BK Magazine 818 by BK Magazine

it's free! Seaside B-Side Hua Hin can be a fun, stylish getaway. Yes, really. Antito is Neato Chef Amerigo Sesti's fine dining pasta without a high cost-a Hocus Pocus Charles the French on magic and comedy in Bangkok Survival of the Fittest City gyms and how to keep that resolution going

NO. 818 JANUARY 28, 2022. www.bkmagazine.com

If you don't know, now you know.

HIP-HOP FIGHTS BACK

food & drink

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022

ADVERTORIAL

FEAST OF A DEAL

Tantalizing Gastronomy

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La Bottega A familiar name among BK’s Top Tables Awards’ winners, this restaurant serves traditional Italian dishes in innovative ways. Ask for La Bottega’s recently launched omakase meal to experience Italian cuisine in new ways. 2nd Fl, Terrace 49 Building, Sukhumvit 49, 02-2041731. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm; 5:30-10pm.

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J’Aime by Jean-Michel Lorain You’ll be mesmerized by the distinctive culinary creation of Michelin-starred chef Amerigo Sesti and Jean-Michel Lorain who are known for their white sea bass in black truffle butter sauce. The Lorain’s Signature and J’Aime Journey set menus of this acclaimed French fine dining establishment are must-trys.

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La Bottega

J’Aime by Jean-Michel Lorain

page 3 Who's in charge?

BK EDITORIAL Managing Editor Tyler Roney Senior Writers Alisha Pawa, Porpor Leelasestaporn Junior Writer Thanut Manthanasarnchai

cover story

GROVE: COCONUTS MEDIA BRAND STUDIO Business Director Dietrich Neu Head of Business Development Shernan Plameras

Children of the Resolution

Hip-hop legends and hopefuls speak out

Omicron, smog, and apparently pigs are out to get us now too. The already benighted first month of 2022 has been enough for most of us to start jamming Ferrero Rocher down our throats by the fistful, but Bangkok’s “new year, new me” is starting to take shape.

Senior Content Strategist Andre Frois Associate Thai Editor Ittipol Jungwatanawong Senior Thai Writer Witthawat Pukkhabut Senior Project Manager Sirinart Panyasricharoen Senior Account Manager Hafiz Rasid Digital Account Manager Nuttajuk Kittichailuk Project Manager Sawanya Chantarakana Art Director Vatanya Bongkotkarn

Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Senior Graphic Designer Umporn Jiaranai Senior Business Development Manager Orajira Sukkasem Business Development Managers Chalida Anuwattanawong, Akarat Boonbumroong, Danial Heng, Joseph Toh, Stanley Yeo Business Development Executive Palita Nueangnit

feature

Getting the most out of Hua Hin

SOIMILK Editor Noranartta Chaikum Senior Writers Rujiyatorn Choksiriwan, Kristiya Chaisri

DIY: Create a website that doesn’t immediately break. Last year saw failures of the Thailand Pass system and the vaccine rollout data leaks, but this year the authorities have invested in a state-of-the-art system to replace the gibbon banging on a GameBoy plugged into a lemon. Early reports claim that the new computer system is bright pink and has big googly eyes.

Publisher, Printer, and Editor Tara Rattanaphas

Me Time: Ignore a public health crisis and then overcorrect. Already in the bag—though this one was always a bit of a gimme.

food & drink

Chef Amerigo Sesti gets casual at Antito

BK Magazine is a Coconuts Media publication. Founder and CEO Byron Perry Coconuts TV Head of Content Vim Shanmugam

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Operations Manager Clarissa Cortes

Black Cat, burgers, BBQ, and more

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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. Printed by Sunthorn Film Company Limited, 13/11-15 Soi Wat Phraya Yang, Urupongtadmai Road, Thanon Phetchaburi, Sub-district, Ratchathewi District, Bangkok.

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Indulge: Spend a comical amount of money on a military doodad. We all need to let loose. Maybe a fine whiskey before bed. Maybe fancy sneakers. Maybe it’s a giant flying murder bird. You—look at me—you deserve those F-35 fighter jets for $413.67 million in the middle of a crippling pandemic. Be decadent. Be naughty. Treat. Yo. Self.

lifestyle

the last word

Being fit and staying that way

Charles the French

Charity: All your NGOs are belong to us. We all know who’s to blame for Thailand’s problems. That’s right, George Soros, China, probably alcohol somehow. To protect the Kingdom from boogeymen of all shapes, the government decided it was time to push the Operations of Not-for-Profit Organisations draft bill to put the fear of god in every troublemaking do-gooder from Denmark to Din Daeng. Charity begins at home—and it deadbolts the door. Fitness: Exercise complete impunity. After the Constitutional Court rulings last year, there’s no telling what will be treason in 2022. The smart money is on elephant pants and thinking about craft beer.

upfront BY THE NUMBERS… MUSIC EVOLVING TO SURVIVE

10+

months

without large live music venues in Bangkok

103,353,000 YouTube views of Rap Against Dictatorship’s “My Country Has” as of January 2022

2,000

$105 million

baht

Amount teenage rapper Milli paid after being charged with defamation by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha

Revenue generated by music streaming in Thailand in 2021

100,000 self-employed musicians in Thailand

Sources: Mongkol Bangprapa. Bangkok Post “Musicians appeal to be allowed to work,” June 18, 2020. Statista, “Revenue of digital music in Thailand, 2017-2026” January 6, 2022.

YOU SAID WHAT?

