Lookeast November 2014 by Lookeast Magazine

LIFESTYLE

HOTELS

DINING

NIGHTLIFE

SHOPPING

EVENTS

PERSONALITIES

ART

CULTURE

SPAS

FASHION

EST. 1971

NOVEMBER ISSN 0857-1139

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NOVEMBER 2014

Traditional

THAI GIFTS

Around

KHAO SAN

NOVEMBER 2014 VOL.43 NO.11

KHAO YAI

Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge

Outdoor Life, Residential Developments, Vineyards

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WHAT'S INSIDE NOVEMBER

NOVEMBER 2014 CALENDAR 12 34 62 76 78

What’s On Hotel Deals Spa Deals Dining Specials Bar Specials

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Culture: 18 Lopburi Monkey Banquet 20 Surin Elephant Roundup Features: 22 Khao Yai: Outdoor life, Residential Developments, Vineyards 40 Nagaland, India: The Last Outpost of the Headhunters at Mon District 30 10 Things to Do in Bangkok Checking In: 32 Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Bangkok 33 ESCAPE Khao Yai 38 Travel News 43 My Favorite Place

LIFESTYLE

Personalities: 46 Dilhan Fernando: The Younger Son of the Founder of Dilmah Tea 48 Sagar Naker: Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square’s new GM 50 Cover story: Traditional Thai Gifts ● Textiles ● Gems and Jewelry ● Lacquerware and Antiques ● Experiential Gifts ● Bangkok Shopping Guide 58 Neighborhoods: Around Khao San 2

LOOKEAST | WHAT'S INSIDE

WINE & DINE

64 Feature: Vegetarian Recipes by Serina Bajaj Restaurants: 66 Seafood Market Restaurant 68 Bo.Lan 70 Dressed The Fifth Taste: 74 BeerVault 75 Signor Sassi 79 The Oenophile: Bangkok Grand Wine Tasting

JUly 2014 | 7

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EDITORIAL EDITOR'S NOTE

A Gift of Love

hat’s the meaning behind a gift? When I used to live in India I saw many people celebrating their birthdays by giving presents to their parents, as a way of thanking them for having given them life—surely, an outstanding and quite different concept than the one we practice in the West. In “A Gift of Love,” IndianAmerican author Deepak Chopra recites the love poems of Persian poet Rumi over sensual Middle Eastern-influenced music, to celebrate the human spirit and its search for the divine. When we pass by a shop selling nice Thai silk scarves and say, “this or that person would like this one,” we buy it and give it to them as a gift. All these very different gift variations have one thing in common: the shape, effort, or price behind them doesn’t matter as much as the volition of love behind them does. In this issue of Lookeast we celebrate gifts from nature with an article on the magnificent Khao Yai area, in Nakhon Ratchasima. We interviewed Dilhan Fernando, the younger son of the founder of Dilmah tea, with whom we discussed

the goodness of this natural herb, full of different health benefits. And we also go back to basics to highlight traditional Thai gifts that you can take back home including textiles, gems, jewelry, lacquerware, and antiques—that in many cases are a gift of century-old traditions passed from generation to generation—as well as more experiential gifts that let you take back a wonderful memory. We will bring you the scoop about what’s on and cool this month: the Lopburi Monkey Banquet, the Surin Elephant Roundup, and many other fun events. We will take you to Nagaland, India, and to check out the new hotels and restaurants in town. This month we are also excited to announce the launch of a new permanent section: The Fifth Taste. In this column, award-winning Australian chef Ben McRae will walk you through the aromas, flavors, and cooking techniques that make some bars and restaurants truly memorable. Last month, some people in Thailand celebrated Diwali and, next month, others will celebrate Christmas. The festive season has already started … happy gifting! Love,

Shutters

titap tock + sit

Anita Zaror Editor-in-Chief

LOOKEAST | EDITORIAL

FRONT COVER

Tropical rainforest at Khao Yai National Park

Photo by Alisa Hubert Apparel by Burberry

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EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS Ben McRae Hailing from South Australia, Issaya Cooking Studio’s Culinary Manager, Ben McRae, is an award-winning chef, passionate about crafting innovative, balanced dishes using the best the local region has to offer. Follow him on www.fifthtaste.com.au.

Dave Stamboulis A Greek-American travel writer and professional photographer based in Bangkok. His photos are represented by Getty Images and Alamy, and he is a writer for Fodor’s guidebook to Thailand and Laos, as well as for USA Today’s “Bangkok Expert” travel website.

Publisher Sid Sehgal Group Publishing Director Asha Narula Sehgal Editor-in-Chief Anita Zaror Editor-at-Large Percy Roxas Editorial Consultant Melanie Blake Katherine Walsh Art Director Jarmmaree Janjaturonrasamee

Rachel Ross With a passion for nature and everything vegan, the driving force behind this journalist’s dream is the ambition to open people’s minds to more ethical choices. Abandoning England for Thai life one year ago, Rachel provides an alternative perspective on living, working, and traveling in Thailand.

Marco Ferrarese Overland-obsessed travel writer and metalpunk guitarist who visited 50 countries before setting up base in Penang. He freelances for several international publications, focusing on Southeast Asian travel and culture. His debut novel “Nazi Goreng” is a quirky subcultural thriller set in Penang. Follow him @monkeyrockworld.

Richard Mcleish Richard is a Bangkok-based freelance lifestyle writer from Melbourne. While he was on a lifelong mission to learn more about the world, the City of Angels intervened six years ago and has held him captive ever since. When not sniffing out new bars, bands, and beaches, he is writing about them for glossies, broadsheets, and zines.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS: ● Maia Kara (hotels) ● Thomas Sturrock (lifestyle)

LOOKEAST | EDITORIAL

Photographer Kit Yeng Chan Production Director Apichart Boontid Marketing Executive Ankita Malhotra PR Consultant Earth Saisawang Executive Assistant to Chairman Acharin Suthisawad Executive Assistant to CEO Panitkan Apiratanapimonchai

Chairman Dato Satish Sehgal President Ravi Sehgal Executive Director Gaurav Sehgal

EST. 1971

Laurence Civil “Life is all about taste and style” are Laurence’s words to live by. Twenty-three years working for a British airline gave him his passion for food, wine, and travel, and a visit to China in the ’80s inspired his earlier stories. His articles have been published in Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Bangkok since 1994.

is published monthly by: Advertising & Media Consultants Co., Ltd. Richmond Office Building 18th floor 75/65 Sukhumvit Soi 26, Klong Toey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand Tel: + 66 2 204 2982 Fax: + 66 2 204 2984 Email: info@lookeastmagazine.com Web: www.lookeastmagazine.com Views and opinions expressed by individual writers and contributors in the articles herein, do not necessarily reflect those of Lookeast magazine or of Advertising Media Consultants Co., Ltd. All prices are correct at the time of going to press, but are subject to change. Reproduction in whole or part without written consent from Lookeast is strictly forbidden.

EDITORIAL READER’S TALK

We Have a Winner!

Panitharn Doshitz Rattana

King of Nagas statue in Songkhla province

Panitharn Doshitz Rattana

Congratulations to Khun Panitharn Doshitz Rattana, who sent us photos of his travels through Thailand and won a voucher to dine at J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain (●www.usathornbangkok.com) worth THB 3,000!

Laem Samila area, Songkhla

Engage in the conversation and you might be the winner of fun prizes we give away every month! WAYS TO JOIN THE READER’S TALK:

Send our editor your comments on the articles you’ve read; let her know what you’d like to read in the future; give an opinion about a topic treated in one of our articles; tell us how great you think Lookeast is, or how you think we can improve in less than 200 words. Just email us at editor@ lookeastmagazine.com before the 15th of each month, and write “Letter to the editor” in the subject line of the message.

LOOKEAST | READER’S TALK

Send us smoke signals. OK, this might not work, but you can still do any of the above! Lighthouse in Khao Tang Kuan, Songkhla

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Panitharn Doshitz Rattana

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WHAT'S ON NOVEMBER

national festivals & events Festival of Lights

What: Don’t miss what is considered to be one of Thailand’s most charming festivals, Loy Krathong, which takes place on the full moon evening of November. Also called the “Festival of Lights,” this event is characterized mainly by the floating of lighted “krathongs” along the kingdom’s waterways and, in the last decade or so, has become one of the most awaited festivals in Thailand. The festival is called “Yee Peng” in Northern Thailand where, instead of floating krathongs on the waterways, people float hot air balloons (“khom loy”) in the skies. The sight of thousands of khom loys rising into the sky and a river or the sea filled with flickering candles is truly magical. When: November 6 Where: Nationwide How much: Free entrance More info: 02 250 5500 (Tourism Authority of Thailand)

Krabi Bergfah Andaman Festival

What: This festival, held annually for nine days and nine nights during the 12th waxing moon day to the 4th waning moon day on the 12th lunar month of every year, is highlighted by a fair dedicated to paying homage to Phra Pathom Chedi. Expect all kinds of entertainment as well as displays and sale of the local products. When: November 3-11 Where: Nakhon Pathom province How much: Free entrance More info: 02 250 5500

Long Sapao Chao Wiang Lakorn, Lampang Floating Festival What: Lampang’s own version of the full moon festival, held during the 12th lunar month, follows a tradition practiced for over a thousand years ... but with a unique local twist. When: November 6-7 Where: Lampang province How much: Free entrance More info: 02 250 5500

Dave Stamboulis

What: If you are visiting Krabi, don’t miss this festival for a taste of local color. Balancing the usual activities such as parades, cultural entertainment, and other fun programs are traditional rituals such as the Hua Thong ship tie-up ceremony, an important one for fishermen. The ritual culminates in praying and making wishes at Phra Nang Cave. When: November 13-15 Where: Krabi How much: Free entrance More info: 02 250 5500

Phra Pathom Chedi Festival

Surin Elephant Roundup Blooming Bua Tong Festival

What: The “Bua Tong Ban” or the “Blooming Mexican Sunflower Festival” is held in Mae Hong Son every year to celebrate the peak season of these beautiful flowers that grow abundantly in the area. A sight to behold! When: November 1-December 12 Where: Mae Fah Luang District, Mae Hong Son How much: Free entrance More info: 02 250 5500

LOOKEAST | WHAT'S ON

What: Every year, more than one hundred elephants take part in this festival, displaying their grace, strength, and intelligence in games of soccer, log carrying and tug-of-war, and the highlight of the festival: a dramatic mock battle. When: November 13-16 Where: Surin, Northeast Thailand How much: Free entrance More info: 02 250 5500

WHAT'S ON NOVEMBER

art & culture What is Design?

Behind the Curtain: Culture Collective Studio by Kelly Jones

Culture Collective Studio

A new English-speaking theater company and international acting academy, Culture Collective Studio, has established itself in Bangkok and will be feeding the ever-growing appetite of performers and avid theatergoers alike. Founded by artistic director Loni Berry—a former professor at Mahidol University and founding headmaster of Oakland School of Arts in California, USA, where he trained at Brown University and the Yale School of Drama—Culture Collective Studio incorporates an acting technique developed by Earl Gister, Chair of Acting at Yale University, which is applied in small, intimate classes that are offered at the academy. The classes are tailored to meet the needs of all actors, from professional to recreational. These classes will prepare the serious actor to compete for roles in the international marketplace, including the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong, but will also train the non-actor in valuable life skills such as confidence, public speaking, diction, and the ability to express oneself. The studio will open their 2015 season with an exciting assortment of six plays—all performed in English and with Thai subtitles—that range from original works (such as a comedy spoof on the pageantry of beauty contests and a twisted psychological drama) to adapted award-winning Western plays such as “The Lisbon Traviata,” a comedic piece, and “Miss Julie,” a drama about how women view themselves in today’s culture. Until the end of December, Culture Collective Studio is hosting a playwright competition, aptly named The Battle of The Playwrights, where playwrights of all shapes and sizes are invited to enter their original short plays which, if selected, will then be performed in front of a judge panel over two weekends in December. The winners will walk away with cash prizes as well as other rewarding prizes. Where: Charoenkrung Road Soi 70 More info: 099 447 4670; www.culture-collective.com

What: This exhibition, that also explores industrial design in Thailand, takes a look into how 10 countries interweave their cultural uniqueness into 20th century industrial design classics. When: Daily except Sundays, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., November 1-30 Where: Gallery 1, TCDC, 6th Floor, The Emporium, 22 Sukhumvit 24, Bangkok How much: Free entrance More info: 02 664 8448 ext. 213-4

Thai Charisma

What: Over 30 Thai heritage artifacts will be on display for the first time in Thailand, complementing the exhibit of artworks by 18 contemporary artists. The show offers a new slant in the power of making, creating, and being inspired by Thai artisans and artists. When: Daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., November 1-16 Where: Bangkok Art and Culture Center, 939 Rama 1 Rd, Wangmai, Pathumwan How much: Free entrance More info: 02-214-6630/8

Pop-Up Gallery

What: View the works of famous international sculptors, painters, and craftsmen living in Thailand. When: Daily from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., November 1 - February 29 Where: Oriental Arcade, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue How much: Free entrance More info: 02 659 9000

Your children will love KidZania Bangkok, a family edutainment center that offers an interactive learning and entertainment experience for kids. At this kid-sized city, they will be able to explore several careers and perform different activities through roleplaying. You will love what they will learn to do, and they will love learning! More info: 02 683 1888; www.kidzania.co.th

LOOKEAST | WHAT'S ON

KidZania

Fun and Education for Kids at KidZania Bangkok

WHAT'S ON NOVEMBER

trade fairs

Health Cuisine and Beauty Festival 2014

What: The show highlights products and services in food, health, beauty, and fashion. Enjoy activities, and meet and exchange information with gurus from different sections. When: November 1-9 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Where: Challenger 1, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi How much: Free entrance More info: www.healthcuisineandbeauty. com

The 33rd Discovery Thailand 2014

What: More than 800 booths will be participating in the most comprehensive tourism fair for the winter season. When: November 6-9 Where: Hall 3-4, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi How much: Free entrance More info: www.thaiteawthaiplaza.com

Bangkok Furniture Sale

What: The grand year-end fair featuring every description of furniture and decorative items, offered at unbeatable prices. When: November 29 to December 7 Where: Zone C-Grd, C-2, Plaza, Atrium, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center Rachada (MRT QSNCC station), Bangkok How much: Free entrance More info: www.unionpan.com

LOOKEAST | WHAT'S ON

The 8th Siam Paragon Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise

What: Now in its eight year, “Siam Paragon Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise” aims to showcase Thailand not only as a country with a wide variety of orchids, but also as a catalyst in growing and crossbreeding orchids. This year’s theme will be “Magnificent Orchid: A Borderless Path to ASEAN Paradise.” Regarded as an important orchid contest and exhibition, this event gives Thailand a great opportunity to showcase these flowers as well as to display the talents of Thai orchid farmers on an international stage. The event will be highlighted by two 9-meter tall orchid displays consisting of a variety of orchids at the gate, to signify joining the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 and Thailand’s preparedness to welcome all ASEAN members. In addition, there will be an exhibition of orchids from 10 ASEAN countries along with Ramayana art and music instruments to showcase each country’s culture. There will also be an exhibition of orchid drawings and orchid sales at special prices, and the coveted Princess Sirindhorn Cup will be awarded to the winner of an exclusive orchid competition. When: November 26 to December 1 Where: Botanical Garden on M Floor, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd (BTS Siam station) How much: Free entrance More info: 02 310 2080, 085 901 1818, 084 117 7705

Belgian Food & Beer Marathon

To celebrate 110 years of diplomatic relations and the longstanding friendship between Thailand and Belgium, the Embassy of Belgium in Thailand organized the Belgian Food & Beer Marathon in October. The event will continue until November at the Blue Elephant (Bangkok), Millennium Hilton Bangkok (Bangkok), La Paillote (Hua Hin), and La Brasserie (Phuket). These restaurants are presenting authentic Belgian dishes such as Belgian fries, waffles, and vol-au-vent, accompanied by Belgian beers (such as Stella Artois, Hoegaarden, and Leffe Blonde), through a partnership with Belgian beer importer, Brewberry. La Paillote will inaugurate the first Belgian–Thai fritkot and prepare nine different mussels menus on November 10–16, while Millennium Hilton Bangkok is flying in a renowned Belgian chef to indulge its customers in the secrets of Belgian cuisine (November 24–30). A lottery will also take place among customers of the Belgian Food & Beer Marathon, and the lucky winner will get a round-trip ticket to Belgium to try all these gastronomic specialties right there!

