night markets

Transcription

night markets

it's free!
Dark times
BK MAGAZINE NO. 579 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015. www.bkmagazine.com
night
markets
Bangkok’s after–hours
shopping haunts
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page 3
February
News
Quiz
6
cover story
Battle of the Night Markets
12
escapes
20
home
Shopping
Streets
Vintage
Finds
24
blends
26
bites
Bar Fly
Korean
Classics
2. What do this month’s bomb blasts at Siam Paragon mean
for Bangkok’s shoppers?
a. That we were right to only visit flea markets.
b. That you now have to stop and actually open your bag for
the MRT security checks.
c. That the Phrom Phong BTS station, due to change its name
to Em District station, will be equipped with turret guns.
d. The re-declaration of martial law.
36
BK NOW
45
last word
Hot Tickets
Market
Master
Who's in charge?
General Manager Andrew Hiransomboon
Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai
Sales Manager Tipkritta Chiraporncharas
Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad,
Orajira Sukkasem, Onwara Sittirug,
Waranuch Thaneerat, Nattaya Bovornsettanon,
Orakarn Laohakanjanasiri
Junior Sales Associates Doungporn Wanasinchai,
Buttri Tanrungruang
Managing Editor, Product Director
Gr goire Glachant
Managing Editor Oliver Irvine
Deputy Editor Carl Dixon
Features Associate Monruedee Jansuttipan
Senior Staff Writer Vasachol Quadri
Staff Writer Pinnyada Tanitnon
Junior Content Coordinator Nontaya Kumyat
Junior Writers Lily Kittisrikangwan, Kanin
Srimaneekulroj, Natcha Sanguankiattichai,
Sam Nathapong
Regional Marketing Manager Pavida Chitprasertsuk
Marketing Executive, Creative Services
Puttipat Teerakawongsakul
IT Manager Takrit Jitjaroen
Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo
Art Director Dechart Sangsawang
Senior Graphic Designer Panita Thiraphapong
Graphic Designers Chantich Kongchanmitkul,
Peeraya Sirathanisa
Junior Graphic Designers Nemintorn Ketkeaw,
Wariya Whangwaewklang
Distribution Executive Suda Angsuputiphant
Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung
Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Limkhamduang
Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang
Administrator Yaovaluck Srisermsri
Accountant Manita Bangmoung
Contributors Rob Brezsny, Kathy MacLeod
Interns Tewit Phanitprachaya, Nareerat Yoddamnern,
Jetnipit Sahusyotin, Kwanwalai Rodsaward,
Soravis Laopadolkij, Dharath Hoonchamlong
Cover by Nemintorn Ketkeaw
Placed at Rod Fai Market 2
Group Directors
Chief Executive Officer
Gretchen Worth [email protected]
Group Digital Director
Greg Duncan [email protected]
Where to find us!
The Asia City Publishing Group
Bangkok
Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd
22/F, Silom Center
2 Silom Road, Bangkok 10500
Tel: 02-624-9696
Fax: 02-237-5656
Email: [email protected]
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Fax: 60-3-2141-1911
BK “Asia City Living” Magazine is edited by Andrew Hiransomboon and published 51 times a year, every Friday of each month by Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Copyright ©2015 Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. The titles “BK Magazine,”
“BK ‘Asia City Living’ Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of BK “Asia City Living” Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly
prohibited. Article reprints are available for B50 each. The magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Contact the Advertising Department for ad rates and specifications. All
advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Comform Co.,Ltd. 212 Moo 13 Krungthepkreetha Rd., Saphansoong, Bangkok 10250
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1. What was the coolest promise General Prayuth made
during his Japan trip?
a. Elections within this year.
b. Bullet trains to Pattaya within this lifetime.
c. That he’d start answering journalists’ questions from now on.
d. That we could date his daughters if we promise to pay for
their meals.
contest, updates, stories
facebook.com/bkmagazine
3. How did the Moral Promotion Center prevent teens from
having sex on Valentine’s Day?
a. By spreading the rumor that guys must pay for dinner at a
chef’s table if they ever want to get laid.
b. By dispatching police to Bangkok’s love motels. In plainclothes. With prostitutes. Inside the rooms.
c. By creating a 24-hour blackout of Tinder and Grindr. d. By definitively banning the sale of condoms in high schools.
Because condoms, as we all know, make kids have dirty
thoughts which can make them get pregnant.
4. According to newly-appointed Thonglor police superintendent Khajohnpong Jitpakpoom, foreigners are no
longer going to be stopped and searched on Sukhumvit.
Unless what?
a. They look like they’re heading to the new Em District wearing Crocs and a Singha wifebeater.
b. They appear visibly aroused by the sight of a pot-bellied
officer in really, really tight brown polyester.
c. Their Thai wife is from the Northeast.
d. They appear “jittery.”
5. The Supreme Council of the Sangha is not going to investigate Phra Dhammachayo. Why?
a. His skin is way too white. How could he possibly be a bad guy?
b. Most of that money went to purchasing space ships, which
is totally legit according to Article 465/B-2 of the Sangha code.
c. All that money he got from Klongchan Credit Union Cooperative? He spent it on land, not hookers. Give the guy a break.
d. It was 16 years ago, brothers. Chill out. Life is just an illusion
anyway. Here, smoke this. Feeling better?
latest news and trends
@bkmagazine
see what’s happening
@bkmagazine
BK Magazine Friday, February 27, 2015
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upfront
HOT OR NOT
Hot: Pizza trucks
Not: Burger trucks
Now that you don’t need to queue for half an hour on the side of the road to eat
Daniel Thaiger’s burgers, why would you? The new pizza truck, Pizza Massilia (see
page 22), by one of our favorite Italian chefs, Luca Apino of La Bottega di Luca and
Vesper, looks a lot more like it. There are proper tables. There’s a full-on stonefire pizza oven. He even serves booze. The only thing that’s missing is air-con.
STREET TALK
Hot: Moose
Not: New bars
We’d love to be more excited about Bangkok’s new bars (see page 24), we really
would. It’s just that... aren’t they the same as our old bars? The Vault sounds
exactly like The Speakeasy, Octagon sounds exactly like Above Eleven, and Mustache Bar sounds exactly like every “art bar” that’s ever opened. Meanwhile, old
favorite Moose has been proving why it still matters with one good party after
another. Don’t miss the next one on Mar 7 (see BK Now, page 34).
Hot: Boy bands
Not: Indie bands
What did you do before selling
somtam?
Who are your waiters and waitresses?
How much does each of your staff
get paid?
I was born in the Northeastern province of Roi-Et. After moving to Bangkok, I started off making a living as a
cigarette importer and had my own
shop. It wasn’t very lucrative, though.
As I loved cooking as much as doing
business, I decided to become a somtam vendor. However, the market is
so competitive I found it hard to make
much money. They are part-time models. I sourced
them from either Facebook or friends
who work in the entertainment
industry. Some even came to ask me
personally whether they could work
as my waiter or waitress, too.
B2,000 per day and I sell on both
Saturday and Sunday according to
Chatuchak’s schedule. Actually I sell on
Friday, too, but the pretties are absent
on this day.
So this isn’t the first time you’ve
sold somtam?
No. My old stall was barely recognizable. It was within Chatuchak, too, but
in a very obscure corner no one would
remember. I used to stress out about
how I could make ordinary Thai food
like somtam stand out when everybody is doing the same thing. Then I
came up with the idea of dolling up
my waiters and waitresses in fancy
dress, like they’ve literally walked out
of classic Thai literature.
Yang Hai
It’s all over. February 2015 will forever be remembered as the month of amazing
gigs we missed, from Pete Doherty at Moose (see above) to Caribou at Hostess
(thanks for the on-the-minute Instagrams, everyone). To make things worse, the
biggest upcoming acts headed to Bangkok (see BK now, page 34) all read like a
bad week on the Billboard Hot 100. Ten years ago.
With business struggling, somtam vendor Charoen “Tony” Phochaisee (center), 38,
decided to doll up his stall with male and female pretties dressed to resemble Thai
mythological beings Thevadha and Nang Fah. And it’s worked. The newly-opened
Som Tum Tard Arb Sub at Chatuchak Market has caused a big stir thanks to its shirtless
array of eye-candy waiters. BK met with him to talk business.
Hot: Phuket Town
Why do you want them to wear
such costumes?
Because I want to get everyone’s
attention. I want to be rich. This is
the only way people are going to recognize my stall. A troupe of shirtless
hunks and beautiful girls that resemble those in Thai literature—what else
would drive people nuts like that?
Have you ever been involved in
likay (Thai folk operetta) before?
Well, people always mistake my costume for those in likay. That frustrates
me a bit. Actually, I wear molam
(Isaan folk music) clothing. I always
wanted to be a molam performer, but
never had the chance.
Have you ever had any trouble?
Some jerk customers harassed my waitresses once or twice. I told them to stop
and also warned my waitresses that
they have to take care of themselves,
too. As for the waiters, some customers have even proposed to “buy” them
from me to stay the night or whatever.
But I’m never going to let that happen.
What’s next?
I’m planning to expand my business as a form of pop-up food truck
and drive to random destinations;
places like Rod Fai Market at Ratchada
Road. I’m even thinking about selling franchises. But I don’t care if people copy my idea, because it’s not just
about the semi-naked waiters. My
food also wins people’s hearts, too.
Interview by Tewit Phanitprachaya
Not: Patong Beach
Wasn’t it yesterday we were cheering the military for cleaning Phuket of the pesky
deck chair mafia? Turns out, tourists kinda liked them. It was nice to sit in a chair
and not get the sand in your bikini. So next year, they’ve all promised to holiday
in the Philippines instead. Pity, since Phuket Town has finally got its act together
with Lard Yai walking street (see page 12).
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THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
by Kathy MacLeod kathymacleod.blogspot.com
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cover story
After
Dark
There are two brand new night
markets in town. We went to see
how they compare with Bangkok’s
old favorites.
Words by Tewit Phanitprachaya,
photos by Nemintorn Ketkeaw
Siam Gypsy Junction
NEW
Siam Gypsy
Junction
NEW
Does this name seem familiar? That’s because
Gypsy Market was once part of JJ Green (see
page 10). The owner has now collaborated with
notorious gambler-cum-businessman Chud Tao
Poon on this B100 million transformation of a
shadowy, 1.6-kilometer-long swathe of road
beneath the soon-to-be MRT Bang Son station.
But don’t expect the new market to be the
same as the old one. After a major revamp, it
now sports an Oriental-meets-Wild-West vibe.
Rod Fai Market 2
What we like: Piles and piles of eye-candy
spanning everything from collectible Lego
to taxidermied buffalo, auto spares, classic
movie posters and knickknacks for the home.
Many stalls also have old turntables crackling
out vinyl music, while elsewhere you’ll find
impromptu gigs from indie outfits, complete
with haybale seating.
Following the huge success of
the first Talad Rod Fai, the market’s owner
Pairod Rolraew (see our interview, page 45)
has just opened another branch in the more
accessible Ratchada area. What was once a
parking lot behind Esplanade Complex has
been given a mega face-lift. Though smaller,
the new market boasts a similar vintage
atmosphere to the original. Expect a vibrant
bazaar of street fashion, food and home
decor—a welcome sight given the closure of
the Ratchada Night Market a few years ago.
What we like: Why mess with a winning
formula? This newbie already matches its
out-of-town Srinakarin predecessor for color
and crowds. The stylized, Art Deco-inspired
entrance (think Hua Lampong) from the original makes a reappearance with a few barely
recognizable differences. There are street gigs
from local indie artists, of course, while the
drinks are a real bonus: from old-school, manually-pumped sodas to traditional Thai-style
coffee and boozier offerings.
What to buy: The secondhand and faux-old
items are strictly themed by section: nostalgic
sweets, old-school toys, secondhand apparel,
Harley-Davidson collectibles, comic books and
more. We also found some lovely time-honored home curios like porcelain kitchenware
and ceramic flower pots. There are a number of pop-up bars, too, most of which have a
cross-continental tavern kind of vibe and affordable prices.
Rod Fai Market 2
What annoys us: With both cyclists and motorcyclists riding the entire 1.6km stretch, the market can seem un-pedestrian-friendly at times.
We love looking at all the custom bikes, but
they’d be nicer stationary and not screeching
past us.
Who goes there: With a shortage of convenient
transport, most visitors come from around the
area––families, students and other random market explorers.
Rod Fai Market 2
Siam Gypsy Junction
Rod Fai Market 2
What to buy: The street eats are endless,
from all kinds of yum (salad) to on-the-go
meat skewers. The home decor section
is a retro goldmine, too, spanning faux
18th-century grandfather clocks to neon-lit
Heineken billboards. Like all markets, there
are also piles and piles of pre-loved clothes,
but here you can expect a better-thanaverage selection.
What annoys us: Come the weekend the
crowds are pretty terrifying. On top of the
unwanted invasions of private space, some popular, Pantip-hyped food stalls like Ba Mee Poo
Jom Pa Lhung (prices starting at B150-B700)
require you to stand in line for at least half an
hour.
Who goes there: Everyone, especially teens—
but what did you expect, with the MRT so close?
Pro tips: If you happen to own a bike, bring
it with you to avoid feeling left out. Also, the
ground-level railway running alongside the
market is still active. Keep a wide distance!
Pro tips: If you take the MRT, you’re absolutely fine. Otherwise, parking at Esplanade
is a nightmare (especially if it’s holding a performance like Beauty and the Beast). Your car
may end up half a kilometer away in a scary,
old building.
Where: MRT Bang Son (under construction).
Open Wed-Sun 6pm-1am
Where: Esplanade Complex, next to MRT Thai
Cultural Center. Open Thu-Sun 5pm-1am
Siam Gypsy Junction
6
SHOP HERE: Oh!! Antique
This enticing, vintage-looking furniture showroom
displays products the owner
and his wife picked up on
their travels, as well as other
imported wares. Among the
highlights are 18th-19th
century pieces like opulent Louis XVI-esque sofas,
English-style tea paraphernalia, antique figurines and
old car models. Also available are smaller decorative
pieces such as typewriters,
nightstands and oak-wood
chairs. Prices vary from item
to item but start at around
B1,000 for smaller pieces.
Rod Fai Market 2, 081897-4184. Open Thu-Sun,
5pm-midnight
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cover story
Rot Boran Market
Liab Duan Night
Market
Rot Boran Market
(Classic Car Market)
Not too far from Liab Duan Night Market,
over on Kaset-Nawamin Road, you’ll find this
cool-looking market stashed away behind The
Walk community mall. Beyond its towering,
Art Deco-inspired façade is an array of classic automobiles converted into pop-up stores.
Situated right by a serene lake, this hidden
gem is just the spot to enjoy a retro-tinged
evening.
Drive a little further out of town and you’ll
find this market whose name in Thai means
“the market located along the expressway.”
This night market transforms 17 rai of land
in the Ramintra-Ekkamai neighborhood into
pandemonium, with bumper-to-bumper cars
crowding the entrance every evening.
What we like: The Thai idiom bae kar din
(selling stuff on the ground) pretty much sums
this market up. Unlike most night markets
around town, Liab Duan makes no allusions to
hipness. This is as down-to-earth as gets, with
a low-key charm to counteract your inner-city
angst. It’s open daily, too.
Liab Duan Night Market
What annoys us: It’s all a little bit too good
to be true, starting with the picturesque setting. While the laidback, country-style vibes
are a nice change, Rot Boran seems to lack
the spontaneous edge of the other markets. It
feels a little bit cliquey. Also, there aren’t many
food stalls, just a couple of places selling drinks.
Who goes there: Local residents and
club-goers who stop here on Fridays before
heading off to the bars along the Ekkamai-Ramintra Road.
Who goes there: Kasetsart uni students and
resident yuppies, plus some random revelers
taking a stroll before hitting the bars along
Ekkamai-Ramintra Road.
Pro tips: Newcomers to this part of town
might be bewildered by its seemingly endless straight boulevards lined with unfinished
once-to-be-expressway pillars. You (or your
rookie taxi driver) could easily mistake the
turn-off for Nawamin Festival Walk for your
actual destination, too. Luckily, each pillar has
a visibly-sized number sprayed onto it. Watch
out for pillar number 175 and make a U-turn
(if coming from Nawamin Road) to arrive at
the real The Walk.
Pro tips: If wandering the market sipping a
multi-berry smoothie doesn’t quite quench
your thirst, do note the long row of booze bars
situated just inside the market grounds. Not
only are the drinks cheaper this far out of the
city, but it seems the strong arm of the law
hasn’t extinguished the shisha smoke, either.
Where: Opposite Tawandang German Brewery (Ramintra Branch), near Watcharapon
junction. Open daily 5pm-2am
Where: The Walk, Kaset-Nawamin Rd. Open
Tue and Thu 5pm-midnight
8
What we like: The breezy rock ‘n’ roll-fueled
Americana vibes, emphasized by some of the
well-turned-out vendors. The vintage Volkswagens and beige-hued buildings make for
some good selfie backdrops, too.
