BK Magazine 830

Welcome to

It’s cheap, it’s cool, it’s got plenty to do.

BANGKOK WEED MAP

This isn’t just any list, it’s the very best places in Bangkok to find dispensaries, cafes and lounges.

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WHO’S IN CHARGE?

BK EDITORIAL

Managing Director Dietrich Neu

Managing Editor Tyler Roney

Art Director Wirankan Saiyasombut

GROVE: COCONUTS BRAND STUDIO

Senior Brand Editor Julianne Greco

Associate Thai Editor Pakvipa Rimdusit

Branded Content Writer Moe Thet War

Senior Project Manager

Sirinart Panyasricharoen

Senior Account Manager Hafiz Rasid

Senior Digital Account Manager Nuttajuk

Kittichailuk

Art Director Tan Kar Liang

Senior Graphic Designer Umporn Jiaranai

Production Manager Komkrit Klinkaeo

Head of Business Development

Elizabeth Chua

Senior Business Development Manager

Piti Rungrojanaluck

Business Development Manager

Chalida Anuwattanawong

Business Development Executives

Joel Chua, Anna Dumont, and Liyana Juhari

Publisher, Printer, and Editor

Tara Rattanaphas

Cover: On Nut BTS Station by Wirankan Saiyasombut

BK MAGAZINE IS A COCONUTS MEDIA PUBLICATION.

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PRAYUTH RETIRES, FINALLY

YOU SAID WHAT?

“Thank goodness. I don’t think I could possibly have waited any longer. An excruciating wait.”

— Instagram user dom_in_bangkok on the opening of Foot Locker in Bangkok.

“If that’s a promotional picture they’ll never get the doors opened before it closes.”

— Facebook user Michael Fallow on the new venue from Mod Kaew Wine Bar.

HOT OR NOT

Fur Babies

If you got excited with the news The Strokes would be playing Bangkok next month, you’ll be interested to know the unapologetically retro rock sound of the Brighton-born band Fur will be coming to Bangkok as part of their Farewell tour in October.

Sirin Songwansin

The MFP darling got accused of assault in July. In a surprise, the woman who had accused him of withdrew her criminal complaint, but police say they still may pursue the matter, as they are still required to investigate.

Pita Swifties

Bad Mate

— Instagram user stefan_ontheroad on a BK piece about honey wine in Chiang Dao. Yes, it’s legal.

Ahead of the failed leadership bid, Pita took to social media to invite Taylor Swift to Thailand. “Thailand is back on track to be fully democratic after you had to cancel last time due to the [2014] coup,” the leader would say. No word yet.

As many as 50 police officers participated in YouTuber Mate Nate’s video featuring Thailand’s finest tracking him through Thailand. The proper authorities, however, were none too pleased with the video and have begun punishing and reassigning officers.

9 years as prime minister.

1 cardboard cutout of himself to insult reporters.

250+ charges of lese majeste since the 2020 protests.

7,700 likes, hearts, and laugh emojis on the Facebook announcement; 73 sad faces.

1,914 people prosecuted in 1,218 cases for political participation from July 2020 until February 2023.

10+ pop songs. 69 years old. typing ...

4 no confidence votes.

9 squirts of hand sanitizer at reporters.

1 hilarious “joke” about executing reporters.

His government used B28 trillion in tax payer money in 10 years.

12.5% of the vote in the May election.

1 thrown banana.

“Is making mead even legal ?”

Prominent Khlong Toey rapper Eleven Finger sentenced to a year in prison

Rapper Thanayut “Book” Na Ayuthaya— known better as Eleven Finger—who made his name rapping about the Khlong Toey slums was sentenced to one year in prison in July featuring two other co-defendants, according to the defendant’s father at Ratchada Criminal Court.

The precise conviction is not known at this time, but in 2022 Metropolitan police in Bangkok detained Book in connection to an event in 2020 when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha’s residence was supposedly attacked with so-called “ping-pong bombs.” The explosive devices, sometimes called cherry bombs, are small explosive devices only dangerous in close range and are designed to make a loud noise.

The rapper was originally charged with possessing explosives and culpability in the event. Book denies his role in throwing the explosive devices, but admitted that two of the people behind his vehicle who presumably threw the devices were known to him. Police reported that explosive materials were found at Book’s home after the event.

Sumo came to Bangkok for the first time

It’s not often you get to see sumo wrestlers battle it out in the ring—less so in Bangkok.

Billed as the first traditional sumo wrestling match in Thailand, the event was part of a cultural showcase celebrating 136 years of diplomatic ties between Thailand and Japan.

In partnership with the Japanese embassy, the event featured wrestlers from Sumo Experience in July. Athletes with elite komusubi and makushita rankings put on a show of Japan’s favorite sport.

As part of the wider “Siam Paragon the Wondrous Japan Heritage” event, there was also Japanese fan dance and Yosakoi dance, free workshops in origami, snacks, Thai artists from SalaArte creating gashapon toys, and comics.

16 acts announced for the Maho Rasop Festival in December

British punk rock group Idles and Canadian dream pop darlings Alvvays were among a plethora of additional bands announced for this year’s Maho Rasop Festival.

They were among 16 bands announced by the indie rock fest for its two-day outing later this year in northern metro Bangkok to also be headlined by post-punk group Interpol.

Also among the tantalizing deets: American post-rock group Caspian and indie musician Alex G are coming, as well as Montreal-based songwriter Homeshake, British bands Yard Act and Squid, and Melbourne-based psychedelic jazz fusion band Mildlife.

There’s plenty of regional acts too. South Korean collective Balming Tiger, and Japanese bands bbkEnvy and Otoboke Beaver will perform. Thai bands Soft Pine, Death of Heather, Ford Trio and The Yers are also on the roster. The fest will take place Dec 2-3.

BKK Social Club named Best Bar in Thailand at Asia’s 50 Best Bar Awards 2023

At an event in Hong Kong, the 1-50 were announced and saw four more Bangkok bars make the list, with BKK Social Club at the top of the pile.

