BK Magazine 813 by BK Magazine

it's free! A Taste of Home Why a Thai influencer is recreating his mom’s recipes Eat Out Outdoor dining is in at Bangkok’s best al fresco restaurants Busted A closer look at Joe Ferrari’s remarkable fall from grace Bigger, Boulder A huge new bouldering gym opens in Phra Khanong

NO. 813 SEPTEMBER 17, 2021. www.bkmagazine.com

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“We were after the cities that were not only thinking about the now, but also the future. The ones making life better both for us and for our grandkids,” wrote Time Out’s Huw Oliver and Sarah Medina in the list reveal.

Nevertheless, the city—specifically, Bangkok residents, not their feckless leaders—has shown remarkable resilience as it faces its greatest crisis in a generation.

BK Magazine is a Coconuts Media publication.

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The annual list usually highlights food, nightlife, and culture, but this year the survey also factored in community projects, green space, and sustainability.

Critics might argue that if things like green space, sustainability, progressivism, or future thinking are key metrics, Bangkok should be absent from the list altogether. Others might highlight that the bar scene is on life support, independent restaurants and street food are disappearing, pollution chokes the skies every year, and well-placed shipping containers and luxury malls have reshaped the cityscape.

BK Magazine is edited by Tara Rattanaphas and published 24 times a year, twice a month by Coconuts BK Limited. Copyright © 2020 Coconuts BK Limited. The titles “BK Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of “BK Magazine” are the property of Coconuts BK Limited. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Article reprints are available for THB50 each. The magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Coconuts BK Limited. 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 Sunthorn Film Company Limited, 13/11-15 Soi Wat Phraya Yang, Urupongtadmai Road, Thanon Phetchaburi, Sub-district, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok.

San Francisco took the top spot. Asian peers Tokyo (no. 10), Shanghai (no. 17), and Hong Kong (no. 20) all cracked the top 20. (Seoul, a truly great city, is absent from the list. Maybe because the index is actually meant to be the World’s Best Cities with a Time Out Presence.)

shopping

the last word

Stonegoat Climbing Gym

Kanin “Kay” Puktiwong

Although restaurants and food vendors have been battered by pandemic restrictions, many have stepped up to support those who need help most, in the process helping to prop up an industry that gives Bangkok its special edge. Despite facing incredible risks, thousands have rallied to fight for freedom of speech and equality, often with the kind of creative flair you might only find in Bangkok—rubber duckies, cosplay, and prop theater have all defined the protest movement over the past year. So, yeah, we’re no. 37, which feels like the metaphorical equivalent of a participation trophy. What will it take to move up the list? You tell us.

upfront BY THE NUMBERS

JOE FERRARI’S FALL FROM GRACE

600

million

NEWS

Total value of the assets owned by Joe Ferrari in Thai baht

Number of days between the torture and death of a drug trafficking suspect at the hands of Joe Ferrari and the date the rogue policeman was taken into custody

43,000

Joe Ferrari’s monthly salary in Thai baht

Number of other policemen involved in the interrogation and fatal torture of a 24-year-old arrested for selling methamphetamine pills in Nakhon Sawan

Estimated number of cars owned by the high-rolling officer, including a B47 million Lamborghini Aventador Anniversario, of which only 100 were made

*Sources: BBC, Daily News, The Bangkok Post, Thai Customs

YOU SAID WHAT?

HOT OR NOT

“Careful or you’ll get your hair cut” Twitter user @daviddunha on Bad Students’ boycott of online classes

“Thank you! Because there aren’t enough shopping malls in Bangkok. Facebook user Thunchanok Peerapattananont on the land where Scala sits being sold to Central Pattana

“Omg — thanks for sharing. We have been wishing for a good old fashion[ed] soft pretzel.” Instagram user the_rohde_less_traveled on Bloom, a new cafe specializing in German pretzels

”

REOPENING

MEAT SWEATS

Despite persistently high Covid-19 cases and a low number of fully vaccinated Bangkok residents, malls, and restaurants have all reopened. Public opinion seems to be mixed. Many have heaved sighs of relief that the Thai government has embraced the “learn to live with it” position. Just as many, according to online polls, have said the measures are too fast, too soon. In any event, the ball is now rolling.

Restaurants are back in business, and to the surprise of no one, the most slammed are shabu, hot pot, and yakiniku buffets. While many restaurants remain empty, the types listed above have reported high demand for their meaty services, according to local media like Prachachat and BrandInside. Anecdotally, this passes muster: members of our team reported that every yakiniku joint they contacted in Thonglor was fully booked the first week of September.

REOPENING About 100 days ago, the prime minister declared that Thailand would reopen in October. He has, of course, walked that back. During a censure debate at the beginning of the month, the PM said the equivalent of,“yeaaahhh, about all that…,” while suggesting Thailand might instead reopen in phases. Wait and see, folks.

