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BK MAGAZINE NO. 723 FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2018. www.bkmagazine.com
Your local soundtrack to 2018
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page 3 6 cover story
Sound of Now
What We’ve Learned
4 upfront
10 escapes
Running Man
Bali Bound
14 avenue
16 bites
In the Details
Better with Age
18 blends
22 BK Now
Local Brews
Living for the Weekend
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, Amarit Jinaya 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
Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Limkhamduang Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang Accountant Manita Bangmoung Admin Executive Yaovaluck Srisermsri Contributors Kathy MacLeod Intern Sirada nimcharoenchaikul Cover design by Anunya Chobnitas Cover photo by Nattapol Srisukh
Asia City Media Group Chief Executive Officer Greg Duncan (gduncan@asiacity.net) Director Gretchen Worth (gworth@asia-city.co.th)
Singapore Asia City Publishing Pte. Ltd. Block 211 Henderson Rd. #07-02 Henderson Industrial Park Singapore 159552 Tel: 65-6323-2512 Fax: 65-6323-2779 Email: contact@asia-city.com.sg
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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That Thonglor’s super-creative, super-secret bar is set to reopen After being forced to close its doors last December (due to the landlord wanting to build another condo), the Locker Room is about to rise from the dead. The speakeasy, whose original incarnation notoriously sat behind a wall of grungy lockers, is set to return “somewhere in Thonglor” in “midFebruary” according to a flyer shared to social media by the bar’s partners. In the bar’s six-month existence it caused a huge buzz for its innovative takes on classic drinks, for which it claimed the Best Cocktails category at BK’s B.A.D. Awards. That the Airport Rail Link is about to extend operating hours Starting on Feb 1, the line linking Phaya Thai BTS station with Suvarnabhumi Airport will roar into action a full half-hour earlier. Both the service’s City and Express lines will start at 5:30am instead of 6am, in order to accommodate more earlymorning commuters. That Peach Pit are bringing their smooth indie-pop to Bangkok Gig promoters Have You Heard? continue their stellar run of shows by bringing the rising Canadian four-piece to play as part of the #JAMNIGHT Live! series of gigs. Taking over the stage at About Studio on Mar 2, the band fronted by Neil Smith will perform jangly tracks like “Seventeen” and “Drop the Guillotine,” complete with what Youtube tells us will be some pretty awkward dance moves. Tickets are B1,200, available at bit.ly/2DomR4Z. That political satire page Kai Maew looks to be gone for good The last-seen post by the anonymously-run comic page before it disappeared from Facebook on Jan 18 featured political activist and fugitive Somsak Jeamteerasakul bidding readers farewell as he left for the Eiffel Tower. That goodbye has an eerie resonance now, given that there’s been no public statement as to the cause of the disappearance. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Kruengam had few words of reassurance for unnerved netizens: “I don’t know. I don’t know what to say either.” That we could be getting our first legal weed farm According to Khaosod English, 5,000 rai of land in the northeast Sakhon Nakhon province could soon be used for the legal cultivation of cannabis—though the crops would be harvested for medical research, not for getting high. Details are understandably hazy, as while drug authorities gave the green-light to medical cannabis several months back, the public health ministry says it has yet to be informed of any planned farm for that purpose.
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@bkmagazine BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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upfront HOT OR NOT
Hot: Fermentation
Not: Spherification
If you’ve eaten at one of Bangkok’s coolest restaurants recently, chances are a chef has chewed your ear off all about fermentation and the wonderful things it does for flavor. Flip to page 17 to find out all about it. You might also have been served a ball of tasty gloop wrapped in jelly—a technique called spherification that basically anyone with the right bit of kit can knock together.
INTERVIEW
Hot: De Commune
Not: Violett
Bangkok indie gig venues are having a moment in the sun. De Commune in Thonglor has provided a home from home for people whose iPhones’ mostplayed read like this week’s cover story (see page 6). Violett has also been making waves on the underground scene—including for one New Year’s Eve incident involving a freeloading punter and a punch-happy bouncer.
Hot: Malls
Not: Gardens
The land over which firebrand pimp-turned-politician Chuvit Kamolvisit went to jail over has been earmarked for Nana-Asoke’s latest shopping mall. It had been operating as a public garden up until now—though we wouldn’t blame you for not knowing, given that the gates have been locked since 2016. Expect construction to kick off in 2019. Kao
Hot: Running South-North
Not: Running North-South
Toon has competition. A former police officer turned muay Thai trainer turned unbelievably fit superhuman says that the run he did from Betong to Mae Sai was nothing. A piece of cake. He’s been running those sorts of distances for years. Keyboard warriors were quick to come out and call him an attention seeker trying to the steal thunder from our skinny Bodyslam demigod. Read the interview right and judge for yourself.
THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID
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Plam Promjumpa, 54, has drawn the ire of Toon Bodyslam’s social media entourage by claiming to have completed a country-spanning run years before the rock star’s recent accomplishment. A now retired 30-year police veteran, Plam now owns a facility that’s part muay Thai and MMA gym, part shooting range and part bodyguard training school (he still moonlights as a bodyguard). He’s recently vowed to complete Toon’s run again (but from north to south) in 40 days with 7kg added weight (Toon completed his in 55 days). So you’ve run this distance before? I ran across the country four times. Each run was over 1,000km. The first time was back in 2005, when I ran from Mai Sai to Betong. I was the first person to ever run this route. Toon ran from Betong to Mae Sai. The distance is 2,162km and, when I did it, it took me 42 days. I did it to raise awareness for peace in Thailand’s deep south. In 2007, I ran a west-to-east route, from Three Pagodas to Pha Taem National Park. The distance is 1,310km, which I did in 20 days. I accepted donations in plant seeds to give to the Thai Air Force, so they could scatter seeds across the land as they did their hours of pilot training. The third time was from Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, through Laos, to Sanam Luang. This 1,440km run was to honor King Rama IX. He was 82 years old then. I finished it in 30 days. This was in 2009. And the fourth time was from Betong to Siriraj Hospital to Nong Khai and finishing in Mae Sai, 2,752km in total, which I completed in 52 days. This was also for the [then] king. I completed all these runs in military combat boots. Was there any media covering this back then? I was covered in Thairath and Daily News every time.
Why are you planning to run again? I like challenging myself. I felt like normal running didn’t really challenge me anymore, so I started putting chain weights on my ankles. I started with 3.5kg (on both ankles, 5kg in total with the combat boots). The first time I only ran for 30 minutes and it made me feel like I was doing an hour-long run. After eight months, it became easy for me, so I now have 5.5kg chains on my ankles, which makes it 7kg in total. Who are you raising money for this time? The first four times I never asked for any donations, but this time I’m raising money for the soldiers who became disabled working in Thailand’s deep south. I want more people to be aware of the insurgency situation. I used to work as a police official so I know how little money you get when you become disabled as a soldier. It made me wonder why our society never looks at the situation. I’m also trying to promote peace. How do you train? I’m a very disciplined person. I use a pyramid training schedule. I run distances between 10-25km during my first month of training. On Mondays and Tuesdays, I run 10km. Wednesdays I do weight training.
Thursdays I run 20km, Fridays 25km, with weight training on the weekend. I drag tires and lift. I would climb mountains but it’s difficult where I live. Each month I increase the distance. To run across the country like this, you cannot train like it’s a normal marathon. Strength training is just as important as long-distance runs. How do you feel about social media saying you are just trying to one-up Toon? Thai media is always trying to stir things up and those who believe blindly are just sheep. Some people say I want to be famous, but why would I want to be famous? I’ve been doing this for 10 years already. I’m not trying to compete with him. I compete with myself; I challenge myself. Society praises Toon as a hero now, and some can’t accept the fact that other people have done these runs first. We are both doing good things, so why do I need to one-up him? I don’t understand why I am the bad guy. Any advice for those who are trying to train for a long distance run? I get asked this question all the time, so I’ve posted my training program and videos on my Facebook page [bit. ly/2mIfMSv]. Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj
by Kathy MacLeod (IG: @kathy_macleod)
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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cover story
14 Thai Bands to Watch in 2018 Plug into Bangkok's best new music. By Neon Boonyadhammakul, designed by Anunya Chobnitas
Beam Wong and Friends Independent Independent filmmaker Beam Wong has stepped into the music scene accompanied by three of his friends. The new group ventures into experimental noise music, a niche already carved out by Gamnad 737 or Silence O. Beam Wong & Friends distinguishes itself by being milder and more accessible, its tracks resembling songs more than vague soundscapes. Give the tracks "Huu" and "Hold Me" a spin to see what we mean. Beam has promised a new track sometime this year.
