The BigChilli June 2012

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FIND OUT WHAT’S HOT IN BANGKOK

June 2012 06 SPECIAL REPORT Investigating in Myanmar. Is now the right time?

10 INSIGHT News, letters, monthly planner, and more 32 SCHOOL REPORT A round up of news from Bangkok’s best international schools 35 EXPAT WOMEN Looking for love in Bangkok - does a good man exist?

47 GOURMET A round up of all the best restaurant deals and gourmet events in Bangkok 72 THAILAND ROCKS Why the world’s top rock bands are heading to Bang Saray 85 WHAT’S ON Exhibitions, performance, sport, networking – we’ve got this month’s best events all wrapped up 97 SOCIAL Last month’s best events in pictures 113 DIPLOMATS Everything you need to know about the Cuban Ambassador 120 MOTORING We test drive the new Skoda Superb 123 TRAVEL Deals and news from Thailand’s hottest destinations

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The BigChilli Company Ltd., 1/7 5th Fl. Room 504, Siboonrueng Bldg. 2, Convent Road, Silom, Bangrak, TheBigchilli Bangkok 10500

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Special Report www.thebigchilli.com

Moving money to Myanmar – is now the right time for investment?

Political shifts within Myanmar have seen all kinds of companies eyeing up the country for business. But is it really feasible to set up shop there? Gary Biesty, Authorised Director of South Asia Law, investigates

THE last 12 months has been an astonishing time for the people of Myanmar with the arrival of huge numbers of potential investors from countries which have sanctioned Myanmar. The sanctions are mostly still in place, so what has changed?

Are things really so different - and what realistically can be achieved in the near future.

This year has seen remarkable shifts in political positions both within Myanmar and from the rest of the world. From a global perspective in recent years there appears to have been a sea change with pressure groups raising questions regarding the effectiveness of sanctions.

Experience in Iraq, Iran, North Korea and Zimbabwe show that sanctions rarely seem to significantly impact on the persons at whom they are aimed. Most likely they have an indirect yet significant impact on the body of persons for whom sanctions were initially imposed, namely the poorer, disenfranchised sections of society.

One commentary which carried more weight than most was the position paper produced in 2011 by the International Crisis Group that brought into severe question the effectiveness of sanctions against Myanmar - and this from a group financed by mostly western governments and led by Thomas Pickering, a former US Ambassador to the UN.

During early 2012 the internal changes in Myanmar began to crystalise. The Government began to ease restrictions and tried to reach out to some of the minority groups. No one sees the process as something which will bring peace and harmony immediately but the developments and any improvements must be welcomed and further encouraged. In parallel the Myanmar government announced intentions to further liberalise the political scene by holding another round of elections. True to their word the elections have taken place and have received wide acclaim.

At this point, one should pause and reflect upon occurrences elsewhere in the world during the same period. Pictures on the international news channels showed the violence and widespread chaos unleashed on the countries of Libya, Egypt, Tunisia, Yemen and, latterly, Syria.

These countries are paying a very high price to seek to bring about change, similar to that which Myanmar has witnessed in 2012.

International political leaders have queued for the opportunity to visit Myanmar and enjoy photo opportunities with ‘the lady.’

On each occasion there was dialogue with the government and strong expressions of support for the changes being introduced.

Investors from the West have been jealously watching the growth of Chinese, Thai and other investor influence in Myanmar.

There is a huge reservoir of investment money and good will seeking a home in Myanmar.

Encouraged by the actions and words of their western political leaders, European, US and Japanese companies and entrepreneurs have been filling the aircraft seats and hotels of Yangon for the last nine months. Positive sentiment within and outside Myanmar is very strong and optimism is at an all-time high that a successful and peaceful election will result in the withdrawal of some or, indeed, all of the present sanctions.

The legal structure to allow such investment is generally in good order and so the immediate issue is where to locate the investment and which, if any, legal or commercial constraints might inhibit such investment.

Whatever one’s views may be regarding English colonialism there is rarely criticism of the legal draftsmanship of the comprehensive nature of the laws. All those laws are embodied in the 13 volumes of the Burma Code that covers laws introduced from 1841 - 1954. Significant amongst these, so far as new investors are concerned, are the Companies Act 1914, supplemented by 1957 regulations, and the Arbitration Act 1944. Newer legislation of significance includes the Foreign Investment Law 1988.

Continued on page12

TheBigChilli

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Publisher Colin Hastings colin1066@hotmail.com MANAGING Editor Adam Purcell adambigchilli@gmail.com Editor Nina Hastings ninabigchilli@gmail.com Associate Editor Narumol Trachoo aombigchilli@gmail.com Sales & Marketing Manager Rojjana Rungrattwatchai sendtorose@gmail.com Account Executive Thana Pongsaskulchoti thanabigchilli@gmail.com Accounting Manager Saranya Choeyjanya fatcatbigchilli@gmail.com Art & Production Arthawit Pundrikapa, Jaran Lakawat Photography Mini Bike Gang and WJ Contributing Writers Anette Pollner, Johanna DeKoning, Maxmilian Wechsler, Paul Hewitt

Our online handle is ‘thebigchillimagazine’. Simply type this into Facebook’s search box, find the image of our magazine, then just click add.

We are now on Twitter. Find out what’s happening around town, which events to attend, parties to be seen at, and read all the juicy gossip!

Follow us at ‘TheBigChilliMag’ No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from The BigChilli Co., Ltd. The opinions and views of the writers are not necessarily the views of the publishers. All details are deemed correct at the time of print, the publisher, the editor, employees and contributors can not be held responsible for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may occur. The editor reserves the right to accept, reject or amend any submitted artwork, photographs, illustrations and manuscripts.

The BigChilli welcomes unsolicited contributions but assumes no responsibility for the safe-keeping or return of such materials damaged or lost in transit.

The BigChilli Company Ltd., 1/7 5th Fl. Room 504, Siboonrueng Bldg. 2, Convent Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02 233 1774-6, 02 266 7141 Fax: 02 235 0174 e-mail: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com AD Amontre_May11.indd 1

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TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT INBOX

letters It’s your

BOOZE BLUES

LETTE OF TH R MONT E H

■ THAILAND’S Huge Drinking Problem (BigChilli 05/12) really hit home just how mired in corruption the alcohol industry is here. I’m a big wine lover and I’ve always held out hope that wine in Thailand would one day be comparable in price to other countries in the region. After reading your article, which pointed out that for this to happen the change would have to come from within the industry itself, my hope has been replaced with despair. Put simply: this is never going to happen.

I’d drown my sorrows with a bottle of wine if it wasn’t so expensive. What a joke.

Wine lover, Pattaya

FACEBOOK.COM/ thebigchillimagazine

TWITTER.COM/ TheBigChilliMag

Has anything we’ve written touched a nerve?

Agree or disagree with our views? Put pen to paper or fingers to keys and get in touch: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

THANKS FOR THE TIPS

■ I READ with much interest your article about being pregnant in Bangkok (BigChilli 04/12). I’m now four months into my pregnancy and found the information in the article invaluable – especially regarding work rights.

I won’t mention my company’s name, but it has a reputation for giving new mothers the boot instead of supporting them. Now at least I know there are some ways to protect myself from losing my job, which is a huge relief. Thanks to Sarah and Lorna for providing the useful info.

Mum-to-be, Bangkok

LEARNING THE LAW ■ GREAT article about laws in Thailand last

month. I’ve just moved here so I’m still learning the ropes, and mostly learning that a lot of these ropes are frayed and can’t be trusted. Glad to know that with BigChilli I have a go to source for expat info that’s useful. Especially as I can read your mags online at Issuu for free. What a bargain!

George K. Bangkok

WRITE AND WIN! 1,000 baht Food by Phone voucher could be yours!

BREKKIE BONANZA ■ YOUR Bangkok breakfast round-up (BigChilli 04/12) was a cracking idea, but I think it would have been better if you included reviews as well as the prices. After all, some breakfasts might be cheap because, well, they’re simply crap. How are readers supposed to know they’re actually getting value from a restaurant if you don’t mention if their grub is good or not? Don’t get me wrong, the prices were useful, but I definitely think you should consider including reviews the next time you do a round up, otherwise readers might go somewhere and waste their money.

Bargain hunter, Bangkok

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Have you seen or heard something interesting/strange/weird in Bangkok that you just have to share? Have an opinion/rant/rave that you want to see in print? Write to us and you could win a 1,000 baht voucher from food delivery service Food by Phone!

To win, simply write what we reckon to be the best letter of the month, and we’ll send you a voucher.

Write to us at: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com Deadline for July issue is June 21.

For more info about Food by Phone and its partner restaurants see: www.foodbyphone.com

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INSIGHT NEWS

Not to miss!

The American Independence Day Picnic and BigChilli Cook-Off ■ A FUN day out for the whole

family is guaranteed at the annual American Independence Day Picnic. Held Saturday July 7 at KIS International School, the event will feature a range of fun games and activities (tug of war, egg toss, climbing wall, bouncy castle and more), live music, and lots of American food and drinks stalls.

A highlight of the event is the BigChilli Cook Off – a competition to find Bangkok’s best chili which gives fairgoers the chance to take part in the ‘people’s choice’ judging process (by eating a lot and voting for their fave), and budding chefs the chance to be known as the maker of the city’s best chilli (email the organizers to apply). Tough competition comes from several of the city’s expat restaurants, including last year’s winner, Roadhouse Barbecue.

Entry to the fair is B300 on the door (B200 if you pay in advance at the AMCHAM office). Free for kids under 12. Shuttle vans are available to and from Huai Khwang MRT station Exit 1.

For more info Tel: 02 254 1041, email: kittie@amchamthailand.com www.amchamthailand.com

Top chefs join forces for gourmet extravaganza ■ THE 2012 edition of the Bangkok Chefs Charity Gala Dinner will be held at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok on August 17 and will feature an exquisite menu of gourmet cuisine prepared by 22 executive chefs – 21 from five-star hotels in Thailand, and one from Thai Airways International. Tickets for the event are B10,000 per seat (for tables of 10) and part of the proceeds will go to Border Patrol Police Schools under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness; and the remaining funds will go towards underprivileged children in Amphur Omkoy in Chiang Mai. Read more about the event on page 62.

The Sun on Sunday available in Thailand ■ NEWSPAPERDIRECT International Inc, the multi-channel newspaper and magazine content distributor, has added The Sunday edition of The Sun to its ever growing list of publications.

Readers in Thailand are now able to receive the UK’s highest circulated

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Sunday newspaper delivered in print on Sunday morning. The new edition also includes the popular section ‘Goals Plus,’ which covers the latest football results, match reports and analysis.

Murdoch launched the paper’s Sunday edition on February 26, 2012 to replace the now-defunct News of the World, which was forced to close last year amid a scandal over the tabloid’s illegal practices.

In Thailand, The Sun on Sunday is expected to replicate its home success and become the highest-circulated Sunday newspaper from the UK as it is widely available through its retail partners, hotels and home deliveries.

Charity Golf Classic a huge success ■ THE 17th edition of the annual Father Joe Maier’s Charity Golf Classic was held recently at Royal Golf & Country Club and raised a whopping 800,000 baht for Father Joe Maier’s Human Development Foundation.

Pictured here presenting the cheque to Father Joe is tournament organizer Doug Harrison, owner of Bourbon St. Restaurant & Oyster Bar. More details about the event are available at: www.bourbonstbkk.com

TheBigChilli

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(Special Report) Continued from page 6 Assuming that investors have identified the areas of economic activity in which they wish to engage they must next decide which legal vehicle they wish to adopt to implement their investment.

It is not uncommon for investors to seek to use Myanmar nationals as nominees to front potential investments. The prohibition on foreigners owning land or owning shares in Myanmar companies means that such a method of investment is based entirely upon trust. One might characterise such investors as having ‘a very high risk appetite.’ The more sensible investor will adopt one of the established approaches.

The next step depends upon the size of the investment, to an extent the type of investment and, importantly, the likely profit to be generated in Myanmar. The Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) is designed primarily to assist and encourage foreigners investing large amounts of money. Such projects provide Myanmar with capital ‘knowhow’ influx and likely generate foreign currency as well as employing nationals in large numbers. In return for this investment the MIC will provide a basket of benefits ranging from 100 percent foreign ownership through to extended land rights, tax holidays and exemptions. A minimum investment threshold is between US$ 300,000 - 500,000 depending upon the proposed activity.

If the investment is rather more modest, then the easier approach would be to simply incorporate a company (or partnership/branch/representative office) under the Companies legislation. The limited company may be 100 percent foreign owned and the thresholds for investment are significantly lower than those for MIC promotion. A pre-requisite to incorporation, and which is applied for in parallel, is to seek a Permit to Trade which as a foreigner is subject to approval by the MIC. Applications must be lodged by hand in Nay Pyi Taw, located about 190 miles north of Yangon.

Once incorporated, the vehicle may seek permission of the MIC to use property. Qualifying foreigners may enjoy leases of

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30 years (plus extensions of up to 30 years) and indeed longer for special cases of investment in less popular locations. Any prudent investor will also assess risk by reviewing the processes for resolving disputes with contracting parties or relevant authorities.

Litigation in most countries is not for the faint hearted and it will come as no surprise that in a market such as Myanmar the challenges for the prospective litigant are disproportionately high. The Arbitration Act of 1944 offers a comprehensive framework within which one may seek alternative dispute resolution. The Company Law also provides that contracting parties may at the time of entering a relationship stipulate that they submit to an ADR process. The Myanmar Chamber Commerce has a reputation for delivering impartial decisions between parties in dispute.

There are no recorded precedents involving foreigners but the Chamber does have the power to sanction a party who fails to meet an award by reporting them to the Ministry of Commerce which, in turn, has the power to suspend the recalcitrant’s Permit to Trade.

Myanmar’s increasing role in ASEAN must inevitably result in a tightening of the processes for ADR. Sadly there are inevitable hurdles which will slow progress. This article deliberately makes no comment of substance concerning politics in Myanmar. There is very considerable world support for the efforts to liberalise and that these will involve all the ethnicities in Myanmar. The commercial hurdles included the value of the Kyat. The economy desperately needed a realistic revaluation of the domestic currency and the recent float of the currency at 818 - 1 USD is a huge step in removing some of the hurdles.

As regards infrastructure and property, domestic energy needs are a huge issue as is the availability of commercial and residential accommodation. There is significant work being done in the energy, logistics and development sectors but realistically one cannot expect more resources to be available in the course of the next two to three years. In the important field of human resources great efforts are being made to train and educate Myanmar nationals with new skills. English language skills are high but technical training is urgently needed.

On a positive note, we now have a Myanmar government that is changing for the better and we have opposition groups that are cautiously optimistic. We also see foreign governments engaging in positive and constructive dialogue.

Myanmar has a population of 50 million people seeking change for the better, Historically, they have been highly educated and are hard working. It is a country rich in natural resources. We see global investors eager for new markets to provide competitive labour and raw materials and a population with huge consumer potential. Many investors rightly believe that now is the time to establish their credentials by investing in Myanmar but they should, however, proceed in a deliberate manner and curb expectations with considerable patience.

Gary can be contacted at garyb@southasia-law.com. For more information about his company see: www.southasia-law.com

TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT URBAN JUNGLE

Bangkok’s chivalrous snake catcher Meet the man who’s spent more than 20 years rounding up snakes – for free.

Maxmilian Wechsler reports

■ IN this world where most people act purely out of self interest, it is refreshing to come across Sompop Sridaranop, who risks his life every day make to make communities in and around Bangkok safer – without charging a baht.

For the past 23 years Mr. Sompop has been catching

dangerous snakes. His dedication is amazing; the 58-year-old is on standby 24/7 to respond to calls from people whose houses, gardens and even cars have been infested by the slithering reptiles.

His commendable efforts have been frequently publicized in the media, especially during last year’s floods, but he’s never received any financial assistance from the government, local district office, NGOs or anyone else. This is hard to understand considering how important – and in some cases life-saving – the work is, but Mr. Sompop makes no complaints and continues to provide the valuable service free of charge. He donates the snakes he captures to farms. In the past when he had more money, he took them to different provinces and released them into the forest.

Mr. Sompop is highly valued, however, by the thousands of people he has helped, especially the residents in the small community behind Wat Sawettachart in Klong San where he lives in a modest two-storey home.

Mr. Sompop is employed by the Marine Department as caretaker and messenger, with a salary of about 12,000 baht a month.

Whenever he gets calls from frantic citizens his boss lets him go to their aid, because he and everyone else in the department knows how much good comes from Mr. Sompop’s “second job.”

I have known him for several years and have several times visited him in his house. On each occasion everything was much the same; no new additions of furniture, electronic appliances or computer equipment. His mobile phone is something of an antique item. The snake-catching tools he fashioned himself from an old set of golf clubs remain attached to the wall in the same place, awaiting to be taken out on a call.

He has four or five volunteers assisting when needed, two of whom are women. They carry tools and Mr. Sompop allows them to catch small, non-poisonous snakes, but capturing the lethal varieties is “his job,” he said. “Before I had a few more helpers, but they had to find paid jobs. Sometimes they still help when they are free.”

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H

e captures around 500 snakes every year, including green snakes, pythons, cobras and pit vipers. “There are about 16 kinds of snakes I catch, four of them venomous.

The two most common of these are the cobra and the pit viper,” said Mr. Sompop, adding that these deadly snakes can even be found in the Silom, Sukhumvit and Sathorn areas of Bangkok.

“I have been called many times to remove snakes from drainage systems, where they prey on rats.” So, despite the fact that he receives no pay, he does have job security, because the rats won’t disappear as long as there are food stalls lining the streets.

Mr. Sompop said there are no cobras in central Bangkok, but they can be found in outer areas like Soi On Nut and also in Samut Prakan province. A cobra can kill a person within 30 minutes from the time it bites if medical help is not quickly rendered.

Pointing at two plastic bottles, each holding cobras about 20 centimeters long and about 10 days old, he said: “These can also kill a person within 30 minutes, the same as a mature cobra. I caught them in two houses in Nonthaburi. Young cobras will attack people as they don’t fear anything, but the old ones will try to escape.”

He then showed me a large, mature cobra he caught inside a house at Puthamonton Soi 2 last May. “Cobras like to go inside houses,” said Mr. Sompop.

“The pit viper, which is the second most deadly snake after the cobra, can also be found in Bangkok. This snake is green and not very long. When bitten, a person will die within 30 minutes to an hour if not given treatment. This one likes to stay in the garden.

“A non-venomous snake which is very common around here is the green snake, which often goes inside houses during the day to escape the heat. They like cool places.”

Another non-venomous snake, the python, prefers to stay in gardens or other vegetated areas but will also sometimes enter a house. “They like quiet areas with trees where there is

shade and water. You can find them anywhere really, but mainly in outer areas like Soi On Nut, Rangsit, Puthamontthon and in Samut Prakan and other adjoining provinces.

“I sometimes get several calls per day, mostly at night and early in the morning, to catch pythons. They like to go inside houses during these times. They like to stay in the bathroom because it is cool and wet.”

Mr. Sompop said that the biggest snake he had ever captured was about 5.5 meters long, with the help of 10 people near a house on Rama II Road in Bangkok about six years ago.

“These snakes are very strong and can kill a person through suffocation. They squeeze you while turning around your body.

The snake knows where to put pressure in order to kill. If a python bites, it won’t let go. It keeps going deeper and deeper into the muscle. The only way to get free is to use a metal instrument to force open its mouth.”

When he is bitten by a non-poisonous snake, he will treat it himself, “provided the wound is not so deep.” If it is more serious he will go to the hospital. His arms and legs are covered with scars from snake bites.

“I have been bitten hundreds of time by non-poisonous snakes, but never by a cobra or pit viper. I am extremely careful when dealing with venomous snakes. He seemed somewhat surprised when I asked him if he carries anti-venom with him and then said he does not.

Mr. Sompop said the number of requests for his assistance increased last year during the floods. To make things more difficult, there were often problems in reaching the areas and he had to go by boat. Most calls were from people with snakes inside their homes.

“When they find a snake, people usually call the police or rescue services, and they will give them my telephone number, as will the district office.” He is also a police volunteer and has a license to own a two-way radio. “Sometimes I get calls for help through police and rescue services radios, he said.

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INSIGHT URBAN JUNGLE

Look who’s slithering Four snakes you’re most likely to find in your garden – or home!

Cobra

“After I get a call I will go alone with my equipment on my motorcycle if it is not far and the snake is small. But for large snakes or when several snakes are involved, I will take a taxi and try to call volunteers to go with me.

“Before hailing a taxi I will ask the caller to pay the fare, which is not usually a problem.

Sometimes the caller will give me a small tip, like 100 or 200 baht, as a gesture of appreciation, but often I get nothing. It’s about 50-50.

“When people call me, the snake is usually inside

the house. If after I arrive at the location the snake is not there, I know where to look for it and how to catch it. Usually the snake has been in the area for a while although people may never see it.”

Mr. Sompop often sets a trap with food for the snake. After eating the bait, they don’t move much for a few hours, making it easier to handle them.

He advised anyone finding a snake to call him and describe what it looks like so he can tell them if it is poisonous. But they should never try to catch it themselves.

“If you have a snake in your home the best thing is to leave it alone and wait until I arrive. If necessary you can protect yourself by spraying the snake with poison or oil, and the snake will slither away.

“When a snake bites, you can see the teeth marks as well as the print of the mouth. If a bite has been inflicted by a poisonous snake, you will see very clearly two holes in the wound. A wound caused by a non-poisonous snake looks different.”

But will snakes simply attack anything that moves?

“Snakes have poor eyesight so they will strike at any moving object when threatened,” explained Mr Sompop. “People often make the mistake of running away when remaining still would be the best option. After catching snakes for so many years, I know their behavior and their instincts.”

Mr. Sompop has been involved in many community projects and received many awards and citations which he has framed for display on the walls of his house. There are also media reports, such as the one describing the capture of a giant python on Rama II Road.

During our interview a police lieutenant colonel who lives in Bang Yai called Mr. Sompop to ask for his help with a python in his house. In the space of just a couple of minutes he had gathered his equipment and was already climbing onto his motorcycle to rush to the policeman’s house.

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• Cobra is short for Cobra Capo, which is Portuguese for ‘snake with hood.’

• Cobras are the longest venomous snakes in the world, measuring up to 5.6 meters in length.

• When threatened the cobra will erect its anterior, and extend its neck. An agitated cobra can strike its victims from over two meters away.

• If you get bitten by a cobra seek treatment immediately – the venom can kill in as little as 30 minutes!

Pit viper

• Pit vipers get their name from an infrared sensory organ between the eyes and the nostrils called the pit, which allows them to identify prey by the heat which they emit – a bit like the sci-fi alien ‘Predator.’

• Also like the Predator, Pit Viper’s can be deadly (depending on the species). Fortunately they tend to shy away from humans and usually hunt at night, but you still might see one as Pit Vipers are attracted to residential areas in search of prey.

• A common Pit Viper found in Thailand is the Malayan Pit Viper. Known for being aggressive (especially if you accidentally step on one), this snake has long fangs and haemotoxic venom, which destroys blood cells and tissue.

A victim’s chances of survival are good with medical aid.

Python

• Enveloping their prey with their massive bodies Pythons kill by suffocating or constriction.

• The Burmese Python is the largest python in Thailand.

It’s not a venomous snake, but with an average length of 3.7 meters it can easily kill a human.

• Pythons are excellent swimmers, and can stay submerged in bodies of water for up to half an hour (keep an eye on your ponds!).

Green snake

• The Golden Tree Snake is one of the most common Green Snakes in Thailand. It is also known as the flying snake as it can flatten its body to glide between trees - which they also climb with ease.

• The Golden Tree Snake is well accustomed to urban life, typically residing beneath the roofs of houses, where it preys on geckos and mice.

• The Golden Tree Snake is mildly venomous, not typically considered toxic to humans.

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EXPENSIVE EXPORTS

Higher Thai prices hurt struggling Europe

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NY increase in the cost of living in Thailand is obviously bad news.

Everybody is affected by the higher prices – not just Thais but anybody who buys their goods and products from this country. And that includes Europe, which is facing major economic challenges of its own right now, and needs more expensive goods from Thailand like a hole in the head.

But their shopping list is long and covers everything from foods, cars, microchips and a host of essential raw materials.

Such financial problems are compounded further by the huge amounts of goods Europe also imports from China and India, both of which are seeing higher prices across the board.

So when Western financial leaders claim things couldn’t get any worse for their countries, they are yet again well off the target.

Huge schools that block our roads STUDENT OVERLOAD

WTF?

Weirdest comment of the month

AN article in a British newspaper about women who do not shave their armpits elicited this response: “Whatever your gender, if you have hairy armpits you can’t use a roll-on deodorant effectively...and if you use a spray, all the polar bears will die unless you give the government all your money.”

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W

ITH their burgeoning pupil numbers, schools have become a major cause of traffic congestion in Bangkok.

Certain areas of the city are brought to a standstill every morning and afternoon as literally thousands of youngsters arrive and leave their schools – often in their parents’ cars.

To their credit, the police do their best to keep the traffic flowing, but they are mostly overwhelmed by the sheer volume of vehicles waiting to drop off or pick up the students. Roads and businesses located near the schools are also badly affected by this twice-daily surge.

You can’t blame parents for wanting to transport their children to and from school, especially those who do not live near the Skytrain or MRT. And you can’t blame the kids either.

But you can blame the authorities for allowing schools in central areas of Bangkok to continue growing. It’s not unusual nowadays for some to have more than 5,000 students on campus. That’s simply too many in one location.

New schools should be forced to locate in less congested areas of Bangkok, while established institutions should be encouraged to scale down in size by offering them alternative out-of-town sites.

Unless some action is taken, the situation will only get worse – to the detriment of everybody, including the health of stressed-out pupils themselves.

DANGEROUS ADS

TV billboards are a threat to road safety WITH so many dangers lurking on our roads these days, including speeding trucks, motorcycles heading in the wrong direction, potholes and puddles, the last thing motorists need is another distraction like a giant TV screen extolling the virtues of fast food, fast cars and fabulous beaches in exotic destinations.

But that’s what we’re getting on just about every major junction in Bangkok – huge billboards yelling out for our attention while we drive and telling us in full glorious colour how to spend our hard-earned money.

It’s daft, even irresponsible of the authorities to allow this to happen.

Mind you, they’d probably argue that since the traffic in Bangkok nowadays is usually at a standstill, these screens are a great way to pass the time.

TheBigChilli

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TIPPING POINTS

When restaurant service is lousy, why should we pay?

HY do we have to pay a service charge in hotels and restaurants when the service is actually very poor?

And why are we forced to pay a service charge at buffets when we, the customer, do most of the work?

More importantly, though, how can we be sure that the service charge goes to the staff – or does the owner siphon off part or even all of the money for his/her benefit?

Much worse, though, is the recent declaration that hotels and other establishments are now allowed to treat some of the proceeds from the service charge as part of their employees’ salary in order to satisfy the new minimum wage regulations.

FOOTNOTE: Hotels are legally entitled to add yet another tax on a customer’s bill if it provides live entertainment after 10pm. Not all hotels choose to charge this 10% ‘entertainment tax.’

CUNNING LINGUISTS

QUOTES: Which George said it first?

• George Raft, actor (1901-1980)

“I must have gone through $10 million during my career.

Part of the loot went for gambling, part for horses and part for women. The rest I spent foolishly.”

• George Best, footballer (1946-2005)

“I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered.”

