The BigChilli December 2015 by The BigChilli Co., Ltd.

PUBLISHER Colin Hastings editorbigchilli@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Adam Purcell adambigchilli@gmail.com EDITOR Nina Hastings ninabigchilli@gmail.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Chutinanta Boonyamarn nanbigchilli@gmail.com SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Rojjana Rungrattwatchai sendtorose@gmail.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Thana Pongsaskulchoti thanabigchilli@gmail.com Sakuna Nupinrum nokbigchilli@gmail.com ACCOUNTING MANAGER Saranya Choeyjanya fatcatbigchilli@gmail.com ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT Janjira Silapapairson janbigchilli@gmail.com ART & PRODUCTION Arthawit Pundrikapa, Jaran Lakkanawat PHOTOGRAPHY Mini Bike Gang, WJ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anette Pollner, Johanna DeKoning, Judith Coulson, Maxmilian Wechsler

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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 â&#x2DC;&#x17D; 02 233 1774-6, 02 266 7141 Fax: 02 235 0174 :thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com :thebigchilli.com Strip AD_Operation Smile_Jan15_M4.indd 1

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Gourmet Bangkok’s hottest dining deals and news

Garden Barbecue Dinner THROUGH FEB 29 AT BRASSERIE EUROPA

TO mark the arrival of the cool season, Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok’s Brasserie Europa terrace is offering a garden barbeque experience, featuring a portable charcoal bucket barbeque with an array of refillable premium meats, including Australian beef, fresh seafood and vegetables.

New Sunday Brunch

AVAILABLE NOW AT THE WORLD & GINGER RESTAURANT

WITH over 100 items to select from, including gourmet highlights such as Baked whole salmon with dill sauce, Roasted prime rib with beef jus, and Oyster Kilpatrick, the new Sunday Brunch at Centara Grand at CentralWorld’s The World & Ginger Restaurant offers one of the finest feasts in town. B1,890++ per person (half price for kids under 12); or B2,440++ with free flow wines. 9 9 9 /9 9 Rama 1 Rd. ☎ 02 100 6255 :centarahotelsresorts.com Priced B988++ per person (B494++ for kids aged 6 – 12). You can even buy your own five litre barrel of Paulaner Münchner Hell (Lager) for B2,250++, or simply enjoy it at B180++ per glass. Rama 1 Rd 9 9 1/9 ☎ 02 162 9 000 :kempinski.com

Unlimited mussels and free-flow drinks

THROUGH DEC 18 AT PANORAMA RESTAURANT AND FINISHING POST

FRESH mussels imported from the Netherlands are the flavour of the month at Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park. Head to the hotel’s city-view Panorama restaurant and Finishing Post lounge bar and you can enjoy classic mussel dishes paired with free flow wine or beer (two hours) for just B600++. Available from 6pm-10pm. 9 52 Rama I V Rd. ☎ 02 632 9 000 :crow neplaza - bangkok.com

Bubbles ‘N Dogs

EVERY THURS AT LATITUDE 13

LIVE music, homemade hot dogs and a variety of bubbly beverages (think Champagne, sparkling wine, beer, and gin cocktails) set the scene for a fun night out every Thursday at Le Méridien Bangkok’s Latitude 13 bar. Flavours include Honey-roasted, Parmesan garlic, Italian, and spicy Curry-wurst. Free-flow packages (twohours) with Curry-wurst are also available, ranging from B499++ for Curry-wurst and free-flow beer, to B2,999++ for Curry-wurst and free flow Moët Chandon Brut. 6pm onwards.

☎

40/5 Suraw ong Rd. 02 232 8888 :lemeridienbangkokpatpong.com

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Wine & Cheese at Sambal

JAN 15 AT ROYAL ORCHID SHERATON HOTEL & TOWERS

FEATURING free-flow wine and gourmet cheeses and tapas, all served in a lovely riverside setting, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers’ monthly wine and cheese nights are a great way to spend an evening. Great value at just B599++ per person, or B999++ for premium wines. C haroen K rung Rd Soi 30 (C aptain B ush L ane) 02 266 9 214 :royalorchidsheraton.com

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Gourmet Bangkok’s hottest dining deals and news

Gourmet lunch deal AVAILABLE NOW AT J’AIME BY JEAN-MICHEL LORAIN

MIXING business with pleasure is easy at this superb restaurant at U Sathorn Bangkok. Its Michelin star links (Jean-Michel Lorain is owner and chef of the award-winning La Côte Saint Jacques restaurant in Joigny, France) shine through in the taste of each artistically plated dish. And the new three-course set lunch menu – featuring three kinds of appetizers, a choice of meat or fish main course plus tempting desserts – is great value at B1,100 per person (available daily 12pm-2.30pm). U

Sathorn B angkok, 105/1 Soi N gam D uphli, Sathorn. 489 9 :j aime- bangkok.com

☎ 02 119

Sushi masters at Yamazato JAN 15 – 17 AT THE OKURA PRESTIGE BANGKOK

BRINGING together Michelin-starred Chef Shinji Kanesaka, the leader of premium sushi restaurant Sushi Kanesaka in Tokyo, and his qualified successor, Chef Toru Osumi, from the Michelin starred Shinji by Kanesaka in Macau, this premium sushi showcase

Dinner and room deal

AVAILABLE NOW AT THE ROOF GASTRO

THE Roof Gastro, the combined moniker for The Roof and La Vue Restaurants at Siam@Siam Design Hotel Bangkok, has launched a new dinner package offering a choice of three different set menus plus complimentary room rental fee, flower decoration in the requested theme, free flow soft drinks for four hours, and complimentary WiFi. A sample set menu is the “French–EmotionPoetic-Culinary Set,” featuring Southwestern France salad with duck foie gras; Bolhabaisa Occitan Provençal fish bouillabaisse soup; and Sea asparagus Parmentière salmon almond Mille-feuille, and red wine anchovy sauce; or Braised duck leg Normandy senses, roasted apple fruit and potatoes mousseline; and Blueberry white chocolate mousse crumble. The dinner package is available for a group of 20 to 50 persons, and available from 6-10pm. Starts at B2,500 per person. 865 Rama 1 Rd. Opposite N ational Stadium

☎ 02 217

3000 w w w .siamatsiam.com

Festive pub feasts hosted by San Pellegrino at Yamazato restaurant looks set to be a cracker – especially as all fish and seafood supplies will be handpicked by Chef Kanesaka and flown to Bangkok from the world-renowned Tsukiji Market in Tokyo. The lunch and dinner will be prepared and served by Chef Kanesaka exclusively to eight diners each session. B8,900++ for a complete dinner course; B3,500++ for lunch. P ark V entures E coplex , 57 W ireless Rd. 02 687 9 000 :okurabangkok.com

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DEC 25 AT MOLLY MALONE’S & THE ROBIN HOOD

MOLLY Malone’s Irish Pub (Soi Convent, Silom Rd.) and The Robin Hood (Sukhumvit 33/1, Phrom Phong) are both offering special menus for Xmas day. Venture to Molly’s and you’ll find a Christmas Carvery featuring Roast whole turkey and all the trimmings, roasted goose, roast pork with crackling, and more delicious meats, plus a choice of starter and dessert, for B1,150 per person (half price for kids under 12). Alternatively head to The Robin Hood for a three course traditional menu (served 12pm-7pm) featuring roast turkey or roast goose served with all the trimmings, for B999 (B599 for kids under one metre tall), or main course only for just B699. F or reserv ations at Molly’ s call

☎ 02 266 7 161;

The Robin Hood

☎ 02 662 339 0

Scrapbook Last month’s foodie functions in focus

Mr & Mrs Tree Gala Dinner ACCORHOT LS organized the second annual Mr & Mrs Tree ala Dinner event to recognize the relationship between AccorHotels Thailand and PUR Pro ect Thailand, an organisation dedicated to combatting climate change through reforestation and forest conservation pro ects carried out by local communities, on the new commitment to procure and serve organic and free trade rice, coffee and eggs at AccorHotels properties throughout Thailand. The event, which also featured a four course meal with free owing drinks, a fashion competition, and a stage show performed by staff of AccorHotels properties in Bangkok, was held at Le rand Ballroom, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit.

Mexican cuisine, South African wines at Señor Pico THE Rembrandt Hotel’s Señor Pico Modern Mexican Restaurant presented a uni ue and delicious dining e perience when it paired its signature dishes with five of the finest wines from South Africa s Anura ineyards.

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Sri Lankan Food Festival honour of the Official isit of the President of Sri Lanka to Thailand, Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel hosted a week long Sri Lankan ood estival at its popular Thai restaurant,The Spice Market. The event was launched with a cocktail reception at the hotel’s A UA bar, where guests en oyed a Sri Lankan cooking demonstration as well as traditional performances.

Scrapbook Last month’s foodie functions in focus

Asia South Barocker Final 2015 TALENTED mixologists from Hard Rock Cafe branches in Siem Reap, Bangkok, Bali, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Melaka, Jakarta, Singapore, Pattaya and Phuket showcased their skills at the Asia South Barocker 2015 competition. Held at Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok, the third and final round of the competition focused on knowledge, accuracy, speed and showmanship. After careful consideration, the judging panel – which included Ms Cindy Busi, Worldwide Director of Beverage of Hard Rock International; Mr Tommy, Bar & Beverage manager of Horizon Bangkok; and Mr Poompat, MD of Angel Bar – declared Mr Kim Canova, from Hard Rock Cafe Singapore, as the winner. Mr Kim will now compete in the global round of the competition in Orlando, USA, in January 2016.

Braida Wine Dinner ITALIAN Chef Stefano Zaninelli of Don Giovanni Restaurant, Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, cooked up a four-course menu specially prepared to pair with wines from one of the Italy’s top winemakers, Braida. Don Giovanni is now the official Braida Wine Ambassador for Southeast Asia, and carries several of its wine labels. 22

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ThreeSixty Outdoor Lounge

THE newest addition to Millennium Hilton Bangkok’s dining and entertainment venues is a private garden that boasts a panoramic view over the city and across the Chao Phraya River. Located on the 31st floor, and open nightly from 5pm, the new venue is a great place to enjoy premium cocktails while soaking up some chilled out beats. Every Thurs-Sat, you can also order the Rooftop Picnic – a hamper for two featuring sashimi and fresh seafood, foie gras and gourmet desserts, priced B1,800. A free shuttle boat is provided to and from Sathorn pier (Saphan Taksin BTS station). 123 C haroennakorn Rd. ☎ 02 442 2000 :bit.ly/1W RQ s6E

El Gaucho at Ei8ht Thonglor

Metta Eatery & Bar

METTA Eatery & Bar, a new loft-inspired hangout at Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18 – A Chatrium Collection, has opened its doors offering traditional Thai recipes and signature cocktails in a stylish environment designed to promote relaxation. Sarawut Im-Sup, Metta’s Head Chef, has over 20 years’ culinary experience working at luxury hotels around the world, so he’s a dab hand at rustling up local favourites like Chicken massaman curry, or Pappaya salad with grilled seafood. Open daily 6am-midnight.

POPULAR steakhouse chain El Gaucho is all about high quality meats and an extraordinary buzz generated by a combination of clever interior design, friendly lighting, Latino music, and attentive and efficient staff. Expect to find this same great formula in place at the restaurant’s third branch in Bangkok (it’s others are on Sukhumvit Sois 19 and 11), which has just opened at Ei8ht Thonglor lifestyle mall (Thonglor Soi 8). Despite describing itself as an Argentinian steak restaurant, El Gaucho sources its meat from Australia and the US, and offers premium cuts at reasonable prices. :elgaucho.asia/thailand

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Sukhumv it 18 02 302 57 7 7 :chatrium.com

Vista Bar Terrace

PREMIUM cocktails, tasty snacks, and a laid-back atmosphere are the highlights of this new alfresco bar at the Pathumwan Princess Hotel. Billed as an ‘Urban Retreat,’ the new venue feels far removed from the clamor of the city some eight storeys below, and with moreish highlights such as Salmon fillet burgers, Breaded chicken skewers, and chicken & mushroom pizza rolls on offer, it’s a good place to enjoy a tasty respite from work (or shopping at the MBK Centre, located next to the hotel). Open daily from 6pm-11pm. Happy Hours, 6pm-8pm, offer 50 percent off. 444 MB K C enter, P hayathai Rd. ☎ 02 216 37 00 ex t. 20818 :pprincess.com Strip AD_The Mexican_Dec15.indd 1

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mussels, whole baked king fish, salmon, and Pulpo (octopus) from Spain. And for the perfect fish and chips, the shop has ‘Flake,’ Australia’s favourite fish for making this famous dish. “Try it once and you won’t want to cook fish and chips using another fish again,” says Mr Coombes. For cheese lovers, there are all the great English classics like Stilton, Wensleydale, Gloucestershire, Leicester, and Cheddar, while Food Glorious Food’s traditional Christmas pudding provides the perfect finale to an unforgettable

festive celebration. The shop’s resident master chef is available to cook food orders to a customer’s specification. To place an order, simply log into www.foodglorious-food.com and your Christmas favourites will be delivered to your door the following day. Food Glorious Food, 959 Sukhumvit 71, (Soi Pridi Panomyong 37) Sukhumvit Rd. ☎ 02 382 2301 : foodglorious-food.com

Enjoy a Spanish banquet at home FOOD Glorious Food stocks a wide selection of food from Spain, including Jamón ibérico (plus a range of professional carving stands), cold cuts, olives and condiments. The company’s Spanish chef, Xavier, can prepare a Spanish banquet for you and your friends at your home. Starting at just B5,000 (all ingredients to be purchased from Food Glorious Food. Minimum 10 persons), it’s a fabulous dining experience.

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Dining out

Wo rds H A R V E Y W H I T E

Gourmet Xmas at Wine Pub

Pullman Bangkok King Power’s popular wine bar caps the year with two very special menus

SINCE launching his monthly ‘Chef ’s Table’ menu at the always bustling Wine Pub, Chef Dominique Ferchaud has proved he’s a dab hand at delighting palates with seasonal ingredients presented in new and exciting ways. After recently wowing diners with Chef ’s Table treats such as Seared jumbo shrimp with celeriac and ginger, served with sundried tomatoes and coriander; and Angus beef filet with crispy potato roll, seared mushrooms and rosemary sauce; we were excited about what the festive season would bring. And after sampling a sneak preview of his Xmas cuisine last month, we’re happy to report it’s going to be a cracker. Especially on Christmas Eve (Dec 24) and New Year’s Eve (Dec 31), when the affable French chef will offer two exceptional dinner menus specially created using the best of European produce, all presented with his trademark flair.

Chef Dominique’s four-course Christmas Eve Menu, priced B1,999 per person, begins with a delicious Home smoked salmon topped with coriander and raspberry white balsamic pearls; followed by Seared duck liver on an onion and redcurrant biscuit, celeriac and black trompettes mousseline; and then a choice of either Pan fried filet of sea bass with sautéed girolles mushrooms, spinach flan and basil, or Seared tenderloin of Doe with salsify and chestnuts, black pepper corn and Cognac sauce. Finishing the culinary journey is a lip-smacking Chocolate Xmas cake. His three-course New Year’s Eve Menu, priced just B2,200 per person, is as equally enticing, starting with Marinated red shrimp with pickled vegetables, Mesclun with dill and mustard dressing, followed by Veal chop with black trompettes mushrooms, asparagus, and truffle flavoured mashed

potatoes, and then finished with Chef Dominique’s handcrafted chocolate dessert selection – an elongated plate featuring Dark Origin chocolate mousse with berries and pistachio sauce; Chocolate cake and yogurt ice cream; and Tiramisu in a chocolate cup. Delicious. The festive menus, of course, are not the only highlight at Wine Pub. An extensive a la carte menu featuring hearty European dishes is available daily, as well as a tapas menu with over 23 selections starting at B100 per plate (or a set of nine for B985). Just some of the tapas selections you can expect to enjoy this month include Red mullet brushcietta with herbs; Castelnaudary sausage with chestnut and truffle espuma; and Seared duck liver served with a date and a chocolate biscuit. Just perfect with a glass of wine or two!