What to buy: There are all sorts of secondhand knickknacks—some cool, some not—
including time-honored Buddhist amulets,
old-school pin to (lunchboxes), vintage tea
and coffee paraphernalia, and local and
imported vinyl records.
What to buy: There’s no shortage of clothes
to squander your paycheck on: from basic
tees to more runway-suitable looks—most of
which are copycats coming in under B1,000.
Expect colorful Chinese-produced G-Shocks,
monogram-patterned Louis Vuitton counterfeits and New Balance sneakers with faux-velvet upholstery. But fret not; elsewhere you’ll
find heartwarming corners filled with vintage-looking bric-a-brac, old-school sweets
and artsy tote bags. The pop-up barbers are
inviting at only B200 (no wash), too.
What annoys us: The parking lot. You’ll need
to wear more than flip-flops to navigate this
dusty, bumpy patch of earth. We can only
imagine how bad it gets in the rainy season.
Rot Boran Market
SHOP HERE: Aod’s Turntable
and Equipment
Vinyl records are all the rage
again and this shop provides
a very appealing range of
secondhand imported LPs
and 7-inches (pop, rock ,
jazz, heavy metal, reggae,
thrash—you name it) as
well as Thai oldies. Among
all the classic soundtracks,
crate-diggers will spot lots
of Jimi Hendrix, Queen,
Carabao, The Palace and
Fruity, with prices starting
from B100. The owner also
buys vinyl at pretty competitive prices, too.
081-625-4563. Open Tue and
Thu, 5pm-midnight
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cover story
DRINK HERE: Bus Bangkok
Green Vintage Night Market
Chatuchak Friday Night Market
Chatuchak Friday
Night Market
Green Vintage Night
Market
By day the asphyxiating Chatuchak Weekend Market is
throbbing with local and imported shopaholics. Friday
night, though, sees fewer crowds and particular attention
paid to local fashion brands and street eats.
Just a stone’s throw from Chatuchak Weekend Market, this market formerly known as JJ
Green is manned by the former owner of the
sadly-missed Ratchada Night Market. This
impressively funky space blends a low-key selection of fashionable clothing stalls and rows of
industrial-slash-retro drinking parlors.
What we like: The gleeful absence of scorching sunlight and the more laid-back vibe may convince you to
bid farewell to the daytime JJ for good. Thanks to thousands of light bulbs, all of the sub-sois and main roads
inside the market are surprisingly well lit.
What to buy: Chatuchak is still Chatuchak, irrespective
of what time you visit. The majority of shops are pretty
much the same as you’ll find in the daytime, including
local fashion brands—dresses, glasses, caps, jeans, tees,
you name it––from both wholesalers and retailers. Note
that only sections 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 (clothing, accessories and food) are operational at night––no gardening,
pet and ceramics zones.
What annoys us: Cars are allowed to drive inside the market, making for some tight squeezes. Also, there’s only
one block of toilets for the whole market. Be prepared.
Green Vintage Night Market
Siam Gypsy Junction. 083613- 6564. Open Wed-Sun
6pm-1am. BTS Mo Chit
What we like: The massive variety of items,
mostly fashion, antiques and home décor, features more than just hipster clutter. Oh and the
good-looking crowd that doesn’t try too hard to
stand out.
What to buy: Known as a mecca for car aficionados, the market’s back zone is dedicated to
all types of secondhand automobile spare parts
(plus bicycles), all of which are pretty open to
bargaining. For 80s and 90s kids, there are lots
of old-school toys like Tamagotchi and Nintendo
devices, plus now-rare cassettes of everyone
from The Beatles to Joey Boy.
What annoys us: Largely the same things as at
Chatuchak. Plus, if you don’t want to have runins with some irascible shop-owners, note that
photography is often prohibited, even if it’s not
properly sign-posted.
Who goes there: Ninety-percent Thai teen night strollers, with only a few expats for company.
Pro tips: Peak traffic is about 11pm-midnight. We say
drop by around 10pm or otherwise after midnight. The
parking lots inside the market are catastrophic, with
shockingly limited spaces. There are also horror stories
about miscalculated parking fees. Not that the dark,
tree-shaded streets beside the market are any better,
whether it’s the local self-appointed mafia asking for
money or the police clamping down on illegal parking.
Who goes there: Fashionable young things and
snappily-dressed professionals. Some city
slickers.
Where: Kamphaeng Phet 3 Rd. Open Fri-Sun
5pm-midnight. BTS Mo Chit/MRT Chatuchak Park
Where: Kamphaeng Phet 2 Rd. Open Fri 10pm-late night.
BTS Mo Chit/MRT Chatuchak Park
This patio-like boozer sits in
a modified double-decker
van with an expanded rooftop drinking area decked
out in a retro-tinged fashion. Enjoy panoramic views
of the bulb-lit market while
sipping Hoegarden (B165)
to an ever-rewarding Thai
playlist. Go for Sangsom
(B250) or Corona (B150) to
round off your night wildly.
DRINK HERE: Sathan Nee
Ruam Mit
Also known as Ruam Mit Station, this cozy bar looks like
a long-lost brother of the
ubiquitous retro-themed
Taksura chain and is packed
with eye candy for toy-collecting hobbyists. Designwise, it’s all bare cement
and retro bric-a-brac like
neon-lit clocks and signs.
When the old-school jukebox isn’t in use, local bands
fill the stage. It’s cheap, too:
you can get drinks and food
like San Miguel at B120,
Heineken at B70 and kung
chae nam pla (raw prawn in
spicy fish sauce) at B100.
110/46, Green Vintage Night
Market. 087-112-5251. Open
Fri-Sun 6pm-2am. BTS Mo Chit
BK ASK: Why do you prefer shopping at night markets?
Phanpaphon “Pair” Chenchamchoy,
Boripat “Nut” Singkaew,
Nopploy “Aum” Chancheaw,
Juthathip “Sherbet” Hanpanpong,
“Daytime night markets are banal and sweaty.
Perhaps I just love the idea of people gathering at night under colorful neon bulbs. It’s eyecandy to me. However, it also comes down to
lifestyle—how can I go to a market in the afternoon, let alone morning, when I only got home
at 5am after a night in Ekkamai?”
“As a freelancer, I don’t have the schedule of
nine-to-fivers. Most of the time I have to work
on weekends, too. Night markets just suit my
lifestyle. I can hop from my desk at night to
grab some items without having to get stuck
in ghastly traffic and go back without having to
interrupt my work plans.”
“I live in Lam Thong, Chonburi province, where
I sell clothes and accessories. During the day, I
have to take care of my shop. Night markets
are best for me because every weekend after
I close my shop, my boyfriend and I can drive
here [Chatuchak Night Market] to buy things to
take back to sell at my shop. And when you buy
things wholesale, they’re way cheaper, too.”
“When you buy certain things like make-up, you
can’t just go over to any shop and grab your fake
MAC lipstick or Chinese YSL. I started off buying
my cosmetics from an outlet store at a night
market. The shop only sells authentic make-up
kits, and at more affordable price tags. I do spot
the fake ones very easily. That’s kept me going
back to buy products only from that place. It’s
kind of a weird relationship, but I’m sure we all
have our own favorite shops.”
23, student
10
24, graphic designer
26, clothing business owner
23, make-up artist
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POR
O Kajorn
escapes
Mae Hong Son
TAT
Lampang
AROUND THAILAND
Eat, Walk, Shop
Thailand’s most charming walking streets.
by Monruedee Jansuttipan and Nareerat Yoddamnoen
NORTH
Tha Pae
Phuket
Pai
Pai
SOUTH
When: Fri-Sat 6-10pm. Daily during winter 4-11pm
When: Sunday 6-10pm
Lard Yai
Where: Chaisongkram Road, Pai, Mae Hong Son
When: Sunday 4-10pm
Where: Tha Pae Gate through Ratchadamnoen Road, Chiang Mai
The products on sale at this cute resort town are mostly your typical handicrafts, but there are some unique food vendors to look
out for. The shining stars include khao pook (baked black sticky
rice, sesame and cane sugar), khai paam (grilled omelet in banana
leaf) and the rice vermicelli shop Kanomjeen Nang Yong (28 Moo
3 Chaisongkram Rd., 053-699-385, open daily 9am-9pm), which
requires diners to sit on tiny chairs. Another highlight is the live
music, including a local policeman who sings and plays guitar in
his uniform. Both sides of the walking street have plenty of bars
and cafes to choose from, including the Whisky Station Pai drink
truck, which offers cheap shots, and the red Volkswagen van of
Coffee Mobile.
Where: Thalang Road, Phuket
The largest walking street in Chiang Mai has a distinctly Lanna
charm. Starting at the ancient brick wall at Tha Pae Gate, shops
line Ratchadamnoen Road until you reach Wat Phra Singh. We
especially love the area around Klang Vieng junction. One side
is filled with homewares while on the other you’ll find countless
arts vendors whose paintings turn the sidewalk into a gallery each
night. Another highlight is artists such as the Mai Mueang Group,
who play acoustic Lanna songs. Be sure to check out some of the
proper shops, too, like Tan by Karuna (127/7 Prapokklao Rd., Sriphum, 053-327-280, 081-568-2881. www.tanbagshop.com), which
sells down-to-earth handicrafts and bags. We also like the artistic wares at Things Called Art (111 Prapokklao Rd., 053-327-205,
084-040-8855) and Supachet’s Studio (56/2 Rachadamnoen Rd.,
089-950-1329) for paintings.
Also check out: Boost your energy for the night with a cup of coffee. Ratchadamnoen Road has a bunch of great places like Akha
Ama Coffee (175/1 Ratchadamnoen Rd., 086-915-8600. www.
akhaama.com) and Pacamara (Ratchadamnoen Rd., near U Chiang Mai hotel, 053-327-324). If you’re hungry and short of cash,
Khao Tom One Baht on Klang Vieng Junction sells until midnight.
Kad Kong Ta
When: Sat and Sun 6-10pm
Where: Talad Kao Road, Lampang
Kad Kong Ta (or Talad Jeen, to locals) was an important port during
the time of King Rama V and the center of logging commerce for
the Northern region. That’s why two sides of Taladkao contain
beautiful wooden houses dating back over 100 years, which used
to belong to rich merchants. Walk, shop and eat while admiring the glorious architecture, and be sure to pick up one of the
community maps which tells you information about each of the
important residences.
Also check out: Hor Silp Lampang or Lampang Art Center (256
Taladkao Rd., 054-230-651) holds regular exhibitions. Highlights from the walking tour include Fong Lee House and Mong
Ngoay Xin House, which has stunning gingerbread-house-like
architecture.
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Also check out: Sit and chill at Jikko Bar (65 Chaisongkram Rd.,
4-11pm, 089-112-5473), which is great for people watching. If
you’re a music lover, head to Edible Jazz (24/1 Viengtai, Soi Pakam
temple, 089-532-6486) which hosts great live music from both
local and international bands, while Buffalo Bar Restaurant (Wiang
Tai, Pai, 089-797-4241) presents acoustic pop nightly.
Mae Hong Son (Nong Chong Kham)
New market; old town. Lard Yai is the latest attempt by Phuket’s
council to bring some life back to Phuket Town’s charming colonial
architecture. It’s separated into four zones: souvenirs, local food,
activities and a student area. There are plenty of Southern delicacies to try like mee hokkien (Phuket-style noodles), o-aew (herbal
jelly in red syrup) and o-tao (stir-fried oysters with eggs and pork
crackling) as well as other tuk-tuk “food trucks” selling Western food
like burgers, hot dogs and chili dogs. Both students and the local
arts community also perform entertainment, including Southern
manohra dance. What’s more, the former red light district on Rommanee Road is now home to cool guesthouses like Phuket 346 (9
Soi Rommanee, Thalang Road, 076-256-128) and The Rommanee
(15 Soi Rommanee, Thalang Rd., 089-728-9871, 091-825-2435).
Also check out: Mac-chiato House (48, Thalang Rd., 076-215-701)
does great homemade cake and coffee. In the mood for drinks?
Head to Anna’s Phuket Bar & Restaurant (13 Rassada Rd., 076-210535), which serves cold beers in an environment of Chino-Portuguese architecture. It’s just one block away from Thalang Road.
When: Fri-Sat 6-10pm. Daily during winter
Fisherman’s Village
Where: Chong Kham Temple, Mae Hong Son
When: Friday from 5-10pm
None of Thailand’s many walking streets look quite like Mae Hong
Son’s Nong Chong Kham. Set up on the street near Chong Kham
pond in the middle of town, the small route is set to a stunning
backdrop of mountains and temple pagodas reflected in the still
pond’s surface. The big difference here is that most sellers come
from the Tai Yai or Hmong hill tribes. Don’t leave without trying the
traditional Tai Yai desserts suay thamin (baked sticky rice, sugar
and coconut milk), peng hmong (Tai Yai cake) and A-lawha (mixed
flour, coconut milk and cane sugar)—very rare items elsewhere
in the country.
Where: Bophut Beach, Samui
Also check out: Wat Chong Kham and Wat Chong Klang, which
are Mae Hong Son’s main temples in the heart of town.
What was once the center of fisherman life on Samui is now better known for its bars, restaurants and walking street stalls. OK,
so the street wares at this market aren’t that great—mainly your
usual roundup of shell jewelry and tourist tat—but there are some
great shops and food stalls around. The cool-red Karma Sutra bar
(25 Moo 1 Bophut, Fisherman’s Village, 077-425-198) serves cocktails and plays a decent selection of tunes. If you have more time,
the neighboring Mae Nam Walking Street is also worth stopping
by on a Thursday night, when live bands play in front of the steps
of Mae Nam Shrine.
Also check out: Billabong Surf Club (79/2 Moo 1 Bophut, 79/2
Moo 1, Bophut, 077-430-144, 077-430-145, 087-743-0144, ) offers
good live music. The Wharf (62 Moo 1, Hotel ibis Samui Bophut,
077-425-500) is a new community mall in the same area, right
next to Hansar hotel, which is home to H Bistro (101/28 Moo
1, Bophut, 077-245-511), one of the finest restaurants on the
island. BK Magazine Friday, February 27, 2015
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escapes
ESCAPE ROUTES
By Monruedee Jansuttipan
CHIANG MAI
New Darling
After several years of hype, the boutique hotel by actor Ananda Everyingham, Hotel
Yayee (17/5 Sainamphueng Rd., 099 269 5885. fb.com/hotelyayee), is finally open.
Deriving its name from the Thai word for “darling,” the hotel has transformed a
four-story shop-house into 14 casual but luxurious rooms decorated with Lanna
handwoven shawls and carpets from Ananda’s mother’s homeland, Laos. There
are only two room types: small (24 sq meters) at B1,900 and big (32 sq meters) at
B2,500; both prices are net and include free minibars and breakfast. There’s also a
small rooftop terrace where you can order cocktails while enjoying the impressive
sunset over Doi Suthep Mountain.
Bubbling Over
Chiang Mai’s latest coffee hotspot
is Nine One Coffee (Nimmanhaemin Soi 11, 091-775-8405,
open daily 8am-10pm). While
the cafe may be new, the people
behind it are well-known organic
coffee growers and roasters,
whose 9-1 Organic Coffee Farm
is found in the mountainous Doi
Saket area. The long drinks list spans espresso (like the wonderful double ristretto,
B75), syphon (B200), drip (B100) and French press (B100). Try their house blend,
Lanna Paradise, which is made of high-quality beans sourced from plantations
around the North.
Red Sea
Tourism Authority of Thailand
PHATTHALUNG
If you missed out on Udon Thani’s
Talay Bua Dang (“red lotus sea”)
this winter, fear not. Mid-March
to April is the perfect time to visit
Talay Noi (“small sea”) in the
Southern province of Phatthalung,
which has its own vast coverage
of vibrant red lotus. Thailand’s first wildlife sanctuary is also famous for welcoming more than 150 bird species, some of which migrate to the area from as far off
as Siberia. The best way to enjoy this great lake is to rent a boat from the nearby
vendors. Call TAT Had Yai (074-231-055) for more information. Read our piece on
Thailand’s best lakes and reservoirs at goo.gl/wgVPnq.
PHANG NGA
Heavenly Hideaway
Hidden away on 16 rai of greenery
on Khuk Khak Beach, The Haven
Khao Lak (076-429-900/2, www.
thehavenkhaolak.com) offers 110
luxurious rooms, suites and villas.
The highlights are the villas which
line a massive 5,000 -sq-meter
saltwater swimming pool that
stretches along the resort’s 380-meter beachfront. The opening rates for March start
from B4,500 for a deluxe room, B7,500 for deluxe pool-access room and B12,500
for villa Jacuzzi, all of which include breakfasts. To complete the honeymoon vibe,
the resort doesn’t allow guests under 16 years old.