• Another great Best quote:

“In 1969 I gave up women and alcohol. It was the worst 20 minutes of my life.”

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LEAP OF FAITH

Media double standards ISN’T it odd that the New York Times recently refused to run a paid advertisement by the Stop Islamization of America organization whose aims are obvious from its name – and yet allowed the publication of a stridently anti-Catholic ad saying that faith in the religion was misplaced.

“After two decades of sex scandals involving preying priests, church complicity, collusion and cover-up going all the way to the top,” the full page claimed.

Although the newspaper says it is currently reconsidering its decision to turn down the ad, it apparently justified its original decision by saying “the fallout from running this ad now could put U.S. troops and/or civilians in the [Afghan] region in danger.”

The Times has a point. But its executives also know very well that the newspaper would face far more outrage from one of these religions than the other.

BANKING ON DISASTER

How the banks gamble away OUR future on THEIR future bets DIG out those old photographs from Bangkok in the late ’60s and early ’70s, and compare the skyline back then with today’s high-rise jungle.

The change is phenomenal. The number of tall buildings now dotting the landscape and hiding the horizon is simply staggering.

But what about the cost – who funded Bangkok’s incredible transformation from low-rise city of barely two million people 40 years ago to the towering metropolis it is today?

The banks, of course. They provided the loans to the developers, construction companies and the buyers of all this real estate.

But where did the banks get the money from? It’s certainly not from the tiny sums deposited by account holders. And it doesn’t come from the profits of major companies, industrialists, rice growers and rubber manufacturers.

Quite literally, banks conjure the money out of thin air. It doesn’t actually exist. What they do is hand out funds and loans based only on the future expectation of borrowers’ (big and small) ability to pay back the money at some future date.

And with far fewer regulations to limit what they lend out, the banks’ debt exposure is vast, almost beyond imagination.

In theory, it’s not a problem and actual money is unnecessary, for the vast majority of borrowers will eventually settle with the banks, along with substantial interest payments on their loans. Besides, inflation always kicks in and over time the sums involved decrease significantly in value.

Where it all goes wrong, however, is when the economy falters, as it invariably does.

Then, those future expectations of borrowers’ ability to pay back the loans suddenly go belly up – and the house comes crashing down.

There, the bust-bust cycle explained in one easy lesson. It’s not rocket science. Unwisely, banks are gambling on our future.

Which makes you think – why are governments still refusing to regulate the bankers?

TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT NEWS

Know My Company

Binumi.com a digital video playground A website and digital library of over a million royalty-free footage, image, audio and motion graphic files that allows users of any age the ability to create visual projects at a very affordable price ■A NEW website has been launched with the aim of becoming one of the biggest digital video platforms in the world, giving users access to a huge multimedia library and online moviemaking tools to create their own videos in a fun and incredibly simple way.

Binumi.com is part of the Last Voices Group and has been developed here in Bangkok by its subsidiary, Visualeyez

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Thailand, and is headed up by its founder Anthony Copping.

“Binumi allows all types of users to create multimedia projects like short films, music videos, school projects and websites by providing royalty-free content and online movie making tools all in one place.” Explains Anthony.

Anthony’s career as a successful ‘music explorer’ and entrepreneur began over 20 years ago as a journey to discover and record ancient and endangered music.

His quest took him around the world, to war-torn countries and challenging terrain, and exposed him to hundreds of different languages. The results can be heard on eight albums released in over 35 territories and the extraordinary National Geographic film ‘Last Voices From Heaven,’ referred to as “the most dangerous expedition in musical history” which aired in over 150 countries.

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Anthony founded Last Voices with the principal objective of inspiring cultural sustainability by bringing vanishing cultures to the masses through entertainment. Binumi is part of that mission.

“On location, I always wondered how amazing it would be if others, especially students, could see and play with what I was filming or recording. Technology and specifically cloud computing advances allowed me to bring this concept into reality.”

Copping explains where the website’s name comes from, “Bin is a technical term for a collection of footage, and umi is the Japanese word for ocean.”

Binumi’s aim is to be fun, interactive and educational, and is particularly designed for digital storytelling. Binumi has gone to great lengths to provide footage sequences (multiple shots of each subject) to allow ‘cut-aways’, helping users make a richer narrative of their subject which cannot be done with singular shots.

“At Binumi we are trying to give students in Thailand and across Asia as much opportunity as anyone else in the world to be part of the growing online video revolution. That’s why we are committed to launching Binumi in multiple languages with local factual content.”

Binumi has some very cool online movie making tools including StoryBin, an online story editor, and BinMash, an instant video mashup tool, allowing users to make videos mixing Binumi content with their own in minutes.

“I believe our online tools are simple and intuitive to use,” says Copping. “We want video making and professional content to be accessible to consumers, and not just to be the domain of the professional.”

If you want to make your school work come alive, create a music video, make a short film in minutes, improve your social media messaging or make professional presentations and video for your business, Binumi is one of the largest and most affordable royalty-free libraries and has all the tools you need.

TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT SHOPPING

Talking

Shop Hot products and stores demanding your attention

KVIK KITCHEN NOW OPEN ■ DENMARK’S popular kitchen brand Kvik Kitchen has opened its first two showrooms in Thailand, one in Hua Hin and one in Bangkok. Renowned for offering products with sleek lines and no clutter, Kvik Kitchen has opened here in style by also launching its ‘Social Kitchen’ product line which features innovative fixtures and fittings in cool, contemporary designs. The company plans to open three more showrooms before the end of the year.

Tel: 02 643 0688 (Bangkok store) and 032 530 211 (Hua Hin store) www.kvik.co.th

MAKE-UP REVOLUTION ■ MAYBELLINE’s latest cosmetic product ‘Clear Smooth BB Stick’ will be a joy to any woman who’s fed up with the time it takes to apply make-up in layers. After all, applying foundation, moisturizer, sun protection, and concealer separately is a chore.

But this magic stick does the lot in one go. It includes a mixture of BB cream foundation base, oil-free control powder, and a facial sun block (SPF 21 PA+++). Within a minute, you can simply head out in the sun and look good for the next 24 hours. B249 (available in three shades). You can also add a bit of colour to your cheeks with brush-on Maybelline Cheeky glow (B179).

Join Maybelline New York (Thailand) facebook fan page for updates and special deals or visit www.maybelline.co.th

THE SCENT OF SUMMER ■ THE Body Shop has launched a new

summer fragrance collection for women featuring three different sweet and floral scents in attractive, colourful bottles.

Choices on offer include ‘Love Etc… Sun Kiss,’ Dreams Unlimited, Sun Fresh,’ and ‘White Musk, Sun Glow.’

The scents were created by famous perfumers Dominique Ropion, Loc Dong, and Domitille Bertier. B1,090 for Eau de Toilette, and B690 for Body Purée (250ml). www.thebodyshop.co.th

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TIME FOR LUXURY ■ PENDULUM, the sole authorized distributor of Breitling wristwatches in Thailand, is celebrating its 20th year of service by offering a limited edition chronograph called ‘Navitimer 01 Thailand.’ A remarkable transformation from Breitling’s popular Navitimer model, this new version has a 43mm case and transparent caseback with an anti-reflexive sapphire crystal.

Its elegant gold bronze dial is made using the ‘épargne’ process on a solid silver or gold base, allowing for excellent readability. If you want one you better hurry there are only 20 stainless steel and five Red-gold versions available.

Available now at all Pendulum watch boutiques: 1st floor at Gaysorn Department Store (Tel: 02 656 1116-7), G floor at The Emporium (Tel: 02 664 8377-8), M floor at Siam Paragon (Tel: 02 610 9423) and at other leading department stores in town.

TheBigChilli

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Jokes ENTERTAINMENT HUMOUR

Got a great joke? email us at: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

HEAVY LOAD

SEAN gets home in the early hours of the morning after a night at the pub. He makes such a racket that he wakes his missus. “What on earth are you doing down there?” She yells down from the bedroom. “Get yourself to bed and don’t wake the neighbours!”

“I’m trying to get a barrel of Guinness up the stairs,” shouts Sean. “Leave it till the morning,” she yells back. “I can’t,” he shouts.

“I’ve drunk it.”

HTS THOUG E OF TH MONTH

JOKE OF THE MONTH

CLEVER ROBBERS

THE police have reported the theft of a shipment of filing cabinets, document folders and labeling machines – it’s believed to be the work of organized crime.

1. R2-D2 was the most vulgar character in Star Wars. They bleeped out every word he said.

2. My new missus lets me lick anything off her, and I love it. Butter, jam, cheese, you name it. She’s a cracker.

3. Beyoncé has released a new single for an older demographic: “All The Shingle Ladies.”

– Milton Jones 4. I used to be a mobile hairdresser, but it didn’t really work out; apparently, not that many people have hairy phones. – Gary Delaney 5. My mate can’t take a joke. I put some super glue on his darts last week and he still can’t let it go.

VICAR’S FACTS OF LIFE

THE headmistress of a girls’ school asks the local vicar to give her pupils a talk on Christianity and sex. The vicar is happy to do so but doesn’t want to upset his prudish wife so tells her he’ll be giving the girls a talk about sailing. A week later the headmistress meets the vicar’s wife in the street and tells her what a good talk her husband gave. “I can’t imagine it was that good”, says the wife. “He’s only ever done it twice. The first time he was sick, and the second time his hat blew off.”

DODGY CONTRACT I WENT to a mobile phone shop with my wife.

While she looked at the phones, I went to see the assistant. “Hi pal,” I said. “My wife’s been nagging me to get her a phone.” “Would you like to take a contract out?” he asked. “Why, do you know a guy?” I whispered.

DESERT DINNER

THREE men are in the desert, starving, when they find a camel. The first man says: “We can eat it. Let’s use our football teams to decide which part we each get. I support Hearts, so I’ll eat the heart.” The second man says: “I support Liverpool, so I’ll eat the liver.” The third man says: “I support Arsenal, but I’ve lost my appetite.”

Send your jokes to thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

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INSIGHT CALENDAR

June planner Networking, tradeshows, performances, and sport here’s the month ahead planned and charted Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

5 6 7 8 Thailand Travel Mart Plus. June 6 – 8 at IMPACT. See p.96 Thailand Tourism Festival. June 6 – 10 at IMPACT. See p.96

British Chamber: Commonwealth Sundowners Networking, 6pm AustCham Commonwealth Sundowners, Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok, 6pm

Wednesday

Thursday

AMCHAM Travel & Tourism Cmte., 5pm AMCHAM Young Professional Networking hosted by D Bistro D Bar, 7pm FCCT: Bangkok Business Connections (BBC), 11am

Friday

AMCHAM Adopt-a-School Dedication: AMROP/Gattie-Tan Soo Jin Recruitment

Saturday

13 14 15 16 AMCHAM/TCCC Luncheon with #1 NY Times author Cherie Carter-Schott AMCHAM Travel & Tourism Committee, TCEB, 5pm AustCham: Joint Luncheon: Negaholics, 11.30am

Franco-Thai: Working Together Forum Thailand 2012, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel,

Thursday

Asia International Guitar Festival & Competition. June 14 – 17 at The Sukosol Bangkok. See p.88 BCCT Half-Day Workshop (Creating winning work relationships), Atelier 2, Le Meridien Bangkok, 8.30am

Friday

AMCHAM Independence Day Picnic Cmte., 8am

AustCham: The 12th Volvo Truck & Bus Convoy for Kids Charity Golf Event, 10am Eastern Seaboard Sundowners, 6pm

Saturday

Jason Mraz at Impact Arena See p.88

Technology Street. June 16 - 17 at IMPACT. See p.96

Sunday

21 22 23 24 InterMold Thailand. June 21 - 24 at BITEC. See p.96 Matichon Healthcare. June 21 - 24 at QSNCC. See p.96 AMCHAM F&A Cmte: Agriculture & Thailand Free Trade Agreements, 7.30 am

Bangkok International Auto Salon. June 22 – July 1 at IMPACT. See p.96 AMCHAM Legal Cmte: US Trade and Investment into Myanmar, 7.30 am

British Chamber: European Chambers/EABC Networking, 6.30pm

British Chamber: Joint AustCham/AMCHAM/BCCT Eastern Seaboard Networking Evening, 6.30pm

Friday

Saturday

29 30 AMCHAM Azusa Pacific University Briefing, 9am

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TheBigChilli

The River Jazz Festival 2012 (June 30 – July 1) Asiatique The Riverfront. See p.88

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Monday

1 2 3 4 Bangkok Triathlon.

Sahaviriya Bangkok Triathlon.

Samui Regatta (May 26 – June 2)

Saturday

Sunday

British Chamber: The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Fete, 1pm

Monday

Seniors World Cup (June 4 – 9).

See p.92

Tuesday

9 10 11 12 FRANCE V ENGLAND, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok in the Campus (BCCT and FTCC join screening), 10.30 pm

Laguna Phuket Marathon See p.93

Sunday

Monday

AMCHAM University of Virginia briefing, Social Networking at The Okura, 6pm

Tuesday

AMCHAM Professional Women Cmte: Effective Social Media, 6.30pm BCCT Eastern Seaboard Evening Presentation- Energy & Water Saving, Centara Grand Mirage, Wongamart, Pattaya, 6.30pm

Wednesday

17 18 19 20 PowerPlay Golf tees off in Phuket at Laguna Phuket Golf Club. See p.92

Monday

AMCHAM Marketing Cmte: Mobile Strategies for Business Growth, 6.30 pm

Tuesday

Wednesday

AMCHAM CSR: TESCO-Caring for the Community, Environment and Green Stores, 7.30am

Thursday

25 26 27 28 Thailand International Mobile Show. June 28 – July 1 at BITEC. See p.96

Lady Gaga. Rajamangala National Stadium. See p.88. www.Thaiticketmajor.com

Performance

AMCHAM BusEcon : Revised Thai Tax Structure & Its Impact on Expatriates, 7.30pm

Sport

• AMCHAM: American Chamber of Commerce. www.amchamthailand.com • BCCT: British Chamber of Commerce. www.bccthai.com • AustCham: Australian-Thai Chamber of Commerce. www.austchamthailand.com • FTCC: Franco-Thai Chamber of Commerce. www.francothaicc.com

BIFF and BIL. June 27 – July 1 at IMPACT. See p.96

Networking

AMCHAM Charitable Foundation Cmte., 7.30am

Tradeshow

• FCCT: Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand. www.fccthai.com • BITEC: Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center. www.bitec.co.th • IMPACT: Impact Convention Center. www.impact.co.th • QSNCC: Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. www.qsncc.co.th

TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT SCHOOL REPORT

Top marks for St. Stephen’s in IGCSE TWO students at St. Stephen’s International School (Bangkok campus) have received certificates from ‘The Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards’ for achieving top grades in their IGCSE exams.

The awards, organized by the University of Cambridge International Examinations Board, take into account every student in the country studying IGCSE in a variety of subjects. Receiving the awards at St. Stephen’s were Phoom Pentrakul, who got the nation’s highest score in Mathematics, and Rann Jaruthassanakul, who got the nation’s highest score in Business Studies and Geography.

The awards were presented to the students by His Excellency Asif Ahmad, British Ambassador to Thailand.

Australian Secondary School Exhibition and Cocktail Party

Decisions, decisions: Harrow student accepted by 12 top universities

A SIXTH form student at Harrow International School called Phoom has wowed his teachers by receiving offers to study biological engineering at a dozen prestigious universities in the UK and US. Among his impressive list of options, which includes seven of the top twenty universities in the world, are prominent institutions such as Oxford University, the University of Pennsylvania and Stanford University.

“This is a phenomenal list of offers,” writes Karen Prout, Assistant Head of Sixth Form, in an email about Phoom’s success. “It just goes to show that while Admissions Officers are of course looking for top academic results, they’re also looking for students like Phoom who demonstrate passion for their chosen subject, and take part in the extracurricular programmes Harrow has to offer, such as sports and drama, as well as use their time outside of school within the wider community where possible to try make a difference.

“We wish Phoom well next year at university and we are confident he will continue to make the most of the educational opportunities ahead of him.

The only problem he now faces is which university to choose!”

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CETA Worldwide Education, an Australian secondary school consultant specialist, in conjunction with Australian Education Assessment Services (AEAS) and the Australian Trade Commission, Australian Embassy, is organizing the annual Australian Secondary School Exhibition and Cocktail Party on June 30 at the Plaza Athénée Bangkok.

Twenty-eight top private secondary schools from across five Australian states including the cities of Melbourne, Geelong, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide, will be present, and there’ll be a chance for students to receive scholarships for long and short term study, bursaries and fee reductions to the value of Baht 5.8 million (depending on the student’s grades and the participating schools’ terms and conditions).

For more info Tel. 02 665 8100, email: study@ceta.co.th ; Pre-register at www.ceta.co.th/ registration to win the New iPad. Admission is free.

Summer Brain Fitness Program

BRAINFIT Studio is inviting children aged 5-18 years to keep their brain razor sharp during the summer holidays with a focused and fun-filled Summer Brain Fitness Program.

Available from June 13 – Aug 31, programs on offer include Smart Moves (gym-based activities); Smart Vision (table-top activities), and Smart Listening (using state-of-the-art computer technology to improve memory, grammar, and pronunciation).

For more details about the programs and their cost visit: www.adbkk.com BrainFit Studio, Ploenchit Center, Sukhumvit Soi 2. Tel: 02-656 9915, email: brainfitstudio@gmail.com

NIST student wins Thailand Junior Championship

PRAN Phakdeekitcharoen, a year 9 student at the New International School of Thailand, has won his age group at the Thailand Junior Tennis Championship and taken his tally of wins in the tournament to three.

Pran, 14, also won the tournament when he was 10 and 12. Playing tennis since he was five, he now has more than 50 trophies and 50 medals from the sport.

When asked what his tricks for success in tennis are, he said: “Because I am pretty small, I don’t usually compete by using physical strength alone. It’s always a combination of using my brain to plan the games and analyze my opponent, together with some physical strength.”

TheBigChilli

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Expat WOMEN p Put your feet up and indulge

Navigating Bangkok’s dating minefield is tough work. What kind of guys are out there? Read page 36 to find out...

Health

Want to get in shape?

Read our five commitments of getting fit fast Page 38

Question time We speak to long term expat Therese Beauvais about her life in Thailand Page 42

Agony aunts

Professional counselors Anette and Johanna help readers with problems Page 44 TheBigChilli

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EXPAT WOMEN LOVE IN BANGKOK

Single White Female.

Can anyone help?

The wet season’s here but it isn’t exactly raining men for this lovelorn expat

By Natale Francisca

■ I AM a thirty-something, single, farang woman, who has been living in Thailand for a few years now. Men have described me as being beautiful, attractive, funny, striking, sexy, even very sexy…

Well then, how is it possible that girls like me (I know as a fact there is a whole lot of us living on this spot of the planet) stay single, or worse, can’t even get a decent date?

I don’t have bad breath, BUT I do have a good cup-size. I don’t have hair that touches my butt, BUT I do have legs that make me an outstanding 1.82 meters tall.

I speak a few languages, and can even make jokes in all of them. I know how to use cutlery and even manage to eat with my mouth closed.

I laugh at the right moments when in a cinema. I have a job, I pay my own rent.

Still…

What does a girl like me have to do to get laid?

First of all, using that last sentence as an opening to a conversation will probably do the job. But, this is not how we want to present ourselves. Neither do we want to start complaining about the fact that “even though I am one of the girls who doesn’t charge the next morning, I still don’t succeed in getting men’s attention.”

Unless you are in for a quickie, or a onenight-stand that doesn’t include breakfast, be my guest to use the above sentences.

They all prove to be successful when you are in need of having sex with something that doesn’t need batteries.

The real question here is however how to maintain somebody’s interest beyond breakfast.

To find an answer to that question we should try to determine first what kind of men we are dealing with. What are our options?

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THE MUSICIAN Musicians are a totally different breed. First of all, they are easy to feel attracted to. Most musicians are outgoing people; they have creative minds and bodies that can move in a whole lot of directions. If you meet the right one, you get to have a five-star hotel as your second home. The problem with musicians though is that, compared to us, they have a whole lot more options and most probably want to try them out as well.

The other downside is that they most of the times want to remain single for the outside world, no holding hands and looking each other in the eyes while he is on duty.

THE EXPAT WHO’S JUST ARRIVED This group is probably your best bet if you are looking for something long-term. You need to act fast, however. Just make sure he gets a copy of “Hello My Big, Big Honey,” before his new colleagues drag him over to the Patpong/Nana/Cowboy venues.

TheBigChilli

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THE MARRIED MAN

THE BACKPACKER

Ahh, the married man. We all know that that’s out of the question anyway. A married man in Thailand is no different from the married man anywhere else in the world. Just to get noticed by them is pretty much impossible. And why would they look for something farang if that’s what they have waiting for them at home.

First of all, as an exception to the rule, the backpacker will always stay for breakfast! The backpacker is easy to convince to come home with you. Just use the magic word “air-conditioning” and that will do the trick most of the time. Although he might stay more than one-night, he will eventually pack his bag and continue his journey into the unknown. If he is not, on one of those “around the world tours,” you might be lucky and get to take care of most of his stuff (dirty laundry, stack of photos of “before” girlfriends and a smelly sleeping bag) that he will come back for when he is passing through town again.

THE BUSINESSMAN Always flies in just before the weekend.

However, he also flies out just after that. There is not enough time to have some decent dates, unless he flies in every few weeks. That could work. I know cases. At least it will give you a regular romantic and/or exhausting few nights every month.

THE GUY WHO IS NOT INTO THAI GIRLS (WELL AT LEAST NOT TONIGHT) Watch out for this one. He will come straight at you, and he will tell you that he has no idea why everybody else is into Thai women when a beautiful woman like you is standing by herself.

That’s just what you were wondering as well. You see, you have something in common already. However, sooner or later you will find out that that was just his pick-up line. These are the kind of guys who eventually will be found standing in line in front of their embassy together with their “fiancée.”

THE PERFECT SINGLE GUY WHO YOU WOULD MARRY IN NO TIME AT ALL HAD YOU NOT MET IN BANGKOK The only thing missing is the white horse; however, since he is an expat he most probably has a car with a driver. He is not married, he has no kids. There is an instant attraction between the both of you. He will take you home to his perfect very expensive condo. Turn on the right music; serve the right after midnight wine. Has a decent conversation and even the sex is sort of beyond average. Perfect? Think again!

Fact remains, you have met in the City of Angels. Beautiful young, sexy, willing and many angels…kind of hard to keep the fairytale going.

So here are the options. Mmm, honestly…maybe I should just be thankful I score badly in the dating game. But most important, I’ll just try to keep that knowledge to myself and maybe indulge in an occasional one-night stand with one of the above mentioned characters. After all, I don’t have to go out and buy new batteries.

TheBigChilli

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EXPAT WOMEN HEALTH

The 5 commandments of getting fit fast 1.

Thou shall not punish thyself

The old cliché ‘the harder you work, the more you get,’ is a myth. A military-style trainer evoking a “yes drill sergeant!” mentality is not science and will be physiologically and hormonally incorrect.

The fact is the harder and the longer you work the less you get. Doing too much, too soon is the fastest way to fail when getting started.

You’re psyched to overhaul your look and get lean… how much do you think you have to do? Less than you think, is the surprising answer

2.

Thou shalt not live in the gym

4.

Time: focus on getting the results you want in the least amount of time. To elicit correct stimulation for aesthetic and health purposes reduce training time and focus on intensity. Higher intensity, shorter duration exercise will burn more calories post-workout than the typical low intensity long duration workout.

Excessive volume also disrupts hormonal balance and energy levels. The maximum amount of time spent training after warm up should be 45 minutes.

3.

Thou shall not fanny about

Intensity: when you exercise, EXERCISE. To maximize fat loss for the non-athlete, exercise should be performed faster and shorter. Forget the talking and focus on getting 3 to 4 intense 20 – 30 minute sessions per week.

Thou shall focus on one thing at a time

Law of specificity – train for one purpose.

Cross training can have great benefits but can be physically and neurologically demanding in terms of duration and recovery time. Recovery requires energy so alternate cardiovascular and strength sessions to ensure different bio-energy pathways have sufficient time to recover before training different body parts you will have better energy and results by alternating between strength and cardio on different days.

5.

Thou shall not obsess about one body part

Abdominal training will not make you lean!

Over training the ‘abs; is a waste of time and if performed incorrectly will only lead to neck and lower back pain. Your abdominal muscles are like any striated lean muscle and should not be trained every day.

So, spend your time and efforts wisely and reap the rewards of an efficient exercise program!

About the author

Hayden is a Kiwi who channeled his high energy and childhood on an organic farm, into a life-long commitment to sports, fitness and a holistic approach to health. He is internationally certified in the fields of aerobics, weight training, physical education and has worked all over the world as an elite personal trainer and fitness expert.

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TheBigChilli

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The Non-Surgical Solution to Musculoskeletal Pain

Adjustment by Chiropractor

Exercise area

SDT -Spinal Decompression Therapy treatment technology is a new computer system which treats neck pain, chronic back pain and leg pain.

Chiromed Medical Center is a non-operative clinic specializing in Spinal Manipulative Therapy (SMT) integrated with rehabilitation medicine, physical therapy, therapeutic massage and physical capacity improvement for a unique structural rehabilitation.

Treatments at Chiromed are specifically designed for each individual and are conducted by a team of professional physicians.

Chiromed provides individual care for athletic spinal injuries at every level of recovery with innovative treatments in physical balancing and effective functioning. The treatments focus on muscles, joints, tissue and spine therapy.

Chiromed Service offers a range of therapies to restore health and reduce bone affection. The most common symptoms are the following: • Back / neck pain • Headaches due to stress • Office syndrome • Abnormal muscle contractions • Tension on the spine • Degeneration of the spine • Herniated intervertebral disc • Wear and tear of ligaments • Pain in arms / legs • Abnormal bone curve or scoliosis • Sciatica pain • Herniated Nucleus Pulpous

Chiromed Bangkok Center, 3rd Floor, Bangkok Mediplex Building (BTS Ekamai), Sukhumvit 42 Road, Bangkok Tel: 02 713 6745-6 wwwchiromedbangkok.com www.facebook.com/chiromedbangkok

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EXPAT WOMEN FASHION

Where to enjoy a thorough pampering this month Spa deals

New fashion

!

Beachwear

by Hansar ■ THE stylish Hansar Samui Resort has branched into fashion by releasing a

women’s beachwear collection featuring 10 different styles of beach dresses and caftans to fit all sizes.

Designed by Indra Budiman, the Resort’s General Manager and made at the hotel, the beach dresses are made of floaty silk crepes and cottons and are perfect for wearing over bathing suits. Available in a variety of colours, they range in price from B1,400-2,000 each.

Tel: 077 245 511 email: reservation@hansarsamui.com www.hansarsamui.com

New shop!

FingerTipz Salon

■ THERE’S certainly no shortage of places to enjoy pedicures and manicures in Bangkok, but it’s always exciting when a new one opens – especially when it’s in the heart of Thonglor. Oozing warm, vintage charm, FingerTipz Salon on Thonglor 13 is a lovely comfortable spot to enjoy a hand and foot makeover.

Highly-trained staff use all the latest tools and top brand nail polish such as OPI and CND Shellac – the latter of which offers innovative hybrid nail colours. 3D painting is also available.

