bk magazine 638 may 6, 2016

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BK MAGAZINE NO. 638 FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2016. www.bkmagazine.com

BANGKOK’S BEST SPOTS TO GET BREAKFAST

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3BK Magazine Friday, May 6, 2016

What We’ve Learned

Managing Director Andrew Hiransomboon

Editor in Chief / Product Director Grégoire Glachant Managing Editor Oliver Irvine Deputy Editor Carl Dixon Features Associate Monruedee Jansuttipan Senior Staff Writers Vasachol Quadri, Lily Kittisrikangwan Staff Writers Natcha Sanguankiattichai, Bonnie Sananvatananont Branded Content Associate Sureepak Janyapat Content Coordinator Nontaya KumyatJunior Writer Kankanid Mitrpakdee

Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Art Director Dith Chang Deputy Art Director Panita Thiraphapong Senior Graphic Designers Chantich Kongchanmitkul Graphic Designers Peeraya Sirathanisa Junior Graphic Designers Wariya Whangwaewklang, Parida Ritthiron

Production Assistant Saranya Chawanrattanasakul Content Designer Saranya Laowtrakul

Advertising Director Wanida AkeapichaiSales Managers Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Orajira SukkasemSenior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Onwara Sittirug, Waranuch Thaneerat, Nattaya Bovornsettanon, Orakarn Laohakanjanasiri, Amarit Jinaya Junior Sales Associate Kittiya Darachai

Marketing Executive Plaifon Chienvichai IT Manager Takrit Jitjaroen

Distribution Manager Suda Angsuputiphant

Finance Manager Supaporn BangmoungAssistant Finance Manager Anchalee LimkhamduangSenior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang

Administrator Yaovaluck SrisermsriAccountant Manita Bangmoung

Contributor Kathy MacLeod

Intern Joseph Lam

Cover by Production BK

Who's in charge?

Group DirectorsChief Executive Officer Gretchen Worth [email protected] Digital Director Greg Duncan [email protected]

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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17 bites

Ice is Nice

14 fashion

Lookin’ Bomb

page 3

06 cover story

Rise and Shine

04 upfront

Tech Trek

10 escapes

Paradise Islands

22 BK Now

Weekly Planner

Where to find us! The Asia City Media Group

Bangkok

Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd.

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Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

Tel: 02-624-9696

Fax: 02-237-5656

Email: [email protected]

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18 blends

City Slickers

That there’s a recruitment war going on between Bangkok’s French-run barsSomeone from Le Cafe des Stagiaires went around leaving little notes at Mustache Bar trying to attract defectors. But Mustache bar’s owner wasn’t having any of it, posting on Facebook a photo of one of the notes semi-submerged in a toilet bowl and calling on his Sathorn counterpart to retrieve it. The photo was deleted shortly after it did the rounds on the garrulous Bangkok Foodies group.

That Bunker is not headed by Tim ButlerBunker, which opened Apr 26, is already mobbed by beautiful people eager to snap selfies against a backdrop of bare concrete and turquoise banquettes. Our take-away: That after all these months talking about “Tim Butler’s new restaurant in Sathorn Soi 12,” it was no small shock when the chef introduced himself. “Tim is just a backer. Yes, it’s my menu. Yes, I’m the chef,” 33-year-old US chef Arnie Marcella had to insist in the face of our disbelief.

That Prai Raya might be the best Southern food in BangkokIt might not hold a candle to Phuket when it comes to atmosphere, but Bangkok’s branch of Phuket’s Southern food institution delivers flavors that put it right up there with Khua Kling + Pak Sod in Bangkok’s Southern food big league. See the full review on page 21.

That we can afford to eat at the OrientalThe Mandarin Oriental is easily Bangkok’s most imposing hotel, all dress codes, colonial architecture and staff in stuffy baggy britches. But we can eat there too now they’ve started serving pizza on the river terrace. It starts at just B320, tastes delicious and comes with all these nice little five-star hotel touches like Aperol aperitifs. Just don’t go mad on the Singha, which still costs B260++ a pop. Ouch. (ow.ly/4ndXLe)

That orange wine is a thing but it’s not made with orangesThis town’s first natural wine bar brings with it something called orange wine. It’s basically the opposite of rose: a white wine made as if it were a red wine, rather than vice versa. Not sure what we’re on about? Go find out for yourself at About Eatery, which takes over from Le Maverick on Sukhumvit Soi 19. See page 15.

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4 BK Magazine Friday, May 6, 2016

Hot: Cocktail competitions

Not: Hangovers

Bangkok has given us even more reasons to drink now that the local finalists of Diageo’s World Class bartender have been announced (see page 16). They all pour amazing, highly expensive drinks that will happily suck up your pay-check and leave you feeling dead the next day. Good news is at hand though, thanks to a new pill promising headache-free mornings after (see page 15).

Hot: Web Not: PrintFollowing the removal of all newsstands from BTS stations, further proof that no one buys magazines anymore came this week when Cosmopolitan’s Thai edition joined Image magazine in shutting down. Even the Bangkok Post has reduced its page numbers for the first time since forever. Meanwhile, our city made inroads at joining the rest of the world for the web revolution when it was reported that Alibaba bought Lazada, InVent bought Wongnai and Cen-tral group bought Zalora.

Hot: Suckling pig Not: Food guiltThere’s a new on-the-bone cut turning up on Bangkok menus. Spanish-style roast suckling pig makes an appearance at three major recent foodie openings: Uno Mas on Centara Grand’s 54th floor, Islero on Wireless Road and Thyme on Nanglinchi Road (see page 18). The only problem? It feels like you’re eat-ing Babe with a suntan.

upfrontHOT OR NOT

When did you start trekking for Google Street View? I had actually been working as a Google Street View driver since 2011 after I stumbled on an advertise-ment asking for people who love to travel, love taking pictures and gath-ering information. I applied for it not knowing that the company was Google Street View. I would be will-ing to do this job for free! What kind of job allows you to get out from the boring office environment and explore places you’ve never visited before? I volunteered to be a trek-ker without putting much thought into it. I’m normally an adrenaline junkie anyway. I did marathons and cycling races back then so there was no problem with my health. I just had to get used to the Trekker Street View camera, which is huge.

How much does it weigh? It’s 18 kilograms for the body and 25 kilograms with batteries.

What was the first site you ex-plored?It was Thai Stone Park in Pattaya where I shot everything, even the crocodile zone. Soon after I did Elephants World in Kanchanaburi, where I shot while riding on an ele-phant’s back.

How do people react when they see you wearing this gear? They are usually excited, especially kids. They run to me and ask, “What is that? Is that an alien? World Cup Trophy?” Many people in villages also ask me to shoot at their places. Doing this job has made me realize that lots of old people really enjoy using the internet. One old guy who I caught in a picture even asked me, “Why did you censor out my face? I want to see myself there!”

What has been your toughest trek?It must be Doi Angkhang, the Royal Project in Chiang Mai. We had to go there twice because the first time we visited the weather was terrible. It rained the entire day. I couldn’t walk

at all. We went back again the year after and I trekked to every major site. It was so hard walking through the slippery jungle trails but really worthwhile. I love the view from the tea plantation. It’s so stunning, with the mist floating in the moun-tain valley.

How often do you shoot?My trips usually last one to three weeks. We pick hot destinations based on what people are search-ing on Google, and inspect the site and its walking routes before I start carrying the camera. I’m currently training for a triathlon so need to manage my time to practice con-stantly before I start work. I wake up early to exercise for an hour—running on Mon-Wed-Fri, swimming on Tue-Thu and cycling on Sat. Most importantly, I need to take care of my feet. I worked through four pairs of sneakers doing this job, so now I’ve changed to hiking shoes which are much safer. Interview by Monruedee Jansuttipan

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID by Kathy MacLeod kathymacleod.blogspot.com

Panupong “Man” Luangsa-ard, 28, treks around Thailand on behalf of Trekking Google Street View. He has walked thousands of miles of Thai countryside in order to show the world images of Thailand’s top attractions. Here, we talk to the former security programmer on why he thinks it’s the best job in the world.

INTERVIEW

Hot: Whatever comes next

Not: Rustic industrial

Over two years since we declared “This Needs to Stop!” (ow.ly/4nbEqY) about Bangkok’s love of Euro-rustic everything, most of our new restaurants—excuse us, “Eateries”—still want to pretend they’re on a farmyard. About Eatery (see page 15) on Sukhumvit has turned the former Le Maverick into a den of roughly hewn wood and chalkboard menus, while Cocotte Farm Roast & Winery likes to picture all its food on top of hay. For more convincing rustic appeal, try leaving the Moet out of frame next time.

Panupong “Man” Luangsa-ard, 28, treks around Thailand on behalf of Trekking Google Street View. He has walked thousands of miles of Thai countryside in order to show the world images of Thailand’s top attractions. He, we talk to the former security programmer on why he thinks it’s the best job in the world.

When trekking for Google Street View? I was actually working as a Google Street View driver in 2011, and stumbled on an advertisement asking for people who love to travel, love taking pictures and gathering information. I applied for it not knowing that the company was for Google Street View. I would be willing to do this job for free! What kind of job allows you to get out from the boring office environment and explore places you’ve never visited before? I volunteered without thinking. I’m normally an adrenalin junkie anyway. I did marathons and cycling races back then so there was no problem with my health. I just had to get used to the Trekker Street View camera, which is huge.

How much does it weigh? It’s 18 kilograms for the body and 25 kilograms with batteries.

How do people react when they see you wearing this gear? They are usually excited, especially kids. They run to me and ask, “What is that?” “Is that an alien? World Cup Trophy?” Many peo-ple in villages also ask me to shoot at their places. Doing this job has made me realize that lots of old people really enjoy using the internet. One old guy who I caught in a picture even asked me, “Why did you censor out my face? I want to see myself there!”

What has been your toughest trek?It must be Doi Angkhang, the Royal Project in Chiang Mai. We had to go there twice because the first time we visited the weather was terrible. It rained the entire day. I couldn’t walk at all. We went back again the year after and I trekked to every major site. It was so hard walking through the slippery jungle trails but really worthwhile. I love the view from the tea plantation. It’s so stun-ning, with the mist floating in the mountain valley.

How often do you shoot?I normally go on a trip with my team every one-to-three weeks. We pick hot destinations based on what people are searching on Google, and inspect the site and its walking routes before I start carrying the camera. I’m currently training for a triathlon so need to manage my time to practice constantly before I start work. I wake up early to exercise for an hour— running on Mon-Wed-Fri, swimming on Tue-Thu and cycling on Sat. Most importantly, I need to take care of my feet. I worked through four pairs of sneak-ers doing this job, so now I’ve changed to hiking shoes which are much safer.

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cover story

LANGSUAN/ PHLOEN CHIT1. Black BoxThe brekkie menu (available daily from 7:30am-4pm) includes straight-up fare like two eggs cooked any style, served with toast, sausages, potato, grilled tomatoes and mini salad (B150). Still hungry? Order the Hungryman (B350), which adds bacon and pancakes to the regular set. The star, though, is probably the pulled-pork Benedict (B220), a contender for the city’s ultimate hipster breakfast.Mahatun Plaza, 888/8-9 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-651-5188. Cafe open daily 7:30am-4:30pm; Bar open Tue-Sat 5:30pm-10pm. BTS Phloen Chit

2. Crepes & CoSweet and savory crepes are the order of the day at this popular restaurant set in a charming white house. Great service and a nice garden complete the picture. Try the savory crepe supreme (B310), filled with bacon, mushroom, cheese, Bechamel sauce and topped with an egg. The brunch set is a very reasonable B518, which gets you one hot drink, one fruit juice, yogurt and muesli, two eggs, pancakes and more. There's second branch at Eight Thonglor.59/4 Lang Suan Soi 1, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-652-0208. Open Mon-Sat 9am-11pm; Sun 8am-11pm. BTS Chit Lom

3. Cafe TartineWe love this family-friendly spot’s French sandwiches made with crusty baguettes and simple but high-quality ingredients. But you can also get a proper breakfast (eggs, croissant, sausages and coffee, B179) or treats like the croque monsieur (B200) and chocolate pumpkin pie (B100)—delicious, even for breakfast.1/F, Athenee Residence, Soi Ruamrudee, Wireless Rd., 02-168-5464. Open daily 7am-8pm. BTS Phloen Chit

4. BKK Bagel BakerySituated right beside BTS Phloen Chit,

this is Bangkok’s go-to bagel spot. The New York-style bagels are boiled and baked daily. We dig the classics Reuben (corned beef, sauerkraut, gruyere cheese, Russian dressing, B240) and Breakfast Epic (egg, sausage or bacon, brie, mustard and gouda or gruyere, B185). Follow it up with some NY-style cheesecake (B155).G/F, Maneeya Center, 518/3 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-254-8157. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm; Sat-Sun 8:30am-5.30pm. BTS Phloen Chit

5. Brooklyn BakerA great place to escape the hustle and bustle, nestled down a quiet soi at the entrance to Retreat on Vitayu spa. Grab a seat in the small garden and go classic with the American Breakfast (pancakes, bacon, sausages and eggs, B250) or try something a little more adventurous like shakshouka (Arabic style poached egg, sausage and tomato, B250).51/7 Soi Polo, Wireless Rd., 081-855-7090. Open Thu-Tue 8am-5pm (last order 4.30pm)

ASOKE6. ChuChirayu na Ranong’s Chu started out with a humble mission to churn out churros and hot chocolate (still our favorite things on the menu), but it also packs in the crowds with its breakfast offerings. Top picks include the eggs Benedict with bacon (B250), scrambled eggs with cherry tomato salsa and Joe Sloane’s chorizo (B260). The creamy, velvety, dark hot chocolate (B135) is one of the best in town. Chu is now in Sathorn, too.2/F, Exchange Tower, 388 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-663-4554. Open Mon-Fri 7:30am -9pm; Sat-Sun 8am-8pm. BTS Asok

