cover story Skin deep: Gen Z’s skincare obsession 04 by the numbers Thailand approves medical opium and mushroom trials 05 bk in brief Olivia Rodrigo will perform in Bangkok for the first time this year
12 open door Tapori is doing Indian cuisine like you’ve never seen before
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16 nightlife A new slow bar has opened up on top of Songwat’s Bad Poutine
13 feature Dos Burros with Mexican breakfast, lunch, and dinner in Thonglor
15 feature Bangkok’s top 10 cocktail bars for your next big night out
17 last word Directors Kongdej and Pairach on their upcoming Netflix original ‘Doctor Climax’
7 THAI MAKEUP BRANDS TO KNOW FOR YOUR NEXT GLOW-UP
When it comes to beauty secrets, we normally turn to Western or Korean gurus for help. But over the years, Thailand created makeup that can stand up to international standards—but tailormade for Asian features and the tropical climate. BK has gathered some unique home grown brands that you can add to your daily glam routine.
Everpink Cosmetics
Hitting its stride during the pandemic, a time when most people were working from home, Everpink Cosmetics struck a chord with customers who were seeking to enhance their features rather than focus on heavy coverage. It’s no surprise that their first hit products were the glossy glidable Lip Sass (B350) and the light weight Blush My Feelings (B490) matte finishing cream blush. What makes them stand out is the two in one formula that beautifies and nourishes skin with locally sourced ingredients like the inclusion of butterfly pea in their bestselling Brow Lift (B490).
Qloas Beauty
From the minds of a famed celebrity makeup artist who goes by “Minnie Tries Makeup” comes Qloas beauty, a makeup project that reflects the experimentation and fun side of the beauty industry. Their color pencil liner (B590) is an easy way to cop editorial looks or add a pop of color to a casual vibe.
Srichand
Srichand’s products have become a sort of modern legend and have been with Thai
consumers since the 40s. Their range of translucent powder (B320-B590) got everyone from school girls to celebrity makeup artists swearing by its lasting quality. In recent years, they’ve also added skincare and sunscreen to their stocklist. What’s more, their signature contemporary Thai style packaging, even collaborating with Thai film projects like Man Suang for a special character-based edition.
Bitch with Brain
Founded by YouTubers GoyNattyDream, Bitch with Brain (often abbreviated as BWB) came into the spotlight just last year and has taken the beauty world by storm. Just this Songkran, they came out with Blush in a Rush (B490) packaged in a convenient applicator stick that’s easy to swipe on the go. They also collabed with makeup remover brand Softne for a line of cleanser and wipes.
La Glace
There’s no other brand that screams Y2K makeup more than La Glace. From their en vogue marketing campaigns to the walletfriendly price tag, it’s no wonder this brand has won over the hearts of the younger
crowd. The trendiest item has got to be the viral pitch black magic lip and cheek PH blush (B289) which adjusts to a youthful flushed hue when it blends onto your cheeks.
Glory Glowy
The most viral Lip Oil (B325) that popped off of Tik Tok last year has got to be from Glory Glowy. Their hydrating and minty formula along with a sizable blush applicator will give you the shine sans stickiness and juicy lips that we all want to complete a summer look. Their multi balm—(B345) which can be used on the eyes, cheeks, and lips—has been receiving some love due to its shea butter consistency and long lasting effect.
Kindness
Kindness is more of a skincare than a makeup brand. But if you’re looking to change up your sunscreen, we recommend Kindness’ tried and true Freedom Invincible Water Fresh sun screen (B550). It’s water base, fragrance, and alcohol free, ensuring that the product would wear light on the skin while keeping it nourished and safe with SPF 50+. ●
Qloas Beauty
upfront
BY THE NUMBERS
Thailand’s Cabinet approved a draft decree for certain areas to grow opium and magic mushrooms for medicine. But don’t get out the black light poster just yet.
Trafficking in magic mushrooms incurs a penalty of two to 15 years in jail and a fine of B200,000 to B1.5 million baht.
Magic mushrooms and opium are Category 5 drugs.
Users face one year in jail or a fine of up to B20,000.
YOU SAID WHAT?
“After all the excitement of Coldplay are you ready for this?”
— Facebook user Liam Fee on the announcement that Dua Lipa will play Bangkok this year.
“Palestine? Not Ukraine? I’m surprised.”
— Facebook user Alla Dorofeeva on the Tatt To Pal charity.
Magic mushrooms will be permitted to be grown in universities and research institutions in four regions of the country for the purpose of making anti-depressants.
“Who?”
— Instagram user @jrudno1 on the announcement that Dua Lipa will play Bangkok this year.
HOT OR NOT
All Aboard
The long-awaited VientianeBangkok railway finally launched in June. Trial services between different stations have been going on since May, but with the approval of the authorities, Bangkok just got a whole new way to get to Laos.
Grab Boat
In July you should be able to hail a boat taxi with your phone. A representative from Krung Thep Thanakom has said the pilot phase will begin operating in Khlong Phadung Krung Kasem and its branches in July.
The opium will be grown at the International Narcotics Control College in Chiang Rai’s Chiang Saen district.
Thailand imported B400 million baht worth of morphine between 2018 and 2020. The opening of research is in part a move to decrease Thailand’s reliance on foreign sources.
Why So Serious?
Bangkok police have begun a crackdown on laughing gas, also known as nitrous oxide. Cops hit the Khaosan neighborhood and found numerous businesses breaking the rules on recreational use of nitrous— many of whom had been previously warned to stop their laughing.
Durian Money
A controversy kicked off last month when junior officers at a police station in Si Sa Ket were said to have bought durian to woo more senior police force members and the open patronage system. Led by the MFP deputy secretary general, politicians are using durian to make hay.
Medical research shrooms were made possible by Article 24 and Article 58 of the Narcotics Code.
