The BigChilli December 2014 by The BigChilli Co., Ltd.

December 2014 Season’s Eatings! 143

FESTIVE DINING AT A GLANCE PAGE 62

135 117

101

08 INSIGHT News, gossip, business and more 30 THE LIFE AND WORK OF HM THE KING His Majesty has initiated literally thousands of developments that have greatly benefited the country

101 WHAT’S ON An extensive round up of exhibitions, performances, sport, and more 117 SOCIAL Last month’s best events in pictures

39 GOURMET A round up of all the best restaurant deals and gourmet news in Bangkok

135 DIPLOMATS The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Thailand talks candidly about his work

83 EXPAT WOMEN Health, shopping, advice and fiction

143 TRAVEL Find out what’s hot in Pattaya & Hua Hin

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Join the Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok

Celebrations this New Year!

Make New Year 2015 one to remember within the picturesque city at WALK bar the 21st floor rooftop of the hotel on 31st December to out on the town with the old year and welcome year of the goat with spirits unlimited and live music by DJ.

Newyear Eve 31st December 2014 Café 9

Venue: 9th floor [Start from 19.00 hrs. - midnight] Price: Adult THB 2,015++ per person includes free flow of red wine & white wine and a glass of Lombard champagne. Child 4-11 year old THB 1,200++ per person includes soft drink and Juice. Entertainment: Trio Band.

Infuze & Moom Sabai

Venue: 9th floor [Start from 20.00 hrs. - midnight] Price: Adult THB 2,999++ per person. (Beverage only) Entertainment: Trio Band.

Chili Hip (Rooftop restaurant)

Venue: 20th floor [Start from 19.00 hrs. - midnight] Price: Adult THB 9,999++per couple includes a bottle of Lombard champagne. Child 4-11 year old THB 3,000++ per person includes Soft drink and Juice. Entertainments: Live DJ and Firework.

Walk Bar

Venue: 21st floor [Start from 20.00 - midnight] Price: Adult THB 4,999 ++ per person (children under 18 years old are not allowed to the bar as prohibited by law) Entertainments: Live DJ and Firework

Early Bird before December 15, get 10 % discount on full payment. Festive Desk: Lobby | Date: Sunday 28th – Wednesday 31st December Time: 10.30 – 19.00 hrs. Tel: 02 625 1234 ext 4707 | Emal: cwb@chr.co.th

LONG LIVE HM THE KING Read about the life and work of His Majesty on page 30

Chef’s Table: All you need to know about Food & Beverage IN this issue, we introduce CHEF’S TABLE, a new and informative section featuring the people and companies that bring us the wonderful food and wines we now enjoy, create the superbly appointed restaurants that have given Thailand a world class reputation for gourmet dining, and the equipment that ensure our kitchens compare with the best in Asia. Gone but certainly not missed are the days when people would only specify ‘red’ or ‘white’ when ordering wine, ask for beef for their steak, fish regardless of species, and cheese as if it all came from the same animal. Today’s diners are amazingly knowledgeable and appreciate the subtle differences between chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and cabernet sauvignon; sirloin and T-bone steak; wagyu and ohmi; cold and warm water fish; cheddar and goat’s cheese. And now when they make choices, they choose wisely and with great expectations. This wisdom is also a challenge for chefs, who naturally want to please their customers so they return again, and again to their restaurant. Thus, ordering the right food and wines at the right quality and the right price is of paramount importance. No longer can they afford to ‘make do’ and compromise. The competition nowadays is too tough. And in this newly knowledgeable market, chefs need to know what products are available and if they meet the standards now rightfully expected by diners. Only those who meet these challenges will enjoy long-term success.

Happily for both chefs and consumers, the number of companies in Thailand now supplying those products has quadrupled during the past few years, and continues to grow. Restaurants no longer have to rely on one or two suppliers who in the past tended to dominate the local market without necessarily bringing the best products to the table. Today, chefs and sommeliers have access to all kinds of excellent foods and beverages from local and overseas sources. It’s both an exciting and an enticing prospect. This is why CHEF’S TABLE is an important new addition to The BigChilli. Every month, we will feature the people and products that are making Thailand such an exceptional culinary centre, along with worldwide trends that influence the way people choose their food and beverage. Dining has never been such a complex and challenging industry, and we will keep a keen eye on developments. WINE drinkers get a raw deal in Thailand, which holds the dubious distinction of taxing this beverage more heavily than anywhere else on the planet. Importers are constantly looking at ways to reduce the cost burden and in the past year came up with a solution that dips under the usual taxation radar in an alcoholic product known as fruit wine that combines grape juice with fruit juice. In this issue, The BigChilli looks at fruit wine and asks whether it really is an acceptable substitute or alternative to genuine wine.

Hot Choice!

Riverside Dining Experience 25 leading restaurants located along the banks of the Chao Phraya River will lay on their own unique three-course set dinner menu for the tasty price of B999 per guest! See page 40 for details.

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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 EXECUTIVE Thana Pongsaskulchoti thanabigchilli@gmail.com ACCOUNTING MANAGER Saranya Choeyjanya fatcatbigchilli@gmail.com ACCOUNTING ASSISTANT Janjira Silapapairson janbigchilli@gmail.com ART & PRODUCTION Arthawit Pundrikapa, Jaran Lakawat PHOTOGRAPHY Mini Bike Gang, WJ Cover image courtesy of Centara Grand at CentralWorld CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anette Pollner, Johanna DeKoning, Judith Coulson, Maxmilian Wechsler, Paul Hewitt, Meghan Corcoran

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TheBigChilliMag No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior written permission from The BigChilli Co., Ltd. The opinions and views of the writers are not necessarily the views of the publishers. All details are deemed correct at the time of print, the publisher, the editor, employees and contributors can not be held responsible for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions that may occur. The editor reserves the right to accept, reject or amend any submitted artwork, photographs, illustrations and manuscripts. The BigChilli welcomes unsolicited contributions but assumes no responsibility for the safe-keeping or return of such materials damaged or lost in transit.

The BigChilli Company Ltd., 1/7 5th Fl. Room 504, Siboonrueng Bldg. 2, Convent Road, Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02 233 1774-6, 02 266 7141 Fax: 02 235 0174 e-mail: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com Strip AD_Foodland_Dec14_M4.indd 1

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Expat

News

Fruit wine: Is it for real? Loved for its low cost but disdained for its lack of authenticity, this little understood beverage has made its mark in Thailand. For now ■ EVER since the government increased the already punitive duties on wine earlier this year, importers and local wineries have been looking for ways to make their products more affordable – and their solution has been an alcoholic beverage known as “fruit wine.” Today, fruit wine can be found in supermarkets, shops and on the wine list of a growing number of restaurants, most usually as an inexpensive “house wine.” It comes in traditional wine bottles and in five-litre or even bigger boxes. Event organizers also often turn to this cheaper wine option to serve at parties and conferences. Understanding the full commercial impact of fruit wines in Thailand is not easy. Even some of the country’s leading wine dealers find the situation confusing. That said, many consumers do not know or care that they’re drinking fruit wine; it’s generally very drinkable, garners few complaints, and it provides that all-important buzz. More importantly, people like the fact that it costs significantly less than “traditional” wine. But what is fruit wine, and how does it differ from traditional wine? According to several importers, fruit wine sold in Thailand is a mixture of grape juice comprising one or more varietals, and juice that’s made from a fruit (often mulberry). There is confu-

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sion, however, about the ratio of this mix. Some say it can be as much as 95% grape juice, while others say it is supposed to contain no less than 80% pure grape juice, the rest being fruit concentrate. Because it’s a mixture, fruit wine falls into a lower category of excise duty compared to imported wine. According to official figures, imported wine comprising 100% grapes attracts a duty of 300-400%, whereas local wines (“input locally”) as well as wines made from grapes grown in Thailand carry an excise duty of just 100%. To confuse the situation further, some companies import bottles that are clearly labeled “fruit wine” into Thailand, and thereby attract the higher duties. Sources suggest such wine comes from Vietnam, a fellow ASEAN member country enjoying lower import duties, where it is mixed and bottled. Countries like the US, Australia, New Zealand and the EU are apparently not permitted to export wine into Thailand that’s been mixed and bottled in ASEAN members. How do you know you’re drinking fruit wine? By law, wine companies have to include the phrase “fruit wine” somewhere on the label. This usually appears in tiny lettering on the back of the bottle or on the bottom of the box. It is unknown whether all companies stick

rigidly to this ruling. The government also distinguishes between wines with the stamps attached to the top of every bottle. Imported wines – even fruit wines – carry a blue sticker, while local wines have a yellow sticker. The sticker system used in Thailand covers all types of alcoholic beverages sold in Thailand (see chart on next page). Taste-wise, fruit wine has both its fans and detractors. One of Thailand’s biggest wine companies insists that only the savviest drinker can tell the difference between “real” wine and fruit wine, and it is therefore widely accepted and enjoyed. This view is not shared, however, by a local restaurateur who recently commented: “To call it wine at all is an insult to the consumer and to wine makers the world over.” Price is not an indicator. Major retailers like Tesco are currently importing wine which it says contains 100% grapes sourced and bottled in Australia and costs B349 per bottle. Industry watchers calculate the profit on wine sold at this price cannot be more than B60 per bottle. The sudden rise of fruit wine in Thailand, however, could be short-lived, according to certain sources, as government officials have no way of testing the 80-20 ratio on grapes to wine. This is seen as a loophole in the law which they wish to close. >> (Continued next page...)

Expat

News Book of the month

Americans in Thailand

■ MOST readers will be familiar with the major influx of US servicemen and women to Thailand during the Vietnam War. They may also have read about King Mongkut’s offer to US President James Buchanan to send elephants to the USA in the 1850s. But how many of us are aware that the first American missionary arrived in Siam in 1818, and that Bangkok’s first English-language newspaper was created

by American Dan Bradley in 1844. These are just some of the fascinating stories which make up a new book titled “Americans in Thailand,” edited by Denis Gray, Nicholas Grossman, Jim Algie and other contributors, and published in an attractive hard-bound edition by Editions Didier Millet. Featuring over 300 illustrations and photographs, this highly readable book focuses on the American community in Thailand over a period of nearly 200 years, starting with missionaries, traders and diplomats, and moving on to the 20th century when Americans assumed a number of key roles within the Siamese court relating to medicine, education and legal reforms. Following the end of World War II, the US presence in Thailand dramatically increased as the American authorities became increasingly alarmed at the spread of communism in South East Asia. During this period a number of colourful characters emerged, including

the rejuvenator of the Thai silk industry, Jim Thompson; founder of the Bangkok World, Darrell Berrigan; and lawyer, Albert Lyman. It also saw the emergence of USborn entrepreneurs such as businessman Bill Heinecke, architect Robert Boughey, and Citibank executive James Rooney. Reading this book reminds us of the dramatic growth in tourism to Thailand, which in the 1950s totalled less than 100,000 visitors per year, and has now grown to in excess of 25 million tourists per annum. An early tourist to Thailand

was Ulysses S Grant in 1879, who stayed for five days at Saranrom Palace. Tourist accommodation in those days was virtually non-existent, but the intervening years have seen an incredible growth in the number of hotels and resorts, many of which are now managed by Americans. – Roy Howard “Americans in Thailand” published by Editions Didier Millet, 304 pages, hardback. Available at Asia Books, Kinokuniya and all good bookstores. Price US$39.90/B1,250.

Fruit wine: Is it for real? (continued) EXCISE DUTY FOR SPIRITS IN THAILAND • Imported whisky = green sticker – excise duty: 100%

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• Imported cognac = brown sticker – excise duty: 100% • Imported vodka, gin, tequila, cocktail mixer (others) = orange sticker – excise duty: 100% • Local whisky = dark blue sticker – excise duty: n.a. • Imported wines = blue sticker – excise duty: 300-400% • Wines bottled in Thailand (“input locally”) = yellow – excise duty: 100% • Local wines = yellow sticker – excise duty: 100%

• Imported sherr y = blue sticker – excise duty: n.a. • Cider = orange sticker – excise duty: n.a. Chinese imported spirits carry many different colours.

Expat

News

Ban on vendors linked to more police shakedowns? ■ A BIG increase in the harassment of foreigners by police in the Sukhumvit area of Bangkok topped all expat matters last month, with the press and social media reporting a slew of incidents and mostly negative comments. The stop-and-search campaign seems

Hot Gossip • The Rex Hotel, one of Bangkok’s oldest properties, is set to close at the end of this month. Located between soi 34 and 36, the Rex dates back to the late ’60s when it became a favourite R&R hotel for American servicemen from Vietnam. Known for the excellent fare of its 24-hour coffee shop and the low rates in one of the city’s most expensive districts, the Rex will be torn down to make way for a new high-rise. • The second branch of El Gaucho, the popular Argentinean steakhouse, will be launched on Sukhumvit Soi 11. El Gaucho restaurants can be found in Vietnam and in Bangkok on the corner of Sukhumvit 11. • Rumours of the Black Swan’s closure on Sukhumvit 14 have apparently been exaggerated, for the owners of the building where this popular pub is located have had at least a temporary change of heart about the property’s redevelopment. • Word is going around that the shophouses on the left hand side of Sukhumvit 11 are to be demolished, a move that will affect a sizeable number of small business operations. 12

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to have been stepped up several notches following the daytime ban on pavement vendors and the enforced closure of dozens of small massage parlours, which may have resulted in a substantial drop in “income” for officials. Western visitors and residents are

now being stopped and searched more frequently by police who say they are looking for evidence of drugs or drug taking. Some foreigners are subjected to a urine test; a few are taken to the police station for further inquiries. Brown-uniformed accomplices of the police known as Tessakit are also stepping up their harassment of pedestrians who may absent-mindedly drop cigarette butts or small pieces of litter on the same sidewalks that motorcycles use illegally, but generally without reproach. When told they face a fine of 2,000 baht, the offenders are not only shocked but also frightened, especially when these BMA officials with no legal power of their own summon police to force the issue. As the majority of comments on social media point out, this is unnecessary harassment and negativity at a time when Thailand’s tourism industry is facing some major public relations disasters. While a few comments praise the police for the crackdown on drugs, most suggest the best ways of handling the situation, including contacting respective embassies.

