BK Magazine 807 by BK Magazine

it's free! S’Amazing Wongwian Yai’s hidden bar-restaurant is an urban refuge Ride the Wave Surfing is more than fun in the sun for one Khao Lak community Waste Not Talking circular economies with a Swiss-Thai fashion entrepreneur Beer O’Clock Mahanakhon’s two new craft beers won’t break the bank

NO. 807 JUNE 18, 2021. www.bkmagazine.com

Got any vaccines?

STANDING UP, SPEAKING OUT Six LGBTQ+ pioneers discuss rights, equality, and policy in Thailand

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2021

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upfront BY THE NUMBERS: LGBTQ+ IN THAILAND

3.6 million

23 1.15

Number of LGBTQ+ people aged 15 and up estimated to live in Thailand

2017 Year Bangkok was named second most gay-friendly city in Asia, behind Tel Aviv, Israel

Percent LGBTQ+ tourism was estimated to contribute to Thailand’s GDP in 2019

Percent of LGBTQ+ survey respondents who believed they were denied a job due to their sexual orientation, gender identity, or intersex status

Percent of LGBTQ+ survey respondents who said they have pretended to be straight to be accepted at school

20 Percent of LGBTQ+ survey respondents who reported difficulty accessing mental health services

Sources: UNDP “Tolerance but not Inclusion” survey 2019, ILO and UNDP #BeingLGBTI report 2018, Nestpick “Best LGBT Cities” 2017, Bloomberg, LGBT Capital (2020)

YOU SAID WHAT?

HOT OR NOT

“Who could possibly want their ice cream to look like fried chicken?” Facebook user May Peony on aiicecream.bkk’s new ice cream that looks like… well, fried chicken

“Distributing supplies. The one thing you’d think a bloated military government should be good at.” Facebook user Jason Wood on BK’s op-ed highlighting Thailand’s failed pandemic response

“Had me until the grab part” Instagram user jonability on Gaggan’s collaboration with Greyhound Cafe and delivery app Grab

VAX FREEBIES

STATE SECRETS

Get the jab, get free fries at McDonald’s. Or free sides at Zen. Even a free cow from the Mae Cham district office in Chiang Mai. Freebies abound for people who get the jab. Of course, demand still outpaces supply, and so we’re jumping the gun with these incentives, but we won’t say no to free cattle.

Good news if you’re not into government transparency: Proposed amendments to the Official Information Act aim to shore up loopholes in the law to further protect state secrets. Critics argue this would undermine the law’s original intent of securing public access to government data, a bulwark against full-blown authoritarianism. Hey, democracy was fun while it lasted.

VAX APPOINTMENTS Managed to land yourself a free cow? Good for you. Millions of Thailand residents have reported postponements to their scheduled vaccine appointments. Millions of others haven’t even been able to register for an appointment. Hope could be on the way in the form of jabs procured by private hospitals, however, which has officially been given the goahead.

PERSONAL PRIVACY Thai officials are mulling a new rule that would require using your ID card to register for social media accounts—a stated effort to crack down on fake news, illicit content, and fraud. The news went over with the exact opposite of thunderous applause, as critics pointed out that e-mail addresses and telephone numbers are already required to register for social media platforms.

cover | out of the closet, into the fire

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RAINBOW Thailand is widely viewed as an LGBTQ+-friendly nation. But there are very real challenges for the LGBTQ+ community beneath the surface. Official support has been mixed, with the government promoting and capitalizing on LGBTQ+ tourism yet still not recognizing same-sex marriages. Even Pride Month, born to pay tribute to the 1969 Stonewall riots each June, has lost some of its original intent between rainbow-washing and tokenism. We spoke to LGBTQ+ pioneers who are fighting for equality and equity, and working to make Thailand a more inclusive place, despite the obstacles. By Alisha Pawa

RYAN FIGUEIREDO Executive Director of the Equal Asia Foundation, He/Him

In 2019, India-born Figueiredo formed the Equal Asia Foundation, a think tank and incubator for inclusive projects in Thailand. The work he oversees responds to critical gaps in LGBTQ+ research, advocacy, and service provisions.

What is Thailand doing right or wrong with regard to LGBTQ+ rights? Thailand has strong LGBTI+ organizations on the ground and they are deeply connected with other social justice movements [editor’s note: Figueiredo prefers the initialism LGBTI+]. This intersectionality is the movement’s greatest strength. What holds true for other countries also holds true for Thailand—if we are to make progress in LGBTI+ rights, we need to make sure we are supporting other social issues as well. Queer liberation is not only about our sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression; it is about our personhood.

Are we failing the LGBTQ+ community? I am not sure if we are failing the LGBTI+ community. Instead, I think we should ask ourselves constantly who we are leaving behind within the LGBTI+ community. If we need to make progress as a movement,

we need to ensure that we are being truly inclusive from within. I am hopeful that, moving forward, we will be more inclusive of the most marginalized among us—especially those of our elders, those living with disabilities, refugees, migrants, and those who are suffering from economic hardship. We also need to do more to make sure that our transgender siblings do not experience the stigma and discrimination they do in schools, workplaces, and society in general.

