VIVA Bangkok Issue 54

VIVA

Bangkok May 21st 2014

Central Embassy

Hedwig & Koy as a Boy! Cross-dressing Rock Shenanigans

The Last Executioner Fusing Art & Dance

Indulge Stone Bar Cafe At Ease Broadway Babe

Eden Garden Resort

Your Fortnightly What s On Guide to Bangkok

Page 2 www.bangkokscene.com

Highlights

6

Contents

10

24

COVER: Hedwig and The Angry Inch.

Photo by Paul Hutton.

---------------------------------------------Page 6 The Last Executioner.

Page 10 Central Embassy Grand Opening Party.

Page 24 Hedwig and The Angry Inch

Page 30

32

38

Cafe At Ease

Page 32 Broadway Babe.

Page 34 Sejal Surendra Sood Art and Dance.

Page 38 Accademia Italiana Fashion Show.

58

Page 58 Eden Garden Resort.

Daily Events Delightful Tiger Prawn @ Mayflower Restaurant The Chefs at The Mayflower Cantonese Restaurant at Dusit Thani Bangkok are revealing a mouth-watering menu for the months of May and June. Indulge in a variety of succulent Tiger Prawn dishes, including Deep Fried Tiger Prawn with Garlic and Pepper and Stir-Fried Tiger Prawn with Japanese Sauce, all with the essence of authentic Cantonese flavours.

The Delightful Tiger Prawn menu is priced at THB 450++ Throughout May and June.

Tales of the Truth

Crustacean Promotion @ Royal Orchid Sheraton Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers is inviting you to come and discover the fresh, satisfying flavours of their fabulous Crustacean promotion while dining beside the enchanting Chao Phraya River.

The creative menus are carefully prepared and served by experienced chefs for dinner between 6:30 pm 10:00 pm.

Throughout May and June.

Tales of the Truth @ ATTA Gallery This is a new jewellery exhibition by Rudee Tancharoen, a Thai artist who will be holding her second solo exhibition at the gallery.

Inspired by the current political turmoil in Thailand, Rudee created Tales of the Truth which will run until July 5th.

Opening Reception: May 22nd, 18:30-20:00 From May 22 until July 5.

Rania Matar Photography Exhibition

Rania Matar Photography @ Toot Yung Gallery For the first time in Thailand view the photographic works of Lebanese born, American based artist Rania Matar; her work focuses mainly on girls and women. Earlier projects recorded the lives of women and children in the Middle East, and over the past three years she has completed A Girl and Her Room and started a new project L Enfant-Femme. Her work has won several awards, has been featured in numerous publications, and exhibited widely in the U.S. and internationally. Her images are in the permanent collections of several museums worldwide.

From May 24 until June 30.

Page 4 www.bangkokscene.com

Glenfiddich Party at Neilson Hays Library

The Glenfiddich Experience brought the first ever interactive whisky distillery tour to Southeast Asia when the company held their road-show tour at Neilson Hays Library earlier this month.

The pioneering virtual journey allowed guests to experience the magic of the distillery during a party setting. While partygoers sampled the goods under awnings on the library s lawns, tour groups were led around the specially erected exhibition inside the library itself.

The Glenfiddich Experience also included a live tasting session where 15 and 18 year old whiskies could be sampled.

Photos by Paul Hutton

Vithaya Pu Pansringarm plays Chavoret Jaruboon

THE LAST EXECUTIONER New Tom Waller Film Due for Release Inspired by true events, The Last Executioner is the story of one ordinary man s journey through life, death, duty and karma.

Chavoret Jaruboon was the last person in Thailand whose job it was to execute by gun.

A wild rock and roller in his youth who played the GI bars during the Vietnam War, he took a job as a prison guard to support the family he was devoted to.

He spent the rest of his life struggling to reconcile the good and bad karma that came from that decision and the 55 lives he took in 19 years as an executioner at the infamous Bang Kwang Central Prison, The Bangkok Hilton.

On Chavoret s 11th birthday, coinciding with JFK s assassination, his father, a teacher, bought him his first guitar and he immediately started playing Elvis riffs.

Later in the day, they went to see a fortune-teller who made the prediction of karma that shapes the rest of his life and the lives of all those around him: Your fate is to work with death.