251/2(C) M place Soi Thonglor13 (opposite After You), Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 085 911 1951 email: fingertipzsalon@hotmail.com www.fingertipzsalon.com (Facebook Fanpage: FingerTipz salon)

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Two-hours’ bliss ■ Until June 30, The Grande Spa at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok is offering a combined spa package featuring a 60-minute rejuvenating massage and a 60-minute facial treatment.

Choices include Healing Stone Massage, Grande Realignment, and Lymphatic Drainage Massage.

B4,000 (normal rate B4,900).

Tel: 02 649 8121 email: grande.spa@luxurycollection.com

Two-for-one deal ■ Throughout June, Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square is offering a buy-oneget-one-free spa deal for guests holding a SCB, HSBC, KTC, KBank or KCC credit card for the first visit at its Tammachart Day Spa. Don’t miss the 60-minute Organic Aroma Oil Massage (B1,800) with an aromatic organic ‘Jasmine rice oil’.

Tel: 02 209 8888 ext. Tammachart Day Spa www.novotelbkk.com

New treatment ■ Rembrandt Hotel’s

Spa has introduced a new spa package called ‘Don’t rain on me’ which combines a 30-minute Tamarind Scrub and a 60-minute Oriental Fusion Massage in a Thai-meets-Swedish spa treatment style.

B1,500 per person and B2,500 per couple.

Tel: 02 261 7100 ext 7450 www.rembrandtbkk.com

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EXPAT WOMEN Q&A

She’s a character: Therese Beauvais

W What do you like most about Bangkok/Thailand?

The adventure of it all. Living in a different culture and learning new things.

What are the biggest challenges for an expat woman here?

Finding fulfillment. Most foreign women are travelling along with their husband’s career and find it difficult to find work for themselves. Leaving careers and a busy life behind in our home countries, it can be a challenge to fill the void. Finding community service, clubs and friends are important to surviving the day to day life in Bangkok.

What clubs and societies do you belong to?

Well there’s Chaine des Rotisseurs; the Thai-American Friendship Group; the American Women’s Club, and I’m a

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American expat Therese has lived in Thailand with her husband, Kevin, for 15 years. Embracing the expat life with gusto, she’s a member of several societies, a board member of Operation Smile, and the Director of Corporate Communications and Social Responsibility at Zinc InVision Hospitality.

Here we find out what makes her tick Board Member of Operation Smile Thailand (thailand.operationsmile.org).

Do you have a lot of friends here, and are they more numerous than back home? Are they mainly from your home countr y, or do you mix with other foreign nationals and Thais?

I have many friends here of all ages, races and nationalities. Back home I had a large circle of friends as well because I think it is important to surround myself with friendship for support and fun!

Do you ever feel threatened or intimidated by the beauty of Thai women?

No, not really. The reality is that all women are different and beautiful in their own unique ways; fortunately I learned that a long time ago. The old adage is very true: Beauty comes from within.

What are your main hobbies?

Charity work with Operation Smile, traveling, spending time with friends, reading, scuba, golf.

What trait do you admire most in people?

Kindness, tolerance and integrity.

Any unfulfilled ambitions, or regrets?

There are travel adventures I would still like to take, but otherwise life is good.

Your favourite restaurant, bar/pub, hangout joints?

Road House Barbecue, Al Ferdoss (Lebanese in the Nana alley), Zanotti, and Wine Loft.

Your favourite place for a haircut?

Anderson Salon on Ruam Rudee. I have been a client of Pam’s for 13 years.

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Favourite place to buy clothes?

I tend to shop when back in the USA because finding sizes and styles is easier, but here I go to the markets, Central Chidlom, and Siam Paragon.

Where do you like to go for a pampering?

Vittayu Spa off of Wireless Road, and Baan Thai Spa on LangSuan.

Your favorite weekend destination?

Our Thai holiday home, Villa Maroc in Pranburi or Khao Yai. Who is the greatest love of your life?

My husband Kevin; we’ve been married for 22 years. Family and friends mean everything to me.

Do you have a life motto?

Something my mother taught to us: Each day when we wake, we have a choice. In every situation throughout the day, we have a choice. Sometimes we need to choose to be happy, choose to forgive, choose to keep on going, choose to stay in love. Each day, the choice is yours.

Can you honestly say you understand the Thai way of life and doing things?

No, not fully. I do not think any foreigner can unless born and raised as a Thai. I do try to understand the best I can and not to offend, but also I try to maintain my personal style and characteristics and not totally lose them while living abroad.

Business advice

Establishing your Unique Selling Point

By Pacharee Pantoomano-Pfirsch, Marketing Consultant at BNOW

Want to succeed in business? Then put yourself in your customers’ shoes and get to know your USP ■ MY favourite sports shoes are Asics. I started running two years ago and it is something I enjoy doing several times a week. A year ago, a friend suggested that I try Asics shoes. I bought my first pair and have used them religiously. When I wanted another pair of sports shoes, I didn’t look at other brands; I went straight to the Asics display and got another pair. What’s the unique selling point (USP) of Asics? It’s the gel inside the shoes that’s able to absorb and disperse the pounding action, minimizing damage to the runner’s feet.

A USP is what makes your product or services stand out among the crowd. A USP draws in interested customers, closes sales and helps you with word of mouth. Your happy customers will tell their friends and that kind of marketing and PR is priceless.

To give you another example, Bangkok is a haven for foodies. There are a plethora of restaurants and bars.

For the most part, prices are reasonable.

You can dine out most nights in Bangkok without breaking the bank. The places that stand out in people’s minds are those which offer something unique. It could be the food, ambiance, friendly service, convenient location or a combination thereof.

For us, we enjoy awesome crab cakes at Bourbon Street and once a week we treat ourselves to mouth-watering spaghetti and meatballs at our cozy Greek hangout, Olive.

As a business owner, you may be thinking about your own USP. To help you define your USP, check out your competitors. Review their marketing messages. What do they do to distinguish themselves from others in the market, and what makes them successful? After considering the competitor in the market place, put yourself in your customers’ shoes and see things from their point of view. Analyze the customers’ motivation and decision making process; get to know why customers buy from you as opposed to your competitors.

Creating a USP requires soul searching and originality. Know from the start that you can’t be everything to everyone. That is, unless you’re the owner of Walmart. Avoid the trap of becoming a “me too” brand. You want to carve out your own authentic niche.

When you’ve made a choice that resonates with you and your stakeholders, it will reverberate with the customers you attract. If you’re looking for inspirational reading on the subject, check out this book: ‘Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant’ by W. Chan Kim and Renee Mauborgne.

Pacharee Pantoomano-Pfirsch is a Marketing Consultant at Brand Now, a marketing and PR agency. If you’d like to race her on the treadmill, drop an email at pacharee@brandnow.asia. Don’t forget your Asics!

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EXPAT WOMEN PROBLEMS SOLVED

Ask the experts Send your problems to: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

Real Problems Real Solutions

Expat life getting you down? Don’t suffer in silence. Send in your problems and get advice from professional counsellors Anette and Johanna • Anette Pollner Adv. Dipl. Couns., is one of seven international counsellors at NCS Counseling Center in Saphan Kwai. She trained in London and the US and worked as a staff counsellor at Bart’s Hospital in London.

Tired of being unlucky

S

ometimes I feel that life is very unfair. When I look around, I see that other people’s lives are far better than mine. I am talented and I work hard, but other people have advanced much further in their careers.

I tried to work on my relationship but my long term girlfriend left me a few months ago for someone who is frankly a bit of a loser. My relationship with my family has always been difficult and I don’t really have the money to do the things I enjoy.

Sometimes I get so frustrated I yell at someone in the supermarket or in another car.

I feel helpless. What can I do? When will my time of good fortune finally come?

I don’t know if I can live with the knowledge that life is so unfair to me.

Valerio, 37, from Italy

Anette says: ■ Dear Valerio, My first question to you is: who are you asking about the fairness of life?

Who could know the answer? And then: why would life be fair? Fairness is a human concept. A concept that humans very often don’t make into reality. Who do you think controls fate and life?

But I understand that this is not just a philosophical question. On a psychological

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level, you feel that you are missing out on experiences and fulfillment that other people seem to have.

It is always a little dangerous to compare yourself to other people. First of all, how do you know how these other people feel inside? Maybe they also feel life is unfair. But more importantly, even if your suspicion is correct, and you are more unlucky than most and you get less than others while doing more, life can only be experienced from one perspective, yours.

In a way, ‘life’ is a concept. The only life any of us will ever know is our own.

What I am trying to say is: you have to live the life you are living. You can’t swap it out for someone else’s.

So let me ask you why you feel so dissatisfied. It seems that you are not achieving the goals you set yourself. If you are really doing everything you can to achieve them, maybe you have reached a level where you are stuck, and maybe it is time to change your strategy. That could mean changing your employer or perhaps even changing your profession, or the country you work in. If a strategy doesn’t deliver results, there is no point in pursuing it. You may also have to update yourself with regards to job satisfaction versus money. Which one is more important, if you don’t have the exceptional good fortune of getting both?

Your personal life seems to have a pattern of loss. It is tough to have a difficult childhood, and many people feel (and are) deprived of the unconditional love and the emotional security that others get.

Again it depends on what your priorities are. While it is not possible to fix the past (even if events in the past were unfair) it is possible to change the present and build a different future.

I suppose if you assume that life is unfair, and if you further assume that there is some kind of unfairness scale then somebody must by necessity be at the bottom end of that scale. But I seriously doubt, honestly, that you are that person.

Whether that is good news or bad news

to you, well, that will tell you a lot about yourself and it may be the starting point to turning things around.

Good luck!

Worried by my husband’s lack of intimacy

I

suspect my partner is having an affair or at least sexual encounters somewhere else.

We used to have regular sex, but for the last three months our sex life has been non-existent. When I try to get him into it a bit, he shows no interest so I give up, but I wonder what is wrong.

Also he is very critical of me. He compares me and to other women and says things like “other women know what a man needs!” He tells me I rejected him sexually after I had our children (I did have post natal depression) and then he doesn’t want to talk any more. I can hardly sleep and can’t think about anything else.

When we lived in our home country I also was the one who tried to deepen our relationship by talking to him. At that time we still went out together and shared the fun things in life.

Now our conversation is about the weather, how the kids are doing and so on, but whenever I try to discuss our relationship, his business trips or evenings out we end up having an argument. He shuts himself up on the computer or runs out of the house and I am left with my emotions.

I left my job and home for his career and this is what I get!

I don’t know what to do and my thoughts go round and round in circles.

I feel angry and trapped, what can I do?

Paula, 37, from the US

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•Johanna DeKoning MS is the Clinical Director of NCS Counseling Center.

She trained in the Netherlands and Australia.

Johanna says: ■ Dear Paula, Before you can ever address your relationship you have to address the issues with yourself.

You feel consumed by your suspicion and this makes you dependent on your husband.

I do think you first have to start by creating your own life and finding your own ways to be happy, so you can present yourself as a woman who knows herself, is confident in who she is, and can manage even without her husband.

It is up to you to get out of the despair that seems to suck you into helplessness and “poor me.”

A way to do this is to compartmentalize. Tell yourself for example that the issue of the relationship is the big shadow in your life and you will give it a limited amount of time, for example by writing about. Then put it ‘in a box’ and dare to live until you decide to give it time again.

You should make appointments with yourself, like 30-60 minutes every day to engage with this issue.

I do know that this is hard for women, as we tend to integrate all aspects of life, but see it as a survival strategy.

Start to develop activities you would like to do. Look for friendships that could support you in this.

In this way you are in connection with others, but

not only focused on your problems.

Acknowledge the anger you have inside by writing it out, raw and uncensored and for your own eyes only. After this write a more controlled text and look into your options.

You also could write to your partner about issues but avoid nagging, just mention the issue briefly.

Use “I” statements – say “I feel....”(add a feeling to it) “when...” – and end a letter with one question. Address only one topic in any note or letter to focus his response.

(Your personal writing time will give you the outlet to combine and vent all at the same time).

In addition to this (and this is the hardest part) look for occasions where you can affirm your partner, compliment him for things you see that are positive and thank him for them. This will create a positive atmosphere in the home and between you.

Suggest going out together (arrange child care) or go on a trip with him.

Maybe these actions will bring a change in the relationship, but even if that does not happen, it will empower you and make you able to live your own life.

After this the issue of leaving or staying might be easier to answer, although the emotional pain that comes with distance or separation cannot be erased but needs to be lived through.

Contact info Web: ncs-counseling.com Email: anette.p@ncs-counseling.com Tel: 02 279 8503 Send your problems to: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

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Gourmet p Wine and restaurant news

Seafood is being given the Italian treatment this month at Pathumwan Princess Hotel’s popular poolside restaurant, Loop.

Page 48.

What’s Cooking A round up of this month’s best gourmet deals. Yummy!

Page 48

Recipe

Learn how to create Pan fried salmon, prawn and leek cannelloni Page 66

Dining out

Our favourite restaurants reviewed and listed Page 68 TheBigChilli

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GOURMET NEWS

What’s Cooking

Bangkok’s hottest dining deals and news

Classic Italian seafood

LOOP ITALIAN RESTAURANT TERRACE & BAR, UNTIL JUNE 30

■ SEAFOOD’S being given the Italian treatment this month at Pathumwan Princess Hotel’s popular poolside restaurant.

Highlights of the special menu include Steamed Mediterranean sea bass, Ink squid spaghetti with seafood, and Red mullet in onion sauce. Served daily, from 11am-10.30pm.

Pathumwan Princess Hotel, 444 MBK Center, Phayathai Road, Tel: 02 216 3700 ext.

20818 www.pprincess.com

Hot Choice!

Belgian beer showcase LOBBY BAR, UNTIL JUNE 30

■ FANS of Belgian beers should make a beeline for the Rembrandt Hotel’s Lobby Bar this month. Ten exclusive labels will be on offer, including Maredsous 10, Rochefort 6, Pauwel Kwak, Rodenbach, La Chouffe, and Brigand. Prices start at B280 per bottle, or buy 10 beers for B2,250. Available daily from 7am-1am. Live Jazz every Tue-Sun, 7pm until midnight.

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, 19 Sukhumvit 18 Road, Tel: 02 261 7100 ext 7503 www.rembrandtbkk.com

Gourmet buffet

ORCHID CAFÉ, AVAILABLE NOW

HIIRAGI JAPANESE RESTAURANT, JUNE 18-27

■ FOR a limited time only, Novotel Bangna Bangkok’s popular Japanese restaurant is offering Nabemono hot pot specials starting at just B320++ per pot. Choices include salmon, US beef, pork, seafood and Gintara Nabe Yaki. Available 11.30am2.30pm for lunch and 6pm-10.30pm for dinner.

Novotel Bangna Bangkok, 333 Srinakarin Road, Tel: 02 366 0505 www.novotel.com/asia

Like and dine for less THE GLASS HOUSE, UNTIL JULY 15

■ SHERATON Grande Sukhumvit’s all-day-dining restaurant has long held a reputation for the high quality of its international buffet – and now it’s offering it at even better value for money. Every Mon-Fri, international buffet lunch is just B890 per adult and B495 per child; Seafood dinner every Mon-Thurs is B1,300 per adult and B695 per child; and the superb Weekend Grande Seafood Dinner Buffet (Fri-Sun) is just B1,550 per adult and B840 per child.

Saturday Lazy Lunch, meanwhile, is B1,350 per adult and B720 per child.

■ EASTIN Grand Sathorn is now offering 50% discount off The Glass House restaurant’s international buffet to anyone who click’s like on the hotel’s facebook page (www.facebook.com/EastinGrandSathorn) and shares the ‘Like & Dine’ promotion banner on their facebook wall.

250 Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 02 649 8355, email: dining.sgs@luxurycollection.com www.eatdrinkandmore.com/bangkok

Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn, 33/1 South Sathorn Road, Tel: 02 210 8100, email: fbadmin@eastingrandsathorn.com www.eastingrandsathorn.com

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Nabemono hot pot specials

Triple savings at Muse SPEAKEASY, UNTIL AUGUST 31

■ HOTEL Muse Bangkok’s trendy hangout ‘Speakeasy’ is now offering three special deals Sticky Fingers of Calamari at B89++ per plate,Veuve Clicquot at B890++ per glass, and 15% discount on drinks and cigars at Blind Pig Cigar Lounge (must book in advance).

Hotel Muse Bangkok Langsuan, 55/555 Langsuan Road, Tel: 02 630 4000 email: H7174@accor.com www.hotelmusebangkok.com

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New set lunches ZUMA, AVAILABLE NOW

Thailand’s Best Sommelier Competition

■ BANGKOK’S hippest Japanese restaurant is offering a new set lunch menu for executives on the go. Served daily from noon-3pm, the deal offers a selection of eight main dishes and three salads accompanied by white or red miso soup. Highlights includes Teriyaki glazed salmon and picked cucum-

DUSIT THANI BANGKOK JUNE 29

■ THE fifth edition of the annual ‘Thailand’s Best Sommelier Competition’ will once again see talented sommeliers from around the kingdom arrive at the Dusit Thani Bangkok to showcase their skills in front of a panel of judges.

As with previous years, the event will culminate with ‘Sommelier,’ a grand wine tasting event where the competition’s winners and two runners-up will be announced, and where guests can sample wines, indulge in gourmet canapés, and mix with a glamorous crowd of F&B professionals, wine trade executives, and high-end wine enthusiasts.

For more info and to find out about tickets please contact Wine Today on 0 2390 2551-3

ber; Australian beef sirloin with wafu sauce and crispy garlic; and Assorted tempura with seafood and vegetables. Vegetarian options are available. Menus range from B350++ to B490++.

Zuma restaurant, St. Regis Hotel (G Floor), 159/99, Ratchadamri Road, Tel: 02 252 4707 email: reservations@ zumarestaurant.co.th www.zumarestaurant.com

Business with pleasure FIREPLACE GRILL, AVAILABLE NOW

■ PUTTING plenty of pleasure into a working lunch, the new business set lunch at Fireplace Grill features Salad of beef cheek crispy parcels, Chicken consommé, Wagyu beef burger with caramelized onions, Champagne poached pear and more tasty options, and starts at a very reasonable B699++ baht. Available Mon-Fri, noon-2.30pm.

InterContinental Bangkok, 973 Ploenchit Road, Tel: 02 656 0444, email: dining@ihgbangkok.com www.dining-experience.com

Football on the river

ROYAL ORCHID SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS VARIOUS DATES

■ OFFERING big TV screens, drinks deals and snacks, the riverfront bar at Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers looks set to be a cracking spot to watch all the upcoming sporting action. The entertainment kicks off this month with EURO 2012 (June 8 - July2), followed by Wimbledon (June 25 – July 8), and then the London 2012 Olympics (July 25 – Aug 12).

A shuttle boat is available at Saphan Taksin BTS Station every 30 min (from 10am-10pm).

2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30 (Captain Bush Lane), Tel: 02 266 0123 email: events.rosh@sheraton.com www.royalorchidsheraton.com

Bring on the beef Three places to tuck into a steak this month ■ TAPAS Y VINO, Grand Millennium Sukhumvit: A new set menu designed for sharing features 1 kilogram of Angus prime rib grilled and roasted, as well as Pumpkin cream with shrimp and mushroom, Serrano ham melon salad, a dessert of Santiago almond cake, and a bottle of Barberana Dragon Tempranillo 2005. B3,700.

Tel: 02 204 4158, email: fb@grandmillenniumskv.com www.grandmillenniumskv.com

■ BENIHANA AND TRADER VIC’S, Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa: Every Wed, the popular Benihana Japanese steakhouse serves grain-fed Wagyu steaks, featuring a 8oz Rib Eye or Strip Loin for B999++ and a 8oz Tenderloin for B1,099++.

Head to Trader Vic’s restaurant in the evening and you can enjoy a 8oz Wagyu Rib Eye or Strip Loin starting at B999++ (B1,499++ for 16oz).

Tel: 02 476 0022 ext. 1416 email: riversidedining@anantara.com www.bangkokriverdining.com

■THE WAVES RESTAURANT, Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok: UNTIL JUNE 30, the hotel’s all-day-dining restaurant is offering Prime Australian beef sirloin steak with a glass of red wine for just B690++.

Tel: 02 688 1000 ext. 118 www.ramadaplazamenamriverside.com

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GOURMET NEWS

Asian flavours

Regional dishes served in style Indonesian delights

Until June 30, Romsai restaurant at Banyan Tree Bangkok will offer a special range of Indonesian cuisine as part of its already extensive dinner buffet.

Highlights include Nasi Goreng, Rendang Sapi (braised beef with chili and coconut), and Sambal Goreng Udang Chili Prawns. Served from 6pm10.30pm. B1,200++ (Sun-Thurs), B1,600++ (Fri) and B1,500++ (Sat). Half price for kids aged 4-11.

21/100 South Sathorn Road, Tel: 02 679 1200 www.banyantree.com

Contemporary Issan cuisine

Enjoy authentic dishes from northeastern Thailand presented in a new exciting way at Smooth Curry, Le Meridien Bangkok.

Prepared by Chef Jasvir Sanghera and her team, the signatures include Deep fried frog’s legs, Grilled catfish, Som tum kai kem, and Koi pla tuna. Dinner served 6pm-11pm. Promotion ends June 30.

40/5 Surawong Road, Tel: 02 650 8800 ext. 4340 email: fb.bangkok@lemeridien.com www.lemeridien. com/bangkoksurawong

New on the scene Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ

■ BUILDING on the success of its invariably packed restaurant in Soi Thaniya, Silom Road, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ has taken its popular Yakiniku formula to Thonglor with a second branch offering more of the same DIY cooking with premium cuts of meat.

With more than 700 restaurants around the world, Gyu-Kaku knows how to deliver a good barbeque experience. There are all kinds of meat (pork, poultry, seafood, and beef from Japan) and a variety of cuts to choose from, and you simply barbeque your selections at your table. Smokeless roasters and special ventilation systems stop smells clinging to your clothes and hair, so you can enjoy your food and then head to one of Thonglor’s cool bars without stinking of beef. Always a bonus – especially if you’re on the pull.

Recommended dishes include Horenso Salad (Spinach salad in Japanese style), Wagyu Karubi beef, and Milk Pudding topped with soybean powder and Japanese brown sugar syrup.

Thonglor branch, Sukhumvit 55, Open: lunch, 11.30am-2pm (Sat-Sun), dinner, 6pm-midnight (daily) www.gyu-kaku.co.th (Thaniya branch on Silom Road, contact Tel: 02 632 7781)

Coffee Corner

Shades of Saigon

The Sukosol Bangkok’s all-day dining restaurant, Patummat, is now offering a special range of gourmet Vietnamese dishes as part of its international buffet. Highlights include Spring rolls, Noodles in beef broth, BBQ chicken, Lemongrass fish, and Shrimp curry. Buffet served Mon-Fri at B807++ for lunch and B977++ for dinner. On weekends, brunch and dinner are both B977++. Deals include ‘Dine 3 pay 2’ for daily buffet lunch, ‘Dine 4 pay 2’ for daily buffet dinner, and a 2-hour drinks package at B399++ per person for dinner only.

477 Si Ayuthaya Road, Tel: 02 247 0123 ext. 1820 www.siamhotels.com

Dim Sum Parade

LOONG Foong at Swissôtel Le Concorde, Bangkok is offering a special Dim Sum menu this month featuring highlights such as Deep-fried seafood spring roll with mozzarella cheese served with sweet mayo salad; and Steamed sticky rice with minced chicken, shitake mushroom.

204 Ratchadapisek Road, Tel: 02 694 2222 ext 1540 www.bangkok-leconcorde.swissotel.com

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Chu Chocolate Bar & Café ■ HOT chocolate heaven is a place on earth, it’s in Asok, and it’s called Chu. Located on the second floor of Exchange Tower, it specializes in chocolate drinks and offers 11 kinds of hot chocolate (start at B110+) all made using pure French chocolate (no powders, syrups) for a rich, velvety taste. There’s also a variety of homemade cakes, pastries, and fudge brownies which are baked right in the middle of the shop. A daily all-day brunch is available till 8pm with eggs benedict (B240+), pancakes (start B170+), stuffed French toasts (start B190+), and you can also tuck into salads and over a dozen paninis. For a real treat try the dessert-themed cocktails, including The Best Chocolate Martini (B260+), Lemon Meringue Pie Martini (B220+), and Jack Daniel’s Milkshake (B260+).

Second floor of Exchange Tower (near Asok BTS). Open: Mon-Fri 7.30am-9.30pm, Weekends and Holidays 9am-9pm.

Tel: 02 663 4554 www.facebook.com/chu.bkk

TheBigChilli

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GOURMET NEWS

on the move Seafood Chef’s Our gourmet spies track the comings and sensations goings of Bangkok’s chefs Where to enjoy deep sea delights this month Seafood Thursdays

EVERY Thursday this month, The Square international buffet restaurant at Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square is offering a ‘Market Display’ of fresh seafood on ice with chefs cooking your selections just as you like. Buffet is B950++ per person.

Siam Square Soi 6, Tel: 02 209 8888 ext. the Square www.novotelbkk.com

Luxe lobster

THE Sukosol Bangkok’s Lin-Fa Chinese restaurant now offers a new lobster menu featuring dishes such as Fried lobster with curry, Stir-fried lobster with peaches and sweet and sour sauce, and Butter lobster served with French bread. Available daily 11.30am2.30pm and 6pm-10.30pm. Dim sum buffet lunch on weekends is B555++ per person.

477 Si Ayuthaya Road, Tel: 02 247 0123 ext.

1820 www.siamhotels.com

Healthy salmon specials

YOU’LL find a range of healthy salmon specialties to choose from this month at Dream Hotel’s Flava Restaurant and Bar. Available for both lunch and dinner, the specialties are B410 per dish.

10 Sukhumvit Soi 15, Tel: 02 254 8500 email: info@dreambkk.com www.dreambkk.com

East-Meet-West Buffet Lunch

THROUGHOUT June, The Hourglass Restaurant, The AETAS Lumpini is offering an “East Meets West” International Buffet Lunch featuring an extensive range of International and western choices and fresh seafood on ice. Available daily, noon2.30pm. B499 per person (Go 4 Pay 3).

1030/4 Rama 4 Road, Tel: 02 618 9555 www.aetashotels.com

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Award-winning chefs at D’Sens

■ AUSTRIAN master chefs Rudolf and Karl Obauer, owners of the two-Michelin-star restaurant Obauer in Austria, are flying into town to cook up a range of exquisite French dishes at D’Sens French Restaurant, Dusit Thani Bangkok, from June 13 – 17. The two widely travelled chefs have studied under culinary stars such as Jean and Pierre Troisgros, Alain Chapel, and Emile Jung, and they use only the best ingredients to create hearty yet elegant cuisine.

For more info Tel: 02 200 9000 ext. 2499, email: dtbkfbfr@dusit.com www.dusitthanibangkok.dusit.com

New Executive Sous Chef for Peninsula ■ THE Peninsula Bangkok has appointed Mr Cedric Darthial as its new Executive Sous Chef. The French national has extensive experience working in five-star hotels around the world, such as Raffles Dubai and The Ritz-Carlton Dubai. He has also worked onboard Silversea Cruises and Radisson Seven Sea Cruises, and for Michelin-star restaurants in France and Spain. Prior to the joining Peninsula, Cedric was Chef de Cuisine at Mandarin Oriental in Kuala Lumpur.

Sichuan master chef at Shangri-La ■ EXPECT a fiery Sichuan feast at Next2 Café, Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, this month when guest chef Du Fei, executive chef at Shangri-La Hotel, Chengdu, takes control of the kitchens from June 14 - 24.