Have some cool rooms? Email your news and promotions to [email protected]
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avenue
FASHION
Good Jeans
Bangkok custom denim brand Viapiana has
opened a proper shop in The Green Connect Complex on Sukhumvit Soi 31. Run by
Canadian Ben Viapiana, who first set up his
workshop here in 2007, the label specializes in bespoke jeans with serious attention
to detail. The process is simple: you choose
the fit, type and weight of denim (all nonstretch), stitch color, button fly or zipper, custom details like patches, as well as button
and rivet colors. Production takes around
10 business days. The new space is shared
with denim importers The Heavy Selection,
who use it to showcase their more high-end,
one-of-a-kind pieces. Appointments are recommended, but walk-ins are also welcome.
Prices start from B6,500. Green Connect,
Sukhumvit Soi 31. Open Mon-Sat 12-7pm.
www.fb.com/viapianadenim
FASHION
GAME CAFE
BEAUTY
Newly Noted
On Board
Lush Lips
The stationery and leather goods brand from the pages of
every fashion mag is finally here. For those who don’t know,
Smythson is basically the Laduree of notebooks. Under the
direction of Samantha Cameron, wife to the British prime minister, David Cameron, it has grown into one of the world’s top
luxury accessories brands, used by celebrity clients from Jessica Alba to Prince Charles. Now available exclusively through
Siwilai, the signature Panama notebook is B7,900, while the
calf-leather Large Slim purse (pictured) is B27,000. 5/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-259-5809 ext. 12. Open
daily 10am-10pm
More than a Game Café lets you challenge your brain with over
300 board games for everyone from novices to seasoned geeks.
On top of the price of food and drink (we recommend the bulgogi pork sandwich waffle, B75; teriyaki chicken sandwich waffle, B75; and caramelized apple crumble, B145), it charges B50
per person for the first hour, B40 for the second hour, and B30 for
the third hour onwards. All of the games are for sale, too, while
they also run board game workshops to improve leadership
and creativity. Special promotions for students every Thursday.
3/F, I’M Park Community Mall, Phayathai Rd. 02-214-4385. Open
daily 11am-9pm
After being distributed in Thailand through multi-label
beauty giant Sephora, the luxury US skincare brand Fresh
will introduce its first standalone store in Thailand at the
EmQuartier shopping mall by April. Fresh made its name with
lip therapy products made with one key ingredient: sugar. Our
recommendations are Sugar Lip Serum Advanced Therapy (an
age-defying lips treatment with sugar, kigelia Africana fruit and
Acmella flower extract, B1,450) and Sugar Rose Lip Treatment
(a lips moisturizer with SPF15 and jojoba oil, B900). Also worth
purchasing, Rose Face Mask (a mask with pure rosewater and
cucumber extract, B2,400) claims that 100 percent of users experience healthier and stronger skin. 1/F, EmQuatier, Sukhumvit Rd.
BTS Phrom Phong.
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avenue
FASHION
R&B
Binny navy blue
suit, Painkiller,
B5,680
Mesh fabric
cap, Zara,
B890
A mix of red and blue is hot this season, not only on international runways
but with Thai designers. Here are our picks. By Vasachol Quadri and
Chantich Kongchanmitkul
Maxi dress,
Kloset,
B28,250
Bubble fabric envelope
pouch, Jil Sander, B15,900
Art Class
sketch suit,
Playhound,
B7,990
Waist-cut
dress, Sretsis,
Price TBA
Art Class
sketch pants,
Playhound,
B3,490
Red party
bag, Sandro,
Price TBA
Calf leather crisscross
sandal with buckle,
Prada, B37,000
Matte red lipstick, MAC Toledo
collection, B920
Essentials
Red scarf,
Playhound,
B1,790
Prada, Spring/Summer 2015
Duo-tone ankle strap wedges,
Charles & Keith, B1,990
Louis Vuitton, Spring/Summer 2015
Charles & Keith 2/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1133
Greyhound 3/F, Siam Center,
Rama 1 Rd., 02-251-4917
Kloset 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1
Rd., 02-658-1729
MAC 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1
Rd., 02-658-0282
Painkiller 3/F, Siam Center,
Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1145
Playhound 3/F, Siam Center,
Rama 1 Rd., 02-252-3861
Prada M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama
1 Rd., 02-610-9860
Sandro 2/F, Central Embassy,
Phloen Chit Rd., 02-160-5871
Sretsis 2/F, Central Embassy,
Phloen Chit Rd., 02-160-5874
Zara 1/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1
Rd., 02-610-9860
BEAUTY Three Top Makeup Classes by Leading Cosmetics Brands
BOBBI BROWN
SHU UEMURA
ILLAMASQUA
Bobbi Brown offers complimentary makeup lessons every time
you buy their products, including the Secret to Perfect Skin (20
minutes) and Smokey-Eyes (20 minutes) classes. But if you want
something more in-depth, the two-hour Bobbi’s Beauty Workshop (B4,500) will brief you on skin preparation, eye make-up
essentials and how to complete your look. It also comes with
complimentary products, too. Other classes include Brow Shaping (B1,000/45 minutes) and Party Makeup (B2,500/45minutes).
This eccentric Japanese brand offers three lesson choices: Absolute Beginners, which covers the basics of skin preparation; False
Lashes, focusing on eye makeup and how to make fake lashes
look natural; and the Customized Class, in which you can pick
one specific look to focus on, including nude or party make-up.
The latter is only for private bookings of at least four people. All
courses are B2,500/person with complimentary products of the
same value. Make your reservation at 02-658-0263.
This more theatrical British brand doesn’t run regular classes, but
instead holds pop-ups related to new collections at all counters
around Bangkok. Recently it held mini workshops for its new red
and gold collection at B950 per person with one free lipstick. The
next lot of classes will be announced on its Facebook page, where
you can also register your seat.
2/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd. 02-658-0296. www.bobbibrown.co.th
2/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd. 02-658-0263. www.shuuemura.co.th
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Groove at CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd. 02-251-6883. BTS Siam/Chit Lom.
www.facebook.com/Illamasqua.th
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avenue
Machine Age Workshop
1 of A Kind
HOME
Back to the Future
Talad Rod Fai (see Cover Story, page 6) may be the place to dig up
rare bric-a-brac, but if you want someone else to do the leg-work,
here are five top shops for vintage furniture. By Vasachol Quadri
Hall of Fame
Machine Age Workshop
Tuba Hall of Fame (HOF)
This workshop-cum-cafe specializes in
restoring, recycling and repurposing iconic
artifacts from America’s golden age of
manufacturing, from the late 1800s to
mid-1900s. Among the highlights are vintage U.S. Army drafting tables (B116,000),
wood radios (starting from B4,000),
leather luggage (starting from B4,000)
and original Toledo stools (starting from
B20,000). They also offer a full rental service on both a short- and long-term basis.
Ever dreamed of having your own life-size
statue of Superman? Some of 70s-inspired
oddball bric-a-brac at this two-story pub
and restaurant is actually for sale. Not only
that, there’s a bigger selection across the
road at its sister showroom, Papaya. Other
reasons to love the place: the nostalgic
soundtrack, fiery Thai-inter food (do order
the lab moo tod, B160) and potent cocktails served in huge martini glasses. Patcharameth Napasinchaibun opened
this three-story vintage furniture showroom in 2012, after a decade collecting pieces from designers like Charlotte
Perriand, Charles and Ray Eames, Joe
Colombo and George Nelson. The collection is extensive and largely genuine,
with items both for sale and rent ranging
from vases and other small knickknacks
to wall units and dining sets.
11-12 A, 34 Ekkamai Soi 21, 02-711-5500. Open
daily 11-1am. www.design-athome.com
Ekkamai Soi 11, 086-506-6770. www.fb.com/
hof.halloffame
281/7 Ekkamai Soi 15, 02-381-8596. Tue-Sun
10am-7pm. tinyurl.com/phla6ev
1 of A Kind
This huge warehouse promises 100-percent vintage Nordic furniture. Expect to see
rare chairs and lamps like Gote Moble’s
brown leather armchair and Couple Sputnik ceiling lamps. There’s an on-site cafe,
too, in case you want to relax before taking
the items you’ve found home.
Rama 9 Soi 46 (opposite The Nine community
m a l l ) , 0 8 1-2 5 5 - 0 0 3 3 . O p e n T h u -Tu e
11am-8:30pm. www.fb.com/1ofakindstyle
Y50
Y50
BONUS SHOP:
Situated directly below the very hip Moose
bar, this home decor outlet specializes in
Scandinavian items like Ibkofoed Larsen
wooden dining sets and chairs by Borg
Mogensen and Arne Jacobsen. Owner
Pramet Sritongkul also offers restoration
services and has recently introduced an
on-site coffee bar. For more vintage goodness, there’s a warehouse on Sukhapiban
5 Soi 46, too. TAILOR-MADE RETRO DESIGN
Hawaii Five-O
For solid-teak reproductions of mid-century classics, this is your go-to place.
Chairs, sofas, desks, tables and shelves
based on iconic 50s-70s designs can be
tailored to your measurements.
34 Ekkamai Soi 21, 08-9170-3900. By
appointment only. www.hawaii50bkk.com
Tuba
24 Ekkamai Soi 21, 02-711-5629. Open daily
9am-6pm. ow.ly/J7mzS
SHOPPING Where to buy new vintage-style furniture
SEASONS OF LIVING
SB DESIGN SQUARE
CASA PAGODA
Spread over three huge buildings, this Ekkamai store showcases
both vintage-style and minimal decor to fit out your trendy industrial-inspired home. The imported furniture comes from countries like Italy and Denmark with brands including Baxter, Barouir
& Togo, and Diesel. The 2015 collections have just arrived in-store
and our pick is the steel outline hanging lamp from Vibia.
Urbanites might have to travel out to unfamiliar Bang Na, but
you can do so safe in the knowledge that SB Design Square has
you covered with affordable vintage knock-offs. The three-story
venue spans contemporary styles to classic leather sofas and rusty
industrial furnishings divided into separate showrooms from
brands like French Provence, Cliché Home and Yves Maison. We
particularly like the Eco Shop section on the second floor which
showcases industrial pieces with touches of wood.
This two-story building at the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 45 hints
at its eclectic mix of home decor with its faded brick walls, raw
floors and loft-style ceilings. Smaller decorative curios, nightstands and wooden chairs can be found on the first floor, while
larger pieces like dining tables, chests of drawers in a distressed
silver finish and industrial-chic leather couches take up the second floor.
Ekkamai Soi 20, 02-715-0845. Open daily 10am-7pm.
www.seasonsofliving.com
Ample Tower, Bangna Trad Km. 4, 02-744-1111. Open daily 10am10pm.
www.sbdesignsquare.com
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Sukhumvit Soi 45, 02-258-1917. Open daily 11am-8pm. www.casapagoda.com BK Magazine Friday, February 27, 2015
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bites & blends
SWEETS
Big Mac
Renowned Parisian pastry chain Pierre Herme announced it would be opening its first shop in Southeast Asia in Bangkok last year, and has been keeping
the city’s sizeable number of macaron connoisseurs waiting ever since. The
shop is set to open its doors at Emquartier this March, but you can already
get a taste of the famous macarons by calling 089-365-8888 and pre-ordering them. The brightly colored treats are only available in packages priced at
B1,050 for seven, B1,700 for 12, B3,100 for 24 and B3,550 for 20. There are
currently seven flavors: four Pierre Herme signatures (rose, caramel, dark chocolate and milk chocolate with passion fruit, aka mogador) and three seasonal
flavors (truffle, mandarin orange and green apple-celery). In addition to macarons, you can also order chocolate bonbons at B700/60g, B1,050/120g and
B1,500/150g. Pick-up spot: 51/1F Unit 5102-4, CRC Tower, All Seasons Place,
87/2 Wireless Rd., 089-365-8888. BTS Phloen Chit
BRUNCH
WINE
FOOD TRUCK
High Steaks
Vino Veritas
Pizza on Wheels
After a two-year hiatus, the Secret Society Sunday Brunch is back
on the menu at JW Marriott’s New York Steakhouse. Instead of a
free-for-all buffet, this old-guard steak restaurant has gone in for
a classic, four-course, all-American feast: seafood tower, Caesar
salad and your choice of steak (with a few fish and lamb choices
for non-beef-eaters), followed by dessert like cheesecake, baked
Alaska or apple pie. At B2,400 net (not including alcohol) it isn’t
cheap, but the food is right up there, from the Barrow Point Boston oysters to the CAB prime American fillet mignon draped in foie
gras. Three glasses of wine costs B950 or free-flow for B1,350. 2/F,
JW Marriott, 4 Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-656-7700. Brunch every Sunday from 11:30am-2:30pm. BTS Phloen Chit
Riesling importer It’s Riesling (www.facebook.com/itsriesling)
has launched a new product range, Le Vin Authentique, comprising two selections of wines from two different parts of France. The
Rhône package (B4,400) consists of a 2010 Santa Duc Les Vieilles
Vignes and a 2012 Daumen Côtes du Rhône from Southern Rhône,
plus a 2012 Jean Michel Gerin La Champine and a 2012 Alain
Graillot Crozes Hermitage from the North. The Languedoc package
(B4,400), meanwhile, features bottles from the country’s largest
wine producing region, including a 2011 Mas des Chimères Cuvée
Marie et Joseph, a 2012 Pas de l’Escalette Les Petits Pas, a 2011
Cébène Ex Arena and a 2011 Cébène Les Bancels. Order at www.
itsriesling.com or 080-808-4478.
New food truck Pizza Massilia stems from a collaboration between
two French and Italian powers, namely French restaurateur Frederic Meyer (Issaya Siamese Club and Namsaah Bottling Trust) and
Italian chef Luca Apino (La Bottega di Luca). And the pizza is pretty
amazing. In addition to the classic margherita (B250/400), other
options include spicy andouja and garlic (B380), the French-inspired la ratatouille (B400) and baby squid provencal (B300).
Drinks range from limonata and orangeade to wine and Italian
draft beer. It’s currently calling Sala Daeng’s MK Gold parking lot
home, where it sits under the shade of a few 100-year-old trees.
MK Gold Parking Lot, Soi Sala Daeng, Silom Rd, 02-259-9294. Open
Tue-Sun 5:30pm-10pm. www.pizzamassilia.com
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blends
Octagon
ROUNDUP
New Nightlife
Five new drinking spots to check out right now.
By Vasachol Quadri
Roof 409 Bar & Bistro
Tanino Lamborghini Lounge
Tonino Lamborghini Lounge
The Vault
This luxurious spot in Ekkamai is the Lamborghini brand’s first
lounge in Southeast Asia, and already welcomes the city’s
swanky set. The futuristic, red-lit venue sits behind the Horizon
Building on Soi Ekkamai, and tries to be a bit of everything. It
starts the day as a brunch spot with a straightforward menu of
panini, wraps (both from B170) and, of course, eggs Benedict
(B230), to be enjoyed along with Lamborghini-branded coffee.
Evenings see the menu extend to tuna tatare (B240) and slowcooked pork medallion (B270) plus pizza and pasta (from B260).
The drinks highlight is the Tonino Lamborghini vodka, but we
recommend just sidling up to the bartender and letting him mix
something to match your mood.
There’s been many changes to Bangkok’s longest-standing nightclub, Q Bar, since its 15th birthday bash late last year. Not only
was the second floor renamed Q Up, but the first floor has turned
into a laidback tapas bar called Azura. Now the old dancefloor
has been transformed into yet another 1920s speakeasy-inspired lounge, The Vault. After passing through a big round door
and a bare-brick arched corridor, you’ll be greeted by a swinging, live jazz soundtrack every Thursday and Sunday nights. The
bar focuses on whiskey and classic cocktails, plus Cuban cigars.
Entrance is B500 (two drinks) on Sunday, B700 from Tue-Thu
(two drinks) and B1,000 on Fri-Sat (three drinks).
The Civic Horizon Building, Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai), 083-0404787. Open daily 10am-1am. www.fb.com/tonino.lamborghiniTH
Roof 409 Bar & Bistro
Sharing the same rooftop as Octagon (see right), this French
bistro and bar offers a more happening vibe thanks to a clean
black-and-white industrial décor and a DJ booth that pumps out
house tunes. During the daytime, it opens for lunch to offer a
special menu announced each morning on Facebook, which
spans everything from pasta to tortillas, priced at B240 along
with French fries, salad and a soft drink. As for drinks, Thursday
is mojito night with glasses priced from B150-250.
4/F, Mercury Ville, 504 Phloen Chit Rd., 081-995-6984. Open daily
11am-midnight. BTS Chit Lom. ow.ly/JeYVg
34 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 082-308-3246. Open Tue-Sun 9pm-2am.
www.fb.com/VaultBangkok
Mustache Bar
Moving away from Sukhumvit to one of Bangkok’s former nightlife hotspots, Ratchada, this new opening packs a lot into its
three-story shop-house setting. The first floor has a dive bar feel
with a few retro 60s touches in the form of framed newspapers
and old sofas. On the second floor there’s an Indian-inspired bar,
while the rooftop operates as an open-air beer garden. Expect
Thai-fusion dishes, Hoegaarden on tap and a long list of Belgian
bottles like Triple Karmeliet, Kwak, Duvel and Vedett.