W ine P ub, P ullman B angkok K ing P ow er, 8/2 Rangnam Rd, Thanon- P hayathai (free tuk tuk serv ice av ailable from near V ictory Monument B TS) 02 680 9 9 9 9 :pullmanbangkokkingpow er.com

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Dining out

Wo rds C H U T I N A N TA B OON YA M A R N P h o t o s JA R A N L A K K A N AWAT

SCALINI

Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok’s signature Italian restaurant is a great spot for an intimate dinner

FLANKED by well-stocked wine shelves and large chalk drawings of New York City, and decorated in subdued black and mahogany tones, Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok’s signature Italian restaurant is spacious yet intimate, elegant yet convivial, and serves some of the tastiest pastas and risottos in town. Shaping the dining experience at Scalini is its unique concept: an Italian chef has just arrived in 1920s New York with one mission – to impress his guests with great service, fine wines, and exquisite Italian dishes (cooked using the best available ingredients, of course). This time-travelling concept is accomplished with aplomb at Scalini, whose interior blend of mismatched velvet and leather furniture, low lighting, and well-dressed tables oozes timeless sophistication, while contemporary flair comes courtesy of the open

kitchen, where Executive Sous Chef Egidio Latorraca and his culinary team lovingly tend to steaming pots and pans, and create modern interpretations of traditional Italian favourites. Starters such as melt-in-the-mouth Wagyu Beef “Carpaccio” (served with rocket salad and truffle dressing. B580) and Seared Hokkaido scallops (with avocado guacamole, organic tomatoes, cherry vinaigrette, fresh basil. B640) come beautifully presented and rich with flavour. Ditto the Sautéed shellfish (B1,180), in pinot grigio white wine sauce, which is a hearty serving just perfect for two to share. For mains, don’t miss the Risotto Foie Gras (B880), which comes with aquerello rice, porcini mushrooms, foie gras and balsamic reduction – rich and creamy with earthy tones, it’s delicious – and the tongue-tingling Seafood

Hilton Sukhumv it B angkok. 11 Sukhumv it Soi 24.

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☎ 02 620 6666 :sukhumv

Spaghetti (B680) featuring plump tiger prawns, black mussels, spicy marinara sauce, and a pizza dough topping that, when sliced, unleashes all the wonderful aromas contained within. The Snow fish with black mussels sauce (B880++), and Seabass with lemon butter sauce (B740) are also well worth a try. Rounding out the menu is a selection of decadent desserts, including highlights such as Homemade ice cream, light and refreshing Passion fruit panna cotta, Scalini Tiramisu (Scalini’s signature blend of almond, pistachio, egg, saffron and caramel), and a heavenly, moist Chocolate cake. Opt for a choice of three small desserts for B350; or go for a thoroughly indulgent 10 for B1,100. Dinner at Scalini is served daily from 6pm-10pm.

itbangkok.hilton.com

Dining out

Wo rds C H U T I N A N TA B OON YA M A R N P h o t o s JA R A N L A K K A N AWAT

Benihana The Japanese Steakhouse

The world-famous restaurant chain brings its sizzling “eatertainment” to the AVANI Atrium Bangkok

ESTABLISHED in 1964 in New York City, Benihana The Japanese Steakhouse is known throughout the world for its exciting approach to the Teppanyaki dining experience. Visit any of its global branches and you’re guaranteed a feast for the whole senses – especially at the Teppanyaki tables, where chefs slice, dice, sizzle and sear premium quality meat, seafood, and veggies while simultaneously putting on action-packed culinary shows. Intricate knife-works, flamboyant culinary magic, and even a few cheeky jokes are all part of the Benihana The Japanese Steakhouse experience. So is gourmet Japanese cuisine, which, alongside oh-so-delicious steaks and huge chunks of seared fish, also includes some fabulous sushi and sashimi. This thoroughly delicious formula has been implemented with aplomb at Benihana The Japanese Steakhouse’s latest

venture in Bangkok, which offers all of the above and more in a trendy, vibrant restaurant at the AVANI Atrium Bangkok. A striking blend of blacks and reds, marble tables, and well-placed spotlighting creates the perfect foodie theatre for everything this famous restaurant chain has to offer. With Chef Suriyawut Chantakkhun (who has over 25 years of experience in the trade) in charge of the kitchen, the food is top notch too. Teppanyaki (both meat and seafood) ranges in price from B550++ to B3,500++, and every order comes with Japanese onion soup, salad, prawn appetizer, hibachi vegetables and steamed rice. Don’t miss imported beef treats such as the 250g Strip Loin of Japanese Hida Wagyu Beef A4 Grade, and 200g Prime Tenderloin US St. Helen's Beef, or seafood delights such as Norwegian Salmon and Japanese Scallops.

B enihana The J apanese Steakhouse, A V A N I A trium B angkok. 1880 N ew

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P etchburi Rd.

☎ 02 7

As for sushi and sashimi, handcrafted Hamachi (yellowtail), Red Snapper and Japanese scallops are all popular options, but don't miss the restaurant’s signature “Rocky’s” Mountain Sandwich (B400++), a sushi roll featuring spicy salmon, tobiko, Japanese onions, kaiware, rayu sauce and spicy mayonnaise. The Hirame Sashi (B350++), a thinly sliced Japanese flounder served with black tobiko, and lemon olive oil sauce, is also well worth a try. Rounding out the menu is a selection of appetizers, salads, soups, burgers, bento boxes, desserts and a vast range of sake – all reasonably priced, too. Lunch at Benihana The Japanese Steakhouse is served daily from 11.30am-2.30pm, and dinner from 6pm-10.30pm. Teppanyaki tables fill up fast, so book online to avoid disappointment (you can even select your chef ).

18 2023 :av anihotels.com/atrium- bangkok

Dining out

Wo rds H A R V E Y W H I T E

Chez Papé French Bistro

Serving the very best of traditional French food, quality wines and delicious desserts – all at attractive prices

OUR favourite international restaurants in Bangkok are always the ones that create the most convincing illusion that we’re dining in a country other than Thailand – the venues that successfully transport our senses from the raucous, frenetic streets of Bangkok to the national home of whatever cuisine they happen to serve. And so it is with Chez Papé French Bistro. Located in a small sub-soi of Sukhumvit Soi 11, this popular home of classic French cuisine has been carefully designed to evoke the style and atmosphere of traditional French bistros found in the heart of Paris or Lyon. From a Parisian-style outdoor terrace and archetypical black and white floor tiles, to the French artifacts and photographs of French icons that hang on its walls, Chez Papé is as authentic as it gets – right down to the regular crowd of French expats that frequent

the restaurant and prop up the bar most nights of the week. Chez Papé’s owner, Pierre Loïc Brun, a Lyon native, opened the bistro four years ago with the aim of providing authentic, home-style food from every French region and cooked just like his grandmother used to make. And with Chef Laurent Scire in charge of the kitchen, who counts Michelinstarred restaurants among his former workplaces, the rustic, hearty food on offer meets these aims and then some; it’s lipsmackingly delicious. Two large chalkboards hanging on adjacent walls are scrawled with weekly specials (one written in French, one in English) made using seasonal ingredients. While on the table you’ll find a carefully considered two page menu loaded with French comfort food classics. From signature dishes such as Warm Saint Marcellin French cheese with salad, and Eggplant caviar and smoked salmon

C hez P apé F rench B istro, Sukhumv it Soi 11 (a short w alk from N ana B TS station)

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wrap, to Café Gourmand (a classic French combination of espresso and three dessert bites), Braised lamb shank, and Roasted Camembert, all dishes are made with the finest ingredients available, and arrive at the table wellpresented and, when needed, piping hot. On our last visit we tucked into Duck liver foie gras terrine, served with toasted bread, mango and passion fruit (B395++), Seared tuna fillet with pepper and served with sweet potatoes (670++), and Pan-fried pork tenderloin in a French mustard seed sauce, served with sautéed potatoes (B390++). We followed this up with a classic Chocolate mousse (B160++), and left suitably impressed indeed. Chez Papé opens daily for lunch and dinner. Don’t miss its two-course lunch menu, featuring a choice of starter and main course, for only B390++ per person.

☎ 02 255 249

2 :chez pape.com

Dining out

Wo rds H A R VEY W H I T E P h o t o s JA R A N L A K K A N AWAT

The Drunken Leprechaun

More than just a typical Irish boozer

APPEARANCES can be deceiving. That’s certainly the case at The Drunken Leprechaun, which on first glance looks like any typical Irish expat pub (think mahogany furniture, emerald green upholstery, and black walls decorated with rugby regalia and framed limericks) but is actually much more unique than that. Take the concept. The Drunken Leprechaun takes pride in being the only bar in Bangkok which offers full-time employment to dwarfs. These gregarious hosts (decked to resemble Ireland’s mythical leprechauns) are the first to greet you upon arrival. They’re also the first to sing the praises of the concept – which successfully avoids being derogatory – and embrace their roles as entertainers and service staff with gusto. Second, there’s the food and drinks selection, which alongside traditional pub grub like Bangers and mash (B350), Fish and chips (B360), Beef burger and chips (B350) and imported beers, includes some tasty surprises unique to the venue. Nowhere else in town, for instance, can you slurp rich, delicious and boozy

milkshakes such as Irish Winter and Banana Cream Pie (B249), or chomp into a slice of jet black Guinness chocolate cake (B180), or devour Magners or Guinness-infused ice cream (three scoops for B159). While many of The Drunken Leprechaun's savoury dishes can also be found elsewhere, its focus on quality ingredients and careful cooking – as well as hearty, classic recipes that are the culinary equivalent of a big warm hug – ensures its offerings are a step above your average pub fare. Order the Beef and Guinness pie (B420) and you’ll find it’s loaded with large chunks of flavoursome beef and chopped veggies – a real hunger-buster; the Mixed snack platter (B350) comes laden with onion rings, chicken tenders, fish fingers, and breaded mushrooms, all of which go brilliantly with a nice cold pint (it’s also perfect for two or more people to share); and the Lamb chops Emerald Isle style (B590) arrives perfectly cooked and rich with flavour. The pub’s beer selection is varied and features the usual local staples plus

The D runken L eprechaun, F our P oints by Sheraton B angkok, Sukhumv it 15

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☎ 02 309

perfectly poured pints of Kilkenny and Guinness, as well as imported bottled beers like Brewdog Punk IPA and Rogue Dead Guy Ale. Every day from 4pm-8pm, the pub’s ‘Happy Hour’ offers special prices on selected draught and bottled beers, wines, spirits, and cocktails, plus some complimentary snacks. Other great deals include a 'Combo Meal', where you can choose a bottle of beer with either Fish and chips or Beef burger with chips for just B299; 20 percent off Bangers and mash every Tuesday; 10 percent off all food items every Thursday; and a traditional Sunday roast for B400 only. The pub has live music from Monday to Saturday night (check Facebook for lineup), hosts an open mic night every Monday, and shows all the biggest sporting events on wellpositioned screens within the bar, plus a large screen on the back terrace. Located next to the entrance of The Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15, the pub is open daily from 10am-1am.

3255 :facebook.com/D runkenL eprechaunB angkok

Dining out

The Rain Tree Café New and exciting dining pleasures at Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel

AFTER undergoing a dramatic transformation, The Rain Tree Café has re-established itself as one of Bangkok’s most attractive dining venues. Its dining options have also been reconfigured to welcome a new generation of customers to add to a long list of loyal followers. Looking out on to leafy Wireless Road in an area of Bangkok widely regarded as the genuine heart of the city, The Rain Tree Café is unquestionably a beautiful restaurant, easy on the eye and exceptionally pleasant on the taste buds. Conceptually, it comprises three elegant but entirely complementary dining spaces whose access to natural light emphasises the brilliant neo-colonial interior décor. The main dining area, known as ‘The Bronze Kitchen,’ features state-ofthe-art hot and cold buffet counters and kitchens, manned by a multi-national team of chefs. Adjacent is 'The Valaya Room,' an exclusive area designed in the style of a formal library that’s ideal for private dinner parties, high teas and events. Benefitting from the exterior greenery that inspired the restaurant’s name is the ‘Secret Garden,’ a delightful outdoor terrace set around a charming fountain, where guests can dine or simply enjoy the street-side buzz. With hot and cold infusion equipment that ensures every dish reaches

the diner in perfect condition, and at least six established interactive live cooking stations, The Rain Tree Cafe’s reputation as one of Bangkok’s most outstanding international restaurants, renowned for its culinary expertise and gourmet buffets, has been well and truly enhanced. For home-made pastries and cakes, drop by Quick Stop Bakery. For cool and casual drinks, there is the Glaz Bar.

Serious Seafood, every Friday and Saturday Enjoy a bounty of guaranteed fresh seafood, including ‘Fine de Claire’ oysters, crabs, tiger prawns, smoked salmon, mussels, and Alaskan king crab, in The Rain Tree Café’s famous buffet every Friday dinner and Saturday lunch and dinner.

61 W ireless Rd (W itthayu)

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Each diner also receives a complimentary grilled lobster. To underscore the buffet’s international style and authenticity, Thai, Indian, Japanese, European and Cantonese chefs are on hand to prepare a selection of their country’s favourite dishes. In addition to two roasted meat carveries, there are lots of cold cuts, cheeses, soups and salads, as well as a dessert buffet featuring a chocolate fountain with exotic condiments. Available Friday dinner (6pm10.30pm), Saturday lunch (12pm2.30pm) and dinner (6pm-10.30pm). B2,200 net per person including drinking water; B3,200 net per person including free flow of wine, beers, cocktails, illy coffee, and tea. 15% savings for SPG members. Le Club Plaza membership benefits.

☎ 02 650 8800 :plaz aatheneebangkok.com

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per adult; half price for children. New Year’s Eve Lunch Buffet (Dec 31) B1,250++ pp. New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 31) B4,900++ per adult with open bar package; half price for children. New Year’s Day Lunch Buffet (Jan 1) B2,500++ per adult; half price for children.

Grand Hyatt Erawan Tables Grill: Christmas Eve Lunch Set Menu (Dec 24) B850++ pp. Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24) B4,500++ per adult with a welcome drink; half price for children. Christmas Brunch Buffet (Dec 25) B4,200++ per adult including one Piccolo Moët & Chandon for two persons; half price for children. Seafood Market (Dinner. Dec 25) B3,999++ per adult including beverage package; B1,750++ per child. New Year’s Seafood Extravaganza Dinner (Dec 31) B5,500++ per adult with a glass of Moët & Chandon; B2,270++ per child. The Dining Room: Christmas Eve Lunch Buffet (Dec 24) B1,250++ per adult; B625++ per child. Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24) B4,500++ per adult inclusive of open bar; half price for children. Christmas Brunch Buffet (Dec 25) B3,300++ per adult; half price for children. Christmas Dinner Buffet (Dec 25) B3,200++

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Spasso: Christmas Eve Lunch Buffet (Dec 24) B850++ pp. Dinner Set Menu (Dec 24) B3,000++ pp with open bar package. Christmas Brunch Buffet (Dec 25) B2,800++ pp. Dinner Set Menu (Dec 25) B2,500++ pp. New Year’s Eve four-course dinner at B5,400++ per adult. Erawan Tea Room: Christmas Eve Afternoon Tea Set (Dec 24) B699 per set. Thai Buffet (Dec 24) B1,300++ pp. Thai Dinner Buffet (Dec 24) B1,500++ pp. Christmas Afternoon Tea Set (Dec 25) B699 per set. Thai Lunch Buffet (Dec 25) B1,300++ pp. Thai Dinner Buffet (Dec 25) B1,300++ pp. New Year’s Eve Afternoon Tea Set (Dec 31) B699 per set. Thai Lunch Buffet (Dec 31) B1,300++ pp. Thai Dinner Buffet (Dec 31) B2,500++ pp. New Year’s Afternoon Tea Set (Dec 31) B699 per set. Thai Lunch Buffet (Dec 31) B1,300++ pp.

Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit 57th Street: Christmas Eve Dinner (Dec 24). B2,800 pp for food only; B3,800 pp inclusive of free flow sparkling wine, red/white wine, and local beer. Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25). B2,900 pp for food only; B3,900 pp inclusive of free flow sparkling wine, red/white wine, and local beer. New Year’s Eve Buffet (Dec 31). B3,500 pp; or B4,500 pp inclusive of free flow sparkling wine, red/white wine, and local beer.