Among Chef Du Fei’s signature dishes are Marinated chicken in spicy sauce, Smoked duck with tea leaves, and Simmered beef with glutinous noodles in hot and sour broth.

In addition to special Sichuan creations, diners will be able to enjoy a wide selection of international cuisine and desserts from the restaurant’s nine interactive cooking stations.

For more info Tel: 02 236 9952, email restaurants.slbk@shangri-la.com www.BangkokRiversideDining.com.

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Traditional and creative Italian cuisine prepared by talented chefs Huge selection of cheese, cold cuts and homemade pasta Enjoy your meal in warm and cozy surroundings More than 400 Italian wines!

Sukhumvit soi 27 North Klongtoey wattana, Bangkok 10110 Tel: 02 258 4386

See our menu at www.enotecabangkok.com AD Enotica_Feb12.indd 1

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GOURMET FEATURE

From the Atlantic to the dinner plate: the story of Theodoré the seafood specialist How seafood brought together a family while bringing smiles to the dinner table ■ TUESDAY: Several kilometers out at sea near Brittany, France, captain Donnart makes his way back to port after a freezing day out searching for monkfish, an ugly-looking creature, highly valued for its delicious firm flesh, made famous by French monks. The fish is notoriously difficult to catch, but captain Donnart has plenty of skill and experience on his side – he and the other men in his family come from a long line of fishermen who over the generations have all spent cold days at sea in the search for this deep sea bounty.

The boat arrives at port and the atmosphere is electric.

Buyers peer into crates loaded with all kinds of fish and

It’s a family affair: Petra and Andreas with their daughters, Kathrin and Eva

bargain with fishermen for the best price. Captain Donnart and his crew join the din, unloading their day’s catch to buyers from all around the world.

Thailand’s buyers add captain’s Donnart’s monkfish to their list of purchases and immediately put everything on ice. Their goods are then taken to a refrigerated holding in Paris by Wednesday morning, and then put on a flight bound for Suvarnabhumi airport.

Organized mayhem

THURSDAY: Upon arrival the premium seafood is then transported in a refrigerated truck from the airport to Theodoré – The seafood specialist by around noon for inspection.

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This process is quite the spectacle; an organized mayhem of fast-paced movements from people wearing gloves and aprons, while CEO Andreas Kirn gives orders.

He scrutinizes everything that’s brought in, picking fish up and testing its quality. In his hands now is one of captain Donnart’s line caught sea bass. “Clear eyes, bright red gills, firm flesh and no fishy smell,” Andreas says, “another good one! Give this fresh ice and put it into the truck!”

Once inspection is complete, the seafood is sent out in several refrigerated trucks. The staff of Theodoré takes a rest, but only a quick one because next week’s order is waiting to be processed and the work never ends for the energetic and happy staff here.

Quality and Service first

Quali ty first, then service, and then pricing is the Theodoré company motto, and inherently, the secret to its success. A large selection of quality seafood and an impeccable level of service towards clients is what keeps the talented chefs of Bangkok and upcountry coming back for more.

TheBigChilli

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Snapper

It started with caviar

THEODORÉ may have been in the food importation game for eight years now, but it’s not some big corporate firm in a tall office of glass and steel in Sathorn, but rather a humble yet super efficient family-run operation in a narrow multi-storied office near Sukhumvit.

“It started with caviar,” said Andreas when asked about how his luxury seafood business came to be.

Eight years ago his wife, Petra, was asked by a friend to help sell some imported caviar in Bangkok. Throughout her mission she was en-K caviar. Just one of the many frequently asked the The famous monkfish luxury goods imported by Theodoré same question by her clients: “do you sell only caviar? What about other types of fresh premium seafood?” and at this point she was left at a crossroad in her life: “do I move on to another venture Tarbouriech oysters or do I keep selling caviar, take it further and transform it into a fresh premium seafood importation business?”

Taking the bolder option, she persevered. She picked up the phone and looked Line-caught seabass for suppliers. After countless phone calls to France, she slowly built up her list of contacts. Seafood brokers, independent oyster farmers and small fishing boats were added to her phonebook and over the next eight years she built a strong relationship The company provides 24-hour telephone service, so with the ones that worked well with the company. if a chef has an epiphany for a dish at 2am in the morning To this day,Theodoré still maintains a strong business relaand wants fresh turbot in his kitchen by Thursday aftertionship with all of its suppliers while importing fresh seafood noon, Theodoré will get it done. from across the world. Its service also includes sourcing for Dover sole, John Dory, redfish, caviar, Atlantic codfish, fresh sardines (none of that canned stuff), rock octopus from products should any specialty items be needed.

In 2009, five years after getting into seafood, Petra’s Brittany, live European lobster, live brown spider crab, wild husband, Andreas, joined his wife to push the brand even caught turbot of up to 9kg, an extensive selection of oysters further. Earlier this year, in 2012, their two daughters, Kathrin from brands such as Cadoret and Les Tarbouriech (aka Pink and Eva, left their respective jobs to be part of the budding Oysters) and a huge selection of mussels are just a small family business. It has been eight years of hard work for the selection of the vast array of fresh seafood goodies that Kirns and to this day they continue to push even harder.

Theodoré has introduced this year to the Thai market.

To put into perspective: when they started, their first Theodoré’s oysters arrive in beautiful boxes packed shipment was just a few foam boxes filled with a small selection with seaweed to keep the tasty mollusks alive throughout of seafood.Today, they are one of the leading brands in the fresh their long journey. They are expedited from their farms on seafood importation service selling a vast selection of delicacies Tuesday and are shucked open and on your ice platter at from around the world. All of this because of some caviar. your high-end hotel or restaurant by Thursday.

It is also worth noting that Theodoré is the only supplier For more info contact Theodoré on Tel: 02 259 5274-7 email: info@theodore-international.com www.theodore-international.com in Thailand to carry Royal Oysters and wild oysters, which have been meticulously boxed by hand with the name and signature of the packer written on the side of every box.

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6/2/12 9:51:37 AM

REVIEW CHILI LA RONI

CHILI LA RONI – THAI AND ITALIAN FUSION Two cultures collide to tasty effect at this chilled-out restaurant on Srinakarin Road AS the name suggests, Chili La Roni blends two cultures. There’s the Asian element, ‘Chili,’ evident in both the restaurant’s Balinese garden-style design and extensive offerings of local cuisine, and the Italian element, ‘La Roni,’ showcased through pizzas cooked in a wood-fired oven, Italian specials prepared in an open kitchen, and a genuine adherence to traditional Italian cooking principles – simple dishes,

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quality ingredients, culinary passion.

The restaurant’s owner, Khun Benz, worked as a chef onboard US cruise liners for nine years and today he acts as a recruitment agent for them. In this role he doesn’t just seek out talent, he employs it. In fact, most of the chefs, bartenders, and service staff he has working for him will one day go on to work for big names on the waves such as

Princess, Carnival, and Disney. And Ben helps his staff to prepare for such roles by teaching them how to meet the discerning tastes and healthy appetites of cruise liner passengers.

Healthy appetites are indeed needed as you’ll find no small portions here. Order the Barbecue pork ribs (B420), for example, and you virtually get half a pig; two racks come jostling for space on the plate and drip with a viscous, delicious marinade infused with Thai fennel.

The Salmon steak (B480) features a larger than average piece of salmon atop a mound of spinach; and the Chililaroni Salad could easily feed two with its flavorsome mix of Parma ham, avocado, buffalo mozzarella, rocket salad, fresh tomato and extra virgin olive oil.

Charcoal grilled cuts of Aussie beef will conquer the appetites of even the most ravenous diners – try the Australian tenderloin (250g. B850) – as will the homemade pastas (range from B280 – B490). Even the soups are bigger than you’ll find elsewhere, including a particularly good Pumpkin soup infused with truffle oil (B260). As for the desserts, well, order the Tiramisu (B180) and what you’re served is practically the size of a brick, albeit a very tasty one.

When it comes to pizzas, you can select the size: small or large.

The former feeds one while the latter is perfect for sharing. Plenty of options are on offer but our favourite is the house special, Pizza Chillilaroni (S B220.

L B320), which is topped with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese,

spicy Italian sausage, and fresh chilli.

To wash down your food Chili La Roni offers an extensive selection of cocktails (Range B100 – B250), beers (including dark and light Paulaner on draught for B240), spirits, and wines (B1,000 – B5,200 per bottle; and B200 – B300 by the glass).

Diners can opt to sit in a leafy garden, on stools at the bar, or in air conditioned comfort. Live music every night from 7.30pm-10pm (see page 52) ensures there’s always a good atmosphere, making this a great place to go and enjoy a meal with friends.

1055/7 Moo 12, Srinakarin Road, Bangna (next to the Maple Hotel).

Open daily 11am-midnight.

Tel: 02 743 0901-2 www.chililaroni.com

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6/5/12 10:38:58 AM

GOURMET NEWS

Bangkok Beefsteak & Burgundy Gourmet treats at Amari Watergate Bangkok lamb shank in red wine sauce ossobucco style. It was truly excellent, with food spokesman Dick van den Heuvel left of full of praise. The meat was cooked to perfection and accompanied by two wonderful sauces. We were fortunate to have on hand the perfect wine to go with the lamb: D’Arenberg Dead Arm Shiraz 2005. ‘Firm, layered, and complex, this beautifully rendered Shiraz demands a decade of cellaring.

We were told that it will be superb from 2018 to 2036.’ We encountered two or three broken corks so drinkers (especially currently young ones) should be forewarned!

To continue, Peter Kaserer had assembled a selection of Continental cheeses the like of which we rarely see in Bangkok. Most found the gorgonzola the pick of the lot but few if any could complain about the remaining selection. And of course there was still more of the Shiraz

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VERYONE who made it to the lunch were, once again, truly impressed by Amari Watergate and its Executive Chef, Peter Kaserer. We have now attended at least seven or eight of these annual lunches (possibly more) and, each time, Peter has found the time and creativity to come up with something new.

Eighteen were on hand at Grappino’s to see the latest fruits of his team’s labours and to thank GM Pierre Pelletier for his continuing support of the Club.

We started with Charles Melton Rosé and, as on a previous occasion, encountered some resistance to this choice of the aperitif.

Wine spokesman, Ralph Bernet, was one of those not in favour but we found a sufficient number to justify the selection, reconfirmed by the number of bottles consumed by the party. Dining proper commenced with Braised cold abalone slice, kalamata olive-tartar, hummus and warm home smoked sea scallop on a curried Fuji apple salad. It was an innovative dish; the home smoked scallops in particular were much appreciated and I, for one, thought the hummus to be an inspired choice. To go with this, our winemaster had recommended Domain De Granges Mirabel 2010 (Viognier) which was a pleasant wine and a good match to the food.

The main course was Roast Australian lamb loin, with a Parma ham cream sauce and

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to accompany it. In conclusion, for those still with appetite remaining, there followed Bitter chocolate tart, caramel-cinnamon ice cream and Kaharangi Gewurztraminer 2007.

The party continued with a malt whisky, Glenfiddich 15 years, which was found to be ‘a deliciously harmonious, consistent and complex whisky that gets increasingly complex over time,’ at least by those still able to find their way to the table. In conclusion, the staff were thanked for their contributions and retiring Secretary, David Dean, handed over the badges of office (but no cash, at least not yet) to Jake Meerman.

Amari Watergate Bangkok, 847 Petchburi Road Tel: 02 653 9000, www.amari.com

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GOURMET NEWS

Gourmet scrapbook

Last month’s wine events in focus

Titanic Remembrance Dinner ■ CHATRIUM Hotel Riverside Bangkok commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Titanic, the sinking of the “ship that could not sink,” by hosting a special 11-course remembrance dinner featuring the same menu the first class passengers experienced on that fateful voyage.

At the event, the hotel’s Chatrium Ballroom was transformed into the First Class Dining saloon where first class passengers were welcomed by the hotel’s General Manager, Adrian Brown, who acted as the Ship’s Captain while his crew escorted the first class diners to their tables.

The exquisite dinner featured delightful dishes such as Poached salmon with Mousseline sauce, Lamb with mint sauce, Roast duck with apple sauce, Beef sirloin with gravy, Roast pigeon on watercress salad, and many more gourmet creations.

All 11 courses were accompanied by a handpicked selection of French Premier and Grand Cru wines available today.

During dinner, guests were entertained by a string quartet recreating the atmosphere of that night, and brief narrations between courses told of the history and journey of The Titanic.

The taste of Brazil ■ PANORAMA restaurant at Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini gave diners the chance to experience authentic Brazilian cuisine in a special dining promotion featuring guest chef Edmilson Azevedo from the Crowne Plaza Gurgaon in India. During his residency the Brazilian native created a special Brazilian buffet dinner designed to the popular ‘Churrascaria’ Barbeque concept, and he even wowed diners with a wine dinner paired with wines from Hugo Casanova Winery. Special guest at the wine dinner was His Excellency Mr. Paulo Cesar Meira De Vasconcellos, Ambassador of Brazil.

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Chaîne des Rôtisseurs’ Gala Dinner ■ Joe Prasobsook Thawilvejjakul, President of The Confrerie de la Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, led some 80 distinguished guests and members through an elegant feast at this year’s annual Gala Dinner, which was held at ‘The Residence’ of the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. The special occasion welcomed new members and honoured outstanding participants for their long contributions to the Chaîne.

The Thai Chapter of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs was established as the 69th chapter of the Chaîne in 1974 with Rear Admiral M.L. Usni Pramoj elected as the first Bailli Délégué or the President of the association.

Today, Chaîne des Rôtisseurs is recognized and respected as the premier gastronomic society in Thailand.

Manhattan Bar opens in style ■ JW Marriott Bangkok officially launched its brand new “Manhattan Bar by New York Steakhouse” with a stylish party attended by many VIP guests and media. The night also celebrated the third anniversary of the Luxury Club Thailand (www.luxuryclubthailand.com), Thailand’s luxury lifestyle online magazine. Presenting a fusion of classic design and New York taste, Manhattan Bar serves up a wide range of signature martini cocktails and looks set to be a popular venue for after work drinks.

TheBigChilli

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GOURMET NEWS

Chefs unite for charity

Experience exquisite cuisine prepared by 22 executive chefs at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

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ARK your calendars now!

This August 17 the city of angels will once again witness, for the fourth consecutive year, a gathering of Executive Chefs from Thailand’s most prestigious five-star hotels and Thai Airways International, who will cook up a grand feast for the “2012 Bangkok Chefs Charity Gala Dinner.”

Held in the hotel’s Royal Ballroom, and presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, the event will see the 22 culinary gurus pair up according to their nationalities to create the finest signature dish of that particular country or group of neighbouring countries.

Each dish will be paired with some of the finest wines provided to the event free of charge by sponsors Wine Dee Dee, Wine Gallery, G Four, Italthai, Vanichwathana (Bangkok) Co., Ltd., Italasia, Canpac Beverages and Siam Winery.

Other sponsors include The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Rougie (Foie Gras and Gastronomy since 1875), Valrhona, Kobe Cuisine, De Cecco, TWG and Lavazza coffee.

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This annual talk-of-the-town, gastronomic fete was initiated in 2009

by Nuntiya and Patcharin Hameung-gull, general managers of fine food importer and supplier Gourmet One. Taking advantage of their contacts and connections, the two sisters came up with this fundraiser idea to give back to society and at the same time to showcase the quality, creativity and distinct style of Bangkok’s foremost food and beverage professionals.

Part of the proceeds this year will again benefit Border Patrol Police Schools under the Patronage of Her Royal Highness; and the remaining funds will go towards improvements in the livelihood and education of underprivileged children in the remote Amphur Omkoy in Chiang Mai. This year’s honorary emcee will be the popular film star and celebrity host of several culinary shows on television Chakrit Yaemnaam; and entertainment will be provided by Krungthep Light Orchestra.

Hotels represented by their chefs at the occasion include Dusit Thani Bangkok; Dusit Thani Pattaya; Sheraton Pattaya Resort; Sofitel So Bangkok;

The St. Regis Bangkok; Four Seasons Hotel; Shangri-La Bangkok; Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit; Plaza Athenee Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel; Renaissance Bangkok; Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit; Intercontinental Bangkok; Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok; JW Marriott Hotel Bangkok; Centara Grand at CentralWorld; Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok; The Landmark Bangkok; Siam Kempinski; Conrad Bangkok; Mandarin Oriental Dhara Devi, Chiang Mai; and Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok.

Tickets are B10,000 per seat (for tables of 10). Event will start at 6.30pm. Expect more info and a menu in next month’s issue.

For more information and reservations, contact Gourmet One on Tel. 02 403 3388 ext. 508 or email: bcc2011@ gourmet-one.com, or, call Khun Rachanee (F&B Dept.), Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Tel: 02 659 0302

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GOURMET Q&A working at the Le Meridien Dubai Hotel, and Al Buston Rotana Hotel. I learnt a lot during that time.

What are your responsibilities at the hotel?

As the hotel’s Bars and Beverages Manager, I take care of eight different restaurant managers, provide training for service staff, and develop creative drinks promotions for this hotel and others in the hotel group.

Do you make any unique cocktails?

I create many! In fact, there are so many we have decided to publish a book featuring many of my recipes.This will be released soon. If you only have time to try one cocktail, though, I recommend the Maya, which is made using fresh lemongrass, dry Anchan flowers, fresh lime juice and Vodka.

It is a perfect balance of scents which evoke exotic Thailand.

Bar Banter

When did you first realize you had a talent for making cocktails?

The first time I tasted a cocktail I remember thinking, “I can do better than that!” I started mixing my own drinks from that time onwards and people just loved them.

This month: Khun Ploypatchara ‘Nam’Vimanmuang

From ghosts to cocktails – Pathumwan Princess Hotel and MBK Group’s Bars and Beverages Manager on following her hospitality dream When did you first join Pathumwan Princess Hotel and what made you decide to work there?

I’ve been working at the hotel for just over two years now. I got the job soon after moving back from Dubai, where I had also been working in hospitality. At that time Pathumwan Princess was pushing for five star status (which it’s now got) and the excitement was tangible.That combined with the hotel’s great management team and excellent location meant that I jumped at the opportunity to work here. Being given free rein to create all the wonderful cocktails I can think of was another big draw.

We hear you studied Nursing at ABAC. What made you decide to switch to the hospitality industry?

I’m afraid of ghosts! Just kidding. Really I just realized that nursing wasn’t for me. I’d always been interested in the hospitality industry so I decided to go for that instead. It was a great decision to make because I love my job! I worked for a while as an air hostess for Emirates, and after that I spent four years in Dubai

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What do you like most about your job?

I love creating new drinks and giving people new taste experiences. And with so many spirits to get creative with, the possibilities are endless.

Just give me a shaker, some ice, a glass, and plenty of high quality ingredients, and I’m a very happy lady indeed.

The hotel’s STUDiO Bar is well known for offering good promotions. Will there be any special offers during June for Euro 2012?

Well, we’ll be offering a range of Euro 2012 cocktails made using European spirits for just B250 per glass. And don’t miss our daily happy hours from 5pm – 7pm, when many drinks are only B149!

Pathumwan Princess Hotel, 444 MBK Center, Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Tel: 02 216 3700, email: ppmb@dusit.com www.pprincess.com

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Recipe of the month

Pan fried salmon, prawn and leek cannelloni, with lemongrass and kaffir lime sauce

cut out and keep

GOURMET NEWS

This tasty dish by Lisa Shields, Chef De Cuisine at Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square, is easy to make and healthy to boot. The perfect lunch on a hot and humid day.

Ingredients • Salmon Fillet - 160 g • Cannelloni 100g Prawns (head and tail off) 25g Cream 1 x Egg white Pinch salt and Pepper 1 x Small leek, chopped • Lemongrass and kaffir lime sauce 2 x Sticks lemongrass, crushed 4 x Kaffir lime leaves, rubbed 1 x Shallot, finely diced 100ml Fish stock 50ml Cream

Method Cannelloni • Blitz prawns in blender, add egg white, cream salt and pepper.

• Cut leek in half and chop finely.

Blanch in boiling water for one minute, take out, and place in ice water. Drain and add to prawn mix.

• Take two cooked pasta sheets, place some of the mix near the edge of the pasta and roll. Set aside.

Lemongrass and kaffir lime sauce • In a pan sauté the finely diced shallot in some olive oil, do not allow to colour.

Add crushed lemongrass, rubbed lime leaves and cook for two minutes.

Add fish stock and reduce by 3/4, add cream. Salt and pepper to taste.

• In a hot pan with a little oil add salmon, with salt and pepper skin side down, once skin is crispy turn and cook to your liking, finish with some butter and lemon.

• Serve with any vegetable you like.

I have used some small diced vegetables here.

About the chef

lds Chef Lisa Shie 66

CHEF Lisa may only be 28 years old but she has a wealth of cooking experience behind her. A Scotland native, she completed her Chef Apprenticeship at Motherwell College and kick-started her career in 2003 as Demi Chef de Partie pastry at Beluga Bar & Restaurant in Edinburgh. From there her career blossomed and she gained skills working at three more restaurants before moving to Australia in 2006. Prior to joining Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square, she was Chef De Partie at the Sofitel Gold Coast, Australia.

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GOURMET DINING OUT

Where to eat

Your ultimate dining companion

Recommended restaurants and bars Asian cuisine

China House

•Without doubt China House is

Vientiane Kitchen

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Upmarket Laos and Isaan food served in a bamboo restaurant constructed around a giant tree. Wildly popular with Japanese and Korean tourists who enjoy the beer, funky Isaan music and dance, and the chance to nibble on Laos-style eats. Although the spice level is toned down, the ingredients are from up country. Items like frog, duck’s beak and ant’s eggs are readily available should you be interested.This restaurant is always fun and a great place to take someone from out of town.

Sukhumvit Soi 36 (BTS Thonglor), Tel: 02 258 6171

Kongju

•

Kongju first opened its doors as Bangkok’s first hotel-based Korean restaurant 15 years ago, and Madam Kim, the restaurant manager and master chef who’s been with the restaurant since the start, takes pride in offering cuisine just like you’d find in the best restaurants in Korea. In fact, the wide range of appetizers, main dishes, soups, rice and desserts on offer all arrive at the table looking like they’ve been beamed directly from Seoul. If you’ve never tried Korean cuisine but are looking to give it a go, you couldn’t find a better place to start.

Pathumwan Princess Hotel, 444 MBK Center, Phayathai Road, Tel: 02 216 3700 ext. 20230, www.pprincess.com, Open: Lunch (11.30am-2pm) and Dinner (5.30pm-10pm)

Dragon Xpress

•Chinese Indian restaurant

Dragon Xpress, while being a charming place to go and eat itself, is now actually more famous for its delivery service.

The reason? Well, imagine being famished and receiving an American-style takeaway box packed with delicious Chinese Indian cuisine which you won’t find anywhere else in Bangkok. With delivery charge at just 20 baht and meals starting at 89+ baht, it’s a bargain. What’s more, orders arrive within 45 minutes – meaning the food is always piping hot. A full menu can be viewed on dragonxpress.com Dragon Xpress Restaurant and Take Away, Sukhumvit 21 www.dragonxpress.com Tel: 02 204 0588-9

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one of the city’s best hotel-based Chinese restaurants. Aside from an incongruous clump of glass out front, the design of China House is as exciting as anything done recently in the Big Mango. The food could be horrible - it’s not - and people would still flock to the restaurant.

The interior somehow manages to combine Chinese elements with a two-story central vault that is reminiscent of a medieval cathedral. Exciting stuff that’s going to be hard to beat.

The Oriental Bangkok, (BTS Saphan Taksin, then take the hotel’s shuttle boat) Tel: 02 659 9000

Shui Xin

•For Chinese food, Shui

Xin is the real deal. You’ll find no Thai-Chinese fusion, no westernization of dishes, and no greasy imitations.

What you will find is a superb selection of authentic Szechuan and Cantonese dishes prepared by a talented team of master chefs using only the finest ingredients. The restaurant’s menu is designed to cater to groups of diners sharing rather than individuals eating alone and the large platters served always look impressive. As with most Chinese restaurants, the most popular choice here is the Peking duck (999++ baht with pancakes), and it’s a triumph.

Novotel Bangna Bangkok Hotel, 333 Srinakarin Road, Nongbon, Pravet Tel: 02 366 0505. Open daily for lunch 11.30am to 2.30pm, and dinner from 6pm to 10.30pm.

Peking Restaurants

•Located in the basement of the President Tower Arcade (next to the Intercontinental Bangkok), Peking Restaurants’ largest branch (they have 10 in town) continues the trend of offering a wide range of tasty Chinese food at wallet friendly prices.

The focus here is on northern Chinese specialties, with plenty of seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes to choose from, as well as countless Dim Sum selections and, of course, the famous Peking Duck (700 baht).

Peking Restaurants, President Tower Arcade, Basement (next to Intercontinental Hotel Bangkok) 971 Ploenchit Road, Bangkok 10330 Tel: 02 656 1615 (Ploenchit BTS)

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Circle

International Cuisine Wine Connection Deli & Bistro

•Combining a wine shop, wine bar, deli and restaurant, this

place has everything a wine lover could need under one roof.

There’s a choice of international wines for as little as 100 baht per glass (500 baht per bottle), a superb selection of cheeses and cold cuts, daily baked breads, scrumptious homemade desserts, and a Mediterranean inspired food menu. All served in a trendy coffee shop atmosphere, there’s nothing pretentious about what’s on offer. It’s simply hearty, tasty food that’s supposed to be enjoyed in the company of friends. Book in advance on weekends – the restaurant is invariably packed.

K Village Ground Floor, Sukhumvit 26, Bangkok. Open daily 10am - midnight.

Tel: 02 661 3490-2 www.wineconnection.co.th

Woodstock Bar & Grill

•The descendent of a

restaurant once popular at Nana Plaza, this version is much more upmarket, but the music and food remain the same. The menu contains a smattering of items popular in US pubs and restaurants.

Great burgers, Mexican dishes, Stews and Argentinean steaks.

The ground floor features comfy booths and a snazzy copper bar; it’s suitable for the family and smoke free until 10pm.

Upstairs is more casual and devoted to serious drinking, pool, and watching sports on giant TVs. There is parking around back.

•This modern, but comfort-

able-feeling spot is packed into a compact and cozy building. There are three floors, two bars, an outdoor terrace, a walk-in wine cellar, and a walk-in cigar humidor. The cuisine is modern USA with Cajun/Creole dishes and some items best described as ‘Californian.’

The blackened halibut and the shellfish bisque with prawn and crab cake garnish make a visit here worth the effort. Circle is popular with locals who drop in after work for drinks and tasty eats.

Ruam Rudee Village, Soi Ruam Rudee (BTS Ploenchit) Tel 02 650 8047 www.circlebangkok.com

Hanrahans

•This Irish pub and restau-

rant is located in the middle of all the nightlife action on Soi Nana. It’s an ambitious venue with three floors, pool tables, sports TVs, free wireless Internet for customers, and a kitchen that churns out traditional pub favourites like Bangers and Mash and Shepherd’s Pie. There is a typical 50% off happy hour, plus loads of other specials. Don’t worry about the pub’s location; Hanrahans is all about good, clean fun and the atmosphere makes it a good choice for couples.

