The River of Life festival, formally known as River of Life: Preserving Rattanakosin Heritage under Royal Benevolence, takes place across Bangkok’s historic old quarter from 24 to 31 July 2026.
Organized under the guidance of royal initiative projects and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration, the event centres on Mahakan Fort Park beside the Golden Mount and extends along the canals that encircle Rattanakosin Island, including Khlong Lot, Ong Ang and Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem. It runs daily from roughly 9 a.m. to 9.30 p.m. and has drawn thousands of local residents and visitors, with the boat almsgiving ceremony alone described as one of the largest religious gatherings ever staged on Rattanakosin Island.
Although presented as a special celebration marking the birthday anniversary of His Majesty the King on 28 July, the festival draws on Bangkok’s deeper relationship with its waterways. For centuries the city’s network of canals earned it the name Venice of the East, serving as ...
Thailand entered the second leg of the ASEAN Championship semifinal against Singapore on August 18 as clear favorites, boosted by their status as seven time champions and a commanding 3-1 first-leg victory away in Singapore. With the aggregate already in their favor, Thailand simply needed to avoid a heavy defeat of three goals or more to secure progression, while Singapore required a victory by at least three goals to advance outright or by two to force extra time.
In the return fixture at Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium, Singapore struck first when Harhys Stewart scored in the 45th minute. Thailand equalized through a 61st minute penalty converted by substitute Kakana Khamyok, but an own goal by Pansa Hemviboon in the 65th minute restored Singapore’s lead and made the final score 2-1 on the night. The aggregate finished 4-3 in Thailand’s favor, sending the hosts through to the final.
The next round will see Thailand face the winner of the other semi-final between Vietnam and Malaysia. ...
Wat Intharam, known locally as Wat In, is an active community temple north of the historic city island in Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya.
Local tradition holds that it may have been founded during the Ayutthaya period, possibly linked to King Intharacha in the early fifteenth century, though firm contemporary evidence is scarce. Official records variously date its establishment to around 1377 with a formal ordination boundary granted near 1387, while other accounts place it more generally in the mid-to-late Ayutthaya era.
The monastery was abandoned after the Burmese destruction of Ayutthaya in 1767 and was restored and reoccupied by monks toward the end of King Rama V’s reign in the late nineteenth to early twentieth century.
It has offered scriptural education since 1973 and remains a standard Maha Nikaya temple with a consecrated ordination boundary. The name derives from Indra, the king of the gods associated with rain, storms and war, combined with a Sanskrit comparative form.
Most of the ...
Nothing can finish a day in Ayutthaya better than an evening of walking and snacking on street food while shopping at Ayutthaya’s Night Market. Located on the city island of Ayutthaya in the historical park, near Wat Mahathat and Wat Ratcha Burana, the market is one of the popular local attraction in Ayutthaya.
The former capital comes to life in the evening when traders line up near the ancient ruin in the middle of the historical park selling various items and street food. The market experience is entertainment in itself and its added to with with great views of the ancient temples. Even if shopping is not your thing, just walking around and soaking up the atmosphere is a great source of entertainment.
It has been a Ayutthaya tradition for visitors to enjoy the ancient temples and museums by day and enjoy the night market as an evening event when the sun sets. The market becomes the focal point for vending stalls selling delicious street food. The warm atmosphere of the ancient capital ...
