BK Magazine 802

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Skate or Die Why everyone in Bangkok is suddenly surf skating Old Is New Meet the photographer bringing back the photo booth Molto Buono Riva del Fiume is impeccable Italian fine dining Home Again House of Heals drags its heels over to new Chit Lom digs

NO. 802 MARCH 26, 2021. www.bkmagazine.com

up in smoke

Cannabis Kingdom Thailand’s new cash crop turns green into gold

food & drink

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

02

ADVERTORIAL

FEAST OF A DEAL

Proudly Thai Keeping the nation’s culinary traditions alive, one dish at a time.

Suan Thip

Yoong Kao Hom

One of the oldest Thai fine-dining restaurants in Nonthaburi, Suan Thip Thai Cultural House sits in a serene leafy grounds peppered with teak wood pagodas that seriously feel anything but “big city”. There is a massive array of Thai food here, but definitely try the gaeng kee lek (the house-made herbal curry served with salted fish).

Koh Samui’s two-decade-old Southern dining institution, Khao Hom, doesn’t mince flavors, but remains a very solid gateway into Southern food. The house-made kapi and prik gaeng (spicy chili paste with herbs), never disappoints.

Sukhaprachasan 2, Soi 76, Nonthaburi, 02-583-3748. Open 11am-9pm

Get 10% discount on food only 1 Feb ’21 – 31 Jan ’22

Baan Chef Thitid Tassanakajohn (of the one Michelin-star Le Du) retreats from the modernist culinary techniques in favor of homey, everyday Thai meals. Co-run by his younger brother Chaisiri, Baan dishes out unpretentious meals which prove chic, high-quality dining can be delivered at pocket-friendly prices—and in a strikingly modern yet inviting space.

139/5 Wireless Rd. (between Japanese Embassy and Lumphini Police Station), 02-655-8995.

Open Wed-Sun 11:30am-2pm, 6-10pm; Mon 11:30am-2pm, 6-10pm

Get a complimentary Moo Dad Deaw valued THB 250 when spending THB 1,500 or more / sales slip

G/F, I’m Park, Chulin Soi 9, 063-465-6565.

Open daily 11am-10:30pm

Get 10% discount on food only 1 Jan – 31 Dec ’21

Suan Thip

Bo.Lan The Michelin-star powerhouse era of Bo.Lan might have ended last year, but if you know anything about the two founding chefs, they are OK with that. The reinvigorated Bo.Lan experience is now an exclusive chef’s table, but retains it’s fierce commitment to sustainability, local Thai produce, and recipes that reflect the nation’s culinary history.

Baan

24 Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02-260-2962.

Open Wed 6-10pm; Thu-Sat noon-2pm, 6pm-10pm; Sun noon-2pm

Come 4 pay 3 on Bo.lan Feast set only and

Get free 10% discount voucher for Bo.lan Grocer (minimum spending THB 500) (limit 1 voucher /card /table /sales slip) 1 Feb – 31 Dec ’21

(limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) 1 Jan – 31 Dec ’21

Brought to you by Citi

Yoong Kao Hom

Bo.Lan

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BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2021

Who's in charge?

It’s Quiz Time!

Managing Editor Craig Sauers

05

Senior Writers Dhipkawee Sriyananda Selley,

cover story

Veerabhatr Sriyananda

Thailand is about to cash in on cannabis

BK EDITORIAL

Contributors Megan Leon, Duncan Forgan

02

GROVE: COCONUTS MEDIA BRAND STUDIO Head of Grove Juhi Bimbhet

March: another chapter in the story of our lives. While the year seems to have progressed about as quickly as your standard Thai charter amendment process, a lot has happened in a short time. How closely were you paying attention to the news? Test yourself with our latest quiz.

Business Director Dietrich Neu

1. Which of the following did officials suggest would be strictly prohibited this Songkran?

Account Manager Summer Lee Digital Account Manager Nuttajuk Kittichailuk Digital Strategist Manasith Linananda Senior Project Manager Sirinart Panyasricharoen Project Manager Sawanya Chantarakana

A)

Foam parties and water splashing

B)

Slapping talcum powder on other peoples’ faces

Senior Graphic Designer Assaya Dejkong

C)

Drinking and driving

Senior Business Development Manager Orajira Sukkasem

D)

A and B only

Marketing and Events Coordinator Thanawat Buddhichewin Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo

Business Development Manager Sippakorn Prasert, Tassanee Mahamad, Chalida Anuwattanawong, Joseph Toh

2. Major Cineplex announced that what would now be accepted as payment at its Ratchayothin outlet?

Business Development Executives Kornkanok Sriwaranant,

08

Palita Nueangnit SOIMILK Editor Noranartta Chaikum Senior Writers Rujiyatorn Choksiriwan, Kristiya Chaisri Interns Kanicha Nualkhair Publisher, Printer, and Editor Tara Rattanaphas ON THE COVER

shopping

Swatch and MoMA team up for wearable art

Illustration by Wirankan Saiyasombut

09 what’s on

House of Heals is back in new digs BK Magazine is a Coconuts Media publication.

A)

Stock in cannabis start-ups

B)

Straight-up cannabis, a.k.a. the ganj

C)

Bitcoin

D)

Bootleg copies of movies people actually want to see

3. Thai officials suspected of what will now be suspended without pay under a new code of ethics?

A)

Committing adultery

B)

Enjoying the musical stylings of BNK48

C)

Believing in real democracy

D)

Having a cordial-to-friendly relationship with Thanathorn

4. What did City Hall do to Wat Arun in honor of St. Patrick’s Day?

Founder and CEO Byron Perry Coconuts TV Head of Content Vim Shanmugam Operations Manager Clarissa Cortes coconuts.co Advertise with us advertising@coconuts.co

11 open doors

Where to find us!

