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The Oscars 2026: Full Winners List

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Khaosod English
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The Oscars 2026: Full Winners List

“One Battle After Another” led the winners at the 98th Academy Awards, taking best picture and a total of six Oscars, while Michael B. Jordan and Jessie Buckley won the ceremony’s top acting honours. Meanwhile, the animated hit KPop Demon Hunters marked a milestone for Asian representation, winning best animated feature and best original song for “Golden.”

See the full list of 2026 winners below:

Best picture

  • WINNER: One Battle After Another
  • Bugonia
  • Frankenstein
  • F1
  • Hamnet
  • Marty Supreme
  • The Secret Agent
  • Sentimental Value
  • Sinners
  • Train Dreams

Best actress

  • WINNER: Jessie Buckley – Hamnet
  • Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
  • Kate Hudson – Song Sung Blue
  • Renate Reinsve – Sentimental Value
  • Emma Stone – Bugonia

Best actor

  • WINNER: Michael B Jordan – Sinners
  • Timothée Chalamet – Marty Supreme
  • Leonardo DiCaprio – One Battle After Another
  • Ethan Hawke – Blue Moon
  • Wagner Moura – The Secret Agent

Best supporting actress

  • WINNER: Amy Madigan – Weapons
  • Elle Fanning – Sentimental Value
  • Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas – Sentimental Value
  • Wunmi Mosaku – Sinners
  • Teyana Taylor – One Battle After Another

Best supporting actor

  • WINNER: Sean Penn – One Battle After Another
  • Benicio del Toro – One Battle After Another
  • Jacob Elordi – Frankenstein
  • Delroy Lindo – Sinners
  • Stellan Skarsgård – Sentimental Value

Best director

  • WINNER: Paul Thomas Anderson – One Battle After Another
  • Ryan Coogler – Sinners
  • Josh Safdie – Marty Supreme
  • Joachim Trier – Sentimental Value
  • Chloé Zhao – Hamnet

Best animated feature

  • WINNER: KPop Demon Hunters
  • Arco
  • Elio
  • Little Amélie or the Character of Rain
  • Zootopia 2

Best international feature

  • WINNER: Sentimental Value
  • It Was Just an Accident
  • Sirât
  • The Secret Agent
  • The Voice of Hind Rajab

Best documentary feature

  • WINNER: Mr Nobody Against Putin
  • Come See Me in the Good Light
  • Cutting Through the Rocks
  • The Alabama Solution
  • The Perfect Neighbor

Best original screenplay

  • WINNER: Sinners – Ryan Coogler
  • Blue Moon – Robert Kaplow
  • It Was Just an Accident – Jafar Panahi
  • Marty Supreme – Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie
  • Sentimental Value – Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier

Best adapted screenplay

  • WINNER: One Battle After Another – Paul Thomas Anderson
  • Bugonia – Will Tracy
  • Frankenstein – Guillermo del Toro
  • Hamnet – Chloé Zhao and Maggie O’Farrell
  • Train Dreams – Clint Bentley and Greg Kwedar

Best original song

  • WINNER: Golden – KPop Demon Hunters (by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo and Teddy Park)
  • Dear Me – Diane Warren: Relentless (by Diane Warren)
  • I Lied to You – Sinners (by by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson)
  • Sweet Dreams of Joy – Viva Verdi! (by Nicholas Pike)
  • Train Dreams – Train Dreams (by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner)

Best original score

  • WINNER: Sinners – Ludwig Goransson
  • Bugonia – Jerskin Fendrix
  • Frankenstein – Alexandre Desplat
  • Hamnet – Max Richter
  • One Battle After Another – Jonny Greenwood

Best cinematography

  • WINNER: Sinners – Autumn Durald Arkapaw
  • Frankenstein – Dan Laustsen
  • Marty Supreme – Darius Khondji
  • One Battle After Another – Michael Bauman
  • Train Dreams – Adolpho Veloso

Best film editing

  • WINNER: One Battle After Another – Andy Jurgensen
  • F1 – Stephen Mirrione
  • Marty Supreme – Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie
  • Sentimental Value – Olivier Bugge Coutté
  • Sinners – Michael P Shawver

Best sound

  • WINNER: F1 – Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A Rizzo and Juan Peralta
  • Frankenstein – Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke and Brad Zoern
  • One Battle After Another – José Antonio García, Christopher Scarabosio and Tony Villaflor
  • Sinners – Chris Welcker, Benjamin A Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor and Steve Boeddeker
  • Sirât – Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas and Yasmina Praderas