Embassy of Belgium in Thailand

What: Interested in living design in Thailand? This expo showcases furniture, electricity, home décor, home equipment, kitchen equipment and products, home construction products, bathroom and restroom decoration, and more. When: November 1-9 Where: Challenger 1-3, Impact Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi How much: Free entrance More info: www.BaanLaeSuanFair.com

Siam Paragon

Living Design: Baan Lae Suan Fair 2014

THE LOPBURI MONKEY BANQUET Celebrated on the last weekend of November, this traditional festival will make you go bananas.

by Dave Stamboulis

he provincial capital of Lopburi is a pretty nondescript place. Some small side streets, an old set of temple ruins from the Ayutthaya period, and a rail station are about it as far as the small town goes. Except for the monkeys, that is. Arriving in Lopburi, one notices a humongous statue outside the train station of a giant macaque, with no explanation as to why it is there. It turns out that for years, the locals of Lopburi have been feeding the abundant resident macaque population, and over time the monkeys have taken over the town. Monkeys can be found everywhere throughout the city. In the temples, on rooftops, even scurrying across the train tracks in time to greet incoming arrivals. The fame of the Lopburi monkeys has spread, and they have now become a tourist attraction themselves. It

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

is thus only fitting that once a year, the city pays homage to their simians for drawing in visitors and providing good luck. The Lopburi Monkey Banquet falls on the last weekend of each November, and it is an entire day devoted to sating the monkeys and throwing a lavish party in their honor. Being so close to Bangkok, the festival has now become a major event. In 2013, no expense was spared to thrill the visitors, as the banquet food was delivered to the temple via skydivers, who parachuted down into the temple grounds with their payloads of food! Over 2,000 kilograms of bananas, eggs, cucumbers, and various fruits are provided by the locals, who believe that the monkeys bring the city good luck and prosperity. The city mayor boasted how much the provincial government had spent in providing kilos of durian for the banquet,

Dave Stamboulis

TRAVEL CULTURE

which must cost a pretty penny as more than 2,000 monkeys reside in Lopburi. The festival starts off with traditional Thai dancing and a parade, and then the food is put out around the Prang Sam Yot Temple. While the monkeys start off shy when it comes to crowds, eventually a few brave macaques make their way down to sample the goods and report that all is safe, and then the fun begins. Soon there are thousands of monkeys descending, and various city VIPs led by the mayor are bringing out plates of watermelon and durian while being swarmed by an army of primates! Monkeys ride on peoplesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; shoulders, drink cans of Coke, and generally make a complete nuisance of themselves. The temple gets trashed with fruit peels and the grounds are littered with monkey droppings. Yet it is all in good fun. By the afternoon Lopburi is back to normal, monkey and man alike are sound asleep, and the city looks forward to another year of prosperity and fĂŞting their prized primates.

TRAVEL CULTURE

Dave Stamboulis

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CHANGLAND THE SURIN ELEPHANT ROUNDUP

he northeastern Isaan town of Surin is a sleepy provincial capital of some 40,000 people, with one main street and a decent night market. Other than being famed for its local silk production and nearby Khmer temples of Ta Muean, the town is not a major tourist destination. However, on the third weekend of each November, the city roars to life and greets thousands of visitors with the arrival of the annual Elephant Roundup. The Asian elephant is highly revered in Thai culture, both as a working asset and as an international symbol of the kingdom. It has been depicted in art, architecture, and literature, and shown as an auspicious symbol of the king. During the rule of King

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

by Dave Stamboulis Rama II, even the national flag had an image of the elephant emblazoned on it. In Ban Tha Klang, a small village some 60 kilometers from Surin, elephants have been raised and trained for ages by their mahouts (trainers), members of the Kui tribe, originally from Cambodia. Famed for capturing, domesticating, and training wild elephants, the Kui have taught the animals to become providers, work companions, and lifelong friends. In Kui families, it is normal for elephant training skills to be passed from father to son, and the boys often grow up with baby elephants that are the offspring of animals that have been in family through generations. There is thus a very deep bond between the men and the elephants. It is from Ban Tha Klang that

the majority of the hundreds of elephants that grace Surin’s roundup come. On arrival at Surin’s train station during the festival, one can opt for an elephant ride rather than a taxi to get to one’s hotel, as the elephants get free rein and run of the town and its streets for several days! Prior to the main event, the city even hosts the world’s largest elephant buffet, where the animals are gathered next to the railway station for a banquet in their honor, and for providing Surin with its golden cash cow (er … elephant)! Once the roundup gets going, the elephants engage in football and polo competitions. Despite their girth, they are actually quite agile, and the football match usually proves to be highly competitive and

the festival, and Surin is well known for its excellent gai yang (grilled chicken) and som tam (papaya salad). In addition, beer gardens are set up all over the city, and the weather in Surin in November is cool and refreshing: perfect for sitting outside and telling stories of the day’s events over bottles of the appropriately named sponsor of the whole event, Chang, your one and only elephant beer!

Dave Stamboulis

relationship between animal and trainer. As elephants were a vital part of ancient warfare, the grand finale of the festival involves elaborately crafted mock battles fought in full traditional costume, with elephants leading the respective armies into their forays. This period piece is beautifully choreographed, as it features the elephants in battle costume, along with several thousand participants dressed as warriors. They engage in everything from horse jousting to firing cannons—the proceedings feel extremely authentic. In addition to these activities, there is also a local beauty pageant, colorful parades, and rides available on the backs of the mighty beasts, not to mention photo sessions with the babies. Needless to say, there are plenty of food vendors and stalls to be found during

p takes place The Elephant Roundu November. This of d the third weeken November year it’s scheduled for 13-16. ACCOMMODATION advance, the Often booked far in w among both festival is a huge dra Hotel prices Thais and foreigners. advance d an le, tend to doub l. The Thong tia en ess are s booking 281; Tarin Hotel (●044 514 om) has l.c ote www.thongtarinh luding inc 00 2,3 B TH rooms from r. ne din d an t fas break

Dave Stamboulis

entertaining. Lighter antics include clown performances, comic relief, and stunts like an “us versus elephant” tug of war, in which thirty or forty of Surin’s strongest young men take on a single elephant in a massive rope pulling match. Needless to say, the elephant always wins! The roundup also offers a chance to see mahouts tending their charges, washing them down, displaying how the elephants are captured and tamed, and performing traditional ceremonies like phi pakarn, a ritual done to fend off danger during roundups of wild elephants. Some object to the rather circus-like atmosphere that seems to surround the elephants during the stunts and games, but a visit to the area behind the stadium where the mahouts wash, groom, and feed themselves reveals a more personal and tender side to the

MORE INFORMATION Thailand, Tourism Authority of 4 447-8, Surin Office (●044 51 044 518 529)

NOVEMBER 2014 | 21

ESCAPING THE CITY BLUES IN KHAO YAI Not only a place to relax, play some golf, or take in a music festival, Thailand’s first national park is also a wildlife haven.

Dave Stamboulis

by Dave Stamboulis

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

Dave Stamboulis

TRAVEL FEATURE

lthough Khao Yai is just an hour or two from Bangkok, not so many visitors make it up to the area, or truly experience what a magical place it is. To most Bangkokians, Khao Yai represents one of the nearest spots to Bangkok to go relax in a boutique resort, play some golf, or take in a music festival. In fact, the area is probably better known for its steakhouses and cowboy-themed attractions than for being a national park. Yet Khao Yai is truly one of Asia’s premier parks and a treasure trove of wildlife and natural beauty. Khao Yai has a colorful history. Originally used as a settlement by the Ban Tha Dan people, whose temple ruins can be seen today, the area then became a haven for criminals and fugitives due to its dense forest cover and distance from Bangkok. Eventually, the ruffians were cleared from the area, Years later, in 1962, Khao Yai became Thailand’s first national park. In 2005, Khao Yai was deemed a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it has become a model for other national parks in Thailand. Taking up an immense 2,100 square meters of grassland and forest, Khao Yai is home to over 3,000 plant species and over 300 types of birds, including the majestic great pied hornbill. Plus, there’s a major wildlife corridor that includes gibbons, wild elephants, gaur, sambar, macaques, Asiatic

Dave Stamboulis

black bears, and the occasional rare tiger, as well as a fearsome population of leeches, which make their presence extremely well known during the rainy season. The park also has over 50 kilometers of hiking trails, wildlife observation towers, and a collection of beautiful waterfalls, including the famed Haew Suwat, which cascades over a 20-meter cliff into a large pool below and was made popular by the film “The Beach.” While Khao Yai is close to Bangkok, its layout isn’t exactly conducive to those without their own transport. The park gate, the farthest point that public transport will deliver visitors, is still 15 kilometers shy of the visitors’ center where the campground and canteen facilities are located. In addition, except on some of the shorter trails, guides are mandatory for trekking, both due to the presence of wildlife and for jungle navigation, so for small parties or individuals without time or money, taking a tour is actually the best option. I booked a trip with Greenleaf Tours, an outfit that sits along the main road into the park. While its rooms and food are aimed at the backpacking crowd and are nothing to write home about, the agency boast some excellent guides who have been leading trips in Khao Yai for more than a decade, and they know the park inside out. The guides come equipped with

binoculars and telescopes and are happy to point out the different types of bulbuls, broadbills, and other abundant birdlife. Out for the day with them, visitors are fairly assured of seeing the giant hornbills whooshing out of the trees, perhaps a few wild elephants, some white-handed gibbons, plenty of crab-eating macaques, and possibly something rarer, like a leopard cat. The guides can also point out small stick insects, scorpions, and snakes that lie hidden along jungle paths, which you’d most likely never spot on your own. In addition, the tours provide leech socks to keep the dreaded bloodsuckers at bay. After a morning spent on the road viewing macaques and hornbills and then several hours in the jungle trekking and looking for forest dwellers, we had lunch at the Nong Pak Chi observation tower, which looks out upon a large salt lick where elephants, deer, and other animals come to graze. We then drove to the Haew Suwat waterfall, where we could cool off and wash away the grit from jungle walking. Before returning home, we stopped to watch the sunset colors and mist descending on the magical forest spread out above the grasslands. It may not be far from Bangkok, but Khao Yai is as rejuvenating as a five-star spa treatment, at a fraction of the price.

Travel Tips: Khao Yai is accessible via train from Bangkok’s Hualamphong to Pak Chong station. From Pak Chong, public songthaew run along the park road to the gate, but further transport to park headquarters must be arranged in advance. The Khao Yai National Park Headquarters (●PO Box 9, Amphur Pak Chong; 044 297 406, 044 249 305; www.dnp.go.th/ parkreserve/asp/style1/default. asp?npid=9&lg=2) manages several campgrounds, which rent tents and bedding. It also stocks maps and can assist with guides for going trekking. For guided trips, Greenleaf Tours (●52 Moo 6 Thanarat Rd, km 7.5;044 365 073, 044 365 024; www.greenleaftour.com) is at km 7.5 of the park road and does free pickups for all tour joiners from the Pak Chong Railway Station. Foreigners pay THB 400 to enter Khao Yai; however, if you have a Thai driver’s license or work permit, you pay the Thai price of THB 40.

NOVEMBER 2014 | 23

Magnolias French Country Khao Yai

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THE LURE OF LIVING IN KHAO YAI Khao Yai is becoming a fashionable residential retreat: a place to build a second home within green, natural surroundings and the seventh best ozone in the world but just two hours away from the urban jungle of Bangkok.

by Percy Roxas

ESCAPE Khao Yai

ntil recently Khao Yai was a relatively obscure destination favored by mostly elite Thais for weekend getaways. Sitting in an area just outside the national park—a World Heritage Site, no less, with the same name—Khao Yai is a perfect choice given its green surroundings, year-round cool weather, and proximity to Bangkok (only

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

two hours by car). Today it is becoming an increasingly fashionable residential retreat: a place to have a second home whether it is a weekend villa, a vacation house, or a condominium unit. Khao Yai has come a long way indeed since residential developments began in 1995, along with hotel developments firstly on Thanarat Road.

In the beginning, most of the residential projects sprung up close to a hotel, resort, and golf course; if not within an existing project, as Colliers International Thailand Research has pointed out. Even then, the residential property sector was already showing potential for stronger demand. But then the economic crisis came in 1997, and for nine years no new project was built in the area. In 2005, however, the Khao Yai residential property scene came to life again, although unlike in the way seen in other major Thai property and real estate markets such as Pattaya and Hua Hin. This is because Khao Yai is still not a major tourist spot. Also, prospective foreign buyers still prefer the beach destinations when looking to buy second homes in Thailand. Still, Khao Yai was soon set to make its mark in the property scene. In 2013 more than 1,380 units were launched and completed in the area, the highest ever recorded for Khao Yai, says research firm Colliers International, and up through March 2014, the total number of residential units completed has soared to 6,180. To date, all kinds of residential developments can be found in Khao Yai, but also several mixed-used developments such as Mountain Creek Golf Resort & Residences. “The condominium units were most fashionable residential type built in Khao Yai,” says Colliers International, “with nearly 2,070 units launched as of

date and represents the emerging hub of Khao Yai. The Eastern Area, dubbed as the new development area of Khao Yai, started to boom in 2010. Today, many luxury and high-end resorts as well as golf courses are located along the Khao Yai-Wang Namkhiao Road in this area. Meanwhile, residential developments in the Western Area started just over the past four or five years, although PB Valley Winery has been operating there since 1989. In fact, various residential projects are coming up in all areas of Khao Yai. Many new residential projects have been launched in Khao Yai in the last few years. And the area is becoming increasingly attractive as property developers launch projects with distinctive designs and innovative concepts to attract the new breed of savvy prospective second-home buyers. Driving around, it’s easy to see residential projects in Khao Yai inspired by Tuscan, American Country, modern contemporary, and other distinctive designs. Toscana Valley, for one, has been getting raves for its property in Khao Yai, even winning two awards at the “2013 Thailand Property Awards”: one for “Best Residential Development” and another for “Best Landscape Architectural Design.” Developments like Kirimaya Residences and others have also reflected this trend in their projects. For example, an

Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa

sala khaoyai resort Mountain Creek Golf Resort & Residences

the first three months of 2014.” So far, approximately 1,390 house and villa units have been launched, and more new developments are underway. Sansiri PCL, one of Thailand’s major condominium and property developers, has condominium projects in Khao Yai’s Western Area, with approximately 610 units scheduled for completion this year. Sansiri’s condominium project in Pak Chong is presently attracting a lot of interest, as are similar projects of other property developers. Many hotel and resort developers, such as the SALA group, have not overlooked the potentials of Khao Yai. Inspired by the success of its sister properties in Samui and Phuket, the SALA Resorts and Spas family have added sala khaoyai resort to its growing portfolio. But condominiums are popular, says the research firm, because of their lower prices compared to houses or villas as well as their easy maintenance. Also, most of Khao Yai condominiums are easily accessible or close to facilities that have sprung up along with the residential developments: community malls, convenience stores, and other support facilities. According to Colliers, the Central Area is the first area to be developed in Khao Yai, starting with Juldis Khao Yai Resort in 1987 and Bonanza Khao Yai in 1992. It has the most developments to

interesting feature of sala khaoyai resort— dubbed as the first of a new “small exclusive boutique property” brand for the SALA group—is the “underground” atmosphere inside the villa bedrooms. This atmosphere is created by partially carving the villas directly into the mountainside, thus preserving the panoramic views from the main building, restaurant, and swimming pool. While many condos are indeed rising in Khao Yai, most new residential projects are housing and villa developments. The reason is simple, to quote Colliers again: “Khao Yai is most suitable for a house or villa with some open space and green grass.” Thus even with apparently surging land prices and spiraling costs of the projects, we can expect to see more of these types of developments in Khao Yai. Perhaps one of the best examples of the development trend and the property developers' trust in Khao Yai is this: The Magnolias Quality Development Corporation announcement that it plans to continuously invest in Khao Yai. The company is proud of its THB 395 million luxury villa project, Magnolias French Country Khao Yai, a villa-style vacation home with 18 maisons in a beautiful, relaxing French countryside-like setting. The project is surrounded by a lake in the heart of the property. Other property developers also appear to be keen in further investing in the Khao Yai real estate market, which is definitely good news for those attracted to the place. Living in Khao Yai. An attractive proposition, isn’t it? And why not, when, as many Khao Yai property developers suggest in their sales kits, “Isn’t it great to have a second home where you can enjoy a cool clime anytime of the year and be close to nature’s gifts all-year-round, while also being near outstanding wellness spas, world-class golf courses, and fine places for exciting culinary adventures, anytime you want?”

NOVEMBER 2014 | 25

PB Valley

TRAVEL FEATURE

THE VINEYARDS OF KHAO YAI Visionaries and Thai–French teams of winemakers have contributed to create this proud Thai wine-producing valley.