Coconuts BK Limited

111 Room 5A, 5th Floor We Space Building, Soi Thonglor 5 Khlong Tan Neua, Wattana Bangkok, 10110 Tel: 02-041-5755 Email: info@bkmagazine.com

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.

Riva del Fiume brings Lake Como to the riverside

A)

Dressed all the temple’s monks as leprechauns

B)

Transformed its small pier into a bobbing Irish pub

C)

Illuminated it in emerald green

D)

Replaced some of the ancient relics with wee pots of gold

5. What luxury items were used by criminals to launder dirty drug money recently?

A)

Sinovac shipments

B)

High-dollar cats, including Bengals and Scottish Folds

14

15

feature

the last word

C)

Boutique N95 smog masks

Everyone is surf skating

Luksika “Pyn” Jiradarakul

D)

Hermès surf skate gear

Answer Key get in the loop

contest, updates, stories

bkmagazine. com

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latest news and trends

see what’s happening

@bkmagazine

@bkmagazine

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

D C—no word on Dogecoin payments, though A C—a pub would have been much more fun B—although tbh each is plausible

upfront

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

04

Types of food people you find in Bangkok

Illustration by Wathinee Srithongchuai

YOU SAID WHAT?

HOT OR NOT

“No Amantee? This list is null and void… The publication kind of loses credibility when they miss out [on] the obvious.” — Facebook user Joe Willan on BK’s croissant round-up

“Also a parking lot ive been directed to park here couple of times now [laugh emoji]” — Instagram user areena.aloha on the Sathorn cemetery that has been turned into a park

“People get more frustrated since the ban of PornHub lol” — Instagram user jiffynyc on BK’s Feb 12 cover art

it's free!

Crumb Trail Bite into Bangkok’s latest OTT food fad with our croissant guide Planting Ideas This couple is making the plant-based movement mainstream Break Even Why life is better than ever on the wrong side of Sukhumvit Chim Up Siam’s newest cafe-restaurant is all about bold art and comfort food

NO. 799 FEBRUARY 12, 2021. www.bkmagazine.com

Put the stigma to bed

LET’S TALK ABOUT SEX Cover-BK#799.indd 5

8/2/2564 BE 15:38

YACHTING

420

Nautical tourists everywhere are jumping for joy in their Sperry’s, as Thailand has unveiled “digital yacht quarantine” on Phuket. (BYO boat, of course.) Yachties must remain within 10km of their seafaring vessels and wear a digital tracker that allows officials to monitor their pulse, blood pressure, and body temperature in real time, which doesn’t sound dystopian at all.

Next month, Thailand is marking World Cannabis Day (4/20, bro!) with two large forums that cannabis advocates are hailing as milestones for Asia’s medical marijuana trade. The first will showcase cannabis-based products while the other will promote medical marijuana.

Lest we mislead you, note that every part of the cannabis plant except the flowers—a.k.a., the psychoactive part— has been legalized.

Those are still classified as narcotics.

SECONDARY DESTINATIONS The other hot news in the tourism world involves so-called area quarantine. The scheme would give tourists the freedom to roam around their hotel grounds after three days, as long as their Covid-19 tests come back negative.

After 14 days, they can travel freely, with a catch: only in the designated areas of Phuket, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Samui, and Koh Phangan.

Sorry, Kanchanaburi.

SPEED No, no—not that.

We mean quickness, haste, celerity. The constitutional court has ordered that two referendums must take place before a charter amendment can occur, which means it’s going to be quite some time before that process happens.

Which really means it probably isn’t going to happen, and opposition parties will face the same stacked deck in the next elections as they did in 2017.

cover | reefer madness

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

05

Cannabusiness P

romoted at the highest levels with cuddly mascots and photo ops in fields of leafy greens, cannabis has clearly become Thailand’s next cash crop. With new products on the market, major expos in the works, and the country’s oligopolies entering the fold, the green rush is underway, and those in the know are set to cash in on a multibilliondollar pot of gold.

I

f Anutin Charnvirakul has planned to bond himself with cannabis, he has gone about it the right way.

Over the past year or so, Thailand’s current health minister has not missed an opportunity to display his weed-friendly credentials.

Images of him sniffing cannabidiol (CBD) oil in parliament, planting cannabis seedlings in a fetching hairnet, or mixing cannabis leaves into drinks circulate on a near weekly basis.

A recent photo on his personal Facebook page showed the tycoonturned-politician caressing a giant cannabis plant with a near ecstatic look on his face.

He posted the snap ahead of the Cannabis 360 festival in Buriram— Anutin’s Isaan powerbase—where the minister was a star draw at an event to promote the use of cannabis in food, drink, and health and beauty items.

By Duncan Forgan

Young buds growing at Eastern Spectrum headquarters

cover | reefer madness

Thanisorn “Phet” Boonsoong, CEO of Eastern Spectrum, left

Vendors at the expo showcased a wide variety of lines, with products ranging from cannabis craft soda to soft-serve hemp ice cream and CBD anti-aging cream.

Mixed messages have been a feature of Thailand’s recent governance, but it’s hard to think of a clearer sign that the country’s cannabis industry is edging overground than having your health minister drape himself in weed leaves like your favorite stoner uncle.

Anutin, whose Bhumjaithai Party is part of Thailand’s current coalition government, has built much of his political capital on legalizing cannabis in Thailand. It’s a cause gathering seemingly irresistible momentum via successive moves to decriminalize the plant and its by-products.