Sukhumvit Soi 4, near Nana Plaza (BTS Nana or Ploenchit), Tel: 02 255 0644-5

Thonglor Soi 13, 300m from Soi Thonglor (BTS Thonglor) Tel: 02 715 0202 www.woodstockbkk.com

Jameson’s

•Offering an extensive

selection of hearty, traditional pub grub, Jameson’s is a great place to enjoy an authentic taste of the West. Burgers, fish and chips, and spicy hot wings score good marks here. For brave diners, there’s also the pub’s ‘Hot Wings Challenge.’ This offers prizes to anyone who can eat eight spicy chicken wings in under ten minutes. The spice level: a whopping 200,000 on the Scoville Scale – which is probably like dipping your tongue into malten magma. Ouch. Other draws at the pub include four pool tables, 12 widescreen TVs, and the Minus 5 Ice Bar, where you can sip vodka in a large freezer room.

Jameson’s Irish Pub and Minus 5 Ice Bar Bangkok, Holiday Inn Bangkok, 931 Silom Road, Tel: 02 266 7703-5, email: info@jamesons-bangkok.com www.jamesons-bangkok.com / www.minus5bangkok.com

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GOURMET DINING OUT

Mexican cuisine

Italian cuisine Fuzio

Coyote Bangkok²

•Hidden away behind the

T

equila, Margaritas and Mexican food are what this place is all about. The tequila collection is the largest in Thailand and over 75 different margaritas are served. The menu is diverse and not only possesses the requisite Tacos, Enchiladas, and Burritos, but also more elaborate items like Empanadas Carnitas - cornmeal pastries stuffed with spicy pork and a roasted tomato salsa.

Although popular at lunch, the Coyote really howls in the evening when the after work crowd stumbles in for margaritas and a bite to eat. The best news is that there are now two branches – one located on Convent road, and one near the entrance of Sukhumvit Soi 33.

Coyote on Convent: Convent Road, about 100m from Silom Road, (BTS Saladaeng) Open daily 11.00 - 01.00 Tel. 02 631 2325 www.coyoteonconvent.com Ladies Night on Wednesday, 6-8pm and Saturday 10-midnight. Coyote Sukhumvit: near the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 33 (BTS Phromphong) Open daily 11.00-01.00 Tel. 02 662 3838 www.coyotebangkok.com. Ladies Night on Thursday, 6-8pm.

Steak New York Steakhouse

•This is Bangkok’s most popular

steakhouse. Elegant, but still relaxed, it’s packed every night and reservations are a must.

Other things appear on the menu, but steaks are what it’s all about. Features the finest US and Australian meat that is always properly stored and aged. The wine list is extensive and features a large number of wines by the glass. Numerous cocktails are available, but do yourself a favour and try the Classic Martini. It’s the perfect prelude to a steak. This restaurant isn’t cheap, but it’s worth the tariff.

JW Marriott Bangkok at Sukhumvit Soi 2 (BTS Ploenchit or BTS Nana), Tel: 02 656 7700

Tenderloins Sports Bar & Steak House

•Notable for successfully

marrying a crackling bar and an excellent grill featuring some of Bangkok’s best and most reasonably priced steaks,Tenderloins has a lot going for it.The menu is short, but features beef from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Burgers, salads and other items are also available.The wine list is compact and primarily Australian, but it has some excellent inexpensive choices.Tenderloins is a good and affordable choice for an after work drink and a good steak.

Sukhumvit Soi 33(BTS Prom Pong), Tel: 02 258 4529 email: info@tenderloins33.com www.tenderloins33.com

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garrett secret bistro bar on the top floor of the Mini dealership on Soi Ekkamai, this stylish venue is intimate and cozy and serves some delightful gourmet Italian cuisine at excellent value for money. The restaurant attracts lots of regulars who like lounging in its comfy booths while tucking into pastas, pizzas, meat and seafood dishes. Not to be missed is the Grilled Australian aged Black Angus beef fillet mignon wrapped with Italian speck ham and goose liver in Porcini mushroom sauce.

Rooftop, Mini Car Showroom (Ekamai Soi 7) Tel: 02 711 6999 www.fuzio.co.th

Da Vinci

•Named after the

greatest artist who ever lived, this handsome restaurant does justice to the wonderfully exciting Italian food of Leonardo da Vinci’s homeland. The sleek tables, comfy seats, traditional wooden cupboard and terra cotta flooring exude the warmth of a typical Tuscan diner. And the menu offers a superb range of Italian delicacies, ranging from cold cuts and cheeses to pastas, pizzas, meat and seafood dishes. An extensive wine list of over 100 labels is well considered and has something for every budget.

Rembrandt Hotel & Towers Bangkok (4th Floor), Sukhumvit Soi 18, Tel: 02 261 7100 ext. 7527 http://rembrandtbkk.com, Open 11.30am - 2.30pm (lunch), 6pm - 11pm (dinner)

il Tartufo

•This gem of an Italian

restaurant is located in a wonderfully renovated house with a leafy garden on Sukhumvit 49. The restaurant prides itself on offering Italian cuisine just like you’d find in the north of Italy, and as the name suggests (il Tartufo means ‘The Truffle’) the menu features several gourmet items made using this renowned ingredient.

Dine in homely comfort in the dining room, breezy garden, or air-conditioned conservatory. A large private dining room is also available on the first floor.

Sukhumvit 49, Bangkok Tel: 02 259 3569, 080 062 7574 email: rsvn@iltartufobangkok.com (Parking available).

Open daily from 11.30am-11.30pm

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FEATURE MUSIC

Tata Young

MUSIC

Palmy

SPECIAL

WHY THE WORLD’S TOP ROCK BANDS ARE HEADING TO BANG SARAY

By Colin Hastings

Sleepy fishing village near Pattaya is home to spectacular Karma Sound Studios, where British owner Chris Craker is hosting some of the biggest names in music

Jamiroquai

Jimmy Page

Jessie J

The Young Guns

Bullet For My Valentine

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Enter Shikari Placebo

W

WHEN popular British rock band Enter Shikari recently celebrated their new album ‘A Flash Flood of Colour’ topping the UK charts, the good vibrations resonated all the way to a quiet corner of Thailand’s Eastern Seaboard.

Here’s why…

Karma Sound Studios is the fulfillment of one man’s extraordinary dream to build a spectacular state-of-the-art recording studio and locate it within a luxurious residential complex in a far-off exotic destination. Now, after three years, his Gauguinesque ‘dream’ is catching the imagination of some of the biggest names in music.

Karma’s slightly unusual setting – a short trek from the sleepy and arguably un-hip coastal fishing village of Bang Saray, some 90 minutes’ drive from Bangkok – is certainly typical of an industry that thrives on being unconventional, and there’s no question that the studio’s isolation not only adds to its quirkiness, but also lifts its appeal enormously to musicians looking for somewhere that will stir their creative juices. That almost undefinable ambience, alongside Karma’s superb technical capabilities, are attracting clients from literally all over the world.

Getting to Karma requires a bumpy ride down a dusty track through fields and woods, and, just when you’re thinking this is nothing but empty bush country, you suddenly come across a mini-fortress. Behind high walls lies a secret tropical garden covering several acres, complete with swimming pool, guest rooms, massage, gym, spacious living areas and a world-class recording studio that is earning Thailand a reputation for musical excellence. One artist recently remarked “if James bond had a recording studio, it would be Karma...”

It’s a magical place, welcoming and inspirational. The four

young musicians from Enter Shikari with celebrated producer, Dan Weller, were clearly motivated by Karma’s unique qualities last year, tapping into its amazing technical resources to record their first chart-topping album.

Many others have similarly been inspired by the studio’s special atmosphere, including iconic global bands Placebo, Young Guns and Jamiroquai from the UK, as have a slew of top Thai artists like Palmy, Tata Young, Chin Chinawut, Potato and Myra, winner of Thailand’s Got Talent.

Artists from Brunei (Maria Koh), Singapore (SIXX) and Japan (Akiro Jimbo) have also graced the studios, along with some of the world’s top producers like Kipper (Sting’s producer) and Joseph Curiale, who has famously worked with Quincy Jones and Michael Jackson.

Superstar Jessie J from the UK dropped by and wants to record there. And one of the truly greats of rock music, Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page, who is currently working on a collection of Brazilian samba music has also enjoyed the vibe of this very special place. Celebrated classical musicians have graced the studio and to further underscore Karma’s broad appeal, highly rated English classical crossover singer Thomas Spencer spent all of last month at the studio.

Founder and owner of Karma is Briton Chris Craker, who’s spent the past 30 years at the highest levels of the music industry in all capacities, from composer, conductor and record producer to musician, author and successful businessman, spending three years as Senior Vice President of Sony BMG Masterworks in London and New York.

Chris first came to Thailand in 1995 to produce a recording of His Majesty The King’s music by Privy Councillor M.L.Usni

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FEATURE MUSIC

Pramoj, returning many times to work on various projects, including Tata Young’s massive hit song ‘Reach for the Stars,’ which was recorded for the 1998 Asian Games.

Impressed by his experiences here and the people he met, and increasingly disenchanted by the way the music industry back in the West was heading, Chris saw a golden opportunity to realize a dream and establish a world-class recording studio in Thailand.

“I felt that there was so much emphasis on hype and manufactured acts, that I wanted to build a ‘creative utopia’ where really great artists could do their very best work, in private, in a beautiful exotic location, away from the cares of the real world.”

To make it possible, Chris quit his job at Sony BMG, uprooted his family and ploughed his life’s savings into the project.

Further inspiration came from the past success of Air Montserrat, the recording studio set up in the Caribbean in the 1970s by George Martin, the musical genius behind the Beatles, which had a huge influence on the development of music. But don’t compare Air to Karma, insists Chris. “Karma is actually rather different and unique. It’s the only luxury high end residential recording studio in Thailand and among the very best in the world. We are also quickly becoming the ‘must go to’ facility in SE Asia,” he says.

There’s been an unforeseen bonus too. Thanks to its beautiful – and concealed – tropical garden setting, Chris’s “creative utopia” has also become a popular venue for shooting videos, TV programmes and private concerts featuring poolside acoustic sets.

“Some artists come to record, others to shoot videos and some simply to soak up the magical atmosphere and ambience of the place and write hit songs – all of them go away having had a truly memorable experience and our guest book reads like a ‘who’s who’ of the music industry, with one effusive comment after another,” says Chris.

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Placebo were clearly motivated as it took them a mere four days to record the single Trigger Happy Hands, along with a number of tracks for their re-released album Battle of the Sun. “They absolutely loved it here,” says Chris Jamiroquai were similarly inspired. So much so, in fact, their charismatic lead singer Jay Kay decided some time after the band had finished recording to hang out on the nearby beach and chat with the locals, none of whom suspected this was the rock star rumoured to be holidaying in the area.

Another recent Karma client was the Welsh band Bullet For My Valentine, who spent five weeks at the studio. “They were amazing – by far the noisiest band we’ve ever had,” recalls Chris. “When they asked in advance for 40 replacement drum skins, we were puzzled. By the end of the recording session, they had got through the lot, and we understood the reason for this odd request.

“But for all their loud music, scary tattoos and long hair, away from the studio, they were all really charming nice, quiet guys who left the studio with what promises to be a monster hit album that their fans will love forever.”

Surprisingly, perhaps, few of the visiting musicians have lived up to their hype as wild things. “Generally, they quickly get into the local culture, visit the markets and temples, and have a good time here. And Pattaya is really just a little bit too far away to pose any worries – although when time off is required, it’s just twenty–five minutes away,” says Chris.

Other clients have included Young Guns who recorded their album and hit single ‘Bones’ at the studio. Rising stars Franko are regulars, which is great for Chris as his son Richard is a band member.

With Karma’s reputation now firmly established and demand for studio time growing rapidly, Chris has ambitious plans for the project which will require him and his wife Kate to spend most of the year in Thailand.

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On the drawing board is another studio block with a dedicated area for shooting videos, as well as three additional recording suites. Chris is also setting up Karma’s own IPTV channel where content created at the studio can be disseminated all over the world.

Later this year, Karma will launch a series of educational courses covering the art of songwriting, production techniques, and marketing in music. “We’ll be opening our doors to some international schools and university music departments in Thailand in order to build strong links with developing artists as well as those wishing to enter the music industry,” explains Chris.

Beyond running the studio complex, Chris somehow also finds time to get involved in staging concerts and live musical events through his association with Rock n Rolla, a Bangkok-based company that has brought in top international names like Fatboy Slim, Deep Purple, DJ Shadow and most recently Incubus, who appeared at the Silverlake Music Festival in Pattaya. In November, Rock n Rolla will step up a gear by putting on Bangkok concerts featuring musical luminaries Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds.

The rise of Karma Sound Studios from one man’s wishful thinking ten years ago to become a major influence on the world’s music industry is truly astonishing. Who would ever have thought that sleepy Bang Saray might one day become synonymous with such a famous enterprise?

Facilities and equipment KARMA Sound Studios is a cross between a luxury resort and a wonderfully equipped recording studio complex. Two studios, both with outstanding sounding live rooms, are set around a beautiful swimming pool, private gym, bar, massage room, an outdoor live performance area and stunning tropical private gardens.

The equipment is a fusion of classic analogue and state-of-the-art digital: Studio 1 has a large, spacious, live room with four isolation areas and a massive window overlooking the pool and tropical gardens, giving an extraordinary sense of natural light. It is equipped with a very highly spec’d Pro Tools rig running on a Mac Pro 8 core Intel computer (with full UAD2 Quad system attached). The spacious control room boasts a fully refurbished ‘classic’ SSL 4056 E/G+ desk with Total Recall.

Studio 2 is a smaller writing, tracking, mixing/mastering and overdub suite with a comfortable control room and a fabulous sounding live room for vocals, guitars etc. Both studios have access to a comprehensive microphone collection and an excellent selection of vintage and modern outboard gear. A useful selection of instruments and outboard gear are available at extremely reasonable rates.

Karma also features stylish en-suite guest rooms, indoor and outdoor dining areas, and two beautifully appointed lounges. A bi-lingual housekeeper oversees the needs of guests, including full catering. If required, further luxury accommodation is available just two minutes’ drive away in a stunning boutique resort hotel.

In-house staff include award-winning producers and engineers involved at the very highest level in the music business internationally, led by Chris Craker, who can also assist with brokering licensing deals, marketing campaigns, the staging and promotion of live concerts and tours in SE Asia.

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FEATURE MUSIC

CHRIS Craker has been at the forefront of the music industry for more than 30 years, winning awards and acclaim as a performer, recording artist, composer, arranger, producer/ engineer, record label founder, artist manager, author, critic, industry commentator, and strategic advisor. Before setting up Karma Sound Studios, he was General Manager and Senior Vice President of the International Division of Sony BMG Masterworks, where he maintained offices in both London and New York.

Internationally renowned for his work with the London Symphony and the New York Philharmonic Orchestras, he has also been responsible for either producing and/or marketing recordings by some of the world’s greatest classical artists in Murray Perahia, John Williams, Yo Yo Ma, Joshua Bell, Viktoria Mullova, Barbara Bonney and many others.

Highlights from the jazz world include co-producing Vince Mendoza’s ultimate cross-over album ‘Epiphany,’ featuring the LSO with jazz icons Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie and John Taylor.

In 2002 Chris was Executive Producer and responsible for the international marketing campaigns for Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts’ Big Band albums, recorded live at Ronnie Scotts Jazz Club in London.

He has also either played on or worked in a marketing capacity for recordings featuring Elton John, Sarah Brightman, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Alan Parsons and many others. He conducted the musical Chess in London’s West End working alongside Benny and Bjorn from Abba and featuring West End musical legend Elaine Page, as well as being involved in productions in the West End of Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Chris also co-produced the Chris de Burgh ‘Live in Bangkok’ album for which he was also Musical Director and conductor for the live shows. As Executive Producer for the new recording from the world’s most celebrated guitarist,

Now fully independent once more, he consults for a number of high profile music, media and arts organisations, and works in conjunction with related industry partners in telecommunications and film, as well as managing various highly talented acts through his company CMC (Craker Media Company LLP).

Chris has acted as the A&R Director and produced over four hundred classical, jazz and pop recordings and has gained a unique position as one of the most respected record producers based in the UK, responsible for selling many millions of records and helping to shape the careers of many hundreds of artists.

His activities have taken him extensively throughout Europe, America and the Far East working on projects for BMG, EMI, Decca, Virgin, PolyGram, Universal, Sony, Koch, ASV, Naxos and Marco Polo (as well as 30 other independent record companies).

Chris has worked with many of the world’s finest artists, orchestras and soloists, and has acted as a concept provider for various music products marketed by PolyGram/Universal, Sony, Decca, EMI, Classic FM/BMG and Virgin.

John Willams, Chris has covered all styles of music from early classical to contemporary jazz and pop.

Over the past ten years Chris has frequently undertaken recording projects in the USA and Asia, and has formed a strong link with many recording artists in those territories. In South East Asia, he has produced more than ten recordings in Thailand featuring the compositions of His Majesty The King of Thailand, King Bhumipol Adulyadej, which has been an absolute career highlight for him.

With his all-round experience, Chris is also in demand as an industry spokesperson on radio and TV, as a strategic consultant to numerous organizations, and as an adjudicator for international music competitions around the world.

At Karma Sound Studios Chris is helping young artists get onto record. “I’ve always loved helping new talent to shine through, and with some 30 years’ experience at the front line of the business, I feel I can make a difference and assist the genuine stars of the future.”

For more info: www.karmasoundstudios.com www.crakermedia.com

A career of high notes: Chris Craker

C

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FEATURE MUSIC

LIKE Eric Clapton, this iconic restaurant needs no introduction. Tuck into huge burgers and sing along with your mouth full to live acoustic music from the Two Tones band every Tues/Thurs, and Sevensenses on Fri/Sat (both perform from 8.30pm to 9.30pm). At 9.30pm the party really gets started with house band “The Moses” taking to the stage from 9.30pm to rock the night away. The “Tonic Empire” takes over every Sunday from 9.30pm till late.

424/3-6 Siam Square Soi 11 (BTS Siam) Tel: 02 658 4090-3 www.hardrock.com/bangkok

HOT BANDS. HOT VENUES

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O’REILLYS IRISH PUB

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SOME long term expats jokingly refer to this Silom Road Irish boozer as O’Better, in reference to the Beatles Thai tribute band The Better which has performed here every Friday night for years. The reason the band’s stayed so long is because they’re great at what they do. And when you hear that they’ve even had their shoes modified so that they stand the same height as their idols you can’t help but admire their efforts (catch them every Fri from 9pm). Longtime expat favourite Lee Shamrock brings his own brand of music to the pub on Mondays from 8pm, and acoustic singer/songwriter Super J performs on Thursdays (7pm) and Sundays (6pm). Daily Happy Hours from 4pm-7pm offer local beers at half price.

62/1-4, Silom Road, Tel. 02 632 7515-19 www.oreillyspubbangkok.com

CHECKINN99

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LOCATED in a small alleyway opposite the Landmark Bangkok, CheckInn 99 offers cabaret-style entertainment and live music every night. A throwback to the ’70s and the Vietnam War period, the bar still has its original décor and packs plenty of charm – some of the staff have worked here since it opened and are characters to say the least.

A Philippine House Band “Music of the Heart” plays daily from 8.30pm-1.30am, interspersing classic oldies with RocknRoll and the latest hits. Theme nights are held most Saturdays, with a rock or blues concert on the last Sunday of the month.

Previously strictly a word of mouth venue it is now under new management and has become very popular with local couples, business groups and visitors wanting hassle-free entertainment or just a night out dancing. A food menu served from 5pm offers steakhouse, European and Thai selections.

Happy Hour drinks are available 5pm-8.30pm.

Sukhumvit Road between Soi 5 & 7, directly opposite the Landmark Hotel www.facebook.com/checkinn99

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DUBLINER

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BANGKOK’S oldest Irish pub packs plenty of rustic charm and it bolsters its authentic feeling by hosting bands performing traditional Irish music (See page 98 for pics of the pub’s 13th anniversary party). Celtic Colours play on Fridays from 8pm-11pm and Sundays from 2pm-5pm; and Error99 play every Wednesday from 8-11pm. Collide, meanwhile, play international favourites every Tuesday from 8-11pm. Daily Happy Hours from 4pm-7pm offer selected pints at 95Baht+, and House Pour Spirits at 75Baht+.

440 Sukhumvit Road (b/w Sukhumvit Soi 22 & 24), Tel: 02 204 1841-2 www.thedublinerbangkok.com

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HUNTSMAN PUB

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ENGLISH pub fans will love the British charm of The Landmark Bangkok’s Huntsman Pub. A true home away from home, it offers a big selection of traditional pub grub, lots of beers, a dedicated area for live sports, and live music every day.

The entertainment kicks off with acoustic music from 6pm, followed by the Sweet Inspiration band playing international rock and pop hits till late.

Happy Hours are from 3pm – 9pm Mon to Sat and 11.30am – 9pm on Sun. Every Wed is “Ladies Night”.

Free selected cocktails for all the girls from 9pm – 11pm.

Landmark Bangkok Hotel (Basement level), 138 Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 02 254 0404 ext 4045 www. landmarkbangkok.com/huntsman.html

BRICK BAR

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HIDDEN away in the basement of the Buddy Lodge on Khao San Road, this red-brick bar draws 20-something college students who are into reggae and ska music. There are two zones: an upper terrace overlooking the centre stage and a lower level area holding performances. Hip bands take turns to entertain party-goers and alternate with mainstream music playing. Bands performing include Scrubb (Fri-Sun), Body Sole (MonTue), Gold Red (Wed-Thurs), No Bra specializing in reggae, and Teddy Ska Band (Mon-Fri, 12.30am-2am). Bands play from 8pm-9.30pm, 10.15pm11.45pm, and 12.30am-2am.

265 Khao San Road, Tel: 02 629 4556 www.brickbarkhaosan.com

THE PINTSMAN

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YOU’LL find plenty of imported beers and tasty grub to choose from at this modern gastro pub in the basement of United Center on Silom Road. And the live music is also a highlight. Musician and journalist Joe Cumming’s new band Love Bone injects plenty of funk proceedings each Saturday from 10pm; Trix O’Treat plays Thai Rockabilly on Fridays from 9pm; Acoustic Soul plays acoustic renditions of popular songs on Tues from 8.30pm; and guitarist Jay plays his one-man-band style popular music on Wednesdays from 8.30pm. Daily Happy Hours are held from opening till 7pm.

323 Silom Road, United Center Building (G Floor)Tel: 089 012 9922 email: beer@thepintsman.com, www. thepintsman.com

SUNDOWNER’S BAR

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THE Imperial Queen’s Park Bangkok’s Lobby Bar might not have a reputation for being a party venue, but it does host one of the tightest international bands performing on the hotel circuit. The Wildside consists of five musicians from different countries whose musical cohesion is more than evident in their excellent renditions of rock and contemporary pop classics.

Catch them performing every ThursSat from 8pm-midnight. Every MonWed, Jerry Byrd & the band play ‘immortal jazz classics.’

The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, 199 Sukhumvit 22 (Lobby Level), Tel: 02 261 9300 ext. 5008 email: dining@imperialhotels.com, www. imperialhotels.com

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VIE BAR

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VIE Hotel’s trendy lounge bar often hosts international acts and this month is no exception. On June 17 the American/French Benny Lackner Trio will take to the stage to perform original material and compositions ranging from Monk to Prince. Admission is B300++ and includes a drink of your choice.

Show starts 8.30pm.

VIE Hotel Bangkok, 117/39-40 Phaya Thai Road, Tel: 02 309 3939 email: fb@ viehotelbangkok.com www.viehotelbangkok.com

MULLIGANS IRISH PUB

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THE Boss Band takes to the stage every Tues, Thurs and Sat (12.30am-2am) to play international pop and rock hits at this popular 24-hour boozer on Khao San Road. You’ll find drinks deals at all hours here, with many of them listed on the bar’s website.

265 Khao San Road, Tel: 02 629 4477 www.mulligansthailand.com

ROADHOUSE BARBECUE

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THIS longstanding favourite on Surawong Road is famous for its mouthwatering meats and fun games (head to the third floor for the shuffleboard). Go for a hearty feast any day from Monday to Saturday and you can enjoy your food while listening to live acoustic music from singer and guitar playing duo, Aotto & Matoom (7.30pm-11pm). Daily Happy Hours 4pm-7pm offer pints and cocktails at B100. Buffalo wing night every Monday is buy 10 wings get 10 free.

942/1 Rama IV Road, Tel: 02 236 8010 www.roadhousebarbecue.com

NOTHING BUT THE BLUES

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BLUES and jazz musicians who share a common interest in ’50s and ’60s classic sounds make this place a gem. Two bands take turns performing on stage every day: Papa Benz’s Band playing Blues, Jazz, and Hard Bop hits (Tue, Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun, from 9pm-midnight) and Ped’s Band specializing in Blues and Rock (every Wednesday, from 10pm-midnight).

Pros and amateurs are welcome to join on ‘The Sunday Jams’ stage. A special live performance of Thailand’s legendary blues guitarist ‘Chai Blues’ is held the second Thursday of every month. Pub snacks, steaks and German sausages are on the menu. Open 7pm-midnight (Closed on Mondays).

141 Thong Lor Soi 13, Bangkok , Tel: 084 033 5228 www.facebook.com/NothingButTheBlues

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THE CLUBHOUSE BANGKOK

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THIS popular expat pub on Sukhumvit 23 features acoustic music on Friday nights by Canadian Martin Grand (from 8.30pm). A new Filipino band is set to be introduced this month on Thursdays for ladies’ nights, when all drinks for girls are buy-one-get-one free.

21/1-3 Soi Sukhumvit 23, Tel: 02 664 1376-7 www.theclubhousebangkok.com

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FEATURE MUSIC

BROWN SUGAR

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RECENTLY relocated from Soi Langsuan to Phrasumen Road near Khao San, Brown Sugar is bigger and better than ever before (it has a new zone called ‘Brown Sugar: Play House’ for art exhibitions and music activities) and still features talented bands every night.

The highlight is the Brown Sugar Jazz Band (Mon-Thurs, from 9pm-1am; Fri-Sat from 9pm-11pm) which performs a vibrant mix of Bozzanova, Ballad, Bebop, Swing, and Latin Jazz. Zao Za-Dung Band hits on the stage with Acid Jazz, R&B, Soul, Funk every Fri and Sat,

DET 5

` from 11pm-1am. Blues fans enjoy the cool voice of Khun Mint from Blues on Blues Band (Sat, 7.30pm-8.30) and Khon Song Hua Kam Band on Fridays (7.30pm-8pm). On Sundays, L Acoustic plays relaxing melodies (from 8.30pm9.30pm) and after 10pm you can enjoy ‘Special Sunday time’ with live performances from special guests such as Eddid ATB. Daily Happy Hours from 5pm-8pm offer 20% discount on drinks.

469 Phrasumen Road, Banglumpoo, Tel: 089 499 1378, 081 805 7759 www.brownsugarbangkok.com, www. facebook.com/brownsugarbangkok

IT’S got a huge food and drinks menu (both in choice of options and literally in size) and serves some tasty pies, but what really gets people talking about Det 5 is its live music, especially the Monday night jamming session. Whether you’re a drummer, saxophonist, singer, guitarist, or can only play the triangle, you’re made to feel welcome and join in the fun. Some of Bangkok’s best amateur musicians drop by here on Mondays to showcase their skills. Get speaking to them and you just might make some new best friends. Beers start at only B90 per pint. Happy Hours are held daily from 10am-7pm.

