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BK MAGAZINE NO. 724 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2018. www.bkmagazine.com
nd a s - so n i h s k’ lea o c k g e Ban rs com te hips
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High Times
What We’ve Learned
4 upfront
10 escapes
Screen Test
Go West
14 avenue
16 blends
Spa Days
Having a Ball
18 bites
22 BK Now
On the Fly
Event Planner
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, Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon Junior Writers Kankanok Wichiantanon, Neon Boonyadhammakul Art Director Vatanya Bongkotkarn Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Deputy Art Director Peeraya Sirathanisa Graphic Designers Anunya Chobnitas, Wirankan Saiyasombut 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
Marketing Executive Sarocha Satawiriya Junior Marketing Executive Narabhutr Thaemsiri ASIA CITY STUDIO Managing Editor Dietrich Neu Associate Editor Sureepak Janyapat Senior Project Manager Chayanap Tongdadas Project Coordinator Nutnicha Nuttanakorn Senior Developer Passzarkorn Youthasoontorn 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
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
Interns Sirada Nimcharoenchaikul, Marvin Schulz Cover design by Anunya Chobnitas, Sirada Nimcharoenchaikul
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That this new, two-table restaurant already has a twomonth waiting list When Baannual opened its traditional Thai restaurant in an antique house in Samsen five months ago, we knew it wouldn’t be a passing trend. What we didn’t anticipate was a two-month wait for a table. We called to secure a seat at the two-table restaurant, only to be told to try booking on IG and Line. We then discovered that the restaurant’s booked out all the way until Mar 24. That boozy ice cream has made it to Thonglor Opening on Feb 9, Ryn Cafe (www.fb.com/ryncafe) may just save you a trip to Hazel’s in the Old Town. Nestled next to Bottles of Beer on Sukhumvit Soi 34, the cafe promises ice cream in adult flavors—that is, spiked with vodka, gin, beer and more—named after your favorite childhood cartoon characters. That Scala is pretty much screwed Last week, Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts’ Prof. Dr. Budsakorn Binthasan confirmed that the future looks bleak for the 50-year-old cinema in Siam Square. Though stating its commitment to not demolish the characterful, Art Deco building anytime soon, Chula (which owns the building and its land) acknowledged that the decision lies on whether or not cinema group Apex (who has so far remained silent on the issue) can continue to run the financially struggling property. That kombucha on tap is now a thing Sathorn Soi 1’s craft beer haunt I Hate Pigeons is, they say, the first bar in Bangkok to pour the supposedly healthy fermented tea brew on tap. To do so, bar owner Natatchakorn Thanapubodee put his homebrew skills to work to come up with a kombucha that’s fizzier, frothier and boozier (at 1-percent ABV compared to the usual 0.5-percent) than usual. A new batch will be sold from early Feb at B140/200ml glass. That we’ve reached peak-Chinatown Last weekend marked the day that Chinatown’s Soi Nana officially crossed over from curious, creative backwater into tourist mecca. The narrow streets surrounding Tep Bar and Teens of Thailand were so thick with visitors that you’d be forgiven for thinking you’d stumbled upon a free elephant pants giveaway. We also discovered about a dozen galleries we never knew existed—and realized that we should’ve acted on that cheap shop-house resto’ dream about 18 months ago.
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, February 2, 2018
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upfront HOT OR NOT
Hot: TV recognition
Not: State recognition
Kantana production house is launching Thailand’s very own series of Drag Race, while SunSilk shampoo has a new commercial out that treats transgenders as something better than the punchline to a bad joke. But only the beautiful ones who win contests like Drag Race. We guess it’s a step in the right direction. Next stop, ID cards.
INTERVIEW
Hot: Beijing
Not: Bangkok
Did you cough up a lung last week when the smog rolled into town. At least for people living in Ari there was one bright side: no more penis building ruining the skyline. Yay! Meanwhile in Beijing, acting mayor Chen Jining has declared war on air pollution, and actually cut the annual average level of breathable particulate matter from 60 micrograms (mcg) to 60 mcg. Maybe this time next year Don Muang won’t be so crowded.
Hot: Wissanu
Not: Prawit
Our sideline deputy PM has been taken off the reserve bench now that Prawit’s credibility rating is right down there with Sorayuth and Wine, I Love You. Wissanu Krea-ngam’s been up making all the big announcements at government house lately, from postponing elections, to denying the junta knows what happened to Khai Maew, to ignoring pleas to save what’s left of Mahakan Fort. If he carries on like this, people might actually want the watchman back. tmrw.se/daniel-libeskind-dusit
Hot: Dusit
Not: Chula
We’re as sad as you are that the Dusit Thani’s being knocked down, but leaked images from an architecture comp show that the hotel group might have something incredible lined up to replace it. And now onto Scala. Chula says that its fate lies with cinema group Apex and there’s nothing it can do. We’ll leave it to one of our Facebook commenters to sum up our thoughts on that: “You can’t expect Chula to keep a building purely for the sake of education. That’s the sort of thing a university would do.”
THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
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Ing Kanjanavanit, director of the banned movie Shakespeare Must Die, and the movie’s producer and the owner of Kathmandu Gallery, Manit Sriwanichpoom, are teaming up for a new project, Cinema and Galerie Oasis, a space for independent cinema, art and thought. They’ve also set up Foundation Cinema Oasis, which will use the revenue from ticket sales to fund the space’s educational programs. The gallery will open on Mar 24 with photographer artist Piyatat Hematat’s sculpture exhibition Eden, while the cinema will open before the end of March. How did you come up with this project? Ing: We made a movie called Shakespeare Must Die and it was banned. They said there’s content in there that’s a threat to national security. We have been fighting to get this movie screened since. So we wanted to open a space for people to screen their movies and hold panel discussions focused on social issues. Manit: Not to mention that all the big cinemas across Thailand are monopolized by only a few families. Ing: After Shakespeare Must Die, I made a movie called Censor Must Die where I followed Manit around. I sent it to the Ministry of Culture and they said movies that were made from real stories [documentaries] don’t need to be sent for censorship. I thought: that’s really cool. After I finished the movie, they [the Ministry of Culture] threatened to sue any cinema that screened my movie. I know we are crazy to open our cinema, maybe even desperate. Tell us more about the cinema. How many seats? Who is it for? Ing: Fort-eight seats with space for two wheelchairs. Tickets will be B160, or B100 for children and the elderly. We are small but central. We want
everyone, even the people from the hong taew [working class apartments] to be able to come. Paul Spurrier [of the Friese-Greene club on Sukhumvit Soi 22 and director of The Forest] was one of the main inspirations for this space. You know, when Manit opened Kathmandu Photo Gallery, he was worried that there wouldn’t be enough exhibitions to showcase, but I said just build it and they will come. And now the place is booked for two years. Manit: You have to believe that this is your country as much as anyone else’s. What kind of movies will you be screening? Ing: I’m really into storytelling. Films that make you think, films that make you feel. Manit: They don’t have to be a specific genre. Film is art in itself so we don’t want to limit them to being super artsy. But our cinema will always have a theme. Ing: Kind of like how galleries are run. One thing I’ll have for sure is a stoner movie contest that comes with a talk. Since some movies won’t have been censored, we will have to have members-only programs.
How do you feel about the Thai movie industry? Ing: We need to end the banning of the films for the Thai film industry to bloom. Manit: I don’t really see the future of it as long as we have censorship—it costs a lot of money to make a movie and you don’t want to risk it if your movie could get banned. At the same time, the cinema business is still a monopoly and we hardly have space for indie movies. Also, with these online streaming platforms, people hardly go to the cinema anymore. What’s your favorite Thai movie? Ing: The ‘60s movie Money Money Money by His Royal Highness Prince Anusorn Mongkolkarn [father of Prince Chatrichalerm “Thaan Mui” Yukol, director of all the King Naraesuan movies]. It’s very witty. Manit: Plae Kao and Monrak Lukthung are also lovely. How do you feel about Scala/ Lido closing? Manit: It’s sad, but lifestyles are changing. The existence of small cinemas means that there are still people who want to fight. You can see from screenings at random places that people are looking for opportunities. Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj
by Kathy MacLeod (IG: @kathy_macleod)
BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2018
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cover story Everyone's Doing It Lifting the lid on upper-middle-class Bangkok's love of getting high. By Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj, designed by Anunya Chobnitas fter decades of draconian enforcement, Thailand’s finally ready to start a conversation about drugs. In the legislative pipeline are plans to legalize the A cultivation of marijuana for medical purposes, perhaps the first acknowledgement that use and abuse isn’t limited to some shady underbelly but common among the city’s middle-class professionals. Here, hi-sos and Bangkok party kids lift the lid on the prolific use of drugs in Bangkok—at home, in clubs, and even at work. I’ve never sold anything myself. I’ve also never been arrested or even bribed my way out of anything. The closest I ever got to trouble was this one time when I was driving home high on cocaine in the middle of the night and got randomly alcohol tested by police on the street. Luckily I had no alcohol in my system and, by law, a woman can’t be urine tested if there’s no female officer present.
