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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

Junior Creator Poom Petsophonsakul

Head of Digital Nuttajuk Kittichailuk

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Piti Rungrojanaluck

Senior Business Development Manager

Chalida Anuwattanawong

Junior Business Development Officer

Panchita Santaveesuk

Finance & Operations Manager Manita Satra

Managing Director Dietrich Neu

Publisher, Printer, and Editor Tara Rattanaphas

Cover photo Lucky’s hungry

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bk in brief Sukhumvit Soi 38 has a new community space for people who love crafts and coffee

& noted Quince takes the next step with their new Tabula Rasa project Megabangna get in the loop bkmagazine.com latest news and trends @bkmagazine contest, updates, stories facebook.com/ bkmagazine

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Tictactoe is the new date bar that just launched at Emsphere

upfront

If you don’t know the lovable pygmy hippo Moo Deng, then we don’t know where you’ve been. The darling of Khao Kheow Open Zoo has been in newspapers all over the world for being almost unbelievably adorable—inspiring fan art, fashion, and even make-up tutorials. Now, the zoo is dealing with an influx of visitors, some of whom aren’t very respectful of Moo Deng’s privacy.

YOU SAID WHAT? BY THE NUMBERS

20,000 people voted to name the pygmy hippo “Moo Deng”, meaning “Bouncy Pork”.

Due to her popularity, Khao Kheow Open Zoo has set a five-minute limit on views of Moo Deng.

In September, traffic to the zoo was backed up by two hours on a Saturday morning to make way for 12,000 visitors.

Groups to see Moo Deng are capped at 30 to 50 people at a time.

Born on July 10th of this year, the Moo Deng may grow to as much as 200-270 kilograms.

HOT OR NOT

For those who can’t make it, the zoo is setting up a 24hour live stream to follow Moo Deng’s antics.

Native to West Africa, pygmy hippos weigh around a quarter of their common hippo cousins, and only around 2,000 remain in the wild.

The Khao Kheow Open Zoo now has 2.1 million followers on Tiktok.

Visitors to the zoo have more than doubled, but some guests have thrown food at Moo Deng and have even been splashing her with water while she’s sleeping to wake her up.

“A picture of Fries and Ketchup for the promo pictures…. Ffs,”

— Instagram user @christian.abbot on BK’s piece on Emsphere’s new Tictactoe date bar.

“If that’s Thonglor South I’m rechristening Phra Khanong as Thonglor East.”

— Facebook user Adam Beechinor on the new Baan Tayler community space.

“What happened to Aman Resorts deal in this property that’s already half completed in construction…. Are we to have forgotten about that? lol?”

— Instagram user @you_dont_see_ that_everyday on BK’s article about renovations to Bangkok’s Old Custom’s Building.

Beyond the Vines

Originating in Singapore, the multidisciplinary fashion and lifestyle brand Beyond the Vines has finally expanded to Bangkok. The touch down in Central World was completed with a 3,500-square-foot flagship store, making it the brand’s largest shop in Southeast Asia.

Speakerbox

It’s sad news for live music fans in Thonglor as the long-time space Speakerbox shut its doors—a beloved spot for up-and-comers and visiting acts alike. But, it’s not all bad news. The venue plans to reopen nearby in December, with a much, much bigger venue.

So Random

Random Museum, hosted in Tuba, opened a three-in-one gallery, bar, and furniture shop collaborating with Papaya Furniture Studio and impressionist artist Khontarat “Oil” Techatrisor, better known as Give Me Museum. The pop up will last until Oct 14.

Prawit Unplugged

The coup making, reporter slapping, and luxe watch owning Prawit found himself in recent hot water after recordings of him were unearthed that saw him scrounging for more power. What else is new? But the recordings may constitute an ethics violation. The PPRP claims the audio is AI.

Photo: Moo Deng / Facebook, Khao Kheow Open Zoo

The Langham to renovate Bangkok’s Old Customs House into a luxury hotel

If you’re ever taking visitors on the Chaophraya or staring out from IconSiam, you might have wondered, “Hey, what’s that big ol’ building?” The answer is Bangkok’s Old Customs House built in 1888. Earlier this week, the hotel brand Langham Hospitality Group announced they would be renovating the building into a new riverside hotel.

The company, in cooperation with Rabbit Holdings (which you’ll find on the BTS cart in your wallet), announced on Tuesday that it plans to open a new branded hotel at the Old Customs House in 2026 featuring 78 rooms.

This could also be big news for foodies. The Langham in Hong Kong—where the company is headquartered—is home to the three Michelin-starred T’ang Court helmed by Chef Kwong Wai Keung, and the announcement from the hotel chain said the Bangkok location will host a T’ang outlet. The new space will also feature the signature Chuan Spa.

The Bangkok building, constructed in neoPalladian style, fell out of use in 1949 when customs moved to Khlong Toei. So, it’s in a bit of a state. In 2005, it seemed like the property would become a new Aman resort—which started its first ultra-luxe hotel in Phuket—but nothing ever came of it.

Sukhumvit Soi 38 has a new community space for people who love crafts and coffee

Last month, Baan Talyer entered a soft opening phase, providing the folks on Sukhumvit Soi 38 with a much needed community space.

If you’re hoping to stop in for a coffee, Baan Talyer features Thai coffee, tea, and chocolate drinks served in Thai ceramic and glassware—so be careful with it. The Thai-origin coffee changes every week. Visitors will also find a Thai craft chocolate bar with more than 20 types of Thailand chocolates.

You can sit outside and enjoy the relative piece of South Thonglor or in the light and functional interior of this petfriendly, plant-based spot. Baan Talyer’s workshop (Workbench) and studio spaces hold collaborations with local artists and creators, so keep up to date with Baan Talyer on upcoming events on social media. Beyond the beans, the space is suited for crafts, workshops, and yoga. They’ve recently hosted child development programs from Atlas Learning, charity sound meditation, and craft meetups.

Maho Rasop announces more than 20 new acts for November festival

Earlier this month, Maho Rasop announced the French band Air as a leading headliner for the two-day festival in November, and now they’ve come out with a list of more than 20 acts that will be rocking out at ESC Park.

Boasting a broad range of international acts, indie group ADOY will be joining from South Korea alongside the Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, and it’s more good news for indie fans as New Jersey’s Real Estate returns. For lovers of Russian post-punk, Motorama will be hitting the stage alongside the chill shoegazer tunes from Hitsujibungaku.

Down the set list is LA’s post-punk Automatic, Big Special out of the UK, krautrock from China FAZI, and synth rock from South Korea’s Silica Gel. For a little untza-untza EDM magic, there will be Patient of the Netherlands and Osaka’s bass master Ryota. Acts from Singapore, Indonesia, and more will be joining the set.

But, if it’s local music you crave, Thailand is fielding an impressive lineup as well. Indie rock group out of Chiang Mai Yonlapa will be in the house as well as chic Flower.far. Venn will be bringing the funk rock, and Lepyutin will be hitting you with neo-psychedelic. ●

The Old Customs Building

Maho Rasop 2023

Baan Talyer

BK Staff

The breakfast issue is a big deal to us at BK. You love it. We love it. And we do it every year. This year, we’re happy to introduce a host of new picks from hidden and cheap morning snacks from Myanmar to American-themed diners doing PB&J milkshakes. We’ve also got quite a few spaces that are open before 8am for you early risers. So, let’s wake up.