BKK Social Club at the plush Four Seasons on the river and led by Berliner bar manager Philip Bischoff came in at a very high No.3 on the list, beating their ranking last year at No.10. BKK Social Club also ranked No.14 on the World’s 50 Best Bars last year.

Next up for Thailand are the flower motifs and white-washed bricks of Tropic City at a close No. 6, Charoenkrung’s tiki-inspired bar Tropic City was the only other Bangkok bar to make it on the World’s 50 Best Bars 2022 1-50.

Two other Bangkok bars made the 1-50 list, with Vesper at 12 and Mahaniyom at 22. Vesper ranked No. 79 last year in the World’s 50 Best Bars 51-100, but Mahaniyom is the new kid on the block with a first time showing high on this list. ●

Sumo at Siam Paragon

Khlong Toey rapper, Eleven Finger

Welcome to On Nut

Move to On Nut, they said. It’ll be fine, they said. They were right. There’s something to be said, of course, for being in the shopping mall jungle west of the khlong, but Phra Khanong and On Nut have a homey, neighborhood feel just a stop away from downtown. For newbies to the area, it can seem a little divorced from the Sukhumvit life, but that’s not a bad thing. There’s good food, wild nightlife venues, and great ways to spend an afternoon. Hop on the BTS and give it a shot.

Restaurants

BEST BEEF

This one’s hard to miss. The Best Beef brand actually goes back to 2008 and was set up for the goal of supporting Thai cattle farmers and elevating Thai beef, but you can find Australian and Wagyu cuts here. There are actually half a dozen Best Beef outlets throughout the city, but this OG location is always a reliable good time. Grill the meat yourself at this cool hot pan resto that serves up simple a la carte and buffet stylings of Bangkok beef sourced from the farms up north. You can take it easy with a B250 Australian sirloin or really indulge in a B650 Wagyu sirloin. Or, if you’re there for quantity over quality, dig into their buffet which starts at B329 for two hours of unending beef.

GLAZED ARTISANAL DONUTS

Glazed Artisanal Donuts has been on the scene for about a year and a half now, and they’re becoming more well known for creative flavors and affordably priced donuts. Now in On Nut with their shop at The Base, this spot allows you to go beyond the overly saccharine bites you get at somewhere like Krispy Kreme for some really interesting taste combinations, like their Chocolate Clementine topped with a slice of the fruit or Apple Cream Donut that mixes the sweetness of custard with the slightly tart freshness of green apple. Also, don’t forget to grab yourself one of their coffees, having recently released a refreshing Iced Americano Orange that pairs perfectly with their soft, fruity donuts.

It’s cheap, it’s cool, it’s got plenty to do.

Glazed Artisanal Donuts

Yak Eating Vegetables

YAK EATING VEGETABLES

One for the health conscious on Soi 50, this spot is a long-time mainstay for healthy eaters in On Nut and kind of hard to miss. There aren’t many restos in the area that boast this type of venue: look for the deer, flamingo, and singh guarding the glass walls of this lonely restaurant looking out on the main road. It’s a great salad and lunch spot for anyone making their way down Soi 50 to the BTS. It has a bright, airy interior with a traditional feel, and if you like going places for the Insta, you can make a few snaps around the small outdoor area. But it’s not just veggies and salads here; they recently started offering a crab curry, and there are plenty of traditional Thai meat dishes on the menu.

HAAWM

Haawm made quick waves when it opened in 2020; it’s a small supper club located in the On Nut ‘burbs. The chef is a self-taught Thai-American who started his career in the US before working with Thai food scholar Hanuman Aspler in Thailand. Here, you can expect Thai home-cooking with southern American touches. You can expect food made with love and homey vibes here. This spot books out fast and began requiring tables of four (instead of six) in June, so be sure to get in touch with them on Instagram to reserve in advance.

ROLLING STONE PIZZA

Easy, no-nonsense, and a staple of On Nut pizza lovers looking for a late night fix or a hearty mix of pub fare and Italian bites, Rolling Stone Pizza offers staples you want like the pepperoni and jalapeno (B450) and the Pepperoniville (B425). They also, however, do a bit of experimenting with parma ham and slow-roasted beef. There are pineapple Hawaiian options which—and the office is a bit divided on this—is either a refreshing, tangy way to enjoy a pizza or an abomination unfit to exist on a civilized planet. In addition to their classic and signature pies, they’ve got nearly a dozen ’za options for veggies.

TACOS AND SALSA

Everyone west of the Phra Khanong khlong knows that there’s one Mexican spot really doing it right in On Nut: Tacos and Salsa. Bright and bold describes not only the decor, but also the food. Here, the all-timer goes to the baja fried fish tacos with cabbage, salsa and a creamy chipotle dressing. But the taco dorados—deep-fried tortillas filled with pork carnitas and topped with guacamole—are not to be missed either. With its low-key charm— all hand-painted murals and the occasional sombrero—this restaurant is made for long and loud nights with friends.

EASY BURGER

There aren’t many better burger spots in Bangkok. There might not even be one. Having opened up their most recent spot in Phrom Phong, the old school location outdoors off Soi 50 is still a favorite for the neighborhood—and of course the people who had too much to drink at Cheap Charlie’s. These burgers hardly need an introduction but the Bacon Blue (B215) and BBQ Bacon (B215) are both favorites. Don’t forget to grab a paper bag full of their jalapeno poppers (B195) and some tater tots for a little nostalgia with your smash burger.

OM GANESH INDIAN RESTAURANT

On the scene since 1997, this lively Indian space is in the cluster of nightlife venues off Soi 50, and it never fails to pack in the diners on weekend evenings. It’s an ideal spot to pair with the outdoor nightlife spots nearby. The perennial favorite of the butter chicken goes for just B200, and you should taste test their thali sets—the non-veggie is B240. If you’re going in a group—as the crowd in this neighborhood is wont to do—they’ve got set meals for sharing between three (B950) to four people (B1,350).