ORIGINALITY “Make xxx Great Again” was so 2016-2020. 2021 is about coopting Building Back Better. The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s India branch recently started promoting a “Build Back Better Together” campaign, a plan to engage with travel agents—and one whose tagline sounds awfully familiar to a certain American president’s election cycle slogan.

cover | zooming out

ONLINE TO OFFLINE A year and a half into the pandemic, millions of schoolchildren in Thailand are about to lose another year of in-school learning, and a consensus has emerged that schools should reopen as soon as possible. Several questions remain, however. How should schools adapt their lessons to accommodate the increasingly urgent needs of students? How can we keep disadvantaged students in the education system? How will we help students and teachers recover from this crisis? We talked to experts to explore these questions. By Porpor Leelasestaporn

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

When Ton Thanapat, now 17, reached his second year in high school, he knew that he would be busier and more anxious than he had ever been.

“It’s not about struggling to get good grades anymore,” he says. “It has become a daily struggle to remain focused and not fall out [of school entirely].”

He usually began his day at 7:30am. His parents would drop him off at school at 8am, just in time for the national salute performed every morning. He would have classes in six different subjects each day before attending after-school basketball practice and seeing to his school committee duties. Ton would then hurriedly pack his things and leave for a tutoring center off campus, where he would spend another three hours preparing for university admission exams. It was a demanding daily routine.

Ton’s story reflects the situation of many Thai students these days: young students dealing with greater workloads and assignments, struggling to meet ever more demanding expectations in an uncertain world. Yet his story is far from representing the gravity of the whole situation.

After the pandemic shut everything down, Ton didn’t have to wake up early and race to school for the national salute. He didn’t have to attend basketball practice. He didn’t have to rush from school to the tutoring center, either. Despite regaining so many hours, Ton found himself feeling more restless and anxious than ever. Since the start of this school year, Ton has not met his teachers in person. He still sits through six classes per day. Now, however, they’re online. Yet those classes haven’t changed much beyond the medium used to host them. In his physical education class, he says he has to participate in virtual aerobic exercises, along with his peers, all with their video turned on. While many might think studying at home affords students a certain level of comfort and convenience, Ton says he can’t go on like this much longer.

It is the unfortunate, if foreboding, reality that not all Thai students can afford the same access to education as people like him. Thailand’s Equitable Education Fund (EEF) reports that 1.9 million students come from poor or extremely poor conditions, in which their parents’ total earnings are less than B3,000 per year. Of these students, 271,888 lack access to electronic devices and the internet. As classes have gone online, 43,060 have already fallen out of the Thai education system, according to the organization. The Thailand Physical Activity Knowledge Development Center (TPAK), meanwhile, has found that 79% of students have experienced more stress in their learning, while 57.2% report that their current settings are not suitable for online classes. With schools closed and vaccine distribution policies still unclear, many Thai educators fear that school closures and less-effective instruction will exacerbate these inequalities and pain points, and that they might ripple years down the line.

cover | zooming out

VIRTUAL INSANITY “How long do we have to wait in our fourwalled prisons, our eyes sore from the computer screen?” wrote Bad Student, an influential group of student right activists, on their Facebook page recently. “But they [the government] are more than willing to turn a blind eye on us [students.]” The group has fought against everything from uniform and haircut policies to physical abuse in Thai schools. Lately, they have turned their attention to the government’s lack of involvement and attentiveness to their problems with prolonged periods of online learning. In early September, the group called for a weeklong strike to encourage their fellow students to ditch their online classes. More than 8,000 students participated in the campaign, which demanded more inclusive vaccine policies and more lenient school lessons. Online lessons have also impacted younger children not wholly represented by groups like Bad Student. Without formal schools and real-life playmates, some of the country’s youngest children are missing out on key learning milestones. “There are many aspects of learning that online classes can’t replicate,” says Kunthida Rungruengkiat, a former member of parliament from the Move Forward Party and exchairperson for Chiang Mai’s early childhoodfocused Tonkla School. “When there is regression, we need to trace back [through what students have missed] and revisit those milestones.”

An educator herself, Kunthida has noticed different degrees of damage occurring as a result of online learning. Some students may require additional help that they don’t receive; some might have needs that require the aid of more than just school personnel. “We need collaboration from people outside of education,” she says. “Children may have learning disabilities, like ADHD and dyslexia, or develop mental health or learning problems during this time. The Ministry of Education should form a team of specialists to coach and prepare teachers to help their students recover from stresses caused by the pandemic.” The Tonkla School has tried to pick up the slack. Realizing the unique challenges of at-home learning, the school has allowed parents and students to schedule personal visits to the school grounds. At the end of each month, the school launches what it calls Recharge Week, during which students and parents can interact online in learning-based activities together and help each other cope with their pandemic stress.

Kunthida Rungruengkiat

“Many children may not be able to put their stress into words. By helping them revisit and control those pent-up emotions, we are letting them control their feelings, and letting them know that they are not alone,” says Kunthida.