Trinity Complex, Narathiwas Soi 3, 02-635-8685. Open Tue-Fri &;30am-9pm; Sat-Sun 8am-9pm. BTS Chong Nonsi

7. KuppaFor consistency and comfort, this brasserie is still a solid place to spend

a slow Sunday. The coffee hits the spot, as do the brunch staples like French toast (with berries, whipped cream and maple syrup, B195). Don’t forget you can also try its younger brother, Kuppadeli (Asoke Towers, Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-664-2350).39 Sukhumvit Soi 16., 02-259-1954. Open daily 10am-11pm. MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre

SATHORN8. Not Just Another CupTaking on the brunch royalty of Sathorn Soi 10, this airy, two-story restaurant deals in a familiar combination of egg-focused dishes, prettily poured coffee and cold-pressed juices served in a daytime-friendly dining room. Order the Moroccan-style skillet of eggs in a richly spiced tomato sauce, served alongside some deliciously fluffy bread for dunking (B320).75/1 Sathorn Soi 10, 02-635-3464. Open daily 7am-7pm

9. Matcha TenThe Tenyuu empire has opened a new cafe right next to its flagship sushi restaurant on Sathorn Road. The crisp, white Matcha Ten serves desserts from all the group's Japanese outlets alongside all-day breakfast items. Led by chef Sasitorn Charoensuk (previously of Let Them Eat Cake), the kitchen rolls out dishes like egg skillet (duck eggs with chorizo, salami, mushrooms and cherry tomato, B185) as well as healthier choices like granola chia yogurt (B160).66 Sathorn Soi 6, 02-632-2559. Open daily 9am-10pm

10. Kumi Restaurant & Healthy Corner Taking over the spot on Sathorn Soi 10 that used to be deli-slash-Medi- terranean restaurant Moko, this cafe puts strong emphasis on healthy food. The clean bites go beyond salads to the likes of sesame tuna Arabic quinoa (B400), goat cheese vegetarian mille feuille (with roasted eggplant, bell

BIG BREAKFASTSWhere to start your day all across the city. By BK Editorial

Chu Not Just Another Cup

Kumi

Matcha Ten

Crepes & Co

Cafe Tartine

BKK Bagel Bakery

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cover storypepper, asparagus and pesto dressing, B310) and wraps (B230-320). They also do breakfast sets (B440-490) with fresh juice, hot drinks, a choice of eggs and items like toasted avocado, cherry tomatoes, rocket salad, fruit salad and yogurt cornflakes.71/2 Sathorn Soi 10, 02-635-3673. Open Wed-Mon 8am-9pm, Sat-Sun 9am-9:30pm

11. The CornerThis humble Mediterranean and French restaurant will make you feel like you’ve temporarily left Bangkok for the islands with its open-door seating and freshly made juices (B60-70), croissants (B40), bread and varying condiments. Aside from the all-day brunch sets like Healthy (toasted muesli and yogurt served fresh fruits, juice, homemade bread and condiments, B160) and Le Frenchy (baguette, c ro issant , homemade condiments and your choice of coffee, B130) we dig the sandwiches—go for the croque monsieur (B190) or Le Provencal (roasted vegetables, olives, parmesan cheese and pesto on homemade ciabatta, B140).27/39 Soi Sribumphen, Sathorn Rd., 02-679-8438. Open Mon-Sun 7:30am-11pm

12. Rocket CoffeebarFollowing the success of its first branch on Sathorn Soi 12, the stylish brunch-and-cocktail cafe has since opened another three branches—in Siwilai (a fashion store in the luxe mall Central Embassy), Sukhumvit Soi 49 and, most recently, 72 Courtyard. The winning formula remains: wholesome food, freshly baked goods and artisanal coffee. The highlight has to be the delightful breakfast menu which includes dishes like house-made granola served with yogurt (B165) and the now-mythical Rocket’s Benedict (B210), pretty much the best version of this overdone dish in town.149 Sathorn Soi 12, 02-635-0404. Open daily 7am-9pm

1/F, Grease, Piman 49, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-6637. Open Mon-Fri 7am-9pm; Sat-Sun 7am-11pm

5/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Ploen Chit Rd., 02-635-0404. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Phloen Chit

72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-392-7635. Open daily 7am-10pm

SILOM13. LukaSituated on leafy Pan Road, which runs from the Hindu temple on Silom to the Myanmar Embassy on Sathorn, Luka has fast become a favorite with the local office workers. The menu zeroes in on down-to-earth comfort food like chicken sandwich (B310). Sauces, juices and pickles are homemade, while the produce comes from reputable names like Adams Organic, the Royal Project Foundation and Sloane's. Another must-try is the breakfast burrito served with quinoa, scrambled egg, cheese, sausage, tomato salsa, avocado and "Thai chipotle" salsa (B280).Casa Pagoda, 64/1 Pan Rd., 02-637-8558. Open Mon-Fri 10am-7pm, Sat-Sun 8:30am-7pm

SUKHUMVIT14. BrekkieDespite the name, Brekkie goes well beyond breakfast to serve healthier options of hearty dishes all day long. Ingredients like quinoa, avocado, spirulina, flaxseed, acai berry and chia seed dominate the menu in dishes like tom yum fried rice with quinoa (B285), avocado toast (B240) and acai smoothie bowl (B260) topped with house-made granola and chia seed. We particularly like the the wholewheat pancake topped with housemade ricotta cheese and coconut butterscotch (B200).6/9 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 083-656-6141. Open Tue-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm

15. D'ArkDuring breakfast and brunch services, the restaurant rolls out pancakes (B160) soups, burgers (starting at B240) and other more fancy dishes inspired by local ingredients. He also incorporates coffee into some of the dishes, like Georgette's soup (B160), in which an espresso shot is added to balance out the sweetness of the onion cream soup and rich whipped cream. Don’t miss the muffins (B60) and croissants (B60) ready for takeaway.Piman 49, 46 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-7900. Open daily 8am-10pm

G/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6013. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Phrom Phong

16. OrganikaThai spa brand Organika has taken over the top two stories above D'Ark (see above) and transformed the space into a white-washed, botanical haven. The top-floor cafe features health-focused food created by Chalee Kader (of Surface, The Beer Bridge and Knock), including the hearty chicken garden salad (chicken breast, avocado, poached egg, tomato, beetroot and subtle Indian curry powder, B400) and backyard garden carrot salad (with wild arugula and aioli, B320).Piman 49, 46 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-665-1899. Open daily 10am-9pm

17. Gastro 1/6With its adorable garden and hanging greenery, this is one of the city’s best places for a lazy, long brunch (make the most of it because service is pretty slow). The sweet dishes like the fluffy French toast (B215) are delightful, but so too is the poached egg with mushroom, asparagus and truffle oil (B352). RMA Studio, Soi Sainamthip 2, Sukhumvit Soi 22, 080-603-6421. Open Tue-Sun 8:30am-3:30pm

18. GramSure, service can be patchy, but that’s mostly because this cute garden spot is usually packed out with Thonglor’s stylish set. The brunch-focused menu is filled with eggs, pancakes and sausages, all cooked behind a small kitchen counter. Highlights include the salmon scrambled eggs (B260) and barbecue pulled pork burger with coleslaw (B340).1/F, 49 Terrace, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 081-884-8554. Open Tue-Sun 9am-5pm

19. SimpleChef Natcha Chatlaong’s charming organic restaurant not only looks the part but also makes for a healthy start to the day. Dishes like the full English breakfast (B300), which is served in a big pan, and the quinoa, cauliflower and pumpkin frittata (B260) don’t always get full marks, but we love the refreshing juices and granola.235/5 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-662-2510. Open Tue-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 8am-6pm

20. La CreperieThis beautiful white house sitting amid a lovely garden is the perfect spot for a laidback Sunday. For breakfast, try the savory crepe with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon (from B220). You can’t go wrong with some French cider on the terrace, either.86 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-662-6499. Open daily 10am-9:30pm

THONGLOR21. Toby'sDecked out with an eye-catching red brick and wood exterior, Toby’s rolls out all-day Australian breakfast staples and specialty coffee. Recommendations include the Egg Mikado (B320), sourdough topped with two poached eggs, cured salmon and yellow hollandaise sauce, and corn fritter (B390) with bacon, cherry tomato, baby spinach and avocado salsa.68/1 Sukhumvit, Soi 38, 02-712-1774. Open Tues-Sun 9am-6pm

22. Warm Wood CafeThis cozy little venue lives up to its name. The homey interior comes courtesy of Be Gray (who else?) and is dominated by warm brick work, worn wood and pot plants. In addition to eggs Benedict, served here with pulled pork (B240), all-day eats include tuna salad (B240) and ebiko cream pasta (B280). Don't miss the airy churros accompanied by spot-on yuzu and chocolate dips (B220). 137/1 Thonglor Soi 10, 02-714-9974. Open Tue-Sun 9am-1am

23. Taper Chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, of Le Du, teamed up with his former classmate from the Culinary Institute of A m e r i c a , Ta t c h a p o l “ To o n ” Choomduang, to open this Asian-inspired brunch restaurant. The exciting menu is headed by the likes of congee with mushroom, pork belly bacon, sous-vide egg, ginger and soy reduction (B330) and the Taper Benedict which includes a homemade biscuit, eggs drizzled with hollandaise sauce and either grilled mushroom, thick cut bacon or smoked salmon (B260-320).44/11, Soi Akkapat, Thonglor Soi 13, 099-929-5464. Open Sat-Sun 9am-4pm

24. Roast Coffee & EateryRoast remains high on most brunch-goers’ checklists, which means that, come the weekend you can face some crazy queues. It’s with good reason, too; on top of the great coffee, the menu packs genuine crowd-pleasers like the crab cake Benedict (B360) and smoked salmon with rosti matched with lemon creme fraiche (B320).

Brekkie

D'Ark The Corner

Brekkie

La Creperie

Rocket Coffee Bar

Taper

Luka

Toby's

Toby's

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cover storyThe Commons, Thonglor Soi 17, 02-185-2865. Open Mon-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-11pm and Sun 9am-10pm

Emquartier., 094-176-3870. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Phrom Phong

25. Tribeca RestobarSince changing hands last year, Tribeca has seen quite a few changes, but thankfully its all-day breakfast sets remain. Load up on brunch-style cocktails like Tribeca Mary (bacon-infused bourbon, black pepper, lime and tomato juice, B280) while digging into the kurobuta Benedict (buttermilk pancakes, poached eggs, kurobuta pork belly and asparagus covered with hollandaise sauce, B315) or Presidential breakfast (two eggs with smoked and cured bacon, maple sausage, sauteed asparagus and Iberico ham or Norwegian smoked salmon (B385).G/F, Nihonmura Mall, 85 Thonglor Soi 13, 02-712- 9209. Open daily 9am-10pm

26. Calin CafeThis quaint, Parisian-style venue does one of the best eggs Benedicts in town, served with salmon and zucchini (B250), while the oeufs en cocotte (eggs in pot with spinach and parma ham, B180) are another must-try. The brioche here is baked on-premises twice a day.G/F, Eight Thonglor, Sukhumvit Soi 55, 081-586-7305. Open daily 8am-11pm. BTS Thonglor

27. Little Home BakeryThe restaurant does a very cheap American breakfast set at B200 and a solid fried rice at B100, but their specialty is pancakes. The fluffy buttermilk pancakes come served with a scoop of creamy butter in an array of awesome combinations (banana, pineapple, bacon—you name it, starting from B120).413/10-20 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-185-1485. Open daily 7am-9pmSathorn Nakorn Building

28. Plearnwan PanichRun by the same people as Hua Hin tourist hot-spot Plearnwan, this vintage-style eatery is just the place for anyone tired of eggs Benedict. Try old-school bites like the simple egg pan with minced pork and Chinese sausage (B80), rice with roasted chicken (B80-90) or steamed bread with sangkaya (egg custard, B60).Thonglor Soi 13, 084-541-4565. Open daily 7am-9pm

29. Tiny Cup CafeThis unassuming, vintage nook focuses on all-day breakfast, with highlights like tuna melt (B290) and egg with chorizo (B220). The full English breakfast of eggs, bacon, sausage, whole-wheat toast, salad and coffee or tea (B420) is very servicable. There’s another branch on Wireless Road.411/2 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), between Sois 21 and 23., 02-712-5112. Open daily 7am-7pm. BTS Thonglor

83/4 Sutavong’s Places, Wireless Soi 1, 061-382-7001. Open Mon-Sat 7am-5pm

30. EatdustryThis photogenic all-day dining spot is a bit of everything, but the breakfast reigns supreme. The coffee, available as drip (from B150) or siphon (B300 per pot for local beans/B380 for imported), is pretty decent, too. Try the light and airy strawberry waffles (B280), which sit somewhere between the crunchy American version and the super-soft Japanese style.555/55 Thonglor Soi 19, 081-567-5544. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-9pm; Sat-Sun 7:30am-9pm

RATTANAKOSIN31. Farm to Table, HideoutNestled in a century-old Rama 5-era house, the space may require some effort to find, but the result is well worth it. Duck behind an old fresh market and you'll find a cozy, contemporary-yet-rustic cafe that preserves the charm of the original building while playing up to the fresh market location with vegetable baskets and metal food carts. The menu spans simple European dishes like roast chicken salad with housemade dressing (B112) pluss Asian desserts such as coconut rice dumpling paired with coconut-butterfly pea ice cream (B112).15 Soi Tha Klang, 02-004-8771. Open Thu-Tue 10am-8pm

32. Elefin Coffee (Wat Pho) Elefin coffee roaster marked its 10 years of operation by opening a third branch opposite Wat Pho down by the riverside in the Old Town. Like previous venues at Museum Siam (Old Town) and Hansar Hotel (Ratchadamri), the cafe sources its coffee beans from Doi Chang, Chiang Rai, and works with Seattle’s Lighthouse Roastery to achieve the perfect roast. Breakfast sets run from B90-185 and include khao tom as well as Western breakfast dishes like pancakes.394/1-2 394/1-2 Maharaj Rd., 02-622-1115. Open daily 7am-10pm

