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Order Up These meal plan services will take the pain out of delivery Sweet Deal Six ice cream shops that will make you forget 7-Eleven sweets Look Good, Feel Good Vegan fashion is on the rise in Thailand Uninspired Meet the illustrator documenting our surreal current state

NO. 811 AUGUST 13, 2021. www.bkmagazine.com

Free speech is a human right.

VINYL REVIVAL Bangkok’s best record stores and vinyl bars

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, MAY 14, 2021

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BK EDITORIAL

cover story

Managing Editor Craig Sauers

Get in the groove with this primer to vinyl culture in Bangkok

Senior Writers Alisha Pawa, Porpor Leelasestaporn Contributors Megan Leon, Chayanit Itthipongmaetee GROVE: COCONUTS MEDIA BRAND STUDIO Head of Grove Juhi Bimbhet Business Director Dietrich Neu

Quiz time!

Pop quiz, doom-scrollers: how closely have you been paying attention to the news cycle? Test yourself with our latest quiz.

1. The CEO of Thai AirAsia recently got in hot water for what?

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

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Art Director Vatanya Bongkotkarn Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Senior Graphic Designer Umporn Jiaranai

feature

Senior Business Development Manager Orajira Sukkasem

Vegan fashion brands you need to know

Business Development Manager Tassanee Mahamad, Chalida Anuwattanawong, Joseph Toh, Ain Zulkifni, Waranuch Thaneerat Business Development Executives Palita Nueangnit SOIMILK Editor Noranartta Chaikum Senior Writers Rujiyatorn Choksiriwan, Kristiya Chaisri Publisher, Printer, and Editor Tara Rattanaphas

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a Bullying and dropping F-bombs on a female employee during a virtual town hall that had 500 people in attendance b Being a living symbol of the toxic masculinity the world needs a helluva lot less of c Not publicly apologizing for A or B d All of the above while also facing zero consequences for his actions 2. Who is Tony Woodsome? a The Clubhouse handle of exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra b The current regime’s bogeyman c A man who just turned 72 and seems desperate to return to his homeland d All of the above 3. On what did Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul blame shocking images of overwhelmed vaccine sites?

food & drink

Meal plan services that will take the pain out of ordering in

a Camera angles b Dirty farang c Medical personnel d Thanathorn 4. What did Hong Kong customs officials find in a shipment of instant noodles from Thailand? a The mRNA vaccines the public has been crying out for b Panipak “Tennis” Wongpattanakit’s Olympic gold medal c The government’s pandemic playbook, which seems to have gone missing a long, long time ago d 61kg of heroin

BK Magazine is a Coconuts Media publication.

Founder and CEO Byron Perry Coconuts TV Head of Content Vim Shanmugam Operations Manager Clarissa Cortes

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food & drink

The inside scoop on ice cream delivery specialists

Where to find us!

Coconuts BK Limited

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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.

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15

shopping

the last word

An unexpected footwear collab

Saratta Cheungsatiansup

Answer key: 1.

2.

3.

4.

D… stay classy, Thai AirAsia D A—he’s already used the other three as scapegoats D

upfront

BY THE NUMBERS

12 million 41 Thai athletes who competed in the Tokyo Olympic Games

1

0

Amount in Thai baht that Thai gold medalists received from the government for their wins

15,000

Gold medals won at press time

$

Amount in Thai baht that Thai athletes in 13 sports, including motorsports but not including athletics, received in Covid relief funds in 2020*

Number of sporting facilities, including gyms, tracks, and parks, currently open for training in “dark red” provinces such as Bangkok

*Sources: Thai News Agency MCOT

YOU SAID WHAT?

HOT OR NOT

“Proud to get paid. Money would be better spent on vaccines.”

Facebook user Michael Stoeckle on BK’s guide to watching Thai athletes who are “making us proud” in the Olympics

“That’s just greedy.”

Twitter user @andrewsnalune on BK’s profile of Thai-American runner Kieran Tuntivate: “Thailand’s first Olympic 10k runner aims for more than a medal”

“Citizens first, then military” Facebook user Brice Carlson on Thai military’s “unofficial” request for Moderna vaccines for military personnel and their families

TAEKWONDO

BLAME

Panipak “Tennis” Wongphatthanakit wins the gold, and suddenly everyone is a taekwondo fan. For good reason. With her win, Tennis became the first Thai athlete to take home a gold medal in taekwondo.

Now everyone is hoping she’ll compete in more matches soon.

Like, say, a full-contact celebrity match against Prayuth.

Where to begin?

Hospitals are full. People are dying on the streets. Mass vaccine sites have been overrun by anxious citizens hoping to score a jab from the limited supply.

The government takes all the credit when public action makes them look like they know what they’re doing. Now they’re getting all the blame, too. Congrats, fellas.

SANDBOXING When Tennis returned to Thailand, she did so via the Phuket sandbox. Why not? Two weeks on an island tops two weeks locked inside a hotel room.

Despite attempts by Thai officials to capitalize on her popularity to promote the sandbox, Phuket’s ambitious plan has run into hurdles as case numbers have steadily ticked upward. This puts its longevity in jeopardy, no matter how many Olympians visit.