HOT OR NOT

“The title isn’t that important. What’s more important is that I can inspire other people like me to do the same.” Ponnapapan “Fern” Sangwangthong to BK Magazine on being the first Miss Thailand 2022 contestant with autism.

“We couldn’t sell much during the four-hour window [the government] gave us. ” Teens of Thailand co-owner Gun Leelhasuwan to BK Magazine, referring to the 5pm-9pm daily drinking period in Bangkok.

“I fought this case not just because it is personal, but it’s for every disabled person.” Disability activist Manit Intharapim to Coconuts Bangkok on a defamation suit for photographing a Toyota Hilux in a handicapped spot.

DEFAMATION

CREAMY RAMEN

Ozone Hotel Khaoyai declared war on a patron identified as Khing earlier this month, demanding B50,000 for each day the Agoda review was live as well as B3 million in damages for a less than stellar review. The mild 6/10 review said the hotel was too expensive and the “room’s view was just okay” but that’s apparently enough for a criminal suit.

The latest viral food craze seems designed to set off someone’s OCD. Ingredients? Soft serve ice cream and ramen. Mix. Yes, even the cone. It all started with a netizen dunking KFC soft serve into Hachiban Ramen, and it wasn’t long after until Burger King jumped on the bandwagon with an ad to capitalize on this latest in culinary insanity. Of course, Burger King doesn’t actually sell ramen, so plan ahead.

A PIG DEAL Early worries about swine flu in Thailand sent the star of Netflix’s Friend Zone, Naphat “Nine” Siangsomboon, shilling for fake meat on social media. Nine Naphat flogged the MEAT ZERO brand—courtesy of Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group—as a plant-based alternative to pricey pigs, but the online world took exception, pointing out the porcine-free pork was both expensive and its promotion was in bad taste.

300 SOLUTION Booking a trip to Thailand takes nerves of steel, the faith of a saint, and enough insurance to get an adamantium skeleton. Starting in April, you can tack on an extra B300. The Thai government is thundering ahead with the contentious tourism fee. If visitors ever return to Thailand, the scheme is slated to skim up to 1.8 trillion baht in revenue.

cover | rap battle

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022

HIP-HOP FIGHTS BACK

As politics makes celebrities and martyrs of hip-hop stars, the scene on the ground struggles to get back to normal. BK Magazine speaks with five hip-hop personalities–some at the top of their game, some starting out–about how hip-hop hopes to come back.

“Even though we don't have live concerts to perform at or go to, we see all these new rappers coming up,” TwoPee Southside, a member of hip-hop megagroup Thaitanium, tells BK Magazine. “Maybe it’s because they have time to put in work while they are...with the home studio equipment with the rhymes in their mind.” TwoPee worked his way up winning competitions and became a national sensation as a coach on The Rapper TV series. He says Thailand’s hip-hop is unique because of the language’s unique vowels and tones.

Despite her 1.8 million Instagram followers and megahit after megahit, Danupha “Minnie” Kanateerakul, aka Milli, had exams last month. Already a superstar in her own right, the teenager was catapulted to political fame when Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha brought defamation charges against her at the then age of 18. Today Milli is one of the most recognizable names in Thailand hip-hop.

MILLI

Today, hip-hop in Bangkok runs deep. The scene, however, has been facing a war on multiple fronts as Covid ends live music and the authorities lose patience with dissent. While other styles have crawled back from the brink, major and minor venues for club-based hip-hop have been shuttered for more than 10 months, and the artists are forced to find new ways to create. “Now all you can do is focus on online mode. YouTube and all the music platforms, it’s what the world needs now. Keep pushing new music and PR yourself,” TwoPees says, on advice to new hopefuls.

Is hip-hop a male-dominated industry? When I compose a song, I need to be very critical with my words. The lyrics can have a huge influence or impact on people’s perspective–not only about females but also myself as an artist. They tend to associate the lyrics in my music with my personality or they think that it’s about me. For guys, when it comes to performing on stage, it’s really easy as they can just go up with a casual outfit whether it’s just jeans and a t-shirt. People tend to just get wooed by their muscles. For females, we are expected to dress up in a certain way because we are judged by our clothes and how we look on stage. We have to look perfect with our hair, makeup, jewelry, and everything while rapping and dancing on stage. Of course, this is not just a culture limited to the Thai hip-hop industry but it applies internationally as well. I hope I can break this stereotype or stigma that females are supposed to be well-dressed while men aren’t given so much pressure to do the same. Male hip-hop artists are given the title of being ‘cool’ while females have to put in that extra effort and make a fashion statement to really be in the limelight.

What are your goals? What kind of message do you want to send to female hiphop artists? I want to do a world tour so I can learn more about hip-hop and different cultures around the world. I also want to support people who are trying to come into this line of work and LGBT rappers so they get equal opportunities.

Could you tell us about the defamation charges and how you dealt with it? Actually, it happened because I didn’t use my words properly to put across my point. I was lucky that I had my family who supported me and guided me on how to deal with this situation. It was a lesson learned that I have to be cautious and careful the next time I speak up on a public platform, especially anything about the government.

cover | rap battle

LIBERATE P Nattapong “Liberate P” Sareemuang made a debut in 2016 with his controversial “Oc(t) ygen,” capturing the unspoken fear of expressing one’s opinion under the military junta. Also a member of Rap Against Dictatorship, Liberate P wants to make music and a difference.