Octave: New Year’s Eve Countdown Party. Ranges from B8,900 pp to B12,900 pp depending on package. Public entry from 9pm is B3,000 pp with mini Moët bottle.

The Breezeway: New Year’s Eve ‘Faces of the Erawan’ Dinner Buffet (Dec 31) B4,500++ per adult inclusive of open bar package; half price for children.

The District Grill Room & Bar: Fivecourse menu (Dec 24). B3,800 pp for food only. Christmas Day ‘Champagne Brunch’ (Dec 25). B5,500 pp with free flow champagne, red/white wine, and local beer. Five-course Dinner Menu (Dec 31). B6,500 pp for food only.

☎ 02 254 1234 :bangkok.grand.hyatt.com

☎ 02 7 9 7

0000 :bangkokmarriott.com

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Season's Eatings Festive dining at a glance

InterContinental Bangkok

Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit

Maya: New Year’s Eve sumptuous buffet and open bar (Dec 31) B2,999++ pp; B1,499++ for kids aged 6-12. New Year’s Eve Countdown Party with late night Biryani Buffet and open bar (Dec 31) B1,799++ pp; B899++ for kids aged 6-12.

Espresso: Special Christmas Dinner Buffet (Dec 24-26) B2,599++ pp (half price for kids aged 6-12). Christmas Day Lunch Buffet (Dec 25) B2,599++ pp (half price for kids aged 6-12). New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet with live band (Dec 31) B3,150++ pp (half price for kids aged 6-12). New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet and Party at Oasis (Dec 31) B4,999++ pp (half price for kids aged 6-12). New Year’s Day Lunch Buffet (Jan 1) B1,999++ pp (half price for kids aged 6-12). Three add-on free-flow bubbly packages are available, starting at B1,399++ pp for the Prosecco Package.

Zeta Café: Christmas Eve Dinner (Dec 24) B999++ pp; B499++ for kids aged 6-12. Christmas Day Brunch and Dinner Buffet (Dec 25) B999++ pp; B499++ for kids aged 6-12 (add B799++ for free flow beverage package). Zeta Café Poolside: New Year’s Eve Party with international buffet (Dec 31) B1,699++ pp; B849++ for kids aged 6-12 (add B799++ for free flow beverage package).

☎ 02 683 4888 :bit.ly/1uzi 8x T

Fireplace Grill: Winter Wonderland five-course set dinner (Dec 24-25) B4,888++ pp for food only. Christmas Lunch (Dec 25-26) B2,599++ pp for food only. New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner (Dec 31) B5,288++ pp for food only. No kids’ menu available. Theo Mio: A-la-carte menus with festive specialties are available on Dec 24-25 & 31.

☎ 02 656 0444 :bangkok.intercontinental.com

Millennium Hilton Bangkok

Flow: Festive Buffet Dinner (Dec 24) B3,200 pp. Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25) B2,800 pp, and Dinner B2,200 pp. Sunday Festive Brunch (Dec 27) B2,500 pp. New Year’s Eve ‘Spectacular Spectacular’ Dinner Party (Dec 31) B8,000 pp for extravagant buffet; B2,000 pp for drinks packages. New Year’s Day Lunch Buffet (Jan 1) B1,800 pp, and Dinner B2,000 pp. Lantern Café: New Year’s Eve Buffet Indulgence (Dec 31). B5,000 pp. Prime: Christmas special set menu (Dec 24-25) B3,800 pp. Five-course set menu (Dec 31) B4,500 pp. New Year five-course set menu (Jan 1) B7,500 pp with wine pairings.

H2O: New Year Eve’s ‘Fifty Shades of The Continent’ themed five-course dinner (Dec 31) B3,500++ pp with a complimentary bottle of bubbly. Medinii: Christmas Eve Five-course Dinner Set (Dec 24) B1,999++ pp with a glass of Prosecco; B2,999++ pp with wine pairing. Christmas Day Lunch (Dec 25) B999++ pp. New Year Eve’s ‘Fifty Shades of The Continent’ themed five-course dinner (Dec 31) B3,500++ pp with a complimentary bottle of bubbly. Sky Bar & Lounge: New Year Eve’s ‘Fifty Shades of The Continent’ themed five-course dinner (Dec 31) B3,500++ pp with a complimentary bottle of bubbly.

☎ 02 686 7 000 :thecontinentdining.com

J’AIME by JeanMichel Lorain

Yuan: Six-course set menu (Dec 31) B2,900 pp.

☎ 02 442 8888 :bit.ly/139 Rx j l

☎ 02 119

ThreeSixty Outdoor Lounge: Picnic hampers (Dec 24-25) B4,000 per couple; B6,000 per couple with a bottle of Chandon. New Year’s Eve ‘Pop Till You Drop’ with free flow drinks packages and live DJs (Dec 31) B10,000 pp with one mini Moët.

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Axis & Spin: New Year Eve’s ‘Fifty Shades of The Continent’ themed five-course dinner (Dec 31) B3,500++ pp with a complimentary bottle of bubbly; B12,000++ for four persons with two bottles of alcohol and mixers.

Five-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Lunch (Dec 24-25) B2,799 pp with drinking water, tea and coffee. Seven-course Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner (Dec 24-25) B3,399 pp with a glass of sparkling wine. New Year’s Eve eight-course French degustation menu (Dec 31) B4,999 pp with a glass of sparkling wine.

ThreeSixty Jazz Lounge: Christmas celebration (Dec 24-25) B6,000 per couple inclusive of ‘sharing platter,’ a bottle of Chandon Brut, and live jazz entertainment. New Year’s Eve five-course set menu (Dec 31) B15,000 pp with free flow wines, spirits, and one mini Moët.

The Continent Hotel Bangkok

489 9

:j aime- bangkok.com

Nominee Thailand International Business Awards

2016

Businessman: Paul Greenhalgh

Building a global presence for the past 22 years

By Maxmilian Wechsler

PAUL Greenhalgh is an Englishman who came to Thailand in his mid-20s by way of Dubai. He has had remarkable success in building a rewarding professional and private life in a country that he admits overwhelmed him at first. The 48-year-old specialist in Construction Services with integrated manufacturing of related products has been working for Trepax Innovation Company (TIC) in Samut Prakan province since 1994. “Working in Dubai was like being on holiday and being paid for it; it was all expats and everything was nice and new. Suddenly coming to Thailand to live was a bit of a culture shock, especially as it was quite different from today.” The ease and comfort he now feels in his adopted country are partly due to its rapid modernization, but more to changes in his personal philosophy and attitudes that allowed him to adapt to the new circumstances. “I am from a small town outside of Manchester called Heywood. The area I come from in the northwest of

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England is very working class. It was the centre of the industrial revolution. Most of the original industries, like the cotton mills, are long gone. The towns in that area all came from the wool and cotton industry, but since it went into decline other things are going on now. “Just out the door of our house in Heywood is countryside. It is quite nice there. The town itself is a typical northern small working class town. I studied in a government primary school and high school, and when I left school at 17 the economic climate was very bad. There weren’t many jobs around, but I was lucky to find employment with Master Builders Technologies, a company that helped prepare me for what I’m doing now. They put me in a course on polymer technology. I worked for the company in England for several years, studying and working at the same time. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Polymer Science, and in December 1992 they transferred me to Dubai where they had a relatively new business.

“We were making construction chemicals for buildings, including admixtures, repair materials, waterproofing and flooring materials. I worked in the research and development department. That business was fundamental in supporting the construction boom in the UAE and beyond. “I worked in Dubai for about two years. During that time a friend put me in touch with the group of Thais I am still working with. They were using materials we manufactured for their specialist construction contracting services and they wanted to start manufacturing their own materials. I first came here to meet them. “As I said, I loved Dubai. I was single and on my own. I was employed by a big, established company and I could expect to have a good career. But being naive or stupid, I decided to come here in 1994 anyway to set up and run the manufacturing operations. Something inside me wanted to do something on my own. It wasn’t about money. I just wanted to be in charge of my own destiny and future rather than work for someone else. “At that time, I really didn’t like Thailand. It wasn’t attractive to me whatsoever. In contrast, Dubai was like a Disneyworld, a playground near the beach with a good expat lifestyle. In 1994 Thailand was already one of the economic tigers of the region and things were going up quite fast. The traffic was horrendous already. “Also, in Dubai there was

no need to try to learn Arabic; everybody in the business world spoke English. I was used to working with multi-national companies with westerners or western-educated staff, and suddenly I was working with Thai people who didn’t speak English so well and were also culturally quite different. So I wasn’t sure I did the right thing at first. But things change and so do people. I am now very happy here.” Building the foundation “TIC was a lot smaller when I joined the company. They gave me stocks, so I became a shareholder straight-away. This was one of the big attractions of coming here. I started by basically building the manufacturing part of the business. In the first years it was a struggle, but once the foundation was established it was much easier to grow from there. I would say that around 12 of the 22 years I have been in Thailand I was building the foundation, which included coming to understand Thai culture, how to work and do things here, and build a network and relationships with suppliers and customers. Once you achieve all that you can go forward very easily and quickly, and that’s been the case in recent years. “Originally we were operating only in Thailand, but about ten years ago we started to expand outside the country. Essentially, we are specialist contractors and work on the principle of selling solutions. Our main markets consist of resin flooring, waterproofing

systems, structural repair, am in charge of international corrosion protection and wear business. I run an office protection. We get a lot of in Malaysia and two in repeat business. Vietnam. Our market is “I left the manufacturing mainly in Southeast Asian end after putting a good countries but sometimes we management team in have opportunities in other place and then focused on countries as well, including in developing the company’s Africa and the Middle East. international business. This “If it is attractive, interesting really took off with the mining and of value to our clients then and infra-structure boom, and we will go there. I travel a lot, I cultivated a strong customer always on an airplane. The and peer network that has farthest place from Thailand I allowed many opportunities have worked is the Democratic to come to our doorstep. I Republic of Congo.” often get calls out of the blue that may lead to multi-million Recipe for success dollar projects. “We deliver an “I am married, but that story exceptional service and our would fill the magazine,” said customers trust us to take Paul. “What I think is interesting away the hassles of a very about my experience in specialized and important area Thailand is not that I have done of their projects. Needless to well in business, but that I have say, this wouldn’t be possible stayed with the same group without a highly motivated of Thai people for 22 years. and skilled team. We are not Most expats I know start their afraid of thinking outside own businesses or maybe the box, or of going places they work for an international where others don’t dare. We company. The ones that work regularly work in locations so for Thai companies may last remote that it’s an adventure two or three years, then there just to get there. is a disagreement and parting “I don’t think too much of ways. about the title on my name “I have learned to adapt. card. I wear many different I understand Thainess and hats and I am not afraid to the Thai style. I am not totally get my hands dirty. There fluent in the language but I are four Thai partners and speak quite well 3:13 and also read Strip AD_Nok Air_Dec15.pdf 1 11/28/15 PM myself, and we each have and write a bit. I have a very different responsibilities. I special place in my heart for

Thailand, Thai people and the Thai culture. “One of the things I try to do is to put myself in other people’s shoes and look at things from their perspective. Thai and Western cultures and ways of thinking are different, and much of the success I have had comes down to understanding that and adapting.” Paul believes the “service mind” – that is, a natural inclination to do things for others – is one aspect of Thailand he likes most. “Customers love our company because we are very service orientated, and we have made it more professional through the use of Western ideas and concepts. As a result we get a lot of repeat business. “One reason I have been so successful at Trepax is that I am not afraid to do something different. I also could not be successful without good people beside and behind me. We have about 120 full-time staff, and depending on how busy we are we may employ up to 300 workers at a time. We also do business in four or five countries at once. “Compromise is very important, and it doesn’t mean bending over. In Asia there is a famous saying that I like very much: ‘The reason why bamboo can grow everywhere

is because it can bend with the wind.’ I never compromise my beliefs, but I do adapt to suit the situation that I am in. “Even though I am in business and support consumerism as a concept, deep down I hate it. It spoils people. Once you get into the rat race you are never satisfied, no matter what you may have. “I believe in and enjoy what I do, which is providing a service to customers which they are prepared to pay for. Some people do it the other way around. For them money is the motivating factor. For me money is more like a side product that comes from something I just love to do. I am quite happy to carry on with what I am doing. I want to build the business and I want the company to go on after I am gone, a kind of legacy. I want it to be here for the next generation of the Trepax family. “You have to consider how many people the company provides for. Workers usually have spouses and children and they may be providing support for extended family members. I think that employers here have a different level of responsibility than what you typically see in the West. Some business owners may not accept this responsibility but I certainly do.”

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Nominee Thailand International Business Awards

2016

Entrepreneur: Matthew Harrison

Focusing on building exteriors By Maxmilian Wechsler

AFTER 16 years at the helm of the Bangkok-based company Civil Master International (CMI), co-founder and managing director Matthew Harrison couldn’t be happier with his professional and private life in Thailand. “I have discovered that as long as you are careful, doing business here as an expat is far easier than you might be led to believe by some of the horror stories in the media.” CMI, an architectural contracting company, operating mostly in Bangkok, specializes in virtually anything that involves the exterior of major buildings, including façade renovation, repainting, and repairs. Thanks to a combination of factors, it is clearly ticking all the boxes. “I have good friends and business partners, as well as an excellent staff, which all contribute to my success,” says Matt. “Being able to speak and read Thai also

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helps a lot as it helps to gain respect from Thai customers. Business is all about trust and maintaining relationships with old clients and building them with new ones.” Matt was born near Hull in the northeast of England in 1971, but his family moved south to Ipswich six years later where he spent the rest of his childhood and teens. I was destined from an early age to be in construction. When I was a boy I loved to build things from wood I found in the garden in back of my family home. “I went through school and college and was recruited by a large construction company, called at that time John Laing, to undergo training as a civil engineer. I spent four years with them and at the same time earned my engineering qualifications. After completing my contract with John Laing, I decided to go freelance,” said Matt.

“I did site engineering and took on various projects around the UK for a few years, including the Sizewell B nuclear power station and the Severn Bridge in Bristol. In 1994 I decided I wanted to see the world and work outside the UK. In December of that year I took a job in Bangkok as a building inspector at Future Park Rangsit, which was then under construction. I was on a six-month contract and during that period I fell in love with Thailand. “Shortly before my contract finished, I met my Thai wife-to-be. I went back to the UK for about two months and returned to Thailand in August 1995. I have been here ever since. I worked for a Thai construction company for a year and a half and then took a job with a German-run construction company. I was with them for almost two years. When the financial crisis hit in 1997-1998

I struggled along with the company as long I could but ultimately it collapsed. “I took a couple of temporary jobs but I was basically ready to pack my bags and return to the UK, when in 1999 I bumped into a good Thai friend whom I had previously worked with. He suggested we set up a new business together. At the time some people were probably saying it wasn’t the right time for such a bold move, but after I gave it some thought I was all in. We formed CMI in November 1999, exactly 16 years ago, and time has shown that we made the right move. “I am the managing director and major shareholder of the CMI. There are now three other Thai partners but I basically run the business. The relation with my partners is excellent. I am also on the board of directors of the Civil Mater Group (CMG), which is comprised of 12 other companies, all of which provide construction related services. The head office of CMI is located in Bangkok. We are on the 4th floor and other floors are taken by companies

under CMG. CMI also has a branch office in Phuket to cover our southern operations. “CMI has altogether 35 Thai staff and three expats including myself. We are an architectural contracting company. Most of our projects are in Bangkok and around Thailand. Primarily, we do pretty much anything that involves the exterior of the building. We are involved in the construction of new buildings, but most of our work is the renovation of old ones. We are specialists in façade renovation, repainting, repairing, window re-sealing on high-rise condominiums, hotels, hospitals, office buildings and resorts. “Over the years we have built up an excellent customer base which includes high-end hotel brands. We also work with embassies. For example, we have just completed the renovation of the Dutch embassy, both the residence and the chancellery. We don’t do

design work but we can support the design if the customer wants to upgrade or make changes. “Another part of the business is importing and installing specialized roofing materials, mostly for resorts and residential projects. We import from companies in Canada. A third area of the business is importing and installing specialized concrete coatings from Australia that are used for swimming pools. The coating incorporates glass beads to make the pool very reflective and beautiful.” Matt travels a lot within Thailand. “Every Thursday I fly down to Phuket to see how things are down there. I am off to Phuket in the morning and return to Bangkok in the evening. I also often see customers or visit projects in Hua Hin, Pattaya and Chiang Mai. “We also work in other countries. I just came back from Da Nang in Vietnam where we did a swimming

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pool project. We have done projects in Maldives, and a little work in Myanmar, Singapore and Cambodia. “Business is very good and has been steadily increasing year after year. Over the past five years we’ve seen an average turnover increase of around ten percent per year, although this has slowed a bit in 2015 because of the economic effects on the hotel and resort industry. I want to expand the business more in the region but I want to do it slowly. We are looking with interest at setting up branches in Vietnam and Myanmar down the line.” Asked which Southeast Asian country is best to do business, Matt replied: “Singapore is a very easy place to get around and a good place to do business. But there are also plenty of opportunities in Thailand. It is relatively easy to get around, you can fly easily to most destinations and the roads are

pretty good. The customer base potential for business is still very promising.” Matt is happily married. “We have two sons. Our eldest son studies in the UK and our youngest goes to school in Bangkok. I enjoy the weekends. I love to travel, to take journeys around Thailand and go abroad. To keep fit I like to eat good food and cycle. I have a couple of bicycles and go for a ride whenever I have the time. I exercise a little and play football. “As for hobbies, I love cars, and I love to restore cars. I have the facilities and equipment here to do the restorations, although it’s a little more challenging than in the UK. Actually, I look at my work as a kind of hobby because it’s something I love to do. I have enjoyed the entire experience of running CMI. There is never a dull moment for me because there’s always some aspect or development of the work that holds my interest.”

