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BK MAGAZINE NO. 612 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015. www.bkmagazine.com
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ADVERTORIAL
Sustainable Road With the world’s leading businesses turning their attention towards sustainability, Thailand’s MICE industry has the potential to be at the forefront of responsible business and policy. Having set up the MICE Sustainability Master Plan, Nichapa Yoswee, MICE Capabilities Director at TCEB, here explains the road map’s role in inspiring all stakeholders and strengthening Thailand’s MICE sustainability.
What is the global MICE industry looking for?
sustainability. It’s just important to make sure everyone has a
With the sustainability movement going from strength
clear idea of what sustainability really is. Sustainability is, in
to strength, business sectors are demanding more
fact, a way of life.
responsible events. TCEB’s missions include bringing more international events to Thailand and promoting Thailand
How can you make people see the full picture regarding sustainability?
as Asia’s MICE hub. In order to achieve these goals, we
Sustainability might sound abstract, but it’s actually a catch-
obviously need to have the capability to serve and attract
all word for doing business responsibly. It’s more than just
international events. This means increasing knowledge
a PR tool, like a company going out and planting trees at a
about sustainability among all MICE sectors. That’s where
mangrove forest. In Thailand, we have heard this word for
the MICE Sustainability Master Plan can help.
so long, thanks to the work of HM the King. Just remember,
How does TCEB’s master plan help everyone get involved?
everyone has the power to make or break the world. The
The master plan contains strategies to help steer Thailand
way you act will have an impact on others’ thoughts today
to become a top sustainable MICE destination. We also
and in the future. It’s time to set up responsible practices to
work closely with stakeholders, including inviting guest
become a responsible organization.
speakers from successful operators who have won
How can you best spread the word about sustainability?
sustainable management awards to share their experiences
In countries that are highly environmentally-aware, certain
and ideas. We also encourage all sectors to look to the
business sectors will take the stance of not doing business
future and adapt quickly to global trends.
with partners who don’t follow sustainable practices. So it’s
Who should be a part of the road map?
important to remember that even as customers you have
It’s actually everyone’s job. While CEOs may take the lead in
the power to make things right. You can be a force in MICE
adopting sustainable policy, everyone needs to commit to
sustainability.
“
Nichapa Yoswee MICE Capabilties Director at TCEB
“
In line with its MICE Sustainability Master Plan for 2016-2020, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is preparing to promote Thailand’s MICE industry as a leader in sustainability.
Sustainability is, in fact, a way of life
10 Paths to Sustainability Leadership
1
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Develop a holistic vision and multi-year sustainability strategy
Promote accountability and transparency through destination reporting
2
7
Align MICE sustainability strategy with national and city development strategies
Promote and incentivize certification
3
8
Create an organization with engaged public and private stakeholders
Create new services, tools and products
4
9
Engage, educate and inspire stakeholders
Use sustainability to increase business
5
Communicate relentlessly but with originality, integrity, humility and humour
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Walk the talk
By
To get more information, please visit www.micecapabilities.com
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page 3 06 cover story
Bottle by Bottle
Pop Quiz
4 upfront
10 escapes
Joyce’s Triumph
Tokyo Dreaming
14 shopping
16 blends
Money Matters
Question Time 17 bites
18 bites
Join the Club
Steak Revolution
Who's in charge? Managing Director Andrew Hiransomboon Editor in Chief / Product Director Grégoire Glachant Managing Editor Oliver Irvine Deputy Editor Carl Dixon Features Associate Monruedee Jansuttipan Senior Staff Writers Vasachol Quadri, Lily Kittisrikangwan Staff Writer Pinnyada Tanitnon Junior Content Coordinator Nontaya Kumyat Junior Writers Natcha Sanguankiattichai, Bonnie Sananvatananont Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Art Director Dechart Sangsawang Senior Graphic Designer Panita Thiraphapong Graphic Designers Chantich Kongchanmitkul, Peeraya Sirathanisa Junior Graphic Designers Wariya Whangwaewklang, Parida Ritthiron
Where to find us!
The Asia City Media Group
Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai Sales Manager Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Orajira Sukkasem Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Onwara Sittirug, Waranuch Thaneerat, Nattaya Bovornsettanon, Orakarn Laohakanjanasiri, Amarit Jinaya Junior Sales Associates Kittiya Darachai, Sirada Tilaganont
Administrator Yaovaluck Srisermsri Accountant Manita Bangmoung Contributors Rob Brezsny, Kathy MacLeod Interns Kantita Leangcharoenpong, Theerada Moonsiri, Sunputt Puangpet, Thaparit Lomsucka, Phattrapon Pichitphan Cover Panita Thiraphapong
Regional Marketing Manager Pavida Chitprasertsuk Marketing Executive Walaipan Anotaiyuenyong Marketing Service Associate Chochat Masrat IT Manager Takrit Jitjaroen Distribution Manager Suda Angsuputiphant
Group Directors
Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Limkhamduang Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang
Chief Executive Officer Gretchen Worth gworth@asia-city.co.th Group Digital Director Greg Duncan duncann@asia-city.com.sg
Bangkok Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. 9/F, Sathorn Nakorn Tower 100 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02-624-9696 Fax: 02-237-5656 Email: bkmagazine@asia-city.co.th
Singapore Asia City Publishing Pte. Ltd. Block 211 Henderson Rd. #07-02 Henderson Industrial Park Singapore 159552 Tel: 65-6323-2512 Fax: 65-6323-2779 Email: contact@asia-city.com.sg
Why did FIFA suspend the Football Association of Thailand’s executive committee? a. Worawi was actually making Sepp Blatter look honest. b. Our national team being currently ranked 145th in the world by FIFA, they are just trying to save us the embarrassment of being a member. c. The FIFA head office felt threatened by our superior abilty to run a shockingly corrupt and opaque organization with complete disregard for common decency. d. FIFA needs Worawi to go to Switzerland to take Blatter’s job. Why did Myanmar hold an election in Bangkok? a. The Burmese junta thought we’d have a good laugh at the irony of it all. b. It’s all part of an ASEAN education program: “Let’s Vote Together without Actually Getting to Pick the Prime Minister!” c. It was actually a viral campaign to recruit staff for the opening of a Pacific Rim cuisine cafe-slash-brewery-slash-gallery. d.The Burmese junta wanted the names of the Myanmar nationals in Bangkok who care enough about democracy to even attempt to register for advanced voting. Why did the censorship board ban ghost film Arbat (now renamed Arpat)? a. There were a lot of hurt feelings and some pretty harsh language as to whether bor baimai should be transliterated to a P or a B in English. b. It was the only way to ensure Bangkok Post’s Kong Rithdee would give the film a full-page review. c. The movie featured a monk having sex without first getting high on crystal meth, a dangerous slide in standards for the clergy. d. The movie did not feature Louis Vuitton products or private jets, which could cause confusion and divisions in society. Why is the “Thailand F5 Cyber Army” waging war against the government? a. Videos on Line often crash since the iOS 9 upgrade—and Dear Leader doesn’t even care! b. When Thai hackers took their newly acquired programming skills—namely the ability to hit the F5 key repeatedly—to the new Facebook Thailand office, they were not offered any jobs. c. The F5 Low-Cost Hacking Facebook page has fewer followers than Low-Cost Cosplay, which is so unfair. d. The Single-Gateway Internet threatens to seriously slow down downloads of Japanese porn and Walking Dead episodes.
BK “Asia City Living” Magazine is edited by Andrew Hiransomboon and published 51 times a year, every Friday of each month by Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Copyright ©2015 Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. The titles “BK Magazine,” “BK ‘Asia City Living’ Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of BK “Asia City Living” Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Article reprints are available for B50 each. The magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Contact the Advertising Department for ad rates and specifications. All advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Comform Co.,Ltd. 212 Moo 13 Krungthepkreetha Rd., Saphansoong, Bangkok 10250
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@bkmagazine BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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upfront HOT OR NOT
Hot: Bands you’ve never heard of
Not: Reformations
Wonderfruit just announced its complete lineup, and it’s full of names we don’t know. (Even Mos Def has given up his stage name.) What’s more, this winter’s hottest tickets are hardly household names (Neon Indian? Battles?). Still, the indie kids wouldn’t have it any other way. And it sure makes a nice change from all those anniversary, reunion and retrospective concerts, no matter how intriguing the back-story (see Interview, right).
INTERVIEW
Hot: Underdogs
Not: Empires
There’s a three-week wait to get a table at Arno’s (see page 18), which seems to anger our Facebook trolls. That’s right, a small independent steakhouse packing in crowds night after night for well-priced, dry-aged steak. What’s not to hate? Meanwhile, imports Paul and Tim Ho Wan have both rolled out plans to take over Bangkok, much to the delight of pretty much no-one. We are excited about the new Peppina, though, now open at Tha Maharaj by the river.
Hot: Development
Not: Markets
Following Soi 38, On Nut and Saphan Lek markets are the latest popular spots to fall foul of the city’s unquenchable thirst for development for development’s sake. In the latter case, vendors were given 15 days to vacate their sites, ostensibly to return the footpath to pedestrians—only, without all the counterfeit DVDs and electronics, pedestrians no longer have any reason to return there.
Hot: Bans
Not: Audiences
Thai filmmakers, take note: There’s nothing like a good banning to pique public interest. That’s certainly the case with Arbat, which finally passed the censorship board last week, after producers cut several scenes of monks behaving badly (what, unheard of!) and changed its name, to Arpat. Here’s looking at you, Apichatpong Weerasethakul. The Palme D’Or-winning director says he doesn’t want his new film, Cemetery of Splendour, to even screen here, fearing reprisals.
Pornpan “Joyce” Rattamamethanon, 34, was a member of the iconic ‘90s pop duo Triumph Kingdom before she was sent to jail in 2004 when police found 300 yabba tablets in her then-boyfriend’s house. Now out of prison for two years, she’s returning to the stage this Oct 30 for Z-MYX Live Vol. 1 with Triumph Kingdom and Yokee Playboy (See BK Now, page 24). Here, she talks to BK about how the eight years she spent in prison have been good for her. I was 18 when I started Triumph Kingdom. I was living “the life,” hanging out with people who like to party and have fun. I thought drugs and alcohol were cool. But having fun and being happy are not the same. The crowd I hung out with made me look cool but they didn’t make me happy or help me become a better person. At 24 I was put in jail. Deep down I knew that what I was doing, the drugs, were illegal and if I didn’t stop, I would get caught. The outside world is completely different from the world I left. I was afraid of it. I spent my first two months out of prison living in the shadows. I put myself in a box. But I told myself that if I continue living in the shadows like this then it’s no different to prison. So I said, fine, let’s do it! Eight years in prison taught me how to think for myself and not follow other people blindly.
