Search Menu
Home Latest News Menu
Features

Excursions: Transport is taking over Bangkok with high vibrations & feel-good frequencies

With a decade of parties behind them and a community in front, the collective’s story is one of sound, soul, and something unmistakably Thailand

  • Henry Cooper
  • 10 June 2025

For many, Bangkok’s nightlife still evokes clichés—Khao San Road chaos, neon-lit bars, and tourist-packed clubs.

But just beneath that surface lies a vibrant underground culture that’s soulful, expressive, and increasingly influential across the region. Few crews embody that energy quite like Transport.

Built on a foundation of warmth, community, and high-vibration dancefloors, Transport has spent the last decade quietly (and sometimes not-so-quietly) shaping the sound of the Thai capital’s underground, while unapologetically staying "Transport".

Their events are instantly recognisable—not just by the Funktion-One stacks, dreamy lighting or forest-akin decor, but by the atmosphere: inclusive, playful, unpretentious, and deeply tuned-in.

The community they’ve fostered are some of the most dedicated we’ve seen. For months before an event, the echoes of “see you at Transport?” ring through every club smoking area conversation, and this community, coupled with some of the regions most exciting selectors, including Notep, Romain FX, Running Hot, Dean Chew, Dita, Telephones and many more, have proven Transport time and time again.

From off-grid venues to sunset sessions at their beloved Chang Chui base, Transport has become a key force in Bangkok’s electronic ecosystem. We caught up with founders Brent Burns, Seelie, and Mr. Mowgli to talk about building soulful spaces, keeping the energy alive, and what it takes to throw a party with real personality.

What led you to start Transport? Was there a moment or experience that sparked it?

Moving to Bangkok has been the best, but we really felt the absence of the dance music culture we'd grown up with. Seelie and Luke started it very soon after the move East. The scene here was going through a hard techno and minimal phase—it felt cold and kind of distant. Even the clubs felt cold, literally, with the aircon blasting. It just didn’t have that warmth we were very much missing. We were craving something a bit softer at the edges. A dancefloor that felt like a hug. Something that brought a different energy with more soul. That’s where Transport started.


You often use the phrase “high vibrations”. What does that look or feel like at one of your parties?

If you’ve ever been to one of our Chang Chui parties you’d understand the energy in that room really epitomises this statement. It’s a feeling of excitement in the room that builds over 14 hours. On those special nights it feels like everyone’s tuned to the same frequency. That’s what we mean by higher vibrations. Music, crowd , space all synced up. Magic.


Is there a “Transport” genre, or is it more about energy?

Our parties span across multiple genres, starting off slow at the start, and progressing into peak time high energy. We often bring the tempo down at the end whilst maintaining the energy of the floor. We don’t confine ourselves or our guests to genres. It’s more about a feeling.

Are there any artists (local or international) who, in your opinion, really “get” the Transport sound or vibe and why?

We think almost all of our guests get the Transport vibe—both locally and internationally. Obviously Pam Anantr gets it to become last year’s annual resident. Regionally, Dita and Gero fully killed it and are such a perfect fit. International, there are really too many to name. Running Hot, Telephones, Eternal Love and Romain FX come to mind, and our UK guests Heels & Souls and Hand-Made and Sam Don for sure. We have full faith in all the Artists we book and believe wholeheartedly in them. We feel our crowd really trusts us on this front. Which is something we are really proud about.


What’s your dream Transport event; space, line-up, setting/venue?

To be completely honest, Chang Chui is our dream space, it’s unique and holds a very special energy and we are yet to find anywhere close. But for us a space needs to be somewhat interesting with different levels, visually interesting and acoustically sound.


Your parties often happen in secret or non-traditional spaces. Why is that important to you?

We like to try and keep things fresh, we are always on the hunt for new spaces. But unfortunately with city living there comes the obstacle of noise complaints and unwanted attention. We choose non-traditional spaces so we can have full control over the space and put our Transport mark on it.


Read this next: The Mixmag Asia Clubbing Guide: Bangkok


Can you share a particularly powerful or surreal moment from one of your past parties?

We booked Jamie Tiller for our party but very sadly passed away a few days before the event. We played a tribute mix from John Gomez which had messages celebrating the life of Jamie. It was a very special but moving moment to listen to before the start of the party. Later in the evening, another powerful moment was when Housemates 'Soul Value' was played and [Brent] stood on the middle of the dancefloor soaking in this moment reflecting this beautiful thing we call life.

How important are stage design, sound, and lighting in creating an immersive experience? And who have you worked with to bring that vision to life?

Sound is everything. We take it really seriously, and a lot of our budget goes towards it. We work with Funktion One and Janos our sound team. For the lighting design we link with the amazing Human Spectrum team at every party. A disco ball has been a must for some years, which was massively inspired by the early Secretsundaze parties in London. We like to keep stage design to a minimum to be honest. A red light and a feeling—you don't need much.


How would you describe Bangkok’s electronic scene right now?

In the ten plus years we've been here it's never been better. We really feel there’s a lot of people trying to do good things in the city and the scene is ever developing.


The Big Mango’s ripe with promoters and venues. Care to shout out a few of your favourites?

More Rice’sJay, DOTT, and Jirus have been another fundamental part of making our scene so special. Our buddies RomRom, Kangkao, Unaharn, Seven Bells and venues Beamcube, Bar Temp and 12x12 have really helped raise the bar in Bangkok. However, there’s so many more we could mention, so instead this is a shoutout to everyone that is making things happen in this big city.


Read this next: Sneak peek: BEAM is back bigger, better and louder


What makes Bangkok a unique place to run a party like Transport?

The tropical weather, unique locations, being perfectly positioned to link regionally and Thailand's beautiful sabai sabai vibe. Bangkok bangs! Not to mention the coconuts!

How do you think Transport fits into the larger ecosystem of parties in the city?

I guess we bring a little UK attitude to the table. Big smiles and unity on the dancefloor. We believe that the best parties are a real mix of good people, regardless of race, gender, sexuality or appearance. An ethos of ‘Come as you are’.


What would your dream night out in Bangkok be? (Where to go, what to eat, etc.)

Start the day at The Outernational for whatever Olbi has on the specials menu. Head to More Rice for a dig and then chill at the Bangkok Community Radio studio while listening to the many live shows on offer there. Head to Yaworat for some Nai Ek Roll Noodles before heading out to the party…and probably ending up at Elsewhere for the afters.


Read this next: Mixmag Asia Radio: house music dreams with Seelie


Are there any challenges—culturally, legally, or logistically—that those not from the city might not understand about doing events in Bangkok?

The 2am curfew is a big obstacle for the night time industry. That being said, these limitations inevitably pushed us to explore a day event, which is something we love.


What’s the secret to keeping Transport creatively fresh and evolving?

Not taking ourselves or things too seriously. Booking Artists we truly believe in regardless of how famous they are. We are really proud of the DJs we have brought to Transport over the past seven years.

Henry Cooper is a Writer at Mixmag Asia. Follow him on Instagram.

Cut through the noise—sign up for our weekly Scene Report or follow us on Instagram to get the latest from Asia and the Asian diaspora!

Next Page
Loading...
Loading...