Easy Burger

Bars

SOMETHING WICKED

From the macabre mind behind Hair of the Dog, Mike MacDonald, came Something Wicked last year. Have your cocktails made on a ouija board, listen to faux frogs on the porch, and laze with bedazzled skulls and voodoo dolls under the gaze of Baron Samedi. Welcome to Bangkok’s only voodoo-inspired cocktail bar. Something Wicked is found behind a blood red door squeezed between shophouses in On Nut. The bar’s outside sets the stage with the sound of bayou frogs—a magic touch for those cheeky cigarettes between cocktails. Inside blues play over black woods and red sofas. This spot has also been inviting live blues acts and fortune tellers to spice up what is already a spot-on theme venue.

ARCADIA

The Blade Runner-esque Arcadia from friend of the magazine Todd Ruiz popped on the scene last year to save Bangkok from cookie-cutter geek chic bars. With handdesigned arcade machines, kratom on tap from OG Kratom, and a wild selection of craft beers, this 420-friendly venue quickly turned from a niche spot on a back soi to a bonafide nightlife haunt with gaming competitions, trance music DJs, Sunday movies on the roof, and at one point even professional wrestling. Keep in touch with Arcadia on social media because you never know what new event is going to hit or what new beer is going to show up in the fridge.

BROWNSTONE

You’d be hard pressed to find an allaround better live music hang in On Nut, if not the city. The space is cool and unpretentious. The music is reliably impressive. It’s 420 friendly. And, It’s as cheap as could be—B100 buys you two Singha or Leo cans. So many acts have come through the whopping space of Brownstone over the years—DJs, Irish bands, local metal, pop, hip-hop—it’s hard not to think of Brownstone when you’re thinking about shows. The adjacent Custard Studio reopened recently as an event space, giving the Brownstone a large indoor space for big acts and lively crowds.

CIELO SKY BAR & RESTAURANT

Let’s face it, On Nut and Phra Khanong aren’t known for their rooftop bars. But don’t forget this spot in Phra Kanong. Head up to the 46th floor and catch the sunset far from the early 20s English teachers on Tinder dates at W District. Here you’ll find a chilled-out vibe and dishes with happy hour promotions.

THE WINE MARKET

You know about Cheap Charlie’s and Black Cat Bar in this area just off Soi 50, but when all that gets a little much, head a few steps over to The Wine Market. It’s reasonably priced, the natty wines are on point, and it’s a bit of respite from the wild nights in this nightlife space. What’s more, it’s fun. There’s quite limited indoor seating, but, frankly, who cares? This is a rare unpretentious wine hang in Bangkok where friends can grab a bottle starting at around B590 and enjoy a fun, communal space outside.

CHEAP CHARLIE’S

We can’t not mention this place. Moving from their old location about six years ago to their current spot in On Nut, there were many who said it wouldn’t last. Well, it did. It’s still rowdy, it’s still outdoors, and, most of all, it’s still cheap. With a décor of wellworn bric-a-brac, owner Satit Budkajang has provided Bangkok with decades of modestly priced drinks, and that tradition continued in the shadow of the massive Tesco Lotus at The Beacon. Grab a stool, pony up between the weird decor, and order yourself a B80 Chang at one of Bangkok’s most legendary nightlife spots.

F ORANGE

Cool and crowded, F.Orange is Phra Khanong’s favorite dive. Come here for diverse live music, a young-and-readyto-party crowd, and a unique vibe. The first feeling you’re going to get when you walk into F.Orange is “What is this place?” That’s a good question, and we don’t have an answer. The experimental, slap-dash charm of this tiny bar serving simple cocktails and beer transforms depending on who is rocking the stage, but it’s always friendly and accessible.

Arcadia

Cielo Sky Bar & Restaurant

F Orange

De Nada

THE GARDEN

This corner shop cafe off Sukhumvit 50 is hard to miss thanks to the wealth of trees, plants and fountains surrounding the perimeter. Inside, it’s more plants, paintings of plants, and hanging ferns scattered around light wood tables perched next to big windows that let in plenty of natural light. While this is a cafeslash-restaurant, with a pretty extensive Thai food menu, you’ll find a respectable selection of coffees, teas, Italian sodas, and smoothies to get your day going.

DE NADA

French-style pastries and light brunch bites take center stage at this refurbished Thai bungalow just off Sukhumvit 56. Pretty much every kind of croissant you could want is here–sweet and savory–including exotic kinds like ring croissants doused in Nutella and twist croissants stuffed with ham and melted cheese. The antique-looking furniture and tables inside have made this place a popular spot for the wannabe cafe influencers out there. It’s also pet friendly, so bring along your pooch or feline to rummage around on the lawn.

HIDEY HOUSE

Cafes Things to do

This sleek two-story shophouse cafe feels like a Japanese hipster’s dream come true. The bright orange brick facade sticks out like a sore thumb among the rest of the more traditional looking shophouses on the street, and inside you will find stripped concrete walls and floors accented by dark wood counter seating and mid-century-style chairs. While you can find all the cafe favorites here, including beans to take home, the food takes a specific Japanese lean with dishes like katsu sandwiches and curries. This one is also pet friendly.

BETTER MOON CAFE X REFILL STATION

This quaint eco-friendly cafe and guest house is the home of Refill Station, one of the city’s first-ever places to get your detergents and soaps refilled to reduce plastic waste. As you can probably guess, there are no single-use plastics to be found here, meaning all dishes and drinks are served in glass or ceramic containers–be wary to bring your own vessel if you want your tea to go. Pick up one of their freshly made cold-pressed juices if you’ve had enough caffeine for the day, or hit up one of the regular art classes to meet some new friends.

HABITO MALL

You’ve got shopping and event spaces like W District—which may not be around for long—but the next best thing is Habito, an indoor and outdoor shopping and dining experience. It’s also a rare pet-friendly spot in On Nut, so keep this place on your go-to list for a nice Sunday out with your furry friend.