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Fifty percent of why I got into drugs was definitely the people I hung out with. But I can’t blame them. We make our own choices. Prison has strict rules and consequences but it is clean and organized. I thought of it as some dark place, but in reality it wasn’t like that. It’s green with large trees. Everything is clean and very organized. The punishments were tough. My friend sneaked coffee into the cell and our punishment was to clean the sewer. Books opened up my world. I spent time learning and reading a lot—the only place to turn to when I got bored was the library. From one book to another, I read every single day in prison. I also decided to apply for college and graduated in film studies from Sukhothai University. Family and friends were the most important thing for me. Just receiving a postcard from a friend that simply said “I miss you” would
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move me to tears. Having my family visit made me feel like that part of me is not gone. One of my friends in prison has HIV. When she started taking the meds, she felt like it was burning her insides and she couldn’t take it. She would puke it out and I would tell her to force it in. There are only four different prescriptions for HIV. If she can’t take any of them then she won’t have any relief. In the end, everyone has some sort of problem. It’s up to them to identify what they are and make a change. Many young offenders are put in jail because of drugs. One year they get released and the following year they’re back again. It made me realize I need to fix myself and not be like them. Find positivity in everything. It’s the only way to grow and change. If I’d been released sooner, I might not understand things as I do today. Interview by Kantita Leangcharoenpong
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THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
by Kathy MacLeod kathymacleod.blogspot.com
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BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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CITYCITY GALLERY
cover story R ar
e Dr op
Bang ko prized k’s most-d ed bottle s in th icated ba rte eir co llectio nders sho w ns. By BK Ed off the m ost itoria l
Dodd’s Gin Recommended by: Passapong “Bard” Phetpradit, owner of Junker & Bar The bottle: A London dry gin that’s made by the London Distillery Company from juniper berries, angelica, fresh lime peel, bay laurel, cardamom, red raspberry leaf and honey. Bard says: "Gin is our specialty, we have about
50 bottles, whereas in Thailand there are only like 20 brands available. Dodd's Gin is my favorite right now. I love the flavor with tonic. We serve it in our own style, not just with lime but by choosing the fruit that matches the botanicals of the gin. This can really make the flavor come out. For Dodd's, we serve our gin and tonic with orange peel and rosemary. Whenever my shelf gets low I travel to Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia or India to get more." Try: Dodd's Gin and Tonic (B360) Junker & Bar, 454 Suan Phlu Soi 1, 085-100-3608
Xenta Superior Absinthe Black Amber Social Club
Recommended by: Chavin “Kwan” Nant a te r m , ow n e r o f Black Amber Social Club The bottle: This Italian-made absinthe co n t a i n s a p re t t y standard ABV of 70 percent, while the bottle comes with wormwood twigs in it. Kwan says: “Wormwood is the main ingredient of absinthe and because of its high level
Junker & Bar
The bottle: First released in 2012, this Japanese blended malt whiskey from Nikka’s Taketsuru range is made from malts aged in an oak cask for at least 25 years, in super-limited supplies.
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Junker & Bar
Try: Xena Superior (B450) Black Amber Thonglor Social Club, 160/71 Thonglor Soi 6, 092-276-2772
Nikka Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 Years Old Recommended by: Naoto Shibata, bart e n d e r a t Yo i c h i Nikka
Yoichi Nikka Bar & Restaurant
of thujone it’s also used for medical purposes. Absinthe lovers aren’t really focused on a bottle’s ABV but rather the amount of thujone it contains, as that’s what gets you high. Actually, it’s part of the reason why absinthe was banned in France for so long—the government claimed the hallucinations were a threat to society. This bottle is next-level because it contains wormwood twigs in it, which doesn’t affect the taste so much, but makes it better with age.”
Naoto says: “Yoichi Nikka specializes in Nikka whiskey, with many bottles you can’t find else-
where in Bangkok. We’re the only place where you can try Taketsuru Pure Malt 25 Year Old. The whiskey spends 25 years in an oak cask and is normally produced in very small amounts—for example, as few as 100 bottles are made available in Europe. The taste is very smooth, rich in floral aroma, a bit spicy with a hint of peat. Thai customers love ordering whiskey with either ice or a dash of water, but for this one I’d recommend going straight up." Try: Straight (B2,000/shot) Yoichi Nikka Bar & Restaurant, 6/11 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-662-4270
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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cover story Basil Hayden Bourbon Recommended by: David Jacobsen, owner of Smalls The bottle: This bourbon from Kentucky is said to have a unique character owing to a much higher-thanusual rye content
David says: “I'm fond of Basil Hayden Bourbon Whiskey. It can be served on the rocks or in any bourbon-based cocktail. Try it in a Manhattan with just a dash of absinthe. Great bourbons are hard to find in Bangkok. Basil Hayden is a very excellent one.” Try: Manhattan with Basil Hayden Bourbon Smalls, 186/3 Suan Phlu Soi 1, 095-585-1398
Bulldog London Dry Gin Recommended by: Karn Liangsrisuk , owner of Escapade Burgers & Shakes The bottle: Fourtimes-distilled in copper pot stills, the gin is made from a blend of 12 botanicals, namely dragon eye, lotus leaves, lavender, white poppy, lemon, liquorice, orris, angelica, cassia, coriander and almond, on top of Italian juniper. Karn says: “Bulldog was actually imported a few years ago, but distributed to only one hotel. It
turned out unsuccessful, so the distributor retailed the remaining bottles of the final batch at Foodland, at a very cheap price, even cheaper than hand-carrying. That’s how I was able to stock up on it. I like its fresh, botanical nature and subtle sweet flavor. The taste is unique, different from gins of the same grade like Tanqueray. Replacing market tonics with the mellower East Imperial Burma tonic allows the gin’s character to shine even more.”
Smalls
Try: Bulldog with East Imperial Burma tonic (B550). Escapade Burgers & Shakes,112 Phra Athit Rd., 081-4063773
Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal Recommended by: Chotipong Leenutaphong, owner of Vesper The bottle: Referred to alternately as “tequila’s poor cousin” or “tequila on steroids,” mezcal is currently enjoying some time in the limelight. While tequila is made, by law, only from the blue agave plant, mezcal can be made from 30-plus different varieties of agave, which gives it even more depth and kick. This particular bottle is made in the single village of Chichicapa, two hours south of Oaxaca in Mexico.
Chotipong says: “Mezcal is still a rarity among cocktail bars in Bangkok, but that should change as it’s getting a lot of coverage in New York and London. For us, we like that mezcal adds extra dimensions to classic cocktails. This rare-to-find bottle has a great early depth and smokiness to it—it’s something that showcases what mezcal is all about. It’s actually a great alternative to Islay single malt whiskey and we also find it works well replacing the gin in the classic Vesper and Last Word. Both these drinks taste phenomenal with the smokiness that mezcal brings to the table.”
Teens of Thaiiland
Try: Vesper (B470) and Last Word (B420) Vesper, 10/15 Convent Rd., 02-235-2777. BTS Sala Daeng
Tequila Ocho Recommended by: Sebastian De La Cruz, head bartender at U.N.C.L.E. The bottle: White tequila made using roughly eight kilograms of agave per bottle, and aged for eight weeks and eight days. Sebastian says: I really like this one. It’s a very smooth, well-crafted tequila blanco. And the price
Vesper
is reasonable too. It’s just so smooth, and the agave—that’s the plant you make tequila from— really comes through. It’s also pretty easy to get here thanks to a distributor called Artisan which is bringing in more craft spirits. Soon we will be adding a Manzanita cocktail to the U.N.C.L.E. menu, made using tequila Ocho and Calvados. It has a lot of apple flavor that goes well with the agave—it’s an awesome stiff drink." Try: Manzanita (exact price TBC but under B400) U.N.C.L.E., 2/F, Lady Brett, 149 Sathorn Soi 12, 02-635-0406
Plymouth Gin smooth finish that really lingers. To summarize, it's a very good, no-bullshit gin with a really balanced flavor profile. It was also Winston Churchill's favorite gin, and he had quite a taste for alcohol."
The bottle: Produced by England’s oldest working distillery, this gin has strong notes of juniper berries, coriander and cardamom.
Try: The menu at Teens of Thailand is always changing, but Niks recommends having it in a martini (stirred not shaken) with a nice dry vermouth, or a gin and tonic—just be sure you use a decent tonic, like East Imperials Tonic, which is imported by Smiling Mad Dog Co. (the same guys who bring in Brew Dog beer).
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Roof Hideaway
Talisker 10 Year Old
Recommended by: Niks Anuman-Rajadhon, co-founder of Teens of Thailand and Drinks Academy
Niks say: "This brand is a category or style of gin in itself. Nothing else tastes like Plymouth Gin. With its subtle aroma and earthy tones, it’s not too flashy like the more ‘elegant’ new gins. It’s got a very smooth mouthfeel and a creamy and
Escapade Burgers & Shakes
Teens of Thailand, 76 Soi Nana (Charoenkrung), 081-4433784. MRT Hua Lamphong
Recommended by: Ronnaporn "Nueng" Kanivichaporn, co-owner/mixologist of Roof Hideaway
places. Even at the airport duty free zone, you can't find the exact one. I like the bottle’s smoky character that pairs well with fruity notes—it’s very complex. Talisker is the sole distillery on the Isle of Skye, where it picks up a salty or peaty flavor from the island air.”
The bottle: Single malt whiskey from Isle of Skye, Scotland.
Try: In cocktails, Nueng says Talisker is best mixed in a whiskey sour because its saltiness nicely compliments the sweet and sour notes. You’ll have to check its availability behind the bar, though.
Nueng says: "It's not a new bottle, but for some reason it's very hard to find these days. In Thailand, it's imported by Diageo but served in a very limited number of
Roof Hideaway, 3/F, Muse Thonglor, 159/8 Thonglor Soi 10, 087-888-5599
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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escapes
Capca Pucapuca
Hotel Graphy
Good Night, Tokyo Five unique spots to hang out with the Japanese capital’s cool kids. By Natchaya Angsatitanan
Kampai without Crawling Home At first glance, you could easily mistake the inviting combination of glass and wooden decor at Nui Hostel for one of those stylish cafes in Shimokitazawa. This isn’t so far wrong, since the hostel is loved as much for its modest rooms as for the cafe and bar lounge on the first floor. The cafe opens from 8am-6pm, serving a seasonal menu of fusion dishes like Teriyaki pizza and ginger chicken, while the bar takes over from 6pm and stays open till 1am. Drink as much draft Asahi as you like without having to worry about getting back to your hotel thanks to the on-site dormitory (mixed and female) as well as private rooms with views of the Sumida River from your veranda. Nui Hostel is located in Kuramae, a downtown area near Asakusa where creative arts and craft communities meet. Other facilities include shared bathrooms, kitchen and library. Price: JPY2,700-3,900/person Nui Hostel & Bar Lounge, 2-14-13, Kuramae, Taito-ku, +81-3-62409854. backpackersjapan.co.jp/nui_en/hostel.html
Like a Hipster Located in the quiet neighbourhood of Higashinagasaki, Capca Pucapuca is also the home studio of sound design artist Daisuke. As well as running a funky cafe and bar on the first floor, Daisuke has also turned the second floor of his place into a homestay welcoming likeminded travelers. Here, you’ll be sleeping on hammocks in a spacious and well-decorated room, sharing small talk with the host and his cool friends, and no doubt drinking at the bar (which stays open from 10am-midnight). Though the neighborhood isn’t particularly well known, it’s only two stations away from Ikebukuro, one of Tokyo’s largest metropolitan districts. One thing that might worry Thai travelers is that the place only has a toilet and no showers, but overcome your embarrassment and go get naked in public at the traditional local baths—a part of Japanese culture that is slowly disappearing. The bathhouse is only six minutes away on foot and the neighborhood is really safe. Capca Pucapuca can only accommodate up to four people, and at least three months of advanced booking is recommended. Price: JPY2,000/night www.airbnb.com/rooms/4819904
Future Solutions Remember that futuristic-looking love hotel in The Wolverine (2013)? Yeah, this is it, and the actual name’s Nakagin Capsule Tower. The mixed-use building is one of the earliest examples of Metabolist architecture, completed in just 30 days in 1972. The brutal-looking building gives way to an interior that’s kept very clean, offering small, capsule accommodation originally designed for salarymen in need of the bare minimum of living space. The location is also great, in the same
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neighborhood as the Imperial Palace, Tsukiji Fish Market and Ginza, and not far from Shimbashi station. For architecture enthusiasts, Nakagin Capsule Tower offers a rare, affordable stay in an iconic building, but book early—three months of advanced notice is recommended. Maximum stay of two people per booking. Price: JPY9,000/night www.airbnb.com/rooms/1305889
Minimal to the Max Not so far from Ueno Zoo is a neighbourhood called Nezu, and within three minutes’ walk from the station you’ll find Hotel Graphy. Standing out thanks to simple yet smart design, the four-story building puts its minimalist concept first. As well as serving as residences, the 400-sq-meter space has also been chopped up for more innovative purposes, including a common area where guests from all over the world are encouraged to interact and share their experiences. It also serves as a venue for the occasional pop-up store or event. Room types range from single rooms with shared bathrooms to deluxe twin rooms. The hotel also owns a very cozy cafe and bar that runs from 7am-11pm, serving both traditional Japanese and fusion dishes. Be sure to check out the rooftop terrace, as well as rent a bike for a little sightseeing around the neighborhood. The hotel is within walking distance from Ueno Station, where you can get direct access to Narita Airport in 45 minutes via Keisei Skyliner express train.
