The Rise of Drum and Bass in Thailand

For years in Thailand Drum and Bass lived underground. A sound that was thriving in the shadows of bigger electronic genres. For those who knew, the scene was alive. Hidden in Bangkok’s clubs and scattered across the island parties, Thailand became a leading SE Asian country bringing cultures together to enjoy the tempo of 174bpm.

The likes of DJ Dragon, Dave Milligan, Brad & Orawan (Irie), DJ Noize & DJ Sith (Full Moon), Mark Hare (Paradise Breaks at Stage 3, Escobar), Jungle Jam Bangkok and many more boiled the music we love to the surface over the last 2 decades and gave it a home on some of Thailand's biggest stages.

We believe now is the time to showcase what they have built in all its glory. We hope that this blog provides an overview of how we got here and the impact we’re having on Thailand's dance culture.

Thailand DnB Events: A Growing Trend

It's impossible to ignore the impact dance music is having on Thailand's music scene. Walk anywhere and you will find DJ's playing anything from chilled progressive house to intense Asian inspired EDM. It's no wonder promoters are tapping into these sounds, experimenting with genres and increasing the number of dedicated nights and festivals. Local artists are gaining recognition and it's attracting lots of international attention.

Over the past 2 years, the popularity of DnB in Thailand has skyrocketed. We're seeing events pop up in most of the country's major cities such as Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket, as well as islands like Koh Phangan and Koh Tao. All hosting regular events attracting local and international talent. Since starting DnB Thailand 2 years ago this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down and we can’t wait to see where it goes! 

DnB Culture in Thailand

It's hard to find a genre where its listeners are more passionate about the music than Drum and Bass. The cultural movement in the UK that got us here carries the freedom and expression of the promoters, DJ’s & producers who brought it to light through years of illegal pop-up raves. If it wasn’t for their dedication to sharing DnB we wouldn’t be here today.

In Thailand, that movement has been slightly different. The spaces for these events already existed and thanks to Thailand's booming tourist industry, the large number of DnB ravers travelling through offered an opportunity for Thai promoters.

It was the existing local DnB heads that took this opportunity, found the right venues, listened to the ravers, supported the travelling DJ's and formed the basis for what would be a multi-decade climb to try and get DnB to the top. Now, thanks to social media, the community is able to showcase Thailand's incredible venues, promoters and artists all helping to put Thailand on every ravers bucket list.

Popular Venues Hosting DnB Events

Various venues across Thailand are now becoming symbolic for DnB music. Here are some of the notable ones:

1. Irie, Hua Hin: Originally based in Bangkok Irie was the first stop for DnB ravers in Thailand. Irie now provides a home for Dance Music in Hua Hin.

2. Escobar, Koh Tao: Escobar provides the very unique experience of raving in the Jungle. The bass stage, hosted by Goodtime & Paradise Breaks, has become one of the most notorious and busiest bass stages in the country.

3. Full Moon Party, Koh Phangan: Being one of the most famous parties on the planet, it's no wonder DnB has a home here. You can find 20,000 - 30,000 party goers each month visiting Haad Rin beach and experiencing DnB at Sunrise Bar.

4. Jungle Experience, Koh Phangan: Starting in 2014 and hosting every night before Full Moon it's safe to say this one gets BUSY. With a professional sound system and world class DJ’s it's become a firm favourite for ravers and artists.

To find out more about the local drum and bass scenes near you be sure to check out our “Find Events” page. 

The Future of DnB Events in Thailand

As the popularity of DnB continues to rise in Thailand, the future looks promising for drum and bass. More promoters are recognising the potential of these events and offering experiences that you can't get anywhere else on the planet.

Upcoming festivals such as Tomorrowland, DnB Allstars and EDC are flying in DnB's biggest artists at a frequency we have never seen before. It's a reminder to all of us that if we shout loud enough, people listen.

Impact on Local Music Scene

Since we created DnB Thailand on March 15th 2024, we've seen the DnB scene grow at an incredible rate. It's truly been exciting to watch. Whilst we've yet to see a major DnB artist breakthrough from Thailand, it is quickly becoming a cultural centre for the music that we love. We do expect that, in the next coming years, we’ll see some very exciting experimental sounds coming from new SE Asian producers that will help catapult the growth of drum and bass with local communities even more. 

How to Get Involved

We share all the DnB events happening across the country to help you find the music you love. Find an event on www.dnb-thailand.com, show up, talk to people, follow the local artists, share their sets and buy them a drink. The DnB community is one of the most welcoming in music. You just have to walk through the door. And if you see someone else going to the same event? Message them. You might make a friend for life.

Our Final Thoughts

The rise of Drum and Bass in Thailand has been a long time coming. Passionate promoters and ravers have supported the music since its early days, building loyal followings and laying the foundations for everything we see today. It’s now becoming an essential part of Thailand’s nightlife. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just curious to see what makes it special, there’s never been a better time to get involved.

Come and see for yourself, The DnB.Thailand Team