FAKE NEWS Billing criticism as “fake news” doesn’t seem to be working anymore. Well, it does work, in that it allows the generals who run Thailand to arrest and fine journalists, celebrities, and other members of the public at will. But the country has caught on to their monkeyshines. The fight for freedom of expression is intensifying, with media groups, activists, and even Milli speaking out against oppression.

cover | drop the needle

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

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VINYL 101 The debate between analog and digital music will never end. Even if today’s technology enables you to listen to music effortlessly, many believe it will never replicate the concert-like experience you get from listening to vinyl. It’s no wonder we’re seeing a resurgence in analog music appreciation.

From old-school record shops to swanky vinyl bars, these places will help you build your collection, upgrade your gear, and join the vinyl revolution. By Veerabhatr Sriyananda

BEST VINYL SHOPS TO GO CRATE DIGGING NONG TAPRACHAN

Nong Taprachan

TONCHABAB RECORD SHOP Teeming with old and new records covering genres from Thailand and all over the world, Tonchabab is the kind of classic family-run vinyl shop that your father might’ve frequented when he was young. It has two branches.

Both are goldmines for seasoned and beginner crate-diggers alike. Think rare world music finds, from luk thung to ’60s and ’70s stalwarts like Diana Ross and The Carpenters. Call ahead for opening hours.

Good for: ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s hits, plus oldschool luk thung Prices: From a very affordable B200 Tonchabab Record Shop

10 Boonsiri Rd., 081-695-2785; Pattanakarn Rd., 081-486-7528. Appointments recommended for both branches

TANG SIANG THAI

Tang Siang Thai

Tang Siang Thai has been a sanctuary for music lovers for over seven decades. Vinyl records from all eras deck the walls and fill the shelves of this homey, old-school shop. Classic LPs from the ’60s and ’70s along with Thai and Chinese relics wait here to grace your turntable. If you don’t have a turntable yet, second-hand models are available here starting from B8,000.

You can also get cassette tapes and CDs. Good for: ’60s and ’70s Thai and Chinese hits Prices: From B300 253-255 Charoenkrung Soi 11, 02-221-8732.

Open daily 10am-5pm. MRT Sam Yot.

A mainstay for Thammasat University students and die-hard music lovers for over 40 years, Nong Taprachan initially sold cassette tapes during its heyday. Now, they sell vinyl as well as CDs and cassettes. Expect household names like Earth Wind & Fire, Rita James, and Frank Sinatra, as well as rare mint-condition Thai records. Think ’70s icons like Caravan, The Olarn Project, or ’90s Thai alternative hero Audy.

Good for: Brand-new contemporary and classic Thai albums, as well as the odd Judas Priest or Black Sabbath release.

Prices: From B800 14 Tha Prachan Pier, 02-221-4421. Open daily 11am-7pm.

ZUDRANGMA RECORDS Owned by the prolific DJ Maft Sai, Zudrangma Records has been credited as the epicenter of Thailand’s molam resurgence over the past decade. Aside from their reissues of hidden molam and luk thung gems, they also offer world music discoveries, spanning from Ethiopian pop to Southeast Asian funk, as well as special compilations from their own label.

Good for: Old-school Thai molam, luk thung, ’70s Thai funk, and worldly sounds from Africa.

Prices: Zudrangma compilations start from under B1,000.

7/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 083-063-1335. Open Wed-Sun 12-8pm. BTS Thonglor.

cover | drop the needle

Garage Records

Bungkumhouse Records

Hall of Fame Records

Trackaddict Records

TRACKADDICT RECORDS

BUNGKUMHOUSE RECORDS

Trackaddict’s owner Tuangpat “Ploy” Rattanavatin has loved music and vinyl for as long as she can remember. But it wasn’t until she went to study in New York that she started collecting old albums from the ’50s to the ’80s. That’s why this hidden gem is packed with impressive old finds like Pink Floyd’s “The Wall” and Cream’s “Disraeli Gears,” as well as contemporary records and movie soundtracks.

Good for: Classic favorites like Al Green, Simon and Garfunkel, The Doors, and lots of Chet Baker Prices: As low as B300-400

Set atop Thonglor’s Black Amber, Bungkumhouse is frequented by local indie musicians as well as Dickies and Converse-clad music nerds. The shop’s selection ranges from ’90s Britpop and alternative rock to soul, funk, and electronica. The tiny balcony occasionally hosts gig-goers and up-and-coming indie rockers, too.

Good for: Psychedelic rock sounds, from Hendrix to Spiritualized Prices: 7-inches start at B600; B800 and up for LPs

MT&T Building, Sukhumvit Soi 69, 02-0549669. Open Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat-Sun 128pm. BTS Phra Khanong.

4/F, Black Amber Building, Sukhumvit Soi 55, between Thonglor Soi 5-7, 086-606-2230.

Open Wed-Sun 1-9pm. BTS Thonglor.

BK Asks What gives vinyl the edge over modern music platforms?

VIRANPAT “KNIGHT” VONGSWASDI, entrepreneur, drummer, and audiophile It’s the physical aspect. Cleaning the record and carefully putting the needle into the grooves makes you really appreciate the music more. Or you could just open an app that enables you to skip music you don’t like and will never explore.