9/23/15 9:05 AM

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Expat

Motoring

Performance enhanced BMW 420d M Sport aces road test

By Maxmilian Wechsler

MPORTED from Germany and launched in Thailand in July 2014, the BMW 420d Coupé M Sport boasts outstanding handling and execution – qualities which feel even better thanks to the M Performance Power Kit offered by the Millennium Auto dealership. That’s the conclusion I came to after road testing a 420d M Sport with the M Kit for five days, both in congested Bangkok sois and on the open road, and in all kinds of weather conditions, including heavy winds and rain. When I saw the sporty Coupé for the first time at Millennium’s dealership in Ladprao, I was immediately smitten. I couldn’t wait to get behind the wheel. After getting in and closing the door, I was a little startled when the seat belt automatically came to me. This innovation, available only on a few BMW models, is called “belt handover.” I really like the convenience of this feature, and it is extended to front seat passengers as well. Well done. Another feature I adore (that is now available on all BMW models) is the start/stop technology. Every time the car comes to a stop the engine automatically switches off, and restarts after you have placed your foot on the accelerator pedal. This fuel-saving function can be switched off for those who don’t feel comfortable with it.

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You can learn how to use these and other features after just a few minutes thanks to the simple and practical layout of the console. The cabin is quite comfortable with seats that fit the body very well. The blue 420d Coupé M sport loaned out by Millennium Auto attracted a lot of attention from motorists and pedestrians wherever I drove it, partly because of the unique decorative stickers designed specifically for this test car by Danop Limpasathaporn, an accessories specialist at Millennium.

As you would expect from BMW, the acceleration, braking and steering are marvelous, and these were accentuated by Millennium’s performance Kit (see box story). Throughout the five-day road test the car sailed along quietly without any hiccups, as if bolted to the surface of the road. It doesn’t

swerve in a curve and the acceleration is remarkable. More important, the brake system is spectacularly responsive. In fact this is what impressed me most about the car: When you hit the brake pedal in a real or simulated emergency, the 420d comes to a quick stop and, most importantly, in a straight line. When the weather turned stormy the car continued to perform exceptionally well, so much so that I felt little need for extra caution as I barreled down the highway through very heavy rain and strong winds. The windshield design and state-of-the-art wipers banished water immediately and the steering was so responsive that I could control the wheel with one finger if I wished. The car kept to its straightforward course without a hint of deviation, and it felt safe

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M Performance Kit in focus THE M Performance Power Kit consists of a high-gloss black radiator grille, dual spoke 624M 20inch forged wheel with run flat tires, carbon exterior mirrors, rear carbon spoiler, high performance brakes, real diffuser and tail exhaust pipe, and a modulator that can push engine muscle up to 200 horsepower. Millennium Auto is offering a substantial discount on the M Performance Kit until the end of December. A Performance Kit is also available for 4 Series models with gasoline engines.

and comfortable inside the cabin. No car review is complete without some negatives, so here goes: I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t like the shaking every time the engine switched on from its auto stop function. Second, I was hoping the 4 Series CoupĂŠ would have some significant exterior design changes to distinguish it from the 3 Series, but this is not the case. Then again, the look is still a winner, and the handling, technological prowess and overall driving experience, not to mention the low fuel consumption of the 420d, should make this model a popular choice in Thailand. More information on the 4 Series M Sport or the M Performance Kit is available from Millennium Auto at their Bangkok or three upcountry dealerships.

11/19/15 9:51 AM

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Expat Women

Profile

From Beauty Queen to mental health specialist By Scott Murray

FTER graduating from medical school, Apisamai ‘Birth’ Srirangsan found herself with three months to wait before the start of her residency training. To fill in time, her high school teacher encouraged Birth to enter the Miss Thailand Universe contest. She ended up winning the crown, and subsequently represented this country in the 1999 Miss Universe beauty pageant, held in Trinidad Tobago. Today, Birth is a trained psychiatrist and Director of Bangkok Hospital’s Mental Rehabilitation and Recovery Center (BMRC). It’s clearly been an unusual but interesting journey for this delightful Bangkok-based lady. Growing up in Nakhon Pathom, she dreamed of being like Porntip ‘Bui’ Nakhirunkanok, Thailand’s popular Miss Universe winner in 1988. Little did she think she’d eventually emulate her idol. From school at Satri Witthaya high, Birth went directly to medical school, deciding she had a better chance of making a career as a doctor than as an artist, her other career choice. But she didn’t enjoy her first two years of medical study and told her mother that she wanted to be a social worker instead. Her mother encouraged her to stick with it, and in her fourth year, she started to see patients when she was posted to Khon Kaen University, a nine-hour drive from Bangkok. This was before the government’s health insurance reform, so poor people who were ill couldn’t afford to pay for many health services. Birth was deeply affected by these people, who seemed to care less about their pain than what would happen to their families and how they could pay their bills. There was one particular incident where a child and her family were resigned to the young girl’s death because they couldn’t afford an appendectomy; Birth’s mother stepped in and paid the bill.

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While in Khon Kaen, Birth began to notice psychiatrists working with latestage cancer and AIDS patients, making them smile, talking to them about issues like politics and the environment. “Just through talking, without any equipment, they were fixing violent patients, suicidal patients, patients without hope, families who couldn’t talk to anyone else because of the sensitive nature of

the problems they were dealing with. They were making a difference through communication,” Birth recalls. So in her fifth year of residency Birth decided she wanted to be a psychiatrist, even though her supervisor tried to talk her out of it saying she could make more money as a neurosurgeon or a dermatologist, and that society’s perceptions of psychiatrists are that they

are “weird” and that after a while she would get bored with it. But she persisted. Thailand admits only 20 new psychiatrists a year to its residency program and each resident has three supervisors, or practicing psychiatrists. Birth estimates there are only 400 psychiatrists for a country of 60 million plus. Birth grew up as a tomboy. In grade six, only two boys in the school were bigger than her, so when her classmates had trouble with bullies they turned to her for help. Birth’s reputation as protector continued through medical school. She didn’t pay much attention to make-up or dressing up, so the Miss Universe pageant turned her life around. It proved a huge adjustment, involving a great amount of stress. There were doubts as to how capable a psychiatrist a beauty queen could be. There was even a live TV show where people could vote on whether Dr Birth should be a psychiatrist, or not. Luckily, she received lots of support from friends, family, the Department of Mental Health and Khon Kaen University. Birth realizes she was thrown into the fire back then in order to test her mettle. Today, when screening mental health care workers, she doesn’t only look for intelligent doctors, but kind and tolerant physicians and professionals as well. The BMRC has been open for two years. Before that Birth worked for 10 years at the Department of Mental Health. She says that mental health services are limited in Thailand due to the lack of psychiatrists and proper care facilities. Some psychiatric hospitals have 1,000 beds, some shunted right next to each other, so there’s little privacy and only a few attending doctors. She compares some of these hospitals to the asylums in the West decades ago. Birth says Thailand has done well with mental health rehabilitation using agricultural activity, exercise and occupational therapy to help people regain their mental health. Working at a public hospital, Birth sees up to 30 patients a day, each for only a few minutes at a time, so the best she can do is to give them a diagnosis, dispense medication and warn of any sideeffects. She doesn’t have time to talk to the patients about other important issues affecting their mental state such as abuse by a husband, or a son’s drug addiction, or financial problems. Birth often visits hospitals on the weekend so she can spend more time with her patients.

Birth also worked at Srithanya Psychiatric Hospital (formerly known as Nonthaburi Mental Hospital), the biggest psychiatrist hospital in the country. Patients’ homes could be hundreds of kilometers away, so the family was not always present during treatment. If the patient showed any violent tendencies, the family were sometimes reluctant to take them back, not knowing how to care for them properly. Says Birth: “Medication alone isn’t the answer, you need rehabilitation, pyscho-

loved ones suffering from mental illness. In Canada, she experienced the ‘Recovery Model’ in which every patient is treated with respect moving towards their goal. “It’s not just about focusing on symptom management (such as insomnia, depression and hearing voices),” she says. “It’s more about focusing on a patient’s strengths and achievements. “Many patients have given up hope, they have no self-esteem. Rather than asking them about their pain and how much cocaine they’ve used this week, we

social intervention, family education – the family has to be part of the care.” In 2007, Birth took a Fellowship with the University of Toronto and was posted to the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences in Whitby, whose director Peter Prendergast has a close relationship with the Thai Department of Mental Health. Birth’s team at Ontario Shores included a Somali psychiatrist, a pharmacist from Iran and a psychologist from Hong Kong, well-representing Toronto’s multi-ethnicity. Birth modeled the BMRC after the program she interned with in Canada. Reflecting on her time in Canada, Birth says: “Knowledge is everywhere, but you must find someplace you can live easily and have good friends. I found that in Canada; the people were lovely. Toronto has a strong Asian connection, and I consider it my second home.” Returning to Thailand, Birth once again faced the problems she had encountered while working at public psychiatric institutions. Families weren’t given the opportunity to care for their

ask them who they are and what their dreams are. When the practitioner shows hope in the patient, it helps patients to believe in themselves.” At Bangkok Hospital, Birth has access to psychologists, psychotherapists, social workers, occupational therapists, music therapists as well as drama and movement therapists, many of whom have studied abroad. Many mental health specialists in the region can only dream about that kind of support. Initially working alone at BMRC, Birth now has five full-time and 15 parttime psychiatrists. She also has one full-time psychologist, three part-time, as well as a part-time drama therapist, music therapist and occupational therapist. She stresses the BMRC is geared towards helping people who want more than having to wait four hours to talk to a psychiatrist for five minutes. The BMRC plays a key role in overall hospital care as it can provide comfort for a whole range of patients suffering from mental anxiety over a terminal disease, a disabling injury or the loss of a loved one.

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School Report

Traill

Developing Primary Student Leaders Jane Griffiths, Vice Principal & Head of Primary at Traill International School Bangkok, explains how the school encourages young pupils to take charge

enabling them to nurture the younger children during their breaks, be peer mentors and supporters and ensure safe and happy playtimes. 3. Primar y Head Students: Each student should be a role model for every child in the primary school. They are our ‘all round’ good students, with a mature and positive outlook towards school life. We know that, when given the opportunity, students can have a profound impact on their schools. Involvement in AT Traill International School we believe that all students have the right and the potential to develop and demonstrate leadership skills over time. Beginning with our youngest children, leadership is encouraged and developed throughout the school. Our approach involves opportunities which encourage students to: • Act in roles of responsibility with integrity and honesty • Foster a sense of vision and purpose • Work with others to determine and achieve collective goals • Take on responsibilities and use decision-making skills • Be active, reflective listeners • Earn the respect of others through their actions

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In addition to the traditional roles of a school Student Council representative, leadership opportunities are developed from the Early Years upwards. From various Class Monitor roles, KG Buddies, leading assemblies etc., all these roles foster a supportive “family” ethos, where older children feel empowered and naturally support and nurture their younger peers. Seeing the positive impact of our young ‘leaders,’ last year three new roles were created for our Year 6 students, each developing different skills. 1. Primar y House Captains: These students should have an academic and sports’ talent, as well as the ability to organise others. 2. Playground Pals: These students should have a mature and caring nature,

student leadership activities can improve students’ learning as well as helping them to develop the skills and traits needed for success both inside and outside of the classroom. www.traillschool.ac.th

Expat Women

Insight

Last Night of the Proms 2015

SHREWSBURY International School hosted the 2015 edition of its annual Last Night of the Proms concert on Thursday October 29. Setting a new Proms record, nearly 600 guests, including specially-invited friends from Bangkok’s international schools, embassies, Shrewsbury Governors, and sponsors gathered together to enjoy Shrewsbury’s renowned hospitality and an uplifting musical programme that reflected this year’s

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theme, Carpe Diem. The first item, the Magnificent Seven, originally a score from Akira Korosawa’s iconic 1954 movie, Seven Samurai, set the tone for an evening of exceptional musical performances from Shrewsbury’s symphony orchestra and choirs. Director of Music, Ken Haggarty, and Director of Choral, Ben Hur, ensured that there was plenty of variety throughout the 15-piece programme, with items ranging from Edward Elgar to Andrew Lloyd Webber. However, the performance of Karl Jenkins’ “Benedictus” marked a particularly special point in the evening, as Year 13 music scholar, Gun Chaikittiwatana, was handed the conducting baton in the final Proms performance. Gun heads to Oberlin College in America to continue his musical studies next year.

Once again the school joined forces with renowned UK Music ensemble, Ex Cathedra, who added their own touch of class to proceedings, in a week where they also led a number of lively and hugely enjoyable singing workshops throughout the school. Meanwhile, John Moore, Director of Music at Shrewsbury’s sister school in the UK, was given the honour of closing the concert with traditional Proms favourites Land of Hope and Glory, Rule Britannia, and Jerusalem, accompanied by the audience who were singing and waving flags. The Proms experience was capped with post-concert cocktails and a spectacular fireworks display that lit the night sky over the school and Bangkok’s iconic Chao Phraya river. The memorable event was generously supported by 2015 event sponsor, Jaguar Land Rover. www.shrewsbury.ac.th

Expat Women

Insight

Divorce in Thailand: What foreign couples need to know Mismatched expectations have led many foreigners to lose faith in the Thai Family Court, when in truth, failures in communication and understanding is what actually leads to perceived injustices, write Sasirusm B. Chunhakasikarn and David Lawrence of regional law firm Tilleke & Gibbins

IVORCE in Thailand is becoming more common among Thais, Thaiforeign couples, and foreign couples. In the past, most divorces handled by our firm were between a foreign man and a Thai woman, with the occasional high-profile Thai divorce. Recently, however, the number of Thai couples divorcing and the number of foreign couples seeking divorce while residing in the Kingdom have significantly increased. The focus of this article is foreign couples – and to a lesser extent Thaiforeign couples – as they tend to bring their home jurisdiction expectations to a Thai divorce, which can lead to serious difficulties between the parties and with their respective lawyers. This article provides a comparative perspective to foreign couples contemplating divorce in Thailand, so they may plan and adjust their expectations accordingly.