What policies would you like to see put in place to support the community? As we come out of this pandemic, I would like to see more policies [related to] the inclusion of LGBTI+ persons and businesses in economic recovery plans. I would also like us to [address] how we respond to the long-term damage that has been done by the pandemic on our mental health and well-being.

cover | out of the closet, into the fire NAWARAT “GRES” TECHARATHANAPRASERT Actor, He/Him

Gres made waves when he became the first transgender man to wear the male gown at his graduation ceremony at Chulalongkorn University in 2017.

Can you recall a moment when you felt LGBTQ+ rights were progressing in Thailand? That would be in 2020, when the Civil Partnership Bill draft was approved. It would make same-sex marriage legal, but straight couples and LGBTQ+ couples would not have equal rights. Then the hashtag #SayNoToPartnershipBill started trending. Even though the bill doesn’t reflect true equality, the discussion it sparked is a big step for Thailand.

How has Thailand’s attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community changed? More than 10 years ago, being LGBTQ+ would be something you hide. In the entertainment industry, being gay is all about gossip and distasteful headlines. I was asked numerous times when I was young if I was a tom. “Do I prefer dating girls?“ “Why don’t I wear skirts?” That was just when I was 10 years old. Fast forward 10 years, I came out as transgender and was the first few to enter graduate in the male gown. I prepared for the worst, but the feedback and commentary was mostly positive.

How can we improve? The mainstream media will always play a big role. LGBTQ+ representation in films and series in Thailand still sucks, but it’s improving. I think it would be great to see a more diverse spectrum of gender, more complex characters that actually represent who LGBTQ+ people are in real life. After this month, the rainbow t-shirts and flags will disappear from store windows, but the less pleasant, less talked-about issues in the LGBTQ+ community will remain. Pride is not a party or just a parade: it’s a protest representing the struggle and celebration of identity. It’s not about what we do this month—it’s every day.

PARKERS ARGASNOUM Student, He/Him, They/Them

KOKO KAVINDHRA TIAMSAI Project Manager at Unite Thailand, She/Her

Koko is a transgender woman and Chevening scholar armed with an advanced degree in gender studies from London’s SOAS University. She aims to reform Thai society by promoting gender diversity. Koko worked on the global She Can project and was the former speech trainer for the current Miss Universe Thailand, Amanda Obdam.

Can you recall a moment when you felt LGBTQ+ rights were progressing in Thailand?

they are just pink-washing. Within our country, LGBTQ+ persons still don’t have equal rights compared to other cisgender citizens.

Despite the launch of the Gender Equality Act in 2015, and two transgender representatives elected to parliament in 2019, Thailand still fails to address gender inequality issues as a country. Trans people are still discriminated against on a daily basis and live as outcasts. I personally don’t see any cause we should be celebrating. Rather, we should call for action to create real structural change for the LGBTQ+ community.

How can we improve?

What is Thailand doing right and wrong with regard to LGBTQ+ rights? Many people outside or even inside Thailand think that we are welcoming of LGBTQ+ people. Some governmental agencies have promoted LGBTQ+ tourism on behalf of the country. But if you look carefully,

The Gender Equality Act itself is vague and leaves a lot of room for misinterpretation and discrimination. We should keep working on public policy and legal amendments to improve the rights of LGBTQ+ persons. Without legal change, I don’t think LGBTQ+ people will match the standard of living of cis-gendered people.

What policies would you like to see put in place to support the community? I want to push for a Legal Gender Recognition Act for the trans community. Many trans are economically and socially excluded from the system—worse than what gay people are facing. And if trans people are not even recognized by the state, I don’t think we can celebrate Pride Month.

Parkers identifies as an asexual transman and is currently studing English literature at Thammasat University. Feeling there was no proper social space for the asexual community, he created a Facebook group called “Aromantic & Asexual Exist.”

Can you recall a moment when you felt LGBTQ+ rights were progressing in Thailand? There are more and more LGBTQIA+ events nowadays, and it’s not just happening during Pride Month anymore [editor’s note: Parkers prefers the initialism LGBTQIA+]. A lot of media talk about the LGBTQIA+ community; even if they are doing it just to gain attention, it’s still a big step because this never happened in the past. It shows that the queer community is relevant enough for society to create something for LGBTQIA+ people. When I participate in LGBTQIA+ events, I’m surprised to see more younger people attending and new people joining each time. It’s amazing because the future is in their hands and it means they care about this community enough to check out these events whether they are a part of it themselves or not.

How has Thailand’s attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community changed? I think the fact that people are comfortable with coming out as queer is the biggest sign that acceptance is growing—they feel safe enough to come out without worrying about society’s reaction. However, to me, most of the time it feels like people are forced to accept queer people. » Acceptance is not as genuine as it should be. I see people who say they accept their kids being queer, but it comes with conditions—that their kids need to be successful if they are going to live openly queer or “don’t express it too much.” That’s not real acceptance; that’s just tolerance.