Nakagin Capsule Tower
Price: JPY14,000/night (small double room) Hotel Graphy Nezu, 4-5-10, Tokyo-to, Taito-ku, Ikenohata, +81 3 3828 7377. www.hotel-graphy.com
Meet the Geeks Japan is famous for its fanboy obsession of pop-culture, and Akihabara is deemed the top destination for those seeking out anime and manga specialists, J-pop idol memorabilia and electrical equipment. It’s also where you’ll find A-POP House, which belongs to two self-confessed Japanese pop geeks, Riki and Hanzo. While Hanzo is a guru on the anime scene, Riki is the real deal when it comes to A-pop (that’s Akihabara pop culture), and their home is filled with their personal collection. Staying with them offers a real opportunity to talk it out with locals who are happy to share their passion. The place is small yet very clean, meeting the most exacting Japanese standards, and is just 15 minutes’ walk from Akihabara Station. They both work on weekdays, so if you plan to hang out it’s best to plan your stay over a weekend. A few things to consider: you will be sharing the space with the two hosts, and only up to three guests at a time are accepted. At least one-month advanced booking recommended.
Nui Hostel
Essentials AirAsia.com offers the cheapest roundtrip, starting from B9,210/JPY30,895. Thai Airways roundtrips start from 15,670THB. (now through 30 Sep 2015) JPY100 = B29.81
Price: JPY2,996/night www.airbnb.com/rooms/4312280
A-POP House
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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escapes ESCAPE ROUTES By Pinnyada Tanitnon
CHIANG MAI
Retro Digs Another week, another new opening in the hip Nimmanhaemin area. The huge modern-retro style X2 Chiang Mai Nimman Villa (091-808-4257, www.x2resorts.com) looks to attract big groups of friends or families with its designer looks and abundant facilities. The seven bedrooms—decked out with bold tiled wallpaper, pop art pillows and vintage cars models—spread over five floors can sleep up to 14 guests, who’ll get to eat together and shoot pool in the games room, lounge in front of movies in the living room and sun themselves on the rooftop deck. Rates start at 14,530 per night.
KOH SAMUI
High-Five Season Located on the charming Lamai Beach, the recently opened, colonial-style Manathai Samui (www.manathai. com/samui) has come up with an enticing high-season deal. Through Dec 24, guests receive a 30-percent discount on best available room rates, meaning that a deluxe balcony room is B2,350 instead of the usual B3,357, and the 200-sq-meter Manathai suite, boasting two separate bedrooms and a dining area, is B9,829 instead of B14,131. That’s a pretty sweet deal, considering it’s high season and they also throw in a complimentary daily breakfast. The hotel’s rooms feature lots of Thai touches in the form of teak, rattan furniture and Jim Thompson silks, while the property also boasts a beach-facing swimming pool.
Back to Basics Traveling to Samui doesn’t have to entail heavy nights of drinking and partying on Chaweng Beach. Tucked away on the clean, calm and often-overlooked Choeng Mon Beach, Baywater Resort (www.baywaterresort.com) is a boutique resort that goes for a refreshingly pared-back, modern look. Better yet are the prices. Home to 100 rooms and villas, the hotel is designed for economically-friendly, relaxing getaways with deluxe rooms starting at B2,888 per night, which includes access to an on-site sky bar, onsen and massive swimming pool.
RATCHABURI
Winter Harvest For a different weekend activity, head to Coro Field (www.fb.com/corofieldth), a newly-opened organic Japanese honeydew farm in Ratchaburi (barely two hours out of Bangkok) for some fresh melons, arts and crafts, and relaxed farming. Here, farming is approached as a hobby to get away from hectic city life rather than a career, so you’ll find many workshops, DIY and GIY (grow it yourself, a term coined by the founders) activities. Unlike your typical farm, the 104-rai compound is arranged in a tidy, minimal fashion (not unlike a Muji store, strangely enough), with most farming factors in the greenhouse controlled through a computer system. This means little actual labor is needed to maintain the blooming fruits, but visitors still get the chance to plant their own seeds and harvest their own fruits. Another highlight is the on-site restaurant focusing on dishes made with melons, sweet potatoes and cherry tomatoes freshly plucked from the farm.
Download our free guide to the best new opening in Phuket, Chiangmai, Krabi, Samui and more. bit.ly/wherehotspots2015 Have some cool rooms? Email your news and promotions to travel@asia-city.co.th
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BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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avenue
NEW SHOP
Here Comes the Sun Sunglass Hut, a huge US-Italian chain of some 3,000 sunglasses stores worldwide, has arrived in Bangkok at Central Chidlom with plans for 10 more stores within the year. Though their lineup of brands is nothing new to Bangkok—we’ve been able to get Ray-Ban, Oakley, Prada, Dolce & Gabbana and the likes for some time now—their strong suit lies in service. For starters, you can return your purchases at any other Sunglass Hut stores worldwide within seven days (blessed news for this city), while they’ll also heat-adapt frames in-store to match your face shape. Price-wise, we have found cheaper. While they’ll charge you B6,950 for a standard pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers, the same pair on Zalora sets you back just B5,159. 2/F, Central Chidlom, Phoenchit Rd., 02-293-7000. BTS Chit Lom
HOME
Luxe Light
FASHI0N
One of Bangkok’s biggest chandelier makers, Bellitas, has introduced a new customization service. Give them a budget, from a few thousand to a few million, and they’ll do what it takes to create the extravagant, crystal-dripping chandelier of your dreams from a choice of Italian, Egyptian, Vietnamese or Chinese crystal. Want something off the shelf? The shop also stocks the biggest luxury names in chandeliers, like La Murrina, Murano glass and Barovier & Toso, one of Venice’s oldest glass manufacturers that dates back to 1295. Currently, they’re only offering the customization service at their Sukhumvit Soi 38 branch and not at Crystal Design Center. 96/4 Sukhumvit Soi 38, 02-713-6558. BTS Thong Lo.
Garden State Designer Phatcharawatt Trakarnsunthikun imagines women as nighttime butterflies in his latest collection for modern-meets-sweet fashion label La Boutique. Boho maxi dresses and palazzo wide-leg pants add girly character, while modern suit patterns and jumpsuits keep a boyish total look. Key pieces are the butterfly-print sleeveless short jumpsuit, embroidered fringe black jacket, white jumpsuit with butterfly embroidery and the maxi-length A-line suit dress with butterfly embroidery details. Dark colors of black, white and emerald ensure these are clothes which a woman can wear straight from work to the party. Available at 2/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 096-8840825. BTS Siam/Chit Lom. www.fb.comlaboutiquebkk
NEW CAFE
Play More There’s now a second branch to one of Bangkok’s board-game cafe pioneers, More than a Game Cafe. You’ll find the new place tucked down on the ever-happening Sukhumvit Soi 49, welcoming families, gaming geeks and hipsters in equal measure with its floor-to-ceiling shelves of board games old and new like Catalan, Risk and King of Tokyo. Membership and play rates stay the same as the original branch (B30/hour), while to eat there are simple rice dishes (B75-125), snacks (starting at B45) and coffee (starting at B65). 9/1 Sukhumvit Soi 49/4, 02-712-7455. Open Mon-Fri 11am-9pm; Sat-Sun 10am-9pm BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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avenue SHOPPING
Pocket Change Eight of the best men’s wallets for under B4,000. By Vasachol Quadri
Rubber Killer’s Aura wallet and coin wallet are made from used truck inner tubes. That man enough for you? Now you just need to choose between the velcro fold or long version with matte black zip.
Freitag E.T. takes truck tarpaulins and turns them into short wallets that should survive your mountain bike expedition or maybe just getting soaked in the rain on your way back from the office.
B450 for Aura wallet and B1,800 for Ken long wallet. Available at Eco Shop, 1/F, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 939 Rama 1 Rd. BTS National Stadium. www.fb.com/rubberkiller
B2,450. Pronto Denim, 2/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-646-1278. BTS Chit Lom www.fb.com/FREITAGERThailand
Zettino’s Inizio wallet’s ox leather has a rich oil wax finish and a compartment for 10 business cards. That’s a lot of wallet for the money. B1,490. Mahatun Plaza, 888 Phloen Chit Rd., 088-950-5564. BTS Phloen Chit. www.fb.com/ zettino
16TH by Love Supreme is part of a specially designed collection for the Gin & Milk men’s multi-label shop. We like the grain of the vegetable tanned leather. On top of the one pictured here, there’s a diagonally-zipped short wallet for the coin hoarders. B1,990 or B1,890 for zipped. Available in brown, green and purple at Gin & Milk, 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1000. BTS Siam
Labrador’s Wallet #1 is three pieces of leather stitched together. That makes it the thinnest on the block. And it makes finding your credit card a real treasure hunt.
Container’s Jazz wool and leather wallet makes for a very Sherlock Holmes on a rainy London afternoon vibe. Get it before the monsoon moves on.
B990. Available in dark brown and yellow brown at 1/F, Silom Complex, 306 Silom Rd., 02-6320388. BTS Sala Daeng. www.labradorfactory.net
B3,890. 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-6581000. BTS Siam. www.fb.com/containerbag
Saturdays Surf NYC is buzzing all around the world, and you can finally get the Bi-Fold Leather Wallet here. Very slim but not short of card slots, this one’s both stylish and practical.
Local brand Viera’s craftsmanship is as European as its name. If you’re gonna rock the long wallet, though, you better be waving that thing around like its a Fendi baguette.
B3,300. Available in black, dark olive and khaki at American Rag Cie, G/F, Groove at CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-251-6880. BTS Chit Lom www.saturdaysnyc.com
B1,590-3,990 for short wallets and from B2,490 for long wallets. 2/F, CentralWorld, Ratchadamri Rd., 02-613-1028. BTS Chit Lom. www.fb.com/ vierabyragazze
TECH
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
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That little plus sign in the name means the Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung’s sleekest, most beautiful phone yet, is now available with a 5.7” screen. It’s otherwise very much the same as its 5.1” sister.
Specs: 16MP camera, 2560x1440px (518 ppi) Super HD AMOLED display, Octa core (2.1GHz Quad + 1.5GHz Quad) processor. 32GB storage.