Honestly, among high-ranking people, who doesn’t use drugs? Literally everyone I’ve met, all the sons and daughters of "somebody," use drugs; partying and passing it around like
The Hi-So, 31 My father is a government official-turnedbusinessman. I went to boarding school abroad, where I experimented with drugs for the first time. It was nothing major—I just tried. My drugs of choice are cocaine and MDMA. I take MDMA around three times a month and only at semi-private parties, and with cocaine, around every week or every other week while I’m drinking with my friends. It prevents me from getting too drunk, so I can still drive home. Cocaine for me is for chilling. It’s controllable. I have a few dealers with products ranging from OK-quality to pure. The dealers these days are very creative when sending the products via messenger services. I’ve had my drugs hidden inside a magazine, a mobile phone box, a hamper with a happy birthday card or even a slice of cake.
it’s nothing. Even when their parents are around. I am a very well-behaved drug user. I have things to lose. If I got arrested, there would be so many questions that I’d need to answer and it just wouldn’t be worth it. I don’t want to call my dad in the middle of the night because I got arrested with drugs. If you met me in person you wouldn’t even know I take any drugs. Of course you see some people who get way too carried away and can’t control themselves around drugs. I feel like this goes b a c k t o o u r co u n t r y ’ s education system, where you’re never taught how to make decisions, ever. Compared to my friends, I’m just a mid-ranking girl, really. All of my friends are from much more successful families and they all turned out fine, starting their own businesses, going to work every day even though they also use drugs every day. It’s time we stop being such hypocrites already. You call Thailand a Buddhist country—hello, look at Pattaya or Patpong?
What drugs have BK readers taken?
Cocaine prevents me from getting too drunk, so I can still drive home
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The Party-goer, 32 I’ve been doing drugs for six to seven years: cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA and weed. I never just sit at home and do it—that’s just not me. I only do it when I’m out partying, around twice a month.
Drug use is so normal in Bangkok’s nightlife scene that when you go to the bathroom at a nightclub, it's common to see three men coming out of a stall at the same time. It was never like this before. It’s a little worrying. A lot of techno lovers in Bangkok are on ketamine, because it makes yo u s u p e r, s u p e r m e l l ow, which, combined with the simple, repetitive beats, makes you feel like you’re sinking into the music. It started with friends. I wouldn’t say it was peer pressure because there was no pressure. I wouldn’t have gone to look for it myself, but if it’s there and you’re with your friends and you’re in your comfort zone... I know a lot of people who started like that. I’ve sold some, but it was only the resale of what I had. Once you’ve been buying from the same dealer for a while, you develop a good relationship with them, you develop a trust that goes both ways. The dealer has to trust you—they wouldn’t sell it to a random person. Then
When you go to the bathroom at a nightclub, it's common to see three men coming out of a stall at the same time
Based on an online survey taken by 200 BK readers
83% 54.5%
48.9%
44.3% 25%
marijuana
you can sell it for a higher price to your party friends. I only pay if I have the product in front of me, and I never buy from a random person. Sometimes, if your dealer’s too busy, you can ask your friends for references for other dealers. I’ve never used any of the postal services in Thailand. Everything in life has its downsides if you don’t do it conscientiously. The food you eat, the alcohol you drink—if you abuse that consumption, you could end up with diabetes or liver-failure. That wouldn’t end well either.
Cocaine
Ecstasy
MDMA
ketamine
23.9% LSD
15.9% meth
14.8% Mushrooms
5.7%
4.5%
Crack
Heroin
BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2018
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cover story Q&A: MEET THE 19-year-old weed cookie dealer
The Stoner, 30 I started smoking weed every day when I was 18, in university, just socializing or hanging out. I also use cocaine probably once a month when I party or go to a festival. I have one dealer for weed and another dealer for everything else. I normally buy local, Thai weed. My dealer has some imported stuff as well, but it’s much more expensive. I pay B1,000 per ounce [28.34
grams] for local weed, while the imported stuff is B2,500 per gram. I have resold some. I’m gay, and on my Grindr profile I have “420” [an American alias for weed]. So sometimes when tourists see my profile they message me to ask, “Do you know where I can get it?” So I resell it to them since my dealer doesn’t really want to deal with tourists or strangers. I resell to them at B1,000 per two grams and they think that’s a really good deal. When I travel to a different country, I also use Grindr to find weed. Grindr has been a way for me to find and sell weed. In Bangkok's gay community, I feel like drugs are more acceptable. The security guards don’t even bother checking people.
I smoke a lot. When I go out, sometimes I bring a joint with me. I just stand in the corner and smoke it there. If you don’t look like you’re doing anything bad or drawing attention to yourself, you should be fine. Edibles are quite popular in Thailand, I think. My Asian friends mostly just do edibles. In the US it seems to be popular too, almost a luxury, and you can get different devices like e-cigarettes. I have never gotten into trouble with police. I have friends who got pulled over in a taxi, though. Drugs haven’t really affected my life. I always make sure that I have a good balance. There is a difference between drug use and drug abuse. I can smoke weed and play sports or go to a meeting. I’m a “functional pothead,” as I like to call myself. I don’t count weed as a drug, it’s more of a natural thing. But for other drugs, I guess you would have to be more careful. You really have to pay attention to what you’re doing and think about what kind of drugs are affecting your life. Farmers [in Thailand] grew weed for centuries. It was never a big deal until the government said it was.
I resell weed to tourists at B1,000 per two grams and they think that’s a really good deal You need help If you or a friend is struggling with a drug problem,
Narcotics Anonymous Thailand is there to help. Get in touch with them on
082-811-2628, www.nathailand.org
The Restaurant Insider, 30 I've been working in restaurants in Bangkok for four years, and everyone is doing drugs. I do cocaine, MDMA, weed and ketamine. I started doing weed regularly when I left school at 16 to become a chef. Every day after I finished work, I would sit in the car and smoke a joint.
Six months into the chef life, I was struggling so badly. One of the senior chefs noticed and handed me coke. So that was
At my last job, I had to work 13-16 hours a day. I had to smoke a joint after work to unwind. I only had five hours to unwind and sleep before I had to be at work again. A lot of F&B people use drugs to help cope with the super long hours. It’s pretty much just that. It’s not just Bangkok, it’s everywhere. Well, judging from the ones I’ve hung out with, mainly farangs and a few Thais.
F&B people use drugs to help cope with the super long hours. It’s not just Bangkok, it’s everywhere
when I picked up cocaine. I do cocaine around once a week, or once every two weeks. The MDMA and ketamine are purely for partying and I don’t do them often, maybe once a month or once every six months. I have two dealers, one for weed and another one for everything else. I met them through friends in the [F&B] industry.
I ’ ve h a d s t u f f d e l i ve re d
to my workplace before. My dealers usually do the delivery themselves. I haven’t been arrested but my girlfriend has. They found a joint in her handbag, but she just had to give the police one quarter of the total fine.
How much money do you make each month? Roughly B20,000. Who are your main customers? University students from everywhere. Some are studying abroad. They buy a big batch and bring it back to wherever they are studying. Are there a lot of weed cookie dealers in Bangkok? Probably, but their stuff is not as good or as cheap as mine. Where do you get your weed from? A good friend of a friend. I befriended him by giving him some cookies to try. How did you get started selling weed cookies? It came by surprise. I was just baking a pan of weed brownies as an experiment for my friends to try. I already love baking and cooking in general and my friends loved it so much they asked me to bake more so I started charging them for the ingredient costs and then it turned into a business. What are you going to do with the money? I’m going to invest in cryptocurrencies and some other legal businesses. Do you think people are doing drugs more than before? Personally, I don’t think so. I think people just talk about it more now.
Crime and punishment: what the law says
Caught with no more than 10kg for the purpose of reselling: 2-10 years and a fine of B40,000-200,000
Reselling cocaine or methamphetamine: 1-10 years and a fine of B20,000-200,000
Caught with weed: 5 years and a fine no more than B100,000
Caught with heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine: 6 months-3 years and a fine of B10,000-60,000
Caught with LSD: 1 year and a fine of B20,000
BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2017
Caught with heroin,7cocaine, Coverstory_724_Feb2_18_NEW.indd
methamphetamine: 6 months-3 years
Caught with LSD: 1 year and a fine of B20,000
Reselling cocaine or methamphetamine: 1-10 years and a
Caught with weed: 5 years and a fine no more than B100,000
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Caught with no more than 10kg1/29/2561 for BE the purpose of reselling: 2-10 years
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escapes CULTURAL CALENDAR
Festivals to Plan Ahead for Around Asia
AUSTRALIA
Wild West Why Perth should be your next Australian adventure. By Carl Dixon
Mandoon Estate
Quest Festival
Oddysea
Bali Spirit Festival
INDONESIA: JAKARTA INTERNATIONAL JAVA JAZZ FESTIVAL
The largest jazz festival in the southern hemisphere takes over Jakarta on Mar 2-4. See rock vets Goo Goo Dolls and R’n’b wunderkind Daniel Caesar joining the likes of Dionne Warwick and Vanessa Williams on stage. www. javajazzfestival.com Oddysea
With a dynamic small-bar scene to rival Melbourne’s, untouched beaches that put Sydney’s to shame, and nearby wineries in abundance—not to mention more sunny days than any other Australian city, according to the Bureau of Meteorology—Perth looms as your next adventure Down Under. Best of all, it’s less than seven hours’ flight away. Need more convincing? Read on.
Buzzing Small Bars From back-alley cocktail bars to bustling gastropubs, Perth isn’t short of drinking holes. Much of the action centers on the inner-city suburb of Northbridge, just a few minutes’ stroll from the central Perth railway station. For a spot of daytime drinking, head to the modest second-floor rooftop of The Standard (www.thestandardperth.com.au) for carafes of wine, barrel-aged negronis and Manhattans, and their take on “modern Aussie food”—small plates which cherry-pick from Asian and European influences. A must-visit for gin lovers, Frisk (www.frisksmallbar.com) packs out its alfresco terrace with punters digging into oysters and potent cocktails—be sure to try something made with a local boutique label like Western Australia’s own Ginnversity, which comes brimming with botanicals like lemon myrtle and eucalyptus. For some late-night live music, drop by The Bird (www.williamstreetbird.com), a grungy dive bar with a globe-trotting soundtrack that recalls our own Studio Lam. Catch the coolest kids smoking in the fairy light-strewn backyard.