How can we improve? I want people to simply accept differences. Being queer is just another part of being human. People don’t need to point out what every letter in LGBTQIA+ stands for. What the queer community needs is support, having people accept diversity and see us as equal human beings who deserve the same human rights.

PHANNAPAST “YOON” TAYCHAMAYTHAKOOL Artist, She/Her

Known for depicting personal stories through her animal characters and flower illustrations, artist and illustrator Yoon recently saw her painting “Forbidden Flower” displayed on a massive Times Square billboard as part of New York’s Cube Art Fair. She was the only Asian artist taking part in the fair. She also runs an online shop called Phannapast Universe, selling lifestyle products, stationery, and fashion items.

Can you recall a moment when you felt LGBTQ+ rights were progressing in Thailand? If we were to be optimistic about it, people who identify as LGBTQ+ have gained greater acceptance in Thailand these days. But from my experience, the most unhappy situation was during my childhood when I couldn’t completely be myself. There were rules regarding birth gender. I am happy and appreciate that many universities are now starting to let students wear uniforms according to their own choice of gender. Some people might think that it’s a small matter, but in reality, it’s about learning who you are. Most importantly, it makes us feel proud of ourselves.

What is Thailand doing right or wrong with regard to LGBTQ+ rights? The education system separates us by our gender during birth. It makes everyone look the same across uniforms, hairstyles, personalities, and behavior. From a young age, cultural values reduce the diversity of who we really are. Sometimes, it limits us to few options of what we can be and confines us to that for the rest of our lives.

TV dramas and news coverage in the past have created stereotypes for LGBTQ+ people that were very one-sided. They have influenced how people view the LGBTQ+ community. For example, in the screening process when I was donating blood, medical staff questioned if my blood was safe. And this was because I didn’t dress according to my birth gender and had no stable partner. It wasn’t based on scientific analysis. This matter alone reflects so many deeper issues the LGBTQ+ community has to deal with.

How can we improve? It takes time for society to improve— to educate, communicate, and break stereotypes. We see acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community in beauty-related careers or entertainment, but what about other industries? Are Thailand’s policies fully supportive of the LGBTQ+ community? These are the types of questions we need to ask. I think support in education and educational spaces is essential because we spend so much time at school. Open-minded educational systems would give us the freedom to choose what to do with our bodies. And it’s not only about people in LGBTQ+ community. Diversity applies to everyone. An understanding mindset comes from being a part of an equal and diverse society, not reading textbooks.

HOW TO BE AN ACTIVE ALLY, ACCORDING TO SHANE BHATLA

01 DON'T SELF CLAIM AS AN ALLY, THIS SHOWS NOTHING BUT YOU NOT HAVING A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES AT HAND.

02 RESPECT PEOPLE'S PRONOUNS. MISGENDERING IS AN ACT OF VIOLENCE. DON'T DO IT.

SHANE BHATLA Activist and Founder of SEEN Asia, He/Him

Thai-Indian LGBTQ+ activist and transgender man Shane Bhatla co-founded the Student Empowerment and Equality Network (SEEN) to develop a network of schools where children could communicate freely and openly. He is also a performer and video producer and is working toward hosting queer weddings in Thailand.

Can you recall a moment when you felt LGBTQ+ rights were progressing in Thailand? I have a lot of moments where I genuinely feel proud of the community here and want to highlight local efforts. But the moment that did it for me was when LGBTIQ+ issues started to be discussed in schools [editor’s note: Bhatla prefers the initialism LGBTIQ+]. I think it is so important to normalize queer relationships, and teaching kids from a young age does that and has proven to improve the overall mental health of students.

What is Thailand doing right and wrong with regard to LGBTQ+ rights? Thailand is not the ideal place to be an LGBTIQ+ individual. However, the fact that we are now talking about queer issues socially and in a much higher political level is a good sign. If you’re a young desi queer kid, you’re not alone. I’ll be your big brother. You are special, you are incredible, you are so fabulous. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.

How can we improve? Remember that Pride is a riot. It was started by trans women of color. We only get to celebrate pride now because of them, Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. But also don’t forget: we don’t get to fully celebrate until all our siblings do. The fight isn’t over.

How challenging is it to organize LGBTQ+ events in Bangkok? I think it’s difficult to host queer events, and it’s mentally draining for me, because of the horrible comments we get from homophobic people. But overall it’s a great experience and I feel very content knowing that I can help provide a safe space for the community. I’m looking forward to hosting more events in the future.

READ UP ABOUT WHAT ISSUES THE LGBTIQ+ COMMUNITY IS FACING WORLDWIDE.

