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BK MAGAZINE NO. 728 FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2018. www.bkmagazine.com
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page 3 6 cover story
And the Winners Are
What We’ve Learned
4 upfront
10 escapes
Plastic Not So Fantastic
Back to Singapore 12 avenue
16 bites
On Track
Down with No-shows
16 blends
21 BK Now
What’s Brewing
Live This Week
Who's in charge? Managing Director & Publisher Andrew Hiransomboon Managing Editor Oliver Irvine Digital Director / Deputy Editor Carl Dixon Subeditor Mai Nardone Digital Content Coordinator Nontaya Kumyat Digital Content Assistant Pakchira Bunphol Writers Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj, Kasidit Srivilai Junior Writers Kankanok Wichiantanon, Neon Boonyadhammakul Art Director Vatanya Bongkotkarn Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Graphic Designers Anunya Chobnitas, Wirankan Saiyasombut Photographer Poonsawat Suttama Video Content Manager Chanon Wongsatayanont Video Designer Saranya Laowtrakul Videographer Nattapol Srisukh Junior Video Editor Pattanagorn Adirekkiat
Where to find us!
The Asia City Media Group
Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai Sales Managers Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Orajira Sukkasem Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Nattaya Bovornsettanon, Orakarn Laohakanjanasiri
Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Limkhamduang Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang Accountant Manita Bangmoung Admin Executive Yaovaluck Srisermsri Contributors Kathy MacLeod
Junior Marketing Executive Narabhutr Thaemsiri ASIA CITY STUDIO Managing Editor Dietrich Neu Associate Editor Sureepak Janyapat Senior Project Manager Chayanap Tongdadas Senior Developer Passzarkorn Youthasoontorn, Wasan Wangrach Writer-Translator Tripop Leelasestaporn Junior Branded Content Writer Chakariya Cheewatara SOIMILK Editor Nathapong Suppavatee Senior Writer Rujiyatorn Choksiriwan Writer Theerada Moonsiri Brand Manager Onwara Sittirug Sales Associates Prawpraew Pairohg, Kornkanok Sriwaranant
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That this Sukhumvit theme park is going the way of the dinosaurs You didn’t think the animatronic dinos, 3D exhibits and ferris wheel next to Benjasiri Park would last forever, did you? Having outlasted its original 10-month lifespan, Dinosaur Planet will shut to visitors on Apr 20. That land is earmarked for EmSphere, aka Emporium Mk. III, which has total midSukhumvit domination planned for early next decade. That you can’t do all your banking at 7-Eleven...yet There’s very little your local Seh-wen can’t do, but we haven’t quite reached Japanese levels of convenience. Last week’s online rumors that 7-Eleven would soon be handling 24-hour money deposits, withdrawals and transfers were shut down by the Bank of Thailand’s Deputy Governor of Financial Institutions Stability, Ruechukorn Siriyothin, who told Matichon there are no plans—just now—to make the chain store an official Banking Agent. In the meantime, most traditional banks are scaling back on branches. That Somtum Der is opening in Thonglor It’s beginning to look a lot like Silom/Sathorn on Thonglor. Not only will brunch fave Luka be opening there in March, it’ll be joined by Silom’s original Isaan bistro Somtum Der. The switch across town has been a long time coming for Thanaruek Laoraowirodge’s globetrotting somtam chain, which has already sprung up in New York, Tokyo and Ho Chi Minh City since debuting on Sala Daeng back in 2012. Saep! That you can visit the country’s best museums for B299 The value-packed Muse Pass is back for the sixth year, letting you visit 63 museums and edutainment centers around Thailand for less than a bowl of ramen. The one-off fee of B299 (both Thais and foreigners) gets you access to Old Town’s vibrant Museum Siam or Bank of Thailand’s happening Learning Center on the riverside—a bargain when you consider adult entrance to a single museum often tops B100. You’d probably still need to pay us to step foot in Siam Serpentarium, however. Catch the full list at www.museumthailand.com. That Rabbit Hole is Bangkok’s latest award-winning bar What is The Bar Awards? You haven’t heard of it? Thought not. It’s a week-long event during which Bangkok F&B industry people get very drunk and say they love each other. Once everyone sobers up, they also give out some gongs. Rabbit Hole took home the top one: Bar of the Year.
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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@bkmagazine BK Magazine Friday, March 2, 2018
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upfront HOT OR NOT
Hot: Thai cinema
Not: Fat cops
By spending its 90-minute running time taking cheap shots at fat people, comedy-of-the-year Oversize Cops pisses on any pretence that it challenges societal body image conventions. But maybe that’s what you get when you let a 25 year old direct a movie. Thankfully, Malila: The Farewell Flower director Anucha Boonyawatana ensured that this nation’s film industry left 2017 with its dignity slightly in tact.
INTERVIEW
Hot: Boozy ice cream Not: Boozy slushies We hope you had fun getting drunk on the Fizzy Lady Gummy at Brain Freeze, Thonglor’s neon-lit candy store where all the treats are laced with booze. But boozy slushies were so last week. New ice-cream-parlour-slash-speakeasy Ryn brings a touch of class to this getting-drunk-with-dessert business, thanks to quality spirits and a color palette right at home in a Wes Anderson flick.
Hot: Thai-niyom
Not: Democracy
Are you still confused about Thai-style democracy? Don’t worry, Dear Leader’s here to help. His newly launched “Thai-niyom” (or “Thai-way”) program covers all the democratic essentials like “complying with missions from the state” and “not abandoning each other.” Hot stuff like that has earned it 1 million subscribers in one day—according to government statistics.
Hot: 2am
Not: Midnight
Is it just us, or have nights out in Bangkok been feeling a lot shorter recently? Frankly, with the amount of bars we’ve been turfed out of at midnight of late, we’ve turned to house parties instead. Sure, we can’t mix a ginseng-infused negroni quite like Ba Hao, but at least we get to stay up late—well, until the weird Korean dude next door complains, at least.
THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
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Refill Station is the first bulk store in Thailand where you can bring empty containers of shampoo, shower gel and detergent to refill. Behind the project are three friends: Supatchaya “Ann” Techachoochert, a PhD candidate in biology at Mahidol University; Chanin “Nammon” Srisuman, a project manager in developing renewable energy; and Papawee “Pear” Pongthanavaranon, co-founder of Better Moon cafe and guesthouse. The store’s a mere two months old, and has already received the full-throated, socialmedia endorsement of Bangkokians. Here, Pear talks to us about ways to curb our wasteful habits. How do you know one another? I’ve known Ann since when we were in junior high. We would meet at the environmental camps my mother sent me to. Nammon is Ann’s friend. She is also active in this sort of thing. When our friends hear that Nammon is near, they hide their plastic bottles. Why did you decide to open Refill Station? It started with Ann and me. We have always had ideas regarding plastic-use. At first we talked about how to get people to carry their own water bottles, but we would need to have spots for people to refill their bottles, which would be out of our control. We then decided on Refill Station. It was much easier to do and people can also get into it easier, too. What’s your message? That everyone can start on their own by doing something small. Each of us started alone, then we tried to find more ways to expand our habits in the wider community. It’s actually pretty easy, you just come in and fill your bottles, and you’re already using less plastic. The model of Refill Station is taken from other countries and not our original idea, but I want people to see our shop and do it themselves.
We have so many 7-Elevens, I want to see more refill stations in the future. Do people understand what you’re trying to do? We are very small and niche, but we have been getting a lot of good feedback. A lot of foreigners come in and say we’ve been recommended by their friends. My customers really appreciate this shop. I’ve tried to talk to the vendors around here, to tell them to use paper containers instead of foam, and that they can make the customers pay extra for that, but they disagree. They’re afraid that no customers will want to do that. What kind of products do you carry? Right now we don’t have that much variety, but we have bathroom stuff, dishwashing gel, bathroom cleaning products and body lotion. We have had a few customers complain that our products are not 100-percent organic. Yes, that’s right, because our purpose is to reduce plastic. We have a gallon of Sunlight dishwashing liquid, and people come in and refill their bottles from it. We have to spread the message first that people can easily reduce plastic by coming to our shop and filling bottle, whatever the product.
What do you think of Bangkok’s current plastic use? People waste so much plastic! They use it so unnecessarily. Double bags, triple bags. And they throw the plastic away after first use, within minutes. It’s just too much. People don’t reuse enough. What else can people do to help? The easiest way to start is by carrying your own water bottle and tote bag, and saying no to plastic straws. The plastic straws are even worse than the plastic bags because they are so small. Before plastic can be recycled, it has to be cleaned, and plastic straws are very difficult to clean. Because they are so small, people don’t really think about them and end up using so many. They also get stuck in recycling machines. What’s next for you? I want to improve my store by carrying more products, and then turn that into a business model. I want to spread the idea, so people take it and open their own refill stations in their communities. Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj Better Moon Cafe and Guesthouse, Sukhumvit Soi 77/1. www.fb.com/refillstationbkk
by Kathy MacLeod (IG: @kathy_macleod)
BK Magazine Friday, March 2, 2018
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VOTE AND WIN!
HELP US CROWN THE BEST BRANDS IN BANGKOK It is the time of the year when we put our opinion aside and let you, our beloved readers, decide what’s hot and excellent in the city. Lend us your voice to win a luxury weekend away!
