Bangkok’s cannabis industry faces an uncertain future
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.
RIBBIT
UNKONCIOUS BK SPEAKS TO THE COUPLE BEHIND THE THAI TRANCE FESTIVAL GOING
WEED MAP
WHO’S IN CHARGE?
BK EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Tyler Roney
Senior Lifestyle Writer Sarisa Pokawattana
Art Director Wirankan Saiyasombut
Production Manager Komkrit Klinkaeo
SOIMILK EDITORIAL
Managing Editor Porpor Leelasestaporn
GROVE: COCONUTS BRAND STUDIO
Associate Thai Editor Pakvipa Rimdusit
Head of Digital Nuttajuk Kittichailuk
Senior Business Development Manager
Piti Rungrojanaluck
Senior Business Development Manager
Chalida Anuwattanawong
Finance & Operations Manager
Manita Satra
Managing Director
Dietrich Neu
Publisher, Printer, and Editor
Tara Rattanaphas
BK Magazine is a Coconuts Media Publication
Chairman Byron Perry
Advertise with us at advertising@coconuts.co
Cover photo Robert Nelson
BK MAGAZINE IS A COCONUTS MEDIA PUBLICATION.
Chairman Byron Perry
General Manager Vim Shanmugam
Head of Operations Clarissa Cortes
coconuts.co
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hot or not Lisa’s ‘Rockstar’ goes big from Bangkok streets
bk in brief Robert De Niro in Bangkok ahead of Nobu’s September opening
nightlife Sababa brings a Mediterranean-style izakaya to Thonglor 13
last word BK speaks with the Thai festival pioneers of Unkoncious
BY THE NUMBERS
On July 5, a heath committee majority voted to reclassify cannabis and hemp as narcotics. Their proposal will now make its way to the Narcotics Control Board for consideration.
0.2%
The maximum amount of THC allowed before a cannabis product or material is considered a narcotic under the proposal.
JANUARY 1, 2025
The proposed date to reclassify cannabis and hemp as narcotics under the health committee’s plan, which was approved for submission to the Narcotics Control Board on July 5.
80%
Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin claims this is the approval rating for reclassifying marijuana as a narcotic, according to an online poll he says his ministry conducted. (The ministry never officially released the results.)
1.1 MILLION
The number of citizens in Thailand that signed up to legally cultivate low-THC cannabis plants.
B43 BILLION
The previously predicted market size of Thailand’s cannabis industry in 2025 if it remained legal.
4%
YOU SAID WHAT?
“If he’s in Thonglor he should stop by Nobu.”
— Facebook user Adam Beechinor on the announcement of Nobu opening in September, referring to the small, unrelated Thonglor Japanese restaurant.
HOT OR NOT
Rockstar
Of the population (roughly 1.89 million people) over the age of 18 in Thailand are marijuana users, according to the Center for Addiction Studies (CAS).
PM Down
“Addicted to Bangkok .”
— Instagram user @organisedchaos.sg on nine new Bangkok restaurants open in July.
“One of those things that should’ve stayed in the 90s,”
— Facebook user Nico Noco on a BK list of places to buy Thai brand scrunchies.
Filmed in Bangkok’s very own Yaowarat, Blackpink’s Lisa shot her breakaway video “Rockstar” is blowing up the charts and social media. Also filming at the Oscar Theater, the single is the first with the artist’s own label, LLOUD.
While the Bhumjaithai Party controls the newly “elected” Senate, the Thai PM is experiencing new popularity lows. The National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA) ranks Srettha’s approval at just 12.85 percent.
Hirono
After reaching new heights of popularity with Pop Mart’s art toys, the grumpy little Hirono character, created by a Chinese artist who goes by LANG, hosted an art exhibition and event in the heart of the city featuring these popular characters like never before.
Up in Smoke
Thai authorities are again cracking down on vaping. No, they’re not legalizing and regulating it. They’re focused on how little children know about vapes—and with good reason. One survey found that 50% of young people thought nicotine was healthy.
Unsplash / CRYSTALWEED cannabis
Udom Suk gets a fashionable hybrid multi-purpose store and cafe
Photographer “Non,” who goes by the name Super Very Snapshot, has launched his own “super” kingdom in Udom Suk. Called Super Nice Land, the project serves refreshments, cakes, and curated lifestyle items.
The cafe is set just above a garage sale-esque shop with selected home and furniture pieces done by the Smile Club team—previously known for their stylish hair salon. Indeed, the plain white walls with large window panes make a great canvas to lay down eye-catching knick knacks sprawled across the store.
You’ll catch first and second hand clothes, homeware, and record labels both from Thailand and abroad. Non’s streetwear brand S.V.S.S. can be found here, alongside other Thai fashion labels like the popular swimwear Water and Others and studded headbands from Not for Everyone.
Keeping things simple for coffee, they opt for a single “Chocolate Sauce” blend from the famous Sauce Coffee Roaster. The notes lend a mixture of almond, cacao, and toffee.
The Super Nice Coffee (B150) nails photogenic points with its sunset hue. It comes with the zestiness of a standard orange coffee but lightened with some soda and sweetened with a single slice of lemon marinated in homemade sugar cane syrup.
Rolling Loud announces Playboi Carti as headliner
Joining the likes of Asap Rocky, Wiz Khalifa, Ski Mask the Slump God, and Tyla for Thailand’s 2024 Rolling Loud, the Atlanta-raised rapper Playboi Carti will be making an appearance as the headliner.
As one of Gen Z’s most influential rappers, Playboi Carti came onto the scene with a self-titled freshman mixtape with “Magnolia” peaking at No.29 on the Billboard Hot 100 and “Wokeuplikethis” charting at No.79. Since then, he’s been collaborating with household names like Kid Cudi, Ye, and Travis Scott.
