Southern Exposure
On the trail of HM King Bhumibol’s agricultural success stories in the South of Thailand
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2017
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page 3 6 cover story
Song for the South
4 upfront
10 escapes
Walk On
Best Coast
14 avenue
16 bites
Big This Season
Sathorn Flavors
17 blends
21 bk now
What’s Brewing
Where to Go
Who's in charge? Managing Director Andrew Hiransomboon Managing Editor Oliver Irvine Digital Director / Deputy Editor Carl Dixon Digital Content Coordinator Nontaya Kumyat Senior Writer Rujiyatorn Choksiriwan Staff Writers Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj, Theerada Moonsiri, Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon Junior Writers Kankanok Wichiantanon, Kasidit Srivilai, Neon Boonyadhammakul Art Director Vatanya Bongkotkarn Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Deputy Art Director Peeraya Sirathanisa Graphic Designers Anunya Chobnitas, Wirankan Saiyasombut Photographer Watcharawit Phudork Video Content Manager Chanon Wongsatayanont Video Designer Saranya Laowtrakul Videographer Nattapol Srisukh Junior Video Editors Pattanagorn Adirekkiat
Where to find us!
The Asia City Media Group
Managing Editor (Studio) Dietrich Neu Associate Editor Sureepak Janyapat Senior Project Manager Chayanap Tongdadas Project Coordinators Nutnicha Nuttanakorn, Peerada Chotiya Senior Developer Passzarkorn Youthasoontorn Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai Sales Managers Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Orajira Sukkasem, Onwara Sittirug Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Nattaya Bovornsettanon, Orakarn Laohakanjanasiri, Amarit Jinaya Sales Associate Prawpraew Pairoh
Accountant Manita Bangmoung Administrator Yaovaluck Srisermsri Contributors Kathy MacLeod Interns Korapon Kanchanabudhu, Rowan Usher, Ratchaneekorn Sriamnad Cover design by Wirankan Saiyasombut
Asia City Media Group Chief Executive Officer Greg Duncan (gduncan@asiacity.net) Director Gretchen Worth (gworth@asia-city.co.th)
Marketing Executive Sarocha Satawiriya Junior Marketing Executive Narabhutr Thaemsiri Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Limkhamduang Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang
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
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What We’ve Learned
That new microbuses could make road trips more appealing No more hurtling down the highway in a speeding death trap. Or so the Land Transport Department would like us to believe after they gave the go-ahead to Thailand’s first “microbus” route. Last week, a 20-seat microbus set off from Ratchaburi to Bangkok Bus Terminal, complete with GPS tracking and ABS braking system to increase control on slippery roads. This should be the first of many, with a new transport plan requiring travel companies to switch out vans that are more than 10 years old for microbuses. That Ducktails’ Bangkok gig has been canceled The New Jersey “lo-fi” band will no longer be visiting Thailand in November after allegations broke that leader Matt Mondanile was fired from his previous act, Real Estate, due to misconduct towards women. Full details have yet to emerge, but organizers across the region have taken swift action and put a stop to Ducktails’ full Asia tour. According to local promoters Have You Heard?, those who already bought tickets will be fully reimbursed. That elephant battles from 400 years ago happened. And that’s that. Now on his fifth charge for lese majeste, social critic Sulak Sivaraksa faces the wrath of a military court for questioning whether King Naresuan kicked Burmese royal butt while riding an elephant 400 years ago. When he gave the lecture—a full three years ago—there happened to be in his audience two young radicals with Lt-Gen before their names. Neither was happy, and so lodged a complaint with Chanasongkram police station that will see Sulak once more dragged over the coals for saying something that no interpretation of Section 112 could ever read as being in breach of the notorious law. Military prosecutors have until Dec 7 to decide how far they’re willing to take this thing. That the 7-Eleven draft beer dream is over After its automatic beer-pouring machines went viral on Facebook, 7-Eleven quickly called an end to its draft beer pilot program. The move comes after the machines attracted the attention of law enforcement, as well as protesters, who voiced concerns that their widespread presence would promote drinking. CP All, the owner of 7-Elevens across the country, last week announced online that they would “discontinue the trial of selling draft beer” at 18 stores due to the “concern and advice we’ve received.”
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 ©2016 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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BK Magazine October 20, 2017
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ADVERTORIAL
Krungsri Gourmet
Chinese Classics
An An Lao Amid the comforting Chinese restaurant look of round tables decked out in crimson tablecloths and lazy Suzans, An An Lao serves dishes you can’t find anywhere else in town, including the southern Thai specialty gai Betong and fish head soup with taro. Another can’t-miss dish is the very reasonably priced crispy skin Peking duck. They have continued serving more than 300 Chinese, Thai and seafood dishes for almost 40 years. Right opposite K-village in Sukhumvit 26, the restaurant is convenient and very easy to find.
THB350 discount on Peking duck (THB700) only for dine-in customers.
1 Oct 2017 – 31 Jan 2018 Sukhumvit Soi 26. Tel. 02-261-8188
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• 10%* discount on food
• 10%* discount on food and beverages (can’t be combined with other promotions)
15 Oct 2017 – 30 Apr 2018 Soi Shujitarom, Prachasuk Rd. (Sutthisan). Tel. 095-523-0424
1 Oct 2017 – 31 Mar 2018 Muang Thong Thani Village Soi 1. Tel. 096-945-9946
5%* discount
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Salathai Restaurant
Zhu Fan
• 5%* discount on food when dining over 1,000THB/sales slip (excluding dim sum set and beverages)
• 5%* discount on food.
1 Oct – 31 Dec 2017 Rama3 Rd. Tel 02-358-0022
1 Oct – 31 Dec 2017 The Coast Village, 113 Sukhumvit Soi 39. Tel. 02-136-0986
Credit Cards of Krungsri
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upfront HOT OR NOT
Hot: Nose-to-tail
Not: Marbled meat slabs
Right, Bangkok. You’ve been having your way with pampered Japanese cattle for too long now, and new Isaan specialist 100 Mahaseth is here to once more try the whole nose-to-tail thing on you. We’ve tasted it, and can report that pig’s brain mousse and fried tripe can, in the right hands, be just as tasty as that Miyazaki tenderloin. This Dec, Seven Spoons is also putting on its own nose-to-tail workshop. But if you can’t wait till then for your education on all things offal, head to nearby Rarb—seriously good stuff (see page 20). What’s ale
INTERVIEW
Hot: Butterfly pea beer
Not: Butterfly pea tempura
New in the world of butterfly pea: beer. You can find the purple brew by Stone Head (tasting notes: banana, lemon) at the Changwon Express beer bar that just opened at Flow House. In other purple food-related news, we just discovered you can get butterfly pea tempura shrimp in Bangkok, too (see page 19). Though we’re not entirely sure you’d want to. Ig:artiwara
Hot: Weapons budgets
Not: Hospital budgets
As Toon Bodyslam plans his third charity run for hospitals across Thailand, critics have raised a valuable question: why should an army-run hospital be on the list at a time when they’re throwing round cash on tanks and submarines? This, according to top brass Gen Thanchaiyan Srisuwan, is nonsense, since hospitals and weapons come under different budgets. We, therefore, have a solution: Make the one for healthcare bigger, and let celebs decide if they want to raise the extra funds for weapons.
Hot: Sex parties
Not: Drones
Whatever you do, don’t unbox that drone you begged for back in 2014 (the one you put in the cupboard with the GoPro and the Apple Watch). They’re about to become illegal unless registered under new legislation from the NBTC. We know what this is about. They just want to throw backyard bunga bunga parties without some techie brat streaming the action on Periscope.
THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
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Fomer Miss Thailand World 1992, model, actress and The Face Thailand mentor, Metinee “Lukkade” Kingpayome, 45, recently spent seven days walking the 194-kilometer distance from Hua Hin to Bangkok to raise much-needed funds for Siriraj Hospital. Lukkade tells us about training for the ordeal and her experiences along the way. Tell me about Walk for Life? Siriraj Hospital takes care of so many people, whether they are rich or poor—in fact, a lot of poor people go to this hospital. The increasingly high demand means they recently constructed a new building which will double the hospital’s capacity. The hospital needs a total of B2 billion for new equipment—for example a laser machine that’s used on patients with cancer so they don’t have to go through surgery. There is only one of these machines in Thailand right now, at Chula Hospital, and Siriraj wants to get two of them—and plenty of others. They have the best doctors here so they have a lot of patients and sometimes people have to wait for a day to get into an intensive care unit room. Sometimes people have to wait on a bed in a hallway. What would happen if it was an emergency? How did you get involved in this project? Because my grandmother goes to Siriraj Hospital, I’ve seen what it’s really like there and it’s a problem close to my heart. I can see that they really need our help. Then I
spoke to Piya “Kong” Sawetpikul [another Thai celebrity] and we worked together with the hospital. We spent two months working on this before we set off on the walk. Will you do any more walks in the future? It depends on the timing. One of the reasons that I decided to do it was because I wanted to be a role model for my son, as well as for other kids. You have to do something good for society, not just live your life and spend all your time on the phone. I also want to teach them that no matter what you do, you always have to prepare and plan ahead. I already exercised regularly but to walk 194 kilometers, I had to train. I didn’t just decide to walk one day and then did it. We had to split it up and do 30-36km per day. Did anything memorable happen during the walk? So much. The kindness from the Thai people. Some people didn’t have the money to donate to us but they would bring us water. Some people waited for us in the rain just so they could give us money. The farmers, the fish-
ermen, who didn’t have a lot of money but never seemed to give a second thought about giving us money at all, they pulled out B20 or even B50 notes and happily gave them to us. Strangely, we encountered quite a few cars who were actually already on their way to Siriraj Hospital as well, whether it was to visit someone or to get treatment for themselves or a family member. Also, when I was walking on the road, the amount of pollution was ridiculous. On day five I couldn’t breathe! There should be a regulation for this, in fact, I know there is a regulation for this. So why isn’t anybody enforcing it? I’d always commuted via cars, so I never realized how much it really poisons us. How much money did you raise? On Oct 9 the total was around B7.8 million. We’ll close the Walk for Life donation site on Oct 30. But you can always donate money directly at the hospital. Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj www.fb.com/WalkforLifeTH
by Kathy MacLeod (IG: @kathy_macleod)
BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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10 Thai brands with sustainability at the core of their identity
ADVERTORIAL
Sustainable products perfect for giveaways at events
These labels prove that protecting the environment and paying workers fairly can still produce amazing products.