544/5 Ratchada Soi 7, 083-016-9033. Open daily 8pm-2am.
www.fb.com/themustache.bangkok
The Vault
Octagon
This brand new rooftop bar sits modestly on the fourth floor of The
Mercury Ville community mall. Co-founded by Prabt Aurpatcharphon, of Glur Bangkok Hostel and Coffee Bar, the bar is decked out
in the requisite fake grass and rattan benches, conjuring a laidback
garden vibe—think Thonglor’s Wanderlust. Explaining the name,
an octagon-shaped open bar sits at the venue’s center. The food
is international fusion, including beer-friendly choices like deepfried seafood (B490), spaghetti garlic and dried chili (B180) and
barbecue sausage (B180). Asahi is available on tap and they
claim to serve it extra cold at -2 degree Celsius (B200). Head a
little early on Mon-Thu for their buy-one-get-one-free deal on
cocktails from 5-9pm, which include the signature Take Me Out
(B250) and Old Fashioned (B250). The 360-degree urban views
of Chit Lom aren’t bad, either.
4/F, Mercury Tower, 504 Phloen Chit Rd., 088-842-4044. Open daily
5pm-midnight. BTS Chit Lom. www.fb.com/octagonbar
ON THE BAR Yoichi Nikka
The buzz: Solemnly toned and moodily lit, this bar and restaurant
is a high-end addition to the great array of Japanese bars around
Sukhumvit Soi 39. It’s the first venture outside of Japan by APR
Trading Group, which is behind more than 30 restaurants in Hokkaido, and specializes in food and drinks from the country’s northernmost island. The main draw is the whiskey, which is a different
selection from next door’s Hanakaruta, and includes Takesuru 17
Years Old (B400), named the World’s Best Blended Malt Whisky
2014 at the World Whiskies Awards 2014.
The decor: This low-key modern izakaya is dominated by a huge
wooden bar that’s paired with brown leather armchairs rather
than the normal high stools. A round red couch sits in one corner
for more intimate group drinks. There are more proper dining tables on the second floor, while the third and fourth floors are set
aside for private karaoke.
The music: Like many Japanese bars, there’s not much effort put
into the soundtrack. Instead, you’re encouraged to make your own
noise with karaoke upstairs.
24
The crowd: Mostly Japanese executives, plus Bangkok’s whiskey
explorers spilling in from other bars in the neighborhood.
The food & drink: The bar’s focus is on Hokkaido whiskey, mostly single malt (Yoichi and Miyagikyo) and pure malt (Taketsuru).
Aside from the highly-touted Takesuru 17 Years Old, we like the
tasting flights which cover three different periods in the whiskey
maturation process. The Taketsuru set (B700) consists of 12-year,
17-year and 21-year whiskey, while the Yoichi Set (B700) consists
of 10-year, 12-year and 15-year. The shelves are lined with many
more choices by the glass, also from other countries, from Woodford Reserve Bourbon (B290) to Taketsuru Pure Malt 25-year old
(B1,300). All are served with a handcrafted ice-ball. As for the
food, you can order Hokkaido dishes like grilled king crab (B740)
or melt-in-your-mouth sushi wagyu nigiri (B280). Do make sure
you try the homemade chocolate mix with Takesuru whiskey (B30)
after your meal, too. Vasachol Quadri
6/11 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-662-4270. Open Mon-Sun 4pm-1am.
www.fb.com/yoichi.nikkabar.restaurant
BB_Blends_579_Feb27_15_NEW.indd 24
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bites
KOREAN
Hansik 101
A guide to 10 of the most popular Korean
dishes, and where to eat them in Bangkok.
By Natcha Sanguankiattichai*
Myeong Ga
Jang Won
Dak Galbi
Korean Spoon
Bibim House
Red Sun
Dak Galbi
1. Gogigui
3. Samgyetan
6. Gimbap
9. Seolleongtang
What: Commonly referred to as Korean barbecue or grill. The most famous cut is galbi (short
rib), prepared in a wang galbi style (filleted in
layers away from the bone). The meat is cut into
bite-size morsels after being cooked—done by
wait staff in most restaurants. You can either
dip it in sauce, eat it alone or wrap it in lettuce
along with sides.
What: This reenergizing ginseng chicken soup is
traditionally served during summer time. It’s usually made from a whole chicken stuffed with ginseng, jujubes, sweet rice and whole garlic cloves.
The soup is packed with flavors and nutrients.
What: Derived from Japanese futomaki (a type
of rolled sushi), gimbap (or kimbap) comprises
steamed rice seasoned with sesame oil, and other
ingredients (mainly carrot, spinach and pickled
radish) rolled in dried seaweed sheets, seasoned
with sesame and served in bite-size slices. Gimbap is usually eaten as a snack with kimchi to
bring out the flavors.
What: If you’re a Korean drama fan, you’re no
doubt familiar with the recurring scenes of lead
actors and actresses sharing their warm soup
together amid snowy, white winter scenes. Seolleongtang, or ox bone soup, is made from various parts of the ox, including brisket, head, feet
and entrails, simmered over a low flame till the
flavor from the bone is extracted, giving the soup
a milky look.
Where: While barbecue is extremely common
among Bangkok’s Korean restaurants, we particularly like Jang Won (1/F, Sukhumvit Plaza,
212/9-10 Sukhumvit Soi 12, 02 251-2636) thanks
to their specialized chef who takes care of the
meat at his open station.
2. Jjigae
What: Jjigae is similar to Western stew—vegetables, meat or seafood cooked in a seasoned
broth. The most popular version is probably kimchi jjigae made with kimchi (fermented vegetables) and seasoned with doenjang (bean paste)
or gochujang (red pepper paste). Most restaurants
serve jjigae in a hot stone pot and you should eat
it while it’s still sizzling.
Where: We especially like the seafood option
of kimji jjigae at Kimchi Hour (110/5 Soi Ari
Samphan, 02-619-5196) with its thick, satisfying broth.
26
Where: Myeong Ga (1/F, Shukhumvit Plaza,
212/16 Sukhumvit Soi 12, 02-229-4658) does
the traditional samgyetang just right.
4. Bingsu
Where: The well-stuffed gimbap at The Bibimbab
(G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-7732).
What: This shaved ice dish topped with chunks
of fresh melon or peach is one of the most Instagrammed desserts in Bangkok right now.
Bingsu is similar to our naam kang sai (shaved
ice dessert) and you can jazz up your fluffy ice
with a variety of syrups and toppings—the classic is sweetened azuki beans.
What: The popular savory snack among teenagers
is made from tteok (glutinous rice cake) stir-fried
with vegetables, fish cake and gochujang (red
chili sauce). Our tip: enjoy it while it’s warm—
tteok doesn’t reheat well in the microwave.
Where: Give it a try at the new, and very popular, Seobinggo (Siam Square Soi 7, 086-3944245) with the mango cheese bingsu.
Where: Korean-hailing Red Sun (Chula Soi 64,
next to Chula Book Center, 02-252-1395) specializes in this popular dish.
5. Japchae
8. Tteokbokki
What: This Korean staple is a combination of
stir-fried glass noodles with beef, vegetables
and sesame oil. It looks pretty much like our pad
woon sen (stir-fried glass noodle), but the scent
of sesame oil and the bigger and chewier glass
noodles make a huge difference.
What: Another popular dish among teenagers is
this stir-fried chicken in gochujang sauce along
with tteok and vegetables. Dak galbi is served on
a hot plate and is usually stir-fried at your table.
Since it’s generally comes in a large pan, it’s ideal
for sharing.
Where: Head to Korean Spoon (2/F, Crystal Design
Center, 1420/1 Praditmanutham, 02-102-2385) to
try the traditionally cooked japchae.
Where: Have fun with your friends tucking into this
chicken dish at the aptly named Dak Galbi (414/9
Henri Dunant Rd., 02-623-4224).
7. Dak Galbi
Where: Try it at LA Bukchangdong Soondubu
(1/F, Ploenchit Center, Sukhumvit Soi 2, 02-6568825).
10. Bibimbap
What: Rice topped with vegetables, meat
and egg. Bibimbap literally means mixed
rice. Opt for a dolsot bibimbap (served in a
hot stone pot) to keep the dish hot. Season
your rice with sauce and mix in all the ingredients. Let it cook till the rice forms crunchy layers on the bottom of the bowl and then enjoy.
Where: Bibim House’s (81 Midway Point, Ratchadapisek Rd., 086-990-1641) offers a range of
bibimbaps including the bestselling dwaejigogi
(grilled pork) option.
*Special Thanks to Palida Phimphakorn, author of Korean Restaurant Guide
Bangkok for her assistance. Palida’s free
guide to Bangkok’s best Korean restaurants is available as a mobile-app (iOS
and Android) and in hard copy at the Korean Culture
Center and the Korean Embassy.
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bites
OPEN DOOR
Metro on Wireless
Thai and Western comfort food in a brand new hotel.
The buzz: The new restaurant at Hotel Indigo, the recently opened
boutique property by Intercontinental Hotel Group, mixes both Thai
and Western comfort food classics, all prepared by chef Chamlong
“Jimmy” Pewthaisong, the former head chef of Banyan Tree’s Celadon.
The decor: Metro on Wireless’s dining room is the one part of the
hotel that doesn’t stick to a subtle Thai theme. Modern, rectangular
wooden tables and plush, upholstered chairs and sofas make for
an environment that’s luxurious but fun. While decorative pieces
like the metal latticework and chandeliers look quite Chinese, the
bare-brick dessert bar on one side of the room is pure New York.
The food: Though there are a few Western dishes, the menu clearly
puts most of its attention on Thai favorites. The lunch menu starts at
28
a work-hour-friendly B95 for somtam, while one-dish main courses
like Thai rice noodles with crabmeat curry are B180. There are also
a few things to share, such as the chicken green curry (B250/380)
and wok-fried chicken with cashew nuts and dried chili (B220/350),
both served with rice. Dinner covers a wide range of Thai classics
but also sees the chef make rare, regional dishes like kao gun jin
nam prik orng (Northern-style steamed rice in blood, served with
minced pork chili sauce, B170). Ian Kittichai, one of the hotel group’s
culinary ambassadors, has also contributed a few menu items, such
as the red curry with roasted duck and pineapple (B270) and Southern-style stir-fried minced pork with poached egg (B220). Over at
the dessert bar, you’ll find Thai desserts including mango sticky rice
(B190) and the less-well-known kao gra ya koo (young rice pudding
flavored with pandan, B190).
The drinks: There’s a wide variety, from fresh juice (starting at
B110) and shakes (starting at B110) to beers (Singha and Heineken
starts at B160), cider (B210) and wine (starting at B190 per glass
and B950 per bottle), as well as a few gimmicks, like the Ovaltine Volcano (Ovaltine milkshake topped with Ovaltine powder,
B120) served in an aluminum cup—a common favorite among
Thai school kids.
The crowd: Hotel guests and the Wireless Road business crowd.
Natcha Sanguankiattichai
2/F, Hotel Indigo, 81 Wireless Rd., 02-207-4999. BTS Phloen Chit
BB_NNOD_579_Feb27_15_NEW_2.indd 28
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TABLE TALK
Another Hound Cafe
Moodz
NEW AND NOTED
Old Dog, New Tricks
The latest branch of the Greyhound spinoff Another Hound Cafe
(1/F, Emporium, 622 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-664-8663) is now open
on the first floor of the freshly-revamped Emporium. Boasting
a suitably high-end look, the cafe puts the focus on fusion Italian-Asian dishes, ranging from Canadian lobster spaghetti with
white wine (B1,290) to the "crab bomb" with rice (stir-fried crab
meat with yellow chili, B450). There’s also a Champagne bar
offering Moet & Chandon Imperial at B4,000/bottle.
Exclusive privileges for Citibank credit cardmembers.
Get 10% discount on food only for Citibank Ultima, Preferred, Select, Citibank Rewards, Platinum Rewards, and
Citibank Gold (Today – 31 Oct 15)
Rum BKK
In a break from Bangkok’s current single-malt obsession, Spanish/Cuban spirits brand Bacardi has launched its new brown rum,
Bacardi 8 Anos. The bottle blends Bacardi rum aged between
8-16 years in an oak cask and finished in a sherry cask. This
maturation process gives the rum a brown color with balanced
notes of caramel and plum. It’s good enough to be enjoyed
on the rocks, just like whiskey, but at Ekkamai cocktail specialists Sugar Ray (Baan Ekkamai, Ekkamai Soi 21. 086-547-4633)
you can also taste it in classic drinks like the Old Fashioned, Old
Cuban and rum julep.
Mildly Moody
Designed by Bensley Design Studio’s Brian Kent Sherman, Moodz
(308 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-170-8440. BTS Thong Lo) is a new dinner and drinks spot situated on the corner of Thonglor Soi 10. The
decor is a mix of wood, turquoise and colorful Jazz Age-evoking
paintings. Claiming to sit somewhere between fine and casual
dining, it serves European dishes with global touches; highlight
is the tuna tartare with crispy shallots and horseradish dressing
(B300). Natcha Sanguankiattichai
The Capital by Water Library
The Capital by Water Library, Empire Tower/F, 3,
Narathiwas Rd., 02-286-9548
Part of Water Library’s ever diversifying list of restaurants, The
Capital by Water Library has a much more low-key vibe than
the brand’s original venues. This refined, vintage bank-themed
steakhouse offers a menu spanning premium cuts of beef that
start at a quite modest B750, as well as plenty of seafood
sourced both locally and from around the world. The musttries are the “Capital” beef tartar (B490) which comprises
chopped wagyu steak, egg yolk and the chef’s own chipotle sauce, and the deconstructed banoffee tart (B290). The
great range of wines starts from B890 per bottle while their
signature Campari-and-Aperol martini (B245) is refreshing but
packs a kick.
Exclusive privileges for Citibank credit cardmembers.
Get 20% discount on food only (Today – 31 Apr 15)
To redeem your favorite dining vouchers, please visit www.citirewards.com.
Simply click “Thailand” and then “Gift voucher”
BB_NNOD_579_Feb27_15_NEW_2.indd 29
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2/23/15 8:07 PM
30
BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015
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bites & blends market
Events
Deals
Bangkok Farmers’ Market @ Siam
Square One
The popular weekend farmers’ market moves to its latest venue, promising the usual parade of organic
goods, pop-up food vendors and artisanal products.
Candlelit Dinner
To celebrate Earth Hour 2015, Scalini
offers a candlelit dinner with live acoustic music and other entertainment. Bottles of wine are on 50-percent discount.
Siam Square One, Rama 1 Rd. BTS Siam
TGIF Market (Thank God it’s Flea
Market)
With a new theme of “Playground
for Urbanista,” the successful pop-up
market brings together foodie shops,
celebrity stalls, the biggest Instagram
fashion vendors and some great local
designers. Expect hundreds of tents
taking over the entire square of CentralWorld.
CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd. BTS Chidlom
1/F Hilton Sukhumvit, 18/1 Sukhumvit Soi
26, 02-649-6699
Sky-high Sparkling Red Sunday
Every Sunday evening, appear with red
clothes on at The Roof@38th Bar and
get a free welcome Campari cocktail.
Mode Sathorn 38/F, Mode Sathorn, 144
Sathorn Rd., 02-623-4555. BTS Surasak
Hemingway’s
From 12-8pm, Sat-Sun, all house spirits
are just B100. Come between 4-6pm
on Tue for half price on all small plates.
Sukhumvit Soi 14, 02-653-3900. Open daily
11:30-1am. BTS Asok
Advertise
your business
with us
starting from
B5,000
New Venues
Pizza Massilia
The blue pizza truck serves French-Italian twists with premium imported
ingredients courtesy of La Bottega di
Luca’s chef.
Flow
The King of Eggs
Italy’s “Egg Master” chef Paolo
Parisi, brings his famed eggs from
goat milk-fed hens to Bangkok for a
one-day-only appearance at Millenium Hilton’s Brunch on the River @
Flow (Sun Mar 1, 11am-4pm). Enjoy
cocktails and canapes with signature
dishes from all the hotel’s restaurants. B2,200 for food only or B3,200
with free-flow wine and sparkling.
Email [email protected]
or
call 026249601
MK Gold Parking Lot, Soi Sala Daeng, Silom Rd.
Touka
Sala Daeng’s new glass-house izakaya
joint specializes in a wide range of
grilled skewers and sake.
75/1 Sala Daeng Soi 1, 02-236-8230.
BTS Sala Daeng
Pasta & Pool
The bar serves pastas and drinks by an
outdoor sundeck and pool.