He once said legalization would be “a win-win for the Thai people because they will grow the plant, and it will benefit the economy.”

“Our leaders understand the benefits cannabis deregulation will bring to the country, both economically and for the improvement of society and of health,” says Thanisorn “Phet” Boonsoong, CEO of Eastern Spectrum, a fully integrated cannabis plant cultivator and processor, which provides (primarily) hemp-derived CBD products. “We are extremely excited about the cannabis industry in

Thailand. Although it’s only in its infancy, we look forward to it expanding much further as things mature.”

It’s impossible not to notice the current hype around hemp in Thailand. Medical marijuana was legalized in 2019—albeit it is still very strictly controlled: limited to specifically licensed clinics and hospitals.

Other moves towards freeing the weed have followed. At the end of 2020 came a formal announcement that most of the cannabis plant would be delisted as Class-5 controlled substances.

The formerly forbidden bark, stem, fibres, branches, roots and leaves became legal, providing they comprised CBD with less than 0.2 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) by weight. Flowers and buds—with their heavy-duty volume of THC, the high-inducing psychoactive constituent of cannabis—remain off-limits.

A pilot scheme has also made it legal for Thai households to grow six pots of cannabis each to supplement their income. But any flowers and seeds yielded from the crop grown at homes must be sent to state medical facilities as they remain in Thailand’s criminal code.

These measures have sparked a so-called “green gold rush” where cannabis is becoming increasingly ubiquitous.

Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul

On March 17, share prices of Thai cosmetics and food firms rose sharply following announcements about the research and manufacture of cannabis products. One significant beneficiary was CP Foods, which says it plans to launch hemp-based ready meals within the year. Its shares rose 1.65 percent.

All over the country, familiar Thai conglomerates, as well as small-scale entrepreneurs, are dipping their toes into the fast-flowing waters. The wave is epitomized by the appearance of cannabis cafes and the cannabis consumer products doing the rounds at Cannabis 360 and other forthcoming expos, including a major one to be held at Bangkok’s Carlton Hotel to mark World Cannabis Day next month.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

“We’ve had the knowledge in Thailand for centuries,” he continues. “With average temperatures up here in the north of around 26 degrees [Celsius], we have perfect conditions for growing cannabis outdoors, which is great for energy efficiency.

There are strong labor advantages with a highly skilled agricultural workforce and amazing supply chain benefits. There’s so much potential.”

It’s easy to get swept up in the evangelism of business players like Thirakaosol. But others take a measured view of Thailand’s current green gold rush.

“The changes in the law are a step in the right direction, but they are just baby steps,” says Kitty Chopaka, founder of Elevated Estate and a leader from the Bangkok-based cannabis advocacy group Highland Network.

Anutin and Dr. Ganja introduce cannabis to Thai kids

The craze has even broached the counter-cultureunfriendly surrounds of Siam Paragon, where staid bakery Kanom Siam is stuffing its signature pandan cakes full of chopped leaves from the cannabis plant.

Players in the country’s green gold rush are not so interested in the plant’s potential for inducing a higher state of consciousness. Well, they are, but that’s some way further down the line towards what they hope will be full legalization of the plant—dank buds and all—and widespread acceptance (and monetization) of recreational marijuana use. What is most intoxicating to many is the financial potential of the industry.

“Marijuana is Thailand’s future cash crop,” commented Sontirat Sontrijirawonghas, the secretary general of the ruling Phalang Pracharat Party and a former commerce minister.

Indeed, it is hard not to be dazzled by the figures.

The global legal market is projected to grow to US$56 billion (B1.7 trillion) by 2025, according to business consultancy Grand View Research. The Asian medical marijuana market will be worth an estimated US$5.8 billion by 2024, according to Prohibition Partners, a cannabis research firm.

It’s no wonder that many view Thailand’s positioning at the vanguard of this boom as a smart economic move. It’s also a play that—on the surface anyway—appears to make sense culturally.

Conservative Thais may disapprove of your average pot-head, but even they can’t deny the country’s stoner credentials. Over the centuries, the plant has been used for medicinal herbs, topical ointments for muay Thai fighters and as an ingredient in multiple recipes. The country’s weed—especially its Thai Stick—is legendary. Even “bong” is an adaptation of the Thai word baung.

“Nobody in Asia knows weed better than the Thais,” says Kris Thirakaosal, CEO and co-founder of Golden Triangle Group, which has partnered with Chiang Rai’s Rajabhat University to grow high-quality hemp for use in medical, cosmetic, and F&B products. The company is currently in discussions with potential high-profile partners, including drinks giants Red Bull and Tipco, about using its CBD-packed strains.

“The communication from the government about what is and what is not allowed is quite unclear.

Many people don’t know what the hell is going on.

They don’t understand cannabis and just see the bubble.”

“Everyone is rushing in to stake their claim in the industry. Next, we will see the golden age of the gray market. Smaller players who are getting into the market will likely not be around in four or five months. It’s a very volatile market and will be for the next three or four years.”

Boonsoong of Eastern Spectrum agrees that the coming period in Thailand is likely to involve a degree of fumbling around in the dark.

“There’s confusion about how to capitalize on this industry,” he says. “There is a lack of information and an abundance of misinformation floating around Thailand. Our goal is to contribute to the growth of the industry by providing education and fact-based knowledge.”

The recent frenzy has tended to skate over the issue of recreational use of weed. Pandan cakes, CBD soda, and marketing paraphernalia featuring cute characters shaped like cannabis leaves suggest a societal acceptance of pot. But users of marijuana in Thailand still face severe penalties for possession, including up to ten years in prison.