Best visual effects

  • WINNER: Avatar: Fire and Ash – Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon and Daniel Barrett
  • F1 – Ryan Tudhope, Nicolas Chevallier, Robert Harrington and Keith Dawson
  • Jurassic World Rebirth – David Vickery, Stephen Aplin, Charmaine Chan and Neil Corbould
  • Sinners – Michael Ralla, Espen Nordahl, Guido Wolter and Donnie Dean
  • The Lost Bus – Charlie Noble, David Zaretti, Russell Bowen and Brandon K McLaughlin

Best production design

  • WINNER: Frankenstein – Tamara Deverell and Shane Vieau
  • Hamnet – Fiona Crombie and Alice Felton
  • Marty Supreme – Jack Fisk and Adam Willis
  • One Battle After Another – Florencia Martin and Anthony Carlino
  • Sinners – Hannah Beachler and Monique Champagne

Best casting

  • WINNER: One Battle After Another – Cassandra Kulukundis
  • Hamnet – Nina Gold
  • Marty Supreme – Jennifer Venditti
  • Sinners – Francine Maisler
  • The Secret Agent – Gabriel Domingues

Best make-up and hairstyling

  • WINNER: Frankenstein – Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel and Cliona Furey
  • Kokuho – Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino and Tadashi Nishimatsu
  • Sinners – Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine and Shunika Terry
  • The Smashing Machine – Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin and Bjoern Rehbein
  • The Ugly Stepsister – Thomas Foldberg and Anne Cathrine Sauerberg

Best costume design

  • WINNER: Frankenstein – Kate Hawley
  • Avatar: Fire and Ash – Deborah L Scott
  • Hamnet – Malgosia Turzanska
  • Marty Supreme – Miyako Bellizz
  • Sinners – Ruth E Carter

Best animated short

  • WINNER: The Girl Who Cried Pearls
  • Butterfly
  • Forevergreen
  • Retirement Plan
  • The Three Sisters

Best live action short

  • WINNER (TIE): The Singers
  • WINNER (TIE): Two People Exchanging Saliva
  • A Friend of Dorothy
  • Butcher’s Stain
  • Jane Austen’s Period Drama

Best documentary short

  • WINNER: All the Empty Rooms
  • Armed Only with a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud
  • Children No More: Were and Are Gone
  • The Devil Is Busy
  • Perfectly a Strangeness
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Rider criticised after bullying overweight passenger in Udon Thani

By
Khaosod English
-

UDON THANI — A motorcycle ride-hailing driver in Udon Thani has drawn widespread criticism after a video showed him berating an overweight passenger during a trip, sparking a heated argument captured on camera.

The clip was posted on Facebook by a user who wrote, “There are still people like this,” and quickly spread across social media.

In the video, the rider is heard scolding the passenger about their weight, saying people who are overweight should not use the service.

The passenger responds that the driver should put up a sign clearly stating that overweight customers are not accepted.

The rider replies that drivers nowadays “do not take overweight passengers” and claims the practice has existed for a long time, adding that cancelling rides is not a serious issue. “You can ask any driver,” he says in the clip.

The passenger then fires back, saying the driver should have said so earlier and should not judge others. “Don’t judge others for being fat. You’re not thin either. You’re overweight too,” the passenger says.

The passenger later explained that they had booked the ride through an app and got on the motorcycle normally when the driver arrived.

However, the driver rode slowly at about 20–30 km/h. When the passenger asked if he could go faster because they were worried about missing a connecting bus, the driver reportedly replied, “Stop talking. You’re heavy, it’s hard to balance.”

The driver also allegedly said he initially did not want to accept the ride because of the passenger’s weight, prompting the passenger to take out a mobile phone and start recording the incident.

The incident has since sparked widespread debate online. Many social media users criticised the driver for lacking basic service etiquette and said he should not have mocked the passenger’s weight. Others said the situation could have been handled in a more respectful and professional way.

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Ang Thong police arrest reckless teen bikers, seize 36 bikes

By
Khaosod English
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Ang Thong police arrest reckless teen bikers, seize 36 bikes

ANG THONG — 16 March 2026, Police have arrested teenage motorcyclists for dangerous riding, including wheelies on a highway, and seized 36 illegal motorcycles in a crackdown following a viral clip.

The footage showed male youths riding recklessly and competing in wheelies on Highway 3454 outside the State Audit Office in Sala Chao Rong Thong subdistrict, Wiset Chai Chan district, on 14 March 2026.