This year, Rolling Loud repeats its stop at Legend Siam Pattaya and will span from November 22-24. Last year was the Miami festival’s first in Thailand, featuring the likes of Cardi B, Travis Scott, and Fat Joe.
Founded in 2015 by two friends from elementary school, Matt Zingler and Tariq Cherif, the first Rolling Loud kicked off at Soho Studios in the Wynwood district with headliners like Schoolboy Q, Juicy J, Currensy, and Action Bronson as a one-day event.
More headliners are expected to be announced in the coming months, and judging by the US version, Thailand is set to expect some big stars. There is a big price tag on the festival, but they’re still sure to sell out fast.
Robert De Niro visits Bangkok to bring attention to Nobu’s September opening
At a recent press roundtable on the 53rd floor of Empire Tower, Robert De Niro, twotime Oscar-winner and one of the minds behind the Nobu Hospitality concept, made an appearance with Chef Nobu Matsuhisa to introduce Bangkok to the upcoming biggest and highest Nobu ever.
“I love the smell of this city, the Chao Phraya River,” De Niro said at the press event, recounting his memories of Bangkok. “We support Nobu because he is the center, the heart, of it. And it’s that simple.”
The first Nobu restaurant in Thailand is set to open in September on the 58th floor of Empire Tower in Sathorn.
“Beautiful city, big city, nice people,” Chef Nobu told BK at the event. “I like to come here, see the different markets, see different restaurants, and then create a special dish for Thailand.”
This will be Nobu Hospitality’s first foray into Bangkok, and the city has been waiting a long time, with the first announcement dropping in 2021.
There are currently more than 50 Nobu restaurants all over the world. ●
Super Nice Land
Robert De Niro
Playboi Carti
Weedpocalypse
In April 2025, Bangkok’s streets could look very different. By January, weed will be banned. By April, all dispensaries will be expected to close. This is the deadline the government has put forward for the complete ban on recreational marijuana. Thailand will have had less than three years of openly selling marijuana in the city.
But it’s not just dispensaries affected. More than 1.1 million citizens in Thailand signed up to legally cultivate, small farms have been growing weed in ways that would make most organic groceries jealous, clubs have instituted in-house dispensaries, and entrepreneurs have bet big. All that ends in nine months, supposedly. The simple answer to how the laws will change is that no one knows. The received knowledge up to now has been that the authorities can’t put the genie back in the bong—but they’re going to try.
Loopholes
“Frankly I don’t think about it much because I don’t believe it will happen. Corruption is too deep here and too many stakeholders have hands on both sides,” says John, a foreign national in the cannabis industry, wishing to remain anonymous. “Just like the gray business of nightclubs, prostitution, and other things, I think the weed industry is here to stay.”
The best case scenario for the thousands of dispensaries around Thailand is that the “recriminalization” will simply not occur. Instead, the weed industry is relying on a redefining of the medical loopholes.
“I want the health ministry to amend the rules and re-list cannabis as a narcotic,” Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin said on social media platform X, for-
merly Twitter, in early May. The plan is to turn cannabis back into a narcotic by year’s end, and have a plan for its shutdown by April 2025.
Cannabis got the green light for medical use in 2018 and pseudo-recreational use in 2022 under the previous government. The surprise move came with a severe lack in regulations that has caused a pushback from politicians and intellectuals.
Most major parties, even the MFP which won the most votes in the election but was forced into opposition by the unelected senate, had campaigned on some manner of revision on the current state of decriminalized cannabis. Complete recriminalization, though, still seems like a fantasy to many, in particular those who’ve invested a great deal in one of Thailand’s fastest growing industries.
Cannabis industry professionals deal with stress and uncertainty as the weed ban approaches.
BK Staff
“There will eventually be more regulation but it will continuously feel like there’s no progress. I’m a realist and this is often how things happen in this economy,” John tells BK.
Cannabis law changes will try to bring the substance back from the recreational brink, but still likely rely on documentation or issue permits for medical patients, growers, and research purposes. The hope for Bangkok’s dispensaries is that there will be enough loopholes for the city’s shops to survive.
This could involve prescriptions from doctors or perhaps something as using a passport to buy, but the doomsday scenario of a complete end of recreational usage, likely or not, is having an effect on business.
The most expensive joint
“It’s quite confusing because, you know, they want to put it back on the narcotics list but at the same time the messaging is, ‘Hey, dispensaries, don’t worry, you’re all gonna be okay if you can basically adjust to the new medical rules,’” says Benjamin Baskins CEO of OG Retail Company with Panthera regarding hearings he
had attended.
The group owns and operates 11 dispensaries and one clinic in Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai. One of the proper pioneers and innovators in the world of Thai weed, Panthera Group is behind some of Bangkok’s most famous weed stops, including Wonderland, Kush House, and Cloud Nine.
“We’ve spent hundreds of millions on the industry along with other people that have spent a lot in the industry as well. So, you know, there’s hundreds of thousands of jobs,” Baskins says. “We’re having to reassure our staff and all of our team members, because we have well over 200 employees that are concerned now.”
Cannabis in Thailand was expected to be a B43 billion (US$1.2 billion) business by 2025, but with the new regulations looming, everyone is pulling back their expectations.
“Our challenges have not been in navigating the legal and regulatory landscape in Thailand—but instead with convincing foreign cannabis and related companies to work with us given the uncertainty in the market and the unclear direction that the authorities intend to move,” says Mendel Menachem of High Thailand.
With legal uncertainty, the supply chain is already starting to breakdown for people looking for quality foreign cannabis products, previously excited about the economic potential of Thai cannabis.
“[Foreign cannabis companies] have been scared off in reaction to statements given from various politicians,” Mendel says. “The challenges do not lie in the existing regulatory landscape but rather with the existing political rhetoric which is serving to cool what should be a very hot market.”