EMBRACING TECH— WHILE WE STILL CAN “We need to admit that online learning—no matter how proficient the educators are—will never replace normal classrooms,” said Parit “Itim” Wacharasindhu, a founder of ed tech startup StartDee, which launched its ondemand learning platform in May 2020.

Parit “Itim” Wacharasindhu

... If we don’t push for better and more fair online access, we are going to witness the worst form of inequalities in every aspect of people’s lives

Like many educators, Parit agrees that schools should reduce workloads and homework assignments to alleviate new stressors on students. He proposes that schools should adopt asynchronous learning, where lessons and educational content are ready-made, allowing students to choose the time to participate themselves. He adds that school hours should be limited to the bare minimum. This would not only reduce screen time for students, but also ease the burden on teachers, who must prepare lessons in advance and optimize them for the online learning environment. Parit believes tools like StratDee can play a part in this. StartDee’s mobile application compiles school lessons and categorizes them by grade levels, streamlining learning tools for educators and students alike. But he believes that the government should play a more active role in helping students and teachers, too. “Most teachers are required to create their own teaching materials,” he notes. “The government should integrate all of them into one single platform, which can encourage schools and teachers to share so that we can avoid overlap and the potential duplication of resources.”

The other overriding concern, Parit notes, is the digital divide, the lack of digital access and hardware for vulnerable groups. “If we don’t push for better and more fair online access, we are going to witness the worst form of inequalities in every aspect of people’s lives,” he says. “Students who have better access to the internet are able to better cope with the situation than those who don’t. The same goes for healthcare: people with better access to the internet can more easily register for vaccines.” StartDee has launched two initiatives to mitigate some of these problems. Collaborating with the EEF on a “Free School” plan, they have sent used mobile phones, SIM cards from private companies like True and DTAC, and one-year access to its content to 8,500 vulnerable students nationwide. Viewing DLTV, the government-run remote teaching programs, as ineffective, StartDee also temporarily offered free access to all of its on-demand learning content when it launched. Despite joint efforts from the private sector, it’s still up to the government to untangle the whole situation, Parit says. That includes addressing urgent needs that predated the pandemic. “Private companies can only facilitate learning and help students stay motivated in trying times. As long as school isn’t free and parents still struggle to provide for their children, the chances of seeing every student return to school at all may be very dim.”

cover | zooming out

Chalipa “Namo” Dulyakorn

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Romklao “Kugs” Changnoi

Parit “Itim” Wacharasindhu

LESSONS LEARNED ... There is more than one way to assess students’ learning capabilities.

“Teachers must learn to cater for the different needs of their students in times like these,” says Chalipa “Namo” Dulyakorn, founder of Inskru, an online sharing platform for Thai educators. “They need to embrace change and listen to feedback to find the right learning environment for every student.” She adds that for many schools, “summative assessments like midterm and final exams are still mandatory [during virtual learning], and teachers have no choice but to comply.” Since the start of the pandemic, Chalipa has noticed that things might be changing, though. Teachers have visited Inskru’s page more often to discuss problems and ways to adapt teaching methods to virtual learning. And despite some of the draconian requirements mandated by the Ministry of Education, like seated online exams no matter the circumstances some young educators are using the pandemic as an opportunity to adapt and improve. Romklao “Kugs” Changnoi, a high school mathematics teacher from Matthayom Wat Dusitaram School in Bangkok, has attempted to break away from dated practices. In his class, students don’t have to fully participate in real-time learning. They may choose to attend class or catch up later using videos Romklao makes ahead of class.

Though his students still take tests as required by the Ministry of Education, his methods are more lenient and liberating. Where other students may have to take tests with their cameras on, students in Romklao’s class do not. They can use all the resources available to them to their advantage, too. He has arranged tests into three different sessions and allowed students to choose their best scores from the rounds. “There is more than one way to assess students’ learning capabilities,” Romklao explains. “Testing them on their knowledge is easy, but we are asking them to do the unthinkable: not to cheat in [high-stakes] virtual exams.” His methods may lead some to question the integrity of the test results he receives, but Romklao believes that students need to know that teachers trust them. “We’re telling them it’s okay to make mistakes; you don’t have to obsess over being perfect,” he says. Romklao hopes the pandemic will have given us all a chance to rethink education in Thailand when schools reopen. Maybe, he adds, some of the changes we’ve embraced will stick. “Some students may enjoy online classes more than schoolhouse classrooms. Maybe it’s time to admit that we don’t need to force students to come to class at schools,” he says. “There might be more than one way for students to learn effectively. There’s no reason to narrow the learning options for students.”

feature | al fresco restaurants in bkk

OUTDOOR DINING IS IN Now that restaurants are reopening their doors, you can forget about delivery or cooking at home for a time and engage with the real world again. Those taking extra precautions might prefer to dine al fresco, and Bangkok has plenty of places to scratch that itch. Check out these outdoor spots perfect for social distancing. By Megan Leon

El Mercado

Caffe Olives

EL MERCADO This restaurant-slash-grocer has opened its expansive courtyard for lunch and early dinner. That means you can once again peruse their delectable imported cheese, cold cuts, and fresh seafood and skim their everchanging chalkboards specials. All the favorites are still here, like the mussels with fries and the couscous royale. 490 Soi Phai Singto, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 099-131-2226. Open daily 9am-8pm.