Rubber Killer
While many companies only pay lip service to important issues, some of Thailand’s most interesting brands are focusing their entire operations around sustainability and uplifting local communities. Whether it is reducing waste in the fashion industry, fighting the exploitation of labor laws or fostering community engagement through interesting events, these companies are proving that profit and sustainability can co-exist.
Taktai
Replace your traditional event gifts with one of these five fashionable items from Thai brands that are dedicated to uplifting local communities and helping preserve the environment.
Timeless Tea Spoon Seeker x Retriever
Madmatter
Rubber Killer
Folkcharm
A project from Re-Leaf Studio—a sustainability-focused design firm—Rubber Killer takes abandoned tires from bicycles and four-wheeled vehicles to produce bags, straps and wallets that are functional and fashion-forward. Get it at: www.rubberkiller.com.
Locally-sourced and chemical-free, the chic clothing lines from Folkcharm are based on collaborations with various rural Thai communities. Commitment to fair employment has helped the lives of countless organic farmers. Get it at: www. folkcharm.com.
Mr. Leaf
Taktai
This Chiang Mai-based bags and accessories brand creates all its products with tong tung leaves—a tough and durable plant native to Thailand’s northern provinces. Mr. Leaf aims to encourage eco-friendly lifestyle by reusing old materials. Get it at: www.leaf2003.com.
Taktai produces a variety of handmade fashion items, from tops to shoes, all using 100-percent natural fabrics from organic bamboo, banana, hemp, pineapple, water hyacinth and water lily. Get it at: www.taktaibrand.com.
Madmatter
Its 100-percent environmentally-friendly homeware sports modern, trendy designs and interesting geometric motifs. Core to its sustainability mission is uplifting local craftspeople and helping promote their ancient design traditions. Get it at: 79/656 Phayathai St., 094-546-6554 or www.maisoncraft.com.
Instead of letting old, tired clothes rot in the closet, Bangkokbased Madmatter collects thrifty threads and transforms them into functional tote bags, wallets and hats. Get it at: 330 Charansanitwong Soi 67, Sirinthorn Rd., 086-052-0205 or www.madmatterstore.com.
Seeker x Retriever
Maison Craft
Larinn
Thai-Australia label, Seeker x Retriever works with craftspeople in the north to carefully dye, weave and sew its gender-neutral clothing lines, using all-natural materials. Get it at: www.seekerxretriever.com.
To make these trendy, practical and environmentally-friendly shoes, Thai-brand Larinn sources materials from villages across Thailand with the help of HM the Queen’s SUPPORT foundation. The mission? Support local traditions and creativity. Get it at: lookbook.larinn.com.
Mae Teeta
Fulame
This Thai-based brand uses eco-friendly dying methods and locally-harvested materials like cotton, indigo, mango and ebony. Get it at: www.maeteeta.net.
With a focus on equal opportunity employment and environmental sustainability, trendy brand Fulame creates all of its products using natural materials and indigo dyes. Get it at: fb.com/Fulame.
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Fresh Face Set Fa s h i o n b ra n d S e e ke r x Retriever doesn’t just make clothing, it also dabbles in the world of skincare. Its online store stocks Nuaynard H a n d c ra f t ’s F r e s h F a c e set, which uses all-natural ingredients sourced from Northeastern Thailand.
Soap Flight Set Another skincare item from Nuaynard Handcraft. This time it’s a set of fragrant fl i g h t s o a p s , m a d e w i t h ingredients like coconut oil from Isaan.
Wrinkled Nylon Cap Vol.2 This foldable snapback flatbrim hat from Rubber Killer is on-trend and made in Thailand using 100-percent recycled materials.
Card Holder Also from Rubber Killer, this card holder comes in six different colors and is made from old inner tubes.
By
What is MICE? M – Meetings I – Incentives C – Conventions E – Exhibitions & Events
These funky handmade wooden tea spoons come by way of the artisans at Maison Craft, which gathers its materials from around the world to create its ecofriendly products.
Join the conversation:
MICE Capabilities
tcebmicecap
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The Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Center, Narathaiwat, 1985
Sukirin Settlement, Narathiwat, 1985
cover story
The Southern Steps The late King Bhumibol Adulyadej dedicated much of his life to helping improve the lives of farmers across Thailand’s impoverished regions. Travel to the country’s south and you will uncover some of his greatest agricultural achievements. By Monruedee Jansuttipan
A
mong His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s long list of accomplishments, none may be more celebrated than the Royal Projects. He spent almost his entire life traveling around the nation to learn about the problems afflicting his people, which inspired a lifelong mission to solve them. These missions included efforts to preserve water resources, improve public health, create sustainable livelihoods and battle agricultural problems faced by impoverished farmers. To date, nearly 2,000 Royal Projects have come and gone, and many have had a profound impact on the way Thais live and view the world today. While these efforts are often celebrated for their on-paper success, there has been a pleasant side effect: boosts in tourism. Many of the research and development centers around the country are now booming attractions for Thais and foreign visitors, teaching them about the nation’s history, struggles and achievements. In Thailand’s deep south, the late King Bhumibol’s initiatives have had the same effect. “Most of the king’s Royal Projects provided opportunities to study various regions and discover the attractions they offered,” says Narisa Leelathawornpanya, founder of Namo Kiddee, a content creation company that manages many of the government’s travel magazines, such as DASTA Travel, the nation’s first sustainability-focused travel magazine funded by the Designated Areas for Sustainable Tourism Administration. “The Royal Projects are intriguing to travelers interested in
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local development and sustainability,” she continues. “This is especially true in the south, where much of HM King Bhumibol’s water management projects were located, such as the Pak Phanang Basin Area Development Project in Nakhon Si Thammarat.” The Pak Phanang basin is widely regarded as a shining example of the king’s wisdom. During the rainy season, nearby saltwater would flood the region, leaving the farmers who lived there without enough fresh water to feed their crops and sustain themselves. His Majesty examined the problem, and designed an innovative, 521,500-rai irrigation system complete with a complex network of canals, pump stations and water gates. After three years of construction, the system was complete, and the flow of saline-saturated water that plagued the region stopped. Today, the project holds more than 70 million cubic meters of fresh water for farmers to both drink and use on their crops. The king’s dedication to solving irrigation problems can be seen in other parts of the south as well. In Chumphon, the Nong Yai Area Development Project helped put an end to a decadeslong cycle of destructive floods that were ruining the livelihoods of locals, while in Pattani, the king was able to solve saltwater issues in Sai Buri district. These successes certainly stand out, but the majority of the king’s efforts to help the south were concentrated in the province of Narathiwat, where the royal family frequently visited for more than 50 years. Staying at the Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace for two
months each year, HM the King and other Royal Family members used the residence as a base camp to start more than 884 Royal Projects in the south. Of those, 378 were in Narathiwat, and 293 dealt with water management and agriculture.
"HM the King used Thaksin Ratchaniwet Palace as a base camp to start more than 884 Royal Projects in the south" The most lauded of these projects was the Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Center, founded in 1981, which is considered by many to be one of the most challenging agriculture initiatives in all of Thailand. At the time, the majority of those who lived in Narathiwat relied heavily on agricu ture to generate income, but the province’s low-lying position and plethora of peat swamps
BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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THE BEST NEW PRODUCTS THIS FESTIVE SEASON
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AVENUE
Gift Guide 2017
BK Magazine’s Avenue Gift Guide shines a spotlight on the best new products for the holiday season, sure to please geeks, design freaks, exercise fanatics, fashionistas and foodies—from home decor to tech toys to men’s and women’s accessories to health and beauty. For bookings, please call 02-624-9696, 601, 613, 614, 615 or email advertising@asia-city.co.th
Find out more at bkmagazine.com/jobs BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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cover story
Phru Toh Daeng
Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Center
Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Center
Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Center
Phru Toh Daeng
meant much of its organic soil remained flooded year-round. As a result, t he soil was rife with pyrite, also known as iron sulfide, leaving it highly acidic and largely unusable for agriculture. Year after year, the region was slowly becoming a wasteland for farmers who had less and less means to grow their crops.
solution was identified: lime. Royal researchers discovered that adding lime to the soil with a combination of water control and fresh topsoil successfully returned the region’s arable lands to a healthy pH balance. Since that discovery, more than 300 agricultural researchers have studied Narathiwat’s soil, often hunting for innovative ways to grow foundational crops such as rice, sugarcane and even palms, which had never been grown successfully in the region before the Royal initiatives. After these successes, the research site blossomed into a vibrant tourist attraction, and today teaches thousands of visitors each year about Narathiwat’s history of agricultural research. “We maintain both good and bad plots of crops to show visitors,” says Saiyud Petchsuk, the director of the Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Center. “Most of them are academics or farmers, and we try to provide them with evidence that they can find similar solutions to ours if they follow these methods. It’s the king’s way of teaching: learn by doing. It’s truly a living agriculture museum.” A host of other Royal Projects in the region have been successful in attracting tourists from both inside Thailand and its Southeast Asian neighbors. One such project is the Sirindhorn Peat
Swamp Forest Nature Research and Study Center, initiated by Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and located in one of the last remaining peat swamp forests in Thailand—the 7,000-year-old Phru Toh Daeng. The center not only works actively to save the region from invasive plant and animal species, but also offers one of the best hiking and animal watching experiences in the country and attracts a range of foreign and local tourists. Sustainability has long been a core tenant of HM King Bhumibol’s renowned Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. This doesn’t simply mean only using what you need, it means finding balance and growth. The success of the Royal Projects throughout Thailand’s south have not simply improved the wellbeing of local communities, they are conduits for history, learning and sustainable tourism. “If you’re seriously interested in travel and want to learn about sustainable development it’s hard to imagine more informative, beautiful and inspiring locations in Thailand than the Royal Projects,” says Narisa. “These places give you the opportunity to learn and see the process of sustainability with your own eyes. They also help us to realize what a generous and kind developer the late king was. After all, he dedicated all 70 years of his reign to elevating the lives of Thais everywhere.”