04 CHECK YOUR FRIENDS WHEN THEY MAKE HOMOPHOBIC AND TRANSPHOBIC JOKES.

05 PERFORMATIVE ACTIVISM HELPS NO ONE. DONATE TO ORGANIZATIONS, SPEAK UP AGAINST INJUSTICE WHEN YOU SEE IT, USE YOUR PRIVILEGE TO HELP A MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY.

feature | surfing social enterprise

SURF’S UP How a Khao Lak club is riding the surf wave to serve the local community. By Craig Sauers, additional reporting by Veerabhatr Sriyananda Since last March, Khao Lak has been a ghost town—except for one sliver of beach. Past the vacant resorts and rows of shuttered restaurants in Bang La On and Bang Niang, Pakarang Beach teems with surfers. From dawn until dusk, suntanned bodies glide on white water and green waves. A surf school rents boards to newbies, who either ride the swell or take shots for social media, and a buzzing beach bar refuels them, the instructors, and the hangers-on lured to Pakarang by the hang-loose vibes. With its steady swells, this small spit along 20 kilometers of nearly unbroken beach has become an unexpected draw for domestic tourism, a hub for Thailand’s latest lifestyle fad. But for the local community, the rapid rise of Thai surf culture could offer more than just fun in the sun.

“The job opportunities down here are really rubber, fishing, tourism, or nothing—some just do nothing at all,” says American expat Matt Blauer, 45, an Oregon native and avid surfer who has lived in Thailand since 2001, largely doing development work along the country’s northern border with Myanmar. “I believe we can use surfing as a tool to empower people.” In April, Blauer opened Salt Surf Club, a cafe and surf school on Pakarang, across an inlet from popular Memories Beach Bar and Pakarang Surf School. More social enterprise than business, Salt Surf Club gives local youth a chance to grow as individuals, not just hone their surf skills. Alongside Blauer, his wife, and their children, the club is run by teenagers from the local Moklan community, an indigenous group more commonly known as sea gypsies. The surf-crazy Moklan, all aged between 12 and 18, take orders, serve coffee and smoothie bowls, and teach aspiring surfers how to ride Khao Lak’s beginner-friendly waves. Blauer believes this work can improve their English, help them engage with people from outside the community, and, importantly, allow them to keep surfing. “I’m trying to keep kids out of trouble,” he says, citing drug use and teenage pregnancy as some of the greatest obstacles youth face in rural, secondary destinations like Khao Lak. “For most of the local population, the parents aren’t expecting too much [of their kids]. Most barely made it through high school themselves.” One of Salt Surf Club’s employees, Pichet “M” Natalay, 15, says surfing is already changing lives. “Most of the kids from where I live don’t really have the chance to dream big,” M explains. “There’s drugs, smoking, alcohol. If I didn’t have surfing, I’d probably be up to no good.”

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

On Boxing Day in 2004, a tsunami swallowed Khao Lak whole. Tourism gradually recovered. A higher-end resort town was built from the rubble of wrecked hotels and uprooted trees, but the region’s underlying issues remained largely unaddressed. Between 2005 and 2015, guest arrivals at registered accommodation in Phang-Nga province, where Khao Lak is located, quadrupled from 250,000 to nearly one million, according to data from consulting firm C9 Hotelworks and Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports. But that growth was driven by international travel. Domestic arrivals only returned to the numbers seen in 2004 as Thai tourists, perhaps spooked by spirits or fearful of the sea’s power, stayed away. Without their attention, the local economy failed to diversify.

Now, nearly 17 years after the tsunami, many who were children when the sea rose up—or weren’t born yet—are looking beyond the ghosts of Khao Lak’s past. They’re bringing new opportunities to the region, too. According to local businessman Pachara “Palm” Naripthaphan, 36, many Bangkok millennials are now basing themselves in Khao Lak. “I never thought this region would attract people from Bangkok,” he says. “It’s the first time I’ve seen urban-to-rural migration in Thailand.” Some have decided to ride out the pandemic by the beach, where they can surf between online meetings. Others, like Srilak Kulnthomyotin, 43, director of the Bangkok-based Area Management modeling agency, have moved there semi-permanently. Lured by the surf and space, she’s now building a home in Khao Lak. “I didn’t even know surfing in Thailand existed until last year. [Now] I just don’t want Khao Lak to turn into Canggu,” she says, referring to Bali’s hub for digital nomads. Palm is himself an urban escapee. Born into a southern Thai family but educated in Bangkok and the U.S., Palm worked in politics until 2014, assisting cabinet officials across several ministries. (His father, Pichai, is the deputy leader of the opposition Pheu Thai Party.) Last year, he moved his family to Khao Lak to be closer to his mother. Now, he’s playing an important role in the surf renaissance.

Seeing Blauer haul kids to competitions in the back of his truck, Palm felt moved to act and asked how he could help. Before long, he was offering free space: a vacant villa attached to the Grand South Sea Resort, the hotel his mother runs. “I’m lucky my mom supported me. Everyone [in business] thinks in return per square meter,” says Palm. Now filled out with boards and blond-wood tables, this once empty villa attracts people like Srilak, who come in to work, eat, or hang out after riding the waves.

LAYING GHOSTS TO REST.