SANSIRI BACKYARD

What’s the use of moving out of the hurlyburly if you don’t enjoy the greenery? Sansiri Backyard is a rare space for nature lovers hosting family-friendly activities and regular workshops. Keep in touch with this spot to get in tune with their butterfly garden, harvestable goodies, and cuddly critters (and ducks).

ICE BATHS

This is quite a new event in On Nut. Every Saturday, a group of like-minded ice bathers beat the heat by filling up a tub with ice and sitting there as long as their willpower will allow

for B150. There are a lot of purported health and mental benefits of ice baths, so head to Sukhumvit 50 for a dip. Learn the event locations by visiting bangkokicebaths.com, but they’ve been known to play at Crusio coffee shop.

THRIFT SHOPPING

Shop by weight. This isn’t some hi-so shop filled with vintage digs and abandoned designer bags. No, here, you’ll enter an un-air conditioned hanger-like space filled with clothes, bags, toys, pianos—anything people were trying to lose. Everything from hard hats to statues and paintings are on these shelves. Try your luck.

MOVIES

Major Cinemas have the best popcorn, but it’s a bit of a dessert for moviegoers after Soi 63. You can still cozy up to Century the Movie Plaza, though, just off the On Nut BTS station playing big blockbusters and a few domestic titles. ●

Hidey House

Sansiri Backyard

INDDEE BRINGS FINE INDIAN DINING TO LANGSUAN

The buzz: Bangkok is no stranger to Indian fine dining—Gaggan, Jhol, Gaa—and this new spot in Langsuan is hosting a whole new crowd for creative eats spanning the subcontinent, with a focus on ingredients and complex flavors that aren’t afraid to get a little spicy.

The vibe: It’s big. The smooth, warm design in the century-old Langsuan home seats fifty and is already drawing booked out nights on the weekends. You walk through the doors surrounded by a foggy jungle garden. As you walk in, you’re met by a deep open kitchen and bar seating, with actual fog machines playing against the glass walls. The interior and exterior are beset by curving arches and an impressively lit ceiling on the second floor that gives it a sort of futuristic, mid-century modern appeal.

The food: The fare comes from the mind of charismatic head chef Sachin Poojary, with a dining experience that spans the entire subcontinent. The seven-course tasting menu (B3,200) gets off to a delectably nutty start with a Kashmiri morel with khoya and nuts—a real highlight to start things off. The next two courses take to the south with a Hokkaido scallop in inji puli and roasted cauliflower puree, and the black cod comes

with Bengali kasundi (mustard sauce), Rangpur lime, and a bit of pickled ginger as a palate cleanser. The delicate Nagpuri saoji quail has a bit of a kick to it, and a hand-pulled chicken khurchan with nashi pear. There are two desserts to round off the meal, and the first is one you’ll want for your Insta, a rosebased dish that comes with a plate of Chiang Mai roses to smell as you scoop into a cool yoghurt falooda and basil seeds.

The drinks: This a pairing that’s hard not to notice. Storing more than 600 bottles, the pairing is curated by sommelier Thanakorn “Jay” Bottorff featuring a broad, creative range of bottles—including a favorite in the sweet Leeu Passant Stellenbosch Chardonnay—as well as a late meal paring of a mix of wines with umeshu to kick off your dessert.

Why you’ll be back: Other than the supplemental courses and the cocktails from Heena Kewalramani left to try, the space is a creative one that needs more exploring. It would be great for a small group to rent out for an exclusive event, but you’d be well-advised to plan that far in advance. ●

Tyler Roney

A century-old building and a stellar wine list with creative cuisine.

PHED MARK

Phed Mark should be familiar to everyone who keeps an eye on Bangkok’s food scene. The nearly four-year-old pad kaprao specialist in Ekkamai is the brainchild of homegrown celebrity YouTuber Mark Wiens. His immensely popular travel channel is the world’s third largest by subscriber count—just shy of 10 million. So it should come as no surprise that on a recent weekday afternoon visit, the venue was overflowing with suitcaselugging, camera-wielding tourists. At peak hours you can expect up to a 30-minute wait outside to secure a table in the air-conditioned interior, which fits no more than 17-20 people sitting shoulder to shoulder. Thankfully, the staff navigate these crowds and tight quarters with politeness, organization, and efficiency.

The venue’s branding also leverages Wiens’ YouTube history. He is a notorious spicy heat masochist, seemingly able to eat large spoonfuls of bird’s eye chilies like breakfast cereal. The name Phed Mark is a play on phet maak (very spicy) and Wiens’ first name. His most popular catchphrase is mai phet mai gin (not spicy, not eating), and the restaurant’s logo is a ball of fire with a chili pepper for a smile.

The menu, which includes eight variations of kaprao (from B119-269), stays on brand in that regard. The signature “medium spicy”

pork kaprao we tried on our last visit (B129, with an extra duck egg for B25) was hot enough to challenge most diners, even those who enjoy spicy food. Despite the high price tag and burnt lips, it’s a pretty decent take on the dish—the minced pork nicely charred but still juicy, the egg whites crunchy, the yolks gooey—with a slightly more complex flavor than what you might expect. We’d attribute this to the mixture of white and red Thai basil and up to six different kinds of chilies they are reported to use here. Is it worth the total B154 price tag? Debatable, but we’ve seen higher prices for much worse kaprao at kitschy highend venues around town. That said, the beef kaprao (B159), which BK listed in 2019 as one of “50 things to eat [in Bangkok] before you die,” was a disappointment—overcooked and dry, with an unwelcome sting from too much raw garlic.