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planted Dornfelder, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Zinfandel. A year after PB’s first harvest, Visooth and Sakuna Lohitnavy planted their first Shiraz and Chenin Blanc grapes in the Asoke Valley. Their early vintages were made under contract by PB, with mixed results. The turning point for GranMonte was their daughter Nikki’s graduation in oenology from the University of Adelaide. On her return to Thailand she became the winemaker, and a winery was built for her

to craft her style of next generation wines. Her whites and rosés are clean and crisp, with tropical fruit characteristics sealed under screw caps. Hubert de Bourard from Chateau Angelus from Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, mentored on her reds, teaching her that a large part of winemaking is the work done in the vineyard. PB was the first Thai winery to produce an estate fruit Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard has its VinCotto restaurant and a Tuscan-style seven-room guesthouse.

PB Valley

raditionally wine grapes are grown between the 30th and 50th parallels in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres. Thailand pioneered New Latitude of Wine in the narrow band between the 14th and 18th parallels in the Northern hemisphere. PB Valley Khao Yai Winery (●102 Moo 5, Phaya Yen, Pak Chong; 036 226 415–6; info@khaoyaiwinery.com; GPS 14.3433N – 101.1456E) established the Khao Yai wine region. Dr. Piya Bhirombhadki, the visionary entrepreneur and owner of Boonrawd Brewery, planted his first 20-hectare vineyard with Shiraz and Chenin Blanc from French rootstock and Tempranillo from Spanish rootstock in 1989. He declared his first vintage in 1998. Today, there are 80-hectare areas under grapevines sitting at 320 to 360 meters above sea level. Prayut Pingbunta, Thailand’s first native-born oenologist, graduated in viniculture and oenology Staatliche Lehr- und Versuchsanstalt für Wein- und Obstbau Weinsberg (LVWO). On his return to Thailand he was appointed winemaker and manager of the vineyard and winery. Since then he has

by Laurence Civil

Village Farm & Winery (●103 Moo 7, Thaisamakee, Wang Nam Keow; 044 223 407–8; booking.villagefarm@ gmail.com; www.villagefarm.co.th; GPS 14.38901N – 101.874565E), located in Baan Pai Ngam Village, in Wang Nam Keaw district at the other side of the national park, was formerly a corn and potato farm. At the same time as the Lohitnavys founded GranMonte Vineyard & Wines (●52 Moo 9 Phayayen, Pakchong; 044 009 543–4; GPS 14.34082N – 101.15654E), Viravat Cholvanich planted his 80 acres of Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon here at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level on the southwestern edge of the Korat Plateau, between

Laurence Civil

PB Valley

Laurence Civil

TRAVEL FEATURE

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Tublan and the national park. Because Cholvanich wanted a French style of Thai wine, Jacques Bacou, the owner/winemaker of Chateau du Roc in Corbiers, was retained as consultant winemaker and was brought to Thailand to design and build Chateau des Brumes Winery (the name means “Castle in the Mist” after the region’s climate). The grapes are harvested in the cool of the night to ensure they are safely stored before sunrise. The grapes are pressed and the wine is made using traditional French winemaking techniques by a combined Thai–French team. The newest is Alcidini (●176 Moo 2, Pak Chong; 08 0784 6969; info@alcidini. com; www.alcidini.com; GPS 14.54343N – 101.6028E) the vision of Supot Krijpipudh, an engineer by profession who planted his hillside site 550 metres above sea level, with 20 acres with mostly Shiraz and few rows of Muscat Blau. The location enjoys sunny days and cool breezy nights all year round. The terra rossa soil has a lime base with ample minerals and good drainage, ideal for cultivating quality wine grapes. They are the only winery in Thailand to use the Lyre trellis system that assists with canopy management by ensuring there is enough foliage to facilitate photosynthesis without excessive shade, which would impede ripening. The wine country is a weekend alternative to the beach. After 8 p.m. the nights are cool, and a jacket or sweater is recommended.

T H E F L O W E R E S ’ S E N S E S R E S O RT K H A O YA I

asada – The Flower Es’Senses Resort is craftily created to bring exceptional experience to you in the midst of buds and blooms. At dasada, you can indulge your senses and feel rejuvenated by the embrace of flowers all around.

Flowers

Flowers are, perhaps, the most beautiful nature creation and they exist for noble purposes, that is, to give the life and heal the heart. Flowers appeal to our senses emotionally and enhance all the way to our mental and emotional well-being. Just the pure presence of flowers can heighten feelings of happiness and have a lasting positive effect on moods. Inspired by the senses of flowers that have the healing power to the heart.

asada offers a choice of five room types, rooms, suites and villas, that are stylishly decorated in distinctive designs to embrace you with the essence of flowers. All rooms are equipped with modern amenities, spacious bathrooms with indoor gardens, and verandahs with a breathtaking view, to ensure that your stay at dasada unforgettable. Contact Us: Dasada The Flower Es’senses Resort 179 M. 12 T.Nurnhom, A.Meung, Prachinburi, Thailand 25000

T +66 3723 9800

Email: happiness@dasada-happiness.com Website: www.dasada-happiness.com

TAT

TRAVEL CULTURE

10 Things to Do in Bangkok Escape Hunt

(●399 Sukhumvit Road, Interchange (Citibank) Tower, Unit C, B2 Level; 02 611 2828; www.escapehunt.com) Escape Hunts takes you back 100 years in time to play the part of a famous London detective who has to solve mysteries set in Bangkok.

Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun)

(●158 Wang Doem Road, Wat Arun, Bangkok (take the boat to Pier Tha Tien and then take the ferry to cross the river; 02 891 2978; www.watarun.org) Also known as the Temple of Dawn, Wat Arun is voted as the most popular sight for photography.

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The Grand Palace

Chao Phraya River Tour

(●Na Phra Lan Rd, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok; 02 623 5500; www.palaces. thai.net) Located near Wat Pho, the Grand Palace is considered one of the most significant places in Thailand.

(●78/24-29 Maharaj Rd, Maharaj Pier; 02 623 6001–3; www. chaophrayaexpressboat.com) If you haven’t seen life from the Chao Phraya River, you haven’t seen Bangkok. A boat tour along it is an enjoyable experience at any time of day, especially at sunset.

Shopping at Asiatique The Riverfront

(●2194 Charoenkrung Rd., Wat Prayakrai, Bangkoleam; 02 108 4488; www.thaiasiatique.com) Located by the Chao Phraya River Asiatique The Riverfront has shops that offer Thai handicrafts, fashion accessories, furniture, etc., together with bars, restaurants, and entertainment.

TAT

The Jim Thompson House

(●6 Soi Kasemsan 2, Rama 1 Rd, Bangkok; 02 216 7368; www. jimthompsonhouse.com) The Jim Thompson House is the home of an American entrepreneur who opened the silk business after World War II.

Temple of the Reclining Buddha (Wat Pho)

(●2 Sanamchai Road, Grand Palace Subdistrict, Bangkok; 02 226 0335; www. watpho.com) The Temple of the Reclining Buddha, or Wat Pho, is undoubtedly one of the largest and oldest temples in Bangkok.

(●333 Charoennakorn Rd; 02 861 2888; www.peninsula.com/Bangkok/en) Tour along the Chao Phraya River for two hours on a long-tail boat, cruising the klongs (small canals) to see the Thai lifestyle.

TAT

The Peninsula Bangkok Klong Tours

Chatuchak Market

Get Trendy in Thonglor

(● Sukhumvit Soi 55, BTS Thong Lo) Thonglor has become a veritable trueblue entertainment hub with restaurants, stores, bar, and clubs.

Asiatique The Riverfront

(●Thanon Phahonyothin, BTS Mo Chit, MRT Kamphaengpecth) Said to be one of the world’s largest weekend markets, Chatuchak covers an area of 27 acres and is divided into 27 sections. It contains more than 15,000 booths selling goods from all over Thailand.

NOVEMBER 2014 | 31

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Bangkok

HOTELS CHECKING IN

THE NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

by Maia Kara The hotel features 290 rooms and offers a selection of six room categories, including 20 Junior Suites, three Executive Suites, and one Royal Deluxe Suite, to cater to different budgets and requirements. All rooms are designed in a contemporary style and offer complimentary Wi-Fi and stunning city views of bustling Bangkok. The hotel has seven restaurants and bars to challenge your taste buds. The all-day-dining restaurant Twenty-Seven Bites welcomes you for a signature Super Breakfast buffet every morning, which includes a selection of tasty Thai, Asian, and international dishes, followed by buffet and a-la-carte lunches and dinners, and weekend brunches.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Bangkok

ested in the heart of Sukhumvit Road, just a stone’s throw away from major shopping areas, BTS and MRT stations, and a 45-minute drive to Suvarnabhumi Airport, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Bangkok (●489 Sukhumvit Road, Bangkok; 02 302 3333) joined the capital’s vibrant hotel scene in May 2014. “Yes I Can!,” says Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts’ brand key feature, and the spirit of service of the group’s first property in Bangkok is no exception to this “100% guest satisfaction guarantee.” The staff welcome you with a smile and are ready to accommodate your requests to make your stay really enjoyable.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Bangkok

A look at Radisson Blu Hotels & Resorts’ first property in Bangkok.

LOOKEAST | HOTELS

Fans of Cantonese cuisine should check out the China Table restaurant for its innovative dim sum bar or traditional menu selection. For the Italian classics, head to the Tuscan-inspired Attico restaurant, located on the 28th floor. Finish the night at the Vintage rooftop wine bar to enjoy a vast selection of wine and Cuban cigars, complemented by a panoramic view of the city. And don’t miss out on the B/Sharp lobby bar and B/Sweet dessert lounge located on the hotel’s ground floor, and having a drink or two at the Miamistyle Bar Esc, while chilling by the pool. The sixth floor is fully dedicated to wellness facilities from a state-of-theart gym and infinity pool to a relaxation sanctuary, Spa Esc. For those planning a meeting or event, the hotel also has extensive meeting facilities, including the 420 square meter ballroom. All in all, the new Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel checks all the boxes for savvy business travelers and leisure guests who want to stay in the heart of the action.

HOTELS CHECKING IN

Anita Zaror

ESCAPE Khao Yai

DISCONNECT FROM IT ALL Located just a stone’s throw away from the national park, ESCAPE Khao Yai offers a functional stay in a natural environment. by Anita Zaror

t always amazes me when I drive outside of Bangkok for a couple of hours, and I find a totally different place. A great example of this is Khao Yai, where the Thai craze for pork becomes a love of beef, where some constructions remind me of European cities, and where it’s so, so green and peaceful, that a break there becomes not only a rest for the eyes but also a true reenergizing experience. Sansiri, the real estate developer, entered the hotel business last year with its ESCAPE, Sansiri Hotel Collection. Hua Hin and Khao Yai were the first two locations chosen to pioneer this concept of mid-scale design hotels and resorts in Thailand. We recently visited ESCAPE Khao Yai (●329 Pansuk-Kudkla Road, Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima; 04 756 669–70; www.escape-hotel.com/khaoyai) and witnessed the “disconnect from the world, reconnect with nature” promise it offers its

visitors. The modern construction—very “Sansiri” in its style and with a wide use of stone and wood—stands out amidst a backdrop of astonishing green mountains. Aptly inspired on nature, the décor of its 48 Deluxe Rooms and six Sunken Heated Pool Villas (featuring private heated pools) follow different themes of earth, wood, forest, and flora, which are enhanced by specific aromas and music compilations in each type of room. The hotel is located just a short drive away from the entrance to Khao Yai National Park, which makes it very convenient for a day-trip there. Just grab one of the hotel’s bicycles and picnic sets, and you’re good to go. However, as Khao Yai’s microclimate is characterized by a hot, a rainy, and a cold season, with temperature oscillations that go from 10°C-30°C, a visit to the park might not always be ideal. So, when the weather

doesn’t allow you to venture into the greenery, making use of the hotel’s services and facilities is a great way to still soak up the fresh air and calm vibes in the area. Some of ESCAPE Khao Yai’s features include a spa, where the use of stone, together with the aromatic essential oils used by therapists in hermetic, quiet rooms, make getting a massage there a must in order to complete a full relaxation therapy. Next to the spa, there is a fitness area equipped with high-tech machines and, right outside, a swimming pool. An open-air activity ground with an outdoor fireplace that glows at night, offers a fantastic view (especially on a starry night) from Green Oak Bistro, located on the second floor of the main building. The restaurant opens up to a 360-degree view of the surroundings, and it serves farm-to-table Thai and international dishes prepared with local produce, including their signature cocktails, such as Escape to Sangria and the Ginger Cooler. Choices you may enjoy from the menu are the fun-to-eat salmon nam prik, the very spicy ham salad, a tasty tom yum gung, and freshly fried banana fritters. The hotel also has conference and catering rooms for up to 90 people which, together with its functional rooms, proximity to Bangkok, and outdoor offerings, make it ideal for hosting teambuilding activities and meetings away from other distractions. NOVEMBER 2014 | 33

Sunset Cruise to the Islands

What: Enjoy the perfect end to a magical day in Krabi with a sunset cruise to local islands such as Hong, Hong Lagoon, Pak Bia, and Nok islands, with this “Sunset Cruise to Local Islands and Dinner” offer. Relax in a luxury speedboat as it cruises across the glistening blue Andaman waters, experience the romance and beauty of an Andaman sunset, and savor exquisite wine and gourmet canapés as you watch some of Asia’s most spectacular scenery. When: Ongoing Where: Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi Resort & Spa, Krabi How much: THB 20,000++ (for up to two guests and THB 2,200++ for each additional guest) or THB 24,000++ (for up to two guests and THB 3,500++ for each additional guest) depending on the program More info: 075 627 800; rsvn@sofitelphokeethrakrabi.com

Dusit Thani Hua Hin

Win a Two Nights’ Stay at The Racha Resort

Hua Hin Holiday Shopping

What: Stay, shop, and save with this “Holiday Shopping Special” package at Dusit Thani Hua Hin. Book a room and, upon check-in, you will receive a voucher pack with special benefits and promotional discounts offered by local retail outlets and attractions such as Cicada Market, 4D Illusion Art Museum, Hua Hin Safari, The Venezia Hua Hin, and Fly Now Factory Outlet, among other perks. Where: Dusit Thani Hua Hin When: From now until December 15 How much: Starts at THB 4,600++ More info: 032 252 0296 ext. 2006; http://dusitthanihuahin.dusit.com

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What: To celebrate its 10th anniversary, The Racha is offering the possibility of winning a two nights’ stay at the hotel, including boat transfer, through its Facebook and Instagram campaigns. “Like” their Facebook page (●www.facebook.com/theracha.phuket), share their cover photo, answer on the comments section “Why do you wish to visit The Racha?,” and tag the person you would like to travel with. Alternatively, visit their Instagram profile (theracha_resort), post your best shot taken at The Racha Resort, and add the following three hashtags: #theracharesort #ilovetheracha #escapetotheracha. When: From now until December 31; winner will be announced on January 15, 2015 How much: Free More info: www.facebook.com/theracha. phuket; www.instagram.com/theracha_ resort

Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel

Sofitel Phokeethra Krabi Resort & Spa

TRAVEL HOTEL DEALS

“Love Travel” in Bangkok

What: Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel encourages LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) travelers to enjoy a memorable time in Thailand with the hotel’s “Love Travel” campaign, as this city center hotel recently became an official member of IGLTA (International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association), which helps to support this community to travel more at ease. This is part of Marriott International’s new campaign to make everyone feel comfortable “being who you are, everywhere you travel.” When: Ongoing Where: Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, Ploenchit, Bangkok (BTS Chidlom station) More info: 02 125 5000; www.renaissancebangkok.com

“Life’s a Beach” in Samui

What: Three Centara resorts on Samui are offering the “Life’s a Beach” package, designed to make visitors enjoy their visit to the island to the fullest. The package, applicable for two adults and up to two children sharing their parents’ room and bedding, is also offered in other Centara properties in Krabi, Khao Lak, and Phuket. The rates include roundtrip airport transfers, daily breakfast, free Wi-Fi, welcome cocktails for two adults, and a 60-minute aromatherapy massage for two. When: Various dates from now until March 2015 Where: Centara Grand Beach Resort Samui, Chaweng; Centara Villas Samui, and Centra Coconut Beach Resort Samui How much: Check individual hotels for individual rates More info: 02 101 1234 ext 1; www.centarahotelsresorts.com/package/ life-is-a-beach.asp