“EXPOSURE BRINGS ENLIGHTENMENT” Across Khao Lak, many hotels have closed and construction has ground to a halt. As jobs have disappeared, working-class communities have come under greater pressure to put food on tables. Yet a blank slate, however devastating it may be in the present moment, might benefit Khao Lak’s development in the long run. “Most tourists come and go. They don’t see the growth,” says Palm. The energy around surfing, however, is starting to turn would-be one-timers and fly-ins into frequent returnees. “People who try surfing and love it keep coming back to get better at it,” Srilak says. And returning visitors could help Khao Lak develop a tourism industry that better serves its whole population. Surfers swooping in from Bangkok exchange ideas, language, and customs with local youth, according to Palm, making them active participants in the community. “Exposure brings enlightenment,” he declares. Not to mention greater wealth. “The kids [who work as surf instructors] can gain more in an hour than their parents can in the whole day.” The former politico also sees the bigger picture, plus the unique role that Blauer plays in it. “There are still vast inequalities here, from language [fluency] to income,” he explains. “Someone like Matt, who is able to blend into the local community and can also engage with outsiders—that changes things. The Moklan had never integrated like this before.” M, who started surfing only four years ago, is living proof of the possibilities these new opportunities provide. He has taken home prizes from events put on by the Thailand Surfing Federation, and he has expanded his network beyond Khao Lak. “Most of my friends are from Phuket,” he says. His excitement is so palpable that he’s already dreaming of a future made for Roxy ads. “I want to surf as long as I can. I want to be a pro,” he admits. Blauer keeps a measured perspective, understanding that immediate returns are rare in development work. In the future, he hopes to see one of his gang of teenagers running the business—“Either my kids or someone from the club,” he says. He also makes it clear that churning out pro surfers isn’t the goal. “If [these kids] just make it through high school without getting in trouble,” he says, “we’re stoked.”

food & drink | news

Mahanakhon releases new brews, eyes retail expansion BEER ME

Mahanakhon, local brewers of lagers, white ales, and pale ales, proponents of bold sans serif fonts and eye-catching two-tone cans, have just released new beers on the market. The brand’s new white IPA offers a balanced take on the ragingly popular beer style. The addition of wheat in the grain bill gives it a touch of sweetness and more body than your average IPA, and Centennial and Citra hops impart bitterness and a citrus aroma. A revamped pale ale, meanwhile, offers an easy-drinking option that strikes a balance between malty and hoppy, with classic notes of pine, citrus, and stone fruit, courtesy of El Dorado, Amarillo, and Columbus hops. Both beers are currently available at Tops locations nationwide and are deliciously priced—the white IPA is B99 and the pale ale is B89. Co-founder Avi Yashaya says he hopes to expand the brand’s retail footprint this year, too, with the goal of getting the beers on more shelves around Thailand.

BERRY GOOD

TAPPING OUT

Sea’s Kombucha launches a new flavor to honor Pride Month

A beloved Ari dive bar is calling it quits this month

If you’re all about gut-friendly goodies, check out Chiang Mai’s Sea’s Kombucha. Their tangy and effervescent new flavor, the special edition Chiang Mai Strawberry (B150/bottle), is made with local Thai strawberry juice. More importantly, for every bottle purchased, B15 goes to the FOR-SOGI Foundation in support of the LGBTQ+ community in Thailand. The non-profit is pushing for legalized same-sex marriage, among other causes. Available at Villa Supermarket, Caffe Olives, and Plantiful.

After months of government-forced closures, a bar best known for its buzzing group atmosphere and shots of yadong—the traditional Thai herbal moonshine—announced that it won’t be pouring another round. Ari dive bar Thaisho recently said that it will be shutting down for good after June 20. The bar, which rose to cult status with its straight shots of yadong and yadong-infused cocktails, cited a lack of government support after nightlife venues were ordered to shut amid the third-wave outbreak in April. Before shutting its doors for the last time, Thaisho will open June 17-20 from 10am until 7pm each day.

DOUBLE DOWN

Double your guilty pleasure with this fried chicken look-alike ice cream We’ve tried obscure ice cream flavors like shabu, dark soy sauce, and fish sauce. Now, here comes ice cream that looks exactly like fried chicken wings, courtesy of aiicecream.bkk. Fittingly dubbed aiicecream wing (B75), this fried chicken look-alike features maple syrup and candied bacon ice cream coated with chocolate and cornflakes to add crispiness. The ice cream maker dishes out other unique flavors, too, like Lemoon, a lemon tart meringue ice cream, and Hygge in YVR, Earl Grey ice cream with Danish cookie bits (all B90 per cup and B350 per pint). Order via Instagram @aiicecream.bkk