Superstar Dua Lipa will be ‘Levitating’ into Bangkok this November
Maybe you know her from “Argylle” or as Mermaid Barbie, maybe you know her from hits like “Don’t Start Now” and “Levitating”— whatever the reason, Dua Lipa will be hitting Bangkok as part of her “Radical Optimism” tour.
This will be the British-Albanian star’s first concert in Bangkok and she’ll be playing at Impact Arena on November 27, so keep your eyes peeled for pre-sale tickets available on June 10.
The London-born Dua Lipa is a pop culture phenomenon. Collecting worldwide hits since 2018, Dua Lipa hit international superstar status with her song “Don’t Start Now” in 2020 and the recent “Dance the Night” from the “Barbie” soundtrack.
Her dark, artsy pop has garnered her accolades from Brit Pop Awards to three Grammy Award wins.
Beyond her music, she began moving into movies in recent years, starring alongside Henry Cavill in “Argylle” earlier this year.
This Thai-based artist collective is raising funds for Palestine by selling flash tattoos
Launched on Instagram, Tatt to Pal is a fund raising project run by Thai-based tattoo artists and designers. All proceeds made from the flash tattoos will be donated to humanitarian organizations helping those affected by the ongoing violence in Palestine.
“It began when we felt like we couldn’t continue creating art when there’s a group of people across the world being murdered,” a Tatt to Pal representative tells BK. “If we’re going to continue illustrating, we want it to benefit those people in one way or another.”
Participants browse through their Instagram and DM a screenshot of a desired design, along with its flash ID. After submitting proof of donation, participants receive the design within 24 hours, and then you can get tatted up at your leisure.
Participants can donate directly to The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) or Care for Gaza. All flash tattoos have a minimum donation fee of B550 or USD15.
Olivia Rodrigo will perform in Bangkok for the first time this year
As part of her sophomore album “Guts” world tour, the “Driver’s License” teen pop rock sensation Olivia Rodrigo is finally pulling up at Bangkok on Sep 16, 2024.
With chart-topping hits that range from heart-wrenching ballads like “Vampire” to teenage angst-addled bops like “Get Him Back!,” Rodrigo turned her overnight pandemic success into a breakout career.
Her debut album “Sour” earned Rodrigo seven Grammy nominations including the coveted Song of the Year Award. In 2023, the star launched “Guts” as a follow up.
Now, Bangkok Livies can look forward to their fav’s first-time performance in Thailand, spilling her “Guts” at Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani.
Rodrigo joins a list of amazing acts set to take place in Thailand, the biggest of which is the upcoming Rolling Loud hip hop festival later this year.
Pre-sale will be on May 15, at 10am10pm, and general tickets will be open for booking on May 16 at 10am. ●
Dua Lipa
Olivia Rodrigo
Tatt to Pal
“But we’re
only 24!” a friend exclaims.
She was, quite sensibly, responding to one of my neurotic rants after I noticed a few smile lines. I’m 24. But I’m aging. I can feel my cultural access afforded by my femininity and youth afforded by my youth slipping away one wrinkle at a time. I’m not the only one. I’m a zillenial, an age group who are at the stop sign between Millennials, (people born in 1981-1997) and Gen Z (1997-2012).
Children at an increasingly young age are getting into skincare and makeup. Earlier this year, the country watched affluent tweens raiding Sephora for the coveted Drunk Elephant moisturizers.
Beauty and the babe Beauty and the babe
Now more than ever, seemingly perfect faces and bodies are everywhere we turn—online and in real life. Everyone is having a glow-up and pre-teens are no longer permitted their “awkward phase.” But is the global Gen Z’s anxiety surrounding beauty really something Thai people should worry about?
THE AGE OF INFLUENCERS
According to the Ministry of Commerce, in 2022, the export value of cosmetics, soaps, and acne treatment tallied up to over B100 million and has been showing a stable 5% growth since 2022.
“I was introduced to Korean skincare through K Pop and the K beauty community online,” says Emma, a Thai 18 year old skincare enthusiast.
She explains that most of what guides her purchases these days are influencers she has followed and random people that pop up on Tik Tok, Instagram, and Twitter.
“I also look at the comments underneath their posts because people give very different opinions on the same products,” she says. “I don’t really look for additional reviews outside the platform.”
Dr. Kornvikka “Koong” Pattanapran, 40, owns three beauty clinics in Korat. She has also been running the cosmetic and skincare brand KVKX Thailand for 12 years, and VIkka Skincare for nearly four years.
“With KVKX, I got popular because of the Woody Kerd Ma Kui talk show. It was an overnight sensation, and it’s a
lot of word of mouth,” Dr. Koong says. But Vikka Skincare had a different journey. During the pandemic, after a YouTube channel reviewed one of her products, her brand went viral and it became an organic trend for other influencers to review her products. She’s worked with influencers ever since.
“I think it’s more accessible if you use micro influencers. A lot of people believe that they’re more reliable than celebrities.”
Anothai “Nae” Niruttimetee is an illustrator and lifestyle millennial influencer who also rose to fame during Covid. Her Youtube channel “Ano and Friends” has over 500K subscribers. One of her regular series, “Nai Lao Sii” (roughly translated as “spill it, sis”), features Nae and two other female celebrity friends giving in-depth reviews and beauty secrets, including “TMI” information on topics ranging from skincare, beautifying procedures, to boob jobs.
“I think there are so many girls who don’t have friends to discuss this stuff with,” she says. “Everyone wants to know these things but many don’t dare to ask.”
Skincare, obsession, and Thai Gen Z.
Anothai “Nae” Niruttimetee
Sarisa Pokawattana
SKINCARE SCARES
“When I’m vulnerable, sometimes, [being online] does affect the views I have on myself. There’s so many ‘tips’ or steps to follow so it can be really tiring,” Emma says.