CHOLOS Jam Jam

Get your taco fix at Cholos’ light-speckled patio by their buzzing food truck stationed at Bangkapi Mansion on Sukhumvit Soi 12. Here you can get their signature beef birria or keto quesadillas, made with griddle cheese in place of the tortilla. They open as early as 10am, too, And let’s be real: it’s never too early for tacos. Bangkapi Mansion, 89 Sukhumvit Soi 12, 081-831-6277. Open daily 10am-7:30pm.

APPIA The beloved Italian restaurant has opened its doors with some new changes to show off. The recently renovated patio has been made over with creamy yellow hues and bright greenery, capturing the al fresco essence of a true Roman trattoria. The homestyle cooking by chef Paolo Vitaletti is at its best in house favorites like eggplant parmigiana, fresh cavatelli with lamb ragu, and their famous porchetta. 20/4 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-261-2056. Open daily 11am-8pm.

CAFFE OLIVES The deli offshoot of L’Oliva is open for those who seek breakfast, dessert, a dose of caffeine, or just a change of scenery. The rustic cafe’s bright exterior overlooks the restaurant next door and their massive green gardens in the back. Enjoy a quiet morning with one of their handmade cannolis or fruit-laced cakes from the kiosk inside. Appia

4 Napha Sap Soi 2 (Sukhumvit Soi 36), 061-613-9588. Open daily 9am-5:30pm.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

NA CAFE Na Cafe at non-profit arts and culture center Bangkok 1899 is more than just a restaurant: it’s a collaborative space that uses food and drinks as a catalyst to create social impact. The Peruvian head chef behind the kitchen is now back with his South American dishes, like his flavorful ceviche and saltado (Peruvian stir-fried beef), which can be enjoyed in the lush backyard at the expansive grounds. Reservations must be made to dine in. 134 Nakhon Sawan Rd., 089-164-4454. Open daily 11am-7pm.

JAM JAM

RIVA DEL FIUME

If Chinatown is on your to-do list, pop on over to Jam Jam at the Asai hotel for a coffee break, or make it your work-from-home spot on their airy-yet-covered outdoor patio. If you’re thinking, “not another hotel restaurant,” think again. Jam Jam was developed by Paolo Vitaletti and Jarrett Wrisley (Appia, Peppina, Soul Food Mahanakorn), and the tight, Chinatown-referencing menu they devised puts a twist on local and international flavors.

The Four Seasons’ river-facing Italian restaurant is a warm ode to the picturesque tratorrias that line Lake Como, brought to life by design specialist Avrokos (Lennon’s, Waldorf Astoria). Primely positioned along the Chao Phraya, it’s the perfect setting for lunch with a view over housemade pastas, a selection of crudos, and top of the line beef tagliata. Four Seasons Bangkok, 300/1 Charoenkrung Rd., 02-032-0888. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5-8pm. Appia

Asai Hotel, 531 Charoenkrung Rd., 02-220-8999. Open daily 10am-8pm.

VIA EMILIA Recently opened (...then closed and now open again), Via Emilia is the latest Italian spot to hit the city. Taking over Sensi’s spacious house (it’s the brainchild of former Sensi chef Stefano Merlo and Andrea Bernadi, ex-GM of Il Bolognese), Via Emilia centers its menu around the Emilia Romagna region of Italy. Products like parmigiano reggiano, balsamic vinegar from Modena and prosciutto di Parma, all staples from the region, appear in classics that range from risotto with Italian sausage to a traditional passatelli pasta in brodo (a simple egg, breadcrumb, and flour pasta in broth). All can be enjoyed outdoors. Pets are also welcome. 1040 Naradhiwas Soi 17, Yaek 5, 02-676-4466. Open daily 11:30am-8pm.

JACK’S BAR There’s nothing more outdoorsy than Jack’s Bar, the riverside-shanty institution hidden behind the Shangri-La hotel. The outdoor drinking den is of an old-school variety— flexing plastic chairs and classic Thai stirfries—and couldn’t be more appropriate for today’s interesting times. There’s no air-con and it’s rickety, but we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Riva del Flume

Cholos

Na Cafe

62/1 Soi Wat Suan Phlu, 089-138-1922. Open daily 11am-8pm.