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TAKE PART AT bkmagazine.com/RCA Voting begins Feb 9, 2018 and ends March 9, 2018. Winners will be contacted by BK staff and announced on BK’s Facebook page. Participants agree to the official rules (found online) and the decisions of the contest sponsors. All prizes must be claimed within 20 days.
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cover story THE BK FILM AWARDS 2018 Hollywood's overrated. Ahead of the 90th Academy Awards on Mar 4, here's what we loved and hated about Thai film from the past year. By Neon Boonyadhammakul
BEST PICTURE
BEST DOCUMENTARY
DIR: ANUCHA BOONYAWATANA
DIR: WATTANAPUME LAISUWANCHAI
Don’t let the trailer fool you, this isn’t a Thai Call Me By Your Name. While suffering from a terminal illness, Pitch (Anuchit Sapanpong) reunites with his former lover Shane (Sukollawat Kanarot) as he grapples with his daughter’s death. Director Anucha Boonyawatana’s existential musings go beyond the touching and quietly queer romance into an investigation of death. Yes, capturing life’s ephemerality here requires long, still shots of nature and, inevitably, a storyline involving monkhood, but the tropes are deftly manipulated in the hands of this up-and-coming director and made uniquely Thai through metaphors like crafting bai sri ornaments. The result is a rich, affecting film that sees its two protagonists journeying on alone, but not without hope.
This unique debut documentary explores the life of an unemployed film projectionist, Sumrith “Rith” Praprakone, after the theater where he worked for 30 years closes down. The movie impresses with its spectacular blend of two realities: the perspective of Rith himself, and the director’s point of view of Rith’s situation. Through impactful, almost abstract, long takes that are heavy with symbolism, Wattanapume captures Rith's feelings of abandonment and directionless in an empathetic light, while also providing fresh insight into the harsh realities facing the working class in Bangkok.
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
MALILA: THE FAREWELL FLOWER
PHANTOM OF ILLUMINATION
SUKOLLAWAT KANAROT
CHERMARN “PLOY” BOONYASAK
MALILA: THE FAREWELL FLOWER
SAMUI SONG
We know, we went with the favorite, but Sukollawat's big-screen debut as grieving father Shane shows a delicate balance of desire and disaffection, loss and release. Sukollawat deserves the award for the way his miserable eyes speak directly to Shane's inner soul, a guy who is trying to detach himself from the suffering past.
After falling from media consciousness, Ploy returns to take Thai audiences by surprise in Pen-Ek Ratanaruang’s comeback move (see 6). In a little twist of irony, Ploy plays Vi, a mainstream star who longs for an indie makeover. And while we all like to take swipes at hi-sos from time to time, Ploy’s character here goes the opposite route, humanizing the over-privileged without having us sympathize with them.
BEST COMING OF AGE FLICK #BKKY
DIR: NONTAWAT NUMBENCHAPOL These true stories of 100 teenagers in the midst of gender identity discovery blur the line between fiction and documentary. Nontawat’s highly involved approach sees scenes narrated by the director himself, while others feature voiceovers from people who themselves have gone through the experiences being fictionalized on screen.
BEST COMEBACK PEN-EK RATANARUANG
SAMUI SONG Five years after Paradoxocracy and seven years after his last fiction feature, Pen-Ek returns with a neo-noir drama about island cults, rape and murder. For all the dodgy acting and somewhat heavy-handed morality, there’s also that old Pen-Ek knack for atmosphere and storytelling, while Vithaya Pansringarm puts in a turn as a nasty guru that rivals his Only God Forgives performance.
FINALLY! WE GOT TO SEE IT. After winning a seven-year battle for screening permission with the Ministry of Culture, director Tanwarin Sukkhapisit’s 2010 critical success, Insects in the Backyard, finally made it to House RCA in 2017. The story examines the life of Tanya, a 35-year-old transgender woman, and her two teenage siblings, Johnny and Jennifer. As conflicts arise in their lives, the protagonists reveal a strong message about domestic disturbance, prostitution and social convention.
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cover story CAREER MOVES Who’s going places in Thai film? And who could the industry do without?
THE SO BAD IT’S GOOD AWARD PREMIKA PARAB
Director Siwakorn Jarupongsa combines karaoke camp with the tropes of generic, Asian slashers featuring schoolgirls in a master-class of Thailand’s uniquely macabre humor last perfected in 2013’s runaway hit, Pee Mak.
THE MAKES US WANT TO TRAVEL AWARD RAILWAY SLEEPERS
THE ENOUGH ALREADY AWARD
DIE TOMORROW
GHOST HOUSE
NAWAPOL THAMRONGRATTANARIT
DIR: SOMPOT CHIDGASORNPONGSE
DIR: RICH RAGSDALE
Sompot and his assistant, Peem Aumari, take an eight-year journey to record the experiences of lives on trains across the country (and without making it appear like a TAT promo). Don’t think you’re in for sweeping scenery and the romance of travel—the film communicates real states and emotions, which sometimes includes repetition and monotony.
An Aryan poster-couple holidaying in rural Thailand steal something they shouldn’t before this film devolves into pop-up scares, smeared blood and a woman running, endlessly. The real horror is that director Rich Ragsdale has managed in 1.5 hours to both resurrect yellow peril and clumsily appropriate a Thai ghost story.
THE WTF AWARD
THE BAD ENDING AWARD BAD GENIUS
INTERNATIONAL SCENE STEALER
SAYOMBHU “SONG” MUKDEEPROM
DIR: NATTAWUT POONPIRIYA
The long-time Apichatpong Weerasethakul collaborator is the cinematographer behind Luca Guadagnino’s Call Me by Your Name, which could claim up to four gongs at this week’s Oscars, including Best Picture. His warm depiction of an '80s Italian summer—all sun-dappled countryside and pastel hues—is credited with adding a gentle poignancy to the coming-of-age romance. Excitingly, Song and Guadagnino have two more projects in the pipeline.
A GAS STATION
Set in a remote area of Thailand where everyone dresses as a cowboy, the story focuses on the disappearance of gas station owner Mhan’s newlywed wife. As he waits for her return, two more women try desperately to pursue him. This love triangle revolves in an offbeat and surreal cycle as the movie toys with notion of sadness.
BIGGEST LETDOWN AWARD
THE MISSES ITS OWN POINT AWARD
DIR: SOPHON SAKDAPHISIT
DIR: PHUWANIT PHOLDEE, CHANON YINGYONG
THE PROMISE
A horror film set in Sathorn’s “Ghost Tower”? Of course we were going to watch it. Sadly, this dull and cliched affair was the kind of garbage that gives Thailand’s film industry a bad name. And worm-riddled apples: not that scary.
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Thailand's biggest grossing film of 2017 made waves all the way to Hong Kong and the U.S. with its depiction of corruption in the education system. We get the hype, but can’t help feeling a little cheated ourselves. We won’t reveal it for you, but what begins as a story of social justice ultimately ends up reaffirming the values of corruption and privilege.
After his directorial debut , the documentarian behind Phantom of Illumination (see Best Documentary) is up for the Suphannahong National Film Awards’ Best Cinematography category.
BEST SCREENPLAY The Mary is Happy and 36 director is back to his mind-bending best with this low-budget film delving into our acceptance of death. Separated into two main parts—one telling six short stories about people who have one day left to live, the other showing anonymous interviews and recorded voices—Die Tomorrow is the definition of non-narrative cinema, but in Nawapol’s capable hands, the grisly subject matter is rendered almost uplifting.
DIR: TANWARIN SUKKHAPISIT
Wattanapume “Best” Laisuwanchai
Kanyapak “Pie” Wuttara Also known as the vocalist of indie-folkrock band My Life As Ali Thomas, Pie proved to everyone with her big screen appearance in Die Tomorrow that her place is not only behind the mic.
Arnon “Poj” Mingkwanta Thailand’s answer to Tommy Wiseau, Poj has probably the worst knack for casting and plot-writing in the business.
OVERSIZE COPS
Four overweight policemen are ordered to lose weight or lose their jobs. Beneath the film’s slapstick premise is a real message about body-consciousness and prejudice. Mostly though, the humor’s forced and the fat shaming is real instead of ironic.
Petchtai “Mhum“ Wongkamlao News flash: making dirty jokes about pretty women hasn’t been funny since… ever. How is this guy still around?