So, should you, Bangkokian, eat here? It depends. If you are in the neighborhood or have a friend who watches Wiens in town, we’d say yes. Outside of that, maybe not. They make a good kaprao here, but not so good that it’s worth schlepping across town for a special visit on your own. It won’t replace your favorite wok-wielding auntie down the street. ●

Café Craft by CHANINTR

924, Thong Lo Rd., 094-749-9892. Open Mon-Fri, 10am-7pm; Sat-Sun 8am-7pm

Luxury interior design brand Chanintr’s Thonglor-based restaurant in their showroom’s ground floor is a homey architectural dream. The menu at Café Craft is packed with brunch-friendly classics like avocado toast, the signature French toast with caramelized bananas, and their own olive oilbased homemade granola. The sharing cold cuts and Iberico platters are perfect for small groups, while heartier Thai and European mains are also available for a more filling meal — try the Mediterranean sea bass en papillote, the spicy pla salid fried rice, or their signature Café Craft khao tom. The drinks menu includes both cold and hot treats such as fresh lemonade, coldpressed juices, and various single-origin coffees.

928 Sukhumvit Rd. (near Ekkamai BTS), 083-893-8989. Open Mon-Sat 10am-7:30pm.

New California-inspired restaurant opens at the revamped Intercontinental

The Intercontinental Bangkok brings with it the debut of a new Californiainspired resto called So Cal —shorthand for Southern California. What on Earth, you ask, is California cuisine? In this case it’s reflective of the influx of cultures in Southern California, but concentrates on mixes of European and Mediterranean flavors, headed by Chef Dominic Hong. Their signature dishes include a lobster tostada with serrano chili and yuzu dressing, grilled octopus with potato bravas and fermented jalapeno aioli, pork belly tacos, and a 48-hour slow cooked lamb neck. Signature drinks include the Lavender Sgroppino—a mix of vodka, lemon sorbet, Prosecco and lavender essence bubble.

Baba Shuk shakes up Thonglor with new Mediterranean dishes

A new offering at the Commons Thonglor, the recently opened Baba Shuk serves up Mediterranean cuisine inspired by the markets of Tel Aviv. On the menu, you’ll find a focus on Israeli flavors, including, of course, hummus—prepared using traditional methods—and soft pita breads. From coowners Anchal Pathela and Chet Srikuruwal behind the Sourced deli at the same location, this is a new Mediterranean spot for the Thonglor crowd serving up meat plates, falafel, and all the Middle Eastern favorites. Their kebab plates come with a selection of pickle and herb sides, hummus, and pita—a particularly fluffy variety that comes hot and ready to dip. Expect meat on the metal in chicken (B400), harissa chicken (B400), lamb (B550), and a beef and lamb mix (B500).

A new Breakfast Story is open on Sukhumvit Soi 11

The all-day breakfast masters of Breakfast Story opened yet another branch, this time in the nightlife haven of Sukhumvit Soi 11. The official launch of Breakfast Story Eleven dropped in July, featuring their largest ever location of three floors and three alfresco options, and the venue is currently in a soft opening period. Breakfast Story—from the same team behind the likes of craft beer aficionados at Hair of the Dog—serves all breakfast food, all the time (with a burger mixed in here and there). The vibe in all of their locations is airy and filled with lightwood tones and cafe Americana. Favorites at this spot include the pancakes (B150-B250 full stack), egg avocado wrap (B260), and salted caramel French toast (B280)—all washed down with a fluffernutter shake (B200).

So Cal

Baba Shuk

Breakfast Story

Bangkok’s favorite wine bar is back and they’re bringing brunch

The BAD 2023 Best Wine Bar winner, Mod Kaew Wine Bar, closed at the end of April, but now they’re back at a new location on Sathorn Soi 12 and they’re bringing in a new brunch every weekend. Mod Kaew changed Bangkok’s wine game with their easygoing and unpretentious vibe, and now at their new location across from the recently opened Asai Sathorn hotel, they’ll be putting on a brunch from noon to 4pm, featuring, as ever, local dining talent. Mod Kaew tells BK their brunch this weekend will be more of a grocery style to showcase good products with simple cooking methods and bistro style. Each event will be based on what the local providers have fresh and seasonal. Regular offerings will include fresh seafood, cold cuts, and a selection of cheeses.

Salad Smith is the new Sathorn spot for the healthy eater

Bloqyard kicked off last month with a host of new eateries and community space for the Sathorn crowd. And one that deserves a mention for the healthy (but hungry) is the new Salad Smith. From the same crew that brought you the delectable meats at Sloane’s comes Salad Smith. It’s locally-sourced ingredients with a broad menu, featuring new options for the veggies and vegans of the neighborhood. If you’re not off the meat, try the spicy grilled Wagyu salad (B449) featuring sirloin, chili, cucumber, tomato, celery, lemongrass, and onion slathered in Thai vinaigrette and jim jeaw. The smoked tofu and soba (B229) includes red cabbage, carrots, cucumber, spring onion, edamame, sesame, coriander, and mentsuyu sauce.

Kaiju is a kitschy new space for ThaiJapanese comfort food and music

Kaiju is kind of hard to miss, inside and out. It’s a kaiju themed resto and entertainment venue that’s big, neon, and—did we forget something?—oh, yeah, there’s a giant friggin godzilla head smashing through the ceiling. This brand, you might be surprised to learn, did not crawl out of the sea into Tokyo; rather it was born in Malaysia in 2016 with a fusion of Thai flavors and Japanese cooking before expanding into Bangkok in late May of this year. For those unfamiliar with the concept, kaiju (or “monster” in Japanese), is a Japanese and international media genre involving giant monsters—you know, Godzilla, Pacific Rim, Kong: Skull Island (2005). Part of the Thai-Japanese branding here is the idea of a kaiju versus Erawan, a screenplay that is hopefully already in the works somewhere. ●

LARDER

31/2, Soi Phrom Chai, 093-009-4494. Open daily, 8am-5pm

At Larder, diners can expect unpretentiously simple fare in a casual vibe with a large open kitchen and only the cashier separating customers and the team at work. Shop their wide range of homemade artisanal charcuterie, which features an impressive arsenal of quality sausages and all-natural, additive-free cured meats. For a light bite, pair their sourdough with chef Klonowski’s grandma’s Polish pasztet recipe, or grab one of their stacked sandwiches, such as the sourdough with Polish ham, pickled cucumber, mayo, and red onion. Their breakfast menu also deserves a shout, especially the sour cream-andstrawberry pierogies and the open-faced Japanese beef tataki sourdough sandwich.