Jack’s Bar

food & drink | news

Langsuan’s dog-friendly cafe is now serving giant-sized hot dogs FULLY LOADED

At the Kimpton Maa-Lai’s first-floor cafe, you can now feast on some dogs with your dog in tow. Tapping into a burgeoning hot dog trend that seemed poised to take off not long ago (see: House of Hotdogs, Pappy’s), the hotel’s dog-friendly Craft is now serving delightfully overthe-top hot dogs of its own. Big enough for two, they’re available in four fully loaded versions. The Very Hot Dog offers sai oua (northern Thai sausage), green chili, and pickled cucumber between a coriander-chili bun; the New Yorker features a nine-inch footlong loaded with heaps of roasted eggplant, spicy Japanese seaweed, and crunchy fried chicken; and El Mexican sees fatty and salty chorizo rubbed with smoky chipotle sauce and topped with a sunny side-up egg. For those going meatless, Craft has the Vegan, a plant-based sausage with creamy avocado, roasted shimeji mushroom, and salsa. The prices start at B390 for one; B700 for two; and B1,248 for four hot dogs. The hotel has lots of other deals going on right now, too. Those include home bartender sets for takeaway at Craft, three-course lunch sets at Ms. Jigger (B890++), and an intriguing-sounding “Negroni-cation”—from Sep 13-19, stay at the hotel, and you’ll get in-room dining, an upgrade to a 108sqm junior suite, Negronis served in your room over dinner, breakfast at Stock.Room, and late check-out (until 3pm) for B8,339/night. Kimpton Maa-Lai Hotel, 78 Soi Ton Son, 02-056-9999.

NO BONES ABOUT IT

FRESH CUTS

ON THE DOC-KET

KFC Thailand goes meatless with new plant-based menu

Fillets takes meals on wheels to a whole new level

Silom’s Doc Club & Pub gets an official opening date

The brand born as Kentucky Fried Chicken has unveiled a plantbased menu. Partnering up with food giant CP’s homegrown plant-based brand Meat Zero, KFC has developed a range of plant-based goodies that the brand says capture the look, taste, texture, and smell of the colonel’s fried bird. Some of the dishes on the menu include plant-based chicken pops (B49), spicy rice bowls with plant-based chicken pops (B75), and combo salad bowls with plant-based pops (B119). The meat-free options are currently available at two “KFC Green” branches until Sep 29: the Sangsom Building (Viphavadhi-Rangsit Rd.) and Vanachai Depot Chachoengsao.

Fillets, the Bangrak spot known for its Edomae-style sushi, brings the omakase experience to you with its sushi truck, Fillets Go. Reserve it in advance, and the truck will roll up to your place and transform into a sushi station, complete with two chefs in tow. Three sets are available: the 11-dish Premium (B,2500), or the Chef Choice with nine (B1,900) or six pieces (B1,500). Once you get your food, the truck departs, leaving you with a top-notch meal to enjoy wherever you wish. Available Tue-Sun with advanced bookings via Line @fillets.

After teasing fans months ago, the Doc Club & Pub is finally ready to welcome film geeks to its new headquarters this month. Taking over the space once occupied by the Bangkok Screening Room, in the Woof Pack Building on Sala Daeng Soi 1, the new venue promises comfort food and drinks as well as access to a 4k-enabled screening room. If you want to book the place to enjoy a private screening or party, the Doc Club & Pub can do that, allowing you to enjoy one of the films in its collection in the cafe zone (the screening room remains closed for a time being).

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Suhring brother teams up with wife to launch barbecue venture

’MERICA

American fried rice gets its time in the light courtesy of a top Bangkok chef Chef Chalee Kader (100 Mahaseth, Mickey’s Diner) shines light on one of Thailand’s most nostalgic dishes with his aptly named American Fried Rice, a delivery-only venture serving exactly what its name suggests. Kader recreates the overlooked dish in various sets using top-notch ingredients. The portions are big enough for two or more and the packaging is eye-catchingly retro. Go big with the AFR Jumbo (B440), a heaping serving of ketchup fried rice, fried chicken, pork patty, kielbasa sausage, ham, bacon, corned beef, and an onsen egg, or the AFR School Cafeteria (B230) with fried chicken, pepper sausage, ham, and fried egg over rice. Order via Line @americanfriedrice. ALL SET

Rad Meats keeps it all local, and all-natural Radek Zarebinski, a Gaggan alum who is currently the head chef of Cholo’s and Miss Fish, started Rad Meats with the hopes of making it easier to find good quality sausages and all-natural, additive-free cured meats. He has since expanded that mission with a line-up of charcuterie platters and sets ideal for dinners and parties at home. Good for one to two people, the platters (from B470) offer a selection of charcuterie—speck, coppa, prosciutto, and more—plus a variety of locally produced cheeses from Chiang Mai. Orders can be made via Line @radmeats or by email at radmeats@gmail.com. Same-day delivery from Mon-Sat.