Verdict: Impressive! The screen’s a wee bit bigger than the 5.5” iPhone 6 Plus while the phone’s actually a wee bit smaller. Price: B26,900
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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bites & blends RESTAURANT
Something Fishy Sathorn office crowds have a new go-to sushi place. Sushi Mori’s decor of metal and wood, red lighting and smoke-patterned windows is as inviting as the menu of sushi and sashimi made using fish delivered every other day (plus daily-delivered Norwegian salmon). Try the zenbu salmon set (a well-curated five-piece selection of fresh salmon, aburi salmon and salmon roe, B550) or taki set (nine assorted pieces of seasonal sushi, B1,500). As for maki, the Crunchy Lava (B250) features plump salmon slices, flying fish roe, spicy mayo sauce and tempura flakes. Their rice bowls are also not to be missed. The engawa foie gras magma (B580) comprises smoky torched halibut fin topped with salmon roe, pickled wasabi and rich, flavorful foie gras sauce on sushi rice. Desserts like specially-sourced ice cream (B90/ scoop) or cheesecake from Hokkaido’s famous Snaffle’s (B90/piece) are also impressive. M/F, Sathorn Square, 98 Sathorn Rd., 092-424-4040. Open Sun-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri-Sat 11am-midnight. BTS Chong Nonsi
DELIVERY
Home Comforts In operation now for a few months, Baan, the home-style Thai restaurant on Wireless Road run by chef Thitid Tassanakajohn’s (Le Du) and his younger brother, has been rapturously received. Now they’ve launched a delivery service, making it even easier to get your fill of their flavorful kai palo tom sap (five-spice egg soup, B280) or special dry-aged beef pad krapao (stir-fried with holy basil, B350). There’s no minimum limit for your order, either. Delivery fee starts at B80 and payment can be made upon delivery. 139/5 Wireless Rd., 02-655-8995
DEAL
Teppan Burgers JW Marriot’s high-end teppanyaki bar, Nami, has thrown a few affordable burger and ramen set lunches priced at B390490 onto its menu. And the best bit: they all come with unlimited French fries and soft drinks. Meat options for the burger include king tiger prawn, salmon, chicken teriyaki, Kurobuta pork and wagyu beef with bacon, all fried up right in front of you on the teppanyaki grill. Want something more Japanese? Then ask for tonkotsu ramen instead of a burger, served with either salmon, Kurobuta pork or wagyu beef. Available every Mon-Sat from 11:30am-2:30pm only. G/F, JW Marriot, 4 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-656-7700. BTS Phloen Chit/Nana
ON THE BAR Q&A The buzz: Hidden inside a little alley, this speakeasy-style bar comes courtesy of the local cocktail specialists behind many of the best drink menus in town (namely Sugar Ray and Seven Spoons). It succeeds where many others fail to conjure the feeling of a secret drinking society. The decor: The long, narrow space replicates a classic railway carriage dining car with a ‘20s New York vibe. Just 10 leather-upholstered seats are lined up along the deeply polished bar, where the barman specializes in personalized drinks.
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The music: The interesting playlist jumps between soul, funk and Afro-Cuban jazz. The drinks: There’s no food here, so you can focus solely on your drink. Chat to the barman about your favorite spirits and he’ll pour something to match, or choose from a list of 10 signature cocktails available during the soft opening. The owners say eventually they will offer a menu of up to 100 signature drinks. For now, they keep things classic with a few twists, including the innovative use of uncommon ingredients, as well as infusions and smoke. The Rough Negroni (B390),
made from homemade gin, carries a strong hint of pine wood and citrus even though there’s no orange peel for garnish, while the Comte De Monte Cristo (B420) has an interesting nutty aroma, based on port wine infused with Ethiopian coffee and toasted pecan, mixed with Amaro Montenegro and Diplomatico Exclusiva 12 Year Old rum. The crowd: Sugar Ray’s wellturned-out hipsters, joined by young suits from the nearby offices. Vasachol Quadri
235/13 Sukhumvit Soi 21, 02-6641445. Open Mon-Sat 7pm-2am. MRT Phetchaburi
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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bites & blends
Westin
Marriott
St. Regis
RESTAURANTS
Members Only
Hotel membership cards worth signing up for. By Natcha Sanguankiattichai and Theerada Moonsiri
The Grande Club: Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Fees: B8,900 Dining discounts: 30 percent discount on food and beverage with no limits at BarSu, basil, Orchid Cafe, Rossini’s, The Living Room, Sunday Jazzy Brunch and The Sala. Other perks: One complimentary weekend night at a Grande Room at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. Weak point: Can only be used at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, no free meal. Why we like it: You get food and beverages credit valued B8,900 upon application. www.thegrandeclub.com
Marriott: Club Marriott Thailand Fee: B8,999 Dining discounts: 35 percent off food and non-alcoholic beverages for single diners 50 percent off food and non-alcoholic beverages for two people 25 percent off food and non-alcoholic beverages four people 15 percent off all alcoholic beverages 20 percent off at the hotels’ bakeries (throughout Asia Pacific at participating hotels) Other perks: One-night complimentary stay at Courtyard Pattaya and one night at Marriott Mai Khao Beach Club Phuket. 20 percent off best available rate at all participating hotels in Asia Pacific. One complimentary buffet lunch or dinner at these three hotels: JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok, Renaissance Bangkok Ratchprasong Hotel and Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, two complimentary Peking ducks when dining with a minimum of six people. Weak point: There are limited times you can use
the discount vouchers. Why we like it: Transferable dining discounts and the number of participating hotels in Thailand and Asia Pacific for core dining benefits and accommodation. www.myclubmarriott.com
Hilton: Hilton Premium Club Fees: B8,000 Dining discounts: 25 percent off food for single diners 50 percent off food for couples 25 percent off food for four people 20 percent off beverages during your meal Other perks: One complimentary night in one of the Bangkok hotels, one complimentary lunch, one dinner, one afternoon tea, one house wine and one signature drink. Discount vouchers for accommodation, dinner and wine. Weak points: No beverages discount at Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok. Why we like it: You get one supplementary card on top of vouchers. bit.ly/1VVBSsu
Starwood Preferred Guest Fees: Free Dining discounts: 15-20 percent discount at Starwood restaurants in Bangkok (Sheraton, St. Regis, Westin, Le Meridien and W Bangkok). Perks: Earn “Starpoints” after spending at participating outlets to redeem for free hotel nights. Weak point: This is not really a privilege card. It’s more like a point-collection membership. Why we like it: It’s free. www.starwoodhotels.com
Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok: Club at the Hyatt Fees: B11,000 Dining discounts: 10 percent off food for single diners 50 percent off food for couples 25 percent off food parties of four at Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok restaurants including Tables Grill, The Garden Lounge, The, Breezeway, The Dining Room and Spasso 10 percent off all beverages during your meal Other perks: One complimentary bottle of house wine and birthday cake; free corkage on two bottles of wine (one time only). Chequebook worth B3,500. Weak point: No free rooms or meals. Why we like it: Also offers room and dining discounts at overseas Hyatt hotels and resorts. bangkok.grand.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html
Club Landmark Fees: B6,500 Dining discounts: 35 percent discount for single diners 50 percent for couples 30 percent for groups of four Other perks: 15 percent off best flexible rates when booking via the hotel’s website or directly with the hotel; one complimentary dim sum lunch, two lunch/dinner buffets, Sunday roast buffet at The Huntsman Pub, and one complimentary Peking duck. Weak point: It can only be used at Landmark Bangkok Why we like it: Pay B2,000 extra to get a second card as well as more discounts on drinks. www.landmarkbangkok.com
Le Club Plaza Fee: B10,999 Dining discounts: 20 percent discount on food for single diners 50 percent on food for couples 25 percent on food for groups of four, valid only at selected restaurants at Plaza Athenee Bangkok, Le Meridien Bangkok and Le Meridien Chiang Mai 30 percent off wine. Other perks: One complimentary lunch buffet, dinner buffet, one set dinner, fitness center day pass, one massage and one complimentary night stay in a deluxe room at Plaza Athenee Bangkok. Weak point: Can’t be use at all Le Meridiens Why we like it: Half-price voucher for up to 6-12 people at Plaza Athenee Bangkok’s five dining outlets. www.plazaatheneebangkok.com
Dusit: Dine & Wine Fees: B6,500 Dining discounts: 20 percent off food for single diners; 50 percent off food for couples; 25 percent off food for parties of four. 20 percent discount on non-alcoholic beverages 15 percent off alcoholic beverages. Other perks: One free night in a standard room; 20-percent off Dusit best available rates; 15-percent off a la carte spa treatments. Weak point: There’s no such thing as free lunch (or dinner) here. Why we like it: Transferable dining discounts www.dusit.com
Note: All free meals stated above are for two persons unless otherwise stated. Please enquire with hotels directly for the full list of perks.
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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bites
OPEN DOOR
Arno’s Steak so good it has Bangkokians waiting almost a month for a table. The buzz: People are calling it the best steak in town—and that means there’s a three-week wait to eat here. Part of a new wave of Bangkok butcher-slash-restaurants, this one comes from a French butcher and chef, Arnaud Carre, and his two Thai partners, Supanit Chaiyawiwat and Siripong Luengvarinkul. The decor: Up front you can see a few outdoor tables next to a small room that stores the meat. Initially, Arno only intended it to be a butcher’s shop with a small space to sample the meat, so the rest of the 100-person restaurant was built as an afterthought. This does make it look a bit awkward, but there’s something comforting about to the rustic, Europe-evoking decor of red bricks and red-checkered tablecloths.
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The food and drinks: Carre buys whole carcasses and dry-ages them for at least 45 days at the butchery, so he offers every cut you could wish for with no extra charge for cooking and eating in. Prices start at B1,200/kg for T-bone, tomahawk and strip steak, and B1,500/kg for ribeye. On top of beef, he stores lamb chops, pork chops, chicken and some seafood. Here’s how it works: pick your cut at the counter, tell the chef how you want it prepared and then sit back and wait for your grilled meat. You can also order sides like French fries (B70), mashed potatoes (B120), cheese-baked spinach (B150) and salad (B120) as well as one of their thick sauces: pepper, truffle, mushroom and a jaew-like Thai sauce (B40 each). To go with meat, Carne also curates a list of French wines including a
2012 Ackerman Pouilly-Fume from Loire (B1,190) and a 2012 Bertrand Stehelin Gigondas from Rhone (B1,390). As a spirit lover himself, there’s plenty of stronger drinks behind the bar, too, including Beluga vodka at B400/shot. Why you should care: The dry-aged beef at this super-cheap price says it all. Would we be willing to make another three-week wait for a table? Definitely. It’s also worth noting that staff are often too busy to pick up the phone, so try making your reservation through Hungry Hub instead. Natcha Sanguankiattichai 2080/2 Narathiwas Soi 20, 02-678-8340. Open Tue-Sun noon-11pm (butcher); 6-11pm (restaurant)
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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Butcher
TABLE TALK Hamakatsu
Toby's
NEW AND NOTED
Beef Bar
The latest in a line of recent red meat-focused openings (see Open Door), Butcher (3695/57 Charoen Rat Rd., 086-030-5953) lets you cook your own meat in a brass wok while sinking beers outdoors. Specializing in local beef, their recommended cuts include hump (B99), tongue (B99) and knuckle (B89), but our favorite has got to be the twice-a-week-delivered premium diced super steak (B800-900), which offers a balanced chewy bite. They also offer various pork cuts (from B69), chicken fillet (B69) and seafood like shrimp, squid, scallop and mussel (from B79). Drinks span a long list of bottled beers, from the classic Beerlao white and black (B80/B100) to Vedett Extra White and IPA (both at B190). Belgian-born Limburgse is availabe on tap (B180/small glass and B270/large glass).