On the night of 15 March 2026, Ang Thong provincial police chief Maj. Gen. Kitti Sakunee ordered a joint operation led by senior officers and about 50 police personnel from multiple stations, including Wiset Chai Chan, Mueang Ang Thong, Pho Thong, Samko and Bang Chak.

The operation targeted illegal activity along the Wiset Chai Chan–Pho Thong road near the State Audit Office. Officers tracked down riders seen in the clip and charged them with driving without regard for the safety of others and reckless driving likely to endanger people or property.

Suspects were handed over to investigators at Wiset Chai Chan police station for legal proceedings.

Police also intensified enforcement against illegal motorcycles, seizing 36 vehicles lacking proper registration plates, documentation or required equipment.

Authorities warned visitors gathering along irrigation canal banks in Wiset Chai Chan district that any use of unregistered or non-compliant vehicles would result in arrest and seizure pending further legal action.

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Light aircraft crashes in Saraburi after hitting power lines, pilot injured

By
Khaosod English
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Wreckage of a yellow light aircraft after it crashed near a roadside shop in Phra Phutthabat district, Saraburi, around 18:30 on Sunday.

SARABURI — 15 March 2026, A light aircraft crashed into a roadside area in Saraburi’s Phra Phutthabat district on Sunday evening, striking power lines and a large tamarind tree before going down near a village shop and injuring the 75-year-old pilot.

Pol. Lt. Col. Saman Phuwipak, an investigator at Phra Phutthabat Police Station, said authorities received a report from a member of the public that a small aircraft had crashed near a shop along a road in Moo 2 (Soi 6), Than Kasem subdistrict, Phra Phutthabat district. He reported the incident to his superiors before heading to the scene with Pol. Col. Weerawut Damsuwan, superintendent of Phra Phutthabat Police Station, and volunteers from the Ruamkatanyu Foundation.

At the scene, officers found a yellow light aircraft with the markings “US 27” written in English on its wings and fuselage. The aircraft was severely damaged, with debris scattered across the area.

One person was injured in the crash, a 75-year-old man and resident of Lopburi province. He sustained minor injuries but was conscious and able to communicate before being taken to Phra Phutthabat Hospital.

Nearby, authorities also found a damaged spirit house that appeared to have been struck by the aircraft. A red Yamaha PCX motorcycle, licence plate Khonyor 588 Lopburi, was also damaged and found toppled near the base of a large tamarind tree. The aircraft had reportedly clipped the tree, tearing branches and part of the trunk.

High-voltage power lines running along the roadside were also struck by the aircraft and torn down across four pole sections spanning about 2.5 kilometres, along with two sections of low-voltage lines covering about 1.5 kilometres, causing a widespread power outage in the area.

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Workers repair power lines damaged when the light aircraft struck them before crashing

Achara Suksawat, the shop owner at the scene, said she was washing dishes when she heard a very loud engine noise approaching.

“I thought someone had brought a racing car to the resort nearby because the sound was extremely loud,” she said.

Moments later, she heard a crash and saw the aircraft strike the tamarind tree in front of her house before going down.

“I was shocked and didn’t know what to do. I ran out and saw an injured man lying there, still holding his phone,” she said.

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Achara Suksawat, a shop owner, speaks to reporters after the aircraft crashed near her roadside shop

A small fire also broke out after the crash, but she and her brother managed to extinguish it with water before it could spread. Villagers and friends of the injured man later arrived and helped transport him to Phra Phutthabat Hospital.

Achara said local residents told her the injured pilot was believed to be a flight instructor and possibly a military officer, though she was unsure if that information was accurate.

She added that the large tamarind tree in front of her house likely prevented the aircraft from crashing directly into the building.

“I believe it was the protection of Luang Pho Khuai. I keep his image in my home, and I believe it protected us,” she said, referring to a revered monk.

She also said workers who usually sit under the tamarind tree to eat and drink were not there that day. Her nine-year-old grandson, nicknamed Boom, a Grade 3 student at Anuban Phra Phutthabat School, had been eating instant noodles near the spirit house moments earlier and had just walked away when the crash occurred. He sustained a minor head injury after being struck by a piece of debris.

According to villagers working in nearby fields, the aircraft had been flying unusually low and appeared to be experiencing mechanical problems. Witnesses said they heard the engine rev loudly before the plane struck high-voltage power lines, lost control and crashed into the large tamarind tree in front of the shop.