= open before 8 am

Ari / Chatuchak

PROGRESS CAFE

Hidden inside Ari Story hostel, Progress Cafe is the cafe-by-day-and-bar-by-night to know. Those who enjoy fruity coffee can try the Black Yuzu (B120), a cold brew with house made yuzu syrup and lime. And get yourself a square of their gooey chocolate brownie (B50) to add some sweetness to your morning. But if you’re more of a smoothie person, their new tropical blend (B135) will give you some pina colada flavor sans alcohol.

LUCKY’S HUNGRY AFR

From a successful online biz to a fully fledged storefront, Lucky’s Hungry AFR takes the simple concept of American fried rice and elevates it to the next level. The Chicken Supreme AFR (B319) tops your fried rice with French-style chicken confit, bits of smoked ham, bacon, Italian cheese sausage, and fried egg. Take the American theme up a notch with a PB&J milkshake that will boost your blood sugar levels. Adding a bit of greens, we tried out the watermelon cheese salad (B195) which tosses some rocket with some feta and dried fish.

KOPI HUB PRIME ARI

Taking the dimsum experience to new heights, Kopi Hub Prime Ari doesn’t limit your porridge and xiaomi to regular ingredients; they add to the experience with fancy produce like ikura and truffles. Their patongko (B50) is deep fried and grilled to get that extra crunchiness and fluffy interior. The joint is also famous for their Bak Kuh Teh (B249) and fried tarot which comes in four flavors: seafood curry, red pork, pork curry and truffles.

SANAN BAKERY

What started as a family recipe has been passed down for generations. Sanan Bakery specializes in the kind of homey baked pastries that you’d grab and go before school or work. Their signature is the cone cream (B45) pie filled with custard cream. But this year’s best seller has got to go to the shio pan ham cheese tucked in a salted butter roll and four kinds of cheese. Since it’s in high demand, we recommend booking at least 2-3 hours in advance.

EGGTISAN

This vibrant red restaurant, led by the owners of the Common Room x Ari, is reserved for the real egg master who wants to create every imaginable variant of egg-based dishes in Ari. Try the runny eggs sandwich (B195) or the scrambled eggs (B170) served with smoked salmon bread. The coffee at this location is of a very high standard; basic beverages cost B90, while specialty drinks like espresso with milk cream cost B120.

LANDHAUS BAKERY

Landhaus translates to “tiny house in the country”, and that’s just how entering this little German bakery makes you feel. This hidden spot delivers its own European flavor and ambiance. They provide a variety of sandwiches and a nice selection of bread, including sourdough, baguettes, and pastries. Additionally, there is a reasonably priced currywurst with french fries (B220).

Siam

LIBI HOME

Walk inside the Kasemsarn Soi 2, and at the Jim Thompson Art Center you’ll find Libi Home. As the name implies, the venue features a homey interior design featuring wooden stairs and a varied menu with signature coffees. The must-try dish is the Libi Khao Soi (B215) serving Northern Thai curry noodles with grilled chicken, but if you think that might be a bit too hard for breakfast, try the Libi pork noodle soup (B165) to warm you up—or just pop in for an espresso or coconut juice.

CHIM CHIM

The art-inspired diner is a great way to start the day—bright and cool with high-end food. The options for bites and beverages are extensive, but our picks are the sweet and salty stax (B320) with crispy bacon, maple syrup, crispy bacon, and sunny-side-up pancakes, or the lobster rolls with lobster (B990), tiger prawns, mayonnaise, celery, lettuce, and a handmade shokupan roll for a more substantial lunch option.

EGGDROP

Featuring their famous premium fluffy egg sandwiches from Korea, Eggdrop’s Bangkok store has shiny chrome accents and a redand-white color scheme reminiscent of an

American diner. The store takes orders via kiosks, and we suggest the Mr Egg (B89), which is crunchy brioche, fluffy scrambled egg, and sriracha mayo. For something more filling, try the garlic bacon cheese (B129); the smell of the toasted garlic brioche alone will have you drooling.

HIA BUAY

This modest shop serving up cheap food for nearly a quarter of a century got a boost from politicians last year, notably Move Forward Party’s Pita Limjaroenrat. Well, a lot has changed since then, but here the yentafo (Thai pink noodle soup), dry rice porridge, and braised pork kaprao are crowd-pleasers. Hia Buay also prepares dry meals for takeout, which are wrapped in traditional banana leaves to enhance the dish’s natural scent. Best of all, the restaurant is noted for its enormous portions and reasonable prices (B60-120).

CILANTRO

At the GalileOasis art space, Cilantro is a chic restaurant for enjoying theater and art in the same area. The whole venue is a renovated building, turning into an oasis for people to connect. At Cilantro you can enjoy the turkey and emmental sandwich, serving a turkey breast with emmental cheese, and dijonaise sauce on toast (B110). Taste a little spice with the Sriracha Chicken, a chicken smothered in sriracha-mayo sauce with cheddar cheese in

panini bread (B115), and conclude with the Spanish latte for B90.

STOCKROOM

Not to be confused with the Stock.Room, this cafe has a touch of minimalism and is found deep inside Ratchathewi. Offering a breakfast and brunch menu as well as tasty desserts, the venue has a modern design and a good vibe for work and chat. The truffle cream toast (B250) is served with sourdough toast with truffle cream, parmesan, rocket Sauteed champignon and shitake, and tomato; the signature almond tart (B180) comes with mascarpone whipped cream.

Nana / Ploenchit / Asoke

TOBY’S

Toby’s serves up breakfast on Sukhumvit Soi 38, and in Saladaeng, but Ploenchit is in real need of some good brekkie. The interiors are a little more corporate than the other locations, but they still have all the Toby’s grub you love. Start with the Egg Mikado serving two poached eggs on sourdough, house-cured salmon with orange hollandaise sauce (B320), or the breakfast bruschetta, a poached egg with tomato and avocado salsa, served with sourdough, bacon, feta, and soft herb salad (B295).

Libi Home Toby’s

SOKOZY

You can walk right in after climbing down from BTS Asoke. The venue is a Thai vintage house, and with its coziness and wooden decorating, Sokozy is a good place to start a day. Begin with the Asok Acai, a bowl served with signature acai, granola, banana, and mixed berries (B250) or the pacific bowl (spirulina blend, granola, dragon fruit, mango, and goji) and freshen up with coffee. Alternatively, you can order fresh baked butter croissants to eat with protein smoothies.

TEMPERED COOPERATIVES

Opening two years ago, Tempered is Bangkok’s cacao obsessed cafe, all the chocolate dreams of a passionate couple. The space on Soi Ruamrudee 2 is a renovated five-storey office featuring creative baked goods. Opt for the new cheesy bacon roll on their new menu or just stop by for your morning joe. Their Chocolate Dirty (B225), you guessed it, is their famous hot chocolate topped with a strong espresso.