“Undercover” foreigner involved in police scam ■ A LONG-term expat is dreading the next time he has to renew his annual visa after getting caught up in a scam involving off-duty police and a foreigner who claimed to be working undercover for a major embassy. Although the expat did nothing unlawful and was cleared of accusations that his current visa had expired, he now fears for his future in Thailand. “I am really worried about getting a new visa after the police held my passport for some hours. They now have my name and details, and could make a problem for me in the future,” explained the foreigner. His predicament began outside a small suburban shopping mall after two plain clothes cops approached him and began asking questions, and then accused him of taking drugs. Knowing he was completely innocent of any wrongdoing, the man initially feigned his extensive knowledge of Thai so he could better understand the police’s motives. At this point, a European suddenly appeared on the scene and began translating what the police were saying. He claimed to be working undercover for his embassy and helping police to arrest drug takers. Since he wasn’t carrying his passport with him, the expat was taken to a

police station to await his Thai wife who produced the document some time later. The foreign ‘translator’ joined them. After going over the passport, the police said he had overstayed his visa, which was a serious problem that could result in a hefty fine, and even a ban on him returning to Thailand for the next five years. A heated exchange between the man’s wife and the police ensued which prompted the translator to suggest to the expat he was probably better off out of the country and away from such an angry woman anyway. After almost 12 hours in the police station, the man was finally released without charge – and without his passport. Outside, he was approached by yet another non-Thai who said he could arrange for the return of his passport. However, there would be a “cost” – 120 baht – a surprisingly small amount which he gladly paid. “Now I simply worry that I may face problems next time I try to leave the country or get my visa extended,” said the man. “I have a wife and three kids to look after, so it’s not a pleasant prospect.” NOTE: The embassy mentioned in this article was contacted and stated categorically from photos supplied that the “translator” was not known to them.

Expat

Travel

Driving through â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Land of a Million Elephantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; without seeing one! Words and Photographs ANTHONY FARRAR

Neighbouring Laos is a great place to visit, except for the roads and none of the animals for which it is famed

FTER driving from Ayutthaya through torrential rain in Udon to the far northern town of Nong Khai, we eventually reached the Thai-Laos border. A short distance before the border, there is a long-term car park, where we parked up. Some helpful people at a desk in the car park arranged a minibus and Laos visa forms for us.

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We were driven to the Thai border post, then across the extremely wide Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River. I believe it is possible to take a train across and I saw the tracks but no trains. Formalities on the Laos side were minimal and took only 20 minutes. We were then driven to the capital, Vientiane. It is not dissimilar to a provincial town in Thailand, apart from the fact that they

drive on the right. One night in a hotel and then off to rent a car. We chose a subsidiary of Avis and for US$100 a day we hired a Ford Everest a, two/four wheel drive SUV (we never needed to use the four-wheel drive) and off we went. Driving in Laos is equally chaotic as Thailand with the added hazard of very poor roads, massive potholes, indifferent and poor drivers,

and grossly overloaded vehicles. Every bridge and village is named, but signposts are virtually non-existent. Good maps are needed and visitors should not be afraid to ask directions. Most people understand Thai. Once out of Vientiane we crossed flat lands, with mountains looming ahead. Entering the foothills we began an eight-hour climb. Switchback roads, a great many

potholes (some several centimetres deep and metres wide), slow motorbikes, overloaded logging trucks, and coaches. Overall though the traffic was light and polite. The villages of the mostly wooden houses, along the roads teem with children of all ages. Nearly all are barefoot and fortunately all have good road sense. I was never worried about children dashing into the road, but there were

additional hazards of goats, families of chickens, which appeared to want to commit suicide with last minute dashes across the road, water buffalo and cows (the latter like to sleep in the middle of the road). All life exists along the roads: people showered in road-side streams and did their washing there too. Children bathed en masse. Small children carried even

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Travel

smaller children on their backs; boys were heading into the jungle with large nets to catch birds or perhaps insects. All manner of goods were being sold along the road and occasionally, men with Kalashnikovs (hardly the hunter’s weapon of choice) were seen strolling along quite casually.

he drive was quite exhausting with what seemed perpetual steep ascents and tight, blind bends, crumbling road edges and the ubiquitous potholes. Overtaking was essential but lethal. Having said that, truck drivers pulled over where possible and waved us past. After climbing to almost 6,000 feet we reached the top of the mountain pass, ready for the descent into Luang Prabang. The views are stunning. The descent was the climb in reverse, constant twisting, turning, braking and jarring potholes.

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“We arrived in Luang

Prabang, a World Heritage city of low-rise buildings, clean wide streets, cafes and temples – a reminder perhaps of what Thailand looked like 50 years ago.”

We arrived in Luang Prabang, a World Heritage city of low-rise buildings, clean wide streets, cafes and temples – a reminder perhaps of what Thailand looked like 50 years ago. We visited the night market, the exquisite Xieng Thong temple and then the next day set off into the mountains once again, heading for Phonsovan and the fabled Plain of Jars. Another day of climbing, twisting and turning, avoiding the wildlife and covering little ground. Oh! And it was now raining. >>

Expat

Travel

e reached Phonsovan. And what a miserable, muddy, depressing place it is too. Like a provincial industrial town in China. After a night in a big, but none too friendly Vietnamese-run hotel we set off for Site 1 of the Plain of Jars (there are 70 such sites but only seven have been cleared of mines, left over from the Vietnam War). Site 1 has the most jars and the biggest jar. It was still raining, it was quite cold and we had no waterproofs or umbrellas. A quick look at the jars (another World Heritage site) and it was back into the mountains and back to Vientiane. The Plain of Jars? Worth seeing, yes; but not worth going to see (apologies to Dr Samuel Johnson). Seven hours later we arrived at what seemed like civilisation. We spent the night in Vientiane with a bit of sightseeing, including the huge concrete ‘Victory Gate,’ which celebrates the fight to rid the country of French colonial rule. The next morning we took a taxi to the border and after queuing, form-filling and paying our exit tax of about 40 baht each, we were driven across the Friendship Bridge (still no train in sight) and back to our car. Being back in Thailand was like coming home to a pair of comfortable slippers, good roads, good food, 7/11 and a Friday afternoon/evening 14-hour drive from Nong Khai to Ayutthaya. Laos is called ‘The Land of a Million Elephants’ but we didn’t see even one. It is, however, well worth a visit; it’s different in many ways, and just next door.

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Travel

MEET THE GM: PRASERT BOONCHU The General Manager of Novotel Bangkok Bangna on work, life, and corporate social responsibility I grew up in a small village in Phang Nga and my family wanted me to become a civil servant. However, after thinking long and hard about it, I knocked that idea on the head; I knew it wasn’t my ideal job. Being a child from a small village, my dream was to travel. So when Prince of Songkla University offered a new program in Hotels & Tourism, I thought it would be interesting. And indeed it was – and still is. What do I like about the hospitality industr y? Besides meeting and interacting with new people from various

walks of life, I like problem solving. From my personal experience, there is no such thing as ‘a normal day at work’ in a hotel. Problems, big or small, always find their way to your door. When you are able to solve these puzzles, the feeling is very rewarding. Novotel Bangkok Bangna is perfect for both business and leisure travelers. Our 284-room hotel offers convenient access to Suvarnabhumi Airport, the BITEC Exhibition Centre and Mega Bangna Shopping Mall. BTS skytrain stations, popular golf courses, and important industrial cores such as Bangplu, Bangplee and Amata Nakorn Industrial Estate, are all within easy reach.

Changing our boilers was one of our first steps to engage in CSR projects, and the efficient systems we now have in place are much more environmentally friendly. Other projects we’ve been involved in recently include Children’s Day, in which we hosted lunch and activities for local children, and the 20th Anniversary NBB Golf Charity event, which saw us raise funds to build a safe playground for children in Ruamjai Pattana area. We also have our ‘Hug a Tree’ project, which sees us use money saved on laundry (guests are urged to re-use towels) to plant trees.

Since 75% of our market are investors and high profile corporate managers, it’s vital that we maintain our efficiency, quality and service excellence. Our staff are one of the keys behind our success. I can proudly say that we have one of the best employee ratios in the country. Most of the hotel will have a guest-employee ratio of one or greater, but our guest-employee ratio stands at only 0.8.

Outside of work my biggest hobbies are golf, football and travelling. In fact, football is more than a hobby to me – it’s what brought me to where I am today. The day after I graduated university I played in a football tournament in Phuket where I met the GM of a renowned hotel, whose team I scored against in the final round (and we beat them). He asked me if I had a job, I said no, he took me under his wing, and the rest is history.

I learned a great deal about efficiency and the importance of multitasking at a Management Training programme I attended at Sofitel Cairns (now the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino). I’m now applying the concepts I learned there to this hotel. Over the last two years, Novotel Bangkok Bangna has undergone several major projects – installing new boilers, repainting the building, changing our original steel water pipes to PVC ones imported

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from Germany, etc. As we approach our 20th anniversary, we have now started renovating our facilities and rooms.

I once drove 3,000 kilometres in three days. I drove from Khon Kaen to Bangkok to Chiang Mai to Phuket. I love driving and observing the surroundings, and I always keep my golf bag and football kit in the trunk – just in case I happen upon a game. What tips would I give to anyone who wants to be a GM? Know the importance of language – English is essential to operating a hotel. Also, dare to question things, be brave, and enjoy the challenge. www.novotelbangkokbangna.com

Novotel Bangkok Bangna Mix business with pleasure at this superbly located hotel ■ LOCATED in the fast growing Bangkok Bangna area, this 4-star hotel is perfect for business and leisure travelers looking to get their most out of a stay in the city. Suvarnabhumi Airport, the BITEC Exhibition Center and Mega Bangna Shopping Mall are all just a short drive away, while the Skytrain (Bangna BTS Station) offers direct access right into the city’s commercial and entertainment heart. What’s more, the hotel boasts easy access to 15 top class golf courses, and is situated close to the expressway – meaning Pattaya is only one hour’s drive away. You can spend that amount of time just sitting in traffic on Sukhumvit. The hotel’s 284 rooms are decorated in contemporary fashion and come with free WiFi as standard. Room types range from the Superior 1 Queen-size bed (featuring en suite bathtub/shower, sofa, working table, 32” LCD TV, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities, and more,

for up to two adults and two children), to the Executive Suite (with lounge and bathroom, 32” LCD TV, sofa set, working desk, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities). Guests can enjoy drinks in The Bar or sample delicious food available in the hotel’s two restaurants, The Square and Shui Xin Chinese Restaurant. The former offers a splendid buffet of international cuisines (don’t miss the Sunday brunch), while the latter specializes in authentic Szechuan and Cantonese cuisine. Other facilities include swimming pool and fitness center, a Deli Shop serving fresh breads and pastries, and a Biz Center with conference rooms that can be tailored to suit small or large meetings. For full details about the hotel and room rates see: www.novotelbangkokbangna. com.

Novotel Bangkok Bangna, 333 Srinakarin Rd.

☎ 02 366 0505 :novotelbangkokbangna.com TheBigChilli

Expat

Travel

Rental For The Holidays Discover affordable accommodation in stunning apartments throughout Thailand ■ RENTAL For The Holidays (RFH) is a bespoke rental service that offers the ultimate in comfort, facilities and privacy, with the major attraction being that its rentals are much more affordable than hotels. Budget-savvy customers will find accommodation ranging from studios to three bedrooms, and they can rest assured they’ll have a comfortable stay because all properties listed on the RFH website have undergone a careful selection process to ensure they offer five-star facilities and services. This means customers can expect to enjoy all the sought-after amenities and facilities within a development that property owners are entitled to (swimming pool, fitness centre, gardens, etc.). What’s more, RFH’s highly professional, experienced team is on standby to serve customers before, during and after their stay to ensure complete peace of mind.

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The benefits of staying in an apartment instead of a hotel of course, are many. Not only do you save money on booking fees, for example, but on meals, too (having access to a fully equipped kitchen is a real bonus – especially for families). Stylish decorations and top quality furnishings, meanwhile, ensure every customer enjoys a home-away-fromhome experience. RFH currently lists over 1,000 properties in Hua Hin and Phuket and plans to add Pattaya soon. Developments are in superb locations, either in city centers or by the beach, and can cater for individual travelers, couples, families and large groups. Planning an extended holiday? The best news is that RFH properties can be reserved on a monthly basis. Plan your dream holiday today at: www.rentalfortheholidays.com

Expat

Property

Asetti

The Secret of Amazing Architecture & Design Asetti Create ‘The Wow Factor’ – Art of Design Magazine ■ IN 2014, Asetti launched their new portfolio of luxury property designs to an international audience. The combination of Thai and British talent proved immensely successful. Their designs received a great response and were inundated with rave reviews. Even their Facebook page reached 10,000 likes in

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four weeks. A feature quote from Art of Design Magazine in London read: “One brand name that truly defines luxury design is of course ‘Asetti.’ An exclusive architectural and design team who create some of the most spectacular designs in the world. Their imagination is limitless.

Over the past few years, this luxury brand have redefined the ‘wow factor’, inspiring a wide variety of beautiful properties.” Based in Bangkok, Asetti provide architectural and design services throughout Thailand and the world.

Unique homes for those who want the best Luxury homes and property are dreams for many of us and a reality for some of us. If its cars, many of us think of Ferrari, Bentley, Mercedes, Porsche and all the other exciting quality brands. But if you seek the best in architectural design, then Asetti are the guys to talk to. They have a continual ability to surprise their clients with new ideas. Just as you think they have surpassed themselves with a particular design, they pop up with something even more inspired and stunning. It keeps them fresh and exciting to work with. Demand for their services is high. They sensibly choose their projects carefully, based on each individual client. As experienced designers they know only too well, to achieve something incredible, self determination is vital. So creative freedom is a major priority. Customers come from far and wide. Inspiration is obtained from a rich pool of sources, including aspects of historical and modern world architecture, movies, fashion, art, mythology and photography. Asetti are definitely trend setters not followers!

The James Bond House In 2014, they launched their super home ‘Utopia’ – often referred to as The James Bond House. To say they reinvented the super home would be an understatement. Utopia is one of the world’s most distinctive home designs. The 15,000 square metres of pure luxury and indulgence includes waterfalls, a pyramid with interior tropical garden, a vast dome with sky bridge, floating walkways, alternative energy systems, tropical pools, spiral staircases, glass lifts and beautiful water features. Perfectly fitting for one of the famous villains in the James Bond movies.

Luxur y homes, casinos, theatres, shopping malls and hotels Other projects include a new casino, entertainment and hotel development in Laos; the creation of a design for a Dome

Theatre in the UK; a luxurious Balinese Villa in Khao Yai; a contemporary Thai villa with tropical lagoon pool in Rayong; a seven storey block of executive apartments in Uganda, Africa, and a deluxe town house in India.

Recent exciting additions have been a joint project with one of Europe’s finest marine engineering and naval architects, LMG Marin, who required conceptual design for a unique offshore five-star hotel and residential eco-development. This followed with the conceptual design for what could be one of Southeast Asia’s biggest shopping malls, and a private home at Lakewood Country Club, Bangkok. To quote from London’s design magazine: “If you are looking for amazing design anywhere in the world and looking to create a wow factor then look no further. The secret is the ‘Asetti’ design team. They certainly love what they do and recently were described by one magazine as ‘simply the best at what they do.’”