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Kaiju

Nusara

New Sathorn spot serves up Italian, French, and Spanish fare

Mimosa is a new spot in Sathorn serving Mediterranean dishes from Italy, Spain, and France with high quality ingredients. Helmed by executive chef Chris Beverly with more than 20 years in the trade, the space is very Mediterranean in design, featuring wooden chairs and tiled tables set right on Sathorn and the corner of the foodie haven of Soi Suan Plu. Along with an array of pasta salad options—including clam and white wine based linguine vongole (B345) and a prawn squid ink spaghetti (B395)—diners can look forward to dinner options such as a grilled Secreto Iberico (B795) and prawns al ajillo (B495). Diners looking for brunch and early lunch will find shakshuka with chorizo (375), calbrese (B395), and a Pimp My Scramble with truffled scrambled eggs on brioche with burrata and breakfast panzanella (B275).

80/20 welcomes a new head chef and a creative menu

The Michelin-starred 80/20 went upscale in 2019 and has been a mainstay on the fine dining scene ever since. Now, they’re going forward with new head chef Thav Phouthavong

boasting a new menu. Behind the less-thanluxurious but charmingly familiar door off Charoenkrung Road, 80/20’s industrial but artsy interior is now hosting a whole new signature tasting menu (B3,900) and sixglass wine pairing (B2,500) from their new head chef. The new 14-bite menu features innovative staples for which 80/20 has become so well known and new dishes from Chef Thav Phouthavong, including a khanom bueng beef tartare with Hua Hin caviar, a turn on larb moo tod with pig cheek and trotter nuggets mixed with larb puree, and the “Khao Soi Lapin” with a rabbit twist to the traditional northern dish.

New Irish pub now open on Sukhumvit Soi 15

O’Leary’s Irish Pub takes the place of the previous iteration of the classic The Irish Pub on Sukhumvit Soi 15, occupying that middle ground between Nana and Asok and bringing improvements to the old space. One reason to watch the space is the music. O’Leary’s features weekend music and has hosted a few fun local bands like the Porter Bhoys on their stage by the door. One of the improvements on The Irish Pub is a refurbishment of the outside area that includes outdoor speakers. In the kitchen you’ll

find classic pub fare cooked up by the attached Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok. You can grab pies like the steak and Guinness (B190), Thai bites like the classic moo klook foon, pizzas starting at B299, or a 200g grilled Australian striploin (B1,069).

Hong Kong’s historic noodles are now available at Central World

The highly-anticipated Mak’s Noodle is finally open on the 7th floor of Central World, announcing their soft opening as of Jul 5. With more than a century of Hong Kong history, Mak’s Noodle released their menu for the first time this week as well, featuring a mix of noodles, stirred noodles, and snacks. Options range from the plain flat rice noodles (B120) and beef brisket noodles (B279) to the stirred noodles with prawns and dried shrimp roe (B379). Lovers of the brand will want to dig into their signature shrimp wontons (B259). Sodas go for B45, a selection of teas for B60, and local beers start at B120, but if you really want to get into the China feel of things, grab a Tsingtao (B150). ●

Mimosa

Mak’s Noodle

80/20

THE DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND

BANGKOK HAS A SINFUL, THEATRICAL BURLESQUE SHOW IN THONGLOR

Gimps, crucifixes, cloven heels—every Thursday The Rat at Seenspace goes to hell (in a good way). Gimps, crucifixes, cloven heels—every Thursday The Rat at Seenspace goes to hell (in a good way).

It’s Thursday. Tonight the cocktail and nightclub space The Rat at Seenspace in Thonglor will turn itself into a realm of demons. Hosted by a cloven-heeled songbird in giant devil horns and her risque troupe of sinning dancers; this is Bangkok’s first real burlesque show.

The Devil’s Playground is a once-a-week theatrical burlesque performance brought to you by Madame “Jade” Rouge—a perennial purveyor of everything from cheeky dances at the recent Chili Fest to the acrobatics at local bars like Mezcal.

“The Devil’s Playground is a show that’s about the seven deadly sins and it’s mainly about how the devil is misunderstood,” Madame Rouge tells BK Magazine. “We live in a society that tells us what’s right and what’s wrong and what we can do and what we shouldn’t do and shuns every kind of sin. But life is short so the devil just wants everyone to indulge in these so-called sins so they can live a fulfilling life.”

It’s not a strip show. Well, it’s not not a strip show—but it’s a classy and choreographed event full of tongue-in-cheek storytelling, stage props, and jokes. Oh, and a gimp. The devil rides a gimp at one point.

Madame Rouge, a citizen of the world hailing from Hong Kong but growing up in Canada and the US, was introduced to the world of burlesque in Los Angeles while in fashion school, and met with French cabaret dance style while spending a summer in Paris.

“So the opportunity kind of landed on my lap, which was my first job in Thailand when I moved here, Maggie Choo’s asked me to do a night for them and I realized that it doesn’t exist here. I decided to bring that to Bangkok,” Madame Rouge says.

In cabaret-come-burlesque style the evening show follows dancers through the seven deadly sins of early Christian dogma. What 4th century ascetic Evagrius Ponticus would have thought of a nun in pasties dryhumping a cross is anyone’s guess, but the crowds seem to enjoy it—crowds of sex positive Thonglor regulars, fun first dates, and the wooing inebriated.

Her troupe includes herself as host and six professionally trained dancers from Russia, Ukraine, Thailand, and Scotland, choreographed by Ruby Flame (stage name, obviously).