In the 1960s, while playing manic rock and roll at a bar, he meets Tew, a local girl, with whom he falls in love and will share the rest of his life. Facing the archetypal dilemma of the artist who feels the need to do something respectable, Chavoret trades his guitar for a prison guard s baton, although rock and roll remains near and dear to him until the day he dies.

After fourteen years of working his way up through the prison ranks and impressing the authorities with his solid work ethic, sense of duty, and jai yen (coolness), Chavoret is offered the job of head executioner when the old executioner suddenly retires.

Although haunted by the prophesy from his youth, especially in the form of the Spirit, a good-looking, well-dressed guy who seems to Page 6 www.bangkokscene.com

David Asavanond plays The Spirit

show up everywhere in Chavoret s life, he accepts the job after all, it pays an extra 2,000 baht per execution. Chavoret is extremely professional almost nonchalant at his first execution.

Chavoret continues to live a divided life. One as a killer and the other as a devoted family man whose music is always his saving grace.

Director Tom Waller

His blind faith in the judicial process, his duty, and most of all his karma seems to allow him to keep the two lives separated, with the help of very prescribed personal rituals before, during, and after each execution.

But sometimes the wall between them begins to crack. He is uncharacteristically shaken up by his first and only execution of a woman, who in a surreal and perhaps prophetic scene, dies twice.

His life continues as a weird see-saw between karma/killing on the one hand, and karma/family life on the other. He continues to execute with precision and purpose, yet he also enjoys nights out of karaoke and German food with his wife.

He can coolly pull the trigger on the same day he plays with his granddaughter, whom he absolutely adores. Through it all, The Spirit continues to dog him, appearing in perfectly normal settings, more and more with two other seemingly common guys.

Chavoret eventually becomes a minor celebrity writing books, attending embassy parties, doing endless print and TV interviews, educating students, and even appearing on a TV game show, a Thai version of the old American show, To Tell the Truth.

When Tom Met Don Scriptwriter Don Linder interviewed Chavoret extensively after first meeting him in 2007. Several years later, Tom Waller (director/producer) and Don, who didn t know each other, were seated across from each other at a mutual friend s 50th birthday party.

How the conversation got around to executions is anybody s guess perhaps it was karma -- but on that night the film was born.

After many months of interviews with Chavoret s family, childhood friends, Buddhist monk confidantes, and even the drummer and his 94-year-old mother who formed Chavoret s first band, the script was ready and filming commenced.

Writer Don Linder

THE LAST EXECUTIONER: BEHIND THE SCENES

Page 8 www.bangkokscene.com

Central Embassy Opens in Style!

Page 10 www.bangkokscene.com

Ph

ot os by P

au l

H ut

to n

Page 12 www.bangkokscene.com

Central Embassy opened for business last week with a swanky celebration bash.

Eight floors of high-end retail outlets were on show, with many of the outlets all ready to trade.

The building itself is 37 storeys tall and will eventually house the Park Hyatt Hotel, although completion is still some time in the future.

A whole host of luxury brands are vying for your business here, with notable names including Hublot, Christian Louboutin, Giuseppe Zanotti, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Calvin Klein, Prada, Red Valentino, Massimo Dutti, Miu Miu, Paul Smith, Mulberry and Moschino, to name just a few.

The latest technology is on show at the Embassy Diplomat Screens Cinema on the sixth floor.

An oversized food market covers most of the basement and restaurants galore include well know names alongside newcomers to the area.

Outlets such as Water Library, Dean and Deluca, The Great American Rib Company, Ippudo, Hong Bao, Maisen, Teushcer, Tetsu, Tropical Monkey, Clouds and Pebbles and The Girl and The Pig have all got spots.

Page 14 www.bangkokscene.com

Page 16 www.bangkokscene.com

Page 18 www.bangkokscene.com

Page 20 www.bangkokscene.com

Thursday May 22nd Monochrome First Anniversary Fallabella Featuring a red roulette night with a live concert by Mild and Jetset er.

Fred Jungo V Club Fred Jungo started his DJ career in Swiss clubs where he carved a solid experience before settling in Bangkok. He joined the Bed Supperclub residents squad since the beginning and quickly rose to become a house hold name through his infectious week-end sets.