While many dismiss the possibility of legalization, other campaigners are more optimistic.

“I think that Thailand will make cannabis legal for recreational use within five to eight years,” adds Chopaka. I believe it is inevitable, especially with more countries around the world legalizing recreational use for adults. Ultimately, politicians believe in the benefit of the ker-ching.”

Nobody doubts the economic potential of marijuana for Thailand. Of course, there will be many who come away empty-handed. On the other hand, the scope for profit is incredible, with a healthy slice of a multibillion-dollar pie the prize for those with the right business strategy and connections.

Perhaps that’s part of the reason why Anutin looks so content when he’s around all those cannabis plants.

Get Your Greens Where to try CBD-infused food and drinks in Bangkok 420 Cannabis Bar Try: cannabis teas and bubble teas with CBD, “fly high” CBD cookies, baked pot leaf and spinach with cheese.

Several branches: Ari (7/1 Soi Chamnan Aksorn), Sukhumvit 71, Srinakarin (Premier Soi 1, Yaek 8) Goodsouls Kitchen Try: Coming soon, the vegan restaurant will offer a smoothie bowl, pesto pasta, vegetarian burger, vegan steak, and Burmese tea leaf salad, all with cannabis.

59/28 Sukhumvit Soi 26 (Soi Thanpuying Puangrat-Prapai) Kanom Siam Try: cannabis khanom krok.

Several branches: Siam Paragon, EmQuartier, Suan Plern Market (Rama V Rd.) Kiew Kai Ka Try: Green curry, stir-fried malindjo leaves with egg, and chicken soup with tamarind leaves—all infused with cannabis.

Lat Phrao (33 Nak Niwat Rd.); Chiang Mai (One Nimman)

07

hit list | lifestyle

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

08

Swatch teams up with MoMA to bring famous art to life

SHOPPING

In its collaboration with New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), a Swiss watchmaker is taking the wearable art trend to the next level. The Swatch x MoMA Museum Journey series recreates six masterpieces housed in the museum in watch form: Vincent van Gogh’s Starry Night, Gustav Klimt’s Hope II, Henri Rousseau’s The Dream, Piet Mondrian’s Composition in Oval with Color Planes 1, Tadanori Yokoo’s The City and Design, The Wonders of Life on Earth, Isamu Kurita, and Tadanori Yokoo’s New York. Each watch is available as an individual piece or as part of a collector’s set, which come with a special box inspired by the Blade Stair, a prominent architectural feature in the MoMA. Swatch has also collaborated with artist Beatriz Milhazes to offer three of her works from MoMA’s collection—Suculentas Beringelas (Succulent Eggplants), O Espelho (The Mirror), and Meu Bem—on Swatch x You, a platform on swatch.com that allows customers to create their own customized watch style. The Museum Series watches start at an affordable B2,650 and max out at B3,300 for the Rousseau, Mukura, and van Gogh timepieces. They’re available on swatch.com and at Swatch stores nationwide. Visit the flagship at CentralWorld to experience them in a mini-MoMA installation.

[NOISELESS SOCIETY]

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Shure Aonic 50 B14,900 Available at .life store, Siam Paragon

CITY LIFE

DESIGN

CINEMA

MuvMi expands its electric tuk tuk services to Sukhumvit

B2S opens an InstagramDocumentary Club to take friendly bookstore in Chidlom over Bangkok Screening Room’s space

Electric tuk tuk service MuvMi has deployed 100 clean-riding vehicles along Sukhumvit, serving riders from Sois 3 and 51 to New Petchaburi Road. The fleet joins the company’s eco-friendly rides in districts like Samyan-Siam, Ari-Inthamara, and Rattanakosin.

Commuters need only download the MuvMi app (iOS/ Android), add money via bank transfer or card, then book pick-up and drop-off at designated locations. Fares start at B10 and are limited to destinations within the same zone. Expect to see a lot more of this service in 2021, too, as MuvMi expects to add 2,000 more pick-up and drop-off locations by the end of the year.

China doesn’t have a monopoly on trippy, Instagrammable bookstores anymore. Stationery and book seller B2S has just unveiled a visually arresting Think Space on the sixth floor of Central Chidlom, filled with curvy wooden shelves, a mirrored ceiling, and a photogenic “book cave” with a vast selection of over 10,000 stationery and book titles in Thai and English.

The 1,000-sq-meter space—its second, following its sprawling Think Space in the Central Eastville shopping mall—also provides art and craft supplies, IT gadgets, and the child-oriented Play & Learn Space. The space in the future will host workshops and panel discussions.

Early this month came word that Silom’s Bangkok Screening Room won’t be demolished when it concludes its run at the end of March, but rather it will be handed over to a new tenant: Documentary Club.

Thida Plitpolkarnpim, founder of Documentary Club, said the move resulted from her regretting the loss of another quality cinema shutting down. According to Thida, the venue will be lightly modified to fit the Documentary Club’s direction with more details to be announced at a later date. Bangkok Screening Room opened with 52 seats in Sep 2016. It will stay open through Mar 31.

Shop Talk How to spend your hard-earned baht.

BUY IT

BIN IT

BARGAIN

PREDUCE “APOTHECARY” SKATEBOARD DECK Giving “sick deck” a whole new meaning (B1,500); available at preduce.com

LUXURY SKATEBOARDS B1.8 million for a Louis Vuitton x Supreme skate kit?

Nah, we’re good.

KIPSTA KNEE PADS, B150 AT DECATHLON If you’re learning to skate on an LV deck, you probably need all the protection you can get.

hit list I what’s on Kolour Beachside The Kolour krew flies south this summer, popping up at Cafe del Mar in Kamala beach in Phuket for a Saturday packed with house, disco, and techno. Plus, you know, sun and sand.