Asita Eco Resort

TRAVEL HOTEL DEALS

What: Enjoy a special holiday break amid green and peaceful natural surroundings, but just one hour away from Bangkok, during Loy Krathong. Asita Eco Resort’s special rate includes buffet breakfast for two people, boat trip to three famous places of interest such as the Amphawa Floating market, and a magnificent view of the longest krathong floating on Maeklong River. Float your own krathong on the river before heading back to the resort, where you will see millions of fireflies in their natural habitat along two sides of the river. When: November 6 Where: Asita Eco Resort, Amphawa District How much: THB 3,000 net More info: 089 866 3 168, 089 866 2168; www.asitaresort.com; www.facebook.com/asitaresort

Somerset Lake Point Bangkok

Green Holiday on Loy Krathong

Introductory Rates at Newly Renovated Somerset

What: The newly renovated Tower B apartments at Somerset Lake Point Bangkok are now ready after the completion of a multi-million Baht refurbishment. Experience the hotel’s new look with the special introductory rates of Tower B apartments. When: From now until December 31 Where: Somerset Lake Point Bangkok, Sukhumvit 16 (BTS Asoke station) How much: Starts at THB 2,700 More info: 02 344 2500, 1 800 888 272 (Thailand toll-free); enquiry.bangkok@the-ascott.com; www.the-ascott.com

What: Experience Hua Hin’s Old World charm and aristocratic associations by checking in at one of Asia’s classic grand hotels: The Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas, Hua Hin. One of Asia’s legendary hotels, this resort has been the favorite of many international jetsetters since the early 20s and, like a vintage wine, has grown better and better with time. When: From now until April 30, 2015 Where: Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, Hua Hin How much: A further 10 percent discount on the rates published under the hotel’s Best Price Guarantee scheme More info: www.centarahotelsresorts. com/enews/rediscover-Centara-GrandBeach-Resort-Villas-Hua-Hin/

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

Eastin Yama Hotel

Aristocratic Splendor in Hua Hin

Make Your Wish a Reality in Phuket

What: The latest deluxe property of the Eastin chain of international hotels and residences, Eastin Yama Hotel, presents an irresistible offer for two-night’s stay with the “Make Your Wish A Reality” package. When: From now until November 15 Where: Eastin Yama Hotel, Phuket How much: Starts at THB 3,999 net More info: 076 303 457; rsvn@eastinyamaphuket.com; eastinyamaphuket.com

Oasis Spa

Congratulations to New Minister of Tourism and Sports

Oasis Spa Makes Splash at Russia’s Biggest Travel Trade Event

Oasis Spa received rave reviews at the “OTDYKH International Russian Travel Market-Leisure Trade Fair,” held in Moscow recently. Thailand’s premier spa brand gave a demonstration of Thai massage and the use of hot herbal compress balls at the Thai Spa Pavilion, sponsored by the TAT. The event was held at Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre, Moscow. Photo shows Eumporn Jiragalwisul, TAT Thailand Moscow office director, and Pathita Tantivejakul, chief of souvenir, being welcomed by Pakin Ployphicha and Toby Allen, managing directors of Oasis Spa, during their visit to the booth. Oasis Spa was chosen to represent the Thai Spa industry at Eastern Europe’s most prestigious travel fair.

PATA mPOWERs Queensland Tourism

Wayne Duberly (center), general manager of Centara Seaview Resort Khao Lak, welcomes Maeya-Nonthawan Thongleng (left), Miss Thailand World 2014, and PatVenus Nuntachai (right), 1st runner-up Miss Thailand World 2014, during a visit at Centara Seaview Khao Lak recently. The two beauty queens attended the Miss Myanmar World 2014 pageant held at the resort.

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

Thailand to Host Tour de France Next Year

The world’s biggest cycling race, Tour de France, will be held in Thailand in 2015. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) recently held preliminary talks with JeanEtienne Amaury, chairman of the Parisbased Amaury Sport Organization (the main agency organizing the annual Tour de France) in Paris, to seek ways of organizing this prestigious sporting event in Thailand. Tour de France is an annual multiple stage bicycle race held since 1903. TAT Governor Thawatchai Arunyik said more talks are underway, “but we expect Thailand to play the perfect host to this esteemed and prominent cycling race as early as in 2015.” The initiative is part of TAT’s plans to develop cycling tourism as well as ecofriendly travel and green tourism in the kingdom further.

Absolute Group Appoints Clément Gohin as F&B Manager

Absolute Resorts & Hotels, the resorts and hospitality division of the awardwinning Absolute World Group, recently appointed Clément Gohin as Food & Beverage Manager for the group’s Thailand operations. Based at the Phuket headquarters, Gohin will oversee all F&B operations across the group’s Phuket hospitality portfolio, which includes Absolute Bangla Suites, Absolute Nakalay Boutique Resort, the Absolute Twin Sands Resort & Spa, and Absolute Sea Pearl Beach Resort. Gohin’s extensive hospitality experience includes working in Europe and Asia. He has previously worked at the Blue Elephant Bangkok and Blue Elephant Brussels, where he held the General Manager (Restaurants) position. He holds an MBA in Hospitality Management from the esteemed Ecole de Savignac in France.

Absolute Resorts & Hotels

TAT

An exclusive new partnership between the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) is expected to provide Queensland tourism businesses with access to the latest Asia-Pacific visitor research. The partnership will empower them with access to a world first exclusive online visitor data, TEQmPower. The new TEQmPower platform aggregates data from key source markets and enables for on-demand, immediate insights to allow for faster, smarter decision making. This new paradigm in tourism data research provides a clearer understanding into current and future trends, assisting stakeholders to better determine key market performance. TEQmPower gives the industry the means of viewing key research and data in a clearly recognizable and easily understood format. TEQ is the first state tourism organization in Asia-Pacific to partner with PATA in delivering this technology to operators.

Centara Seaview Resort Khao Lak

Miss Thailand World 2014 visits Centara Seaview Resort Khao Lak

Yuwadee Chirathivat (3rd from right), chief executive officer of Central Department Store Co. Ltd.—on behalf of the management of the Central Group of Companies and the Centara Hotels & Resorts—presents a flower bouquet to congratulate Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul (center) on her appointment as Minister of Tourism and Sports. The management also hosted a dinner party for her at Red Sky Restaurant of Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.

Central Department Store

TRAVEL NEWS

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Oasis in the Cityâ&#x20AC;?

In the heart of cultural Chiang Rai, we proudly serve a perfectly clean, nice and cozy accommodation among the peaceful atmosphere 610 Phahonyothin Road, T.Wieng, A.Muang, Chiang Rai 57000 Tel: +66 (53) 600 680, Fax: +66 (53) 600 683 e mail: sales@lepattachiangrai.com www.lepattachiangrai.com Le Patta Hotel

TRAVEL FEATURE

MON: THE LAST OUTPOST OF THE HEADHUNTERS by Marco Ferrarese

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

Kit Yeng Chan

Follow Marco Ferrarese in Nagaland’s Mon district, one of the remotest corners of India, as he encounters former opium-smoking headhunters and their modern-day brethrens …

Permit in 2012 and is now accessible to independent travelers. However, this change hasn’t made venturing outside the capital Kohima or the transport hub Dimapur an easy affair; exploring the Mon district independently has been a test of endurance. This rugged borderland is home to the Konyak people. Here, the Indian subcontinent fades into a malaria-infested jungle that has given Burmese drug lords and kingpins a safe hideout for decades.

Kit Yeng Chan

An isolated land

Luckily, we have not taken another ill-fated public bus ride down the cliff. Nevertheless, when the shared jeep we are traveling in sputters smoke and comes to a halt in the middle of the dirt road, I can’t help but think that someone has cast over Mon district a powerful incantation that’s able to turn engines off, and drive buses down sharp hillsides. “We’re stuck … help us push!” The driver stops toying with the ignition, and my thoughts are interrupted by local Konyak and fellow passenger Alan, as he grips my arm firmly. We pile out of

the jeep, relieved to notice the airborne dust has thinned, though only because the wheels have stopped their futile spinning. We gather at the back and push, all four of us kicking against post-monsoonal sun-baked mounds of red earth. After a long minute, the engine comes back to life, sputtering black exhaust like an old, sick man gasping for fresh air. Mon village stretches out in front of us, dozens of flimsy wooden houses that coat the dark hills with soft shades of brown, the texture of their thatched roofs contrasting with the lines of the slopes’ curves. Alan graciously announces that we will be his guests for the following days, and leads the way to his home. We met him in Sibsagar; he is a student and is finally

Kit Yeng Chan

“L

ook,” the passenger next to me says, pointing out a spot where the dirt road clings dangerously to the hillside. “That’s where it went off the road.” My seat shakes as the tires struggle in the hardened mud. Behind a whirlpool of dust, I can see the gap where a public bus had careened off the road a few weeks earlier. It looks as if the bus had chosen that precise cliff to fall to its death, tearing off trees in a last attempt at survival. Its rusted body juts out from the hillside, eaten slowly by jungle vines and vegetation. If your idea of India is the Taj Mahal, camels strolling in the Rajasthani desert, or cups of sweet chai sipped in bustling streets, think again: you are entering a land of rugged hills and tribes where ancient headhunting habits have collided against the Burmese identity, leaving modernity derailed. Welcome to Nagaland, the last stop of India. It’s a raw Northeastern state whose inhabitants look more Southeast Asian than Indian, leaving the visitor confused about his geographic position. Nagaland finally levied a Restricted Area

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TRAVEL FEATURE

Kit Yeng Chan

not real Nagaland.” According to her, Mon is the place to be if someone wants to fully understand the state’s culture. “You have to be fast if you want to eat something. It’s Saturday afternoon, and soon they will be closing everything up for the weekend,” she explains. “They take Christianity very seriously around here.” Stocking up on essentials, we venture around the emptying streets as we receive plenty of invitations to join passersby on their way to church, dressed in their best clothes. They walk arm in arm with women in long dresses and hats, looking like they just came out of a 1960s black and white motion picture. Their invitations, however, are interrupted when an old tribesman clad in a dirty loincloth rocks onto the road from the forested slope, looking completely lost. His vacuous eyes are chasing an invisible skull that has been forced into extinction. In this very moment, I have a clarifying vista of Nagaland’s two clashing realities: one of savage, unadulterated tribal tradition, and another that transformed by embracing the religious path of development. One of the churchgoing men chases the old tribesman off with a chastising stare. “Don’t mind him; he’s crazy,” he explains. “He lives alone in the forest, like an animal.” In a way, it all makes perfect sense. Because the hills that were once washed and thus made sacred with the blood of clansmen, are now slowly giving way to the changes of modernity … if we may consider extreme Catholic devotion as “innovation.” I remain skeptical as I realize I have rarely visited a place so contradictorily stuck in a dimension all of its own. Modernity, in Nagaland, is still waiting somewhere else for the issuance of her Restricted Area Permit. But she doesn’t require one anymore.

LOOKEAST | TRAVEL

cultural exchange in form of guitar riffs. Our impromptu rock show fills Mon’s starpeppered night sky with copious bouts of hearty laughter.

Hunting for the head of modernity

When missionaries arrived in Nagaland at the end of the 19th century, they used Christianity to purge the area of bloody tribal wars. Soon, piles of human skulls disappeared from the front of houses where they used to sit as trophies. For the Nagas, heads meant power and war prestige, displayed by emblazoning golden faces in traditional warriors’ necklaces, one for each important victim represented. But today, as we walk to the small city center, the poltergeist of clan conflict appears sedated: it looks back at us from the tiny eyes of old men with darkly tattooed faces, who suck up oblivion from their opium pipes. Some crouch low next to the households, hiding their skinny legs behind rugged loincloths. They seem to be waiting for a time-warped train ride that will never come. As we reach the main thoroughfare, we see people squatting at the curbsides, rapidly exchanging goods for rupees. Women who have descended from nearby mountains pull a plethora of colorful goods from their sackcloth bags. It’s here that we meet a German woman on her way to lunch. She arrived in Mon from Kohima, and tells us that over there “it’s

Kit Yeng Chan

returning home after 320 kilometers of third-class travel in the packed Guwahati train, as there is no closer university. His fluent English is our ticket to making some sense of this new environment. In fact, all of the 16 principal tribes of Nagaland speak different, mutually unintelligible languages. Alan’s house is a marvel of ecotechnology: built at the top of a slope, it has been woven by hand, thatch by thatch, a skill passed down in his family. “I learned from my father,” he explains, “before he died.” When he shows us his room—a stilt hut complete with a veranda built entirely by him—I feel completely humbled by my own first-world ineptitude to provide for myself the basic things I would need to survive. Plumbing is provided by the nearby stream: each time we need more water, Alan disappears down the forested slope and returns with two buckets filled to the brim. “I live here with my two younger sisters,“ Alan continues as he prepares some tea, “while my older brother has an electronics shop in the town center, just next to the market.” We spend the rest of the night around the intimacy of the fireplace, with moonlight and candles keeping the darkness at bay as Alan’s sisters prepare rice and vegetables for their foreign guests. And before we all pick up a flame to light our way to the bedrooms, we have a go at

MY FAVORITE PLACE TRAVEL

BANGKOK

THE LOCAL James Syhabout – 35, Ubon Ratchathani Chef-owner at one Michelin-starred Commis restaurant, Oakland, U.S. My favorite place: Bangkok Bring there: Your best pair of walking shoes. Walking is the best way to get to know the city. Must-do: Eat everything and anything. Eat at street food carts and restaurants along the avenues. Even durian. Don’t do: Sleep in. You will definitely be missing out on a lot.

KOH PHI PHI

Must-see: Or Tor Kor market—one of best fresh markets I have been to—if you are into cooking and food. Must-buy: Vintage Molam and Luk Thung records at Zudrangma Records, at Sukhumvit Soi 51. Eat at: Janhom (273/4 Ramkhamhaeng Soi 21,) awesome Southern Thai cuisine. Drink at: The Iron Fairies at Thonglor, or Studio Lam located at Sukhumvit Soi 5 – what a fun joint and the music is always good. Sleep at: The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok – over the top hospitality and comfort.

THE TOURIST Rodrigo Aljaro – 31, Chile Marketing manager at Undurraga Vineyard, Chile My favorite place: Koh Phi Phi Bring there: Mosquito repellent. Must-do: Scuba dive by day, party at night. Don’t do: Drink one of those infamous buckets. You don’t know what you’ll get … except a definite hangover the next day.

Must-see: Viewpoint No.2, ideally just before sunset. The view is totally worth the long walk. Eat at: Anywhere! The food is amazing all over the island. Drink at: Reggae Bar. Sleep at: Any hotel on the port side of the island. The other bay is full of bars and nightclubs, which makes it messy, a bit dirty, and too loud at night to get a good rest. NOVEMBER 2014 | 43

THAI DESIGNS APPEAL TO PEOPLE ACROSS THE GLOBE Thai creative designs have been the product of deep thought and careful consideration, employing fine craftsmanship and detailedoriented production processes. The results speak for themselves, as the products of Thailand are distinctly unique and appealing on an international level.

THINK FASHION SOLUTION

THINK EXQUISITE EXQUISITEJEWELRY JEWELRY THINK Thai jewelry jewelry designers designers employ employ aa detail-oriented detail-orientedapproach approachinin Thai each stage of production. Thai precious stones are beautifully each stage of production. Thai precious stones are beautifully cut, using techniques that ensure the preservation the cut, using techniques that ensure the preservation ofofthe integrity of the stones. After the stones are cut, they are skillfulintegrity of the stones. After the stones are cut, they are skillfully set set and and prepared prepared for for adornment. adornment. The Thedesign designused usedininthe the ly setting grants each stone a unique look, providing the wearer setting grants each stone a unique look, providing the wearer with aa distinctive distinctive and and exquisite exquisitepiece pieceofofjewelry. jewelry. with Today... Thailand Thailand isisaaglobal globalleader leaderininstone stonecutting. cutting. Today... Thailand’s status status as as aa world world leader leaderininstone stonecutting cuttinghas hasconconThailand’s tributed to to positioning positioning itit as as aa global globalhub hubininthe thegem gemindustry. industry. tributed numbers of of foreign foreign vendors vendorshave haveexpressed expressedinterest interestinin Large numbers Bangkok Gems Gems && Jewelry Jewelry Fair, Fair,making makingititone oneofofthe themost most the Bangkok attended fairs fairs in in the the world worldfor forgem gembuyers buyersand andsellers. sellers. heavily attended

THINK FASHION FASHION SOLUTION SOLUTION craftsmen are are not not only onlymeticulous meticulousinintheir theirjewelry jewelrydesign, design, Thai craftsmen are also also renowned renowned for for their their understanding understandingofofclothing clothing they are and fashion. fashion. Their Theirintricately intricatelysewn sewndesigns designsare areshowcased showcased design and leading international international shopping shoppingmalls. malls. in leading intense attention attention to todetail detailcan canbe befound foundthroughout throughoutthe theentire entire An intense production process, process, starting startingwith withthe theinitial initialdesign designand andselection selection production of the finest helping Thailand Thailand earn earnaareputation reputationfor for finest threads, threads, helping unique design design and and high highquality. quality. Today... Thailand Thailand isishome hometo tomany manyofofits itsown ownfashion fashionclothing clothing brands that that compete competein inthe theinternational internationalarena. arena.