SEX RECORD SHOP

HALL OF FAME RECORDS

Nestled on the second floor of Thonglor’s Seen Space community mall, this uber-hip record store offers an impressive range of new and used LPs. Think household names like Bob Dylan and David Bowie and ’90s and ’00s gems such as Radiohead’s “OK Computer” and The Strokes’ “Is This It.” There’s also an exclusive corner just for movie soundtracks, like West Side Story and Saturday Night Fever.

Good for: ’70s and ’80s heavyweights, as well as ’90s and early ’00s alternative rock Prices: Second-hand records start from B550, while new albums cost up to B1,500

This shop with the appropriate name has it all.

Located at Fortune Town, Hall of Fame stocks new and secondhand albums covering a vast range of genres, from classic rock (think Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon”) to country and synthy European ambient.

Good for: Prog-rock, Krautrock, and European ambient music Prices: From B600

2/F, Seenspace, Thonglor Soi 13, 02-185-2728.

Open daily 11am-8pm. BTS Thonglor.

VINYLLICA

GARAGE RECORDS Garage Records center their efforts on restocking rare finds, with a particular penchant for ’80s and ’90s alternative rock—think The Jesus and Mary Chain’s Darklands, or New Order’s Blue Monday 12-inch single. Dipping your toes into Japanese City Pop? This is the place to get started with albums like Anri’s Timely!!

Good for: Mostly ’80s and ’90s rock, jazz, and soul records, but fans of contemporary indie acts like Prep and Peach Pit will not leave disappointed, either Prices: B300 to over B4,000

3/F, Room 3058, Fortune Town, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 081-844-9709. Open 1-8pm. MRT Phetchaburi

Owner Veera Vejvechaneyom shares his love for rock and heavy metal records in the form of Vinyllica (yep, he’s a Metallica fan). The shelves stock a mix of new and used records, along with a small collection of reissues. The catalog ranges from Metallica’s “Kill ’Em All” and Guns ‘N’ Roses’ “Appetite for Destruction” to Bob Dylan’s The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan.

New Swiss-made Thorens turntables are available for purchase, too, starting from B10,000.

Good for: Hard rock and heavy metal records Prices: From B89, but most cost B300-800 2/F, Room 59/1, 59/2, 60. Fortune Town, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02-058-0434. Open daily 12–8pm. MRT Phetchaburi

Lad Phrao Soi 8 (Yaek 9), 083-839-2016. Open daily 4pm-midnight.

KRAISAB “GUS” BOONCHOO, independent artist and expert of cheap, unique finds The reason I started [collecting vinyl] is because people told me it sounds better [than modern music platforms].

But its appeal to me is the physical side of it.You remember where you bought it, when you bought it, what your life was like when you bought it, whether or not you should buy it because it’s pricey might leave you broke. It’s all there when you put the needle on the wax.

PIYANGOON “POOM” LIMWANICHRAT, entrepreneur and founder of the music event Indie Inspiration The analog feeling.The experience of physical possession.The direct support to the artists. Plus, they’re great home decorations.The music quality is actually moderate to good, depending on the record. But it’s still better than streaming, in my opinion.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

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BEST VINYL BARS STUDIO LAM

Biscuit Bar and Restaurant

Bar Marco

Named after one of Maft Sai’s radio podcasts, the venue focuses, unsurprisingly, on adventurous DJ sets and live music. With nights dedicated to everything from Ethio-jazz to modern boogie, you won’t find a more esoteric soundtrack in town. Live sounds might come courtesy of the globe-trotting Paradise Bangkok, whose contemporary spin on Thai funk music has generated interest worldwide. Don’t miss the ya dong cocktails, either.

3/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51. 02-261-6661. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-2am. BTS Thonglor

Tucked within the Octo Seafood Bar enclave, Sugar Ray is a collaboration between the masterminds behind Q&A and Thaipioka. Besides excellent cocktails, expect jazz, funk, soul, and disco tunes spun late into the night. Sister bar Sugar Ray Apartment in The Commons Thonglor adheres to the same script, although on a smaller scale.

88/2, 88/9 Sukhumvit Soi 24. 094-417-9898.

Open Mon-Sat 7pm-2am. BTS Phrom Phong.

BAR MARCO

LENNON’S Enter Lennon’s and you’ll feel as if you’ve stumbled into a mid-century recording studio.

Lennon’s entrance hall is decked out with 6,000 records you can browse, play, and even buy.

Their soundsystem is an audiophile’s dream, too, with a British-made Nottingham turntable, high-end McIntosh amplifier, and speakers from Harbet. Expect classic rock, blues, jazz, and a bit of luk krung any given night.

30/F Rosewood Bangkok, 1041, 38 Phloen Chit Rd. 02-080-0030. Open daily 6-11pm.

BTS Phloen Chit.

DUMBO JAZZ & VINYL BAR

Dumbo Jazz & Vinyl Bar

SUGAR RAY, YOU’VE JUST BEEN POISONED

This American-style rooftop jazz and vinyl bar in Saphan Kwai is quickly becoming an institution. Run by the owner of Trackaddict Records, it spins everything from ’50s to ’70s jazz to more recent rock tracks. Live jazz bands play every Thursday to Sunday, underneath fairy lights and a large neon red “Dumbo” sign as the BTS rolls by.