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escapes HOTELS
New on the Island State
Chikin
SINGAPORE
NOVOTEL/MERCURE ON STEVENS
Heading South Eight new reasons to eat, drink and be merry in Singapore. By Kankanok Wichiantanon Dusk Restaurant & Bar
Bao Makers / Butler's Steak
How many rooms? 254 (Novotel) and 518 (Mercure) How much? From now until Mar 31, book a room with breakfast for two at Novotel Singapore from B5,050/night or B3,765/night at Mercure Singapore. Why stay there? This much bang for buck’s hard to find in Singapore. The Mercure rooms might be small, but they’re modern, tasteful and close to Little India and Chinatown. www.novotel-singapore-stevens.com
Folklore
FANCY
Mr Stork
Wolfgang's Steakhouse
Chikin
The sun doesn’t set on the Wolfgang brand, whose father-son, red meat empire has its capital in New York. Closest to us is Singapore’s branch at Quayside at Robertson Quay, the dapper original recreated through the solid walnut interior, Italian chandeliers and mosaic-tile details. Prime USDA Black Angus cuts (sirloin, ribeye or filet mignon) are dry aged 28 days before being fired in the broiler and carved up to arrive juicy, tender and perfectly pink on your plate. Neighborhood: Central, Robertson Quay
This effortlessly cool venue crowded with neon lights and wall-to-ceiling murals of ‘80s Japanese pop art marries Szechuan mala and Japanese yakitori for skewer dining like you’ve never known it. Dominating the menu are 13 varieties of chicken skewers, like the Bonjiri Chikin Tail (B80), a batch of sinful popcorn chicken elevated with a generous mala kick. Chikin’s bar keeps up with the kitchen through its heavy-duty cocktail menu, sake sangrias (B450) and smoky, whiskey-based concoctions (B450). What else could you ask for—a karaoke room? No problem. Neighborhood: Central, Chinatown
Dusk Restaurant & Bar Singapore does sunsets like Bangkok can’t— it’s an island, after all—and this tapas restaurant perched on Faber Peak with its unobstructed panorama might be the best place to get your fill. The food is conceptualized as Asian-influenced European tapas, best captured in the sea scallops served with ikura and crispy strips of bacon (B550). The tiger prawn capellini tossed in lobster-infused oil and Japanese seaweed (B669) makes a great main, and pairs nicely with the dry Piccini Pinot Grigio delle Venezie (B310/glass, B1,650/bottle). Neighborhood: Sentosa and Harbourfront
Mr Stork Storks, we’re told, build their nests high, atop trees. Hence, Mr Stork has chosen for its perch the Andaz Singapore, which at 39 floors more than satisfies the high bar and, with a 360-degree spread, has a view to rival the best rooftops in town. The seating includes tables, nooks and teepees. Cocktails here are heavy on garden herbs and fresh fruit, like in the Ginseng, made from fresh grapefruit juice, elderflower and ginseng aperitif, or the Rhubarb, a fizzy concoction of rhubarb puree, strawberry and lemon juice, sparkling wine and a shot of vodka (all cocktails B380). Neighborhood: Bugis
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YOTEL
COMFORT
Bao Makers / Butler's Steak Missing Little Bao? Us too. At least Singapore’s modern bao specialist isn’t going anywhere, having made a permanent home in a chic shop-house it shares, after dark, with Butler’s Steak. Sure, there’s steak, but save your stomach for the buns, beginning with the Salted Egg Chicken (B140), a bao stuffed with tender fried chicken and oozing salted egg yolk gravy. The soft-shell crab of a bao (B160) comes perfectly battered and rich with curry mayo. For a fusion take, try the Mentaiko Salmon (B160). Neighborhood: Central, Chinatown
Tap Robertson Quay Singapore’s craft brew specialist has 20 rotating beers on tap, but it’s probably more famous for its one-price-fits-all policy of B240 pints and wines. There’s also a menu of delicious bar bites like the Drunk Bacon (beer-battered bacon served with house-made Sichuan ketchup, B190), fried chicken sandwich (B380), stout caramel ice cream Sundae (B280) and the Tap Milkshake (B280). On weekends, the patio and a special brunch menu make for a perfectly chill morning. Neighborhood: Central, Robertson Quay
Tap Robertson Quay
How many rooms? 610, and they call them “cabins.” How much? From around B4,300/night for the “premium” category with adjustable beds, rain showers and mood lighting. Why stay there? This London-born, tech-savvy brand crosses the Japanese capsule concept with first-class airline travel. Plus there’s a pool, gym and co-working space. www.yotel.com/en/hotels/yotel-singapore
Wolfgang's Steakhouse
Folklore It’s Singaporean cuisine like we’ve never seen before: a multi-ethnic hodgepodge that’s true to the island nation’s mixed population. Growing up with a Eurasian father and Peranakan mother, chef Damian D’Silva cultivated a taste for age-old flavors and traditional home cooking—something the reputable local star has deftly adapted for the menu at Folklore. Try singgang (B480), a Eurasian dish of wolf herring in a non-spicy paste. Or the Peranakan favorites of chap chye and beef cheek rendang. Neighborhood: Central, City Hall
Frank Frank, a container kiosk for sit-down or takeaway meals of gratifying hotdog buns, is smack in the middle of Singapore’s CBD and right beside Marina Bay. Try the Nurnberger Dog (B240), a peppery pork sausage topped with potato salad, mustard, mayo and chives and wrapped in a toasted pretzel bun. Our favorite is the signature K-Dog (B260): Kurobuta sausage, kimchi, sweet and spicy glaze. For drinks, they offer bottled craft beers by local brewery Rye & Pint or Lowenbrau Lager (B240/pint) on tap. Neighborhood: Central, Marina Bay
Essentials Flights: AirAsia to Singapore is around B4,018 round-trip; while JetStar is about B4,587.
ANDAZ
How many rooms? 342 How much? Starting from B9,000/night Why stay there? Hyatt’s boutique brand is wandering distance from Little India, Marina Bay and the historical Kampong Glam. We also dig the colorful but tasteful styling. www.singapore.andaz.hyatt.com
SOFITEL SINGAPORE CITY CENTRE
How many rooms? 220 How much? Starting from B8,980/night. Why stay there? This skyscraper offers fantastic views, as well as interiors referencing French gardens and a 30-meter-long pool. www.sofitel-singapore-citycentre.com
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ESCAPE ROUTES By Kankanok Wichiantanon
HUA HIN
Bittersweet Symphony We don’t blame you for wanting to stay at Hua Hin’s Seenspace mall all night. And with their new boutique hotel, Chocolate Box (www.enjoychocolatebox.com), you can. Inspired by that old Forrest Gump maxim which will not be repeated here, the hotel's 23 rooms come in three flavors: White Chocolate (for two, B5,700), Milk Chocolate (for four, B7,800) and Dark Chocolate (for six, B9,900) in a hierarchy that proves what we’ve always known: dark chocolate reigns supreme. Size aside, the rooms are fashioned from the same mold, each decorated in a modern, minimalist style and every shade of gray for a soothing vibe. The rate includes a la carte breakfast that’s served from 7am-5pm. Is there chocolate involved? Maybe.
Raise the Roof Novotel Hua Hin’s (novotelhuahin.com) Gravity Sky Bar is displacing snooty rooftop culture with street style. Upending the norms are two Thai artists: graffitist Kittipong Kamsart, whose work has graced the front of the Bangkok Art and Culture Centre, and muralist Rukkit Kuanha-wate, who has here made his mark with a blue whale in his iconic, colorful and geometric style. The service has stayed classy, though, as has the drinks menu, which includes a flight of sensory cocktails that will have you questioning whether you’re a synesthete. Tired of the murals? There’s always the 360-degree view. Rooms at the hotel start at B1,990/night.
APP
Choose Your Own Adventure Spontaneous air travel has been made easier with Air Ticket Arena (www.airticketarena.com), a free app that promises the spoils of last-minute holidays to the highest bidder. How it works: pick your destination, party size, dates (at least 14 days in advance of travel and a 14-day trip at most) and the most you’d be willing to pay for a ticket. If there are still seats available 24-48 hours ahead of the flight, those seats will be automatically auctioned off. The downside? There’s a price floor. The upside? Wallet-friendly flights and the spirit of adventure. Get packing.
BALI
Before Sunset Omnia knows nightclubs (see: Omnia Las Vegas), but dayclubs? Their newly-opened Omnia Dayclub (omniaclubs.com), perched atop the limestone cliffs of Bali’s southern peninsula, runs its entertainment from dawn to dusk, instead. DJs, both in-house and international, drum up a pool-party vibe through the daylight hours and into sunset. For those used to the VIP treatment, try the bungalows, private plunge pools and cabanas. They’ve also imported London’s high-end Japanese restaurant, Sake no Hana, to work their magic on sushi and sashimi, as well as charcoal and kamameshi (iron pot) items. Round-trip flights to Denpasar with Lion Air currently cost just B3,700.
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FASHION
Mothership Landing The four-story, multi-label Exhibit Mothership takes over what was once the sprawling home of streetwear mavens Knock and Uncon. Clothes here don’t come cheap— expect to pay upwards of B10,000 for upscale, sweet-yet-chic fashion names like Australian ruffle master Alice McCall, Hollywood-hit dress brand Self-portrait, and L.A. lingerie and swimwear maker For Love and Lemons. Window-shoppers can always take the stairs to the second floor where a cutesy cafe serves rose lychee sodas and peach parfait cakes. Claim the pink velvet sofa for a selfie with a pair of model flamingos. 331/1 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). Open daily 11am-8pm. 02-185-2673. BTS Thonglor
FASHION
WATCH
SHOPPING
Lean In
Tokei Town
Last Man Standing
Local fashionista Milin Yuvacharukskul, of the eponymous brand Milin, is taking on drab office wear with a new spring/summer 2018 collection. Masculine conventions like square-shouldered blazers and billowing pants are offset against provocative cuts, sequins and spaghetti straps. The effect? Fierce and bold womenswear that’s sure to stand out in your Sathorn office or after-work at Ce La Vi. The Carol Top (B4,200) pairs mesh with a delicate, ruffled hem. More irreverent is the fabulous, feather-draped Elston robe with a snake print design (B7,190). For a little height and drama, try the funky faux-fur lucite heels (B3,900)—just watch those footpaths. 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1134. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Siam
Here’s a chance to stand out from all your Daniel Wellington-toting friends. Affordable Japanese watch maker Knot has opened a shop in Bangkok and, most excitingly for the mallaverse, it’s a petite standalone on Sukhumvit Soi 47. Launched in 2014, the brand has made its name through a customized approach which lets buyers pick out the perfect dial, case, strap and buckle (some 8,000 combinations, they say). All materials are Japan-made, from the natural, vegetable-tanned leather to the durable sapphire glass. Prices start at only B6,000. Two more stores are slated to open this year. Sukumvit Soi 47, 02-258-4877. Open daily 10am-9pm. knot-designs.com
While Siam Paragon’s shops have come and gone, menswear giant Ermenegildo Zegna has stayed looking pretty much the same since the launch of the mall 13 years ago. That’s until a recent makeover gave the Italian sartorial master’s corner store a sleek update: goodbye boring brown everything; hello beige clay tile walls, wood accents and stark lighting. The decor is an upscale fit for the full range of products from Ermenegildo Zegna’s spring/summer 2018 collection, in which designer Alessandro Sartori experiments with a sweet-and-soft palette across light and loose silhouettes. Turn heads with the Freesia-colored jacket (from B50,000) and rose pink wide-legged pants (B28,500). M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 081-7350352. Open daily 10am-8:30pm
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avenue FITNESS
RUNNING
iRivals
This season's hottest running shoes
Keep your health on track with the latest in wearable tech. By BK Staff
Nike Air Flyknit Vapormax Blackpop, B6,700 www.nike.co.th
Under Armour Hovr Phantom, B6,190 1/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd.