Big on Brunch
From a space that's all white-washed brick and blond wood, Toby’s (68/1 Sukhumvit Soi 38, 02-712-1774) rolls out Australian-style rustic plates of corn fritters with bacon, cherry tomato,
baby spinach and avocado salsa (B390) and eggs Benedict with salmon on sourdough bread (B320). For dessert, try the succulent brioche soaked in beaten eggs and crispy cornflakes topped with vanilla ice cream (B280). And don’t miss the seasonal coffee—floral, with hints of bluberry and spices: flat white (B100) and double-and-a-half-shot Australian iced cafe latte (B140).
Katsu King
Nagasaki-hailing Hamakatsu (1/F, The Taste Thonglor, 235 Sukhumvit Soi 55, 02-712-7843) specializes in tonkatsu (pork cutlet) sets like the whopping cheese, pork loin and pork fillet set (there’s a prawn in there too, B395) as well as a few unagi (eel) options unique to Thailand, such as the bowl of chopped and boiled organic unagi on rice (B690). Do ask for the chef’s daily special assorted cutlets (B295), too, all served with unlimited rice, miso soup, cabbage and pickles. For an extra B100, you get free rein for 90 minutes on a pretty comprehensive dessert buffet. Theerada Moonsiri
Steve Café & Cuisine 68 Sri Ayutthaya Soi 21, 02-280-2989, 02-281-0915. Open daily 11:30am-11pm Located in the small community behind Wat Devarajkoonchon next to Thewet Pier, Steve boasts river views and a charming wooden house. Sound touristy? Despite its name, Steve claims it’s going for authentic Thai tastes. The chef, one of the owners' moms, has been in kitchens for some 20 years, plus is a true Southerner. Her signature dishes are powerful, pungent classics like gaeng luang sai bua gung (Southern sour soup with lotus stems and prawns, B190), sen mhee pad kai khem (stir-fried noodles with salted egg, B160) and gang tai pla (Southern style fish curry, B190). Exclusive privileges for Citibank credit cardmembers. Get Free 1 Cup of Ice Cream when spend 1,000 Baht or more /sales slip (Limit 1 cup /card /table /sales slip) Today – 29 Feb 16
To redeem your favorite dining vouchers, please visit www.citirewards.com. Simply click “Thailand” and then “Gift voucher”
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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bites & blends market + Events
Dim Sum and Craft Beer Hong Bao, Beervana and BKK Wine Club hosts a dim sum and craft beer dinner on Oct 29. B1,600. Reservations required at bkkwineclub@gmail. com 5/F, Central Embassy, 1031 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-160-5679. BTS Phloen Chit
K Village
Advertise your business with us
Urban Eatery This foodie market promises international dishes, mini cafes, handicrafts, clothing, home decor and more, with a zone for drinks and activities like beer pong and drinking contests. Oct 23-25, 10am-11pm. K Village, Sukhumvit Soi 26
Elements
Heavenly Touches From Nov 17-21, chef Onno Kokmeijer (of the Hotel Okura Amsterdam’s two-Michelin-starred restaurant Ciel Bleu) visits Elements to serve a sixcourse dinner (B5,600/person), a three-course set lunch (B3,200/person).
Spring Summer
starting from B6,000 Email sales@asia-city.co.th or call 026249601
The Okura Prestige, 57 Wireless Rd., 02-687-9000
Deals
Spring Epicurean Market A community market at Spring Summer devoted to good food featuring a lineup of local artisans and vendors including the likes of Sloane’s sausages and Conkey’s breads with a space for kids and live music. Oct 25, 8am-1pm. 199 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-392-2747
BKK Pop-Up Dinner This Nov 7, BKK Pop-Up Dinner group hosts its first four-course Thai dinner by chef Patchayaporn Bunyaluk (of The Kitchenmess) under the theme “Culinary Journey Through Thailand” The hidden venue in Thonglor will be revealed two days before the event. Priced at B1,500 with 25 seats available, the tickets can be purchased at www.eventpop.me/e/187.
All You Can Eat
Credit card/Debit card payment accepted
Every Thu and Fri, from 6-8pm till Nov 6, Crepes & Co. offers all-you-can-eat food and drinks at B899. 59/4 Lang Suan Soi 1, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-652-0208-9 G/F, Eight Thonglor, 88 Thonglor Soi 8, 02-726-9398
Kobe Beef Throughout Oct, District Grill Room & Bar offers a special menu featuring premium-grade Kobe beef including the coffee-cured Kobe wine beef (B990) and 24-hour braised Kobe wine beef chuck (B2,400). Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit, 2 Sukhumvit Soi 57, 02-797-0000
American Restaurant Week From Oct 26-Nov 2, over 20 American-owned restaurants (including Dean & Deluca, Knock , New York Steakhouse, BKK Bagel Bakery) celebrate Thai-U.S. friendship by offering deals. For more information, visit bangkok.usembassy.gov/arw2015.
Hyde & Seek
Oktoberfest Every Wed-Fri, 6-11:30pm, get draft beer at B200/pint at 1881, Hyde & Seek Peek-A-Boo and Tales of Gold Mine. Till Oct 29.
A Guide to Bangkok’s Best Restaurants BKmagazine.com/TopTables
Groove, 999/9 Rama 1 Rd. BTS Siam/Chit Lom
New Venues Angelini
Shangri-La’s Festival of Gastronomy Angelini welcomes guest chef Enrico Bartolini, from the two-Michelin-starred Devero Restaurant in Italy, on Oct 27-31. A five-course dinner on Oct 27-30 is priced at B3,500 while the Oct 31 wine dinner is B6,000. Shangri-La, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, Charoenkrung Rd., 02-236-7777. BTS Saphan Taksin
The Harbor Seafood An outdoor grill-it-yourself seafood spot in Ekkamai. 267/30 Soi Sukhumvit 63, 089-114-0004
Ryce A Japanese onigiri specialist serving up funky flavors. U Center, 46 Chulalongkorn Soi 42, 087092-7927
THE EASIEST WAY TO BOOK YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANTS 20
Find out more at www.chope.co/toptables
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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bites FOOD REVIEWS
Mizu by Sankyodai HHHH 2/F, Charn Issara Tower, 942/43 Rama 4 Rd., 02-6326660. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:00-10:00pm. MRT Silom. No Corkage Charge. BBB-BBBB
Mizu aims to be right up there with the top sushi restaurants in town, such as the Michelin-affiliated Ginza Sushi Ishi or the equally impressive Sushi Hinata. Don’t hold the awkward location down a narrow corridor in Charn Issara Tower and the space’s small size (a dozen seats and some seven spots at the bar) against it; sushi restaurants operate in a world where a complete lack of windows is par for the course. In fact, the dark hardwood and monochrome upholstery make the restaurant’s shining features all the more evident : attentive service, proud craftsmanship and excellent produce. Everything from the beautiful crockery and traditional sushiya uniforms to the splendid fish knives seem to gently whisper, “We’re using only the best stuff, here.” In case the hints are too subtle, the menu even spells it out for you (in English): the rice is “superpremium short grain Koshihikari,” the soy sauce a special gluten-free blend, the green tea a house mix of sencha and matcha. And then there’s what’s going on behind the
The Capital by Water Library HHHH 3/F, Empire Tower, Narathiwas Rd., 02-286-9548. Open Mon-Sat 11:30am-2:30pm,5:00pm11:00pm. BTS Chong Nonsi. No outside alcohol. BBB-BBBB F
Perched above hordes of Chong Nonsi office workers on a mezzanine level of Exchange Tower, Water Library’s first stab at a steakhouse serves up a stockbrokerappeasing menu of imported steaks and seafood. Tables of cufflink-shirted men crowd out the best seats in a dining room that feels like a swanky monochrome bistro imprisoned in a steel rib cage. The format is simple: three cuts of steak (tenderloin, sirloin, rib-eye) in your choice of beef from Australia, America, Japan, Italy or Germany. The cheapest is a 200g Aussie tenderloin at B950; the most expensive a 750g wagyu porterhouse at B3,300, which they optimistically call big Ratings
Price guide
PPPP Forget it PPPP Only if you’re in the neighborhood PPPP A pleasant dining experience PPPP Not to be missed
B BB BBB BBBB
BK pays for its meal and does not call ahead or sit with the chef.
counter: the freshly grated wasabi, the chef’s fluency when it comes to detailing the origins and seasonality of every fish he serves, the hypnotic knife-work. The end results are on par with the theatrics: rice at the perfect sourness and temperature, chunks of raw fish impeccably carved, slices of bitter cucumber leaves and sea grapes thrown in where cheaper places might use a sprinkling of chopped chives. Of course, none of this comes cheap. At B750, Mizu’s kaisen don is about 50 percent more expensive than popular fave Sushi Masa, but that chunk of fatty tuna belly alone is worth a pretty penny. Even lunchtime, traditionally a bargain at Soi Thaniya’s many Nippon restaurants, sees steep prices: The generous and delicious bara chirashi, at B600, is double what nearby Tsukiji charges. Worth it? We think so, as long as you stick to the raw fish. Mizu’s cooked dishes (a process that takes place off-stage, in a closed off kitchen) leave us unimpressed. The snow fish (gindara ageni, B550) has beautiful texture but very little flavor. The salmon teppanyaki (B400) is even less appealing—a tad dry, the butter and mirin used to cook it overpowering. Nor can we recommend the fatty, sweet rice with seaweed (hijiki chahanm, B120). In terms of service, those ordering omakase sets (B2,000 for three courses, including nine pieces of sushi or B3,500 for five courses/12 pieces of sushi) will see the young Thai chef lavish them with attention. In contrast, diners ordering a la carte end up completely ignored. “There are maybe 9-10 restaurants at our level in Bangkok,” the chef said on our last visit. That’s not entirely false, but Mizu still needs to become more consistent at delivering on its ambitions. enough for 4-5. Once cut into, our 300g Australian striploin (B1,300) oozes tangy juices and reveals a deliciously rare center, as ordered. The side of roasted potatoes are an equal match: fluffy, crispy and spiked with dessicated morsels of pig flesh. Tasked with putting together an actual dish rather than just throwing a piece of meat on the grill, the kitchen proves itself capable with the set lunch menu’s wagyu flank steak (B490) on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with elegantly portioned, perfectly cooked veggies. The wagyu burger (B390), too, bursts with succulent beef and bacon turned to a crisp. Ditch the sweet, greasy brioche bun and we’d be even happier. Sadly though, what they do so right with the beef doesn’t extend to the starter menu. Our crabmeat chowder (B270) tastes robbed of any comforting, unctuous depth, as if they took the recipe from a slimming magazine. Same story with the bland pumpkin soup (set lunch only). All in, The Capital is probably the most-formatted, least chef-driven venture so far from Water Library. But like all their ventures, you get a level of service and attention to detail that’s one step above most places in town. Stick to the steaks, throw in a few old-school cocktails (B295400), finish things off with their decadent banoffee pudding (B290) and The Capital adds up to a fine power lunch—if not an inspiring dinner.
Under B500 B500-900 B900-1,500 B1,500 and up Price per person, including one drink, appetizer, main course, dessert, charges and tax.