Kolour Beachside will level up from its Bangkok gatherings with beachside games and activities; drink packages, including poolside cabana and table promos; and an afterparty elsewhere on the island, with free shuttles to and from. Tickets are at-the-door only (B1,100), but there are still hotel deals at the Novotel Kamala, Intercontinental Phuket, Andara, and Kudo Patong if you’re flying down for the weekend. Apr 3, 2pm-late, Cafe del Mar, Kamala Beach. kolourbeachside.com

Kraft Kraft Local Market #4 Film photography is still utterly on fire, with flashless and toy camera-wielding shooters capturing cafes and cityscapes from Chiang Mai in the north to Phuket way down south. Whether you’re just dabbling or have gone full retro photographer, check out the Kraft Kraft Market to stock up on film and accessories, or to purchase new (old) cameras and gadgets.

Apart from film photo gear, you’ll also find minimal watches, prints, handicrafts, eco-friendly products, and more across 80-plus booths all weekend long. Apr 2-4, 11am-8pm. Lido Connect, 256 Rama I Rd.

Weeping Guitar

Bring Back My Heals Eight months after top Thai drag star Pangina Heals (pictured above) opened the doors to House of Heals, it’s moving to a new home. Relocating from Phaya Thai Road, the drag destination will welcome audiences again starting Mar 26 with Bring Back My Heals, a reopening party that promises to be anything but ordinary. Apart from Pangina Heals herself, other top talents to perform on stage at the venue include Annee Maywong, Dearis Doll, Angele Anang, Kandy Zyanide, Meannie Minaj, and Jaja the Kween. Find it inside the Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel on Phloen Chit Road, a few steps from BTS Chit Lom. The venue is 20-and-up; reservations are available at thehealsbkk.com.

Reach affluent urbanites through our trusted guides.

To be featured, contact us at advertising@coconuts.co 02-041-5755 BK-GUIDE-145X210MM GROVE.indd 1

23/11/2563 BE 19:25

Somrak Sila of WTF Gallery is partnering with Pro Musica, Chulalongkorn University, and the Embassy of Spain to curate two nights of music, poetry, and art at the Goethe-Institut.

Inspired by Francis Poulenc’s “Violin Sonata” from 1943, Weeping Guitar consists of poetry readings, classical music, and rap interpretations of Federico García Lorca’s work by Rap Against Dictatorship member Dechathorn Bamrungmuang, plus visuals designed by Saran Yen Panya. The multidisciplinary performance aims to urge guests to draw lessons from the Spanish Civil War and the artists who stood up to fascism, in light of the deteriorating state of democracy and human rights today. Tickets are B600 (tanya@wtfbangkok.com, 02-6626246). Mar 28-29, 7:30pm. 18/1 Soi Goethe, Sathorn Soi 1

food & drink | news

Sindhorn Midtown celebrates one year anniversary with lots of deals

HELLUVA YEAR

This month, Langsuan’s Sindhorn Midtown is celebrating one year in business. To say thanks for the support despite the pandemic, they’re rolling out deals from now through Mar 31. The “Thank Goodness It’s Friday” deal lets you enjoy a 90-minute beer buffet for B399 (with a live DJ for entertainment) at the Horizon Pool Bar every Friday from 5-9pm. If you really can’t wait for that Friday feeling, Tr.EAT by Saneh Jaan also hosts a 90-minute beer buffet for B399 on the daily. At Rhumba, meanwhile, the “Rum Month” deal offers buy-one-get-one for every rum-centric drink throughout Mar and Apr. Note that all three outlets have a buy-one-get-one free promotion for different drinks and food items, too. Sindhorn Midtown Hotel Bangkok, 68 Langsuan Rd., 02-796-8888

OFF CUTS

WE BACK

Feast on fine dining fare you won’t find elsewhere at this one-off event

Bo.lan is back with a clever new tasting menu that won’t break the bank

Eleven kitchen stars converge on the Peninsula this Mar 26-28 for Off Menu. Previously held in Hong Kong, the event debuts in Bangkok with a chef line-up that includes Christian Martena of Clara, Wilfrid Hocque of Blue by Alain Ducasse, Sujira “Aom” Pongmorn from Sawaan, Napol “Joe” Jantraget of Samlor and Krok, and celebrity chef Pichaya “Pam” Soontornyanakij. Guests will get 11 dishes made just for the event, plus three drinks—wine or cocktails concocted by guest bartenders, including Shavinraj Gopinath of Philtration and Francesco Moretti of Sinnerman.

Tickets are B2,880. The Peninsula Bangkok, 333 Charoen Nakhon Rd., offmenufestival.com

After a rocky start to 2021, Bo.lan has re-emerged with a distinctive tasting menu called The Never Ending Amuse Bouche. A kaleidoscope of thought-provoking bites takes diners across Thailand. You can choose between the fiveflight (B1,200/15 bites) or eight-flight menu (B1,800/24 bites). Both feature regional flavors and are categorized according to cooking technique and how people in Thailand eat. Bites include steamed red curry with fish, minced pork, and crab; a Thai-style cupcake (khanom krok) with crab curry, green curry wafer, and longan; and an Akha-inspired larb. Only available until mid-April. 24 Sukhumvit Soi 53, 02-260-2962

ABOUT THAT

About Eatery welcomes new chef, revamps menu for fifth anniversary After turning five this year, About Eatery is entering a new era, led by new partner and head chef Lorenzo Rosso, who has unveiled a fresh menu pared back to focus on simplicity.