Suunto Spartan Trainer 1
Who’s it for? All-round Iron People Why? This Finnish creation does it all, with functions for cycling, swimming, running and a whole lot more. The multi-sport function allows easy switching between activities, and the device has all the other bells and whistles too, including pulse readings, calorie count , sleep and location (GPS). Price: B9,900 Available at www.lazada.co.th
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Fitbit Ionic
Who’s it for? The weekend warrior Why? Thinner than most and with an eye-catching minimalist design, this device goes beyond basic sports functions, operating as a smart watch with its own apps. Track your routine with the fitness coach and store up to 300 tracks to play through your headphones via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Price: B11,990 Available at www.tsmactive.com
Garmin Forerunner 645 3
Who’s it for? Marathon runners Why? This round-framed runner’s favorite comes with a GPS and storage space for 500 tracks—what else do you need to take off across the countryside? The fancy functions are so running-specific that they come in a jargon that’s beyond us: contact time balance, stride length and vertical ratio. Price: B7,600
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Polar A370
Who’s it for? The work-break workout freak Why? As well as the usual biometrics, this smaller, unobtrusive device can also link up with your email and messaging to keep you up to date while you exercise. Just make sure you watch the clock in your gym—this one’s purely a workout watch with no timekeeping function. Price: B7,990 Available at www.tsmactive.com
Available at Banana Run, Sarasin Rd.
Tom Tom Sparks Cardio Music 5
Who’s it for? People in need of personal trainers Why? Another all-rounder, except this one gets extra points for a coaching app that’ll let you know all the ways you’re going wrong. You’ll forget it’s even on your wrist except when you miss your daily goals, which are monitored by various modes like Fat Burn, Endurance, Speed or Power. Bonus points for the extra comfy Bluetooth earbuds. Price: B12,990
Adidas All terrain, B8,000 shop.adidas.co.th
Adidas Ultraboost X, B8,500 shop.adidas.co.th
Available at www.tsmactive.com
GYMS Have you heard about these new places to keep fit? THONGLOR CROSSFIT
BASE SATHORN
ANYTIME FITNESS
What: Crossfit, the worldwide phenomenon for p u n i s h i n g c a rd i o a n d strength workouts. Here it’s practiced in a ‘50s-era house with a high ceiling and many windows. How much: An all-class membership begins at B4,800 a month, while the open gym alone is B3,500 and personal training is B2,500/session.
What: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) from one of the city’s most respected names. They’ve also partnered with U.S. celeb-endorsed barre studio Physique 57. How much: B4,500 a month, while drop-in without contract is B750 per session.
What:The US-hailing 24-hour fitness club has opened its first location in Bangkok near Lumpini Park. Anytime Fitness also boasts a tanning machine and massaging waterbed. How much: Base membership costs B1,550, while personal training starts from B1,000/session.
74 Sukhumvit Soi 49/2, 097-0561409. Open Mon-Sat 7am-9pm
2/F 1 Sathorn Thani 2, Sathorn Rd., 02-109-9578. Open Mon-Thu 6:40am-8:45pm; Fri 6:40am7pm; Sat-Sun 8:30am-5pm
Kian Gwan 3 Bldg., 152 Wireless Rd., 061-169-9868. Open 24 hrs
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NEW BAR
Make it Irish Ryn’s bright little ice-cream shop holds a surprise: all the scoops are spiked with booze. There are 10 flavors total, half non-alcoholic (B80/scoop; B150 with a 15ml shot) and half made with liquor (B150/scoop; B220 with 15ml shot). The Tin Tin Gin Gin’s raspberry-and-juniper sorbet comes served with a half shot of gin. Chocolate lovers, get yourselves a Join the Dark Side, which combines We Got Beer ice cream (porter beer and dark chocolate) and bourbon. For a deliciously local treat, try the Khan Kluay Mao Vodka (lemongrass vodka, coconut and pandan) that comes with more vodka. For anyone who can remember Siam Square circa 2008, the decor is also a reminder back to when every store looked like a cute 16-year-old girl’s bedroom.
NEW RESTAURANT
COFFEE DELIVERY
NEW BAR
Pizza Perfect
Bean Around
Thorny Subject
Located in a back alley off Ekkamai, the French-owned Delices de Capoue serves only pizzas made using 72-hour raised dough. Heard that before? That’s because Delice de Capoue is aiming its billowy-crusted pies at the same pizza-snooty audience as local heavyweights like Peppina and Massilia. Go for the traditional, wood-fired margherita (B350, 13 inches) for its classic mix of tomato sauce, mozzarella, and Italian basil, or indulge in the house-named Delices de Capoue (B630), whose layers of fresh cream, mozzarella, rocket, cherry tomatoes, pesto and ham won the praise of local Michelin-studded chef Jason Bailey (Paste). There’s a modest dining space for you to eat in, but they also offer neighborhood delivery. Ekamai Complex, 359/7 Sukhumvit Soi 63, 02-020-1635. Open Tues-Sun 5:30pm-11pm
Good news for lethargic coffee snobs: Left Hand Roasters (lefthandroasters.com) is a new subscription service flying the flag for Thai small-batch coffee. From around B560/month, you can choose between blends, espresso roasts or single origin beans to be sent to your house every two weeks. It’s not just a pretty package (seriously, these are bags you’ll want your co-workers to see); the brand’s founder/head roaster Dustin Joseph works with family-run farms throughout northern Thailand to identify the best varietals and develop complementary roasts. Order the Honey x Bourbon blend (B283/200g) for a morning espresso brimming with macadamia and vanilla notes.
Sathorn's leafy Yen Akat neighborhood is about to become even livelier. With California on the brain, Sanya Souvanna Phouma (of Sing Sing, Quince and Maggie Choo's notoriety) is joining with up-and-coming designer Shelley Kwok to open Cactus, a new rooftop bar meant to evoke the mid-century West Coast architecture of designer John Lautner. From a terrace that sits above the treetops and a semi-outdoor lounge, Cactus will serve a list of on-theme cocktails created by (who else?) Joseph Boroski (priced at B250-500) as well as food in collaboration with brand-new Mediterranean specialist Cagette Canteen and Deli, which sits below. All going to plan, Cactus will open mid-March.
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COMING MAY 2018 Don’t miss your chance to advertise in the BK Better You guide Healthy living is one of the hottest trends with our audience, who regularly turn to BK in search of advice on fitness, nutritious food, spas, medical services and more. Better You is packed with hyperlocal recommendations from Bangkok-based dietitians, personal trainers, doctors and wellness professionals. Find out more at BK Magazine/betteryou Call 02-624-9696 email: advertising@asia-city.co.th
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Sake Forest
BEER
Change Brewing Five new Thai craft beer-makers you should know. By Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj MADE IN CAMBODIA
What’s next: The mystery men have a plan to bring in two more labels by the end of this year.
The brewer: CEO Panitan “Fang” Tongsiri trained himself through YouTube and Google, a process that began in 2015 and concluded with the unveiling of Bannok Beer’s first batch last October. The beer: Kiss Me Deadly (ABV 5%) is a crystal wheat beer that has lychee in the mix, while Honey Bomb (ABV 5%) makes a good session IPA thanks to the sweet aroma. The brews are both easy-drinking but with subtle complexities. What’s next: Fang’s plan to launch another four craft beers this year may seem ambitious, but it pales beside his mission to begin construction of a legal craft beer brewery in Thailand later this year (breweries are currently required to produce at least 10 million liters per year to be legal). Fang’s also spreading the gospel of brewing across the country’s provinces.
Available at O’Glee, Changwon Express at Flow House and Beer Republic. Priced at B200. www.fb.com/ eleventhfort
Bannok
Available at 7-Eleven for B99. www.fb.com/ bannokbeer
Eleventh Fort
The brewers: These two engineers-turned-brewers want their identities kept secret. We do know that they met in university, and having exhausted themselves on foreign craft beers, decided to try their hands at making their own using home kits. We also know that their labels are the talk of beer-geek circles. The beer: Last September welcomed their black IPA (ABV 8%). Their second label is a more traditional IPA (ABV 6.9%), and was just launched at the end of February.