BK Pick
Latest Single: "Afraid of Light" Where to listen: bit.ly/2EU5qoX
City Plant Independent Two indie-rock frontmen, Daniel "Dan" Didyasarin of Penny Time and Makara "Q" Dolsuklert of Blues Tape, have joined forces to bring the project City Plant to life. Its first single, “Minimal Speaking,” was released last August and drew comparisons to indie legends Saliva Bastards for the guitar solos. The track’s maintained a top 10 position on Cat Radio’s charts since its release. Keep your eyes out for the band’s second single, sure to drop in the coming months. Latest single: "Minimal Speaking" Where to listen: bit.ly/2DLBcFF
The 10th Saturday Independent Combining electro-pop and modern-rock sounds with vocalist Benjarat "Belle" Visitkijkarn’s sweet, clear voice has rocketed The 10th Saturday to international underground recognition in Japan, Taipei and Taiwan. Expect more of the good stuff as the band seeks to distinguish itself from similar emerging artists on the international circuit, such as Britain’s Pale Waves. Latest single: "Farewell" Where to listen: www.fb.com/the10thsat
BK Pick
Diaries
Pai Song Koo Bor Kor Sor Doo rodtoodam music Their name means “Fucking Take Me to the Bus Station,” which sets the tone for this fivepiece, cult rock band from Khon Kaen. Their grungy sound is derived from '70s rock, while their song names and lyrics are allegory for various local struggles. In "Ma Lai Yark Khub Rod Jeep (A Zebra Wanna Ride A Jeep)", they sing of the food chain’s bottom rung being held down by conservatives who won’t let them flee the Savanna for a first-world zoo. Latest Single: "Missile Love" Where to listen: www.fb.com/ PaiSongKooBorKorSorDoo
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Independent This four-piece's music falls into the neorock ‘n’ roll genre, which is bringing new sounds to an underground scene grown bored by synth rock. “Mama Says,” their catchy debut single, refuses to be pegged as either British or American rock—this band makes its own sound. Latest single: "Pink Smile" Where to listen: www.fb.com/Diariesrock
H3F(Happy Three Friends) Independent Another project by Penny Time band members gone rogue. This time it’s the guitarist Thepvipat "Gong" Prachumchonjarern and the drummer Thakorn "Max" Aunyapanon joining their old friend Thanabatr "Mhom" Somboonsith for a three-piece that specializes in a blend of blues, funk, soul and rock. Gong nails it with his smooth, commanding voice, qualities he also exhibits on the guitar. For evidence of this new band’s skills, check out their second single, "City Lights." Latest single: "City Lights" Where to listen: bit.ly/2ETeBGd
Costlywood Independent This Thai indie-rock band is as poppy as they come. The vocals (a little reminiscent of Take That's Mark Owen, weirdly) soar above the background instruments, and more than make up for the sometimes cheesy lyrics. The band’s latest single, “Maryland,” will have you listening on repeat. Latest single: "Maryland" Where to listen: www.fb.com/costlywood
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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VOTE
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BK Magazine's biggest Readers' Choice Awards ever launches next month.
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WIN! Take part and win incredible five-star hotel stays in Thailand.
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BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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cover story New Live Music Venues You Need to Visit
The Note
Independent Stoke your 2000 rock soul back to life with this pop-rock four-piece led by Purinat "Oliver" Kanchanawat. The Note’s sound is midway between Simple Plan and early-days Linkin Park. The band’s first album and its name is a dedication to their deceased bandmember, Note. Listen out for “Kickdown (We Got This)” and their upcoming EP Comeback.
De Commune
Latest single: "Comeback" Where to listen: www.fb.com/TheNoteMusic
Patchr
Comet Records With a high-pitched and melodic voice, Patchr is forging her way into the hearts of pop music enthusiasts. Produced by Casinotone, Patchr’s songs are never quite as sad as the lyrics make them out to be. In “Good Time,” catch a heartbroken girl attempting to make up with her ex. Latest Single: "Good Time" Where to listen:www.fb.com/ cometrecordsBKK
temp.
Malama Collective Early in 2017, Temp. made their name with their first single, “Moonshine,” which employs sounds from a trumpet, guitar, drums and bass, all mellowed out in a soothing melody. The music video for “Moonshine” was also chosen as Fungjai’s best music video of the year.
OrbitalXX
Independent Beatmaking duo Kompij "Tan" Petai and Natchanon "Ohm" Kamkeaw are familiar faces in the music scene for their role producing for Comet Records. They’re now performing their own electronic sets. Their deep-house beats are deftly combined with digital instruments and real guitar sounds. Latest single: "Alright" feat. Yanin Where to listen: www.fb.com/ cometrecordsBKK.
Parim
Comet Records Yanisa "Parim" Kaiyasut is no mere pop singer. Her clear voice cuts across a background of '90s-tinged, dreamy electronic pop, and is sure to liven up your day. Her debut single “La La La La” was produced by Bangkok beatmaker Casinotone and traces a breakup. Although her second track, “Say Hey,” treads the same territory, the themes are given new life by her voice. Latest single: "Say Hey" Where to listen: www.fb.com/ cometrecordsBKK
Yented
Comet Records This indie-pop band from Northern Thailand gained public recognition with the track “Dai Kae Khon Diew” (I Can Only Love You), which was featured in Thai indie film A Gas Station. Their other songs follow similarly dramatic and mopey threads. Latest single: "Winter Rain" Where to listen: www.fb.com/ yentedband
Artists' Playists
Latest single: "Motel California" Where to listen: www.fb.com/ tempdotband
De Commune Nestled in the back alleys of Thonglor, an abandoned room in Liberty Plaza has been transformed into a proper live music venue with black walls, a stage for bands, a quality (loud!) sound system and a DJ desk for electronic music nights. To top it off, drinks are cheap too (from B120). 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor).
Ku Bar With its meticulously crafted marble and blondwood bar, and even more perfectionist cocktails, this hidden Old Town haunt has forged a fervent following. Now it’s just launched nightly acoustic live sets, with a focus on more low-key improvisational jam sessions than what’s going on downstairs at pop-friendly Brown Sugar. Exect to catch acts like Tommy Hanson and Chainad Bavorntreerapak. 469 Prasumen Rd.
Maison Close This new Charoenkrung bar-slash-gallery is pushing boundaries, whether through exhibitions devoted to Japanese erotic grotesque art or hardcore noise sets from the likes of Gamnad 737. A line of ya dong cocktails and a tattoo studio upstairs complete the unique picture. 397/399 Charoenkrung Soi 45.
Noma (Now Our Mother’s Angry)
Yerm
Bird Sound Records This five-piece furthers the frontier of post-rock by mashing ambient sounds with some serious guitar solos. In its latest track, “Rest in Paradise,” the group employs recordings of wind and a campfire blaze—not your standard electroambient filler. Their knack for fading in and out and their variety of sound textures present a challenge to both the artists and the audience. Latest single: "Rest in Paradise" Where to listen: www.fb.com/ yermband
This bar/live music project from a group that includes Kawee Soontornwan of Medium Rare gig organizer (they brought in FKJ, Shura and Alt-J to name a few) breathes new life into the old home of Cosmic Cafe (RIP) on RCA. What you get is a raw and ramshackle vibe in which to get drunk and dance to indie sounds both local and international (they’re a bit obsessed with David Bowie, for starters). 21/66 RCA.
Residence De Canal The guy formerly behind Club Culture and Cafe Democ, Apichart “Tui” Chaikaew, has taken an old shop-house by a canal and turned it into a shelter for the underground electronic dance music scene. Amid a raw-cement warehouse vibe, party collectives like Mela showcase some of the city’s most progressive trance and techno. 463/72 Luk Luang Rd.
What our favorite Thai musicians are listening to right now
Korn Varasarin (24)
Daniel Didyasarin (19)
Gym & Swim
Beam Wong (25)
Fwends' bassist and a member of Mela DJ collective.
Frontman of two indie rock bands Penny Time and City Plant.
A five-piece indie pop rock band.
Who’s on his playlist: Safe Planet, Orbital XX and Telex Telexs.
Who’s on his playlist: The Young Wolf and Diaries.
An independent filmmaker and a member of experimental noise band Beam Wong and Friends.
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Who’s on their playlist: seal pillow
Who’s on his playlist: Whal&Dolph, Sasi, Milf and Beam Wong and Friends.
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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Train Smarter A local doctor teaches you how to get the most out of your workouts
The goal of exercise is to improve yourself, but it can be easier than you think to do more harm than good when hitting the gym. At the same time, getting the most out of your sweat sessions shouldn’t feel like rocket science. Recently, we sat down with Dr. Tanaporn Laprattanagul of Bumrungrad Hospital to answer some of your most common fitness questions and help you train smarter, not harder.
Are there any fitness apps you’ve come across that are useful? Why?
because it puts less pressure on your joints. For training, make sure you train two-to-three days and then take a rest day. Rest is vital if your body is going to make it through training unharmed.
If I feel sick (like a fever or cold) should I still continue my regular workout schedule? If you’re feeling sick, stop your regular workout schedule. Your body needs enough rest and sleep to get a quick recovery. Working out might aggravate things.
One of my favorites is Strava, which is nice app to track your run, ride or other activities. This app provides key statistics during each exercise. It connects easily to many devices and has large social network community to keep you inspiring during exercise. However, any apps that count your daily steps are useful. According to physical activity recommendations, you should do moderate intensity exercise 150 minutes per week or 30 minutes per day for five days and 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, or combination of both. Walk at least 10,000 steps a day, then you will start to see massive health benefits.
Does drinking caffeine have any effect on my workouts?
What are some of the most common mistakes people make when working out that cause injury?
It depends on the intensity. When you work out at moderate intensity (walking) , you are burning mostly fat. Vigorous intensity (cardio zone) use both fat and carb and more calories. Vigorous intensity therefore could help you to lose weight more and could burn calories more. That doesn’t mean high intensity workouts don’t burn fat—they do—they just burn both carbs and fat. Personally, I think running is a great way to lose weight. Both running and walking will work if you are dedicated over the long haul. It just comes down to burning more calories than you eat.