Think starters like crab cakes topped with arrabbiata and tartar sauce (B590/4 pieces); beef carpaccio with mayo dressing, Parmesan flakes, champignons, and black truffle (B690); and pitch-black Tagliolini Nero (B590), packed with squid braised in its ink and sprinkled with gold dust. For dessert, don’t miss the classic tiramisu (B240), and for drinks, the wine program remains top-notch, curated by owner-sommelier Guilio Saverino. G/F Ocean Tower 2, Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-665-2772

food & drink | open door

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

11

Escape to Lake Como at the Four Seasons’ riverside restaurant The buzz: Bangkok’s ultra luxe Four Seasons hotel is making waves with its Italian fine dining restaurant, Riva del Fiume, which aims to transport you to Italy’s Lake Como, if only briefly.

The vibe: A stark contrast from the hotel’s sleek, cascading architecture and gray color scheme, Riva del Fiume is a warm ode to the picturesque restaurants that line Italy’s Lake Como, thanks to design specialist Avrokos (Lennon’s, Waldorf Astoria). Positioned along the Chao Phraya, the dining room evokes class with its warm, earthy tones, white marble tables, and an openair space lined with floor-to-ceiling windows. If you like views, the best are out front, where you can dine al fresco while enjoying a dreamy sunset over the river of kings.

The food: Chef Andrea Accordi, a Four Seasons veteran who hails from Nogara in Verona province, has created an edible map from the north to the south of Italy, bringing in distinctive touches like extra virgin olive oil from Tasca d’Almerita and briny capers from the island of Pantelleria in Sicily. Start with Sicllian-style arancini (deep-fried saffron risotto filled with buffalo mozzarella, B250), or the delicate acciughe (B380): wood-fired schiacciata (flatbread), made with a special sourdough from fermented Thai cacao pods, polenta, and potato, topped with salted anchovies, elderberry capers, and tomato sauce. If you’re sharing, try the gamberi rosso Mazzara del Vallo (B1,250), sweet red prawns served crudo-style with cruschi pepper and wild fennel, and one of their many homemade pastas, like the

spaghetti alla chitarra (B480) with a creamy carbonara sauce and crispy guanciale, or the caramelle (B820), slow-cooked hen ravioli with robiola cheese and cacciatore sauce. There are plenty of pizzas to choose from, too, like the n’duja (B520), which is topped with spicy Calabrian sausage, porcini mushrooms, and creamy gorgonzola cheese.

For something more wholesome, go for the signature beef tagliata (B1,900/150g), a platinum-label Mayura sirloin paired with mushrooms, rocket, and Parmesan. End the evening with an icy Sgroppino (320), lemon sorbet with grappa and Amalfi limoncello. ​ The drinks: Nothing pairs more perfectly with Italian fare than Italian wine, and you’re in very good hands with wine curator and assistant F&B director Marino Braccu, the ex-GM of three-Michelin-starred 8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Hong Kong.

Braccu has put forth an approachable selection of Italian grape varietals, like the bright, citrusy 2018 Stefano Antonucci Le Vaglie Verdicchio (B480 glass/B2,380 bottle) and the medium-bodied 2018 Li Veli Orion Primitivo (B440 glass/B2,100 bottle) from Puglia. The homemade limoncello (B280), which is distilled from Sicilian lemons, is also a must.

Why we’d come back: With its riverside setting, posh interiors, and on-point flavors, Riva del Fiume offers a sweet, grand escape.

Squint and you might trick yourself into thinking you’re in Italy, too.

Megan Leon Four Seasons Hotel, 300/1 Charoenkrung Rd., 02-032-0888. Open daily 122:30pm, 6-10:30pm

food & drink | new & noted

Crave Man

NEW AND NOTED

TABLE TALK

Kinlenn Eatery & Play 330 Phaholyothin Road, Phaya Thai, 06-4229-2263.

Open daily 11am-10pm Known for authentic Thai flavors, creative plating and a culinary ethos that “food should be fun”, Kinlenn struck a note with Instagram crowds a few years ago and has since expanded to branches across Thailand. The modernist interior is accented by pretty down to earth Thai staples, like somtam, mackerel salad, and fried rice, with a couple fusion options as well. Definitely have the baristas whip you up one of their in-house coffee specials.

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get 10% discount on food only 1 Feb – 31 Dec '21

This semi-chef’s table is turning heads with feel-good food

Thonglor’s new burger Enter the world of specialist is all about natural wines at greasy goodness Phloen Chit’s new bar

At Asoke Pi Shop, chef-slash-owner Kunanun Lertpisikul offers something between a Michelin-caliber meal and wine bar fare, serving ingredient-focused, daily-changing menus. Currently, you can try grilled shiitake with coffee dashi and pink peppercorn (B350); hanger steak with gorgonzola (B950); and risotto alla Milanese with bone marrow (B650). All the dishes include one or more smoky elements—even the signature flatbreads, which include smoked artichokes and taro in the dough. As far as drinks go, wine is the way to go, and it’s bottles-only for now, with plans to change to by the glass soon. 116/8 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 088-979-5436

Located at the Fox Thonglor, Crave Man specializes in juicy burgers made with Australian beef and fully loaded sandwiches. Keep it simple with a classic beef burger topped with special sauce (B200), or level up to options like the Crave Man (B270), with grilled mushrooms, caramelized onions, cheddar, and special sauce, or Jose Del Craver (B250), topped with fried onion rings, jalapenos, and chipotlehoney barbecue sauce. Sandwiches include steak and cheese melts (B260) and vegan wraps (B200), and there are loads of classic sides— mozzarella sticks (B140), buffalo chicken wings (B160/5 wings), and more. The Fox Thonglor, 209 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 096-960-3042

At Mod Kaew, there’s no wine list— instead, browse the bottles yourself or ask for assistance from co-founder and ex-Gaggan somm Ottara Pyne, a walking thesaurus of wines. If you still can’t decide, try the flight school (B690), which includes three options like the Bruno Duchene 2019, a dry, spicy natural red, and the Italian Elisabetta Foradori 2017, a house-recommended entry into the world of orange wines. Food is no afterthought, with a menu of bites like the WAP (B380), made with beyond meat, Texas toast, black garlic chickpea mayo, and crispy shallots.