You can contact the team from their website: www.asetti.com or check out their facebook page asettidesign

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Q&A

Business

Going for gold: Agate Tantachon The Managing Director of Shining Gold Bullion Co., Ltd talks about gold and trends and crafting unique gold ornaments ■ When was Shining Gold Bullion Co., Ltd founded? Shining Gold Bullion Co., Ltd is one of the companies under the Shining Gold Group. Our main company was established 65 years ago when gold retailers affiliated with Zin Jia Chiang Co., Ltd – a renowned gold producer and distributor – formed a partnership and began focusing solely on making gold ornaments. In 1993, however, we began expanding our trade and became a gold wholesaler, distributing gold to numerous gold retailers around the country. Nowadays, we are one of the biggest gold producers in Thailand. So the Shining Gold Group does much more than simply producing its famed gold ornaments? Besides being a gold ornament and gold bars producer, the Shining Gold Group also imports gold and trades gold bars online. The digital realm is where Shining Gold Bullion steps in. Our company’s online trading system helps facilitate online gold trade amongst our clients, be it big or small. Does Shining Gold Bullion Co., Ltd concentrate only on online investment? While we do focus on online gold markets, Shining Gold Bullion also produces designs for gold bullion bars and coins. In addition, we also provide services for clients to design their own gold ornaments. Does this mean we could own a one-of-a-kind ornament? Yes, you can own a one-of-a-kind gold ornament – a true collector’s piece. While we offer basic designs and weight guidelines for our customers to select from, if they want to be creative and design their own gold ornament, we are more than happy to create one for them – no matter how detailed the designs are. Our talented goldsmiths use top of the line machines imported from Italy and are experts at creating Thai designs (which are notoriously difficult to replicate). 26

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What has your customer feedback been like? The feedback from customers, both local and international, has been great, especially from rapidly growing economies like Laos, Cambodia and particularly India where the purchasing power for both gold jewelry and bullion bars is high. For detailed designs on gold bullion bars, the craftsmanship can take up to three weeks to complete. However, the final product, which is painstakingly detailed, will always make the wait worthwhile. Sounds like a winning business. Any plans to expand? In the third or fourth quarter of 2015, we plan to open a store at Siam Paragon – an estimated 70 million baht project. And in 2018, after the IconSiam project has been completed, we plan to open a store there as well. Finally, what trends can we expect to see in the gold market over the next year? Currently, the gold market is relatively weak and is expected to remain frail until the end of this year. However, next year, after the New Year and the upcoming Chinese New Year, the gold market is expected to rebound back due to high demand. After the Chinese New Year, the gold price will keep fluctuating slightly. Some people think that the price of gold will dip to about $800 US dollars per ounce, but I think that’s unlikely. Presently, the price for gold is still above $1,000 US dollars per ounce, and will continue to rise because of the strong demand, combined with its intrinsic value and traditional prestige. For more info Tel: 02 626 2222 or www.shininggold.com

Expat

Business

Leveraging the holidays through PR: Five top tips

By Kittima Sethi

■ WHEN it comes to taking advantage of the festive season, Bangkok’s shopping centers don’t mess around. Christmas trees and decorations spring up in mid-November, and promotions flow faster than snow on a mountain top. Just as stores and companies plan their promotions early, if you get a head start on your public relations strategy you too can expect to reap rich awards. With good planning, you can expect increased sales, more customers and more opportunities to grow your business. Here are some PR tips on how you can leverage the holiday season to keep your business busy while you simultaneously build customer loyalty. 1. Create a calendar We are fortunate that, in Thailand, the holiday season not only includes western celebrations such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Years, but also other international and local celebrations like Chinese New Year, Songkran, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations and many more. Create a calendar of these events so you can plan for seasonal campaigns. You’ll be surprised how full your calendar will look, but don’t worry. You have the luxury of selecting the ones you want to implement. This will allow you ample time to plan ahead and avoid any last minute rushes. Also keep in mind that most magazines plan their issues way ahead. Some require a 45-60 days lead time, so the earlier you send information to them, the higher your chances of getting coverage. 2. Pitch stories to media The end-of-the year is usually the most hectic time for media as they are racing with deadlines to close their issues before the holidays. This period is a “pitching goldmine” as they are usually hungry for content. Reach out to publications to feature your products

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or services, or offer to provide holidayrelated articles. These could include giftbuying tips, tips on keeping fit and eating healthy during the holiday season, new recipes, holiday ideas, or even sharing your company’s CSR or other charitable contributions. If you are in the insurance or banking industry, for instance, you could contribute stories on smart saving tips and advice. The same applies for other holidays as well. Try to find a story angle to tie in with your product and services. Do not ignore online media as most publications have an online version. Pitch your content right, and you could enjoy great coverage and publicity.

3. Embrace social media and touch base with your customers During this time of the year when most people are juggling between work, family, parties and holiday commitments, they are looking for the most efficient and convenient way to shop for gifts. Online shopping has grown tremendously over the years to meet this need. Make sure your website is userfriendly and easy to navigate to allow potential customers to find your business quickly and make purchases. Promote your holiday campaigns and special offers on your homepage so they are easy to locate. Integrate this across

all your existing social networks such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Chat apps like Viber, LINE, and WeChat are also other platforms that can be used. You can also schedule your newsletters using services such as Hootsuite, Wildfire, and Shoutlet. 4. Personalize and customize the experience Making your customers feel special with a personalized service can earn you brownie points. Add a column to your customer database that includes your regular customer’s preferences. During the holiday season, or on your customers’ birthdays, you can then send offers or gifts (one credit card company in Thailand, for example, treats its clients on their birthdays with gifts based on their spending habits and hobbies) based on their preferences. This helps build customer loyalty. 5. Prepare your collaterals early Once your calendar is planned and you have determined the special offers you will be giving out during each month or holidays, you may have some posters, flyers and coupons to give away. Get in touch with local printers during the off season to get better deals, avoid the holiday rush and get your message out there before your competitors do! Thai New Year (Songkran) in April is another huge celebration. Order giveaways such as waterproof phone pouches or floral shirts now so that they’re ready for March. So what are you waiting for? Like everything else, a little planning goes a long way. If you need help in implementing some of these ideas we’re here to help year-round and to make your business a success! Kittima Sethi is a PR consultant at BrandNow Co., Ltd. When not busy planning clients’ PR and marketing calendars to come up with some attentiongrabbing tactics, she can be reached at kittima@brandnow.asia

Feature

King

The Life and Work of His Majesty

Bhumibol Adulyadej

No one in the history of the Kingdom of Thailand has done so much to improve the well-being of its people as His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, also known as Rama IX. He has initiated literally thousands of development projects that have greatly benefited the country and its people. This is why almost every home, office and public building in Thailand is adorned with portraits of His Majesty and other members of the Royal Family, and this is also true in the homes of Hmong, Karen, Mon, Shan and other minorities along the Thai-Myanmar border. But while every Thai citizen is well aware of His Majesty’s achievements, that might not be the case with some foreigners living in Thailand. This article, written to coincide with His Majesty’s 87th birthday which the whole nation will celebrate on December 5, will surely give them a better understanding of what the King represents to the Thai people and why.

Words MAXMILIAN WECHSLER Photographs COURTESY OF THE ROYAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT BOARD 30

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“We shall reign with righteousness for the benefits and happiness of the Siamese people.”

THIS declaration, spoken by His Majesty at his coronation ceremony was his first public pledge to promote the welfare of all his subjects. Throughout his 65-year reign he has fulfilled this promise to the letter. Early on His Majesty was inspired by the example of his parents to work tirelessly to improve the lives of the Thai people. Although most of his childhood was spent in the West, he was taught to be aware of his roots and his debt to the motherland. This attitude formed a solid foundation for a deep understanding of Thai society. In the early days of his reign His Majesty made many visits to rural areas throughout Thailand. Accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, His Majesty visited the least developed areas of the country to see how the people lived. The royal couple travelled to every part of the country, visiting villagers and learning of their living conditions, problems and needs at first hand. His Majesty would then begin the process of devising schemes and projects to resolve their troubles and improve their condition. Scenes of His Majesty sitting on the ground or standing shoulder to shoulder with his subjects, engaged in conversation, became a familiar sight that touched all Thai people. To His Majesty, the people’s problems are also his, and so he has never stopped striving to make their lives better. It is for that reason the people proclaimed their King “Father of the

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Nation” and the monarchy has become a rock solid institution, ensconced firmly in the hearts of the Thai people. His Majesty truly deserves to be called the Developer King for his dedication to alleviating the people’s hardships and improving their quality of life.

Royal Development Projects The Royal Development Projects (RDPs) were directly inspired by the insight His Majesty gained while visiting rural areas. He realized that any projects that truly improved the lives of the people must go hand in hand with protection of the environment and sustainable use of natural resources. The first initiative to help people was initiated in 1951, when His Majesty authorized the Department of Fisheries to acquire Tilapia mosambica fish from Penang through the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. The fish were initially raised in the pond at the Ambarra Villa of the Dusit Palace in Bangkok. On November 7, 1953, His Majesty distributed the fingerlings to village and district leaders throughout the country for propagation and further distribution among the rural people in order to provide them with an alternative source of protein. The first RDP which directly emphasized rural development emerged in 1952 when His Majesty donated a number of bulldozers to the Naresuan Border Patrol Police unit for construction of a road leading to Huai Mongkol Village in Hua Hin district of Prachuap Khiri Khan province. This was to enable the villagers

“His Majesty first elaborated his vision of Sufficiency Economy to the Thai people in 1974. At that time few people recognized its importance, but when the financial bubble burst in 1997, people began to take a second look. Now Sufficiency Economy is respected in Thailand and around the world.”

to easily commute and transport their produce for sale in markets outside the village. His Majesty never simply issues instructions or gives orders. The impetus always comes from the local people. Before he makes any proposal, His Majesty first studies the available data and talks to the people involved. He then consults with officials and academics before passing the initiative on to the government. All royal development projects have started in this way. His Majesty’s development projects have brought substantial benefits and innovation not only to his subjects but to the whole world. Some of the most important are as follows: • Royal Rain Project His Majesty is often associated with life-giving rain because of his pioneering work in cloud seeding techniques. Since 1971, the methods he developed have been used to bring drought relief to farmers and to increase water reservoirs, earning international patents and interest from foreign countries.

• Moisture Retention Dams To maximize the use of Thailand’s annual monsoon rains, His Majesty designed a system of small “check-dams,” which regulate the flow of water. The creation of multiple small reservoirs gives farmers immediate benefits and also replenishes groundwater. • Royal Projects In 1969, the King introduced a comprehensive program to assist northern hill tribe people engaged in unsustainable farming practices. By training the hill tribe communities in the production of various handicrafts, these programs have raised their income and their prospects, and at the same time have benefited the environment. • Pa Sak Jolasid Dam Project To help the farmers of Thailand’s central plains to exploit fully the waters of the Pa Sak River, His Majesty initiated a development project that created a new reservoir for water conservation and controlled irrigation. The dam has also helped with flood prevention on the outskirts of Bangkok. TheBigChilli

Feature

• New Theor y on Managing Agricultural Land Combining concepts of water management with local control, His Majesty developed a strategy that promotes individual household reservoirs over large communal ones, maximizing versatility while minimizing costs. Overall agricultural production is boosted without the need for public funds. • Use of Vetiver to Prevent Soil Erosion To help stop the effects of soil erosion, the King initiated a program to plant certain varieties of vetiver grass, known for its ability to reduce siltation and stabilize soil. The systematic application of the program has proven effective in maximizing productivity and conserving precious water. • The Chaipattana Aerator Concerned with the quality of water in the Kingdom, His Majesty developed a device that keeps water oxygenated and healthy. Office of the Royal Development Project Board

Its simple design and low cost make it easy to build and maintain, thus facilitating wide application nationwide. • The Rama VIII Bridge Always conscious of the daily problems facing Thais, His Majesty suggested the construction of a new bridge across the Chao Phraya River to alleviate congestion in Phra Nakhon and Dusit districts. Named after his brother, King Ananda Mahidol, Rama VIII, the graceful bridge has become a city icon. • Pak Phanang Project To stem the deterioration of the naturally fertile Pak Phanang River basin due to unmanaged population growth, His Majesty initiated co-operation between government agencies to use more effective agricultural resources, maximize economic gain, and reduce harmful environmental practices. • Renewable Energy Long before the need for renewable biofuels was widely apparent, His Majesty was actively researching the resource potential of locally-made palm oil. The resulting biodiesel has become a standard additive in the nation’s fuel, and its local sourcing is an inspiration for ongoing research.

Royal Development Study Centers

In pursuit of his goal of sustainable development in rural Thailand His Majesty initiated the establishment of six Royal Development Study Centers (RDSCs) throughout the country. In these centers research is carried out to find development strategies suitable to the distinctive conditions of each region. The centers serve as “living natural museums” from which farmers can expand and apply their knowledge. The six centers are Khao Hin Sorn in Chachoengsao

Interview with Suwanna Pasiri of ORDPB

UWANNA Pasiri is the current Deputy Secretary-General of the Office of the Royal Development Project Board (ORDPB). She has been with the ORDPB since its establishment in 1981. The BigChilli talked to Mrs Pasiri to get her perspective on the Board’s past, present and the future activities. Mrs Pasiri first explained how the ORDBP came about. “His Majesty began visiting his people in rural areas in 1951 to find ways to help them, and he would meet with many government officials from different departments to discuss how it should be done. When the King said for example, ‘We should provide water for these people,’ officials from the irrigation department started to plan for the project. The government realized it was necessary to set up a central body to oversee His Majesty’s projects and coordinate with various government agencies and departments. This would also make it possible to provide funds to projects right away without having to budget one year ahead, as was the normal procedure. “That’s why the ORDPB was set up on September 9, 1981, led by His Excellency General Prem Tinsulanonda, then the Prime Minister, as chairman. We were under the National Economic and Social Development Board [NESDB]. The major task given to the Board was to direct, monitor and to approve projects initiated by His Majesty the King and Royal Family. We consider project proposals 34theTheBigChilli

sent to us by various government departments and make our own project proposals. “We also accompany members of the royal family when they are visiting the people in matters related to development projects. We receive royal initiatives and forward them to different government departments to implement.” “Before the establishment of ORDPB, we worked under

the Economic Preparedness Planning Division. We were involved in many security projects in the border areas, coordinating with the National Security Council and the military. At that time the communist party was still influential in some parts of Thailand. We combated their influence by implementing various development projects in the affected areas and we were very successful. Later on, cities and villages in border areas became free of communist influence. Students who fled to the jungles to join the communists following events in Bangkok on October 14, 1973 returned to become good citizens,” Mrs Pasiri said. “Ten years after we began, in 1991, we separated from the NESDB and became an independent department directly under the Prime Minister. Our office was located in the Government House from 1991 until 2012. We moved to the new building near the Rama VIII Bridge at the end of 2012. “As for our present activities, we are still working in the same manner but more responsibilities have been added. We continue in our work to consider project proposals. We monitor and evaluate the projects and disseminate information about them. We also function as a center for information about the projects.” According to Mrs Pasiri, from 1981 to September of this year the ORDPB has approved more than 4,600 projects – 3,031 for water resources development; 165 for agricultural development, 159 for environmental development, 325 for occupational promotion, 55 for public health, 77 for transport and communications, 395 for social welfare and education and 240 for integrated activities and others.