food & drink | open door

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

Enter the closet to find this low-key speakeasy-style bar The buzz: A gender-inclusive tailor shop by day and a hidden hangout by night, this sartorial speakeasy, just five minutes by foot from BTS Wongwian Yai, is a hip refuge in an unlikely residential setting. The vibe: In a small alley next to tailor shop M Custom 1978, you’ll notice a dainty orange-colored entrance. Once inside, there is a staircase leading you to the bar on the third floor of the building. Space is a little tight due to the small number of seats—it’s all private seating, and only three tables per day. In the future, the place promises future additions like a private dining room and additional rooftop seating. The drinks: As a nod to the bar’s name—S’Amuser, a French word for fun—owner Chanisara Buranabungvong captures playful flavors from a variety of cultures. Highlights include the Muan e li, whose subtle flavors of rice milk made from hom mali (Jasmine rice) balance out the strong punch from Thai rice wine (sato) and Mekhong whiskey. The floral cocktail Graciosa, meanwhile, features a combination of rose wine, vodka, and house-made hibiscus syrup served in a very insta-worthy bird cage. What we’d recommend, though, is the Japanese melon sake Tanoshi topped

with food-grade 3D-printed art: Send a picture ahead of time, and they’ll print it out and put it on your drink. It’s a fun way to celebrate special occasions. (At press time, cocktails have been swapped to mocktails; all B310 per drink.) The food: It’s a busy list for a small bar-restaurant. Though not as ambitious and serious as what you’d find in fine-dining restaurants, the menu still includes a five-course set for B990 and plenty of a la carte options. The prix fixe menu features dishes like wagyu kaprao, with a generous portion of grilled beef done right and topped with a sunny-side up egg, as well as a flavor-packed spaghetti in black truffle sauce. We’re told that they will add moo krata (hot pan buffet) in the future. The crowd: Mostly curious young locals drawn to the hidden speakeasy vibe. Why we’d come back: It’s a cool private spot that offers a change of scenery. With a friendly bartender, prices that won’t burn a hole in your wallet, and a location within striking distance of Sathorn, S’Amuser is a welcome addition to the Thonburi side of the river. Porpor Leelasestaporn 92 Charoenrat Soi 6, 098-894-2878. Open Tue-Sat 6pm-11pm

food & drink | new & noted

Paga

TABLE TALK

BABYCCINO

NEW AND NOTED

53 Soi Ekamai 12, 065-463-2356. Open daily 8am-6pm Floor-to-ceiling windows look out to a green garden and a water feature at this peaceful brunch spot, where the straight lines of the window frames stylishly contrast with the curves of the interior. Here, you can browse the brunch menu, which ranges from breakfast brioche (smashed avocado and Sloane’s sausage in homemade brioche bun) to eggs Benedict, and maple bacon French toast.

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get a complimentary drink valued THB 130 when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip (limit 1 glass /card /table /sales slip)

15 Apr ’21 – 15 Apr ’22

TBT-BABYCCINO.indd 1

Casa Panza brings bold Cuban flavors to Bangkok

It’s all single-origin at this cafe founded by a champion Romanian barista

This “Chinese izakaya” is not your run-of-the-mill Chinese restaurant

The Miami-born chef behind this delivery-only venture started cooking his childhood favorites when the pandemic hit last year. Now, he’s all-in, creating comfort food that will transport you to Havana. Choose from dishes like the must-try Cubano (B370) loaded with shredded mojo (marinated and roasted) pork, smoked ham, briny pickles, mustard, melted cheese, and griddled bread, and ropa vieja (B340), or “old clothes,” made here with shredded beef braised in red wine, sofrito, and beef broth. Your meal isn’t complete without sides like yuquitas fritas (fried cassava; B110) and Cuba’s favorite snack, tostones (deep-fried plantains; B120). Pre-order only. casapanzabkk.com

Taking over two floors near Holey Bakery, Paga is part coffee roaster, part communal space for learning, sipping, and chatting with friends—the owner encourages everyone to put away their phones, even. You won’t find anything with chocolate or matcha here, but you will find espressos (B90), long blacks (B100), and cold brew (B120), as well as selections of specialty-grade filter coffee. Right now those include El Rinconcito La Joya México (B350) with notes of banana, guava, and blueberries, and Rumudamo from Ethiopia (B350), which ranked third in the global Cup of Excellence 2020 competition. 45, 1 Soi Sukhumvit 31, 088-016-1686

Semi-hidden Hoi transforms the lowkey Sukhumvit Soi 51 ’hood with a cool izakaya vibe. Don’t expect giant portions here. The food is meant to be shared among small groups, almost tapas-like—from starters like fried golden needle mushrooms (B98), hot and sour soup made Sichuan-style (B138), and the popular moutai, or drunken chicken (B168), to mains like Singapore-style prawns slathered in a vibrant chili sauce (B198) and falloff-the-bone beef shank claypot rice (B168). Pair these with their stir-fried green beans topped with garlic and chili (B118) for your next family feast. 2/F, 3/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 092-405-1551

8/6/2564 BE 12:19

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2021

Cocolombo

A sourdough specialist opens in Phrom Phong Occupying a standalone house in Phrom Phong, cozy Nine Pastry specializes in sourdough and pastries with Mediterranean influences. Bakerslash-owner Nir Netzer, who was born and raised in the Middle East, serves a range of sourdough loaves: classic (B200), multiseed (B220), olives and herbs (B220). He also makes pastries with Mediterranean influences. Think challah bread (B70-100), mahalabi (Middle-eastern style milk pudding with cream and red fruit, B100), and Jerusalem bagels (B80). Desserts and sweets run the gamut from carrot cake (B100/slice) and lemon tarts (B250) to babka cake and tahini cookies (B350/10 pieces). 53/2 Sukhumvit Soi 24, 095-815-5839