Published in 2021, a study by Thanchanok Kamthoncharoenrung and Phunpiti Bhovichitra on “The Impact of Instagram Usage on Self-esteem among Young Adults in Thailand,” shows that the number of followers, likes, and comments, correlates to self esteem.
However, the internet has a way of keeping people ac-
“Twelve years ago, there were a lot of gray businesses. These days if you claim that one tub of your product can forever cure your melasma, for example, you’ll be called out on the internet. So I prefer the scene right now more,” Dr. Koong comments.
There are no official regulations for sponsored content for skin care products, but Emma suggests influencers use #AD when talking about a paid products.
Nae agrees and adds that before recommending she and her friends put the products to the test for about a week and try to talk about the sponsored products alongside other items they like because realistically, “you definitely can’t have this face with just one product.”
This clear line of communication extends to the language brands use to advertise. Apart from stating the facts and not over-promising results, Dr. Koong says that it’s equally important to avoid medical jargon and complex chemical terms that can be confusing.
But when it comes to screening which product to buy yourself, it can get trickier. Dr. Koong cautions customers to watch out for products that advertise miraculous results.
“If you use a cream and your skin immediately brightens, you should stop. Most people won’t because they like the feeling. But if the cream has harmful chemicals like steroids, the side effects will only start showing up around day 14 onwards. You’ll get flushing, blemishes, extreme breakouts, and your veins will start to pop.”
These days the average Gen Z consumer is more savvy. They can check the ingredient list, request a lab test, or buy a test kit to do at home. However, with DIY kits, consumers still have to beware of false results. Contents inside a registered FDA product can be swapped, so a serial number can’t guarantee safety.
“Right now the main concern is products that don’t contain ingredients they claim to have,” Dr. Koong says, speaking about a recent viral sunscreen scandal that goes for under B300 and comes in a gallon. In cases like these, the price point might raise a few flags. “If you want a sunscreen with SPF 50 PA+++ with a light texture, it’s very difficult to do. That’s why it’s expensive.”
Nai Lao Sii
Dr. Koong
FEAR OF AGING
Chutimon Thipjindachaikul interviewed 15 Gen Z subjects from the age of 18-24 who were living in Bangkok and enjoy purchasing anti-aging cream. She discovered that the teens are concerned about their images with 13 out of 15 subjects worrying about premature aging and believing that these cream can slow the process.
In “Wellness is Whiteness”, Amina Mire writes “ageism is the most powerful tool in the anti-ageing industry’s rhetorical arsenal because women are often valued in terms of how well they retain their youthful glow. As a result, women often assess their own selfworth in terms of how successfully they have avoided looking older. Consequently, no matter how successful women may become, looking youthful and glowing is expected.”
“I bought retinol at 18.” Emma says, “ I noticed wrinkling on my forehead and smile lines. I also have big pores on the side of my nose so I felt like I needed help in that area.”
For products like retinol, there isn’t a strong cut off point of when to use as the chemical has various effects. It can help reduce wrinkles and trigger collagen creation but it can also be used for oil control which teenagers might apply to their acne treatment. When the rule is to never age, the line between preventative care and treatment starts to blur.
“Wrinkles on your forehead are markers of being expressive…“These days you can’t say you’ll start treating wrinkles when you’re 40 because it might be
an outdated idea,” Dr. Koong says. “But I feel like if you have dry skin and you just want to use retinol at 15, I don’t think it’s suitable.”
So at what age is skincare actually necessary?
Dr. Koong says when your kid starts to have outdoor activities or get exposed to sunlight, that’s when at least sunscreen comes in handy.
“Around 11-18, they should find a really good cleanser that clears out their sunscreen. A lot of sunscreen has oil, if you don’t use the right cleanser, the oil can clog your pores. And moisturize your face,“ she says. “But when you’re older, I think you can use products to treat specific issues.”
FAIR SKIN, FAIR TREATMENT
In Taksaorn Phuchongpravech’s 2015 paper on “White Skin Obsessions in Thailand,” they found that since 2007 Thai society has associated the obsession with skin whitening products with the influence of Korean beauty. This made whiteness an essential tool for certain groups who need to rely on their appearance for work, such as celebrities, promotional models (known in Thai as “pretty”), and MCs.
One of their interviewees, a 25 year old female promotional model reflects, “Having fair skin is necessary for this job because customers often want people with light skin, even though the work has nothing to do with cosmetics.”
Taksaorn also found that this belief applies across various jobs such as government workers, students, hospital workers, and office workers. They indulge in skin brightening products because they believe that having fair skin will improve a positive first impression.
However, Nae offers a different perspective. “In my generation, Gen Y, everyone wants to get skin whitening cream but right now I think people are more educated. They know that skin bleaching products are bad.”
“The high schoolers who get famous on Tiktok have poreless skin and are very pale,” Emma adds. She agrees that people of varied skin tones can still fit beauty standards as long as they have clear skin.
“Myself but Better”
“MyselfbutBetter”
Celebrity makeup artist Chanidapa “Minnie” Kulmaeteesiripak has worked on fashion shows, events, magazine lookbooks, and advertisements.
Scroll through her Instagram portfolio “Minnie Tries Makeup” and you’ll find that make up isn’t all about skin brightening.
“I usually ask my client what they want and where they are going. If this person usually goes for western makeup but they want to try a Korean look, then we can find a middle ground that’s unique to them,” Minnie says. “I think for western style of makeup, they like the tanned, bronzed, sun-kissed skin, but Koreans would pick up the undertones of your skin and make it look smooth like a clean sheet of paper.”
She explains that in the past, makeup and skincare were two different entities, but right now there are more makeup brands that are in the middle, selling beautifying products while advertising nourishing ingredients.
Minnie reveals that her youngest client is around five years old. The gig is for a non-beauty related advertisement. Although they didn’t request crazy looks or high coverage and used makeup that’s specifically made for children, there’s already a certain standard to live up to.