41, Sukhumvit Road Soi 8, Tel: 02 653 1232 www.facebook.com/pages/ Det-5/131770810228797

THE AUSTRALIAN PUB & RESTAURANT

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HEAD to the Australia Pub on a Sunday afternoon to enjoy live acoustic music by 7th Sense (from 4.30pm) and you can even get stuck into an ‘Arvo Sausage Sizzle’ which offers all-you-caneat BBQ sausages. Happy Hours during the promotion offer Aussie beers at two-for-one.

The Australian Pub & BBQ, Sukhumvit Soi 11, Tel: 02 651 0800 email: info@ theaustralianbangkok.com, www. theaustralianbangkok.com

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CHILI LA RONI

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BLENDING Italian and Asian cuisines to good effect, Chili La Roni certainly succeeds on the dining front (read a full review on page 56), and its live music hits the right notes too. The restaurant offers two different bands – a House Band playing hits from the sixties and a jazz trio called The Vintage. The latter features Manu on Sax or flute, Frank on double bass, and singer Khun Nitta. They’ve played together for over 10 years and this shows in the quality of their playing. Ask them to play Louis Armstrong’s “It’s a Wonderful World” for a pleasant surprise.

1055/7 Moo 12, Srinakarin Road, Bangna. Open daily 11am-midnight. Tel: 02 743 0901-2, www.chililaroni.com

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LOOK OUT FOR MORE LIVE MUSIC VENUES IN NEXT MONTH’S ISSUE

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FEATURE MUSIC

Bamboo Bar Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

The Glaz Bar

Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel

Lobby Lounge

Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers Joe and The Jazz band perform every Tues, Fri and Sat from 8.30 until midnight; while on Wed and Thurs Beatles tribute band The Better takes to the stage from 8.30pm till midnight.

2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30 (Captain Bush Lane), Tel: 02 266 9214, www.royalorchidsheraton.com

GLAZ Bar draws in the crowds with a buy-one-get-one free deal every Mon-Fri from 6pm-8pm, and then keeps them there with captivating performances by singer Rubeth Bumatay and a live jazz ensemble. Catch them performing every Tues to Fri from 8pm–11.45pm and Saturday from 9pm-12.45pm.

VIBRANT jazz vocalist Cherryl J. Hayes has a voice and style to die for, especially when it comes to the vocalization of scat. A commanding presence in any setting, Cherryl often demonstrates her versatility by shifting gears in a heartbeat from the up tempo scatted bebop of “Don’t Mean a Thing” to beautiful ballads like “The

61 Wireless Road. Tel: 02 650 8800 ext. 4324 email: fb.bangkok@lemeridien.com www.plazaatheneebangkok.com

Bangkok, and all that jazz…

Enjoy dulcet tones and innovative rhythms in a hotel near you

Nearness of You.” Catch her before she leaves on June 30.

Performances every night (except Sun) from 10pm.

48 Oriental Avenue, Tel: 02 659 9000 ext Bamboo Bar, www. mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/

Three Sixty

Millennium Hilton Bangkok

The Living Room

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit UNTIL June 16 top Hungarian saxophonist, Tony Lakatos, will perform at this popular jazz lounge every Tues-Sat from 9.30pm onwards.

Tony has featured on over 300 recordings and released several of his own albums.

His most recent album, ‘Home Tone’ received rave reviews from leading jazz critics who describe him as “the real deal with fire and inspired playing start to finish.”

250 Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 02 649 8353, email: dining.sgs@luxurycollection.com www. eatdrinkandmore.com/bangkok.

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JAZZ singer Tabitha King, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina in the USA, is now four months into her six month residency at Millennium Hilton’s skyhigh jazz lounge. A regular fixture at music venues in her adoptive home of Atlanta, Tabitha has performed in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Japan, and has worked with international recording artists such as Regina Belle, Boyz II Men, OutKast and Gladys Knight.

123 Charoennakorn Road, Tel: 02 442 2000 email: bangkok@hilton.com www. hilton.com (free shuttle boat from River City and Sathorn Pier)

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Y O U R U L T I M A T E W H A T ’ S O N G U I D E F O R J U N E 1 2

What’s on pArt pPerformance pSport pFootball pMovies & Albums pBooks

The Asia International Guitar Festival and Competition will be hosted at The Sukosol Bangkok from June 14-17. Page 88

Jason Mraz

He’s yours...the upbeat crooner is bringing his happy tunes to BKK Page 88

Jazztastic

Asiatique The Riverfront to host jazz festival on June 30 - July 1 Page 88

PowerPlay

PowerPlay golf tees off in Thailand for the first time Page 92 TheBigChilli 85

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WHAT’S ON THE ARTS

Exhibitions UNTIL JUNE 29 EAT ME RESTAURANT

CRYPTOART

BANGKOK based Spanish artist The Raf satirically reinterprets iconic masterpieces from the canons of art history. No artist is sacrosanct in Raf’s public defacement, whether ancient Greece’s Discobolus launching his lobotomized brain, God tickling Jesus to an erection a la Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, or a car crash piling into Munch’s The Scream.

Eat Me Restaurant, next to the Carmelite Monastery on Convent Road, Silom.

Open daily 3pm-1am. Tel: 02 238 0931 Eatmerestaurant.com

JUNE 10 – 13 PHILIPPINE EMBASSY

SINING PINOY, SARILING ATIN, PAGYAMANIN NATIN MARKING the 114th anniversary of the Philippine Independence Day, this exhibition will feature the work of 12 Filipino artists. Expect a vibrant variety of themes and mediums on display.

For more info: www.philembassy-bangkok.net

JUNE 19 – JULY 22 ARDEL’S THIRD PLACE GALLERY

PRINT FROM FOREST

RENOWNED printmaker Yanawit Kunchaethong, an art instructor at Silpakorn University, presents an abstract, ‘eco-friendly’ exhibition which promotes green living and preserving the environment.

Each piece in the collection has been created using organic colours extracted from plants and natural substances.

Sukhumvit 55, Thonglor Soi 10. Open Tues-Sat 10.30am-7pm; Sun 10.30am-5.30pm (closed Mon).

Tel: 02 422 2092 www.ardelgallery.com

JUNE 21 – JULY 5 SOMBAT PERMPOON GALLERY

EMPOWERING WOMEN FARMERS FOR A SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOOD

ARRANGED by ActionAid Thailand, a prolific campaigner for eradicating root causes of poverty and injustice for under-represented communities in Thailand, this exhibition aims to raise awareness of sustainable rural development for women in agricultural communities. Fifteen thought-provoking pieces will be on display comprising work by professional artists who were selected to contribute unique renderings specifically for this exhibit.

12 Sukhumvit Soi 1. Open daily 9am-8pm.

Tel: 02 254 6040-46, email: info@sombatpermpoongallery.com www.sombatpermpoongallery.com

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UNTIL JUNE 30 ARDEL GALLERY OF MODERN ART

ONCE UPON A TIME

TINNAKORN Kasornsuwan creative paintings and mixed media artworks explore the differences of urban life in terms of happiness, misery, imagination and emotion.

99/45 Belle Ville (moo 18) Boromrachachonanee Road.

Open: Tues-Sat, 10.30am-7pm; Sun, 10.30am-5.30pm (Closed on Mon.) Tel: 02 422 2092 www.ardelgallery.com

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Q&A: POLLY MCGOVERN POSTER POWER! INSIDE OUT HAS ARRIVED IN BANGKOK. PROJECT DIRECTOR POLLY EXPLAINS MORE WHAT IS THE INSIDE OUT ART PROJECT, WHAT’S ITS AIM, AND WHO LAUNCHED IT?

UNTIL JUNE 24 DOB HUALAMPHONG GALLERY

JUXTAPOSITION

EXPLORING the concepts of emotional instability, fear and distrust in today’s society, Thanwa Huangsmut’s striking oil paintings are bound to hit a core with all viewers.

DOB Building 4F, 318 Rama 4 Road.

Tel: 02 237 5592 www.ardelgallery.com

UNTIL JUNE 16 NUMBER 1 GALLERY

THE STAR’S DISCOURSE. LIES TO THE WORLD THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN STOPPED

YOU’LL find plenty of political messages in this new work by Tawatchai Somkong, who explores the difference between good guys and bad guys and the way opinions are shaped by media.

919/1 The Silom Galleria, Silom Road, Soi 19. Tel: 02 630 3381 email: info@number1gallery.com www.numberonegallery.com

THROUGHOUT JUNE BLOOM PRO LAB GALLERY

PHOTOGRAPHIC WORKSHOPS

THROUGHOUT June ShutterbugAsia will be hosting photographic workshops covering various topics including Documentary Photography, Underwater Photography, Digital Printing Optimization, Creating the Online Portfolio, and many more. Workshops will be held on selected weeknights and Saturdays. For more info about the schedule and workshop fees, visit: www.ShutterbugAsia.com.

Bloom Pro Lab Gallery, 2/5-2/6 Soi Silom 19, Silom Road, Bangkok. Tel: 08 2452 8588 email: info@shutterbugasia.com

JUNE 23 & 30 GALERIE N

WORKSHOP: ENGRAVING NATURE IN WOOD

LEARN how to create artwork on wood at this fun workshop. Once you’ve picked up how to create different cuts, grooves, and textures, you’ll be then set to work creating simple shapes in nature – birds, fish, trees, mountains etc.

(June 23: Basic wood engraving knowledge and technique.

June 30: Create wood engraving work base on your imagination of nature.1pm- 4pm). B3,000 (with materials).

139/5 Withayu Road, Lumpinee.

Tel: 02 252 1592, email: info@galerienbangkok.com www.galerienbangkok.com

UNTIL JULY 1 NEILSON HAYS LIBRARY

FIELDS – RICE FIELDS – WOODS – MOUNTAINS

ONE of the first artists to introduce watercolour paintings to Thailand over 50 years ago, and known by his students as “The king of watercolour in Thailand,” art teacher Charlee Sodprasert certainly knows how to capture a scene. Here, in his unique impressionist style, he presents nature in all its glory.

Neilson Hays Library, 195 Surawong Road. Open daily 9.30am-6pm. Tel: 02 233 1731 www.neilsonhayslibrary.com

Inside Out is a global participatory art project which is the creation of the French artist JR who was the recipient of the TED prize in 2011. The project transforms messages of personal identity into works of art. Participants simply submit a black and white photo with a statement and receive a large format poster to paste - with permission - in a public location. The project has taken place all over the world and now it is coming to Bangkok. More information about the global Inside Out project can be found at www.insideoutproject.net HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE PROJECT?

I watched an online trailer about Inside Out when it was first launched and I was so excited by the concept that I contacted the organisers in New York and set up Inside Out Bangkok. It is a collaboration with the global project and we are printing all of our posters here. The link for the online trailer can be found at: www.youtube. com/watch?v=4T1sEMhwEJA WHO ARE THE PEOPLE TAKING PART?

IOB is about strengthening communities in the city we live in, and ordinary people standing up for what they believe in. There is a huge diversity of participants and that’s what makes the project so interesting.

Initially, IOB began at a pre school in Ekkamai in October 2011. Then areas of Bangkok were severely flooded and I realised that a project such as this could also help communities to heal after facing such difficulties. So, Team Rangsit was formed with over 100 participants who were all severely affected by the floods. Then smaller communities in other areas of the city submitted photos, all with their own statements. And individuals too. And the project grew and grew. There are hundreds of people, many different nationalities and ages participating.

WHAT CAN BANGKOKIANS EXPECT TO SEE THROUGHOUT JUNE?

In the first week of June, participants will paste their images in many different locations throughout Bangkok. Posters will be seen in the city and will also be available with their statements on the online database. An Inside Out Bangkok tour map will be available on the IOB Facebook page for anyone who is interested in finding out more: www.facebook.com/InsideOutBangkok TheBigChilli 87

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WHAT’S ON PERFORMANCE

5 hot choices 1 2 JUNE 14 – 17

THE SUKOSOL BANGKOK

ASIA INTERNATIONAL GUITAR FESTIVAL & COMPETITION

NOW in its sixth year, the Asia International Guitar Festival & Competition is one of the region’s biggest events for classical guitar aficionados. This year’s agenda includes master classes. Guitar exhibits, competitions and concerts by acclaimed world-class musicians hailing from Asia, the Americas and Europe.

JUNE 16 IMPACT ARENA

JASON MRAZ

YOU’VE heard it on the radio a million times, now here’s your chance to hear it in person. Yep. American singer songwriter Jason Mraz is bringing his band to perform his international smash - hit single ‘I’m Yours,’ and more top tracks from his four studio albums.

For more info see www.siamhotels.com

THE friends-of-the-Arts Foundation and the Indian Cultural Centre (ICC) are presenting a series of dance and music events this month. Highlights include the following: • Weds June 13, 6.30 pm: ‘Nijinski to Jiri Kyrilian’, a contemporary dance film with guest speaker Ms May Yimsai and a brief illustrated talk on a huge parallel history ‘Anna Pavlovaand Rukmini Devi: the Dance of the Bayaderes’ by Renuka Narayanan, Director of the ICC. • Sat June 16, 6.30-7.30pm: An Evening of Kathak (Indian classical dance) by Ms Anjana Jha, the new Kathak teacher-performer at the ICC. • Sat June 23, 11am-1pm: Contemporary dance workshop

by May Yimsai with Tabla music by Ustad Vasi Ahmad Khan of the ICC • Sat June 30, 2pm- 4.30 pm: Tabla-Swing Open Day with Oat Naviroj, Bangkok Swing Group and Ustad Vasi Ahmad Khan of the ICC.

Tickets range B1,000 to 4,000 from Thaiticketmajor.com. Show starts 8.30pm.

5 JULY 25 THAILAND CULTURAL CENTRE MAIN HALL

REQUIEM FOR THE MOTHER OF SONGS

BANGKOK Opera Foundation, the Ministry of Culture Thailand Department of Cultural Promotions and Opera Siam present the world premiere of Somtow Sucharitkul’s Requiem for Princess Galyani - three years in the composition.

The performers include soprano Nancy Yuen, mezzo-soprano Grace Echauri, the Siam Orpheus Choir, the Siam Sinfonietta Orchestra and the Siam Philharmonic Orchestra.

Show starts 8pm. Tickets: TBA. For more info email: intendant@bangkokopera.com

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VARIOUS DATES INDIAN CULTURAL CENTRE

MANOHRA SERIES OF DANCE AND MUSIC

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27th floor, Jasmine City Tower, Sukhumvit Soi 23, Tel: 02 261 5301-2, www.iccrindia.net

JUNE 30 – JULY 1 ASIATIQUE THE RIVERFRONT

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THE RIVER JAZZ FESTIVAL 2012

ENJOY two nights of jazz at new spectacular shopping mall Asiatique The Riverfront. Performers include Thailand’s Koh Mr Saxman; the Glenn Miller Orchestra from the States (hits include Moonlight Serenade, In the Mood, and Tuxedo Junction); Japan’s number one Bossa Nova artist, Lisa Ono; contemporary American jazz outfit Fourplay; Thai singer Ben Chalatit; and homegrown jazz talent The Quartet. Shows start both nights at 7.30pm.

Tickets: 2 Days Pass B2,500 Baht; 1 Days Pass B1,500.

Available from Thaiticketmajor.com

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WHAT’S ON SPORT

Thai Premier League

Hello, Guten Tag, ¡Hola: Thai football websites go global THE TPL’S BOOM IN POPULARITY HAS SPREAD TO THE NET WITH FANS OF ALL NATIONALITIES NOW BLOGGING ABOUT THE ACTION. FOOTBALL PUNDIT PAUL HEWITT EXAMINES WHAT’S ON OFFER THE article in the May issue looked at some of the problems afflicting the Thai Premier League. This month it’s refreshing to be able to highlight a positive aspect of the game in Thailand, and one that is invaluable to foreign fans. Surely no country in Southeast Asia – not even English-speaking Singapore – can boast the wealth of independent English-language websites dedicated to the domestic game that Thailand can. Around a dozen websites, blogs and forums are run for the love of it by enthusiastic and passionate foreign fans of Thai football. And it’s not just the English-speaking community which is catered for as we shall see (Avid fans of Thai football may spot one or two notable absentees; that’s because the webmaster or blogger didn’t wish to be included in the article).

THAI FOOTBALL FORUM

A very well-presented forum with sections for every TPL club and separate boards for League 1, the Regional League, the cup competitions and the national teams (men’s women’s and youth). Nearly 9,000 posts since it was launched in early 2011. www.thaifootball.freeforums.org

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NAKHON RATCHASIMA FC The editor insisted I include my own modest efforts! I launched the website in November 2008 having run a very crude website for six months before that.

I try and add a news story everyday and recently passed 300,000 hits. I also have a very active Twitter feed and a Facebook page and a forum. You can find the links for those on the website. www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

THAI LEAGUE FOOTBALL

This general news site was launched a few years ago but was relaunched in early March. It’s now by far and away the most popular of the websites featured here. Here’s what TLF columnist Matt Riley had to say: “Thai League Football is run by six people. Joseph and Lillian are our photographers. Malky is our reporter, Kevin runs our Twitter feed, Nigel is our content manager and I’m a writer.

Our Twitter feed has 1,900 followers, which includes a high number of English speaking players and coaches.

We have full press accreditation for matches so can produce exclusive images and videos. There is a TV show called Total Thai Football in production presented by Bangkok FC’s Mika Chunuonsee and me, and a daily podcast summarizes the latest news and gossip.

Since our relaunch on March 4th the site has attracted 20,000 visits a week.

We tackle the lighter side of Thai football but also, in the Football 500 articles, some of the more serious issues facing the game in the Kingdom.” www.thaileaguefootball.com

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CHIANG MAI FC FANZINE A website for the Lanna Tigers run by Brits Richard and Lee from Rotherham.

Unlike all the other featured websites, this one is most popular on Facebook where they have nearly 2,500 Likes. There is also a Twitter feed whilst the website itself mainly deals in previews and match reports. www.chiangmaifootballclub.com

THE THUNDERDOME – A MUANGTHONG UNITED FAN BLOG

A blog for the 2009 and 2010 TPL champions run by British expat Greg (also the brains behind the Thai Football Forum). Updated on nearly a daily basis since its launch in mid-2009, the blog courted controversy recently when a ‘Fowler Out’ campaign was launched.

Vocal criticism of a head coach by his own fans is a rarity in Thailand. However, ‘God’ officially parted company with Muangthong just a couple of days after the campaign was launched. The blog also features interviews with former title-winning coach Rene Desaeyere, defender Zesh Rehman and current star Adnan Barakat, and there is a twitter feed. www.muangthongunitedfc.blogspot.com

CHONBURI FC

Sriracha-based Dale Farrington, actively supporting Thai football since 1997, launched his website dedicated to The Sharks on 11th August 2009 and is now hurtling towards a staggering 900,000 hits. Says Oldham and Chonburi fan Dale: “Thanks to everyone who has contributed, especially those people in the game who have made themselves available for interviews. I enjoy running the site and it’s been great to get to know people from all over the world via the site. I always enjoy trying out new ideas and different things and I often get a good response from people I meet who read the site.”

Despite being 100% unofficial, such is the influence and reach of the site that the official Chonburi FC website recently removed its own English section as Dale’s so comprehensively covers all things Chonburi for English-speaking fans.

He too has a Twitter feed and currently boasts over 1,800 followers. www.clubwebsite.co.uk/chonburifc

NONTHABURI FC

A blog dedicated to Nonthaburi FC of the Regional League Division 2, also run by Greg from the Muangthong United Fan Blog. Mainly match reports and video highlights. www.ekanonthaburi.blogspot.com

BKK FOOTBALL BLOG

A blog run by one of the Thai League Football contributors, Malky. As the name suggests, it mainly covers Bangkok-based clubs. The appeal of the blog lies in the fact that Malky doesn’t pledge allegiance to any one specific club in the capital. As such, he visits and blogs about clubs throughout the TPL, League 1 and the Regional League. There is also a Twitter feed and all of the blog posts also appear on Thai League Football. www.bkkfootballblog.blogspot.com

CONTINUE MUANGTHONG UNITED FC / REPLAY

You know you’re a big club in Thailand when you have two independent blogs in a foreign language!

The ‘Replay’ part of the name refers to the fact that the blog is mainly devoted to match reports and video highlights of MTU games. www.muangthongunitedreplay.wordpress.com

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WHAT’S ON SPORT

WHAT’S ON OUTDOOR FUN

Continued...

OTHER LANGUAGES

Not a native English reader? Can’t penetrate the mysteries and intricacies of the Thai language? What about German, then? Or Spanish? Or Japanese? As more and more foreigners are launching their own Thai football websites so the number of languages catered for continues to grow.

Sport JUNE 17 LAGUNA PHUKET GOLF CLUB

POWERPLAY GOLF TEES OFF IN PHUKET

THAI-FUSSBALL.COM

A duallanguage (German and English) website launched in October 2009, it’s a run by a team based in both Germany and Thailand. Their well-connected contributor in Thailand has interviewed the likes of national team coach Winnie Schaefer and Army United midfielder Bjorn Lindemann. The website also includes the latest news, fixtures and results and club information down to League 1, and they have a big Facebook presence (1,600 Likes) and Twitter feed (550 followers). Almost everything they post on the website appears in both languages. www.thai-fussball. com (add /en for the English version)

JUNE 4 – 9 BANGKOK

SENIORS WORLD CUP FUTBOL EN THAI

The latest entry to the list of foreign language blogs and websites. This Spanish blog is run by Lucas Cotes from Murcia, a regular visitor to the Land of Smiles. Lucas explains “I decided to start the blog as there’s not too much information about Asian football in Spanish, and none about Thai football. Also this season we have the first ever Spanish player in Thai football, Jose Pedrosa Galan at Chainat, so I thought this was the right moment to start the blog and to try and let Spanish people know about Thai football.” www.futbolenthai.blogspot.com

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SAMURAI TPL

A general Thai football website in Japanese.

Match reports, tables, fixtures and results courtesy of a Japanese fan based in Thailand. The site was created as a response to the increasing number of Japanese players plying their trade in Thailand: 23 at the last count in the TPL and League 1. Also on Facebook and Twitter. www.tpljp.net

FOR the first time in its seven year lifespan the Seniors Football Association of Thailand’s Seniors World Cup is being hosted in Bangkok. The majority of games will be played at the National Stadium and the SAT Stadium, with each team playing five games in six days – quite a challenge for veteran football players. The countries competing are Thailand, Iran, UAE, Taiwan, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and England. All the countries contain ex professionals in their teams – some a lot more than others – and most include some ex internationals.

For more info: www.sfathailand.com

JULY 15 PATTAYA

PATTAYA MARATHON

A BIG draw to athletes of all nationalities, this popular annual event features three races; the full marathon (42 Km), the half marathon (21 Km) and the quarter marathon (10 Km).

For more info: www.goadventureasia.com, www.pattaya-marathon.com

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EURO DYNAMIC nine-hole golf tournament PowerPlay Golf has been brought to Thailand by exclusive rights and license holder Asian Golf Events Co. Ltd. Teeing off on June 17 at Laguna Phuket, the tournament will also feature regional stops in Bangkok, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. The tour schedule is as follows: • July 8, Bangkok, regional event (Thana City Golf & Sports Club) • July 21, Pattaya, regional event (Khao Kheow Country Club) • Sept 29, Chiang Mai, regional event (Star Dome Golf Club) • Oct 6, Hua Hin, Thailand Finals, (Black Mountain Golf Club) PowerPlay Golf was first played in the UK in 2007. By 2011, the format had expanded to 30 countries and over 600 golf courses.

Entry is open to all amateurs who have an official handicap supported by a handicap certificate, and the top 10 from each regional event will go on to play in the Thailand Finals in Hua Hin. The winners of the Thailand Finals will then go to represent Thailand in the PowerPlay Golf World Finals.

For more info: www.asiangolfevents.com

2012 FIXTURES

(Dates and times have been adjusted to match when games will be screened in Thailand)

FRI JUNE 8

Poland v Greece (Group A) 11pm

SAT JUNE 9

Russia v Czech Rep (Group A) 1.45am Netherlands v Denmark (Group B) 11pm

FRI JUNE 15

Spain v Ireland (Group C) 1.45am Ukraine v France (Group D) 11pm

SAT JUNE 16

Sweden v England (Group D) 1.45am

SUN JUNE 10

SUN JUNE 17

MON JUNE 11

MON JUNE 18

TUES JUNE 12

TUES JUNE 19

WED JUNE 13

WED JUNE 20

Germany v Portugal (Group B) 1.45am Spain v Italy (Group C) 11pm

Ireland v Croatia (Group C) 1.45am France v England (Group D) 11pm

Ukraine v Sweden (Group D) 1.45am Greece v Czech Rep. (Group A) 11pm

Poland v Russia (Group A) 1.45am Denmark v Portugal (Group B) 11pm

Czech Rep. v Poland (Group A) 1.45am Greece v Russia (Group A) 1.45am

Denmark v Germany (Group B) 1.45am Portugal v Netherlands (Group B) 1.45am

Croatia v Spain (Group C) 1.45am Italy v Ireland (Group C) 1.45am

England v Ukraine (Group D) 1.45am Sweden v France (Group D) 1.45am

THURS JUNE 14

Netherlands v Germany (Group B) 1.45am Italy v Croatia (Group C) 11pm

QUARTER FINALS

SEMI FINALS

FRI JUNE 22

THURS JUNE 28

QF 1: Winner Group A v Runner-up Group B (1.45am)

SAT JUNE 23

QF 2: Winner Group B v Runner-up Group A (1.45am)

SUN JUNE 24

QF 3: Winner Group C v Runner-up Group D (1.45am)

JULY 18 – 22 PHUKET

CAPE PANWA HOTEL PHUKET RACEWEEK

THE lead off race in the annual Asian Yachting Grand Prix Championship is now in its ninth year. Once again the region’s top sailors will descend on Phuket to battle for supremacy on the waves. At least 30 race yachts are expected, with a strong fleet of competitors from Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines.

For more info: www.phuketraceweek.com

JUNE 10 PHUKET

LAGUNA PHUKET MARATHON

OVER 5,000 runners and walkers are expected to take part in this year’s Laguna Phuket Marathon, which will begin and end at Laguna Phuket resort.

Online registration and accommodation booking is available at: www.phuketmarathon.com

SF 1: Winner QF 1 v Winner QF 3 (1.45am)

FRI JUNE 29

SF 2: Winner QF 2 v Winner QF 4 (1.45am)

MON JUNE 25

QF 4: Winner Group D v Runner-up Group C (1.45am)

FINAL. MON JULY 2 WINNER SF 1 V WINNER SF 2 (1.45AM) GROUP A

GROUP B

Czech Republic Greece Poland Russia

Denmark Germany Netherlands Portugal

GROUP C

GROUP D

Croatia Italy Ireland Spain

England France Sweden Ukraine

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WHAT’S ON SCREEN AND STEREO

Movies & music JUNE 14 THRILLER

GANGSTER (ANTAPAN)

STARRING Somchai Khemklad and Krissada ‘Noi’ Sukosol Clapp, Gangster takes audiences back to 1950s Bangkok where gangsters young and old, honorable and dishonorable, fight for supremacy in brutal fashion.

JUNE 28 ACTION ADVENTURE

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

JUNE 14 HORROR

CHERNOBYL DIARIES

A GROUP of six young vacationers looking to get off the beaten track hire an ‘extreme tour guide’ and head to the deserted city of Pripyat, the former home of the workers of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor. After a brief exploration of the abandoned city, the group soon finds themselves stranded, only to discover that they are not alone..