"It's hard to imagine more informative, beautiful and inspiring locations in Thailand'' After seeing this with his own eyes, HM the King devised his now-famous glaeng din, or “bullying the soil,” project and founded the Pikun Thong Royal Development Study Center in Narathiwat with the aim of removing pyrite from the soil. But in order to first make things better, the king and his team had to make them worse—pumping water in and out of the soil to maximize its acidity. Then, after four years of research, an unlikely
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BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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Absolute Fit Food
Polpa
Paleo Robbie
5 super-healthy meals you can get delivered to your doorstep Tired of counting calories? These health-focused Bangkok restaurants bring balanced meals straight to you Gaining a balanced diet is simpler than it sounds. You just need to know where to look and what to eat. To take out the guess work, BK Magazine has rounded up five health food delivery programs that will leave your senses satisfied and belly full. Whether it is pleasing a sweet tooth with guilt-free natural sugar, replacing gluten-heavy noodles with zucchini or using plant-based rice granules in stirfries, these restaurants have fuss-free healthy food down to a science. Our friends at Bumrungrad International also break down why these meals are healthy, so you can make informed choices on your own.
Grilled chicken and zoodles pad Thai (B280)
customize even further with men’s and women’s options, all of which guarantee dishes void of chemicals, artificial preservatives or processing. Prices range from B800 for a one-day sampler to B28,800 for a month subscription. Health benefits: Forget the tried-and-true old-school porridge you are used to. This dish features plant-based protein-rice granules as a wholesome substitute. One tiny seed can contain a whopping 20 amino acids, 10 of whichare essential and your body can’t produce them on its own. All of this helps prevent heart disease by reducing high blood pressure and the risk of diabetes. Top this all off with a sprinkling of antioxidant-loaded sweet goji berries.
Where to find it: Polpa Specializing in nutritious organic food with Mediterranean influences, Polpa delivers salad bowls, meal boxes, sandwiches and drinks in gluten-free, wheat-free and dairy-free options. Their menu changes week to week, all served with the nutritional information attached. Mains are usually priced around B300. Note: order at least one day prior to the delivery date (Mon-Fri). Delivery fee B50-65. Health benefits: Noodles made out of zucchini (sometimes called zoodles) are much lower in carbs than the traditional rice noodles used for pad Thai. But the health benefits of these springy green alternatives go beyond that. Zucchini noodles are also very high in dietary fiber and are an excellent source of manganese, vitamin C, folate and beta-carotene, which all help strengthen your body’s cellular tissue.
Chicken with mango salsa (B110)
Slim quinoa porridge with goji berries (B190)
Wild salmon and cod cake with spicy mayo (B399/537g)
Where to find it: Absolute Fit Food The team behind the Absolute You fitness chain also provides food delivery on top of their workout studios, offering meal plans designed to best suit your health goals. Pick between the fit, healthy or slim programs, or
Where to find it: Eat Clean BKK Eat Clean’s founder, Chayanan Sutanyavinij, takes pride in creating food that supplies the optimum daily levels of carbohydrates, protein and fat, all of which are labeled on its packaging. The menu constantly rotates throughout the month, with dishes being a mix of Thai and international cuisines, where vegetables and rice can be customized to your liking. A single box comes at an affordable B85. Health benefits: Eat Clean BKK uses olive oil for stir-fry alternatives and stevia to sweeten your treats instead of sugar. This zero-calorie sweetening agent packs up to 250-300 times more sweetness than processed sugars of the same weight, and it’s ideal for people with diabetes or high blood-fat levels.
Where to get it: Paleo Robbie Paleo Robbie really kicked off the concept of the paleo diet in Bangkok. What’s the paleo diet? Put simply, it mimics
diets of our caveman ancestors—fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, seeds, etc. Everything the restaurant delivers is organic, but check out the list of dishes and you’ll quickly realize they’ve got a whole lot more flare than stoneage food. One meal is B299-399 with an additional B50 delivery charge. Health Benefits: Wild-caught Alaskan salmon from the Pacific Ocean is loaded with vitamin B12, B6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which improve cardiovascular health. There’s also tons of natural antioxidants to fight free radicals that could lead to degenerative diseases like cancer. The dish also contains a whopping four times the daily amount of vitamin D to help make bones sturdy and strong. Finally, a dash of zesty of turmeric helps fight inflammation.
Tom yum crab sticks with konnyaku noodles (B120) Where to find it: Fox Box Fox Box delivers meals that are not only healthy but also pretty good value for money. Their menu consists of T30dishes, mostly Thai and Asian meals, all of which label the amount of calories, carbs fat and protein in each dish. The selection is also one of the most veganfriendly that we’ve seen. A single meal will cost you as little as B95, or sign up for the monthly Super Slim Box (guarantees to limit your diet within 900-1,200 calories a day) for B1,850 a week. Health benefits: The thin, long and firm jelly-like noodles made from konjac yams have almost zerocalories—they are actually more than 90-percent water with a nice dose of dietary fiber to boot—and have a delicious chewy texture when cooked. On top of that, konjac yams help keep your cholesterol levels in check.
Bumrungrad International is the first Asian Joint Commission International accredited, multi-specialty hospital located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. Founded in 1980, it is one of the largest private hospitals in Southeast Asia, with 580 beds and over 39 specialty centers. Bumrungrad International offers state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and intensive care facilities in a one-stop medical center. www.bumrungrad.com
Brought to you by Bumrungrad International Hospital
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escapes AROUND THAILAND
Escape from BKK
iTara Resort & Spa
Underrated beach destinations within five hours' drive of Bangkok. By Kankanok Wichiantanon
Bang Tabun Bang Tabun
Ban Krut Crowd-factor: 3/10 Home to fishing villages and a cute little town situated on a long stretch of white sand, Ban Krut sits 70km south of Prachuap Khiri Khan. Low-key and chill, its under-the-radar reputation makes the perfect alternative to the bustle of Hua Hin, letting you take in the sea breeze minus the crowd. What to do: The beautiful, crowd-free beaches are the obvious lure, but you’ll also find some tempting attractions. Wat Tham Khiri Wong is a cave temple inside which dwells a large reclining Buddha, while the hillside Khao Tong Chai monument features an even larger Buddha statue and golden pagoda overlooking the ocean. It’s also the perfect spot to watch the sunset. Head down to the coastline for dozens of local seafood restaurants at affordable prices. Where to stay: At Baan Klang Aow Beach Resort (www. baanklangaow.net), you’ll find beach bungalows surrounded by lush green gardens that start at B2,300/night. Keeree Waree Seaside Villa & Spa (www.keereewaree.com) has eco-friendly villas built from natural materials that start at B2,143/night. Distance from Bangkok: 380km, about five hours’ drive
Sri Racha Crowd-factor: 5/10 It might not have the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, but Sri Racha offers a quiet seaside getaway nonetheless. From a network of fisherman’s villages, the city has since undergone big-scale industrialization, but the seafront and downtown area remain unfussy and pretty quiet. In the morning, you’ll see fishermen cruising quietly out to sea, while the locals continue to go about their business in the town markets without adjusting for the tourists. What to do: Khao Kheow Open Zoo (B250) is home to 300 animal species that roam over a 5,000 rai area. Off the coast, Koh Loi Island connects to Sri Racha by a 500-meter-long bridge where locals go fishing. It also makes the perfect spot for a late afternoon jog before sunset. Where to stay: Balcony Seaside Sri Racha hotel (www. balconythailand.com) has an easy-going vibe, modernluxurious interiors, a beachside pool and even a Japanese Onsen. Check into a Seaview Suite that comes with panoramic sea views and a Jacuzzi. Weekdays cost about B3,690/night, which rises to B4,790/night come Fri-Sat. Another option is Nara Residence (www.nararesidence. com), where apartments come with a kitchen and living room. The one-bedroom pool suites sleep up to four at B3,750/night. Distance from Bangkok: 90km, two hours’ drive
Khao Tao South of Hua Hin town, on the secluded beach called Hat Sai Noi, you’ll find crowd-free, beautiful shores that are also a cultural paradise. The impressive temple complex spread
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The Blue Sky Resort
across several caves contains shrines, Buddha statues and other important figures. What to do: On top of Khao Tao Cave you’ll find a scenic viewpoint that offers the perfect Instagram shots of blue skies meeting the clear seawater—if you can manage climbing up the steps that lead to the top of the hill. The giant seated Buddha that sits in the cave is also a highlight thanks to delicate carving on its pure white surface. Nearby the cave, the quiet Khao Tao beach has some of the clearest waters on the coast, as well as beach restaurants serving delicious local seafood dishes. Where to stay: Check into The Blue Sky Resort (www. theblueskyresort.com/HuaHin), where a Retro Villa comes at B3,499/night, or add B500 more and you’ll get a suite with your own private pool. The resort is only 10 minutes’ drive from Hua Hin Night Market and 15 from Hua Hin Airport. Distance from Bangkok: 220km, three hours’ drive
Khao Tao
Bang Tabun Crowd factor: 5/10 Bang Tabun is probably the best-known fisherman’s village in the Central region thanks to its idyllic seascape featuring tiny floating huts dotting the horizon. It’s also one of Thailand’s biggest spots for cockle production. We recommend an early start to catch the sunrise, when the serene shoreline turns golden. What to do: It may come as a surprise but Bang Tabun offers one of Southeast Asia’s top whale-watching experiences. Nowhere else will you see whales so close and over such regular periods. You can also take a ride along the Bang Tabun River, which is home to more fishermen’s villages as well as mangrove forests. For some more fresh air, stroll along the picturesque wooden path through the mangrove forest at The King’s Royally Initiated Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project (032-441264-5). Chances are you’ll come across endangered birds, mudskippers and various species of crabs. At the end of the pathway, you can climb down a ladder for Sai Med Raek
Salt Farm, Bang Tabun
View Point (First Sand Viewpoint), considered the first beach of Southern Thailand. Where to stay: iTara Resort & Spa (www.itararesort.com) offers seaview rooms starting at B2,500. Or you can check in at the seaside boutique resort Chez Nous (cheznous-resort. com), where the Sea View Suite costs B3,900-5,300/night. Distance from Bangkok: 100km, about two hours’ drive.
BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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ESCAPE ROUTES By Kankanok Wichiantanon
KORAT
Carry On Camping Live out the campervan slowlife dream with this stunning new motorhome rental service in Korat. Set beside a picturesque lake, Camp Out Korat (www.fb.com/campoutkorat) offers six beautifully bijou campervans (B1,800-2,000/night) for the perfect romantic weekend in the woods. Though you won’t be able to drive anywhere, Camp Out ensures each of its vans is decked out for comfort as well as style, with TV and aircon as standard. Come nightfall, camp staff set up barbecues by the lake for each of its guests, lit up by strings of fairy lights. Other on-site activities include lake swimming, cycling in the woods, and paddling out on duck boats. When the morning comes, pull yourself from the dreamy white linens of Camp Out’s double beds, and head to your own private egg-making station. Here, the resort lays out toppings like onions, minced pork and sausages for guests to cook with their perfect eggs in any style. And the best bit: it’s just a 2-3-hour drive from Bangkok.
PHUKET
Raw Appeal The Nai Harn hotel has given its rooftop new life in the form of a stylish sushi and sashimi bar overlooking the Andaman Sea. Connected to the well-seasoned resort’s Reflections Bay, Han Sha (www.thenaiharn.com) offers fancy plates of imported Japanese seafood, from traditional sashimi (kingfish B550, tuna B520, scallop B680) to nigiri (salmon B280, tuna B360, scallop B420). As with all great sushi, simple is best, here, with dishes served on a minimal terrace that optimizes its stunning location above the beautifully peaceful Nai Harn Bay. For dessert, go for the Japanese baked cheesecake with yuzu cream (B300) or soymilk with sake kasu ice cream (B320).
KHAO LAK
Taste of Italy Taking its cues from classic Italian trattoria (taverns), Amici Italian Bistro (www. amicikhaolak.com) serves Khao Lak with a taste of wood-fired pizzas and fresh pasta. It’s all served in a light and airy, faux-industrial setting courtesy of Thai chef Sithichok Nhoophun. Try the homemade tortellini stuffed with Parma ham and mortadella served with porcini mushroom cream cooked to perfect al dente for B470 or the mouthwatering homemade ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms, spinach and prawn-broccoli topped with a truffle cream sauce (B480). Opening Hour Mon – Fri 9.00 - 21.00 Sat – Sun 8.30 – 21.00
KOH SAMUI
Room Service After big renovations, Mantra Samui (mantrasamui.com) has reopened with a more contemporary vibe and boutique style. The basic but stylish rooms feature dark wood furnishings and ocean blue decor, each with its own balcony facing the ocean. Its infinity pool and hardwood floors offer all the trappings of coastal luxury, but thanks to a location five minutes' shuttle bus from the beach, you can also save on the price of staying right by the sand. The spacious Ocean View Room starts at B3,500/night, while you can also rent the beautifully positioned Samui Ocean View Suite at B5,720/night.
Covers the hottest new openings in Bangkok, Hua Hin, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi and Chiang Mai. Get your free copy today at bkmagazine.com/hotspots2017
Canberra's best cafe has finally landed in Bangkok. The best brunch and coffee in town. Home of the freakshake and much much more.
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Tel: 021853258 Facebook: patissezbangkok Order online on Foodpanda and Ubereat
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SHOPPING
Kiwi Juice The Object Room has been a downtown Auckland store for design savvy shoppers since 2011. Now, the brand has moved to K-Village, where it offers a curated selection of local and international fashion and interior pieces. Shop for the likes of brightly patterned Timo guys’ swim trunks (from B3,000) and origami-style bags from a local label called Goodjob (from B800). International finds include contemporary, pastel-hued ceramics from French designer Ismael Carre (from B5,990), as well as the sleek, stainless steel water bottles of eco-friendly Italian brand 24Bottles (B1,000). K Village, Sukhumvit Soi 26. 02-007-0767. Open daily 11am-8pm. www.theobjectroom.com
SHOPPING
Good Life Sustainable fashion, organic fruit and veg and low-chemical skincare products have taken over the fourth floor of Siam Discovery. Called Ecotopia, the swooshily-formed, blond-wood clad zone spotlights the very best of locally made designer finds. That might mean unisex daily wear made in Lampang from Seeker x Retriever (from B1,290), a bamboo T-shirt from Taktai (from B890) or leaf-textured wallet from Mr.Leaf (from B1,000). For eco-food to organic green produce from the Royal Projects and Mek Chong Farm gets prepared at the on-site peeling and cutting service. , while Organic Supply whips out superfood-laden treats. 4/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Siam
FASHION
No Sweat The second collaboration between Adidas and on-the-rise Taiwanese-American designer Alexander Wang has just dropped in Bangkok, and we’re already obsessing over the solar-yellow re-invention of Adidas’s lightweight logoprinted jacquard track jacket (B8,900). For something that’s a little more chic, check out the vibrant blue track top (B6,900) in a retro batwing silhouette. The easy-to-clean tri-color rubber slide sandals (B5,500), meanwhile, were custom-made for Bangkok’s exploding puddle sidewalks. All pieces are meant to be unisex, too. M/F, Emquartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-021-2198. Open daily 10am-8pm. BTS Phrom Phong
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GYM
Base Camp Good news for Sathorn gym beasts who’ve had it with the classes at Virgin Active and Fitness First. Expanding from its first location on Thonglor, The Base has arrived at the Sathorn Thani building, bringing its fat-busting, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) regimen with it. In another move, it has also partnered with the New York celeb-endorsed barre studio Physique 57 for a newly-designed eight-week transformation program that costs B15,000. Otherwise, membership costs B4,500 a month (roughly what you’ll pay at The Lab over on Silom), while drop-in without contract is B750 per session. 2/F, Sathorn Thani 2 Bldg., North Sathorn Rd., 021-099-578. Open daily 6:30am-9pm. BTS Chong Nonsi
BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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OPTIMISE | ISSUE 08 APRIL 2017
Issue 08 April 2017
BAAN MAI KHAO
GUIDE TO PHUKET
U N T O U C H E D L O C AT I O N S UNIQUE EXPERIENCES U N F O R G E T TA B L E M O M E N T S
KIATNAKIN PHATRA FINANCIAL GROUP
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The Power of One
‘ตูน Bodyslam’ กับพลังของ การเปลี่ยนแปลงทีละหนึ่งก้าว
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avenue FASHION
SHOPPING
s Bigger is Better
Three Instagram boutiques to shop for cool linen-wear
From big names embracing the oversized silhouette to key pieces you can find here. By Kasidit Srivilai
Celine
Corduroy jacket, Mango, B4,990
Jumping Jack sunglasses, Gentle Monster, B13,120 WHITEBALANCEBKK
Jumper, Enfold, B13,000
Linen wear is not just about neutral colors and simple silhouettes. Whitebalancebkk offers colorful tropical prints on crop tops and head scarves—perfect for that next trip to Hua Hin. Mini dresses in vivid-colored stripes are also available. Prices start from only B300. @whitebalancebkk
Bazar Shopper bag, Balenciaga, B75,000
Pleated skirt, Anchavika, B9,000
EVERYTHING EST OK
Linen meets ruffles at Everything Est Ok. This brand turns the familiar ruffle-rimmed pillowcase look into a cool linen tote bag that will make you one of the hippest people at any Bangkok weekend market. Bag starts from B990. @everythingestok
Dual tone pants, Vickteerut, B6,750
Sneakers, Alexander McQueen, B19,000
Essentials Alexander McQueen. 1/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd. Anchavika. 3/F, Central Chitlom, Phloen Chit Rd. Balenciaga. M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. Celine. M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd Enfold. Shop online at www. club21global.com
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Gentle Monster. Shop online at www.fb.com/gentlemonsterthailand Mango. G/F, Silom Complex, Silom Rd. Vickteerut. 3/F, Central Chitlom, Phloen Chit Rd.
PAPERS
Stripes and checks lovers will fall for the designs of Papers. This brand blends the charm of linen fabric with refined, pastel colored patterns. Don’t miss their off-shoulder top (B1,050) or striped bow-tied mini dress (B1,650) that will make you look a few years younger. @papers.official
BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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bites & blends RESTAURANT
Surf and Turf Cocotte's new sister restaurant, Pesca Mar & Terra Bistro, ditches the farmhouse for the Mediterranean seaside and serves up imported seafood alongside hefty slabs of meat. Within the sprawling blue and white house, an open kitchen bustles with all the action of a fresh seafood market, complete with tanks of live Maine lobster and oysters. Italian chef Marco Pacetta (formerly with Issaya) highlights Spanish-style big plates like a paella (B2,400, feeds two) in which bomba rice is cooked in lobster bisque with half a Maine lobster and chicken, and a bouillabaise (B1,150) where the fish stew is spiced up with saffron potatoes. Like at Cocotte, you can pick up cold cuts from a market-esque deli counter and take your pick of bottles from a small wine room. The outdoor area also features an a la plancha (flat-top grill) station. Ekkamai Soi 12, 063-267-7778. Open daily 11am-3pm, 6-11:45pm
EVENT
RESTAURANT
BAR
All White
Taco Time
Tropical Thunder
One of the world’s most stylish and secretive picnic events, France’s Diner en Blanc, makes its way to Bangkok at the end of this year. Since its first event in Paris in 1988, the picnic has traveled to over 60 cities, including San Jose, Johannesburg, Ho Chi Minh City and Melbourne. Bangkok joins the esteemed list in Dec 2017. The infamous "all white everything" dress code, top-secret location (only revealed at the last minute) and super-exclusive guest list take this picnic to the next level. Diner en Blanc members (and friends) get a personal invitation code; otherwise you have to register online and hope you get a place. Exact prices haven’t been released yet, but expect it to cost B1,800-2,000. Best be quick—registration is only open until Oct 29 at bangkok.dinerenblanc.com/register.