Taopiphop Ale Project
The brewers: This guy made headlines in Jan 2017 when he was arrested for brewing craft beer at home under a rarely-enforced law. He then opened his own bar in Feb, Taopiphop Bar Project, before legally releasing his own beer, Hurtster, in May. The beer: Hurtster, a saison (Belgian farmhouse ale, ABV of 4.9%) is smooth, mellow and inspiredby Tao’s “heartbroken hipster” period. What’s next: A brewery in Vietnam. But Tao’s also occupied with his other love, sa toh (Thai fermented rice rum), which he wants to bring to mainstream drinkers. Available at Bad Taste Cafe, Taopiphop Bar Project, Ba Tao (a weekend pop-up bar on the rooftop of Cho Why). B170. www.fb.com/taoaleproject
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Bootleg Brothers
The brewers: Champ Vongsawat, Petch Boonchoochuay and Manak Narula are long-time friends. Petch owns Khao Yai’s Cheese Maker and Caroline Cheese, Champ owns Khao Yai restaurant Thongbuak and Sukhumvit Soi 16’s Pizzazo Bistro, and Manak comes from a textile business family. Champ, the master brewer, learned his skills with a course in Melbourne. The beer: There’s a label to match each founder’s beer profile: the Mr Galactic porter, the Island Hopper lager and Peak A Brew, an IPA.
What’s next: In the making this year will be an IPL (India Pale Lager) and a pale ale. This March, look out for the limited edition New England IPA on tap at Beer Republic, Mash and Changwon Express, among others. Available at various places around Bangkok like Bottles of Beer, Wishbeer, Dog Step, Dok Kaew House B a r a n d W i s h b e e r fo r B 2 0 0 . w w w. f b. co m / bootlegbrothersbrewingco
Dirty Forty
The brewers: Again, a collaboration of three friends: Thitiwat “Tui” Suwannalak, Chumporn “Hnon” Sangvilert and Anis “Ned” Lamjaikla. You might recognize Tui and Ned as the owners of Ekkamai’s favorite cafe, The Counting Sheep Corner. Tui brewed his first batch a decade ago in Australia but, in his own words, “it sucked so badly.” He’s since fine-tuned his craft and now turns out refreshing, easy-drinking beers. The beer: The pilsner ABV 4.5% and amber ABV 5% are both light-bodied, smooth and refreshing. For you connoisseurs, the amber’s a little more complicated. The batches are small because the brewers don’t use preservatives. What’s next: No big plans at the moment except to make sure that these two labels stay consistent in quality and strong in the market first. Available at The Counting Sheep Corner, Studio Lam, Viva Thonglor and Wishbeer for B160-220. www.fb. com/dirtyforty
NEWS What’s Trending? New England IPAs, which twist the traditional IPA for a rounder flavor and a cloudy color. NEIPAs capture the hoppy aroma that people love in the usual IPA, but without the bitter taste. Check out Brew Ocean, available at Dog Step for B200. Or for a nonThai NEIPA, Hair of the Dog has The Bastard Princess by Danish brewery Amager Bryghus on tap (B220).
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Local flavors, which are finding favor over foreign stuff like Italian herb bitters or sous-vide berry-fed ham. Pop Direkrittikul cooks up Thai dish-inspired cocktails, while Niks Anuman’s Asia Today only sources local. Last month, Vesper’s barman Supawit “Palm” Muttarattan also put the spotlight on Thai jasmine, coconut water, oolong tea and pandan during an 80/20 collaboration.
The buzz: At 100 labels, the collection of Rain Hill’s new bottle shop puts it in the class of the city’s finest sake establishments like Ekkamai’s Orihara Shoten. The decor: With a minimalism that would do Muji proud, the veneer of bleached wood and cream walls here is only broken up for the punchy colors of the sake labels themselves. The sparse furnishings, small space and polished, quiet service will have you speaking in hushed tones as you work your way through a sake flight. The drinks: The team at e-Shochu, purveyor of Sapporo Beer, is behind the bottle selection here. A number of the sakes are available by the glass, our favorite being the floral and well-balanced Nabeshima Lovely Label (B100/ glass; B1,590/bottle), a rare find even in Japan. The Gorin Junmai Daiginjo (B1,330) has a similar if more grown up profile, coming with more body and the subtler sweetness of coconut. Upscale from there are a number of IWC winners like the elegant Sake Nabashima Daiginjo (B1,870). It’s not all sake, the place also stocks the sweet and plummy stuff like the Komasa no Sumomoshu (B1,040). The crowd: Rain Hill’s passersby and the Japanese community. The music: Full-on classical and nothing else. Why you should care: Sake snobs and newcomers both can be satisfied with the breadth of selection. We recommend taking the bottle home rather than drinking there. 2/F, Rain Hill, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-258-4975. Open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm
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bites
Jason Beiley
Baan
Thitid Tassanakajohn
Cocotte
RESTAURANTS
Where Were You?
Bangkok a has problem with restaurant booking no-shows. By BK Staff
Valentine’s Day is usually a night to remember, for both couples booking that special meal out and restaurateurs who can expect one of their strongest nights business-wise. But in Bangkok it exposed a very real issue plaguing the city’s dining scene: no-shows. Last month, a public Facebook post by Le Du and Baan's chef Thitid "Ton" Tassanakajohn set a stream of Bangkok chefs pounding away angrily at their keyboards. In it, chef Ton called out 21 would-be customers who did not show up at his Thai restaurant Baan on Feb 14, despite confirming their reservations the day before. “We rejected more than 30 people on the phone and walk-ins to keep the tables for you. Our staffs [sic] didn’t make service charge and tips as they should have on busy Valentine’s Day,” the expletive-laden post read. As a result of the wasted prep time, chef Ton said Baan will now be requiring credit
card deposits for all groups of six or more. In the comments, chef Ton received words of support—and other tales of despair—from the chefs and restaurateurs behind well-established Bangkok names like Bunker, Cocotte and Smokin’ Pug. “45 cancellations yesterday at Cocotte, 3 5 a t P e s c a , ” rea d o n e co m m e nt f ro m chef Jeriko Van Der Wolf, part of the group behind the aforementioned restaurants. The no-show problem isn’t limited to Valentine’s Day, however. Bangkok chefs and restaurateurs have been rightfully angry about it for years. We reached out to other prominent figures on the Bangkok foodie scene for comment. “Yes, it's appalling in Bangkok,” said chef Jason Bailey, whose Thai fine-dining restau-
rant Paste was recently awarded a Michelin star. “[No-shows are] about 15-percent higher than other cities. The solution in the press is to understand a restaurant runs on about 15-percent profit. When those tables are empty you cut deep into the profits for the night “The worst nights are Saturday and Sund ay, w h i c h i s u s u ally the general public. Week nights usually have educated foodies—I hate that word—who dine. The solution is to educate, educate, educate in the press.” Pinpointing why the issue is quite so bad in Bangkok is another matter. Some blame recent changes in dining culture. “Five to six years ago you never needed to book anything in Bangkok and always got
“ A restaurant runs on about 15-percent profit. When those tables are empty you cut deep into the profits for the night. “
a table anywhere,” said Philip Weigel, managing partner at soon-to-open Aesop's Greek restaurant and the former restaurant development manager for Soho Hospitality (Above Eleven, Charcoal). “Nowadays in Bangkok for the popular places you need to book otherwise you have no chance.” Bangkok has also been slow to adopt the global, restaurant-rather-than-customer-first trend for no-reservation restaurants, where diners are forced to simply show up and wait in line until a table becomes available—a practice now common in cities like London and New York. “At Above Eleven we always wanted to change to no reservations, but it's tough,” says Weigel. “We were afraid of the backlash.” As the relative lack of success for restaurant booking apps in Bangkok can attest, getting this city’s diners to change their reservation habits may be a big ask.
NEWS Hot from the Bangkok Food Scene ANDREW’S OUT
HOT CHOCOLATE
OPINIONATED FOODIES WANTED
One of 80/20’s kitchen hands and BK Top Tables’ Young Chef 2017, Andrew Martin, has left the building. We’re not ones to publish rumors, so you won’t hear from us that he’s going to Issaya.
It’s 2018 and Bangkok still doesn’t have its own artisanal chocolate company. Step-forward Bohnchen & Co., who claim to be the first “bean-tobar chocolate maker in Thailand.” So far, so Marou. Expect their first bars to drop in April.
There’s a hot job up for grabs: food writer at BK Magazine. If you’re a Thai national and know your onions when it comes to Bangkok’s food scene, check the full job description at www.asiacity.com/ food-writer-bk-magazine.
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OPEN DOOR
Cagette Canteen and Deli Leafy Yen Akat welcomes a Mediterranean bistro and deli. The buzz: Good news if you live around lower Sathorn: you no longer have to trek to El Mercado for your produce-driven Mediterranean brunches. Find your way to Cagette Canteen and Deli for a similar bounty of fresh seafood, pungent cheeses and simple French comfort dishes. The decor: “Cagette” is French for crate, the wooden sort that evokes the bountiful fresh markets of yester-century France. Exposed brick, chalkboards and ceiling murals (laboriously produced by a French artist, by hand, over four months) complete the mood in the downstairs restaurant. Head upstairs, past the Musee D’Orsay-esque clock, to the deli, which
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exhibits all the usual charcuterie, cheeses and jarred things as well as airy terrace seating. The food: Order to share so you can start with both the foie gras on brioche with onion marmalade (B490) and the charcuterie platter (B480 for 200g). The escargots de Bourgogne (B490) are classically executed, the baked snails oh-so-tender in their garlic-herb butter. Then tuck into the “seafood bouquet,” including oysters, mussels, whelks, cockles and prawns (B990), or the heart-warming French staple, beef Bourguignon (B690) served with tagliatelle. If you've saved room for dessert, finish with the giant, decadent chocolate eclair (B260).