THE PABLO

Here, the king of the breakfast/brunch hours (from 9am-3pm) is, as ever, the eggs benny (B430)—a dish that separates players from the professionals. Pablo’s eggs Benedict is poached to perfection; the creamy yolk sits on a bed of generously seasoned cured salmon gravlax and a slice of the famous Conkey’s Bakery toast. The paprika dusting creates flavors reminiscent of devilled eggs and the special citrus hollandaise gives it a unique kaffir lime aroma. This space has a huge menu for breakfast lovers.

IWANE GOES NATURE

Open since 2011, Iwane Goes Nature is still knocking out healthy breakfasts in Asoke. You can opt for the simple American breakfast (B165) of scrambled eggs with ham salad and toast or the Farmer Set, which features home fried potatoes with bacon and eggs (B135). It’s also a rare chance to get a little Korean breakfast (B165), here offering spicy Korean noodles with rice balls.

Phrom Phong

SARNIES SUKHUMVIT

For fans of Bangkok cafes, Sarnies needs no introduction. Their Sukhumvit spot is still relatively new and they’re drawing early crowds who want that special Sarnies brew and a sit-down bite. You can expect a slate of the usual comfort breakfast options like miso kombu eggs Benedict served with aburi smoked salmon, sautéed leeks and shichimi togarashi (B400); or the sourdough pancakes served with apple miso caramel and housemade granola (B350).

LUKA SUKHUMVIT 31

Luka is another Bangkok favorite, but their new spot on Soi 31 is a great breakfast at the end of a crowded soi. Don’t miss the mushroom marinara and creamy pesto mushroom muffins. For something a little heartier, you can try the creamy crab, spinach, and egg bake, great for dipping fresh, charcoal-grilled sourdough bread. But, for the big breakfast fan, get the Fat Bastard, a classic collection of eggs, bacon, sausage, and more.

FEST

Fest has had a shakeup of their menu in the last year, making it a good try for anyone not wanting to face that end of Soi 31 traffic. Found on the ground floor of the Public House hotel, they’re mixing it up by putting some western faves on the menu with some ingredients that pop—think bacon pancakes (B320) with grilled caramelised rum banana, folded breakfast pizza sandwich (B320). They also have some fun veggie options like their No-avacado toast featuring house-made green veggie dip with feta cloud and two poached eggs as well as the Tofu Scramble (B250) with spinach, mushrooms, no-avo guacamole, and harissa.

CHU

So many restaurants come and go, and Chu never dies. The eggs benedict with Sloan’s back bacon (B300) and the smashed avocado toast (B320) are favorites here. Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy their Belgian waffles (B240) topped with banana, chocolate chips, salted caramel whipped cream, and dark chocolate gelato.

LARDER BKK

Chef Radek Zarbiski joined forces with chef Adrian Klonowski, formerly of Gaa, to open Larder, serving all-day sandwiches and coffee in an industrial atmosphere right in the heart of Phrom Phong. Last year they launched a breakfast menu, dubbed Brekkie 2.0—with the likes of guacamole topped with gooey poached egg and crispy rye crackers (B260)— and since then they’ve had quite a big year, with a recent anniversary and a breakfast collab with Appia.

BKK BAGELS (SOI 33)

It was a big win for the Sukhumvit crowd when this spot came to Phrom Phong last year. It’s hard to find a better bagel joint in Bangkok, and now they’ve got a spot in Phrom Phong. Choose from a number of different kinds of bagels and schmear for B50. However, the Breakfast Epic with Bacon (B215) which also comes with gruyere, gouda, or cheddar cheese is our favorite breakfast item—that bacon is just insanely good. You can also add some plain bagels and schmear of your choice. If you want something a little higher end, try the Lock, Stock, and Bagel (B250), which has house-cured salmon.

Sokozy

Sarnies

Thonglor/Ekkamai

DOS BURROS

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.

CAFFÈ OLIVES

From the minds behind the unstoppably brilliant L’Olivia comes Caffe Olives, found at the same space. The all-day brunch fare here is good for an early breakfast too, with the likes of maple bacon sausage and eggs (B320) featuring greens, potatoes, and toasted focaccia or their Italian egg shakshuka (B320). If you’re there on the weekend, opt for the focaccia eggs Benedict (B350) with poached eggs, ham, and Hollandaise sauce. Coffees start at B390, and you can grab yourself a little brioche filled gelato for that morning sweet tooth (B220)

DAISIE MAY’S HOME CAFE

The word “quaint” comes to mind when thinking of this place. The food is your classic breakfast fare with a selection of dishes including croissants and very hearty full breakfasts. But it’s likely the cute design, outdoor seating, and family friendly area that will catch your attention—a bit like an English garden made for Ekkamai.

ROLLING ROASTERS

A new station from the Rolling Roasters crew (who are really into coffee) in the heart of downtown, this space gives the coffee bean lovers a space that looks more akin to a futuristic coffee lab than a cafe. And even though this is definitely a spot for the coffee nerds awake early, it’s also serving up some fun food items like their Big Brekkie (B300) and french toast (B250) with strawberries, blueberries, and bananas.

The beloved Gigi Dining Hall has opened another Italian restaurant and cafe, this time in Ekkamai. This new venture, which you may have seen already from the BTS, will have both fan favorites and new classics in store. For something sweet and classic, try the Dolce Pancakes (B250) with caramelized banana, honey, vanilla ice cream, and mascarpone or maybe the Nutella Croissant (B170). For something more savory there’s the Gigi Breakfast (B420) with in-house smoked salmon, eggs, Italian ham, avocado mash, and chickpea salad.

KYND KULTURE

This one’s for you vegans out there. Kynd Kulture is found on the quiet Ekkamai Soi six and is beloved of health nuts and Instagrammers alike. They have some sweet favorites like a Hokkaido banana toast, but for a big and very vegan breakfast, you can reach a little further for something like their Young Blood (B290) featuring avocado with edamame, quinoa, and kimchi, or their Beat Up (B260) with organic beetroot hummus with avocado feta cheese and avocado and more spread across sourdough bread.

Phra Khanong/Onnut

HOLEY MOTHERSHIP

BAKERY AND CAFE

There are four Holey Bakery outlets around Bangkok, so why did we choose to include the branch in Phra Khanong. Frankly, it’s because the neighborhood really, really needs it. Now, let’s talk breakfast. First off, a big one for egg lovers is the three egg Pan Eggs (B400) with mushroom ragout and sauteed spinach alongside spinach and kale to put on your sourdough toast. And the breakfast pizza (B400) and Mighty Shakshuka (B400) are also must-trys. For sweets, you’re spoiled for choice with dozens of cookies, pastries, and cakes from this staple bakery.

PA MA HENG THE EATERY

Chic, homey, pet-friendly—Pa Ma Heng came on the scene last year with a large space, a cun vibe, and breakfast food everyone loves. From the outside, it looks like a large family home— not particularly ostentatious—but the menu is giant. For something a little unexpected, zhuzh up your normal Thai breakfast with the ka-prow Australian beef ribeye over rice (B485) or the ka-prow salmon (B535). You’ll also find a selection of waffles and sweets alongside the normal breakfast favorites like three different styles of eggs Benedict.