Mikkeller, the Danish microbrewery that opened a bar in Ekkamai in 2014, combines a love of tacos and beer at Ari's Tacochela. Inside, the decor is fun and playful with rainbow-colored chairs and window frames contrasting with exposed white brick. Corn or flour tortillas come heaped with fried barracuda (B280) coated in a crispy thin batter and drizzled in spicy mayo, or beef steak (B220) with herby chimichurri sauce. Mexican-born chef Jimmy Rojas Lopez also whips up a spice-heavy longaniza (Spanish chitpole sausages, B280), served with warm, fragrant flour wraps. With 20 different beers on tap (from B160), Tacochela hasn’t forgotten its brewery roots, while kegs of margarita-based cocktails (B260/150ml) add a Mexican touch. Ari Samphan Soi 1, 094-4347485. Open Sun-Thu 5-11pm, Fri-Sat 5pm-12am
Two guys formerly from UNCLE and Lady Brett have broken away from the maddening downtown crowds and opened on Charoenkrung. With its flower motifs, white-washed bricks, mid-century furniture and colorful Portuguese tiles, Tropic City is a lesson in “now”—a medley of tasteful trends pulled together with plenty of neon signs and the odd slab of roughly hewn wood. “Tropical” here isn’t limited to Tiki, with drinks taking influence from the Caribbean, Bahamas and Southeast Asia as well. Their KL to BKK (price TBA) is made from fermenting pineapple and clove into an ungodly delicious syrup then mixing it with dark rum and Campari. Equally spicy, the Jamaican Spice Bowl (B320) hits you with a whack of vanilla before the five-spice infused Appleton Estate VX rum kicks in. Charoenkrung Soi 28, 091-870-9825. Open Wed-Sun 7pm-1am BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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bites NEIGHBORHOOD
Taste of Suan Phlu
Kombawa
Street-food and hip restaurants collide in Sathorn’s most eclectic neighborhood. By Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon
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The three stories of nightlife kingpin David Jacobson’s Suan Phlu drinking den offer a clandestine hideaway for Bangkok’s hospitality industry professionals. Prop up the bar, order a round of absinthe from B410 for a shot or a spicy Bloody Mary (B360), and admire Jacobson’s prized collection of contemporary art. To go with, there are fresh oysters (B100/piece) and cheesy, gooey quesadilla with sour cream (B230) on the menu, and they’ll also let you order Gallery Pizza’s pies right to your table. too. Stop by on Wednesday for live jazz and the last Thursday of the month for pho night. 186/3 Suan Phlu Soi 1, 081-819-6808. Open Wed-Mon 7:30pm-2am
Junker and Bar
Junker was one of the first places on the scene for the rebirth of Suan Phlu as a hip, low-rent alternative to Sathorn Soi 10-12. Its recipe is part WTF (crowds drinking on the street outside), part Escapade (hefty-sized, no-nonsense burgers), and after 8pm on any given evening you’ll be lucky to get a seat right away. Drop by from 5-6:30pm for the nightly happy hour, when it costs just B99 for classic cocktails like whiskey sour or margarita, or visit first thing in the morning for taro-milk cappuccinos (B75) and elderflower-flavored Americanos (B70) served with Vietnamese street food like banh mi sandwiches (from B80). Australian wagyu burgers start from B220. 454 Suan Phlu Soi 1, 085-100-3608. Open Tue-Sun 8:30am-midnight
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Arno’s
The huge success of this cheap steak specialist’s origNEW! inal Narathiwas branch has triggered two new venues, one in Suan Phlu and the other in Chiang Mai. At Suan Phlu, Arno’s bolder and bigger space is divided between Arno’s Wine Bar and Arno’s Steak, Burgers & Beers. Besides its famously pocket-friendly, 75-day dry-aged tomahawk (B1,400/ kg) and 300g, bacon-laden Carnivore burger (B330), you will find the most expensive pad kaprow on this soi, made using Hokkaido sea scallops for B600. 186-190 Suan Phlu Soi 1, 02-286-3008. Open daily 11am-11pm
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Kombawa
“Modern” Japanese with Western influences is the name of the game at this creative restaurant from the same team as Issaya and Pizza Massilia. Crowd pleasers like sushi (starting B490 for chef’s selecion set of three pieces) compete for prominence on the menu with dry-aged Iwate beef steak with ponzu jelly (B1,750) and squid ink ramen with Maine lobster and uni sauce (B1,800). Diners with a sweet tooth are also sated with specialties like mochi with red bean mousse and strawberry jelly (B250), and the yuzu cheesecake (B290). 39/19 Suan Phlu Soi 1, 02-679-3775. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-11pm
Breizh
Sit under the stars and try authentic French galettes (savory crepes), which use real buckwheat flour, such as the tasty fusion Tuk-Tuk (lamb merguez, tomatoes, eggs and emmental cheese, B189), Samui (coconut, lime and chicken breast, B239), Mexico (beef and beans a la chili con carne, B249) and the Tropic (B119), which plays with peach, passionfruit and mango. 459/59 Suan Phlu Soi 8, 02-679-3393. Open daily 11am-11pm
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Loulou Forks and Glasses
This laid-back French restaurant serves up flavors NEW! with an exciting Mediterranean touch. Drop by for an easygoing after-work vibe in the glasshouse-like, artwork-dotted interior, or lounge back on a white sofa under patio umbrellas on the terrace. For dishes like the stracciatella salad (B430), the kitchen sources its milky, gooey cheese from a pro-
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ducer in Chiang Mai, while the Royal Projects vegetables ensure crisp, refreshing bite. Elsewhere, the menu highlights cured gravlax salmon (B380) accompanied by homemade wasabi sauce and tangy lemon cream. 459/61 Suan Phlu Soi 8, 095-496-1142. Open Tue-Sat 5pm-1am
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Nando Kitchen
Next to the Breizh Crepes, the open-air Nando Kitchen is quite possibly the best street-side Italian in town. Pizzas like the basic margherita (B250) or hot and spicy Romeo Lovely (B310) are hearty and homespun, while the brief menu also goes in for dishes like the must-try cotoletta (B270), Italy’s own version of the schnitzel. It’s all served up on a back-to-basics outdoor terrace that sits alongside the soi 8 street-food dens (see below). 495/60 Suan Phlu Soi 8, 02-679-4219. Open daily 11am-11pm
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Street Food on Suan Phlu 8
While Suan Plu Soi 1 is all about drinking, Soi 8 is a huge hub for food. Starting around 5pm, the long list of street bites range from large portions of Isaan staples like somtam poo maa (somtam with king crab) to pork satay (B40 for 10), guay jub (rice noodle soup), rad na (stir-fried noodles in gravy, B45) and coconut ice cream (B17).
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Uncle John
This old-school institution still packs in the punters looking for a cheap, but consistently decent, French meal. Take your pick from the original restaurant, with its open kitchen out front, or the newer dining room about 10 meters further down the soi. It’s rare you find dishes like lobster bisque flambé (B109) and duck with berry and orange sauce (B229) at such down-to-earth prices. 279/2 Suan Phlu Soi 8, 081-373-3865. Open daily 6:30pm-1am
JAY FEST Vegan treats you shouldn’t miss this year ROOTS COFFEE ROASTER
Roots Coffee Roaster
Put down your full-fat frappe and head over to The Commons to try this month’s cold brew creation. Delicious and nutritious, the Goma-Soya combines coffee and soy milk with aromatic sesame and coconut nectar caramel, all topped off with a piece of crunchy caramelized beancurd. M/F, The Commons, Thonglor Soi 17, 097059-4517. Open Mon-Thu 8am-8pm; FriSun 8am-9pm
OUAN YENTAFO
Hia Jua in Talad Noi
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Every year during Jay Festival, the Dinsor Road shop-house whips up a rich vegan yentafo with a shiita-
ke-based broth and fried taro toppings (B50-60). 41 Trok Nawa, Dinsor Rd., 02-222-9701. Open daily 9am- 9pm (closed last Sunday of the month)
THE LOCAL
Occupying one of Sukhumvit’s oldest buildings, this fine-dining Thai establishment cooks up vegan-friendly, Thai-flavored dishes like spicy salad with sea blite (B220) and tofu massaman curry (B220). 32-32/1 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-664-0664. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 5:3011:30pm. BTS Asoke or MRT Sukhumvit
TALAD NOI
CHIT SIA MA SHRINE
Honestly, this area is one of the reasons we eagerly await the festival every year. Hidden down a long alley near Chow Sue Kong Shrine, this secret Jay food market sets up especially for the festival. From Hia Jua’s old-school iced sweet egg noodle dessert (B45) to Lao Pae’s tubtab (crushed peanut candy, B150 for 5 pieces), it has it all. Just be prepared for long queues as dishes are cooked to order.
During Jay Fest last year, we commuted here almost every night just for the sow ping (fried dumplings, B15) stall, where addictively yummy, aromatic dumplings bursting with taro and beancurd are tossed in hot oil. Get there before 8pm or they run out.
Wanit Soi 2, Songwat Rd. Open daily 9am-8pm
Maitri Chit Rd., 097-213-7785 (Sao ping stall), Open 11am-9pm
Jay Fest runs from Oct 20-28 when street-food stalls around Bangkok serve only vegan dishes free from pungent vegetables like garlic and onion
BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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blends
BEER
Crafty Cuts
Ratchapong Eungsakul
As the big guys muscle in, we ask: Is the Thai craft beer scene under threat? By Carl Dixon and Choltanutkun Tun-Atiruj Taproom
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ast September, Show DC Oasis Outdoor Arena transformed into the first edition of the Bangkok Beer Festival. Organized by Stone Head, one of the first Thai craft breweries to go “legal,” the event lined up other boutique labels like Lamzing, Mahanakorn and Outlaw, each of which sold their beer for around B200. Inconspicuously among the small-timers, you could also find Singha, Chang, Leo and San Miguel, who not only charged B100 less for a large beer, but also helped bankroll the festival. Though the organizers never claimed the Bangkok Beer Festival was dedicated to craft beer, the big brands’ presence does raise a pertinent question: with the Thai craft beer market’s slow but steady growth, what’s in it for “Big Beer”?
Boom or Bust This situation is far from unique to Thailand. Over the past seven years, more than a dozen of America’s most popular craft breweries have reportedly been purchased by global beverage companies. However, in Thailand, where prohibitive homebrew laws strangle any competition for industrial brewers, there’s an extra twist in the tale. Thailand’s small brewery regulations stipulate you must brew at least 100,000
liters per year if you’re selling on-site or 10 million liters per year for distribution. To get around these legal hurdles, more and more budding brewers are bottling abroad, incurring the heavy hit of import tariffs just to sell here in Thailand. That means we pay around the same price to drink “Thai” craft beers as their American, European or Japanese counterparts. Singha has previously dipped its toes in the craft beer market. In 2009, it launched Est.33, its own attempt at a “Thai premium craft beer” that’s available straight from the brewery at Crystal Design Center’s swanky Est. 33 by Singha pub. “They seem to be pretty aware of the whole craft beer thing in Thailand,” says Bank Ratchapol, one of the owners of Taproom, Phrom Phong’s 26-tap craft beer bar that has another branch in Ari, referring to Singha. “There are rumors that the big guys have already enquired about buying some small breweries, which may seem a bit scary, but at the end of the day it comes down to taste.” Earlier this year, Boon Rawd Brewery (Singha and Leo) was reportedly in talks to buy Full Moon Brewery (known for its Cha La Wan label, brewed in Australia and imported back here). When we put this to a Boon Rawd spokes-
person, they told us, “Even if the discussion happened, the deal didn’t go through and wasn’t successful.”