THINK VARIETY THINKSOURCING SOURCING VARIETY Thailand material sources, fostering creativity Thailandhas hasa avariety varietyof of material sources, fostering creativity inindesign. of of Thai craftsmen to to design.The Thenever-ending never-endingdedication dedication Thai craftsmen finding and newest materials helps Thailand to compete findingthe thebest best and newest materials helps Thailand to compete onona aglobal such asas spun silksilk areare weaved using globallevel. level.Threads Threads such spun weaved using special to to help increase their uniformity, as as specialbrushing brushingmethods methods help increase their uniformity, well the texture and feel of of thethe silksilk thread’s softness. wellasasimprove improve the texture and feel thread’s softness. The is is a garment that is both comfortable andand durable. Theend endresult result a garment that is both comfortable durable. Additionally, has been recognized forfor its its high quality Additionally,Thailand Thailand has been recognized high quality tanners areare well experienced andand leather skilled leathertanning. tanning.Thai Thai skilled tanners well experienced able leather in in product design. abletotobeautifully beautifullyshowcase showcasetheir their leather product design. Thai products areare well-known and widely used throughout Thaileather leather products well-known and widely used throughout the toto their excellent design and quality. theworld, world,due due their excellent design and quality. Today... Thailand’s leather goods areare well-known internationally Today... Thailand’s leather goods well-known internationally for their high quality. for their high quality. We wewe think creatively. WeWe aimaim to to Wedon’t don’tjust justthink thinkdeeply, deeply, think creatively. show the world that beautifully-designed, top-quality products show the world that beautifully-designed, top-quality products ofofThailand are highly trusted around thethe globe. Thailand are highly trusted around globe.

LIFESTYLE PERSONALITIES

“ TEA IS LUXURY ” Dilhan Fernando, son of the founder of Dilmah tea, talks about the Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge, recently held in Thailand, and how we should be drinking tea.

by Anita Zaror nce again, Bangkok was the chosen destination to host an international gastronomic event, which this time revolved

around tea. The Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge (●realhightea.dilmahtea.com), which took place in town on September 30 and October 1, aims to build knowledge among professionals in the hospitality industry to help them achieve better marriages between tea and food. It has been staged in more than 12 countries from Hong Kong to Chile and, in the Thailand Challenge, the team from the Shangri-La Bangkok was the proud winner. They were rewarded with an invitation to participate in the Global Challenge to be held in Sri Lanka, in May 2015. Dilhan Fernando, the younger son of Dilmah’s founder, Merrill Fernando, visited Bangkok to be part of the panel of judges. – What were the highlights of this competition? – In Thailand you have such an amazing assortment of flavors, so we got completely new, different ones that we’ve not seen in the challenge before, with a lot of sweetness coming through. There were also unusual combinations (like peanuts and tuna), amazing microherbs, and different local ingredients coming out of The Royal Project. Besides being Dilmah’s director, Fernando manages the Dilmah School of Tea (●www.facebook.com/schooloftea), the world’s first international school of tea based in Colombo, Sri Lanka. In partnership with institutes and universities, the school provides courses in countries like France, Australia, and New Zealand. While intermediate and advanced courses take place in Sri Lanka twice a year, one- or two-day sessions to train people in tea at an initial level also take place in other places around the world – Bangkok will have the honor of having the Dilmah School of Tea in early 2015.

LOOKEAST | LIFESTYLE

– Where does Thailand stand among the world’s tea-producing countries in terms of its tea-drinking culture? – I think here the tradition of drinking tea is quite strong because Thailand has its own tea industry but, as in some other countries, you have a standardized way of drinking tea. Like in Sri Lanka, they would have their tea with milk, or plain, or with ginger, and they normally drink it the same way every day. Or in China, somebody who drinks Tie Guan Yin will only drink Tie Guan Yin and, even if you go to England, which is the home of the tea-drinking tradition, you’ll find that somebody who drinks black tea with milk and one sugar will always drink it the same way. In most of the world it’s the same. But what we are celebrating here is something different: we are trying to encourage people to look at a variety of flavors and teas; to look at different times of the day, for example, to wake up and say: “It’s a bright morning, today I’ll have a nice strong tea” or “it’s a rainy morning today, then I want something different to pick me up.” We are trying to explain to people how versatile tea is and, through that, trying to encourage that for different times of the day, moods, and foods, there’s a different tea. – What does tea offer to its consumers, that other beverages don’t? – I don’t know where to begin. But if you look at the health benefits in tea … tea began as a medicine, and it then became a beverage. In December 2013, there were a series of publications (based on scientific research) that confirmed that tea is good for fighting dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, which is expected to be one of the biggest causes of premature death in the world. Tea protects against diabetes, which is the biggest cause of premature death in Asia, and reduces the impact of stress on the human body by more than 50 percent. Tea also protects people from cardiovascular disease and cancers and strengthens your immune system.

– Dilmah launched the first producer-owned tea brand in 1988. Taking its journey from then until its worldwide success today as an example, what would you say makes a brand big? – I can tell you what makes a brand—and our definition is different because we are a family business. It is loving what you do, which is tea. Commercially, maybe there is a big opportunity to launch a range of hot beverages. But we believe that the integrity of doing what you know, so that I can sit in front of you and tell you with all sincerity that my tea is the best – and I know it to be the best – that’s the heart of it. So, whether you are making computers, flowers, or if you have a hotel, you need to know that your product or your service is the best. You need to have passion with your commitment. explained that beyond showcasing all the health aspects of tea, the Dilmah Real High Tea Challenge goes further to show the luxurious aspect of tea: “There’s a luxury in the variety, in the different tastes of the tea, in the influence of nature in creating the different flavors and the different types." “The new luxury is about nature, purity, and natural goodness. And, in this, there’s nothing like tea. It’s a herb without any equal; it is uniquely healthy, and unique in its variety. You have one plant, Camellia Sinensis, which produces everything from the rich, earthy and almost chocolaty teas that are made in certain areas with a lot of intense sunshine and soils. In between you have 7,000– 10,000 variants. And at the other extreme you have tea that is very light, fruity, with notes of lychee, notes of honey, white teas that are completely different again, Oolongs, and green teas. So the variety from one plant, one method, is all crafted by nature. As tea makers, all we do is take what nature has done and we make it into tea and, in terms of luxury, that is exactly the heart of it,” says Fernando. I tend to agree.

GHC Asia

NOVEMBER 2014 | 47

LIFESTYLE PERSONALITIES

THE GENERAL MANAGER WHO ROCKS This is how Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square’s new GM brought his passion for music to his career in hospitality. by Laurence Civil

agar Naker comes from the UK and his hospitality career started at the luxurious London Hilton on Park Lane. He worked in a selection of boutique hotels before joining Accor 14 years ago. Sagar’s last appointment in the UK was as general manager at Novotel London ExCeL, the multi award-winning hotel based in London Docklands. “After the birth of our second child, we felt it was time for a change,” says Sagar. “Asia is where the hospitality industry is booming. I applied for various jobs and the first I was offered was the opening of Novotel Bangkok Platinum, so I accepted and moved to Bangkok two-and-half years ago.” Sagar goes on to explain: “We live our lives through social media. Free Wi-Fi is a must-have as people want to be connected, which is why we offer it throughout the hotel, not just for in-house guests but also for anyone using our bars and restaurant. The modern culture is to photograph our food and drinks and post the images online. It’s in our best interest to help our guests to do that.” “There is a strong loyalty to our brand through Accor Le Club because of the benefits it offers our members. Online feedback helps us to change the way we do things; listening to the customer ensures we offer them the precise service they are looking for.” “When I joined the hotel a couple of months ago, the nightlife icon CM2 was closed and sitting in the dark,” he adds. “While visiting a bar in Hong Kong, I found bands whose members were business

LOOKEAST | LIFESTYLE

professionals by day with a passion to perform one or two nights a month. This got me thinking about a new entertainment concept for CM2. The usual networks of bands on the circuit with a set playlist, which always seemingly included Hotel California, were starting to sound tired. When my working day is over, the formal black business suit comes off, and playing in a band with other Accor GMs is our way to unwind and relax. This got me thinking as to what other performing musical talent there is in Thailand and how cool it would be to listen to new talent from a diverse range of musical genres.” “We organized a Big Band night in a sort of X Factor format, with a team of four judges including myself. A total of 30 bands applied and 25 performed on the night, with one band traveling for seven hours just to play one number — such is their enthusiasm and commitment to playing live music.” The winning band was Zanzer, made up of five young guys who are musical students from different universities but live in the same community in Samut Prakan, and they were the first to perform on the opening night of CM2 Live Jam. Their lead singer is Mhee (24), a classically trained opera singer with a powerful voice, who has the potential to be the Thai Freddie Mercury of the future. Arm (20), who is training to be a music teacher, performed a brilliant guitar solo on the opening night. He also rocked together with Ake (21), who is studying military music. Nueng (20), on drums, is a music student, and Tati (26) has already graduated and is teaching music. Sagar continued: “We caught up with

the band on opening night and they told us that they have been together for six years, and this was the first time they had ever entered a competition. They were surprised to win and it gave them confidence in their ability to perform. For them, it was a great opportunity to meet new friends who share their passion to perform rock. Their ambition is to write, record, and publish their own music. They took advantage of this opportunity to debut a song called “Together,” a number that represents the band and its future music by Arm and Thai lyrics written by Mhee.” “CM2 Live Jam isn’t a night club. It’s more like a cellar space in the spirit of Liverpool’s Cavern Club that cultivates live musical talent,” says Sagar. “We have just used the section closest to the reception with access from the lobby. I wanted to create a casual intimate environment, with the bands performing in a shallow pit rather than a raised stage so they are closer to the audience. Bands that play get a token payment and drinks for the night. It offers something different with multiple musical genres and different languages. There are open mic opportunities for onehour jamming sessions Thursday through Saturday 7 p.m. until midnight, with, on average, three to four bands performing each night. Food is simple comfort food, both Thai and Western, with dishes such as grilled baguettes and pasta, which offers easy-grazing while enjoying the music. Drinks are reasonably priced: just THB 130 for spirits, and no cover charge nor a dress code. Sagar is clearly a GM who rocks.

Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square

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Dave Stamboulis

LIFESTYLE GIFTS

THAI TREASURES Thailand produces everything from tiny trinkets to exquisite fabrics. Take home one of these traditional products as gifts and, with them, a small part of the Kingdom’s finest. by Rachel Ross

S Rachel Ross

tumbling across rare antiques in local markets, discovering the perfect presents within little family-run shops, creating your own bespoke pieces alongside designers and artists: all are aspects of the extraordinary Thai shopping experience. Although Thailand does possess its mass-produced items, the universal feel to the artistry here is one of authenticity, local sourcing, and distinctive cultural tradition. The country’s textiles, jewelry and antiques range in price. However, cheap does not necessarily demand a compromise on beauty or on craftsmanship. The blend of tradition and personal artistry provides

LOOKEAST | LIFESTYLE

us with this guide for unsurpassed gift shopping.

Textiles Woven Through History

Brought from China, Laos, Vietnam, and Northern Burma, Thailand’s modern-day textile trade yields fabric pieces that are more than just decoration. Appreciate and understand East Asia’s rich artisan textile history through the lively and distinctive colors, patterns, and weaves. Each individual design is symbolic and represents a specific tribe, village, and an individual’s position in his or her

Rachel Ross

community; every piece is laden with cultural heritage. Although these textiles are sold throughout the country, most of Thailand’s textile production takes place in the North. So, if you really want to experience Thai culture through fabric, you’ll need to head up to the province of Chiang Mai.

Close Encounter with Hill Tribe Artisans

For a truly remarkable day trip, you can hop into a songthaew (remember to stop off at the golden Wat Phra That Doi Suthep temple) and be taken up, up, and up into Chiang Mai’s mountains. Here, you get the chance to see the beautiful artistry in production by the Hmong hill tribes. Out of the six main hill tribes residing in Thailand, the Hmong are the most prominent in textile production. Support these communities while treating your friends and family with unique, handmade designs right from their place of creation. The city of Chiang Mai also boasts a vibrant Sunday Market in the Old City,

The Perks of Little Treasures Hand-picked antiques can be squirrelled away by the dozens in your suitcase, bespoke gemstone jewellery fits snugly into adorable little gift boxes, and handmade geometric scarves don’t add much to your airline weight limit. Take your gift pick: practical ceramics, beautiful ornaments, everyday clothing pieces, and special-occasion jewelled charms.

The Cons of Small Gift Trinkets

You may discover that the bracelet intended for your best friend has accidentally entwined itself around your wrist, and those beautiful cushion covers for relatives have woven themselves into a beautiful arrangement on your bedspread. Second gift buying is a precaution you may need to take.

winding from Ratchadamnoen Road to the famous Thapae Gate. As well as featuring performances, local cuisine and live music, the market is lined with stalls offering local handmade tapestries, scarves, bed-sheets, toys, jewelry, clothing, shoes, and all things textile. While traveling through Thailand, you’re likely to see tourists and locals alike adorned in these vibrant designs which, although affordable, still succeed in being rare discoveries.

Gems and Jewelry Southern Mystic Jewels

Traversing way, way down, a journey of winding mountain bus routes, exhilarating train rides, speedier flights, or a mix of all three will take you away from the Northern textiles and bring you to the sparkling jewels of the South. Countless cultures around the world NOVEMBER 2014 | 51

LIFESTYLE GIFTS

Rachel Ross

hold the belief that certain precious and semi-precious stones possess healing and positive qualities that are passed onto the wearer. Since ancient times, Thai tradition has considered jewels, as well as clothes, to bring success and happiness; the colors and stones you wear are intricately linked to specific days and dates. Whether you hold these beliefs yourself or not, giving gemstones as gifts is a wonderful way to pass on positivity and, by matching the gift to a person’s stone, show the recipient that you know them well.

Gemstones of Chanthaburi Gem admirers can find a stonetrading experience like no other in Chanthaburi, a small town around 260 kilometers southeast of Bangkok, possessing a centuries-old history of colored stone mining, cutting, and trading. Although perhaps not the

LOOKEAST | LIFESTYLE

best place for buying gemstones for the inexperienced eye, this small town allows you to catch a glimpse of the hectic and bizarre trading bazaar. Although fairly quiet throughout the week, the town’s gem market on Th Si Chan (Gem Road) erupts with activity on weekends when the trading really takes place. Professionals, enthusiasts, and a few passers-by are drawn in by the bargains and gorgeous precious stones.

Upwards Again, to Bangkok…

From small town market trading to city negotiations, find yourself in Bangkok’s Jewelry Trade Center, and follow lines of stores along Mahesak Road for a calmer than Chanthaburi precious stone buying atmosphere. For semi-precious, head to Songwad Road (Wat Koh) in Samphantawong, a more crowded atmosphere close to Chinatown.

… and Beyond

And, for a truly creative and personal touch, head back up to Chiang Mai for some unique, local, jewelry design with influences from both the hill tribes and modern Thai artisans. As well as the aforementioned Sunday Walking Street, scour the Saturday Night Market, in the traditional silversmith sector of the city on Wualai Street, for inexpensive hand-crafted jewelry. During the day, wander around Nimmanhaemin Road’s boutiques as well as other prominent stores like Eranyara (●145/2 Ratchadamnoen Road) for statement, high-end pieces and Dee Dee Pan Pan (●270 Thapae Road) for modest, unusual designs. Chiang Mai is bursting with jewelers and designers who are happy to create custom jewelry from stones you select, so don’t forget to try your hand at designing your own gemstone piece!

Rachel Ross

Lacquerware and Antiques Discoveries Down “Handicraft Highway”

Lacquerware craftsmanship largely came to Thailand from Burma and, so, although you can find items in Bangkok from craft stores and places such as the Chatuchak Weekend Market and Narayana Phan Pavilion, Northern Thailand is, again, the best place to buy locally made lacquerware. Thailand is a haven for delicate ceramics and wooden carvings at reasonable prices, and nobody can dispute the necessity of a second favorite teacup (especially if you’re British). Lacquerware is happily one of those wonderfully perfect “I don’t know what to buy this person” as well as a justifiable “treat yourself” gifts! Take a stroll down San Kamphaeng Road, stretching from Chiang Mai to San Kamphaeng village, for a myriad of

Tips for Buying Gems and Precious Stones • Watch out for Thailand’s gem scam – just Google this and you will get enough information about it • Know your stones or purchase from reputable dealers • Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate and refuse to be pressured • Feel committed, happy, and excited about your purchase

handmade and personalized items. While immersed in the intricate details of the handmade, don’t forget to visit the Lai Thong and Ban-Khern Emporiums: filled with beautiful lacquerware and antique artifacts, as well as modern designs and productions.