LAXMI CELEBRATING OF MYANMAR FOOD

For the last few years, this has been a little Phra Khanong secret, serving up Myanmar fare—and where else can you get mohinga noodles at 6am? On the breakfast menu, you’ll find extremely affordable bites like the Shan noodles for just B50 and bean fried rice

GIGI EKKAMAI

Dos Burros

Gigi Ekkamai

Holey Mothership

for just B60. And, if you really want to start your morning off with a bang, they’ve got a breakfast mala curry (B120) that will wake you up.

NICOLO BAKERY

It’s a chill, pet-friendly shophouse bakery between Ekkamai and Phra Khanong that’s a perfect spot for early morning dog walkers. They’ve got a wide range of fresh breads to try daily, but the real treats here are sweet and affordable. You can snaffle up a moist brownie here for just B95 and three Petite Madeleines for B55. The space is big enough and stylish enough to relax—and you won’t miss their signage.

DE NADA

Despite being hidden away in a refurbished Thai bungalow just off Sukhumvit Soi 56, this one is worth a stop (if you can spot it from the road). There’s an upstairs area to chill out, ornate furniture, and a very French style feel here. The pastries and light breakfast bites take center stage, with more than a dozen types of croissant you could from ring croissants doused in Nutella to twist croissants stuffed with ham and melted cheese. It’s also pet friendly, so bring along your pooch or feline to rummage around outside. It’s also cheeky, quiet getaway for people who want to work remotely in their own little cabin away from it all.

PRIDI

This mid-century cafe is refurbished from an old home, maintaining its comforting atmosphere. Wake yourself up with a perfectly brewed iced americano (B100) or get some drip coffee off their in-house espresso bar. The food department doesn’t miss, complete

with a delicious chicken liver pate (B165), a favorite amongst customers that comes with homemade sourdough and fermented cream and strawberry jam.

Old Town / Charoenkrung

LOCAL BOYS

Songwat’s latest cafe, Local Boy Coffee, is open for Bangkok’s legions of picky coffee lovers to explore, experiment, and geek out about your favorite beans. Their Coco Box Coffee (B195) in particular is a must try. With a coconut ice cream tucked in a chocolate shell, the complexities are heightened when the top melts into the shot of coffee underneath. If the caffeine hasn’t lifted up your energy levels, the venue’s feel good playlist that belongs in the Guardians of the Galaxy soundtrack, will certainly do the trick.

EGA LUV SEAFOOD

Ega, known for its experimental local Thai food menu on Songwat, has launched its little sister project, Ega Luv Seafood. As the name suggests, the spot shines with its seafood ingredients: grilled, steamed, boiled, and baked to your delight. Go in the morning and you’ll also get your pick of fusion Asian brekkies. Order khao kriap pak mor yuan (B120), thin rice dumplings with a slice of lime to keep things light or try out the udon style kao ji (B50), a hotdog with Thai pork sausage and khun chiang.

PULSE PHRA ARTHIT

Set up on top of the nostalgic ice cream shop, Coconut Culture, Pulse Phra Arthit carves out a zen space amid the surrounding tourist

attractions. Get your fuel before heading to the walking distance of tourist destinations with their selection of baked goods from lemon cake (B130) to matcha strawberry soft cookies (B140). If you’re trekking through the beating sun, we recommend getting a glass of yuzu strawberry soda (B120) for a quick refresher.

SONGWAT COFFEE ROASTER

From the minds behind Bangkok’s hot F&B spots like Pridi, After You, and Rong Klan Nuea, comes Songwat Coffee Roaster. Their house blend is Brazil Cerrado which lends a satisfying chocolate nutty caramel quality. Grab a cup of joe along with their variety of croissants like the chestnut flavor topped with swirls of mont blanc (B165) or the black sesame pastry mixed with mascarpone (B160).

5AM

Specializing in soy milk, 5am has a “dark roast” (B40) and “light roast” (B40) option— just like coffee. The dark roast has a heavier body with a soothing smoky aroma while the light brings nostalgic notes of downing a cup of soy milk before going to school. We also recommend the patongko honey lemon (B175), a similar concept to honey toast but topped with a light soft serve and drizzled in a blend of zesty syrup.

ON LOK YUN

For those who want a little bit of throwback, this legendary 90 years old breakfast spot is the perfect way to start the day. The cafe puts a Thai spin on western style breakfast with the American breakfast (B65) but real fans will be there on the dot for the classic kanom pang sankaya, bread with Thai style egg-coconut milk custard (B28). The affordable lineup would not complete without their coffee which starts at B35.

PUNJAB SWEETS

Would you like to try something new for your breakfast run? The Phahurat Indian coffee shop offers an endless variety of Indian sweet treats. Try out the crispy and flavorful paneer dosa (B100), the fudge-like barfi bites (B15), and cut the saccharine flavors with some freshly brewed chai tea (B15).

Pridi

Local Boys

Sathorn / Silom

TARNS COFFEE

A new spot on Suan Phlu, Tarn Coffee has quickly become a cozy pre-work hangout just a stone’s throw away from breakfast essentials like Holey Bakery or the New Orleans brunch spot Tina’s. Go for something a little special with the Lemony Sunset (B140), a refreshing lemon peppermint infused with cold brew and browse through their mini selection of sweet and savory pastries. The ham and cheese croffle (B120) has the right amount of filling so you don’t go into a food coma on your way to the office.

HALFWAY

Bangkok is never short of brunch spots, but the true gems are still a bit of a dig. Halfway is a meeting point between Asian-Aussie fusion cuisine and cool drinks. Their dry-aged duck Congee (B300) includes a creamy egg yolk for you to dip with their patongko. And their Veggie Mary (B320) might satisfy your sweet tooth while keeping things fresh and filling.

DYSF

This brand new Sathon cafe is taking the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” quite seriously. DYSF (short for Darlin You’re So Fine) is a two-story brunch to late night eatery, serving several apple based items. The DYSF signature iced tea (B140), for example, contains mini diced apples in a refreshing blend of jasmine yuzu lychee base. For a filling breakfast, DYSF fried chicken (B350) will give you sufficient energy with that kimchi pancake topped with crispy chicken and a tangy secret sauce.

CHENNAI KITCHEN

A reliable vegetarian Indian breakfast joint, at Chennai Kitchen you’ll find essentials like ghee dosa (B140) which you can request a masala version to up the heat, or the vada (lentil donuts) which seem harmless at first but are stuffed with chili—so tread carefully. But if you’re craving something a little sweet and sour, we recommend the idli Manchurian, deep fried lentil patties in tomato onion sauce. And order some lassi while you’re at it.

TAKE EAT EASY

Coming to you from Tim Butler—famed for the fare at spots like Eat Me—this new space is a backyard-style getaway in Yenakart with an all-day dining Northern Californian cuisine. For their breakfast menu which serves from 8am-1pm, you can order the quick breakfast set (B200) which comes with 2 eggs (cooked to your liking) along with some bread, greens, and your choice of coffee or tea. They also got the Full Breakfast option (B450) which adds grilled bacon, tomatoes, potatoes, and champignon to the original mix. 19, Yenakat Rd., 080-154-5000. Open daily 8ammidnight.