Lit Bangkok Residence 36/1 Soi Kasemsan 1,
Rama 1 Rd., 02-612-3456. BTS National
Stadium
Millennium Hilton, 123 Charoennakorn
Rd, 02-442-2000
Happy Hours
Pink Thursday
Launched at the end of last month,
Bangkok Betty’s brand new ladies
night gets you three free cocktails
from the choice of margarita, mojito
and long island through 10pm. DJs
V:2K12 and Crooze Kutz provide the
hip-hop and R&B.
G/F Holiday Inn, 1 Sukhumvit Soi 22,
02-663-4223. BTS Phrom Phong
Coming Soon in March
Eatdustry
Eatdustry
Thonglor’s new all-day breakfast joint
turns into a bar later in the day.
555/55 Thonglor Soi 19, 081-567-5544
Tales of Gold Mine
The new fusion addition to Groove features Californian gold mine-inspired
grub with Western and Chinese influences.
1/F, Groove @ CentralWorld, Rama 1 Rd.,02613-1270. BTS Siam
YouBahn
YouBahn
Daily buy-one-get-one-free on house
wine by the glass or buy-two-getone-free Singha beer from 6:30 8pm.
Soi Phra Chen, Wireless Rd., 095-5469163. MRT Lumphini
Who’s going to
make the cut
this year?
Sign up for
Bites & Blends e-newsletter
to get more updates
www.bkmagazine.com/
newsletters
Metro on Wireless
Thai and Western comfort food in a
brand new hotel featuring an afternoon-till-late dessert bar.
2/F Hotel Indigo, 81 Wireless Rd., 02-2074999. BTS Phloen Chit
Taper
The new brunch spot by the chef behind
the creative Thai restaurant Le Du, serving Asian twists on all-day breakfast.
44/11 Thonglor Soi 13, 099-929-5464
updates on Bangkok’s dining scene
THE BITES & BLENDS NEWSLETTER The latestwww.bkmagazine.com/newsletters
BB_F&B_579_Feb27_15.indd 31
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bites
FOOD REVIEWS
Kiani
HHHH
Korean. 1/F, Fifty Fifth Plaza, 90 Sukhumvit Soi
55 (Thonglor), 02-714-7330. Open daily
11am-9pm. BTS Thong Lo. B-BB F
Kiani is known among Bangkok’s Korean
lovers for two things—its home-style
dishes and the adorable oppa (Korean for
brother) who owns the place. Located on
the first floor of Thonglor’s relatively quiet
Fifty Fifth Plaza, the restaurant catches
your eye with a cut-out of the chef owner
out front. Inside is simply decorated with
green wallpaper, some random tree
stickers and clean-looking wooden table
sets. The menu, too, keeps things basic
with common Korean dishes like bibimbap
(mixed rice, B179), pajeon (Korean
pancake, B189) and gimbap (Korean sushi
roll, B159), which each come in a few
different flavors. The fried chicken
(B89/159) served with fries is crispy, yet
Le Petit Zinc
HHHH
French. 15/1 Yen Akart Rd., 02-249-5572. Open
daily 11:30am-2pm, 6-10pm. Corkage B500.
BB-BBB F
The second venue from the Le Petit Zinc
team (the first one on Sukhumvit Soi 23 is
now under different management as
Comptoir Eiffel) characterizes the distinction
between Soi Yen Akart and its neighbor, Soi
Sri Bumphen. Both the low-key French
bistro menu and well-dressed, family
clientele are a world away from the singletwearing sex tourist element found just
round the corner. For that reason alone, it’s
a ve r y we l co m e a d d i t i o n to t h e
neighborhood. Compared to the original Le
Petit Zinc, this venue is also much more
daytime friendly, thanks to the modest,
glasshouse-style dining room and bar with
its faux-nautical touches like rope-clad
pillars and fisherman ornaments, as well as
some neatly priced lunchtime sets (which
also run on the weekend). It’s not cutting
Ratings
Price guide
PPPP Forget it
PPPP Only if you’re in the neighborhood
PPPP A pleasant dining experience
PPPP Not to be missed
B
BB BBB BBBB BK pays for its meal and does not call ahead or
sit with the chef.
too floury, overly sweet and too dry—we
were gulping down the complimentary
water on our last visit. The cheese
tteokbokki (soft rice cake, B229) comes
with mozzarella cheese, a hard-boiled
e g g , to f u a n d s a u s a g e — a n d t h e
combination is a little weird. The tteok is
too chewy, while the dish as a whole is
strangely sweet. Also, the bibimbap
(B179) comes with a runny fried egg
instead of the raw egg we’re familiar with.
Like at most other Korean restaurants, the
waitress mixes the rice for you right at
your table. We like the well-balanced
seasoning, which features plenty of
sesame. The real highlight, though, is the
gimbap (B159), which also comes with a
good amount of sesame and is stuffed
with tasty fillings like spinach, carrot,
cucumber and fried egg. We must also
give credit to the wait staff who attentively
refill our side dishes—the radish kimchi is
seriously addictive, too. At the end of your
meal, chances are you’ll get a visit from
the charming owner—looking a little older
than in the promo photos. Afterwards,
they’ll serve you a complimentary bowl of
rice water for a sweet but nonetheless
satisfying finish to your visit. Though
nothing spectacular, Kiani is a safe, walletfriendly option for Korean food in Thonglor.
edge, but it’s a comfortable, welcoming
space, made nicer thanks to the friendly
staff. The menu is bistro from top to bottom,
and a pretty affordable bistro at that. The
skirt steak with shallot sauce and French
fries, for example, costs just B390, and even
at that price they do a decent job. The meat
is flavorsome and, given that it’s a no-frills
cut, pretty tender, while the fries are thick
and generously portioned (but a bit lacking
in flavor). The onion soup under puff pastry
is also a pocket-friendly B250. The
billowing, buttery crust is delicious, though
the soup itself does taste like it’s lacking
something—perhaps a decent glug of wine.
The goat cheese on toast with an aubergine
and zucchini salad (B350) comes with
ample slabs of goat cheese and an equally
well-portioned salad, but the vegetables
are a little wet and tasteless. Dessert is the
only area we can’t find fault. Our creme
brulee with raspberry sorbet (B210) has a
hot, brittle crust that’s not so thick you fear
for your teeth, while the inside is light,
moist and well flavored with plenty of
vanilla. The lengthy wine menu has clearly
had some care put into it, too, and includes
some delicious (and suitably French)
options by the glass. Try the B225 Malbec.
Le Petit Zinc is the kind of place we’d
happily spend an afternoon with friends,
but regret booking for a special occasion.
Anyone living in Lower Sathorn and seeking
a solid neighborhood option could do much,
much worse.
Under B500
B500-900
B900-1,500 B1,500 and up
Price per person, including one drink, appetizer,
main course, dessert, charges and tax.
Symbols
H Reservations recommended
F Parking available
E Dress requirements
G Live music
Disagree with our reviews?
Post your own comments at
www.bkmagazine.com/restaurants
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now
Friday Feeling
The shopping malls are moving in on our weekend markets.
On Feb 28-Mar 1, the courtyard in front of CentralWorld
turns into the latest edition on Thank God it’s Flea Market, promising over two hundred tents offering the latest fashion items by premium local brands and Instagram
shops. There’ll also be 40 food stalls including some of our
favorites, like Daniel Thaiger, Bao & Buns, Chu and Salapao
Ko Ouan. See HAPPENINGS, page 40.
Travel Time
Planning ahead for the summer? Grab a
bargain on flights, accommodation and
spas all over Thailand and the region at
The 16th Thai International Travel
Fair 2015 until Mar 1, or head to the
mega-popular 34th Thai Teaw Thai
tourism fair (Mar 5-8), both at Queen
Sirikit National Convention Center. See
HAPPENINGS, page 40.
Ladies First
The Go Grrrls’ resident DJs
Maehappyair, Dookie and
Cleo have put together
one of Bangkok’s few new
club nights we actually
look forward to. Catch their
next performance at Wine
Bibber Sangria this Friday
night (Feb 28). The regular lineup of indie, rock and
electro tunes is this time
given a 2006-7 slant. See
NIGHTLIFE, this page.
All that Jazz
The last winter-fest of the
season takes over the central
lawn of the National Gallery
from 4:30pm onwards this
Feb 28. The Winter Jazz &
Arts Festival features live
performances by Dome’s Project, Super Goods, Siriwat &
The Siamese Cats and Goten
Cruise, as well as art displays
by Silpakorn students. This is
also your last chance to see
the beautiful photographs of
Siam: Through the Lens of
John Thomson, taking place
inside the gallery. See MUSIC,
page 36 and ART, page 40.
Gypsy Days
No need to head out of town this weekend for a
hippy festival. The next one takes place at Viva Aviv
this Saturday, Feb 28. Dress up and enter Lalaland
for a day of music, art, organic treats and cocktails,
with an on-site gypsy market and fortune-tellers.
See MUSIC, page 36.
NIGHTLIFE
Dope as Funk "Boombox Classics"
DJs Luck-E, Karl Andy and Unda take over
Wine Bibber's disco floor, with support from
guest DJ Tommy Nori. Feb 27, 10pm. Wine
Bibber Sangria, Ekkamai Soi 2, 02-7140709. B300 (one free drink). BTS Ekkamai.
The EDM-focused party organizer returns to
the club with DJs Darkdong, Riviere, Papew
and Madk. Feb 28, 9pm. Grease, Opposite
Villa Supermarket, 46/12-13 Sukhumvit Soi 49,
02-662-6120-1. Free.
Dubway Sessions x Dark Bar
Sunblock Pool Party by Drunken
Monkeys
A special house, techno and heavy bass
session at the new addition to Ekamai Mall,
with DJs Dragon and Vivian. Feb 27, 10pm.
Dark Bar, 2/F, Ekamai Mall, Ekkamai Soi 10,
02-381-9896, 090-528-4646. Free.
Polycat
34
Itch Animal Rave Electronic Dance
Music
The first pool party by the Drunken Monkeys
collective, featuring a DJ lineup of Georges
Lg, Bosz Overbrothers, Mongkiiz and Kzcatz.
Expect Latin house, electro and hip-hop,
with plenty of burgers and drinks. Feb 28,
2pm. Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok, 489
Sukhumvit Rd., 02-302-3333. B300 (one free
drink). BTS Asok.
Go Grrrls: Safari Disco
Go Grrrls' party features a 2006-7 theme, with
three resident DJs spinning disco and electro.
Expects lots of neon and animal prints. Feb
28, 10pm. Wine Bibber Sangria, Ekkamai
Soi 2, 02-714-0709. B200 (Go Grrrls Nu-Rave
badge). BTS Ekkamai.
Retox Sessions Presents Gaiser
DJ Gaiser, known for his sound/visual
multi-sensory live sets, debuts in Bangkok,
supported by Sunju Hargun. Tickets will be
available at the door. Mar 3, 9pm. Glow,
96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-261-3007, 02261-4446. MRT Sukhumvit.
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The One & Only 10 years of Aof
Pongsak Concert
LIVE IN BANGKOK
The Academy Fantasia finalist performs two
rounds of full-scale solo concerts, including
the biggest hits from his 10-year music career. Mar 14-15, 7pm. Royal Paragon Hall,
5/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-8023.
B1,500-3,500 from Thaiticketmajor.
The world’s biggest acts keep on coming. Here are some of the famous names
taking over Impact Arena in the coming months.
classical
BSO 2015: Clara-Jumi Kang plays
Saint-Saens
Clara-Jumi Kang
NIGHTLIFE/CONTINUED
VETERAN ROCKERS
After a relatively quiet period, alt-rockers Incubus are back in the spotlight
with a new single and four-track EP, Trust Fall, set for release on Mar 24. To
celebrate, they're making a stop in Bangkok this Mar 11 for a one-night performance. Tickets are B1,500-3,000, available on Thaiticketmajor.
Carhartt presents "Tempo Live!"
Black White and Techno: Live
Streaming of Underground Music
Night Out
DJs Montonn Jira, Nolens. Volens, Sunju
Hargun and Krit Morton spin underground
techno. Live streaming of the music session
will be available to watch at www.tempobkk.com. Mar 6, 7:30pm. Groove, Rama 1
Rd., 02-264-5555. B300 (one free drink).
BTS Siam.
Phatfunk Drum & Bass feat.
Eveson
This month's drum n' bass night features British DJ Eveson, who'll be spinning soulful and
groove-driven bass music alongside the usual
Phatfunk resident DJs Azek, DeLorean, Instinct
and Orawan. Mar 6, 9pm. Glow, 96/4-5
Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-261-3007, 02-261-4446.
B450 (one free drink). MRT Sukhumvit.
COFFEE HOUSE KING
The San Diego coffee-shop guitar player-turned-mega star Jason Mraz will
be doing what he does best on Mar 21, when he performs to an audience
of 5,000 in Bangkok (sorry, all the tickets are sold out already). Supporting
him will be Raining Jane, his collaborators on Yes!, the newly-released album.
Thaibreak Presents The Beat of
Berlin
The party organizer lands in Bangkok for a
wild and sweaty dance party, with DJs Pascal
Feos, Animal Trainer, Niko Schwind, Kellerkind
and Domenic D'Agnelli. Free entry for ladies.
Mar 7, 9pm. Ku De Ta, 39/F, Sathorn Square
Complex, 98 Sathorn Rd., 02-108-2000. B400
(one free drink). BTS Chong Nonsi.
Retox Sessions Presents Firebeatz
The Dutch EDM duo who have remixed for
Rihanna and Flo Rida, as well as collaborated with Snoop Dogg and Sean Paul, debut
in Bangkok at the popular RCA club. Mar 12,
9pm. Onyx, Soi Soonvijai, Rama 9 Rd. Free.
MUSIC
gigs
Polycat Tabasco Therovers
BLAST FROM THE PAST
They may have hit their peak in the 90s, but that doesn’t stop us being
excited to hear that The Backstreet Boys are in Bangkok for the first time
in 10 years this May 6, as part of their In a World Like This Tour. Expect the
guys to take you through their biggest hits, like “I Want it That Way” and “As
Long as you Love Me.” Tickets will be available on Thaiticketmajor (date TBC)
at B1,800-B5,500.
A night of live 80s music inspired by Funky
Wah Wah, performed by local groups Polycat,Tabasco and The Rovers. Feb 28, 9pm.
Moose Bangkok, 24 Ekkamai Soi 21, 02108-9550. B200.
Urban Kilimanjaro
Chladni Chandi play their Indian-influenced
psych rock, with support by Philosopher
Brothers and Strange Brew. Tickets available
at the door. Feb 28, 6pm. 1979 Vinyls and
Unknown Pleasures, 4/F, Black Amber (inside the soi at the corner of Kiatnakin Bank,
between sois 5 and 7), Sukhumvit Soi 55
(Thonglor). B100.
Don't Sit Down: "As I Like to See It"
De Glamingo open this night of indie performances, followed by Poomjit, Monomania,
Secret Tea Party and Medicine Men, as well
as special sessions from Dsdpeople and DJ
Ohhcomeon. Feb 28, 7pm. Play Yard by
Studio Bar, Lad Phrao Soi 8, 081-173-3616.
MRT Phahon Y0thin. B250.
Boy Thai Band in the Park
NEW QUEEN OF POP
Thai fans need to act fast to get tickets to see Katy Perry: The Prismatic
World Tour 2015 this May 14, what is said to be the artist’s biggest and
best concert production to date. We’re expecting another sell out. The artist
has topped charts all over the world with hit after hit since 2008’s “I Kissed a
Girl,” and now ranks as one of the best-selling artists of all time. Tickets are
B2,000-B6,500, on sale on Thaiticketmajor from Feb 28.
Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, 99 Popular Rd., 02-833-4455
36
Thai fusion band plays samba, reggae, hip-hop
and R&B in the park, using traditional Thai
instruments, with guest guitarist Kiti Guitar
Gun. More information at 02-234-0147. Mar
1, 5:30pm. Lumpini Park, Rama 4. MRT
Lumphini. Free.
Words in Ears #2 - Holiday
The art space/cafe hosts the second installment
of its spoken word evening for aspiring poets
and improvisers. The theme this time is Holiday.
Expect a friendly and supportive atmosphere.
Mar 5, 7pm. Bridge, Charoenkrung Soi 51,
086-986-9421. Free. BTS Saphan Taksin.
Feedback
A rocking lineup of The Sangsom Massacre,
Count the Thief, Kamp Krusty and Fathers of
Medicine. Mar 6, 7pm. Skytrain Jazz Pub,
5/F, 6 Rangnam Rd., 02-640-0303. BTS Victory Monument.
Lose Control
Electro-pop tunes by three indie groups from
Comet Records: Casinotone, Naked Astronaught and Unda. Show starts at 10pm. Mar
7, 8pm. Moose Bangkok, 24 Ekkamai Soi
21, 02-108-9550. Free.