Thailand has in excess of 8,000-20,000 dispensaries around the country, some from small-time operators, others with deep pockets and foreign bud. But on the ground, the worries are very real for people making their money from weed.
“We even have a member of staff who started out as a driver with his lack of experience and education—now he’s a branch manager,” John says, adding that their organization has more than 30 employees. “He only got this opportunity because of the cannabis industry. The Thai government will be removing this opportunity from millions of their underprivileged youth if they were to recriminalize the plant.”
Unsplash/ Cambridge Jenkins IV
It’d be a lot cooler if you didn’t
The youth, however, are the battle ax that anti-weed campaigners are using to cut weed from Bangkok’s streets.
Public Health Minister Somsak Thepsuthin said cannabis use among young adults had increased 10 fold compared to two years ago, and concern about weed in schools has been omnipresent since the delisting of cannabis as a narcotic.
As for the number of Thailand stoners, the Center for Addiction Studies (CAS) estimates 1.89 million, around 4% of the population over the age of 18, are weed users. Similarly, “reefer madness” stories of violence and crime from people on weed have abounded.
Articles and viral stories about weed, however, are not always accurate. Not only are they not verified with medical documentation, but people who are arrested on illegal substances can get away with it if they claim they are on weed—rather than meth, PCP, or any other narcotics.
Keeping the weed industry domestic has also been a concern. Foreigners are not permitted to operate a dispensary under current legislation, according to the current Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. Anutin—who was instrumental in the legalization of weed in Thailand as Health Minister and who is not noted for his love of foreigners—said recently that police should sweep for and arrest foreigners behind dispensary operations.
Another concern was that cannabis would become a tourist attraction, causing stoners from around the world to seek out Thailand for a recreational break, and this did indeed become the case, with company’s like Budler offering bespoke sightseeing and dispensary “Bud Hopping E-tours” in Bangkok.
The recriminalization of weed in Thailand also coincides with the current PM’s mini-war on drugs to combat controlled substances in the Kingdom, with the Pheu Thai leader recently stating that “even one pill” of a narcotic would be grounds for punishment.
War for weed
“Right now people think there aren’t any regulations but there are. It’s just not properly enforced. There are laws against selling marijuana without a legal permit, selling it to children under 20 years old, but we don’t see action taken towards preventing it,” says Rattapon “Guide” Sanrak. “It’s a double standard. It’s like they intentionally let it slide. It’s a political issue.”
Guide, who first became interested in weed to cure migraines, has been at the forefront of marijuana legalization since 2014, starting with a Facebook page, Highland, which grew into an educational and activist movement.
“I think it’s difficult to change the law back and forth. It’s something that affects a huge amount of people and deep down I don’t think they’ll revert back to criminalization. The cannabis law is mala prohibita, which means that it’s illegal because the law said so and not illegal in itself,” Guide says. “The business owners use their personal documents to register for their cannabis business. We don’t know if the state will use it as a tool to lock us up again or not.”
The government has massive popular support to recriminalize weed again. More than 80% of more than 100,000 respondents supported a draft to turn weed back into a narcotic next year in a survey touted by the Health Minister.
Unsplash / Cambridge Jenkins IV
Thailand’s pro-weed lobby, however, is fighting back as best it can.
Following the Prime Minister’s hopes to relist cannabis as a narcotic the Cannabis Future Network were quick to strike back at the recriminalization of weed, accusing the Pheu Thai Party of being influenced by powerful groups.
“[Recriminalization] will affect the people who sell farming materials, fertilizers, building contractors, it’ll be a domino effect. It’ll also affect the middle man like the distributors and the extraction factory,” Guide says. “And the biggest impact will be on the dispensaries. I think nearly 100% of these business owners won’t be able to operate. The landlord who profits from the store’s rent will also get hit and there will be a lot of people losing their jobs. I think it’s worrying. A lot of the people in this industry are middle class and have responsibilities and down payments.”
A severe lack of regulation and enforcement of current laws does not bode well for an industry in the grips of a weed boom that will become newly illegal in just five months’ time. The supply chain for weed is open, and it’s not just going to stop.
“I think if we talk about the culture, it’ll still exist. Even before it was legalized, it was an underground culture. But on an industry level, if the industry dissolved, it’ll impact on a scale that’ll be greater than what the government has anticipated,” Guide says.
“What they say is it will just go underground and, you know, like the gambling and like the prostitution and all of that stuff,” Baskins says. “We know how that ends.” ●
TIME LINE
1935
The Cannabis Act makes the sale, production, and consumption of cannabis illegal in Thailand.
1961
Thailand becomes a signatory to the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, recognizing cannabis as an illicit drug, and the Thailand Central Bureau of Narcotics is formed.
1979
Under pressure from the US government Thailand passes the Narcotics Act installing stiff penalties for drug sale and use, including marijuana.
2003
The Thai government, under then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra engaged in a ‘war on drugs’ that garnered condemnation from international human rights organizations.
2018
Thailand becomes the first country to allow use of cannabis for medical purposes with no THC restrictions with a prescription.
2022
On June 9, Thailand is delisted as a Category 5 narcotic and widespread legal recreational use begins and 4,200 prisoners on weed related offenses are released.
2023
A general election wrests power from the Prayut government. Both the election victors the MFP and the eventual ruling coalition made statements that they would recriminalize cannabis.
2024
Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin states an intention to re-list cannabis as a narcotic by the end of the year and that dispensaries will cease operation by April 2025.