Hipster Walks Aside from bars, Northbridge is also packed with galleries, art museums and boutiques. Occupying three heritage buildings, the Art Gallery of Western Australia (www.artgallery.wa.gov.au) showcases one of the world’s largest collections of Indigenous Australian art, alongside a curated
selection of Western Australian art and design. Another recent highlight was Heath Ledger: A Life in Pictures, a photo series dedicated to the late, Perth-born star of The Dark Knight and Brokeback Mountain. While you’re in the neighborhood, drop by the uber-cool Northside Books (northsidebooks.com.au), order a scoop of “new wave” gelato at Chicho (chichogelato.com) and grab a toastie at Toastface Grillah (www.toastfacegrillah.com), a Wu Tang Clan-inspired, graffiti-strewn cafe down a narrow alleyway.
A Shiny New Stadium Just opened in January, Optus Stadium (optusstadium.com.au) is a 60,000-seat sporting venue with a difference. Its shimmering bronze facade is said to reflect Western Australia’s rugged geology, and at night a 15,000 LED lighting system, the biggest of its kind in the world, projects home team colors onto the stadium’s fabric roof. The sports precinct, which sits by the Swan River, also contains a train station, restaurants and sections of rehabilitated parkland. Apart from Australian Rules football and cricket matches, the stadium will host large-scale concerts with Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift already lined up.
Wineries Aplenty Three hours’ from Perth, the Margaret River is one of the country’s foremost wine regions (renowned for its cabernet sauvignon and chardonnay). Closer to town—a mere 25 minutes away— the Swan Valley’s offerings are just as plentiful, if not quite as picturesque. Here, you’ll find Mandoon Estate (mandoonestate.com.au), a sprawling grounds which combines a boutique winery, craft brewery, fine-dining restaurant and luxe accommodation. Come the weekend the place is abuzz with picnickers sprawled out on the lawn and groups taking wine tasting sessions or enjoying boozy long table lunches. An art gallery occu-
Aloft Perth
pies the property’s original homestead, which dates back to 1905.
Beautiful Beaches Western Australia boasts some 20,000km of coastline, including a handful of the country’s most scenic surfing destinations. Perth and its bohemian neighbor Fremantle, less than 40 minutes’ drive away, offer a wealth of seaside options. Cottesloe Beach is probably the most famous, home to powdery white sand and turquoise water, flanked by grassed terraces that are shaded by tall Norfolk Island pine trees. To catch the sunset over the Indian Ocean with a fruit-forward cocktail in hand, head slightly north to City Beach where Oddysea (www.odysseabeachcafe.com.au) also does a mean selection of fusion food (try the delicious Korean buttermilk fried chicken tortillas) to go with views of the futuristic City of Perth Surf Life Saving Club and beyond.
A Hotel that Embraces Art Marriott’s first Aloft-branded hotel in Australia, Aloft Perth (www.aloftperth.com) a combines live music venue, art gallery and locally focused restaurant in one vibrant, urban package. Part of a regeneration project along the bank of the Swan River to coincide with the new Optus Stadium (see left), the hotel sits barely 10 minutes’ ride from both the airport and the CBD. Rooms start at B3,000/night, with work from local artists appearing throughout the premises, from Benjamin Barretto’s technicolor, abstract woven piece that greets you in the lobby to Stephen Baker’s large-scale geometric mural by the pool. Head to Springs Kitchen’s sun-drenched terrace for Australian brunch done right and specials that pull together the best produce the state has to offer. Later, drop by W XYZ Bar to catch local live bands over craft cocktails.
INDONESIA: BALISPIRIT
Though packed with live music concerts, this is more of a wellness festival, with a focus on yoga, nutrition and meditation. Happening from Apr 2-8, this is one festival where you m i g ht l eave w i t h a h u g e e n e rgy-boost, not a hangover. www.balispiritfestival.com JAPAN: ECHIGO-TSUMARI ART TRIENNALE
Back for its seventh edition, this claims to be the world’s biggest open-air art festival. Taking place in Tokamachi from JUl 29-Sep 17, it will fill 505,857 rai with art installations and exhibitions under the theme “humans are part of nature.” www.echigo-tsumari.jp/eng JAPAN: FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL
Since 1997, this festival in Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata has attracted rock fans from far and wide. They come for the stellar international lineup (last year’s headliners included Aphex Twin, Bjork and Gorillaz) but also leave raving about the incredible Japanese hospitality. Set to take place this July; artists and exact dates to be confirmed. fujirock-eng.com VIETNAM: QUEST FESTIVAL
Set amid the dense forests north of Hanoi, this is kind of like Vietnam’s version of Wonderfruit. Alongside an electronic-oriented music lineup, the festival also promises workshops focused on yoga, crafts and meditation, as well as eco-activities like building shelters for animals. Happening in Nov; dates to be confirmed. questfestival.net
Essentials GETTING THERE
VISA
CURRENCY
Perth is less than seven hours’ flight from Bangkok. Thai Airways offers return flights from B30,000 while AirAsia is about B16,000.
Thai nationals require a visa to visit Australia. See www.homeaffairs.gov.au.
AU$1 is B25.42
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ESCAPE ROUTES By Kankanok Wichiantanon
PHETCHABUN
Run for the Hills At De Capoc Resort (www.fb.com/decapocresort) there’s no premium for a stunning view of rolling green hills and Khao Koh’s wind farms. Because of the resort’s small size, the rooms all face outward onto an unobstructed landscape. In the main, two-story building are the deluxe one- and two-bedroom suites (from B2,500/night). Nestled in the hillside below are five hillside villas (B4,500/night), each of which has the added comfort of a mesh balcony mere steps from the bed—the perfect place to watch a sunset with a beer in hand. Inside, the square, modernist look meets natural textures of stone and wood, and the bathroom in the middle of the villa is a glassed-in room with a tree growing beside it. The pool and restaurant in the main area mean you don’t have to go anywhere else on your weekend getaway.
CHIANG MAI
Grass Roots Sit down for coffee at Sanimthoon Cafe (www.fb.com/sanimthooncafe) and you might find yourself embroiled in talk of politics with the neighborhood activists, a mishmash of disgruntled old-timers and young idealists. That’s exactly the atmosphere owner Arm Sarawut wants. The leafy, laid-back cafe frequently hosts talks on social issues and has a rotating gallery of artwork. The decor is rustic in an authentic and homey way. If all that talk of change works up your thirst, try the Butterblue (B60), alternating layers of caramelflavored milk and butterfly pea milk. Coffee snobs are welcome too, and can have their coffee brewed by slow drip (B80), Aeropress (B80) or moka pot (B80). The cookies here are made by bakers in the community, and five baht of every purchased drink is donated to charity.
PHANG NGA
All In
German full-board hospitality brand Robinson Club has just opened its first Thailand location on a serene 13km stretch of beach near Khao Lak. Robinson Club Khao Lak (goo. gl/MuYtW6) takes over the former space of Pullman Khao Lak with a 320-room, nine-swimming-pool resort covering 280,000 sq meters— the group’s biggest to date. Its room types can accommodate groups of all shapes and sizes, running from doubles through to pool bungalows and luxury villas with beachfront access. On-site are five bars and four restaurants spanning Thai and European cuisines, where you’ll be able to make the most of that full-board package, which includes buffet lunches and dinners with house wine and beer. True to the brand, the resort has a wealth of activities to occupy every family member, including water sports, a kids club, golf, fitness and live music. Packages start from B8,000/night.
Island Treasure This is an oasis among the overpriced, beach resort restaurants in the Phang Nga area. Cafe Kantary Koh Yao Noi (www.cafekantary.com), on an island in Phang Nga Bay, is like its siblings in Phuket, Chiang Mai, Sriracha and elsewhere in that it takes a simple thing and does it well. The crowd favorite is the decadent, thick butter toast slathered in honey, topped with ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream (B170). Also worth your time is the classic margarita pizza (B220) made without tiresome twists and embellishments. We’ve yet to have a bad pastry here, and the menu’s broad enough to make it a good family pick. Next time you’re on the island, look out for this standalone house white-washed in Mediterranean style.
BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2018
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SHOPPING
Party Central Bye, bye, Playhound. The big corner room of Siam Center’s Thai designer floor, once the territory of Greyhound’s now discontinued sister brand, is the new home of Milin, basically a high-end closet for party girls. The floor is pink, carpeted and glittering, while along the metallic walls are party accoutrement like cocktail glasses and Champagne flutes. Not into nightlife? Check out the Milin Limited spring summer 2018 collection for a sexy twist on office-wear. Dress starts from B8,450. 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02658-1134. Open daily 10am-10pm
MALL
Duty Calls
FASHION
King Power has just given its tax-free shopping complex a major makeover. No longer just a destination for bargain-hunting travelers-to-be, the 18,000-sq-meter complex now comes loaded with branches from top food names, from the Zen-like Peace Oriental Tea House to steak master El Gaucho. Even street food stars Thipsamai Padthai and Karim Roti Mataba can be found at the new Thai Taste Hub food hall. As for shopping, they’ve got some exclusives, like the iconic B20,000 boots of Stuart Weitzman and the refined perfumes of Le Labo. Find products with the blue tag price and you get duty-free pricing without having to fly. Rang nam Rd., 02-677-8888. Open daily 10am-9pm
Hot Couture Michael Kors finally has a ready-towear collection that we’d be willing to wear in Bangkok’s heat. From a list of Southeast Asian cities, The New York fashion name has chosen Bangkok to showcase its spring/summer 2018 collection. What speaks “tropical” more than a cut-off tie-dye dress, flip-flops, a sequined sarong in breezy pastels and palm tree–shadow prints? Keep cool in high fashion with this collection that starts from B18,000. Now available at G/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-1605855. Open daily 10am-9:30pm
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COSMETICS
Brush Up Cosmetics bigwig Nars has just opened a Southeast Asia flagship store in EmQuartier. Beyond a full stock of products from every makeup collection, you’ll also find stuff that’s limited to the store. Look for the Pro Brush Collection (around B2,500 each), a line of Japanese-made makeup brushes, and the two limited-color lipsticks: the milk-chocolate Just What I Needed Lip Matte and the cherry-red Deviant lip gloss. Customized brush-on and eyeshadow pallettes are also available in store. G/F, EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-269-1000. Open daily 10am-10pm
BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2018
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SUNDAY
SESSIONS Finally, there is a bar for Sunday afternoons with friends. Sip cocktails while enjoying the best views in Bangkok. Roll on from an epic Sunday brunch — or perhaps roll out of bed!
