Sumati Sivasiamphai
     
      Halloween is one of those rare annual events where your parents won't wake you up at the crack of dawn to go tham boon. The reason for this is simple: when monks come around to collect traditional offerings, it's not considered trick-or-treating. Oh, and also because Halloween isn't a Buddhist holiday.
     
      Oh, and also because Halloween isn't any kind of national holiday. This year is the exception to that rule, however. The planets have aligned to allow Halloween to fall on a Saturday, meaning that no matter your stance on this commercialist, capitalist, communist celebration (is it obvious how we feel about it?), you can be sure that Bangkok is putting on grand Halloween fiestas that will cackle in the face of the recession.
     
      People who don't think it's lame for adults to dress up in costumes will find plenty to do with our handy rundown of events around town, and we'll ensure you have no excuse to miss the various happenings. Unless you work on Saturdays, or your parents really make you tham boon.
     
     
      PAINT IT BLACK
     
      You scream: "People are so predictable at Halloween. I'm sure I'll see women dressed as witches or cats, and men dressed as strippers. Where can I go to do something creative?"
     
      We scream: Men dressed as strippers? Where have you been celebrating Halloween, and can we tag along? However, you're in luck, because Mood Art & Design School is offering a fun Halloween-inspired workshop. Halloween T-Shirt Painting not only enables you to design your own freaky creations, but you'll also learn techniques needed to draw and transfer images to a shirt. To help motivate you, you'll also be informed about the basic origins of Halloween before you start designing.
     
      They scream: Join the workshop on Oct 31, 1pm-5pm; Mood Art & Design School, 3/F, DOB Building, 318 Rama 4 Road; 083-999-7968, www.mood.in.th.
     
      WHIPPING YOU INTO SHAPE
     
      You scream: "I'm bored of celebrating Halloween at all the usual clubs and bars. And I like bondage."
     
      We scream: Aren't you a fussy one! But what a coincidence, we may have an event that meets your needs. Recently opened Bangkok Rocks, a classy venue that features nightly live music, is holding its first Fetish Halloween event. There will be a "light" bondage show to start off the night, scary films and animation, and a fetish costume contest. At midnight a live band will strike up some eerie tunes in keeping with the Bangkok Rocks trademark.
     
      They scream: Tap into your fetishes on Oct 31, 9pm onwards; Bangkok Rocks, 19-19/1-3 Sukhumvit Soi 19; 02-255-5802,
      www.bangkok-rocks.com.
     
      ARE YOU KIDDING?
     
      You scream: "I wanna be surrounded by lots of kids this Halloween!"
     
      We scream: Erm, by "kids" you mean adults over 18, right? Right? OK, glad we cleared that up. If you long for a fun, community vibe this Halloween, and are tired of seeing random revellers around Ekamai and Thong Lor hotspots, the Sasin Halloween Party might be right for you. This year's annual event is hosted by the students of Sasin University's 2009 MBA candidates, and will feature live performances by Scrubb, ETC, and Black Sunday. With a "Devil's Playground" theme, visitors are instructed to wear white. And these "kids" have pulled out all the stops, as there will also be a raffle where you have a chance to win a BlackBerry Curve. Please note that this party takes place on Halloween Eve.
     
      They scream: Relive your university days on Oct 30, 7pm onwards; Sasin University, Sasa Patasala Building, Soi Chula 12; 084-928-3959, www.sasinhalloween.com.
     
      PERVERTS AND ZOMBIES ONLY
     
      You scream: "Halloween is all about dressing up in the weirdest costumes possible! Where can I go to ensure that people will actually look freaky?"
     
      We scream: The Overstay is an "old haunted whore house [that] has been morphed into a creative space" according to its website. And this year amid the spirits of long-gone hookers flying around, they're holding the House of Terror party, with a strict costume theme: perverts and/or zombies! You'll get free entry with costume, and be very afraid because they warn that coming without a getup will result in torture in the S&M room.
     
      They scream: Perverted zombies can emerge on Oct 31; The Overstay, 80-82, Charan Sanit Wong Soi 40, Pinklao (about 10 minutes from Khao San Road); 02-883-4836, www.theoverstay.com.
     
      THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
     
      You scream: "Aren't there any charitable events being held this Halloween?"
     
      We scream: In its seventh year, Scream for Charity gives less privileged children a chance to enjoy some traditional Halloween festivities. This year you can help make a difference to over 250 kids from such institutions as the Pak Kret Home for Boys, the Emergency Home, and Christian Children's Fund with loads of fun activities. There will be a haunted house, bobbing for apples, the aptly themed "pin the nose on the pumpkin", and trick-or-treating. Show up for a good cause, and you'll be guaranteed to have a great time as well!
     
      They scream: Do it for the kids on Oct 31, 1pm-5pm; Holy Redeemer Church, 123/19 Soi Ruam Rudi; 02-655-3030, 085-902-6924.
     
      DOIN' IT OLD SKOOL
     
      You scream: "I want to celebrate Halloween around Ekamai, but which place won't be overflowing with people spilling out of the venue?"
     
      We scream: Well, we can't promise that Old Skool cafe and bar won't be teeming with revellers, but this favourite socialising spot does promise to host this year's scariest Halloween party. Find out if the claim is true at their Drag Me To Hell party, where the dress code is "scary sexy". Pay B600 (pre-sale tickets) or B800 (at the door) to take advantage of their all-you-can-drink shindig.
     
      They scream: Party till the cows come home on Oct 31, 9pm onwards; Old Skool, 126/43 Soi Ekamai (between Soi 12 and Soi 14), [Sukhumvit Soi 63]; 080-570-0866, www.oldskoolbangkok.com.
     
      A ROCKING HALLOWEEN
     
      You scream: "I'm so over the club scene. I need a place where my kids can tag along."
     
      We scream: You can't go wrong at Hard Rock Cafe, with its fun and family-friendly vibe. Well, it's only open to people under age 20 before 10pm. This year, A Night With the Ghouls features the restaurant's classic American food, with DJ Tean-Tae getting you in a ghoulish mood during dinner from 8:30pm onwards. Then get your maid or driver to pick up the kids, as from 10pm, local rocker Sek Loso will perform a live concert while you can indulge in the drink specials.
     
      They scream: Get ready to rock out on Oct 31, 7:30pm onwards; Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok, Siam Square Soi 11; 02-658-4090-3, www.hardrockcafe.co.th.
     
      SCARY 365
     
      You scream: "Halloween is stupid. I want something that can scare me all year round, not just for one day."
     
      We scream: For a truly year-round creepy experience, check out the Siriraj Medical Museum. Here you can witness all things gory in the name of science, including the preserved foetus of Siamese twins, human skulls, the remains of a Thai serial killer, and exhibits depicting the workings of the human body.
     
      They scream: Gross out your date or enjoy the fun learning from Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm; Siriraj Medical Museum, Siriraj Hospital; 02-419-7000 ext. 6363, 6440, sirirajmuseum@yahoo.com.