“His Majesty’s development projects have brought substantial benefits and innovation not only to his subjects but to the whole world.”

province, founded in 1979; Kung Krabaen Bay in Chanthaburi province, founded in 1981; Pikun Thong in Narathiwat province founded in 1982; Puparn in Sakon Nakhon province, founded in 1982; Huai Hong Khrai in Chiang Mai province, founded in 1982; and Huai Sai in Phetchaburi province, founded in 1983. The aim of the centers is to solve problems for people in rural areas to allow them to have a better quality of life and be free from hardship while enabling them to become strong and self-reliant. For more than 30 years, RDSCs have promoted the application of knowledge and technology that conforms to the

As for the future of the ORDPB, Mrs Pasiri said: “As we all know, the King is unwell and is no longer visiting rural people. But he still does some work in regard to petitions that his subjects send him with various requests. If a petition concerns a problem in a rural area, he will send it to us for consideration. We will go to the area to find out if there is really a need for assistance and if it is feasible to do something. “When we see that a problem exists we report back to the King recommending that we should help them. We can then support the project financially. At this moment we have about 100 petitions for projects, mostly from the farmers, that have been approved and we are appropriating a budget to implement them. “Some people may think that the ORDPB is no longer needed because His Majesty is not so active these days, but this is not true. In addition to the petitions, they are other members of the Royal Family who are working hard to improve the lives of the people and implement projects, especially Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. She is very active, working every day.”

International sustainability sojourns “A number of countries have expressed interest in implementing projects based on His Majesty’s initiatives and in line with his philosophy. Officials from the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste have visited project centers several times for training. The Lao People’s Democratic Republic is a prime example of another country adopting His Majesty’s

principles of conservation and environmental protection. Another key requirement is that the methods used must be simple and easily applicable in order for the people to make a sustainable living according to their lifestyles. The RDSCs stated objectives are, among others, to conduct study, research and experiments in search of modern agricultural techniques consistent with the topographical and social conditions of each particular area; to serve as centers for exchange of experiences among academics, development workers and the people; and to demonstrate current agricultural research projects in the form of a “living natural museum.”

methods. Laos established a center some years ago modeled on the RDSCs. “The Kingdom of Lesotho is another example. We sent three experts to help set up a center there and train the Basotho people in innovative agricultural techniques. They also train ‘model farmers’ who can teach others, as we do here. We don’t give the center financial assistance but we are still giving technical assistance. If they request, our experts will go there and give them advice,” Mrs Pasiri said. “One specialist who went to Lesotho said that many farmers used to grow vegetables that weren’t profitable for them. She introduced them to new crops that not only earn them money but also provide food during the winter. This made the Lesotho farmers very happy. “We also frequently receive delegations that wish to

study our methods. The trips are arranged by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the delegations mainly visit various RDSCs. We have had several visits from Afghani officials. The most recent study visit was by a delegation from Nigeria on October 20 of this year. In 2013 we received 11 delegations from different foreign countries. “We have had royal visitors to the RDSCs, including King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden, Queen Elizabeth II, Crown Prince Akihito of Japan, King Letsie III and Queen Masenate of Lesotho. The former Prime Minister of India, Narasimha Rao, also made a visit,” said Mrs Pasiri. “Furthering the concept of His Majesty’s Sufficiency Economy is the main objective of the present government, and as the government office responsible for implementing and disseminating information on the concept we are doing our best to put it into practice in Thailand and the world,” Mrs Pasiri concluded. TheBigChilli 35

Commemorating a life of achievement

HE constant commitment of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej to improve the quality of life of the Thai people and mankind in general has been recognized through the presentation of numerous medals and awards from international organizations. The Thai King is widely considered to be the world’s hardest working monarch for his initiatives in many fields. The most prestigious of all the honors is the United Nations Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award, a special prize given to leaders who have exemplified dedication to human development and environmental sustainability. The award was presented to His Majesty by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in a ceremony at Klai Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin on May 26, 2006 on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of His Majesty’s accession to the throne. In his presentation speech, Mr Annan told the King: “Your Majesty has made an extraordinary contribution to human development. As the world’s ‘Development King,’ Your Majesty has reached out to the poorest and the most vulnerable people in Thailand regardless of their status, ethnicity or religion listened to their problems and empowered them to take their lives in their own hands. “Your Majesty’s countless rural development projects have been at the forefront of innovation and benefitted millions of people across Thailand. They promote smallscale agriculture, appropriate farming technologies, sustainable use of water resources, conservation, and flood and drought mitigation. “As a visionary thinker, Your Majesty has played an invaluable role in shaping the global development dialogue. Your Majesty’s ‘Sufficiency Economy’ philosophy – emphasizing moderation, responsible consumption and resilience to external shock – is of great relevance worldwide during these times of rapid globalization. It reinforces the United Nation’s effort to promote a people-centred and sustainable path of development.” Some major awards presented to His Majesty include: Special Medal of the European Parliament, July 1975; IAUP Peace Award presented by the International Association of University Presidents, September 1986; UNEP Gold Medal of Distinction presented by the UN Environment Programme, November 1992; Agricola Medal, presented by the Food and Agriculture Organization, December 1995; WHO Plaque, presented by the World Health Organization, May 2000; UNDP Human Development Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the UN Development Programme, May 2006 and; IFIA Cup 2007, presented by the International Federation of Inventors Association.

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Training in Lesotho: His Majesty’s projects are improving lives around the world

Vision for a Sustainable World

In a lifetime of achievements, one of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s most significant is without doubt the development of the Sufficiency Economy philosophy. His Majesty first elaborated his vision to the Thai people in 1974. At that time few people recognized its importance because the country was enjoying robust economic growth and expansion. When the financial bubble burst in 1997, people began to take a second look. Now Sufficiency Economy is given the respect it deserves, not only in Thailand but around the world. Sufficiency Economy emphasizes the Middle Path in daily living for people of all genders, ages and walks of life. It encourages people to reach a state of self-sufficiency and live in harmony with nature. It can be applied at the individual, community and national and international levels. The philosophy holds that each individual should be conscientious in their daily conduct and strive to lead a joyful and moderate life. At the community level, people should join hands in activities and participate in the decision-making process, promote continuous education and appropriately apply technology in the development of the community. At the national level, holistic development should be promoted to create balance in terms of society, economics and resources. The country’s domestic potential should be analyzed to guide the types of goods and services to be promoted. The Sufficiency Economy can be applied at every level of organization, be it family, school, institution, corporation or government, but it has to start with individuals. In contrast to the top-down solutions that never seem to work, the Sufficiency

Farmers in Lesotho who attended a training programme organised by the Office of the Royal Development Project Board

Father of the land

H Economy is going from the bottom to the top, from the smallest unit and expanding ever wider. As His Majesty said, “development must burst from within.” According to His Majesty, the philosophy of Sufficiency Economy is embodied in three principles: Moderation, Reasonableness and Self-immunity. Moderation means not going to extremes, proceeding with interdependence and with caution. Reasonableness means acting with flexibility and without excess; shunning overindulgence and luxury but taking care to provide enough to guarantee a good lifestyle. Self-immunity means that all people have sufficient protection from internal and external factors. There are perceptions that the Sufficiency Economy principle is applicable only to the rural and agriculture sectors. In fact it is a philosophy that can be applied to all aspects of life, from managing household budgets to the financial affairs of large corporations. However, since the majority of Thai people are engaged in agriculture, His Majesty has suggested a practical tool to help reach the goals of the Sufficiency Economy – the “New Theory” of integrated farming practices. This set of systematic guidelines for proper management of land and water resources is designed so that farmers can be self-sufficient and have security in their occupations. It is a blueprint to strengthen families and communities in a step-by-step manner.

Sufficiency Philosophy goes Global

On December 4, 1988, His Majesty proclaimed that the Sufficiency Economy is not only for the Thai people but for everyone in the world. This is absolutely correct, as the wisdom of the philosophy is in no way diminished by national borders. It can be applied as a way of thinking and living to protect our world, from global warming for example. The Sufficiency Economy philosophy has been officially adopted for use in some countries like Afghanistan, where in 2003, Thailand actively joined the UN’s program for rehabilitation of the country. Thailand was involved in plans to promote the development of Afghanistan in a sustainable manner. Over the years the ORDPB and the RDSCs have hosted numerous foreign researchers, scientists, diplomats and other dignitaries that included delegations from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Chile, Germany, Israel, Laos, Lesotho and Indonesia as well as diplomats based in Thailand.

IS Majesty King Bhumibol Aduladyej was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA on December 5, 1927, the third and youngest child of Their Royal Highness Prince and Princess Mahidol of Songkla. The name he was given, Bhumibol Adulyadej, directly translated as “Strength of the Land, Incomparable Power,” has proven to be prophetic. As his reign advances through critical periods, the Thai nation revolves more and more around the throne as a source of unity and strength. In many respects it seems that King Bhumibol Adulyadej was destined from birth to be a cardinal force in shaping the modern Thai nation, in keeping with the legacy of his royal lineage. He is the grandson and direct descendant of King Chulalongkorn, or Rama V, who is renowned for the comprehensive reform of all institutions of Thailand (then Siam) to bring them up to date and in line with the increasingly Western-oriented world. King Bhumibol’s father, Prince Mahidol, was perhaps the most modern-minded of all the sons of King Chulalongkorn. His life was dedicated to the development of progressive ideas, particularly in the medical sciences. In fact he is known as the Father of the Thai Medical Profession. Prince Mahidol passed away when His Majesty was not yet two years old. After a brief period of primary schooling in Bangkok, His Majesty left with the rest of the royal family for Switzerland, where he continued his secondary education at the Ecole Nouvelle de la Suisse Romande, Chailly sur Lausanne. He received the Bachelier ès Lettres diploma from the Gymnase Classique Cantonal of Lausanne. He then entered Lausanne University for a program of study in the sciences, but the death of his elder brother King Ananda Mahidol in Bangkok on June 9, 1946 changed the course of his life completely. The law of succession bestowed on him the arduous challenges of the throne. His Majesty decided to go back to Switzerland for another period of study, but this time in Political Science and Law, in order to equip himself with the proper knowledge for government. An understanding of the sense of responsibility that impelled His Majesty to bring help and benefits to his people can be gleaned from the following passage of “When I left Siam for Switzerland,” written by His Majesty in 1949: “…The car passed through the crowd extremely slowly and on approaching Wat Benjamabopitr it began to speed slightly. At that moment, I heard the sound of someone crying out loud ‘Don’t desert your people!’ I wanted to call back that as long as the people did not ‘desert’ me, how could I ever ‘desert’ them?” By chance, some 20 years later His Majesty met with the very person who had called out to him. His Majesty told the man: “Your words made me aware of my duty and brought me back.” In May 1950 His Majesty returned to Thailand for the coronation ceremony, and then went back to Switzerland for another period of study. The urgent call of his country and people brought him back to Thailand in 1951 to stay. His Majesty met and became engaged in July 19, 1949 to Mom Rajawongse Sirikit, daughter of His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath and Mom Luang Bua Kitiyakara (born Mom Luang Bua Snidwongse). His Highness Prince Chandaburi Suranath was the third son of his Royal Highness Prince Chandaburi Narunath and Her Serene Highness Absarasman Kitiyakara. Their Majesties were married by Her Majesty Queen Sawang Wadhana, the parental grandmother of His Majesty at Sra Pathum Palace in Bangkok on April 28, 1950.

Sources: Office of the Royal Development Project Board; a memoir of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand published in 1987, and publications of the Royal Thai government. TheBigChilli

Gourmet Restaurant news & deals | Festive dining | Recipe | Reviews

Season's Eatings This tasty dish will be served up this festive season at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld. Read about this and other Christmas dinners on page 62 TheBigChilli

Gourmet Bangkok’s hottest dining deals and news

Coming soon: Italics

Hot Choice!

Riverside Dining Experience DEC 12 – 21 AT VARIOUS VENUES

DISCERNING diners take note. This month 25 leading restaurants located along the banks of the Chao Phraya River between the Rama III Bridge and the Khlong San Pier will lay on their own unique three-course set dinner menu, including an appetizer, an entree, and dessert, for the tasty price of B999 per guest. Among the restaurants taking part are expat favourites such as Angelini, Brio, PRIME, Flow, Trader Vic’s and The China House (see the full list at the website below). As well as the chance to experience fantastic gourmet fare, the initiative gives Bangkok’s foodies the opportunity to support the second Chao Phraya River Clean-up scheduled for early 2015, with B50 from each meal being contributed to the preservation of the city’s iconic waterway. Advanced booking is required as seating is limited. :bangkokriverexperience.com/restaurantweek

THE team behind the soon-to-launch akyra Manor Chiang Mai boutique hotel has united again to create Italics, a Bangkok restaurant and deli bar which will offer a new interpretation of contemporary Italian cuisine. Conceptualised by AHMS- the Collection Chef James Noble, who is also resident manager of Aleenta Hua Hin-Pranburi, Italics Bangkok will debut in stylish Soi Ruamrudee on Jan 14, 2015. Shortly thereafter it will be joined by a sister restaurant in Chiang Mai which will be housed in the new akyra Manor Chiang Mai, set to launch in Q1 2015. AHMS is developing the projects in collaboration with Singapore-based property developer Manor Group. :italicsrestaurant.com

Dining for a cause: CHIM Bangkok 2014 DEC 6-16 IN BANGKOK

TO commemorate HM the King’s birthday on December 5, this two-week charity food event will see 30 of the nation’s best chefs (David Thompson, Ian Kittichai, Tim Butler, Gaggan Anand, and Alex Burger are among the names) hosting dinners and workshops at various venues throughout Bangkok. The highlight of the event, which also aims to raise funds for the Royal Project Foundation, is the Chim Gastro Gala Dinner – an exclusive eight course wine dinner held at the JW Marriott Bangkok (Dec 16 at 7pm. B10,000. Limited seats). www.chimbangkok.com

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St. Regis opens The Lounge

THE St. Regis Bangkok’s sixth food and beverage venue, The Lounge, is now open offering gourmet creations such as Wagyu burger three ways, Thai eggs benedict, and Homemade smoked and marinated salmon. Drawing from the brand’s New York heritage, The Lounge also offers a range of cheesecakes and traditional afternoon tea delicacies (until Dec 19 Afternoon Tea with savory and sweet delicacies is priced B950++ for two persons. Available daily 2pm-6pm). 159 Rajadamri Rd. ☎ 02 207 7777 :stregisbangkok.com

Gourmet Bangkok’s hottest dining deals and news

It’s a deal!