Opening Hour Mon – Fri 9.00 - 21.00 Sat – Sun 8.30 – 21.00
Canberra's best cafe has finally landed in Bangkok.
Tel: 021853258 Facebook: patissezbangkok Order online on Foodpanda and Ubereat
The best brunch and coffee in town.
AIRE BAR
Home of the freakshake and much much more.
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AIRE BAR will deliver celebrated cocktails in large pitchers to share, along with our full menu of crafted cocktails, wines and snacks. Take in chilled tunes from star vocalist Sarocha Senarat, best known as Khun Suay from The Voice Thailand. Her live performance will take place from 3pm – 6pm. Sunday Sessions from 3 pm weekly. Don’t miss out!
28 Fl., Hyatt Place Bangkok Sukhumvit 22/5 Sukhumvit 24, Khlong Tan, Khlong Toei, Bangkok 10110 Telephone: 0 2055 1234
8/10/2560 BE 5:12 PM
S U N D AY S W E E K LY AT AIRE BAR From 3 pm Live music: 3 pm – 6 pm
AIRE BAR airebarbangkok
BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2018
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avenue WELLNESS
Baht Time It's almost Valentine's—but your special someone doesn't need to know these spa packages are an absolute bargain! By Kasidit Srivilai
Where: Calm Spa Neighborhood: Ari Vibe: Chic, mid-century pastels, knockoff Danish furniture, swathes of plantlife and concrete. Price: B1,800 for a 75-minute Natural Detoxifying facial treament, which includes a scrub with your choice of beads made from organic ingredients, a mask with white mud and an uplifting facial massage (only for weekdays).
Where: Chaari Spa Neighborhood: Ari NEW! Vibe: Soothing, neutral tones with blue porcelain accents. Price: B1,900 for the two-hour Loose Leaf Passion package, which includes one hour of a matcha green tea scrub followed by one hour of a tea-infused oil massage with choices of earl grey, green tea, lavender, red tea and white tea.
Where: Infinity Spa Neighborhood: Silom Vibe: Like a stylish laboratory with its raw concrete floor, mint green walls, yellow ceiling and industrial furnishings. Price: B1,300 for the 90-minute Infinity Aroma package that includes a stress-relieving homemade aroma oil massage and a herbal compress. For B500, add an extra 30-minute body scrub.
13 Ari Soi 4, 096-941-8645. Open daily 10am-11pm
2/F, A-One Ari, Ari Soi 1, 02-077-9967. Open daily 10am-10pm
Where: Zense Massage YenAkart Neighborhood: Sathorn BUDGET Vibe: A small and cozy space behind bamboo PICK! frontage in the airy and beautiful Yarden Yenakat. Price: B950 for a 90-minute Thai body massage and a herbal compress in a private room. Add B150 for an extra 30 minutes.
Where: Imperial Spa Neighborhood: Old Town Vibe: Colonial-luxe with Thai accents like flower murals and silk upholstery. Price: The signature Touch of Raweekalaya Massage takes you through a 60-120-minute (B1,200-1,800) massage using scented warm oil by Donna Chang.
Where: Yunomori Onsen Neighborhood: Phrom Pong Vibe: Luxurious, zen combination of wood and black tile. The onsen tub in a private garden is the perfect place to unwind. Price: B1,750 for a complete package that includes a day pass to the mineral-rich spring water onsen, a 90-minute aromatherapy body massage and 30 minutes of a herbal compress.
30 Yen Akat Rd., 02-249-0184. Open daily 10am-11pm
Raweekalaya Hotel, 164-172 Krung Kasem Soi 2, 02-628-5999. Open daily 10am-7pm
A Square, Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-259-5778. Open daily 9am-12am
Sun Square, 1037/1 Silom Soi 21, 02-237-8588. Open daily 10am-10pm
PLACES A fashion designer’s guide to Bangkok As the founder and designer of menswear brand Leisure Projects, Nat Kanokvaleevong is like Siam Center royalty. Here he shares his favorite spots from his favorite neighborhood and beyond. Restaurant: Now I’m obsessed with Tonkin Annam (69 Maharaj Rd.). It’s truly the place to find authentic Vietnamese dishes—not Thai-style Vietnamese. It’s not far from my home in Thonburi too. Cafe: I’m not that much of a coffee person. I let my friends take me to interesting new openings sometimes but that’s it.
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Bar: Good topic. I have to visit Siam many times a week to check on my store, so Niche at Siam Kempinski (991/9 Rama 1 Rd.) is one of my favorite places to hang out. Amid buzzing Siam, the hotel offers true serenity with its beautiful garden and Kempinski’s house red wine is very nice at just around B1,000 for a bottle. I also like the bars around Soi Nana and Charoenkrung. Yes, because it’s also not far from Siam, especially Ba Hao (8 Soi Nana). l love their tao-huay pudding. Another place like is Revolucion Cocktail (Sathorn Soi 10), if I’m in the mood for Latin dancing.
Shopping: Honestly, even though I’m a designer, I don’t shop much here. My weekend ritual involves walking around Siam to check on the trends, otherwise it’s Chatuchak for vintage shopping—you can find great military clothes. Check out Leisure Projects at Gin&Milk, 3/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd. or online at www.leisureprojectsbkk.com
BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2018
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HELP US CROWN THE BEST BRANDS IN BANGKOK
VOTE AND
WIN! 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. Take part and win incredible international holidays, luxurious beach escapes and much more!
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BK MAGAZINE’S BIGGEST READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS COMING THIS FEB
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MAKEOVER
Curtain Call Once the definition of posh Italian dining in Bangkok (see the Top 10 in Top Tables 2013 for proof), La Scala has now unveiled a new look that’s set to thrust it back into foodie consciousness. Out goes the old bronze and terracotta palette in favor of lighter, creamy tones with red and black accents that tip a hat to the restaurant’s Milan theater namesake. But it’s the food that really counts. And on that front, head chef David Tamburini is still in the kitchen, plating up delicious pastas using fresh-from-Italy ingredients (try the Sicilian red prawns and zucchini in a sesame broth, B1,350) and perfectly roasted carne— the lamb saddle (B1,800) with caci e ova (a classic egg and cheese sauce) is an absolute must. 13/3 Sathorn Rd., 02-344-8888. Open daily 12-3pm; 6-11:30pm
BOTTLE SHOP
NEW CHEF
SUSHI
Tap In
Fresh Face
Take the Bait
Following the success of its first two branches in Sukhumvit Soi 26 and Ari, beer specialist Taproom has opened a new location inside Bar Storia del Caffe Phloen Chit. This incarnation boasts a bigger beer selection than its siblings. On the menu is BrewDog Sink the Bismarck!, which at 41-percent ABV is the fifth-strongest beer in the world. At B7,000 a (375ml) bottle, it also might rank among the most expensive. On tap are 12 rotating craft beers from familiar names like BrewDog, EvilTwin, Coronado and Ballast Point. Draft beers come in two sizes, with something like the Lost Coast Indica IPA currently going for B166 for a medium glass. Mahutan Plaza, 888/5-6 Phloen Chit Rd., 087460-2626. Open daily 6pm-midnight
Sukhumvit’s organic-sourcing trailblazer Quince has welcomed a new chef into the kitchen. Charlie Jones, of South Africa, is the former chef of Singaporean tapas joint Esquina and a member of the team that launched Rocket cafe. At Quince, he carries on the legacy of hearty and homey Mediterranean-inspired fare. Of course, that includes all the old favorites made with vegetables sourced from exclusive crops at organic farms in Hua Hin and Laos. The seafood, too, is all caught wild, down to the cured salmon (B330). Chow down on the fresh burrata salad with pomegranate, fennel and mint (B390), the crab spaghetti (B450) or the tender and juicy Australian beef cheek (B890). Sukhumvit Soi 45, 02-662-4478. Open Mon-Fri 11am-midnight; Sat-Sun 10:30am-midnight
Ishikawa Motonobu, a third-generation fish wholesaler whose restaurant in the outer market of Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market is a foodie site of pilgrimage, has opened a restaurant in Bangkok. Sit at Tsukiji Aozora Sandaime’s 12-seat bar to watch the chefs work with a quiet confidence that disguises the sophistication of the sushi. The lunch omakase (B1,800) gets you 10 Edomae-style pieces, while the Aozora omakase (B3,300) comes with five substantial courses and a dessert. A la carte diners are invited into the back rooms, where you shouldn’t miss the sashimi rice bowl (B1,280), nicknamed “the jewelry box,” which comes with a wealth of tuna, salmon roe, sea urchin, golden eye snapper and shrimp. Compass Skyview Hotel, 12 Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-011-1102. Open daily 11:30am-2pm; 5:30-10pm
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BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2018
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Reach Thousands of Hungry, Affluent Diners in BK Magazine’s Top Tables •
Bangkok’s most trusted guide for discerning foodies 100 top restaurants chosen by an independent panel The no.1 Google result for “Bangkok best restaurants” Distributed to over 350 hightraffic venues in Bangkok Extended exposure through digital PDF Version
• • • •
2018
Book before February 21, 2018 Call: 02-624-9696 #601, 615, 620 Email: advertising@asia-city.co.th
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Internships are full-time, unpaid and last 3 months.
