9 Things To Do In Bangkok In March 2023 – Makha Bucha, A Cat Show, Anime Festivals & Music

Things to do in Bangkok in March 2023


March is a quiet month in Bangkok, but there are still plenty of things to do.

Here are 9 things to do in Bangkok in March 2023 that’ll bring you some excitement to a peaceful month.


1. Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: Exhibit reflecting on two years of humanitarian work



Image credit: @nathaliejamoisphotographer

Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop is a photo exhibit that showcases the humanitarian efforts of the Bangkok Community Help Foundation. The photographers are both volunteers at the foundation who documented the efforts during the pandemic, from the construction of a quarantine shelter to food aid. 

For those who are curious about how the pandemic affected Bangkok’s most vulnerable communities or want to reflect on the drastic changes to daily life because of the pandemic, the exhibit will open on the 3rd of March 2023 at the Foreign Correspondents Club.

Date: 3 March 2023
Address: Foreign Correspondents Club, Penthouse, Maneeya Center, 518/5 Ploenchit Road, Patumwan, Bangkok 10330
Contact: +66 2652 0581 | Event page


2. Thailand Cat Show: Cat contests, shows & products



Image credit: CFCT Club ชมรมผู้นิยมแมวแห่งประเทศไทย

If you’re looking to admire some of Bangkok’s cutest cats or for cat products for your master, the Thailand Cat Show will run from 3rd-5th March 2023. 

The show, which will be held at Central Ladprao, will consist of multiple cat performances as well as two cat competitions. There will also be plenty of booths set up, so you can get all your pet shopping done in one go. 

For those looking for a new companion, there will also be adoption services. 

Date: 3-5 March 2023
Time: 10am-10pm
Address: Central Ladprao, 1693 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Contact: +66 8 7987 8799 | Organizer’s Facebook | Event Page


3. Celebrate Makha Bucha day at a temple



Image credit: @nop142

Makha Bucha is one of the most important religious holidays in Thailand. It is celebrated on the full moon of the third month. 

This year the holiday falls on the 6th of March, a Monday. This makes it a long weekend for Thais, so you’ll see many celebrating. 

Since this is a religious holiday, most Thais who celebrate the holiday will give alms to monks in the morning, then visit the temple at night. We’ll then circle the main hall of the temple three times while holding a candle. 

The candle-lit full moon night is surely something you won’t want to miss. 

While it would be convenient to visit your local temple, if you want to make it an occasion, then you can try visiting one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples – Wat Suthat in Sao Chingcha. The temple is filled with beautiful murals which would make the evening even more special. 

Date: 6 March 2023
Address: Any temple near you!


4. Elephant Parade Dot Painting Workshops: Meditative painting for a good cause



Image credit: Amy Diener

Painting can be a very meditative and relaxing experience. That’s how Bangkok-based artist Amy Diener describes painting. As someone who struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), she has found that dot painting to be incredibly therapeutic. 

So if you’re looking to center your mind, give the Amy Diener x Elephant Parade Dot Painting Workshops a try. The workshop is a collaboration between Amy Diener and Elephant Parade, which produces unique elephant statues to raise awareness about elephant conservation. 

Plus, there will also be a workshop specifically for kids, so if you’re looking for something for your child to do (away from you), this might interest you. 

Pre-booking is required. More details can be found here

Price: ฿1,050 for kids, ฿1,400 or ฿1,950 for adults (depending on the day)
Date: 9 & 12 March 2023
Time: 10am-12pm on 9 March, 10.30am-12pm on 12 March for kids, 1pm-4pm on 12 March for adults
Address: Waterford Diamond Tower, Sukhumvit 30/1 Alley, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Contact: +66 8 6359 9104 | amydienerworkshop@gmail.com | Event page


5. Bangkok Poetry Slam: Poetry contest open to all for a chance to win ฿1000



Image credit: Bangkok Lyrical Lunacy

It may surprise you, but Bangkok does have an English-language poetry community. So if whether you are looking to practice your wordplay or want to try something completely new, you can swing by Live Lounge Bangkok for the Bangkok Poetry Slam

The competition is open to all, so why not take the stage and speak your mind through lyrics about something only you can? 

