does anyone know if they have evening or weekend classes in bangkok, as some uni's or colleges in the west will have for studying subjects of interest while employed in the day?

for example furniture design or art or cooking etc... not for degree necessarily but just to learn something different?

Lots more available if you can do so in Thai of course, pretty slim pickings English-language and won't be cheap.

Certainly lots of cooking schools, some dance, furniture design? I'd ask at Raffles and KMUTT if they'll let a non-degree student audit classes for a fee, but probably not at night.

Quite a few directories online, BKK Post, AngloInfo, the Yellow Pages have a decent location+topic -based search engine, I believe there's an "other" category under Education, also search on Training.

Many degree programs are offered on weekends, Unfortunately, they tend to be directed at Thais that have jobs during the week. Some universities will offer special seminars on weekends, but these are directed at current professionals or students already enrolled. However, I have seen some seminars targeted at foreign visitors. I suggest you check the websites of the higher end universities under the continuing education sections. Start with Mahidol.

thanks all