33. On Lok YunWhat more needs to be said about this classic? The 80-year-old spot has a loyal following who come for the kanom pang sangkaya (bread with Thai-style egg custard, B85) and Thai-style American breakfast (from B75), and stick around for the old-world atmosphere. The no-frills decor only adds to the charm, with wooden cabinets filled with tins of Milo from the ‘80s. Drinks like coffee and milk start from B22. Driving? Park at The Old Siam or Saranrom Park and take a stroll through the old town.72 Charoenkrung Rd., 02-223-9621. Open daily 6am-4pm

34. Kopi Hya Tai KeeAnother old-school shop that serves up Thai-style breakfasts, the 60-something-year-old Kopi may lack the charm of On Lok Yun, but still makes for a good stop-off. Sit at the counter and order signature dishes like kai kata (baked egg) with minced pork and ham (B85).37 Soi Samran Rat, Siriphong Rd., 02-621-0828. Open daily 7am-8:00pm (except the last Tue of every month)

EKKAMAI35.WWA Cafe x ChooselessWWA, a cafe-cum-fashion shop on the third f loor of the now-defunct Swensens in Siam Square, partnered with select shop Chooseless (of the same crowd behind Cocue in Siam Square Soi 1) to open up a cafe at Baan Ekkamai. Here, English chef Davina Pickering and a partner Harutai Nitipanon serve up a longer menu with the focus still on all-day breakfast items like pancakes and egg dishes, plus Thai comfort dishes. We can't go past the maple nutmeg butter pancake (B350).Baan Ekkamai 77 Ekkamai Soi 21, 02-660-4349. Open Wed-Fri 12pm-9pm, Sat-Sun 10:30am-9pm

36. Bourbon StreetClaiming to be the only genuine Cajun and Creole restaurant in Bangkok, this expat favorite does New Orleans-style treats like eggs Benedict with crab cake (B310) and shrimp bisque (B195). Beware, these portions are huge.Sukhumvit Soi 63, 02-381-6801-3. Open daily 7am-1am. BTS Ekkamai

37. TheeraThis healthy, gluten-free, non-dairy cafe rolls out a rotating range of bakery treats like the tasty carrot cake (B150). Another pick is the salmon sandwich on gluten-free, house-made bread (B280). Do try the smoothies, made with soy milk and coconut yogurt.Sukhumvit Soi 42, 090-506-2222. Open Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 10:30am-6pm. BTS Ekkamai

38. Vanilla GardenComprising Vanilla Cafe and Vanilla Bakeshop side by side, this is one of B angkok ’ s ho t tes t b reak fa s t destinations. At the cafe you’ll find Japanese and Italian dishes, including the salmon tempura crispy roll (B290), and more standard morning fare like the Nutella Banana crepe (B220). Come in a group —these dishes are big.Ekkamai Soi 12., 02-381-6120. Open daily 10am-10pm

39. The Coffee ClubSure, it’s an Australian chain. Sure, it’s popping up all over the country. But it’s hard to deny that The Coffee Club does a fine, no-frills breakfast menu that’s focused on egg dishes. Order any of the omelet dishes (B170-175) or the poached egg with avocado (B220). Save the coffee for Ink & Lion just down the road, though.Near Major Ekamai., 1239 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-381-2736. Open daily 7am-11pm. BTS Ekkamai

Soi Convent, Silom Rd, Bangkok., 098-250-9047. Open 6am-10:30pm

Maze Thonglor, Sukhumvit Soi 55

Srinakarin40. Amatissimo CafeBest known for its outstanding coffee, made from their own blend of beans, and delicious pastries like the bacon cheese roll (B85) and almond croissant (B80), Amatissimo is your spot for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.Behind Paradise Park, Srinakarin Soi 55, 081-898-0070. Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm

Farm to Table, Hideout

WWA Cafe x Chooseless Elefin Coffee

Amatissimo Cafe

Eatdustry

Tiny Cup

On Lok Yun

Tribeca Restobar Theera

Vanilla Garden

NEW

NEW

NEW


9BK Magazine Friday, May6, 2016

P.9 Lifestyle_May_638.indd 9 4/28/16 7:13 PM


escapes

MALAYSIA

TAKE NOTE

Naga Pelangi

Skydive Langkawi

St. Regis Langkawi

Tuba Trail Run

MalaysianParadise

Four great new reasons to head back to Langkawi. By Ric Stockfis

Malaysia’s paradise islands promise quiet beaches and fewer crowds than the

popular shores of Phuket and Bali. Here are four hot new reasons to make them your next getaway.

1. A chance to sail on the last boat of its kindFor only the second year, luxury retreat The Da-tai (www.thedatai.com) has teamed up with the crew of the Naga Pelangi (Rainbow Drag-on), the last remaining Malaysian wooden junk schooner, for excursions in the bay in front of the resort and beyond. Hand-built in the ship-yards of Terengganu on Malaysia’s East Coast, it’s a truly beautiful vessel, made of traditional chengal wood and evoking the glory years of South China Sea sailing. The views—across to Thailand in one direction and back over Langka-wi’s Machinchang mountains in the other—are stunning (not for nothing did National Geo-graphic list Datai Bay among its top 10 beaches in the world). Sunset cruises (including freeflow Champagne) are RM450 (B4,000) per person, while a private day charter goes for RM7,000 (B63,000) for up to 10 hours.

Also new at the hotel is The Datai: Forest Therapy (Mandi Embun in Malay), which in-volves a soothing walk through the 10 million year-old rainforest that surrounds the resort, and—since March—three new spa treatments at the secluded Datai Spa, including the Tung-ku Batu (heart of stone) massage and a syn-chronized treatment with two therapists working in tandem.

The resort is also offering a special ASEAN retreat package (valid for stays from now-Jul 5 and Sep 1-Dec 23, 2016), in which ASEAN residents get special rates starting from RM980 (B8,800) per night for a Canopy De-luxe Room, inclusive of breakfast, guided na-ture walks, complimentary non-motorized water sports, 15 percent off spa treatment and 10 percent off F&B.

2. A very different kind of diving Langkawi boasts some fantastic scuba diving, but Skydive Langkawi (www.skydivelangka-wi.com), which opened for business in mid-De-cember, offers a more adrenaline-fueled day out. Packages, which start from RM1,495 (B13,420), include a 20-minute scenic flight with views of the 99 islands that make up the Langkawi archipelago and a tandem skydive from 10,000 feet (with 32 seconds of freefall) with an experienced instructor (the operation is keen to stress that they comply with Australian Parachuting Safety Standards), finishing with a landing on Tanjong Rhu, one of the island’s most beautiful beaches.

3. A new variety of island endurance testsLangkawi is already well established as a desti-nation for adventurous fitness fanatics, with the grueling Tour de Langkawi cycle race having just concluded for this year and the Ironman Lang-kawi (is.gd/ironmanlangkawi) coming up in Nov 12, but a new trail race opens up a previ-ously under-explored area. Pulau Tuba is the ar-chipelago’s second-largest island after Langka-wi itself and, despite being only a 15-minute speedboat ride away, remains remarkably un-developed. Together with neighboring Pulau Dayang Bunting it’s home to just 2,000 people, and only certain motorized vehicles are permit-ted, which makes for a fascinating glimpse of island life before tourism takes hold. The first ever Tuba Trail Run was a challenging course taking in pristine mangrove forests and impos-ing limestone cliffs, beaches and ancient rain-forests. Held early last month, its organizers have already vowed to host it again next year. Malaysia Ultra Running will also host the first edition of the Langkawi Ultra Marathon on Jul 17. Racing inside the Resort World Langkawi, you will wind through paddy fields, forests and

beaches along the huge 100km and 50km routes. Registration is open from now until May 31 at goo.gl/NY9zi1.

4. An exciting range of new hotelsOther than The Datai and the Four Seasons, Langkawi was never exactly overflowing with high-end accommodation. That has now changed with the opening of St. Regis Langka-wi (www.stregis.com/langkawi), the brand’s first Malaysian property, offering 85 suites and four water villas, five F&B venues and what’s billed as the island’s “largest swimmable la-goon.” Thailand’s architectural king of resort chic, Bill Bensley, played a part in designing the brand’s vision for a sort of tropical-rainfor-est-meets-Italian-Riviera take on luxury. Their opening offer is USD$580 (B20,000) net per night for a St. Regis Suite.

Also on the horizon (though pushed to next year) is the 132-room Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi (www.ritzcarlton.com). The new resort, which includes 42 villas, overlooks a quiet cove on the island’s southwestern corner, and features the island’s first hammam (Turkish-style steam bath), with a view to further establishing Lang-kawi as a premium spa destination. It’ll be posi-tioned as a family-friendly place, complete with dedicated children’s swimming pool and kids’ club, so you can expect a slightly different crowd to the one you’ll find at the more estab-lished resorts.

LANGKAWI ART BIENNALE 2016

First held in 2014, the event draws both locals and international artists to create their masterpieces on varying themes. This year’s theme is “Explora-tion,” with artists left to discover the islands’ mix of cultures and foods as well as the serene land-scapes from beaches to rainforest. The event takes place on Nov 16-23. langkawiartbiennale.com

EssentialsGETTING THEREThere is no direct flight between Bangkok and Langkawi but you can connect to Langkawi with Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines. Malaysia Airlines tickets start at a low B7,265 connecting at Kuala Lumpur, while Singapore Airlines requires a stopover at Changi Interna-tional Airport with a fare of B14,060.

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Escape_638_May6_16_New.indd 10 4/29/16 4:30 PM


PHUKETOut with the OldThe quiet and underrated Nai Harn Beach recently got an exciting new hotel. The Nai Harn (076-380-200, www.thenaiharn.com) just opened after an 18-month remodeling of the 30-year-old Phuket Yacht Club into an ultra-luxe, 130 guest-room hotel. Along with top-notch amenities, suites are equipped with four-poster daybeds and “press for Champagne” buttons on their terraces—which you should most definitely do, since the cellar is curated by prolific wine know-it-all James Suckling, former senior editor of Wine Spectator maga-zine. Other stuff to get excited about include the beachfront terrace pool with sunken seats overlooking the Andaman Sea, the Saturday barbecue buffet, and a bar which serves prop-er coffee using Sumatran and Ethiopian beans. Rates? They start from B10,000 for an Ocean Deluxe View Room.

Pro TakeAnantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas (phuket.anantara.com) has intro-duced a first for Thailand: free use of amphibious Go-Pro cameras for all guests. Once you’re done shooting your day’s snorkeling, kayaking and sailing, give the footage to the re-sort and they’ll turn it into a 15-sec-ond mini movie to be entered into a competition to win a five-night stay

at the resort. And if you don’t trust the resort’s editing skills, you can make your own and also enter it into the comp. All participants also get to take home their videos on a USB stick as a souvenir. Anantara’s Mai Khao property is a swanky place, offering nothing but villas and a starting rate of B18,000/night. Entry for the competition closes May 31.

SAMUT SONGKHRAMRiver RetreatWeara Waree 2499 hotel (099-048-8899, goo.gl/FElykg) is something quite new for Ampha-wa: a charming riverside hotel far from the market that takes over an old wooden house dat-ing to 1956. There are four bedrooms, three with air-conditioning (B2,000-2,500/night) and one with a fan (B800/night), but you can actually rent out the whole house at B6,300/night for groups of up to eight. Sitting on the banks of the Mae Klong River, this one’s best-suited to people who like the rural life, taking an hour’s drive to reach from Bangkok. Take your bar-becue dinners on the riverside terrace, wake early to khai kata with minced pork and Chinese sausage for breakfast, and make use of the hotel’s boat service for river exploration and fish-ing trips (B800/hour or B6,000 for an overnight fishing trip). Do note that the hotel only ac-cepts one group of guests per night.

JAPANSnoop AroundJapan now has the first museum out-side of the United States dedicated to the work of Snoopy creator Charles M. Schulz. At the Snoopy Museum To-kyo (www.snoopymuseum.tokyo), you can browse rotating exhibitions of Schulz’s original artwork (the opening exhibition, My Favorite Peanuts, runs through Sep 25 and features work selected by the late artist’s wife, Jean Schulz), grab some West Coast American-style bites at Cafe Blanket, and shop for Peanuts and Snoopy products at Brown’s Store, which includes many items designed exclusively for the Japanese branch. It won’t last forever, though. The Snoopy Museum Tokyo only has a two-year timeframe, and is scheduled to close in Sep 2018. Until then, tickets cost ¥1,800 (B567).