The most common mistake is trying to work out too fast and injuring your muscles as a result. If you are just starting, take it easy in the beginning—warm ups and dynamic stretching before a workout are beneficial for preventing injury. Last but not least, make sure to get the proper amount of rest. I can’t say this enough. Failure to give your body the rest it needs will lead to chronic injuries down the road.
Yes, of course. Caffeine will make your heart beat faster, which leads to faster fatigue. We recommend avoiding coffee before you go to the gym. You shouldn’t consume more than 300mg of caffeine per day—about three cups of filtered coffee.
I’ve heard that running is actually a bad way to try and lose fat. Is it true that walking is a better fat-burning exercise?
I want to train for a 5k marathon, any advice?
If I stop working out for a few months, will my muscles turn to fat?
If it is your first time, I would recommend walking and jogging during your first attempt. It takes time to reach a level where you can run the entire distance. Alternating jogging with walking will get you to that level really fast
Usually, if you stop exercising your muscles still retain the gains for about four weeks. After that, things start to decrease. The strength of your muscles will go down, and they will get smaller the longer you are inactive,
but they aren’t turning into fat. The proportion of muscle-to-fat changes, so it might look like you are getting fatter, but your muscles are smaller.
I work out right before I go to bed. Is this a good idea? Not really. Your body gets stimulated during a workout, leaving you feeling alert and energetic. This will prevent you from achieving a natural deep sleep that is so vital for recovery. If you are going to work out during the evening, make sure it is at least threeto-four hours before going to bed.
Bumrungrad International is the first Asian Joint Commission International accredited, multi-specialty hospital located in the heart of Bangkok, Thailand. Founded in 1980, it is one of the largest private hospitals in Southeast Asia, with 580 beds and over 39 specialty centers. Bumrungrad International offers state-of-the-art diagnostic, therapeutic and intensive care facilities in a one-stop medical center. www.bumrungrad.com
Brought to you by Bumrungrad International Hospital
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escapes ESSENTIALS BALI
Blue Lagoon
Strand yourself in Bali among volcanoes, temples and a dinosaur-shaped cove. By Kankanok Wichiantaanon
Kintamani
WHAT TO EAT
Nusa Penida Island
Angel's Billabong
Tirta Empul Temple
Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
Nusa Penida Island
Tirta Empul Temple
At the bottom of a valley is Goa Gajah, a cave shrine with an entrance of stone carved to resemble the mouth of a formidable giant. Once within its mouth, the elephant in the room is in fact three stone stumps representing the Hindu god Ganesh, whose image is an elephant’s head. The cave is a site of pilgrimage and meditation built in the 11th century. Nearby are bathing pools, fountains and (our favorite) mossy, flower-flanked trails that lead deep into the forest. The entrance fee is about B36/person.
Off the southeast coast of Bali is Nusa Penida, a rugged island home to many of the region’s most beautiful outdoor destinations. The island isn’t an easy visit: the tour boats are over-crowded and the poor and pitted roads (four-wheel-drive only) will jostle you the entire 40-50 minutes between sites. Is it worth the ache? Absolutely. Make your first stop at Kelingking Beach, a peninsula framed by picturesque turquoise waters and a border of white sand. If that’s not enough to occasion a visit, it also looks like a dinosaur (a brontosaurus, perhaps?). From the lookout spot there’s a 150-meter cliff hike down to the waterside, but with its flimsy fence and precipitous drops, we’d say it’s not for the faint-hearted. Get a guide if you intend to make the descent. A 45-minute ride from the dinosaur peninsula is Angel’s Billabong, another uniquely-formed bit of coastline. Here, a semi-collapsed cliff, called “the broken beach,” has created a beautiful emerald lagoon. In the clear blue waters below the limestone cliffs you can see passing squadrons of manta rays. The local dive tours can get you close to the creatures, an affordable and supposedly-safe experience. To get to the island, boats run from Sanur’s pier and cost around B950 round-trip (one-day advanced booking is recommended). Once on the island, book a day tour with a personal guide/driver for about B750/person. We recommend Experience Nusa Penida Tour (www.experiencenusapenidatour.wordpress.com).
Possibly Bali’s busiest tourist spot, this temple stands shrouded by a lush green forest. It’s referred to as the “Holy Water Spring” for its two rectangular pools in the central courtyard, a staple image of any Bali-related search. Each of the 30 spouts that feed the pools is said to carry a unique healing effect, from soul purification to exorcism to creating a general propensity for prosperity. As such, you’ll regularly catch the locals participating in bathing rituals. In the inner courtyard are another pool and a number of shrines to various Hindu gods. You can join the locals in a ritual involving water and holy rice presented to you by the temple’s priests. It’s a soothing experience that seems to draw from some well of Balinese tranquility buried deep at the core of the island. Entry is B35.
Kintamani Kintamani, a village in northeast Bali, is 1,500m above sea level, affording it a dramatic view of Mount Batur, an active volcano, and a lake of the same name at its base. Kintamani is cold year-round, and being so far-flung, it isn’t on the standard tourist circuit. It’s a quiet place appropriate for quiet activities, like day hikes and pensive evenings on a hotel terrace. We recommend staying at the Lakeview Hotel (goo.gl/CFJmip), where all the rooms have a volcano view and you can breakfast with the backdrop of a golden sunrise. Rooms start at B2,000/night. Note: Mount Batur neighbors Mount Agung, which recently erupted. Both volcanos are active, so check the conditions before your trip.
As with any country, the key to finding good food is the locals. Ask your guides or hotel staff to help you avoid ending up at some tourist trap. Our picks for local dishes are ikan bakar (whole fish marinated in sambal sauce and grilled to a crisp), gado-gado (vegetables and tofu with sweet peanut sauce) and nasi campur (a combo of dishes packed on one plate usually consisting of rice, sate skewers, curries and boiled eggs—perfect for when you want to try a lot of things in one go).
WHERE TO STAY
The Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (www.fourseasons.com/sayan) is tucked in amid greenery and rice paddies, and offers an alluring blend of Balinese architecture and modern design. Room rates start at B12,900/night. Situated on a hillside overlooking the Ayung River Valley is the Royal Pita Maha (www.royalpitamaha-bali.com), which has luxury villas from B15,000/night. On the more affordable end, check out Airbnb for rooms starting at just B800.
Uluwatu Temple The name Uluwatu comes from “Ulu,” for head, and “watu,” meaning rock, together an appropriate name for this region of high cliffs. The Hindu temple here is perched on such a precipice, 80 meters above the sea. Getting to the temple requires braving a steep forest staircase flanked by naughty monkeys. Make the trip in the evening to catch the sunset and the daily Balinese dance performance, from 6 to 7pm, called kecak. The entry fee is about B70/person.
GETTING THERE
Flights with Lion Air are approximately B3,700 round-trip to Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar).
TIPS Where not to go TEGALLANG
KUTA BEACH
The rice terraces of Tegallalang, Gianyar are just that, stepped plots of rice. It’s ready-made for tourists, costing B23 to get in, and consisting of a number of photo-friendly fields. If you insist on going, arrive before 9am to beat the crowds.
Bali’s main beach drag is like Pattaya but with surfing. Everything is a reminder of the Thai coastal town, from the streets of bars, clubs and souvenir shops to the unflattering seafront lined by concrete. Well, maybe there’s one good thing about the place: cheap hotels.
UBUD MONKEY FOREST
A tourist trap built only for that social media stamp of attendance. Tegallang
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CRISPY CHICKEN As much as you'll hear locals say, "You go to Crispy-Chicken!" don't go. Supposedly operated by tour companies, this local diner does deep-fried chicken that’s as dry as a bone.
GETTING AROUND
Bali’s sights are spread out, requiring some form of transportation, whether a rental motorbike or car, or a travel tour. Tours come with a car and guide/driver, with gas included. We did a four-day trip with Teddy Tour (teddybalitour. com), with one driver and a big van for a total cost of B6,000.
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ESCAPE ROUTES By Kankanok Wichiantanon
CHINA
Secret Garden It took uber-luxury resort brand Aman over a decade to relocate the 50 Ming and Qing dynasty homes which make up the newly opened Amanyangyun resort (www.aman.com/resorts/amanyangyun) to a 1,000-year-old camphor forest just outside downtown Shanghai. Here, Aman has transformed them into just 26 villas and suites—starting from a hefty B25,700/night. Thick stone walls give way to interiors of warm bamboo, each with its own private courtyard and fireplace, while the central Nan Shufang building lets you try out ancient Chinese crafts. Learn the art of the tea ceremony and how to write calligraphy before taking a walk among the landscape of lakes and forests. Or just wake late and check into the Aman spa, which includes a Russian banya and a hammam.
CHIANG MAI
Shades of Gray Instagram darling Graph Cafe (www. fb.com/graphonenimman) has a new spot at One-Nimman, and it seems they’ve drawn from the mood board of the Soviet Union. "Industrial" here finds its dour extreme in raw cinderblock walls and dim, hanging lightbulbs. It’s also undeniably cool, as the counterculture clientele can attest to. Like its other branch, the coffee comes from farms in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Not-tomiss concoctions are the Lost Garden (a nitrogen-brew coffee infused with rose water, B125) and the Over Land (espresso mixed with orange and ginger ale, B125). The drinks pair well with the golden, custard-stuffed Cruffin (cross a croissant with a muffin), which is certainly more decadent than anything you’d encounter in the old USSR. All baked goods are from Find Coffee, Graph’s sibling cafe in Suthep district.