LOW AND SLOW

Barbecue fans can fix their sights on a brand-new venture from Thomas Suhring, one half of the twin-brother duo between fine dining powerhouse Suhring. Along with his wife, Jeab, Thomas is bringing the heat with Superb BBQ. The two prepare everything in their backyard, relying on a trusty offset smoker to produce top-quality barbecue, and it’s all Australian grain-fed beef, dry-aged at home for seven days and coated in a secret rub. They cook the beef low and slow over mostly oak chips for 15 hours and then rest it for up to four hours. The result of that process is a sought-after bark—the chewy, melt-in-yourmouth blackened crust—an alluring red smoke ring, and a wonderful aroma that might stick in your apartment for days. It’s available in two sets, delivered only on the weekends and in limited quantities. Set A (B3,990) comes with a rack of beef short ribs (1,200g) and includes homemade pickles, bread, various sauces, and two side dishes that vary each week. Set B (B1,690) offers the same components but is a smaller portion (300g). All the sides are made using recipes from Thomas’ grandparents. In October, there will only be short ribs, but you can expect offerings like smoked brisket to follow. Order via Instagram or Line at Superb.bbq or by calling at 088-649-5847.

food & drink | new & noted

Otto

TABLE TALK

LA DOTTA 161/6 Thonglor Soi 9, 02-392-8688. Open daily 11am2:30pm; 5pm-8pm (Last order at 7:30pm). There is a new branch on Convent Rd., Silom. Bangkok’s uncompromising pasta house recently expanded to Silom in addition to its Thonglor location. That means more people than ever can enjoy oodles of fresh-made pasta and all manner of Italian classics—prosciutto and melon is a severely underrated combo that you should try. La Dotta shines in nearly every way a pasta restaurant could.

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members

Get a complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and Bomboloni valued THB 540 when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip (limit 1 set /card /table /sales slip for dine-in) 15 Jul ’21 – 31 Jul ’22 And Get a complimentary Bomboloni valued THB 240 when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip (limit 2 pcs. /card /sales slip for takeaway)

NEW AND NOTED

Otto brings Italian fare to the Akyra Thonglor

Plant-based ice cream with all the flavor and less of the guilt

This cafe transports you to the golden age of cinema

Boutique hotel Akyra Thonglor has transformed its Som Tam & Chardonnay restaurant into a brand-new Italian venue called Otto. The menu is overseen by chef Nantapreecha “Joe” Chamnipa, who cut his teeth at Sathorn’s La Casa Nostra. Expect dishes that span the breadth of Italy, from vitello Milanese (veal escalope, B990) with truffle mashed potatoes to seafood specialties like black ink spaghetti with a spicy baby octopus sauce (B350) and desserts like Sicilian-style cannolis with pistachio ice cream and panna cotta with Bronte pistachios (both B250).

Vegan ice cream brand Veganisto uses coconut milk for its base, which results in a creamy frozen treat that’s lower in calories and cholesterol than your average scoop. They currently churn out nine decadent flavors, including their signature lemon cheese pie, tiramisu, and cookies and cream (B100/cup; B360/pint). If you’re pining for some nostalgia, try the vanilla pecan Horlicks for a throwback taste of the childhood favorite malt drink (B120/cup; B380/pint). There are plenty of gluten-free options, and you can buy box sets that include quirky postcards and stickers.

11/F, Akyra Thonglor, 88/333 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-090-9052

Available to order via Line @veganisto and Robinhood for nationwide delivery.

Hustle away to Samut Prakan to find Scenema, a cafe that aims to capture the faded glory of old cinemas. Adorned with antique popcorn cabinets, a photo booth, an espresso bar designed to replicate a ticket counter, red theater-like chairs, and a red carpet, the cafe can’t make up for the loss of Bangkok’s standalone theaters (Scala, the Siam, etc.), but it does offer a fun spot to sip your latte. Aside from savory bites, the menu sticks to the theme with drinks like popcorn lattes topped with caramel corn (B79), pancakes with salt caramel popcorn (B129), and salt caramel bingsu (B139).

15 Jul – 31 Dec ’21

TBT-ladotta_.indd 1

13/9/2564 BE 11:14

80/365 Mu 5, Mu Ban Thipphawan 1 Soi 43, Samut Prakan, 089-897-0177

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY,SEPTEMBER 17, 2021

Sarnies

Haru

TABLE TALK

MEDITERRA Sarnies opens a coffee roastery and bakery in Ploenchit

All pretzels, all the time, at Pattanakarn’s Bloom cafe

This Nana Coffee Roasters offshoot evokes a zen-inspired vibe

Sarnies is expanding with a new

The gray-walled Bloom cafe, located in Pattanakarn, specializes in soft pretzels served fresh and hot each day, some with sweet or savory fillings that give a twist to the traditional German snack. Classic, knot-shaped soft pretzels come coated with French butter (B60) or roasted almonds (B75). You can also try their signature, ringshaped stuffed pretzels, available in two flavors: 55% dark Belgian chocolate (B80) or the cream cheese-stuffed Queen Cheese (B85). The cafe also plans to experiment and release new flavors each month. Wash it down with coffee made with beans from Mae Taeng and Mae On (americano B65, piccolo latte B70).