Candidates should be fluent in both Thai and English. Send your resume and a cover letter to jobs@asia-city.co.th
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1/29/18 5:38 PM
Wicked Snow specializes in bingsu, Korea’s softest ground snowflakes, in two flavors—milk and chocolate—you can enjoy all year long. Aside from the original red bean, soybean and green tea flavors, you can top your bingsu with mango, berry and choco. And don’t forget our teok-toast with three kinds of delicious toppings. Let’s check in our Wicked Snow-Korean Dessert Café at I’m Park and Baan Rachakru.
I’m Park Chula 353 I’m Park Chula Building Soi Chulasoi5 Patumwan Bangkok. 0982753896
The-Wickedsnow-Thailand
wickedsnowbkk
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blends EVENTS
Don’t miss these boozy happenings
ON THE BAR
Iron Balls Saloon & Gin Parlour
GUEST BARTENDERS AT BUNKER
Owen Gliber and Sean Marino from Employees Only HK, voted the Best New Cocktail Bar in 2017 by the Bar Awards Hong Kong, are coming to take a guest shift at Sathorn’s Bunker (118/2 Sathorn Soi 12, 092-563-9991, 02-234-7749) for one night only on Feb 23, 8pm.
Phrom Phong gets its own branch of Bangkok’s steampunk gin distillery. By Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj
ai craft nd recon the o easy. those g about
wide
mebrew he rest not bitat gets ith tap aroma
Sukhu-
e going ting, it
GUEST BARTENDER AT TROPIC CITY
The buzz: Ashley Sutton’s back! The man of Iron Fairies and Maggie Choo’s fame has opened a second branch of his gin distillery, Iron Balls, right beside another of his creations, Sing Sing Theater. The decor: Sitting snuggly between between Sing Sing Theater and Quince, it’s easy to miss on first pass. Don’t be fooled by the meek facade; inside are all the extravagant hallmarks of an Ashley Sutton drinking hole. The marine theme makes the room feel like an exclusive but cozy ship’s cabin. The ceiling is composed of thousands of layered bottles that catch the light of the room’s chandeliers and candles. With this ceiling, Sutton was out to recreate the sea’s surface from below as seen when he went diving in hard-hat dive gear. There’s plenty of standing room as well as cushy nooks. The drinks: The main base here is, of course, Iron Balls gin, but we’ll take any drink mixed by bartender Carson Quinn (pictured right). The standard G&T (B380 45ml; B450 60ml) is fresh and deliciously simple, made with Fever Tree Mediterranean tonic and Iron Balls gin, and garnished with
W i n n e r of B a c a rd i Le g a c y ’ s Global 2017, Ran Van Ongevalle from The Pharmacy bar in Belgium, is coming to mix his winning drink , Clarita (Bacardi 8, Amontillado Sherry, white cacao liqueur, absinth and saline solution) at Tropic City (672/65 Charoenkrung Soi 28, 091-8709825) on Feb 4, 8pm.
pineapple and Thai basil. Beyond gin, there’s the Lunazul Reposado tequila-based, S.S. All Big-Gun (B390) that comes with clove syrup, aromatics and coconut husk smoke, all topped with a slice of blowtorch-caramelized orange. The Spitcock (B360) is a customer favorite, a mix of Iron Balls gin, fresh passion fruit, roselle syrup, meringue and a light topping of cinnamon powder. We’re obliged to follow the crowd on this one—it’s simply excellent. The crowd: Part Quince customers over for a post-dinner drink, part Sing Sing Theater crowd over for a pre-party drink or a break from dancing, and a smattering of other well-to-doers out for a refined cocktail. Why you should care: Besides the beautiful decor and drinks, the bar feels like the sort of venue that can accommodate whatever drinking mood you’re in, whether all-out-party or contemplative wind-down. Sukhumvit Soi 45, 02-662-4478. Open daily 8pm-1am
PINOT NOIR PARADISE WINE TALK
NEWS Fresh from the Bangkok Bar Scene
Backstage
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ON THE LIST
BOLD BEER
If you follow as many bartenders’ Instagrams as we do, you’ll know that the Bar Awards—a one-year-old booze event imported from Singapore—has announced its Bangkok shortlist for 2018. To see who’s in the top ten ahead of the final announcement on Feb 21, check bit. ly/2n3LSr1.
One of Bangkok’s first craft beer bars, Wishbeer, has opened another branch. The new space in Thonglor Place (85 Soi Sukhumvit 55, 02-392-1403) stocks only beers that have been rated 90 and above on ratebeer.com, a ranking by beer enthusiasts worldwide.
Head to Riedel (2/F, Gaysorn, 999 Phloen Chit Rd., 02- 6561133) and learn more about New Zealand’s Pinot Noirs through a tasting and wine talk by one of Bangkok’s most respected wine guys, Kim Wachtveitl from Wine Garage. Tickets are B1,500 for a tasting of five wines as well as tapas, cold cuts and cheese plates. Feb 5. To book your ticket, call 02-656-1133
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bites FOOD REVIEWS
Slanted Taco HH Mexican. 16 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-258-0546. Open Mon-Fri 4pm-1am; Sat-Sun 2pm-1am. F BB-BBB
Bangkok’s Mexican dining scene is always a topic of raging debate. Some say La Monita. Others say Missing Burro. No one says Slanted Taco. A recent feast on their run-of-the-mill quesadillas (from B200), burritos (from B210), fajitas (from B480) and, of course, tacos (from B70) explains why. Part of the same thriving Suk 23 commune as Whisgars cigar lounge and Craft beer terrace, this Mexican restaurant does at least have a happening cantina vibe thanks to a corrugated iron-clad dining room complete with vibrant murals and a thumping Latino club soundtrack (and we mean thumping). Service, too, is as bright and bubbly as you’d hope for. Yet the food, while not terrible, is terribly uninspiring. Take the tacos, here served as teensy bite-sized morsels that’d still be fine if not for drab fillings like under-seasoned roast chicken or dry, stringy beef. It’s enough to undo all the goodness of
Freebird HHHH Australian. 28 Sukhumvit Soi 47, 02-662-4936. Open Mon-Fri 5:30-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-3pm, 5:30-11pm. F BBB-BBBB
Freebird is the grown-up culmination of every brunch-leaning, warm-wood-festooned, daytime-friendly dining trend that has swept over Bangkok in the past three years. Driven by a New Yorker architect who made his name in Singapore, Alan Barr, and headed by the young Phuket-born executive chef Top Russell (whose resume counts work in the London kitchens of Alexis Gauthier, Jun Tanaka and Pierre Gagnaire), the restaurant plays a card rarely drawn on the Mediterranean-led Western Bangkok dining scene: Australia. That means a dinner menu of very un-Italian sounding pastas (barley risotto with cheddar, pumpkin and saffron, B360) and hearty sharing plates (48-hour-braised Angus short rib with onion jam and fermented cabbage, B1,800); plus a brunch menu of openface sandwiches with names like “Taste of Straya” (pork belly, Vegemite, avocado, cheddar, B260) and stuff everyone’s relieved to find on any menu (fish and
the evidently house -made, soft corn-flour tortillas. With a squeeze of lime and a generous chunk of avocado, the relatively juicy seabass option (served in a flour tortilla, B90) gets a pass mark. However, padded out with iceberg lettuce, this is one of several dishes that hints at cut corners. Similar is the beef burrito (B230), which on our last visit tasted mostly of mushy rice and refried beans, and came plated atop a decorative bouquet of iceberg. Things aren’t helped by the mildest of enchilada sauces (ordered medium-spicy) or a one-dimensional guacamole (from B90). Not everything misses the mark: the choriqueso (B250), an almost fondue-like steaming plate of flavorful chorizo and melted cheese, served with a piquant salsa and warm flour tortillas, makes a worthy guilty pleasure. For dessert, the flan napolitano (B90) is rich, creamy and rewarding. Yet Slanted Taco seems to have lost its way since its late-2016 opening when chef Jorge Bernal (formerly behind Sabroso and the original incarnation of Tacos & Salsa) promised a more chef-driven approach to Mexican food. While we wouldn’t head here specifically for a meal, there are enough deals on offer (two-for-one tacos on “Taco Tuesday”) to at least make for some inoffensive drinking snacks to go with your margarita (B280/glass or B1,400/jug) or your pick of the 170+ beers at Craft.
chips, B450; flank steak and chips, B850). And what chips they are. As far as fries are concerned, you can definitely tell a book by its cover, and these ones read of golden, flaky, glossy, just-that-little-bitwaxy goodness. The wagyu flank steak is equally delicious—tangy, tender, dressed in a rich peppercorn sauce and all you could hope for from a sub-B1,000 steak. Another sensation: the seafood risotto (B480). Purists might baulk at its brothy consistency and not-quite-al-dente grains, but we say it tastes of heartwarming home cooking, not to mention well-balanced flavors—a chord of saffron, a sticky sweet chili jam, and a bloody good seafood broth. Some of the starters do have slip-ups. Our slow-cooked hen’s egg with local mushrooms and Australian brie (B260) was lacking a pinch of salt, and we’d also rather some quality sourdough than the chewy crouton topped in oily mayonnaise. The rocket salad with sliced chicken and “burnt lime” is flavorsome and charming, but no more than the sum of its parts. Unfortunately for their dining room—all shiny surfaces, fluffy chandeliers, industrial dangly things and in-your-face graffiti murals—it’s rather too dark during daylight hours, which means brunches are best booked on the charming garden patio (lovely in January; a different story in Mar-Nov). And while we could do with a couple more cocktails listed on the menu, rest assured that when we went off-piste with a mint julep (B320) the result was a knockout.