PHETCHABURI
Cabin in the Woods S h ro u d e d i n t h e l u s h g re e n countryside of Phetchaburi are the eight cabins of Riverbed Cabin Resort (riverbedcabins.com). The cabins are built with Russian teakwood, have a Scandinavian minimalism to them and come in four types: A B and C, which includes a bedroom, a kitchen, a dining area and a sofa that can turn into a queen-sized bed price starts at B4,200; and D that is a studio for B3,600. Wake up to yoga on the riverbank or join the outdoor body combat class, which, conducted to a pumped-up playlist, the resort calls a “healthy party.” Swim in the large pool that looks out onto the river and dine at the poolside restaurant that specializes in barbecue and seafood.
RATCHABURI
Time Out
Next time you take a day trip out to sleepy Ratchaburi, find your way to Mali Cafe & Cuisine (www.fb.com/malicafeandcuisine). Amid arched windows, neutral-pastel tones and Thai motifs, the shelves are stocked with packaged sweet things while the all-day menu boasts an array of Thai and fusion dishes. Favorites include the colorful khanom jeen (fermented rice noodles, B130) made from seven different herbs and served with green curry, and the dark brown kai pa lo (a five-spice, palm sugar, egg and tofu soup, B89). On the fusion end, the fermented Thai sausage spaghetti with crispy tuna (B120) packs an umami punch. You can’t go wrong with the dessert of lot chong (pandan-colored, rice-flour droplets in coconut milk, B55) topped with flower-shaped purple sweet potato and coconut ice-cream.
02-712-7817
nuvolacaffebkk nuvolacaffebkk #nuvolacaffebkk
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Special Valentine’s dinner at Nuvola Caffe Milanese. Show this advertisement to our staffs to get free complimentary until end of February 2018.
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avenue LIBRARY
Newly Minted The former money-printing facility of the Bank of Thailand has been reinvented as the Learning Center, constituting a roomy library, a co-working space and a museum. Renovating the old high-security building that overlooks the Chao Phraya River and the Rama VIII Bridge took four years, an undertaking aided by Creative Crews, the designers of TCDC Khon Kaen. The new public space is home to a highly-digitized, economics and finance-heavy library, and has meeting rooms for rent. You also won’t find the pedestrian pours of Starbucks or Amazon Coffee here—the resident coffee shop is Pacamara. Entry is free, though they’ll eventually introduce membership packages. 273 Samsen Rd. www.bot.or.th. Open daily 9:30am-8pm
SPA
FASHION
MUSEUM
Tea Zone
Scaling Up
Wild Beasts
Ari has a new, affordable spa that specializes in tea-based treatments. Chaari Spa, which follows on the heels of last year’s Calm Spa opening, is located on the second floor of Ari’s new A-One, a hipster hangout of retail spaces built around a dining courtyard. Chaari’s decorated in soothing, neutral tones with blue porcelain accents. On top of the typical spa offerings (Thai massage for B490), Chaari has a special menu of tea-centric therapies, from the 90-minute Cha Thai Relaxing (B950), which includes a herbal massage and a Thai massage, to the 120-minute Deep Tea Diver (B2,250), which involves a scrub and a soothing body treatment. 2/F, A-one, Ari Soi 1, 02-0779967. Open daily 10am-10pm
In celebration of a decade in Thailand, Pleats Please Issey Miyake, the brand behind the ubiquitous origami bag, has launched a Bangkok-exclusive collection called “Mede-Tai.” Translated roughly as “lucky [or kind of wealthy] fish,” this collection’s printed designs are meant to resemble the red scale of a snapper, but also look pleasantly floral. The patterns are also available in black and gold, which complement the white pleated background fabric. Styles include a dress, a skirt and a jacket, or, if the whole-body fish-scale look is too much for you, go with the pleated pouch bag. Only available at Pleats Please Issey Miyake, G/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd. 02-021-2142. Open daily 10am-10pm
Chang Chui’s Insta-famous centerpiece is now an out-there museum. The disused airplane at Thonburi’s hip creative hub now goes by the name of Na-Oh. But don’t expect exhibitions dedicated to aerospace or aviation—instead, the plane comes stuffed with rare taxidermy, from a gigantic polar bear to African chamois (a species of goat-antelope) and boar to baboon. Without any accompanying captions or information, it’s admittedly not much of an educational venue, but it sure makes for a photo opp worth crossing the river for. Entry is B100 for adults and B50 for students. Starting Valentine’s Day (Feb 14), you’ll also be able to dine among the beasts when Na-Oh starts operating as a restaurant welcoming guest chefs. 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. Open Thu-Tue, 11am-11pm. 081-817-2888. www.fb.com/ChangChuiBKK
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avenue FASHION
All in the Details We don't know what's worse when it comes to formal-wear: standing out or blending in. Find the sweet-spot between both with these understated accessories. By Kasidit Srivilai
Silk-jacquard tie, Prada, B5,800 Puzzle clutch, Loewe, B17,500
Pochette Voyage clutch, Louis Vuitton, B27,500
Gold watch, Micheal Kors, B8,700
Penny loafers, Mango Mojito, B7,700
Cufflinks, Paul Smith, B8,700
Leather belt with snake buckle, Gucci, B22,250
Essentials Beams. 2/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.
Silk-twill pocket square, BySton, B2,350
BySton. Available at www.wministry. com Clothiers Ekkamai. Available at www. onionbkk.com
Multi-color cardholder, Lapas, B4,900
Zegna
Givenchy. G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. Lapas. 2/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. Loewe. G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. Louis Vuitton. G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.
Enamel district pin, Clothiers Ekkamai, B250 Reversible belt, Givenchy, B23,500
Micheal Kors. G/F, Central Chidlom, Phloen Chit Rd. Contrast-toe brogues, Prada, B28,400
Prada. G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. Zegna. G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.
TIPS Accessorize like a pro with this advice from men's style experts
NARONG KETKAEW, DESIGNER OF NARONG
“It depends on the event you go to. For me, if it’s a gala dinner, of course, you’re going to have to wear a tuxedo and the shirt is going to need cufflinks that match with your pocket square. For shoes, I like patent leather because it’s kind of more glamorous. Velvet slip-ons are another good option, but make sure they’re the same color as your bow tie.”
JINGJO PATIPAT, FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER
CHANIN FAIKUN, OWNER OF PARKING LOT
“The colors and patterns of ties or pocket squares are key for each formal look. They show that you have an eye for detail. A grey blazer can look more stylish with the little accent of a red pocket square. Shoes are key. Whether you’re tall or short, I think laces with just half-inch heels can do no wrong.”
"The clutch is a way to have fun while remaining formal. Personally, I think if you play it safe with the other components of your outfit, you should go big with the clutch. It’s like carrying a little piece of art. Loewe under JW Anderson has designed a good, artsy men's clutch, too."
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bites & blends POP-UP
Glowing Reception Entering new pop-up Thai restaurant 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. Two Thai head chefs present a set menu (B2,400 for five courses) of deconstructed traditional dishes like miang dok bua with kapi (spicy shrimp paste in a lotus petal wrap), while a cocktail team formerly at Ku De Ta and Morimoto pours drinks such as the Farmer’s Delight (B280): spice-infused Sangsom, raspberry syrup and egg white. The restaurant is only temporary, though, with a planned lifespan of 18 months—the same as a firefly. Kamphaengphet Soi 7, Petchburi Rd., 091-979-6226
EVENT
CAFE
NEW CHEF
Walk the Talk
Purple Power
Manhattan to Bangkok
If you work in the food and booze industry, you’ll want to be at the {Re} Food Forum this Mar 19-20, when 40 food industry leaders from around the world will be giving talks on food waste and sustainability. If you don’t work in F&B, you’ll want to be there because lunch is served up by Those Fcuking Chefs—a local dream team whose members include chef Van of Rarb, chef Black of Blackitch, chef Nhoom from Samuay and Sons and chef Naphol from 80/20—who’ll be doing a feast on Monday made up of weekend brunch leftovers. Behind the event are Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava and Dylan Jones of Bo.lan, together with Asian-based food and travel journalist Leisa Tyler. B1,700/ one-day pass, B3,000/two-day pass. The Residence, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, 02-260-2926. www.re-take.asia
One of Bangkok’s favorite nutritionists, Savita "May" Sresthaporn, aka Ms Happy Diet, has launched her own superfood cafe in Siam Paragon. Acai Story, named for the purple superfood, is an open space washed in soft pink. On the menu are smoothie bowls made from frozen acai pulp, rather than the powdered acai found elsewhere, lauded by experts like the Institute for Integrative Nutrition in America for containing so many antioxidants. Sizes and toppings vary, but our favorite is The Unstoppabowl (B165), made of granola, fresh fruit, cacao nibs, chia seeds and goji berries, all topped with house-made chocolate sauce. For a simpler snack, go for the plain acai smoothie for B215. B/F, EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Rd., 098-8598747. Open daily 10am-10pm. BTS Phrom Phong
Tribeca’s renovated space shakes off its old brunchy, Sunday airs for a stern, industrial look that’s truer to its New York City namesake. Taking up the reins in the kitchen is Suradit “Dit” Chansrichawla, an alumnus of London’s Le Cordon Bleu who spent a few months at London’s Michelin-starred Benares. Big on the evening menu are varieties of risotto, our favorite of which comes with pulled lamb, garden peas and fragrant saffron (B520). For the mains, we recommend the succulent wagyu short ribs with heirloom carrots and a red wine demi-glace (B690). Of course, you have to get the New York Cheesecake (B220) that comes with strawberry sorbet. G/F, Nihonmura, 85 Thonglor Soi 13, 02-712-9209. Open Tue-Fri 11am-11pm; Sat-Sun 9am-11pm
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bites TRENDS
Break Down! Some of our favorite chefs deconstruct their latest experiments in fermentation—the incredible, foodie science of making ingredients taste even more awesome. By Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon
Phed Phed
80/20
100 Mahaseth
Chalermpon “Van” Rohitratana
Garima Arora
Rarb
The dish: Quail egg (part of the tencourse tasting menu, B2,200). What goes in it: Beef garum with quail egg in a takoyaki grill pan. How it works: Garum is fish sauce that’s been used as a food condiment since ancient Greece. At Gaa, Thai beef is fermented with salt and a koji starter for 8-12 months to break down the protein into amino acids, which gives it an umami taste.