PROTOZUA Originally from Nakhon Sawan, Pongsatorn “Protozua” Dechanupab moved to Bangkok when he was 18 and today is a member of one of Thailand’s most famous and controversial groups, Rap Against Dictatorship (RAD). Members of RAD face charges of sedition, alleged state-sponsored hacks, and more. How is the hip-hop scene surviving under Covid? Under the pandemic, it's not really safe to make money from concerts or events. Some artists do online live shows that viewers have to pay to see from their home. Some of them sell merchandise. Some artists release more music to get more online streaming income.

How did you first become interested in hip-hop? I heard hip-hop music from a friend of mine when I was in highschool and then I researched it online. There was a website called siamhiphop. com which is a good community regardless of where you live. There was nowhere to meet hip-hop fans outside of Bangkok. The website held online rap battles which everyone could join, and we learned how to record songs using low cost instruments.

How are members of RAD dealing with the stress of political persecution? When the protests come back, will you come back with them? We join less events. Last year we started to perform at some events near the end of the year. After a long time of not performing, I was afraid of getting caught after the event for two weeks. When the protests come back, I will join when I can. But it's harder in a bad economy and the pandemic situation. Joining protests costs money. One thing I can do is make more political music to support the movement.

Can you tell me about how you are creating music during the pandemic? It's difficult to shoot a music video. All crew members have to do ATK tests which costs a lot for the whole set. In “Ngobpraman” (Budget) we have to shoot separately and send it to the director. It's really hard but we won't stop because there are so many things happening in our lives.

How are you creating music during the pandemic? Making rap songs, in my opinion, doesn’t require as many people as making songs for other genres. We can delegate our work, record each individual part, and send them to the editor to finish the whole process. The challenge is when we launch new songs. When you try to insert something relevant, it can be drowned out in the feeds very quickly. I’m talking about the music scene in general. But for RAD, this isn’t much of a problem since the main subjects for our songs are relevant to social problems.

How do you deal with the risks of political charges? Despite what everyone may think, we are not that fearless. True, we attack the establishment head on, but we never directly address them in our songs. We may address the issue of national budget in our song “Ngobpraman” (Budget) but we never discuss whose budget.

Compared to five years ago, how do you think the Thai hip-hop scene has changed? When I launched “Oc(t)ygen” in 2016, people might have giggled attempting to read between the lines of all those hidden messages I added. I tried so hard to change the wording and hide my meanings among the rhymes. Subversive as I was at the time, I was still afraid [of getting caught] because the military junta still held a tight grip on the country. Today, people are talking about these messages in broad daylight. The [newer generations] are braver at saying those things to the point that addressing the establishment is now a norm.

Do you think the hip-hop scene can pave the way for political change in Thailand? It’s rather the opposite. Rappers and other artists follow in the trails of Arnon Nampa and other political activists. [RAD] may be one of the first groups that made an impact and raised people’s awareness through our songs, but in 2019 it was Arnon, Mind (Patsaravalee Tanakitvibulpon), Mike (Panupong Jardnok), and others who paved the way for us. They helped unlock and overcome the inner fear that people had at the time, and it is our job to act as their speaker, amplifying their messages.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022

ELEVEN FINGER In 2018, Thanayuth “Book” Na Ayuthaya challenged the stubborn biases against Bangkok’s largest slum with his music. Just 17 at the time, Book garnered media attention for "This is Klong Toey Compton," a rap battle with 48 hip-hop artists across the country. It’s been four years and he’s still as fearless as ever–arrested in August 2020 after taking his anti-establishment message to the protest stage. He was featured in the award-winning documentary film School Town King, retelling his struggles breaking into the music scene and out of poverty. It’s been four years since we last spoke. Any changes you’d like to talk about? I’m still the same. I still make rhymes that shed light on social issues, but my scope is now bigger, not to mention the better quality of the music production.

You have been under almost every media outlet’s spotlight since then. Does that make you feel accomplished as an artist? I’m glad that people are interested in my work, but my goal is not just fame. I started doing this because I want to bring about change through my songs. As long as problems persist, it is far from success. It’s good that people are noticing some of the problems I allude to in my songs, and I’m thrilled to see how people can recognize what I’m doing. But all I ever want to do is make all those problems disappear.

What do you think about Thailand’s hip-hop scene? It’s been increasingly popular lately. People love rap songs when artists implement their rhymes or feature them in pop or love songs. Sure, there is nothing wrong with making music about love, but I’m not keen on this type of music. The real hiphop scene is not booming as much. I’m talking about the hip-hop scene that talks about everyday life, the real problems you face as you walk down the street.

What about people in the Klong Toey community? Have they become more interested in becoming aspiring rap artists? Plenty of them show an interest. But with Covid-19, it’s hard to get everyone on board. My father used to protest the idea of me becoming a full-time rapper. Now he fully has my back and looks forward to hearing my new songs.

Has Covid-19 handicapped your song production? Before the pandemic, everything went quite smoothly. It may be easier for some to work and collaborate online, but without spontaneity where we can express ourselves and discuss ideas, it has slowed down every process. To write a good song, » in my opinion, is to connect with people. I need to experience the scene so that I can draw inspiration from it. However, Klong Toey also has large Covid clusters from time to time, which makes it more difficult to meet in person.

MC SUNTHII Aticha “MC Sunthii” Pongpanich is one half of Bang Sue Electrix, a music and hip-hop group that was making the rounds at local bars and clubs and racking up a hit with “Back to the Future” in the pre-Covid world. Making music with her partner Pavel “Pilot Pirx” Ponizil, MC Sunthii is navigating a discerning music industry while working for her family’s dressmaking business.