Getting closer to the details of production may take you out to Baan Tawai Village, in the Hangdong District of Chiang Mai. Here, at the home of wood sculptures and wood-carved products, you can see the art of carving, painting and lacquer production, step by step. You also can watch a cultural show and carpentry contest, coming away with an experience as well as with useful, practical, and beautiful presents. Gifts and goodies aren’t always for those you’re closest to, so remember to treat yourself to something special to remember your Thailand trip by. One of the most worthwhile things about buying from communities and artists directly? Of course, it’s that you see exactly what and who you’re supporting, and you allow the trade of independent and local talent to further flourish.

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LIFESTYLE GIFTS

Issaya Cooking Studio

A DAY TO REMEMBER A unique experience can be the most satisfying gift of all. Consider these highlights found in Thailand. by Thomas Sturrock

Cook Up a Storm

What better place to master the art of Thai cooking? World-renowned Thai chef Ian Kittichai (main image) recently opened his Issaya Cooking Studio (●Level LG, Central Embassy, 1031 Ploenchit Rd; www.issayastudio.com), giving visitors the chance to learn the secrets behind his distinctive cuisine. You’ll be doling out delicious baby back ribs in no time at all. For a more traditional approach, try the Blue Elephant Cooking School (●233

LOOKEAST | LIFESTYLE

South Sathorn Road; www.blueelephant. com/bangkok), which is one of Thailand’s most recognized hospitality brands.

Dine on the Water

Although exploring the Chao Praya by longtail boat is great fun, it can’t compete with the sheer luxury of a dinner cruise. The river is, of course, lined with five-star hotels so there’s no shortage of choices, but the Banyan Tree Hotel’s cruise remains one

of the city’s most popular. The tour, which lasts one hour and 45 minutes, takes diners past Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) and the Grand Palace to the golden Rama VIII Bridge, all of which provide the perfect backdrop for a delicious gourmet meal.

Get a Medical Makeover

Thailand has long enjoyed a reputation as a low-cost, high-quality destination for medical tourism, attracting visitors

LIFESTYLE GIFTS

BANGKOK SHOPPING GUIDE We may be French, Chinese, American, or Thai, but surely we all have one thing in common: we love to shop in Thailand!

Siam Paragon

(●Siam BTS station) Located at the center of Bangkok’s shopping area, Siam Paragon is the place where Thai and foreign shoppers go looking for high-end international brands. There is also a gourmet market and a food court, plus Thai traditional art shops. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Terminal 21

(●BTS Asok) With architecture designed to resemble an airport terminal, each of Terminal 21’s nine floors will take you to a different city, from Carnaby Street in London to San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Dave Stamboulis

King Power Downtown Duty Free Mall

from all over the world for a variety of procedures. Whether it’s colonic irrigation, cosmetic surgery or teeth whitening, the diversity of treatments on offer in Thailand is impressive. One of its key advantages is the relatively low cost of labor that ensures treatment is bespoke and tailored to the individual. Dentists, for example, can afford to pay their clinicians to hand-paint a tooth, rather than rely on machines.

Get Inked

For those eager to live on the edge, why not get inked up with a traditional Thai tattoo, also known as “yantra” or “sak yan”? These designs are believed to have magical animist powers and, certainly, the most devout believers are all too happy to demonstrate the supernatural effects of their tattoos. One of the most familiar—thanks in

LOOKEAST | LIFESTYLE

no small part to Angelina Jolie—is the “Ha Thaew,” made up of five lines of Thai text, each a blessing for good luck and most commonly etched on the left shoulder.

Learn to Scuba Dive

Thailand is one of the most pleasant and exciting places in the world to learn scuba diving, mainly due to its warm waters and affordable prices. The Similan Islands National Park is one of the most popular destinations for would-be divers, while the natural beauty of Koh Tao and Koh Samui has kept underwater explorers coming back for generations. Of course, if you want to stay in Bangkok, Planet Scuba (●02 712 8407; www.planetscuba.net) runs a program, as well as the “Dive with the Sharks” attraction at Siam Ocean World.

(●BTS Victory Monument) King Power Complex is the downtown duty-free store of the King Power International Group. Besides shopping, the complex is also worth a visit for its modern architecture, made of glass and steel. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Chatuchak Weekend Market

(●BTS Mo Chit) Chatuchak Weekend Market, also known as J.J. by locals, is one the largest openair markets in the world. Anything you can possibly imagine can be found in its intricate little streets. Open Saturdays and Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Pantip Plaza

(●BTS Rachatewi) Located in Phetchaburi road, close to the Platinum Fashion Mall, this shopping plaza is a paradise for all tech enthusiasts in Bangkok. Laptops, cameras, smartphones, tablets, and every other possible hightech gadget can be found in its five-storey building. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

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12.00 pm Lunch & Activities 1.30 pm Show Jumping 3.30 pm Fashion Show on Horse Back Kids Polo

4.00 pm Pink Polo Final 5.00 pm Stomping & High Tea 6.00 pm Prize Presentation Firework Assado & Dance

Madame Musur

LIFESTYLE NEIGHBORHOODS

AROUND KHAO SAN A mini guide to the streets and alleyways of Banglamphu By Dave Stamboulis

W Escapades Burgers and Shakes

hile Khao San Road may be legendary among visitors to Thailand, it is pretty squarely aimed at the foreign backpacking crowd, and the strip itself doesn’t offer much in the way of real Thai food, nor even gourmet offerings in the manner the rest of the city has gotten used to. But for those who like the area, all is not lost as the streets and alleyways directly around Khao San are home to some excellent food and drink, and they are well worth a visit. Some of these spots hide so well, they even fall off the tourist radar and offer some outstanding quality and value.

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Madame Musur

(●41 Soi Rambuttri, behind the Chana Sonkhram Temple at the Chakkrapong Rd end of Khao San; 089 509 3085) Featuring wooden tables, batik paintings, and an old rickshaw parked outside, this simple and homey spot fits in well with all the no-frills bars along sleepy Soi Rambuttri, which runs around the old temple complex between Khao San and Phra Athit. Yet the owner here was the former F&B guru at the Marriott, and the menu serves up great signature cocktails at absurdly cheap prices, along with hard to get northern Thai food like “nam prik ong chili” paste or “sai oua” sausages to go with the drinks.

Escapades Burgers and Shakes

Ranee’s Velo Restaurant

Escapades Burgers and Shakes

(●15 Soi Trok Mayom, Chakkrapong Road; 02 281 8975) Bangkok has been swept up in a bicycle craze in the past years, with all sorts of bicycle clubs, magazines, and shops springing up to cater to the pedaling masses. Ranee’s prides itself on being a “velo” restaurant, and hidden down tiny Trok Mayom lane (the alleyway paralleling Khao San just to the south), it certainly has bicycle-only parking. The restaurant has a fashionable yet kick-back vibe, and it serves up homemade Italian pasta, wood-oven pizzas, and mojitos and other cocktails made with herbs from the restaurant’s own garden. Just make sure not to drink and bike.

Escapades Burgers and Shakes

Ranee’s Velo Restaurant

Madame Musur

(●112 Phra Athit Road; 081 406 3773) While the place may look like Bangkok’s grungiest hole in the wall, Escapades surely serves up the finest food and drink west of Thong Lor. Chef Van Rohitratana and his buddy, award-winning mixologist Karn Liangsrisuk, specialize in truly gourmet hamburgers and possibly the most unusual and best-mixed cocktails in town. The place is hopelessly packed and certainly isn’t the most chill spot to relax, not to mention that the prices are a bit high for the neighborhood. But the burgers, shakes, and cocktails will leave you speechless.

NOVEMBER 2014 | 59

LIFESTYLE NEIGHBORHOODS

Sheepshank

(●47 Phra Athit; 02 629 5165) Chef Joke, of the popular Seven Spoons Restaurant, has opened up this lovely riverside place by the Phra Athit Pier. Calling itself an “American Western restaurant,” this spacious industrial styled spot set in a former boatyard features an eclectic organic menu, with highlights like artichoke and lentil tart with watercress pesto or organic sausages with mashed bleu cheese potatoes taking their place alongside signature cocktails and craft beer.

Shewa Spa

Bombay Blues (●51 Soi Rambuttri,

near Chao Fah Road; 085 859 6515) This funky little spot not only serves some decent Indian food, but it is also a great chill-out shisha bar that happens to spin Bollywood tunes and becomes quite trendy come weekends. As it’s located in an old house tucked into the very back of Soi Rambuttri, visitors often get lost looking for Bombay Blues, but it is recognizable by its bright red lit facade and red tent-like tables across the way outside. The divans, cushions, and sit-on-the-floor space are perfect for chilling out—that is, before the Bollywood dancing starts.

Bombay Blues

(●108/2 Rambuttri Road; 02 629 0701) It’s not all eating and drinking around Khao San Road. Soi Rambuttri is lined with outdoor massage chairs, and the crowds attest to the popularity and great value massages to be had here. For something a bit more private, head into Shewa Spa, where treatments range from hot herbal compresses to oil and Thai massages. This all-encompassing spa also has a beauty salon and product shop under one roof.

Roti Mataba

(●136 Phra Athit; 02 282 2119) A legend in the neighborhood, this hole in the wall has been in operation since 1943, serving up roti and martaba (Indian square bread) with all sorts of curries and other toppings. For dessert lovers, Roti Mataba also does chocolate- or banana-topped rotis, smothered in lots of ultra-sweet condensed milk.

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Smiths

(●Soi Trok Mayom; 084 734 1027) Just down the alley from Ranee’s, this gem (not to be confused with Ian Kittichai’s Smith over on Sukhumvit) is the only house left standing in this dark, narrow alleyway. It’s located in an old wooden Thai home, and visitors are in for a treat as the restaurant server gourmet food fit more for an elegant riverside boutique or a Thong Lor establishment. From New Zealand mussels to “gung che nam pla” shrimp with wasabi served up alongside passion fruit mojitos, the outstanding Thai dishes, perfect drinks, and unbelievable prices will leave you wondering why you didn’t know about this place before.

Adhere the 13th

(●13 Samsen; 089 769 4613) It’s so small it is easy to walk past Adhere, but this jam-packed blues bar is one of Bangkok’s most legendary establishments. Describing Adhere as a honky-tonk dive bar isn’t too far off, and locals pack the joint every night for B.B. King, Louis Armstrong, John Lee Hooker, and more.

Where Italian dining experience meet art and passion !

By Alessandro Frau Chef/Patron

324/15 Prabaramee Road â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Kalim Bay - Patong - Phuket Tel 076 618127 email: reservations@acquarestaurantphuket.com www.acquarestaurantphuket.com Restaurant of the Year Chef of the Year

LIFESTYLE SPA DEALS

What: A 150-minute treatment that begins with a natural coconut body scrub, then followed with a rich fresh coconut hot compress massage to nourish your body, and finishes with a full body coconut hot oil massage. When: From now until November 30 Where: Oasis Spa throughout Thailand How much: Buy one treatment at THB 3,900++ and enjoy 50 percent off on another one More info: 02 262 2122

So Perfect Winter

What: A spa deal to welcome the winter season in Thailand, the “So Perfect Winter” So SPA promotion includes a hot oil treatment and signature facial massage. When: From now until November 31 Where: So SPA, Sofitel So Bangkok How much: THB 4,200 net per person (regular price THB 6,150) More info: 02 624 0000; H6835-TH2@Sofitel.com

What: A new body scrub treatment just introduced at the signature spa concept of Amari hotels, based on almond milk and honey. When: Ongoing Where: Breeze Spa, Amari Hua Hin and Amari Pattaya How much: Free when making advance booking for any other treatment that is 45 minutes or longer, from the à la carte spa menu (regular price THB 1,650) More info: 032 616 600 ext. 7801; huahin@breeze-spa.com

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Amari

Almond Milk Honey Body Scrub

What: “Away Time” at Away Spa is a confirmed favorite among women and men, who can choose from two hours of a soothing Lady Time or an invigorating Man Time. Women can enjoy the spa’s signature 60-minute Away Massage followed by 60-minute Away Facial. Men can get energized with the one-hour Man Power Up Massage and then 60-minute Man Kind Facial. When: From now until December 31 Where: Away Spa of W Bangkok, Sathorn Road, Bangkok How much: THB 3,990 More info: 02 344 4000; awayspa.wbangkok@whotels.com

Centra Central Station Hotel Bangkok

Oasis Spa

Coconut Nourishment

W Bangkok

Away Time

Sofitel So Bangkok

What: Enjoy a two-hour spa experience that uses the Thai herbs that usually make Thai cuisine so distinctive. The “Royal Thai Cuisine Spa Package” begins with a 35-minute “Tom Yum Exfoliating Scrub” to cleanse the skin, remove dead skin cells, and soften their texture; followed by a 25-minute “Som Tam Body Wrap” which nourishes, restores, and tones the skin with fresh papaya; and then a 60-minute “Pad Thai Cuisine Body Massage,” which combines acupressure with aromatic oils for muscle relaxation and relief of muscle tension. When: From now until November 30 Where: Spa Cenvaree at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok How much: THB 2,500++ per person More info: 02 541 1234 ext. 4292 and 4567; spacenvareecglb@chr.co.th

Centara Grand

Royal Thai Cuisine Spa Package

Soothing Chrysanthemum

What: This 90-minute “Soothing Chrysanthemum” treatment uses essential oils for a soothing scrub to remove dry skin. This is followed by a calming massage with sweet almond oil, promoting a deep sense of relaxation and wellbeing. When: From now until November 31 Where: Cense by Spa Cenvaree at Centra Central Station Hotel Bangkok (Hua Lumpong) How much: THB 1,200++ More info: 02 344 1699 ext. 4; csb@chr.co.th

salads, wraps, sandwiches, paninis, pasta, soups, smoothies Mercury Ville 540 Ploenchit Road Chidlom/Langsuan Intersection Ground Floor BTS: Chidlom Open Daily 9am - 10pm Tel. 02-658-6688

Siam Paragon 991 Rama1 Road Ground Floor (Opposite MK Gold) BTS: Siam Open Daily 10am - 10pm Tel. 02-610-7714

Empire Tower Second Floor Sathorn / Narathiwas Intersection BTS: Chong Nonsi Tel. 02-670-1898

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WINE&DINE FEATURE

FOOD WITHOUT THE FLAB Bangkok-born food blogger shares her recipes for a healthy, hearty, heavenly meal at a recent Grand Hyatt Erawan event.

Percy Roxas

by Percy Roxas

he loves food but fear excess flab. She admits to being overweight in her teens, but today, thanks to the blog she started in Dubai, where she lives with her husband, Bangkok-born Serina S. Bajaj has been creating waves for healthy, hearty, and heavenly vegetarian food recipes. Serina was in Bangkok recently as a special guest chef for the Grand Hyatt Erawan’s “Vegetarian Festival” promotion. She proved that wholesome food can be delicious, and that flavors and a feast full of fat need not go hand in hand. Serina is not a vegetarian—although has never been a big meat-eater—but her husband is, so she became “herbivorous by default.” It was, as she puts it, “while on a quest to keep my husband’s belly full, mine flat—and both our taste buds happy” that her blog, A Skinny Dish, was born. “My husband and I enjoy sharing food, so I look for new meat-free recipes constantly—and trust me, it’s not all about tofu and lentils,” Serina says. “You can still eat mouthwatering food and know that that it’s not going to give you bulge from your bikini. All you have to do is look for new recipes regularly, stay open-minded, be experimental, get your pantry organized, and start cooking.” Here are some original recipes from Serina that you might want to try at home:

LOOKEAST | WINE & DINE

Portobello Marinara

For garnish: ● fresh parsley (roughly chopped) ● shaved Parmesan cheese (omit if vegan/ dairy free/low-fat) Instructions 1. Marinate mushrooms for one hour with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. 2. Meanwhile, start making the marinara sauce by sautéing garlic and onion in a frying pan over medium/high heat until they're very well browned. Add tomatoes and reduce heat to medium. Leave to simmer for about 8–10 minutes (or until tomatoes are cooked), stirring occasionally. Texture should become mushy. 3. When done, reduce heat to low/medium. Add sea salt, chili flakes, coconut sugar, garlic powder, basil, and tomato paste. Stir for 1–2 minutes till basil is cooked. Set aside. 4. Turn the oven heat to 180° Celsius. Squeeze excess marinade liquid from the mushroom caps gently with your fingers and place them, gills facing up, on a foillined baking tray brushed with some olive oil. 5. Spoon the marinara sauce into the hollow space of each mushroom, dividing the sauce equally among the 3 caps. 6. Sprinkle fresh parsley and Parmesan cheese (if using) on top of the sauce and bake the mushrooms for approximately 20–35 minutes (see note below). Serve immediately. Notes: Baking time varies according to

Percy Roxas

Banana & Cacao Crumble

(Serves 4 to 6)

Percy Roxas

Ingredients For the Portobello mushrooms + marinade: ● 3 portobello mushrooms (rinsed, stems removed) ● 3 tbsp light olive oil ● 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar ● generous sprinkle of dried parsley ● sea salt and black pepper (to taste) For the marinara sauce ● 3 tomatoes (diced with skin and seeds) ● 1/4 onion (diced finely) ● 1 tbsp light olive oil ● 2 cloves garlic (minced) ● 1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste ● sea salt (according to taste) ● handful basil (roughly chopped) ● chili flakes (according to taste) ● 1/4 tsp garlic powder ● 1/2 tsp coconut palm sugar

Percy Roxas

(Serves three)

the size and thickness of the Portobello mushroom caps, so make sure to keep a watchful eye. The thicker and larger they are, the longer they’ll take. Remember to go organic as much as you can!