“They didn’t expect us to put a lot of makeup on the kid, but they just don’t want them to look somber. I’ll try to add a little blush and make it look as natural as possible. Sometimes, they’ll arrive early so I’ll spray some face mist to keep them fresh.”
Since the pandemic, there’s definitely an emphasis of self care that equates to self love. However, there’s something extremely sinister about which type of “natural” skin is deemed acceptable.
“I like skincare so I might be biased,” Dr. Koong admits. “I think that getting beauty treatments like ulthera, thermage, and lasers is like driving a sports car to your friend’s house. It’s saying that you have the money…But my definition of investment isn’t to buy expensive products. What’s more important is to have discipline and use the right product to treat the right issue.” ●
Osaka’s famed yakitori has finally arrived in Sukhumvit
In Osaka, the membership fee costs 300,000 yen or over B70,000, but don’t worry, this Bangkok branch is open to all. Kuma no Yakitori seating faces an open kitchen, allowing you a front seat viewing of the grilling process. In the kitchen, chef Yoshinari Takagi turns up his chicken prep speciality to the max. The grill itself is made to maximize efficiency, as the smoke from the bottom grill rises to cook the skewers on the top. The current 16 course dinner menu offers a near head-to-tail omakase chicken dining experience.They offer everything from seared chicken sashimi and chicken meatballs sprinkled shredded cheese to innards like the firm but juicy chicken hearts and gizzards. They’re chewy and can definitely be an acquired taste, but give it a shot.
Hometown is serving up nostalgia with Thai-style gelato at Samyot
An up-and-coming neighborhood in town— with three to four new restaurants to show off—Hometown joins the crowd with a classic gelato concept featuring vintage tastes and contemporary flair. More than a check in spot for teens, Hometown aims to be a cozy hangout space for adults as well. The cafe pulls inspiration from its surroundings and puts it all in their ice cream bowl. Read the menu once and you’ll know exactly what’s in store—that is if you’re familiar with Thai snacks. We opted for Kanom Kai Gelato (B179), a Thai fluffy egg pastry-inspired gelato served alongside homemade kanom kai that pays homage to the famous charcoal grill egg pastry. The gelato itself still has texture from tiny egg pastry bits, adding a fun little texture to nibble.
Bangkok’s smash burger specialists open a new space in Ari
Smash burgers have taken over the city, and Smizzle Burger, also in Thonglor and Central Embassy, have recently launched another branch in Ari. Here, they tweak the buttered buns, using a special French dough and potatoes to get extra fluffiness—while the seared bottom works a little crispy action into it. At the spacious new venue, diners get a peek into the smashing process of the location-exclusive through a glass window partition. They use locally sourced 300day grain fed, hormone free, never frozen French charolais beef, but a premium bacon infused smoked pork option is also on hand. mWe recommend the Crusty Blondy (B290/ beef; B280/pork). The doubled up patties are broken up by a generous cheddar slice with a crispy protruding edge.
Kuma no Yakitori
Smizzle
Hometown
Pattanakarn gets an LA-style pizza joint with their lights on late A little further down the bustling Thonglor streets and the fertile ground for cafes in Pridi, Pattanakarn is an untapped location for restaurants. Korakot “Big” Jaroenlap, co-owner of Cheese and Dough brought his obsession with pizza to life in this outdoor LA-style diner to this empty lot. Though the ordering area gives off vintage drive-though energy and offers a peek into the busy kitchen, the actual dining area is like a cozy neighborhood backyard party. There are classic strung up light bulbs, energetic tunes, long wooden tables, and benches to make this a hangout spot, especially amongst the after school crowd. The indoor is incoming, but for now, we’ll have to enjoy the ‘za al fresco. As the name suggests, it’s all about the pizza at this spot.
Check out Bangkok’s latest affordable all-you-can-eat dim sum feast Bangkokians on the hunt for all-you-caneat dim sum feasts have a new spot in the city center to check out: Summer Palace at InterContinental Bangkok. The deal, which offers all manner of dim sum from ha gao prawn dumplings and spring rolls to wok-fried turnip cakes, comes in at a very wallet-friendly B1,150++/person—extremely competitive in a city that is mad for dumplings and steamed buns. Beyond dim sum, the spread includes other Cantonese favorites like barbecued pork ribs with honey sauce, jellyfish with chili and cucumber, and the cult classic wok-fried egg noodle with roasted duck and XO sauce. You can catch the deal every day from 11:30am2:30pm Summer Palace, Mezzanine level, InterContinental Bangkok, 02-656-0444. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, and 6-10:30pm
240, 1 Charoen Nakhon Soi 10, 0830497164. Open daily 5pm-midnight. This mookrata specialist made waves when it opened a few years ago as a slightly more polished place to get your family-style grilled meat-hotpot combos. The sleek, tiled interior and airy, vibrant atmosphere boast ample ventilation—no smoke filled rooms here. If you are stopping by, a must-order are the “meat cakes” (we promise they are tasty). The “cake” part is really just a cute name for a pan filled with all the premium cuts of pork you want to order at a mookrata joint, capped with a mini-candelabra to drive home the “cake” part of the platter (this is also available with a beef-pork mixture). Lather all of those up in the restaurant’s three signature dipping sauces—classic, mala, and pla ra (fermented fish sauce)—and you have a can’t-beat mookrata experience.
1 Apr ’24
Cheese and Dough
InterContinental Bangkok
TAPORI IS DOING INDIAN CUISINE LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE
The buzz: Chef and owner Rohit Sharma oversaw more than 100 F&B businesses for India’s R4 Hospitality including the Maroon Room and Freemasons Brew Works in Guwahati. Tapori takes diners beyond the cliches, mining recipes from a more than 300 dish database and narrowing it down to a top 29 first issue.