A sybarite bathing in money, a vainglorious barbielike dancer on a gilded cage, a slothful nymph lolling around on her silk sheets—you get the idea. The show flits from one stage to the other, culminating in the devil herownself being hoisted into the sky for impressive stage effects you really don’t expect from this sort of show.

On the Bangkok nightlife scene, Madame Rouge is well known for bringing a little spice to venues wanting to do something special. Halloween, New Year’s Eve, corporate shows—Bangkok’s burlesque troupe shows up when you really want people to remember your event.

“Restaurants, rooftop bars, hotels, special events— every client that we work with, they have very different styles, especially with the hotels, the beach clubs. Everyone has their own identity to cater to,” Madame Rouge tells BK. “For example, we go to Kimpton Maa-Lai a lot and they are very artsy, so for them we don’t do so much classic burlesque. We do more contemporary, more modern things that fit with their brand image.”

She adds that certain places like nightclubs and bars are looking for something more risque these days, so they’ve been doing more fetish themed burlesque as the concept gains in popularity. They’ll be taking their act to Sinnerman later in July.

Half of the current dancers have been with the troupe since the early Maggie Choo’s days, and it remains a close knit group of mutual respect, admiration, and innovation, creating something quite new to the Bangkok nightlife scene. Except the gimp. When previously questioned about the identity of the gimp, Madame Rouge told BK, “It’s not a human being. That’s the whole point. Don’t ruin it.” ●

Tyler Roney

HOM’S NEW TASTING MENU GIVES FOODIES ANOTHER REASON TO GO SOUTH

Phuket is famous for a lot of things. Food hasn’t always been one of them—but that’s all changing. From Chef Jimmy’s sustainably delectable Michelin-star fare at Pru to outdoor markets with an eye for ingredients in Phuket Town, this travel haven on the Andaman is getting tastier.

One of the latest in the fine dining additions has been Hom at the Intercontinental Phuket who hit the scene last year and garnered attention for its focus on locavorism and seasonal ingredients found on Phuket. Now, the hit restaurant has launched its new tasting menu, featuring “10 Moments” (B3,750).

Bangkok foodies might remember the Chef de Cuisine Ricardo Nunes as the sous chef at the Michelin-starred Potong in Chinatown. Famed for their methods and clever ingredients, it’s no surprise to see fermentation and clever ingredients on the menu at Hom. Also from our very own Bangkok is restaurant manager Peter Lucas

from Baan Tepa and Savelberg.

From the dishes to the drinks, fermentation plays a big role in most items found on the menu at Hom; they even boast their very own fermentation expert in resident Spanish zymologist Mateo Polanco.

On the new tasting menu, guests can expect dishes like the coconut and smoked caviar, which is served with macadamia sauce and preserved palm seeds inside a young coconut for an otherworldly, almost smokey taste mingling with the freshness of the fruit.

Also of note is the yeast butter cooked Baby Squid served with fermented hmaing and squid broth, and the Wild Boar, fermented and served in a paste of barley koji and black durian.

If you’re going to Hom for the Insta, the dessert dish you’ve been waiting for is the Sunflower Amazake, which will arrive at your table as the fresh face of a sunflower,

inside featuring sunflower seed amazake parfait and a crust of bee pollen. While guests can opt for a wine pairing with the 10 Moments tasting menu, Hom is also on hand with the fermented drinks.

Another important facet of Phuket’s latest fine dining offering is the setting. This is, of course, a five-star hotel on Kamala beach, so you can expect vim in the surroundings. However, the grand, bright white Sawan Pavilion really sets the stage for what is an elegant, careful dining experience.

Should diners be staying at the hotel and its 221 rooms and villas, note that there are plenty of other drinking and dining options to explore, including the fine dining at Jaras, Pinto, pool bites and cocktails at Pine, and Japanese at Tengoku.

Fine dining is by no means a new concept on Phuket, but this new offering from Hom puts a focus on local ingredients from local farms in a way few in this area care to do. Don’t just go to Phuket. Eat it. ●

Tyler Roney

A one-night guide to making the most of your time in Bangkok

Lots of visitors to this great city only have a single night or day to enjoy the bustling hub of activity that Bangkok can be—and it can be intimidating! Must-dos include hitting up Bangkok’s old town, known as Yaowarat, for some street eats, and then over to Khao San for a bucket (or three). If you want to cap your Bangkok experience the proper way: watch some Muay Thai. Although Thailand’s national sport is practiced throughout the country,

H&M’s new Siam Paragon store comes with a cafe and podcast studio

It’s a place to get nice digs on the (relatively) cheap, so if someone told you an H&M was becoming a lifestyle spot, you might be suspicious.

However, the new Siam Paragon H&M reopened complete with a cafe by D’Ark, a podcast studio amidst the racks, and a 3D avatar maker to let you try on new outfits digitally.

You can buy some new looks and then record some live streaming sessions, and

Bangkok is the world Mecca of Muay Thai, and Rajadamnern Stadium is the world’s premier venue to catch some elbows and knees. Here, you will see the very best fighters in the world slug it out for your beer-chugging entertainment, all in the comfort of a state-of-the-art air-conditioned sports complex. There are fights here every day of the week, so it’s easy to pop by for a night of scraps.

8, Ratchadamnoen Nok Road, 02-281-4205. Open Mon-Tues, 7-9pm; Wed-Thurs, 6-10pm; Fri-Sat, 7-9pm; Sun, 10am-noon, 6-10pm

you can also hop into the hi-so D’Ark cafe for some of their brews and bites. D’Ark has been a mainstay on the cafe scene in Bangkok since 2015 and can now be found from IconSiam to Phrom Phong.

With a touch of high tech, a new feature of this H&M is their first Thailand 3D Avatar Solution from NeXR Technologies. These gadgets scan your body and let you create a lifelike avatar to help you find new outfits.

The new spot on the first and second floors of Siam Paragon, taking up more than 3,000 square meters, will also feature a H&M home for home decor and interior design.