Unsplash/ Budding
Bantadthong gets a hybrid donutpatongko space with Thai dessert fillings
Set amid the busy streets of Bantadthong— which now boasts tourist and local foodie gems alike—Table of Contents repackages nostalgic Thai street food desserts into European style pastries. Co-owner Paloma “Dream” Bavornvanich says she and her friends are avid cafe hoppers, and they want to create a space of their own. The shop stands out with its contemporary, clinical white walls—like Kim Kardashian’s minimalist estate—but, the similarities end there, and thankfully so. The interior is a lot more playful with nods to stainless accents, royal blue, and coral hues filling in the color palette. The “doughko,” a mash up between the fluffy donut texture and the airy patongko buns, is currently the bestseller.
Heiwa Kissa serves coffee with Japanese techniques at Samyot
In busy Bangkok, we’re familiar with graband-go coffee shops. But if you want to slow things down a beat, Heiwa Kissa is the city’s new space for convos in a Japanese retro coffee house. Presenting a kissaten-style cafe, jazz plays in the background while the “master” or the stationed barista get to use their traditional coffee making equipment sans shiny modern machines to fill the conversation and cups. At the moment, the beans are sourced from India. They are sundried during the monsoon season so the beans capture a more intense dark flavor. We tried out the Moka pot (B150), a well-balanced blend that curbs bitter and smokey notes. The attention to detail doesn’t stop at the drinks; the barista selects a porcelain cup to match the vibe of each customer.
Al Saray will be opening their third branch next month
Al Saray, known for serving uncomplicated and comforting Lebanese and Indian cuisine, is ready to open their third branch in July 2024. Having launched two previous successful openings in Huai Khwang and Silom, their next venue will be set up in Sathorn Soi 6 just a couple of BTS stations away, but it sure makes a difference when you don’t want to trek back to the office after a big lunch. The upcoming opening will feature the mysterious “flavor meets entertainment” concept and promises an eventful welcoming at the new Al Saray. Busy bees of Sathorn, can get ready to add some of their refreshing parsley tomato Tabule salad and classic butter chicken with nan to their lunch. Bangkok just doesn’t have enough spots like this.
Table of Contents
Heiwa Kissa
Al Saray
Southern Thai restaurant Phukej introduces their first set menu this month
Last year, Phukej, the upscale Southern Thai restaurant in Yaowarat, introduced diners to fusion cuisine from its eponymous port city. Earlier this month, they took favorites across the a la carte board and put together and 11-course set menu for a very reasonable B1,550/person. It’s a portion-controled version from this family style dining joint. The set features their photogenic charcoal cup hokkaido scallop, smoked pork jowl with classic spring roll ingredients served on top a tortilla, lemongrass-infused clear clam soup, heaty coconut cream crab curry, squid with salted eggs, and more.They also go all out with the desserts. Starting with the refreshing yuzu granita with aiyu jelly to cleanse your palette.
Hong Kong brings out the good ‘za at Gaysorn Amarin
Hailing all the way from Hong Kong, the popular sourdough pizza and donut outlet Dough Bros has settled its first Thai venture in Gaysorn Amarin. Since their ‘za is smaller than your standard size, you can probably finish the entire wheel by yourself. We recommend the parma flavor which uses parma ham that’s imported from Italy. The peppery mushroom sauteed with truffle oil and garlic adds a bed of richness at the bottom, and the fresh rocket on the top keeps things light and takes a bit of guilt away from that hearty meal. Their donuts are served piping hot with hit fillings like nutella and jam. Frankly, there are so many good eateries opening at Gaysorn Amarin these days it’s hard to keep track. ●
CHEF’S TABLE
61/F lebua at State Tower 1055 Silom Rd., 02-624-9555. Open Tue-Sun 6pmmidnight
With two Michelin stars, Chef’s Table offers an intimate dining experience on the 61st floor of the luxury Lebua hotel. Chef Vincent Thierry’s tasting menu showcases contemporary French cuisine highlighting the finest seasonal, locally sourced, and international ingredients. Each dish is meticulously crafted and paired with exceptional wines, creating a culinary journey that engages all the senses. The open kitchen design allows guests to witness the culinary artistry firsthand, while the elegant ambiance and stunning city views complete this unforgettable experience. TABLE TALK
Get a complimentary beverage valued up to THB 2,700 when spending via UOB Reserve and UOB Infinite
16 May ’24 – 30 Nov ’24
Phukej
NILA TAKES YOU OVER INDIA’S COAST FOR A COMFORTING TASTING MENU GOING FOR GOAN.
The buzz: From Inndee to Jharokha, Indian fine dining has gotten a big boost in recent years—in particular coastal flavors that Bangkok just loves at places like Jhol. Now, Nila is the new kid on the block, found at the plush Amari Bangkok, and with the talents of Chef Bharath S Bhat.
The vibe: The busy lobby of the Amari takes you up to the colorful interior of Nila on the fifth floor, boasting an early 20th century vibe of vibrant windows and wood interior touches. You’re led past a well-appointed and captivating bar and by private rooms to the main dining area, where you can stare out over Phetchaburi Road.
The food: The tasting menu here is coastal with a special emphasis on Goan food, the west coast tourist haven famous for its use of seafood, coconuts, and spice. First up to set the tone for the seaside feast is the fruit bhel, a single bite of tamarind and mint chutney with lime and puffed rice, an easy, memorable bite. Then comes the burnt garlic and tomato saar; it’s quite a peppery prawn soup with slow caramelized garlic, prepared in a flashy, table-side contraption. Following the peri-peri jheenga (flame-grilled Goan-style marinated prawns) is the kasundi murgh, and this one is a bit of a change in gears; trading the spices for smooth, savory tastes, this dish features
a bengali mustard tempered chicken with a masala cheese gratin and avocado riata—one of the most creative dishes on the menu. After a banana cutlet and Thalassery pepper lemon sorbet as a palette cleanser, the meal moves onto the more hearty dishes, including the lobster ghee roast featuring some delectable red chili sauce and fresh kallapam. The famed fish dishes of the Indian coast shine with the snapper fillet with fried shallots (meen pollichattu); a bit on the spicy side, the spices are ground into the fish and it has a pleasing firm texture inside the banana leaf. A New Zealand Kolkata-style is followed by the final dish on the mains, the Hydrabadi dum biryani. What’s great about this dish is not just the slow-baked chicken but the long-grain rice. If you weren’t filled up before, this dish will finish you off.