Have some cool rooms? Email your news and promotions to [email protected]

ESCAPE ROUTESBy Monruedee Jansuttipan

Snoo

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okyo

Advertise in our free guide to the best new openings in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Krabi, Samui and more. Coming this September 2016. [email protected]

EscRoutes_638_May6_16_New.indd 11 4/29/16 4:31 PM


avenue

Aussie GlowNo more asking friends to use up precious check-in luggage space for bottles of Parsley Seed Anti-Oxidant Serum when they visit Melbourne. Australian cult natural skincare brand Aesop has arrived in Bangkok with its first flagship store at Siam Paragon. The brand is known for its aromatic skin, hair and body care products made from all sorts of healthy botanicals—think citrus-rind body balms and rose petal-infused mists. Australian design firm Russell & George provide the boutique with a polished mixture of con-crete, wood, steel and greenery. The full range comes with slightly higher price tags than in Australia, but that’s the cost of conve-nience. M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-7747. BTS Siam

BEAUTY

The Great UnreadIs it a book shop? Is it a bar? RCA’s newly opened Zombie Books is both, with a gallery and co-working space thrown in too. After forging a career as a writer and publisher, the founder launched this project initially as an online book shop before expanding to a proper shop right here on the notorious party strip. The sin-gle-room bookstore features mostly Thai literature, translations of international books and the occasional English title. Expect to find plenty of older novels, box sets and even secondhand copies. Need a place to read? Head up to the second floor for a co-work-ing-slash-exhibition space. The third floor is home to the ret-ro-themed 1970s Bar, which hosts live bands from Fri-Sat. 21/118, RCA Block D, Soi Soonvijai. Open Mon 10:30am-9pm and Tue-Sun 10:30am-midnight. www.fb.com/z.books.rca

BOOK SHOP

Krafty Kicks Street fashion start-up Kraftka deals in customized and crowd-sourced sneakers. Apart from the limited-edition artist-designed sneakers, customers can also upload their own designs to sell on the site, too. Every sold design nets you US$10 as either credit to spend on the site or transferred to your bank account. Prices start from US$89 (approx. B3,118). The brand will throw its Art x Sneakers: Paint Party at Paint Bar on Jun 4 where you will have the chance to paint your own sneakers and chug free-flow beer from Smiling Mad Dog at B1,990 per person. www.kraftka.com

SHOPPING

Seek and ReceiveOriginally launched as a pop-up vintage store in Bangkok, new Thai-Australian fashion label Seeker Studios presents gender-neutral, season-less designs. The debut col-lection features garments made from hand-woven and hand-dyed cotton created by artisans in Lam-pang province in Northern Thailand. Challenging the country’s obsession with fast fashion, pieces are avail-able only in small batches of no more than 15. “Thai crafts are often overlooked in favor of trendy Kore-an-inspired pieces, but we want to show that local materials can also make timeless clothes too,” says the brand’s creative director, Nan Tohch. Designs are minimal, with versatile shirts, trousers, tunics and dresses in indigo and natural white that can be worn year-round. The brand eventu-ally plans to expand into a lifestyle store selling homeware and organic cosmetics. All pieces are available online at www.seekerxretriever.com or IG: seekerxretriever, starting from around B2,200.

FASHION

AVN_Landing_638_May6_16.indd 12 4/28/16 5:30 PM


REALLY THAI

Sawanbondin

Canale Hostel

Five reasons you should spend way more time exploring the Old Town A trip to the Old Town doesn’t always have to mean the same old visits to Wat Phra Kaew and Khao San Road. Here are five different ways to make the most of your trip to Phra Nakhon-Rattanakosin.

1. Go #CafeHoppingOldTown There’s always a pretty cafe popping up somewhere in Bangkok, and the Old Town is no exception. For a traditional taste of cafe culture, head out for a Thai-Chinese breakfast at Kopi Hya Tai Kee. For a peaceful working session, Dialogue Coffee & Gallery offers plenty of space and tranquility, while the bookstore/cafe Passport Bookshop is the perfect spot to head for some travel inspiration. The small and arty Na Bowon is also a lovely stop on Phra Sumen Road, where you can also get an awesome late-night bowl of Thai rice soup at Khao Tom Wat Bowon. In this hot May weather, Farm to Table Organic Cafe is easily one of our favorite places to get a taste of really refreshing organic ice cream with a Thai twist. It’s a bit tricky to find, but it’ll be worth it. For a solid cup of coffee, there’s also now a branch of coffee-snob’s favorite Ama-tissimo at the riverside Tha Maharaj community mall, also packed with top foodie names like Peppina and Mother Trucker (but we just like the pop-up markets and outdoor screenings that happen every so often). The newly opened Elefin Coffee is also just by the historic Wat Pho.

2. Eat the best of both worlds (and more) From street eats to Thai fine-dining cuisine, Phra Nakhon doesn’t dis-appoint. Nang Loeng Market is considered one of the oldest markets in the city, home to fluffy salapao, roasted duck, guay tiew kae and tra-ditional Thai desserts like kanom tuay and kanom gluay. For something more urbane, pay a visit to Err: Urban Rustic Thai, a product of Chefs Bo Songvisara and Dylan Jones of one of Bangkok’s top-rated fine-din-ing restaurants, Bo.Lan, as well as Bangkok Bold Studio, where former head of Four Seasons’ Spice Market dishes out chef’s table dinners. They even cooked for Ban Ki Moon recently at the Thai Food Festival NYC, UN Headquarters. The Old Town is also a hub of vegetarian food. Whether it’s raw cuisine at the famous May Kai Dee, colourful superfoods pasta at Mango, royal Thai cuisine at Chakrabongse Villa, or fried tempeh at the genuinely hip Joy Luck Club, you’re pretty much spoiled for choice. The creative, mediterranean-inspired Seven Spoons gets our vote for a delicious, pescetarian-friendly choice.

3. Cultural rediscovery Some of the best and most underrated museums can be found right here on Rattanakosin Island. You’ve got the Bangkok National

Museum, which has recently been given an impressive revamp to show off its world-class Buddhist artefacts. Meanwhile, Ratchadamnoen Klang is home to Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, a space that brings together the history of Rattanakosin and the local communities through impres-sive light, sound and video installations. The view of the Golden Mount and Loha Prasat on the 4th floor is a bonus.

But if history isn’t your cup of tea, you can also step over and explore the arty side of the Old Town at Ratchadamnoen Contempo-rary Art Center. The crisp industrial art space not only exhibits some great art work by local artists, but is also the place to be every week-end for Bangkok Art Festival, which brings together contemporary street shows, live music, art demonstrations and a quaint art market full of handcrafts and DIY products in the effort to promote Thai and ASEAN artistry. And did you know that you can visit the Bank of Thailand Museum every Saturday now without advanced appointment? The once rather exclusive museum is situated in the beautiful Thai-colonial Bang Khun Prom Palace, which makes one feel like they’re in a period Thai film. Here, you can learn about the history of Thai currency which traces back to the 1st century. The grounds of the Bank of Thailand on this side of the river are undeniably picturesque, too.

4. Enjoy the nightlifeYou don’t always have to go wild at Brick Bar on Khao San (although once in a while that isn’t a bad idea either). The area has heaps of live music venues, be it the bluesy sounds at Adhere 13th, the jazzy tunes at Jazz Happens and Brown Sugar, or the Thai pop covers around the bars on Phra Athit—which, by the way, has welcomed new additions to the area like the Thai-style izakaya Rong Lao and new drinking hideout Wing N’ Things. Alternatively, just chill by the river on the rooftop of Sala Rattanakosin or The Deck by Arun Residence.

5. Make a staycation out of it If there’s any part of town worth holidaying in the city for, this is it. And the best part is that there are so many great hostel and boutique hotel options that won’t break the bank. Quirky design hostels with character include Once Again Hostel, Here Hostel, Nitan hostel and, the new-bie, Canale Hostel, situated right by Khlong Rop Krung. For a colonial, classic atmosphere, Baan Noppawong and Baan Dinso are at the top of the list. If you’re into a homey vintage vibe though, we’d suggest Samsen 5 Lodge, Old Capital Bike Inn and Phranakorn Norn Len.

Essentials: Kopi Hya Tai Kee, Wisutka-sat Intersection, Phra Sumen Rd., 02-629-0446. Open daily 7am-8:30pm

Dialogue Coffee & Gallery, 533 Phra Sumen Rd., 084-754-8799. Open Tue-Sun 11:00am-11:00pm

The Passport Bookshop, 523 Pra-sumeru Rd., 02-629-0694. Tue-Sun 10:30am-7pm

Na Bowon, 361 Phra Sumen Rd., 02 003 5361.

Farm to Table Organic Cafe, 179 Atsadang Rd., 02-115-2625. Open daily 10am-8pm

Tha Maharaj, 11/1, Maharaj Rd., 02-866-3163-4. Open daily 10am-10pm

Elefin Coffee, 394/1-2 Maharaj, 02-622-1115. Open daily 7am-10pm

Nang Loeng Market, 123 Pha-niang Rd.

Err: Urban Rustic Thai, 394/35 Maharaj Rd., 02-622-2291. Open Tue-Sun 11am-9pm

Bangkok Bold Studio, 503 Phra Sumen Rd., 098-829-4310. Open daily 9am-10:45pm

May Kai Dee, 59 Tanao Rd., 02-629-4413. Open daily 9am-10pm. 33 Samsen Rd., 02-281-7699. Open daily 9am-10pm.

Mango, Near Swensen’s, 20 Tanao Rd., 02-282-4996. Open daily 9-1am

Chakrabongse Villa, 396 Maharaj Rd., 089-810-0498, 081-905-3039. Open Tue-Sun 6-11pm

Joy Luck Club, 18 Phra Sumen Rd., 02-629-3112. Open daily 11am-midnight

Seven Spoons, 22-24 Chak-kaphatdi Phong Rd., 02-629-9214. Open Mon-Sat 11am-3pm; Tue-Sun 6-11:30pm

Bangkok National Museum, 4 Na Phrathat Rd., 02-224-1333. Open Wed-Sun, 9am-4pm

Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall, Ratchadamnoen Klang Rd., 02-621-0044. Open Tue-Sun 10am-7pm

Ratchadamnoen Contemporary Art Center, 84 Ratchadamnoen Klang Rd. 02-422-8837. Open Tue-Sun 10am-7pm

Bank of Thailand Museum, 273 Sam Sen Rd., 02-283-5286, 02-283-6723, 02-283-5265. www.bot.or.th. Open Sat 10:30am-4pm

Adhere 13th, 13 Samsen Phrana-korn, 09-769-4613, Open daily 6pm-midnight

Jazz Happens, Phra Athit Rd., 02-282-9934. Open daily 7pm-1am

Brown Sugar, 469 Phra Sumen Rd., 08-1805-7759. Open daily 5pm-1am

Rong Lao, Phra Sumen Rd., 083-544-6364. Open daily 5pm-mid-night

Wing N' Things, Phra Athit Rd., 086-605-0158. Open Tue-Sun 4pm-1am

Sala Rattanakosin, 39 Maharaj Rd., 02-622-1388. Open daily 7-10:30am, 11am-4:30pm, 5:30-10:30pm

The Deck by Arun Residence, Arun Residence, 36-38 Soi Phatu Nokyung, Maharaj Rd., 02-221-9158/9. Open Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sun 11am-11pm

Once Again, 22 Samran Rat Rd., 092 620 5445

Here Hostel, 196/3-8 Ratcha-damnoen Rd., 086-771-6468

Nitan Hostel, Room 190/9-10, Khaosarn Talad Yod, Phra Nakorn. 095-778-3074

Canale Hostel, 347, 349 Phra Sumen Rd., Bowonniwet, Phra Nakhon, 082-414-5926, 093-951-5441

Baan Noppawong, 112-114 Soi Damnoen Klang Tai, Ratchadam-noen Klang Rd., Bowon Niwet, Phra Nakhon. 02-224-1047

Baan Dinso, 78/3 Ratchadam-noen Klang Rd. Pranakorn Bovorn-nivate, 086-815-3300

Samsen 5 Lodge, 58/1 Soi Sam-sen 5, Samsen Road, Pranakorn,

02-628-9799

Old Capital Bike Inn, 607 Phra Sumen Road, 02-629-1787

Phranakorn Norn Len, 46 Thewet Soi1 Krungkasem Rd. Bang-Khun-prom Phranakorn, 02-628-8188

Rong Lao

Wing N' Things

TAT May 6_16_1.indd 13 4/29/2559 BE 10:33 AM


avenueFASHION

Layer Up Bangkok may be hot, but bomber jackets are even hotter for men this season. Here are our 10 picks. By Vasachol Quadri and Chantich Kongchanmitrkul

The scale and quality of this attraction in the heart of Bangkok is beyond anything we’ve ever seen here in Thailand. That doesn’t mean you should expect Universal Studios, but this 500-mil-lion-baht attraction is definitely world-class. The theme is dino-saurs, which translates to a lot of very cool animatronic, life-sized reptiles bobbing their heads and blinking at you with their doey eyes. Beyond the selfie opportunities, you can climb onto the Dino Eye for a rather unimpressive view (given that the sur-rounding buildings are taller than the ferris wheel) or explore the other attractions.

Raptor X-Treme: You’re trapped in a maze of containers while guys in dino suits chase after you. It’s silly, but it’s quite fun. If you find the key, rush to the gate and escape. Or just stand there shouting, “I won!” until time runs out. (Yes, that was us. Sorry.)

Dinosaur District: We think this was meant to be educational given all the charts tracing the history of the world back to before the invention of Instagram, when dinosaurs roamed the earth. There were also giant life-sized skeletons, just like at a natu-

ral history museum. Then, we stepped into a lab where men in white coats held baby dinosaurs. Suddenly, a giant mommy T-Rex tried to eat them. That was not like a natural history museum.

4D Deep World: Not yet open when we visited. Should be a ride where your seat wiggles about as you watch a film.

Dino Farm: Plop your toddler onto the slowest moving dino ride in the history of the planet. It takes about one geological era to complete the ride.