1041/21 Phloen Chit Rd.

BK MAGAZINE

FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021

13

Sirimahannop

NEW AND NOTED

The plant-based crowd is going loco for Thonglor’s vegfriendly taco joint

Aussie-style fish sandwiches take over Sathorn 10

Set sail on Marriott’s new boat dining experience

Run by a chef who spent ten years at Sunrise Tacos, the colorful yet kind of minimal El Hefe serves over 20 styles of tacos, including tacos de alambre (B260/3 tacos), with spiced grilled chicken topped with onions, bell peppers, and cheese, and the on-trend birria (B260/3 tacos) made with beef slow-cooked in an adobo sauce made of vinegar, dry chilies, herbs, and spices. What people are really going loco for are the vegan tacos, from the jackfruit tacos (B260/3 tacos) to the hibiscus flower tacos (B240/3 tacos) served with refreshing hibiscus salsa.

For drinks, they offer a wide variety of Mexican spirits and cocktails. 2/8 Sukhumvit Soi 34, 02-040-0473

Inspired by Sydney’s fried fish sandwiches, Miss Fish is a brightly colored space serving up Aussie-inspired seafood fare. Go for the BFF (B250), loaded with deep-fried cod, pickles, tomato, onion, and cheddar; the Miss Fish Royale (B250), with fried cod, shredded lettuce, and heaps of their signature tartare sauce; or the fish and chips (B200 dory/B290 cod). Rice bowls, meanwhile, offer a healthy alternative for dine-in or takeaway.

Choose from salmon (B350) or tuna (B390), with options like the Green Goddess, which packs in greens like broccoli rabe, peas, guacamole, brussels sprouts, pea sprouts, and yogurt-cucumber dill dressing on brown rice. 67 Soi Suksavithaya, Sathorn Soi 10, 081-831-6277

Hop aboard the Sirimahannop, a boat-based dining venture permanently stationed on the river at Asiatique. On this three-deck replica of an old Royal Thai Navy ship, kitted out with an outdoor lounge, private dining room, and rum bar hidden below deck, guests enjoy menus that reflect the ship’s globetrotting past. Think smoked pepper mackerel served with hardtack biscuits and Scandinavian horseradish sauce (B270), and fish sliders with Danish remoulade and homemade dill gherkins (B160).

Sundowners, meanwhile, come in the form of cocktails like the Tamarind (Caorunn gin, curacao liqueur, clarified tamarind, beer syrup, foam; B380). Asiatique, Charoenkrung Soi 72-76, 02-059-5555

TABLE TALK

Nara Thai Cuisine G/F, Erawan Bangkok, 494 Ploenchit Road, 02-2507707. There are 13 other locations around Bangkok.

Founded by three female entrepreneurs in 2003, Nara Thai Cuisine has become famous for its Ayuthaya-style boat noodles and artfully plated classic Thai dishes like the pla kaphong nueng manao (steamed whole sea bass doused in a spicy chili and lime sauce). The concept proved so successful that Nara has expanded to 14 locations across Bangkok — nearly every major shopping mall has one. Protip: don’t leave without trying the goong chae numpla (prawn carpaccio marinated in fish sauce).

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get a complimentary Mango and Sticky Rice with Coconut Milk (Size L) valued THB 280 when spending THB 1,500 or more /sales slip (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) (Excluding VAT and Service Charge) 1 Mar – 31 Dec '21

TBT-Nara-BK#802.indd 1

9/3/2564 BE 18:29

feature | concrete wave

Surf Skate Society S

urf skating, a form of skateboarding that replicates surfing on the streets, is what it’s all about for Bangkok right now.

Here’s what you need to know about Thailand’s latest lifestyle fad, why it’s blowing up, and if anyone will still be doing it a year from now.

By Veerabhatr Sriyananda

O

ver the past year, everyone from kindergarteners to office workers have started turning up to skate parks and public parks with a surf skate board in hand. Surf skaters are all over our TikTok and Instagram feeds. They’ve taken over a corner of Rod Fai park, the parking lot of Big C Rama IV, and even a ghostly-empty Asiatique.

Karin “Nick” Manunapichu

Surf skating may seem pretty novel now, but it’s nothing new.

Modern surfing can be traced back to the 1700s in Polynesia, and skateboarding has been popular since the 1970s. Surf skating, a sport also known as carveboarding, began as a way for surfers to hone their skills when there were no waves, using boards that are much more nimble than skateboards.

Think skateboarding but with surfing maneuvers.

“In surf skating, you have to use your shoulders and hips to control the movement of the board [instead of your feet],” explains Eknarin “Ake” Yotipai (pictured at top), a board designer for Sunova, the surfboard and lifestyle brand headquartered in Khao Lak. “What sets it apart from other board sports is there is so much

beauty and grace in the way you move. Skateboards don’t require as much movement, whereas surf skateboards are made for you to turn easier.”

Even though it isn’t a new activity, there’s a reason why surf skate boards are flying off the shelves—to the point that netizens in the Facebook group Surfskate Thailand Marketplace are selling secondhand boards for as much as B40,000.