The drinks: The bar is stocked to be sure, but check out the wine list to pair with these dishes, and remember to plan for fish and deep, spicy flavors. Bottles start at B1,100.
Why we’d come back: Indian cuisine has a reputation for complex flavors, and it’ll be interesting to see where this menu goes in the future. The non-nonsense approach to classic dishes for a tasting menu is not a new idea, but it’s certainly a favorite. ●
Tyler Roney
Going for Goan.
14, Soi Somkid. 065 663 6966. Open Wed-Mon 11am-11pm.
Northern, Southern, Isaan—every slice of Thailand has a space in the capital. But elevated Ratchaburi food. That comes from Chef Supara “Titoom” Kittiudom, who titled the oddly-named space after a river pier her family built in 1970.
Located in the tree-lined laneway of Soi Somkid behind Central Chidlom, Grok 1970 is situated in a leafy courtyard in what is fast becoming a foodie destination, surrounded by the likes of Acqua, Quince, and Khaan.
The Amphawa-style spicy green mango salad (B190) is a refreshing somtum twist, riper than usual with crunchy mangos dressed in a creamy coconut milk dressing, mildly spiced and topped with cashews and pungent dried fish floss. It’s not a reimagining so much as a playful recreation. The crispy giant grilled beef (B290) is a showstopper and a signature dish: a large rectangle of thinly sliced, sundried beef propped up on an artist’s easel with two dips—though neither the chili sauce nor the viscous beef gravy stood out. The beef itself was wafer-thin and flavorful.
The more classic grilled pork belly and black tofu with pickled garlic and sweet fish sauce (B260) was a highlight, featuring two rolls of chasu fatty pork belly and firm tofu chunks soaking up the flavors. The glossy brown sauce seemed more akin to a rich pork au jus than fish sauce.
Unfortunately the green curry chicken soup and the red curry with grilled duck with tropical fruit weren’t available on this
visit so we settled for the shrimp gaeng som with coconut shoots (B380). The three plump shrimp were cooked to perfection, but the limp, bland coconut shoots added nothing and the intense sweet flavors overshadowed the dish. The strong fish sauce and tomato chunk base were inescapable once spooned over rice—not a favorite.
The fried mushrooms with jaew mushroom sauce (B180), however, was light, tempura-like batter, crisp and golden without being greasy. Mixed mushrooms, including beech and enoki, paired well with the chunky tomato eggplant jaew sauce, making it a standout snack.
Grok 1970 offers two desserts. Our 1st Box of Milk (B290) was inspired by Nong Pho, the first brand of milk to arrive in Ratchaburi Province. This creamy, smooth ring of milky semifreddo, adorned with tart raspberry coulis and an array of textures—including biscuit crumbs, coconut flakes, delicate butterfly tuile, and jelly cubes—was a delight. The adorable and Insta-friendly Suan Pueng pineapple cheesecake (B290), inspired by the honey and pineapple of Ratchaburi, featured a semifrozen, creamy cheesecake base encasing candied fresh pineapple.
Grok 1970 is a welcoming spot with huge glass windows overlooking a green courtyard. The service was admirable from reservation to recommendations. Despite a few misses and an overall lack of spice, Grok 1970 offers an elevated experience from a lesser-known corner of Thai cooking. ●
TABLE TALK
MEZZALUNA
65/F lebua at State Tower 1055 Silom Rd., 02-624-9555. Open Mon-Sat 6-12pm
Mezzaluna, Chef Ryuki Kawasaki’s world-class fine-dining flagship at lebua hotel, has held two Michelin stars for seven years in a row — a level of consistency unheard of in Bangkok. The restaurant is known for its intricate combination of Japanese ingredients and French cooking techniques, which can be seen in dishes like the Grilled Aori Ika (bigfin reef squid, zucchini blossom, mussels, and saffron hollandaise) as part of the venue’s current summer tasting menu. With a picturesque view of the Chao Phraya River from the 65th floor of the luxury Lebua hotel, floor-to-ceiling glass, and spiral chandeliers, Mezzaluna never fails to deliver a memorable experience and has proven to be one of the highest-performing and most consistent fine-dining restaurants of the past decade.
Get a complimentary beverage valued up to THB 2,700 when spending via UOB Reserve and UOB Infinite
16 May ’24 – 30 Nov ’24
Yenakart gets a speakeasy specializing in clarified cocktails and Thai sashimi
In the hurleyburley of Sathorn, Yenakart gives you a bit of break from it all. The Backroom set itself up in this business district to dole out booze and high quality seafood sourced from all over Thailand.
Vintage elements surround the scene with lush velvet cushions and black-and-gold accents lend the venue a chic saloon look.
The bar at Backroom uses the art of clarification in their signature sips, producing a drink that goes down smoother. They use Thai and Asian ingredients like in the gin & juice, which is given the Backroom treatment with Chanthaburi Calamansi syrup on top of some zesty fruit.
They have a full stock of premium spirits so you can order your favorite classics and get out of your comfort zone here.
Apart from the drinks, their bites highlight Thai seafood from seasonal sashimi (B450) imported from Ulak Lawoi and the Satun sourced uni capellini with garlic cream sauce and black caviar (B450).