The dish: Grilled koji beef with wild betel leaf and spicy paste (B340). What goes in it: Beef shoulder from Surin smeared with a mix of fish sauce and koji rice for six hours, then chilled for two nights. Eat it with star gooseberry paste and pickled wasabi tinged with finger root and coconut sugar. How it works: Koji rice pulls out the umami taste, breaks down the tissue and tenderizes the protein, almost as if it’s been dry-aged. 49 Phra Athit Rd., 081-406-3773. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight
Gaa
68/4 Soi Lang Suan, 091-419-2424. Open daily 6-11:30pm. BTS Phloen Chit
Rarb
Gaa
Nattaphong “Tom” Saehu
Napol “Joe” Jantraget
Chalee Kader
80/20
100 Mahaseth
Phed Phed
The dish: Buffalo tartare (B400). What goes in it: Northern-style fermented soy beans with herbs, mixed with raw, chopped buffalo meat and vinegar. It’s served with goat horn chilies and crushed buffalo skin crackling chips. How it works: Soy beans are fermented with koji powder and herbs for 45 hours, which blends well with the tanginess of grape vinegar and the unique whiff of buffalo meat.
The dish: Fermented pork ribs (B250). What goes in it: Whole pork ribs from Sloane’s, specifically the part adjoining the pork belly, which are fermented with cooked rice, and seasoned with coriander root and garlic. How it works: Using the traditional Isaan fermentation method for naem (sour pork sausage), Chalee ferments the meat for a week. The added sugar helps the protein break down, while the cooked rice gives it a pleasantly mouthwatering sourness. He also makes his own dried meat and fish sauce from Siam mud carp and salt, fermented for about six months in-house at 100 Mahaseth.
The dish: Pad plara songkreung (B135). What goes in it: Stir-fried plara chunks with herbs and spices like lemongrass and kaffir lime. How it works: Phed Phed is among the few Thai restaurants that makes its own plara (fermented fish) Nakorn Panom-style (in which young rice bran is added in the fermentation process) instead of buying watery fresh market kinds. There are three kinds of plara in Nakorn Panom, with a different use. The one used for pad plara songkreung is fermented for almost a year as a solid chunk, which is preferable to a liquid because you get bite of true plara.
1052-1054 Charoen Krung Rd., 087-5931936. Open Wed-Sun 6pm-midnight; Mon 6pm-midnight
Phahon Yothin Soi 8, 097-918-1175. Open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm. BTS Ari
100 Mahaset Rd., 02-235-0023. Open daily 6-11pm
BK ASKS What’s the big fuss about fermentation? Chef Phanuphon “Black” Bulsuwan’s peers know him as the local master of fermentation techniques. Here, the 34-year-old chef-owner of Blackitch Artisan Kitchen in Chiang Mai breaks down the process. How did you get into fermentation? For decades, my family made shrimp paste, fish sauce and vinegar for sale in Rayong. My aunt is certified as a professor regarding research into enzymes and alternative medicines. I started making my own products with miso five years ago. What do people misunderstand about fermentation? People are taught to eat freshly cooked food, so they see fermentation as lower-class stuff not fit
for civilized people. They also think fermented products are too acidic and not good for your intestine. None of that’s true. There are various methods to ferment stuff, and they’re good as long as they’re chemical free. It’s about food preservation. Parma ham or other dried meats are other examples of preserved foods. Is it true that fermentation concentrates the benefits of the ingredients? It’s true and I believe the best way to do it is to ferment with vinegar. The fermentation process breaks the matter into smaller parts so that your body can absorb it more easily and instantly use it. But too much of something can be bad, so you should know how much to eat and what to eat it
with. Very sour pieces, for example, should be eaten with honey to reduce the acidity. What people should know before attempting fermentation at home? Hygiene is the most important part. You need to observe for mold or abnormal changes in color. If you’re not sure about a change or a weird-colored mold growing, you can check if it’s safe to be eaten at any lab at any of the universities. This is how I check, too. You should also keep your fermented goods away from sunlight to prevent active mold growing, unless of course you’re fermenting sundried meat. Nimmanhemin Soi 7, 092-587-9979. Open daily 11am-2pm, 6-10pm
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blends BK ASKS
Beer Pros Pick their Favorite Thai IPAs
TASTE TEST
Thai PA We put locally brewed IPA beers to a blind taste test. By BK Staff
RUAN LIM, OWNER OF BOTTLES OF BEER AND BOTTLES OF BOOZE
“The Bootleg Brothers Peek a Brew IPA. I think it’s easy to drink, flavorful and, most of all, consistent in terms of taste and quality.”
A
Lamzing Saur Ground IPA, ABV 6.1% A
Price: B200 at bars and supermarkets citywide
B
RUNNER UP
From the Ungsriwong brothers, who have been experimenting with growing hops themselves, comes this well-balanced beer with a woody, vanilla and coffee finish. This brew won the Beer Camp: Fightclub 2016 competition, organized by Yaksa Brewery. A couple of tasters objected to the hint of saltiness, but the one writer who disliked the Lamzing found this drink, with its many characters, more agreeable. Price: B200 at Dog Step (The Beacon Place, Sukhumvit Soi 50, 094-695-4619) or B210 on tap at Mash (Soi Convent, 089-692-5666)
B
Bootleg Brothers Peek a Brew IPA C
BK PICK!
With its fruity and hoppy aroma, this was the hands-down winner (with the exception of one dissenting writer). Some might find it too bitter, or maybe too simple, but we liked its light body and smooth, citrusy, summery flavor—a beer we could order again and again.
Devanom Ippo Pale Ale, ABV 6.2%
E
D
C
NEW
F
Full Moon Chatri IPA, ABV 5.2% E
A newcomer to the Thai craft beer market, this three-month-old brew came recommended by Ruan Lim, owner of Bottles of Beer and Bottles of Booze. A few tasters described it as a “real IPA” for its rich amber color and bracing bitterness. It has a heady, mixed-fruit aroma and a salty complexity.
From one of the earliest breweries on the Thai craft beer scene comes a beer with wide appeal and recognition. It’s a lighter gold than the others on the list, is only mildly bitter and goes down too easy. As one taster put it, “It’s a craft beer for those new to craft beers,” which is to say, nothing about it stands out.
Price: B207 at Bottles of Beer (Sukhumvit Soi 34, 02-040-0473)
Price: B200 at bars and supermarkets citywide
Happy New Beer IPA, ABV 6.7%
F
D
YUCK!
According to Ted Ahn, owner of Changwon Express, this IPA is the all-time favorite of Thai customers. We found it monolithically bitter, lacking the compromising fruitiness and complexity of the other brews on our list. Here’s a pick for the bitter IPA purists, but we prefer something with a more diverse profile. Price: B200 at bars and supermarkets citywide
PHAPANANYA “KAIMOOK” ASAWISARAPORN, OWNER OF DOG STEP
“Outlaw. The body, texture and aroma are so well balanced and the beer is consistently of high quality.”
Soon-tree-ya, ABV 8%
Our nightlife writer stumbled upon this homebrew at Dog Step and more or less fell in love. The rest of us were less enamored. For an IPA, it’s not bitter at all, and has a ferment-y savoriness that gets up your nose. It tastes like it was brewed with tap water, and despite its sweetness has an aroma that’s all alcohol. Price: B200 at Dog Step (The Beacon Place, Sukhumvit Soi 50, 094-695-4619)
All beers tasted blind by BK staff. We were going to include Sandport but, at the time of writing, it was sold out nationwide.
JARADWAN AMRATISHA, OWNER OF O’GLEE
“Eleventh Fort because the hops smell very nice and it’s well balanced. This is an easy drinking beer for all occasions.”
ON THE BAR Penthouse Bar + Grill Rooftop
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The buzz: The much-anticipated, garden rooftop of 2017’s hottest new hotel, Park Hyatt, is finally open as part of the three-floor Penthouse Bar + Grill.
against the city’s best rooftop bars, looking out at the skyline in one direction and back onto the Nai Lert House and the British Embassy in the other.
considering the ambiance, with the hummus and pita bread going for B240, the beef tartare for B360 and the panko prawns with wasabi mayo for B580.