Thursday Live Nest Rooftop Featuring Liza Miranda and The Triptych.

Thirst-day Live: Ga-Pi Dub Kitchen Cloud 47 Peace and love: dub style. Supported by Dj Dam from Hooligan Sound.

Compassion Crescent Moon Space Pridi Banomyong Institute Written and directed by Robin Schroeter. Performances: May 22-26 and 29-31, June 1-2.

Compassion is in Thai, with English subtitles, and is a tragicomedy that tells the story of a young demon, Rachel. The audience will follow Rachel s journey from hell to earth exploring themes of love, sacrifice and suffering.

Friday May 23rd

BENT by Martin Sherman Petralai Management Theatre Peel the Limelight presents the award-winning and gutwrenching play BENT by Martin Sherman at the Petralai Management Theatre of Chulalongkorn Business School.

The play will run 23rd, 24th, 30th and 31st of May at 19:30hrs with late afternoon matinee performances on 24th & 31st May at 16:00hrs. All performances are in English with Thai subtitles. Tickets are available from www.peelthelimelight.com BENT was written in 1978 and premiered in London and New York to critical acclaim. BENT deals with persecution, discrimination and alienation but most of all love.

DJ Falcon World Tour KU DÉ TA Fresh off the heels of a Grammy award for his collaborative efforts on Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, DJ Falcon is set to land in the City of Angels for one of his trademark rocking, french flavoured house, disco, electro & techno sets.

Girls Bubbles Woobar Every Friday girls get free sparkling wine from 7pm until 10om.

Hunk Out Nites Ocean A night dedicated to all the Hunks! Enough of the Ladies Nights, the boys need a night out as well. Starting May 23rd, then every Friday at Ocean.

Page 22 www.bangkokscene.com

DJ Falcon

Saturday May 24th Dirty Dash Party: House Republic Grease A night of Deep House, Tech House, Soulful House, Nu-Disco, Funky and Techno.

Cat Live Boy Trai Bangkok Convention Centre, Central Plaza Ladprao The singer/songwriter and new dad will perform in his first solo full scale concert.

Tickets: 2,000 Baht, 1,500 Baht, 1,000 Baht and 800 Baht.

One Touch Nest Rooftop Direct from France, alongside Evan Greenspan on sax performing a special blend of beats up on the hip rooftop. One Touch are DJ Georges and Peter on live percussion. Appearing every Saturday.

UB Radio s Sixth Anniversary Glow Five DJs have been lined up for the celebration.

Monkey Shock Bikini Blowout Pool Party Ocean Starting at 3pm and running till late, with a host of Djs and special guests.

Sunday May 25th Gala Italiano Opera Highlight Arias.

Thailand Cultural Centre, Main Hall An all-Italian team of expert singers will join forces with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, directed by the baton of their compatriot Carlo Magni. The vocal cast will transform the Thai Cultural Centre into their opera-house for one evening and share their wealth of experience.

Soundset Sundays DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Mikey Mike, Dan Cole and Alex Fischer will man the decks while you sip cocktail specials and sample BBQ goodies.

Starting at 2pm and running till 10pm.

Sunday Rehab Crave at Aloft The newest way to relax and shake off the week's worries every Sunday. Enjoy vibrant never ending live cooking stations, mingle in the chill out zone or simply mix your own free flow cocktails, with beats spun by lounging DJ s to revive you for the week ahead.

Feast your eyes over an array of food that includes Suckling Pig, Yakitori, Seafood, Sliders, Cotton Candy, Ice creams and more.

THB 1,490++ per person. Admission from 1-5 pm every Sunday.

Kanchanaburi - In the Footsteps of 'The Railway Man' Bangkok to Kanchanaburi Day Out Coach departs from Exchange Tower at Asoke/Sukhumvit at 7.15am Transport, meals, river ride and admission included for 1,400 baht per person.

Organised by DTC Travel.

Tuesday May 27th The Matthew Hale Comedy Hypnosis Show - World Tour Check Inn 99 Matthew, from Perth, Australia, is a well known Comedian and Hypnotist and has a family friendly show.