Funkytown introduces new menu inspired by seasonal Southeast Asian flavors
From the Sarnies group, Funkytown blew into the nightlife scene at the end of last year with a host of experts at the helm—winning “Best New Bar 2024” at BK Magazine’s BAD Awards last year. For its first spin, head mixologist Pae Ketumarn (who’s worked at several bars to appear on the World’s 50 Best list) gave us signatures like the “Caesar Salad” and the “Pain Au Matcha”, which you can read about in our initial On the Bar coverage here. In the food department, they focused on small bites like a sai oua take on corn dogs.
This time around, the drinks and delicacies zero in on Southeast Asian flavors and seasonal goods.
One of the new additions is a twist on the vacation classic: pina coladas. Instead of pineapples, the star of the show is a durian float and a jasmine rice essence to add some aromatic appeal.
Fans of tom yum can try the sweet, savory and spicy soup in the form of a fizzy highball. You’ll be sure to catch that whiff of coconut as well as a mouthwatering combo of shrimp paste, fish sauce, palm sugar, and more.
Those who prefer their tipples on the sweeter side can order the “Tang Yuan”, a popular Chinese dessert featuring glutinous rice balls with black sesame filling. ●
Sababa brings a Mediterranean-style izakaya to Thonglor 13
From the minds of Bangkok F&B pioneers comes Sababa, a fusion blend of Mediterranean izakaya tucked away in a home-y lush patch of eden in Thonglor 13.
Ines Labourdette, co-managing director with previous experience at Gigi and Iron Balls, tells BK that some of the partners are from the Mediterranean so they’re already familiar with the cuisine.
“Personally, I discovered Japanese food when I moved to Bangkok,” Ines shares. “Especially the izakaya atmosphere. So we want to recreate it.”
Sababa is Hebrew slang for “good” or “cool”—similar to the Thai philosophy of “sabai sabai.” The relaxed energy is reflected in the venue, which is housed in a three-generation family home, meaning it still has that rare rustic charm and specious foyer to lounge around.
Chef Maxim Baile leads the kitchen, churning out Mediterranean, Japanese, and some Middle-Eastern dishes meant for sharing with a crowd of friends and family. Their veggies and olive oil are imported from Europe while seafood and beef are sourced from Japan.
FROG BAR MIXES JAPANESE POP CULTURE INTO EASYTO-DRINK SIPS
Hop on over to Sukhumvit’s latest speakeasy.
Sarisa Pokawattana
The buzz: At the height of its popularity, Salon Du Japonisant was the cocktail bar on everyone’s lips. Helmed by the same bartender, Kei Sawada’s Frog Bar acts as a peaceful lily pad untouched by the rippling streets of Sukhumvit. Disguised with Japanese literary and pop culture references familiar to Thai customers, the drinks take from Japanese beats and blend it with local ingredients.
The vibe: In Japanese culture, the frog is a symbol of good fortune. It can also refer to homecoming as frog, kaeru, is a homonym for the verb “to go back” or “to go home”. Kei likens his bar to the experience of Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Following the frog symbol at the front door, the warm dimly lit interiors engulf visitors in a view from underneath an emerald pond—with chrome lily pads refracting lights up above. A mix of chill, jazz, and Japanese hip-hop pumps through the speakers.
The drinks: The first welcome shot is a Nikolaschka which appeared in the 2024 anime of the popular “Bartender” manga. With cognac at the bottom, the rim is closed with a single disk of lemon and generously sprinkled with sugar. Pop the top first to down the drink more easily and get a refreshing brown sugar cola flavor. Leaping from one art form to another, the main portion of the drink takes a couple of pages from Haruki Murakami’s award winning “Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World.” The dual narrative in the novel splits the cocktail menu in half. The Hard-Boil section focuses on classics with a
twist and the fantastical Wonderland allows the bartenders to flex their creative mixology skills. Take the Midnight Cruise (B480) from the Hard-Boiled segment; the drink is inspired by cruising for women at night. Ditching the sunny disposition of the gimlet, the zesty gin based classic is given the Japanese treatment with squeezes of yuzu. And the pitch black color comes from bamboo charcoal. Overall, the drink teeters on the edge of sweet and sour with a waft of aromatic infused elder flower. Another Hard-Boiled pick is The Complication / Frog Negroni (B480). The ritual starts off by smoking the glass with cinnamon. For fans of caffeine in their drink, you’ll get a kick out of the Vietnamese drip coffee base which has been mixed with homemade campari and a secret ingredient that provides a slight waxy coating on the tongue.
The food: Small in portion and mild in taste, the food is here to enhance the drinking experience. Opt for the baby tomato salad with basil and onion puree (B180) or the well-done quail eggs with one half marinated in shoyu for 24 hours and the other half smoked. If you’re craving something sweet, they’ve also got refreshing ice cream made from the fruits shaken in the cocktails.
Why we’d come back: Apart from the laid back energy and the easy-to-down booze, the second floor is a private bar area and cigar lounge boasting a collection of 200 brandy bottles for the hard core drinkers.
237, Sukhumvit, 084-093-9993, Open Tues-Sun 6-11:30pm. ●
InterContinental Bangkok
The Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner, which means that it is time for mooncakes—lots of ‘em. Last year, The InterContinental Bangkok made a splash on the mooncake scene with their popular phuang malaishaped boxes (resembling the shape of traditional Thai flower garlands), each containing six-to-eight different mooncakes. In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of variations on mooncake flavors, ranging from traditional to unorthodox. There are a range of flavors in each box set, but most of them take a slightly sweet tone. They include: Osmanthus lotus with salted egg yolk, durian paste with salted egg yolk, green tea paste with salted egg yolk, Earl Grey paste with macadamia and orange zest, custard cream, and Thai tea custard. From Aug 9 to Sep 17, you can snag a box of six for B888, and a box of 8 for B1,188. You can also score 10-percent off any purchase of five boxes or more made before Aug 8.