GOWIN DIMSUM

Bangkokians on the hunt for all-you-can-eat dim sum feasts have a new spot in the city center to check out. From Chef Ton of Le Du, comes Gowin Dimsum. They offer basics like dumplings, steamed buns, and har gaw for the wallet friendly price of B39. But if you want the elevated experience, they’ve got freshly made and inventive flavors for the premium options. Others must try a la carte include the spice-filled Gowin Bak Kut Teh (B149) and the baked rice with red pork (B459).

JUST A DRINK MAYBE

Sathorn-Silom natives might recognize this blue-navy hang out spot as the casual bar that specializes in concocting gin-based drinks. After a temporary shut down period due to the pandemic, this cozy venue is back up and running with a customizable breakfast menu. Start your day with a classic bagel sandwich, “the GOAT ‘’ in particular, offers a rich layer of cream cheese under crispy bacon, sunny sides, tomatoes, and cheddar cheese.

CREMA CAFE AND BOOKS

Not so far from Chong Nonsi BTS station, this artsy cafe is decorated with colorful tiles, arched doors, and curved furniture. It is known for the smoked salmon cream cheese bagel (B180), but if you want a heavier option, you can go for the four cheese combo (B140). Their new yuzu earl gray creme brulee donut (B85) adds a bit of a sweet option to the pile. Due to the owner’s love of literature, the spot is an attractive hangout for bookworms, offering an interesting collection of photo books and magazines. ●

Crema Cafe and Books

Quince takes the next step with their new Tabula Rasa project

The mainstay Quince reopened as Tabula Rasa on Sep 1, wiping the slate clean for a revamped venue. Quince announced they’ll be opening as Tabula Rasa on social media in August after more than 12 years under the brand. The new name derives from restaurant Taverna Tabula Rasa in Zurich, Switzerland, home of their incoming chef Ivan Nardozza. The debut of Tabula Rasa began with a two-week soft opening, available for brunch from 8:30am-3pm and dinner 4pm-9:30pm. Quince has been serving high-end dishes since 2012, moving from its Sukhumvit Soi 45 space in 2018 to the Sansiri’s complex, Siri House, serving food spanning French, Thai, Korean, Italian, Mediterranean, and Japanese cuisine. The official relaunch came on Sep 18.

Udom Suk gets a friendly neighborhood doughnut shop

The recently opened cafe, Jsu a la Maison (read as Jay Su, like the famous Michelin resto Jay Fai) is serving moderately sweet donuts and drinks at Udom Suk’s latest community space. Set up in Neighborhood Drama, the new cafe is in an up-and-coming lifestyle hang out spot that just so happens to come with garage sale-esque furniture and vintage collectibles. During Covid Sunicha “Fai” Xuto, started uploading cooking videos on social media. Her followers nicknamed that segment “Jsu Kitchen” and it stuck. Jay being a colloquial term for an older sister. At first, Fai experimented with a lot of desserts. Being a fan of choux cream and eclairs, she wanted to create her own version. But those treats require an oven, so she pivoted toward donut holes which share a similar DNA but can be fried.

Mensho Tokyo reopens with a brand new contemporary design and upgraded recipes

The world famous ramen joint Mensho Tokyo with branches from Bangkok to San Francisco reopened last week after a brief renovation period. The return features warm tone fixtures reflecting their comforting noodles and belly-warming broth. A staple among BKK ramen fans since 2018, Mensho Tokyo was bound for a little reboot. Out with the drab black marble and in with the bright red walls. The venue boasts daily made fresh noodles, and now customers get to see the prep process up close and personal sans the plexiglass barrier between the kitchen and the dining area. With more than 1,000 ramen recipes in their roster, BKK can now get a taste of some local specials and international favorites.

Quince

Jsu a la Maison

Mensho Tokyo

Samyan’s Autumn Scoop serves comfort ice cream made from local ingredients

Launched just nine months ago, the artisanal ice cream shop Autumn Scoop has followed the successful online business to pop ups with a physical store at the community mall Slowcombo just behind Samyan Mitrtown. Co-founder and ice cream lover Nichapat “Prae” Bundechanan explains that the name derives from the coziness of the season—cool but not teeth-chattering. Keeping with their name, their ice cream is, of course, icy, but comes with a warm heart. When coming up with the flavors, the team starts with the ingredients first and then they source and contact farmers directly without using a middle man. The first line up of flavors includes rice, sesame, banana muffin cheese, and chrysanthemum.

Black Me-O Boat Noodle is Bantadthong’s latest affordable quick bite

The F&B food group “It’s Happened to be a Closet”—behind the success of names like the experimental Thai resto Ega and the Italian joint A Pink Rabbit + Bob—has established a new boat noodle noodle spot on the booming Bantadthong street. With the rising popularity comes skyrocketing prices. However, Black Me-O Boat Noodle ladles their mini bowls of goodies at the affordable price of B30. Don’t underestimate the size. It might be tiny, but the soup packs a punch. Even if you order the spice level at 50%, it will still get you panting and sweating. We recommend ordering some pork rind (B30) and gyoza (B39) to ease the pain. This joint is set up a little bit behind Chulalongkorn Centenary Park and it’s decked out with black cat iconography. ●

TABLE TALK

80/20

1052 - 1054 Charoen Krung Rd., 099118-2200, Open Wed-Sun 6pm-11pm. One of the most well-known names in the Charoenkrung food game is stronger than ever in 2024, thanks to its unwavering commitment to local ingredients, recipes, and the work of Michelin-starred chef Thav Phouthavong, who attempts to merge the charm of Thai and Laotian food under one roof. Thav, who grew up in Laos, adds a unique dashes of his hometown throughout the menu, such as the Koi beef tartare which is reinterpreted with Australian wagyu topped with egg yolk gel and caviar. The venue is wonderfully designed in an industrial-loft style; leather cushion seats, and black walls painted with Lai Thai art the combine for a relax and comfortable vibe. The open kitchen, visible to nearly all guests, add another level of atmosphere, too.

Exclusively for UOB Credit Cards

Get 15% discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages for UOB Reserve, UOB Infinite, UOB Zenith, UOB Royal Orchid Plus Preferred, UOB Royal Orchid Plus, UOB KrisFlyer World Elite, UOB KrisFlyer World, UOB PRIVI Miles and UOB Mercedes (excluding other promotions and special events)

1 Aug ’24 – 31 Jul ’25

Black Me-O

Autumn Scoop

ONGGI TAKES KOREAN FERMENTED GOODS TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The buzz: Chef Injin Kim of Banjoo Korean BBQ, known for its quality beef, is indulging in another passion with Korean cookbooks at Onggi, blending age-old Korean cooking with Thai ingredients. Korean for the earthenware used to store fermented foods, Onggi is not just an homage to technique.

The vibe: Set on the 55th floor of The Empire Tower with wrap-around views of Sathorn, the blinking city lights add to the tranquil, private appeal of this space at night: dim lights, a warm glow, and a calming soundtrack that lets you focus on the food.