Extreme Maniac Underground
Metal Fest 2015
Five hours of metal rock by Break the Kids,
Zany Zone, Killing fields, Victorium, Dragkiller,
Lake of Rebirth and Gamnad737. Mar 7, 1pm.
Play Yard by Studio Bar, Lad Phrao Soi 8,
081-173-3616. B200. MRT Phahon Yothin.
The Windbreaks Party by Wanderlust
Five local indie bands perform till late at
the rooftop bar, including Hariguem Zaboy
and Plot. Tickets available at the door. Mar
7, 7pm. Wanderlust, 5/F, Nakiya Japanese
Restaurant Building, Thonglor Soi 13, 086655-5328. B150.
concerts
Sadao Watanabe Group 2015 in
Bangkok
The German-Korean violinist who's performed
with the Hamburg Symphony Orchestra joins
the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra for a program of Ravel, Saint-Saens and Dvorak. Feb
28, 8pm. Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02-262-3456. B400-2,000 from
Thaiticketmajor. MRT Thailand Cultural Centre.
Symphonie Fantastique
The Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra and pianist Eri Nakagawa play Beethoven and Berlioz. Conducted by Alfonso Scarano. Pre-concert talk 45 minutes before the show starts.
B100 for students. Mar 6, 7pm; Mar 7, 4pm.
Prince Mahidol Hall, Mahidol University
(Salaya Campus), 25/25 Buddhamonthon
Sai 4 Rd. B300-500 from Thaiticketmajor.
Mass for Love
The program features the world premiere of
the piece by the Korean composer Thomas
Hyuk Cha, the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra's 10th season composer in residence, along with Tchaikovsky, Dukas and
Brouwer. Pre-concert talk 45 minutes before
the show starts. B100 for students. Mar 13,
7pm; Mar 14, 4pm. Prince Mahidol Hall,
Mahidol University (Salaya Campus),
25/25 Buddhamonthon Sai 4 Rd. B300-500.
An Afternoon of Concerti with Philip
Fowke & Nat Yontararak (2 Pianos)
The distinguished British pianist meets the
Thai classical pianist and composer for an afternoon piano recital of Mozart and Addinsell.
Reservations at 02-541-8662 or www.salasudasirisobha.com. Mar 15, 4pm. Sala Sudasiri
Sobha, Lad Phrao Soi 41, 02-541-8662. B700.
music festivals
Winter Jazz and Arts Festival
One of Japan's most successful jazz saxophonists brings over his crew for a night of charming jazz music as a part of his 2015 world
tour. Doors open at 6pm. Mar 4, 7pm. Royal
Paragon Hall, 5/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1
Rd., 02-610-8023. B500-3,500.
Jazz performances by hot local acts, many
from the Phra Athit bar Jazz Happens and
The Voice, with art exhibitions from Silpakorn University, art and music workshops
and plenty of other stalls. Tickets can be purchased at 02-282-9934 and 084-450-0505.
Feb 28, 4:30pm. National Gallery, 4 Chao
Fah Rd., 02-282-2639-40. B250.
Nathan East Live in Bangkok
Lalaland by Inhale Exhale
Bassist of jazz fusion band Fourplay, who's
worked with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson
and Elton John, performs in Bangkok with special guest Myra Malloy, winner of Thailand's
Got Talent 2011. Register and order your tickets at www.abcpoint.com/nathaneast. Mar 7,
8pm. Royal Paragon Hall, 5/F, Siam Paragon,
Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-8023. B2,000 (one free
drink). BTS Siam.
The riverside bar is transformed into a festival-style daytime gypsy party, with an on-site
market, fortune-tellers, a spiritual corner, art
displays, sunset meditation, food, specialized
cocktails and live performances curated by the
Inhale Exhale crew. Feb 28, 2pm. Viva Aviv,
B/F, River City Shopping Complex, 23 Yotha
Rd., 02-639-6305. Free.
Mogwai Live in Bangkok 2015
A massive EDM music festival, with
ex-member of the legendary Swedish
House Mafia Steve Angello headlining the
night on the 20-meter Electro-Naga stage.
Other big names include Markus Schulz and
Vicetone, with support from local electro DJs
Ono, 22Bullets, Machina and Paulie. More
announcements to follow. VIP tickets come
with two free drinks plus a private lounge
area, private restroom and fast-lane access.
Mar 7, 4pm. 11th Infantry Regiment,
King's Guard, Phahon Yothin Rd. B2,5004,000 from Thaiticketmajor.
After their last sold-out show in 2011, the veteran Scottish post-rock band returns to Bangkok with music from their latest album, Rave
Tapes. Mar 13, 8pm. Moonstar Studio, 701
Lad Phrao Soi 80 (Lad Phrao), 02-539-3881.
B1,500 from Thaiticketmajor.
Arch Enemy Live in Bangkok
The Swedish death metal group goes on tour
with its new guitarist Jeff Loomis and new lead
singer Alissa White-Gluz from Canada. Doors
open 30 minutes before the show. Mar 14,
6pm. Hollywood Hall Ratchada, Ratchadaphisek Soi 8 (Ratchadaphisek). B1,500 from
Thaiticketmajor. MRT Thailand Cultural Centre.
One Direction On the Road Again
Tour
The British boy band that needs no introduction returns to Bangkok after two years for a
mega-scale concert as part of their tour of Asia
and Australia. Expect the stadium to be filled
with screaming teenage Thai fangirls. Doors
open at 5pm. Mar 14, 8pm. Rajamangala
National Stadium, Sports Authority of Thailand, 286 Ramkhamhaeng Rd., 02-369-0999.
B1,800-10,000.
Maya Music Festival
Duck & Noodle's Boat Party
The party boat returns to the Chao Phraya
River, with live music on the upper deck by
Yellow Fang, Degaruda and Yena, and underground house and techno sounds on the
lower deck by DJs David Chong, Benoit C.
and Mandy Indigo. Food vendors like Mad
Moa will also be present, with other fun
activities onboard. B500 tickets at the door
before 11pm. Mar 7, 8pm. Charoenkrung
Soi 80. B600.
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VENUE
Trunkated Tales
Ekamai Mall
The historic library's new exhibition features
the work of Millie Young, who captures images of elephants, the national animal of Thailand, through various media. Opening wine
reception on Mar 3 from 7-9:30pm, with
Thailand National Elephant Day Fundraiser on
Mar 13 featuring an auction of her paintings,
and a children's event and artist's talk on Mar
14 and 28. Mar 3-29. Neilson Hays Library,
195 Surawong Rd., 02-233-1731.
For a mall like no other in Bangkok, head to Ekkamai Soi 10.
ongoing
À Paris Photo Exhibition
Cynical Bear in Bangkok
MUSIC/CONTINUED
Castle Bar
Recent Openings
PETITE CAFE X LIBERTY AREA ONE
Launched at the start of the year, this miniscule cafe in the multi-label boutique Liberty Area One serves coffee from Ceresia Roasters (try the Wild Honey roast espresso, B55) and baked goods from
Conkey’s like almond chocolate croissants (B50). There’s also a few
standard mixers (all B120) and Japanese craft beers (from B180).
089-55-1244. Open Tue-Sun 11am-10pm
CASTLE BAR
The rock-centric/retro Irish pub serves European and Thai fusion food like
the Castle Bar Cheese Steak (B250) and Castle Ribs (B220), paired with
on-tap beers Carlsberg, Paulaner Hefe-Weizen and Kilkenny. Expect live
acoustic acts Wed-Fri and EPL matches on the weekend, with the guys
from 1979 Vinyl and Unknown Pleasures spinning from time to time.
093-936-5659. Open Tue-Sun 11am-midnight
Festival of India in Thailand
A two-month Indian art and music festival,
with performances taking place throughout
Bangkok. The opening night on Mar 6 at the
Grand Millenium Hotel celebrates the culture
of Assam through a fashion show, a dance
performance and a violinist concert. Contemporary Indian artist Raghu Dixit performs at
CentralWorld on Mar 10. Daksha Seth Dance
Company's performance takes place on Mar
13 at Aksra Theatre and the Indian Fun Fair is
at Thammasat University on Mar 22. An art
exhibition at Chula runs from Apr 27-May 10
and the festival ends with literary talks on May
25 at Chula. Mar 6-May 25, 6:30pm.
STAGE
dance
Toshiki Okada x Tomoko Soda x
Pichet Klunchun
DARK BAR
For an alternative late-night hangout, check out this new project also run
by the owner of Liberty Area One. The moodily-lit bar gives off the vibe
of a decaying, time-capsule mansion, and serves cheap Jamesons (B150)
plus standard beers like Beerlao (B150) and Leo (B100). It opens just three
nights a week, attracting the same faces from Moose and Happy Monday.
02-381-9896. Open Wed, Fri, Sat 9pm-2am
Thai contempory dance master Pichet collaborates with two Japanese artists on a number
originally performed at Kobe-Asia Contemporary Dance Festival #3 under the theme
"My Home is Shivering and Changing (or is
it Me and my Body Wriggling?)" This edition
will be adapted for the Thai social context.
Reserve your tickets at 080-924-0002. Feb
28-Mar 1, 7:30pm. Chang Theatre, 700
Pracha Uthit Soi 59, 080-924-0002. B600.
Butoh Decade: The 10th International Butoh Festival Thailand
2015
Burger Factory
Best of the Rest
VINTAGE SHOPPING
For a shopping sesh that won’t break the bank, the mall has (Un)fashion
(094-421-2411. Open daily noon-9pm), which specializes in rare leather shoes,
bags and accessories for men and women. Check out its Facebook page for
the latest collection updates. For shirts and old polos, head over to VTG (089121-0969. Open Tue-Sun 3pm-9pm), which belongs to the same guy as its
neighbor, longstanding after-work hangout Happy Monday (02-714-3953.
Open Mon-Sat 7am-midnight). They also do a hair-cutting service for around
B400-500.
SPA TIME
Right opposite the mall, Health Land (02-392-2233. Opens daily 9am-11pm)
has exceptionally clean facilities, well-trained staff and wallet-friendly prices.
Foot reflexology is B300 (one hour), while traditional Thai massage is B500
(two hours). They also offer more fancy spa packages.
In celebration of its 10-year anniversary,
the special dance festival features workshops (B500-1,000) and a one-off live
performance by international performers
Yumiko Yoshioka, Miguel Camarero, Sainkho
Namtchylak and special guests. Suggested
donation for performances: B500 (B400 for
students). Reservations at 089-167-4039 or
email [email protected]. Mar 7, 14-15,
2pm; Mar 13, 6pm; Mar 15, 8pm. Pridi
Banomyong Institute, B-Floor Room,
Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-3813860-1, 08-67877155. Free.
musicals
The Magic of the Musicals
The New Broadway Company returns to
the stage for its monthly musical evenings.
Tickets include tapas and unlimited white,
red and sparkling wines plus selected cocktails. The shows this season include: Cabaret
on Feb 27, Sound of Music on Mar 27, Les
Miserables on Apr 24 and Phantom of the
Opera on May 29. Make reservations at 02207-7777 or email [email protected].
Feb 27, 8pm; Mar 27, 8pm; Apr 24, 8pm;
May 29, 8pm. The St. Regis Bangkok,
159 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-207-7777. B1,850.
BTS Ratchadamri.
theater
FOOD STOPS
Gruesome Playground Injuries
Bangkok foodies can’t get enough of gourmet burgers, and Burger Factory
(02-714-4249. Open Sun-Thu 11:30am-11pm; Fri-Sat 11:30am-midnight)
was one of the first on the scene. Try the signature bacon and cheese Factory Burger (made with Australian beef, B300), or go healthy with the grilled
salmon burger (B310). Looking for a lighter option? Head over to Ebisu Sushi
(087-719-1888. Open daily 5pm-11pm; Sat-Sun noon-3pm), which serves fish
from Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market and beef from Hokkaido and Kagoshima. It also
launched a new menu earlier this month.
The play by 2010 Pulitzer finalist Rajiv Joseph tells a story of love and destruction
spanning 30 years. Starring Siree Riewpaiboon and Jaime Zuniga. Directed by Peter
O'Neill. Play in English with Thai subtitles.
Reserve your tickets at www.peelthelimelight.com. B500 for students. Through
Mar 1, 7:30pm. Jasmine City Building, 2
Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-204-5888. B550.
Crossing Nirvana
Veteran actor Sornchai Chatwiriyachai presents his first original play with an experienced cast, bringing together Shylock from
Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice and a
notorious Thai financier in a story that looks at
societal pressures and justice. Details at 089554-9865 and 089-690-0442. Feb 27-Mar
2, 8pm; Mar 6-9, 8pm. Democrazy Theatre Studio, 1034/29-30 Soi Saphankhu,
Rama 4 Rd., 089-126-7112, 081-441-5718.
B500. MRT Lumphini.
Disney's Beauty and the Beast The Original Broadway Musical
The award-winning production returns to
Bangkok after 13 years of successful performances. Shows run Tue-Sun. 2pm performances every weekend. Through Mar 15,
7:30pm. Muang Thai Rachadalai Theatre, 4/F, The Esplanade, 99 Ratchadaphisek
Rd., 02-262-3456. B1,000-4,000 from Thaiticketmajor. MRT Thailand Cultural Centre.
ART
opening
7 Samurai Artist by Groundstar+
The grand opening of a three-part art series.
The first one, titled "Showcase," features the
works of seven Japanese artists, with the
opening party on Feb 27 at 7pm. DJs itch1
and To-ru will also be spinning tracks. One
free welcome sake drink. Feb 27-May 3.
GOJA Gallery Café, 5/2 Pridi Soi 3, 085848-7576. BTS Phra Khanong.
The cute cafe known for its imported coffee beans hosts a new art exhibition by Add
Peerapat, who captured the beauty of the
French capital through his favorite Rolleiflex.
Through Mar 17. Ink & Lion Cafe, 1/7
Ekkamai Soi 2, 091-559-0994. BTS Ekkamai.
The Aesthetic of Colours in Siam
Wattana Poolcharoen's impressionist painting exhibition depicts natural landscapes and
the beauty of Thai culture. Through Mar 15.
Pikture Gallery, 47/1 Sukhumvit Soi 49,
02-662-8359.
Amour: The Art Exhibition
The art studio/cafe hosts a group exhibtiion by
10 Thai artists. Through Apr 14. Kalwit Studio & Gallery, Wireless Soi 2 (Ruam Rudi).
Anxiety of Corvus
Young artist Rook Floro expresses his emotional anxieties through symbolic drawings and art
installations. Through Mar 7. Numthong
Gallery, 72/3 Phahon Yothin 7 Soi 5 (Ari),
02-617-2794. BTS Ari.
Barry x Ball: Portraits and Photos
The Californian sculptor who's shown his dramatic marble busts at the MOMA (NY, USA)
and the Venice Biennale exhibits images of
his past installations. Through Mar 29. 100
Tonson Gallery, 100 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit
Rd., 02-684-1527. BTS Phloen Chit.
Clairvoyance
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn's new
mixed-subject photography exhibition takes
its title from the traditional Thai epic Inao.
Through Mar 8. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02214-6630-8. BTS National Stadium.
Crossover: The Unveiled Collection
The Korean performance artist who's taken
residency at the art space performs three
shows: Feel the Paper, Table Domino and
Memory Loading. There will also be an artist's talk from 8pm onwards. Reserve your
seats at 02-178-0095. Snacks and soft drinks
provided. Feb 27. Hof Art Space, W District,
Sukhumvit Soi 69-71. BTS Phra Khanong.
The gallery's main exhibition for the first half
of 2015 explores how Thai art has been collected throughout history. Exhibits range from
well-known pieces to the work of previously
underrated artists, amassed from the collections of both private individuals and organizations. Through Jun 14. Bangkok Art and
Culture Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd.,
02-214-6630-8. BTS National Stadium.
Maitrii Art Exhibition
Cynical Bear in Bangkok
A group art exhibition by Thai artists and the
gallery's resident Indian artists, featuring
sculptures, paintings and drawings that represent the history of the two cultures. Opens
on Mar 5 at 6:30pm. Mar 5-31. The Seven
Art Gallery, 1/F, Tara Sathorn Building, 119
Sathorn Soi 5, 02-639-2315.
Korean artist Koo Yeon Mo documents changes in society from the 70s onwards through
a series of cynical bear illustrations. Through
Mar 19. Artery Post-Modern Gallery,
Room B09, B1/F, Silom Galleria Building,
919/1 Silom Soi 19 (Silom).
Disquiet
Seen: Unseen - Exhibition
Chiang Mai-based British artist Will Klose
presents a series of realistic paintings based
on his suburban London memories. Through
Mar 31. G1 Contemporary, G/F Gaysorn
Plaza, 085-021-5508. BTS Chit Lom.