Thai comics and skateboards collide at new Baan Preduce event with KaiHuaRor

For nearly 50 years, KaiHuaRor has been selling laughter to Thailand, and now they have a mashup with Baan Preduce.

The Preduce x KaiHuaRor skateboard deck collection will see skaters pulling ollies on classic characters from the comic’s long history with Preduce’s designer skateboards with a launch and a meet and greet at Baan Preduce earlier this month.

Founded in 2002, Preduce is a Thailand home-grown skateboard company that opened their first flagship store in 2006. Baan Preduce launched their new shop and sprawling skatepark in Phra Khanong last year, moving from their old space in Siam Square.

The classic Thai comics KaiHuaRor launched in 1973, and moved on from the magazine’s heyday to TV, movies, and games.

The limited edition skateboard decks will also be available online at preduce.com.

Foot Locker makes its long-awaited Bangkok debut in September

BK reported last year that the sneaker giant would be coming to Thailand in the first quarter of 2023, but the rumors of the shop go back years. Now the word is that they will be opening their doors in September of this year.

The exact date is not yet known, but we do know the location: Siam Center. A representative from Siam Center confirmed with BK Magazine that the shop would be open in September, and Foot Locker Thailand is already hiring on their website.

Foot Locker is a world famous brand that will be dealing in international and even a few Thai brands to a B30 billion market in Thailand. The arrival of the brick-and-mortar store means that the shop will also be bringing their wares to online shops throughout Thailand.

For sneakerheads, this is a big deal; Foot Locker brings all the big brands. It was originally announced that this venture would be a collaboration between Foot Locker and distributor MAPI (MAP Active Adiperkasa Ltd.), meaning, among others, shoppers can expect Adidas, Airwalk, Dr. Martens, and Nine West in addition to choice Jordans.

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MAI NARDONE ON HIS DEBUT ‘WELCOME ME TO THE KINGDOM’

Mai Nardone’s debut short story collection ‘Welcome Me to the Kingdom’ has garnered international plaudits for its gritty, relatable portrayal of characters grappling with change as they orbit each other in new worlds. Briefly a former copy editor at BK, Mai Nardone— whose work has featured in Granta, McSweeney’s, Ploughshares, and others— uses stark, unapologetic realism to craft a Thailand many will recognize but few understand. BK learns more.

It’s your debut collection, so it’d be interesting to hear why this was your focus. Can you tell us how “Welcome Me to the Kingdom” came about?

In college I was an economics major in undergrad, and I wanted to write fiction but I just sort of never made it over to that department. So when I started out writing the story collection, one of the things I’d been studying a lot in my courses was the ‘97 financial crisis. So I thought it’d be really cool to write from an economic experience a story collection about characters revolving around the ‘97 financial crisis, especially because of how that kind of impacted my family. … I was something like eight years old so I didn’t really understand the context but was hearing about it afterwards for years and then getting the economic context when I was in college. Then I was finally reading these short story collections. There’s one called “Other Rooms, Other Wonders” by Daniyal Mueenuddin, a Pakistani American writer and he bases a short story collection around the decline of the feudal land owning class in Pakistan. And I was like, that’s a really cool structure. It started there and then spiraled out of control and became everything else.

The book definitely takes some dark turns and has a lot of tough realities. Would you say that was intentional in your writing or does that come about naturally?

I think it’s probably the subject matter too. There are instances where the characters are winning, but just because it is talking about the middle class and the lower class, it felt disingenuous sometimes to write rosy stories about the movement of the agrarian class coming into the city in the 1980s. The ‘97 financial crisis then devastated the capital owning class, the middle class. It set back a lot of those families. So when I was looking at a lot of these stories, it was just hard to write a happy ending.

Tyler Roney

Photo: Mai Nardone / Mailee Osten-Tan

It’s quite a broad spectrum of characters, but you’ve got a lot of very modern, relatable personalities—laborers and an Elvis impersonator. What would you say is the larger story with these intersecting characters?

At the time I was writing this, starting from around maybe 2011, some of the stories were written when I was still trying to figure out how to write. Some were later when I had already sold the collection and I was trying to fill some spaces in the timeline. When I was writing this in the beginning, there was really only one Thailand short story collection written in English published in the West, and that was “Sightseeing” [by Rattawut Lapcharoensap] and that was set in the late eighties and nineties. … [In “Welcome Me to the Kingdom”] there’s some—not necessarily pop culture—but more like the skin whitening and a little bit with technology that comes into Thai society. And I write other stories that are about sex tourism, or just sex work in general. Looking at the way Thailand comes up in popular culture, whether it’s film or TV, or other books, and it’s a lot of, you know, that’s the world. I remember seeing one of the Bridget Jones Diaries movies in the theater years and years ago, and there’s a moment where she’s in a Thai prison and surrounded by Thai sex workers and they’re singing or something like that. It was very surreal. I think it was supposed to be funny. Nobody in the movie theater was laughing. Even a movie like “The Beach” where it’s kind of like these foreigners coming to Thailand and it’s just a place of opportunity, and it’s exotic but the exotic is perilous. So it’s taking some of those images of Thailand and trying to write them from within to give more facets.

Well on that topic it seems like a pretty successful debut, so what’s next? Any teasers on your next project?

On lightheartedness, I’m writing—it’s sort of BK Magazine territory—but I’m writing about the super rich, and the strange universe that is that world. I remember back when I was there, BK did this really fascinating…story about drug use in Thailand and I think it got the editor at the time in some hot water, but it was talking to middle class and upper class Thais and doing these anonymous surveys about

people are using drugs, what kind of drugs, how they are getting them. And it was this little interesting window into the middle and upper class and how they’re living in a way that isn’t really captured. I’ll watch how popular Thai soap operas are and it doesn’t feel like they’re necessarily getting behind the curtain of this world in some respects. So it’s a look at that, and I hope it can be more lighthearted. So it’s gonna make fun of the super rich. ●