6/F, 490/5, INN Office Building. 094-560-7222.

Open daily 5pm-midnight. BTS Saphan Kwai.

Strange Fruit

Thonglor’s Bar Marco is all about mid-century California vibes. Venture inside, and you’ll be met by a two-story display shelf filled with an extensive collection of vinyl albums—the Beach Boys, the Velvet Underground, Phoenix, Thelonius Monk, Ray Charles, LCD Soundsystem, and more, a genre-spanning soundtrack that promises to keep you on your toes.

946/9 Thonglor Soi 20. 065-464-6925. Open daily 6pm-1am. BTS Thong Lor.

PLAYROOM This Fifty Shades of Grey-themed bar is all about upbeat and smooth jazz. Think Chet Baker, Stan Getz, Barry White, and The Three Sounds, or the unexpected Kon Hin Lamer by Thai ’90s pop icon Soul After Six. There are live DJs each Mon-Wed and live jazz performances from upand-coming crooners and bands every Thu-Sat. 2/F, 359/2-3 Sukhumvit Soi 63. 080-278-7808.

Open daily 6pm-midnight. BTS Ekkamai.

SIWILAI SOUND CLUB Picture a marriage between a New York City jazz club and a Tokyo-style vinyl bar, but with a Thai twist. Soothing jazz classics and contemporary rhythm and blues come from the likes of pianist Roykhien and multi-instrumentalist band Sirawet’s Trio at the “Live Room,” while even more vibrant grooves can be found at the “Audiophile Bar” courtesy of DJs like DJ Nanziee and DJ Toru. While you wait for the DJ sets, ask the bartender to dip into the impressive vinyl collection and play your favorite Bill Withers or Chet Baker tracks.

18 Charoenkrung Rd. 02-267-0415. Open TueSun 6pm-1am.

BISCUIT BAR AND RESTAURANT Tucked inside hip Soi Nana, Biscuit is all about house music with a side of soul and funk. The owners include Ronny, a DJ that brings over 25 years of experience from the French house scene, and Jorge, who’s responsible for the Mediterranean-leaning menu. The whole package might remind you of Thai bars in the ’90s.

Playroom

110 Pantachit Alley. 096-829-9316. Open WedFri 6pm-midnight, Sat-Sun 1pm-midnight. MRT Wat Mangkhon

STRANGE FRUIT

Siwilai Sound Club

Run by DJ Tob, DJ Aopsher, and Thai hip-hop star Twopee, this Thonglor bar puts music front and center. The trio has transformed the original Sugar Ray into this chilled-out hangout spot that spins hip hop, soul, funk, R&B, and more.

Here, you’ll feel like you’re hanging out at your friend’s place—if your friend has a serious vinyl collection.

Lennon’s

77, Thonglor Soi 20, 094-556-5041. Open TueSat 8pm-2am. BTS Thonglor.

feature | vegan fashion

GOOD ON YOU Rubber Killer

Veganism isn’t exactly a new term in fashion, but lately it has gained traction, thanks to an increasing number of consumers embracing vegan principles in all areas of life. By Alisha Pawa

Maddy Hopper

Adhering to the vegan ethos, vegan fashion excludes the exploitation or harming of animals or any animal-related products in the production of materials. Instead products are based on plant-based or organic materials that replace fur, wool, silk, or any animal-based leather or by-product of the meat industry. It also aims to reduce impact on the environment. Plantbased leather, for instance, is biodegradable, organic, and sustainable.

Thamon

There has been a major shift within the fashion industry in the past few years, with global brands taking the high road by banning the use of fur and exotic animal skins. But the movement largely stems from smaller, independent brands who aim to steer the industry toward a more ethical, sustainable, and animal-friendly ethos. If you’re just starting your vegan fashion journey, check out these Thai brands.

BORBOLETA Founded in 2012 by Thai designer Veronica Race, Borboleta makes women’s handbags from ethically produced vegan leather. But it’s more than that. The brand says it pays fair wages, offers benefits like health insurance and paid vacation, and provides investment opportunities for employees that they match every month—it might not look like a lot to cynical eyes, but in the Thai labor landscape, those are great benefits.

In its bags, purses, wallets, backpacks, and accessories, Borboleta uses Japanese microfiber leather that looks and feels like the real thing but is lighter and waterproof. For every bag purchased, they also donate to The Ocean of Wisdom Foundation, sponsoring breakfast and educational programs for students in northern Thailand.

Shop via borboletabag.com.

HEXA This PETA-approved fashion brand has an entire line of vegan shoes and sandals to choose from—from mules and loafers to pumps and high heels, plus clutches and bags to complement them. The brand uses materials like recycled canvas and low-toxic microfiber in its products. The latest collection, Coast, even uses NASA-certified space technology called “Outlast,” which regulates temperature to reduce sweating. Check out their 3- and 4-inch heels, like Fox, a high-heeled sandal (B4,790), or Meghan, a vegan espadrille wedge (B3,390).

Shop via hexashoes.com or at Villains at SF Siam Center, Villains SF at Terminal 21, Emporium department store, and Central Chidlom department store.