Symbols
H Reservations recommended F Parking available E Dress requirements G Live music BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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now SAT Pure Trance Paul Van Dyk is EDM royalty. The German DJ, musician and record producer has won more awards than we can list here (including a Grammy). DJ Mag, that omnipotent arbiter of all things electronic, named him the World's No. 1 DJ for two consecutive years. He’s also blazed a trail for all those larger-than-life stadium DJs touring the world—but we won’t hold that against him. Now PvD is returning to Bangkok, taking over Ztudio Live Hall (RCA, Charlerm Phrakiat Rama 9, 093-9399893) this Oct 24 with tracks from his latest album Politics of Dancing 3. Tickets B700 (includes one free drink) at 093-939-9893.
WED Best of Asia For its 17th year, Asiatopia International Performance Art Festival (Oct 28-Nov 1) will see more than 20 highly-regarded artists from all over Asia, such as Han Xiaohan and Nopawan Sirivejkul, take over the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (4/F Studio, 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8. BTS National Stadium) with wide-ranging pieces that explore hard-hitting concepts such as political violence, racism and environmental crises. Full schedule at ow.ly/Ttcgh.
SAT Rama Goes Pop
SAT Hey Big Spender Count your cash and clear a little extra space in your closet because Zaap on Sale, the mega indoor fashion market, is returning for an end-of-year sale this Oct 24-25 at Royal Paragon Hall (5/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-8023. BTS Siam). For five years now, they have brought together a ton of online brands, boutique stores and DIY shops for a weekend guaranteed to hit your wallet hard.
SUN Cinema Scarehouse Popcorn—check. Wine—check. A week’s worth of scarily good movies—check. That’s right, to get you in the spirit of Halloween, the Old Town’s Cinema Winehouse (59/61 Samsen Rd., 096495-6526) is screening two horror films per night between Oct 25-31 starting at 7:30pm, including all-time favorites such as Deliver Us From Evil, You’re Next, Shaun of the Dead and Hellboy. Plus, they’re capping off the week on Halloween night with the best of the best: The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Shining. Free entry. Full schedule at on.fb.me/1PkUi71.
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There’s seemingly no two things more contradictory than Ramakien and pop art, but Jirapat Tatsanasomboon’s made his name combining them, resulting in a series of refreshingly eye-catching artworks. Named by Thames & Hudson as one of the “100 Painters of Tomorrow," the artist’s latest exhibition, titled “Disparity,” runs from Oct 24-Nov 21 at Thavibu Gallery (4/F, Room 433, Jewelry Trade Center, Silom Rd., 02-266-5454) and showcases works that reference current Thai political affairs.
TUE Room on Fire Pop music label Smallroom previews its forthcoming compilation album this Oct 27. Small like Room Spirit will take over Live House Studio (Chatuchak Green, Gumpaengpetch Rd.) with the label’s creme de la creme: Polycat, Slur and Somkiat plus DJ sets to last long into the night. B499 at ow.ly/TtgX3.
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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An online live-streamed party with an intimate, boiler room vibe. Free jugs of beer for people who arrive before 10pm. The full DJ line-up is to be announced; visit on.fb.me/ 1jxy700 to stay updated. Oct 23, 9pm. Mustache Bar, 544/5 Ratchadaphisek Soi 7, 081-844-7080. B150. INFECTED MUSHROOM @ ZTUDIO LIVE HALL This is House Presents Spectrum Feat. Coran
Currently ranked No. 49 in DJ Mag's list of the world's 100 DJs, this Israeli DJ and producer duo perform a mix of trance, electronica, electro house and dubstep. Oct 23, 9pm. Ztudio Live Hall, RCA, Chalerm Phrakiat Rama 9, 093-939-9893. Free. LIGHTS OUT PARTY
Infected Mushroom @ Ztudio Live Hall
The first installment of Singha Light's party tour will feature hip-hop and rap musicc from Twopee, Deejay B, Big Calo, DJ Tob, Nj Hennesy, Jayrun, Stickyricekillah and plenty of LED dancers. Oct 23, 9pm. Grease,
Piman 49, 46/12-13 Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02662-6120-1. Free. DARK CIRCUS 2
The circus-themed party returns for a "Freak Show" edition, promising a night filled with acrobatics, magicians, artists and dancers, plus 10 DJs and plenty of room for dancing. Oct 24, 7pm. Live RCA Bangkok, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 086-860-0808. KONTRABAND FT. MC DAN STEZO
The monthly party filled with dub techno, bass, footwork and drum 'n' bass, welcomes special guest MC Dan Stezo, a prolific drum 'n' bass artist who has worked with Dutch producer Lenzman on popular tracks such as 'Move & Focus' and 'The Soul Tape.' Oct 24, 9pm. Dark Bar, 2/F, Ekamai Mall, Ekkamai Soi 10, 02-381-9896, 090 528 4646. B200 includes 1 Absolut shot.
NITE RIDE VOL. 10
DJ Boogie G, Dangdut Banget, Gramaphone Children and DJ Lows throw a night filled with modern funk, disco, boogie and electro funk. Oct 24, 9pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-2616661. B100-200. BTS Thong Lo. URBAN POOL PARTY
The popular pool party is back with DJs such as Warah, Ballistic One, SG and Master D. There will also be an after-party at Sway (Thonglor Soi 10). Tickets B500 at www.urbanpoolparty.com. Oct 24, 3pm. Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok, 489 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-302-3333. BTS Asok. DISCO ROBOT PRESENTS: BORROWED IDENTITY DOES DISCO
The German-Romanian house and techno producer returns to Bangkok to perform an all-disco set, supported by Disco Robot DJs Harrington and Jaydubb, and Kolour's DJ Koish. Oct 24, 10pm. Black Pagoda, Patpong Soi 2. B350 (includes one drink). BTS Sala Daeng. on.fb.me/1LHIjtv THIS IS HOUSE PRESENTS SPECTRUM FEAT. CORAN
WHY NOT
DJ Coran, known for his Kolour, Sunn and Free Open Air parties, spins house, supported by DJ Alex iM!X and Widowa Woody. Oct 29, 9pm. Ku De Ta, 39/F, Sathorn Square Complex, 98 Sathorn Rd., 02-108-2000. Free. BTS Chong Nonsi.
Snap the River
PRIVATE COLLECTION BY QUAY RECORDS CREW
A night of hip-hop and drum 'n' bass from DJs Pichy, Wen and Nolens Volens. Oct 30, 9pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. B100-200. BTS Thong Lo. JMJ SON OF RUN DMC FEATURING IYAZ LIVE IN BANGKOK
The son of Run DMC's pioneering DJ, Jam Master Jay, headlines a night of hip-hop and reggae with Caribbean Singer Iyaz. Tickets B900 at bit.ly/1MiH4WH Nov 4, 8pm. Live RCA Bangkok, RCA, Rama 9 Rd., 086-860-0808.
Here's a fun (and potentially rewarding) reason to head on down to the riverside. Bangkok River Experience is hosting its first ever photography competition, dubbed 60 Days on Bangkok River, inviting people to capture and share their stories of life by the water. Simply upload your pic onto Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #bkkrvr. The winning photo will be exhibited in a photography exhibition at Serindia Gallery Annex Central Embassy, as well as receive a weekend stay at luxury hotels along the river, including Mandarin Oriental, Millennium Hilton, Royal Orchid Sheraton and many more. Submissions accepted through Nov 30 at bangkokriverexperience.com.
Get all the latest events and restaurant openings from the free BK Now app
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS BANGKOK MUSIC FORUM: THE MUSICAL THEATER
For its 10th year, the Bangkok Music Forum invites Sarawut Lertpanyanuch, renowned Thai musical producer, to discuss music in theater and perform a selection of his best works. Oct 24, 4pm. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8. Free. BTS National Stadium. LEICA STREET PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP
Bangkok Music Forum: The Musical Theater
Run by photographers Maciej Dakowicz (a contributor to Cardiff After Dark) and David Solomons (London Underground and Happenstance), this workshop includes a class
and guided walk to put your knowledge to the test. Oct 23-25, 9am. THE WOLF OF WALL STREET LIVE IN BANGKOK
John Belfort, whose memoir The Wolf of Wall Street was turned into a blockbuster by Martin Scorsese, will give a nine-hour seminar on his hard-hitting sales techniques and "Straight Line System". Tickets B4,0009,000 at thewolfofwallstreetthailand.com. Oct 30, 9am. Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, 99 Popular Rd., 02-833-4455.
BITS MMXV
Bangkok International Typographic Symposium returns to celebrate the importance of communication design. Join workshops by typography experts from around the world such as Seok Geumho (Korea), Marke De Winne (Singapore) and Verena Gerlach (Germany) and attend a two-day conference with Dave Crossland (Google Fonts Project), David Jonathan Ross (Font Bureau) and Panuwat Usakulwattana (Typographic Association Bangkok). Tickets B1,500-2,500 at bitsmm.org. Oct 30-Nov 1, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8. BTS National Stadium. BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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16 Years Panda Records
The Iron Fairies
Z-MYX LIVE VOL. 1 WITH TRIUMPH KINGDOM AND YOKEE PLAYBOY
THE IMPOSSIBLES' 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
One of Thailand's dance-music pioneers returns to the stage in his first live performance in 10 years, along with support acts Triumph Kingdom and Yokee Playboy. Oct 30, 7pm. Moonstar Studio, 701 Lad Phrao Soi 80 (Lad Phrao), 02-539-3881. Tickets B1,500 from Thaiticketmajor.
Thailand's beloved veterans celebrate their 50th anniversary with old favorites and seldom-heard rarities. Nov 10-11, 6pm. Bangkok Convention Center, Centara Grand at CentralWorld Hotel, 999/99 Rama 1 Rd., 02100-1234. B1,500-3,000.
2 SAINTS CHARITY CONCERT
The B2F Swing band from Amsterdam perform jazz, swing, pop and show tunes. Oct 27, 9pm. The Iron Fairies, 404 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 02-714-8875. Free.
A chill rooftop concert to raise money for retired teachers of three select schools in Bangkok, featuring pop and R&B singers Aof Pongsak, Pop Pongkoon (from Calories Blah Blah) and Wan Tanakrit. Nov 8, 8pm. Cloud 47, 47/F, United Center, Silom Rd., 091-889-9600. B1,200 from Thaiticketmajor. BTS Sala Daeng.
SALES & FAIRS
BIG TO THE FUTURE SWING BAND
PLAY IT ART
The biggest lifestyle designer product show in Southeast Asia returns for its 40th year. There will be over 1,600 booths offering an array of lifestyle items including flowers and plants, stationery, Christmas decorations, home textiles and spa products. Through Oct 23, 10am-9pm. BITEC, 88 Bang Na-Trat Rd., 02-749-3939. BTS Bang Na.
This new pop-up market takes over the grounds of Hua Lamphong Station (think Made By Legacy last year). Expect lots of vintage items, handmade crafts, a small art exhibition as well as art workshops. There's already a pretty huge food lineup too, plus some live indie music across the two days by singers from The Voice Thailand, Folkwhite, Fwends, Youth Brush and Pijika. Oct 31-Nov 1, 4pm.
ZAAP ON SALE
20TH BANGKOK BOOK FAIR
With over 400 stalls, the mega indoor fashion market returns for an end-ofyear sale, bringing together online brands and boutique stores. Oct 24-25, 11am. Royal Paragon Hall, 5/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-8023.
Returning for its 20th year, this fair will showcase and sell books from publishers around the country, along with several new book launches and talks with famous national authors. Through Nov 1. Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, 60 New Ratchadapisek Rd., 02-229- 3000. MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
YOUTH CULTURE EXHIBITION MARKET
The bare industrial space on the sixth floor of Central Embassy turns into a creative market featuring appearances by fashion stores by art and design students, a mixed-media art installation by 56th Studio and live DJs and bands like DCNXTR, Fwends and Yellow Fang. Oct 31-Nov 1. Central Embassy, 1031 Phloenchit Rd., 02-119-7777. BTS Phloen Chit.