Sri Lanka’s rich culture and flavors, wrapped in a banana leaf Operating out of a cloud kitchen, Cocolombo deals in Sri Lankan comfort food—which is not always for the faint-hearted. In keeping with culinary tradition, the delivery specialist offers a range of full-flavored, coconut-based curries and serves them all in the humble banana leaf. Order the Signature Leaf (B390/B320 veg), which comes with one curry (jackfruit, black pork, mutton, chicken, king mackerel), papadum, and a selection of intensely flavored sauces and relishes. Crumble the papadum on top and mix everything together with the rice to get all the flavors in a bite—an unwritten rule for Sri Lankan food—and eat with your hands for the full experience. Order via Line @cocolombo

Smokey Cat

TABLE TALK

EL GAUCHO ARGENTINIAN STEAKHOUSE

Smokey Cat brings boutique beans to Suan Phlu

8/4-7 Sukhumvit Soi 19, 02-255-2864. Open 11am-midnight. There are two other locations in Langsuan and Thong Lor.

Before opening on Suan Phlu at the beginning of June, Smokey Cat roasted its own tried-and-tested beans for the better part of a year. Their loyal fanbase loves special blends like Blue Magic, with its blueberry-like flavor profile, and the single-origin pour-over options. Besides the customary iced Americano (B110) and latte (B130), the shop offers signatures like creme brulee coffee (milk, creme brulee syrup, and a shot of coffee topped with lightly torched orange skin; B160) and espresso tonics (B150), plus iced matcha lattes (B140) and craft colas (B120). Hungry? You can get Volks bagels here, too. 39/13-16, 1B Suanphlu Corner Building, Soi Suan Phlu, 064-145-9455

One of Bangkok’s longest-standing steakhouse chains, and still a place that brings in droves of customers looking for a cowboy-worthy meal. Steaks and giant slabs of meat are the restaurant’s calling card, there are some good burgers to be found here — they are similarly massive and on the higher end of the price scale. Not surprising when the first option on the menu is a homemade burger with foie gras.

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get a complimentary Hot Chocolate Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream valued THB 460 when ordering a la carte menu (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip)

15 Jun ’21 – 30 Jun ’22

TBT-El Gaucho_.indd 1

14/6/2564 BE 15:42

hit list | lifestyle

Classic Converse sneakers get colorful treatment for Pride Month

FASHION

Celebrate Pride Month this June with Converse’s Pride and the Converse All Stars collection, created by five LGBTQ+ designers from around the world. Each pair has different styles told through graphical lines meant to represent the battles, obstacles, and happiness in choosing a path that leads to self-love. Models like the Run Star Hike (B3,390) are given a fresh new facelift with rainbow gradients, rainbow shoelaces, and a colorful sole. The legendary Chuck 70 (B3,290), which also comes with a matching shirt and hat, gets a similar rainbow treatment with a 3D-embroidered rainbow road motif representing pride. The collection is available at all Converse branches and on online shopping platform Lazada. Every purchase supports organizations around the world contributing to LGBTQ+ rights.

[PERFECT PAIR]

5 SHADES FOR EVENTUAL BEACH TRIPS

Lesca Crown Marble Tortoise B12,741 Available at onionbkk.com

Crown Panto in Clear B6,900 Available at wministry.com

Sherlock Hijack Blue x Clip on Smoke B5,700 Available at rosemanclub.com

Hampton 46 Clip On B5,200 Available at eyesmyth.com

Sun Glacier from IZIPIZI B2,800 Available at anotherstorybangkok.com

TECH

FASHION

BUSINESS

Apple releases new Pride Edition band to celebrate diversity

Greyhound releases limitededition t-shirts and caps for Pride Month

Sansiri encourages 15 Thai businesses to implement UNDP equality standards

Got an Apple watch? Dress it up this month with the new Pride Edition Braided Solo Loop (B3,100). The band weaves together the original rainbow colors and those drawn from other pride flags to represent the breadth of diversity among the LGBTQ+ community. It’s made from stretchable recycled polyester yarn and is available in nine different sizes. You can also rotate the digital crown and turn on the new pride watch face to complement your band. The colorful band is easy to slip on and off your wrist and is water-resistant, too. Available at Apple Thailand.

Local fashion veteran Greyhound celebrates diversity, love, and gender equality with “We Are All the Same,” their latest limited collection of colorful t-shirts and caps with bold graphic logos. The collection includes the “We Are All the Same” t-shirt (B900), which aims to convey a message of self-value, and that everyone is different yet equal. The cap (B750), which comes in the eight different colors of the rainbow, can be mixed and matched with the t-shirt (together for B1,500). The collection is available on Greyhound’s official Instagram (@greyhoundoriginal), Facebook, and website.