Borboleta

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

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MADDY HOPPER Looking for sustainable yet stylish sneakers?

These vegan kicks will upgrade your shoe collection. Born in 2020, Maddy Hopper makes everyday sneakers from recycled plastic bottles and recycled natural latex extracted from bed manufacturing production. Their unisex Polly sneakers come in a neutral canvas palette with a selection of different colors for the sole (blue, sand, eggshell white, and canvas; all B1,990). Pair your kicks with their bamboo fiber socks (B100/pair) in shades like grape, mangosteen, or sweet corn. Everything comes in biodegradable packaging, too.

Shop via Instagram or Line @maddyhopper. sneakers.

RUBBER KILLER

SHAZA BY SHALINI

This eco-conscious brand recycles rubber inner-tubes from all types of vehicles and turns them into fashionable new products like tote bags and wallets. Some of the highlights include the tie-dye blueberry socks (B160/ pair), the RK shot glass and flask set by Stanley (B2,480), and the versatile, water-resistant ROB 2.0 messenger bag (B3,800).

The brand also provides opportunities for tomorrow’s leaders, as part of their profits go to scholarships to underprivileged children in rural areas.

Shaza by Shalini is a sustainable, eco-friendly brand that happens to be vegan by default.

The brand has teamed up with a group of volunteer divers to collect fishing nets and plastic waste in the ocean that can be turned into nylon. From that nylon—which is Econyl- and Repreve-certified—Shaza makes a chic line of activewear. Meanwhile, their swimwear is created using recycled plastic bottles. They also have 100-percent recycled cotton tote bags big enough to fit all your beach essentials or groceries. Some of the highlights from their collection include the sunrise orange-blue swimwear (B1,890), the young and wild pants with sports bra (B3,580/set), and the “I love my body” tote bag (B1,290).

Rubber Killer

Shop via rubberkiller.com.

Shop via Line @shazabyshalini.

THAMON

Hexa

This London-born Thai brand turns Thai tree leaves into vegan leather. Using that as a base, Thamon makes minimalist, cruelty-free, bags and purses for men and women that have been inspired by forms found in nature.

All pieces are woven and dyed by hand and crafted into unique designs by their artisans.

The bifold vegan card holder wallet (B900), for instance, is attractively sleek, while the forest-colored Camden bag (B3,400) makes a bold statement.

Shop via thamon.co to peruse the full catalog of handbags, wallets, briefcases, journals, and more.

Thamon

Shaza by Shalini

BK Asks What are your favorite Thai vegan brands?

TIDA WEI, Vegan Soapmaker & Plant-Based Consultant “I love Athas.They are a woman-owned, vegan botanical skincare brand that I swear by. I love the line of natural soaps I have developed for @ador.artisanal as well because I’ve always had the most sensitive delicate skin, and using nourishing natural products really makes a huge difference for me.”

DYA, Yoga Teacher “My favorite Thai vegan brands include Nature’s Charm for their condensed coconut milk, Doi Kham for their juices, Green Day for their healthy fruit and veggie chips, and Happy Mate for their peanut butter. I also love Conscious Living Thailand, which is a natural probiotics cleaner brand, offering shampoo, fruit dishwashing, and more.”

SHALINI MALHOTRA, Founder of Shaza by Shalini “​​My all-time favorite vegan brand is Stella McCartney, who is also a vegetarian. It reminds me that veganism goes far beyond just a diet. And I’m so happy that there are more Thai brands these days that try to follow this lifestyle.”

food & drink | better meal plans

Housebound and Hungry Ordering food online can be frustrating, with dishes sometimes arriving cold and your choices often limited. Meal plans can take the madness and monotony out of delivery. Stay sane and healthy with these meal plan services.

By BK Magazine

Absolute Fit Food

EatWell

The team behind Absolute Yoga offers delivery plans that run as long as three months, ranging in price from B2,500 for five days to B48,000 for 90 days. Hefty, yes, but it guarantees you natural dishes that promote a healthy, balanced diet: no chemicals, processing, refining, or artificial preservatives. Dishes include everything from vegetarian burritos to salmon bibimbap, and they also offer a range of programs catering to weight loss, prenatal and postnatal moms, and more. Free delivery if you live in the inner city.

Order via absolutefitfood.com, 081-371-3721.

Courageous Kitchen The food-centric non-profit now offers a range of plant-based meal plans, plus organic produce from its delivery partner, Farmtastic. All plans are monthly. You can choose from four to 10 dishes per week (delivered every Sunday to locations within central Bangkok). You can customize the spice level of your food, as well as any other dietary needs you may have. There’s a special package for fans of tempeh, too. The prices are very affordable, at B2,000/month for four dishes per week up to B5,500/month for 10 dishes each week. The food largely sticks to Thai flavors (penang curry, pomelo salad, cucumber somtam), but there are some surprises, like barbecue pulled pork-style jackfruit.

Order via courageouskitchen.org.

EatWell

Absolute Fit Food

With their new service, chef Garima Arora and the teams from Gaa and Here are creating completely customizable plans. The process starts with a detailed 30-minute call to discuss your health and fitness goals, favorite flavors and cuisines, and dietary needs, plus how and when you want your meals to be delivered. All meals feature whole foods, organic veggies, high-quality proteins, and healthy fats like avocado oil and ghee, and the dishes can be anything from Indian to Italian. The subscription fees range from B1,350 for one-day trials to B28,500 for a 30-day package.