Dining promotions too good to miss • New Sunday Brunch at Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok. Featuring a big spread of international cuisines, including several dishes cooked a la minute, the new Big Blu Brunch is priced a very reasonable B1,190++ per person with free-flow soft drinks; B1,790++ per person with free-flow beer and wine. Family friendly, the brunch has a dedicated Kids’ Corner packed with fun activities. 489 Sukhumvit Rd. ☎ 02 302 3333 :radissonblu.com/plazahotel-bangkok • Winter Perigord Black Truffle at Centara Grand CentralWorld. Using premium quality Perigord Black Truffle, Chef de cuisine Hugo Coudurier is cooking up a special set menu featuring highlights such as Winter Mache Salad (poached egg, sunchoke puree and fresh truffle), priced at B6,555++ per person. Each course is also available to order a la carte. The dinner is served daily from 6pm-11.30pm. Available at Fifty Five and RedSky Restaruants until Dec 30. ☎ 02 100 6255 :centarahotelsresorts.com • Chyna offers new party package. Looking for a great place to host a party this festive season? Centra Central Station Hotel Bangkok’s rooftop restaurant is just the ticket. A new party package priced B35,000 includes a Thai buffet, soft drinks, decorations, and free corkage on a maximum of six bottles. Along with private parties, the package is suitable for press conferences and small corporate events. For larger events Chyna can hold up to 200 persons, and entertainment can be arranged. ☎ 02 344 1699 ext 2302. • Dining rewards at Maverick. Until Dec 31, Maverick French Restaurant will host a nightly lucky draw which gives diners the chance to win a dinner for two valued up to B2,300. Maverick is located just inside Ocean Tower 11 on Sukhumvit 21, and serves what the owners call “evolutionary French cuisine” – think Escargots gratinated in beurre café de Paris, garlic, anchovy, herbs and served with brioche fingers; and Duck leg confit with red cabbage apple tart tatin, black salsify and Shimaji mushrooms. Three-course tasting menus start from B995++. ☎ 02 665 2772 :maverickbkk.com 42

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Zaks is a top choice for Xmas

Popular wine bar teams up with Thailand’s foremost artisan butcher and chef for a great value feast featuring the ﬁnest ingredients

Hot Choice! ZAKS Wine Bar on Sukhumvit Soi 11 has never been afraid to try something a little different. After all, it shunned the snobbery and haughtiness usually associated with wine bars to create a cozy ‘home’ where wine culture is accessible to all – and affordable too – and its food promotions are never run of the mill; a genuine focus on fine ingredients, and a desire to give diners a memorable experience, always ensures there’s something exciting on the menu. Still, even with high expectations, we couldn’t stop ourselves from drooling a little when we saw Zaks’ Christmas Day menu. In a smart move that we wish pubs and bars would do more often, Zaks has teamed up with butcher and chef Joe Sloane of Sloane’s Artisan (who in Bangkok hasn’t devoured his delicious sausages or bacon?) who’s helping Zaks put together a festive spread of premium quality meats and veggies that will make foodies think all their Christmases have come at once. The dining experience kicks off with a festive buffet featuring Sloane’s special Christmas ham, a selection of salads and roast vegetables, beetroot cured Gravlax, a selection of breads by Maison Jean Philippe, pancetta, leak and goat’s cheese tart, shots of Bloody Mary prawn cocktail, Christmas pates and rilletes. This is followed by a choice of main course – Citrus and herb butter roast turkey, or Cranberry stuffed porchetta, or Grilled halloumi, artichoke and squash risotto – and capped with a choice of decadent desserts. This is all great value at just B1,250 per adult (B700 extra for free-flow option) and B625 for kids under 12. Available for lunch (perfect for families) or dinner (when there’ll be a live band and a party atmosphere). Zaks, Sukhumvit Soi 11. Reservations / enquiries : zakswinepub@yahoo.com 02 651 0214

☎

Scrapbook Last month’s foodie functions in focus

Fiesta nacional de España

SPANISH expats celebrated their national day at a cocktail party hosted by the embassy of Spain at the Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok. Free-flow drinks and tasty snacks fuelled the party late into the night.

Foie gras celebrated

GOURMET One, an importer of premium quality foods, hosted the 11th edition of its annual Rougié Foie Gras dinner at Fifty Five, Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld. Among the highlights of the nine-course menu were Mosaic of milk fed poularde (foie gras and artichoke, black truffle jus) and Pheasant, foie gras and truffle pithivier (sautéed golden chanterelles sauce ‘poivrade’). Pictured (left to right) are Mr Hugo Coudurier, Chef De Cuisine, Centara Grand at CentralWorld; Ms. Patcharin Hame-ung-gull, Managing Director, Gourmet One Food Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd; Mr Robert F. Maurer-Loeffler, Centara Grand at CentralWorld; Ms Nuntiya Hame-unggull, General Manager, Gourmet One Food Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd; and Mr Alain Rougie.

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Live it like you dream it

Scrapbook Last month’s foodie functions in focus

Michelin magic at Banyan Tree Bangkok

CHEF Rolf Fliegauf of the two Michelin Starred Ristorante Ecco on Snow and two Michelin Starred Ristorante Ecco proved a big hit with diners when he flew in from Switzerland to take control of the kitchens at Banyan Tree Bangkok. The week-long promotion, arranged in partnership with Emirates and Choice Foods, featured a series of set dinners and lunches which proved a real treat for all of the senses.

J’Aime opens with a feast

J’AIME by Jean-Michel Lorain at the luxury U Sathorn Bangkok celebrated its grand opening by hosting a dinner for VIP guests and media. As owner and chef of the three Michelin starred La Côte Saint Jacques in Joigny (the gateway to Burgundy), Chef Lorain enjoys a sterling reputation for his cuisine, so it was no surprise that the opening dinner at J’Aime – cooked on the night by chef Jean himself – was a resounding success. For more info about the restaurant’s French cuisine served in an Asian style (think portions made for sharing) see: www.uhotelsresorts.com/usathornbangkok

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Meet the Chef One thing about cooking which amazes you? The sheer variety of ingredients that are available around the world. Biggest culinary myth? That Caesar salad is from Italy. What’s your cooking philosophy? To use great products and cook with common sense.

SERVING UP Chef Jesus Niño

The Executive Sous Chef of the Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok on his favourite cuisine and ingredients and the biggest culinary myth

Have you cooked for any VIPs? Yes, many! Mark Knopﬂer, Catherine Zeta-Jones, the Crown Prince of Qatar, to name just a few.

Your favourite cuisine? Mexican of course.

Your least favourite food? Bad quality tomatoes.

What’s the secret behind a great taco? The sauce (dressing) must be spot on. The most challenging ingredient to work with? Dried chilli.

What’s your favourite ingredient? Chilli.

Your most memorable festive dinner? At Restaurant Elago in Mexico DF.

Your alltime favourite restaurant? Restaurant Pujol in Mexico City.

Most inﬂuential chefs? Fermi Puig, Xavier Pellicer, Jean Luc Figueras, and the best – Adrian Marin Gimeno.

About the chef

Your favourite dish to cook? Tacos al pastor.

■ CHEF Jesus Niño hails from Barcelona, Spain, where he kick-started his culinary career in 1997 with a Kitchen’s Assistant position at the one-Michelin Starred Can Jubany Restaurant, before going on to hone his skills at renowned establishments such as the one Michelin Starred Drolma Restaurant, one Michelin Starred Jean-Luc Figueras, and two Michelin Starred Abac Restaurant. Prior to joining the Rembrandt Hotel as Executive Sous Chef, he was Head Chef at the ﬁve-star Hotel Barcelo Marina Smir in Morocco. A specialist in Spanish and Mexican cuisine, he prides himself on offering hearty food made using the ﬁnest ingredients. The Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, 19 Sukhumvit Soi 18.

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☎ 02 261 7100 :rembrandtbkk.com

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Gratinated oysters served with a leek fondue and dill sabayon

Bored of eating oysters on the half-shell? Give the luscious bivalves a delicious culinary makeover by following this simple recipe from Chef Dominique Ferchaud, Executive Chef of Pullman Bangkok King Power Ingredients (Serves 4) • 24 oysters ﬁne-de-Claire • 300g leek • 5cl olive oil • 10cl cooking cream • Salt and pepper

For the sabayon • 4 egg yokes • 6sp water • 2sp lemon juice • 50g clariﬁed butter • 10g chopped dill

Method 1. Chop the leek thinly and gently heat it (or sweat it, as the chefs say) in a pot with olive oil, season appropriately with salt and pepper. 2. Cook for about three minutes before adding cream. Stir until completely reduced.

For the dill sabayon 1. In a bowl, add egg yokes, water

This dish will be served as part of Pullman Bangkok King Power's special Christmas Eve dinner at Wine Pub

and lemon juice. Place the bowl over a bath of simmering water (bain-marie) and gently whisk the mixture until it becomes foamy. 2. Add clariﬁed butter and whisk it until thickens. Once the sabayon is done, add the chopped dill before putting it aside in a cooler. 3. Carefully open the oysters and detach

them from the shells (gently rinse the oysters in cold water, if needed). 4. Spoon the leek fondue into a clean shell before placing an oyster on top. Coat the oyster with the sabayon. Repeat the step. 5. Place the oysters in the hot oven for a few minutes until gratinated (or the sauce turns slightly brown).

Chef in focus

chaud Chef Dominique Fer 50

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BORN and raised in Brittany, France, Dominique Ferchaud began his career in 1986 by working with the Rostang family, owners of La Bonne Auberge, Malliouhana and Plaza Athénée. He followed up this great start to the industry by training with Chef Raymond Blanc – at the two-Michelin-starred Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, no less – before jetting off around the world to spend stints working in New York, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, St. Petersburg, Tunisia and Egypt. Now, as Executive Chef of the Pullman Bangkok King Power, Chef Dominique is responsible for overseeing the culinary operations at each of the hotel’s dining outlets. With over 28 years’ experience under his toque, he’s the perfect man for the job. Pullman Bangkok King Power, 8/2 Rangnam Rd., Thanon-Phayathai (free tuk-tuk service available from near Victory Monument BTS). Tel: 02 680 9999 www.pullmanbangkokkingpower.com

cut out and keep

Recipe

Mushroom & snail Fricassee in cassolette One of the tasty new dishes available at The Roof Restaurant. See page 54.

Signature Beef Nachos

Just perfect with a cocktail or beer out on the terrace at Apoteka. See page 52.

Dining Out Gourmet festive fare

Available on special days this month at Pathumwan Princess Hotel. See page 64.

The famous festive turkey

Just one of the yuletide favourites being served up at Novotel Bangkok Bangna this month . See page 68.

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cooking

A round up of this monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best gourmet deals. Yummy! Page 32

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Dining out

Apoteka

Prescribing boozy cocktails and tasty international eats since 2012

DESIGNED to resemble a 19th century apothecary shop (think exposed brick walls, high ceilings, and a bar flanked by vintage bottles), this popular bar on Sukhumvit Soi 11 is renowned for the potency of its boozy concoctions – premium ‘remedies’ with names such as Vaccination, Doctor Cosmo, The Leech, and Cocaine Martini (a legal mix of vodka, Baileys, Kahlua, and Amaretto – just in case you were wondering). Nightly live music and an outdoor terrace are other big draws, and the food – well, if you need a fix of superior bar fodder, Apoteka is just what the doctor ordered. Pizzas, burgers, pasta dishes and salads are offered alongside a selection of local favourites, and everything is lovingly homemade by Chef Cheep Pormchart, a talented Thai cook who learned his trade working at five-star hotels in Bangkok.

Chef Cheep prides himself on using only the finest ingredients available, and this philosophy shines through in new dishes such as the Apoteka Salad (B220++), which is loaded with chopped mango, apple and cold roast chicken atop a herbal salad mix, all dressed with a slightly spicy cocktail sauce; and Black truffle cream soup with white flower tortilla (B180++) – earthy, creamy and simply delicious. Other highlights include the Deep fried pork chop (served schnitzel-style, although the meat here is wonderfully soft) with homemade barbecue sauce and sauteed spinach (B350++); crispy Prawn spring rolls (B180++); and the bar's signature Nachos, which come generously topped with shredded beef or chicken, melted cheddar, chopped avocado and salsa, and which are just perfect for sharing (B250++). Visit Apoteka on a Sunday from

Apoteka Bar, Sukhumvit Soi 11. Open Sun-Thurs 6pm-1am; Fri-Sat 6pm-2am.

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

3pm-6pm and you can tuck into a superb All-you-can-eat Barbecue Buffet. A bargain at just B900 per person with free-flow Heineken and Sangria, or B600 per person with freeflow soft drinks. Another great deal is the daily Happy Hours promotion (5.30pm-8.30pm), which offers local beers and house spirits at only B99. Even if you miss the happy hours you can still expect to find great value here. Cocktails start at B230, wines at B220 (B940 per bottle); and beers at just B160. Imported craft beers from BrewDog (Scotland), meanwhile, are available for a very reasonable B260. Two bands perform every day (6.30pm-9pm; and 9.30pm-close), and this includes popular acts such as Keith Nolan, Big Rick, Earth Collide, and the Soi Dog Blues Band. A full schedule is available on the bar’s website.