The decor: Located at the tiptop of the hotel, this elegant space is necessarily exclusive, only able to accommodate 80 guests. What will immediately catch your eye (and perhaps confuse you) is the bar counter. In a reversal of standard service, the bartenders here craft the drinks with their backs to you. It’s disconcerting at first, but goes well with the vertigo. The seating arrangements are divided into traditional dining tables, hewn of dark wood, or bar-style armchairs with coffee tables. The view holds up
The drinks: The rooftop has its own signature menu of four sophisticated cocktails (all B360), but you’re free to order from the grill and bar below, too. The same goes with the wine list (from B320/glass), meaning there’s no reason not to pass up sunset at this open-air spot. Our favorite was the Le Pierriot cocktail, made of Cointreau, lemon, a red wine reduction, Thomas Henry tonic and Pernod, which adds a satisfying twist to a very smooth drink.
The crowd: A medley of tourists and upper-class types with an air of being accustomed to life’s finer things. Why you should care: The three floors of this venue come together in the very definition of elegance. Everything is perfectly calibrated: design, menu and service. On top of which, it’s affordable. Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj
TED AHN, OWNER OF CHANGWON EXPRESS
“Happy New Beer IPA. It’s also our Thai customers’ all-time favorite as they love the slightly fruity, not-too-bitter taste.”
36/F, Park Hyatt, 88 Wireless Rd., 02-012-1234. Open daily 5:30pm-midnight. BTS Phloen Chit
The food: Snacks off the Grill’s menu. They’re not unaffordable,
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bites FOOD REVIEWS
Soba Factory
HHHHH
Japanese, G/F, Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen’s Park, Sukhumvit Soi 22, 02-0595555. F BBB
You’re in good hands at Soba Factory: Chef Mizuho Nagao, the hands behind the hand-made noodles, brings 23 years of experience to his craft. As if that weren’t adequate pedigree, he also comes from a family that makes soba for Japan’s royal family. His restaurant in the Marriott Marquis used to be twice as big, but has given over half its space to Goji Kitchen + Bar. The reduction might not have been a bad change, because dining at Soba Factory now makes you feel like you’re the center of attention. The staff members are poised, attentive and never invasive. Similarly, the noodles taste like they are made just for you. And in a way, they are. The chef kneads and cuts fresh batches of soba daily, using 80- to 100-percent buckwheat. For the buckwheat purists, the
Broken Eggs
HHHHH
Spanish. 112/7 SukhumvitSoi 63 (Ekkamai), 02-047-7811. Open daily 5-11pm. BBB
After morphing from a street-side tapas stall in Phra Khanong’s W District into a full-on standalone restaurant deep down Ekkamai in August, 2017, Broken Eggs still holds its down-to-earth appeal. You can hear the pumping sounds of old-school hip-hop fused with Latin beats as you approach its large window-clad door— passing the old, empty food stall that hints at the venue’s teeth-cutting days. A concrete bar, tall wood and steel chairs, and a massive octopus painting on the wall contribute to the no-frills vibe that draws groups of expats—from Bangkok’s Spanish crowd to Japanese salarymen and food writers—to knock back cheap house-made sangria (B160/glass, B320/jug), G&Ts (from B220), craft beers (from B200) and a predictably decent selection of Spanish wine (from B240). In fact, if Broken Eggs stopped selling food altogether it might make a pretty good watering hole—sans any real cocktails. But those same expats also come from across town to run through its modest
100-percent variety is an extra B100, but they’re only recommended for cold soba, the noodle being too soft when served hot. Your soba arrives al dente, and you’re recommended to eat it within a few minutes. Served plain (B290 for 80 -percent buckwheat), it’s firm but light and fresh. The hot soba with duck (B445) comes with a spicy, tangy yuzu herb paste to beautifully cut through a savory soup made fatty with oil off the duck skin. In fact, we can’t think of any better soba in Bangkok. If you’re one for side dishes and infinite set-meal combinations, then yes, Azuma is cheaper. But when it comes to quality, Soba Factory is in a league above. As is often the case with places that do one thing sensationally, the rest kind of fe e l s l i k e a n af te r t h o u g h t . T h e tsukune (chicken meatballs, B75) from the yakitori (grilled chicken) side of the restaurant have a lovely smokiness and are perfectly juicy, but lack any substantial flavor. We don’t recommend the beef tongue (B150) skewers, either, which have an overcooked, cardboard-like texture. But the clue’s in the name: you come to Soba Factory for soba—and on that point, we’re completely sold.
list of classic tapas. None of it is going to blow you away, though. Although sufficient for light bar bites, you can hardly taste any Iberico ham in the croquetas (potato fritters with ham, B200), which is disappointing for a simple tapas staple. The grilled octopus with potato puree and paprika (B380) also falls into OK-but-nothing-special category with flesh that’s slightly too chewy and a heap of onions that’s more-or-less meant to be pushed aside. Its namesake dish, broken eggs (fries, a smashed egg and your choice of chorizo, shrimp or mushrooms, B220), is a bit greasy, but with all those plump chunks of juicy chorizo it’s hard to care—we approve. You can see Galician-born chef Jacobo Astray plating away in the corner, slicing fresh pieces of Iberico ham and bouncing around from table to table playing host. This definitely adds to Broken Eggs’ charm, but he and the kitchen can get overwhelmed at times and slow down the service team, who are generally on the ball, friendly and attentive. If all of this sounds too critical, it shouldn’t. Broken Eggs has more high points than lows—the sizzling and fresh gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp, B210) is a definite high point, same with the flaky pastry-wrapped beef cheek (B320). If you want to have your expectations redefined, this isn’t your spot. If you want good gastro tapas and a splash of booze in a comfy, upbeat setting, make the trek.
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.
After its success with branches in 8 Thonglor and All Seasons Place, Sushi Cyu is now open to the masses at CentralWorld. Unlike the other two branches. the CentralWorld location solely focuses on omakase with highlight ingredients like Honmaguro (bluefin tuna), Uni (sea urchin), Kinmedai (golden eye sea bream) and other seasonally selected fish and seafood from Japan. Sushi Cyu's a la carte offering is also very strong, offering up a Japan's “greatest hits”
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menu of sorts with classics like teriyaki and tempura. Why it’s exciting: Sushi Cyu CentralWorld clocks in at one of the most affordable omakase experiences in Bangkok (B1,850/10 courses), but still imports much of its produce from Japan to get the job done. If you’ve been itching to try your first omakase dinner, this is as safe a bet as any. 3/F, Atrium Zone. CentralWorld
1/19/2561 BE 4:40 PM
Symbols
H Reservations recommended F Parking E Dress requirements G Live music
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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1/22/18 5:41 PM
bites
OPEN DOOR
Blunos
Creative comfort food from a former two-Michelin-star chef.
The buzz: British chef Martin Blunos, of formerly-two-Michelin-starred Lettonie and Blinis restaurants (both now closed) and repeated appearances on Iron Chef UK , has moved to Bangkok, where he now helms this eponymous restaurant. The decor: Take in the breeze and view from this restaurant’s poolside perch on the 14th floor of the Eastin Grand Hotel. The furniture keeps it modern but casual, and words of encouragement (Tuck In, Chomp, Nosh) are stamped across the wood wall framing the semi-open kitchen. Wed-Sun from 7pm onwards you’ll find a resident DJ spinning upbeat tracks. The food: The menu sounds deceptively simple, given that the walrus-mustached chef himself helms the kitchen. The playful preparations center around international comfort
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food in portions ample for sharing. The Fisherman (B1,200) is a generous seafood platter piled high with milk-poached snow fish, grilled prawns, oak-smoked salmon mousse and cured herring. His lobster roll (a relative steal at B490), meanwhile, spotlights bouncy, garlic butter-poached Canadian lobster in a buttery and garlic brioche along with a lightly-whipped orange mayonnaise. More fun can be had with the Peking duck pizza (B570), smeared with oyster sauce, and the onion marmalade-topped snack pizza (B110). Don’t miss our favorite, the juicy braised pork belly in apple juice with pork skin fritter and spiced chickpeas (B500 or B650 with Strongbow cider). Wrap up a hearty meal by gambling on the Chocolate Roulette (B280): which of the six pastry buns hides a mouthful of spicy chocolate ganache?
The drinks: Refreshing and fruity, like the passion fruit mojito (B280) or Mango Power (B240), where tart, fresh yogurt is blended to balance the sweet fruit. Classy, bubbly brunch drinks like the Kir Royal and the Bellini go for B320, while wine starts from B220/glass. Why we’d come back: Reasonable prices, excellent and approachable dishes and a weekend vibe on any day of the week. And unlike the other imported names, the chef here actually works the kitchen. Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon 14/F, Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, South Sathorn Rd., 02-210-8100. Open daily 9am-midnight. BTS Surasak
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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1/22/18 5:38 PM
LeTao Cafe
Witty Ville
Deksomboon
NEW AND NOTED
New Blue Ari’s scone master Witty Ville (Ari Soi 1, 094-639-3653) finally has an appearance to match its obsession with the British pastry. The new facade ditches the rustic, farmhouse look for a classy blue-paneled exterior to satisfy your inner Anglophile. The pastry menu is as good as ever, featuring daily-baked scones (B55/piece) that are buttery and soft but never dry. They come in 10 options including Nutella, apricot, orange blossom, cranberry, bacon and cheese, and the plain favorite served with clotted cream and jam.