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.
TSUBAKI CAMELLIA BLOSSOMS AFTERNOON TEA AT THE OKURA PRESTIGE BANGKOK Now - 31 March 2018 Celebrate the New Year in full bloom with the savoury delights and sweet cherry treats of the Tsubaki Blossoms Afternoon Tea at Up & Above Bar. Available daily from 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Priced from Baht 1,190 inclusive of coffee or tea for 2 persons For more information and reservations, please contact 02 687 9000 or email upandabove@okurabangkok.com Prices are subject to 10% service charge and 7% government tax.
Park Ventures Ecoplex, 57 Wireless Road, Bangkok 10330 T. 02 687 9000 F. 02 687 9001 E. info@okurabangkok.com okurabangkok.com facebook.com/theokuraprestigebangkok
Now Hiring WE’RE NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR: • MARKETING MANAGER • VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER • JUNIOR/SENIOR PROJECT COORDINATOR (ASIA CITY STUDIO) • SALES EXECUTIVE • IT ADMIN/SUPPORT • VIDEOGRAPHER • ASSISTANT ART DIRECTOR (ASIA CITY STUDIO) • JUNIOR/SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER • FOOD WRITER
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H Reservations recommended F Parking E Dress requirements G Live music Find out more at bkmagazine.com/jobs BK Magazine Friday, February 2, 2018
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bites
OPEN DOOR
Wanghinghoi
Dine among fireflies at this enchanted-forest restaurant.
The buzz: This pop-up restaurant is tucked in a secret garden dotted with real fireflies. Its lifespan is 18 months, the duration of a firefly’s life cycle. The decor: Entering Wanghinghoi is like stepping onto a set of A Midsummer Night’s Dream: a colossal wooden wall welcomes guests as they walk through a near-pitch black space dotted with the glow from hundreds of real fireflies enclosed in a controlled ecosystem. The enchanted-forest deception extends across senses: diffusers create the aroma of soil after rain (called petrichor) and the background of instrumental music is meant to evoke the four elements. Time your dinner for 9pm—the best time to catch the natural light show.
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The food: Two Thai head chefs present a set-menu (B2,400 for five courses) of deconstructed traditional Thai dishes, like the miang dok bua with kapi (spicy shrimp paste in a lotus petal wrap) or the gaeng phed ped yang, a crispy duck confit dressed in a spicy curry reduction. The tom yam goong here takes the form of a double-boiled, viscous soup rich with shrimp fat and blended spices poured over prawns and mushrooms. Some dishes, like the amuse-bouche of white chocolate-dipped artichoke, range farther from the home cuisine. The microgreens and herbs used for garnish are grown in-house, while the organic vegetables come from Suan Pueng in Ratchaburi.
The drinks: Mixing Thai-inspired cocktails behind the bar is a cocktail team formerly at Ku De Ta and Morimoto The Farmer’s Delight (B280) is a mix of spice-infused Sangsom, raspberry syrup and egg white. Wua Gae Gin Yah Aon (B280) is a twist on a Negroni, coming in a clear jug covered with red sak-yant cloth and accompanied by a small cup of pandan juice. Why we'd come back: The theme is superbly sustained, from decor through food to the finely-tuned cocktails. Where else are you going to find an enchanted forest to dine in? Eighteen months—clock’s ticking. Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon Petchaburi Rd., 091-979-6226. Open daily 7pm-midnight
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Castown
Shuu Shuu
First Bite
TABLE TALK
NEW AND NOTED
Oh, Hush From the owner of too-cute Nahim Cafe on Yaowarat’s Soi Nana comes a clandestine sister spot dedicated to Japan’s syrupy liquor umeshu. Shuu Shuu (214 Songwat Rd., 089-783-3099), located down the same soi, is a teensy, neon speakeasy on the ground floor of Pieces Cafe & Bed. Five umeshu varieties are on the menu, starting with the rotating 101 (B100), an introductory, easy-to-down (here, a euphemism for very sweet) umeshu. Up from there is the premium-grade and noticeably more tangy stuff, like the 888 Aotan no Yuzushu (B200). Get in while the bar’s still quiet.
Cherry Picking After third wave coffee exhausted itself on the bean, baristas turned to Cascara, a traditional, fruity tea made from the skin of coffee cherries. Cascara’s now found new form in Castown, a craft soda made by a crew that combines the folks of Baan Dok Kaew, Thai craft beer Nectar and cafe Mon Mek in Nimman, Chiang Mai. The whole soda-making process is done by
hand, from cherry to fermentation to bottling. The makers guarantee that a fair share of the B80 a bottle price will go back to the coffee farmers, who will also make compost of the waste from the drink-making process. Find the soda online at www. groupb.beer or on Line @castown.
Cookie Express So, you queued up for an hour to get a taste of Ben's Cookies when it opened last year, and now you've sworn off visiting the mall. Fear not! A new delivery service has come to the rescue. What First Bite (www.fb.com/firstbiteshop, Line: @firstbiteshop) lacks in globe-conquering back story, it makes up for with pop-up appearances at various markets across Bangkok. Coming in seven flavors, the cookies themselves are packed with homemade, gooey goodness. Our top picks go to the decadent Hershey's choc chip and dark chocolate brownie varieties, but health watchers can opt for the granola banana cookies, instead. A bag of five cookies costs B200, and a special, six-cookie Valentine's box set is B300, with same-day delivery within Bangkok starting at B60. Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon
Mozza by Cocotte G/F, EmQuartier, 097-004-0072. Open daily 10am-10pm Follwing the huge success of Cocotte and Pesca, this eyecatching pizzeria with a mid-century decor serves Italian comfort food cooked by chef Samuele Alvisi like the Mangia Fuoco pizza with burrata cheese, nduja pork spread and ventricina sausage spiced beautifully with chili and garlic. Pair the pizza with a glass of Prosecco Cuvee Stella Pillars from the restaurant’s large wine list, or tuck into its tea time set (a tower of sweets, pastries and teas) for something a little lighter. Exclusively for Citi credit card members Get a complimentary drink valued THB 280 for Citi ULTIMA, Citi Prestige, Citi Preferred and Citi Select and get 10% discount on food only for all card types. (limit 1 glass /card /table /sales slip) Today – 31 Mar 19
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now FRI Come One, Come All Bangkok’s poetry collective, Lyrical Lunacy, will celebrate four years of performance poetry and spoken word with, what else, an open mic. For this event only, they’re taking all sorts: poets, musicians, comedians, etc. Your time to shine is Feb 2 at Live Lounge. Tickets are B300 at the door. See page 22.
SUN Sublime Folk The torch for intimate, breathy folk music has found many bearers over the generations, from Joni Mitchell to Cat Power. The subgenre has a new champion in Julie Byrne, who’ll be performing from her latest album, Not Even Happiness, at Jam on Feb 11. At B200 a ticket, the only reason not to attend is the mob that’s sure to descend on the miniscule venue. See page 21.
FRI Party On
FRI Bohemian Rhapsody
On Feb 2-3, international music festival Don’t Let Daddy Know returns to Bangkok at Live Park, Rama 9. Between the special effects and the lineup of DJ bigwigs including Martin Garrix, Ummet Ozcan, Dannic and Matisse & Sadko, the event’s sure to impress or at least to knock a few frequencies off your hearing range. Tickets available now at ticketmelon.com. See below.
The Jam Factory, stomping ground of Thonburi aesthetes, is hosting its third Jam Mag-presented Art Ground, a fair and public exhibition taking place Feb 2-4. Expect art workshops, live performances, talks, libations and your annual opportunity to envy, and therefore to patronize, the creative underclass. Entrance is free. See page 22.
NIGHTLIFE DON'T LET DADDY KNOW THAILAND
Martin Garrix, Ummet Ozcan and Dannic headline this massive electronic festival. Grab tickets at www.ticketmelon. com/event/dldkthailand2018. Feb 2, 3pm. Live Park, Rama 9 Rd. B3,300-4,500. THE PAYBACK - PART IV
DJs Criminal and Lows host a night of funk, soul, rock and hip-hop. Feb 2, 8pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 089-8898059. Free. HABANEROS AT HAVANA!
A night of Latin rhythms from a 7-piece live band and DJ Pepe. Feb 2, 8pm. Havana Social, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02- 0615344. B300 includes 1 drink. Henry Hacking
SUBCONSCIOUS X SOUNDELEMENT: TECHNO SESSIONS
DJs FunkPheno and Gimmie
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are joined by DJ Cowww for a night dedicated to deep tech, techno and underground house. Feb 2, 9:30pm. Residence de Canal, 463/72 Luk Luang Rd., 02-061-8289. Free. KENGCHAKAJ KENGKARNKA LIVE
The New York City-based Thai pianist performs with his trio. Feb 2, 9pm. Foojohn Building, Charoenkrung Soi 31, 087593-9973. Free. SUNJU HARGUN & BORIS RUBIN + CONNECTED KL
Hypnotic grooves from Sunju Hargun, accompanied by Boris Rubin and the Connected crew from KL. Feb 2, 9:30pm. Glow, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086 614 3355. Free before 10:30pm then B350. VIOLETT X CANIS MINOR
DJs Coran and Soi Dogs spin underground house and tech-
no. Feb 2, 9:30pm-2am. Violett, Thonglor Soi 10, 095-3938858. Free.
Puffer P & Jack The Jackal. Feb 3, 8pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. B500.