☎091 798 1538 :apotekabkk.com

Dining out

Wo rds H A R VEY W H I T E P h o t o g ra ph s C OU R T ES Y OF S I A M@ S I A M

The Roof Restaurant

Stone-grill restaurant ups its game with new menu of gourmet French favourites

SET over three levels on top of the Siam@Siam Design Hotel Bangkok, The Roof restaurant has done a sizzling trade the past few years with its stone-grill menus – an interactive dining experience which sees patrons cooking meats and seafood on super-heated natural volcanic stones directly at their tables. But don’t think this alfresco venue with superb views is all about grilling and broiling and sputtering steaks – gourmet French fare is now also at the forefront. Raising The Roof, as it were, to whole new levels of taste is Executive chef Gilles Poitevin, a French national with over 15 years’ cooking experience. After joining the hotel in 2012, he spent almost seven months redesigning the menu at the hotel’s elegant French restaurant, La Vue, before turning his attention to the menu at The Roof. His premise is wonderfully simple: Take traditional French comfort food

– think casseroles and escargot and rich cuts of meat – and give these dishes a gourmet spin. This results in new menu highlights such as Veloute, pan seared foie gras, smoked wagyu beef, black truffle, and Madeira oil (B690++); Beef bone marrow with walnut mushrooms, parsley, and chlorophyll citrus (B420++); and Mushrooms & snail Fricassée in cassolette (B430++). Spread on homemade bread (which has a deliciously crispy crust) the beef bone marrow is a real treat; unctuous and rich and full of flavour. The escargot and mushrooms are tough without being chewy, and the Veloute is so moreish you’ll want to lick the bowl. Also recommended is the Roasted veal chop served with foyot sauce [a variation on the classic Béarnaise sauce made by adding meat glaze], artichoke heart, pan-seared foie gras,

market garden vegetables, and light black truffle gravy (B1,890++), in which all flavours – the earthiness of the veggies, the mineral tang of the meat, the buttery essence of the foie gras – combine to wonderful effect. Not a fan of veal? Opt instead for the Madeira steamed organic chicken breast served with parsnip mousseline, a light mushroom gravy, and black truffle essence (B650++), or Blanquette of salmon with Pommery mustard white wine sauce (720++). Finish your meal with Warmed apple pie flambé Calvados, soft Chantilly, and vanilla (290++) and don’t forget to team everything with one of the restaurant's many wines or signature cocktails – including boozy concoctions served in giant glasses for two or more people to share. The Roof is open daily 5pm11.30pm.

Siam@Siam Design Hotel Bangkok, 865 Rama1 Rd. (Within walking distance of National Stadium BTS).

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☎ 02 217 3070 :siamatsiam.com

Dining out

Guest review by

Bangkok Beefsteak & Burgundy

Madison

High quality steaks and seafood are the order of the day at this contemporary steakhouse

OR the first time in many years we recently made our way to Madison, the Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok’s steakhouse which we are told “offers US prime and Wagyu beef, a selection of innovative dishes – including exquisite seafood.” I was expecting a boisterous gathering because more than one-half of the group had spent the day drinking

throughout the meal. The first dish presented was Foie gras terrine and smoked eel, with apple jelly. Along with our knowledgeable food spokesman, Simon Rindlisbacher, I found both tasty, though the sauce was a little bland. The dish came with El Transistor 2009, Telmo Rodriguez (Verdejo, Spain), which received a mixed reception from the diners.

and playing golf as ‘the Parrots’ (after all, the collective noun for parrots is a ‘pandemonium’) but the golfers seemed uncharacteristically restrained. Even our starting wine, our staple bubbly, Charles Steiner Brut NV (WA) appeared to lack its customary sparkle, though that failed to exercise restraint on those imbibing. The private dining room was filled to its limit of 18, a snug fit, and found to be tastefully decorated. Khun Nok was attentively at hand, and she ably led her very professional team of staff

Next up was Slow-cooked salmon with corn tomato salsa, and virgin sauce (the latter of course the catalyst for ribald remarks) and more Verdejo. The salmon itself was of high quality and nicely cooked, but the salsa lacked the customary zing our audience has come to associate with Bangkok food. Next came Chicken stuffed mushroom and red onion confit, an adventurous pairing by the chef of chicken and mushroom, served with a tasty helping of onion and bean sprouts. This

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did earn praise from a majority of those present, with CJ Pask Declaration 2004 (Cabernet – Merlot - Malbec, Hawkes Bay, NZ) pleasing the red wine lovers. After an interlude to satisfy nicotine addicts, we were served Beef sirloin with shallot cream, a croquet potato, and veal jus. The beef was of high quality and the accompanying Kim Teusner Riebke 2010 (Shiraz, Barossa Valley, SA) earned praise from Grahame Fox, our wine spokesman for the day, who had spent several hours researching the provenance of the day’s wines, uncovering for example that Kim favours powdery wine with 14.5% alcohol content. Finally we attacked with relish Caraway cake tapioca, with fresh fruit and raspberry and an excellent Domaine Du Mas Du Lavais, Le Maury Blanc 2010 (France). There was still room and time to congratulate Thomas Boedinger on his upcoming 50th birthday with his generous gift of Johnny Walker Blue Label, before finally thanking Khun Nok, her team, the well-informed Sommelier, Khun Siwat, and the chefs for their efforts. Madison, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok, 155 Rajadamri Rd. Tel: 02 126 8866 www.fourseasons.com/bangkok

Q&A Artisan food home delivery

Ian Soo, founder of food delivery service PassionDelivery.com is on a mission to supply high quality artisanal products straight to your door – including fresh breads, craft beers gourmet pies, and more… Q. When did you come up with the Q. And your prices – are they com-

idea for Passion Deliver y and what inspired you?

parable to buying directly from the producer?

A. Being so busy with work and family

A. Some producers do not deliver and

meant that it was hard to get good quality food and drink from different shops or vendors easily. I wished that there was a service where you could order goods from many shops on one website and have it home delivered. It would save me getting stuck in traffic and having to drive to many shops myself. So I thought why not set it up myself? If it solves a problem for me then it must surely solve the same problem for many other people and families too. So I started PassionDelivery.com

What food and drinks producers are you working with?

A. At the moment we offer over 300 products on our website and are currently working with around 25 food and drink producers. These include Sloane’s, The Accidental Butcher, Gourmet Pie, Maison Jean

so they are only available through PassionDelivery. The prices we charge are usually the same as if the customer went directly to the producer. However most producers will have a minimum order of between 500 to 1,000 baht just for their product range, whereas we don’t have a minimum order.

What has customer response been like so far? Philippe, Homemade Cheese, Patricia’s Homemade, Twist Juices and several craft beer and wine suppliers.

Was it difficult to get them to come on board?

A. Most understood the concept right

away and could see that the website and delivery service has big benefits for both suppliers and customers.

Do you deliver to all areas of Bangkok? If I place an order, how long do I have to wait until my delivery arrives?

A. We currently deliver to most areas

in Bangkok. Our 90 baht delivery charge covers Sukhumvit, Silom, Sathorn and Bang Na areas. For deliveries to other areas we may increase our delivery charge. We deliver most orders within 48 hours, sometimes sooner depending on what is ordered (bread, for instance, is freshly baked to order and delivered on the same day). If we have the items in stock we can usually deliver orders within 24 hours.

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A. Excellent. Our repeat customer

rate is around 70-80%. Many customers thank us for having such a service as it saves them so much time.

Are you offering any special items/deals over the festive period?

A. Yes, anyone placing an order over

B1,500 between now and December 15 will get a free Gourmet Pie of their choice (over 10 types to choose from). Our best sellers include Chicken & Mushroom, Classic Cottage Pie and Sausage Rolls. We will also be offering some special Christmas goods such as mince pies, special cakes from Yellow Spoon Pastry and more. Best to check our website regularly for new product updates.

How do you envisage your company developing throughout 2015?

A. We will increase our number of part-

ners and our product range from 300 products to over 500 by early next year. Customers will have a fantastic range of goods to choose from. We will also look to expand our delivery areas where possible. A credit card payment option will be added too. :passiondelivery.com

Q&A

Gianni Favro

The dedicated restaurateur behind Gianni Ristorante OVER the past 18 years, Gianni’s has built up an impressive list of regular diners that includes businessmen, politicians and leading expats together with a steady flow of curious tourists thanks to its cozy ambiance, innovative Italian cuisine, friendly and reliable service, plus the ever-present figure of owner Gianni Favro himself, a passionate and single-minded restaurateur who enjoys welcoming his guests and offering recommendations. Gianni, who hails from Pordenone in Italy, learned his skills as an executive chef in his homeland as well as in Germany before coming to Thailand to work for the Heritage Club and later for the Amari Hotel group. After a short stint in Hong Kong to work for the Stanley’s Group of Restaurants, he returned to Bangkok to open Gianni Ristorante, which enjoys an enviable location on Soi Tonson in central Bangkok. Aged 52, he’s married with one child, and in his leisure time enjoys sailing and cycling.

Q. Your signature dish? A. Today…Fassone beef tartar with late summer truffles

Your favourite kitchen tool?

A. A good knife. Q.

Your all-time favorite restaurants?

A. Preecha in Ban Amphoe (Pattaya) Q. Q.

Most influential chefs?

World’s best cuisine?

A. Guess.....

A. Gualtiero Marchesi / Massimo Bottura Q.

Your worst kitchen disaster

A. A power blackout. Q.

Your best moment as a chef?

A. At the end of the day..... Q.

Worst kind of customer comment?

What’s your cooking philosophy?

A. Best Ingredients, no sophistication.

A. “The ingredient in that dish had no...” Q.

Can a great chef run more than one great restaurant?

A. Only if he has great staff. Q.

Which restaurant in Bangkok is the most likely contender for a Michelin star?

A. The Normandie (Mandarin Oriental). Q. How do you rate restaurant/ food reviewers in general – and Thailand-based food reviewers?

A. Mostly pleasing and not always knowledgeable.

Biggest culinar y myth?

A. To add oil to the water to

What percentage of your ingredients are locally sourced

cook pasta.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

A. Don’t take any advice. 60

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All key ingredients are imported; I would say 60%. Gianni Ristorante, 34/1 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Rd. 02 252 1619 :giannibkk.com

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Season's Eatings Festive dining at a glance

Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit – 11 Crave Wine Bar & Restaurant: Christmas Eve international dinner buffet (Dec 24, 6pm onwards) B1,290++ per person. Christmas lunch buffet (Dec 25) B990++. New Year’s Eve countdown with Taste and Share cuisine and live performance (Dec 31) B2,014++ per person with free-flow wine and cocktails, or B1,200++ per person for beverage only. From 6.30pm onwards. WXYZ Bar: New Year drinks and live DJs. B999 per person with unlimited spirits, cocktails and beers. Start 9pm onwards.

☎ 02 207 7080 :aloftbangkoksukhumvit11.com

Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa Brio: New Year’s Eve Italian Set Dinner (Dec 31) B3,499++ per person with a welcome aperitif and a Champagne toast. Riverside Terrace: Christmas Eve Gala Dinner Buffet with live entertainment (Dec 24) B2,900++ per person with free flow juices and soft drinks; B3,800++ per person with free-flow wine and beer. Christmas Days International Dinner Buffet (Dec 25) B2,500++ per person with free-flow soft drinks. New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party Dinner Buffet (Dec 31) B7,300++ per person with free-flow soft drinks. Manohra Dining Cruise: Dining cruise from 8pm -11pm (Dec 24) B5,500++ per person with free-flow soft drinks; B6,400++ per person with free-flow wine and beer. A New Year’s Eve Cruise (Dec 31) is B7,900++. The Market: Christmas Brunch with a live band (Dec 25) B3,333++ per person with free-flow soft drinks; B4,699++ per person with free-flow wine and beer.

☎ 02 476 0022 ext. 1416 :bangkokriverdining.com

Centra Central Station Hotel Bangkok Chyna: Four-course set dinner menu (Dec 24, from 6pm). B650 per adult inclusive a glass of wine. Dim sums specials and Chinese a la carte for Christmas Eve lunch and Christmas Day dinner. 02 344 1699 ☎centarahotelsresorts.com/csb

Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld The World and Ginger: Christmas Eve Buffet (Dec 24, from 6.30pm) B1,999++ per person inclusive of free-flow wines and egg nog. Deluxe Christmas Day Lunch Buffet (Dec 25) B1,390++ per person for food buffet only, B1,999++ per person with free-flow wines. Deluxe Christmas Day Dinner Buffet (Dec 25, 6.30pm onwards) B1,999++ per person, including free-flow wines and Prosecco. Grand Deluxe New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet with freeflow wines (Dec 31) B2,700++ per person. New Year’s Family Brunch (Jan 1) B1,999++ per person with free-flow wine, beer, and soft drinks. Fifty-Five Restaurant: Christmas Eve semi-buffet with main course and Christmas themed desserts (Dec 24, from 6.30pm) B2,555++ per person. Every couple will receive a bottle of Wyndham Estate wine. Threecourse set lunch menu (Dec 25, from 11.30am) B1,555++ per person. New Year’s Eve ‘Champagne Surf & Turf’ Gala Buffet with free-flow Bruno Paillard Brut Premiere Champagne (Dec 31) B8,555++ per person including free-entry to party at the rooftop Red Sky Bar. Red Sky: Seven-course New Year’s Eve gala dinner (Dec 31) B15,555++ per person including a complimentary bottle of MUMM Cordon Rouge Champagne per couple. Don’t fancy food? The New Year’s countdown with live band and DJs is B2,500 per person including a glass of champagne and party favours. This is a standing/dancing party with no seat.

☎ 02 100 6255 Email: diningcgcw@chr.co.th :centarahotelsresorts.com

AVANI Atrium Bangkok Public: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24) B1,190++ per person (add B999++ per person for free-flow drinks). Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25, noon onwards) B1,190++ per person (add B999++ per person for free-flow drinks). New Year’s Eve International Dinner Buffet (6.30pm onwards) B2,558++ per person.

☎ 02 679 1200 :avanihotels.com/atrium-bangkok R e se a rc h by C H U T I N A N TA B O O N YA MA R N

TheBigChilli

Season's Eatings Festive dining at a glance

Centara Watergate Pavillion Hotel Bangkok Café 9: Three-course set dinner menu (Dec 24, from 6pm) B750++ per person. Extensive buffet dinner with live music (Dec 31, from 7pm) B2,015++ per adult including free-flow wine and a glass of Lombard Champagne; B1,200++ for children aged between 4-11 inclusive of soft drinks and juices. Chili Hip: New Year Eve’s set dinner menu and live DJs. B9,999++ per adult inclusive a bottle of Lombard Champagne; B3,000++ for children aged between 4-11 inclusive of soft drinks and juices.

Centara Grand, Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok Blue Sky: Five-course Set Dinner (Dec 24 & 25, from 6pm) B1,950++ per person. Six-course Set Dinner for New Year’s Eve (Dec 31) B4,500++ per person with free entry to the Countdown Party at The Club Terrace. The Club Terrace: New Year’s Eve Countdown. B999++ per person including a glass of sparkling wine or a cocktail.

☎ 02 541 1234 ext. 4151 :centarahotelsresorts.com/CGLB

Moom Sabai & Infuze: New Year’s Eve Count Down Party with an open bar, snacks and live entertainment from 8pm-12am. B2,999++ per person. WALK: Christmas Eve party with cocktails buffet and snacks at B599++ per person every two hours. Starts 5pm. New Year Eve’s Colorful Party at B4,999++ per person with free-flow beverages and a glass of champagne. 02 625 1234 Email: cwb@chr.co.th ☎centarahotelsresorts.com

Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok River Barge: Christmas Eve Dinner (Dec 24) B1,599++ per adult; B799++ for children aged between 6-12. Christmas Day lunch & dinner (Dec 25) B1,599++ per adult; B799++ for children aged between 6-12. New Year Countdown Masquerade Ball Party with international dinner buffet and live jazz and party (Dec 31) B4,499++ per adult; B2,250++ for children aged between 6-12. 02 307 8888 ext. 1914 ☎chatrium.com/chatrium_hotel

Galleria 10 Hotel Bangkok Leapfrog: Four-course set dinner menu (Dec 24) B1,015 per person; B2,015 per couple including a bottle of wine. Fourcourse set dinner (Dec 31) with live DJ. B1,315 per person with a glass of wine; B2,315 per couple with a bottle of wine.