Take a Seat Japan’s Otaru-hailing cheesecake specialist LeTao (1/F, Central Ladprao, Ladprao Rd., 085-244-3480) has opened a sit-down cafe, its first since it started selling in Bangkok in 2015. The velvety slices begin at B175, or as a set of three for B495. Choose between original flavor, choco-
TABLE TALK late, baked cheesecake, cheese with strawberry, matcha, melon and Potiron Double (pumpkin). The freshly-tossed and fluffy souffle pancake (B280-365) is new, and comes with toppings like vanilla ice cream and whipped cream. A side of steamy strawberry tea is B95.
Saucy Sweets It turns out that black soy sauce goes well with anything. By anything, we mean khao mun gai, stir-fried noodles and, in a recent innovation, ice cream. Dek Somboon (501 Yaowarat Rd., 02-674-7999) has introduced a line of soy sauces for use with sweets and desserts. To prove their point, they installed a machine that churns out soft serve flavored with the stuff. More than that, the dessert is topped with more of the gooey, sweet-and-savory sauce. As a dairy-free alternative, try the plum sorbet. Both flavors available for B15. Wanvida Jiralertpaiboon
Haoma 231/3 Sukhumvit Soi 31, 061-460-5441, 022-584-744. Open daily 6:00-10:30pm. MRT Sukhumvit Haoma is equal parts urban farm and modern fine-dining restaurant. Its backyard garden grows a vast number of different edible greens for use in the kitchen, which turns out immaculately plated offerings like Hungarian goulash (made with Angus beef), butternut squash and croquettes and a caprese-like salad with in-house fresh made burrata and balsamic-fermented tapioca. Haoma’s bold urban farm and zero-waste dining is enough to warrant a trip. Exclusively for Citi credit card members. Get 10% discount on food only when spending THB 2,000 or more /sales slip Today – 30 Jun ’18
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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1/22/18 5:38 PM
now MON Swoon On A British indie-pop group has B angkok’s live music- goers swooning. And no, it’s not Liam Gallagher (we’ve said enough about his showing), but the xx, who are bringing their dreamy R’n’B-influenced songs to Thunderdome Muang Thong Thani on Jan 29. See our interview, see on page 24.
SAT Big Two A week doesn’t go by that we don’t have an occasion to celebrate something happening at Beam. The venue’s been a hotspot of must-go performances in its two short years of being around, which, actually, is what they’ll be celebrating on Jan 27. Returning for the occasion is the DJ that headlined their opening night: Jacques Greene.
SAT Open Warehouse Artist collective and gallery YELO House is hosting Dreamers Market, a creative fair with products from local designers on Jan 26. More than an opportunity to accent your wardrobe, take this as an invitation to explore the converted warehouse’s current exhibitions while the place is still under-the-radar cool.
SAT Make it New Bangkok Design Week: a week when the hip hordes of TCDC finally leave their Charoenkrung stronghold for creative markets, art exhibitions and cultural-appreciation block parties across the city. The theme this year is “The New-ist Vibes,” with events taking place on Jan 27-Feb 4 across a number of MRT- and BTS-accessible districts. Visit fb.com/BangkokDesignWeek for further information.
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SAT Make a Wish When a brewery throws a party, you can bet the beer’s going to be fresh. Mikkeller’s celebrating its 3rd year in Bangkok on Jan 27 with a flown-in crate of Mikkeller, Warpigs and Alefarm, and that’s on top of their stellar taplist. First 200 customers at the noon-onwards bash get free beers. Go on then.
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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1/22/18 6:35 PM
now NIGHTLIFE
LIVE MUSIC
Bad Taste Cafe
Stylish Nonscense
Noxro
Martin Garrix
FLASH FRIDAYS RESIDENT DJ LAUNCH PARTY
BAD TASTE CAFE: THE GRAND OPENING
A NIGHT OF SMOOTH FUNKY JAZZ AT LUNA LOUNGE
DJ Knatz spins an electronic music setlist. Jan 26, 9pm. Ce La Vi, 39/F, Sathorn Square Complex, 98 Sathorn Rd., 02-108-2000. Free.
The vaporwave bar and cafe throws a launch party with food, local craft beers, PS4 games and DJ sets. Jan 27, 9pm. Bad Taste Cafe, 24/36 Lad Phrao Soi 21. Free.
Sukhumvit's swanky new cocktail bar hosts live jazz from local talents. Tickets TBA. Jan 31, 9pm. Luna Lounge, 6/1 Sukhumvit Soi 22.
DJ PICHY (QUAY REC)
A night of upbeat jazz, soul and funk through to old-school hip-hop and bass. Jan 26, 9pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-261-6661. Free. LA BOUM: '80S & '90S DISCO NIGHT
DJ Yvan Polge fills the room with sounds from the '80s and '90s. Tickets TBA. Jan 26, 9pm. Luna Lounge, 6/1 Sukhumvit Soi 22. DAN BURI & BORIS RUBIN ALL NIGHT LONG
The two festival-favorite DJs take over the decks. Tickets TBA. Jan 26, 11pm. Mustache, 544/5 Ratchadaphisek Soi 7, 081-844-7080. Free. KIKO
The techno and Italo-disco DJ, who's released music on Get Physical records, is joined by DJs Cortex and Jack Haze. Jan 26, 10pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. B300. PUMP UP THE JAM / FRIENDS OF FRIENDS BKK 1ST ANNIVERSARY
DJ Superstar Panda teams up with his friends from Japan, Russia and England, NK Chan, Alex Imix and Brent Burns. Jan 26, 10pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061717-4365. Free before midnight (B200 after midnight). MIKKELLER BANGKOK 4TH BIRTHDAY
Celebrate the bar’s birthday with free beers and snacks. Jan 27, 5pm. Mikkeller, 26 Ekkamai Soi 10, 02381-9891. Free. LOUD
Swiss DJ Charlie Kwenta spins techno alongside DJ Hexer from Turkey and DJ AbelKane from England. Jan 27, 8pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. Free.
BEAM 2ND ANNIVERSARY
Thonglor's coolest nightclub celebrates two years with Montreal indie-electronic producer Jacques Greene, joined by Sarayu, Yeti Out and Noxro back-to-back with Foresto. Jan 27, 9pm. Beam, 1/F, 72 Courtyard, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor). B500 with free bar until 11pm. DJ AFRICAN STAR TREKKER
A long and sweaty night of Afrobeat party jams. Jan 27, 9pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-2616661. Free. OPERATION: ROAD TO DROPZONE (OFFICIAL PRE-PARTY)
DJs Jay Hardway and Andy Moor prep for the Dropzone Festivals with a night of electronic dance music. Jan 27, 9pm. Onyx, Soi Soonvijai, Rama 9 Rd. Free. CLASSIQUE LAURA - THE BALI CONNECTION
The Indonesian DJ takes over the decks with unique rhythms. Tickets TBA. Jan 27, 9:30pm. Above Eleven, 33/F, Fraser Suites, Sukhumvit Soi 11, 083-542-1111. PLEASUREKRAFT
The Stockholm/New York-based DJ spins techno. Tickets TBA. Jan 27, 10pm. Glow, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-614-3355. BIRTHDAY BASH MR MUSTACHE
Electronic beats from Soi Dogs, Sam Linden, Aneesh Medina and Jules Blons, along with a free bar. Jan 27, 10:30pm. Mustache, 544/5 Ratchadaphisek Soi 7, 081844-7080. Free.
GLOW WEDNESDAY W/ KUROTEN
The South African beatmaker fills the room with techno. Jan 31, 9:30pm. Glow, Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-614-3355. Free before midnight (B250 after midnight). EUPHORIA
Charlie Kwenta and Hexer spin techno sets. Jan 31, 9pm. De Commune, 1/F Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B250 includes 1 drink. DGA AT THE MYSTERIOUS TECHNO MANSION!
A techno session from local DJs Moca Oui, Kanabis Stoned and A Lien Boonyalit. Feb 1, 10pm. Residence de Canal, 463/72 Luk Luang Rd. 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, 02-061-5344. B300 includes 1 drink. 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. 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 Puffer P & Jack The Jackal. Feb 3, 8pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. B500.
Yena
Seal Pillow
Concerts
SINGHA PRESENTS: USHTI BABA GYPSY JUNGLE TURBO FOLKSTEP
POW! FEST #3
The English act blends jungle, drum 'n' bass and dubstep. Jan 26, 9:30pm. Soulbar, 945 Charoenkrung Rd., 093220-0441. B300 includes 1 drink.
Thai alt-rockers Soundlanding, Folk9, Seal Pillow and Wave and So perform alongside visiting acts Mitsume (Japan), Bedchamber (Indonesia) and I Saw You Yesterday (Japan). Grab tickets at ticketmelon.com. Jan 27, 5pm. Rockademy, A Square, Sukhumvit Soi 26. 02-261-3833. B800-1,000. NITT PRESS PRODUCTION PRES. 9,999,999 TEARS
A night of indie vibes from influential artists Srisawaard, Vimutti, Yena and Triggs & the Longest Day. Jan 27, 8pm. De Commune, 1/F, Liberty Plaza, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor), 061-717-4365. B200. THE XX LIVE IN BANGKOK
The British trio known for their dreamy blend of indie-rock and R'n'B visit Bangkok as part of their world tour in support of third album, I See You. Jan 29, 8pm. Thunder Dome, 99 Popular Rd., 02-504-5050. B2,800.