Sansiri has long been a champion of equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender diversity. This year, the property developer is pushing for something a little more enduring than rainbow-colored campaigns. The company has encouraged 15 Thai companies to implement the UNDP’s Standard Code of Conduct for Business, which ensures equal hiring practices and equality for all employees in the organization. These companies include JYSK, Guss Damn Good, Divana, Boonthavorn, Sharge, Ari, All about Steel, K Tech, QS Innovation, Naphasanan, Wiriyasahakol, Weerasa, and Ahedor. Sansiri Backyard in On Nut, meanwhile, has set up an educational (and photogenic) installation called Circle of Equality.

Shop Talk How to spend your hardearned baht.

BUY IT BEAR MULTI COOKING APPLIANCE (B4,950) WFH means meal prep. This 3-in-1 saves you time that can be spent doomscrolling Twitter.

BIN IT DELONGHI ICE CREAM MAKER (B27,250) If only this appliance whipped up Bitcoin instead of ice cream.

BARGAIN JBL BLUETOOTH SPEAKER HORIZON Upgrade your abode with this alarm clockstereo hybrid. It’s currently B2,190 after a 45 percent discount at Central Online.

the last word | celebrate waste

Meet the entrepreneur driving sustainable practices in Thai fashion Thailand’s fashion industry is thriving, but ethical production and sustainable practices are still lacking in many respects. Thai-Swiss entrepreneur Annabelle Hutter, 25, wants to help change that. With her lifestyle brand Born on Saturday, she turns cotton waste into everyday lifestyle products. She talks about her brand, waste management, and pushing Thailand’s circular economy forward. By Alisha Pawa

ow did you get into producing recycled lifestyle items? I found out early that the whole corporate side of business wasn’t for me and wanted an injection of creativity. I’m also the global product director for my family’s business. We have a facility in Turkey that collects cotton textile waste and spins it into new yarn using this amazing technology developed by my father [the company, Säntis Textiles, recycles industrial cotton waste into a product called RCO100 and turns it into new fabrics for brands like Calvin Klein]. My family history in textiles, alongside the innovation, has subconsciously inspired me. It was in my DNA and I’m proud of it. [But] I wanted to do more than just manage production so I put my girl boss pants on and made a brand out of it. I also lease with global brands and companies like Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, and H&M. I help create closed loop systems for them to recycle their old cotton waste into new fabrics. Born on Saturday came naturally to me.

What does sustainable fashion involve? [Sustainability] is a term that is being used very loosely now, so I kind of gravitate toward circular, zero waste, and recycling. Sustainable fashion is a totally new energy for me and it’s an exciting way to open new dialogues, further old dialogues, and celebrate waste—and that’s the case for my brand. We have the story on us, the responsibility to wear the clothes and to share it with our peers. How did you find your place in the Thai fashion industry? It was really hard initially. I spent only two years of school here, so I didn’t have that wide network like other business owners do. But the support for my initial products spoke for itself and created this universal language which a lot of people gravitated towards without needing to know who I was. Pomelo and Siwilai [where Born on Saturday is now sold] are stepping stones for me to share this story about circular products themselves. What materials are you using? I use only 100-percent recycled cotton for my entire product range. Currently, my materials come from textile waste destined for landfills and incineration. For Born on Saturday, we specifically use canvas fabrics, and I try to take them from our deadstocks, which are basically tester fabrics, meaning the beginning and ending of fabric cuttings left unused by bigger company orders. I bring the fabrics to Thailand using a carbon-neutral shipping method to an adorable family-owned business on Yaowarat Road so I can oversee the entire process of the supply chain. Could you tell us about your current and future collection? Last year, I did a soft launch of my first collection. I launched a second collection last December that features my late grandmother’s favorite flower patterns, like sunflower, dahlia, and alpenblumen. It’s an ode to my late grandparents which makes it really special to me. We have four tote bags (B1,290 large/B1,490 extra large). In July, I will launch a new collection that will include t-shirts [expected to be priced at less than B1,000], sweatshirts, and bags all made using a low-impact finishing technique. For reproduction, the process will consume less energy and water than usual. What makes your brand unique from others? There’s huge potential in Thailand. In fact, it’s a huge upcycling haven already. For example, if you go to Chatuchak, there are so many cool brands that are upcycling. I tread lightly in this field here. I want to see how many companies who advocate sustainability and circularity actually follow through with their words and promises, because that’s a subject nobody really dares to delve into. Waste management in Thailand is still lacking in many respects, so I’m also on a journey of discovering where the clothing waste goes in Thailand. Once I find that out, I’ll be happy to set my own recycling system up here to hopefully push the circular industry forward.

Sunshine Court

Kannikar Court

What will it take for Thailand to really embrace sustainability? The first word that comes to me is de-stigmatization. Waste is still looked down upon and is not respected as much as new materials are. Like many other things in Thailand, we need to work on education and have conversations in order for change to occur. We need to be that generation that asks questions and finds solutions.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020

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