Order via Line @here_bkk, 097-140-5647.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

Fit Food Always

Tonic

The former demi chef at Nahm and W Bangkok, Apinun Sawetwannakun now runs his own health food delivery business. Utilizing nutritious ingredients like quinoa, Job’s tears, chickpeas, edamame, and goji berries, he whips up meal plans based on goals—e.g., “built fit” for the body conscious and “healthy balance.”

A course of three meals a day for five days costs B3,500. He also sells packaged food products like kimchi and offers online courses, suitable for everyone from health instructors to everyday people looking for tips for preparing better food at home. Delivery is paid on top depending on distance, with a minimum charge of B100 for the full course. Meals delivered daily.

Order via Line @fitfoodalways, 061-9648641 or 086-359-3795.

The health-conscious restaurant now offers meal plans, too. Select from a menu that changes each week, or let the Tonic crew choose for you (from B900 for one meal a day to B2,600 for three meals a day, depending on delivery location). There’s a range of options— meat-filled or vegetarian, high protein or low carb—highlighting globe-spanning flavors, served in boxes with rice, sides, and mains or bowls featuring rice, sides, and stews.

Order via Line @tonicbkk, tonicbkk.com, or 090-916-5186.

Nutrichef Chef Deepanker “DK” Khosla of Haoma runs the show. Like he does at his flagship fine dining restaurant, here he also prepares food with sustainability in mind. All the herbs and veggies are homegrown using their own fertilizer and filtered wastewater. The menus change each week and might include everything from baked beetroot falafel to chicken with chimichurri sauce and sweet potatoes.

Choose your plan—vegetarian, keto, “shred,” vegan ayurvedic, and more—how many days you want, and how many meals you want each day. Each dish comes with nutritional information, too. From B1,700 (three days) to B14,900 (four-week programs).

Order via thenutrichef.net, Line @nutrichef.

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Vegan Crush Run by well-traveled influencer Maricel Lukkanit, this delivery service specializes in plant-based cuisine, made from an arsenal of recipes she picked up during a five-year journey around the world. She promises low sodium, low oil, and new menus every week. You can select from five meals (lunch Mon-Fri) with three different dishes or 10 meals (lunch and dinner Mon-Fri) with five different dishes, from one to three months.

That ranges in price from B6,000 (five meals, three dishes, one month) to B30,000 (10 meals, five dishes, three months), depending on the package. Expect everything from seitan goulash with German dumplings to masala bean curry to scrambled tofu with spinach on rice.

Order via maricelsvegancrush.com, IG @maricelsvegancrush.

Vegan Crush

Paleo Robbie Appropriately enough, Paleo Robbie helped fuel the paleo diet’s rise in Bangkok. Everything this delivery pioneer serves is organic, with no farmed fish or preservatives, mimicking the diets of our caveman ancestors. But check out the list of dishes and you’ll quickly realize it isn’t at all stone-age fare: beef stroganoff, lamb shank and potato mash, and Norwegian mackerel with grilled squash and vegetables.

One meal is B299 (plus B50 for delivery to Sukhumvit and Siam).

Order via paleorobbie.com.

Nutrichef

Paleo Robbie

6 ice cream delivery specialists

THAI TERRACE

NEW AND NOTED

Siriraj Hospital, 092-246-7103. Praram9 Hospital, 063-267-1425. Vibhavadi Hospital, 065-526-9812.

All branches open daily 7am-6pm Aside from the excellent Thai mains, hard-to-find traditional desserts are the big draw here. Although we are in the middle of full lockdown, the restaurant’s two locations at Siriraj Hospital and Praram9 Hospital are open for takeaway and delivery. Delve into comfort dishes like pad Thai (stir-fried Thai rice noodles with prawns), khao soi gai (northern Thai-style curry noodle soup with chicken), and desserts like tub tim grob (water chestnuts in coconut milk, B74).

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 500 or more /sales slip (Excluding service charge) (Applicable for takeaway)

Hemp

Daisy’s

Yora

Bangkok’s first cbd-infused ice cream brand is whipping up feel-good flavors with suggestive names, using high-quality hemp products from their partner Golden Triangle, one of Thailand’s biggest legal cannabis players.

Think Northern Lights (chamomile mint chip tea), Pineapple Express (apple and mango sorbet, White Widow (berry sorbet), Super Lemon Haze (yuzu cream), and OG Kush (dark choc fudge brownie). Order the six-flavor set (B1,300) or try a pint (B240/8oz). The set includes free delivery and a tote bag. (The ice cream is not suitable for children or pregnant women.)

Daisy’s brings flavors both decadent and refreshing from their kitchen to your doorstep. The flavors are announced on Line, Facebook, and Instagram periodically and tend to include one bright, fruity option and a couple of richer treats. Think blueberry lavender or key lime pie frozen yogurt, birthday cake (vanilla ice cream with sprinkles, cookie crumbles, and browned butter swirls), and the signature Daisy Dough, loaded with chocolate chip cookie dough and caramel swirls. All are available for B350/pint.