The drinks: The appetizers go down well with a glass of Fleur de France bubbly (B250), rose prosecco (B290) or Kir Royal (B590). Those lounging on the deli terrace can pair the chill vibe with an espresso (B150) or a cappuccino for (B180) brewed with beans from old-school French roaster Cafes Richard. Why we’d come back: An expansive Mediterranean menu without the typical bistro fuss. The deli and takeaway options make it a favorite for short stops, too. Megan Leon 15 Yen Akat Rd., 02-249-1684, Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-10:30pm
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Shio
NOMA
Oh Chic
NEW AND NOTED
There Goes the Neighborhood Forget images of new Nordic cuisine. Bangkok’s NOMA (21/66 RCA Block C, 08-939-7899) is a whole different ballgame: boozy drinks like the Psycho Tropical Yoghurt (gin, yogurt, white egg and pineapple, B160) served at a bar that feels more like a house party. Neon lighting and mid-century furnishings set the mood for you to mingle with music industry insiders to an indie soundtrack plucked from the Trainspotting reboot. NOMA, in case you were wondering, stands for “now our mother’s angry”—see, didn’t we say house party?
phy, featuring a large, deep-fried crab sandwiched between a Taiwanese steamed bun with spicy mayo and rocket. The angel hair pasta with cod, nori paste, mushrooms and chili (B790) also proves that fusion isn’t always confusion. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on food only (except set menu) when spending THB 1,500 or more /sales slip Today - 31 May 18 Get a complimentary cake valued THB 220 when spending THB 1,500 or more /sales slip (limit 1 dish /card / table /sales slip) 1 Jun - 31 Dec 18
East Meets West
One For All
EmQuartier’s veteran Asian-Western mash-up restaurant, Shio Yoshoku, is now just called Shio (8/F, EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6287). Head chef and owner Yada "Kaew" Ruangsukudam still does fusion food, but now with a rule that no dishes exceed more than five ingredients and three colors. Should you care? Well, the soft-shell crab bao (B250) makes a good case for chef Kaew's philoso-
Ekkamai’s nightlife all-rounder, Oh Chic (8/8 Sukhumvit Soi 63), is an opulent homage to old China: velvety chairs, ornamental umbrellas and a courtyard inspired by Chinese tea houses. Chef Pairoh Arunngam, a former MasterChef Taiwan competitor, turns out the likes of squid ink pasta with ponzu wasabi sauce (B240), and cocktails from the bar and lounge come with similar Asian inflections, like in the Wasabi Amaretto (B300). BK staff
TABLE TALK
KRBB The Boutique Butcher 3/F, Habito Mall, Sukhumvit Soi 77, 02-090-9697. Open daily 11am-10pm Aside from offering slabs of beef for takeaway and delivery, Krbb also accommodates dine-in customers with a menu focused on yakiniku (barbecue) and hot pot. The star attraction here is high quality beef from Japan like the Ozaki gyu, which is one of world's best types of wagyu since it is raised slowly for more than 33 months. Hence, it provides a better balanced and full-flavored steak and is less greasy compared to the others. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get 10% discount on meat price Today – 30 Jun 18
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bites FOOD REVIEWS
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HH
Western. 31/3 Soi Farm Wattana, Rama 4 R d . , 0 8 7- 9 9 9 - 9 9 4 8 . O p e n T u e - S u n 5:30pm-midnight. BBB-BBBB F G
Wild & Co is not your everyday restaurant. This house on Rama 4 Road teeming with taxidermy and plantlife serves hefty meat dishes, with a particular fondness for game. Unfortunately, it’s kind of too cool to be true. But first, the fun part: visiting this leafy enclave (barely recognizable as once being grungy hipster hangout Stu-fe) is an adventure. Step inside the imposing gate and you’re greeted by the smell of smoked meat. A bevy of waitstaff lead you to a glasshouse dining room via an outdoor screening of animals devouring other animals and a neon sign that marks Black Cabin, a clandestine music bar. It’s just a shame that, on our last visit, the food’s execution fell far short of satisfying. Vegetarians, forget about it. Beyond ribeye, tomahawk and beef ribs, the menu charts duck, rabbit, pigeon, venison, quail and crocodile, much of it locally sourced. The chili beef fries (B250)—brittle ground beef, gluggy cheddar and waxy skin-on wedges, served on a room-temp skil-
Al Rawche
HHHH
Lebanese 95 Sukhumvit Soi 5, 02-655-0099. Open daily 11am-2am. BTS Nana. BB-BBB
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nation of homemade sausage, cheese, egg and spinach (B170), and had us reconsidering our life-long loyalty to a similar pie: the pizza. While the kafta (a minced-meat kebab of lamb and beef) is superbly spiced and charred, and never dry, the real showstopper is the chicken tawook , a skewer of grilled chicken chunks. The secret is in the chicken’s yogurty, lemony marinade that sees the meat still tender and juicy off the grill, which m a k e s fo r a p e r fe c t b i te w h e n matched with a pungent and silky garlic dip. If you’re having trouble deciding between kebabs, get the small mixed set of five for B350. Another spread that makes a satisfying centerpiece for groups is the mixed plate of shawarmas (chicken/ lamb), baba ghanoush , eggplant stew, labneh and hummus with a side of pita bread (B590). The only letdowns to the experience are the flinty waitresses who treat every order as an affront and the withered, briny vegetables that accompany most meat dishes. If anything, the flaws add further credibility to the no-frills, food-first airs of Al Rawche, and they’re a smal l price given the mouth-watering meats being plated here. Look out, Beirut.
Open to Thai and foreign nationals Internships are full-time, unpaid and last 3 months.
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In Al Rawche, we’ve found a Lebanese food contender worthy of taking on its popular compatriot, Beirut. Look for the incongruous Thai-style roof, Lebanese flag and fluorescent-lit food photos of this Nana corner spot. The fit-out within is low-key and cozy, comprising three stories of faux-stone walls and orangey lights. The bread’s all made fresh, each oval of pita still puffy and warm from the ovens, if disappointingly papery. Remedy that shortcoming by dunking your pita in a helping of the smooth, zesty hummus (B140) that wafts toasted tahini, or in the rich and tangy labneh (a yogurt dip topped with a glug of olive oil, B160). We preferred the doughier, but still crusty, sesame bread, which resembles in texture the baked-on-command safiha : a boatshaped, stuffed pastry. The safiha comes piping hot and in every combi-
let—portend lacklustre things to come. A seared quail salad (B390) has a nice mulberry, basil and balsamic tang, but turns into an unrewarding game of spot the bone, with barely the sum of one bird scattered amid the leaves. But you wouldn’t measure a place like Wild & Co by its salad, right? Too bad, then, that the big-hitting meat dishes disappoint. The recommended rabbit roll (B740), again served on a superfluous skillet, features tough and dry rabbit meat that tastes only of the bacon it’s wrapped in, but it’s the mix of oddly al dente green peas and all-but-raw carrot and potato swimming in a cheese-gravy mush that we’re more offended by— we’d expect more from a TV dinner. Safer is the grilled Thai venison tenderloin (B690): lean and moist (we ordered medium-rare) with a subtle herb rub, it suggests Wild & Co would fare better as a straight steakhouse, though they’d want to improve on the tepid plating. The less said about the bed of grilled lettuce, job’s tears and kidney beans—a minefield of green peppercorns—the better. Food’s a miss, but trekking to this no-man’s land does guarantee big bold cocktails (the Jameson-led Wild Men [B320] will put hairs on your chest) and warm service that’ll gently nudge you in the direction of the live blues band. So, Wild & Co: cool space, stiff drinks, nice people, good music. Let’s leave it at that.
Ratings
Price guide
PPPP PPPP PPPP PPPP PPPPP
B BB BBB BBBB
Forget it Only if you’re in the neighborhood A pleasant dining experience Not to be missed Flawless BK pays for its meal and does not call ahead or sit with the chef.
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 E Dress requirements G Live music
BK Magazine Friday, March 2, 2018
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now FRI Get Hungry Mad Face Food Week 2018 is probably the biggest foodie festival the city’s ever seen, but with over 40 of the industry’s top names and just three days, it’s certainly more food than we can schedule into our stomachs (we ran the numbers and: no). Look out for popup restaurants, food stalls, private dinners, foodie films and plain old good music at the riverside’s Sermsuk Warehouse this Mar 2-4.
FRI Back Talk Artists Chan Sze-Wei and Gabriela Serani aren’t out to make you comfortable. Their interactive theater performance, Talk to me and I slap you (a title you should take literally), is alternately playful, sad, critical and violent—an exploration of relationships, including that between audience and artist. Democrazy Theater Studio hosts the performance on Mar 2. See page 23 for tickets.
FRI Swing Time Reared in the heartland of Thai jazz, that is, the College of Music at Mahidol University, is Pawin Limkangvanmongkol, a jazz pianist who does the Monk, Hancock and Peterson purists proud. Pawin and his trio swing Charoenkrung’s Foojohn Building on Mar 2, 9pm.