Divorce in the West Divorce in the West varies widely from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but most tend to have some basic principles in common. A few of these basic principles are as follows. • Grounds for Divorce: Just as parties have the right to get married, the right to divorce has been embodied in practice, if not in principle. No-fault or irreconcilable differences are common methods for divorcing in the West. Courts are reluctant to even address matters of adultery or to

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dig through the “he said, she said” issues of why the parties are seeking a divorce. • Presumption of Joint Child Custody: Most courts presume that the parties are entitled to joint custody of children and the courts are authorized to award joint custody over the objection of either party, absent exceptional circumstances. • Leveling the Playing Field between the Parties: Courts have long recognized that most families have a single breadwinner, and therefore the courts are authorized to issue temporary orders to reallocate family resources to the financially disadvantaged spouse and preliminarily determine other rights. Courts regularly issue temporary orders of custody, visitation, support, alimony, property possession, and interim attorneys’ fees to ensure that one party does not abuse

their financial position to obtain an unfair advantage or outcome. Importantly, these orders are regularly and easily enforced through the courts’ contempt powers. • Court Intervention in Parties’ Problems: Emergency motions seeking urgent court assistance to compel one party to undertake an act, such as deliver the passports of a child for an agreed vacation, are extremely common and effective tools. • Discovery and Standards for Determining Support: Both parties are often required to complete financial disclosure statements very early in the proceedings. In addition, failing to fully disclose information, secreting assets, or diverting income is often swiftly and harshly punished by the court. Those financial disclosure statements are then used to calculate a base amount of

child support, usually a percentage of net income per child, plus the equitable division of various other expenses. • Formal Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures: Courts have professional mediators on staff to work with the parties to try to settle the cases. And more recent efforts, such as collaborative law, push parties toward an amicable, manageable process resulting in less emotional damage to the parties and their children. In our experience, these factors have the most significant impact on our clients’ expectations and decisions. They often come into divorce proceedings in Thailand with an expectation that the process and outcomes will be similar to the West, when in fact Thai Family Courts operate under different laws, procedures, and practices.

Divorce in Thailand For clients who are unfamiliar with the details of Thai divorce law, the following are some of the key issues that differ from the West. • Grounds for Divorce: Except where the parties’ marriage is registered in Thailand, there is no right to divorce and the law takes a more traditional view requiring a party to cite one of various specified grounds for divorce including adultery, desertion, separation, serious abuse, and mental torture, among others. These grounds are taken seriously by the courts, are often technical in nature, and must be proven or admitted by one party before the court will grant a divorce. • No Presumption of Joint Child Custody: Thai courts are not authorized to award joint custody unless the parties reach a settlement agreement on all of the issues. In other words, if the case goes to trial and there is no settlement, the court is forced to decide on sole custody for one party or the other. • Little Leveling of the Playing Field between the Parties: Managing resources is an important aspect of divorce litigation in Thailand. While extreme cases may warrant court intervention, the parties are generally expected to fund their own litigation and living expenses while the proceedings are pending. Each party must secure access to a source of funds or a “war chest” in order to litigate the case on even terms. • Minimal Court Intervention in Parties’ Problems: The Thai courts have set a high

standard for determining what constitutes an emergency in the context of a family law matter. Parties are expected to behave in a civil manner toward each other and the court is reluctant to intervene in all but the most serious matters. • Discovery and Standards for Determining Support: The parties may seek to have subpoenas issued for bank records and directed to their spouse’s employer and bank, which routinely result in documents being produced for inspection and use as evidence. However, when it comes to unknown accounts and other hidden assets or income streams, it is incumbent

many foreigners to lose faith in the Thai Family Court, when in truth, failures in communication and understanding is what actually leads to perceived injustices. As with anything, being aware of the differences and adjusting expectations accordingly will allow you to plan, prepare, and decide on the best way forward under the circumstances.

Summary This article has highlighted and explained some of the main differences between most systems in the West and the Thai Family Court. Below, you will find a summary of the differences.

Issue

Thailand

West

Grounds

Specific, provable, and enumerated grounds required

Irreconcilable differences or no-fault often permissible

Child Custody

No joint custody without agreement

Joint custody presumed

Reallocation of Resources

Very rare

Common and routine

Court Intervention in Problems

Rare

Common and routine

Discovery and Support Level

Limited discovery and Thaistandard support

Required disclosures with strong enforcement and incomebased approach to support

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Court mediation required

Multiple ADR options

on the suspecting spouse to try to obtain evidence to support a subpoena request. Child support and alimony or maintenance are awarded based on Thai standards, with some allowances being given for major expenses such as international school tuition. • Formal Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures: Thai courts rely heavily on the mediation process to resolve cases. All cases are mandatorily referred to mediation, which is conducted by a layjudge who is not assigned to the main case. The court will conduct repeated mediation sessions until the parties resolve the case or the court determines that settlement is simply not possible, and only then will the case be set for trial. Afterward, the court will continue to make attempts to get the parties to settle all the way up to and even after trial. The differences between the two systems are apparent and it is easy to see why there is much confusion and disappointment among some foreign litigants with their experience in the Thai Family Court. Mismatched expectations have led

Of course, we believe that an amicable settlement reached between the parties before any court proceedings begin is the least painful and most effective way to end a marriage. It is important to find the right lawyer who can answer your questions and proactively identify settlement opportunities, yet can skillfully litigate the case if needed. There are many considerations involved in the decision to get divorced, including where and when to proceed. Each case is unique and requires specific advice and planning to ensure you can achieve an equitable and acceptable result. This article was written by Sasirusm B. Chunhakasikarn, attorney-at-law, and David Lawrence, consultant, of Tilleke & Gibbins. The authors regularly advise clients on issues such as divorce, child custody and parental access, spousal and child support, child abduction, and more. The summary above is intended to provide general information only and is not offered as specific advice on any particular matter. The authors can be contacted at sasirusm.c@tilleke.com and david.la@tilleke.com.

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Expat Women

Advice Send your problems to: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

Problems solved

fer in silence. Send in your problems Expat life getting you down? Don’t suf nsellors Anette and Johanna and get advice from professional cou

going to school? happen only in the mor ning before g to sleep? What about the evening before goin Ask him how he t Try to talk with your child abou it. ren are aware child s, sees his behaviour. In many case nary or that ordi the of out that they are doing things be afraid may y The g. doin not other kids their age are t their abou re) figu ority auth any of telling a parent (or r teeth thei they brush elaborate dressing routines, how our ut abo ed cern ghts con y thou y ver I am d and craz a certain number of times, or weir le, peop ting nine year old son. He seems hur they may be having about God or to have developed certain sing their “t’s” just cros ol, scho at desk r thei on ms” “ger the basketball behaviours that I think are ting right when doing homework, shoo ss as acro es com also He thought etc. ” al. “bad orm a abn aces strange or until a “good” thought repl nt, caregiver, pare a as such t s. adul ner vou Talking to a trusted his ing plac by day teens to identify In the mor ning he star ts his or even a teacher, can help kids and the on then , bed the aviours as OCD and teddy on the chair, then on these unwanted thoughts and beh 10 ut abo for ally usu – n f. Try to open chair and on the bed agai may provide some much needed relie ir. cha the on s stay suspect something is times. Finally teddy the door for discussion when you ain cert at repe will but , self him mpt to connect on Then he dresses troubling your son. Making an atte shir t or his on ing putt re befo s an opportunity to time son behaviours 10 an emotional level will give your or to tell him for it do to wed allo d. not han a I’m g trousers. respond; it’s like extendin time, can you tell him “it’s ok.” “You seem so preoccupied all the a par ticular have wor ries; it’s le peop “All d?” He also needs to eat following min me what’s on your est hon be To et. ups y ver ce you repeating routine, otherwise he gets okay to tell us about yours.” “We noti I . bus ool sch the on gets are? Are you afraid I am relieved when he the same action, do you know you . son our with ng wro ng ethi to do it only once? wonder if there is som something will happen? Can you try feel right?” What happens then? Does it just not tria ty to explain how Aus abili from the Christel, 37, Sometimes kids don’t have e help. It is som rs offe t or what they feel until an adul or her feelings his tify iden to child also often easier for a acter in a stor y. Dear Christel, through a third person such a char to talk about feelings Sharing stories can open the door From what you describe and fears your child may have it looks like your son has the onset of e Often a symptom that accompanies some symptoms of Obsessiv in a child’s sense ease childhood OCD is a significant decr Compulsive Behaviour (OCD). n rituals and Whe ds. frien of confidence in class, and with But you need to be sure to al and school soci ’s child a with “routines” star t inter fering differentiate between “normal” often wants to stay functioning – for example, your child childhood routines and excessive ete assignments, mpl inco up” sh “fini to home from school with thoughts. ritualistic behaviour or preoccupation usual activities ental phase or your child begins to withdraw from Most children go through a developm ds or participating such as playing after school with frien rituals and prayers that is steeped in rituals. Bedtime – a war ning sign in dance classes or spor ts leagues fort; so do “lucky” provide a sense of security and com inter ruption in your if should star t to flash. Additionally, patterns, and charms, arranging toys in specific frustration and ety, anxi child’s “routine” creates undue when these rituals collecting “special” items. It is only from a therapist ce advi seek to hostility, it is probably time rfere with daily inte and time h muc too up take to star t knowledgeable about OCD. . life that they may be a sign of OCD ask them if You could talk with his teachers and or does this Johanna DeKoning ur avio beh e titiv they have observed repe

Son’s behaviour cause for concer n

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Christmas conundrum

I have lived in Bangkok for two years now. Last December I joined the many foreigners who fly out to celebrate their traditional holidays but this year I am doing what is now beginning to feel a little scar y: I will not go home for Christmas. I know it’s probably a bit ridiculous for an adult to feel this way but my parents (who are much older adults than me!) have made a big deal out of it, saying this shows I don’t love them and that I am destroying their Christmas, too. I was a bit taken aback when I heard that – yes, I’ve never spent a Christmas away from them but I am going to visit in April when flights are much cheaper and I have a lot more time off. I tried to explain it to them – this is such a great opportunity to explore Southeast Asia when the weather is nice and cool, and some of my friends are here, also escaping Christmas – well I suppose I’ve said it. The truth is that Christmas at home has in fact become quite stressful. My parents don’t accept that I live in Thailand and last year we had several ver y unpleasant arguments. But I still feel guilty – what’s going on?

Josh, 24, from the US

Dear Josh,

For many Westerners, Christmas is a very ambivalent holiday. Decoupled from its original religious context, it has now become an occasion where families are supposed to spend time with each other and demonstrate to each other how harmonious they are. At the same time they have to eat a lot of traditional food that brings out dislikes and bad memories, and many also drink unaccustomed amounts of alcohol. But just spending so much time in each others’ presence with basically nothing to do except trying to hide all the conflicts that have accumulated over the year is really a recipe for disaster. Your parents express (somewhat exaggerated) disappointment at your refusal to participate in this ritual – something that probably reminds you even more of the pressure you felt the last few times to uphold an illusion of perfect family relations when in reality your life has expanded, and you want to make your own decisions on how you spend your time. I don’t think it’s reasonable for your parents to make

you feel so guilty – after all you are going to visit them and you will even stay longer! A more low key meeting might go much better for all of you. Less pressure to demonstrate something that isn’t real and perhaps a chance to explore what the current relationship with your parents is like and how you all can improve it for the foreseeable future. But I am also intrigued: what is it inside you that makes you feel so guilty? What do you think you are taking away from your parents and how far do you think you are allowed to go on your journey of self-discovery? How much do you want to become yourself and how can you transform the connection you have with them so that you and they can recognize and support each other? Perhaps this first Christmas away from home really is a much bigger deal than you think. And maybe that’s a good thing! Your parents will be forced to acknowledge the fact that you have grown up. You are not completely gone from their lives, but you are setting your own boundaries with them. Is that allowed in your family? Or is it perhaps long overdue? Maybe this is also an opportunity for your parents to find a new way to celebrate Christmas as a couple or with their own friends. It’s never too late to become more real! I wish you a great holiday – and why don’t you send your parents pictures of the beautiful countries you are going to visit, so that they and you both know you are still connected? Have a great Christmas and New Year! Anette Pollner

• Johanna DeKoning MS is the Clinical Director of NCS Counseling Center. She trained in the Netherlands and Australia.

• 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.

Contact details: ncs-counseling.com, anette.p@ncs-counseling.co m, Tel: 02 279 8503 Send your problems to: thebigchillimagazine@gmail. com

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course around the ‘Chiang Mai Moat’ will serve up plenty of interesting visuals to take your mind off those burning muscles. :chiangmaimarathon.com

The Magic World of Czech Illustrators for Children D ec 15 – J an 17 Bangkok Art and Culture Centre (BACC)

Stone Free Music Festival

Aof Pongsak

D ec 11 – 13 Khao Wong, Saraburi

D ec 31 WALK Bar, Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok

AFTER taking a break last year, Thailand’s only independent ORGANISED by H.E. Vítezslav music festival is making a Grepl, the Czech Republic’s comeback. Pack your tent and Ambassador to Thailand, this load up on booze and head to multi-layered exhibition feathe hills to enjoy music from tures 90 colourful and creative some of Thailand’s finest indie images by 20 Czech illustrators acts. Tickets start at B1,000 :facebook.com/ spanning the last 100 years. StoneFreeMusicFestival Soft toy characters from popular children’s books and illustrations will be on display, along with five different Czech animated cartoons, which will be screened throughout the exhibition. :bacc.or.th

Star Wars Run Thailand D ec 26 Siam Square Soi 5

Wonderfruit Festival D ec 17 – 20 The Fields At Siam Country, Pattaya

JOIN Jedis and wookies and maybe even a few Darth Vaders at this Star Wars themed fun run starting and ending in Bangkok’s Siam Square. A concert and stage shows will add to the fun. Tickets: B900 :thaiticketmajor.com

Chiang Mai Jazz Festival D ec 26 – 27 Promenada Resort Mall, Chiang Mai

The Royal Celebration Concert D ec 15 Thailand Cultural Centre

GUEST Conductor ITO Yasuhide will lead the The Feroci Philharmonic Winds, one of Thailand’s finest wind orchestras, as they perform a celebratory program alongside marimba soloist, Hisae Hirako, and piano soloist, Pornphan Banternghansa. Performance starts at 8pm.

☎

Free Admission 02 001 9292 email: sufm.ticket@gmail.com

THE fourth annual Chiang Mai Festival will once again bring together the nation’s most popular jazz artists, plus a few international guests, to perform on stage at Promenada Resort Mall. Tuck into regional eats while listening to the silky sounds of artists such as Mads Mathias, Los Rumberos, Pomelo Town feat. Natt The Voice, and many more. Full lineup at www. chiangmaijazzfestival.com Two days pass B1,300; One day pass is B750. Shows start each day at 6pm. :thaiticketmajor.com :chiangmaijazzfestival.com

A CELEBRATION of art, film, music, fashion, and healthy living, Thailand’s second Wonderfruit Festival is a hipster’s dream come true. Luxurious camping options, performances by international bands and DJs (including Dapayk Solo, Submotion Orchestra, and Zig Zach, amongst others), and pop-up eateries by top restaurants (such as Gaggan, Rocket and Peppina) are just a few of the highlights on offer. A family friendly affair, there’ll also be a kids’ zone packed full of fun activities. Tickets range B2,000 – B28,050 :wonderfruitfestival.com

Beautiful Myth Through J an 10 Subhashok The Arts Centre, Sukhumvit Soi 39

IN his second solo exhibition, up-and-coming Thai artist Jamon Nimnark presents a collection of oil paintings depicting beautiful, mystical women. :facebook.com/sacbangkok

HEAD to Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok on New Year’s Eve, and alongside a vibrant party and a great view of the fireworks, you’ll also catch a concert by famous Thai singer Aof Pongsak. Party starts at 10.30pm. Tickets include one free drink. Tickets: B2,500

☎ 02 625 1234 Ext; 4710

Arcadia – The Bangkok Takeover J an 23 Lumpini Square, Rama IV Rd

AFTER the huge success of ‘The Bangkok Landing’ in November 2014, Arcadia returns to take over the heart of the city with what promises to be an even more spectacular and exciting event. The bigger DJ line up includes international acts such as DJ ZOMBOY, DJ.BL3ND and DJ MUST DIE, who’ll blast their beats from the spectacular Spider Stage, which is armed with LED screens, lasers, giant jets of CO2 and fire cannons that shoot flames 50ft high Tickets: B2,500 and B5,000 :thaiticketmajor.com

Ultradistancia Through J an 7 La Lanta Fine Art

AS PART of the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Argentina, Argentinean artist Federico Winer presents kaleidoscopic compositions of familiar sites captured on Google Earth’s satellite camera. 245/14 Sukhumvit Soi 31.