The vibe: Reflecting the multicultural layers of the food, the decorations go from traditional to contemporary Indian art. From the 200 year old wooden door frame imported all the way from Rajasthan to the astrological sundial clock and the vibrant pop art murals, this space oozes the artful class you find on the menu. The venue is larger than meets the eye, containing both a patio and a hidden bar entered behind a cozy village-inspired garden area.
The food: Tapori is a hindu slang for “wanderer,” and the menu takes you on a journey through handpicked ingredients from the lesser known parts of India’s 28 states. The famous Sindhi style brekkie dal pakwan (B350) usually serves spiced up lentil curry with crispy flat bread. Tapori saves the fun of cracking the popadom on top and mixing it with the rich blend of sweet and tangy flavored puree below. The fare is served warm and has an extra kick. Reminiscent of a cold pate, tawa-masala kaleji (B420) alters its usual flavor profile from strong to mild. Traditionally found in Delhi weddings,
the north meets south dish is a chicken liver flavored ice cream. We urge you to try this one even if you’re not a fan of innards as the gamey flavor that turns some off is nowhere to be found. Eaten on a bed of dosa, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the extra nutty crumble. Uttar Pradesh, a northern state in India, is a treasure trove of vegetarian creations. Taproi’s take on the gobhi musallam (B380) is visually striking with chopped roasted cauliflower coated in a delightfully silky and heaty cream curry. Sitting in the middle of the dish, the delicate whole-roasted beetroot adds a bit of tanginess to the mix.
The drinks: Tapori also has their own speakeasy where you can pop over for a nightcap or get the booze delivered to the dining area. Using liquor imported from and inspired by India, you’ll get signatures like the Amrud aka Guava (B400), a refreshing tipple that looks deceivingly light but the pink guava rind infused with tequila and jalapeno gives it a bit of a kick in the end. The leaf shaped cookie garnish mellow things out with powdery milky flavors.
Why we’d come back: As each dish has such a specific purpose representing a region’s culinary wisdom, you can design a completely different dining experience each time you visit. 22, 2 Sukhumvit 47 Alley, 064 569 3798, Open Tues-Sun 5:30-11pm ●
Sarisa Pokawattana
MEXICAN BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER IN THONGLOR WITH NEW SPOT FROM MISSING BURRO
Bangkok’s favorite Mexican food brothers, Itzco and Tlahui Calva, who have been dishing out the goodies at Missing Burro in Thonglor for years, have opened a new spot on the Southside of Thonglor, Dos Burros.
This new space adds a little something special to their offerings on the other side of Thonglor—notably, breakfast, as they’re open at 8am.
The breakfast menu includes the classic huevos rancheros with two sunny side up eggs and a tatemada sauce, as well as the huevos a la malagena featuring two poached eggs, shrimp, green peas, and corn tortillas. All breakfast dishes come with a coffee and freshly pressed orange juice.
BK tried their enchipotladas, with two delectable chicken enchiladas covered in a fried egg. The sauce has a nice sweetness to it. Pro tip: keep your bread to mop up more
of the sauce with this dish. Next up was the mixmole gordita—made-to-order and with an uber crunchy corn gordita.
On the menu, on their light bites, you’ll also find the likes of chilaquiles and chorizo with eggs, complete with corn chips in a guajillo sauce, and their brunch menu runs from 11am-3pm.
If you’re in the mood for something heartier, move on to the mains like their Chintextle’s Octopus Tacos or beef cheeks on meloso rice.
Outside, you’ll find a sort of communal dining space (including a ping pong table and play area for the kiddiwinks). It’s a whole new way to have Missing Burro’s Mexican bites.
But, never forget the OG spot, Missing Burro, they’ve been doling out affordable, high-end Mexican food to Bangkok for a long time. ●
TABLE TALK
HOLIDAY PASTRY
Flagship store, 240, Charoen Nakhon Soi 10, 081-152-1456. Open daily 10am-7pm
There might not be a more viral location to pick up cheesecake tarts in the entire city right now. Holiday Pastry has been absolutely blowing up social media with shots of its oozing slices of cheesecake with torched sugar on top—often selling out within hours— that weigh up to a whopping two pounds. The cheesecake might be the main event on social media, but the line of bakeries more than hold their own when it comes to their other offerings, like mornthong durian cheese pies, American-style strawberry shortcake, and gigantic vintage tiered cakes. Although sweets are the name of the game here, if you visit the brand’s dinein locations you can also snag some savory options in a more dinner-like setting—think salmon tartare, katsu sandos, asparagus with hollandaise sauce, and Japanese-style pastas.
Exclusively for UOB and TMRW Credit Cards
Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 1,200 or more /sales slip 1 Apr ’24 – 31 Mar ’25
Sukhumvit Soi 36 (end of 2d Soi), 096-716-2220. Open Tue-Sun 8am-9pm.
Samsen 4 gets a craft beer bar where you can pour your own
From Chitbeer to Hair of the Dog, Bangkok loves a craft brew. Now, in Samsen 4 there’s a bar where you can pour your own from one of their 18 craft beer taps.
Apron Bar is found in the Samsen old town, opening in late May, and they are putting you on a pay-as-you-pour system that craft beer lovers are really going to like. You put your money on a card, beep it over the beer of choice, and let those taps flow.
The “bar” is just unimpeded taps without so much as a velvet rope—just neon saying “Highway to Hell”. For you sports fans, there are also large TVs to catch the latest game.
If you’ve never poured your own beer, you’re about to get a lesson in tilting that glass.
Phloen Chit gets a Hanuman-themed rooftop bar
Set on the 61st Floor of Phloechit’s One City Centre building, Akara Sky Hanuman intends to be the next landmark for tourists and neighborhood party goers searching for a crash course in Thai culture.
The OCC sets itself apart from the other office buildings downtown, already a hit destination for its lush green hidden spots and futuristic chrome orb fountain. Akara Sky Hanuman kicks off a wave of new space in the building.