“People haven’t been able to travel abroad or even leave their neighborhoods at times, so we all had to find something new to do to pass the time. When celebrities [like Ploi Horwang] began surf skating and posting it on their feeds, people just started to go crazy over it,” says Supapitch “June” Pithayanukul, a Bangkokbased distributor of Sunova.

Surf skating isn’t just for the young, though. “We’ve seen parents bringing their kids to surf skate, and some of the [adults] end up buying a board of their own. It’s become a family activity,” says Karin “Nick” Manunapichu, owner of Pumptrack SlideAway in Pathum Thani.

The sport is also accessible for beginners, and you don’t need much to get into it, which is something that attracted Napol “Koe” Pornsomboon, a lifelong, diehard sports enthusiast.

“I’ve tried everything from triathlon, rock climbing, free diving, horse riding, open water swimming, and standup paddle boarding to tennis, basketball, and football…

Surf skating isn’t as hard to get into as you think it is.

All you need is a board, and

you can do it anywhere, anytime,” he says.

That low barrier of entry also makes the sport extremely adaptable. Nick notes that, once you’ve got the basics down, you can easily branch out into skating, downhill longboarding, and, of course, surfing—the epicenter being Memories Beach in Khao Lak, where Ake, who’s also a surf skate instructor and the originator of the “Sunova Style,” plies his trade.

Even for thrill seekers like Koe, however, surf skating in Thailand is becoming more than what it seems on the surface. “It’s more than just a sport. You see people expressing themselves with the way they dress, the style they skate, the boards they use,” he notes.

But like all lifestyle fads in Thailand, surf skating might be a passing trend. Casual surf skaters like Koe wouldn’t mind this prospect. He thinks it will cool off and fall behind mainstream sports like cycling, golf, or running—part of the reason he estimates he’ll only surf skate another two or three years before moving on to something else.

Those in the industry think otherwise.

Napol “Koe” Pornsomboon

“It’s so similar to surfing, which is already popular here. I think we can create a culture for it in Thailand,” Ake declares.

“Surf skating, or any board sport, is a lifestyle. But it’s still new. We’ll have to see if it can stand the test of time,” adds Nick. “When the world is back to normal, I hope more foreign skaters will come to Thailand to exchange knowledge and help the community grow.”

While its popularity might be more about trend-seeking than thrill-seeking, there’s a lot working in surf skating’s favor. It’s been red hot for more than a year, and its momentum doesn’t seem to be slowing down. Like jiggly pancakes, beer yoga, and camping, no one can say if the masses will be into it this time next year, but probably everyone can agree: if it is just as popular in 2022 as it is now, we at least hope it won’t cost B40,000 to buy a board anymore.

the last word | getting her shots in

This up-andcoming photographer is bringing back the photo booth

Most young people in Bangkok have barely seen a photo booth. Why did you think this would work?

People love to take photos in general. They’re like souvenirs for events that happen in your life—they’re a way of preserving memories. What I’m doing is providing people with a different way to engage with photography.

I don’t think photo booths are an entirely new thing for Thai people, either, so it should be easy to forge a fresh connection with them.

Why do you think people are so into film photography right now anyway?

A huge part of it is the time you have to wait to develop your photos. With digital photography, you’ll know how your shots will turn out right after you take them, and you can decide whether you want to keep them or not. The experience I have while waiting for my film to develop, and sharing the photos with my friends afterwards, is just more fun than that. It’s all trial and error. You get to experiment with so many types of films and cameras… and each roll of film does its own thing as a filter.

Do you think photo booths have staying power, or is this a passing trend?

I really want it to be more than just a trend that comes and goes, but rather a part of modern culture. I want them to stay forever, even if only two people are using it per hour.

T

wenty-four-year-old photographer Luksika “Pyn” Jiradarakul is triggering nostalgia for an object much of Bangkok has never had: the photo booth. The brains behind Sculpture Bangkok, an art project featuring old-school Photoautomat, Pyn discusses her affinity for photography, bringing the booths to Bangkok, and where you can get your shots.

What is Sculpture Bangkok?

Sculpture Bangkok is an art project I began in 2019 with Photoautomat photo booths. Now I’m doing this with Sarit “Pea” Trilertvichien (best known for his role as “Boss” in the popular teen series “Hormones”). He’s been my partner for this project over the past couple of months.

How many do you hope to set up, and where are you trying to place them?

In the next month, we’re planning to set them up at Ari (The Apartment Store), Sukhumvit Soi 31 (Fics 31, a cafe for movie buffs owned by Nattawut “Baz” Poonpiriya, the director of “Bad Genius”), Siam Paragon, Emquartier, and Emporium, along with the ones we already have at WWA Cafe x Chooseless and Lido Connect. The booths in each place will all have their own individual design that matches with the setting. In the future, we’re planning to set them up at weddings and flea markets as well.

Why photo booths?

When I was traveling in New York, I would see photo booths in a bunch of different places, like bars. They just oozed a classic, sort of romantic air, and I fell absolutely in love with them—so much so that I would spend my time hunting for as many of them as I could. When I came back to Thailand, I realized they didn’t exist here. As a film geek, I did everything I could to build up the culture.

What do photo booths offer that a selfie or digital photography, for example, don’t?

Even though I’m a photographer, I’ve never liked being photographed, or photographing myself. But photo booths give me the freedom to not give a damn about anything around me. No one knows what you’re doing behind the curtain, and there’s no one telling you what to pose. It’s all about creating memories and moments that you can look back on and cherish.

Veerabhatr Sriyananda

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