The brainchild of renowned pastry chef Saki Hoshino, Yora churns out fresh flavors featuring Thai and Japanese ingredients, but without preservatives or added sugars. Think sour mango with umami-packed, sweet-salty fish sauce fudge (B99 cup/B400 pint); veg-friendly coconut and palm sugar (B90/B350) topped with fried shallots and toasted coconut; and milk and cornflakes (B90/ B350), made with real Japanese milk.

Now Yora offers truly ridiculous ice cream sandwiches, too, like Choc-Mallow, vanilla ice cream sandwiched between cookies made with cornflakes, chocolate, and marshmallow, all dipped in Kad Kokoa chocolate.

Order via Instagram @hempicecream, Line @hempicecream.

1 Mar ’21 - 31 Jul ’22

TBT- thaiterrace_.indd 1

Yora

Daisy’s

TABLE TALK

6/8/2564 BE 10:41

Order via Instagram, Facebook, or Line (all @daisysicecreams).

Order via Instagram @yora.bkk, Line @yora.bkk.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021

13

Rolling Pinn

TABLE TALK

SOMTAM NUA Rolling Pinn

Kad Kokoa

Peyton Brown’s Small Batch Ice Cream

The Rolling Pinn is best known for ridiculous cookies and brownies, but they’re dabbling in ice cream, too.

Limited-edition flavors like First Kiss, strawberry cheesecake ice cream with buttery digestive cracker crumb, strawberry swirls, and a drizzle of strawberry sauce, satisfy your sweet tooth as well as your social feed.

Other fun flavors have included Milk Candy, which draws on childhood nostalgia for the convenience store treat, and Fat Kid Froyo, vanilla bean frozen yogurt featuring house-made Greek yogurt mixed with Biscoff (B130 single serving/B750 for six).

Free delivery for orders over B1,000.

Sathorn’s bean-to-bar chocolate makers are now serving pints of rich, luscious ice cream using some of the products they put in their chocolate bars. There are three original flavors: gluten-free Chiang Mai vanilla bean ice cream, and the gluten-free and vegan-friendly Prachuap Khiri Khan cacao juice sorbet and Chantaburi single origin cacao chocolate sorbet (B390/pint; B999/3 pints). Grab some of their sourdough chocolate cookies (B140/piece), and you can make your own ice cream sando, too.

Keep your eyes peeled for this artisanal ice cream shop’s limited weekly rotation of flavors, each of which comes with a narrative story explaining the inspiration for the creation. The most recent is An Afternoon in London, an Earl Grey-flavored ice cream and companion to the previously released A Morning In London, an English breakfast tea ice cream with a Proustian backstory about the founder’s time in the UK (B350/pint each).

Order via rollingpinn.com.

Order via Line @kadkokoa.

Orders are available until the flavors sell out via Facebook Messenger (@peytonbrownsicecream) or Line @peytonbrown.

392/14-15 Siam Square Soi 5, 02-251-4880.

Open daily 11am-7:30pm When dine-in was a thing, Somtam Nua enjoyed long queues of tourists and locals who would come out in droves for a seat. Luckily if you are within delivery distance of Siam Square you can still enjoy its quality Isaan fare. The menu covers various styles of somtam (papaya salad), as well as other Northeastern favorites like tom sab (spicy pork soup) and grilled pork jowl. But the crowds mostly come for the fried chicken—beautifully marinated and with perfectly crispy skin—and tam-mua (somtam with Thai pork sausages and crispy pork rind).

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get 15% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages when spending THB 1,200 or more /sales slip (Applicable for takeaway)

1 Jun ’21 - 31 May ’22

TBT-somtum���_.indd 1

6/8/2564 BE 10:40

hit list | lifestyle

SRT red line officially launches CITY LIFE

The first trains in a long-awaited commuter rail extension into the northern and western metro hinterlands finally have rolled out. The SRT Red Line connects the recently opened transit cathedral in Bang Sue north to Rangsit in Pathum Thani province and west to Bangkok’s Taling Chan district. The Rangsit-bound route is called the “dark red line” and promises to take passengers to 10 stations within 25 minutes, while the way to Taling Chan is called the “light red line” and passes three stations in 15 minutes. The total project is estimated to have cost somewhere north of B32 billion—no small figure but a necessary one to enhance connectivity and livability for suburban Bangkokians. Transportation Minister Saksayam Chidchob has informed the public that riding the Red Line will be free until the end of October.

From November onwards, fares will start at B12 and run up to B42.

GO GREEN

5 SUSTAINABLE TOTE BAGS Space Cake Large

by Born On Saturday B2,800

Available at bornonsaturday. com

Everyday U by Madmatter B450 Available at Lazada

Cloudy Lego Summer Tote by iwannabangkok B1,090 Available at Pomelo

Repleat Signature Tote B1,950 Available at Pomelo

Tote by Kiddee Project B1,490

Available at fb.com/ kiddeeproject. thailand

LIFE

DECOR

FASHION

Chula students mourn their beloved “Uncle Fruit”

Lighting this inhaler-inspired candle feels like therapy

A popular Thai gummy bear brand collabs with Kito

Earlier this month, Chulalongkorn University students, alumni, and faculty were mourning the death of Baksia Saelim, a man known on campus as “Uncle Fruit,” following his death due to Covid-19.