JUNE 21 ROMANTIC COMEDY

THE FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT

BEGINNING where most romantic comedies end, this new film from director Nicholas Stoller, producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up) and Rodney Rothman (Get Him to the Greek) looks at what happens when an engaged couple, Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, keeps getting tripped up on the long walk down the aisle.

THE origin story gets another reboot, this time with Andrew Garfield (The Social Network) slipping into the Spidey suit. More than just a rehash of Sam Raimi’s Spiderman released in 2002, this movie promises to be vastly different. For a start Spidey has a new love interest, there’s more back story about his missing parents, and there’s a new baddy, The Lizard, to content with. Sounds super.

Movie screenings are subject to change. Keep up to date at movieseer.com

MEMORYLANE

NEW MUSIC BELIEVE

JUSTIN BIEBER

HIS voice might have broken, but the Bieb’s star status remains intact.

Expect more infectious pop hits on this, his third album. Features 13 tracks, including the singles ‘Boyfriend’ and ‘Die in Your Arms.’

(Release date: June 18)

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OVEREXPOSED

MAROON 5

FOLLOWING the swagger of its 2011 hit single ‘Moves Like Jagger,’ Maroon 5 has shifted its sonic focus to pop for its fi fth album. Expect sexy reggae jams, rhythmic ballads, and even a little bit of disco.

(Release date: June 25)

LIVING THINGS

LINKIN PARK

TEAMING again with Rick Rubin and incorporating all of the lessons they’ve learned into one cohesive sound, the nu-metal stalwarts promise to offer something that’s both new and distinctly Linkin Park on their fi fth album.

(Release date: June 25)

TOPPING THE UK CHARTS JUNE 1992

1. Erasure – Abba-Esque EP 2. Mariah Carey – I’ll Be There 3. Nick Berry – Heartbeat 4. Ugly Kid Joe – Everything About You 5. Utah Saints – Something Good 6. George Michael – Too Funky 7. Take That – It Only Takes A Minute 8. Orb – Blue Room 9. Elton John – The One 10. Faith No More – Midlife Crisis

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WHAT’S ON BARGAINS GALORE

Tradeshows June 6 – 8 IMPACT

Thailand Travel Mart Plus

June 16 – 17 IMPACT

Technology Street

Thailand Dog Show

OVER 200 exhibitors will showcase a wide range of the latest dog care products and services, ranging from dog food, dog fashion apparels and accessories, dog care and grooming products and medical services. Doggy competitions June 21 – 24 for looks, agility, obedience and June 6 – 10 BITEC more are always entertaining.

IMPACT InterMold Entrance fee is B20 (free for Thailand Thailand kids and dogs). Open each day Tourism Festival ASEAN’s largest machinery and technology trade exhibition 10am-8pm.

HEAD here for big savings on and conference for mold and die www.thailand-dogshow.com travel packages to Thailand’s most popular destinations. Open manufactures is now in its 20th year. www.interplasthailand.com June 27 – July 1 each day 10am – 9pm. www.impact.co.th IMPACT TAKE advantage of special discounts on a large number of domestic travel products, packages, and services.

Open each day 9am – 6pm. www.thailandtravelmartplus.com

June 14 – 17 QSNCC

Wedding Fair

by Neo

BILLED as Thailand’s most comprehensive one-stop wedding fair, this event will feature over 30 hotels and catering services, along with over 100 wedding-related businesses, all offering their services at special low prices. www.thaiweddingfair.com

June 16 – 24 QSNCC

Home Expo and Living Concept

WITH over 200 of Thailand’s leading manufacturers and furniture companies showcasing their wares, this huge fair will boast a wide range of premium-quality furniture and home decorative items and related services. Open each day 10.30am - 8.30pm. www.homeshow.co.th

THIS exhibition will showcase robotic and automation technologies and feature work by high school and vocational students. Open each day 10am – 6pm. www.impact.co.th

June 22 – July 1 IMPACT

June 21 – 24 QSNCC

Matichon Healthcare

Bangkok International Auto Salon

MOTORHEADS will find plenty to please them here. Among the highlights are a car show, accessories show, modified car booth, and D1 Grand Prix.

Open each day 9am-10pm. www.impact.co.th

July 5 – 8 QSNCC

Thai Teaw Thai PLANNING a trip within Thailand? You’ll find plenty of domestic travel deals at this popular fair. Open each day 10am – 9pm. www.pkexhibition.com

July 7 – 15 IMPACT

Thailand’s Best Shopping Fair

BEST shopping fair, eh? Well, it certainly looks set to earn this lofty title by offering everything from bedroom furniture and BIFF and BIL kitchenware, to gardening THE Bangkok International equipment, clothing, wedding Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair packs products, audio equipment, and much more. Open each day in designers and showcases goods from local and international 11am-9pm. www.worldfair.co.th brands. Enjoy fashion shows and exhibitions and the chance to meet movers and shakers in the fashion trade.

• Impact Convention Center, Muang www.thaitradefair.com/2012/BIFF Thong Thani, 99 Popular Road,

TAKE advantage of 30 free health check-up programs provided by leading public and private medical institutes, and don’t miss health-related exhibitions, informative talks on key aspects of health issues presented by top medical specialists, and a free DIY (Do it June 28 – July 1 yourself) health check-up BITEC workshop. Open each day Thailand 10am-8pm. www.matichon.co.th International

June 22 – July 1 IMPACT

looking to boost circulation of gifts and premium products. www.tgpfair.com.

Mobile Show

TABLET computers and mobile phones from leading brands go on sale here. www.mobileshowth.com

The details:

Banmai Subdistrict, Pakkred District, Nonthaburi. Tel: 02 833 4455 www. impact.co.th

• BITEC, 88 Bangna-Trad Road (Km.1), Bangna, Bangkok. Tel: 02 749 3939 www.bitec.co.th • Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, 60 New Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok. Tel: 02 229 3000 www.qsncc.co.th

July 4 – 6 BITEC

Thailand Gifts and Premium Fair TGP Fair is B2B (Business to Business) Trading and provides a great platform for traders

READ THE BIGCHILLI FOR FREE ONLINE www.issuu.com/thebigchilli www.thebigchilli.com

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Social  Last month’s best events in pictures

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

DUBLINER TURNS 13 The Dubliner Irish Pub celebrated its 13th anniversary with a fun-filled party attended by a huge crowd of expats and locals who enjoyed special drinks deals and some superb live entertainment.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

ALOFT’S SEXY WONDERLAND

The hip new Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11 hosted an exclusive ‘Sexy Wonderland Pool Party’ attended by many VIP guests and beautiful models. The event was hosted by the hotel’s GM, Brendan Daly, together with Pornseak Pharksuwan, Prestige and Modern on Trade Manager of Diageo Moet, and Praimporn Piyakhun, Product Manager of Ripcurl (Thailand).

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

THE TASTE OF SOUTH EAST ASIA Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square launched its 10-day South East Asian Food Festival in style with an exclusive party featuring a buffet of regional bites and a selection of free flow drinks.

Opened by the hotel’s GM, Philippe Le Bourhis, and presided over by MR Malinee Chakrabandhu, the event was attended by Ambassadors from several nations, Thai celebrities and many Bangkok luminaries.

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HARD ROCK TURNS 21 Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok celebrated its 21st anniversary with a rock concert featuring performances by Blackhead, Sixty Ninth, and Wan Thanakrit. Adding to the fun was a parade of Harley Davidson motorcycles.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

MOVERS AND SHAKERS’ CHARMING NIGHT Movers and Shakers held the April edition of its monthly corporate charity network events at the lovely Charm Thai Restaurant, Holiday Inn Bangkok Hotel.

Sponsored by The Tulip Group and Defence International Security Services, the event was a huge success, attracting a large number of executives from Bangkok and beyond who all enjoyed free-flow beer and wine plus a range of delicious snacks.

For details about upcoming events see: moversshakerscharity.com

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ARGENTINEAN WINE EXPERIENCE

Wine lovers were out in force for Siam@ Siam Design Hotel & Spa’s Argentinean Wine Experience, which featured a range of tasty snacks paired with free ow Argentinean wines. Conversation was engaging and fun, service was spot on, and the wines were excellent. Unsurprisingly, all guests left this hip hotel vowing to return for more.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

HARROW ON SONG

Harrow International School students showcased their musical talents in a special concert which featured performances by the choir and orchestra as well as several soloists. Featuring a wide range of musical styles, the concert had something for everyone.

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RHYTHM CONFERENCE AT AETAS LUMPINI The first annual RHYTHM Global Conference was held at Infinity Room, The AETAS Lumpini, Rama IV. The event was opened by Mr. Kudo Takanori, President of Rhywaco (HK) Co., Ltd, and attended by watchmakers and watch retailers from all around the world.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

PENINSULA’S WEDDING SHOWCASE

The Peninsula Bangkok held a wedding showcase called the “Wedding Library” which featured a range of elegant and stylish integrated wedding services for guests to choose from.

BEAUTY ICON AT VIE

Celebrities and models were out in force at Vie Hotel for the launch of Natalie Glebova’s ‘Beauty Icon’ perfume. Special guests on the night included Jerome Pointecouteau, General Manager of V.Mane fils (Thailand), and Farung Yuttitham, Miss Thailand Universe 2007.

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FUTURISTIC FUN AT LONG TABLE Contemporary Thai restaurant Long Table celebrated its fourth anniversary with a “Sharp Future” party which saw the restaurant transformed from sleek cool lines to a Bladerunner-esque futurescape of neon bright lights and lasers. Free-flow booze, fashion-forward beats, and robot dance shows took the party late into the night.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

BNL SOCIAL AT ZAKS

The Bangkok Netball league celebrated the end of the season with a well attended party at Zaks, the popular new wine pub on Sukhumvit Soi 11.

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SOCA SENSATION Soca artist Kevin Lyttle, best known for his smash hit ballad “Turn Me On,” impressed a large crowd of music lovers when he performed for one night only at Zaks Wine Pub, Sukhumvit Soi 11.

Every Monday Buy 1 Get 1 Free TOP PLACE IN TOWN

Christie’s Club Happy Hours 5pm. to 9pm.

Beer B90/drink

Good time Great atmosphere Stylish venue

Catwalk Model Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday 1/1 Sukhumvit Soi 33 Tel. 02-258-5730, 02-258-5728 www.christies-club.com

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

PULLMAN G OPENS IN STYLE

Innovative cocktails, tasty tapas, cool conversation and live entertainment ensured all guests had a superb time at the Pullman Bangkok Hotel G’s grand opening party. For more information about the hotel see www.accorhotels.com.

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Diplomats p Meet the people uniting nations

Narong Vongamitr, chairman of foreign relations for the Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand, reveals how he takes care of Muslim interests in the kingdom. Page 118.

Cuba’s Ambassador An interview with His Excellency Lazaro Herrera Page 114

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DIPLOMAT PERSONALITY

Havana’s voice in Bangkok Cuba may be a small socialist republic on the other side of the globe, but its ambassador to Thailand works hard to bring the two countries together. Maxmilian Wechsler talks to His Excellency Lazaro Herrera 114

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AMBASSADOR Herrera began this interview by noting the similarities between Thailand and his narrow island country only about 90 kilometers from the US state of Florida. “Thai people are very hospitable, friendly and warm, and always smiling, the same as our people. The climate is also the same.”

The embassy, which occupies one floor of a residential building inside Sukhumvit Soi 27, is surprisingly accessible, with none of the usual squads of guards or obvious security measures.

“We feel very safe in Thailand and therefore don’t feel we have to adopt stringent security arrangements,” said the ambassador.

His well-appointed but modest office is complete with a computer-equipped desk. On the wall is a Cuban flag and a large photo of former Cuban president Fidel Castro, whose brother Raul is now the head of state.

“I have never spoken face-to-face with Fidel Castro,” said the ambassador, “but I shook hands with him when he visited the MFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) in Havana. We also sometimes speak on the phone, and these are always very emotional times for me.

“During our last conversation in 2011, I told him that I was posted to Thailand and he asked how long I had been in the country and what I was doing.

He also wanted to know many things about Thailand, the population, the people, what is the longest river, and so on.”

Ambassador Herrera, who began his duty as ambassador to Thailand in October 2008, speaks slowly and quietly. Always attired in a nicely cut suit, he bears no resemblance to the ageing revolutionary who is famous for his Chairman Mao style jacket and green cap with the red star.

Although dedicated to upholding the vision of Fidel Castro, the ambassador acknowledged that the Cuban system is in a state of flux.

“We are not trying to follow any other model of socialism – not the one in China, North Korea or Vietnam, but our own, according to our own characteristics. We can take into account the experiences of all of these countries but in the end we have to look at our own experiences and conditions, because if not, it will end in failure,” the ambassador stressed.

“We are now in the process of updating our system and taking into account the past mistakes. Communism is in another stage of development. What we must do is to put the human being in the centre. This is the most important element.”

He then spoke briefly about the isolation imposed on Cuba by the United States: “Cuba is the only country in the world which has suffered for more than 50 years under what people call embargo but which is, in fact, a blockade. Let me tell you, first of all, if you read a dictionary then you can see the difference between an embargo and a blockade.”

An embargo, said the ambassador, is recognized by international law. If a country breaks a commitment, like refusing to pay its debts, then an embargo can be applied against it. However, in the case of Cuba, said the ambassador, what the United States is doing is an attempt to block development, and to pressure other countries to do what it wants. “The United States has created many laws to obligate other countries to

refrain from doing business with Cuba and act against Cuba.

This is more than an embargo.”

The ambassador then explained at length various regulations that have been imposed by the US. “Countries like China or Russia don’t follow the embargo, but don’t forget that these and other countries that ignore the US regulations are on the other side of the globe, and you have to take into account the transportation costs and other difficulties,” said the ambassador. He then talked of bilateral relations between Thailand and Cuba.

“Diplomatic ties were established on May 9, 1958, meaning that we celebrated the 54th anniversary last May. We opened our embassy in Bangkok in May 2004, but as yet there is no Thai embassy in Cuba. Both our countries are working on this and I sincerely hope that it will happen soon.”

Before the Cuban embassy opened in Bangkok, Thai affairs were covered through the Cuban embassy in Vientiane in Laos.

Ambassador Herrera is also the accredited ambassador to Myanmar.

“In Cuba, Thailand is represented by an honorary consul, Jorge Manuel Vera Gonzales,” said the ambassador. “He is a Venezuelan-born businessman who has been working in Cuba for a long time. We are communicating and I met him before coming to Thailand.”

Ambassador Herrera earned a degree from the Higher Institute of International Relations at Havana University and in 1980 began a career with the government as an information analyst at the MFA. “I have been working most of the time for the MFA in Asia, including altogether nine years in various locations and positions in the Republic of China with the last as Minister Counselor at the Cuban embassy in Beijing from 1997 to 1999.

“I served also as consul general to the Commonwealth of Bahamas from 1999 to 2001. My last post abroad before coming here was as press secretary at the Cuban Interest Section in Washington D.C. from 2003 to 2006.”

Asked why he was sent to Thailand after serving in an important post in Washington, the ambassador said it feels more natural for him to be in Asia, where he has worked for many years, and it actually seemed a little “strange” to be in Washington.

“Also, most of time while working at the MFA in Havana, I was attached to the Asia Division, holding various positions there, including as senior desk officer from 2006 until 2008 and deputy director of the Information and Dissemination Division.

Therefore, for me to be posted in Thailand makes sense.

“I visited Thailand for the first time in 2007 while accompanying the director general of the Asian Division of the MFA. We also visited Laos and Vietnam at that time.

“Cuba and Thailand enjoy good relations in many spheres.

In the international arena we share many of the same issues and concerns. Politically speaking we have good relations as well, but we still need to do a lot in terms of economic relations in my opinion.

“We are trying to improve our trade relations. For example, in the bio-technology industry there are many possibilities.

We are also trying to establish agricultural cooperation.

In this regard we will sign a draft agreement with the

“Cuba and Thailand enjoy good relations in many spheres. In the international arena we share many of the same issues and concerns.

Politically speaking we have good relations as well, but we still need to do a lot in terms of economic relations in my opinion

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Thai government and we are also drafting an agreement on cooperation in science and technology.

“We are also trying now to expand relations with Thailand in the sphere of public health, taking into account that Thailand has quite a good public health infrastructure, as do we. Medical treatment in Cuba is cheaper than in Thailand, while Thailand is cheaper than Europe and North America.

“Medical treatment and attention is absolutely free for all Cubans. As for foreign visitors who need medical attention, the most important priority is to render aid and save lives. After this is accomplished we can talk about the price,” the ambassador said.

“Medical treatment in Thailand is very good, with a good infrastructure. The standard is higher than in Cuba, but we also have good hospitals and equipment, and the level of expertise of the doctors in Cuba is very high.”

The ambassador said his relationship with Thai government officials has been excellent and this has been a source of great satisfaction for him. “I have extremely good relations with different institutions, including the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which is quite dynamic.

“There haven’t been too many official visits between our two countries, although recently officials from Thailand’s Latin Division of the MFA visited Cuba and other countries in the region, including Mexico.

“The tourism industry is important to both countries so we are trying to be more active in this area. Last year Cuba welcomed close to three million visitors from all over the world, including Thailand. The two countries can exchange experience in this field, and increase tourism both ways.”

What has been his most important achievement in Thailand?

“It must be the fact that Thai people now know a little more about Cuba, which is my main purpose for being here. But I am not satisfied yet.”

He said his most memorable experience in Thailand thus far was submitting his credentials to HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn on March 9, 2009. “I was very impressed when I entered the palace and met the prince. It was a very emotional and important occasion for me.”

The ambassador said he’d done some travelling around Thailand, but not as much as he’d like. “My duties and responsibilities at the embassy make it hard to leave sometimes. We are a small mission with only four staff, two Thais and two Cubans.

His information-gathering trips include a visit to the Thai

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language ‘Daily News’ newspaper where he exchanged opinions with senior journalists.

In June he visited the Institute of Physical Education in the northeastern province of Chayaphum, and in December he met officials at the Department of Epidemic Control of the Thai Ministry of Health. Progress achieved by Cuba in control of epidemics and the possibilities for collaboration in this area were among the topics discussed.

In March he paid a courtesy visit to the new president of the National Assembly of Thailand and speaker of parliament, Somsak Kiatsuranont. The following month he was received

by Deputy Minister of Labour Anusorn Kraiwatnussorn at the Ministry of Labor in Bangkok. Ambassador Herrera said the two had an extensive exchange of views on issues of common concern relating to labor.

Less than 20 Cubans live in Thailand, he said, including teachers, musicians and three sports coaches – two for boxing and another for volleyball.

“There are some Thai students in Cuba, such as those learning different athletic disciplines at the International School of Sport.

This cooperation in sport has been going on for some years.

“Last year about 1,000 Thai tourists visited Cuba and this number is constantly increasing. More Thais are coming to our embassy to apply for tourist visas.

“To obtain a visa is easy. After applying, you can have the visa within two to three days. In fact, we are issuing a special kind of visa we call the Tourist Card. You don’t have to get your passport stamped; submit the card directly to the Cuban immigration authorities upon arrival and that’s all. You can stay in the country for 30 days and then extend for another 30 days if you wish.

“For those interested in culture I would recommend a visit to the old part of Havana, which has many historical sites in colonial styles. There are museums and theatres there as well, and frequent concerts. The beaches are popular, as is the famous Tropicana night club.

“The best way to fly to Cuba from Thailand is via Orly or Charles de Gaulle airports in France. From there get a direct flight to Havana. There are now also some charter flights from various American cities to Cuba.”

At the end of the interview Ambassador Herrera predicted: “The cooperation between Thailand and Cuba will continue to flourish!”

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DIPLOMAT PERSONALITY

Working outside the spotlight for Thai Muslims How Narong Vongsamitr, chairman of foreign relations for the Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand, takes care of Muslim interests in Thailand

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By Maxmilian Wechsler

YOU won’t see Narong Vongsamitr on the TV news or read about him in newspapers, magazines or on the internet.

He certainly deserves recognition, however, for his accomplishments in looking after the interests and welfare of the estimated eight million Muslims in Thailand, which he has been doing for decades. “I am not after publicity, fame or riches,” said Mr. Narong, “my only goal is assisting in the happiness of Thai Muslims.”

A devoted Muslim, Mr. Narong holds several volunteer positions, including foreign relations adviser to Aziz Phitakkumpon, Sheikhul Islam (Chularajmontri), the spiritual leader of Thai Muslims. He is also chairman of foreign relations for the Foundation of the Islamic Centre of Thailand (FICT) and an advisor to the Centre for Muslim World Policies, Faculty of Economics at Chulalongkorn University.

Mr. Narong was an adviser to the former foreign minister, Kantathi Suphamongkhon, and honorary adviser to the former president of the National Assembly, Chai Chidchob. Though he may not be recognized by the “man on the street,” he is one of the country’s most respected and influential leaders.

When asked why he keeps such a low profile, he replied: “Because it enables me to work more effectively and to achieve more.” But his achievements are quite familiar within diplomatic circles. He meets and communicates frequently with ambassadors, officials from various Thai ministries and non-government organizations, leading business people and ordinary Muslims.

“I know personally about 25 ambassadors from Middle Eastern, African and Asian countries and also enjoy good relations with diplomats from the United States, Canada and European countries. They are interested in learning about Muslims in Thailand and how various Muslim organizations here function,” he said.

One of his most important roles is helping to solve the conflict in the three southern provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala, which has been going on for years and claimed thousands of lives.

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“In April I visited Aceh province in Indonesia to study how the government there was able to stop the violence that had raged for over 30 years,” he said. “I reported my findings to members of the Thai parliament and to senators with recommendations on what should be done in the South.

“After the trip to Indonesia I went to the Philippines and visited the southern island of Mindanao, where the military has been battling Muslim insurgents for years. Both trips were intended to gain insight into ways of stopping the violence in Thailand.”

Aged 71, Mr. Narong keeps himself fit by swimming, playing badminton and “walking a lot.” He used to play soccer and squash but no longer has the time. A favorite hobby is collecting miniature cars. Despite a hectic daily schedule, he doesn’t have a chauffeur, preferring to drive his old Toyota Camry himself.

His most recent honor, ‘Ambassador for Peace,’ awarded

by Rev. Sum Myungmoon, the founder of the Universal Peace Federation, came during his April trip to the Philippines.

“I come from a middle-class business family. My parents always taught me to be honest, truthful and to help others, and that’s what I have been trying to do in my life.”

Mr. Narong, who was born in Bangkok, graduated from Assumption Commercial College in 1962. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy & Economics from Cairo University, Egypt, in 1969 and also studied Arabic at Al Azhar University in Cairo from 1964 to 1970.

He was an assistant tour supervisor representative for the Anglo Thai Company in Bangkok in the mid-1970s, before

Narong poses next to a picture of The Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, one of Islam’s most sacred shrines

becoming acting assistant branch manager at the Bangkapi and Pranburi branches of the Bank of Ayutthaya.

He then travelled to Saudi Arabia, where he was personal administrator to the managing director of Al Bilad-Vinnell Ltd. in Al Khobar from 1977 to 1979, and served as manager for the Thai Food Centre in Jedah from 1981 to 1985.

After returning to Thailand, Mr. Narong was finance and personnel director for Chiyata Construction Co. from 1985 to 1988, and then administrative and finance director for NichiasThai Co. until 1990. Since then he has been deputy managing director of Thai-Nichias Engineering Co. in Rayong province.

Mr. Narong and his wife Wandee have one son and two daughters. He has been with the FICT for over 29 years, and held his current position for eight years. The FICT was established in 1951 and is located off Ramkhamhaeng Road in Bangkok.

The 16,976-square-metre, 54-million-baht complex consists of a mosque, conference room, library, food hall, offices for Muslim organizations and a dormitory for orphans. The construction of the central mosque, the biggest in Thailand and a unique piece of architecture, was completed in 1984. It has been continually renovated and improved with support from public and private organizations. The FICT is planning to construct a new building at

cost of 120 million baht. The organization is funded by donations from Muslims in Thailand and abroad.

“Our mission is to serve everyone, Muslims and nonMuslims, when they desire to learn about the faith, cultures and traditions of Muslims. Our aim is also promote a better understanding of Islam – both by Muslims and non-Muslims.

“We are not a political but a religious organization. Everyone is welcome to the FICT – Buddhists, Christians, Hindus or Jews.”

He said the FICT often receives visits from prominent Muslims, ambassadors and other diplomats from around the world. “They come to find out about the activities of Muslims in Thailand, and their relationship with the government.

Some also want to know whether we are free to conduct Islamic activities, which we are. We get many visitors from Islamic countries, almost every week. Recently we had visitors from Indonesia, and before that from Canada and Turkey.”

During Ramadan the FICT invites ambassadors from the 22 Muslim countries with embassies in Thailand for Iftar dinner.

“We have been cooperating for a long time with the secretary general of ASEAN, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, who is a Muslim. We talk mostly about the promotion of Muslim interests and helping orphans.”

Returning to the situation in the South, Mr. Narong said: “Peace is the only way. Muslims in this country are very unhappy over what is happening and we are trying to solve the problem. It is only a small minority of people who cause the problems.” He said that the vast majority of Muslims in the South want to be a part of the Kingdom, but with some say about running the southern provinces.

“Most Muslims want peace and feel the conflict can be solved only by peaceful means. The solution to the problem is – and I would like to emphasize it very strongly – in education and employment. There should be more industry, so that the people can earn an income. Now, they have nothing to do but sit at home or grow fruits and vegetables.”

Of the eight million Muslims in Thailand, three to four million live in the South and two million in the three violenceplagued provinces. “Muslims in southern Thailand are mainly Malay and may have family ties in Brunei and Indonesia.

“Muslims living in northern Thailand generally originate from Bangladesh and Burma, with some from Pakistan.

Muslims living in and around Bangkok are mostly from southern Thailand. Most of the Muslims in Thailand are involved in agriculture.”

Despite their diverse backgrounds, Muslims in Thailand get on well with one another, he said.

Muslims visiting Thailand come mostly from the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Dubai, plus a few from Saudi Arabia.

They come here for medical treatment and tourism.

He estimates that there are more than 3,000 mosques in Thailand, approximately 160 of which are in Bangkok.

“Muslims have been living in Thailand for a very long time. We are happy because we have freedom of religion here.

A Muslim can become a parliamentarian, senator, minister, military leader or even prime minister,” Mr. Narong said.

“We are talking to Police Colonel Thawee Sodsong, secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Administration Centre, to provide more security and to open more schools where the students can study sciences and other useful subjects. The colonel is very popular with Muslims in the South. They very much like his approach to the problem.”

Despite his concerns, Mr. Narong remains optimistic. “The future of Muslims in Thailand, especially in the South, is good,” he said. “They own a lot of land. What they need is education.

This is the key to everything.”

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FEATURE MOTORING

A Superb surprise from Škoda

By Maxmilian Wechsler

By Maxmilian Wechsler

No joke - this luxury sedan is one of the best value imported cars in Thailand

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Škoda Superb 1.8 TSI Top speed 0-100km/h Fuel consumption (Combined) km/l Fuel tank capacity Transmission Delivery period after purchase Warranty

BACK in the ’80s and early ’90s Škoda was seen as a bit of a joke. Pull up to a friend’s house in a Škoda and you’d be greeted with jokes like “What do you call a skip with wheels?” “A Škoda!” “How do you double the value of a Škoda?” “Fill its tank with fuel!” Harsher critics would say that all Škodas looked like they were pounded out by a blacksmith using a hammer. Poor old Škoda.