There is an entry fee of ฿300 for both contestants and spectators. The winner will take home ฿1,000. For more details on the competition, visit their event page here

Date: 10 March 2023
Time: Doors open at 7pm, contest begins at 8pm
Address: Live Lounge Bangkok, 10/47 Trendy building, Soi Sukhumvit 13, North Klongton sub-district, Watthana, Bangkok 10110
Contact: bangkoklylu@gmail.com | Organizer’s Facebook | Event page


6. Symphonic Anime: Your favorite anime songs performed by an orchestra



Image credit: @tongpisitsombat_tiffy

While some of you might’ve grown up on Tom & Jerry or Scooby-Doo, most Thais grew up on Dragon Ball and Pokemon. For many, those weekend morning cartoons have become a lifelong obsession. 

That’s why many Thais will be making their way out to Mahidol University to attend Symphonic Anime 2023, including the orchestra’s young conductor who established this annual concert. 

You’ll get the chance to listen to some of the most famous anime music live, including the latest popular series such as Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and Spy x Family. You’ll also hear from the mainstay classics such as Howl’s Moving Castle. 

Some of Japan’s most famous composers, responsible for the music from Naruto, One Punch Man, and Spy x Family, will also be in attendance.

There is a smart casual dress code, but cosplay is encouraged so long as it doesn’t obstruct other concertgoers’ experiences. 

You can check out further details here

Price: Tickets start at ฿950
Date: 11-12 March 2023
Time: 4pm
Address: Prince Mahidol Hall, Mahidol University, Phutthamonthon Sai 4 Rd, Salaya, Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom 73170
Contact: +66 6 2593 2224 | Organizer’s Facebook | Event Page


7. MARUYA #35: Anime festival with cosplay and merch



Image credit:
@oy_chananon

If you haven’t had enough of anime yet, you might be interested in attending Maruya. Maruya is an anime festival for fans to showcase and sell their handmade anime products and cosplay. 

The festival is a great place to find a charming, handmade gift for your friends or yourself. There will also be tons of cosplay, cover dances, and live music. 

You can catch all of it at Union Mall for only a ฿150 entrance fee. 

Price: ฿150 entrance fee
Date: 12 March 2023
Time: 11am-8pm
Address: Union Hall 2, 6th Floor, Union Mall, 54 Soi Lat Phrao, Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900
Contact: Organizer’s Facebook | Event Page


8. Jason Richardson & Luke Holland Asia Tour: Metal music in BKK’s house of rock



Image credit: HITKOR

Metal guitarist Jason Richardson and Youtube drummer Luke Holland are coming to Bangkok as part of their Asia Tour. 

The two have performed together for a long time, with Luke Holland featuring heavily on the drums in both of Jason Richardson’s solo albums. 

Definitely check these two out if you’re a fan of highly technical, fast metal music. They’ll be in Bangkok at The Rock Pub on the 22nd of March. 

Price: ฿2,000 per person, ฿2,500 at the door
Date: 22 March 2023
Time: 8pm
Address: The Rock Pub, Hollywood Street 93/26 Phaya Thai Rd, Thanon Phetchaburi, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400
Contact: +66 8 5060 4120 | Organizer’s Facebook | Event page


9. BIPAM: Performances & art workshops by local and international artists



Image credit:
@bipambkk

This will be the first time the Bangkok International Performing Arts Meeting (BIPAM) will be held on-site since 2019. This year’s theme is Uncommon Ground, referring to how a reunion with familiar friends might feel unfamiliar because of the changing circumstances.

If you’re someone with an interest in performing arts or an exploration of contemporary issues in Southeast Asia, then you might want to consider a closer look at what BIPAM is offering this year.

The meeting will take place over the course of 4 days and feature many performances from both local and international artists. Highlights include a Malaysian artist’s response to Malaysia’s newly published national history and an examination of the struggles for democracy in Myanmar and Thailand. 

There will also be a variety of talks and workshops. 

Tickets for individual events will be available as well as a full pass for every event for ฿3,500. You can read more about BIPAM 2023 here

Price: Full pass for the entire event at ฿3,500, tickets for individual performances are also available
Date: 22-26 March 2023
Address: The Jim Thompson Art Center, 10/1 Kasem San 2 Alley, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330
Contact: BIPAM’s website | Event Page


March things to do in Bangkok


Contrary to expectations, it’s still chilly in Bangkok heading into March.

These activities will help make your quiet month a bit more exciting.

Other guides to Thailand worth checking out:


Cover image adapted from: @nop142, HITKOR, @tongpisitsombat_tiffy and Amy Diener

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