HENRY HACKING
DISCO ROBOT PRESENTS LOONEY TUNES
The English DJ fills the room with his house music. Feb 2, 10pm. Insanity Nightclub, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 087-8049542. B300-400 includes 1 drink. MENDY INDIGO PRESENTS NOWHERE TO NOW HERE FEAT. WANNAB
A night dedicated to two local DJ talents on the underground techno scene. Feb 2, 10pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B250. SONIC DREAMS WITH 1200 MICROGRAMS (DJ SET BY CHICAGO)
Psychedelic trance sets from Japanese DJ Taku and local talents Naninm, Goa Gummy and
DJs Moreno and Jaydubb spindisco and vintage-club sounds. Feb 3, 10pm-2am. 12 x 12, Ekkamai Soi 19, 094-260-4713. B150. PENTHOUSE SMOOTH SUNDAYS
Smooth hip-hop vibes to end the week. Tickets TBA. Feb 4, 10pm-4am. The Firm Bangkok, 10/4 Sukhumvit Soi 33, 065-880-0333. CAPITAL D AT DE COMMUNE
DOTT and Fishmonger perform underground techno sets all night long. Feb 7, 9pm-2am. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B150. >>
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LIVE MUSIC
Davide
HERE WE DANCE W. HEXER
The DJ fills the night with deep and dark techno sounds. Tickets TBA. Feb 7, 8pm. Sorry I'm Gay, Ratachada Train Night Market, Ratchadapisek Rd., 099-339-9173. GENERATION X
A journey through hip-hop history. Feb 7, 10pm. The Firm Bangkok, 10/4 Sukhumvit Soi 33, 065-8800333. Free. SUGAR CLUB PRESENTS: GWISE (SKY GARDEN BALI RESIDENT)
Gwise goes back to his roots and drops some real hip-hop. Feb 8, 10pm. Sugar Club, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 061-391-3111. B300-400 includes 1 drink. KAZOKU × PUNKY DISCO PRESENT DJ KENT (FORCE OF NATURE)
Tokyo psychedelic disco veteran DJ
Kent is supported by Rocco Universal, Gishiyama and Jamsai. Feb 9, 8pm. 12x12, Ekkamai Soi 19, 094260-4713. B300. NAKADIA WELCOMES DIZHARMONIA AT VIOLETT BANGKOK
Thai techno DJ Nakadia is joined by Greek duo Dizharmonia. Grab tickets at bit.ly/2GgQDGH. Feb 9, 9pm. Violett, Thonglor Soi 10, 095-393-8858. B300-400.
Gishiyama G19
Liberali, Sanchez, and Adiero and Nukier. Feb 10, 2pm. DoubleTree by Hilton, 18/1 Sukhumvit Soi 26, 02-649-6666. B400 includes 1 drink. MODULATE X TECHNO SAKE
A night of live electronic and techno from the two collectives and artists like DJs Do, Cliffy and Flex.Off. Feb 10, 8pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. B100.
3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY MUSTACHE
LOVE IS IN DE COMMUNE I DAVIDE
Celebrate the Ratchada bar’s birthday with beats and booze. Feb 9, 9pm. Mustache Bangkok, 544/5 Ratchadaphisek Soi 7, 02-274-5855. Free.
Davide, Hexer and Fery spin lovers tracks on Valentine’s Day. Feb 14, 9pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B350.
BLAST POOL SERIES #0030 2 YEARS ANNIVERSARY
The techno-house open-air party celebrates 2 years with DJs Simone
TRACK OF THE WEEK Pyra - "White Lotus" Pyra, an honoree of this magazine’s 2017 Artists to Watch, released “White Lotus” on Jan 26, and our ears have since been ringing with her soulful voice. Gramaphone Children’s Jaruepong “Jaree“ Thanapura and Cyndi Seui produced this first single from an upcoming EP, and the hand of two of Bangkok’s electro-pop trailblazers seeps from the record. The track opens on moody beats and a voice attempting to take shape before breaking into Pyra’s signature breathy vocals declaring, “Swallowed by the cold wave. Save me. I am in despair.” A mournful keyboard and chilly background wailing accompany Pyra’s voice as she chronicles a woman struggling to free herself. Despite its low tempo, the 4:25-minute track manages to remain catchy, thanks in part to smooth but intense electropop sounds reminiscent of other alternative electropop artists like the London duo Tender, the Australian trio Mansionair and the Korean-English singer-songwriter Miso. Neon Boonyadhammakul
CONCERT NEWS version of The X-Factor in 2012, Fifth Harmony rose to international acclaim with the release of their debut single "Miss Movin’ On" and the EP Better Together. Since then, they've been a mainstay at the pointy end of the pop charts—despite the departure of original member Camila Cabello in 2016. RHYE
Local gig promoters Have You Heard? are bringing the Singha Light Live Series back for its third edition, kicking Rhye things off with a performance by LA-based R&B artist Rhye on May 23. The Voice Space performance will FIFTH HARMONY feature hits like “Taste” and “Please” from Rhye’s new BEC Tero Entertainment has announced a Bangkok album Blood (available on Feb 2), as well as familiar performance by American girl group Fifth Harmony. favorites like “The Fall” and “Open.” Tickets are available As part of their global PSA Tour, the pop group will on Feb 3 for B1,800 at www.ticketmelon.com/rhyebkk. hit GMM Live House on Mar 5 to perform songs from Formerly a duo, Rhye is now the solo project of Canadian self-titled third album, like "Down," "He Like That" and singer Michael Milosh. Emerging from relative obscurity "Angel" along with past Billboard hits like "Worth It" in 2013 following the success “The Fall” and “Open,” and "Work From Home." Tickets go on sale Feb 4 via Milosh was also recently featured in the track “Break www.thaiticketmajor.com though prices are still to be Apart” by electronic music producer Bonobo. announced. After winning third place in the American
Chladni Chandi
Berri Txarrak
Concerts
new Sunset. Feb 3, 4pm. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. B200.
G19 FEST: ROCK MUSIC FESTIVAL
A concert to celebrate 19 years of the Genie Records featuring performances from rockers 25 Hours, Big Ass, Bodyslam, Cocktail, Instinct, Klear, Kwang ABNormal, Num Kala, Labanoon, Palaphol, Pang Nakatin, Palmy, Paradox, Potato, Pun Basher, Retrospect, Sweet Mullet, The Mousses, The Yers and Yes’sir Days. Tickets are sold-out. Feb 10, 1pm. Rajamangala Stadium, Huamak Rd. B1,500. JULIE BYRNE LIVE IN BANGKOK W/ YOSSNON
The Buffalo, New York-born folk singer-songwriter visits the city as part of her world tour in support of the album Not Even Happiness. Alongside supporting act and local folk talent Yossnon. Feb 11, 8pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 089-8898059. B200.
Gigs KICKS MINI FEST - BERRI TXARRAK LIVE AT BLACK CABIN
The Spanish rock trio fills the night with their rock sound along with supporting acts from local talent like Lord Liar Boots, Higher Learning, Ryan Holweger and John Will Sail. Feb 2, 8pm. Black Cabin, Wild & Co, 22/1 Soi Farmwattana, Rama 4 Rd., 061515-6989. B300 includes 1 drink. LLLSD - AN EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC AND VISUAL PERFORMANCE
The Swedish experimental four-piece perform with visual projections as part of their tour of Thailand and Southern China. Feb 2, 9pm. Bangkok Citycity Gallery, 13/3 Sathorn Soi 1, 083-087-2725. Free. BLAST & NONG FEST
The magazine teams up with Bangkok’s oldest record store, Nong Thaprachan, Chang Chui and BF Sound for a rock showcase headlined by the Philippines’ Typecast and Valley of Chrome, Spanish band Berri Txarrak and 15 local talents including Ugoslabier, The Rocket Whale and Brand-
FROM ME TO YOU
A tribute night to The Beatles with indie rockers The Drivers and Trix ‘O’ Treat. Feb 3, 6:30pm. Vintage Retro, Ladprao Soi 101. B750. 3RD HAND NICOGIN
Four local bands from Panda Records and Bird Sound Records perform live: psychedelic rockers Chladni Chandi, shoegaze/noise rockers Hariguem Zaboy, country rockers Sahai Hang Sailom and psychedelic hard-rockers Mico. Followed by vinyl DJ sets from Tat (Basement Tape) and Jar (Hariguem Zaboy). Feb 8, 7pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-7174365. B300. GIRL VOL. II
The Wildest Youth’s live series featuring only female artists returns with My Life as Ali Thomas, Petite Diva, Sasi, The 10th Saturday and Lukpeach. Feb 11, 7pm. Loyshy, Soi Phayanak, 085-018-5575. B300-400. LORD LIAR BOOTS LIVE@NONG TAPRACHAN
The indie band takes over the stage with their rock setlist. Feb 11, 7pm. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. Free.
Classical ART MUSIC FEST X: CU FLUTE ENSEMBLE
A night featuring Amilcare Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours from "La Gioconda" arranged by Shaul Ben-Meir, Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations - Variation IX (Adagio) “Nimrod” arranged by Shaul Ben-Meir, TritschTratsch-Polka, Op. 214, by Johann Strauss II, Ito Yesuhide’s Fantasy on Theme of Jupiter, Antonin Dvorak’s Serenade Op. 22 in E Major arranged by Yoshiko Takama and Stephen Lias’ Melange of Neumes Feb 9, 7pm. Music Hall, Culture Building, Chulalongkorn University, Phayathai Rd., 094561-5295. Free.