The food: As an opener, they served a “Jang,” a tasting spread to familiarize you with the sauces throughout the meal. Their gochujang is less spicy because they’ve swapped the chillies grown in Korea for chillies grown in Thailand. Another standout is the house made fermented jocheong rice syrup with a honeylike consistency from fermenting rice in malt and stewing until properly viscous. Fish sauce is ubiquitous in Thai cuisines but theirs is less of a sharp saltiness and more of a complex ocean flavor from fermented snow crabs and anchovies. You can sample the sauces alone or lather it on dried organic cabbage. The veg has been baked for slightly over a day for that crispy texture—a simple base with a hint of seaweed aroma unseasoned to let the sauce

do all the talking. Then comes six multi-texture bites followed by the boiled slices of pig head, prepped in a special broth to reduce the gamey smell. It is served with their daily made tofu and two types of kimchi. The fresh kimchi is more fresh, crunchy, and raw while the fermented kimchi—having been absorbing the sauce for longer—yields a more tangy taste. It is recommended that you stack all the ingredients and enjoy it in a single bite. Plunging into their seafood, the pre-sliced firm yet bouncy river prawns sit atop a creamy smoked crab cream paste blended with black garlic sauce. Believe it or not, that’s not what Onggi wants you to focus on; the pickled vegetables are the star, featuring varying intensities depending on time in the soy sauce.

Fun fact: You should go against your instincts when it comes to the spiciness of Korean soup. The redder the soup, the milder the taste. Their seafood soup with buoyed bitesize

Why we’d go back: With a host of techniques and determination to pluck from local ingredients, there is never a shortage of inspiration for the menu. Their fish, for example, includes sustainably caught catch of the day so each visit will be a treat.

55F, Empire Tower, 1 S Sathon Rd., Open Tues 5-9pm; WedSun 12:30-3:30pm and 5-9:30pm ●

Sarisa Pokawattana

Beyond kimchi and bulgogi.

TINA’S SATHORN

7 Thanon Suan Phlu, Sathon, 062-141-6549. Open daily 11:30am-3pm, and 5:30pm-11pm TABLE TALK

Tina’s Sathorn came on to the Bangkok scene at the start of the year, and the cuisine they’re eyeing—New Orleans-style comfort food—is not a familiar one to Bangkok. Sure, it’s not entirely new. Spots like Bourbon Street have done it in the past, but Tina’s is taking it up a notch. BK visited for lunch rather than dinner to tuck into some of their more accessible dishes.

The space bleeds NOLA, and, like the cuisine, is contemporary and stylish. But, it’s not without soul. Indeed, you’re greeted with a photo of executive chef David Cleland’s mother, the eponymous Tina, at the entrance. The Southern Goddess Salad (B300) hit a refreshing start—featuring baby gem lettuce topped with biscuit croutons, lardons, charred baby corn, and pickled beets—and the real star was the creamy herbal dressing.

The biscuits with country gravy (B250) hit all the crumbly Americana notes (if perhaps a trifle dense) and were smothered in a white gravy with Andouille sausage—rich without being overly fatty—that is not your average sawmill gravy. This is a starter you may want to share.

The “homemade” feel is palpable. Everything is seemingly made from scratch,

even the table’s hot sauce. But a highlight was the shrimp and grits (B630): peeled plump prawns fried with creamy but crispy grits crispy finished off with an intense, sweet sauce.

This is New Orleans, so let’s talk gumbo (B450). It’s hard to impress gumbo vets, but this rich, smoky broth is filled with generous and tender chunks of duck and sausage. The dessert comes with a caveat. We missed out on the beignets, as they were not available during our visit. We know you want beignets. So did we. But, we opted for the Bread Pudding French Toast (B270) featuring brioche bread pudding studded with raisins and sautéed in butter slathered in a caramel sauce. Simple, fragrant, and indulgent.

The crawfish boil, which the menu claims is available Fri-Sun, was only available on Sunday brunch. For fans of New Orleans food, it’s a big reason to return.

The food is fairly unique for Bangkok (at least in terms of quality) and the price is right. Spots like this can lean from authenticity straight into gimmick, but, from the decor to your plate, Tina’s is doing it right. And you can bet we’ll be going back for dinner. ●

R-HAAN

131 Sukhumvit 53, 02-059-0433, Open daily 6pm-11pm.

Embrace Thainess at the two Michelin-starred R-HAAN guided by mastermind chef Chumpol Jangprai, who is best known for bringing out the unique flavors of Thai ingredients from across the country and blending them into an authentic Thai fine-dining experience you can’t get elsewhere. Other than the favorites, like the premium Northern Thai tomato confit salad with local herbs and spices, mountain’s avocado mousse, the menu offers a plethora of dishes inspired by the four regions’ cuisines, embodying Thailand’s rich cultural heritage. The venue also offers you a serene green enclave, tucked away from the busy center of Sukhumvit; at first sight, it appears as a flat-roofed building, modest on the outside, but inside it reveals a warm, inviting atmosphere replete with a cozy lounge decorated in classical Thai style with modern furnishings.

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1 May ’24 – 30 Apr ’25

Tictactoe is the new date bar that just launched at Emsphere

From the team behind the successful high-class Echelon club in Thonglor comes Tictactoe, a dating bar on the 5th floor of Emsphere.

Among the other boozy spots here, Tictactoe lures you in with its sensual magenta and violet lighting—giving off a 5-star New York hotel lounge vibe without the stuffiness. Seating is simple, with public, private, and VIP zones.

Regulars at Echelon will know it for the high tech sound system, and the team has passed on the torch to Tictactoe. They’ve brought in a Void Nexus 6 speaker which is on par with the ones used for international music festivals such as Wonderfruit or Tomorrowland.

A good party is all about the pacing, so everyday from 8:30-9:30pm, the venue starts off with some live music or classy piano playing. Afterward, the DJ takes over and it’s time to hit the dance floor.

The new cocktail menu from Waldorf Astoria’s The Loft is inspired by 20th century touchstones

One of BK’s picks for top 10 hotel bars, Waldorf Astoria’s art deco bar, The Loft, has just introduced a brand new cocktail menu inspired by cultural landmarks and inventions spanning the 20th century.

The Loft is found atop the Waldorf Astoria, and has been quick to make a name for itself among cocktail lovers and have been keen on sticking to their themes, such as the art-inspired cocktails launched last year.

Bar manager Song Terbsiri takes his experience from Hilton Hotel Adelaide, Renaissance, and Capella to this new series.

We start light and sweet with Red Velvet (B620), a cake that Waldorf Astoria helped popularize in New York. The glass is coated with white chocolate and will have you go through a thin layer of buttery cream before getting to the luxurious red velvet syrup. They also have strawberry chocolate shavings for that extra pop of color.

Akara Sky Hanuman just launched a brand new menu inspired by all things Thai

Launched earlier this year, Akara Sky Hanuman in Ploenchit has launched new drinks based on Thai iconographies and culture.

You might already know them for the Thai dance performance and the state-of-the art Hanuman head surrounding the bar area as well as their show stopping mural on the ceiling, but the Thai inspired drinks cement this as a spot to take friends from out of town.

With a solid reputation for turning famous Thai dishes into boozy sips at Lost in Thaislation, this time around Suchada “Fahbeer” Sopajaree’s signature menu for Hanuman is under the theme “Amazing Thailand”—a phrase you’ll know Tourism Authority of Thailand’s campaigns. The menu pulls inspiration from well known Thai dishes, sports, festivals, and iconography. Unfortunately, Lisa from Blackpink didn’t make the cut.