☎ 02 615 0999 :galleriatenbangkok.com

Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok

Conrad Bangkok

Scalini: Christmas Eve Dinner (Dec 24, from 6pm) B2,000++ per person for a four-course set dinner menu; B2,500++ per person for a six-course set dinner menu. New Year’s Eve six-course dinner menu and live entertainment (Dec 31, from 6pm) B3,000++ per person with an optional free-flow drinks package. New Year’s Day Brunch (Jan 1, from noon) B2,200++ per person. Served from noon-3pm. (*Dine between 6pm-8.30pm during the dinner promos for 10 percent discount).

Café@2: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24) B2,300++ per person. Christmas Day Champagne Brunch (Dec 25) B2,500++ per person. Christmas Dinner (Dec 25) B2,300++ per person.

☎ 02 620 6666 :bit.ly/1onyjgH

TheBigChilli

02 690 9999 : bkkci.festive@ ☎ conradhotels.com

Season's Eatings Festive dining at a glance

DoubleTree by Hilton Sukhumvit Bangkok Dee Lite: Christmas Eve dinner buffet (Dec 24, from 6pm) B1,500++ per person. Christmas Day Lunch Buffet (Dec 25) at B999++ per person. New Year’s Eve dinner buffet (Dec 31) B1,800++ per person with an optional free-flow drinks package. New Year’s Day international buffet (Jan 1) B1,800++ per person. Mosaic: New Year celebration (Dec 31) with BBQ and free flow beers and soft drinks. B1,000++ per person. Starts 7pm.

☎ 02 620 6666 :bit.ly/1onyjgH

Landmark Bangkok Atrium: Groups of four or more save 50% on all of these promotions: Christmas Eve Traditional Buffet (Dec 24) B3,400 per person. Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25) B3,400 per person. New Year’s Eve Buffet (Dec 31) B3,900 per person. New Year’s Day International Brunch (Jan 1) B2,800 per person. All buffets are half price for kids aged 6-12.

per person (half price for kids aged 6-12). Countdown ‘Bond 007 Night’ Party (Dec 31). No cover charge!

Huntsman Pub: Christmas Day traditional Christmas Roast (Dec 25) B1,600++

02 254 0404 ext. 7777 ☎landmarkbangkok.com

Pathumwan Princess Hotel Holiday Inn Bangkok Silom Hari’s Bar: New Year’s Eve Party. B990++ per person with free-flow beer, soft drinks and whiskey. Starts 9pm. Tandoor: New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet. B1,600++ per person with a glass of sparkling wine; B800++ with a glass of soft drink for kids under 12. The Brasserie: Christmas Eve Gala Dinner Buffet (Dec 24) B1,400++ per person inclusive of a glass of wine; B700++ for kids. Christmas Day Lunch and Dinner Buffet (Dec 25) B1,200++ per person inclusive of a glass of wine, B600++ for kids under 12. New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner Buffet (Dec 31) B2,500++ per person (inclusive of a bottle of wine per couple); B1,250++ for kids under 12.

☎ 02 238 4300 Ext. 4567 :bit.ly/15LD6Un 66

TheBigChilli

Citi Bistro: Christmas Eve traditional buffet (Dec 24). B1,599 per person with a glass of mulled wine (half price for kids under 12 with a glass of soft drink). Christmas Day international lunch buffet (Dec 25). B1,225 per person (half price for kids under 12). New Year international brunch (Jan 1). B2,015 per person with a glass of buck’s fizz (half price for kids under 12 with a glass of soft drink). Loop Italian Restaurant Terrace & Bar: Four-course set menu (Dec 24). B850 per person (half price for kids under 12). Outdoor Bar Terrace: Festive New Year’s Eve Buffet and Party (Dec 31) B4,499 per person (half price for kids under 12).

☎ 02 216 3700 :pprincess.com

RR&B: Luxury five-course menu (Dec 31) B6,900++ per person; or B5,500++ per person for a three-course menu. B1,500++ per person (cover charge) for The Bar Countdown Party (includes a glass of Champagne).

Holiday Inn Bangkok Café G: Christmas Eve dinner buffet (Dec 24, from 6pm) B999++ per person; B499++ for kids aged 6-12. Christmas Day brunch (Dec 25) B999++ per person; B499++ for kids aged 6-12. New Year’s Eve dinner buffet (Dec 31) B999++ per person; B499++ for kids aged 6-12. 02 656 1555 ☎bit.ly/1tmZh7l

Season's Eatings Festive dining at a glance

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok Da Vinci: Christmas Special lunch and dinner set menu (Dec 25) B1,599 per person, add B699 for a wine package.

Radisson Blu Plaza Bangkok Attico: Five-course set menu (Dec 14-25) B1,700++ per person. A Tuscan Christmas Eve five-course set dinner (Dec 24) B1,900++ per person; B2,900++ with free-flow Prosecco. A Tuscan New Year’s Eve (Dec 31) B2,900++ per person; B3,900++ per person with free-flow Prosecco.

Pool: Christmas BBQ by the pool (Dec 24) B1,350 per person including water and soft drinks (add B699 for free-flow wines); B599 for kids under 12.

China Table: New Year’s Day Brunch (Jan 1) B888++ per person with free-flow soft drinks.

Rang Mahal: Authentic Indian Buffet with western dishes and live entertainment (Dec 31) B2,999 per adult for food only (B1,499 for kids under 12); or B4,700 with wine package.

Twenty-Seven Bites: Festive themed ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ buffet (Dec 14-25) B880++ per person with free-flow soft drinks; B1,290++ per person with free-flow beer, wines and soft drinks. Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24) B990++ per person with free-flow soft drinks; B1,590++ per person with free-flow beer, wines and soft drinks. Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25) B990++ per person with free-flow soft drinks; B1,590++ per person with free-flow beer, wines and soft drinks. New Year’s Party (Dec 31) B1,215++ per person with free-flow soft drinks; B2,015++ per person with free-flow beer, wines and soft drinks.

Señor Pico: New Year Eve’s Grand Fiesta Mexicana (Dec 31) B999++ per person, add B650 for freeflow Sangria and Margarita. 02 261 7100 ☎rembrandtbkk.com

☎ 02 302 3333:radissonblu.com/plazahotel-bangkok

Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit 57th Street: Festive dinner buffet (Dec 24, from 6pm) B2,500++ per person, or B3,200++ per person with a beverages buffet. Christmas brunch featuring international delicacies and festive activities (Dec 25, from noon) B2,350++ per person, or B2,690++ per person with beverages buffet. New Year’s Eve gourmet buffet (Dec 31) B2,600++ per person, or B3,500++ per person with wine buffet. Free entry to the NYE countdown at Octave Rooftop Bar for the first 60 guests. The District Grill Room & Bar: Christmas Eve set dinner (Dec 24, from 7pm) B2,900++ per person, or B4,200++ per person with wine pairing. New Year’s Eve six-course menu (Dec 31, from 7pm) B4,200++ per person, or B6,700++ per person with wine pairing. Free entry to the NYE countdown at Octave Rooftop Bar for the first 60 guests. Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge: New Year’s Eve rooftop party with DJs, vintage champagnes, fine wines and classic cocktails.

☎ 02 797 0000 :marriott.com

Mode Sathorn Hotel The Roof@38th Bar: New Year’s Eve Celebration (Dec 31) B60,000 for a private party in the Platinum Mode at Secret M Room for 10 persons (inclusive of two sets of seafood platter, four plates of tapas, two plates of cheese, two bottles of Moet and Chandon Champagne and four bottles of wine); B45,000 for a Grand Mode room with three sofas for up to ten persons (inclusive of two sets of seafood, two plates of tapas, two plates of cheese, two bottles of Moet and Chandon Champagne and two bottles of wine); B8,000 for a Bliss Mode dinner for two persons (inclusive of one set of seafood, two plates of tapas, one bottle of Prosecco and one bottle of wine; or B2,400 per person inclusive of three premium drinks. Doors open at 9pm. Go Glam@Theatre Bar: New Year’s Eve Countdown Party. B1,200 per person inclusive of two premium drinks. Starts at 8pm. 02 623 4555 ext. New Year Reservations ☎modesathorn.com

: 68

TheBigChilli

Novotel Bangna Bangkok The Square: Christmas Eve international dinner buffet (Dec 24) B1,256++ per adult. Christmas Day International Lunch Buffet (Dec 25) B1,050++ per adult. New Year’s Eve international dinner buffet (Dec 31) B2,000++ per adult inclusive of a glass of sparkling wine. Book before Dec 20 for 20 percent discount. 02 366 0505 ext.1431-2 ☎novotelbangkokbangna.com

Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok Terrace@72: Christmas Eve international dinner buffet (Dec 24, from 6pm) B1,800 per person (half price for kids aged 5-12). New Year’s Eve ‘Menam Carnival’ Dinner Buffet (Dec 31, from 6pm) B5,500 per person (half price for kids aged 5-12). Book before Dec 20 for 20 percent discount.

☎ 688 1000 :ramadaplazamenamriverside.com

Season's Eatings Festive dining at a glance

Soﬁtel So Bangkok Red Oven: Christmas Eve Buffet Dinner (Dec 24, from 6pm) B2,400++ per adult; B1,200++ per child. Christmas Day Brunch and dinner (Dec 25) are each priced B2,400++ per adult; B1,200++ per child. New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner (Dec 31) B3,900++ per adult, B 1,950++ per child. New Year’s Day Brunch (Jan 1) B1,950++ per adult (or B 2,350++ per adult with freeflow wine); B975++ per child. Hi-So Rooftop Bar: New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (Dec 31, from 9pm) B4,900 per adult with free-flow wine, beer, cocktails. (Canapés passed around until 11pm).

Soﬁtel Bangkok Sukhumvit Voilà: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24, from 6pm) B2,200++ per person (half price for kids aged 6-12). Christmas Day Lunch Buffet (Dec 25) B2,200 per person (half price for kids aged 6-12). New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 31, from 6pm) B2,400 per person including a glass of Chandon (half price for kids aged 6-12). New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet (Jan 1) B2,200++ per person (half price for kids aged 6-12). L’Appart: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day five-course set dinner menu (Dec 24-25) B2,800 per person. New Year’s Eve Countdown Party (Dec 31) B7,500++ per person inclusive of an indoor set menu and a bottle of Moet Chandon Champagne for every two paying guests; B9,500++ per person inclusive of an outdoor set menu and a bottle of Moet Chandon Champagne for every two paying guests; B7,000++ per person for drinks and outdoor tables only.

☎ 02 126 9999 ext. Voila! And L’Appart :soﬁtel.com

Park Society: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day fivecourse degustation dinner (Dec 24 & 25) B4,800++ per person, or B5,900++ per diner with wine pairing. New Year’s Eve six-course degustation dinner (Dec 31) B9,000++ per person, or B12,000++ per guest with wine pairing. New Year’s Eve Countdown DJ Party is B2,000 net per adult (incl. one drink). From 9pm onwards. The Water Club: New Year’s Eve five-course degustation dinner (Dec 31, from 6pm) B6,200++ per guest (incl. one glass of Gosset Brut Champagne). New Year’s Eve Countdown DJ Party (Dec 31, from 10.30pm) B1,400 net per adult (incl. two drinks).

☎ 02 624 0000 :soﬁtel-so-bangkok.com

Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa Party House One: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24, from 6.30pm) B1,600 per person inclusive of free-flow mulled wine (half price for kids aged 5-15). Christmas Day lunch (Dec 25) B490++ per person (half price for kids aged 5-15). La Vue: Five-course Set Dinner (Dec 24) B5,500 per person inclusive of free-flow mulled wine.

TheBigChilli

Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok Feast: International and BBQ dinner buffet (Dec 24) B2,300 per person including a party set. Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25) B2,900 per person including a party set and free-flow juices. New Year’s International Brunch (Jan 1) B2,000 per person including free-flow juices; B3,000 with free-flow beer and wine. Giorgio’s: Italian set dinner menu (Dec 24) B2,000 per person including a party set. New Year’s Eve set dinner (Dec 31) B6,500 including a party set. Riverside Terrace: International Gala Dinner (Dec 31) B8,200 per person including a party set.

The Roof: Five-course Set Dinner (Dec 24) B5,500 per person inclusive of free-flow mulled wine.

Thara Thong: Royal Thai Set Dinner (Dec 31) B6,500 per person including a party set and live music.

☎ 02 217 3000 :siamatsiam.com

☎ 02 266 9214 :royalorchidsheraton.com

InterContinental Bangkok The Continent Medinii: Christmas Eve’s dinner (Dec 24, from 6pm) B1,999++ per person. Christmas Day’s lunch (Dec 25) B999++ per person. New Year’s Eve ‘Skyfall’ themed five-course dinner (Dec 31) B2,999++ per person with a complimentary bottle of bubbly. Axis & Spin: New Year’s Eve ‘Skyfall’ themed five-course dinner (Dec 31) B2,999++ per person with a complimentary bottle of bubbly. Sky Bar & Lounge: New Year’s Eve ‘Skyfall’ themed five-course dinner (Dec 31) B2,999++ per person with a complimentary bottle of bubbly. 7000 :thecontinentdining.com ☎ 02 686 Strip AD_New Zealand Natural_Dec14_M4.pdf

Balcony Lounge: Festive Afternoon High Tea (Dec 1-25) B550++ for one person; B850++ for two persons. Served from 2.30pm-5.30pm. Espresso: Special Festive Brunch (Dec 21 & Dec 28) B2,400++ per adult; B999++ for kids aged 6-12. Christmas Eve Festive Dinner (Dec 24) B2,400++ per adult; B999++ for kids aged 6-12. New Year’s Eve Countdown Dinner (Dec 31) B3,000++ per adult; B999++ for kids aged 6-12. New Year’s Day Brunch (Jan 1) B2,400++ per adult; B999++ for kids aged 6-12. Fireplace Grill: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Dinner (Dec 24-25) B3,000++ per person for a three-course menu (or B4,500++ with one glass of Prosecco); 1

11/29/14

B4,500++ per person for a five-course menu (or B6,500++ with one glass of Prosecco). New Year’s Eve Dinner (Dec 31) B5,999++ per person for an eight-course menu (or B9,999++ with wine pairing and one glass of Champagne). Oasis Pool Bar: New Year’s Eve Countdown. B2,015++ per person including a glass of Champagne. Starts 9pm. Advance booking is essential.