:lalanta.com

☎ 02 204 0583

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Thai Polo & Equestrian Club Pattaya in focus

Clubhouses

In 2007, renowned Australian designer Wayne Copping was given the task of establishing an international standard cross-country course which would be suitable as a venue for international events, such as the Southeast Asian Games. An eventing course was designed by New Zealander John Nicholson, and this was used to host the inaugural Asia Eventing Championships. With the addition of an endurance course and an international Derby facility, the club is now recognized as the largest multifunctional polo and equestrian operation in all of Asia. The veterinary and quarantine facilities are second-to-none in the region, with a leading Argentinean vet acting as general manager of the complex, overseeing Argentinean, French and British as well as local farriers, trainers, and stable staff. Polo matches are staged regularly, and The Thai Polo Open, sponsored jointly by BMW and the B. Grimm company, takes place every January and attracts between six and eight teams. The noted American-based polo coach Rege Ludwig hosts a polo school at the club. His clinics cater to all skill levels and age groups. Rege Ludwig spends more than six months a year at the club, imparting his renowned knowledge to a new generation of polo enthusiasts.

The Thai Polo & Equestrian Club is spread across 250 hectares (or 2,000 rai) with a clubhouse at each of the three full-sized international-standard polo playing grounds. The Chukka Bar A direct replica of the Chukka Bar which used to be a major attraction in the famous Langham Hotel in central London. When the original bar was closed in 2006, the Thai Polo & Equestrian Club recreated it, complete with polo trophies, historical photos, and polo paraphernalia. The bar provides the club with a lasting connection in the history of polo, as well as a comfortable venue to enjoy after-polo refreshments and recalling the day’s achievements.

Swimming Pool A 20-metre long saltwater pool on the terrace of the main clubhouse provides the opportunity to watch the polo and at the same time have a nice relaxing swim. With restaurant facilities close by and the sounds of an exciting chukka taking place on the nearby field, guests can relax either by, or in, the pool, with drinks and a snack available at a moment’s notice.

Polo Fields The unique hillside landscape features three world-class polo fields, as well as two practice fields. One of the internationalsized fields lies majestically amidst tropical palm trees. Another has sweeping views overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, which arguably makes it one of the most spectacular fields in the country. The third ground is sited at the base of a beautiful hill, giving yet another different backdrop.

Cross-Countr y & Eventing Course The Club boasts an international standard cross-country course suitable for international events, such as the Southeast Asian Games, along with an eventing course designed by highly-regarded New Zealander John Nicholson, which was used to host the inaugural Asia Eventing Championships. Other events at The Thai Polo & Equestrian Club include the Dressage Test, Jumping Test, Endurance and a number of competitions of varying degrees of difficulty. www.thai-polo-club.com

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Pulse City beat

Expat Sport Rugby Sevens a big hit

THE Bangkok International Rugby 7s brought fast-paced action and bone-crunching tackles galore to the pitches of Bangkok Patana School in Bang Na. Now in its 21st year, the tournament featured 16 International Men’s teams, 12 International Women’s teams, eight Asia/Social grade teams, and a new Under 18s Youth Grade, featuring eight teams, organized in partnership with Bangkok Lions RFC. Aside the action on the pitch, other highlights of this year’s tournament included a Coaching clinic run by former All Blacks Sevens player Lote Raikabula, and a Rugby specific strapping run by former Wellington NPC team Physio Emma Clarke. For more information about the tournament see: www.bangkoksevens.com

108 TheBigChilli

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CELEBRITY OPENING FOR VISTA BAR TERRACE VISTA Bar Terrace, the new al fresco roof terrace on the 8th floor of the Pathumwan Princess five star hotel (see page 27 for more info), arrived on the scene in fabulous fashion with a grand opening party attended by many Thai celebrities and business luminaries from Bangkok and beyond.

MÖVENPICK SIAM PATTAYA IN THE SPOTLIGHT

THE new Mövenpick Siam Pattaya hotel (slated to open on Dec 15. See page 154) was introduced to media and travel industry specialists at an official opening ceremony held at Siam Motors Building, Rama I Rd. Located next to Ocean Marina Yacht Club, on Na Jomtien Beach, the resort is owned by Siam Motors Group and offers spacious rooms all boasting panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand. The event was emceed by celebrity blogger Saraichatt ‘Ning’ Jirapaet, who was accompanied by guest speakers Mr Phornpinit Phornprapha, President and CEO of Siam at Chonburi Co Ltd; Mr Andrew Langdon, Senior Vice President Asia of Mövenpick; and Mr Hayden Edgtton, General Manager of Mövenpick Siam Hotel Pattaya.

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BEDROOM TALK WITH SHARP

SHARP Electronics launched its latest product, the EC-HX100T Mite Catcher Cyclonic Mattress Cleaner with Plasmacluster, with a demonstration at the Sharp Thai headquarters on Rama IV Rd. This new appliance uses heat generated within a vacuum cleaner to blow warm air onto bedding while applying strong suction force to strip off house dust mites from the fibers of the bedding. For more information visit www.sharpthai.co.th.

Diplomats

H.E. Simon Roded|Israel

Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER

Ambassador makes the case for Israel in the Land of Smiles

HIS Excellency Simon Roded took charge of the Israeli Embassy in Thailand in September 2012. It was his first posting as ambassador, but his 38-year career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) makes him one of Israel’s most senior and experienced diplomats. During a lengthy interview with The BigChilli at his Bangkok residence, Mr Roded fielded questions on a number of issues including negative perceptions of Israel, the recent wave of Israeli-Palestinian violence, and globally increasing anti-Semitism. “I was born in Haifa, a city in north Israel on April 6, 1955. My sister and I are the children of survivors of the Jewish holocaust. Our parents were born in northern Romania and during WWII they were deported from their hometown by the authorities to a labor camp. After the war, their property was confiscated and they had nothing to come back to. At the time they weren’t yet married. They started off on a difficult journey to the Land of Israel that is now the State of Israel and was then under British mandate. But they were prevented from entering Israel and were held by the British army in a detention camp in Cyprus. My parents got married in the camp and after the establishment of the State of Israel in May 1948 they were allowed in. They arrived there in early 1949. “My father was a police officer in Israel and my mother was a housewife. They came out of Europe, with literally their shirts on their back, to the newly founded Jewish state to build a home and a new life, as did millions of other survivors. “I joined the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1978, so I guess you could say I am a career diplomat. I started with the MFA as a student working the nightshift, and after I graduated one thing led to another. I took my position as ambassador to Thailand in September 2012 and I have one more year to go. I find the job challenging and I hope that I am fulfilling all expectations. I am also accredited to Cambodia, and visit there a few times a year.” Mr Roded’s first visit to Thailand was in 1990, when he was sent by the MFA for a short assignment. “I will never forget the trip from Don Mueang airport to Sukhumvit Road. It took

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me almost four hours. There wasn’t a BTS at that time, only a wide road with thousands of motorcycles. I was overwhelmed, but I immediately fell in love with Thailand – the people, temples, food, street vendors and busy city life going on day and night. Everything was very strange and different from what I knew. After I left the country I told my wife: ‘We need to come back here.’ We later visited many times both privately or on assignment.”

Bilateral relations “We moved in December 1995 to the current embassy in the Ocean Tower 2 Building, Sukhumvit Road Soi 19. Altogether we have 70 staff, with about 45 from Israel and the rest are Thais. We are blessed with one of the best local teams I have seen in the many years that I have been posted at our embassies abroad. I am proud of them. My last position before coming here was as Deputy Director-General for Human Resources at the MFA, so I have a good base for comparison,” said Mr Roded. Thailand and Israel established diplomatic relations in 1954, making 2014 the 60-year anniversary. “Last year was extremely intensive for us, and even in the midst of the internal problems in Thailand we succeeded in organizing celebrations to mark the anniversary in a series of cultural events. “Relations between our two countries are good and comprehensive in many dimensions. We have a lot of areas of cooperation besides government to government. We cooperate on trade matters, agriculture, science, education and other fields. Since the beginning of this year multilateral regional cooperation has been coordinated through the Thailand International Cooperation Agency and the Israeli International Cooperation Agency (MASHAV). “These agencies are organizing joint activities open to participation by other countries in the region. So we are in a sense moving up the ladder of cooperation between our two countries and the region as a whole. “Actually, the activities of MASHAV in Thailand go back to 1964, and almost from the beginning of the Israeli foreign activities abroad, Thailand has been one of the countries we have worked with. There’s a great deal of appreciation in Thailand for Israel’s achievements in spite all the difficult conditions and hardships we’ve endured, and as ambassador this is very flattering. There’s a lot of admiration for Israel in Southeast Asia and Asia in general, especially in countries we have diplomatic relations with, such as Cambodia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. “At the end of the day, international relations are a matter of political interest, but at an informal level there’s an almost unanimous feeling of appreciation in Southeast Asia for the successes and achievements of Israel throughout the years.”

Mr Roded doesn’t travel within Thailand as often as he would like, but from time to time is able to get out of Bangkok for business or pleasure. “I like to visit the North and the South, to see the islands and experience all the different traditions, customs, cuisines and landscapes. Thailand is a very big and beautiful country and very rich in resources of all kinds. “Last July I went with former Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij to visit a farm in Phitsanulok province. It was a very nice and enlightening experience. I was happy to see that agricultural technology that was invented and implemented in Israel is being adapted to Thai conditions. What pleased me most was to see that it is helping farmers socially and financially for the Haifa, by Aleksandar Todorovic

The Roman theater in Beit Shean National Park, one of the best preserved theaters in the region

Caesarea

improvement of their lives. This is what we are hoping for, that our products, inventions, methods and experiences can be put to good use. And on a personal level, this is also my mission in Thailand. I want to be a part of something that contributes to the good of the Thai people. “I look at the Jewish community in Thailand as a part of our constituency here. There are few synagogues in Thailand. In Bangkok there is one on Sukhumvit Road Soi 22 and another on Khao San Road, which is mainly for tourists. Soi 22 is where the local Jewish community goes. I usually go there, especially during

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The Windmill and Yemin Moshe, in Jerusalem at sunset, by Noam Chen

high holidays, to pray for peace and for Israel. There are also synagogues in Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui, and these are attended mostly by Israeli tourists. “Some Israeli companies are represented in Thailand; mostly they are based in Bangkok. These companies are mainly involved in project management and engineering as well as agro-technologies. There are also a few Israeli jewelry manufacturers operating here. I had a chance to visit one and it was fascinating to watch them work. The Thai workers are exceptionally skilled at making earrings and other jewelry, and their level of accuracy is amazing. The visual focus and steady hands of the workers are quite impressive.” Mr Roded said that around 150,000 Israelis visit Thailand annually, which is quite a lot considering that the population of Israel is only around 8.2 million. “In high season Israelis are flocking to Thailand by the planeloads. You won’t find an empty seat on flights. Recently Thai cuisine has become very popular in Israel and recipes for Thai dishes can be found in newspapers and the internet. There are a few hundred Israelis permanently residing in Thailand, in Bangkok and certain other parts of the country. “Not many Thais are visiting Israel, but we have 23,000 Thai workers at any given time, almost all in the agricultural sector. This has been going on for 20 years. More than 100,000 Thais have worked in Israel. Usually they work for five years and then come back home. Five years is a long time, so these workers know Israel very well and they are rather well assimilated. They have been a part of Israeli society for a long time now and they are very much appreciated. As a matter of fact, Thai workers are the backbone of Israel’s agricultural industry.”

Living with bad press

Mr Roded noted that the world tends to view Israel through the context of the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “We are trying to portray Israel outside the context of this conflict and the other problems of the troubled Middle East. The mass media coverage of Israel gives the image of a place full of war and violence. This is completely out of touch with reality. If you go to Israel you find people living ordinary daily lives. We didn’t achieve what we have in our more than 67 years of independence only by fighting wars. We have developed science and culture and we have a good cuisine. We not only have a good standard of living, we have an enjoyable lifestyle. It is a great place for tourists to visit. But you rarely see this on television; you only see the violence. “So in recent years we have tried to expose the other faces of Israel. It is a country where normal people live, go to work, develop themselves, enjoy life and go the beach, to parties, restaurants and so on.

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“If you were to make a list of Israeli contributions to technology, science and healthcare, you would be amazed at how many innovations have come out of Israel. Most Thais know about drip irrigation, but just look at the computer world. The Intel chips for almost every computer in operation today were designed, developed and produced in Israel. Basic technology like Voice over Internal Protocol (VoIP) came out of Israel. Chatting on the computer over the internet was initially introduced in Israel. Today Israel may be number one in the world in developing cyber security technologies. These days you cannot do business anywhere without cyber security; it has nothing to do with the Middle East conflict. “A total of 12 Nobel Prize laureates have come out of the State of Israel since its creation. These laureates are all Jewish, but they are Israeli. Our citizens have won Nobel Prizes in literature, peace, physics and other sciences. Again, this has nothing to do with the conflict. On the contrary, it is in spite of the conflict. While dealing with some difficult situations we have continuously developed ourselves and our country, and if we compare our achievements to our neighbours’ it makes us proud. This could really be the subject of an entire lecture. “One of the things we do as a matter of principle is to share our hard earned experiences. Because of where we came from, we have had to find solutions the hard way out of necessity. Necessity is the mother of invention. We have had to deal with different problems and situations that demanded innovative solutions, including military solutions. “The latest solution is our famous Iron Dome anti-missile system. The world became familiar with Iron Dome in 2014. It has a 90 percent success rate in shooting down crude and short-range missiles fired on Israeli civilians. Intercepting an incoming missile – finding it in the middle of the sky and destroying it – requires a great deal of accuracy, technical capability and ingenuity. Nobody believed it could be done, but we have proved that the system works. Now, Israel has celebrated its 67th year of Independence. “I can’t help but think of the struggles of my own parents who came to this land with almost nothing together with others who over the years worked hard to build up this nation to attain the social, economic and political achievements that we see today. Now, at the age of 60, when I look back I feel privileged to serve as the ambassador of this country.”

Anti-Semitism

“Anti-Semitism is on the rise in the world and this can be statistically measured by the increasing number of incidents like attacks on Jews, and swastikas painted on Jewish

Jerusalem - Old city wall and Jaffa gate by night The Promenade on Tel Aviv beach, by Dana Friedlander

cemeteries or synagogues. The list is very long. There’s a new kind of anti-Semitism which is playing out against the backdrop of what is going on in the Middle East, for example events in Gaza in 2014. There is a very large amount of antiSemitic literature and comments coming out of some Muslim communities and some Muslim leaders all over the world, including in Thailand. Mainly this is being aired in social media. “In Thailand you see very often the misuse of Nazi symbols, and this is usually out of ignorance. The horrible events of World War II and the Holocaust are almost never included in the curriculum of any school here. Thai youngsters can get through their entire education without even encountering this dark chapter of history, which is very regrettable. As a result you have a generation of people who are completely ignorant of these events and when they use Nazi symbols and trivialize them they don’t understand what it means to others. We have pointed this out to Thai officials more than once. One can only hope that in due course the educational system here will mature and these and other important historical events will be included in school curriculums. “Very rarely do we encounter genuine anti-Semitism in Thailand. Recently we came across a Facebook page expressing admiration for Hitler and spewing the kind of anti-Jewish language that was voiced in the 1930s in Europe, but this was a rare case and we dealt with it. I think that anti-Semitism is something that all governments should be dealing with and it is not only the problem of the State of Israel. “As for what is occurring in our part of the world now, we are definitely facing incitement against Israel on two levels. The first is from official media outlets of the Palestinian Authority [PA] and Hamas, which is a terrorist organization, urging people to go out on the streets, take knives and stones and kill

Jews. These outlets tell lies and distortions, make offensive caricatures and such like. It is blunt incitement coming from the leaders of people we are supposed to make peace with. By definition, we make peace with our enemies not friends, but having said that, we can’t continue with incitement like this. “The second and more disturbing level of incitement starts when children begin kindergarten. It’s in their school textbooks, in the street signs named after terrorists, and graffiti on the walls glorifying terrorists. The children are surrounded and brainwashed. That’s something we have been pointing out to our neighbours for many years.