New & Jiew in Wonderland Concert Bottoms Up 9pm to 2am. Entry is 800 Baht at the door.

After Party with DJ Pae.

Hedwig and The Angry Inch Gender Bending Musical Comes to RCA

Page 24 www.bangkokscene.com

Venus As a Boy

Award winning rock musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch is coming to Bangkok.

The cross dressing glam rock cult classic is being transported for local audiences using original lyrics and dialogue to maintain artistic integrity, but using subtitles for ease of appreciation.

The production has been successfully reproduced by many theatre companies around the world and adapted as an acclaimed movie under the same title in 2001.

The original book by John Cameron Mitchell was adapted into a musical by Stephen Trask, who wrote the music and lyrics.

Stars of the Bangkok production are Chanudom Suksatit as Hedwig and Ratchawin Wongviriya as Yitzhak, who belted out songs from the production at a press conference held at Rockademy in Sukhumvit 26 s A Square shopping district.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch is the tale of Hansel, an East German "slip of a girlyboy" who meets Luther Robinson, a U.S. Soldier, in East Berlin.

After a sex change, marriage and a name change to Hedwig, the story moves Stateside, with Hedwig living in Junction City, Kansas, as Luther s wife.

The pair eventually separate, and Hedwig recovers by forming a rock band composed of Korean-born Army wives, which she names "The Angry Inch".

They support themselves by playing coffee bars and strip mall dives.

Hedwig and The Angry Inch has been performed all over the world, featuring predominantly in New York s Off-Broadway and London s West End. Canadian shows were held in Vancouver and Edmonton, and in recent years Puerto Rico, Brazil, Prague and Edinburgh staged their own productions.

Actors in the Bangkok production are taking their roles seriously, even returning to the classroom to learn East European accents.

Mongkol RCA Studio has been chosen to host Hedwig and The Angry Inch in Bangkok, with the venue being transformed into a bar which will allow the audience to walk around as the performance is taking place on stage in order to create a unique experience in theatre-going.

The piece will be performed under the direction of Prof.

Dangkamon Na-pombejra (Head Department of Dramatic Arts Chulalongkorn University, Director of Siam Niramit) with direction of music by Pakorn Musikaboonlert (Producer Siam Secret Service, Apartment KhunPa, KTK).

The show will be performed from 12th-14th, 19th-21st and 26th-28th June.

Tickets can be purchased through Banana Booking at 1,000 Baht each.

Words and photos by Paul Hutton.

Ratchawin Koy Wongviriya on the red carpet at Siam Paragon recently, and as mustachioed Yitzhak (below) in Hedwig and The Angry Inch

Thailand

The Rama 1 and Phayathai Roa

Page 26 www.bangkokscene.com

W - I - D - E

ad Intersection in Bangkok Composite Photo by Paul Hutton

Blue Elephant Group Launches New Products

The Blue Elephant International Group s trading arm, Blue Spice Co., Ltd., will use the upcoming ThaiFex 2014 as a platform to launch seven new products in expanding its Thai Cooking Set, Thai Snack & Tea and Thai Sauce & Dressing product lines.

As lifestyles around the world become more hectic and more sophisticated, we are seeing consistently high demand for ready-to-cook Thai meals, Thai sauces, curry pastes and powder and even snacks, teas and coffee from the 25 countries to which we are presently exporting our products. People are turning to easy-to-cook meals and snacks that taste good and bring a little spice into their lives , commented Blue Elephant s Founder and Master Chef, Nooror Somany Steppe.

Blue Spice is, therefore, launching various new products that will undoubtedly bring Thailand into more international homes. While under the Thai Cooking Set category, the new products are Durian with Sticky Rice and Thailand s famous noodles, Pad Thai, new products under the Thai Sauce & Dressing category includes authentic Isaan Dipping Sauce, Green Chili Sauce and the uniquely spicy Som Tam Dressing, which can certainly enhance any salad. Thai Red Tea, a soothing and uplifting tea at the same time, and Thai Nuts, which are combined with Thai herbs, are the new additions to the Thai Snack & Tea product range.