The roll out of 10 signature cocktails includes: Goong Phao (grilled prawn), Poo Phad Phong Curry (Thai crab curry), Tom Kha Gai (Thai coconut chicken soup), Mango Sticky Rice, and a more conceptual menu that’ll keep you guessing the flavors like the Songkran, Muay Thai, Tuk Tuk, Thai Massage, Floating Market, or the hit Khaosan Road (beer topped with an edible scorpion). ●

THE 16-SEAT RUBY’S IS A GEM-THEMED DATE BAR THAT TAKES COCKTAILS SERIOUSLY

Who says geology can’t be sexy?

Tyler Roney

The buzz: Ms. Jigger needs no introduction to Bangkok, but the sultry “prequel” to that bar, Ruby’s, opened in August this year, slinging signature cocktails to just 16 seats. And, to top it off, they’re serving up elevated bites to down with the sultry drinks—making this a one stop date shop for first dates.

The venue: Drinkers sit with their backs to the Kimpton Maa Lai’s Ms. Jigger, and that’s all part of the story. The space is based on a fictional parting of the ways with Ms. Jigger, a young beau who shot his shot and is now bereft. The space for Ruby’s contains just 16 seats with a view to the hotel’s green grounds around a bar with plenty of elbow space. Sleek and simple, right angles and white chairs.

The drinks: The creative menu is a pop-up book based around a gemstone theme— emeralds, opals, diamonds—all coming with a story (sometimes a quite sexy story that makes your bartender go a little red in the face). Of the 14 on offer, there are some really creative concoctions here. The Aquamarine was a favorite of the night and a big one for whiskey drinkers; it’s a mix of Nikka whiskey with a Cocchi Americano and tamarind mixed with yuzu sake, dates, five spice, earl grey, hinoki bitters and pandan oil. The result is a sweet, smooth, easy-to-down cocktail with tea notes that bite. Another one for the whiskey lovers is the Tanzanite where Bulleit Bourbon meets beetroot: the drink mixes the heady flavors with a blast of citrus, carrot, and green apple, with some savory black salt and chili to give it depth.

For something a little simpler on the whiskey side, there’s the Sunstone which pulls a spiritforward drink from Naked Malt mixed with saffron, umeshu, and shiso. For something a little less adventurous, the Ketel One vodkabased Blue Sapphire (which comes with a story of love bites) mixed with flowery, fruity notes like elderflower, butterfly pea, pear, and verjus. On the gin side, you’ve got the Amethyst, a gin drink for people who don’t like gin, pulling earthy notes from the earthy spirit, but the Emerald is far more complex: gin with melon, mango sticky rice, and a durian foam that leaves the taste without the nose. Hidden by Ms. Jigger and with a geology themed menu, this is the one time that we’re comfortable calling a bar an “undiscovered gem”. Tip: if you like design, don’t let them take the menu from you; it’s gorgeous.

The food: Their “Nibbles” menu is a far cry from bar grub and leans more into a degustation menu, which you can have in three, six, or 11 courses. Must-haves of the eleven are the Wagyu with truffle, gorgonzola, and onion on a tiny brioche bun, and the king crab is a delectable little ravioli. Our favorite of the lot, though, was the risotto with a speck ham crumble in a parmesan bowl—perfectly crisped rice with taleggio.

Why we’d go back: If you’re planning a meal at any of the area’s dining spots or just want to class things up before you head up to Bar.Yard to dance, this space has a is a quiet corner of creative cocktails that gets you in an indulgent mood—particularly if you’re gearing up for a date night. ●

PRINCE THEATRE HERITAGE STAY IS YOUR NEXT HANGOUT SPOT IN THE HEART OF BANGRAK

Trekking the streets of Old Town, sometimes you stumble upon centuryold relics. In Bangrak—amid the vibrant street food, Michelin-star gems a la Samlor, and a stone’s throw away from cultural tourist attractions—sits Prince Theatre Heritage Stay, a classic stand alone cinema renovated into a cozy hostel and hub for local events.

Once upon a time, the Prince was a royal casino, opening in 1912. A few years later, silent film boomed and the venue refashioned itself into a standalone cinema. During the Golden Age of talkies, the theater flourished with screenings of Hollywood, Thai, and Hong Kong blockbusters. But with the arrival of mall cinemas, standalone theaters began to go out of business.

Starting from the 80s, the Prince adapted with the times by screening adult films (and you can still check out the archival posters in the backroom). It was only in 2017 when Montara Hospitality, in charge of decorated restos like Pru and Trisara, turned it into a heritage stay.

The most recent renovation, which was completed in January of this year, brings in a multifunctional quality to the hostel. The main lobby includes an event area complete with an elevated wooden stage, plush red curtains, and a floor-to-ceiling projector.

There’s also a co-working nook with strong Wifi and a day-to-night bar and resto with office workers grabbing a quick bite.

As a community space for tourists and locals, the Prince features elements that point to other walking distance local gems. For example, the vintage posters in the lobby are sourced from Balzac, the recently opened Francophone cafe selling second hand movie posters, books, trinkets, and other collectibles.

Look closer at their all day menu and you’ll discover familiar names like Sarnies’ famous sourdough bread being used for their toasties.

We recommend the breakfast sandwich (B250) which is a combo of gooey melted american cheese, strips of bacon and your choice of cooked egg packed in between Sarnies slices and ready for that satisfying crunch.

Their day time activities usually include Thai language classes and walking tours. During our stay, we went on an evening promenade that weaved through the streets of Charoenkrung to Talad Noi, hitting up trendy spots like Warehouse 30 and hole-in-the-wall hawker stalls.

Movie screenings are a weekly staple at the Prince. At night, we caught the award-winning indie sci-fi romance “The Day I Found a Girl in the Trash”. The script was written only a few blocks away.

While enjoying a cozy screening, you can casually order some bar grub, grab a bag of popcorn, and check out their movie-themed classic cocktails. We opted for the Rick Dalton (B260), Leonardo Di Caprio’s character in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” but in whiskey sour form.

In place of their casual dining area at the lobby, the renovated venue has added more cushy sofas and director chair seats fit for viewing theater performances, stand-ups, your favorite sports, and could be cleared out for weddings, office parties, and birthday bashes. Ultimately, it’s a budget friendly spot with an old school charm that’s also a great starting point to explore the rest of the neighborhood. ●

Sarisa Pokawattana

Aimer

From the team behind the “it” beachwear label Gigi Beach Babes, Aimer Woman takes a classic approach to their design, pulling from trends while maintaining an overall timeless silhouette that makes their items easy to pair with the rest of your closet. You’ll find everything from 90s dark wash jeans and offthe-shoulder long sleeves to pinstripe dress shirts that’ll keep your co-workers guessing whether you’re sporting PJs on the zoom call. Prices start at B890.

Fashion Store

With a variety of skirts, slacks, vests, and blazers, Fashion Store is the one-stop-shop for first jobbers and those looking for a smart interview outfit. Since they’ve got a plenty of colorways from earth tones to pastels, it’s easy to mix and match the items. Their contemporary leaning silhouettes like cropped blazers and floor length tube skirts keeps things formal yet flattering. Prices start at B399.