What are your thoughts on the hip-hop industry in Thailand? I think the hip-hop industry is booming. A lot of people are gaining interest in this field, and I think it has evolved. As an artist, we want to hone our skills, learn more about the culture, and try to bring out more from this genre. I’m trying to divert my songs to other genres as well, not just purely focusing on hip-hop.

What are some of the struggles you face? One of the main struggles is to make connections and socialize, because without that it’s very difficult to survive in this industry. I’m still struggling to make my name–only a fraction of people actually know me. It’s hard to gain fame here. Also, I usually like to reflect my own lifestyle or bring up social issues in my songs, so I’m not exactly sure if people are able to connect to it or not. Making connections with the audience is essential.

What is it like trying to make it as a woman in hip-hop? It is a male-dominated industry, but I feel that when females enter this industry people actually pay more attention because it breaks the norms. People notice you because you’re breaking the stereotype and also because there are fewer female artists. People are excited to see women rapping and making progress in this industry. We become an inspiration. A lot of artists come and go, but when females step into this industry, it shakes things up and makes it interesting for the audience too.

How has Covid-19 affected your work? Covid-19 affected all of us. The only thing we can do is stream music online, have online concerts, and make TikTok videos. The hip-hop industry went really quiet and there weren't many events or activities. So, I’m also helping out with my family business, and we make dresses. Obviously, my dream is to become a better artist and make more music, but I can’t earn enough at the moment. We make music that helps people stay motivated. If we write about political issues, it gets too heavy, so we want to make music that makes people feel happy and alive. We are very new to this industry so we are trying to learn more and establish ourselves. The government has not given us any support. In the music industry, it’s not just about the musicians but also the stage workers, organizers, and so much other work is involved. All of them are losing their jobs, too. So, it's not just people in this industry but also the people revolving around it. Everyone in the industry is just supporting each other to survive.

feature | Hua Hin done right

NOT YOUR PARENTS’ SEASIDE ESCAPE WHERE TO EAT, DRINK, STAY, AND PLAY IN HUA HIN When you think of Hua Hin, what comes to mind first? The train station, the ponies, the European snowbirds, the kitsch theme parks? As a destination, Hua Hin has always been rather modest and sedate (which is a polite way of saying kind of boring). Forget what you know about Hua Hin. Here’s why you should travel there now—and what you should do when you’re there. By Craig Sauers

EAT & DRINK Thanks to Gallery Drip (10 Hua Hin Soi 51; open Thu-Mon 8:30am-5pm), a branch of the Bangkok-born, slow-method specialty cafe, you can start your day with high-quality coffee (from B60) and light bites. Hidden in the shadows of nondescript hotels on Petchkasem Soi 94 is Ogen (open daily 11am-10pm). Though not much on the eyes—it’s little more than a room with shiny white tile floors and some outside tables along the street—this new-ish Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant is a total gem. From the juicy lamb kofta (sets served with hummus, pita, tabbouleh, and French fries; B440) to the crispy-on-the-outside, tenderon-the-inside falafel (pita sandwich served with French fries; B180), everything is great here. Recently, chef Jutamas “Som” Theantae, a familiar name in the Bangkok dining scene, opened a new space by the sea. With Som’s Table (19 Soi Ruam Jai, Khao Tao; open Thu-Mon 4-10pm), the chef, known for her conceptual tasting menus and work with Karmakamet, goes back to her roots, serving more humble and accessible European fare in a two-story house with a garden right beside the beach. Expect homemade breads and pasta, fresh fish procured from local fishermen, and lots of champagne and biodynamic wines. While Hua Hin isn’t known for its nightlife—except for the expat-baiting beer bars around Soi Bintabaht—that might be changing. Praca at The Standard Hua Hin (59 Naresdamri Rd.; open daily 4-11pm) sees a beachside heritage bungalow transformed into an intimate cocktail bar with both indoor and outdoor seating and a very good soundtrack. Expect drinks like the Cheeky Monkey, a play on the Old Fashioned featuring Monkey Shoulder, peanut, sesame, salt and cane sugar (B380), and Born to Rum (Nusa Cana rum, banana, coconut milk, kaffir lime leaf and lime; B320). Resort guests can also score beach-appropriate drinks like the Frose (Aperol, dry rose, Lillet rose, and peach syrup; B350) at the poolside Lido Bar (open daily 10am-7pm). At one point, there were rumors that Teens of Thailand would be opening a spin-off in Hua Hin. Although little has been said about the project since September, if it comes to fruition, on reputation alone, it would instantly become Hua Hin’s most exciting bar project.

Som’s Table

Sundance Dayclub

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022

SEE & DO

STAY

If you’re itching to try something new, check out Hua Hin Kitesurfing, a certified kitesurfing school run by Kiteboarding Asia. The school makes the most of Hua Hin’s steady seasonal winds, offering one-day lessons (from B4,000) and three-day courses for those who are serious about the sport and want to get certified (B11,000). All courses are led by certified instructors. You can even intern here if you want to become one yourself.

Hua Hin recently welcomed The Standard, the first property from the boutique American brand to open in Thailand. The design is meant to recall The Standard’s property in Miami—the yellow lawn chairs were even shipped over from Miami—and the hotel is full of touches that will make you feel far removed from the Gulf of Thailand. Think disco balls hanging over bathtubs; candy-striped deck chairs; a pain-staking, hand-painted pool deck created by Brooklyn-based Romon Kimin Yang, a.k.a. Rostarr; and the brand’s signature mud baths at the spa (although here they require you to cover your private bits, unlike the very nude and very public mud baths in Miami).