Verdict: We must question your humanity if you do not have a deep, inexplicable connection with giant latex dinosaurs. It's a bit pricey, but we had a blast and your niece or nephew will too. Admission is B600 for adults, B400 for children (90-140cm) and free for children under 90cm. However, two of the attractions, the Dino Eye (B200) and Dino Ride (B100), are not included in the entry fare. Gregoire Glachant

Through Jan 2017. 554/1 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-833-2209. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Phrom Phong. ow.ly/ZEMcg

Dinosaur Planet Up-closeTHEME PARK

All white bomber

jacket, Zara, B3,990

Walter bomber jacket,

APC, price TBA

Men’s burgundy down-filled quilted bomber jacket, Paul

Smith, price TBA

Satin bomber jacket, H&M,

B2,499

Plush bomber jacket, Pull & Bear,

B1,490

Zara, Bershka and Pull&Bear. 2/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd. BTS Siam/Chit Lom

H&M. G/F, CentralWorld, Ratcha-d a m r i R d . , 0 2 - 6 4 6 -1 0 7 7 . BTS Siam/Chit Lom

APC. 1/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-160-5786/7. BTS Phloen Chit

Paul Smith. 1/F, Siam Para-gon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9770. BTS Siam

Sandro. 2/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-119-7777. BTS Chit Lom

Greyhound. 3/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-252-3861. BTS Siam

Essentials

Patch Bomber Jacket, Zara,

B3,290

Embroidered Bomber, Zara,

B4,490

Bomber Jacket, Greyhound,

B4,295

Dior Homme S/S 2016

Louis Vuitton S/S 2016

Baseball dual-fabric jacket, Sandro, price

TBA

Bomber jacket, Bershka, B1,990

AVN_Fashion_638_May6_16_New.indd 14 4/29/16 4:36 PM


bites & blends

WINE BAR DEAL DRINKING

Rise and ShineIn Japan, hangover cure tablets are everywhere. Now, the mar-ket has arrived in Bangkok with AM.OK, a pill to take before any heavy session that reckons it can give you a clear head the next morning. How does it do it? AM.OK’s developers claim it pumps your body full of the minerals which alcohol depletes, using a “Japanese formula” of L-Cysteine (essential amino acid) and Glu-tathione (antioxidants). If all this didn’t sound dodgy enough already, you’ll be pleased to know that it’s only available online, at a cost of B150 for two tablets—both of which you’re told to take for the full effect. Place your order on www.amokthailand.com, crack open a bottle of Sangsom and test their claims now.

About TimeAbout Eatery is this city’s first attempt at a “natural” wine bar. That means all the bottles on offer are from organic and bio-dynamic (we can’t explain it, you’ll have to go here: ow.ly/4n-6rRf) producers. Taking the place of what was Le Maverick French restaurant, the moody lounge-bar vibe has been replaced with rustic woods, brickwork and chalkboards. Drinks start at a rea-sonable B160/glass. There’s also plenty to eat with a cold-cuts counter and raw bar alongside tapas plates (B150-190) and more substantial dishes like chickpea soup (B270), smoked eggplant (B220), house-made pasta (B290-450) and oven-steamed sea bass with white wine (B920). G/F, Ocean Tower 2, Asoke Soi 3, 02-665-2772. Open Mon-Fri 9-1am and Sat 5pm-1am

CAFE

Flowing FreelyWhat once was Sambal at the Royal Orchid Sheraton is now Riv-erside Grill. That’s good news for us, because it’s letting peo-ple know about the change with a tasty free-flow booze and tapas deal. Every first Friday of the month from 6:30-8:30pm, pay B599 to have your fill of tapas like potatoes with chorizo, fish croquettes and nachos alongside a ready supply of beer and cider. Upgrade to the B999 package if you want access to the premium imported brews, too. Regular nights, head here to find Thai and Western grilled favorites from gai yang (grilled chicken with lemongrass, B580) to Australian wagyu tender-loin (B1,600). Call 02-266-9214 for reservations. Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers, 2 Charoenkrung Soi 30, 02-266-9214. Open daily 4pm-1am

Special KayThe stylish K Maison boutique hotel has opened a sister cafe right across the road. Sticking to a bright white theme, Kay’s Boutique Breakfast dishes out big morning feasts with play-ful takes on breakfast classics. Take a seat at one of the cool marble tables and order up the King of Egg Benny (B180), which comprises a poached egg, grilled tomatoes and bacon with truffle hollandaise sauce. Or go for the scrambled eggs, which see the white and the yolk separated and spread atop ham and a crispy chunk of bread (B160). Not into the egg thing? Go with the French toast, delicious either plain (B140), in Thai tea (B150) and matcha flavors (B160) or—the ultimate option—topped with banana, bacon and cashew nuts (B230). Coffee starts at B60. 116/55-57 Rangnam Rd., 089-816-8566. Open daily 6am-4pm

BB_Landing_638_May6_16.indd 15 4/29/16 1:53 PM

16

blends

BK Magazine Friday, May 6, 2016

BARS

The Balvenie Lounge Lurking in the rafters above a vast cigar and spirits-specializing boutique called Cohiba Atmosphere, The Balvenie Lounge is blan-keted from floor-to-ceiling in rich woods, while a few Christian Develter commissions of Cohiba-smoking celebrities add a mod-ern touch. The drink line-up consists solely of whiskey, ranging from plenty of Japanese names to the Old & Rare Port Ellen 35.2/F, Cohiba Atmosphere, 63/3 Soi Ruam Rudi, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-9006. Open Mon-Sat 11am-midnight

Hair of the Dog One of the most serious beer spots in Bang-kok, this tiny bare concrete room has a slightly eerie atmosphere owing to the hos-pital-inspired decor—think surgical lighting and hospital beds doubling as tables. A rotat-ing batch of 13 beers are on tap, supplied by all the familiar faces (Beervana, Brew-dog and Hopsession) plus some new-in-town bottles. Food covers beer-friendly dishes like spicy lamb meatballs on fries (B240) and mac ‘n’ cheese (B240). 2/F, Mahatun Plaza, 888/26 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-7589. Open daily 5pm-midnight. BTS Phloen Chit

Hyde & Seek The same cozy brunch spot with strong drinks becomes a dark, mysterious and club-esque restaurant once nightfall arrives. No mat-ter when you visit, though, the chili choco-late glazed baby back ribs (B220-390) are a must-order, along with a unique tipple from the bartender’s list of specials.65/1 Athenee Residence, Soi Ruam Rudi, 02-168-5152/3. Open Mon-Fri 5pm-1am, Sat-Sun 11-1am

Jubei IzakayaOn top of drinking food like karaage, tem-pura, gyoza and yakitori, this minimalist iza-kaya deals in shochu and sake-focused cock-tails, like Jubei Stormy (sake, ginger beer and lime espuma, B220) and Shoshlet (sho-chu, gin, lime juice and syrup, B220). Of course, you’ll also find straight-up spirits like Kuro Kirishima imo shochu (B2,100/720ml), Manotsuru Junmai sake (B490/300ml) plus some further 10 labels. Check www.fb.com/jubeiizakaya for happy hours (two-for-one on cocktails, home-infused shot flights) and live music nights.888/28-29 Mahatun Plaza, Phloen Chit Rd. Open daily 11am-11pm. BTS Phloen Chit

La MonitaOne of Bangkok’s original Mexican taque-rias combines a casual, barbecue joint atmo-sphere with flavorful renditions of Mexican favorites like quesadillas, tacos and burritos. And despite its expansion to two branches in malls, the authentic flavors remain. Visit-ing La Monita is also an excuse to check out their new tequila bottles on the shelves. Go for a round of margarita shots or a pitcher to share, or opt for a light and spicy michelada (Mexican style beer cocktail that incorporates hot sauce, salt and chili) to beat the heat. 888/26-25 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-650-9581. Open Mon-Fri 11am-11pm and Sat-Sun 10am-11pm

Ogu OguThis sake bar is all about dangling bulbs, wooden partitions and patterned chairs for a homey and cozy vibe. Tasting flights and a menu of simple Japanese bites make it a solid choice for an after-work tipple.

G/F, Park Ventures Ecoplex, 57 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-108-2255. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 5-10pm. BTS Phloen Chit

Osito Unique Spanish Chef Daniel Bucher offers a serious take on Spanish food using as much local and organic produce as possible. Highlights include char-coal-smoked dishes like dry-aged tomahawk steak (B3,000/1kg), Iberico ham croquettes (B170) and seafood paella (B760). To drink, they’re big on gin—Martin Miller’s is used as the house pour, they stock East Imperial tonic and there are some 40 more labels of gin to choose from. 888/23-24 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-651-4399. Open daily 10:30am-midnight. BTS Phloen Chit

Whisgars This branch of the Sukhumvit Soi 23 whis-key bar sticks to the same gentleman’s club decor with plenty of leather couches. The highlight is the 500-plus-strong collection of whiskey labels, from both the East and the West, as well as 200 non-Cuban cigars to try. Cocktails are available, too, with food supplied by Osito (see above). Blues and jazz provide the soundtrack. 2/F, Mahatun Building, Phloen Chit Rd. BTS Ploen Chit

Witch’s British BarOne of Bangkok’s longest standing nightlife names is down to just the one venue now. In a dimly lit atmosphere, munch on West-ern favorite dishes like pizza, pasta andtapas. More exciting are the drinks: a long list of wines plus a new focus on gin and rum. 20/20-21 Ruamrudee Vilage, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-391-9791. Open daily 11-1am

Phloen Chit RevisitedWhere to drink in one of Bangkok busiest—and most expensive—areas. By BK Editorial

Ogu Ogu Jubei Izakaya

La Monita

Hair of the Dog

The Balvenie Lounge

Hyde & Seek

Thailand’s Diageo World Class Bartender Winners Announced COCKTAILS

On Apr 26, Diageo, one of Thailand’s biggest alcohol import-ers, hosted the Thailand final of its World Class bartender com-petition.

The four top spots went to Pailin “Milk” Sajjanit (Il Fumo), Ronnaporn “Neung” Kanivichaporn (Roof Hideaway), Kittibordee “Gov” Chortubtim (Backstage Bar) and Pinsuda “Anne” Pong-prom (Bamboo Bar Bangkok), who will now go on to compete in the Southeast Asia stage of the competition in Bali on Jun 1-2.

In other awards handed out the same night, Noppasate Hirunwathit (Revolucion Cocktail Bangkok) won the rising star award and tied for the popular vote award with Kittibordee “Gov” Chortubtim (Backstage Bar).

The winners of the Southeast Asia phase will join the global final in Miami later this year.

Thailand’s full list of 12 finalists are as follows: Kittibordee “Gov” Chortubtim (Backstage Bar), Suchada “Fahbeer” Sopajaree (Hugo Bar and Eatery), last year’s top four Pailin “Milk” Sajjanit (Il Fumo), 2014 Thailand winner Ronnaporn “Neung” Kanivi-chaporn (Roof Hideaway), Tidarat “Gik” Ratananon (Sorrento), Paradee Sahathanasomboon (Vesper), Tongchana Limchai (Sor-rento), Noppasate Hirunwathit (Revolucion Cocktail Bangkok), Pinsuda Pongprom (Bamboo Bar Bangkok), Nattawut Jeerasa-tienkul (Il Fumo), Somkanay Singha (Ce La Vi Bangkok) and Pha-othong Monkongwongcharoen (Track 17). Pailin, Il Fumo bar

BB_Blends_638_May6_16_2_new.indd 16 4/29/16 4:55 PM


bites

DESSERT

Matcha TenHead chef Sasitorn Charoensuk tells us the kakigori here is made from min-eral water, thus resulting in softer and fluffier shaved ice. Toppings include pumpkin, tiramisu, Hokkaido Melon (B380), Fukuoka strawberry and, our favorite, chestnut cream (B240).

66 Sathorn Soi 6, 02-632-2559. Open daily 9am-10pm

MaygoriAfter debuting on After You’s menu last year, the much-hyped icy treat kaki-gori now has its own separate shop, providing even more choices of top-pings for your delicate shaved ice, including ume (Japanese plum, B185), yuzu yogurt panna cotta (yuzu sauce, yogurt cream, panna cotta, B185) and Mont Blanc (chestnut cream and roasted chestnut, B245).

The Commons, Thonglor Soi 17, 02-185-2519. Open daily noon-10pm

Sweet Cafe by Wine I Love YouWine I Love You relaunched its dessert cafe, adding more items to the pre-viously American treat-focused menu, including kakigori. Dig in to variations like strawberry cheesecake (B220) and mango panna cotta (B210) kakigori and you’ll find soft-serve ice cream right in the center.6/F, Central World, 999/9 Rama 1 Rd. Open daily 10am-10:30pm. BTS Siam/Chit Lom

Apbo CafeThe highlight of this new far-flung cafe on Ramintra is its unique sweet potato topping (B175), made with imported Japanese purple sweet potatoes. But the Japanese shaved ice is not the only trend it follows. You can also find freakshakes and toasts here, too.The Promenade Ramintra, 081-449-4220. Opendaily 10am-9pm

Hiro KekiThe Sushi Hiro empire’s newest addition is this sizable dessert cafe offer-ing a huge menu of Japanese sweets. And, of course, they don’t miss the trending kakigori. Pick from options like strawberry (B240), matcha and red bean (B240), Milo (B235) and summer fruits (with melon, kiwi, strawberry, mango and passion fruit, B260).3/F, The Crystal Veranda, Praditmanootham Rd., 099-350-0075. Open daily 11am-10pm

Sweet Pista Little CafeThe brand new cafe located just in front of the original beloved Sukhumvit Soi 31 venue matches kakigori with some classic savory flavors, includ-ing the Thai combination of plahang tangmo (watermelon and sweet dried fish, B150 and B35) and Italian melon-parma ham (B250 and B65).