SILOM FOLKS MARKET 2
The chic flea market promises more than 40 stalls at which to eat and shop, including the likes of Ploenwan Panich, Chaoguay Khun Ya and House of Crepe. Nov 4-6, 10am. The Heritage Baan Silom, Silom Soi 19, 086-340-1821.
PRONTO CARNIVAL
BANGKOK ARTISAN 2015
Pronto Denim presents its fourth "carnival" of all things denim, with over 12 brands of jeans, including Nudie Jeans Co., Naked and Famous, Japan Blue, Momotaro Jeans, Iron Heart and Wear House. Nov 1. Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-690-1000. Free. BTS Siam.
Over 200 of Thailand's performance artists, filmmakers, designers, painters and musicians, spread across five zones (exhibitions, workshops, galleries, art installments and, of course, a designated food truck area). Fri-Sun through mid-Dec. Nov 6-Dec 20. Thanya Park, Sri Nakarin Rd., 02-108-6000.
The Art of Being Right
ENG-CHANG THE MUSICAL: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIVES OF THE LEGENDARY CONJOINED TWINS WHO CHANGED THEIR OWN DESTINIES
The struggles and love lives of the famed Siamese twins, who exceeded all expectations and led successful lives beyond the confines of Siam. Directed by Bhanbhassa Dhubthien and starring pop singers Parn Thanaporn, Tachaya Prathumwan from The Voice Thailand, Ah-Eye from The Voice Kids and members of pop-opera band Fivera. Free Salaya Link shuttle bus from Bangwa station for all performances. Oct 23, 24, 7pm; Oct 24-25, 1pm. Prince Mahidol Hall, Mahidol University (Salaya Campus), 25/25 Buddhamonthon Sai 4 Rd. B500-3,000 from Thaiticketmajor. HOMRONG THE MUSICAL RESTAGE
A musical that retells the famous story of revered musical master Luang Pradit Pairoh, who lived ruing the reigns of Rama 5-7, featuring ranad aek (Thai xylophone) soloist and theater stars such as Suprawat Patumasood, Korakun Suttikosas and Satida Pornhompiriya. Nov 6-Oct 22, 7pm. Siam Square One, Rama 1 Rd. B1,0003,000 from Thaiticketmajor. Siam. KRAITHONG
As part of this year's Bangkok Theater Festival, director Kreingdetch Khamnarong presents a Southern folk performance about Chalawan, a crocodile whose head is the key to unlocking
the door of love for an old couple who have been together since their previous lives. Nov 7-8, 1pm. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630-8. B200300. BTS National Stadium.
Eng-Chang The Musical
mystery dinner and theater performance promises comedy, action and plenty of audience participation. Nov 5-14, 7pm. DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Sukhumvit Bangkok, 18/1 Sukhumvit 26, 02-649-6666. B850.
THE LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
THE LISBON TRAVIATA
An adaptation of Roger Corman and Charles B. Griffith's famous 1960s horror-musical about the life of a man-eating plant in a flower shop. For tickets call 095-924-4555, or visit on.fb.me/1Op8Gux. Through Nov 2, 8pm. Thong Lor Art Space, 58/14-15 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). B350550.
Originally produced by The Manhattan Theater Club in New York City, the drama-comedy play centers around two homosexual male friends, one of whom is about to lose his lover to a younger man. Starring Bangkok's fabulous drag queen Pangina Heals and Bangkok Community Theatre's Steven Thu, Sat-Sun (no shows on Halloween weekend.) Tickets B800 at bit.ly/1LglP7r. Through Nov 15, 7pm. Culture Collective Studio, 3/F, Chatrium Residence Riverside Bangkok, 26/276 Charoenkrung Soi 70, 099-447-4670.
FLY WITH ME, FREE BREAKFAST (QUEER EDITION)
Director Damkerng Thitapiyasak returns with a queer edition of his successful play from last year, Fly With Me, Free Breakfast, a slapstick comedy inspired by the French farce Boeing-Boeing: Bodin, a young bachelor dating three air stewards from three different airlines, attempts to maintain the relationships without them finding out about each other. English subtitles provided. Tickets at 095-924-4555 or on.fb.me/1jpksIB Through Nov 3, 7:30pm. Thong Lor Art Space, 58/14-15 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). B590.
THE ART OF BEING RIGHT
When Pipo and Por decide to break up, they must figure out how to do it the "right" way in this emotional performance by the Splashing Theater Company as part of the 13th annual Bangkok Theater Festival. Nov 5-15, 7:30pm. Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02214-6630-8. Tickets B300 at bangkoktheatrefestival.com. BTS National Stadium.
FAN FARE TO MURDER
Brought to you by Bangkok Community Theater, this interactive murder
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One of the biggest indie record labels presents its annual concert, in celebration of its 16th anniversary, featuring live performances by Monomania, Stylish Nonsense, Hariguem Zaboy, Chladni Chandi, Abstraction XL and Freetype Writer at the historic Thonburi Rama Cinema (71 Charan Sanitwong Rd.) 400 tickets available at on.fb.me/1FfoZY4. Oct 31, 4pm. B600.
MUSICALS & THEATER
Big+Bih
40TH BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR & BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL HOUSEWARE FAIR (BIG+BIH)
16 YEARS PANDA RECORDS
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BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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HIGHLIGHT
Halloween Parties (Oct 31)
What would Halloween (next Saturday) be without outrageous outfits, weirdly colored cocktails and lots of prize giveaways?
INSTITUTE OF INTIMATE MUSEUMS
Successful Japanese artist Kenji Sugiyama, known for his clever spin-offs of traditional diorama art, presents his miniature museums hidden in seemingly normal objects such as pasta boxes. Oct 24-Nov 25. La Lanta Fine Art, 254/14 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 02-260-5381, 02-204-0583.
SHADES OF SHADOW PROJECTION MAPPING ART
Thai artist Pongpassakorn Kulthirathum, known for his work with the D-Fuse project in London, explores the interplay between light and dark through video and projection mapping. Oct 29. S Gallery, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, 189 Sukhumvit Rd., 093-582-6588. BTS Nana.
Above Eleven
Axis & Spin
IT’S SOUND GHOST HALLOWEEN MUSIC FESTIVAL UNCONDITIONED DISCUSSION
UNDER THE BRIDGE
Part one of Vichaya Mukdamanee's solo art exhibition Becoming (Un) Conditioned consists of the artist's recent work inspired by Theravada Buddhism. Part two will follow in mid December. Details at www. bia.or.th. Oct 31-Nov 22. Suan Rod Fai (Vachirabenjatas Park), Kamphaeng Phet 3, 02-537-9221.
Photographer Andrew McNeill presents his latest works, consisting of dramatic black-and-white portraits that he has captured over the past year while engaging with homeless people on the streets of his hometown, Cardiff, Wales. Nov 7-Dec 26. Kathmandu Photo Gallery, 87 Pan
SPORTS
Taking place at Mountain Creek Golf Resort & Residences (99/9 Moo 12, Mittrapap Rd., Nakhon Ratchasima), this festival’s lineup reads like a who’s who of local pop-rock: Tattoo Colour, 25Hours, Musketeers, Scrubb and Polycat. There’s also a tent-rental service if you plan to spend the night. Tickets are B1,300, available at Thaiticketmajor. 4pm onwards. PLAYBOY HALLOWEEN MASQUERADE
Upcoming Runs
Playboy throws a masquerade party at the Grand Postal Building (1160 Charoenkrung Rd.) featuring live music from Bodyslam, Joey Boy, Fucking Hero and DJ Spidamonkee. Tickets are B2,500 for free-flow drinks, available at Thaiticketmajor. 8pm-1am. FUNKY FREELAND HALLOWEEN
Hosted by Bangkok’s fabulous drag queen, Pangina Heals, the rooftop charity party at Above Eleven (38/8
Sukhumvit Soi 11) aims to raise funds for the Freeland Foundation. Music from DJs Bert Bevans, Luck-E and Harrington. Dress code is “disco animal.” Entry is B400 at the door (includes one drink). 9pm onwards. KU DE TA HALLOWEEN
Rock up in your most creative costume to Ku De Ta (Sathorn Square Building, North Sathorn Rd.) for a night of gruesome partying and chances to win a prize. Free entry for ladies, B400 for men (includes one drink). 9pm onwards. AREA 107 ZONE 66
Route 66 (RCA, 66 Rama 9 Soi 8) joines forces with MET 107 Radio to turn the club into an alien research laboratory for a party that stretches across four zones: the live room, the EDM room, the hip-hop room and the outdoor stage. Featuring live music from Zeal, Italian Kidz, DJ Ono, DJ Mr. Meeh and more. Free. 9pm onwards.
Ku De Ta
BLACK CASTLE HALLOWEEN
Axis & Spin (The Continental Hotel, 413 Sukhumvit Rd.) transforms into a horror castle for this year’s Halloween extravaganza. Prepare your “vintage ghost” costumes and enjoy free-flow drinks for B999. 9pm onwards. POP ROCK HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
Mustache Bar (544/5 Ratchadaphisek 7) holds a massive two nights of live music, featuring the likes of Fwends, Matthew Fischer and the Fishes, Panic Station and Penny Time. There will be a B2,000 prize for the night’s best costume and the five runner ups will get a free bottle of vodka. B300 (includes one drink). IT’S A BLOODY BAD IDEA
Party crew Duck & Noodle take over Whiteline (Silom Soi 8) with DJs Dragon, Gramaphone Children, Benoit C and Bedcheck & Son, promising lasers and cheap drinks. B300 (includes one drink). 9pm onwards.
The Color Run
BANGKOK 10KM INTERNATIONAL RUN’
A scenic 10km run through the streets of Old Bangkok, starting from the United Nations Building on Rajadamnoern Nok Avenue. Trophies will be awarded to the winners of the five age categories. Oct 25, 5:30am. B600 at bit. ly/1Ghiggo. RUN FOR SMILES 2015’
Operation Smile organizes a 10km and 5km run to raise money for its foundation, which provides cleft-lip operations to children in need. Oct 25, 6am. Suan Luang Rama VIII Public Park, Arun Amarin Rd. B500 at bit.ly/1js5dPn. THE COLOR RUN’
Calling itself the "Happiest 5K on the Planet", the much-anticipated event involves different colored powder thrown on the "Color Runners" at each kilometer they complete, meaning everyone goes home plastered from head to toe in color. Oct 31-Nov 1, 8am. Suan Rod
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Fai (Vachirabenjatas Park), Kamphaeng Phet 3, 02-537-9221. B900 at colorrunthailand.co.th. MRT Phahon Yothin. TMB & ING PARK RUN 2015’
Under the theme "You have the power... make the difference," all proceeds will be donated to the Cardiac Children Foundation. Distances are 10km, 4.5 km and 2km, and the run stretches across Chatuchak, Vachirabenjatas and HM Queen Sirikit parks. Nov 8, 4:30am. B400 at Thaiticketmajor. MRT Suan Chatuchak. EIT MINI MARATHON’
EIT's 6th annual mini marathon offers plenty of trophies to be won across four age groups. Distances offered are 12km, 6km and 3km. Nov 8, 5:30am. Suanluang Rama IX Public Park, Sukhumvit Soi 103, 02-328-8982. B250-400 at http://on.fb.me/1Oyphwq.