The business also offers stand-up paddleboarding for days when the seas are steady (B300/hour, B1,000/day; classes B600/day). If hedonism is your thing, look no further than Sundance Dayclub (13/14 Soi Bo Fai). The club has turned the former Seenspace into an exciting hotel-slash-beach lounge, copying the script most often seen on islands like Koh Samui and Phuket: good food, a pool bar, and DJ sets. You can also stay here if you don’t want to venture far from the party (from B7,800++/night; includes B2,000 in food and beverage credit).

There are 199 rooms, over 160 of which are in a whitewashed, Art Deco-inspired wing overlooking a 150-year-old rain tree (from B4,500++/ night for a Standard King or Twin room).

The Standard

Lido Bar

The surf club

Executive Chairman Amar Lalvani says they went to great lengths to preserve the existing trees when they developed the property, but then they further greenified the space with palms, monstera plants, and more—especially around the villas. These jungly spaces boast big rooms (99 to 106 sq meters), lounge areas with daybeds, bathrooms with rain showers and tubs, private plunge pools, and plant-covered gardens made to escape to with your friends or partners. Lalvani says the hotel is about getting out of your room and into the social space. From its aforementioned cocktail bars and huge centerpiece pool to its eclectic soundtrack and cheeky artwork (see: the framed 1980s fitness magazines in the gym), The Standard isn’t the kind of luxury hotel your parents and grandparents would check into. For Hua Hin, that’s probably a good thing.

LOVE UNDER THE MOONLIGHT THIS VALENTINE’S DAY, SAVOR YOUR ROMANTIC MOMENT AND EMBARK ON A MODERN ITALIAN CULINARY JOURNEY WITH US. 14th February 2022 | 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm LA TAVOLA GARDEN TERRACE THB 5,888++ including 6-course set dinner for a couple Additional THB 1,200++ per couple including 4 wine pairing course Limited 8 couples only LA TAVOLA RESTAURANT THB 2,550++ including a 4-course sharing dinner menu for a couple Additional THB 1,200++ per couple including 4 wine pairing course Advance reservation is required. Discover more, please call 02.125.5000

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food & drink | news

Saawaan’s seasonal menu highlights Thai cooking techniques THEY’RE BACK

Chef Sujira “Aom” Pongmorn and pastry chef Arisara “Paper” Chongphanitkul are turning out eight-course menus (B1,980++) to highlight traditional cooking techniques: raw, fermentation, boiling, stir-fried, charcoal-grilling, and more. Finally returning to the Bangkok dining scene at the end of 2021, Saawaan is boasting a seasonal menu inspired by street food and local cuisine. For dessert, try the tub tim grob (sweet water chestnut in coconut) with candle-smoked coconut ice cream. Staying off the sauce? Have the juice pairing (B850++), which includes homemade ginger ale, cold silver needle white tea, kombucha, and rice milk. 39/19 Suan Phlu, 02-679-3775

FREE-FLOW

MORGUE CHIC

SO TSUBAKI

BEST BEEF PHO?

Brunch it up with Peppina’s new midday menu

Of course the goth craft beer bar survived the pandemic

A glass of bubbly and afternoon Japanese goodies with Okura

Growing Pho Aroi brings Vietnam flavors to Ladprao

For a fulsome brunch in the Phrom Phong area, find Peppina’s new weekend offering for classic faves. Expect homemade pork sausage, crisp pancetta, freshly toasted sourdough, and your choice of grilled steak and eggs and sauteed potatoes (B480), a mozzarella and truffle sandwich (B390), pizza uovo (B360), and more. Get a little day tipsy on an optional two hours of free-flow drinks (B900/person).

The Hair of the Dog’s “OG” Ploenchit craft beer joint in Mahatun Plaza will be opening for business on the 28th of January, refreshed and revamped. Co-owner Pete Spalding tells BK Magazine that the new iteration will be “even more badasser” and will include a bigger bar, more fridges, more seats, and an area for gin drinkers. Known for their almost comical selection of craft brews of every flavor, the famed Hair of the Dog also boasts a branch in Phrom Phong.

Through March Ploenchit foodies can glide up to the Up & Above Restaurant and Bar with Okura Prestige for their new Tsubaki Afternoon Tea (B1,750++ for two) every day from 2pm-5pm. Savory dishes include Norwegian salmon and wasabi sandos, egg mimosa charcoal buns, and wild forest mushroom volau-vent. Those with a sweet tooth can scoff Hokkaido milk pudding, chocolate and cherry cremeux, and more. Bubbly deals include B2,350++ for two glasses of sparkling rosé and B3,500++ for two glasses of Perrier-Jouët.

Every pho place says they have the best pho, but Chef Tony’s beef pho has quite a pho-llowing. Previously only found in Bang Na, the brand opened doors at The Walk (Kaset-Nawamin) in Ladprao in the New Year. The must-have is the Special Beef Pho XL (B240), which features five types of beef: Australian brisket, tendon, rare shank, cooked shank, and Thai meatballs. If beef isn’t your thing, hit up the chicken pho (B90) or grab a quick banh mi with grilled pork (B130).