235/21 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-662-2866. Open Tue-sun 10:30am-8pm

Jaiyen CafeNot only does this cute cafe’s wide variety of ice-cream help you beat the heat, but they’ve also jumped on the kakigori train. Among the Ins-tagram-worthy icy treats, our pick is the mint choc (B185), which sees candy-colored thick sauce tipped over the delicately shaved pile of ice. Other options include Milo, ichigo (strawberry), lemon crumble and mat-cha red bean. Only at the Thonglor Soi 13 branch.Thonglor Soi 13, 098-251-6485. Open daily noon-10pm

Close ShavesCheck out Bangkok’s latest kakigori—Japanese shaved ice—specialists. By Natcha Sanguankiattichai

KALAPAPRUEKThis Thai restaurant is probably best known for its khao chae recipe. Cool down with the refreshing jasmine-scented rice before rolling up your sleeves and tucking into our fave, the nung pla kem chub numtan (salty fish skin mixed with sugar, B250), which goes particularly well with the khai daeng khem (salted egg yolk).27 Pramual Rd., 02-238-4002. Open daily Mon-Sat 8am-6pm; Sun 8am-3pm

BAAN WANNAKOVITSet in a beautiful Rama 6-era house, Baan Wannakovit serves a three-generation-old khao chae recipe (B220) with five basic condiments. Other than that, there is a short list of rotating dishes like kanom jeen sao nam (rice noodles with coconut milk), green curry with roti and kao tung na tung (crispy rice crackers with coconut dipping sauce).Ratchadamnoen Rd., 081-922-6611. Open Fri-Wed 11am-4pm

THAN YINGThe recipe here was created by M.C. Sulap-wanleng Wisuthi during Rama 7’s reign and comes with five side dishes (B353): luk kapi (deep-fried shrimp paste balls), hom tord (deep fried shallots), prik yuak yud sai moo (green chili pepper stuffed with minced pork), chai pow pad khai (stir-fried dry turnip with egg) and neua wan (shredded sweet meat). Reservations re-quired.10 Soi Pramuan, Silom Rd., 02-236-4361. Open

daily 11:30am-10pm (available at lunch time only)

LAI RODLai Rod is a more central option and their khao chae is delicious. While the fine in-gredients (especially the sweet fish) shine, it’s the overall aroma of the khao chae that brings people back time and time again. They also claim that the rice is cooked in the traditional way here (using a charcoal stove)—with the added bonus that they serve the dish (B250) all year round.120/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-391-3193. Open daily

11am–10pm

KHAO CHAE MAE SIRI Banglamphu’s khao chae specialist of-fers the refreshing rice set all year long at very a humble B30. Serving khao chae since Rama 5 era, Mae Siri sticks strictly to the traditional recipes. The sweet-sau-teed spotted eagle ray, for example, takes eight hours to make.360/20 Trok Krai Si, Sumen Rd., 02-281-7996. Open daily 11am-4pm

KHAO CHAE

Places to Get the Classic Summer Dish After April

Sweet Pista Little Cafe

Matcha Ten

Sweet Cafe

Hiro Keki

Maygori

BB_Bites_638_May6_16_New.indd 17 4/29/16 4:53 PM


bites

ThymeThe buzz: The industrial-chic glass box that is Thyme sits in an unlikely location in Yannawa. While maintaining a casual eatery vibe, Spanish head chef Victor Burgos doesn’t compromise on his European offerings.

The decor: The restaurant ticks all the boxes for an en vogue space: glass windows, metal frames, some brickwork, wooden tabletops, hanging ferns and incandescent light bulbs dangling from outline shades. Downstairs features a long bar counter, while the upstairs mezzanine has plenty more seats.

The food: The chef comes from Spain and you’ll see a good amount of his native dishes on the menu. Familiar tapas include croquettes (B180), patatas bravas (fried potatoes, B180) and gar-

lic prawns (B260), while you can also find gazpacho (cold tomato soup, B190), delicious paella (Spanish fried rice, B850-1,600) and Spanish suckling pig (B520). We especially like the paella, in which the rice is well cooked and the seasoning balanced. Chef Burgos also rolls out other European staples like pasta (B250-390), beef burgers (B380) and wagyu rib-eye steak (B1,400). Don’t miss the flavorful Iberico secreto (B520), the "secret" cut between shoulder blade and loin of Iberian pig, which the chef grills up and serves medium-rare with celeriac puree, pomegran-ate, mushroom and apple compote sauce. Have some churros (B200) to finish the meal.

The drinks: As it wants to be an all-day-dining place, Thyme

is pretty serious about its tea and coffee, too. There’s a list of fun drinks that let you customize a bit here and there, includ-ing Thyme tea (B100), an icy milkshake to which you can add your preferred amount of tea, choco espresso (B130), a choco-late shake served with a small bottle of latte and a glass filled with ice and milk froth.

Why you should care: It’s been a long time since this neigh-borhood welcomed an interesting new restaurant. And under Thyme’s contemporary-rustic posturing lies some reliable flavors and a relaxing vibe. Natcha Sanguankiattichai

411/2 Nanglinchi Rd., 02-678-1333. Open daily 11:30am-11pm. www.fb.com/ThymeEatery

A solid Spanish-leaning eatery tucked away on Nanglinchi Road.

OPEN DOOR

BB_NNOD_638_May6_16_New.indd 18 4/29/16 5:08 PM


Mexican MakiDreamed up on the West Coast of the US, sushi burritos (bur-rito-sized sushi rolls with funky condiments and fillings) have been a trend for a while. And Bangkok’s picking it up. Shari Shari (6/F, CentralWorld, 999/9 Rama 1 Rd. www.fb.com/shar-isharibkk) started off as a pop-up store in flea markets last year, offering fillings like fiery tuna, in which the fresh tuna chunks get some spicy kicks from both green chili and spicy mayo (B135 for mini/B245 for full), and salmon teriyaki (grilled salmon, butter-head, avocado, purple cabbage, tempura crumbs, shrimp roes, teriyaki sauce and wasabi mayo, B125 for mini/B220 for full). Also try super-soft eggplants fried in crispy batter (B65).

Inside ScoopTucked in a small soi next to Robinson Bangrak, Charoenkrung’s new gelato specialist Gelato Finale (20-26 Charoenkrung Soi 46, 02-237-6815. BTS Saphan Taksin) serves up more than 20 flavors (starting at B60/scoop) in a lemon-yellow, Mediterranean-style

cafe. Pull up a woven-rattan chair to enjoy classic flavors like pistachio, hazelnuts, chocolate, banana and berries, alongside the likes of Pina Colada and Malaga. The place also serves cof-fee, starting at B50 for espresso.

Laying it OnIron Chef and Osha veteran Tanintorn “Noom” Chantrawan has gone down a totally different route with his new all-day breakfast place, The Hen and the Egg (64 Lang Suan Rd., 02-255-0059). Be prepared for playful egg-y dishes like the Instagram-worthy Egg-e-egg-egg, which sees eight fried quails’ eggs, each with different toppings—crispy bacon, shrimp roe, cheese—served in a skillet (B145), Eggstremely Sunny (fried egg with grilled asparagus, mushroom and bacon, B155), and Eggx-otic, which features century egg, silken tofu and ponzu sauce (B110). But the restaurant doesn’t limit itself to just egg dishes. The chef also rolls out comforting Western stuff like mushroom soup (B145), grilled sea bass (B325) and pasta (B175-245). Natcha Sanguankiattichai

To redeem your favorite dining vouchers, please visit www.citirewards.com. Simply click “Thailand” and then “Gift voucher”

NEW AND NOTEDThe Capital by Water Library 3/F, Empire Tower, Narathiwas Rd., 061-852-5451. BTS Chong Nonsi. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:30-10:30pm

Reminiscent of a steakhouse for picky gourmands, the Capital offers a beef-heavy menu augmented with great seafood and pasta, along with a stylish setting that leans heavily on brass, hardwood and black-and-white ac-cents. Try the Kamichiku wagyu steak, housemade pasta with crabmeat or the “Capital” beef tartare, which incorporates homemade chipotle sauce with Angus beef.

Exclusive privileges for Citi credit cardmembers. Get 50% discount on food from the a la carte menu only on Saturday. Get 30% discount on food from the a la carte menu only on Monday - Friday. (Today - 30 Sep 2016)

To redeem your favorite dining vouchers, please visit www.citirewards.com. Simply click “Thailand” and then “Gift voucher”

TABLE TALK

The Hen and the Egg

Shari Shari Gelato Finale

BB_NNOD_638_May6_16_New.indd 19 4/29/16 5:09 PM


A Guide to Bangkok’s

Best Restaurants

BKmagazine.com/TopTables

Events

CINCO DE MAYO

On May 5 from 5pm-midnight, Mex-icano (formerly Senor Pico) throws a party with live music, free Latin dance instruction and a B65 XL-sized taco deal. Booze deals include B175 on Mexicano margarita, B200 on Mezcalita, B150 on Day of the Dead Amber Ale beer and B1,000 10-shooter tequila.Rembrandt Hotel, 19 Sukhumvit Soi 18, 02-261-7100

ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT TACOS

This May 5, Tacos & Salsa cele-brates Cinco de Mayo with an all-you-can-eat taco deal at B350. Mar-garita will be priced at B150 and local beer just B80.Sukhumvit Soi 18, 02-663-6366

TALAKKIA MARKET

This pop-up community flea market offers organic and handmade prod-ucts and health food. May 7.In front of Samphanthawong District Office, Yotha Rd.

INNOVATION IN THE FOOD BUSINESS

Food Entrepreneurs Thailand hosts a meetup with speakers and net-working opportunities on May 10 at Launchpad. For more information, visit www.meetup.com/foodentre-preneurs.Sethiwan Tower, 139 Pan Rd. BTS Surasak

J.DUPONT’S COGNAC AND CHEF MIRCO KELLER

This May 14, Water Library Cham-churi hosts a four-course dinner, paired with J.Dupont’s Cognac at B2,600 per person.Chamchuri Square, Rama 4 Rd., 09-5085-7777. MRT Sam Yan

BANGKOK RESTAURANT WEEK

Through May 15, Wongnai teams up with about 40 restaurants in Bangkok to roll out one-price lunch (B499) and dinner (B699) deals. For more information, visit www.wong-nai.com.

CAVIAR MARTINI NIGHT

This May 27 from 7-9pm, Diplomat Bar offers free-flow Beluga vodka and G’Vine gin martinis along with five different olives, lemon and cav-iar. B4,000 per person.Conrad, 87 Wireless Rd., 02-690-9999.

BTS Phloen Chit

CHEF EMMANUEL RENAUT

From May 23-28, chef Emmanuel Renaut from three-Michelin-starred Flocons de Sel Gastronomic Restau-rant in Megeve, France, visits La Scala to showcase his creative dishes. Set lunch is priced at B4,500 while set dinner B8,500 per person.The Sukhothai Bangkok, 13/3 Sathorn Rd., 02-344-8888

New Venues

A TASTE OF SNOW CRAB

Through Jul 31, Takumi presents a series of zuwai (snow crab) spe-cialties such as nigiri, sashimi, maki, teppanyaki, shabu, tempura and more. Prices start at B450.Swissotel Le Concorde, Ratchadapisek Rd., 02-694-2222. MRT Huay Kwang

4TH ANNIVERSARY

To celebrate The Okura Prestige’s four-year anniversary, the hotel rolls out deals at all its food outlets this May 1-31. Yamazato’s chef serves a new set lunch menu at B400 from 11:30am-2:30pm. Come 4-pay-2 at Up & Above Restaurant for week-day lunch buffet (B1,200/person). Elements offers a four-course 4th anniversary set menu at B4,000 for two people including two glasses of Domaine de la Poultiere Vouvray sparkling wine. Also enjoy buy-4-get-1-free on cakes at La Pâtisserie.57 Wireless Rd., 02-687-9000. BTS Phloen Chit

New Venues

PRINTA CAFE

This chic Sathorn cafe doubles as a sunglasses showroom. 36/2 Pan Rd., 095-542-4575

CAMP CURRY The latest curry spot to hit Siam Paragon comes straight from Japan. 4/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9612. BTS Siam

MENYA TAKEICHI

One of Tokyo’s top chicken ramen chains arrives in Bangkok. 2/F, K Village, Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-259-9300

bites & blends market +

THE EASIEST WAY TO BOOK YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS

Advertise your business

with us

starting from B6,000

Email [email protected] or

call 026249601

Credit card/Debit card payment accepted

Find out more at www.chope.co/toptables

Get all the latest events and restaurant openings from the free BK Now app

You must be at least 18-years-old

You must send in a cover letter and resume. Specify which department you are applying for.

Open to Thai and foreign nationals (for Marketing, Thai national only).

Internships are full-time, unpaid and last 3 months.

Candidates should be fluent in both Thai and English. Send your resume and a cover letter to [email protected]

INTERNWITH US!

(EDITORIAL, MARKETING AND ART DEPT.)

Mexicano

Tacos & Salsa

Fillets

Takumi

Up & Above

Printa Cafe

Camp Curry

Conrad Bangkok

Talakkia Market

Menya Takeichi

The Sukhothai

BB_Market+Chope_638_May6_16_new.indd 20 4/29/16 5:01 PM


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bites

Teppen HHHHJapanese. 14/2 Sukhumvit Soi 61, 02-714-1412. Open Mon-Fr i 6pm-midn ight , Sat-Sun 5pm-midnight. BTS Ekkamai. BBB

Tucked beside Park Lane mall, just off Ekkamai Road, this standalone, wooden-floored izakaya does a good job of convincing you that you’re actually dining in Japan. Tokyo-born Teppen arrived in Bangkok in 2013—and on most nights you’ll find it packed out with Japanese expats looking for a taste of home. Even before entering the slender wooden house, you’ll hear a resounding welcome (“irasshaimase!”) from the friendly, frantic staff as they spot you through the windows. Slip your shoes off and slide under one of the low-level tables, or prop up the long bar where things can get a bit hot and heavy watching the chefs at work at their various stations. The menu is predictably lengthy with highlights like sashimi, Kyoto-style kushiage (deep-fried everything, basically) and robatayaki (charcoal barbecue) designed to be paired with an ice-cold Asahi (B160), ginger highball (B180) or full bottle

of sake (from B1,500). We enjoy the katsuo warayaki (B430), a house specialty which sees fresh bonito fish seared over a traditional straw fire for a delicate, smoked flavor. In general, the raw/semi-raw fish won’t blow you away if you’re familiar with Bangkok’s new breed of fancy sushi specialists. What you really want to eat are the barbecued meats and kushiage skewers, particularly such bacon-wrapped delights as the enoki buta (mushroom, B50/skewer) and uzura (quail’s eggs, B50/skewer). Our pick goes to the surprisingly light and airy, and not-too-oily, aspara buta (bacon-wrapped asparagus, B130)—perfect drinking food. As for more substantial bites, the juicy tori ichiyaboshi (grilled chicken leg, B220), with its punchy ponzu dipping sauce, is a highlight. As is the murugai sakamushi (B180), which sees mussels simmered in a full-flavored sake and bonito fish broth. In comparison, the hokke aburi (grilled mackerel, B380/full, B200/half) comes across as under-seasoned and a bit dull. Unusually, Teppen also has a decent dessert list spanning deep-fried Oreos (B130) to the delicious Pan Ice (B150)—little ice-cream sandwiches made with crispy baguettes. While it doesn’t have the kitsch value of say Imoya or Teriyaki Bar Kelly’s, down-to-earth Teppen offers one of the city’s most warm and soulful izakaya experiences. Note: In lieu of service charge, you’ll be hit with a hidden B100 fee for “otoshi,” a basic appetizer of vegetable sticks and peanut dipping sauce, as is common practice in Japan.