Negav, by Avraham Kushnirov

“We have asked the PA to modify the textbooks and take out the hate speech. If you brainwash the young generation and teach them to hate and to kill Jews, what kind of peace can you expect? That’s why you see 13 and 15-year-old boys taking a knife, going to the nearest Israeli town and trying to kill passersby. Yet PA President Mahmoud Abbas claimed that Palestinian children were being executed by Israel and called for revenge, even when he knew that the 13-year-old attacker whose picture he held up in front of television cameras was being treated in an Israeli hospital for wounds he sustained in the attack. The education of hate and the culture of hate must stop if we want to live peacefully side by side. “A lot of the blame for the recent wave of violence should go to those who lie about Israeli intentions, like changing the status quo for the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. We will change nothing and we have never had any intention to do so.”

Migrant crisis “I once heard someone say, ‘If you don’t come to the Middle East then the Middle East will come to you.’ What we see with the migrant crisis is a failure to address the problems

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H.E. Simon Roded|Israel

of the Middle East. Obviously this part of the world is going through historic, and I would even say tectonic changes. The Middle East as we used to know no longer exists. Fundamental boundaries established by the Sykes-Picot Agreement and then colonial powers England and France no longer exist. What used to be nations and countries are now disintegrating into ethnic, religious and tribal groups. We are going back to how things were in the beginning of the 20th century, and maybe this is more natural. Maybe the artificial colonial borders couldn’t hold for much longer, but the fact is that the entire world is being affected by the atrocities in Iraq and Syria. “Eventually people get desperate and want to go where they might have more security and a better future, so they go to Europe. It is a tragedy. “Israel doesn’t want to get involved or intervene because we are seen as an enemy by our neighbours. We don’t want to aggravate the situation and along with the rest of the world we are watching and hoping the people will no longer have to run away from their homes, and be able to live peacefully in their own countries. To put things in perspective, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the smallest and least deadly in the Middle East even though it is all the time being put on the high burner. If you look at the number of people killed daily in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and other countries, what is going on in Israel can’t compare.”

H.E. SIMON RODED IN FOCUS Education: 1978-1983 – B.A. International Relations, Hebrew University, Jerusalem.

Career • Currently: Ambassador of Israel to Thailand (September 25) and non-resident Ambassador to Cambodia (January 28, 2013). • 2007- Aug 2012: Head of Human Resources and Personnel Training Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), Jerusalem. • 2003-2007: Head of Information Technologies and Communication Division, MFA, Jerusalem. • 2000-2003: Head of Budget Management Bureau, MFA, Jerusalem. • 1998-2000: Counselor Administration and Consul for Consular Affairs, Embassy of Israel, Washington DC, USA. • 1994-1998: Director of Budget Management Department, MFA, Jerusalem. • 1990-1994: First Secretary Administration and Consul for Consular Affairs, Embassy of Israel, Tokyo, Japan. • 1987-1990: Acting Deputy Director of Communications Department, MFA, Jerusalem. • 1982-1987: Attaché, Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN, New York. • 1978-1982: Official, Communications Department, MFA, Jerusalem.

Additional assignments • 2003-2008: Chairman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Tenders Committee. • 2008-Aug 2012: Chairman of the MFA Affairs Legal Assistance and Legal Expenses Committee.

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Final comments

At the end of our interview the ambassador switched gears and talked about lighter matters, such as how he spends his limited leisure time, highlights of his time in Thailand and what comes next after he leaves. “I don’t have much free time, but I like to go to the gym when I can, and since I started my assignment in Thailand I have gone back to my old love, which is photography. This country is a photographer’s heaven, full of colours, people, temples and beautiful landscapes.” Commenting on the seemingly never-ending diplomatic functions that ambassadors are expected to attend, Mr Roded said that most of the national day receptions organized by the various embassies look the same and are attended by the same people. Even though most of the functions are similar, they provide an opportunity to exchange informal information with colleagues and get some of their impressions and perspectives on current events. “Generally speaking, in Israel we like to do things a little differently from time to time. We skipped our National Day reception in 2013 and used the budget for a charity event. We brought a chef from Israel and went to the Mercy Centre in Klong Toey and celebrated together with the children. We gave them a cooking lesson and brought some Israeli kids along. Our entire embassy staff went to the Mercy Centre. “One experience there left a particularly strong impression on me. The Centre gave me the present of a simple photo taken by a 15-year-old orphan girl, printed on a photocopy machine in black and white. It was wonderful. She was given one-week course by a volunteer photographer who came to teach the kids. The volunteer gave the girl a basic digital camera and taught her about composition and how to capture a moment through photography. “That was one of many memorable events I will take with me when I leave Thailand. Another was the gala concert last year at the Thailand Cultural Centre celebrating the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. An Israeli conductor led the Thai orchestra and they were accompanied by Israeli and Thai opera singers. The brilliant performance was witnessed by 1,000 guests who sat for an hour and a half without moving. Everyone really enjoyed the event and truthfully it surpassed all our expectations. “Other than that, things I will take with me include memories of the great food and the generosity of the Thai people. And the smiles, you really cannot exaggerate how much those smiles broaden your heart. This is something we Westerners should bring into our cultures. When someone gives you a genuine smile, you cannot be angry with them. Confrontation and friction evaporate with just a smile. “All in all I am extremely happy and relaxed in Thailand. We have had some incidents in the past and the job is challenging, but the experience has been wonderful, thanks to the hospitality and the openness of the Thai people. The willingness to listen and to cooperate is something you don’t find easily elsewhere. “I have one more year to go on this assignment and I will surely miss Thailand. I always used to tell my new recruits that a career in foreign services awards you with the opportunity to start a new life every five years. In my career, I have been to the United States, Japan and now Thailand, and every chapter has brought entirely new challenges and opportunities.”

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Hu a H i n N ews and Deals

New Year’s Eve under the stars IF you’re heading to Pranburi for New Year’s Eve you should definitely check out the party at Luna La Pran at Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas. This delightful beachfront restaurant will serve up a sumptuous Thai and international buffet alongside a party with live music and a DJ. Great value at just B1,900 per adult; and B950 for kids aged 6-12. ☎ 032 909 900 :sheraton.com/huahinpranburi

Golf with a festive twist

Festive treats aplenty at Centara New Year’s Eve Party at Banyan The Resort YOU can welcome the New Year in style at Banyan The Resort’s ‘Seabreeze’ New Year’s Eve Party. Starting at 7pm on the lawn, the night will feature a sumptuous buffet and a performance by the award-winning Super Goods Band. B5,500 per person; half price for kids under 12. Dress code is ‘Sea Breeze’ (think white and blue). ☎ 032 538 888 :facebook.com/BanyanTheResortHuaHin

‘TIS the season to be jolly, and, in our book, that means indulging in mountains of fabulous cuisine. You’ll be able to do just that at Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas Hua Hin, which is celebrating Christmas and New Year with a selection of delicious feasts. Among the highlights: Christmas Eve five-course set dinner at the Railway Restaurant (B2,800++ per person with a glass of champagne); and the New Year’s Eve Grand Gala Buffet Dinner at the Colonial Pool (B9,005 per person, inclusive of a cocktail party). Contact the hotel for a full round up of what’s on offer. ☎ 032 512 021 :centarahotelsresorts.com/chbr

BANYAN Golf Club is getting into the festive spirit by offering some superb golf and dining promotions this month. On Dec 9, the signature ‘Power Tee Competition’ will feature a round of golf followed by snacks (B2,100 per person). This will be followed on Dec 12-13 by the ‘Banyan Golf Club Championships’ (B1,800 for members; B4,400 for guests), which will be capped with a prize-giving buffet dinner event. Not to be missed, on Dec 23, is the ‘Golf and Barbecue Dinner’ – tee times from noon followed by a sunset barbecue at Mulligan’s Pub (B3,600 per person for golf and dinner; B950 for barbecue only). Capping the festivities, on Christmas Day from noon, the Club will serve up a sumptuous lunch buffet featuring traditional roast turkey and all the trimmings (B1,000 per person; half price for kids under 12). Need accommodation? Don’t forget to check out Banyan The Resort, named ‘Best Golf Resort 2016’ by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. ☎ 032 616 200 :banyanthailand.com

Ring in the New Year at Dune A GOURMET dinner and panoramic views ensure Dune Hotel’s rooftop restaurant is a great spot to welcome the New Year. Priced at just B1,990++ per person with a glass of Chandon Brut, the special four-course dinner will feature Crabmeat dip with casino butter on French bread; Romaine leaves and crispy salmon skin with a zingy jalapeno dressing (or seared tuna salad with ginger vinaigrette), and more epicurean treats. ☎ 032 515 051 :dunehuahin.com

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H u a Hin Insi ght

Veranda Lodge now open for weddings and parties

Wo rds H A R V E Y W H I T E

Homely beachfront resort is just perfect for intimate gatherings

ESPITE their best efforts, big international hotel chains can never fully replicate the kind of homely atmosphere you find at a family-run operation such as Veranda Lodge, a lovely tropical getaway located next to the sands in the middle of Hua Hin Beach. Run with passion, heart, and soul by Khun Mae (literally Mum) together with her daughter, Naporn ‘Tem’

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Niyomchai, a marketing guru with rich experience working for large hotel chains in Bangkok, the resort offers a delightful home-away-from-home experience in private villas and well-appointed guestrooms just a short stroll from the sands. Another highlight of the resort is its breezy beachfront restaurant, KINDEE Beach Café & Bar, which serves a wide selection of Thai and international cuisine made using Khun Mae’s own delicious recipes, in a modern, open-fronted cabin overlooking the beach. It’s the perfect venue for a wedding or party, you may think, especially as it has direct access to the pristine sands. And you’d be right. Over the past few months Khun Tem has been busy developing a new avenue of business for the resort – that is, making it the perfect venue for lovebirds, friends or executives looking to host intimate ceremonies or gatherings by the beach. The weddings are particularly special. “When guests are happy, I’m happy too,” says Khun Tem, showing us pictures of a recent wedding she arranged at the resort – an intimate beach party illuminated by fairy lights and flanked by local food vendors

serving all kinds of scrumptious dishes. “Whatever people imagine for their party or wedding, I will always do my best to create it.” While beachfront weddings and events normally cost a fortune, Khun Tem is adamant she wants to help people make their dreams come true without ruining themselves financially in the process. “Our packages start at just B1,700 per head and we have both western and Thai ceremonies available. We can arrange everything from lighting and décor, to flowers, live music, photography and food (we can even bring in some of the best local vendors to cook too, if you wish). Designed for between 50 to 250 people, our events are homely-yet-elegant, intimate-yet-lively, and bound to leave a long-lasting impression with guests.” Weddings at the resort require five months of planning minimum. Other parties can be arranged within two weeks. Veranda Lodge also offers outside catering, starting at just B1,200 per head. Veranda Lodge Hua Hin, 113 Soi Hua Hin 67, Petch Kasem Rd. Tel: 032 533 678 www.verandalodge.com

H u a H in Local i nsi ght for highs and lows, and never compromise on your offerings.” Throughout all of his culinary adventures Claudio has always adhered to two guiding philosophies – to offer the best representation of northern Italian cuisine that he can, and to treat his guests as though they are visiting his home. “At Mamma Mia we offer traditional mamma-style cooking,” he says. “We may not be professional cooks with backgrounds in five star hotels, but we are passionate about creating delicious homemade food using family recipes – and we pride ourselves on great presentation, too.” Bread and pasta are all made fresh daily, ingredients are sourced from local markets as well as the nation’s foremost importers, and Claudio has carefully constructed his menu

MEET THE RESTAURATEUR: CLAUDIO CERIANI The gregarious entrepreneur behind the longstanding Mamma Mia Italian Restaurant says the biggest ingredient of his success is passion ITALIAN expat Claudio Ceriani is the first to admit that success doesn’t come easy. Since arriving in the Kingdom 28 years ago he’s operated (and since shuttered) restaurants in Pattaya and Cha-Am, been burned literally, figuratively and financially, and had to negotiate all kinds of cultural pitfalls in his pursuit of a culinary smash hit. That hit finally materialized in 1996 when Claudio opened his first iteration of Mamma Mia on Hua Hin’s Damnernkaseam Road. Now in a new, better location on Naresdamri Road (near the pier), the restaurant will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year – an impressive achievement that’s testament of Mamma Mia’s unwavering focus on quality. “Over the years I’ve learned many important lessons about operating a restaurant in Thailand,” says Claudio, who runs the restaurant alongside his Thai wife, Tik, and their two grown up children. “Mostly, you’ve got to be prepared to work very hard, be genuinely passionate about what you do, and never sit back and think you’ve found the recipe for success. “Doing business in a town like Hua Hin, which can be very quiet in the off-season, can be very tough. You have to be ready

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to offer a decent selection of appetizers, soups, salads, pastas, risottos, premium steaks and seafood, and wood fired pizzas. There’s even a small menu featuring seasonal dishes you won’t find elsewhere. Quality over quantity is the mantra here. You can start your meal with a Snails a’ la’ Bourgogne (B360), say, or Pan-seared Hokkaido scallops with green and bell pepper salad (B420), before moving onto mains like Grilled lamb loin in black truffle sauce with diced roast potato, sage and rosemar y (B690), and Rigatoni pasta with melted spicy sausage, cherr y tomato and ricotta cheese (B330). Team all of this with one of the restaurant’s many fine wines, and finish with a dessert like the classic Tiramisu (B260), and you have yourself a fantastic meal at great value for money – all served in a homely atmosphere by the sea. “When people visit Mamma Mia for lunch or dinner they should expect nothing less than a great experience,” says Claudio. “Customers should always enjoy friendly service, great food, and excellent value. And this is what we will always endeavor to deliver.” 8/4 Naresdamri Rd. Hua Hin. Open daily 11.30am-2pm; and 5.30pm-10pm. Parking available. Tel: 1032 512 250 email: Claudio.mammamia@gmail.com

H u aHin D ini ng Out

Wo rds H A R VEY W H I T E P h o t o s JA R A N L A K K A N AWAT

Plaza Mayor Restaurante

Spanish Fine Dining and a rooftop Tapas Lounge – in Khao Takiab

THE latest newcomer to Hua Hin’s fastgrowing international dining out scene brings an exquisite taste of Spain to Khao Takiab. Owned by the same group behind Zafran Authentic Indian Dining (read our review online at www.bit.ly/1OruFyT), and operated by Chef Nacho Leon, a Segovia (north of Madrid) native with over 20 years of international experience, the new restaurant has been built from the ground up to offer two distinct dining experiences. On the ground floor there’s the main restaurant proper – a large open dining room fronted by large windows and featuring an extensive central bar, a genuine wine cellar stocked with international labels, a bustling open kitchen, and well-dressed tables arranged just far enough apart to offer privacy. The focus is on fine Spanish dining, with an emphasis on slow-cooked meats,

roasted vegetables, paella, and luscious seafood. Designed to resemble the kind of restaurant you'd find in the vibrant main square (or Plaza Mayor) of a Spanish town, the restaurant is bright and airy and just perfect for large social gatherings. Venture up the flight of stairs tucked around the back of the restaurant and you’ll then find El Patio – a rooftop lounge bar serving a wide variety of tapas, as well as classic and innovative cocktails. From the comfort of wicker sofas, you can expect to enjoy great views of Hua Hin’s famous rolling hills, and you may even spy a train trundling past on the nearby railway. It’s a great spot to enjoy sundowners or an aperitif or two with friends. While we didn’t get chance to see the full menu when we visited the restaurant last month (it was still at the printers), we did get to sample some of the dishes. And what we had was delicious – particularly the Slow-cooked beef cheek; Boquerones

1/463 Soi Moobaan Takiab Hua Hin, Takiab Rd. Open daily 5pm till midnight (last orders for food at 10.30pm).

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(white anchovies) served atop roasted peppers and crispy bread, and a hearty serving of Cold cuts, which included slices of the famous Pata Negra (Black hoof pig). We also liked Chef Nacho’s take on the classic Crema Catalana, the Spanish version of crème brulée, served here in a clay pot and proving sweet and rich and deliciously moreish. We also liked the fact we could wash all this down with genuine Spanish mineral water, particular as it was the renowned VCH Barcelona – which is naturally carbonated and has a unique, slightly salty taste – as well as Spanish beers like Estrella Damm (B220), and wines by the glass starting at just B180. Good value comes as standard at Plaza Mayor, with starters ranging in price from just B200++ to B300++, and mains from B400++ to B500++. Tapas, meanwhile, starts at just B165++ (inclusive of a glass of wine).