Pol. Lt. Col. Saman said investigators initially believe the aircraft may have been returning from a training flight and attempting to land at a small private airfield called Thantawan, located between Soi 4 and Soi 5, about 1 km from the crash site.

The pilot may have been trying to contact ground control to request a landing when the aircraft malfunctioned, leading to the crash, he said.

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.

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Thai govt warns of fuel coupon scams draining bank funds

By
Khaosod English
-
Thai govt warns of fuel coupon scams draining bank funds

BANGKOK — 16 March 2026, The government has warned the public to be wary of online scammers luring victims with fake “free fuel coupons” and links designed to siphon money from bank accounts.

Deputy government spokeswoman Lallida Pherdvivatana said the Anti-Online Crime Centre (AOC 1441) had issued an alert over a new scam exploiting global tensions and volatile oil prices. Fraudsters are circulating messages and advertisements claiming to offer free fuel coupons or discounts during an energy crisis to trick people into clicking links.

The messages are being spread via SMS, social media and fake advertisements impersonating petrol stations or well-known brands. They often use attention-grabbing phrases such as “Claim your 500-baht free fuel” or “Today only special coupon” to pressure victims into clicking without verification.

Lallida said that once victims click the link, they are redirected to fake websites resembling legitimate ones and prompted to enter sensitive information such as national ID numbers, bank card details or one-time passwords (OTP). The stolen data is then used to access bank accounts or conduct transactions immediately, with funds often transferred out within minutes.

In one case, a 34-year-old company employee received an SMS claiming to be a promotional campaign marking the anniversary of a well-known petrol station, offering a 500-baht fuel coupon. After clicking the link and submitting details to verify eligibility, more than 80,000 baht was transferred from the victim’s account in under 10 minutes. In another case, an online vendor lost more than 50,000 baht after responding to a fake social media advertisement offering a 300-baht fuel coupon.

The AOC advised the public to exercise caution when clicking links from SMS or unverified advertisements and to avoid entering card details, passwords or OTPs on suspicious websites. People should check promotions only through official company websites or pages.

Scammers often create a sense of urgency or exclusive benefits to deceive victims, Lallida said, urging the public to verify information carefully before providing sensitive data online.

If you are a victim of online fraud

  • AOC hotline: 1441 — request account suspension and assistance
  • Government hotline: 1111 — report scams or fake news

Both hotlines are available 24 hours a day.

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King presides over State Opening of Parliament

By
Khaosod English
-

BANGKOK — King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida presided over the State Opening of Parliament on 14 March following the completion of the general election.

During the ceremony, the King delivered a royal address formally declaring the parliamentary session open.

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“Now that the election of members of the House of Representatives has been completed and parliament has been convened for the year 2569 (2026), I hereby declare the opening of the parliamentary session from this moment onward,” the King said.

“I ask all of you who will perform legislative duties on behalf of the people of the entire country to uphold righteousness and the well-being of the people as your highest goal. Any deliberations that take place in this parliament should proceed in accordance with the constitutional process and achieve results that truly benefit the nation and the people.”

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The King concluded by wishing that parliamentary proceedings run smoothly and that all involved enjoy happiness and prosperity.

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Human Rights Watch urges Thailand to free Vietnamese activist, halt deportation

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Khaosod English
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Le Chi Thanh

BANGKOK — Human Rights Watch on 12 March urged Thai authorities to release Vietnamese anti-corruption activist Le Chi Thanh and ensure he is not forcibly returned to Vietnam, warning he could face arbitrary detention, torture and an unfair trial.

Le Chi Thanh, 43, was arrested by Thai immigration police on 6 March at his home in Pathum Thani after Vietnamese authorities cancelled his passport, which invalidated his visa. He is currently being held at the Suan Phlu Immigration Detention Center while appealing an order to revoke his visa and deport him.

“Returning Le Chi Thanh to Vietnam would place the outspoken anti-corruption activist in grave danger,” said Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. She urged Thai authorities to release him, reinstate his visa and ensure he is not deported.

Human Rights Watch said Le Chi Thanh, a former Vietnamese police officer, used social media to expose alleged corruption in Vietnam and had previously been imprisoned over posts criticising authorities before travelling to Thailand in 2025.

The group added that Thailand’s Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act and international obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Torture prohibit returning people to countries where they risk torture or persecution.

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Thai Navy warns ships of possible sea mines near Hormuz

By
Khaosod English
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A UAE navy ship sails next to a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz as seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

BANGKOK — The Royal Thai Navy has issued an urgent advisory warning Thai shipping operators to exercise caution when navigating waters in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz amid rising regional tensions and the potential threat of sea mines.