OUT OF TOWN
BMW Motorrad Days For those looking for a quick but action-packed escape from the city, why not take a short drive to Enduro Park (75 Bangbon 3 Rd.) for the first ever BMW Motorrad Days in Thailand this Oct 31-Nov 1. Alongside the GS Trophy Southeast Asia Qualifier, there are water sports like jet skiing, water zorbing and fly boarding, plus live music performances from Joeyboy, Fucking Hero, Beeazy, Dj Spydamonkee and J Jetrin. Free entry. www.bmw-motorrad.co.th.
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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Now Hiring JUNIOR WRITER (THAI LANGUAGE) We’re starting some awesome new projects in Thai. We’re looking for someone with: Requirements: • a fun, energetic, creative personality • Thai national • superlative Thai-language writing • Bachelor’s degree skills • curiosity for everything cool that’s going on in Bangkok • an eye for detail and fact-checking • ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
JUNIOR WRITER (BK MAGAZINE) Junior Writers write copy for our various publications: BK Magazine, WHERE Thailand and various custom publications. BK Magazine is the Englishlanguage publication with the highest circulation and readership in Thailand. Similarly, WHERE Thailand is the visitor publication with the highest readership and circulation in Thailand. We’re looking for someone with: Requirements: • a fun, energetic, creative personality • Thai national • superlative English-language writ- • Bachelor’s degree ing skills • curiosity for everything cool that’s going on in Bangkok • an eye for detail and fact-checking • ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines
JUNIOR CONTENT COORDINATOR The content assistant ensures we have fresh, updated content on our various print and online platforms: bkmagazine.com, wherethailand.com, etc. This content includes advertising, e-mail blasts and more. We’re looking for someone with: • HTML and Adobe software skills • content management systems • online advertising systems
Requirements: • Thai national • Bachelor’s degree • detail-oriented, meticulous • has an interest in the web, publishing and advertising
To apply send (1) a resume and (2) a cover letter with your (3) salary expectation to jobs@asia-city.co.th BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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now FREEWILL ASTROLOGY by Rob Brezsny
FILM Opening
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 22): More than any other sign, you have an ability to detach yourself from life’s flow and analyze its complexities with cool objectivity. This is mostly a good thing. It enhances your power to make rational decisions. On the other hand, it’s sometimes a liability. You may become so invested in your role as observer that you refrain from diving into life’s flow. You hold yourself apart from it, avoiding both its messiness and vitality. But in the coming weeks I bet you will be a savvy watcher even as you’re almost fully immersed in the dynamic flux. STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (USA)
BRIDGE OF SPIES (USA)
Biography/Drama. In late-1988, NWA, a hip-hop group from Compton, Los Angeles, releases its debut album offering a brutally honest depiction of life on the streets. Oct 22
Drama. An American lawyer working for the CIA (Tom Hanks) is sent to the Soviet Union during the Cold War on a mission to rescue a captured US pilot who has been sentenced to 10 years in prison. Oct 22
THE LITTLE PRINCE (USA)
Animation. Based on the popular French novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupery; the tale of a pilot (voiced by Jeff Bridges) who crashes in the middle of the Sahara Desert to find a little prince (voiced by Paul Rudd) who has arrived from another planet. Oct 22
ED SHEERAN: JUMPERS FOR GOALPOSTS (USA)
Concert. This concert film screening will show exclusive footage from Ed Sheeran’s performance on his X Tour at Wembley Stadium, London. Screening at Major Cineplex Cinema only. Oct 23
Upcoming FOODIES (USA)
JU ON: THE FINAL CURSE (JAPAN)
Documentary. An honest look into the lives of a group of wealthy food fanatics who devote their time to visiting only the most exclusive restaurants around the world. Oct 28
Horror. The final installment of the Ju On series sees Mai discover that the Saeki family curse is to blame for the yearlong disappearance of her younger sister. Oct 28
REGRESSION (USA)
SCOUTS GUIDE TO THE ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE (USA)
Thriller. A detective (Ethan Hawke) and a psychoanalyst (David Thewlis) expose evidence of satanic abuse while investigating the rape of a traumatized teen (Emma Watson) at the hands of her father, who claims to recall nothing of the incident. Oct 28
Comedy. When a zombie outbreak invades their home town, three boy scouts must save the day in a mission that will test both their bravery and their friendship. Oct 28
SPECIAL SCREENING Spanish Film Week
10,000 KM
MARSHLAND
Thriller. When a serial killer goes on the loose in a small town near Seville, two opposing homicide detectives must put their differences aside in order to put an end to the killing spree. Directed by Alberto Rodriguez. MAGICAL GIRL
Crime. To fulfill his terminally ill daughter’s final wish to own an expensive dress from her favorite anime series, her unemployed father commits a chain of blackmail schemes. Directed by Carlos Vermut. 10,000 KM
Romantic/Drama. After Alexandra relo-
SF World Cinema, along with the Spanish Embassy of Thailand, have selected five winning films from this year’s Goya Awards (aka the Spanish Oscars) to screen as part of the Spanish Film Week, taking place between Nov 5-8 at SF Cinema CentralWorld (Ratchadamri Rd. BTS Chit Lom). Here’s a look at the selected movies: cates to LA for work, her relationship with her boyfriend back home is put to the test. Directed by Carlos Marques-Marcet. EL NINO
Crime/Thriller. The story of two young drug traffickers, El Nino and El Compi, who must escape the trail of two police agents who are on a mission to dismantle their operation. Directed by Daniel Monzon. LOREAK
Drama. A woman’s life is forever changed when she begins receiving anonymous flowers on her doorstep at the same time every morning. Directed by Jose Maria Goenaga and Jon Garano.
SCORPIO (Oct 23-Nov 21): Are you an inventor? Probably not. But in the coming weeks you may have metaphorical resemblances to an inventor. I suspect you will have find alternatives to conventional wisdom. You may surprise yourself with your knack for finding ingenious solutions to long-standing dilemmas. To prime your instincts, I’ll provide three thoughts from inventor Thomas Edison. 1. “To invent, you need a good imagination and a pile of junk.” 2. “Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.” 3. “Everything comes to those who hustle while they wait.” SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Some unraveling is inevitable. What has been woven together must now be partially unwoven. But please refrain from thinking of this mysterious development as a setback. Instead, consider it an opportunity to reexamine any work that was a bit sloppy. Be glad you will get a second chance to fix what wasn’t done quite right the first time. In fact, I suggest you preside over the unraveling yourself. Don’t wait for random fate to accomplish it. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): “A waterfall would be more impressive if it flowed the other way,” said Irish author Oscar Wilde. I appreciate the wit, but don’t agree with him. A plain old ordinary waterfall, with foamy surges continually plummeting over a precipice and crashing below, is sufficiently impressive for me. In the coming days, will you be impatient with plain old ordinary marvels? Or will you be able to enjoy them just as they are? AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): Years ago, I moved into a rental house with my new girlfriend, whom I had known for six weeks. As we fell asleep the first night, a song played in my head: “Nature’s Way,” by the band Spirit. I barely knew it. And yet there it was, repeating its first line over and over: “It’s nature’s way of telling you something’s wrong.” Being a magical thinker, I wondered if my unconscious mind was telling me a secret about my love. But I rejected that possibility. When we broke up a few months later, however, I wished I had paid attention to that early alert. I mention this because I suspect your unconscious mind will soon provide you with a wealth of useful information. Listen up! At least some of it will be good news, not cautionary like mine. PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): When I advise you to GET NAKED, I don’t mean it in a literal sense. Yes, I will applaud if you’re willing to experiment with brave acts of self-revelation. I will approve of you taking risks for the sake of the raw truth. But getting arrested for indecent exposure might compromise your ability to carry out those noble acts. So, no, don’t actually take off all your clothes and wander through the streets. Instead, surprise everyone with brilliant acts of vulnerability. Gently tell the Purveyors of Unholy Repression to take their boredom machine and shove it up their humdrum. ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): According to the online etymological dictionary, the verb “fascinate” entered the English language in the 16th century. It was derived from the Middle French fasciner and the Latin fascinatus, which are translated
as “bewitch, enchant, put under a spell.” In the 19th century, “fascinate” expanded in meaning to include “delight, attract, hold the attention of.” I suspect you will soon have experiences that could activate both senses of “fascinate.” My advice is to get the most out of your delightful attractions without slipping into bewitchment. TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): One of the largest machines in the world is a “bucket wheel excavator” in Kazakhstan. It’s a saw that weighs 45,000 tons and has a blade the size of a four-story building. If you want to slice through a mountain, it’s perfect for the job. Indeed, that’s what it’s used for over. Right now I picture you as having a metaphorical version of this equipment. That’s because I think you have the power to rip a clearing through a massive obstruction that has been in your way. GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock did a daily ritual to remind him of life’s impermanence. After drinking his tea each morning, he flung both cup and saucer over his shoulder, allowing them to smash on the floor. I don’t recommend a comparable custom for long-term use, but it might be healthy to do so for now. Are you willing to outgrow your old containers? Are there any unnecessary taboos that need to be broken? Experiment with the possible blessings that might come by not clinging to the illusion of “permanence.” CANCER (Jun 21-Jul 22): Terence was a comic playwright in ancient Rome. He spoke of love in ways that sound modern. It can be capricious, he said. It may provoke indignities and rouse difficult emotions. Are you skilled at debate? Love requires you to engage in strenuous discussions. Peace may break out in the midst of war, and vice versa. Terence’s conclusion: If you seek counsel regarding the arts of love, you may as well be asking for advice on how to go mad. But I suspect that in the coming weeks you will be excused from most of those crazy-making aspects. The sweet and smooth sides of love will predominate. Uplift is more likely than angst. Take advantage of the grace period! Put chaos control measures in place for the next time Terence’s version of love returns. LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): In the coming weeks, you will have a special relationship with the night. When the sun goes down, your intelligence will intensify, as will your knack for knowing what’s really important and what’s not. You will have an enhanced capacity to make sense of murky matters lurking in the shadows. You will be able to penetrate deeper than usual, and get to the bottom of secrets and mysteries that have kept you off-balance. VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): New friends and unexpected teachers are in your vicinity, with more candidates on the way. There may even be potential comrades who could eventually become flexible collaborators. Will you be available for the openings they offer? I worry that you may not be ready if you are too preoccupied with old friends and familiar teachers. So please make room for surprises.
All movies are in Spanish with English subtitles. Tickets are B120, available at www.sfcinemacity.com or 02-268-8888 from Oct 24 onwards.
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BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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marketplace PROPERTY For rent
2 OFFICES for Rent – 18,000 THB – 100 m2 each in Soi 33 of Sukhumvit 107 (Bearing), 3 km from Bearing BTS station. Unfurnished 18,000/month or furnished 21,000/month, ample parking, CCTV, aircon. Available immediately. Contact Paul on 081-633-8468 or Thapanee on 081-402-3918.
Pick up
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venues Credit card/Debit card payment accepted
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A-SPACE Condo. 2 km from BTS On-Nuch (Sukhumvit 77). 6 Floor, 35.5 SQM. 1 bed 1 living, wide balcony. Swimming pool view. Furnished facilities are pool, security card & guard, parking. 1.87 MB. or rent minimum 1 year contract. Contact: Duke 084-081-1178
Kuppadeli Sukhumvit Soi 21
Toby’s Sukhumvit Soi 38
Blue Elephant Sathorn Rd.
See full list at www.bkmagazine.com/bkdistribution Contact : marketing@asia-city.co.th
BK Magazine Friday, October 23, 2015
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