-degree experience that takes everyone on a journey with our favourite cartoon characters. The fantastic adventure is divided into eight zones, all packed with multimedia and interactive techniques. Prepare to play among the stars with a 45-degree tilted mirror that shifts the ground to outer space, spark your imagination with a sculpture created from kinetic 3D LED pixels, and explore the mysterious path of the Space Odyssey with projection mapping and 3D sculpture.

Tickets cost 350 baht (300 baht for students and 250 baht for children under 110cm tall). Visit houseofillumination.com.

Study in EU Alliance Française Bangkok Witthayua Road May 21, 9am-5pm

Held in collaboration with the Embassy of France and its European partners, the “Studies And Career Opportunities In The European Union” fair is a chance to meet with representatives from student agencies and universities from 12 European countries. They will provide information on the European Higher Education system (BA, MA and Doctorate) and grant programmes while Thai Alumni will give answers to all the questions about living, studying or working in Europe.

There is no admission fee. Visit afthailande.org or call 02-670-4232.

LECTURE Tin mining legacy May 26 at 7pm

Siam Society is holding a Zoom webinar on “Why The Revival Of The British And Chinese Tin Mining Legacy In The Southern Thailand Matters” conducted by Rungsima Kullapat. Although tin mining ceased to operate around 30 years ago in southern Thailand, traces of its history and culture remain, including tangibles like buildings and mine openings, and intangibles relating to the lives of miners, food and accommodation. These traces link to tourist sites and local sports, arts, and crafts, characterising the relationship between people’s lives and historical tin mines.

There is no admission fee. Visit bit. ly/tinmininglegacy.

TRIP Historical mosques May 28

Siam Society is holding a one-day trip designed for those interested in the Muslim culture to visit four masjids (mosques) in Bangkok in a charming background of its unique Islamic architecture. They include Masjid Chakraphong which is dated back to King Rama I’s reign; Masjid Bang Ao which is renowned for its unique design and architecture; Masjid Tonson, one of the oldest mosques in Thailand; and Masjid Bangluang, a historic mosque within Kudi Khao community by the Klong Bangkok Yai (formerly Klong Bang Luang). The trip will conclude with a visit to the First Presbyterian Church which was awarded for conservation by the Association of Siamese Architects under Royal Patronage.

The fee is 3,300 baht (2,800 baht for members) including lunch. Email supanut@thesiamsociety.org or call 02-661-6470—3 ext 504 or 506.

CONTESTS Design a solution

Budding inventors and aspiring young engineers in Thailand are invited to submit their radical and game-changing ideas to the “James Dyson Award 2022”, which offers up to 222,000 baht to national winners, plus a chance to win 1.33 million baht in the global competition. The annual student design competition has come to the Kingdom for the first time and is accepting submissions from young inventors with engineering potential. They are required to design something that solves a problem that we all face in daily life or is a global issue. Entries will be judged by a panel of external judges and a Dyson engineer. A national winner and two runners-up will receive £5,000 (222,000 baht) each. The national winner will proceed to the international shortlist of 20 entries in the global competition.

Applications should be made online by July 6. Visit jamesdysonaward.org.

Portrait prize

The second edition of “RCB Portrait Prize” is accepting submissions from across the country. It’s open to artists residing in Thailand and they are required to paint a portrait of a person distinguished in art, literature, science, business, media, civil society or politics. It must be painted from life, with the subject known to the artist, aware of their intention and having at least one live sitting with the artist. Each competitor can submit only one painting of any medium — oil, acrylic, watercolour or mixed media. The winner of the RCB Portrait Prize will be awarded 500,000 baht. There are also the Packing Room Prize, worth 200,000 baht, and the People’s Choice Prize, worth 100,000 baht.

Submission can be made via shorturl.at/bguFO by Aug 14. For details, visit rivercitybangkok.com/rcb-portrait-prize-2022 or email portraitprize@rivercity.co.th.

Painting of the year

The 13th “UOB Painting of the Year (POY) Competition” is accepting entries from emerging and established artists who will have a chance to win cash prizes worth 1.72 million in total. It’s open to all Thai citizens and permanent residents of any age. Each contestant can submit no more than three paintings, using any techniques — acrylic, batik, Chinese brush, collage, crayon, ink, mixed media, oil and watercolour. They will be judged based on creativity, compositions and art techniques. The top winner of the established artist category will receive 750,000 baht, plus a chance to compete in the regional competition. The other three winners will be granted 300,000, 240,000 and 150,000 baht. The top four winners of the emerging artist category will receive 100,000, 85,000, 55,000 and 40,000 baht, respectively.

The submission deadline is Aug 15. Visit uob.co.th/poy.