OVERTURES NEWS AND EVENTS
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NAN CRAFTS, SONGKHLA COOKS
THAILAND TOPS WORLD FOOD RANKINGS
THAILAND
Thailand has been named the world’s best destination for food in Conde Nast Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, scoring an impressive 98.33 out of 100. The country earned top spot not just for its bold, aromatic flavours, but also the immersive experiences on offer – from sizzling street food stalls and vibrant night markets to warm hospitality. Bangkok continues to shine, with seven restaurants ranked among the world’s top 35. Yet it was everyday classics like Tom Yum Goong, green curry, mango-sticky rice, and noodles cooked to order that impressed visitors the most. Italy and Japan followed in second and third place. cntraveller.com
13-16
JAN 2026
SINGAPORE
LITTLE INDIA LIGHTS UP
Singapore’s little India bursts into colour for Pongal, the South Indian harvest festival celebrating the sun, the land and nature’s annual bounty. Serangoon Road glows with light displays, while homes are decorated with intricate rice-flour motifs and families serve pongal, a sweet rice dish symbolising prosperity. Visitors can enjoy cultural performances, garlanded bulls parading along Clive Street, and rice steaming on traditional clay stoves. The neighbourhood pulses with music, rituals and fragrant food as Singapore’s Indian community brings its age-old heritage alive. visitsingapore.com
Photos: Singapore Tourism Board
Nan and Songkhla were honoured as UNESCO Creative Cities this year in a significant milestone for Thailand’s cultural and creative landscape. Nan was designated a Creative City of Crafts and Folk Art for its Tai Lue woven textiles, bamboo crafts, Bo Suak kilns and iconic murals at Wat Phumin. Songkhla, the “City of Two Seas”, was named Creative City of Gastronomy for its rich culinary heritage from Thai, Malay, Chinese and Persian traditions. Their inclusion expands Thailand’s growing list of Creative Cities, which also features Phuket, Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Sukhothai, Phetchaburi, Chiang Rai and Suphan Buri – highlighting the country’s focus on creativity-led development. unesco.org
THAILAND
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