Back to the Future The current craft beer boom traces its roots back to the trail blazed by a few pioneering importers who gave Thailand a tantalizing taste of America’s small-batch IPAs and ales. Back in 2012, Beervana was the first company to import “craft beer” to Thailand, starting out with Rogue, a brewery from Oregon in the USA. To introduce Bangkokians to the idea that spending B250 on a beer is perfectly sane, Beervana founders Aaron Grieser and Brian Bartusch first had to give away 400 bottles as samples. Nowadays Thailand sits alongside Brazil, South Korea and the United Kingdom as the fastest growing markets for American craft beer (American Brewers Association, 2015). Bartusch disagrees that big beer’s involvement in the Thai craft scene will come to any good, “I think it’s bad. [Singha] are trying to grasp and follow a trend but their motives are purely
Wichit Saiklao
profit-driven,” he says. “[The big beer companies] are trying to get some recognition from the craft world by sponsoring events and likely buying craft brands just like the big breweries in the USA and other places. But it’s a marketing ploy and certainly does not come as part of the quest for better beer that led the craft movement.” Rather than embrace the craft movement , Thailand’s restrictive market means we’re falling behind others in the region. “Look at Vietnam, 12 new breweries and brewpubs in the past three years! In Thailand, zero. Of course big beer companies in Thailand would never lobby to change these archaic regulations because they have a monopoly,” he says.
“It’s a marketing ploy and certainly does not come as part of the quest for better beer”
What’s Brewing Monopoly or no monopoly, the craft beer scene can take some positives from big investment. Chit Beer’s Wichit Saiklao has been fined three times for hosting brewing workshops at his bar on Koh Kret island. Despite this, he feels that big breweries can strengthen the standard of local brews.
“I’m always happy to see the big guys getting involved,” says Wichit. “Just because its craft beer doesn’t mean it has to have a limit on who can get into it. It’s a normal thing to have new players in the scene as it’s just verifying that this trend is growing.” Ironically, Wichit knows better than anyone the complicated measures it takes to make craft beer legal in Thailand. Together with Nonthaburi’s Deva hops farm, Pattaya’s Wizard Brewery, Red Stone Brewery from Phatthalung, Kitten Beer in Pathumthani and Mickleheim Brewery from Bangkok, he is on the verge of opening Mitr Sam Phan the “largest craft brewery in Thailand,” which would allow up to 10 aspiring beer-makers at any one time to practice their craft legally and let the public taste the results. All going to plan, Mitr Sam Phan could be up and running as a legal brewpub before the end of the year, giving craft brewers a safe environment in which to perfect their product taking their operations abroad. This complicated (and expensive) solution to Thailand’s anti-brewing laws is not the perfect situation, but until this country introduces a level playing ground for big and small breweries, it should help with the one thing most people want: better beer.
ON THE BAR Thaipioka The buzz: With a track record that includes Sugar Ray, Q&A and Dim Dim, the team behind Thonglor’s latest opening definitely knows the winning formula for a great cocktail bar. Slip down a Sukhumvit side street far from the hustle and bustle, pass through an unmarked heavy wooden door and ease away the stresses of the day in stylish yet low-key Thaipioka. The decor: A jungle of potted plants and warm orangey lighting cushion the bar’s minimalist interior. Grab a seat at the 15-meter-long teak table that doubles up as the bar to watch the mixologists work their magic. Or settle into the seating nook, away from the action, with low benches and even lower lighting. Everything here is bespoke, from the delicately engraved porcelain cups to the handcrafted coasters, and is the epitome of modern Asian style.
The drinks: Heavily influenced by Thai flavors (the clue’s in the name), Thaipioka’s creations play with ingredients that, at first glance, seem to have no place in a cocktail—turmeric vodka; black sesame whiskey; even reduced cow fat (ask for the secret cocktail if you’re feeling adventurous). But in the capable hands of Boyd Chanchai Rodbamrung, the 2013 winner of the World Class Cocktail Competition Thailand, they work so well you’ll wonder why they don’t feature on more drink menus. Served in a rimmed glass of half-plum, half-chili powder, each sip of the Pineapple Spicy Plum (B350) is a Russian roulette of sweet or spice. The Turmeric Thai Tea (B350) is thick, foamy and fragrant, but packs a hearty punch of vodka and absinthe. For the perfect aperitif, order the homemade O. Leans liquorice liqueur (B250).
The food: Asian-style tapas is coming soon; ideal for snacking on to stave off any hunger pains before dinner. The music: Expect a mish-mash of jazz and hip hop, with resident DJs playing their favorite tunes on the weekend. The crowd: Thonglor’s usual mix of trendy locals and in-the-know expats. Why we’d go back: Live DJs every Friday and Saturday, top-notch drinks and a charmingly clandestine setting mean Thaipioka is sure to become a hot spot in no time. Rowan Usher Salil Hotel, 44/7 Thonglor Soi 1, 087-713-6943. Open daily 7pm-2am
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OPEN DOOR
Sabu Chan
Bangkok’s first omakase restaurant dedicated to shellfish.
The buzz: Chef Masahiro Misaki, the guy behind Sushi Misaki, Rain Hill’s high-end yet approachable omakase restaurant, is throwing his weight behind another minimalist venture in the mall. At Sabu Chan, he’s brought over chef Kimizono Ryuji, formerly of the one-Michelin-starred Aichiya restaurant in Yokohama, to work his magic on a medley of mollusks and crustaceans. The decor: The brightly lit, wood-heavy space is almost identical to Misaki’s first spot. Reservations aren’t necessary but with only 10 seats at the counter, you’ll want to make sure you nab one. Watch the chef cut, slice, boil, toss and sear right before your eyes, while a small fish tank full of mollusks on a grand slatted wood facade even gives a sneak peek of your dinner.
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The food: It’s all about shellfish, prepared with not-so-traditional techniques. Different condiments play with the texture and form: spicy-tasting shoyu powder; pungent yuzu paste with steamed scallop; thick tofu sauce with a touch of sesame on a poached briny oyster in soy sauce. For the full experience, opt for the B3,000 16-course set menu. Sesame tofu, flavorful clear short-neck clams, firm yet sweet conches cooked in soy sauce and charbroiled oysters in miso all feature. You’ll also get to try a selection of bouncy surf clam, crisp sliced geoduck and sweet fresh scallop (either grilled or in shabu with kombu [kelp] soup). The shellfish are imported from places, like Hokkaido and Chiba— including the buttery abalone steak that’s sure to get you salivating as it’s cooked up just a meter away. Set lunch menus start at a very enticing B700 per person and include 4-5 appetizers,
with your choice of fish boiled in soy sauce or mirin (sweet rice wine). Alternatively, you can order dishes a la carte. The drinks: A comprehensive sake list includes bottles from different regions, including Masuizumi Junmai Daiginjo (a 2015 vintage sake from Toyama, B360/glass) and Houraisen Junmai Daiginjo Bi (B600/glass), that’s renowned for its beautifully mild, sweet flavor. At the top end of the scale is Kokuryu Shizuku from Fukui—a 720ml bottle costs B7,000. Why we’d come back: This is the only omakase place in town that focuses solely on shellfish, and the serious dining experience carries a relatively low price tag. Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon G/F, Rain Hill, Sukhumvit Soi 47, 02-258- 0578. Open Tue-Sun 11.30am-2.30pm, 6pm-10pm
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Figure 8
Early Bird Gets Coffee
Raan Keng
NEW AND NOTED
Arty Eats If you’re planning a visit to Montien Atelier, the new museum dedicated to the life and art of Montien Boonma, save room for Early Bird Gets Coffee (408 Art Space and Montien Atelier, Ngamwongwan Soi 25, 081-714-3075), a charming on-site bistro decked out in arty trinkets. Pull up a chair around the old Boonma family piano (as featured in Navin Rawanchaikul’s painting, also on display here) and tuck into fluffy French toast topped with fresh fruits (B285) or salt-crusted salmon fillet with roasted vegetables (B375). Do try the house-blend cold brew coffee with butterfly pea ice (B120), too.
Goth Gallery With its large suspended cross, waxy candles and mason jars filled with homemade ya dong (Thai herbal whiskey), cocktail bar-slash-gallery Figure 8 (4/6 Petchaburi Soi 13, 095-889-6501) offers a daring gothic setting. Former Sugar Ray mixologist Prince Armornkunathum whips out inventive
TABLE TALK signature cocktails (all B330) like Yayoi, which mixes umeshu (Japanese plum wine) and dry vermouth with a dash of natural yogurt for extra creaminess and tang, and Rusty Nut, a blend of sweet Frangelico with vodka, Angostura bitters, lime and egg white, that’s finished off with a smoking cinnamon stick. Artworks spotlighting Japanese shibari rope bondage currently line the walls.