7 VERY DEMURE, VERY MINDFUL THAI FASHION BRANDS TO ZHUZH UP YOUR OFFICE LOOK

Now more than ever, the office siren look has been taking off. Outfits and accessories like midi-length pleated skirts and bayonetta glasses that were once outdated are now part of our on and off duty looks. The latest “very demure, very mindful” trend went viral after Tik Tok creator Jools Lebron posted a video giving tips on “demure” ways to dress for your workplace, so here’s how you can do it with office-ready Thai fashion brands whether you’re a 9-5er or wfh worker.

Mango Six Clothing

One of the more budget friendly options of the bunch, Mango Six Clothing is the middle ground between a cafe hopping fit and meeting up with clients for a quick lunch. Their vintage dress shorts with a free detachable belt (B290) is an absolute steal, and their wrinkle-free sweater vest (B390) will give you that chic Emily in Paris fantasy

Kinda Rare

Kinda Rare weaves in affordable Korean and Japanese-inspired clothing items perfect for those transitioning from the student to post-grad crisis phase. Their outfits kill two birds with one stone: modest enough for non-conservative office environment while being adaptable enough to work into your weekend gatherings. Build your basics from their classic cardigan (B560) and dress it down with a pair of jeans or elevate it with their pleated sassy skirt (B470).

Chubby Girl BKK

Speaking of K-fashion, Chubby Girl BKK features trendy and size-inclusive items for their customers—quite a deal for a range of

styles. From stripe pants (B399) to billowy pink flower tops (B459) and pastel tweed jackets (B499), you can easily put together a sweet and sophisticated look with this one.

Cuppa Knit

Who says you can’t sport knitwear in Thailand? Though it might be a struggle if you have to brave the afternoon sun, it certainly won’t hurt if you spend most of the day in an air conditioned cubicle. The librarian-esque midi-length skirts (B1,290) are back en vogue, and because of its heavier weight but breathable material, the skirts are more stretchy, sturdy, and ensures you won’t have a Marilyn Monroe incident.

Daily Squad

Filled with niche sartorial references and disguised in a streamline silhouette, there’s no other brand that subtly whispers “I work in a creative field” than Daily Squad. Their basics with a twist, like the dazzle pants (B1,790), are cut from premium suit fabric and feature a unique front panel detail to distinguish from your regular pairs. ●

Sarisa Pokawattana

Aimer Fashion Store

Kinda Rare Daily Squad

WANGTECHAWAT ON HER DEBUT TIME TRAVEL NOVEL

‘THE

MOON REPRESENTS MY HEART’

Ever since Pim Wangtechawat’s “The Moon Represents My Heart” dropped last year, the literary world has been taking notice. Production studio 21 Laps have put up her novel as a competitive option for Netflix, with actress Gemma Chan set to star and produce. Her debut novel, the story was born out of her childhood experiences and follows the time traveling Wang family. When the parents Joshua and Lily depart, Eva and Tommy are forced to deal with their grief alone. Eva tries to find her place in the present while Tommy is pulled further into a past that he hopes will hold the truth. BK speaks to Pim Wangtechawat about her inspirations, writing, and the future of this time traveling family.

What was the inspiration behind this novel?

It is mostly a mixture of my own experiences living in London as a woman from Asia and how unique that experience is. It’s also based on the Chinese side of my family when I started writing this book a few years ago. My grandfather had just passed away, so I spent a lot of time thinking about my own relationship with my father and how that affected who I am as a person and how the way I grew up has shaped that person. So that’s when I was thinking: How do we confront our history and figure the way to move forward with hope and with optimism? That’s why the theme of time travel comes in, and that’s why the family in the book is British-Chinese, because it’s based on my family in the UK and my dad who was growing up in Hong Kong—my grandfather’s experience as well who was immigrating from China to Thailand. So it’s all a mixture of history and family history.

When did you decide to write a novel? Is there an exact moment that you can remember?

There was a moment when I decided to be a

writer. I think I was twelve when I decided, ‘Okay I want to write a book one day.’ There was a class at Thai school where we were learning English and I was talking to my best friend about writing a short story. It kinda clicked in my head because I have always loved reading since I was a very young girl. There was one day in class that I realized writing was something I could do. As for this novel, it started as my master’s degree dissertation. We had to come up with 10 story ideas, just the title and a short synopsis describing what each story is about. ‘The Moon Represents My Heart’ was one of the story ideas that I had and I picked it to develop into my personal project because it has a stronger idea than the others. And it’s also the most personal too. After I graduated I continued to finish it because it was always my dream to get a book published.

This is your debut novel. Did you expect to see such a positive response?

Not really, I don’t know what I was expecting, because before you get published, your only goal is just to get published because it’s very difficult. I don’t think I had any expectation

Poom Petsophonsakul

in terms of how people would react to the book—whether it would get translated into any other languages. All I had in mind was just to get it published. I was hoping that my family would enjoy it, which is the biggest thing. I hoped my parents would love it or that a few people who pick up the book would find something that resonates with them and makes them feel less alone.

Why did you choose the song “The Moon Represents My Heart” as the title?

I wanted something that represents my childhood and, you know, when Chinese people from different countries see the title of the book, they’ll know immediately what song it is, because they have their own family history attached to the song. It’s such a very Chinese song. When I was a little, this was a singer that different generations of my family knew. I know her music, my parents do, and my grandparents know it as well. We’d play the song in the car and listen to it together. It’s the kinda song that bonds different generations of family members, and people of Chinese heritage all over the world. The lyrics also fit well to the novel: “If

you wonder whether I love you, just look at the moon; the moon represents my heart and it’s always there.”

Why time travel?

I always love time travel in movies and books. I think it’s such a fascinating genre because I also love history as well, and when it comes to time traveling novels you can write about historical events. I find it fascinating how our history informs our present. Maybe there are parallels between our history and our present…I think time traveling is such a cool genre, you can do these cool things like revisiting historic events, and more, but what I love the most about this genre is there are a lot of emotional states. People love the time travel genre because all of us have nostalgic feelings, we have regrets, and sometimes it’s like a question that we ask ourselves: Would you do anything differently if you could go back in time. Time travel can be a good metaphor for us to explore the concept of loss, the concept of grief, and how we make peace with our history in order to move forward.

How is this story informed by your personal experience? Do you see a little of yourself in any of the characters?

Definitely the female characters. Like I said, I moved to London to study when I was 18, and lived in London for four years and I think all of the story line moving to London, experiencing living as an Asian person from Asia, all that is based on my own experiences living in the west. You have to face discrimination or find your place in a big city. The relationship dynamic in the book is also based on my own. For example, the siblings’ closeness is based on my relationship with my younger brother. The character Joshua is based on both my grandfather’s experiences and my father’s experiences.

Are you working on upcoming projects right now?

I’m working on my second book with my UK publisher. I have a deal to write two books, so I have to write another one. The second one, the characters are going to be Thai and it is set in Bangkok and Scotland. I used to live in Scotland as well. It’s supposed to be a romance. ●