NIGHTLIFE DARK BAR ON TOUR #2
The much-missed alternative Ekkamai club hosts its second pop-up night. Mar 2, 9pm. Safe Room, Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. B250. SUBCONSCIOUS X SOUNDELEMENT: TECHNO SESSIONS
A night of deep tech and underground house from the likes of DJ Coww, a veteran on the scene since the ‘90s. Mar 2, 9:30pm. Residence de Canal, Luk Luang Rd. 72, 02-061-8289. Free. Florian Meindl
SUNJU HARGUN + DAN LO & DOTT
The three DJs promise a night full of grooves. Mar 2, 9:30pm. Glow, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-614-3355. Free before 11:30pm (B350 after). MENDY INDIGO PRES. NOWHERE TO NOW HERE FEAT. ALEX BLANK
Bangkok’s leading female underground DJ presents a fresh SerbianGerman electronic music artist. Mar 2, 10pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B250. Mendy
BALKAN & GLOBAL BASS CARNIVAL PARTY
French DJ Vinodilo invites you to get dressed up in your craziest and most beautiful costume for this carnival party. Mar 2, 9pm. The Overstay, Charan Sanitwong Soi 40, 064-7234975. B160. PAWIN LIM TRIO
The musical purist takes a contemporary approach to jazz Mar 2, 9pm. FooJohn Building, 831 Charoenkrung Soi 31, 085-527-3511. Free. GERMAN BRIGANTE
The Southern Spanish house DJ plays alongside Dan Buri. Tickets TBA. Mar 2, 9pm. Violett, Thonglor Soi 10, 095393-8858. TRASHER: OK NAKA FEAT. KATALEEYA ENGLISH & CHINA DOLLS
Dance all night to hits from 2000s dance queens. Mar 3, 7pm. Gmm Live House, 8/F, CentralWorld, 999/9 Rama 1 Rd., 02-640-7000. B500. FLORIAN MEINDL & AARDY!
The technical Berlin DJ teams up with the Indian purveyor of futuristic techno
for an energetic night. Mar 3, 9pm. Glow, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-6143355. B350 (includes 1 drink). MMMH FEAT. HIBIYA LINE
The resident DJ of Saigon’s The Observatory nightclub hits the decks. Mar 3, 9pm. 12 x 12, 810/22 Thonglor Soi Thararom 2, 094-260-4713. EPOCH FT. NEIL THORPE, PEKING OPERA, HASAN KHAN
Symphonic techno soundscapes till sunrise. Tickets TBA. Mar 3, 10pm. Club15, Sukhumvit Soi 15, 083-0940650. EL BARRIO BKK - 2ND EDITION
The Spanish DJ mixes old-school house and organic deep house that evolve to faster techno beats as the night goes on. Mar 3, 10pm. White Line, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. Free.
ANDHIM X NEVEREST
The self-described “super house” collective from Germany is joined by local DJs Dan Buri and Coran. Mar 4, 9pm. Sing Sing Theater, Sukhumvit Soi 45, 063-225-1331. B400 (includes 1 drink). DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
The launch party of German brewery And Union’s new beer cans promises a day out for dogs, alongside surfing contests and giveaways. Mar 4, 3:30pm. Changwon Express at Flow House, A-Square, 120/1 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 095-445-1465. Free. JAM ON TOAST
10 hours of marathon DJing by Panna and newcomer Miuccia. Mar 4, 12pm. The Commons, 335 Thonglor Soi 17, 089-152-2677. Free. FUNK YOU VERY MUCH
STADIUMX TOMORROWLAND DJS
The DJ duo from Budapest who’ve remixed for David Guetta and Nicky Romero play an upbeat set. Mar 3, 10pm. Insanity Nightclub, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 087-804-9542. B400-600 (includes 1 drink).
The Latin night is shaken up with live funk and soul from the Big Backyard band. Mar 5, 9pm. Havana Social, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-061-5344. Free.
>> BK Magazine Friday, Maech 2, 2018
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now INTERVIEW Fifth Harmony
NIGHTLIFE
Coran Maloney
Upcoming KAZOKU
Genre-blurring DJs Rocco Universal and Hidemasa team up for a “blissed-out energy exchange.” Mar 9, 9pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. B350. PULP FICTION PARTY!
A party themed after the iconic Tarantino movie. Mar 9, 7pm. Revolucion Cocktail, Sathorn Soi 10, 02235-4823/02-235-4822. Free. PIM COSMETIX PRESENTS SURREALIPS
Seductive Swiss DJ Mar Dean spins
Marcus
as part of a make-up artist showcase by Kraftmetix. Tickets TBA. Mar 9, 8pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365.
till late. Mar 10, 7pm. Overstay, Charan Sanit Wong Soi 80-82, 02883-4836. Free.
NEXUS PRES. LEMON JUICE ASIA SHOWCASE
The Swedish techno DJ takes over the turntables. Mar 10, 9:30pm. Glow, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-6143355. B500 includes 1 drink.
The new electronic indie label showcases its artists Fery, Kuroten, Cortex and Thorsten Karger. Mar 10, 10pm. Safe Room, Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. B150 includes 1 drink. HOLI COLOR FESTIVAL
Celebrate the Indian color-powder festival with dub and world music
BERLIN BEATS PRESENT MARCUS HENRIKSSON AKA MINILOGUE
LOUD
The DJs Coran Maloney, Aneesh Medina, and Victoria are collaborating for quality music. Mar 11, 10pm. Glow, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-6143355. B250 includes 1 drink.
LIVE MUSIC and John Lindsay. Mar 2, 7:30pm. Live Lounge, Trendy Building, 10/47 Sukhumvit Soi 13, 02-1687335. B300. LEVITATE ME LIONS
Beach Fossil
Concerts BLICHER HEMMER GADD WORLD TOUR
The jazz trio whose membership includes legendary drummer Steve Gadd (former collaborator with Eric Clapton and Carly Simon) perform as part of their tour to promote their second album, Omara. Mar 2, 8pm. Dr. Thaworn Phornprapha Auditorium, 5/f, Siam Motor Building, Rama1 Rd. B2,500 at www.thaiticketmajor.com FEVER TOURS IN THAILAND 2018
Japanese rockers The Band Apart, Lostage and Deepsea Drive Machine are joined by Thai support act Inspirative. Grab tickets at bit.ly/2GdDayo. Mar 4, 7pm. Rockademy, 120/8 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-261-3833. B900. JAMNIGHT LIVE! WITH BEACH FOSSILS + HER'S
The Brooklyn lo-fi three-piece Beach Fossils team up with English dreampop band Her’s, with support from local indie rockers Safeplanet. Grab
JindaJohn
tickets at bit.ly/2HB8BEk.Mar 9, 7:30pm. Voice Space, BBD Building, 197 Viphavadi-Randsit Rd. B1,800. CHANG MUSIC CONNECTION PRESENTS "CROSSPLAY 2 CONCERT"
A night of everything from pop to post rock from Desktop Error, The Toys, T-Bone, The Whitest Crow, The Parkinson, Urboy TJ, Electric Neon Lamp, Safeplanet, Musketeers, Yokee Playboy, and Pae Arak and The Pisat Band. Tickets at bit.ly/2GAvNkG. Mar 10, 1pm-11pm. Fortune Town, Ratchadaphisek Rd. B798-998. BLEND 285 PRESENTS BANGKOK OF DREAMS
Electronic dance music from DJs Vinai, Eptic, Garmiani, Mightyfools and Sikdope. Tickets available at www.bangkokofdreams.com. Mar 10, 5pm. Live Park, Rama 9 Rd. B499-999.
Gigs FRESHLY SQUEEZED SOUNDS
Local jazz and hip-hop talents including The Front Row, JindaJohn
Dream-pop sounds from Thai bands Safeplanet and Hariguem Zaboy, joined by Singaporean counterparts Cosmic Child, Sobs and Subsonic Eye. Mar 3, 6pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B300. I'M JOGGING
A night of folk pop music. Mar 3, 7pm. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd., 081-817-2888. Free. SOUL AFTER SIX
The soul band showcase their moves by the river bank. Mar 3, 8:30pm. Lhong 1919, Chiangmai Rd., 062-386-7677. Free. YAAN SPIRIT NIGHT SHAKER!
The world music-inspired seven-piece take over the bar with their unique folk vibe. Mar 7, 10pm. Studio Lam, 3/1 Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. Tickets TBA. SOUND SPACE PRESENTS "JAM"
White Riot and The Young Wolf cover songs by the Arctic Monkeys while City Plant and Running Out of Gas play The Strokes. Mar 9, 7:45pm. The Rock Pub, Hollywood Street Building, 93/26-28 Phayathai Rd., 099-191-5666. B200.
Bangkok’s season of massive concerts continues when American girl group Fifth Harmony bring smash hits like “Worth it” and “Work From Home” to the stage at GMM Live House this Mar 5. We spoke to Normani Kordei (center left) about the band’s talent-show origins and becoming a four-piece. You worked with Simon Cowell on X-Factor. What was that like? Did you ever expect to go this far?
We all entered X-Factor as individuals and then all got eliminated. Having that chance for a big break, and then being told, “Sorry, you can’t continue in the competition,” I immediately was like, “Okay, that’s reality.” But then the judges brought us back on stage–and it was really cool, because we all had chemistry and had all become really, really close. So it was cool how it all unfolded organically. Simon knows what he’s talking about. What’s it like working as a fourpiece after Camila Cabello left?