Since its inception in 1980, the Blue Elephant Group has played a significant role in promoting Thai cuisine and culture internationally, and we are committed to continue in promoting Thai food and Thai ingredients for many years to come , added Master Chef Nooror.

The annual ThaiFex event this year will be held at Muang Thong Thani during May 21 25, 2014, and is regarded as one of the premier showcases for food industry professionals in Asia.

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Asia Pacific Welcomes New Wines of the World Starwood Hotels & Resorts in Asia Pacific is celebrating a milestone expansion of its popular Wines of the World programme.

Originally launched in 1999, the sixth edition of Wines of the World programme will now feature over 250 wines from 30 quality wineries in 11 countries across five continents.

A worldwide wine expedition took place to source the best choice in wine for discerning wine-lovers. Wines available by bottle, glass or tasting menu represent leading regions such as Argentina, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain and China. And new to the list are wineries from Australia, Chile and India; with additional wineries from France and Spain joining the expanded 2014 selections.

Latest additions to the menu include Wynns of Australia, with wines that are universally acclaimed for their consistent quality and depth of flavour hosted from terra rosa soil. The menu expands to include wines by Torres- one of the most recognizable names in Spanish wine. Also included is the Luis Felipe Edwards winery in Chile which remains a family run operation and winner of Chile s Producer of the Year by the AWC Vienna International Wine Challenge.

Martin Jones, Vice President, Food & Beverage, Asia Pacific, Starwood Hotels & Resorts said, Wines of the World programme is established with one goal in mind - to become a destination for a great wine experience, no matter where travel takes you. For 15 years, we have established a strong partnership with wineries around the world. The latest additions of the Wines of the World program offer an expansive range of wine selections that will allow us to cater to even greater preferences and palettes of our guests. Designed for oenophile s and wine new-comers alike, the new and expanded Wines of the World is available across over 250 properties in the Asia Pacific region.

Page 28 www.bangkokscene.com

Wednesday May 28th Narcissus: The Legend Begins Narz A retro night of long forgotten hits with DJs Ole, Tan, Tee and Pan. 400 Baht entry.

Hi-So Ladies Night Sofitel So Ladies get a free glass of Sparkling Wine, free entry and Cocktail Shooters.

Thursday May 29th

Friday May 30th Hof Art Now Grand Opening Art Exhibition @ Hof Art in W District, Sukhumvit 69 71 Hof Art invites you to its inaugural Art Now exhibition which will present art from more than 100 various artists and a special guest artist group: Vasan Sitthiket Sakwut Wisesmanee, Jitsing Somboon, and Jarut Wongkumjantra.

So Pool Party @ The Water Club Sofitel So Pool party from 1pm until 9pm with 300 Baht entry and music

by One Touch.

The electrifying opening party is a night with a Rockabilly theme also showcasing bands such as Keylookz, Yellow Fang and special DJs.

Hipster the King Democrazy Theatre Studio

Flash Friday KU DE TA

29 May - 16 June aAcontemporary dance piece

by Dtam Thanapol Virulhakul .

Free entry.

Ladies in group of five receive a complimentary bottle of Stoli

Goku Raku @ Jam The super smooth ultra relaxed guy is back. For people who want to slow things down a bit.

Yes Indie @ Aftermoon Back after five years!

DJ Wassie - Wasana Wirachartplee with her coolest selection.

Plus, DJ Seed and a bundle of guest DJs who will spin all kinds of good indie music from now and then.

Wrong Disco Grease

Saturday May 31st

With DJ Delorean., Who promises to back once again with bad behaviour.

Together Festival 2014 @ BITEC

Sunday June 1st

Afrojack, Mak J, Blend, Apster, D-Wayne & more.

Disco Time @ Chalermkrung Royal Theatre Kannikar Areesaman, Orawan Wisetpong, Tanapol Triwet, Montri Praesiriputtipong and many singers from Sala Chalermkrung.

Monrissa s Relaxing New Enterprise Fashion designer Monrissa Bow Leenutaphong has found a new home to showpiece her latest creations, and now shoppers can relax with a soothing pot of herbal tea after browsing the goods.

Monrissa s new venture, Cafe At Ease, is located within a hop, skip and a jump from her previous shop in the BACC. Light meals and snacks are uniquely presented using wooden boards, squares of manufactured grass and mini vehicles.