Find the mooncakes at InterContinental Bangkok’s Summer Palace, from 11:30am10:30pm, and Butter (lobby level), from 8am-7pm.
Cosmopet launches in Thailand with nutritious, insect-based digestible treats for your furry friends
Cosmopet, one of Russia’s top pet brands focused on healthconscious and discerning pet owners, recently launched its popular line of nutritious treats for cats and dogs in Thailand. Using a unique e-protein formula derived from black soldier fly larvae, Cosmopet’s treats boast an impressive 90-percent digestibility rate—significantly higher than most conventional brands. Free from GMOs and artificial additives, these treats ensure a wholesome option for pets owners. Already available in stores across Thailand, Cosmopet plans to expand further, partnering with local e-protein producers and pet-markets to scale their operations. Expect to see much more of Cosmopet as it continues to strive to revolutionize pet nutrition globally
Learn more at https://zeronixbio.com/ and https://cosmopet.shop/
Loong Foong launches its 2024 mooncake line-up ahead of the Mid-Autumn festival this September
One of the better known Chinese restaurants in Bangkok, Loong Foong at the Swissôtel Bangkok Ratchada, is launching an early bird promotion for its 2024 line-up of mooncakes—the traditional round pastries filled with all kinds of sweet and savory ingredients to celebrate the yearly festival. This year, the brand is boasting eight homemade flavors: Durian with salted egg yolk, Ngao Ying with salted egg yolk, Lotus seed with salted egg yolk, Custard with salted egg yolk, Custard with truffle, Yuzu, Green tea and Mocha. Orders made from now until July 31, a four-pack of the sweets will run you B888, and from August 1 onwards B1,045.
1/F, Swissôtel Bangkok Ratchada, 204 Ratchadapisek Rd., Bangkok, 02-6942222.
Popular Phuang Malai Mooncake gift box returns at
8 FASHIONABLE SCRUNCHIES FROM THAI BRANDS
Scrunchies, yes, the preposterously scaled-up loofahs and squiggly hair ties to complete a top knot or show off on our wrist, are finally back. Truth be told, they never really left the spotlight but recently Thai brands have been playing into this nostalgic trend.
BK scoured the Thai labels putting a fun twist on this versatile accessory for you to decide which scrunchie you’ll adopt into your OOTD.
Midi
We’re starting off with a couple of affordable options. Midi shows a variety of shabby chic scrunchies with prices ranging from B49-B159. They carry youthful, easy-to-pair options like the simple eyelet cotton and the satin band with tiny rosettes. But they also have statement pieces like the larger but still delicate billowing lace scrunchies.
NSFG
It’s not everyday you come across crochet hair pieces, and NSFG brings a little handmade flair to the table. Each piece has its own little quirks you can customize. However, there’s a limited amount of yarn, so if you spot something you like then you better act fast. Their scrunchies sell from B90 to B120 and have a distinctive look that’ll make it seem like you’re donning some kind of sea anemone.
Sardine
Sardine, a studio known for their functional and decorative lifestyle and homeware items, have dipped their toes into scrunchies. Repurposing their trademark colorblocking grids and stripe patterns that we adore, their funky geometric hair ties comes in handy when you want to spice up your outfit or hair style. It’s priced at B195. Every piece is handmade using soft and heavy duty cotton.
their denim on denim pieces and turns them into adorable scrunchies (B350). The industrial navy blue is juxtaposed by the softer elements of its recycled cotton eyelet trimmings. They also ship worldwide, but if you want to check it out in person, this particular style along with their light-weight black and white version is available to try at the newly opened Thonglor 4 multi store Loft Eyes.
Mitr
Frequent Instagram shoppers will already be familiar with Mitr’s game. Their flirty and flattering tops have worked their way into our closets, and their scrunchies are following suit. The gigantic five petal satin flower (B390) comes in blue, pink, black, and a white cotton version, giving off an elegant look despite its playful shape. Plus, it’s a good dupe for the Sandy Liang’s Flower Power hair tie that’s been on top of fashionista’s wishlist during the height of the ballet core aesthetic and the bow and ribbon craze last year.
Brut
This year’s Met Gala may have come and gone, but if you’re still looking to work “The Garden of Time” theme into your outfits, here’s an easy way to do it. Brut’s scrunchies (B590) disguise ruffly bands with whimsical floral and an extended strand of ribbon to add some more movement.
Daily Squad
Playing into the studs trend that we’re slowly spotting this year, Daily Squad edged up their otherwise minimalistic cotton scrunchies (B250) with a couple of sparkly silver metallics. Right now, there’s three colorways to choose from: white, baby blue, and black. We recommend matching the items with their current corporate collection to serve a subtle fashion look around the clock.
In their latest collection, Brookray upcycles the leftover fabric from
Ciclo
With its voluminous four tier layer, the scrunchies from Ciclo (B990) don’t require any double knotting. You can simply tie your hair with a normal band and use their scrunchie to cover it up. They come in mustard yellow, muted seafoam blue, and hot chili red. Given the hefty price tag, if you’re looking to invest in a sophisticated, timeless piece or see how far you’re willing to splurge on a nostalgic accessory, this is the place for you. Also available to shop in person at Loft Eyes. ●
NSFG
Mitr
Sardine
Ciclo
UNKONCIOUS FESTIVAL HITS CROATIA IN JULY. BK SPEAKS WITH THE THAI FESTIVAL PIONEERS.
Next month, from July 16-19, a Thai homegrown music festival will be hitting the stages of Croatia for a trance musical experience that found its beginnings in Phuket and Pattaya with husband and wife couple Srangkun “Lonskii” Sirisinha and Katie Sirisinha. BK speaks with the two on what the future of this festival holds for Thailand’s music scene.