Rear Adm. Parach Rattanachaiyaphan said on 14 March that the Navy’s Maritime Traffic Control Centre under the Naval Operations Centre issued the security alert on 13 March to warn Thai commercial vessels and shipping companies operating in the region.

The advisory follows an assessment indicating a possibility that sea mines could be deployed in the area, posing risks to commercial shipping and one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.

The Navy urged Thai vessels and ship operators to avoid entering high-risk areas unless necessary, conduct risk assessments and strengthen security measures in accordance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and Best Management Practices for maritime security.

Ships were also advised to closely monitor developments, maintain radio communication on maritime channel 16 and remain ready to respond to contact from maritime security authorities in the region.

Vessels encountering suspicious objects or unusual incidents are urged to immediately report them to the Navy’s maritime traffic control centre, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations and other relevant authorities.

The Navy also issued operational guidance on how crews should respond if they encounter sea mines, aiming to reduce risks and enhance safety for Thai vessels passing through the area.

The Royal Thai Navy said it will continue monitoring the situation closely and will provide further updates as necessary to ensure the safety of Thai ships and crews.

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A Thai ship, the Iran war, and Thailand’s political divide

By
Pravit Rojanaphruk, Senior Staff Writer
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​Just one week after the Iranian Ambassador to Thailand, Nassereddin Heidari, held a major press conference at his embassy in Bangkok to denounce the attacks by the US and Israel against Iran—which claimed the life of its Supreme Leader—and emphasised a 400-year amicable relationship with Thailand, a Thai cargo vessel was attacked by the Iranian IRGC Navy. Iran claimed the cargo ship Mayuree Naree “ignored warnings.”

​As of press time, three Thai sailors remain unaccounted for.

​A day later, on Thursday night, Precious Shipping Public Company Limited (PSL)—a Thai-Indian shipping giant owned by the prominent Shah family—issued a statement asserting there had been no warning before the attack.

​The question remains: Did the Thai ship actually ignore those warnings? If so, why? If there was no warning, then what really happened? And why would Iran treat a 400-year friend this way? Could the situation not have been handled with more finesse? Is this how an old friend behaves?

At this moment, the public deserves much greater clarity from Iranian authorities, the Thai shipping company, and the surviving crew.

​Domestic Political Polarisation

​Internal Thai politics has become a primary factor in how the conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance is perceived among some Thais. Royalist conservatives increasingly view Thai progressives—specifically the “Orange” People’s Party—as a “Trojan horse” or a tool for American imperialism. In their eyes, these groups are instruments used to transform Thai society or upend the political system according to Washington’s desires.

​This belief is so deep-seated (pointing, for instance, to Pita Limjaroenrat’s current presence in the US to oversee his daughter’s schooling) that some wonder if there is more than meets the eye regarding the shooting of the Thai ship near the Strait of Hormuz. Some have even questioned whether the incident was a “set-up” by the US and Israel designed to create a rift between Bangkok and Tehran. This is further complicated by certain Thai Muslim groups who feel a natural religious and cultural affinity towards Iran.

​Noppakao Kongsuwan, an influential redshirt Pheu Thai supporter, lamented the situation on Facebook on Friday:

​“You can hate the United States or hate Trump as much as you like—no one is stopping you. Many people also see the problems with the sudden attacks on Iran by the US and Israel. But it should not go so far as siding with Iran in a case where it clearly did something wrong by firing at a commercial ship.

​“No matter whose ship it was, this vessel was sailing in Omani waters. It was a civilian commercial vessel; it showed no hostile intent and was not carrying weapons of war. So why attack it?

​“Thais themselves should pause and seriously ask whether calling fellow Thais ‘stupid for sailing into the line of fire’ is effectively supporting an act that violates international law.”

​Tom Kruesophon, a well-known influencer who has called for Thailand to take a firm stance against Iran, said in a Facebook clip yesterday that some Thais have responded with indifference: “Why were they even there? Why was the ship in the Gulf? They knew there was a war… It’s their own fault for being nosy.” Tom expressed his shock, saying, “I was very disappointed. Where is the Thai spirit?”

​Rumours and Rebuttals

​Distrust has spread so rapidly that the Navy chief was forced on Friday to publicly dismiss rumours that the United States had requested the use of Thai bases to launch attacks on Iran.

Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Navy, ​Admiral Pairote Fuengchan, stated there has been no coordination from the US to use U-Tapao International Airport for military operations against Iran. As for the naval base in Phang Nga, Pairote noted it would be physically impossible as the waters are too shallow for large combat vessels.

​A Friend’s “Humour”

​While Iran’s 400-year friendship with Thailand has been called into question by the attack, the Iranian embassy in Pretoria, South Africa, added insult to injury. On X (formerly Twitter), the embassy mocked the rescued Thai crew with a caption: “When you crash the car and are too scared to go home because of your dad… Strait of Hormuz.” After facing backlash, the embassy brushed it off as “humour” that was nothing personal against Thailand.

​This needless egregious act is most regrettable. Such “humour” was deployed while the fate of three Thai sailors remains uncertain. This is not how an old friend behaves. Tehran would be foolish to unnecessarily turn an old friend like Thailand into a new enemy. While some Thais still support Iran, the regime is making that position increasingly difficult to justify.

​Do Not Import the Conflict

​Prognosticate on the messy war in the Middle East all you like, but I urge all Thais to keep their cool and reflect on their own biases—both conscious and unconscious. Do not import this war into our home. Do not get so emotionally invested that you mix domestic vitriol with international conflict. We must raise our voices to be part of a global solution and demand peace. To view a Middle Eastern war solely through the lens of internal Thai political prejudice only risks escalating the situation at home.

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Thailand’s ‘Death Fest’ invites visitors to embrace mortality

By
Associated Press
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A visitor tries out a coffin at Death Fest in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

NONTHABURI, Thailand (AP) — Thailand’s “Death Fest” invites people to confront mortality while also offering practical services and spiritual advice for the inevitable.

The unusual fair, now in its second year, has broached the subject that’s uncomfortable for many. It’s also one of the central teachings of Buddhism, which shapes much of Thailand’s culture, about life’s unavoidable sufferings: birth, old age, sickness and death.

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Visitor take a tour of Death Fest in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

Sangduan Ngamvinijaroon attended the three-day event Friday with her mother in Nonthaburi province near Bangkok. She said death used to be a difficult subject for her family, but having spent more than 20 years caring for ill family members, including her husband with a stroke and relatives with cancer, she has witnessed several deaths firsthand and now feels more at ease talking about it.

She said she liked the fair because “it’s not just about dying well. It’s also about the present moment and taking good care of our lives while we’re still here.”

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A visitor poses for a photo sitting in a coffin at Death Fest in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

The event brought together experts and organizations involved in health care, financial planning, palliative care, funeral services and memorial innovations. Activities and talks focused not only on preparing for death but also on maintaining quality of life until the final days.

“Death involves everybody. It’s not just about you,” said Zcongklod Bangyikhan, editor-in-chief of The Cloud magazine and one of the event’s lead organizers. “Instead of wondering what dying will be like, maybe we should think about how to make things easier for the people who remain after we’re gone.”

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A visitor tries out a coffin at Death Fest in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

One popular exhibit is called “Test Die.” Visitors can lie inside coffins of different sizes and styles while looking at themselves in a mirror suspended above. The experience is designed to prompt reflection rather than fear.

Office worker Phinutda Seehad said it felt calming.

“I don’t think I’m scared of death,” she said. “I also don’t want to die, but when the time comes, I don’t think it will be that frightening.”

One company displayed a biodegradable coffin made from mycelium — the rootlike fibers of fungi — which helps naturally with decomposition.

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Visitors leave messages on “what they want to do before passing away” at Death Fest in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

Founder Jirawan Kumsao said the design reflects a more environmentally friendly approach to burial. Although she brought a human-sized coffin to the event, her company mainly produces coffins for pets.

“It gives people comfort to know they’ve cared for their pets until the very end,” she said. “It looks like a spacecraft, a capsule, for sending them to another world.”

Noppasaward Panyajaray, founder of the online memorial platform Sharesouls, has seen a similar emotional bond. Her service allows users to store photos and share stories about loved ones, creating a digital space where friends and family can leave messages and pay their respects.

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A visitor tries out a coffin at Death Fest in Nonthaburi, Thailand, Friday, March 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Kittinun Rodsupan)

She said her original idea was for the platform to preserve memories of family members. But she was surprised to find that many users were creating memorial pages for their pets.

“Many people sent me a message to say thank you, because nowadays we don’t really have any space to store stories or memories about their pets,” she said. “Every pet is meaningful to their owners as much as a family member.”

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