Among the highlights are Grilled Mussels with Cheese & Garlic (140B), Lava Cheesy French Fries with Bacon (125 B), BBQ Chicken Wings (115 B), Garlic Butter & Cheese Bread (100 B) and Double Cheese Sandwich (115 B).

A variety of cakes and desserts are on display, and drinks include Dew Drop Tea, Thai Smiley Milk Tea, Camomile Tea, Blooming Flower Art Tea and Rooibos Orange and Cinnamon Infusion Tea.

Page 30 www.bangkokscene.com

Iced teas include Blue Pea Tea, Roselle Tea and Thai Iced Tea, while Iced Chocolate provides another option.

You can find Café At Ease right next to the National Stadium BTS Skytrain station, in the same soi as Jim Thompson House, within 50 metres of the main road.

The stand alone property is bright and cheerful with grass walls displaying artworks providing the backdrop to cosy personal table settings and bookcases. Opening hours are from 11am to 9pm.

A Match Made in Retro Heaven Kristen Evelyn Rossi was born to sing and dance. The native New Yorker was putting on shows for her parents from an early age, but now gets to dress up and go on stage as an adult and get paid for it .

The self styled Broadway Babe has been in Bangkok since her early 20 s.

Kristen worked doing voice-overs and commercials, cartoons and Thai horror movies when she first arrived, but returned to her first love, musical theatre, in 2012. That was when she launched her one woman vaudeville show, Back to Basics .

Natalie Wood about the life and times of burlesque dancer Gypsy Rose Lee. The bubbly 28 year old is constantly on the move. If she ever has any free time she can be found taking part in swing dance sessions or teaching herself musical instruments. Normally, however, she explains till I sleep I m working!

With a goal to bring more Broadway to Bangkok Kristen and her team are currently in production with a Thai TV channel to spread her music to a wider audience.

She can now be found performing every Wednesday at Bangkok Betty, the latest retro fantasy food and beverage outlet by Ashley Sutton, which has been designed in the form of a 1940 s American bomb factory, complete with masses of chrome and pin-ups from the era.

The new production is called Burlesque at Bangkok Betty and premieres today, May 21st.

Fans of the genre can expect to catch three sets in different moods, capturing the aura of Marlene Dietrich and the magic of hit musicals Chicago and Gypsy , the Broadway hit starring

Page 32 www.bangkokscene.com

Words and photos by Paul Hutton

Sejal Surendra Sood

Page 34 www.bangkokscene.com

Fusing Art and Dance

Reflective Echoes

Reflective Echoes 2

New Jersey native Sejal Surendra Sood has been dancing ever since she was a young girl.

Meditative Flow

She took up professional dancing in New York as part of the Thresh Dance Company where she began to explore the merging of her two favourite arts: painting and dance.

Sejal moved to Bangkok around two years ago and she is now bringing her own unique take on the arts scene to a local audience with the launch of her solo exhibition at Sofitel So on June 12th.

The exhibition will feature her artworks, live dance performances and a recently commissioned movie where Sejal takes to the streets of Bangkok to perform her spinning dance technique in surreal surroundings.

She says The exhibition will be based on the video which questions the concept of stage and audience. Why do we have to find an audience or an elevated stage when there are audiences and stages everywhere?

Malls, Skytrain stations, slum areas, side streets and markets in Bangkok and Ayutthaya were used as backdrops for the short film (see movie stills below).

Sejal s talents run further: she is a qualified mathematician earning her degree at M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

She considers maths to be a hobby now, but feels that mathematics, art and dance are one big cohesive bubble, all thought based and all posing intriguing questions.

Although the artist is now based in Thailand she likes to move back and forth between her three areas of influence, catching up with her cultural roots in India and visiting America to meet up with family and friends.

Words and photos on previous page by Paul Hutton.

Photos on this page courtesy of Sejal Surendra Sood.

Page 36 www.bangkokscene.com

The Phantom Lover by Jim Algie Book Launch

Tuttle Publishing officially launched Jim Algie s acclaimed short-fiction collection, The Phantom Lover and Other Thrilling Tales of Thailand, at the WTF Café and Gallery on Friday, May 9 at 7pm. The author was on hand to sign copies and give a slide presentation about some of the influences that underline the book, from Edgar Allan Poe to serial killers Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer, to lesbian erotica, Khaosan Road backpackers and passport forgers, as well as the Thai supernatural.