☎ 032 536 308 ☎facebook.com/spanishrestaurantinhuahin

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Breezer x Nylon House Party BREEZER and Nylon joined forces to host a music festival at Santorini Water Fantasy water park in Cha Am, where top Thai deejays such as Bang Bang Bang Ft. Twopee Southside, Faahsai, Botcash, Roxy June, Machina and Make You Freak, spun party-starting tunes while revelers got their splash on. Find out about upcoming events at www.facebook. com/BreezerThailand.

Oktoberfest by the beach HILTON Hua Hin Resort & Spa celebrated Munichâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous beer festival with a funpacked night of German cuisine, competitions, live music, and Paulaner beer in the resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s beer garden, next to Hua Hin Brewing Company. The event was presided over by Mr Markus Hesse, Food & Beverage Manager; Mr Montree Chuphu, Deputy Mayor of Hua Hin; Pol.Lt.Col. Weerawat Kreuasombat, Deputy Superintendent of Prachuapkhirikhan Immigration; and Mr Narong Putapitakkul, Owner Representative.

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House of Horror at Horizon HORIZON restaurant rooftop bar and lounge at Hilton Pattaya celebrated Halloween by transforming into a ‘House of Horror,’ complete with its own ‘haunted chef’ serving dishes to guests. Complimentary ‘Murder Incorporated’ cocktails were served to all guests who dressed their spooky best.

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Party with a nautical twist CAPE Dara Resort is hosting an ‘Elite Nautical’ party for New Year’s Eve. Kicking off at 6pm at the Twinkle pool, the night will feature a sumptuous buffet, live performances, a lucky draw and a firework finale. B6,500 per person with a welcome drink. ☎ 038 933 888 :capedarapattaya.com

Eastin offers Early Bird rates UNTIL Mar 31, Eastin Hotel Pattaya is offering an ‘Early Bird Promotion’ with 20 percent off its usual rates when booked at least 30 days in advance. Rates start at B2,070 per night for an Arcadia Superior Room. ☎ 038 427 121 :eastinpattaya.com

New on the scene: Ring in the Mövenpick Siam Hotel New Year with Amari Traditional celebrations Pattaya THREE exciting New Year’s Eve parties await at Amari Pattaya on Dec 31. Swing at Mercure Pattaya THE brand new Mövenpick Siam FOR a New Year’s Eve focused on sanook (great times), head to the Mercure Pattaya Hotel. The property is capping the year in traditional fashion with a Thai temple fair-themed party. Expect a sumptuous buffet featuring live cooking stations, seafood on ice, charcoal-grilled meat and fish prepared a la minute, delicious desserts and more. Traditional Thai dances, Thai music, kitchen shows and a shooting gallery will add to the fun. B2,999 per person; half price for kids aged 5-12. ☎ 038 425 050 :mercurepattaya.com

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Hotel Pattaya will officially open its doors on Dec 15. Located next to Ocean Marina Yacht Club, the 262-room resort is the first five-star beachfront property in Na Jomtien. Boasting panoramic views of the Gulf of Thailand from every spacious room, a pick of three gourmet dining outlets, and a chance to enjoy exquisite Swiss chocolate every day during the hotel’s daily ‘Chocolate Hour,’ the hotel looks set to go down a treat – just like a tub of Mövenpick ice cream fresh from the freezer, ☎ 033 078 888 :movenpick.com

by the Party Grounds for its ‘Colour n’ Rhythm’ Gala Buffet Dinner (B3,800 per person; B1,900 for kids aged 6-12); or venture to Tavern by The Sea Bar & Restaurant for a ‘Disco Night Party’ (B999 per person; B499 for kids aged 6-12). Or you can choose to go all out and enjoy ‘The Great Gatsby Night’ at Mantra Restaurant & Bar, which will feature a gourmet buffet spread and a selection of special cocktails (B4,299 per person; B2,150 for kids aged 6-12). The Festive Sunday Brunch at Mantra is also well worth a look. ☎ 038 418 418 :amari.com/ocean-pattaya

Final Word

Fiction

Monsoon Midnights Special places in Bangkok, as experienced by the Bangkok Women’s Writers Group Dear reader, Welcome to ‘Monsoon Midnights,’ a short story by the Bangkok Women’s Writers Group. The storytellers of the BWWG come from all over the world but they all have a special place in this city, somewhere surprising, obscure and unexpected, as yet undiscovered. Follow us to these hidden places right here, month after month. The first volume of Monsoon Midnights (18 stories by 12 authors with beautiful illustrations by the BigChilli graphics team) is available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1tj8fJr.

NIGHTFALL OVER BANGKOK There are some very high places in Bangkok. Places where you can look out and see the city like an interactive map spread out beneath you. Tonight the moon dances behind scattered clouds, creating a chiaroscuro interplay of darkness, light and contrasting shapes that don’t seem to fit together. But it does fit this city, its unpredictable mix m ix of styles, traditions and innovations, a mix that often seems iincomprehensible ncomprehensible to outsiders. How can you offer red drinks daily to the spirit house and also have the latest smartphone? How can you believe in the traditional Thai ghosts that make you afraid to use the bathroom upcountry at night, and in the magic power of ‘Thailand’s Got Talent’ to transform your world, both at the same time? But this is a question that comes from a very fixed view of the world. Bangkok life is not an orderly construction, starting from a blueprint with all pieces assembled in sequence. Like trees in the jungle, our lives and habits grow according to the conditions in our location and history, and constantly adapt to what happens around us. Someone is cooking a family recipe handed down for centuries

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and asking for advice from an old auntie back in the village. The village has beautiful old traditions steeped in culture and community, and it also has excellent WiFi reception. Like plants in the jungle, buildings rise quickly from the earth, adapted to the specific (and very challenging) soil conditions of the swamp delta we precariously teeter on and created by architects who have nothing but the deepest disregard for the structure, history and appearance of the buildings next to them. Trees and bushes in the forest also grow wherever they can, and in whatever shape they want to. Any aesthetic cohesion resides solely in the eyes and perception of humans – and in the culture that those humans happen to have grown up in. Buildings also deteriorate quickly here, whether it is from climatic conditions, from heat and humidity, or from heavy use and little maintenance. And before you look twice, new buildings have cropped up beside them, on top of them, or even replaced them. Tonight’s storyteller, Sarah Sutro, is waiting for me in the centre of the city, where so many styles, histories and traditions meet. And so tonight I decide to disregard the grid of the city streets and canals, and move to meet her the way water moves through the jungle. I flow through the tangled bundles of power lines and

the roots and rifts just underneath the pavement. No wonder the houses change place so often – the ground and the air are alive with energy. Sarah Sutro stands poised in a spot where many of these energies meet. She is ready to dive into the tangle and come out holding treasure.

Discovering the Invisible Market By Sarah Sutro

IT really is true that the day begins just after midnight. Lakshmi, my Indian friend from Thai language class, told me about the market at Asok and asked me to go with her one night. “What market?” I said, for I had lived just one street away in a small serviced apartment when I first came to Bangkok, and never saw or heard of a real marketplace there. Only the big supermarket across from the skytrain, where American holiday products were easy to get, and English speaking tourists felt comfortable finding products they could buy in London or New York. A busy intersection of cultures, expats, Thais, workers of various nationalities, Asok is always in motion. How could there be an old market there, at a hub of a modern city? One night near midnight Lakshmi met me at the base of the skytrain stairs. She smiled at me and indicated I should follow. We took a short alley she had described earlier, way back under and beyond the escalator from the skytrain. A hint of light drew us to a shrouded doorway, where we saw a vast and unexpected space, filled with long wooden tables. Small stalls closed for the night on the sides had glass doors mysteriously covered with Chinese and Thai script. Lakshmi looks strikingly beautiful, and although she lives in Thailand she revels in the cooking of her own country. She particularly loves making Indian tea: cardamom, cinnamon, anise, dried orange peel, and demerara sugar mixed in with coarse cut tea, boiled with milk: chai. Being with her, in this space, was like walking into a Chinese box, a labyrinthine space, like the small box on my bureau I bought in Chinatown. Two drawers pull out, lined with ordinary newsprint. Elaborate hinged clasps open the top, revealing an oval stand-up mirror. In the outdoor night market where I found the box, with its swirling smoky outdoor crowds and alleyways, I circled round and round, lingering again and again over displays of boxes and chests, opening and closing the drawers and unhinging the tops to peer in. Finally, exasperated, the woman selling them said, “How much do you want to pay?” I still couldn’t decide which one to choose. Years later I encountered the very same box in a chaotic U.S. Oakland Flea market, and brought one home.

The labyrinth of this market was also a place of marvels, and Lakshmi wanted to share it with me. She pointed out the irony that such a space – smelling of vegetables, straw, fish and chicken – existed so close to the storied elegance of the skytrain and apartment buildings around Asok, the department store that unfolded just steps away, and the bookstore around the corner, its enticing window filled with colourfully covered volumes – another magical puzzle. The floor of the market, damp and dirty, was just as a real market should be. We saw the lights of mices’ eyes here and there as we walked through the aisles among rustling lettuce leaves and bits of vegetables. “Watch, it will totally change when people start to come,” Lakshmi leaned towards me as she gestured towards the center. “Where shall we stand?” I asked, and at her suggestion we retreated to the edge of the dimly lit space, watching it literally come to life, like a flower opening. Stalls began to open. The place began to fill with people as shipments of vegetables, meat, fish came in. On the near wall a line of open-sided shops filled slowly with huge baskets of chilli, dried peas and beans, fruit, and shelves of packaged products. Vegetables, dried herbs, fish, meat were brought in, dumped on the wooden tables that formed rows and narrow passageways. Cats darted underneath tables and lurked around the edges. The place became noisy and rife with the smells of humanity and food – a huge contrast to the concrete and steel glamour of the skytrain outside. One shop lit up, a proprietor arranging beans and bags of tea, crisps, dried fruit, herbs. “Over here,” she said, pointing to the shop, where we would find dried ingredients she needed. She drew me through the grid of tables to the shop, avoiding cats and mice, and pushed through the glass door of the Chinese grocery. “This is where I buy all the basic goods for my kitchen,” she said, nodding her head. The small shop had piles of canned goods on its shelved perimeter, and three rows of inner shelves carrying spices, nuts, beans and flours. She gathered bags of turmeric and saffron, raisins and a tin of ghee. The proprietor, who had plenty of time to arrange his goods, drew us to the back of the shop where he had large jute bags filled with special herbs. Lakshmi winked at me as he told us he would share the secrets of his craft, especially recommending Astragalus, a root of a plant related to the common vetch, which I remember taking over my garden long ago. The root of Astragalus is carefully cultivated, dug up, dried – and in China is put into chicken soup, that helps strengthen the immune system. He showed us dried slices of the root which he sold by the ounce, and warned us not to actually eat the root rounds themselves. On his shelf, behind the counter, was a small bottle of tincture of Astragalus, which Lakshmi, ever curious, took down, peering at the liquid behind the dark glass. He also showed us licorice, black walnut, ginger and ginko, TheBigChilli

Final Word

Fiction space, who threw us a plastic basket and had advice at the ready about to fill with her weekly produce. She their use; also milk thistle and he Bangkok Women’s Writers Group, founded grabbed a bunch of onions, tomatoes, nettles. I asked him if it was true in 2001, and led by Anette Pollner (who also aubergines, cucumbers and scallions, that nettles could aid in overcoming writes the recurring ‘moon intro’ stories in this filling the basket to the desired level, allergies, as I had these seasonally. series in her famous neo psychodelic style), is where and then handed it to the woman, who He said yes, and offered me a creative women from all over the world meet to deftly weighed it and poured it into a sample, to make into a tea. He had workshop their writing in a supportive and inspiring plastic bag, all in one quick motion. She Lakshmi buy two ounces of kelp to environment. Many of our members are published scribbled the amount owed for each lower her blood pressure, suggested and prize winning authors, but we are open to all vegetable on a scrap of paper, totaled the fenugreek seed powder to lower women who are passionate about writing, including cost and, muttering in Thai, thrust the cholesterol, motherwort to reduce complete beginners. The BWWG’s first publication paper at Lakshmi, who was doing better anxiety and fear – and dried garlic (before ‘Monsoon Midnights the short story collecat her Thai lessons than I was. I bought as an overall tonic. tion,’ available now on Amazon) was a Thai English some greens and garlic. When Lakshmi He indicated thyme and basil language bestseller, ‘Bangkok Blondes,’ and various finished shopping she packed the plastic and turmeric for a friend who had a pamphlets. We regularly give readings around town bags of produce in her bag, threw it over tumor, and blackberry wine for her and have been part of international festivals and culher shoulder and gestured to the side of husband who often had digestive tural exchanges. Please contact bkk_writers@yahoo. the market. problems, explaining that if you live com for more information. We strode to the other side, where by these plants, they will live with This month’s storyteller is Sarah Sutro, author the flower vendors were arranging you, in the sense of curing you. With of “COLORS Passages through Art, Asia and Nature, orchids, roses and carnations in great regret he spoke of the diminishing 2010.” She was a finalist for the Robert Frost Poetry bunches that put out a heavenly scent relationship between humans and Award and Artist Foundation Poetry Grant, and a visinto the dark night. I knew these plants, the medical profession taking iting writer at the American Academy in Rome. Sarah had come from the flower market in over where herbalists once had writes for American Arts Quarterly. Her work has also downtown Bangkok, a whole street more influence. Like the Buddhist appeared in Amsterdam Quarterly, Art New England crammed with bright blossoms. Now ecology monks called phra nak and the anthology Bangkok Blondes. Her poetry we were on the street where the Siam annurak thamachat, who conserve collection from Finishing Line Press, “Études,” is Society was, but further down. I had nature, he swore that if you learned coming out in December 2015 in the US. Celebrating been here many times, but never noticed the names of the plants, and their moments in nature, Sarah’s poems reflect connecthe open market behind the flowers. uses, you would lead a healthy and tions to friends, mythology and our complex world. I decided I would come back integrated life. regularly, mostly to go to the Chinese Later we agreed as he spoke we store, to buy almonds, pecans, saffron, both felt a rare sense of connection, raisins, curry powder….anything Asian especially in the city, where the I could buy in bulk that cost too much in speed and aggressiveness of the supermarkets. movement take attention away from Lakshmi and I turned the corner, the deeper sources of growth and and suddenly found ourselves again life that country people used to on Sukhumvit, in the quiet hours nourish. I told Lakshmi of buying a after midnight. The deserted steps small painting from an artist at an of Robinson’s department store, and art fair in Bangkok, depicting a dark the overarching skytrain and elevated green field and sky at night, with a sidewalk were a vast architectural single dirt road going back into the theatre around and above us. We had field. The only light was the light gone from the underbelly of life, its of fires and stars. A single figure archaic beginnings, to a giant man-made landscape, devoid of toward the foreground was silhouetted against a small fire, nature. Lakshmi handed me a piece of ginger, a token of our that lit up a lone tree surrounded with reeds and palm – in the friendship, and we said goodnight, going our separate ways, distance was another glow of fire. In the sky, a vast array of tiny determined to explore the Chinese box, to discover and enter stars and planets were all visible because of the lack of artificial the old Thailand again. light, sprinkling the huge heavens with infinite points of light. The artist had paused, handing me the painting. “This is the old I’m happy to see the moon again. The clouds have dispersed. It Thailand,” he said. And again I felt that, buying these plant-based sits big and round in the city sky. medicines and herbs from the man in the shop, Lakshmi and I, There is so much abundance in this earth… foreigners in this city, were in the old Thailand – even though I feel safe, I feel sated, I feel relaxed and ready to sleep. Good the marketplace was underneath one of the most developed night moon, tonight I’ll turn in before you do. areas in the center of a huge, complex city. But whether observed or invisible to my sleeping eyes, the As shopkeepers arranged vegetables on their stands moon over Bangkok will rise again when Monsoon Midnights and hauled huge burlap bags of grains into their shops. returns with our next story in just a month’s time… Lakshmi asked for a woven basket bag for her purchases and a Anette Pollner, leader of the BWWG shopkeeper brought one out from behind his register. We made our way to a vegetable dealer Lakshmi knew out in the market

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The first volume of Monsoon Midnights (18 stories by 12 authors with beautiful illustrations by the BigChilli graphics team) is available on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1tj8fJr. TheBigChilli