Gigs
JOHNNY OSBOURNE: GODFATHER OF DANCEHALL
The dancehall veteran takes over the stage with support from Tony Rankin, U-key Hayashi and Bangkok Riddim Syndicate. Jan 26, 10pm. Overstay, Charan Sanit Wong Soi 80-82, 02883-4836. B400. ROCK THIS WAY BKK: VOL. 3
A night of oldies-but-goldies rock music from John Will Sail, Harmonic Distortion, The Rocket Whale and The Rugby Band, plus a DJ set from Rory Breaker-Morant. Jan 27, 9pm. Check Inn 99, 97 Sukhumvit Rd., 081-7357617. B300 includes 1 drink CANA LIVE AT NONG TAPRACHAN
The underground metalcore band performs a typically heavy set. Jan 28, 7pm. Chang Chui, 460/8 Sirindhorn Rd. Free. VOL. 10.1 SONGS FROM ADVANCE GUARDS
UNTITLED 2
A cover music showcase featuring local talents Pap Yeahh, Pinx, Flammable Goods, Nobuna and Silly Machine Band singing hits from The Beatles, Coldplay, Muse, One OK Rock and Rage Against the Machine. Jan 26, 7pm. The Rock Pub, Hollywood Street, 93/26-28 Phaya Thai Rd., 02251-9980, 086-977-0621. B250 includes 1 drink.
An improv music night with indie icons Stylish Nonsense joined by Eyal Maoz and Nakarin Teerapenun. Jan 31, 8pm. FooJohn, 831 Charoenkrung Soi 31, 085-527-3511. Free. VOL. 10.2 FSOG FUTURE SOUND OF GUITAR
SPOTLIGHT: DAS FLUFF
Guitarists Eyal Maoz and Kota Taki take over the bar with their cosmic sounds. Feb 1, 8pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833. B300.
The band take over the stage with their electro-punk sound. Jan 26, 7:30pm. Live Lounge, Trendy Building, 10/47 Sukhumvit Soi 13, 02-1687335. B400.
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.
FROM ME TO YOU
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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1/22/18 6:35 PM
now INTERVIEW
The xx
ART AND THEATER KNOCK'EM DEAD
A solo graffiti exhibition by Tikkywow. Jan 25-Feb 25. Yelo House, 20/2 Kasemsan Kasern San Soi 1. Free. MEMOIR
Knock'em Dead
An art performance featuring four stories that explore the concept of memory in different ways. Feb 1-14, 7:30pm. Yelo House, 20/2 Kasemsan Kasern San Soi 1. B500.
SALES & FAIRS NOT SO WASTED!
For Bangkok Design Week 2018, the Thonglor hangout spot hosts an evening of food, booze and workshops promoting zero-waste. Jan 27, 10am. The Commons, 335 Thonglor Soi 17, 089-152-2677. Free. THAI-INDIAN FUN FAIR 2018
Formed in 2005 in London, The xx has built up a devoted audience with their dreamy, R'n'B-influenced sounds in hit tracks like “Islands,” "Basic Space" and their latest single “I Dare You.” Ahead of the band's debut Bangkok show on Jan 29, we caught up with Romy Madley Croft (guitar, vocals), Oliver Sim (bass, vocals) and Jamie Smith (aka producer Jamie xx) to talk about their 2017 album I See You, remixes and the power of collaboration. Many reviews of I See You make mention of a “joyful” or “more upbeat” sound. Was this a conscious choice or the result of any life changes? Oliver: We’ve had relationships and ended relationships and grown further apart and grown back closer together than ever before as friends, we found ourselves in each other, saw one another and appreciated it a lot more. And a thing we’ve learned is that what makes this band special is our friendship and I See You is a reference to that. How has your songwriting process developed since you first started as a band? Jamie: We’ve definitely changed the way we work together as a band over the years. Recently we spent more time writing together and we put less restrictions on ourselves. In the past Romy and Oliver only used to write for themselves and we would only write things we could play live. Now we have removed those guidelines and are a bit more musically free. The Jamie xx remix of “On Hold” sounds radically different from the original. As a band, do you see songs as things that can be “reworked” over and over? Oliver: Definitely! We’ve had a lot of remixes over the years, and it’s definitely a great way to collaborate with some of your friends and favorite artists, like the recent Four Tet remix of "A Violent Noise." Or when Jamie can put his own spin on one of our tracks. This will be your first Bangkok show! Is there a thrill to playing a new place for the first time? Oliver: We’ve done a lot of touring around the world so it is always a thrill to visit somewhere for the first
MARXISM FESTIVAL 2018
time. I don’t know why it’s taken us so long to finally visit Bangkok but I cannot wait to come. Other than the excitement I feel for playing the show, I’m really looking forward to exploring and getting to know the city. Romy: There is always a thrill playing something new. It’s amazing to experience new cultures and to see how the crowd will react to our music, we can’t wait! What’s the best thing about being on tour? Oliver: Definitely the warm welcomes from all the incredible fans. What are you listening to on the road right now? Oliver: We’ve actually got a playlist of our tracks we listen to—everything from Al Green to Fleetwood Mac to our label mate Sampha! You guys are all involved in various projects. Is it ever hard to separate these different creative outlets? Romy: We find sometimes working on different things can help influence each other. For example when Oliver and I worked on Jamie’s album we worked in a completely different way to what we're used to and this helped us when we came to making music as a band again.
The Commons
JAPAN EXPO THAILAND 2018
Shop Japanese goods accompanied by food, drinks and live music. Jan 26, 10am. CentralWorld, 4, 4/1-4/2, 4/4 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-635-1111. Free. DREAMERS MARKET BY YELO
A market with art, crafts and clothes from local designers. Jan 26, 4pm; Jan 27-28, 1pm. Yelo House, 20/2 Kasemsan Kasern San Soi 1.
A two-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. CAT REPUBLIC CAFE: FUNDRAISER CHARITY DINNER
Dinner, drinks and live acoustic music with proceeds going to an animal rescue foundation. Jan 26, 6pm. Cat Republic Club, 142-144 Sukhumvit Soi 20. B3,333. bit.ly/2mV5rm5
MARKET Art Ground 03
Finally, there were five years between Coexist and I See You. Any immediate plans for new xx material? Romy: We can’t reveal anything just yet. Stay tuned!
The xx will perform at Thunderdome Muang Thong Thani (Popular Rd.) on Jan 29. Tickets are B2,800 through Ticketmelon. Interview by Carl Dixon and Neon Boonyadhammakul.
RECORD LABEL TO WATCH More Rice Recognizing a shortage of platforms showcasing Asian beatmakers, Thai DJs Sarayu "Jay" Sriyuksiri and Pakarapol "Top" Anantakritayathorn teamed up with Manila-based Mikhail Schemm to set up a record label for regional electronic artists. More Rice’s mission is to help local producers and artists reach a larger, global audience with their work. Where to listen: soundcloud.com/ morericerecords
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A day filled with Indian food, drinks, art and culture. Feb 3, 3pm. Srinakarinwirot University, 114 Sukhumvit Soi 23. Free.
Curated by the Jam Factory, this three-day market for art collectors returns on Feb 2 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 Chi-Chung (Hongkong). Besides the art showcases, there will be talk sessions, workshops and live bands. The lineup TBA. Feb 2-4. The Jam Factory, 41/1-5 Charoen Nakorn Rd. Free.
SPORTS BITEC HALF MARATHON 2018
The event includes 5/10/21.1km runs. To register, visit bitec-halfmarathon.com. Jan 28, 4am. BITEC, 88 Bang Na-Trat Rd., 02-749-3939. B500-850.
BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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1/22/18 6:36 PM
now FILM Opening (Jan 25)
THE POST (USA)
Thriller. Based on a true story. The Washington Post's publisher Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) and editor Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks) race to expose a three-decade-long government cover-up about the Vietnam War.
THE HAUNTED HOTEL (THAI/CHINA/ MALAYSIA)
Horror. A couple who check into room no.1174 of an unnamed hotel are subjected to a terrifying sequence of events.
WONDERSTRUCK (USA)
MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE
Drama/Fantasy. A boy and a girl set out on similarly epic quests, set 50 years apart.
Fantasy. In this third installment of the dystopian series, Thomas (Dylan O’ Brien) seeks the cure for a dangerous flu known as Flare.
Upcoming (Feb 1)
SAMUI SONG (THAI)
THE SHAPE OF WATER (USA)
Drama. The latest, dark-humor story 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.
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) • FOOD WRITER
THE LAST RECIPE (JAPAN)
Drama. A chef is tasked with a last meal request must rediscover a recipe lost during Japan’s 1930s occupation of Manchuria.
INTERN WITH US! (EDITORIAL, ART DEPARTMENTS.) You must be at least 18-years-old You must send in a cover letter and resume. Specify which department you are applying for.
Open to Thai and foreign nationals 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
Find out more at bkmagazine.com/jobs BK Magazine Friday, January 26, 2018
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