Some of the characters that appear in the book are based on real people, like Thailand s last executioner, Chavaret Jaruboon, and See Ouey, the country s most notorious serial cannibal, whose preserved corpse is still the gruesome centrepiece of the Songkran Niyomsane Forensic Medicine Museum in Bangkok. The Canadian author, who has worked as a journalist and travel writer in Bangkok for 20 years, discussed these characters, and the influence of catastrophic events he has reported on, such as the 2004 Asian tsunami and the Chinese Festival of the Hungry Ghosts, which informed and coloured a couple of the more thrilling tales.

A portrait Jim took of Thailand's last executioner, Chavaret Jaruboon, who passed away in 2012. He inspired the story in this collection called Life and Death Sentences.

He is also the subject of the new movie The Last Executioner (see page six).

Accademia Italiana Fashion Show 2014 Show Held at Central World on May 9th

Page 38 www.bangkokscene.com

Page 40 www.bangkokscene.com

Page 42 www.bangkokscene.com

F&B Manager Abigail Smith

Indulge Yourself Tempting European Menu and Extravagant Cocktails on Sukhumvit Road A new range of gratifying tastes have just been launched at the well located Indulge Restaurant and Bar on Sukhumvit Road.

Sitting right at the Asoke/Sukhumvit junction, on the ground floor of Sukhumvit Suites, in the shadow of the overhead Skytrain walkway, Indulge has been set up to provide a new take on tried and tested favourites.

Although the establishment offers a choice of Thai staples, it is the European creations and the unique cocktail list that stand out on first inspection.

The restaurant provides cosy sofa seating, formal dining arrangements for large parties, bar seating, intimate table settings and an outdoor zone perfect for enjoying the latest live sport on a large flat screen TV. A new Happy Hour promotion is just about to launch, featuring buy one get one free drinks between 5pm and 7pm on weekdays.

Indulge is open from 7am to midnight, seven days a week.

Words and photos by Paul Hutton.

Cordon Bleu trained chef Arh Yannaseth has put together a tempting menu with the aid of food and beverage manager Abigail Smith.

New York born Abigail comes to Bangkok via Alaska, where she worked at a heli-ski resort; she has a fine eye for detail having also worked as a professional artist restoring stained glass windows in Pittsburgh churches.

The pair have spent nine months fine tuning the set of choices to meet the highest standards.

Cocktail creator Dom Pramual has come up with exotic sounding drinks such as: Thai Basil Smash, Cupid s Summer Romance, Collin the Kiwi, The Nutty Insomniac, The Pink Chihuahua, English Mar-Tea-Ni and The Porn Star Martini.

Page 44 www.bangkokscene.com

Photo Courtesy of Indulge

Waranya Aung Hemchai serves up a cold drink selection

Executive Chef Arh Yannaseth

House-Made Duck Confit Served with Crispy Potato Rounds & a Citrus Compote

House Made Apple Puree with a Crumble Top and Vanilla Cream

Photo Coutesy of Indulge

Page 46 www.bangkokscene.com

Crab Bisque

Cocktail Creator Dom Pramual

Tom Yum String Fries and Shrimp Popcorn

INDULGE - THE MENU

Crusted Lamb Provencale

Tomato Soup With Basil And Goat s Cheese

Salmon With Bacon and Red Wine Sauce

Page 48 www.bangkokscene.com

PHOTOS COURTESY OF INDULGE Prawn and Tomato Risotto

Cold Cut Meat Platter

Salmon Caesar Salad

RUBIN SINGER FASH

Page 50 www.bangkokscene.com

HION SHOW

AT FOUR SEASONS

The grand staircase at the Four Seasons Hotel in Bangkok was the stage for the Rubin Singer Fashion Show and Charity Event which showcased the Spring/Summer 2014 and Bridal 2015 couture pieces.

Funds were raised for the Community Children Fund Foundation in Thailand under the Royal Patronage of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.