For years, Baksia always had a smile and kind words to go with his slices of pineapple, papaya, and watermelon. Students, faculty, and alumni were quick to pay tribute and offer condolences online. “RIP, Uncle Fruit. Back then I didn’t have much money, so I bought his fruit only seldomly, but he always gave me extra pineapple,” illustrator Sawangwonganan Pipat wrote on Facebook along with a drawing of Baksia. Rest in peace, Uncle Fruit.

Are you constantly picking up nasal inhalers to relieve stress or overpower Bangkok’s unsavory smells? Now you can get all the odiferous benefits of the popular ya dom nose candy in candle form. This aromatic candle replicates the eucalyptus- and menthol-heavy aroma of the inhaler, but since it’s a candle, it’s not as potent under your nostrils. The price is B390 for 90g, B490 for 130g, and B690 for 180g.

If you grew up chewing Jolly Bears, then you might appreciate this unusual collaboration. Jolly Bears has collaborated with shoe brand Kito to create a line of playful limited-edition slippers stamped with the gummy bear brand’s logo (B390). The colorful line is available in classic gray, cherry red, green, and black, all of which would certainly make a statement in public. And before you ask: yes, obviously, they’re available in adult sizes.

Available to purchase via Instagram @fickle.lifestyle.

Available to purchase at kito.co.th.

Shop Talk How to spend your hardearned baht.

BUY IT DROP WIRELESS CHARGER (B1,780) Declutter the kitchen table that has become your de facto desk with this wireless port.

BIN IT PIONEER X OFF-WHITE DDJ-1000-OW (B79,900) For the price of one of these, you could buy 1,598 meals for the hungry.

BARGAIN AMURO T750M TREADMILL (B13,190) The 51% discount on this dreadmill will ease the pain of running at home.

the last word | feeling uninspired

This illustrator is capturing Thailand’s darkest days in wry, surreal artwork Freelance animator Saratta Cheungsatiansup, 29, is making waves with the snappy, surreal artwork he produces for his page Uninspired by Current Events—a visual diary of our current health, political, and economic crises. We talked to him about his art, his “un”inspiration, and why, despite what you may think, it isn’t all about politics.

By Porpor Leelasestaporn

T

ell us about your page. Why did you start it?

Before I started this page, I only published my artwork in my personal account on Facebook. After doing this for about a week, one of my friends suggested that I should start a page to expand my audience. I came up with this name because I wanted to play on the double meaning of the page.

First is the literal meaning to show how uninspiring the current events are. Second is to serve as a disclaimer that my page has nothing to do with the current events. We never address any issues specifically, and people can interpret the artwork however they deem fit.

You said that you briefly deactivated your account after feeling overwhelmed by Thailand’s political news. By making art based on this news, doesn’t that make it worse?

The results are rather opposite. Far from making me feel more depressed, doing this is more like therapy to me. I used to feel overwhelmed by the news, and I couldn’t find a way to handle all my pent-up emotions. Turning them into art not only gives meaning to the work—it also helps me let go of those negative feelings. It’s a process of healing.

Tell us about the creative process behind your surreal artwork.

Mostly the news comes to me. Every time I wake up, I just check the topics that people on Facebook are angry about, and you’ll see that there’s no end to this news at all. I never intended to make my page all about politics, though. It can be anything. I just want to find unique ways to narrate current events.

For example, if you want to depict bribery, you might come up with an image of people handing things beneath a table. So I’ve tried to come up with different images, like the Trojan horse, to represent a sense of smuggling or trickery.

Does the message ever fail to get across to your audience?

Of course, some of the messages I intended to relay to the audience might not be clear. This happens when I’m too ambitious and try to include a bunch of ideas in one picture. When you have more than one key message in your artwork, the audience will find it hard to grasp its meaning.

In your opinion, what was the most “uninspiring” event Thailand has endured over the past year?

It’s hard to tell. With this authoritarian regime, anything can be uninspiring. I would say it’s the system that is the most uninspiring.

Do you think you can make an impact through your work?

I don’t make my illustrations with expectations on creating an impact. If my work can at least contribute to the meaningful conversation for everyone, I would like to be a part of that.

With most of your work requiring a lot of interpretation, is it safe to say this is your way to protect yourself from lawsuits?

I think it’s just an extra benefit. The reasons I created this Facebook page aren’t solely political. If that was the case, then I would include parliament figures in my art.

I really want to make my work look stunning. Even if it highlights the political issue of the day, the topic represented in the picture should be relevant no matter how much time has passed. It should represent something bigger than just the event itself. People who don’t follow Thai politics should be able to get the message. I want my pictures to be aesthetically pleasing more than just scolding criticism.

Compared to other political pages in Thailand, yours seems to be off the radar of pro-establishment types.

Why is that?

I’ve only got one comment [from a pro-regime figure] since I opened the page. This might be because I don’t make explicit statements in my work. People might get the secret messages when they share my work. They might develop completely different interpretations of my artwork than what I have for it. But those who live in different worlds might not understand what I’m trying to express. It’s like an encryption that can only be unlocked by those who follow the same things.

tk

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020

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