You might have heard of Hanuman through mythical retellings, religion, or Dev Patel’s directorial action and revenge debut “Monkey Man.” But the legend of Hanuman is more close knit in Thai society than we think.
Taken from the pages of Ramakien epic, the bar area is established inside the state of the art Hanuman statue. Inside the mouth, to be precise. It mirrors the story when Hanuman expands its figure so it can shield Rama’s pavilion from harm, exhibiting Hanuman’s undying loyalty and strength
A
new community slow bar has opened up on top of Songwat’s Bad Poutine
A playful homage to the famous Paris bookstore Shakespeare and Company, Bukowski & Co is Songwat’s latest community bar that’s all about fostering community and spontaneity.
To mirror its Parisian inspiration, Bukowski & Co sets up on top of Bad Poutine, the blasphemous poutine joint that takes a departure from its Quebecoise roots in service of the Thai taste buds.
After walking up their narrow red staircase, you’ll be comforted with the homey vibes. Most elements like the furniture and cocktail glasses have little quirks that reflect the co-owner’s melting pot of eclectic personalities. A red heart shaped table, a row
of cinema chairs, “Kids” (1995) poster, a film projector—every piece is a conversation starter.
At the back of the room there’s a small selection of art books, kitschy fashion magazines, and novels for drinkers to thumb through. The counter bar area is decked with karaoke-esque fairy lights, art pieces, and a growing school of fish doodled on the wall by friends of the bar.
As above, so below. The comfort food on the first floor (which you can order upstairs) parallels the drinks on the second. Every couple of days, the spot will rotate out a different bartender, so you’ll get a customized experience that’s tailored by the bartender’s personality and expertise. ●
ALLSO BAR ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THONGLOR MIXES SIMPLE, AFFORDABLE CRAFT COCKTAILS
Tyler Roney
The buzz: There’s no shortage of mixology takeovers, international guest shifts, and theme night cocktails in Bangkok. But there are very few spaces with affordable craft cocktail shophouse bars—fewer still in the Thonglor area. Opening about a month ago, the new space off Sukhumvit Soi 36 (Saen Sabai Soi 8) wants to be the new hangout spot for the ‘other’ side of Thonglor.
The vibe: Retro design, hip-hop style graffiti declaring “south Thonglor,” and some very horny rabbits in the bathroom—it’s an artsy shophouse style bar. The tunes are old and new school hip-hop. For now, just the ground floor is open.
The drinks: Owner Roe Laophermsook tells BK that this spot is trying to democratize drinks for everyone. On the menu you’ll find seven signature cocktails, starting out with the likes of the Thaipirina (B160) with Sato rice spirit and limes and the Sato Mojito (B160) with sticky rice liqueur. For a stronger drink there’s the CNX Express (B220), a tequila lychee highball. Another pleasant drink for those
of you who like an Old Fashioned is the Poor Man’s Sazerac, using pastis, an anise-flavored spirit. On their “crowd pleasers,” you get a sampling of Thai flavored cocktails like a Tom Kha Colada and the Mango Sticky Rice Martini. Wines start at B220 and highballs at B190. But, this is a hangout spot, not a mixology laboratory; along with a collection of your classic cocktails, they have a few craft beers on offer for decent prices, and shots of Sato rice spirits at B60.
The food: The fare follows the same theme as the drinks: uncomplicated. It’s bar grub, specifically fried chicken, including corn flake rosemary, gochu pao, white pepper, and their Hello Hat Yai served with nam jim jaew and covered in deep fried shallots.
Why we’d go back: No, they’re not going to win any awards for complex mixology, but they are trying to do that. They’re trying to create a cool, new space on the south side of Thonglor for hangouts and late nights. They’re off to a good start.
46/12, Sukhumwit 36, Saen Sabai Soi 8. 080065-4615. Open daily Thu-Mon 5pm-late. ●
BANGKOK’S TOP 10 COCKTAIL BARS FOR YOUR NEXT BIG NIGHT OUT
Nose-to-tail, speakeasies, nostalgia— let’s get mixing. There aren’t many places in Southeast Asia that can boast Bangkok’s cocktail pedigree. For the discerning mixology fiend, these are the spots elevate your average cocktail into an event.
Bar Us
From the team behind Messenger Service Bar, Bar Us is leading the pack when it comes to savory cocktails. The venue is akin to a laboratory for libations, called the “drinking room.” The space is dimly lit with large, dark wooden tables and bartenders in lab coats. Their offering is structured around a tasting menu concept, divided into starters, mains, and desserts. The cocktails take on a meal-in-one vibe; a standout is the Beef and Onion, highlighting beef jerky infused with Ketel One vodka, creating an earthy, meaty tang balanced by the zesty jalapenos—kind of like drinking a cheeseburger. You can work your way to dessert with the likes of the Pandan and Jackfruit, with nutty and vanilla notes to compliment the jackfruit’s sweet undertones. The cocktails here are far from simple, but there’s something very refreshing about them.
1, Soi Sukhumvit 26, 089-500-1656. Open daily 6pm-late.
Mahaniyom
As well as Ronnaporn ‘Neung’ Kanivichaporn taking home Bartender of the Year, Mahaniyom made waves this year with its creative, ingredient-focused cocktails. Located above the renowned nose-to-tail spot 100 Mahaseth, Mahaniyom fuses Asian design with an ambiance reminiscent of a souk. The neon tiger on the wall and eclectic decor sets the stage for what is fast becoming one of Bangkok’s best venues for creative cocktails. They focus on sustainability by spotlighting one ingredient and using as many parts as possible. Take the Duck, for instance, uses duck fat, blood, and egg. The result is a creamy, fruity, savory concoction similar to eggnog.
2/F, 100 Mahaseth, 104 Maha Set Rd., 061-664-6588. Open Tues-Sun 5pm-late.