Prai RayaHHHHThai. 59 Sukhumvit Soi 8, 02-253-5556, 091-878-9959. Open daily 10:30am-10:30pm. BTS Nana.

BB-BBB. Corkage charge B300. F H

Southern Thai food in Bangkok has long been dominated by three big names: Khua Kling Pak Sod, Phuket Town and Baan Ice. With the arrival in 2015 of Raya, Phuket’s celebrated 21-year-old restaurant, they got some stiff competiton. This branch is run by the owner’s niece, Panicha “Prai” Chessadawan, who says she doesn’t sacrifice authentic Southern flavors to accommodate Bangkokians’ sweet palates. The outcome has clearly won over locals, since the cream, Sino-Portuguese-referencing house is packed with customers from across the social spectrum—first jobbers, executives, young families. Honestly, we’re not won over by the decorative attempts to replicate Phuket’s Portuguese and Chinese heritage, which

come across as rather gimmicky, but the food definitely doesn’t disappoint. Though the menu is long and varied, you should focus on the first page, which contains all the most popular dishes. The kua kling moo sub (stir-fried minced pork with Southern curry paste, B200) might be mild at first bite but the flavor grows with a slow burn. Their gaeng som (yellow spicy and sour curry, B300) offers hot and tangy deliciousness led by sour top notes. The highlight crabmeat yellow curry with rice vermicelli (B400/600) delivers with an aromatic, well-balanced curry chockfull of big crabmeat chunks. The flavor of the goong pad kapi sataw (stir-fried prawns with shrimp paste and sataw beans, B250) leans towards saltiness, pacified by the hot steamed rice. Even when Prai Raya is dealing with sweet flavors, it gets things just right, like in the moo hong (Phuket-style braised pork belly with garlic and pepper, B300) and totally addictive nam prik goong sod (shrimp paste with deep-fried dried shrimp, B200). Too bad the seasonal mamuang bao loy kaew (sour mango in syrup, B50) was not available on our last visit but you can always count on the delicious tubo (boiled taro, potato and red beans in sweet coconut milk, B65). Prai Raya does have other dishes which break from Southern cuisine, but stick with the big guns and you can’t go wrong.

FOOD REVIEWS

SymbolsH Reservations recommended F Parking available E Dress requirements G Live music

RatingsPPPP Forget it PPPP Only if you’re in the neighborhood PPPP A pleasant dining experience PPPP Not to be missedBK pays for its meal and does not call ahead or sit with the chef.

Price guide B Under B500 BB B500-900 BBB B900-1,500 BBBB B1,500 and upPrice per person, including one drink, appetizer, main course, dessert, charges and tax.

BB_Food_Reviews_638_May6_16.indd 21 4/29/16 5:04 PM


now

Pilgrim’s ProgressDirector Karin Baipaisarn presents a modern Thai adaptation of Danish au-thor Karl Gjellerup's 1906 novel about love and religion, The Pilgrim Kamani-ta. Taking the stage at Crescent Moon Space (65/1 Thonglor Rd.) from May 12-15, [un]tied follows the journey of Vasitthi as she learns the true meaning of love and eternity through religion. Tickets are B400-550, available at bit.ly/238HMdn.

Full DisclosureIt’s not every day that huge international names like Disclosure make their way to the Bangkok stage, so be sure to catch them live at the return of one of the city’s biggest EDM festivals, Together Festival, this May 6 at BITEC (88 Bangna Trat Rd.). The British electronica duo, known for their hit “Magnets”, will headline the show, accompanied by Steve Aoki, Andrew Rayel, Firebeatz, Galantis, Nervo and Tohamt for an unforgettable night of quality electronic dance music.

THU

FRI

Brooklyn to Bangkok

This May 9, the Brooklyn-based rock-meets-electronic duo Ratatat make their Bangkok debut at Live RCA (RCA, Rama 9 Rd.) to showcase tracks from their latest album, Magnifique. The pair are known for energetic light shows and vivid color projections at all their live performances, making this is a gig not to be missed. Chiang Mai-based indie band Solitude is Bliss will open.

MON

WED Second ChanceJapanese artist Soichiro Shimizu gives abandoned photographs a second chance of life at his latest exhibition, Re-Look. Running from May 11-24 at Yenak Art Villa (69 Soi Prasat Suk, Yen Akat Rd.), the show features work from reputable Thai photographers in-cluding Pahparn Sirima Chaipreechaw-it, Sam Cochaputsup, Dhanainun Dhanarachwattana and Benya Hegen-barth, which Shimizu has reworked in line with his own style.

SAT Secret ServiceThe all-girl indie band Yellow Fang have come a long way since forming in 2007. This May 7 they host a special party to thank fans who’ve have supported them along the way. Held at a secret loca-tion only disclosed to ticket holders, Club Yellow Fang: A Curated Night promises plenty of food and drinks, visual arts, a documentary screening of the band’s tour around Japan and, of course, live perfor-mances of some of their greatest hits including “I Don’t Know” and “True Blue”. Tickets available at ow.ly/4mY7Vb.

BK Now_638_May6_16_new.indd 22 4/29/16 5:05 PM


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HIBIYA LINEThe founder and resident DJ of The Ob-servatory nightclub in Saigon spins disco, house and techno beats with support from local DJ Boogie G. May 6, 9pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. B200. BTS Thong Lo.

PHATFUNK DRUM & BASSDJ D-Goose, resident DJ at Koh Phan-gan's full moon parties, takes over the night with rolling beats, jazzy vibes and heavy basslines. He'll be supported by DJs Azek, DeLorean and Instinct. May 6, 9pm. Glow, 96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-261-3007, 02-261-4446. B250 (includes one drink). MRT Sukhumvit.

SAMEEDThe Manchester-based producer and DJ known for his funky bass melodies hosts a night of dance music including house, funk, techno and boogie. He'll be joined by Vietnamese DJ Hibiya Line and British DJs Seelie and Persual. May 7, 9pm. Wh-iteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. B200. BTS Chong Nonsi.

JOEY NEGROThe British DJ, producer and remixer behind the UK hit single "Relight My Fire" takes over the night with his best tracks, plus warm up sets from DJs Tek Harrington and Tom Funkygangster. May 12, 9pm. Live RCA Bangkok, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 086-860-0808. Free.

SINGLE & SINGLE PARTY Join DJs Warah, Job, Mod X and AJ for plenty of EDM and Trap beats, inviting single people only. May 11, 9pm. Demo, Arena 10, Thonglor Soi 10. Free.

DRUNK MONKThe bar's dedicated bass music night returns, this time featuring the bass and reggae DJ from Shanghai, who'll be supported by DJs Be Woken, Dragon and Mc Sinnamon. May 13, 9pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. B200. BTS Thong Lo.

LIVE FSTVL 3International DJs Cezaire, Nico Pusch and Rene Bourgeois join local DJs Dan Buri, Dark White and Quiet & Listen for three floors of partying, with zones dedicated to tech-house, nu-disco and live perfor-mances. May 13, 9pm. Live RCA Bang-kok, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 086-860-0808. Free.

AUTOGRAFThe Chicago indie-electro trio, known for their visually striking live performances and hits "Metaphysical" and "Dream," bring their unique genre-crossing sound to the Bangkok stage. May 14, 9pm. Live RCA Bangkok, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 086-860-0808. B1,000.

FTAMPAThe up-and-coming DJ and producer from Los Angeles who made his name per-forming his track "Kick It Hard" alongside Hardwell at Tomorrowland in 2013, per-forms his best electro house and progres-sive house tracks. May 14, 10pm. Onyx, Soi Soonvijai, Rama 9 Rd. Free.

SOUL SHOTS VOL. 10A night of rare soul, liquid funk and deep jazz beats from the bar's resident DJs. May 14, 9pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. B200. BTS Thong Lo.

HASTA LA DISCOA night dedicated to the biggest disco hits from the '70s and '80s from Djs Jaydubb and Koish, combined with plenty of exotic cocktails and nightlong dancing. May 14, 10pm. Revolucion Cocktail, 50 Sathorn Soi 10. Free. BTS Chong Nonsi.

NIGHTLIFE

FTAMPA

Cezaire Autograf

Joey Negro



classicalVLADIMIR ASHKENAZYThe three-time Grammy award-winning Russian pia-nist and conductor performs a two-piano recital with his son Vovka, including Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dance, Ravel's Rhapsodie Espagnole, Smetana's The Moldau and Glinka's Valse-Fantasie. May 14, 7pm. Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02-262-3456. B800-3,200 from Thaiticketmajor. MRT

Thailand Cultural Centre.

ITALIAN JAZZ NIGHT WITH DANILO REAThe leading Italian jazz pianist known for col-laborating with pop artists hosts an exclusive live performance in one of the city's classiest jazz bars. May 11, 9pm. Bamboo Bar, 1/F, Mandarin Oriental, 48 Charoenkrung Soi 40 (Ori-ental Avenue), 02-659-9000. Free. BTS Saphan Taksin.

JAZZ CONCERT BY BAPTISTE TRONGTIGNON AND MININO GARAY The French jazz pianist and composer and Ar-gentinian percussionist perform their original compositions ranging from Agentinian tango to South American rhythms. May 13, 8:30pm. Alliance Francaise Bangkok, 179 Witthayu Rd., 02-670-4210. B700.

concertsAN EVENING WITH OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHNThe four-time Grammy Award-winning Aus-tralian singer, best known for her role in the 1978 movie Grease, takes the Bangkok stage to perform her biggest hits including "If You Love Me Let Me Know," "Summer Night" and "Magic." May 10, 8pm. Royal Paragon Hall, 5/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-8023. B2,500-5,500 from Thaiticketmajor.

gigsCLUB YELLOW FANG: A CURATED NIGHTTaking place at a secret location that only tick-et-holders will be informed of, the all-girl indie band hosts a special party to thank their fans. The night features live music, food and drinks, a rap battle, visual art and a documentary screen-ing of the band's Japan tour. Tickets available at ow.ly/4mY7Vb. May 7, 4pm. B1,650.

ORDINARY 2016Two days of live electronic, noise, ambient, IDM and experimental music from 12 bands from Japan, UK, Vietnam and Thailand including Sa-distic, ADNR, Cut the Crab, Space 360 and many more. May 6-7, 7pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833. B300 includes one drink. BTS Surasak.

MEET THE SUNRISE PARTYLocal bands perform covers of throwback rock and metal music from the likes of Korn, Slip-knot, Limp Bizkit, System of a Down and more. May 8, 7pm. Parking Toys, 17/22 Ram Indra Soi 14, 02-907-2228. B250.

RATATATThe rock-meets-electronic duo peform tracks from their fifth album, Magnifique, including hits "Cream on Chrome" and "Abrasive," with an opening act by Chiang Mai-based alternative rock band Solitude is Bliss. May 9, 8pm. Live RCA Bangkok, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 086-860-0808. B1,200.

THE ELECTRIC PI-PHAT BANDThe newly formed quartet by the drummer of the Paradise Bangkok International Molam Band features an ensemble of wind percussion instruments from central Thailand performs live. May 11,9:30pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. B200. BTS Thong Lo.

COME ON IS SUCH A JOY VOL. 3A night of improvised live loop music from cel-list Saowakhon Muangkluan, electric guitarist Kota Taki and jazz bassist Kasemsamai Wong-chayasilp, taking place in a trendy art space. May 12, 9pm. Bridge, Charoenkrung Soi 51, 086-986-9421. B200. BTS Saphan Taksin.

THE WHITEST CROW ALBUM LAUNCH PARTYThe local rock band known for the song "Be With You" launch their latest album, Bangkok Blondie, with a huge party featuring live per-formances both from themselves as well as Phum Viphurit, De Flamingo and IrisTwin. May 14, 8pm. Play Yard by Studio Bar, Lad Phrao Soi 8, 081-173-3616. B100.

music festivalsTOGETHER FESTIVALOne of the city's biggest EDM festivals returns for its fifth edition this year with huge interna-tional names including the British electronica duo Disclosure and American electro house DJ Steve Aoki as its headliners. They'll be joined by other big names including Andrew Rayel, Firebeatz, Galantis, Nervo and Tohamt for an unforgettable night of quality electronic dance music. May 6, 4pm. BITEC, 88 Bang Na-Trat Rd., 02-749-3939. B2,000-2,400 from Thaitick-

etmajor. BTS Bang Na.

now

1969: A SPACE ODYSSEY? ODDITY!Japanese theater company Kai-maku Pennatrace performs a highly energetic and surreal story set in 1969 about three astronauts figuring out space for the first time. Through May 8, 7:30pm. Thong Lor Art Space, 58/14-15 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). B350-550.

[UN]TIEDDirector Karin Baipaisarn's theat-rical adaptation of Danish author Karl Gjellerup's novel, The Pilgrim Kamanita, tells the story of Vasitthi and her journey to understand the true meaning of love and eternity through religion. May 12-15, 8pm. Crescent Moon Space, 65/1 Thon-glor Rd., 02-3813860. B400-550.