Peppina, 27/1, Sukhumvit Soi 33, 02-119-7677 Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip 1 Oct ’21 – 30 Sep ’22

888/26, Ploen Chit Rd., 02-650-7589

Okura Prestige, 57 Witthayu Rd., 02 687 9000

The Walk (Kaset-Nawamin), 505 Prasert-Manukitch Rd., 065-565-6000

food & drink | Chef’s Kiss

SLICE OF CHEF BING With a passion for pizza, Navapan “Chef Bing” Puangpakdee, 43, is said to have the most authentic New York-style pie in town. After more than three decades in New York, Chef Bing moved to Thailand four years ago. Now he’s making his mark with the new Chef Bing’s Pizzeria. By Thanut Manthanasarnchai

What inspired you to become a chef? Actually, it was my dad. Before I started cooking professionally, I was in real estate and when the market went down, I was looking for direction and my dad used to be a cook. He actually used to sell pizza when he was at Khaosan in the early 90s. He always said I should try cooking because I like to cook at home. So I went to culinary school for a six-month course and I saw my path. My first restaurant was Kin Shop working for Chef Harold Dieterle, the winner of the Top Chef competition, and ever since then I have been passionate about cooking and just left everything else. High image, high energy–I rushed toward all that stuff. Why pizza? It was actually a challenge from one of my friends when I decided to move back to Thailand. I knew I was gonna do something with food. They were like, “We’ve been to Thailand. The pizza isn’t so great.” I kind of set my mind that I would be up to the challenge–even though I never learned how to make pizza. I was confident that I could learn it on my own. So I just started recipe tasting for a year and a half. Your old location was pretty unique. Why’d you move? The old location was the family business, a boutique bookshop. My dad was still running it while I sold pizza. We opened when COVID started, and it was a little challenging. But we trusted the recipe, we trusted what we were doing with the passion that we brought into it. The reason why we moved to this new location is because the old space was just too small. We didn’t have any space for dining. And we wanted to let the customers experience pizza right out the oven. What can diners expect? We want to offer one signature dish geared toward Thai people. That’s our kor moo yang pizza (B690). We charcoal-grilled kor moo yang and then marinated it with nam jim jaew toppings. I get it. A lot of people think the combination won’t work but it actually works really well on pizza. One other signature which is the bacon cheeseburger (B720) which most pizzerias do not do. We want to be a little bit different but also try to stay traditional– like the pepperoni (B690, 720, 810), Italian sausage and peppers (B650), and Hawaiian (B620). 924/5, 2 Soi Ruamrudee, 065-938-9963. Open Tue-Sun 10am-9pm.

TABLE TALK

HONMONO SUSHI Central Embassy, Open daily, 11am-10pm This acclaimed Japanese establishment, which is run by a famed Iron Chef of Thailand, Boonthum Pakpoh and renowned for its fresh and premium ingredients, recently celebrated the opening of its new branch at Central Embassy. Perfect for sashimi lovers, Honmono is well known for its Taraba Miso Yaki, or Japanese-style grilled king crab. Also, Kinki, a rare seasonal red fish, is the highlighted ingredient at the moment. Don’t miss to try at least one, regardless of the cooking methods.

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get 10% discount on a la carte menu (Excluding 40% discount menu and other promotions)

1 Oct ’21 – 30 Nov ’22

food & drink | open door

Amerigo Sesti is cooking casual pasta with fine dining flair at Antito The buzz: Michelin-starred Amerigo Sesti of the famed French fare at J’AIME is revisiting his roots with a new Italian restaurant. Casual it may be, but Sesti’s fine dining chops are still on display, flexing creative muscle to showcase authentic Italian cuisine. The decor: Located on the 14th floor of Eastin Sathorn Hotel, Antito takes up the former space of bigname British chef Martin Blunos. Sesti’s new place is, however, not afraid to be playful, with texture, patterns, and color at every turn. The bold color scheme and chic, cheerful pop-art references–think Andy Warhol and Roy Lichenstein– add flamboyant charm. Sit in front of the semi-open kitchen to see Sesti work his magic or take in the air poolside. The food: Unlike his J’AIME creations, you can sample Sesti’s native dishes for a fraction of the price. For starters, go for the southern Italian staple prawn carpaccio (B620)–which looks more like an art installation than antipasti. Bouncy tiger prawns sit with candy tomatoes and eggplant infused with lemon oil, leaving diners with a fresh, clean palette. Equally delightful is the cavatelli arrabbiata (B330): hand-rolled shell-like pasta in rich arrabbiata sauce topped with mouthful portions of smoked ricotta. The highlight, and perhaps

our favorite, is his pizza fritta (B380). Imagine the crispy deepfried dough with a vibrant blow of sweet tomato sauce, combined with an unapologetically large spoonful of fresh burrata. The most punchily priced dish we try is the overnight-braised pork collar in marinated red wine sauce (B670). It’s majestically straightforward: tender and savory, accompanied by carrot and potato puree. His Meringata (B310) will challenge even the fiercest meringue aficionado; crack the outer shelf for the hidden ice cream inside. The drinks: Signature cocktails start at B350 and are as vibrant as the restaurant’s deco. Refresh yourself with a Lychee Pop, a light rum concoction with lychee syrup that comes with a large lychee popsicle that adds subtle, fruity flavors as it melts. Sesti also has a wide selection of wine at his disposal either served by the bottle or by the glass. Corkage runs B500. Why we’d come back: A restaurant of this quality that doesn’t end in a bill that makes you weep is rare–and it’s close to BTS Surasak. The head chef is there everyday so the Sesti style is a guarantee. Porpor Leelasestaporn 14/F, Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, 33/1 Sathorn Tai Rd. Open 11:30am11pm. Tel. 02 210 8100. BTS Surasak.

food & drink | new & noted

The Black Cat

Purr-fect cocktails of Thai booze at Black Cat in Langsuan

Quickie hopes to be Bangkok’s next big burger

The Black Cat already has some very paw-sitive reviews. It’s a playful, seductive space—a black-tinged, 40-seat loungeslash-bar boasting sultry interiors, fluted glass detailing, and cat outlines casting silhouettes across the floor. The drinks are overseen by head booze chemist Jedsada Tanariyachai, and the signature cocktails are named after cats from Thai folk tales. Start off with the mildly sweet The Black Cat, or Korn Ja, (B280), a black-and-gold drink infused with Mekong and house-made ginger cola. For a stronger option, opt for the Copper, or Supalak (B280), a negroni spin-off made with Sangsom, Campari, Mancino Bianco vermouth, and passion fruit. After that, you should be feline pretty good.