The brainchild of Nana Coffee Roasters, Haru draws inspiration from Japan, from the flavors that infuse the drinks, desserts, and pastries to the light wood and smooth shapes that define the interior space. The cafe uses both a speed bar and a slow bar to brew the classics and specialty drinks. Try the house blend in a piccolo latte (both B95), or try on-trend concoctions like the Haru.Haru (B180), a mix of fruit tea and espresso, and the Kuro (B150), a mix of yuzu juice and espresso. Keep an eye out for two new branches opening soon in Sathorn (Sep) and Sukhumvit 22 (Oct).

space near the top of Soi Tonson. The new shop will offer the full selection of their single-origin beans, many sourced locally from Thailand, as well as some of their fan-favorite blends, like the bold Mr. Darkside (B439/250g) and fruity Smooth Criminal (B399/250g). It will also sell merch like coffee equipment, so you can upgrade your espresso at home. 34/1 Soi Tonson. Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get 10% discount for Coffee Beans size 250 g. and Coffee Brewing Equipment when spending via Citi Credit Card on bkkshop.sarnies.com Use code: CITIBANK10 1 May '21 - 30 Apr '22 And Get 10% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages when spending THB 500 or more / sales slip (For dine-in and takeaway)

16 Pattanakarn Soi 65, 02-722-2371

181, 185 Sukhumvit Soi 71, 090-888-3024

14 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-115-7776. Open daily 11am-2:30pm, 5-10pm. (closes at 8pm during lockdown). Southern Italian cuisine gets its time in the limelight at this buzzing bistro in Asoke. Sicilian-style pastas, like pasta alla norma (tomato sauce, eggplant and ricotta cheese), and tons of seafood dishes set the tone for its vibrant coastal menu. In addition to the food, the setting here is all the kinds of breezy Mediterranean goodness you want on a weekend dinner date. This was one of Bangkok’s hottest restaurant openings last year and is still keeping that momentum.

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get 10% discount on food only (Applicable for dine-in and takeaway)

1 Jul ’21 – 30 Jun ’22

1 Jul '21 - 30 Jun '22

TBT-mediterra_.indd 1

10/9/2564 BE 16:43

hit list | lifestyle

A massive bouldering gym opens in Phra Khanong FITNESS

Rock climbers have a new spot to scale the heights. Located 300m from the Phra Khanong BTS station, Stonegoat Climbing Gym is set to be one of Southeast Asia’s biggest bouldering gyms. It boasts six different walls catering to all levels, including beginners, with the difficulty levels differentiated by color (red is the easiest). Some of those walls have been designed to resemble famous problems found in Thailand, including those in Krabi climbing hotspots Railay and Tonsai. The routes will be changed every six weeks, so return climbers will regularly have something new to try. Stonegoat is offering pre-opening discounts for bookings. You can currently purchase monthly memberships (B2,000/ month for three months), as well as 10-session passes (B4,000 adults/B3,600 kids), and day passes (B450 adults/B360 kids). Monthly membership will bump up to B2,100/month in the future. Once we’re past this semi-lockdown situation, the doors will officially open. 36/3 Sukhumvit Soi 69, 063-219-9933. Open 11am-11pm.

PAWS OFF MY CLOSET

5 ADORABLE ACCESSORIES FOR YOUR FURRY FRIEND

Cherry Berry B500 Available at pawsandclawsbangkok.com

Life Jacket & Vest B487 Available at tailybuddy.com

Simpsons edition B520 Available at facebook/com/ thegooddogshop

FITNESS

LIFESTYLE

CRAFTS

Charoenkrung gets even Chula’s beloved Scala is hipper with indoor skatepark about to become another Central mall

This sustainable chess set is made for The Queen’s Gambit devotees

Bangkok’s Talad Noi area just got even cooler with the addition of its newest community member: Jump Master Skate Haus. Located on the third floor of the historic Chai Phattanasilp building, the indoor skate park opened in early September to pros and noobs alike. Advertising “not your typical barn ramps,” Jump Master Skate Haus revamped former sneaker brand offices with sleek, wooden flooring and ramps divided into different zones such as “Wave Bank,” “Giant Slope,” “Half Blow,” and “Curving Zone.” For now, the venue is only open for four sessions per day and is limited to private groups of up to 10 people for B1,800.

Thanks to Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, a hit show about a Cold War-era chess prodigy, the love for the popular game board has been reignited. Inspired by the mega-hit series, Chiang Mai-based Carpenter Studio is jazzing up the centuries-old game by giving each piece a unique shape inspired by Bangkok’s skyline—skyscrapers, bridges, etc.—and producing a slick, hatch board with patterns taken from the architectural drawings. Carpenter Studio is known for its sustainable wooden lifestyle items, made from converted waste-wood and sawdust, and sells everything from furniture and decor to wooden notebooks and block calendars.