What a difference a couple of decades can make.

Roll on 2012 and now we have the Škoda Superb 1.8 TSI. That’s right – Superb. With a name like that, you’d think this car would take a pounding from critics and humorists alike, but believe it or not, the car is virtually joke proof.

Made in the Czech Republic, this luxury sedan is a truly remarkable piece of work which delivers much more than its sticker price and is definitely one of the best buys in Thailand. Its striking design, seen on the

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Price: 1.98 million baht 220km/h 8.5s 14.08 60l 7-speed DSG About three months Five years or 100,000 kilometers, whichever comes first

The luggage compartment opens in two styles, either like any other sedan or, by pressing a button, like a hatchback.

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pictures here, also highlights how the car has zoomed ahead of its embarrassing past.

The origins of Škoda go back to the end of the 19th century, to a bicyclemaking operation in a small workshop called Laurin & Klement L&K, a joint enterprise from Václav Laurin, a mechanic, and Václav Klement, a bookseller. In 1899 they started to produce motorcycles and their first car, the Voiurette, was released in 1905. L&K merged with Škoda industrial firm in 1925, and on October 12, 2011, Škoda produced its ten-millionth vehicle in its main plant in Mladá Boleslav in the Czech Republic.

After the collapse of the communist regime in Czechoslovakia, Škoda was partially taken over by the Volkswagen Group in April 1991 and became fully owned by the German automaker in May 2000. Volkswagen is currently one of the leading carmakers in the world and the biggest in Europe with 10 brands: Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Man, Scania, Seat, Škoda, Volkswagen and VW Commercial Vehicles.

Like many people in Thailand, I had no idea that Volkswagen now makes Bentley, Bugatti and Lamborghini, and I only found this out when I agreed to take the Škoda Superb for a test drive.

It can’t be denied that this association has had a huge knock-on effect for Škoda.

In fact, in 2009 the Superb was named Luxury Car of the Year by prestigious British magazine Top Gear.

This recognition changed the fortunes of the Škoda brand virtually overnight and brought it to Thailand as well.

The name was well chosen, because the car has so little to fault – certainly not the price, which is something I usually complain about even if a car passes its road test with flying colours. Škoda’s slogan, “Simply Clever,” is also well chosen, as I discovered along with Nina Hastings from

obvious that Volkswagen inserted into the Superb some technologies from other brands. Some of the highlights that struck me about the car were its performance, comfort, handling, acceleration, brakes, and suspension, as well as its spacious and well insulated cabin, and excellent sound system.

Furthermore, the car has 7-gear Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), with two clutches. This was the first time I had driven a car with DSG, and I can testify that it makes changing gears so smooth

The BigChilli, who joined the road test.

Innovations include the twin-door boot system, something unique to Škoda and patented by the company.

The luggage compartment opens in two styles, either like any other sedan or, by pressing a button, like a hatchback.

“If you have a small package, you can open the boot in a sedan style, and when going for a trip with a lot of luggage then you can easily fit it in by opening the boot in a hatchback style,” explained Kittipot Chaleysub, general manager of European Enterprise. Co., Ltd., the sole importer of Škoda cars to Thailand.

I must confess that after driving off in a Superb from one of Škoda’s three showrooms on Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok and driving for a few kilometers, I was almost tempted to stop and check to see if this really was a Škoda and not one of the luxurious imported brands I have tested in the past and which cost more than twice as much. The new Superb 1.8 TSI we tested sells in Thailand for 1.98 million baht, undeniably a bargain.

Not taking away credit from the Czech designers and engineers, it is

that you can’t feel the shift at all. You’ll have to get an explanation on how this works from an engineer.

Also, the circle needed for a 360degree turn is minimal, which is convenient for narrow roads. The car is well balanced and doesn’t swerve in sharp curves. The luggage space in the boot is generous, and there is additional storage space under both front seats.

The car has powerful Xenon lights, 18-inch mag wheels and a touch-screen to control most features. I just couldn’t find much that I didn’t like. Even the horn and indicator/warning signals emit pleasant sounds.

The materials, finishing and external colours will satisfy even the most stylish motorists, although it must be noted that only one interior colour, black, is currently available.

When compared to Japanese cars sold in the same segment in Thailand, the Škoda Superb easily beats the competition – especially in terms of value. After all, for just a little more than you’d pay for most other Japanese cars here, you can have a much superior vehicle. Superb, indeed.

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Travel

p Deals and news from Thailand’s hottest destinations

Reach for the stars: Hilton Pattaya’s new rooftop bar offers stunning views and superb cocktails. Page 136.

Mate’s Rates

Friends or family visiting Bangkok? Let them know about these deals!

Page 138

Hua Hin

Read more about the town’s best resorts and restaurants Page 128

Pattaya

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TRAVEL FEATURE

Off the rails: Maeklong’s amazing Railway Market Watch in awe as stalls appear and disappear with every passing train in this fascinating town, only one hour’s drive from Bangkok

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IT’S 11.30am on a Saturday and trade at Maeklong Railway Market is in full swing. Shoppers jostle for space and duck under awnings as they make their way between stalls loaded with ripe mangoes, fiery chillies, salted mackerel. They must carefully watch their steps, because on the ground are large sheets laden with vegetables, herbs, and even huge chunks of marlin. As far as food markets in Thailand go, it’s a familiar scene. But this familiar scene is about to be disrupted in the most amazing way – a train is about to run through it.

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A siren blared from Maeklong station, located at the market’s entrance, cuts through the bargaining din and signals the train’s imminent arrival. A guard waves red and green flags and gives shrill blasts of his whistle. With military precision, the vendors leap into action and pull down their awnings. Sheets of veggies are pulled back just enough so that they’re clear of the track, and shoppers edge deeper into the safety of the stalls. The track, which was moments before a narrow shaded walkway, is now bare and bathed in sunlight.

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The train enters the far end of the market with a sharp blast of its horn. It trundles slowly past the stalls, close enough to almost slice and dice some of the vegetables, and the vendors simply watch on impassively; they’ve seen it all before.

For foreign health and safety advocates, it’s their worst nightmare come true; for everyone else, an amazing photograph opportunity.

The Maeklong Railway Market, also known by the Thais as Talad Rom Hoop – which, roughly translated, means “pull down the awnings market” – has been in operation since 1984. Located in Samut Songkram province on the railway which runs between Maeklong and Baan Lam, it is disrupted eight times a day by trains (four arriving, four departing). Not that these disruptions last long – as soon as a train passes through the market the awnings are snapped back up and trading resumes.

While there’s little else for tourists to do at Maeklong Railway Market other than watch and photograph the train’s amazing arrival and departure, just across the Maeklong River is Amphawa, home to a superb weekend floating market where you can enjoy food prepared on boats, sip drinks in rusticretro bars, go on boat trips to watch fireflies, and shop from a wide range of local crafts.

Located only 70km away from Bangkok, Amphawa market packs in large crowds of Thai tourists every weekend. Go beyond the main

shopping area though and everything is wonderfully subdued, with village life playing out just as it has for centuries -fishermen tending to their nets, small stalls selling local produce.

A range of lovely guesthouses are dotted around the area, with something for every budget. It’s best to search online for riverside guesthouses which offer free boat trips to and from the market, though, as this will save you cash and makes getting around much more convenient.

Getting there Minivans from Victory Monument (head to the bus stops and ask a ticket vendor to point you in the right direction) to Maeklong Railway Market run every Mon-Thurs from 6am-8pm; Fri-Sun 6am-9pm.

Only B70 per person. Journey time one hour.

From here you can take local transportation to Amphawa floating market for around B20 per person. Journey time 15 mins.

Train timetable Trains are scheduled to arrive in Meaklong at 8.30am, 11.10am, 2.30pm, and 5.40pm; and depart Meaklong at 6.20am, 9am, 11.30am, and 3.30pm. Delays are common.

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Mode Sathorn Hotel Managed by Siam@ Siam appoints GM

TRAVEL BANGKOK

Bangkok

and Beyond

SIAM@SIAM Co., Ltd’s Managing Director Kla Kitchakarn has appointed Pinit Krisanavanit as a General Manager of upcoming Mode Sathorn Hotel Managed by Siam@Siam.

With over 30-years’ experience in the hospitality industry, Khun Pinit has worked for many leading hotels in Thailand such as Hyatt Orchid Chiangmai Hotel, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Montien Riverside Hotel. Prior to joining Mode Sathorn, he was General Manager of Emporium Suites by Chatrium Hotel.

Phi Ta Khon Festival

Sizzling deal at Mercure Phuket Deevana

MERCURE Phuket Deevana has launched a getaway package deal featuring a two-nights stay in a Superior Pool View room, daily breakfasts for two, a round trip airport transfer, and in-room WiFi access.

Until Oct 31, the Summer Retreat package is B6,600 for two persons, including a complimentary buffet dinner for two and a 45-minute Thai massage for two per stay.

SPOOKY fun is guaranteed at the annual Phi Ta Khon Festival (June 22-24), which sees inhabitants of Dan Sai District and Loei Province (Isaan) dress up as spirits to re-enact the tale of Lord Buddha’s last great incarnation before attaining Enlightenment.

To celebrate the festival, the Loei Palace Hotel is offering a special ‘Phi Ta Khon Package’ deal for B3,499 featuring a two-nights stay in a Superior Room, breakfast for two persons, roundtrip transfer to Dansai District, and a one-day sightseeing tour to the festival.

For more info Tel: 042 815 668-73 http://oamhotels.com/loeipalace/

Tel: 076 302 1009 email: info@mercurphuket. com www.mercurekrabi.com

Luxury for less in Samui

BOOK accommodation in a Villa at Bandara Resort and Spa, Samui before July 15 and you’ll get 30 per cent discount off the usual rate. The promotion is valid until Oct 31. Discounted rates during this period for a Villa are B7,000 per night from May 3 – July 15 and Sep 1 – Oct 31; and B9,800 per night from July 16 - Aug 31. Rates include breakfast and WiFi access. To qualify for the deal, quote ‘Enjoy Villa’ when making a reservation.

Tel: 077 245 795 email: rsvn@bandarasamui.com www.bandarasamui.com

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Lanna experience in Chiang Mai

THE Lanna-inspired U Chiang Mai Hotel is now offering a wide range of accommodation packages which offer more value the longer you stay at the hotel. One night stays are B3,799++ per Superior room and 4,799++ per Deluxe room. Two-consecutive-night stays are B3,610++ per night in a Superior and B4,560++ per night in a Deluxe. And three-night stays are B3,420++ per night in a Superior and B4,320++ per night in a Deluxe.

For more info: email: reserve@uchiangmai.com www.uchiangmai.com

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TRAVEL

HUA HIN

Golf and pampering at Hotel de la Paix Cha Am Beach ■ HOTEL de la Paix Cha Am Beach has introduced a wellness package called ‘Stay, Play and Pamper’ which features three-nights’ accommodation, two rounds of 18-hole golf (choice of courses includes Black Mountain Golf Club, Springfield Royal Country Club, Palm Hills Golf Club, or Banyan Golf Club), two two-hour spa treatments, daily breakfast, and more. Available on weekdays only, the deal is B34,700. email: book@hoteldelapaixhh.com

Best offer in Marrakesh ■ UNTIL Oct 31, the Moroccan-inspired Marrakesh Residences is offering the best internet rates for travelers who book online at www.huahinstay.com. Rates start at B3,500++ for a one-bedroom unit, B6,900++ for a two-bedroom unit, and B15,000++ for a three-bedroom unit.

Email: info@huahinstay.com

Golf Citizen Open at Banyan Golf Club

Dining deals at Hilton Hua Hin

■ BANYAN Golf Club Hua Hin is the first golf club in the country to sign up to www.golfcitizen.com, a network service for golfers which allows you to book your tee times in real time online.

In celebration of this the golf club is set to host a tournament on Aug 4 called the ‘Golf Citizen Open.’ Entry is B2,850 per person, B2,450 for Thai Golf Expo Members and B1,225 for Banyan Golf Club Members, with an after-play dinner. The winner will receive a weekend accommodation package for two at Banyan The Resort, Hua Hin.

■ HILTON Hua Hin is offering a long list of tempting deals this month.

Among the highlights are the following: • Every weekend and public holiday, White Lotus Chinese Restaurant is offering an all-you-can-eat Chinese Dim Sum for B449 per person.

• Lotus SKYBAR is offering its unique Lin Chee Colada cocktail at B220 per glass. A DJ spins funky music every Thurs-Sat from 7pm-11pm.

• Chay Had Restaurant is offering two theme dinners during the week. On Mon, Thai Curry Night is B550 per adult and B300 per child aged 6-11.

On Wed, Wine Dinner Night features a five-course set menu paired with wines for B1,550 per person.

• For more theme dinners head to The Market. On Mon and Tue, the restaurant offers an Authentic Thai Terrace Dinner featuring many a la crate dishes. On Wed and Fri, an all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad is B599 per adult and B300 per child aged 6-11. On Thurs, the Taste of Siam Thai Buffet is B599 per adult and B300 per child aged 6-11. Every Sat, an International Barbeque Buffet with live music is B999 per adult and B450 per child aged 6-11.

• Beer House is will screen the UEFA 2012 games while offering special deals on sausages and Carlsberg beer.

Online reservation only at www.golfcitizen.com

Romantic Moroccan getaway – in Pranburi ■ VILLA Maroc Resort on Pranburi beach is offering special accommodation rates and benefits for couples who book a minimum of two consecutive nights. Called the ‘Moroccan Dream Getaway,’ the package is B19,500 per night for Pool Court, B34,500 for One Bedroom Villa, and B45,500 for Royal Villa.

Rates include in-room breakfast, a candle-lit dinner with a complimentary bottle of wine, a 45-minute cleansing Hammam couples treatment, and more.

Tel: 032 630 771 email: rsvn@villamarocresort.com www.villamarocresort.com

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www.hua-hin.hilton.com

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TRAVEL

HUA HIN

Hua Hin Where to eat Oceanside Beach Club Cocktails ■ Set in the beautiful Putahracsa Hua Hin resort, this relaxing beachfront restaurant offers a great selection of international food, drinks and music. You can tuck into seafood with piquant Thai sauces or devour huge slabs of meat fresh from the grill.

The Jumbo Tiger prawns, Rock lobster, and New Zealand lamb chops score particularly good marks here. Other bonuses include a great sea view, and a long list of delightfully boozy cocktails. Open 5pm onwards.

22/65 Nahb Kaehat Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 531 470

Papa John’s Grill Restaurant & Beer Garden ■ In business for over 13 years, this popular diner has established a large and loyal clientele of locals and returning holidaymakers. The secret to the restaurant’s success is the owner’s welcoming nature and an extensive menu of good honest well cooked food. Papa John’s is a spacious open-sided restaurant with a bar area ideal for pre-dinner drinks while you survey the excellent selection of dishes on the menu. Try the fillet, T-bone or rib-eye, each very reasonably priced.

The ideal venue for European comfort food and a drink with friends.

Hua Hin Where to drink Lotus SKYBAR

■ Located on the 17th floor of Hilton Hua Hin, this stylish bar offers excellent panoramic views of the beachfront and serves up an array of exotic cocktails as well as tasty bar snacks. With DJs spinning up-tempo funky beats every night, and some comfy couches for you to sink into, it’s a great place to hang out on any occasion – business or pleasure. Open daily from 6pm.

Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa, 33 Naresdamri, Hua Hin Tel: 032 538 999 www.huahinresort.hilton.co.th

Dune Sky Bar

■ Located on the rooftop of the boutique Dune Hotel, the Dune Sky Bar offers sweeping views of Hua Hin and is a great place to drop by for boozy cocktails and tasty international eats. Recently given a New York-inspired overhaul, the bar is stylishly furnished with eco-friendly furniture, including dining chairs made of recycled plastic bottles. Chilled out beats and subdued lighting make this one of the hippest relaxed hangouts in town.

Dune Hotel Hua Hin, Tel: 032 515 051-3 email: md@dunehuahin.com

1/54 Soi Moobaan Khao Takiab, Nong Kae, Hua Hin Tel: 032 514 295

Ciao

■ For lovers of Italian cuisine, Ciao at the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa is a blessing. The charming beachfront restaurant possesses a style and ambience that few resorts can claim to have achieved. A concise one-page menu offers a carefully considered selection of dishes. The antipasti selection is highly recommended. The platter of Italian temptations is the ideal accompaniment for the fine wines from Ciao’s excellent cellar.

The restaurant serves delicious appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, thin crust pizzas, main meat and fish dishes, and irresistible desserts.

Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, 107/1 Phetkasem Beach Road.

Tel: 032 511 881

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Mondo Vino

■ This cozy wine bar in Hua Hin offers an extensive range of old and new world wines (with an emphasis on Italian brands) at more than reasonable prices. Every day a ‘14 Red & 14 White’ promotion offers wines at B85 - B395 per glass. ‘Sparkling Saturday’ features a free flow of red and white wines paired with cheese; and you can opt for a full Italian meal featuring authentic homemade dishes paired with wines at special rates. On Sundays, six different Belgium beers are free flow and even come with pizza.

22/65 Naeb Kaehat Road, Hua Hin, Tel: 032 531 493, 084 950 5437 www.mondovino.co.th

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TRAVEL

HUA HIN

Hua Hin Where to sleep Evason Hua Hin and Six Senses Spa

The Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin

■ This resort-spa is situated at the heart of 20 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and faces the Gulf of Thailand. Pool villas and guest rooms are connected by a series of wooden walkways that meander between lush greenery. This is a retreat for those seeking time to relax and recharge. In The Restaurant guests can sip exotic cocktails, ice-cold beer or boutique wines while watching chefs cook and construct creative appetizers. The award-winning Earth Spa is one of the most visually striking in Thailand.

■ Located in the heart of Hua Hin right next to the beach, this luxury hotel combines comfort and convenience for the perfect escape. Each suite is well-furnished in stylish décor and each has its own private swimming pool. General facilities include a fitness center, a swimming pool, steam rooms, spa, library, and meeting functions. Rocks Restaurant serves up a wide range of international dishes and local favourites, while the beachside bar, and the cigar and whisky bar, mix up some excellent cocktails.

9/22 Moo 5 Paknampran Beach, Pranburi. Tel: 032 632 111

97/2 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 516 600

Villa Maroc Resort Pranburi ■ Inspired by Morocco’s distinctive architecture, Villa Maroc combines Thai beachside living and service with some of the most luxurious furnishings from the North African Kingdom, making it a unique addition to Southeast Asia’s accommodation scene. The resort is located in Pranburi approximately 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin town. You can tuck into European, Middle Eastern and Thai cuisine at Casablanca, enjoy cocktails and shisha pipes at the Sisha Bar, relax in bliss at Sherazade Hammam & Spa, and much more.

165/3 Moo 3 Paknampran, Pranburi, Tel: 032 630 771 email: rsvn@villamarocresort.com

Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & Villas

S’MOR Spa Village & Resort ■ S’MOR Spa Village & Resort is always a great choice for a relaxing holiday. Located in the center of Hua Hin yet in the peaceful area overlooking the Khao Takiab Mountain with a long beautiful beach, this al-fresco resort features six bungalows and eight bedrooms, each well-equipped with all the mod-cons you could need. The seafront bungalow offers you a choice of private outdoor Jacuzzi or indoor Jacuzzi. The resort’s spa is exclusive and distinctive with an extensive list of treatments including traditional Thai massage. For eats, the beachfront S’MOR Spa Beach Bar & Restaurant serves a wide variety of international and local cuisines.

122/64 Takiab Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 536 800

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

■ Set within 13 hectares of landscaped gardens, the property dates back to 1923 and is one of Southeast Asia’s most renowned hotels. The luxurious colonial-era beachfront resort features 207 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, each one offering comfort and convenience. The Pool Villas include four Deluxe Spa Villas with queen sized twin bed, lounging area, bathroom with rain shower, and oversized Jacuzzi bathtub. Refined dining is available at Sala Thai, Hagi, the Railway Restaurant, and Palm Terrace. Guests can unwind in the Elephant Bar or Satchmo Club.

■ Sheraton brand in Hua Hin is a delightful low-rise resort comprising of 240 luxurious rooms and suites, 56 of which have direct access to a 200-metre lagoon-style swimming pool. Stylish and elegant, they provide a generous 49 square metres of light and airy living space. Facilities at the resort include five restaurants and bars, the highlight being InAzia, the resort’s signature restaurant. Other options include Luna Lanai, a laidback beachfront bar. The Aspadeva Spa offers an extensive menu of massage and body services.

1 Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin. Tel: 032 512 021-38

1573 Petchkasem Road, Cha-Am. Tel: 032 708 080

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REVIEW CAPE NIDHRA

THE CAPE NIDHRA HOTEL, HUA HIN Cape Hotel Collectionʼs newest addition offers stylish beachfront holidaying at its best EXCLUSIVE locations, excellent service, and distinctive holiday experiences are the hallmarks of the Cape Hotel Collection, and its new property, the Cape Nidhra Hotel in Hua Hin, is a splendid example of the levels that the brand goes to in order to meet, then to surpass guests’ expectations.

Located in the heart of Hua Hin on a picturesque, undisturbed section of the town’s relaxing and historical beach (Thai Royalty have for years chosen this destination for a holiday break from Bangkok), Cape Nidhra reflects state-of-the-art, fivestar luxury synthesized with relaxation and comfort, a combination often sought but rarely achieved.

The hotel offers a range of all-suites rooms, including the Sky Pool Suites, Deluxe Sky Pool Suites, Moon Deck Pool Suites and Garden

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Pool Suites. All are comfortable and stylish and each has its own private pool.

The hotel’s flagship suite, the Nidhrarom Suite, offers a stately bedroom, ample living space (that converts seamlessly into a second bedroom when needed), two en-suites and a 13-metre-long private swimming pool.

General facilities include a fitness centre, a gorgeous swimming pool (with a children’s section), steam rooms and massage, on-site spa, meeting room and facilities, library and more…all with great sea views!

Fine-dining as well as chic but relaxed café dining is also available at the hotel. Cape Nidhra features an elegant beachside international standard restaurant as well as a relaxed, poolside café. Above the restaurant is the hip On the Rocks beachside bar, the coolest place to hang out in Hua Hin.

And not to be missed is the cigar and whisky bar featuring rare and imported products from around the world.

And if you want to experience what else Hua Hin has to offer, well you’ll find it right on your doorstep – the hotel’s superb location provides easy access to the local street markets, shopping centers, restaurants, pubs and exciting nightlife.

Tel: 02 233 3433, email: enquiries@ capecollection.com, www.capenidhra.com

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TRAVEL

PATTAYA

Smart saver deal at Hotel Selection

HOTEL Selection Pattaya is offering a deal perfect for budget travelers. Until Oct 31, a Deluxe Room is available for only B1,600 per room per night, and includes breakfast for two persons and complimentary in-room WiFi internet service.

Tel: 038 362 000 email: rsvn@hotelselectionpattaya.com

Hilton Pattaya opens new rooftop restaurant

THE Hilton Pattaya has opened a new rooftop restaurant on its 34th floor fittingly called Horizon. Stunning views, boozy cocktails and delicate bites created by Executive Sous Chef Shaun Venter are what this place is all about.

Dine outdoors or in one of three private rooms. You can also kick-back and relax in the Stargazer Lounge, which has a circular opening in the roof for you to look far into the galaxy as you slurp a mojito. www.hilton.com

Poultry promo at Centara

THROUGHOUT July, Flames Restaurant at Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya will offer poultry cooked in a variety of styles. Among the offerings will be BBQ duck leg, Chicken skewer served with sun dried tomatoes and olives, Pepper rubbed turkey steak, and Chinese spiced duck breast.

Open daily from 6pm-11pm. Tel: 038 301 234 ext. 4272 www.centarahotelsresorts.com

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Siam@Siam to open in 2013

EXECUTIVES and management of Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa recently celebrated the ground breaking ceremony of the group’s new Pattaya hotel which is set to open in October next year. Leading the celebrations on the day was the group’s President & CEO, Khun Phornpinit Phornprapha. We’ll have more information about what to expect from the new hotel in a future issue.

Latino Groove Party

HAVANA Bar at Holiday Inn Pattaya was packed with glamorous girls and handsome gents last month when it held the sixth edition of its popular Latino Groove Party. Extended happy hours and free dance instruction ensured that everyone had a great time partying late into the night. For details of the next party check out www.facebook.com/HavanaBar.Pattaya

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TRAVEL BANGKOK

s ’ e t a M s rate

amily f r o s d Frien kok? g n a B visiting now about k Let them e deals thes

• Pullman Bangkok King Power: Get a free

room night with the hotel’s ‘Stay 3 Pay 2’ promotion. Simply book three consecutive nights in a Superior Room and you pay for only two. Rates start at B2,320++ per night. Make your reservation through Accorhotels.com or Pullmanhotels.com and you’ll get a complimentary B500 cash voucher (per night stay) to spend at King Power Duty Free. Booking must be made before June 13 and the promotion is valid until the end of June. Prepayment required.

Tel: 02 680 9999 email: rsvn@pullmanbangkokkingpower.com

• Novotel Bangkok Fenix Silom: A new ‘Wellness

Package’ features accommodation in a Standard room, breakfast for two persons, and a complimentary 1-hour foot massage for two persons per stay. Rate starts B2,310++ per Standard room per night and you can upgrade to Premier Executive by adding B800++ per night. Promotion ends in July. Tel: 02 206 9100 email: H7172-RE@accor.com www.novotelbangkoksilom.com

• Aloft BangkokSukhumvit 11: Until Oct 31, the

hotel’s ‘Summer Splash’ promotion offers rates starting at B2,170++ per room per night inclusive of wifi internet access, free entry to Bed Supperclub and Q Bar, and free tuk-tuk shuttle to BTS and MRT. Quote ‘APPRO2’ when booking. Tel: 02 207 7200 email: reservations.aloftbkk@alofthotels.com www.aloftholtels.com/bangkoksukhumvit11

• Novotel Bangkok Platinum: Until June 30, this new

hotel at Platinum Fashion Mall is offering introductory rates for its Superior Rooms starting at B3,300++ per room per night (inclusive of American buffet breakfast for two persons). Tel: 02 160 7111 email: H7272-RE@accor.com www.novotel.com

• Oakwood Apartments Trilliant Sukhumvit 18: Until Aug 31,

a ‘Memorable Summer at Oakwood’ promotion offers rates starting at B2,053++ for a Superior Studio Apartment.

Booking must be made 10 days before the arrival date.

Full prepayment is required. Quote ‘Summer’ when booking. www.oakwoodasia.com/thailand.php

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• Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit: Until the end of

June, this brand new hotel’s Twelve Magnifique Wishes promotion offers introductory rates starting at B5,500++ per Luxury Room and includes one wish per day. Twelve wishes will be on offer, including options such as a rare whisky flight served with canapés, a postcard with a picture of you at the hotel, and in-room continental breakfast for two.

Tel: 02 126 9900 email: h5213-re@sofitel.com www.sofitel.com

• Northgate Ratchayothin Serviced Residence: Until Sept 30 the hotel’s ‘Stay for Less’

package offers 20% discount on accommodation in a Studio Room.

B1,750 per night inclusive of in-room WiFi service access.

Tel: 02 939 7949 email: reservation@northgatebangkok.com www.northgatebangkok.com

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