I would say it’s the most special, memorable and humbling process, just because we had the opportunity for the first time to co-write. We cowrote more than half of our last album [Fifth Harmony], so you can definitely hear the evolution, experience and vulnerability and get a sense of who we are, who we’ve become and everything we’ve been through. We got the chance to start from the ground up with some of the most amazing writers and producers who have also watched us grow. How’s the fan feedback been?
The fans have really appreciated this body of work. I think it’s because they’ve seen us grow. It’s kind of like graduating, in a way. We’ve seen some of them go through high school, come out to their parents, graduate, go to college… and they’ve seen us do the same thing in our own way.
Fifth Harmony to me means sisterhood. It means that you’re allowed to be whoever it is that you want to be in the space that the four of us have created. What’s the best concert you’ve ever attended?
It would have to be Beyonce’s Formation Tour. And I swear… I’m telling you, she looked at me! I actually had a moment I was crying like a baby. I think that that body of work for me… it meant so much, especially considering I’m an African-American female from the South. I felt like it was me up on that stage. She just represents everything that I want to be. Are you excited about your first live show in Bangkok?
Yes! I’m so excited about my first live show in Bangkok. I’m ready to try the food, ready to meet our Harmonizers over there… it’s going to be a really amazing time! What comes to mind when you think of Thailand?
I would say the beach! Lauren [Jauregui, bandmate] actually just went to Thailand on vacation and she was taking a bunch of pictures of everything she ate… apparently you guys have really good mangos, so I could see myself on the beach eating mangos! Tickets for Fifth Harmony’s Bangkok show are on sale from B1,600-2,600 at Thaiticketmajor.com
ART
SPOKEN WORD
Life's Doodle
KAWEE NGIAN RAK
Live performances from 7 poets and 6 experimental artists, including Karl Real , Liberate P , Blue Tomorrow, Vimutti, Harmonic Distortion,Social Animal and Gamnad 737. Mar 8, 8pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B200. NO MIC OPEN MIC POETRY NIGHT Vimutti
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What does Fifth Harmony mean to you?
A showcase of free-form poetry that’s open to all. Mar 8, 8pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 089-889-8059. Free.
ZERO DECIBEL
Illustrator Suntur exhibits his works under the theme “silence is the answer too.” Through Apr 7, 7:30pm. Yelo House, 20/2 Kasemsan Soi 1, Rama 1 Rd., 089-777-2322. Free. MOSTLY PEOPLE
Jaruwat Normrubporn makes his solo debut with oil paintings portraying
Zero Decibel
people in his memories. Mar 3-Apr 30, Pullman Bangkok Hotel G, 188 Silom Rd., 02-352-4000. Free. LIFE'S DOODLES
A one-night-only exhibition of Hom Nguyen’s human emotions-inspired artworks. Mar 8, 6:30pm. So Sofitel, 2 Sathorn Rd., 02-624-0000. Free.
BK Magazine Friday, March 2, 2018
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now THEATER & DANCE
FILM TALK TO ME AND I SLAP YOU
This solo interactive performance by Gabriela Serani promises the chance for an intimate verging on uncomfortable discussion covering domestic violence, gender and power. Grab tickets at bit. ly/2o1Vd3Z. Mar 2, Democrazy Theater Studio, Rama 4 Rd., Soi Saphan Koo, 087-998-4454. B500. PICHET KLUNCHUN AND MYSELF BY JEROME BEL Kim Chi
Two performers with very different practices explore their cultural differences, as well as
topics such as Euro-centrism and globalization. For tickets, visit bit. ly/2o7vK8m. Mar 3-4, 7:30pm. Chang Theater, 700 Prachautit Soi 59, 099-213-5639. B500. RPDR'S KIM CHI & NAOMI SMALLS
The American drag queens known for their appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race perform a fierce comedy and lip-syncing show. Grab tickets at thaiticketmajor.com. Mar 9, 8pm. KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha, 7/F, Siam Square One, Rama 1 Rd. B1,500-3,000.
DEATH WISH (USA)
THE MONKEY KING 3 (CHINA)
Action/Drama. Following an attack on his family, a surgeon sets out to deliver vigilante justice.
Fantasy. Based on the novel Journey to the West, the monkey king’s pilgrimage finds him and his friends in a land of all women.
RED SPARROW (USA)
Thriller. Russian ballerina-turned-spy Dominika Egorova (Jennifer Lawrence) falls for her first target, CIA agent Nathaniel Nash (Joel Edgerton).
SALES & FAIRS
DESTINY: KAMAKURA MONOGATARI (JAPAN)
Fantasy. A mystery novelist and his wife interact with all manner of creatures and gods as they set out to solve strange crimes.
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
Harry Benson: Shoot First Mad Mad Face Food Week
MAD FACE FOOD WEEK 2018
This 3-day foodie event by the Chao Phraya river bank gathers some of Bangkok’s top names in food and drink. Mar 2-4, 3pm. Sermsuk Warehouse, 721 Charoen Nakorn Rd. B100. ART MUN XICA
Stalls sell vintage fashion accessories to the live soundtrack by The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band, Ornaree, Superbaker, Shark Boy Alive and The Prach
Legkra Experience. Later sees DJ sets from Maftsai, Plearn Pan Perth Jirus and Do Samwa. Mar 2, 3:30pm. Department of Fine Arts, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang University, Ladkrabang Rd., Free. FROM RAGS TO DISPLAY CHAPTER 3 (WEAR THE MUSIC)
Shop vintage items and collectibles from collectors from Japan, Malaysia and Thailand on the river bank. Mar 3-4, 3pm. Bangkok Dock, Charoen-
Art Mun Xica
krung Rd. B150. PEOPLE & FORESTS FAIR #2
The market promises eco-freindly crafts and art along with workshops. Mar 4, 11am. Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), 939 Rama 1 Rd., 02-214-6630. Free. GREENERY MARKET 05
Shop organic products and healthy food under the mall shelter. Mar 10, 10am. Siam Discovery, 989 Rama 1 Rd. Free.
THE CINEMATIC CAMP
6th Block, The Gathering and The Documentary club are collaborating for a camp-out movie night in Khao Yai. Screening at the Mar 3 event is Harry Benson: Shoot First, a documentary by Justin Bare and Matthew Miele that follows the career of the legendary photographer most famous for his shots of The Beatles on their first American tour. The film will be followed by performances by shoegaze band Venn, and DJs Chamapoo and Kanu. For more information and tickets, visit bit.ly/2Fn48EA. Mar 3, 4pm. Mirasierra Khaoyai, 575 Moo 1, Nong Nam Deang PakChong, Nakornrachasima, 080-263-2333. B400.
DOC+TALK : ‘EDUCATION’ FILM FESTIVAL
The next edition of Doc+Talk is a comparative look at education through a two-day, four-film event exploring school culture in Ireland, Spain, South Korea, Norway and France. The selected films are: School Life, Reach for the Sky, Childhood and The Graduation. The screenings will be followed by discussions.
PLAYLIST
1. DAUGHTER (THAI, 1994)
In honor of March, that month of film awards, we asked for five favorite films from director Wattanapume ‘‘Best’’ Laisuwanchai ,(29) whose debut documentary Phantom of Illumination is a contender for the Best Cinematography award at the 27th Suphannahong National Film Awards (Mar 11).
Drama Director: Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol What Best says: “This film is an insightful look at the outbreak of drug usage among teenagers in Thailand. I like that it allows the audience to view the drug problem through the eyes of the police, the children in the ghetto and the drug dealers. Think about it, these people are the least talked about in other films. It’s a shame that Prince Chatrichalerm Yukol doesn’t do films that talk about common people anymore.”
2. MIDNIGHT MY LOVE (THAI, 2005)
Drama/Romance Director: Kongdej Jaturanrassamee What Best says: “I first saw this film when I was in grade 11. The scenes of Bangkok at night along with the old songs always impress me. When I drive around the city at night, the film instantly appears in my mind. Always. This is my most frequently-watched film.”
3. MIRROR (RUSSIA, 1975)
Biography Director: Andrei Tarkovsky What Best says: “Actually, I saw this one a long time ago when I was in university. The story narrates the memories of the director from when he was just a child. However, what interested me was the narration, which is super poetic using all the techniques of visual language and editing. It made me feel like I was half asleep, like I was dreaming, which was very new to me at that time.”
4. 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY (USA, 1968)
Sci-fi Director: Stanley Kubrick What Best says: “I saw this film in the cinema and it was a real film screening. It’s a big, influential film in the industry. It never gets old even though it was created in 1968. Especially with the use of the jump cuts between humans in the stone age and the future. Also, we can’t forget the ending scene with all the visual effects by Douglas Trumbull, who was also in charge of the visual effects in 1982 Blade Runner. I deeply admire his work.”
5. THE MIRROR (IRAN, 1997)
Drama Director: Jafar Panahi What Best says: “The film journeys into the home of a lost girl. It’s a general film shooting at first, but after the girl declines to act, the film turns into a documentary following a real journey to home of the girl. The film surprised me. I’d never thought that anyone could make a film like that. Whether it’s a fictional or a real story, this film can give the audience a cultural exploration of Iran with all the limitations and segregation happening. This director presents the problems of people’s lives beautifully in his other works as well.”
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