Confirming the worst suspicions, reports say a historic art deco theater from Bangkok’s golden age of cinema will soon be replaced by a shopping mall. Chulalongkorn University, which owns the land under Siam Square, has leased the spot occupied for 51 years by Scala theater, which closed last year, to Central Pattana, the nation’s largest retail property developer. Central Pattana will lease and develop Siam Square’s Block A for 30 years. A Central Pattana source told Matichon that the company plans to renovate Scala as a small community mall likely to open in 2023, but it promised to retain some of Scala’s original features.

3/F, Chai Phattanasilp bldg., Charoenkrung Soi 35.

“Grab” shirt B130

Available at Lazada.com/ dogshirtshop

Socks B250 Available at tailybuddy.com

Shop Talk How to spend your hardearned baht.

BUY IT SELF-WATERING PLANT POT (B650) So you don’t have to worry about your botanical babies if you’re on vacation. Thanks, technology.

fb.com/carpenterstudio, 094-343-8315.

BIN IT ZAGIO SILVER ICE MAKER MACHINE B5,990 If only this machine gave you actual silver instead *checks notes* frozen water.

BARGAIN FUJIFILM INSTAX MINI 9 (COBALT BLUE) B1,490 Nothing beats the thrill of snapping a photo that’s developed instantly. Especially at this price. Available at B2S.

the last word | taste of home

This influencer is soothing pandemic stress by recreating his mother’s recipes Freelance creative Kanin “Kay” Puktiwong, 27, has won hearts and minds across Thailand for his endearing cooking channel, Mae menu nhee tham ngai (How do I cook this, mom?). In his videos, shot at a small kitchen counter in his condo, he recreates his mom’s recipes as she gives him instructions over the phone. They’re deeply gratifying snapshots of life’s simple pleasures: a food-filled home and intimate conversations your mom. We talked to him about his videos, life in Bangkok, and why you should make more time for your family. By Porpor Leelasestaporn

ow did you start your channel? As a freelance creative, I’ve always wanted to create a platform where people could see my work. I noticed that a lot of people like me were creating their own pages, and I thought it was about time to make something of my own. At first, I struggled with how I wanted to create my online presence, but after my mother got into a car accident, one thing was clear to me: I wanted to do something that would also let me spend time with my mom… and cherish every single moment. Her accident left me with a lot of questions about our working culture. Why do we have to sacrifice family time for work? Why do people need to leave their hometowns and go to Bangkok to work?

Tell us about your creative style. I draw references from various sources. The way I pan the camera, record the audio, or adjust the lighting is similar to how other popular content creators produce their videos—like the Japanese film Little Forest or the young female farmer Li Ziqi, who films cooking videos in rural Sichuan. Although I don’t have a home in the countryside like her, I still try to share my environment in Bangkok with my audience and capture its idyllic moments. Have you had any culinary training? My videos may seem smooth and professional, but most of the dishes I film are, in fact, my first attempts at cooking them. You should see what’s like behind the scenes (laughs). My girlfriend, who is more of a cooking pro than I am, helps to direct a lot of these shots. It’s all about the video editing and cinematography. Did you have any other blogs or pages before you started doing this? My girlfriend and I created a page called Single Mom Shark, where we used shark dolls as our online presence, or avatars. We drew inspiration from the Japanese YouTuber Cooking with the Dog. It was fun and received good feedback, but the page stalled out. Plus, we had to adjust the dolls’ gestures in every shot, so the process was more difficult [than what I do now]. What do you think of life in Bangkok? Unlike others who have had to move to Bangkok, I rarely get homesick. There were times when I didn’t talk to my mom very often, and since my home [Samut Prakan] isn’t that far from Bangkok, the distance didn’t seem so real. But life in Bangkok can be exhausting and expensive. In my hometown, you can just walk out of your home and pick basil leaves or spring onions if you need them for cooking. Here, you have to drive to the supermarket to buy them. I turned 27 this year. Soon, I hope to start my own family, but I don’t see how my children could grow up in this kind of environment. Condominiums have limited space. You don’t have much green space, either. It is a far cry from what I remember as a kid. In Samut Prakan, kids can jump and play in the canal and there are a lot of trees. Throughout the pandemic, I’ve found that living in a condo—despite being located in the heart of the city—can be no fun at all. What message are you trying to get across to your audience? People like us, who work in the city, may feel that time moves very quickly. When we take our eyes off the computer screen, we may find that a day or even a week has passed. But that’s not entirely true for those who live outside of the city. Your family may worry if you rarely contact them. So you shouldn’t wait until you’ve become successful in life to spend time with your family. Talk to them. Spare even five or ten minutes a day for them. Don’t let work consume you.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020

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