My Memory is Full
The abstract street art exhibition features the
work of Jeff Ross, Toska Vosd, RG. 86 and
Druide. Opening party on Feb 28, with music
by Remy Gold & Pulse, and an open bar from
7-9pm. Feb 28-Mar 15. Jam, 41 Charoen
Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833. BTS Surasak.
Surrounded by Details - The Art
of Design
German-Swedish photographer Stev Bonhage, who created a new clothing label, Ichigo Ichie Clothing, turns his art into wearable
designs for this new exhibition. Opening party at the bar on Feb 27 at 8pm. Feb 27-Mar
29. Chomp, Samsen Soi 1, 084-098-8633.
Writing Piece Performance by
Shelbatra Jashari
The conceptual multimedia artist sits in the
middle of the art space for three hours without
moving, inviting the audience to take part by
drawing, writing, or repositioning her limbs.
Feb 27, 5pm. Speedy Grandma, 672/50-52
Charoenkrung Soi 28, 089-508-3859.
Encounters
German-Thai photographer Benya Hegenbarth's new fashion and portrait photography
documents moments with people who've
made an immediate emotional impact on
him. Through Mar 6. Soy Sauce Factory,
11/1 Charoenkrung Soi 24, 092-115-8696.
Exhibition of Paintings by Michaël
Deloffre
The French artist, whose previous works have
been shown across 40 countries, presents 20
abstract paintings. Through Mar 8. Golden
Tortoise Gallery, 100 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02662-5600.
Ekamai Mall, 3 Ekkamai Soi 10. BTS Ekkamai
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sales & fairs
TAKE NOTE
TGIF Market (Thank God It’s Flea
Market)
With a new theme of “Playground for Urbanista,” the successful pop-up market brings
together celebrity stalls, the biggest Instagram fashion vendors and some great local
designers. Expect hundreds of tents taking
over the entire square of CentralWorld. Apply
for your own stall now at tgifmarket.com.
Feb 28-Mar 1, 11am. Free.
The 16th Thai International Travel
Fair 2015
Siam: Through the lens of John Thomson 1865-66
MEGA-MARKET
For a traditional shopping and eating experience, you no longer need to
head to Damnoensaduak or Amphawa. From now through Mar 1, Khlong
Phadung Krung Kasem Floating Market (aka Withi Thai Floating Market)
brings together vendors from five land markets, including the Old Town’s
Talad Nang Lerng, famous for traditional Thai dishes, and six floating markets like foodie heaven Taling Chan Floating Market, in Thonburi. The land
market side of things opens from 11am-8pm, and the floating market
from 3-8pm. You can expect over 90 boats and three piers for those who
would like to take a tour of Thewet-Hua Lamphong. There are two boat
rides per day, at 4pm and 5pm, with 40 seats. In addition to all the Thai
food, drinks, snacks and desserts, there are also cultural performances, Thai
music instrumental shows, a kite-making workshop and various boat races.
Through Mar 1, opposite Wat Somanas, Krung Kasem Rd.
ART/CONTINUED
Hope in the Darkness
Bangkok artists Preecha Noulnim and Aphiphol Techamangkhalanon present a joint
exhibition depicting urban life in Thai society using various media. Through Mar 29.
Whitespace Gallery, 4/F, 1 Sala Daeng Soi
1/7-9. 02-235-2500, 081-699-5298. MRT
Lumphini.
Imply Reply: Huang Yong Ping and
Sakarin Krue-on
The avant-garde Chinese/French artist presents sculptures, installations and drawings
from his previous collections together with
the multimedia work of contemporary Bangkok artist Sakarin Krue-on. Through Apr 26.
Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC),
939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8. BTS National Stadium.
Intermezzo
Three internationally recognized artists—GiOk Jeon, Pattree Chimnok and Melanie Gritzka del Villar—hold a multimedia group exhibition on the subject of "intimate space."
Through Apr 9. Korean Cultural Center,
219/2 Sukhumvit Rd.
Joyful Khaen, Joyful Dance
NEW GENERATION
Charoenkrung’s hip art space Speedy Grandma recently launched a new
project on its second floor, Speedy Grandchild, which aims to provide a
platform for young art students and recent graduates to exhibit their work
to the public. All aspiring artists and curators, plus anyone with a creative
idea, can submit their proposals at [email protected]. Selected
artwork will be announced online every month. Its first exhibition opens
this Mar 7 and features the work of Kunlapak Chintanakorn in an exhibition titled Toy Story.
672/50-52 Charoenkrung Soi 28, 089-508-3859. MRT Hua Lamphong
The gallery explores traditional Isaan folk
music and culture, and its history. Expect a
variety of music and narrative performances. Through Mar 31. Jim Thompson
House Art Center, Jim Thompson House,
Soi Kasem San 2, Rama 1 Rd. BTS National
Stadium.
Luong Trung/Street Feelings
A solo exhibition by the young Vietnamese
contemporary artist, showing the changes
to Hanoi, Vietnam, and its art scene over the
years. Through Apr 20. Artha Gallery, 5-7
Charoenkrung Soi 36, 02-630-9489.
Mar 8, 2pm. Bangkok Art and Cultural Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd. 02-2146630-8. BTS National Stadium
40
Over 20 local and international artists take
part in this multimedia exhibition. Each week
sees nine new artists present their work,
from theater to graffiti and installation art, in
any given space throughout the five floors of
the venue. B350 single entry and B650 multiple entries on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Through Mar 8. Thong Lor Art Space,
58/14-15 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). Free.
State of the Ridiculous
Tuksina Pipitkul and Wantanee Siripattananuntakul's new installation takes over the
gallery's main space, as well as H Project
Space, as this playful exhibition questions
how we relate to circumstances in the
contemporary world. Through Apr 26. H
Gallery, 201 Sathorn Soi 12, 085-021-5508.
Thai Neotraditional Art
This exhibition brings together 50 pieces by
six Thai artists who painted the walls of Buddhapadipa Temple, the first Buddhist temple
in the UK, in 1987, including Professor Panya
Vijinthanasarn, last year's National Artist in
Visual Arts. Through Apr 26. Museum of
Contemporary Art (MOCA), Room 499,
Bejajinda Building, Wiphawadi-Rangsit Rd.,
02-953-1111.
Untie Group Exhibition
Local artists Kittaya Poolsawatdi, Prang Jorakhet and Songwoot Kaewwisit show off
their different experiences through various
artistic styles free from creative restrictions.
Through Apr 5. The Adler Subhashok Gallery, 160/3 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-662-0299.
Urban Corner
Saitle Ngaorsai moodily paints the reality of
urban city-living, through the eyes of someone who's migrated to Bangkok. Through
Mar 15. DOB Hualamphong Gallery,
4/F, DOB Building, 318 Rama 4 Rd., 02-2375592/4.
Paintbox 3 - 2xx1 Parallel Future
Nina Sarabutra installs 44 glass and 365
porcelain works, touching on the topic of
alcohol consumption. Through Mar 14.
Ardel's Third Place Gallery, 137-137/1
Thonglor Soi 10, 02 714 7929.
Ready, Set, Go!
GIRL POWER
Space Oh these [cra]zy: The
Site-specific Arts and Performances
Myanmar: Recent Portraits by Hamid
Sardar-Afkhami
A preview of the filmmaker/photographer's
ethno-religious portraits shot in the northwest
region of Myanmar. Through Mar 22. Serindia Gallery, Room 3101, 3201, OP Garden,
4-6 Charoen Krung Soi 36, 02-238-6410.
The Phra Khanong art space/cafe's one-year
anniversary coincides with a new group
exhibition, featuring the work of Koutaro
Ooyama (Doppel), Hideyuki Katsumata and
Rukkit. Through Mar 8. GOJA Gallery
Café, 5/2 Pridi Soi 3, 085-848-7576. BTS
Phra Khanong.
In celebration of International Women’s Day this Mar 8, Bangkok-based
women’s leadership development organization Wedu hosts a mentorship
event, where participants will be paired up with a professional mentor
to discuss various challenges facing women. Wedu International Women’s Day Mentoring Walk’s theme this year is “A New Lens: the importance of co-reflection and self-awareness in leadership development and
goal-setting.” Previous keynote speakers include the Asia Pacific Director
of UN Women, the President of Standard Chartered Thailand and Director
of Ashoka. Women enrolled in university can apply as mentees and working professionals as mentors now at www.weduglobal.org/mentorwalk.
Further enquiries at [email protected].
rapher John Thomson, who captured portraits, events and landscapes, developed at
Wellcome Institute, London. Through Feb
28. National Gallery, 4 Chao Fa Rd., 02282-2639-40.
An exhibition of ready-made art objects,
taken from different cultures in Southeast
Asia. Curated by Kritsada Duchsadeevanich.
Through Mar 27. The Art Center, 7/F, Center of Academic Resources, Chulalongkorn
University, Phaya Thai Rd., 02-2182-965.
Representing Localities: Memory
and Experience
Painter Therdkiat Wangwatchakul joins upand-coming sculptor Rattana Salee in this
exhibition curated by Rathsaran Sireekan.
Through Mar 21. Thavibu Gallery, Room
433, 4/F, JTC Jewelry Trade Center, 919/1 Silom Rd., 02-266-5454.
Siam: Through the Lens of John
Thomson 1865-66
A photography exhibition of Thailand during
the era of King Rama V by Scottish photog-
What are we Drinking?
What Where When Why
A black and white photography exhibition
by Tul Hirunyalawan depicting the artist's
thoughts and emotional journey. Through
Mar 8. The Jam Factor y, 41/1-41/2
Charoen Nakorn Rd., 02-861-0950.
HAPPENINGS
design exhibitions
Design Object Movement: Indonesia - the Philippines
The mini exhibition selects local, creative
design products from Indonesia and the
Philippines that have been adapted to meet
global trends, as well as global products that
have been adapted to meet local tastes.
Through Mar 31, 10:30am. Thailand Creative and Design Center (TCDC), 6/F, The
Emporium, 662 Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-6648448. Free. BTS Phrom Phong.
Plan ahead for the summer holiday season at this Thai travel fair, with booths by
travel agencies, airlines, hotels, cruises and
attractions. Prizes are also up for grabs. Feb
25-Mar 1, 10am. Queen Sirikit National
Convention Center, 60 New Ratchadapisek
Rd., 02-229- 3000. Free. MRT Queen Sirikit
National Convention Centre.
Thailand Classic & Super Car 2015
The riverside venue brings together a huge
selection of hard-to-find classics and the latest sports cars. Feb 27-Mar 8, 5pm. Asiatique the Riverfront, 2194 Charoenkrung
Rd. Free. BTS Saphan Taksin (free ferry from
Sathorn Pier).
34th Thai Teaw Thai
The mega-popular Thai tourism fair returns
with local and international travel services
and up to 70-percent discounts on accommodation, travel, car rental, cruises, spas and
hotel meals. Mar 5-8, 10am. Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New
Ratchadapisek Rd., 02-229- 3000. Free. MRT
Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
Sweet Escape at 953 Art Mall
A two-day market at the new Thonglor
mall, with art and design shops, fashion and
handmade crafts. There will also be a canvas
painting booth by Paintbar Bangkok, as well
a mini concert by indie acts Gardener Twins,
Fwends, Aire and Yellow Fang, plus an after
party from 10pm onwards. Mar 7-8, 11am.
953 Art Mall, 124 Sukhumvit 53. Free.
The Great Outdoor Market
Back by popular demand, after its Bangkok
Docklands debut late last year, this niche
outdoor market serves up a garden deck
full of eateries, mini cafes, designer pop-up
stalls and a floating bar. Mar 13-15, 4pm.
Canapaya Riverfront, 888 Rama 3 Rd.,
02-291-9499.
sports
Run Against UV
A charity run, with proceeds going to the
Dermatological Society of Thailand. Two distance options: 3km and 10km. All participants
receive a T-shirt, La Roche-Posay tester-sized
products and a B500 La Roche-Posay voucher. All runners receive a medal. Tickets available at Boots, HealthChoice, Lab Pharmacy
and Sports Vision. Mar 12, 6am. Suan Benjakitti, Ratchadaphisek Rd. B500.
talks
BACC Special Lecture 2015
Stephen Sarrazin, a film professor, critic and
curator working between Tokyo and Paris,
gives a talk on the history of video art. Mar
7's subject is The Origins: From Signal to
Performance and The Recognition of Video
by Museums through the Installation. Mar
8 is on The Move from Video to Media and
Film Installation. Lectures in Engilsh with
Thai translation. Mar 7-8, 2pm; Mar 7,
5pm. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
(BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8.
Free. BTS National Stadium.
Naoto Space Talk by Naoto
Fukasawa
The award-winning Japanese designer gives
a talk on a new design philosophy that integrates “instincts” with “daily routines,”
which results in a valuable space. Reserve
your seat at http://ow.ly/Jastg. Mar 12,
6pm. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre
(BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8.
Free. BTS National Stadium.
2/23/15 6:01 PM
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41
2/20/15 5:10 PM
now
The Theory of Everything (UK)
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
HHHHH
Biopic. In the 1960s, Cambridge University student Stephen Hawking (Eddie Redmayne) learns that he has motor neuron
disease. With the support of Jane Wilde
(Felicity Jones), Hawking goes on to make
great strides into the study of space and
time.
Comet (US) HHHHH
Drama. Dell (Justin Long) and Kimberly
(Emmy Rossum) forge a six-year long-distance relationship after a chance encounter under a meteor shower.
The Imitation Game (US/UK)
No Impact Man
The Riot Club
FILM
opening
Focus (US) HHHHH
Drama/Comedy. Veteran con-artist Nicky
(Will Smith) takes the seductive Jess (Margot Robbie) under his wing, teaching her
the tricks of the trade.
Just Eat it
The Lazarus Effect (US) (Not yet
rated)
Horror. Medical researchers Frank (Mark
Duplass) and Zoe (Olivia Wilde) successfully develop a way to revive the dead. But
when Zoe is killed in an accident, Frank is
forced to use the method on her.
Predestination (Australia) HHHHH
Action/Drama. Ethan Hawke stars as The
Barkeep, an agent of the Temporal Bureau,
a peace-keeping organization that sends
agents back through time to stop major
crimes.
The Riot Club (UK) HHHHH
Drama. Oxford University freshmen Miles
Richards (Max Irons) and Alistair Ryle (Sam
Claflin) join a secret society, where they
learn the hard lesson that reputations can
be made or destroyed in a fraction of a
moment.
Urbanized
SOCIAL CHANGE FILM FESTIVAL
On Mar 7-8, the Thai Social Enterprise Office hosts the Social Change Film
Festival at Terminal 21, as part of their Social Enterprise Week event. The five
films have been selected to raise awareness of various global issues facing
the modern world.
The Last: Naruto the Movie
(Japan) HHHHH
Animation. This closing chapter in the decade-spanning ninja epic sees the titular
character, two years after the events of
the manga, fighting a new foe bent on
bringing the moon crashing down on
Earth.
Rise of the Legend (Hong Kong)
No Impact Man (directed by Laura Gabbert, Justin Schein)
This documentary follows the life of author Colin Beavan, whose decision
to limit his impact on the environment by giving up all the conveniences of
modern life, electricity, gas-fueled transportation, shipped food and automated
waste disposal—has a knock-on effect on his family.
(Limited to SF Cinemas only) HHHHH
Action. A boy orphaned by the forces of
evil must rise up and bring justice back to
his hometown.
Just Eat It (directed by Grant Baldwin)
Two filmmakers look into the problem of wasted food, which causes billions
of dollars’ worth of problems for the US. Rejecting store-bought food, the two
rely entirely on food items that are about to go bad.
Wild Card (US) HHHHH
Urbanized (directed by Gary Hustwit)
The documentary looks at cities which have made radical steps to improve
their quality of life, from the extensive network of bicycle lanes in Bogota,
Colombia, to New York’s famous elevated park, the High Line.
Time as Money (directed by Lenore Eklund)
Civil rights lawyer and speech writer Edgar Cahn came up with the idea of Time
Banking, where people in a community help each other out for “Time Dollars,”
which can be redeemed for another community member’s help on anything.
The concept became widely popular, with new time banks created every day.
The Missing Piece (directed by Patana Chirawong)
This documentary within a documentary chronicles the efforts of a group of
disabled Thai citizens who came together to produce a short film of their own
in the hope of making other people view them in a different light.
Entry is free. Films are screened in their native languages, with English and/or Thai
subtitles. Reserve seats online at goo.gl/forms/Zt1FkGDtmx. For more information,
visit www.fb.com/SocialChangeFF
now showing
Thriller/Action. Jason Statham stars as Nick
Wild, a gambling addict who takes on jobs
as a bodyguard to fuel his addiction.
Song One (US) HHHHH
Drama. Franny (Anne Hathaway) travels
to New York to visit her brother who’s in a
coma. There, she becomes involved with
James Forester (Johnny Flynn), a musician
idolized by her brother.