The minds behind the faux Flat Iron three years ago are back with Quickie–along with a logo some online have cheekily noted bears a resemblance to Shake Shack. Chock full of Americana fare from sweet potato fries (B115) to homemade shakes (B140), Langsuan’s new burger spot features US-imported beef and organic chicken. Don’t miss the Quickie Burger (B190/single, B310/double), BBQ bacon burger (B240, B360), or chicken burger (B195). For the sides, snuffle truffle mac and cheese (B290) or spicy fried organic chicken (B59/piece). Shakes come in vanilla, oreo, and strawberry, and the decor is–of course–classic American diner.

Sindhorn Midtown hotel, 68 Soi Langsuan, 02-796-8888

Quickie, Velaa Sindhorn, 87 Langsuan Rd., 061-632-6444

Rolling Ribs brings the taste of Tennessee with Memphis-style BBQ

Teens of Thailand turn on the dumplings–with a twist

Hickory smoked, delicately dry rubbed, and with drinks to match, Rolling Ribs Brew Bar & BBQ with Le Méridien Bangkok on Surawong Road is boasting authentic Memphis barbeque. Created by Michelin-starred Thai-Belgian chef Chef Christian Caluwaert, diners can expect smokey barbeque pork ribs (B490), beef brisket (B360), and Memphis-style spicy wings (B220). To wash it down, grab a hearty cocktail of Beer-BQ–a beer (B320) blended with bourbon, honey, BBQ sauce, and more–or grab the Just Peachy (B270), featuring tequila and peach liqueur.

Perhaps Soi Nana’s most famous hang, Teens of Thailand is offering six shumai for B999. That might sound like a lot, but hear us out. Along with your six dumplings is one full hour of all you can drink. What kind of drinks? Guess. But you’ve only got an hour, so set your watch. This isn’t the first time ToT’s had to get creative in these dark days. In October ToT swapped their usual tipple for Kratom-infused cocktails and were soon after raided by the fuzz.

Le Meridien, 40/5 Surawong Rd., Sri Phraya, 02-232-8888

76 Soi Nana, Charoen Krung Rd.

TABLE TALK

WATER LIBRARY Central Embassy, Open daily 11am-10pm. Chamchuri Square, Open daily 11am- 3pm; 5pm-10:30pm Water Library serves a plethora of global cuisines, including French, in the heart of Bangkok. Complement your meal with delicious beverages created by skilled sommeliers and mixologists.

Exclusively for Citi Credit Card members Get 15% discount for Citi ULTIMA, Citi Prestige, Citi Premier, Citi Mercedes, Citi Royal Orchid Plus Preferred and Select Or Get 10% discount for other Citi Credit Cards (on food only when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip)

1 Jan – 31 Dec ’22

hit list | lifestyle

Shake it up with this new plant-based protein powder LIFESTYLE

So, have you given up on your resolution yet? The newly-launched Heyday is a plant-based protein shake designed to fuel the conscientious and swolt. The 100% plant-based muscle dust uses organic peas and rice proteins, BCAAs, pre and probiotics, and digestive enzymes that aid in staying fit, getting lean, building muscle, and boosting your overall digestive health. Try the “The Fit One” (B135 per sachet; B1,500 Box)–vanilla ice cream flavor low in calories and sugar-free. Heyday’s merchandise also comes along with a shaker and T-shirts made from 100% upcycled fabrics with eco-friendly packaging. Grab the New Year Protein Shaker Set (B1,250) to get your new you newly ripped. Available to purchase via Line @heydayhealthclub.

RAISE THE BAR

4 GYM MEMBERSHIPS

The Lab Bangkok

B8,500

6-Week Body Pump program

Virgin Active B300/week

Get 12 weeks at half price

FASHION

FITNESS

FESTIVAL

Sneakerheads, look out for these old-school high tops

Hitting the gym doesn’t need to be a downer

Bangkok NFT Art Festival gives creators a chance

If you love a little full-court press, then you might fancy picking up a pair of Nike’s Dunk High EMB edition (B4,600) which pays homage to Sports Specialties. These sleek 1980s vintage-style sneakers boast a high-top collar for that old-school look. Jordan, Malone, Abdul-Jabbar—if you’re looking for a sneaker that brings to mind the classic golden age of basketball, then you found them. It might be created for the hardwood, but these kicks can glide through the streets too.

Got new fitness goals for 2022? Take your workout up a serious notch or two by joining Kimpton MaaLai Bangkok’s personal training package which comes with certified trainers and health experts. Because, let’s face it, you were never going to stick to your resoution on your own, now were you? The Stay Fit Not Still package includes 50 hours of training (B 50,000) from a choice of yoga, Muay Thai, and weight training.

Bangkok NFT Art Festival 2022 is bringing in some intriguing programs, educational workshops, and events. This festival is about bringing creative souls together to showcase NFT artwork including art installations, Augmented Reality (AR), events, live music, and more. Taking place from February 11-13, 2022, this fundraising collaborative NFT project of 58 Thai NFT creators is an inaugural event for the Bangkok creator community to unite NFT creators and the public.

Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok, 78 Soi Ton Son, Lumphini

Available at Carnival.

fb.com/TheNFTBKK

Fitness First B2,000

+30-day free trial

Jetts Fitness B2,022 for 2 months

(Including entry free and membership)

Shop Talk How to spend your hardearned baht.

BUY IT AOLIKES SHOULDER AND BACK FULL SUPPORT BELT SIZE B698 Save yourself from office syndrome. Available on Central Online.

BIN IT KICHENAID STANDMIXER B22,990 Unless you’re up to baking extremely healthy cookies.

BARGAIN AMURO TREADMILL B 7,290 50% off? Step into 2022 on the right foot. Available on Central Online.

the last word | abracadabra

Magical, musical, funny, and very French Before the pandemic, Charles Alexis Guenard performed solo for packed houses of drunk expats and tourists under the nom de guerre Charles the French. All the while he was garnering a seven-figure following on YouTube with funny videos about everyday life with Tada, his aptly-named magical comedy partner. Born in Lyon to a French father and Thai mother, Charles the French moved to Thailand when he was 18 and is currently working with Workpoint TV on a magical show to air later this year. We took time to speak with the surprisingly serious performer on the future of comedy in Bangkok. By BK Magazine

an you tell us more about how you became Bangkok’s premier multi-lingual, magical, musical, French comedian? Not sure about the premier title, but thank you. Originally I was a professional magician but I always added jokes whenever I performed. So naturally comedy clubs felt like good venues to perform in. Regarding the musical bit, I have been composing music and background tracks for my shows since 2013, and about two years ago I thought it’d be fun to make comedic songs and perform them on stage and on camera, hence the release of my musical comedy special This is Absurd! last October.

You received the million subscribers award from YouTube in August. How did that come about? I make videos with my friend Tada. We started this adventure in 2016, not expecting much. Passing a million subscribers was a very unexpected milestone that happened faster than we thought. I guess a lot of people enjoyed our sarcastic approach to daily life and student situations. We started doing this for fun and we still do it for fun. Toward July, we could see that the big seven figures would happen sooner or later. It was a bit of a bittersweet moment because we were in isolation with our families. What is the Bangkok comedy world missing? I would say the one thing missing in the Bangkok scene at the moment is a new generation of comedians. Back in 2017, you could see many new up-and-coming comedians who had just started and who went on to perform in bigger shows—with some even headlining their own shows. In the last three years, it’s been more difficult to see good new comics. There are a few for sure. But less than before. Compared to other places in Southeast Asia, I think Bangkok has a good scene, and comedians should feel lucky to perform here. The time slots are longer than what you would get in the US or other countries with a more developed comedy scene. When things are normal with tourists in town, we have enough to work with. We have a weekly open mic at Raw Comedy to try new jokes out, we have the Khaosan Comedy Club to polish new material—the audience there is different every night so it’s the perfect place to repeat the same material. And finally, the Comedy Club Bangkok is where we bring our A-Game, as the audiences there expect a high quality show.

What were some of your early comedy influences? As a kid, I watched a lot of French comedians, impressionists. Those names won’t really ring a bell to anyone who isn’t French. I watched Laurent Gerra a lot. He does impressions of French celebrities to perfection and adds crude jokes to it. I also went to see a lot of political comedians, which is quite popular in some theaters in Paris. Guys like Jacques Mailhot and Bernard Mabille are good examples. They basically write new jokes every week based on political events. It’s enjoyable because their point of view is never biased, they make fun of all political actors and you can never tell which side they truly support. Nowadays, Englishspeaking comedians who do political humor tend to be too biased and that can throw some people off or make some spectators hate them, which isn’t the point. As comedians, our job is to entertain everyone as much as possible. The comedy scene hasn’t exactly been booming for the last two years. How have you adapted? When do you think comedy is coming back to Bangkok? For magic shows with Tada, we’ve only performed about 30 shows total in the last two years, which is dramatically lower than our usual 70-plus shows a year. Regarding comedy shows, I have taken a step back. COVID scared me a lot. In 2019, I finished writing a live musical comedy show called This is Absurd!, and I was preparing to perform it and polish it in the Bangkok comedy clubs before taking it on a world tour in 2020 and 2021 but the pandemic put a halt to that. So instead, I spent the whole of 2021 re-writing this show and making it into a special for our YouTube fans. I think that comedy shows will slowly return in 2022 but I don’t think we’ll be able to have proper tour dates and international headliners until 2023. I put it to you, sir, that you can’t actually do magic and that these monkeyshines of yours are no more than illusions. What do you have to say for yourself? A good magician can take the simplest trick and make you feel like you’re a kid again. I try to reach an equal level of laughter and amazement. I also try to make everything I do look effortless. Before that I practiced for over 18 years, and that’s something the audience doesn’t know. Nowadays, many magicians try to skip the steps and reach for the sky before learning even the key basics in magic. What’s next for Charles the French? I believe Tada and I will be back at the Comedy Club Bangkok for a few more All Ages Comedy Magic Shows whenever we are allowed to put a good amount of audience members in the venue. From a solo point of view, I will do shows here and there whenever I’m asked but I’m planning to pace myself a little bit more this year regarding the frequency of shows. I spent 2018 and 2019 doing shows almost every day and it drained me. For 2022, I will balance the amount of comedy shows, magic shows, and focus on making more online videos with Tada. All in all, we plan to keep on entertaining you.

BK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2020

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