Opium
It’s not just one of the top cocktail bars in Bangkok. For the second year in a row, Opium took home the Bar of the Year Award at
the BAD Awards 2024. Take the odd elevator above Potong for a secretive speakeasy in the Chef’s family building—a marvel of modern design. Their innovative drinks are inspired by the century-old opium smoking den. The cocktails are based on the concept of “liquid surreality,” with each combination toying with the senses. The menu is 17 pages long and features over 100 beverages that rotate annually and are organized into categories based on strength, ingredients, and flights. The majority of beverages are elevated versions of more classic cocktails. The bar nibbles are also provided by the Potong team.
422 Vanich Rd., 082-979-3950. Open Thur-Mon 5pm-midnight.
Tropic City
Who says high-end cocktails need to be fancy? Tropic City has a colorful design incorporating tropical influences from the Caribbean, Brazil, and Thailand, with the brightly painted and with pineapple and pink flamingo
signs, antique sofas, and flowers. They provide unique tiki-inspired drinks that are tropical and juiceheavy. The Double Dance Lover, for example, is a flowery cocktail made with gin, pandan, goat milk, mango sticky rice tea, and lemon that’s as refreshing as it is complex. These innovative and creative drinks are combined with warm hospitality and a love for music.
672/65, Charoenkrung Soi 28, 097-2422890. Open daily 7pm-late.
Vesper
Bangkok’s Bar scene is not complete without a mention of Vesper. Their team is full of surprises and never fails to bring out new and exciting menus, guest shifts, and bars every year. With their menu last year, People of Vesper, a menu dedicated to their guests, and their newly opened 4th Wall off Langsuan, Vesper is sure to keep bringing surprises.
10/15 Convent Road, 02-235-2777. Open daily 5:30pm-late.
Tyler Roney
Bar Us
BKK Social Club
This isn’t your average hotel bar—though it is the BAD Award 2024 winner for Best Hotel Bar. This Four Seasons’ spot has garnered international attention and has become a Bangkok mainstay for cocktail lovers. Slip right into the luxurious belle epoque interior with drinks led by bar manager Philip Bischoff. Go for the design, stay for the cocktails.
Four Seasons Bangkok, 300/1, Charoen Krung Rd, 02 032 0888. Open daily 5pm-midnight.
Messenger Service Bar
From the minds behind Bar Us comes the OG, Messenger Service Bar. The cocktails here are known for their creative ingredients, minimalistic design, and a focus on brave flavors in their creative drinks—think the likes of dried tuna flakes, betel leaf, ylang-ylang, and ginger brine. Found away from the nightlife-heavy areas, this Suan Luang space knows its drinks are one-of-a-kind.
2299, Phatthanakan Rd., 094-949-9493. Open daily 6pmlate.
Funkytown
This new kid on the block from the minds behind Sarnies (stylized F*nkytown) is the growing resto empire’s hit spot above Sarnies Sukhumvit 27. The space is old-school and disco-inspired. Helmed by head bartender Pae Ketumarn, their drinks are inventive, be it their savory Caesar salad cocktail or sweet pain au matcha—and did we mention they’re incredibly strong? The Sarnies juggernaut has taken Bangkok by storm, and this new spot proves they’re more than food and coffee. That said, don’t miss out on their fun take on a corndog using sai oua from Chiang Mai. 39, Soi Sukhumvit 37, 093-814-1594. Open daily 5pmmidnight.
Find the Locker Room
Sure, their Find the Photo Booth is turning heads, but this OG speakeasy is a must-try. Thonglor nightlife natives are already familiar with this award-winning hidden speakeasy and their Time Capsule signatures, but Find the Locker Room’s new menu earlier this year expanded the concept, adding cocktails inspired by era defining fashion, toys, and music of the 1990s, 2000s, 2010s. In the 90s, nothing was a bigger fashion statement than the Nike Air Max. Iconic (B490) attempts to capture these sneakers with a layered drink. With wassabi gin, yogurt, and yuzu base followed by a citrus water. Bougie Princess (B480), straight out of Legally Blonde, is a hot pink and easy-to-drink sweet and sour tipple with an aromatic toasted smell reminiscent of sinking your teeth into a warm breakfast pastry.
406, Sukhumvit Soi 55, 098-287-1898. Open daily 6pmlate.
The 4th Wall
More new blood for the Bangkok cocktail scene, the 4th Wall is a new neighborhood bar in Langsuan from the brains behind Vesper. It’s a modernist representation of the future inspired by 1960s European films. The bar serves concoctions on a rotating menu with a classy take on traditional cocktails. Their signature house Irish coffee is an elevated version of the espresso martini, and there are other traditional classics like the Japanese Slipper, a sweet and sour green cocktail with notes of melon from the Midori. This spot is all about making classic drinks new again
DIRECTORS KONGDEJ AND PAIRACH ON THEIR NETFLIX ORIGINAL ‘DOCTOR CLIMAX’
Over the years, Netflix has pushed out a lot of entertainment on the topic of sex—whether it’s an awkward highschooler running a sex clinic in “Sex Education” or the recent word-of-mouth hit “Baby Reindeer” bringing nuance to sexual assault. Now, the Thai Netflix original “Doctor Climax”—which will be released on June 13—is getting in on the action. Set in the late 1970s, Thailand, “Doctor Climax” follows a dermatologist and venereal disease specialist “Dr.Nat” who took on a sex columnist position answering anonymous letters and educating the public on topics from premature ejaculation to sexually transmitted disease. All the while maintaining his role as an upstanding citizen and a faithful husband. Two decades ago, director Kongdej Jaturanrasamee made a risque co-directorial debut with “Sayew” about a tomboy-ish young woman figuring out her sexuality and putting herself through university by secretly writing for an erotic magazine. Pairach Khumwan had a hand in the scathing 2011 film “Love, Not Yet”, in charge of one of the triptych tales with an overarching cautionary message about accidental teen pregnancy. BK sat down with the two daredevils directors, discussing how this period piece shows just how far we’ve come.