Lemon-Miso Edamame Salad (Serves two)

Ingredients ● 3/4 edamame kernels (see notes) ● 2 small radishes (sliced thinly in semicircles) ● 3 tbsp sweet corn kernels ● 3 tbsp pomegranate seeds ● 1/4 cups nori sheets (lightly toasted in sesame oil and sea salt) Lemon-Miso Dressing ● 1 tsp white miso ● 1 tsp honey (maple syrup if vegan) ● 1/2 tbsp brown rice vinegar ● a good squeeze of lemon ● 1 tsp tamari (gluten-free) Instructions 1. Whisk all the ingredients for the lemonmiso dressing in a small mixing bowl and set aside. 2. Place all the ingredients for the salad in a medium/large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over. 3. Stir gently with a spoon so that all the salad ingredients are well coated. 4. Transfer to serving bowl and serve immediately. Notes: If you can't find fresh edamame, frozen ones are often available in large supermarkets’ freezer sections. Remember to go organic as much as you can!

Ingredients Banana-Cacao Filling: ● 2 large ripe bananas (sliced) ● 1/2 tsp vanilla powder/ground vanilla ● 1 tbsp maple syrup ● 2 tbsp cacao chunks (roughly chopped to small pieces; see notes) Crumble Crust: ● 1/2 cups of rolled oats (gluten-free) ● 2 1/2 tbsp almond meal ● 2 tbsp coconut oil (virgin, cold pressed) ● 2 tbsp maple syrup ● a pinch of sea salt Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 175 ° Celsius. 2. Place sliced bananas, vanilla powder, maple syrup and cacao chunks in a medium mixing bowl. Toss or use a spoon to combine the ingredients well but gently. Transfer to a round ovenproof baking dish. 3. Combine all the ingredients for the crumble crust in a separate mixing bowl. Spoon the crumble mixture evenly over the banana-cacao filling, using a spoon to flatten out the surface. 4. Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake for 35–40 minutes or until the crumble is firm and golden brown. You may need to up your oven temperature to 185 ° Celsius for the last 5–10 minutes. 5. Serve immediately on its own or drizzled with custard or low fat yoghurt! Notes: If you can't find cacao chunks (or something similar), replace with good quality organic dairy-free dark chocolate chips/chunks. You can store the banana & cacao crumble leftover in the fridge for approximately three days and reheat before eating each time. Remember to go organic as much as you can! For more of Serina’s healthy, hearty and heavenly dishes, visit www. askinnydish.com. NOVEMBER 2014 | 65

Seafood Market & Restaurant

WINE&DINE RESTAURANTS

SUPER SEAFOOD SPREAD Bangkok’s largest inner-city restaurant is big in every detail, including reputation. Richard Mcleish heads to the Seafood Market & Restaurant to see if it can meet expectations and deliver on its iconic signage’s promise. by Richard Mcleish

ention the phrase “If it swims we have it” to any Bangkokian, and they will instantly know what you are talking about. Whether they have been inside the Seafood Market & Restaurant (●89 Sukhumvit Soi 24, Klongtoey, Bangkok; 02 261 2071–5; www.seafood.co.th) or not, the neoninfused blue sign that stretches over Sukhumvit Soi 24 is one of the city’s great landmarks, immortalized in cultural tombs such as “Bangkok Days” by Lawrence Osborne. But those who venture inside to test the validity of the great claim are in for a surprise. The restaurant is positioned on an expansive 11-rai plot of land that lies the

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middle of the developed soi. Flanked by towering residential condos, it’s a stalwart and kick-back to the old Bangkok with its grandiose proportions and gaudy décor to match. It’s the biggest inner-city restaurant of the capital by a country mile, lending its scaling from its major target—the Chinese—although Middle Easterners have joined the fray of late. Reportedly there is room for more than 1,500 diners, perhaps confirmed by our table number – 357. Facilities include an outdoor garden area for smokers, function annexes and 14 VIP rooms upstairs that are appropriately ornate and resemble a gaudy set from “Scarface”. But downstairs, in the expansive main room, is where the bona fide market action happens.

As you enter through the sweeping front doors, you’ll notice the throng of chefs expertly maneuvering huge woks full of morsels engulfed in juices and flames. It’s the perfect appetizer, launching your sensory expectations for the impending buffet onslaught inside the room ahead. Through the doors, the huge room rolls out in every direction with a sea of tables and countless staff dispersed among them like buoys to guide you through the oceanic expanse. You’d be particularly unlucky not to find a table with this scale of proceedings. Once settled, it’s time to head to the neon-drenched market that lines the back wall of the room. It is also in proportion, offering a long buffet of seafood on ice, as

Seafood Market & Restaurant

well as an extensive vegetable and fruit section and a drinks corner that stocks a good selection of new and old world wines as well as spirits. Grab yourself a shopping trolley (really), and take advice from the helpful staff who are on-hand to guide you through the all-important selection process. We liked the look of the blue crabs and Maine lobsters, both still alert and watchful, as well as the big array of fresh produce to balance your meal out. It’s a shopper/foodie’s paradise, and the shared look in the eye of many punters is testament to the thrill of selecting your own dinner. With a full trolley, head to the checkout where the ever-helpful staff make suggestions about the cooking techniques to bring out the best of your selections. Then it’s back to the table to let the chefs do their best. In what seemed like no time, colorful plates of deliciousness began to emerge on the lazy Susan before us. The chefs had indeed converted our selections into huge monuments of gastronomy. With big as the theme, there was nothing left to do but eat up; eat up big. We started with curry crab, which was fleshy and fresh. Then we enjoyed a steamed snow fish served in a delectable Chinese-style rice wine, soy and ginger

sauce that countered the sweetness of the fleshy fish. Clams came next, served with another moreish Chinese-style sauce and chilies for Thainess. River prawns sourced from Burma and Vietnam were the freshwater contingent, and expertly cooked (lightly) in their own juice for maximum flavor. Our helpful waiter emerged form nowhere to draw out the pinkish flesh from the barbed antennae with expert technique. Also involved was morning glory cooked in garlic and seafood fried rice to round out the feast. It’s no surprise to learn that the restaurant is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and with longevity

comes loyalty from staff – no mean feat in this city and something that money can’t buy. The longest serving member of staff proudly toured us around the VIP section, while other staff attended with purpose. Such subtle touches help soften the kitschiness of the surrounds and smooth the transition from marketplace to restaurant with style. Seafood Market & Restaurant is perfect for groups of infinite size (seriously), as well as those looking to go large-scale on a seafood buffet with some of the freshest offerings around. Naturally, going on an empty stomach is advised. Open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. NOVEMBER 2014 | 67

Bo.lan

Anita Zaror

Bo.lan

WINE&DINE RESTAURANTS

BO.LAN’S REVAMP A new location for an acclaimed staple.

by Thomas Sturrock

iven Bo.Lan (●24 Soi Sukhumvit 53, Bangkok; 02 260 2962; bolan.co.th) had so successfully carved out a niche for itself in Phrom Phong, it may have been risky to pull up stumps and move a few blocks down Sukhumvit to Soi 53. But one visit is enough to conclude that the move is likely to pay off – everything that was so inviting about Bo.Lan’s previous home has been lovingly recreated in its new location. Decked out in dark woods and cool tones, the décor is modern Thai, while the food is more traditional. And, to top it all off, there’s even a swimming pool. The new site has not persuaded husband-and-wife chef team Duangporn “Bo” Songvisava and Dylan Jones to veer from their tried and tested menu, which emphasizes traditional cooking methods, features local produce and, above all, finds

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a delicate balance between different Thai flavors. Indeed, the lunch menu at Bo.Lan takes its name from this idea – the Balance Menu (THB 880 per person). It begins with an amuse-bouche before taking diners through a selection of salads, soups, stirfries, and curries. The salads, in particular, are a revelation. One option includes a spicy mackerel with a distinctively salty aftertaste, while the other combines squid and banana blossom to delicious effect, finished with a punchy chili jam dressing that delivers a symphony of tastes and textures that linger on the tongue. The soups aren’t quite as exciting – there’s a clear bamboo broth as well as a hot and sour soup made from smoked fish and Ban San-Fan chicken. It’s all immaculately presented, of course, but these dishes perhaps lack a signature

ingredient that would elevate them to something truly memorable. Fortunately, the stir-fries deliver strong dishes. There’s a turmeric-fried fish of the day as well as stir-fried prawns with paddy oat leaves. The prawns radiate that irresistible pinkish-orange color that really gets the mouth watering. Finally, the curries are perhaps the most satisfying of all – whether you choose the southern-style prawns with a tropical longan twist or the red curry with grilled pork and green bananas. These are well thought through dishes, where Thai flavors are rendered in perfect balance giving exquisite tastes. It’s not as bold and brassy as some of the modern Thai outlets currently making their mark in Bangkok. But for those who appreciate refined dedication to traditional Thai cuisine, Bo.Lan’s is sure to remain an enduring favorite.

Dressed

WINE&DINE RESTAURANTS

BANGKOK GETS DRESSED UP A year after its first branch opened in the capital, the health-conscious international food chain Dressed already has three outlets in town … and with more to follow. by Percy Roxas

angkok must be becoming a city of healthy eaters. Otherwise, how do you explain the success of Dressed, the salad bar concept launched just a little over a year ago, but which already has three branches in the city? Dressed is now at Mercury Ville (Langsuan), Siam Paragon, and Empire Tower – and don’t be surprised if further expansions are announced. Dressed has always been a winning

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concept. From the beginning, the superhealth-conscious café notion created by chef Justin Smolev has been striking a chord among savvy, in-shape eaters everywhere. Smolev has worked in some of America’s greatest restaurants such as Thomas Keller’s “The French Laundry” in California, and Daniel Boulud’s “Daniel” in New York, and he used his expertise to create this unique deli-esque format. Dressed takes the health concept to new

heights with extended menu choices, premium ingredients, nutritious dishes, and intense flavors. Such a concept cannot be confined to Atlanta where it originated, and so Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand also got “Dressed” up. Indeed, it was only a matter of time before Bangkok caught up with the Dressed bandwagon, and credit goes to Sid Sehgal and his high school friend, Anchit Sachdev,

INTRODUCING NEW A-LA-CARTE, WEEKEND BRUNCH, AND WEEKDAY THALI MENUS

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WINE&DINE RESTAURANTS

Dressed

for bringing the notion to the city. Sid found the Dressed format immediately appealing, but what really sold him on the idea was the use of such unique salad dressings. “We have over 20 types of salad dressings from blueberry pomegranate vinaigrette and Dijon wasabi ginger vinaigrette, to Texas ranch and Thai chili,” he explains. Today with three branches in Bangkok, Dressed hopes to attract more people with its laidback style of unpretentious dining that is both delicious and healthy. The menu actually appeals to all types of eaters, not just to office workers and expats located close to the three Dressed salad bars. The Dressed menu is broken up into salads, wraps, sandwiches, paninis, pastas, soups, and smoothies. Diners have the flexibility of creating their own customized salad or wrap, from a choice of five greens, 84 toppings, and 24 dressings. Customized pastas can also be created from a variety of five pasta types, 84 toppings, and four sauces. And for people who don’t want to create their own meal, Dressed also offers an extensive menu of creations personally designed by the chef.

Dressed

Empire Tower (●2/F, Empire Tower, 195 Sathorn Tai Road, Sathorn, Bangkok, BTS Chong Nonsi; 02 658 6688) Mercury Ville (●540 Mercury Tower, 1st floor, Ploenchit Road, Bangkok; 02 658 6688) Siam Paragon (●991 Siam Paragon Retail, Rama 1 Road, Bangkok; 02 610 7714) ●www.facebook.com/DressedThailand

Dressed

Branches:

Highlights include Detox Antioxidant Salad (THB 189): Spinach, roasted beets, roasted garlic, broccoli, red peppers, carrots, sundried tomatoes, sunflower seeds, and blueberry pomegranate vinaigrette. Seared Tuna Salad (THB 349): Mixed oak, sushi-grade seared tuna, grilled asparagus, red peppers, carrots, white mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, fried capers, and chipotle dressing.

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Chicken Cordon Bleu Wrap (THB 159): Romaine lettuce, grilled chicken, ham, Swiss cheese, white mushrooms, croutons, and buttermilk ranch dressing. Chili Lime Chicken Panini (THB 159): Chili lime marinated grilled chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, mixed oak, and lemon lime aioli dressing. BLT with Avocado and Fried Egg Sandwich (THB 249): Bacon, Iceberg lettuce,

avocado, tomatoes, fried egg, and chipotle aioli served on multi-grain bread. Spaghetti Rucola with Prawns (THB 199): Spaghetti, prawns, rocket, sundried tomatoes, roasted garlic, red chilies, and olive oil. Fruits of the Forest Smoothie (THB 89): Blueberries, strawberries, vanilla yoghurt, and milk.

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WINE&DINE THE FIFTH TASTE

JOIN AWARD-WINNING CHEF BEN MCRAE (●WWW.FIFTHTASTE.COM.AU) EVERY MONTH IN THIS COLUMN, AS HE UNVEILS THE TIPS AND TRICKS OF THOSE RESTAURANTS AND BARS THAT ENSURE CUSTOMERS LEAVE WITH A SENSE OF GASTRONOMIC ENJOYMENT THAT MAKES THEM DESIRE THOSE FLAVORS OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

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feel-good, refreshing drink. However, what really stood out to me was BeerVault’s service of the beer itself: each one I tried was served in its own unique glass, designed to release its aromas and create the perfect drink. As well as the individual glasses, there was also the skilled pour of each drink, which is a big thing for a beer lover. BeerVault also offers a full range of other drinks as well as beers, such as wines by the glass and bottle, spirits, and cocktails. There is also a bar and snack menu with plenty of options that work well with a glass of beer, including beer and burger combos for THB 400. The variety of daily happy hours and special promotions offered is fun and diverse, and it includes some nights hosting 2-for-1 drinks until close, and a daily Beer O’Clock happy hour with free snacks from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok is differentiated from other Sheraton hotels by being smaller in terms of room numbers, and with its modern, uncomplicated approach to both design and service. Likewise, the service at BeerVault was fantastic, with friendly and accommodating staff. If you love beer and an enjoyable environment with a group of friends, or just a quiet one on a Sunday afternoon, then BeerVault is worth a visit. Open daily from 3 p.m. till midnight.

