Craving Travels? Try Airbnb’s Online Experiences
By Lifestyle+Travel
It’s been a year already since Airbnb has launched compelling Online Experiences to invite people to travel virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Online Experiences allows you to still dig deep into local culture and share passions with the Hosts while staying safe at home.
For an one-off virtual experience in Thailand, no matter where you are, you can Visit The Hidden Thai Village, learn about the History & Culture of Transwoman – Thailand, and try Street Dance with Smiles from Step Up. If you are a food aficionado, don’t miss The Northern Thai Pantry!
Various categories of the Online Experiences are available to satisfy your unique wanderlust. With a slow-but-steady increase of the number of the vaccinated, it opens up to more actions. Some new Online Experiences categories have emerged and have been gaining a lot of interest from people worldwide like the category of Outdoor Activities, Dance, Music, and Fitness & Recreation.
Here are some of Airbnb’s most popular Online Experiences to date:
- From My House to Yours, Thai Cooking (most booked Online Experience in Thailand in 2020)
- Sangria and Secrets with Drag Taste
- Spice Up Life with Thai Food
- World’s Top Coffee Masterclass
- ‘True vs False’ Funny Historical Game
- Pasta with the Grandmas
- GINspiration History & Cocktails at Home
- Master Northern Thai Dish with Insider
- Irish Village, History, Culture & Craic
- Secrets of Magic
Looking ahead, Online Experiences will continue to support Host earnings, provide unique opportunities for human connection, and create new ways to draw travel inspiration from home. Keep your passport in your drawer, sit on your comfy couch, and explore the world now with the Online Experience.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Bangkok Patana Hosts First-Ever Insect Food Seminar Led by Student Organization “Amino Insecto”
Bangkok Patana School recently buzzed with excitement as students gathered for the Amino Insecto seminar, an event dedicated to the emerging trend of insect-based cuisine as a sustainable protein source. Founded by Napa-ai Suriyabhivadh, known to her peers as April, Amino Insecto champions insect consumption as a step toward a more sustainable food future. The seminar is also led by Wipharhuck Kongboonma, cofounder of Amino Insecto. April, who developed an interest in insect protein while training with the Thai national basketball team, first tried insect-based snacks reluctantly but soon discovered their nutritional value. Realizing insects’ potential to fight malnutrition and support eco-friendly agriculture, she and her friends launched Amino Insecto to promote these benefits among Thai youth. The seminar drew notable experts in the field, including Finnish food scientist Professor Sara-Maria Kauppi and Chef Topi Kairenius, who both flew in to share their experiences. Professor Kauppi, who teaches at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, highlighted her research on consumer behavior around insect foods, explaining how well-designed packaging could ease consumers into the idea of eating bugs. Chef Kairenius, an advocate for sustainable insect-based dining in Nordic cuisine, treated students to samples of Finnish water bugs, sparking intrigue among attendees. The event’s food booth added a culinary adventure to the learning experience, featuring dishes like mango sticky rice topped with wood ants and Finnish forest mushrooms paired with caramelized locusts. The 180 samples quickly disappeared, with students eagerly returning for more, demonstrating a positive shift in attitudes toward edible insects. The excitement surrounding Amino Insecto’s seminar reflects a global movement that’s growing across Europe, Asia, and beyond. With climate change and resource scarcity pressing issues worldwide, this student-led initiative encourages a fresh perspective on food sustainability.
By Lifestyle+Travel
Savouring the Local Charm
The flavours of travel are experienced through tasting local food and seeing unseen places. Travelling like a local is the best way to learn and experience what a country has to offer. Don’t have enough time? Visiting a floating market provides a quick glimpse of this in just one short trip. Heading further south of Bangkok, Song Khlong Floating Market at Wat Taling Chan, a well-known floating market in Taling Chan, uniquely combines the riverside lifestyle of the locals with nature. Recently, in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the market launched the "Wow
By Lifestyle+Travel
The Langham Landing
One of the most iconic spots along the Chao Phraya River is embracing a new landmark, revived from the glorious past, as The Langham unveils its luxurious landing in the Kingdom in 2026. Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) and Rabbit Holdings, an affiliate of BTS Group, have announced the opening of The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok, set to debut in 2026. This luxurious addition to the famous Chao Phraya River will showcase the best of Langham’s world-class service and hospitality. The Customs House building, located in Bang Rak District, is one of Bangkok’s most beautiful heritage sites. Designed in a neo-Palladian style by architect Joachim Grassi, the building has stood elegantly since 1888. Its teak floors, grand central staircase, and impressive four-story hallway are remarkable examples of its historical significance. Once considered a gateway to Thailand, the Customs House has a storied past, hosting royal family soirées and celebrating King Rama V’s return from his European travels. The restoration will revitalize this historic building, transforming it into a world-class destination that blends cultural significance with modern luxury. Mr. Kavin Kanjanapas, Director of Rabbit Holdings, said, “We are thrilled to appoint Langham Hospitality Group to manage the property. The company’s dedication to creating timeless luxury hotels and demonstrated success in heritage conservation make it the ideal partner to further our vision of setting a new standard for luxury hospitality in the region while honoring the rich cultural heritage of Customs House and Bang Rak District.” LHG’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Bob van den Oord, added, “The Langham, Customs House, Bangkok exemplifies our strategy of incorporating cultural preservation into hotel development while creating unparalleled experiences for guests and the communities in which we operate.” The restoration will feature signature Langham elements, providing a luxurious and extraordinary hospitality experience. The hotel will house T’ang Court, Langham’s three Michelin-starred Cantonese restaurant from Hong Kong, a unique destination bar, and an outlet dedicated to world-class pastry creations. Guests will also enjoy rejuvenating treatments at Chuan Spa, Langham’s renowned wellness retreat. We eagerly await the unveiling of this new landmark! The Langham Hotels & Resorts Website: LanghamHotels.com Facebook: @thelanghamhotels Instagram: @langhamhotels X: @thelanghamhotel