Rubin Singer is a third generation Russian fashion designer, raised in Paris and New York, who learned his craft from his father. His eponymous brand began in 2007, focusing on the principles of forward thinking and sophisticated design.

Page 52 www.bangkokscene.com

S T O N E B A R Page 54 www.bangkokscene.com

Page 56 www.bangkokscene.com

Set in Stone Novotel Bangkok Silom organised the opening party of their new Stone Bar pre-clubbing lounge on Friday May 16th. Bangkok s newest energetic lounge features live music, dance performances, neon glow furniture and nightly DJs. Stone Bar sits adjacent to the hotel lobby. It combines colourful décor, vivid mood lighting effects and plush ultramodern seating with an immersive sound system for a captivating ambience. The name is a nod to Silom as Bangkok s gem and jewellery quarter, and Stone Bar is indeed a flawless setting for everything from daytime business chats to night-time pre-clubbing.

Patrons can enjoy tasty tapas and light meals from an innovative menu combining Thai and Western flavours. Talented mixologists are on hand to prepare all the cocktail favourites as well as their own signature creations. A wide range of beers, wines and other beverages are also available. Frequent drinks specials and events such as wine tastings and DIY cocktail opportunities are planned, along with themed events like retro and ladies nights. Stone Bar is also a great place to catch live sports on the bar s projection and LCD screens, with promotions offered during major international events and tournaments.

Some of the well known celebrities who attended the party, from left: Paul Stevens (VP Operations ACCOR), Luckana Champa, Suree Rattanahiranya, Gerald Hougardy (General Manger of Novotel Bangkok Silom), Kongkit Thaithong (representative of FICO), Asita Vimolchaichit and Vachini Krairiksh.

GETAWAY

In The Garden of Eden

Page 58 www.bangkokscene.com

GETAWAY

Serenity Now: Eden Garden Resort The world s very first romance supposedly eventuated in the Garden of Eden after Adam and Eve got together. Now romantics have the chance to linger in paradise in Thailand s very own Garden of Eden.

Suan Phueng is home to many rambling resorts, mountains, hot springs and forests. It is a quiet back to nature retreat for those wishing to put the rat race to the back of their minds.

The Eden Garden Resort sits amid spacious green lawns and And Eden Garden Resort epitomizes the region, with 16 private walkways in the lovely getaway of Suan Phueng, a hidden secret to cottages and two level apartment buildings, most with their own many, in Ratchaburi province, around two hours drive from Bangkok. balconies that look out over the sparkling river that meanders

Page 60 www.bangkokscene.com

through the grounds.

There is also a certain Alice in Wonderland feel to the place as well, with ornate clocks and a giant tea set giving off a sensation of pure fantasy.

Bicycles can be hired to explore the nearby terrain and the town itself, which is a short ride away.

Canoes are also available for guests wishing to journey up the gentle Lum Phachi River.

But many guests choose to sit back in the peace and quiet and read a good book or just gaze into their lover s eyes.

As dusk descends you can enjoy a dreamy meal for two on the balcony of the restaurant that overhangs the river, before retiring to the peace and quiet of your personal retreat, where DVD players and wi-fi have been installed to keep you in touch with the modern world, if you so desire.

Other mod cons include flat screen TVs, hair dryers, air-conditioning and tea and coffee making facilities.

Eden Garden is tranquility defined, but more businesslike communities also make use of the resort, as it is home to a large conference room for around 50 delegates.

Words and photos by Paul Hutton.

GETAWAY

Page 62 www.bangkokscene.com

GETAWAY

Page 64 www.bangkokscene.com

Movie of the Week

Thai Celebrity Cris Horwang Launches "Secret" at Central World in Bangkok. Movie by Paul Hutton, Bangkok Scene.

VIVA Bangkok Views: Current Total: 3,067,547

VIEW The 2014 Media Kit

VIEW all VIVA Bangkok Issues Here

We strive to make all information accurate, but event details can change at short notice.

Please check with the organisers that the event is still happening as scheduled before making travel arrangements.

You Tube Site

F o l l o w u s o n P i n t e r e s t

Visit our website

Follow us on Google Plus Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

VIVA Page 66 www.bangkokscene.com

Bangkok