Ben McRae

eing a chef and using beer in my food pairings, I find this drink an endless adventure within the culinary world. Hence, as a lover of all things beer, I was excited when given the opportunity to write a review for BeerVault (●Sukhumvit 15; 02 309 3255; www.beervaultbangkok.com). Located at the entrance of the Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok hotel, an easy few minutes’ walk from Asok BTS station, BeerVault immediately sends a clear message that they are serious about their beer. The bar space is very accommodating, with an upstairs seating area that looks down over the very busy bar, perfect for those in the mood to do some peoplewatching. There is also a terrace space out the front for smokers, and numerous large TVs around the bar play the latest in sports, perfect for enjoying a beer with a few mates on a Friday night. The concept behind BeerVault is definitely beer: with 102 labels from over 20 countries around the world, there really is something to suit all palates. I sampled a variety of beers, from a fruit-based Belgium ale (perfect for the ladies on a hot Bangkok afternoon), to an exquisite full-flavored hoppy Indian pale ale. There are also local beers and some classics available on draught or by the bottle. An ice-cold beer is an uncomplicated,

Ben McRae

WHERE TO SATISFY YOUR BEER CRAVINGS

Anita Zaror

aving lived in Bangkok for two years now and enjoying the variety of local culinary delights, it’s nice to find a place that gives you that certain fix when you are craving something other than Thai food. Italian is on my list for a good comfort food hit … and I think I may have just found the perfect restaurant. Signor Sassi (●Ground Floor, Siam Paragon, Bangkok, BTS Siam), located in the upscale Siam Paragon shopping complex, is a must! With its warm rustic interior décor and open kitchen display, I felt welcome the moment I walked in the door. Originating in London in 1984, where their signature restaurant with the same name has been based for 30 years serving everyone from royalty to music and acting legends, Signor Sassi has now spread to three more locations across the globe including Beirut, Kuwait, and Bangkok. It was 12 p.m. on a Tuesday when I ventured into the restaurant for what ended up being a visit I will remember. There were plenty of tables occupied and service was in full swing. I was lucky enough to sample eight of their dishes, some of them being stand-out signature choices. To begin with, warm fresh housebaked bread greeted me with some Parmigiano and olives: a perfect way to start a comfort culinary adventure. There is nothing better than knowing that all the breads and desserts are made in-house and that 80 percent of the ingredients used are imported from Italy, with their vegetables coming from The Royal Project Farm. The first course was Burrata Piccante Sassi at a very reasonable price of THB 450. The Burrata was fresh and creamy, and covered with a beautiful coating of extra virgin olive oil. On the side there was some thinly sliced grilled eggplant, along with some peppers and finely shaved garlic. Delicious – give me more! The second course was one of my all-time favorite vegetarian dishes: Melanzana al Forno, an appetizing version of the classic eggplant Parmigiana – a great light lunch for THB 380. With

Signor Sassi

A TRUE ITALIAN GASTRONOMIC ADVENTURE

this course, I was presented by the very professional and knowledgeable Swiss Italian restaurant manager with a glass of the Terri Sicilane Chardonnay-Insolia (bottle at THB 1,500 and THB 320 by the glass), which carried extremely well over the next two courses. The third course was another fantastic choice Avocado Bernardo (THB 440), an excellent twist on the classic French prawn cocktail. Beautifully presented with a well-balanced cocktail sauce, this was a refreshing break in between courses. Onto the fourth course of Spaghetti Lobster – WOW. Having been told this was their number one selling dish in London and Bangkok, where they sell over 100 kilograms of lobster per week, I had high expectations and was definitely not let down. Superb! With the price a little higher, at THB 850, you feel every little bit spent on this dish was well worth it. The fifth course was Risotto Signor Sassi (THB 520) and is a new addition to the menu … for good reason. This was a delectable porcini mushroom risotto, which was presented wrapped in a nest of Parma ham. Creamy and wet, as a good risotto

should be, this was a dish that made you want to lick the plate. Then came the sixth course, Medaglione di Manzo alla Crema di Tartufo, a well presented modern version of beef medallions wrapped in Parma ham, with shavings of black truffle and an addictive red wine cream sauce. I had ordered this medium, and it was served to perfection. At a price of THB 1,150, this is a must-try for those wanting to spoil themselves. With this dish I went on to have a glass of La Carraia Cabernet Sauvignon (bottle at THB 1,200 and THB 250 by the glass), a great medium-bodied red, which was a perfect match for the exquisite dish. For dessert, I was served two classic Italian dishes: Tiramisu (THB 280) and Pere “Al Chianti” (THB 280). Served with stunning modern presentation, they were definitely the perfect way to finish off this culinary journey through Italy that I had just had the pleasure of enjoying. A well-made espresso ensured I left feeling satisfied and comfortable. The Fifth Taste was 100 percent found in this adventure. Open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. NOVEMBER 2014 | 75

Buffet Dinner Parade

What: Executive Chef Philippe Keller and his team presents a selection of dinner buffet spread at The Pavilion with a “Khao Tom (boiled rice) Buffet” from Monday to Wednesday, and “Themed Buffet” on Thursday. For Friday and Saturday, the International Buffet offers an array of fresh seafood, Japanese corner, meat carving station, and much more. When: Ongoing Where: The Pavilion Restaurant, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Rama IV Road How much: Khao Tom Buffet at THB 650++ per person; Themed Buffet at THB 1,500++ per person; International Buffet at THB 2,500++ per person; half price for children aged 6-12 More info: 02 200 9000 ext. 2345

Mode Sathorn Hotel Bangkok

What: Banyan Tree Bangkok, together with Emirates and Choice Foods, will host the two-time two Michelin-starred Swiss chef Rolf Fliegauf. Master Chef Rolf, and his own trusted culinary team, will spoil discerning diners during a five-night dining series with his exquisite creations. When: November 4-8 Where: Banyan Tree Bangkok How much: Three-courses starts at THB 3,900, six-courses start at THB 5,200 More info: 02 679 1200

Family Sunday Lunch

What: Head to The Sathorn Restaurant for a leisurely “Family Filled Sunday Lunch.” Enjoy an exuberant array of fine dishes, including oyster, Parma ham, lobster bisque and classic fish maw soups, pan-fried foie gras, Brittany mussels, and seafood and meat skewers – not to mention great desserts. “Come 4, pay 3” offer available. When: Ongoing Where: Mode Sathorn Hotel Bangkok, Sathorn Road (BTS Surasak) How much: THB 799 net per adult; half price for children aged 5 to 12; More info: 02 623 4555 ext. The Sathorn; www.modesathorn.com

LOOKEAST | WINE & DINE

Centra Central Station Hotel Bangkok

Pan-Roasted Sea Bass and Beer for THB 349 What: The new signature dish at Station Café is pan-roasted sea bass served with sautéed chorizo, asparagus and pumpkin puree, served throughout the day and evening. When: Ongoing Where: Station Café, Centra Central Station Hotel Bangkok (near Hua Lamphong Railway Terminal and MRT subway station) How much: THB 349 net inclusive of one glass of draught beer More info: 02 344 1699 ext. 3

St. Vaast Fin de Claire Oysters

What: If you love oysters, this one’s for you! Indulge in fresh, succulent SaintVaast fin de claire oysters, the worldfamous oysters from Normandy, France, everyday 6-10:30 p.m. When: From now until December 31 Where: Wine Pub, Pullman King Power Hotel Bangkok, Rangnam Road (BTS Victory Monument) How much: THB 720 net per six pieces for Oyster No. 4; THB 1,060 net per 12 pieces for Oyster No. 3 More info: 02 680 9999

Royal Thai Set Dinner

What: Order a Royal Thai four-course set dinner created by a Thai master chef and get a complimentary glass of red or white wine, every evening. When: Ongoing Where: Oceana Restaurant, Lobby Level, Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya How much: THB 777 net per person More info: 02 769 1234 ext. 6129

Dusit Thani Bangkok

Two Michelin-Starred Master Chef at Banyan Tree Bangkok

Dusit Thani Bangkok

Banyan Tree Bangkok

WINE&DINE DINING SPECIALS

Afternoon Chocolate Têteà-Tête What: A great spot for a teatime têteà-tête, the Lobby Lounge of Dusit Thani Bangkok invites you to a three-tier stand of bite-size chocolate treats and pastries such as hazelnut chocolate tart with cream, chocolate marshmallow and cool spicy chocolate drink. TWG Tea varieties 1837 Black Tea, English Earl Grey, and Chocolate Tea to complete the mid-day indulgence. When: Ongoing Where: Lobby Lounge, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Rama IV Road (BTS Saladaeng) How much: THB 600++ per person More info: 02 200 9000 ext. 2345

Loy Krathong Heritage Night

What: Hua Chang Heritage Hotel Bangkok is holding a “Loy Krathong Heritage Night party” with buffet dinner and entertainment at the poolside bar and Miss Siam restaurant. When: November 6 Where: Hua Chang Heritage Hotel Bangkok, Phaya Thai Road (BTS National Stadium) How much: THB 850 net per person with complimentary a glass of wine or beer; half price for children aged 4-12 More info: 02-217-0777 ext. 7104-6; info@huachanghotel.com

High Flying Dining

What: Talk about altitude with attitude. The Roof @38th Bar, the fashionable rooftop lounge and tapas bar soaring into the night sky of Sathorn, presents a new party set promotion: “High Flying Dining on The Roof.” Price includes a bottle of sparkling, white or red wine, two appetizers, and one main dish. When: Ongoing Where: The Roof @38th Bar, 38th floor, Mode Sathorn Hotel (adjacent Surasak BTS), Sathorn How much: THB 2,199 net More info: 02 623 4555; www.modesathorn.com

Sofitel So Loy Krathong

What: “Loy Krathong” celebration by the poolside featuring a four-course Thai set menu, welcome sparkling wine, and Thai dance performances before the traditional floating of krathongs. When: November 6 Where: The Water Club (10th floor, Sofitel So Bangkok, Rama IV Road) How much: THB 1,700++ per person More info: 02 624 0000; h6835-fb3@sofitel.com

Chatrium Hotel

What: basil’s chef Kesinee introduces two new outstanding dishes to her incredibly popular “Samunprai Thai” or Thai herb menu. The new must-try dishes are yam polamai goong mangkorn, a spicy salad of lobster with tropical fruits and kaffir lime, and panaeng neau gam, braised beef cheek with a rich coconut milk curry. When: Ongoing Where: basil, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (BTS Asoke) How much: Starts at THB 390++ per dish More info: 02 649 8366; www. sheratongrandesukhumvit.com/en/store

Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn

Samunprai Thai dishes: Chef Kesinee’s Healthy Herb Menu

Loy Krathong by the River

What: Experience a magical, romantic Loy Krathong. Dine on a seven-course Chinese set dinner at Silver Waves, or a Thai dinner buffet at River Barge and Pier 28, while enjoying the view of candlelit krathongs on the Chao Phraya. All guests get a complimentary krathong to float in the river. When: November 6 Where: River Barge, Pier 28, and Silver Waves restaurants at Chatrium Hotel Bangkok Riverside How much: THB 3,499++ (adults); THB 1,749++ (children 6-12) at River Barge and Pier 28; and THB 2,999++ at Silver Waves More info: 02 307 888 ext. 1914; privilegescard.chrb@chatrium.com

Luce’s “5 Senses” Wine Dinner

What: Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, in conjunction with the renowned Luce Della Vite Estate vineyard in Italy, presents the one-night only “Luce 5 Senses Wine Dinner Experience” to give wine connoisseurs and lovers of Italian cuisine an exclusive opportunity to experience award-winning Luce wines with a five-course Italian gourmet meal. When: November 20 Where: Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, Sathorn Road (BTS Surasak) How much: THB 7,500 per person including one bottle of Luce wine to take home as a special gift More info: 02 210 8100 NOVEMBER 2014 | 77

WINE&DINE BAR SPECIALS

Get Ready for the “Single Festival 2”

Hilton Pattaya

Special Packages for “Pattaya International Fireworks Festival 2014”

What: Hilton Pattaya has unveiled some special offers in line with the “Pattaya International Fireworks Festival 2014” slated for this month. The hotel offers a choice of settings with panoramic views across the bay, ideal to enjoy displays by fireworks masters from around the world. Guests can choose from three venues: • Edge: Situated on level 14, the restaurant provides a dazzling view of the fireworks as guests savor fresh flavors from the extensive international buffet at THB 2,100 net per person. To complement a fascinating dinner, a wine buffet is also offered at an additional cost of THB 1,350 net per person from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. • Drift: Enjoy panoramic view with favored seats at a relaxed location while enjoying beverage package including wine, beer, pouring spirits and soft drinks at THB 1,850 net per person from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. • Horizon: Horizon will be transformed into an exclusive observatory where the finest will gather to witness the sublime event. A premium set menu at THB 3,100 net per person will be available as well as a beverage package at THB 2,250 per person (including a free flow wine, beer, pouring spirits, and soft drinks) at the infinity bar and stargazer lounge. When: November 28 and 29 Where: Hilton Pattaya, Central Festival, Pattaya Beach Road More info: 038 253 000; Bkkhp.pattaya.festive@hilton.com

New Bands Liven Up Chatrium Riverside

Spain’s No. 1 DJ-Producer Albert Neve in Bangkok What: King of Clubs, in association with Grey Goose, presents the Bangkok Debut of Spain's No. 1 DJ and producer Albert Neve, who was Deejaymag’s “Best Remixer 2010,” “3rd Best DJ of the Year 2010,” and “Best Spanish Producer of the Year 2011” awardee. Expect a night of high-energy electro and progressive house. When: November 13 Where: ONYX, RCA Avenue, Soi Soomvijai, Rama 9 Road How much: THB 500, inclusive of one drink More info: 081 646 1188

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What: Two new bands have recently set up house at Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok’s to entertain guests at the hotel’s River Barge Restaurant, Lobby Lounge, and Silver Waves Lounge. One is the Blue Stone, a pop band that is scheduled to perform 7-10 p.m. Wednesdays through Mondays at the River Barge. The other is Chatchawan & Son, a jazz group set to perform at the Lobby Lounge from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and at the Silver Waves Lounge (36th floor) from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays. When: From now until December 31 Where: Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok, Charoenkrung Road (free boat shuttle from Saphan Taksin Pier) More info: 02 307 8888; riverbarge. chrb@chatrium.com, dining.chrb@ chatrium.com, silverwaves.chrb@ chatrium.com

What: ZAAP takes over BITEC Hall 106 for a festival with concerts by Thailand's finest live bands, including Barbies, Big Ass, Cocktail, Desktop Error, Greasy Cafe, Hugo, Lomosonic, Plastic Plastic, Scrubb, Slot Machine, Squeeze Animal, Stamp, Tattoo Coulour, Thaitanium, Southside, The Mousses, Yellow Fang, and 25 Hours. When: November 15 Where: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center, Bangna-Trad Road (BTS: Bangna) More info: www.thaiticketmajor.com/ concert/concert-detail.php

Party to End All Parties

What: If you want to throw a party that your friends, family, and colleagues will be taking about well into 2015 talk to Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok. The hotel’s “Year End Party Package” offers a mix of perfect party ingredients including an international buffet, free flow mixers and soft drinks, free room rental with state of the art LED lighting and AV system, a free buffet lunch or dinner voucher for 2 people at the Glass House restaurant, and more. When: From now until February 28, 2015 Where: Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok, Sathorn Road (BTS Surasak Station) How much: THB 1,000 net per person (minimum 50 pax) More info: 02 210 8100

Arcadia Set to Excite Thai Fans

What: Founded in 2007, Arcadia has developed to one of the most exciting audio-visual experiences in the festival circuit. Their shows are a combination of pyrotechnics, circus performances, lighting and sound. Among other things, their shows feature a 50-ton fire breathing mechanical spider. The lineup includes The Bloody Beetroots, Ron Size featuring MC Dynamite, SKISM, Far Too Loud, local talent Bang Bang Bang, and more. When: November 29 Where: Gravity Landing Base, Siam City Park, Rangsit How much: THB 2,500 – THB 3,500 More info: www.thaiticketmajor.com/ concert/concert-detail.php

Wine Professionals’ Services

THE OENOPHILE WINE&DINE

A NIGHT OF WINE

Wine Professionals’ Services

ore than 600 wine connoisseurs attended the seventh Bangkok Grand Wine Tasting event recently held in the Grand Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, where 300 fine wines and gourmet cocktails were sampled. This year’s event was organized by the Wine Professionals’ Services and it attracted 17 leading wine importing companies and boutique producers, whose new arrivals were exhibited and offered for tasting. However, this was a unique event that delighted even nonwine aficionados. “Despite many political conflicts and an increase in wine tax in recent years, the Thai wine scene has remained robust and this event proves it,” says Joe Sriwarin, president of the Wine Professionals Services and concurrently president of the Thai Sommelier Association. Organizers say the Bangkok Grand Wine Tasting is the biggest and most elaborate wine event in Thailand. Now in its seventh year, it is also the longest-running wine event in the country. The occasion was highlighted by the announcement of “Thailand’s Best Sommeliers for 2014” competition winners: Banyat Chinpinyokul of Le Normandie, Mandarin Oriental Bangkok (the winner); and Pakpoom Towatcharakhun of The Okura Prestige and Naruepon Kumpul of Siam Kempinski Hotel (runner-ups). Congratulations!

Wine Professionals’ Services

The longest-running wine event in the kingdom honored Thailand’s best sommeliers, and showcased 300 wines currently available on the market.

NOVEMBER 2014 | 79

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