What’s the inspiration behind Doctor Climax?
Kongdej: It started three years ago. The showrunner of this project, Ekachai Uekrongtham, contacted me to write a script about a sex columnist in the late 1970s. Their team had already gathered some research material like the actual letters that people would submit to magazines. So when I read those, it was like a lightbulb went off, and I got started on the plot. After it was almost done, I was asked to direct. But I’d only directed films, and this is a series. It’s quite long and I’m already old. That’s when Pairach’s name came up. He’s worked on series before, and I saw that all of them are high quality. So I thought we’d work well together.
Is there a particular reason why it’s set in the 1970?
Kongdej: I think there’s a lot of interesting societal aspects. It’s one of the first times that sex was discussed out in the open. Sex became popular and visible in the most influential form of media at that time which was newspapers. So I think there are a lot of elements at play that can also reflect modern society.
How different is “Doctor Climax” from “Sayew?”
Pairach: As a viewer of both these projects, I think they share certain elements but “Doctor Climax” covers and delves deeper into the sexual issues in Thailand.
Kongdej: I think “Sayew” is more about escapism. The main character is already very different. Sex in Sayew is portrayed more like a fantasy but “Doctor Climax” covers more ground, more characters and obviously more
stories. In terms of the intensity, “Doctor Climax” definitely went a lot further.
Was there a shift in how the audience reacted to your work?
Pairach: Yes, when I worked on “Love, Not Yet” which came out in 2011, I remember that during the promotion of that film society was really critical. They were saying stuff like ‘Why are you making films that sell sex?’ but I don’t think it’s something that’s happening with “Doctor Climax.” I think society slowly evolved from there.
What’s the experience working with this set of actors?
Kongdej: Honestly, I was super impressed with the entire ensemble. When it’s a series about sex, we need actors who are ready to perform and commit to the role physically. Sex is something personal and private. I think when the series is out there, it’s always going to create some ripple effects and the people who’d be on the receiving end of those critiques are the actors. There’s a lot of faith and respect there, and everyone quite literally dedicated their body and soul to this.
Pairach: I’d like to add that when we block and shoot the sex scenes, it requires a lot of trust. It requires everyone from the actors, the writers, and the directors to strip down your walls. Collectively sharing something super intimate like that, after a number of takes, creates trust. Kongdej: Yeah even after filming, we still meet up, ask each other to go get suki. It’s like we’ve bonded through the experience.
A lot of shows with sex scenes use an
Sarisa Pokawattana
intimacy coordinator. Did you also have one on set?
Pairach: Yes, I think it’s one of the first projects in Thailand to use an intimacy coordinator.
Kongdej: Right from the get go, we make it a priority to have this position. We’re lucky to have Kru Rom, [Romchat Tanalappipat] who is an acting coach that we’ve worked with for a long time. She took up an intimacy coordinating course from abroad. She learned everything from the know-how and the consent agreement documents up until the actual steps that we can follow.
Pairach: To put it simply, it’s like when you film an action scene. You need to map out the queues of when your body would make contact and how to properly capture it. This is the same thing. We consider the safety of the actors.
So what was the process of filming these intimate scenes?
Kongdej: The thing is, I don’t think you can improvise stuff like that. You can’t just yell, ‘Oh,just continue making out,’ or ‘Give us more emotion!’ You have to agree to a set of rules beforehand. There’s stuff about position, movements. The camera has to be able to pick up those things.
Pairach: Yeah, if the actors have already done the scene but the camera didn’t pick it up, that means what the actors did wasn’t productive.
It’s like they did it for free, so having an intimacy coordinator really saves them from that sort of situation.
Kongdej: On set, we try to have as few people in front of the monitor as possible. We have a red zone, yellow zone, dark red zone, we try to leave only the necessary staff. And we have an intimacy coordinator on hand to communicate info between the directors and actors. These are details but it really has a lot of impact on the overall performance.
Pairach: I think actors could feel kreng jai [feel bad] to speak up because there’s a hundred people waiting on them, but having this intimacy coordinator makes it easier to express when they feel unsafe.
Were there other challenges you ran into?
Kongdej: Because this is a period piece and we’re filming in a city that doesn’t really conserve historical spaces, there are a lot of things that don’t look like they belong in that era.
Pairach: We mostly filmed in Bangkok and a little bit in the provinces because we couldn’t find a period-accurate landscape in Bangkok. For example, we could use about 10 shophouses but if you go further down, it looks very out of place.
Kongdej: You’ll see that we had to erase a lot of things, CGI things. What really helped is the costuming department. I think the fashion is fantastic. Very vibrant, very 70s
Which scenes are you most excited for the audience to see?
Pairach: In the series, there are sequences portraying the letters received from the readers. I think this is the fun bit. You’ll get all kinds of wacky and bizarre scenarios.
Kongdej: It’s the same for me too. There’s so much liberty in how we fantasize and bring these letters to life. These are based on real letters from that time. There is some strange stuff going on but there’s also things that are common knowledge today. It really normalizes sex.
Why should people tune in for “Doctor Climax”?
Kongdej: Well, I got to eat (laughs). Okay but in all seriousness, when you complain about Thai movies not having anything innovative. Like oh look the characters are in a catfight. Oh they’re fighting over the same man again. Supporting a topic that’s rarely talked about can be the gateway for less popular topics to be raised. Sex is something that’s close to heart for a lot of people. It can reflect other problems in society, what people were thinking, their lifestyle, the oppression. That’s the fun of this story.
Pairach: It’s been awhile since production wrapped and coming from someone who is both the filmmaker and the audience, I can say that I had a blast doing both. Sex is a good jumping off point that’ll lead us to talk about other underlying issues that we weren’t discussing at that time. ●
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