Tempura Blues Those bright blue-colored, deep-fried shrimp you saw on social media are the work of Raan Keng (Pradipat Soi 14, 02-279-1555), which brings a Japanese-meets-Isaan gastropub vibe to Sutthisan. Surrounded by leafy trees, this navy house’s signature blue shrimp tempura (B189) takes its color from butterfly pea. You’ll find it served alongside dishes like somtam “Isaan-kaya” (B599), a big brass tray loaded with papaya salad, fried shishamo (willow leaf fish), salmon sashimi, crispy pork rind, spicy fried chicken, and raw octopus with wasabi. BK Staff
Kiani 90 Thonglor Soi 2, 02-714-7730. Open daily 11am-9pm. BTS Thong Lo Thonglor’s compact, hidden Korean restaurant deals in hearty and authentically spicy tastes. Amid Kiani’s cozy atmosphere of light green walls and simple wooden furniture, slurp down spicy tofu soup in a boiling clay pot (B189) alongside delicious kimbub (Korean-style rice roll, B159). Office types regularly drop by for a lunch, when the restaurant serves up spicy squid with kochujang chili sauce (B229) and rice—washed down with a free traditional sweet rice drink. Exclusively for Citi credit card members. Get a complimentary dish from selection valued THB 107 when spending THB 700 or more /sales slip (limit 1 dish /card /table /sales slip) (Today – 31 Mar 18)
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Mash HHHH American. Soi Convent, 089-692-5666. Open daily 5pm-midnight. BTS Sala Daeng. BB-BBB. Corkage B500 F
T
his November, The Bangkok After Dark Awards celebrates Bangkok nightlife with a print guide and awards ceremony recognizing the top nightlife spots in the city: • Best Beer Bar • Best Rooftop Bar • Best Nightclub • Best Cocktail Bar • Best Jazz Bar … and much, much more
Crammed inside a former shop-house along Convent Road, Mash was the first proper craft beer-focused bar to call Silom home when it opened in mid-2017. Despite its confined surroundings, the venue feels open and spacious thanks to tiny wood stools and slim tables carefully placed along the main floor. You’ll find lots of typical beer bric-a-brac here, like diagrams of brewing equipment and mason jars filled with malt, which plays well with the after-work expats and Thai hipsters that wander in each night. Pull up a seat in front of the white-brick counter to soak up some beer knowledge from the helpful bartenders who happily guide guests through Mash’s selection of craft brews. It might not be the abyss of fridges and taps you’ll find at places like Mikkeller or Bottles of Beer, but Mash’s well-curated range is arguably this neighborhood’s best. The Devanom IPA (B210/300ml), the sole Thai offering, is a must-try (well-balanced and very clean tasting considering its 6.5% ABV). Anoth-
Just as BK Magazine’s Top Tables is the definitive guide to Bangkok fine dining, The B.A.D. Awards is set to become the no. 1 resource for the city’s best bars and nightclubs.
Rarb HHHH Isaan. 49 Phra Athit Rd., 081-406-3773. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight. B-BB. No outside alcohol allowed. F
Get your free copy of the BK B.A.D. Awards in the Nov 24 issue of BK Magazine.
HOUSE AD BAR AWARD_2.indd 1
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At Rarb, Karn Liangsrisuk and Chalermpon “Van” Rohitratana, the mixologist and chef duo behind Phra Athit’s divisive burger institution Escapade, put the spotlight on Isaan-inspired food. A small room dominated by sheets of raw galvanized steel, jars filled with chef Van’s fermentation experiments and a tank swimming with crayfish (as well as a turtle) give an indication of the creativity on show. The single-page, handwritten menu highlights skewers and other dishes made with secondary cuts of meat— think pig velum (soft palate) that’s parboiled in a herb-rice soup (B100) for a texture similar to pickled squid in yentafo, or nam tok gaem moo (B140), a spicy salad made with pig cheek. If you think that sounds challenging, you’re not alone. But chef Van’s unpretentious dishes reward the adventurous, with incredible attention to detail in the form of curing and fermenting. The beef larb (B150) shines thanks to the almostcreamy texture of offal and the bitter
taste of toasted rice that’s almost burnt. Another scene-stealing dish is a pork rib soup (B160) brimming with the flavors of blended bamboo shoots, tamarind leaves and a not-so-pungent fermented fish paste. On our last visit, we ordered a rice bowl on special topped with lamb in nam boo doo (think a thicker fish sauce, B280) whose rounded flavors took on an extra umami dimension through a crispy yet creamy organic fried egg. For all the talk of offal, Rarb also does delightfully approachable comfort food, like the perfectly cooked fried rice (B260) with shreds of sweet, fresh crab meat in every bite. For a pure flavor explosion, try the grilled sweetened ox tongue (B240), with its citrus-like tang of sliced okra leaves and the awesome saltiness of a housecured egg. A few years back, Escapade caused a mini Pantip meltdown with customers complaining of surly service, but on our recent visit, the chef greeted each customer individually, eagerly explaining each ingredient and sharing a taste of the rare indigenous herbs at hand. Compared to 100 Mahaseth (a similar Isaan-inspired nose-to-tail restaurant off Charoenkrung), Rarb feels less bogged down in concept. These deceptively straightforward dishes are elevated by an honest dedication to excellent produce and painstaking DIY techniques. This also extends to Karn’s cocktails, which make use of homemade spirits and infusions. The Mahon Nhahor (B350), a refreshing blend of lychee, gin and Vietnamese coriander, makes the perfect end to a hot and heavy meal.
Ratings
Price guide
PPPP PPPP PPPP PPPP
B BB BBB BBBB
Forget it Only if you’re in the neighborhood A pleasant dining experience Not to be missed BK pays for its meal and does not call ahead or sit with the chef.
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er smash-hit is the Thornbridge Wild Raven Black IPA, blessed with a velvety beige head and a light caramel taste. If you like your beer sweet, try the Lost Coast Raspberry Brown (B220/300ml) with big fruity notes and soft carbonation. You’ll need to pair all that beer with highcarb, heavy food, and to this end Mash dishes out a modest range of American classics. However, there were food disappointments on our last visit. The pulled pork nachos (B185) are so sweet you can’t even taste the pickled chilies or cheese piled on the paper-thin crisps. The spicy wings (B185) with tom yum glaze are bland and forgettable. As is the potato salad (B125), an American staple that any self-respecting burger-barbecue restaurant should have mastered, which amounts to nothing more than a sloppy pile of finely cubed potatoes, mayonnaise and mustard. The pork spare ribs (B395), slow-cooked for 20 hours, are juicy and tender but lack any of the smoky depth that rib purists crave. But despite these culinary slip-ups, the menu does have its homeruns. The American burger (B295), with sharp cheddar cheese, fresh-ground patty and thick brioche bun, is a worthy adversary to the area’s more established burger temples. Philly die-hards might balk at the tiny size of the ribeye cheesesteak (B295), but it’s pure melt-inyour-mouth deliciousness. Add these hits to Mash’s relaxed atmosphere and delightful beer selection and you have a place that offers real value as a beer-lover’s alcove.
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
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SAT Royal Lens The BACC has turned its expansive, spiraling corridors into the ultimate celebration King Bhumibol’s photo talents. Right until Jan 7, 2018, Through the Lens of His Majesty takes you on a visual tour through the late king’s keen eye for composition and subject, including 200 images which have never before been shown to the public. See page 23.
FRI Speak Up This Oct 23, Bangkok poets get their moment in the sun when Spoken Word Poetry Open Mic Show hands them the stage for a night of off-thecuff wordplay. See page 22.
Fb:thegreatoutdoormarket
FRI Outside Chance
THU Moving Metaphors
Market season is here! The time is upon us when Bangkokians head outdoors to shop for handicrafts accompanied by the sound of local indie bands. The Great Outdoor Market kicks things off this Nov 3-5 at a new riverside location. See page 22.
Thai film demigod Apichatpong Weerasethakul is one of the subjects of Metaphors: Sound and Moving Image with Kick the Machine, two days of events and screenings at Bangkok CityCity Gallery this Oct 28-29. Drop by to watch his 2009 short I’m Still Breathing alongside works from Lee Chatametikool, Chai Siris and other top names in local cinema. See page 23.
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now NIGHTLIFE
ART SOUND SYSTEM CULTURE
Bangkok Riddim Syndicate throws a big reggae party with guest DJs and MCs welcome. Oct 20, 9pm. Overstay, Charan Sanit Wong Soi 80-82, 02-883-4836. Free. MORENO
The German DJ spins techno and house. Nov 3, 10pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. Free SPOKEN WORD POETRY OPEN MIC SHOW
I AM A FEMININE PROTAGONIST
Bangkok Lyrical Lunacy opens the stage to spoken-word performers of all skill levels. With appearances from Aldana Sanders and hip-hop duo Nasi. Oct 23, 7pm. Live Lounge, Trendy Building, 10/47 Sukhumvit Soi 13, 02168-7335. B300.
London-based Thai artist Kamolros Wonguthum tackles gender stereotypes and entrenched power systems through autobiographical works. Oct 21-Nov 2, 6pm. Gallery Ver, Narathiwas Soi 22, 089-988-5890. Free.
DJ A LIVE SET
Spoken Word Poetry Open Mic Show
LANDSCAPE AND A MAN WHO EATS THE SUN
Chai Siri's landscape photographs explore the concept of being lost in time. Oct 22-Nov 2, 6pm. Gallery Ver, Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Soi 22, 089-988-5890. Free.
The DJ known for his sets at the Old Town's classic About Cafe spins '80s and '90s soul and funk. Oct 29, 9pm. Soulbar, 945 Charoen Krung Rd., 093-220-0441. Free.
MUSIC
gigs LIVE: THE NOTE, KUNST & CITY PLANT
Three new indie-pop bands share the stage. Oct 20, 8pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833. B200. BTS Surasak. BEN HOBBS WITH VELVET
Ben Hobbs
UK electro-pop artist Ben Hobbs performs alongside emerging local indie band Velvet. Oct 21, 8:30pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833. B200.
ONCE AGAIN, WITH LOVE
SPLASHED
Swedish/Finnish artist Kimmo Kauko's black-and-white photographs offer vignettes of eroticism, beauty and mystery. With cocktails by guest mixologist Linh Anh Moreau and disco through to house tunes by DJ Jaydubb. Oct 20-22, 7pm. Marcel, Sathorn Soi 10, 02 635 3533. Free.
Kawita Vatanajyankur's video performances expose the ugly truths of female labor in modern consumerism. Oct 20-Dec 24, 6pm. Nova Contemporary, G/F, Baan Somthavil, Ratchadamri Rd. Free.
BODY DECEPTION
THE GRASS ROOTS
This performance by Pitokung Magic & Mentalism examines the superstitious belief that still exist in modern Thai society. Grab tickets at bit. ly/2yin6Lg. Nov 4-5, 6-6:45pm; 7:308:15 pm. BACC, 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02214-6630. B350
The local band performs its soul and pop tracks at the buzzing Charoenkrung bar. Oct 28, 9pm. Soulbar, 945 Charoen Krung Rd., 093-220-0441. Free.
concerts DEVOURMENT LIVE BROTHERHOOD BRUTALITY
The Note
International death metal bands Devourment (USA), Gorevent (Japan) and Undead Daredevil (Japan) perform live. Oct 21, 2pm. OXA Pub and Restaurant, 244/7 Ratchadaphisek Rd., 081-813-6493. B800-1,200.