BTS Thong Lo.

JONATHAN LIVINGSTON SEAGULLA ballet performance by the stu-dents of Chulalongkorn's Dramatic Arts faculty, inspired by the 1970 novella by RIchard Bach, following a fable tale about a seagull learn-ing how to take flight for the first time. May 11, 12pm. Chulalong-korn University, 254 Phayathai

Rd. Free.

LIVE MUSIC

THEATER WHY NOT Hang Out with a Korean Movie Star

This May 7, the South Korean actor, Soong Joong-Ki, arrives in Bangkok as part of his Asian tour. The actor, best known for his role in the hit soap opera Descendants of the Sun, will be hosting a meet and greet with his fans, promising a casual, friendly evening with plenty of photo opportunities and music singalongs.

Tickets are B1,800-5,000 from Thaiticketmajor.com.

5pm onwards. Thunderdome, Muang Thong Thani, 99 Popular Rd.

1969: A Space Odyssey? Oddity!

Valdimir Ashkenazy

Olivia Newton-John

Baptiste Trongtignon

Jonathan Livingston Seagull



nowINTERVIEW

David Longstreath is a 1992 team Pulitzer Prize-win-ning Associated Press photographer who has cap-tured some of recent history’s most significant events, from Mother Teresa’s funeral to the 2004 Asian Tsuna-mi. His latest exhibition, A View from the Edge, runs at Cho Why (Soi Nana 17, Charoenkrung Rd. MRT Hua Lamphong ) from May 27 onwards. Here, we ask him about some of the most powerful images he’s taken and what in-trigues him so much about Thailand.What can viewers expect from this exhibition?

I’ve been working as a photographer since 1971, shifting between the Associated Press, the navy, a local Oklahoma newspaper and many more projects in between. This is a highlights reel from the past 45 years, you could say. They’re photos I’ve captured from the Asian Tsunami, the Pakistan Earthquake, Pol Pot’s death, the first Gulf War, the Oklahoma city bombing, and so much more. These aren’t pretty pictures; they’re documentations of real, sometimes very tragic, events.

You’ve lived in Thailand for over 15 years. What intrigues you the most about the country?

It’s the most visual place I’ve ever visited and you don’t have to go very far to get good pictures. Because I’m not a local, my eye is especially good at finding stories here that Thais may have grown immune to. They forget how fascinating some of the day-to-day things are. For instance, I went to a monk ordination ceremony recently where the novice monk got his head shaved and rode around the temple on an elephant, while prayers and music were chanted. Where I come from, people would think you’re mad if you tell them something like that happened! So yes, I’m still having a lot of fun here.

You’ve photographed a lot of major historical events. Is there one in Thailand that struck you the most?

I was sitting on a beach in Phuket when a man came up to a spot in the sand near me. He was holding incense and praying for the soul of his sister who’d passed away in the tsunami. Two weeks later, I was in the same area when I found six bodies in a massive grave wrapped up in plastic. They were in a hole in the ground, abandoned there because they had no IDs. In moments like that, you can’t help but choke up.

How do you feel as a foreigner shooting powerful, emotionally-charged moments in Thailand?

I’ve always believed that all politics is local. I’m not from here, so I don’t have the same passion for the issues as the people do. That means I can stay neutral and not be judgmental—I’m able to avoid photographing my opinion, and able to focus on capturing the reality. And much of that reality some people may not be able, or willing, to see.

Where’s your favorite place to take pictures in Bangkok?

The Grand Palace, Chinatown and anywhere near the river. I like to do field trips where I just find a coffee shop to sit at during different times of the day and simply watch the people that pass. These places are never the same at two points in time.Interview by Bonnie Sananvatananont

David Longstreath Interview

DESIGN

ENCOUNTER CULTUREHead over to Central Embassy this May 7 to catch finalists’ work from the popular TV show Dress the Stars. Hosted by Academia Italiana and celebri-ties Ann Mitchai, Great Warintorn Panhakarn, Jah Yossinee Nana Korn and Pop Varavut Laohapong-chana, the event will feature a fashion show and exhibition showcasing the work of fresh design talent.

6-9pm. 4/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Phloen Chit,

02-675-3959. BTS Phloen Chit.

ART FORMS FROM THE HEARTUnchlee Tunsawan presents a se-ries of emotional paintings focus-ing on femininity and the female form using a fantasy, other-world-ly style. May 6-19. Chomp, 63-65 Samsen Soi 1, 02-629-2026.

CLAY SHAPING OUR HAPPINESSJapanese clay artist Kimiko Oka and her daughter present their collection of pottery and deco-rative homeware, ranging from plates to vases, created over the past four years. Through May 29, 5pm. Neilson Hays Library, 195 Surawong Rd., 02-233-1731.

MY DAUGHTERSPhotographer H.H. Capor poses for portraits with girls who he imag-ines could resemble his grown-up daughter, from whom he was es-tranged in a divorce. May 7-Jun 30, 6pm. Kathmandu Photo Gallery, 87 Pan Rd., 02-234-6700.

ART

LINES FROM THREE LIVESA collection of drawings that art-ists Chuan Leekpai, Chakrapan Po-sayakrit and Nithi Sathapitanon sketched while traveling around Thailand and beyond, rang-ing from architecture to nature. Through May 31. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8. BTS National Stadium

OSCILLATIONFive artists from Thailand, Amer-ica and Japan—Arnont Nongyao, Be Takerng Pattanopas, Stephanie Powell, Eiji Sumi and Hiroshi Mi-yata—present a series of mixed media works exploring the state of non-fixation and regeneration. Join the opening night for the artists and curator forum discussion. May 13-Jun 18, 5pm. The Art Center, 7/F, Center of Academic Resources, Ch-ulalongkorn University, Phaya Thai Rd., 02-2182-965.

RE-LOOKBangkok-based Japanese artist Soichiro Shimizu takes abandoned photographs from reputable Thai photographers including Pahparn Sirima Chaipreechawit, Sam Co-chaputsup, Dhanainun Dhanarach-wattana, Benya Hegenbarth and Piyata Hemmatat, and touches them up to match his style. May 11-24, 6:30pm. YenakArt Villa, 69 Soi Prasat Suk, Yen Akat Rd., 02-235-9800.

PHOTOGRAPHY

American journalist Philip Hejimans, who has pho-tographed for the likes of the New York Times, BBC, Al Jazeera, AP and The Bangkok Post, launches his latest book, Relics of Rangoon: The Colonial HIstory of the Golden City, this May 14. The project is an il-lustrative book of photographs capturing more than 200 historic buildings and landmarks of Myanmar's historic city of Rangoon that are currently under threat of demolition. The photos will be on display alongside an exclusive book launch and discussion with the photographer.

6:30pm. Cho Why, Soi Nana 17, Charoenkrung Rd. MRT

Hua Lamphong



now

Throughout May, Jam Cine Club’s week-ly movie night is curated by Alwa Risita, a young emerging Thai filmmaker who has chosen the theme of “Musicals” for the month. This May 11 sees the screen-ing of Taiwanese director Kan Ping Yu’s 1983 film Papa, Can You Hear Me Sing?, an emotional musical about the lives of a speech-impaired army veteran who finds an abandoned baby girl in a basket on the streets and decides to adopt her.

On the movie night’s line-up for the rest of the month are John Cameron Mitchell’s 2001 Hedwig and the Angry Inch and P.J Hogan’s 1995 Muriel’s Wedding. Screenings are in English. Free entry. 8pm, Jam Cafe, address 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833. BTS Surasak

FILM

Upcoming

THE WITCH (USA)Horror. When their youngest son van-ishes, a farmer (Ralph Ineson) and his wife (Kate Dickie) start to suspect that their three other children may be be-hind the crime. May 5

MOTHER’S DAY (USA)Comedy. In this all-star ensemble, the lives of three women—Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson— in-terconnect as they celebrate Mother’s Day. May 5

KILL COMMAND (USA)Sci-fi/Action. An army unit is dropped off at a remote island training facility, only to find an army of intelligent ro-bots who turn their drills into a terrify-ing battle to the death. May 12

THE MAN WHO KNEW INFINITY (UK)Documentary. The life of Indian math-ematician Srinivasa Ramanujan, who was a pioneer of mathematical theory whilst attending Cambridge University during WWI. May 12

MR RIGHT (USA)Action/Romance. A woman (Anna Ken-drick) discovers that the man she’s dating (Sam Rockwell) is a professional assassin. May 12

EQUALS (USA)Sci-fi/Drama. In a dystopian society where human emotions have been eradicated, Silas (Nicholas Hoult) and his co-worker Nia (Kristen Stewart) have been infected with a new disease and must escape together in order to survive. May 12

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIEAnimation. When a mysterious group of pigs arrive on their paradise island, a team of birds (voiced by Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad and Danny McBridge) must in-vestigate. Based on the popular smart-phone game. May 12

SPECIAL SCREENINGS

HIGH-RISE (UK)Sci-fi/Thriller. Based on the classic novel by J.G. Ballard, High Rise tells the story of Dr. Robert Liang (Tom Hiddleston), who discovers his high-tech skyscraper apartment is a literal representation of the social class system. May 5

NEIGHBORS 2: SORORITY RISING (USA)Comedy. While managing their preg-nancy, husband Mac (Seth Rogen) and wife Kelly (Rose Byrne) are disrupted by a rowdy group of sorority girls who move in next door, forcing them to call on their former neighbor Teddy Sanders (Zac Efron) for help. May 5

The Man Who Knew Infinity The Angry Birds Movie

IRVINE MARKETUnder a "Carnival Parade" theme, the popular market that made its debut last year returns, this time featuring more than 80 brands, celebrity booths and 10 food stalls. May 13-15, 10am. The Emquartier, The EmDistrict, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-269-1000. BTS Phrom Phong.

THE GLASS BY ART BOXAfter a short break, Bangkok's biggest container market returns with stalls selling clothes, food, drinks and hand-made items. Through Jun 19, 5pm. The Em-District, The Emquartier and The Emporium, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-269-1000.

NEON FESTThe new container market prom-ises a massive 931 booths that combine eating, drinking and shopping in one place. Special events like concerts from Tatoo Colour, Singto Namchok and Lipta, plus plenty of other sur-prise festivities are also lined up. Open every Thu-Sun until Jul 1. Through Jul 1, 5pm. Lumphini Park, Rama 4 Rd.

SPORTS

FRUIT RUNA fancy dress run themed around "Colorful Fruits," where the top three runners with the best cos-tumes will receive rewards. Offering 10km mini marathon and 5km fun run. Register at bit.ly/1pL6fZW. May 7, 6am. Lumphini Park, Rama 4 Rd. B400-500. MRT Lumphini

RUN FOR FUN RUNOrganized by the dental faculty at Chulalongkorn university, this fun run aims to bring together den-tists and patients for a fun afternoon of exercise, including 3km and 5km fun runs. Register at www.runforfunrun.com. May 15, 6am. Chulalongkorn University, 254 Phaya Thai Rd. B450. BTS Siam

UNIQLO RUNA 5km and 10km run organized by the Japanese clothing brand. On top of the exercise, expect a live Japanese drumming performance, Japanese food booths after the finish line and cute photo spots brought to you by Uniqlo. Register at bit.ly/1VG20wn. May 21, 5pm. Government Com-plex, Chalerm Prakiat, Chaeng Wattana Rd. B790.

SINGHA BANGKOK 21KOne of the city's biggest running events returns, challenging athletes of all ages to 5km, 10.5km and 21.1km distance runs. Register at bit.ly/1NEU1r2. May 22, 5:30am. Rama 9 National Park. B300-700.

ULTRAMAN RUNA family-friendly fun run themed around the pop-ular Japanese action figure, offering 2.5km and 5km distances. Register at bit.ly/1RLs0Sw. May 28, 6am. Lumphini Park, Rama 4 Rd. B850-1,000. MRT Lumphini

MERK CHARITY RUN: GIVE ME FIVEA charity team run that aims to raise funds for turtle protection around the country, organized by the Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Chulalongkorn University. Teams are made of five people running 4km each. Register at bit.ly/1RAw9p5. May 29, 6:15am. Lumphini Park, Rama 4 Rd. B500. MRT Lumphini

GARMIN BLUE RUNA half marathon (21km) and a mini marathon (10.5km) along the riverside. Register at www.shutterrunning.com. Jun 5, 5pm. Rama 8 Bridge, B500-700.

BANGKOK LIFE ASSURANCE HALF MARATHON 2016The city's biggest life insurance company hosts this annual half marathon to promote healthy living, offering distances of 21.1km, 10.5km and 5km. Register at bit.ly/1VUDx53. Jun 12, 5:15am. Suan Luang Rama VIII Public Park, Arun Amarin Rd. B300-500.

MARKETS

The Glass by Art BoxIrvine Market

Singha Bangkok 21K Bangkok Life Assurance Half Marathon



marketplace

For RentPROPERTY

OFFICE for Rent – 18,000 THB – 100 m2 in Soi 33 of Sukhumvit 107 (Bearing), 3 km from Bearing BTS station. Unfurnished office space 18,000/month or furnished 21,000.00/month, ample parking, CCTV, 1 new aircon pre-installed. The office has a separate entry and is situated on the 1st floor (2nd floor for Americans) Available immediately. Please contact Paul on 0816338468 or Thapanee 0814023918.

COLOR - BLUE CMYK: 85C 15M 20Y RGB: 0 160 192 COLOR - ORANGE CMYK: 55M 100Y RGB: 246 139 30 COLOR - GREY CMYK: 65K RGB: 119 120 123

COLOR - BLUE CMYK: 85C 15M 20Y RGB: 0 160 192 COLOR - ORANGE CMYK: 55M 100Y RGB: 246 139 30 COLOR - GREY CMYK: 35K RGB: 177 179 182

BLACK CMYK: 100K RGB: 0 0 0 GREY CMYK: 65K RGB: 119 120 123

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