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SALES & FAIRS
Algorithm Adjustment
Chang Chui
Angkrit Ajchariyasophon
KNOCK'EM DEAD
A solo graffiti exhibition by Tikkywow. Jan 25-Feb 25. Yelo House, 20/2 Kasemsan Kasern San Soi 1. Free. MEMOIR
An art performance featuring four stories that explore memory in different ways. Feb 1-14, 7:30pm. Yelo House, 20/2 Kasemsan Kasern San Soi 1. B500. THE PRINTERS' PRINTS
Berlin’s Le Raclet and Bangkok’s The Archivist host a screenprinting exhibition featuring works from international artists like Braulio Amado, Eike König, Martina Merlini, Jordy van den Nieuwendijk, Nadine Redlich, Filippo Vogliazzo, Andrea Wan, Olimpia Zagnoli, Zebu, 2501, Seb Agresti, Jay Daniel Wright and local artists Prabda Yoon, Lee Anantawat, Tae Parvit, Jark Jarut and Minchaya Chayosumrit. Feb 2-18, 6pm. The Jam Factory, 41/1-5 Charoen Nakorn Rd., 02-861-0950. Free. THE STREET HUNTER BY JECKS & BASID
Explore the street artwork of two artists under the gallery’s roof. Feb 3, 5:30pm. Sathorn 11 Art Space, 404 Sathorn Soi 11, 02-004-1199. Free. YAN PHAHANA - PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION OF RYO OGAWA
The Japanese skateboarder and photographer hosts a photo exhibition showcasing his exploration of Bangkok's city buses. Feb 3-25,
Impermanence
7pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 089-889-8059. Free. ANGKRIT AJCHARIYASOPHON: ANGKRIT GALLERY BANGKOK
An exhibition that explores the artist’s process of opening galleries in both Chiang Rai and Bangkok. Feb 3-Mar 3, 1pm. Speedy Grandma, 672/50-52 Charoenkrung Soi 28, 089-508-3859. Free IMPERMANENCE
Kittitorn Kasemkijwattana, project manager of the Mrigadayavan Foundation, examines turbulent states of mind through interactive artworks. Feb 4-Mar 25, 6pm. Gallery Ver, 2198/10-11 Narathiwas Soi 22, 02103-4067. Free. BLOOMING TUNE | FLORAL INSTALLATION BY PHKA
A multidisciplinary installation pairing flower-inspired visuals and sounds. Through Feb 4, 11am. TCDC, Central Post Office Building, Charoenkrung Rd., 02-105-7400. Free. ALGORITHM ADJUSTMENT
English artist Justin Mills’ paintings incorporate lyrics and poetry through a “manipulated alphabet” to make ambiguous references to Thailand’s current socio-political situation. Feb 8-17, 6pm. Cho Why, 17 Soi Nana. Free GALLERIES' NIGHT BANGKOK 2018
For the fifth time, this event will invite art lovers to visit more than
50 galleries city-wide. Dedicated tuktuks will be on hand to shuttle you around to special exhibitions, talks and workshops until late. See more info at bit.ly/2DQWT9s. Feb 9-10, 5pm. Galleries across Bangkok. Free. THE SECRET OF SKIN
Sophirat Muangkum explores the question of whether nude photography constitutes art or obscenity. Feb 9, 6pm. MOST Gallery, 672/36 Charoenkrung Soi 26, 02-639-6582. Free ALL THINGS ARE NOTHING
Artist Fckngns exhibits post-apocalyptic urban landscapes and calligraphy backed by an ambient/industrial soundtrack. Feb 9, 8pm. Maison Close BKK, 397/399 Charoenkrung Soi 45, 083-980-8620. Free
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
The students of Chula’s Drama Arts Department perform William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice as translated by King Rama VI. Grab tickets at www.dramaartschulaticket.com. Feb 8-18, 7:30pm. Sodsai Pantoomkomol Centre for Dramatic Arts, 6/F, Mahajakri Sirindhorn
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ART GROUND 03
Curated by the Jam Factory, this 3-day market for art collectors returns under the theme Crossover. Contributing artists include local talents and 14 international artists from Berlin, Japan, Hong Kong and Indonesia. The contributing artists include Kendra Ahimsa (Indonesia), Akimoto (Japan), Lau ChiChung (Hongkong). Besides the art showcases, there will be talk sessions, workshops and live bands. The band lineup includes H3F, Whal&Dolph, Monomania and Solitude is Bliss. Feb 2-4. The Jam Factory, 41/1-5 Charoen Nakorn Rd. Free.
5TH INTERCULTURAL BAZAAR PRESENTED BY CHAMALIIN
A cultural charity event to support refugees from Mogadishu, Islamabad, Colombo, Saigon, Baghdad and Kabul. Shop and enjoy art, crafts, food, dance and workshops. Feb 10, 5pm. Brownstone, 1395 Sukhumvit Soi 77. Free.
SPECIAL SCREENINGS
THE NOISE OF THE CITY & FREEDOM OF DISTURBANCE
The photos by Mee WeekEnd Studio explore the distressing aspects of city life and present the need for quiet spaces. Feb 9-10, 10am. Mely Mellow Cafe & Library, 402 St.Louise Soi 3, 094-348-1634. Free. Tentacles TV's Screening+Talk: Myth
RETIRE MEN
Celebrate the anniversary of the open mic community with poems, live music and comedy. Grab tickets at bit.ly/2n8908v. Feb 2, 7pm. Live Lounge, Trendy Building, 10/47 Sukhumvit Soi 13, 02-168-7335. B105-212.
MARXISM FESTIVAL 2018
A 2-day event dedicated to talks and seminars on Karl Marx's theories and their present-day application. Feb 3-4, 12:30pm. Thammasat University (Tha Phra Chan Campus), 12 Phra Chan Rd. Free.
Japanese artists Esow and Sasam Yoshizawa show off their skater art-influenced iillustrations. Feb 10Mar 4, 3pm. Goja, Sukhumvit Soi 71, 085-848-7576. Free.
Building, Chulalongkorn University, Henri-Dunant Rd., 0-2218-4802. B350-700.
4 YRS OF LYRICAL LUNACY
CHANGCHUI’S FARM AND FOLK MARKET
The market returns for its third time promising organic food, drink, art, crafts and music. Feb 3, 11am. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. Free.
THE JOINT EXHIBITION OF ESOW X SADAM YOSHIZAWA
THEATER, DANCE & C0MEDY
Retire Men
THAI-INDIAN FUN FAIR 2018
A day filled with Indian food, drinks, art and culture. Feb 3, 3pm. Srinakarinwirot University, 114 Sukhumvit Soi 23. Free.
A Thai-English subtitled performance that follows the lives of retired Japanese men who move to Thailand amid much confusion. Feb 8-9, 8pm, Feb 10, 2pm/7pm. Creative Industries At M Theatre, New Petchburi Rd., 02-718-0597. B500. TIGER DRUM THAILAND PRESENT ASURA PRAHATHAN
Thai classical dance and music performed with a contemporary style. Feb 9-11, 7pm. Tiger Studio, 50/11 Suan Phak Soi 2 Yaek 6, 083-7071561. B500.
TENTACLES TV'S SCREENING+TALK: MYTH
FILMVIRUS WILDTYPE X DOCUMENTARY CLUB 01: REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE
The moving-image screening project returns as part of Galleries’ Night Bangkok. This fourth screening will feature four shorts related to the theme of myths, followed by a Q&A session with the directors.
The Doc Club Theater screens four selected shorts directed by new, local artists. All the films involve the roots of rebelliousness among today’s teenagers. The screening will be followed by a discussion.
Feb 9, 7pm. Tentacles, 2198/10 -11 Narathiwas Soi 22, 080-560-5405. Free.
Feb 3, 5:30pm. Warehouse 30, Charoenkrung Soi 30. B130.
QUEER SCREENING: SLAY + OTHER SHORTS BY CHERRY RED FILMS
Jam hosts a screening of Filipino writer, director and LGBT activist Cha Roque’s latest documentary, Slay. The film depicts the discrimination faced by trans performance artist Floyd Scott Tiogangco. Some of Roque’s short films will also be screened, followed by a discussion with the director.
GANG JOR
A screening of films by Chulalongkorn University’s Communication Arts fourth-year students. This year’s theme is Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. This Bangkok Design Week rooftop screening features 6 selected shorts about identity, self-discovery and relationships. Feb 2, 6pm. Central Post Office Building, Charoenkrung Rd. Free.
Feb 8, 8pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 089-889-8059. B100.
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SAMUI SONG (THAI)
THE SHAPE OF WATER (USA)
Drama. The latest, dark-comedy from Pen-Ek Rattanaruang follows a wife who hires a hitman to kill her husband.
Fantasy/Drama. This love story directed by Guillermo Del Toro follows a laboratory cleaner who falls in love with a captured amphibian.
DOWNSIZING (USA)
WONDER WHEEL (USA)
Comedy/Drama/Sci-fi. Starring Matt Damon. A group of people agree to be downsized to combat a growing overpopulation crisis.
Comedy/Drama. Woody Allen brings his signature sense of humor to the setting of a circus thrown into chaos with the arrival of a runaway girl. THE LAST RECIPE (JAPAN)
Drama. A chef tasked with a last meal request must rediscover a recipe lost during Japan’s 1930s occupation of Manchuria.
Upcoming (Feb 8)
FIFTY SHADES FREED (USA)
SAD BEAUTY (THAI)
Drama/Romance. The erotic love story returns with Mr. Gray and Anastasia’s honeymoon trip.
Drama. A girl born to beauty and good fortune faces a turning point when her best friend contracts a deadly disease.
DEN OF THIEVES (USA)
I, TONYA (USA)
Action. An elite unit of LA County Sheriff’s Department goes after the city’s most notorious bank robbers.
Comedy. A biographical film chronicling the life of skater Tonya Harding, whose story was made infamous when her ex-husband conspired to injure her rival Nancy Kerrigan. SENSEI! (JAPAN)
Drama/Romance. Based on a popular manga of the same name, this film follows a student who falls in love with her history teacher.
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