THEATER
SALES & FAIRS Fb:thegreatoutdoormarket
Unfolding Kafka
Chang Chui
Great Outdoor Market
STOCK THE F*** UP! WAREHOUSE SALE! #6
BAAN LAE SUAN FAIR (HOUSE AND GARDEN DECOR FAIR)
FROM PARTICLES TO FATHER'S UNIVERSE
Beer importer Hopsession hosts its quarterly warehouse sale. Expect discounts on rare bottles and cans, as well four rotating taps of beers, discounted glassware and more. Oct 28, 3pm. Hopsession Office, 195/39 Phatthana Rd., 02-115-1659.
The home decor and garden magazine returns with another fair featuring booths selling all things home and garden, plus workshops. Oct 27-29, 9:30am. Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, 99 Popular Rd., 02-833-4455.
An art exhibition featuring work from over 70 Thai artists in honour the late king, with talks and food too. Closed on Mondays. Through Oct 29, 11am. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd.
BANGKOK FARMERS' MARKET
22ND NATIONAL BOOK FAIR
Shop for organic produce and handcrafted goods from local atisans, along with activities for the kids and live music. Oct 28-29, 11am. Gateway Ekamai, Sukhumvit Rd.
Shop for books from hundreds of Thailand's leading publishing houses, meet and greet with well-known authors and participate in eudcational seminars. Through Oct 29, 10am. Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New Ratchadapisek Rd., 02-229-3000. MRT Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre.
CHANG CHUI GREEN MARKET
This market showcases daily-use items from eco-friendly local brands. Oct 27-29, 11am. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd.
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THE GREAT OUTDOOR MARKET
Shop a variety of fashionable and artsy items at this popular market which returns to a new venue by the Chao Phraya River bank. Nov 3-5, 4pm. Lhong 1919, 248 Chiangmai Rd., 081-994-4597. FARMERS’ MARKET AT HABITO
Shop organic and handcraft products from local artisans and suppliers. Nov 4-5, 11am. Habito Mall, Sukhumvit Soi 77.
Sleepwalkers
SLEEPWALKERS
FullFat Theatre’s physical performance as part of Bangkok Theatre Festival examines the unconsciouss and conscious states of mind. Grab tickets at bit.ly/2zjlTBk. Nov 3. 7.30pm. Yelo House, 20/2 Soi Kasemsan 1, 089-777-2322. B450 BANGKOK NOTES
The opening performance art of Bangkok Theatre Festival explores the connection between war and art at Drama Arts Chula. Grab tickets at www.BangkokTheatreFestival.com. Nov 2-3, 9-10, 7.30pm; Nov 4, 11, 2pm, 7.30pm. Chulalongkorn University, Rama 4 Rd., 081-559-7275. B600 UNFOLDING KAFKA
Exploring the works of German surrealist writer Franz Kafka with contemporary art pieces ranging from physical movement theater to sculpture and visual art. For tickets and schedule details visit www.unfoldingkafkafestival.com. Nov 3-22. Bangkok CityCity Gallery, 13/3 Sathorn Soi 1, 083-087-2725. Price is vary for individual shows. B1,650 (festival pass) THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY
Culture Collective Studio to performs Oscar Wilde’s classic play, considered theater’s greatest study of vanity. Grab your tickets at bit.ly/2hCuuHc. Nov 2-5, 8pm. Culture Collective Studio, 3/F, 26/276 Chatrium Residence Riverside Bangkok, Charoenkrung Soi 70, 089-876-5400. B1,000 includes 1 drink.
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now ART These nine exhibitions portray the life and times of King Rama 9
In Our Hearts
Silence of the Universe
IN OUR HEARTS
More than 40 national artists, including Nakrob Moonmanus, Pod Moderndog, Navin Nowvapong, Bangkok Street Poetry and Oh Singhasuvich, share their sentimental stories about King Bhumibol through poems, paintings, sculptures, motion pictures and music. Through Oct 27. Yelo House, 20/2 Kasemsan Kasern San Soi 1, 089-777-2322. Open Tue-Sun 11am-8pm. Free SILENCE OF THE UNIVERSE
Thonburi creative hub Chang Chui teams up with architecture and art design magazine Art4D to honor the late king. The event promises khon performances, panel discussions, art, food, documentaries and films either inspired by King Bhumibol or featuring his direct involvement. Admission is free on Tue-Fri and B40 on weekends. Through Oct 29. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd., 089-305-3370. Open Tue-Sun 11am-11pm. THE EXHIBITION IN HONOUR OF HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBHOL ADULYADEJ OF CHULALONGKORN UNIVERSITY CENTENARY PARK.
Chulalongkorn University opens its hall permanently to an interactive exhibition that delves into the king’s lifetime of work. Featuring 4D mapping, “interactive playground” and e-library by Apostrophys. 332/6 Chulalongkorn University Centenary Park, Chulalongkorn Soi 6, 02 218 3364. Open daily 10am-6pm. Free REMEMBRANCE OF THE KING BY KRAISAK AT EMPORIUM GALLERY
Kalwit Studio & Gallery presents artworks using the drypoint printing
technique that revisit the moments from King Bhumibol’s life that have left a lasting impression. Part of the proceeds from selling the artworks go towards funding Siriraj Hospital, the last project initiated by the late king. Through Oct 31. Emporium, 622 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-269-1000. Open daily 10am-10pm. Free H.M. KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ, THE KING OF OUR HEARTS: A PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION AND BOOK PROJECT
Fourteen renowned national photographers—Somsak Pattanapitoon, Boonthachai Chaiviroonjaroen, Suraphol Sukhumtus, Puttithorn Promduang, Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch, Kamthorn Paowattanasuk, Kiti Kittiphongsathaporn, Nakit Jaroonsrirak, Jiratha Narapittayanart, Sanchai Loongroong, Wannapong Surarochprajak, Vanthanee Apiwattanasawee, Phalat Chaipitakkoon, Alizz Vichchou—display works that reflect the gratitude and gratification that the artists have towards the former king. Through Oct 29. 3-5/F, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630. Open Tue-Sun 10am-9pm. Free THE STAMPS OF FATHERLY KING 2493 FOR THE BENEFITS AND HAPPINESS OF SIAMESE PEOPLE
Witness King Bhumibol’s reign as depicted through 353 stamp designs, covering his coronation day, marriage, visits around Thailand and many projects. Through Oct 31. Grand Postal Building, 1160 Charoenkrung Rd., 02-206-7333. Open Tue-Sun 9am-7pm. Free
BREATHE (USA)
LEATHERFACE (USA)
Romance/Drama . After being paralyzed by polio and given three months to live, Robin Cavendish (Andrew Garfield) and his wife, Diana, become powerful advocates for the disabled. Based on a true story.
Horror. This reboot of the Leatherface series tells the story of a psycho killer’s hospital escape along with three friends and a kidnapped young nurse.
Earth-Water-Forest-Air
EARTH-WATER-FOREST-AIR
A variety of photos, performance art and installations pay tribute to the former king, his wisdoms and his works. Visitors can also examine project based on the King Bhumibol’s philosophies on alternative energy. Through Nov 12. 7/F, Bangkok Art and Culture Center, 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630. Open Tue-Sun 10am-9pm. Free
WOLF WARRIORS 2 (CHINA)
TELL ME HOW I DIE (USA)
Action. China’s deadliest special forces operative must give up his newfound peaceful life by the sea after terrorists begin attacking nearby civilians.
Thriller . After participating in an experimental drug trial, a group of teenagers one by one see visions of their impending demise.
REMEMBRANCE OF THE GREAT KING
Over 160 artworks and collectibles related to the former king from artists like Alongkorn Lauwatthana, Karmin Lertchaisert, Kraisak Chairachaisakul and Thaweesak Srithongdee are on show. Highlights include a portrait painting by Thongchai Srisukprasert and Pinit Phantaprawat’s print the Great King No.8. Admission is free. Through Nov 26. 8/F, Bangkok Art and Culture Center, 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630. Open Tue-Sun 10am-9pm. Free
THE SON OF BIGFOOT (USA)
FLATLINERS (USA)
Animation. A teenage boy sets off to find his father, only to discover he is the notorious Bigfoot.
Sci-fi/Psycho-horror. A group of medical students must deal with hallucinations and flashbacks as a consequences of a near-death experiment.
Upcoming (Nov 2)
THROUGH THE LENS OF HIS MAJESTY KING BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ
The Royal Photographic Society of Thailand (RPST) together with Bangkok Art and Culture Center host an exhibition featuring 200 never-seen-before photographs taken by the late king. With three sections to explore, visitors not only get a glimpse into his life, but also King Bhumibol’s aesthetic and eye for composition. Through Jan 7, 2018. 9/F, Bangkok Art and Culture Center, 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630. Open Tue-Sun 10am-9pm. Free
SPECIAL SCREENINGS STEVE JOBS: THE LOST INTERVIEW
Metaphors: Sound and Moving Image with Kick the Machine
FILM Opening (Oct 19)
The Hive screens a 72-minute interview with one of tech’s greatest influencers, Steve Jobs, this Nov 3. In the film, the audience gets to hear the former Apple savior’s suggestions and visions on how to improve technology for future generations.Screening starts at 7pm. Admission is B150 including beer and popcorn. Grab tickets at bit.ly/2gcwQ2S. Nov 3, 7pm. The Hive, Sukhumvit Soi 49, 02-662-6062. B150.
METAPHORS: SOUND AND MOVING IMAGE WITH KICK THE MACHINE
Bangkok CityCity Gallery hosts selected screenings from Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Sompot Chidgasornpongse and Suchada Sirithanawuddhi, performances from Jenjira Pongpas and Sakda Kaewbuadee and sounds from Akritchalern Klayanamitr and Koichi Shimizu. Oct 28-29, 5.30pm-midnight. Bangkok CityCity Gallery, 13/3 Sathorn Soi 1, 083-087-2725. B700.
THOR: RAGNAROK (USA)
STRONGER (USA)
Action/Fantasy. The third film in the superhero series sees Thor (Chris Hemsworth) trying to find his way back to Asgard in order to repel an attack from the villainous Hela (Cate Blanchett).
Drama . Based on a true story. Jeff Bauman (Jake Gyllenhall) must adjust to life after losing both of his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.
THE KILLING OF A SACRED DEER (USA)
Drama/Horror. The new film from Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobser) tells the story of a surgeon who must make a huge sacrifice when a teenage boy he’s caring for takes a turn for the worst.
Visit bkmagazine.com/jobs
BK Magazine Friday, October 20, 2017
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