Penguins of Madagascar (US)
HHHHH
Animation. Madagascar’s penguin spies
must work with Agent Classified (Benedict
Cumberbatch) to stop the evil schemes of
Dr. Octavius Brine (John Malkovich).
Dragon Blade (China/Hong Kong)
(Not yet rated)
Historical/Action . A Han dynasty squad
commander (Jackie Chan) and a Roman
general (John Cusack) try to escape China
after successfully rescuing a hostage.
Ananta: The Light of Hope (Thai)
(Not yet rated)
Animation. A young prince must step up
to protect his kingdom from the invading
forces of evil.
42
Birdman (US) HHHHH
Drama/Comedy. Washed-up superhero
Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton) organizes an ambitious Broadway production
in the hopes of jump-starting his stagnant
career and proving that he’s a real artist.
Bong Srolanh Oun (Thai/Cambodia)
(Not yet rated)
Horror. Following a string of unexplained
accidents, Dol (Ray McDonald) becomes
curious about his apartment’s former residents and travels to Cambodia to seek
them out.
HHHHH
Drama. In 1939, genius mathematician
Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch) cracks
the Nazi’s enigma code and helps the Allies win WWII, only to later face criminal
prosecution for being gay.
Project Almanac (US) HHHHH
Sci-fi/Adventure. This found footage film
follows a group of teenagers who build
a time-machine based on a mysterious
blueprint, which they use to alter events
in their past with dire consequences.
upcoming
Cat a Wabb! (Thai)
Drama. Olympic runner Louis “Louie” Zamperini (Jack O’Connell) fights for survival in
a WWII Japanese POW camp in this perilous tale of endurance.
Romcom. Meyo (Pimchanok Luewisetpaiboon), an intern at an ad agency, develops
a crush on her trainer, More (Arrak Amornsupsiri). Her hopes are quickly dashed,
however, when she loses Johnny, the cat
used in a big commercial. Feb 4
Love Confession (Thai) HHHHH
Mor 6/5 Pak Mha Taa Kod Phee
Drama. After a devastating break-up, Guy
(Jirawat Manassanit) falls back on his best
friend and first love Blue (Pornpimol Siyatong) for support, only to fall in love with
her again.
(Thai)
Horror/Comedy. The third film in the teenage horror-comedy series sees the previous films’ characters finally graduate from
high school and head on a trip to Phuket
together before leaving for college. Feb 4
Unbroken (US) HHHHH
Kingsman: The Secret Service
(UK/US) HHHHH
Action/Comedy. Secret service agent Harry
Hart (Colin Firth) recruits Gary “Eggsy” Unwin (Taron Egerton), the talented-yet-delinquent son of a late spy, to the secret
service, in order to thwart the villainous
plans of Richmond Valentine (Samuel L.
Jackson).
Ode to My Father (Korea) HHHHH
Drama. Amid the devastation of the Korean War, a young boy devotes his life to
a promise he gave his father to protect
his family.
Fifty Shades of Grey (US) HHHHH
Erotic drama. Anastasia Steele (Dakota
Johnson) grudgingly agrees to interview
secretive millionaire Christian Grey (Jamie
Dornan) for her sick friend, only to realize
that she is powerfully attracted to him,
and him to her.
Playing It Cool (US) HHHHH
Romcom. An aspiring action-writer (Chris
Evans) is tasked by his editor to write a
romance novel. Though at first daunted,
he soon finds inspiration in Her (Michelle
Monaghan), who’s already engaged.
Single Lady (Thai) HHHHH
Romcom. Unfortunate circumstances compel independent working-woman Bright
(Patcharapa Chaichue) to seek out her old
lovers and perhaps find true love in the
process.
Jupiter Ascending (US) HHHHH
Sci-fi/Adventure. Jupiter Jones’ (Mila Kunis)
life is in danger when she learns that she
is heir to a vast interstellar empire of humans. Aided by super-soldier Caine (Channing Tatum), she sets out on a quest with
the world’s fate in the balance.
The Rewrite (US) HHHHH
Drama. Has-been Academy Award-winning screenwriter Keith Michaels (Hugh
Grant) takes on a university teaching job
only to fall in love with Holly (Marisa Tomei), a single mother.
Chappie (US)
Sci-Fi/Drama. The third feature film from
the director of District 9 and Elysium tells
the story of a police robot in a futuristic
post-apocalyptic Earth that develops human feelings and thoughts. Feb 4
Superfast (US)
Comedy. Undercover cop Lucas White
(Alex Ashbaugh) joins a group of illegal
street-racers who plan to rob the local
kingpin of all his cash, which he keeps in
a downtown Taco Bell. Feb 4
Parasyte: Part 1 (Japan)
Horror/Action. This live-action adaptation
of the phenomenally popular Japanese
manga follows teenager Shinichi Izumi
(Shota Sometani), who wakes up one
day to find that his right hand has been
replaced by a man-eating alien parasite.
Feb 4
free screenings
Jam
Every Wednesday night is Cult Movie
Night. Theme for March is Filmned in
Thailand. Screenings start from 8pm, visit
www.fb.com/JAMCAFEBKKfor schedule. 41
Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-545-1833. Open
Tue-Sun noon-midnight.
The Friese-Greene Club
The schedule follows a daily theme. Films
start from 8pm, visit www.fgc.in.th for
the full line up and to reserve your seat.
259/6 Sukhumvit Soi 22, 087-000-0795.
Open Wed-Sun 6pm-late.
Goethe Institut
Movies are in German and subtitled in English. Mar 8. Jacob the Liar (1974): Having
overheard details of the Russians making
an offensive on the Nazis, Jewish jeweler Jacob Heym lies to the people of his
community to give them hope for liberation. For more information, visit http://
www.goethe.de/ins/th/en/ban/ver.cfm,
or contact 02-108-8200, info@bangkok.
goethe.org
BK Now_Film_579_Feb27_15_2.indd 42
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BK MAGAZINE Friday, February1/19/15
27, 2015
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6:26 PM
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marketplace
PROPERTY
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[email protected]. 08-9201-2692. 02-254-9327.
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FREEWILL ASTROLOGY
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): The British rock band the Animals released their gritty, growly song “The
House of the Rising Sun” in 1964. It reached the top of the pop music charts in the U.S., Canada,
U.K., and Australia, and was a hit with critics. Rolling Stone magazine ultimately ranked it as
the 122nd greatest song of all time. And yet it took the Animals just 15 minutes to record. They
did it in one take. That’s the kind of beginner’s luck and spontaneous flow I foresee you having in the coming weeks, Pisces. What’s the best way for you to channel all that soulful mojo?
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): Lately your
life reminds me of the action film
Speed, starring Sandra Bullock and
Keanu Reeves. In that story, a criminal has rigged a passenger bus to
explode if its speed drops below 50
miles per hour. In your story, you
seem to be acting as if you, too, will
self-destruct if you stop moving at a
frantic pace. I’m here to tell you that
nothing bad will happen if you slow
down. Just the opposite, in fact. As
you clear your schedule of its excessive things-to-do, as you leisurely
explore the wonders of doing nothing
in particular, I bet you will experience
a soothing flood of healing pleasure.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): One of the
most dazzling moves a ballet dancer
can do is the fouetté en tournant. The
term is French for “whipped turning.”
As she executes a 360-degree turn,
the dancer spins around on the tip of
one foot. Meanwhile, her other foot
thrusts outward and then bends in,
bringing her toes to touch the knee
of her supporting leg. Can you imagine a dancer doing this 32 consecutive times? That’s what the best do. It
takes extensive practice and requires
a high degree of concentration and
discipline. Paradoxically, it expresses
breathtaking freedom and exuberance. You may not be a prima ballerina, Taurus, but in your own field
there must be an equivalent to the
fouetté en tournant. Now is an excellent time for you to take a vow and
44
make plans to master that skill. What
will you need to do?
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 20): If you’re a
martial artist and you want to inject
extra energy into an aggressive
move, you might utter a percussive
shout that sounds like “eee-yah!” or
“hyaah!” or “aiyah!” The Japanese
term for this sound is kiai. The sonic
boost is most effective if it originates
deep in your diaphragm rather than
from your throat. Even if you’re not
a martial artist, Gemini, I suggest
that in the coming weeks you have
fun trying out this boisterous style of
yelling. It may help you summon the
extra power and confidence you’ll
need to successfully wrestle with all
the interesting challenges ahead of
you.
CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22): The prolific and popular French novelist
Aurore Dupin was better known by
her pseudonym George Sand. Few
19th-century women matched her
rowdy behavior. She wore men’s
clothes, smoked cigars, was a staunch
feminist, and frequented social venues where only men were normally
allowed. Yet she was also a doting
mother to her two children, and loved
to garden, make jam, and do needlework. Among her numerous lovers
were the writers Alfred de Musset,
Jules Sandeau, and Prosper Mérimée,
as well as composer Frederic Chopin
and actress Marie Dorval. Her preferred work schedule was midnight
to 6am, and she often slept until 3pm
“What a brave man she was,” said
Russian author Ivan Turgenev, “and
what a good woman.” Her astrological sign? The same as you and me.
She’s feisty proof that not all of us
Crabs are conventional fuddy-duddies. In the coming weeks, she’s our
inspirational role model.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): It seems you’ve
slipped into a time warp. Is that bad? I
don’t think so. Your adventures there
may twist and tweak a warped part of
your psyche in such a way that it gets
healed. At the very least, I bet your
visit to the time warp will reverse the
effects of an old folly and correct a
problem caused by your past sins. (By
the way, when I use the word “sin,” I
mean “being lax about following your
dreams.”) There’s only one potential
problem that could come out of all
this: Some people in your life could
misinterpret what’s happening. To
prevent that, communicate crisply
every step of the way.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): In English
and French versions of the word
game Scrabble, the letter z is worth
ten points. In Italian, it’s eight points.
But in the Polish variant of Scrabble,
you score just one point by using z.
That letter is rarely used in the other
three languages, but is common in
Polish. Keep this general principle
in mind as you assess the value of
the things you have to offer. You will
be able to make more headway and
have greater impact in situations
where your particular beauty and
power and skills are in short supply.
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): “Learn all
you can from the mistakes of others.
You won’t have to make them all
your yourself.” So said Alfred Sheinwold in his book about the card game
known as bridge. I think this is excellent advice for the game of life, as
well. And it should be extra pertinent
for you in the coming weeks, because
people in your vicinity will be making gaffes and wrong turns that are
useful for you to study. In the future,
you’ll be wise to avoid perpetrating
similar messes yourself.
SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): “Love her
but leave her wild,” advised a graffiti
artist who published his thoughts on
a wall next to the mirror in a public
restroom I visited. Another guerrilla
philosopher had added a comment
below: “That’s a nice sentiment, but
how can anyone retain wildness in a
society that puts so many demands
on us in exchange for money to live?”
Since I happened to have a felt-tip
pen with me, I scrawled a response
to the question posed in the second
comment: “Be in nature every day.
Move your body a lot. Remember and
work with your dreams. Be playful.
Have good sex. Infuse any little thing
you do with a creative twist. Hang out
with animals. Eat with your fingers.
Sing regularly.” And that’s also my
message for you, Scorpio, during this
phase when it’s so crucial for you to
nurture your wildness.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21):
“Don’t worry, even if things get
heavy, we’ll all float on.” So sings
Modest Mouse’s vocalist Isaac Brock
on the band’s song “Float On.” I recommend you try that approach yourself, Sagittarius. Things will no doubt
get heavy in the coming days. But if
you float on, the heaviness will be a
good, rich, soulful heaviness. It’ll be
a purifying heaviness that purges any
glib or shallow influences that are in
your vicinity. It’ll be a healing heaviness that gives you just the kind of
graceful gravitas you will need.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): “What
I look for in a friend is someone
who’s different from me,” says science fiction novelist Samuel Delany.
“The more different the person is, the
more I’ll learn from him. The more
he’ll come up with surprising takes
on ideas and things and situations.”
What about you, Capricorn? What are
the qualities in a friend that help you
thrive? Now is a perfect time to take
an inventory. I sense that although
there are potential new allies wandering in your vicinity, they will actually become part of your life only if
you adjust and update your attitudes
about the influences you value most.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20 -Feb 18): At
the turn of the 19th century, Russian laborers constructed thousands
of miles of railroad tracks from the
western part of the country eastward to Siberia. The hardest part of
the job was blasting tunnels through
the mountains that were in the way.
I reckon you’re at a comparable point
in your work, Aquarius. It’s time to
smash gaping holes through obstacles. Don’t scrimp or apologize. Clear
the way for the future.
Marketplace-Astro_579_Feb27_15.indd 44
2/20/15 3:18 PM
last word
Pairod
Roikaew
From his humble beginnings as a street-peddler of
antiques, Pairod “Rod” Roikaew, 41, is now the millionaire-owner of the Rod Fai Market, one of Thailand’s most
popular night markets. Having just opened a new branch
of the market at Ratchada (see page 6), BK visits him at
the Srinakarin location, where he shares with us his success story, as well as his perspectives on business and life.
I was an engineering major in
college, though I never actually liked
it. I was pretty bright, always getting
good grades, but I didn’t feel like seeing it through. In junior year I switched
to management. One semester later I
decided I didn’t want to be a student;
I’d rather be a merchant. I was confident that by the time my friends graduated, I’d already be rich.
I visited a friend in Hat Yai during
summer vacation. There, they had
this huge market that sold old goods
donated from America. Having bought
the return ticket beforehand, I spent
all my money to buy as much secondhand clothes as I could, to sell them
in my home town of Ayutthaya. They
sold like hotcakes.
I started looking for places where I
could stock up on cheap clothes to sell
during school breaks. Soon, I became
known in my community as the secondhand clothes guy, as I was the only
person selling them.
Manoch Puttal has always been
a huge inspiration for me. Looking back, his 80s TV show Bunterng
Kadee [entertainment documentary]
is the reason I am who I am today. The
show focused a lot on Western culture
and music, which was a relatively new
thing in Thailand at the time. With it
came the trend of wearing tattered,
secondhand clothes, which inspired
me to start selling them. Even today
I rarely buy new clothes.
I bought my first car with my own
money when I was 18 years old. It
was an old Volkswagen Beetle that
set me back about B40,000. It was
pretty beat-up, though. It broke down
often enough for me to learn how to
fix it myself.
My transition to antique dealer
began 20 years ago when I was working as a props-man for production sets.
Walking around Klong Thom market, I
discovered that there was a demand
for the kind of antiques I already had
a large collection of. My career had hit
a dead-end, so I decided I’d rather be
selling things again.
I later became a dealer of vintage
cars. I was good at hunting and locking down deals. Once, I found a 1966
Impala Convertible in Udon Thani. I
tracked down the owner and bought
the car within one day. I’d hunt these
cars and sell them for huge profits.
Whenever I was about to run out of
money, I’d find another car to sell.
I set up an antiques
store back in Bangkok with the help
of my sister and
her husband,
who gave me
the start-up
cash. It was a
major turning point
in my life.
I sold my
beloved Volkswagen
for a Hilux Vigo truck
to carry my wares. I would
open my shop ahead of the others,
and I’d stay long after they all closed.
I decorated my shop differently, too,
and as a result, I had a lot of returning
customers.
Very, very old items also tend to have
a certain texture, which adds a sense
of history to them.
When I write my own biography I plan to call it Textures
of my Life. I prefer to
have a bit of roughness and texture
to my life. Anything too neat
and ordered is
just boring.
Honesty can’t
be bought
My favorite antiques are generally
over a hundred years old. People tend
to confuse antiques with retro items,
even though they are two very different things. I like antiques from the
Victorian era and the Baltic region.
wouldn’t be who I am today. I want to
give others this opportunity.
I identify as a merchant as opposed
to a businessman. Businessmen are
mostly concerned with milking every
last drop of profit from their products.
There’s no room for compromise or
charity. Merchants tend to be more
flexible. They can be haggled with, or
they can even be charitable and sell
things at a loss, as long as it makes
them happy.
The most stressful moment in
my life was when
the original Rod Fai
Market at Chatuchak
was suddenly forced to
relocate. I thought about all the
merchants at my market, some of
whom had just put down payments
on cars and houses. I couldn’t abandon them. Personally, I’d put enough
money away to retire, but I decided it
wasn’t time.
Business owners need to find a
balance between profits and goodwill. It’s better for your business if
the people paying you are happy to
do so. While other markets tend to
charge B400-B500 for a single night’s
stall rental, I only charge B200. I still
get my profits, and the merchants get
an affordable location to peddle their
wares. It’s win-win.
Opportunity is the most valuable
thing you can give to someone. If
my sister and brother-in-law had
never helped me start my business, I
Interview by Monruedee Jansuttipan, Kanin Srimaneekulroj
Honesty can’t be bought. Words
can make or break you. Keep your
word and you’ll be rewarded.
LastWord_579_Feb27_15_NEW.indd 45
45
2/23/15 5:38 PM
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2/23/15 6:28 PM

night markets

Transcription

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