First of all, tell us about how both of you came to start Unkoncious.
Lon: So back in 2010, we had our first event called King of Club. That was back in Melbourne and then we moved back in 2012. We hosted Transmission Festival Asia in 2017. And then I was thinking about hosting my own international trance music Festival and that’s how we came up with Unkoncious.
Katie: It really kind of grew from having done a lot of different festivals and working with other promoters and realizing, the creative challenges and stuff that you couldn’t really do management-wise. And then we decided, ‘Why don’t we just try doing our own homegrown thing and kind of see how we go with that?’
Can you tell our readers why it is so important to have a Thai music festival getting international recognition?
Katie: As you can see with the Thai scene, there’s actually a huge number of music festivals just in Thailand by itself. I think that a lot of people recognize the potential of Thailand as a travel destination and a destination for music festivals. So you tend to see a lot of people trying to not only create music festivals in Thailand, but also to bring international branded events to Thailand as
well. When anyone brings it over to Thailand, the goal is to target the entire region, not just specifically Thai people. For us, Unkoncious is actually the first ever Asian and Thai music festival to go specifically to Europe. Specifically Europe and Croatia, Unkoncious is the first Thai brand ever to expand [there].
What is it that makes Unkoncious special? What sets it apart from other music festivals?
Katie: Being its own genre, it carves its own kind of target market. There’s a certain set of listeners that listen to Unkoncious and it’s very different from the type of people that listen to EDM. Unkoncious almost feels a little bit like an underdog in a way. You’d be surprised at the huge number of Western or foreign attendees. They may or may have not attended Unkoncious, but they are aware of the branding or aware of the actual project itself. But very, very few people actually know where it comes from or who’s behind it or its beginnings or how it came about. So surprisingly, for us, it’s become like a bucket list event for people in this genre. We started this in 2018 and since then, we’ve had a really big global recognition within our niche market. When you think of certain festivals, let’s say EDC
Tyler Roney
and Tomorrowland, our name Unkoncious is up there with all the other big ones but in our own category. We’ve managed to wiggle our way up to the top, but there’s so much room for us to grow.
Well, 2018 was a long time ago for the first show in Phuket, what has changed with Unkoncious since?
Lon: So 2018, 2019, 2020 we were in Phuket at Paradise Beach, and when the pandemic hit, the venue sort of shut down and then we had to move to Alexa Beach (Pattaya) in 2023 and 24. But for next year, we are thinking of moving back to Phuket because when we announce it seems like the foreigners prefer to hear the word Phuket rather than like Chonburi or Pattaya. Alexa Beach is a beautiful venue. There’s a pool next to the beach. People stay in the pool all day, all night.
Katie: I just wanted to add that over the years, we’ve tried to add a lot more experience parties. So when we first started it was just a three day event, and in the last year, we’ve progressed to like a six day thing. So it’s like a massive, crazy party. And we’ve incorporated different venues and different types of music under the genre to try and cater to different people that enjoy different types of trance.
We’ve added that in, and it’s created one Unkoncious crazy party.
Looking at the lineup for Croatia, what does the success of Unkoncious mean for local artists and music promoters in Bangkok and Thailand internationally?
Katie: Well, the change that we’ve made actually with Unkoncious Croatia this year is we’ve targeted a lot more local and regional promoters that are actually from Europe as opposed to Asia. Traditionally, whenever we do an event in Asia, we will try to promote and give more Asian artists a platform for them to promote their songs or to even perform. So, every year we always have an array of artists and DJs and producers that are debuting on our stages or at our pre-parties or boat parties. We give them that support and at the same time they want to support our festival. But with Croatia, it’s the first time for us to reach our networks even further and contact other producers and artists in Croatia and Germany and Switzerland and everywhere regionally. We’re saying, ‘Hey, we’re gonna be having an event, would you like to come and perform with us?’ This year, we have our main festival, which will be from 10pm until 6am, but we also have a pre-party—the same venue at the
same stage, same everything—and it’s gonna be four hours each day where we showcase regional talent, and it’s free entry. So anyone can come, you don’t even need to have festival tickets.
So, it’s Phuket, Chonburi, Croatia. Where, where do you think you might be heading next?
Lon: We have Road to Unkoncious. It would be like a smaller scale trance show that promoters host. Last year we had Road to Unkoncious in Taipei and then we hosted Road to Unkoncious in Shenzhen, China. And we are doing smaller parties as well and maybe in the future we might be doing one in Vietnam or Myanmar or Singapore, maybe Melbourne as well.
Thailand, in particular Pattaya, has had some drug and health problems at festivals in recent years, a lot of them drug related. How does Unkoncious keep concertgoers safe?
Katie: I think that’s a practice that we all have to take regardless. I think a lot of people that come to Unkoncious just wanna wanna have a good time, right? I think it’s important to be vigilant and also to stay up to the international standard of how to take care of your guests— whether it’s providing paramedics or exit points or lifeguards on duty and things like that. So it’s very important for us to follow the proper standard festival rules and regulations. And also try to always inform people and always have a line of constant communication and let them know that they’re able to reach you quite easily.
Lon: For me, I think our crowd is like 90% overseas, and these people know the drug laws in Thailand are quite tough. Compared to other festivals in Thailand, I think locals are able to get their hands on the stuff more. So I think with our festival we have less of this issue.
Anything else you’d like to let our readers know about your upcoming events?
Lon: Next year in Thailand, it will most likely be in Phuket, maybe in the first or second weekend of February—but not confirmed yet. I’m also working on a new project called In a Coma, which is a techno brand. I branched it out, one for trance, one for techno. And this is more like a club show. We started in March and we had our event in Bangkok, and then in Phuket and then in Chiang Mai at Liquid Room. ●
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