☎ 02 656 0444 :icbangkok.com Christmas dinner at the pub • Zaks. See page 63 • Robin Hood. See page 65 • Molly Malone’s. See page 67

9:38 AM

TheBigChilli

Dining in

R e se a rc h by M EGH A N C O R CO R A N

Christmas at home

All you need to know to host your own festive feast in Bangkok How to cook a turkey

BY STEVE CRAIG, OWNER OF THE ACCIDENTAL BUTCHER

IF purchasing a frozen turkey, allow two to three days in the fridge for it to defrost slowly. For cooking, place your turkey into a roasting pan, preferably on a rack which elevates the bird and provides good air circulation. You can add water into the roasting pan as this helps trap the ‘drippings’ for use later and also creates humidity in the oven. Allow 30 minutes / 500 grams. If purchasing a US turkey (Butterball or Norbest) they both have a pop up timer inserted in the breast, once this timer ‘pops’ the turkey is cooked. This applies to an ‘unstuffed’ turkey. If the turkey is stuffed, you’ll need to allow approximately 30 minutes more cooking time on a lower heat to ensure the stuffing is cooked through. Always check the directions on the packaging If you want to stuff the bird, do this the day before cooking as the flavours in the stuffing will permeate the turkey. Do not pack the stuffing in too tightly as this will add to the cooking time. To keep the turkey breast moist and tender it’s important to keep it covered. There are various methods to this, ranging from starting cooking with the turkey breast down

to covering the turkey breast with foil. Alternatively you can cover the breast with bacon or pancetta or a piece of cheese cloth soaked in melted butter (or as mum would’ve done, baste the breast every 30 mins with a blend of melted butter and olive oil). After cooking, rest the bird for the meat to relax and so it retains its natural juices. Bonus tip: Gravy! For the best gravy, simply use the pan drippings. Firstly, skim out all fat. Over a low heat, heat the pan to reduce the balance, add a tablespoon of flour and stir while over heat adding either some chicken stock or water. Stir continually to avoid any lumps, and reduce to desired thickness. Don’t forget to season. Alternatively, skim all the fat out and pour the drippings into a sauce pan, add butter and Dijon mustard and blend over a low heat. In addition to the turkeys (which are defrosted upon request) The Accidental Butchers offers all kinds of festive fare, such as easy carve lamb legs and stuffed fresh chickens. :theaccidentalbutcher.com

TheBigChilli

How to cook Porchetta

BY CHEF AND BUTCHER JOE SLOANE, OWNER OF SLOANE’S

WE recommend allowing 300-400g per person of raw Porchetta, anything left at the end will make some amazing sandwiches the next day. Depending on the size of the Porchetta, allow about three hours to cook and then another 30 minutes to rest. We recommend you have the Porchetta delivered the day before you plan to roast it and keep it in the fridge uncovered. This will help to dry the skin and get a crispier crackling. When ready to roast, preheat the oven to 230°c. Season the Porchetta with sea salt and place on a rack on a roasting tray. Place in the oven for 40 minutes, turning once halfway

through. Now reduce the heat to 160°c and continue roasting, turning the pan and Porchetta occasionally. If you have a thermometer inserted into the center of the meat, when it registers 65°c, it’s done. If you don’t have a thermometer, insert a skewer and see if it feels hot when removed. This will take about 1 ½ - 2 hours more. If skin is not yet deep brown and crispy, but the meat is almost cooked, increase heat back up to 230°c and roast for about 10 minutes more. Let the Porchetta rest for 30 minutes and then slice using a serrated knife. Shop for festive meats from

:sloanes.co.th

WINE, SPIRITS AND BEER SUPPLIERS

Independent Wine and Spirit (Thailand) Co. Ltd Bangkok Beer and Beverages AS well as listing over 100 brands of wines, and all kinds of imported spirits (absinthe, gin, tequila, brandy, rum, and vodka, to name just a few), this well-established company also offers stunning tableware from renowned international brands Stolzle, Arcoroc, and Chef & Sommelier. :bbb.co.th

Hopsession STOCKING the best beers, ciders and mead from Scandinavia and beyond, you’ll find plenty of great tasting brews listed here. :hopsession.biz

PLACE your order before 2pm and you get next day delivery (Mon-Fri) from this popular wine retailer. Stocks over 250 different wines predominately from Australia, France and Chile. Whiskey, liqueurs, ciders, and vodka are also available, as well as port wines for after dinner. Minimum order 12 bottles. :wineqshop.com

Wishbeer STOCKS craft beers from all around the world. Delivers everywhere in Thailand and is always expanding its premium beer selection. :wishbeer.com

Wine Connection WITH Wine Connection branches located in key areas of Bangkok, you’re never too far away from a good bottle of wine. If you can’t be bothered to get off your couch, though, you can always order online. Just download their catalogue of over 500 wines, select add to cart, and you’re away. Minimum order B4,000. :wineconnection.co.th

Beervana Thailand IMPORTS superb craft beers from the States, and even has a handy app for making the ordering process so simple that you can’t help but keep on ordering. :seekbeervana.com

For more great wines visit: Fin (www.ﬁn-wine. com), Italthai (www.italthaigroup.com), and G Four Fine Wines (www.gfour.co.th).

TheBigChilli

Dining in CIGARS, MALTS & WHISKEY

WHERE TO BUY ORGANIC VEGGIES

Havana Express

Radiance Wholefoods

SELLS selected cigars and accessories, plus a range of single malt whisky. Open Mon-Sat noon10pm; Sun noon-6pm. JW Marriott Bangkok, 1F/19 Sukhumvit Road, Soi 2 Klongtoey.

RADIANCE lives and breathes natural chemical-free ingredients. Shop easily online at www.radiancewhlefoods.com for its internationally approved vegetables, fruit, nuts and snacks. Raw, gluten-free and vegan products are also available. VISA, Mastercard, Paypal and cash on delivery service. :radiancewholefoods.com

Davidoﬀ

The Urban Green Scene

EXTENSIVE collection of cigars and accessories. Open 10am-10pm. 1F/19 Gaysorn Plaza, Ploenchit Rd. http://davidoff.com

Bangkok Farmers Market

Whisgars CONCEPT bar offering highend Single Malt Whisky and Premium Hand-Rolled Cigars. 16 Sukhumvit Soi 23. www.whisgars.com

VEGGIES, breads, meats and jams – the regular Bangkok Farmers Market has the lot. Keep up to date with upcoming events at http:// bkkfm.org and www.facebook. com/bkkfm.

BAR SERVICES AND CATERING

(Just in case you need extra help!)

Be your Guest AUTHENTIC French cuisine cooked by French Chef Fred, who buys all ingredients and comes to your home to cook the meal. :beyourguest.asia

WORKS with over 25 food and drinks producers to bring artisan products direct to your door (See page 58 for an interview with the company’s owner).

PERSONAL Chef for home-cooked meals and dinner parties. They arrange everything from the planning and shopping right down to the cooking. Make your Christmas stress free with their individually catered service. :facebook.com/arcticcirclechef

CHAMPAGNE cocktails, martinis, wines, beers by the keg…Fuzio tailors beverage packages to suit niche occasions and grand-scale events. :fuziocatering.com TheBigChilli

Passiondelivery.com

Arctic Circle

Fuzio

A GOOD resource for all things green in Bangkok, The Urban Green Scene may not deliver organic veggies to your door, but it does a great job of telling you where to get them. Its sister website, bkkgreenie.com, features reviews of green events, restaurants, stores, farmers, produce and initiatives with a green rating. :theurbangreenscene.com

Vice Versa Cocktail Catering STYLISH cocktail catering service with international standards, their experienced mixologists will add plenty of creative flair to your Christmas party. Rates available upon request. :viceversacocktail.com

Se cti on !

Ne w

Chef’s Table

Catering news from Thailand and the world Phuket restaurant dominates ‘Wine List of the Year’

AZIAMENDI at Iniala, the new restaurant from Bilbao’s acclaimed three-Michelin star chef Eneko Atxa, on Natai Beach, Phuket, proved overwhelmingly successful in this year’s ‘Wine List of the Year,’ winning four categories in this annual competition to find the restaurant with the best wine offerings. Aziamendi’s wine list, according to the international judging panel, is “impressive, well researched and well balanced.” The list, under the expert assemblage of resident sommelier, Fabien Ettiene,

Winners

boasts a wide range of wines from around the world with logical presentation and “pleasingly esoteric selections.” Chairman of Judges, Mr. Peter Scudamore-Smith MW, commented: “Lists such as Aziamendi and similar are the shining lights which make customer wine selection in Thailand a simpler task. Diners are time poor yet experimental, more inclined to order younger wines than old (where storage may be questionable) and wishing for their sommelier to be internationally-focused, varietal thinking, and not bogged down by region. “Aziamendi covered all the bases with wines from our globe.”

• Best National List: Aziamendi at Iniala, Phuket • Restaurant/Wine Bar Award: Aziamendi at Iniala, Phuket • Resort/Hotel Award: Treetops Sky Dining, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui • Cellar Award: Tables Restaurant, Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok • Wine by the Glass: Aziamendi at Iniala, Phuket • Chiang Mai and Region: Dhara Dhevi • Koh Samui and Region: Treetops Sky Dining, Anantara Lawana Koh Samui • Phuket and Region: Aziamendi at Iniala • Bangkok and Region: Tables Restaurant, Grand Hyatt Erawan

Compass retains Twickenham deal

COMPASS Group’s Levy Restaurants has renewed its catering and hospitality contract with Rugby Football Union (RFU) at the home of England rugby in a deal worth more than £300m. The 10-year contract at Twickenham Stadium, southwest London, is worth some £30m a year to the RFU Group with the profits going to the development of the game at all levels. The caterer will continue to provide match day catering, hospitality and bar services, as well as non-match day catering, conference and event management at the famous sports venue. Keith Prowse will continue to promote the match day hospitality.

TheBigChilli

Customs destroy huge wine stock

A JUDGE has ordered 18,000 bottles

of wine to be poured down the drain. The wine, worth £155,000, was seized in raids by customs officers over suspicions duty had not been paid. The bottles consist of household names Echo Falls, Blossom Hill, Hardys and J.P.Chenet and will now all be destroyed. Despite the wine being perfectly fine, the judge ruled it should be condemned because of suspicions the excise duty had not be paid. Raids had been carried out on warehouses in Blackpool, Lancashire, and Cleckheaton, West Yorkshire, owned by alcohol wholesalers A.G.Peters which

Slim up on a Med Diet

A MEDITERRANEAN diet may be a better way of tackling obesity than calorie counting, leading doctors have said. Writing in the Postgraduate Medical Journal (PMJ), the doctors said a Mediterranean diet quickly reduced the risk of heart attacks and strokes. And they said it may be better than low-fat diets for sustained weight loss. The PMJ editorial argues a focus on food intake is the best approach, but it warns crash dieting is harmful. A Mediterranean diet, including fruit and vegetables, nuts and olive oil, reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes, and may be better than low-fat diets for sustained weight loss.

supplies high street outlets across the UK. The officers suspected there had been large scale evasion of the £2 duty which must be paid on each bottle. The application for the condemnation order of the 18,000 bottles of white and red wines was asked for by HM Customs and Excise. Checks revealed that duty had been paid on the wine when it was imported into the UK. But when it was re-exported to Holland, the Government repaid the duty on the crate only to discover that the same pallet of wine had later reappeared back in Britain to be marketed. The firm’s managing director Stephen Frazer, a former Tesco executive, said: “We sell 15,000 cases of wine a week. I need a quick turnaround on stock. I don’t want stock on the warehouse floor for more than a fortnight. “I don’t know where this pallet of wine came from, it should not have been there. “We cut prices because we market loss leaders....that is how we can compete with the buying power of say Tesco. “I did my due diligence checks on my suppliers and had no reason to think duty of the wine we handle had not been paid.” A spokesman for Customs and Excise added: “The wine will be quite simply be destroyed....poured down the drain.” – The Telegraph Meanwhile, Dr Alison Tedstone, the chief nutritionist at Public Health England, said there was no single silver-bullet solution. “Government advice is to eat plenty of bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and other starchy foods, plenty of fruit and vegetables; and some milk and dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, beans and other sources of non-dairy protein. “Foods high in salt, fat and sugar should be eaten less often and in small amounts. If you are currently overweight you will need to eat less to achieve a healthy weight and be active as part of a healthy lifestyle.”

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Ten most expensive wines

Couple refunded "ﬁne" after hotel criticism on TripAdvisor

A BRITISH hotel that fined a couple who criticised the property on TripAdvisor £100 will refund the money. The change of heart came after warnings that the fine added to the guests’ credit card could be illegal. The couple paid £36 for a room at the hotel in Blackpool, which they described as a “rotten, stinking hovel.”

The world’s most expensive wines, according to wine-searcher website, are (average per bottle in UK pounds): 1. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Romanee-Conti Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France. £8,310. Hailed by experts as the perfect Burgundy – “velvet and satin in bottles.” 2. Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux, Vosne-Romanee Premier Cru, France. £4,894. Much sought after Burgundy said to have a clarity and intensity that few can match. 3. Egon Muller-Scharzhof Scharzhofberger Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel. £4,577. A German Riesling of deep intensity from a vineyard that’s been in the family since 1797, and perhaps even back to Roman times. 4. Domaine Leflaive Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France. £3,716. A sumptuous white produced at the most famous estate in Puligny-Montrachet. 5. Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese, Mosel, Germany. £3,415. Grown on rocky steep slopes, the wines are said to have incredible ageing potential. 6. Domaine Leroy Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France. £3,379. The wines have had rave reviews at testings with one writer saying they “breathe the strength of age, if not the fire of youth.” 7. Domaine Georges & Christophe Roumier Musigny Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France. £3,202. Described as “seductively fruity in their youth yet with excellent ageing potential.” 8. Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Montrachet Grand Cru, Cote de Beaune, France. £2,948. Elicited the following comment from a taster: “Explosive and quite incredible multi-dimensional aromas – honey and graphite, pear, pineapple, orange peel, vanilla, an elusive wisp of smoke and with time the nose took on an additional set of floral notes.” 9. Domaine Jean-Louis Chave Ermitage Cuvee Cathelin, Rhone, France. £2,403. The wines are said to have “great nuance, harmony, depth and ageing potential.” 10. Henri Jayer Echezeaux Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits, France. £2,196. Refusing to use chemicals to control weeds, Henri Jayer also kept production deliberately low, believing this is essential to produce great wines.

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The hotel charged people for negative reviews in order to prevent customers from defaming the business. “We exercised this policy as we felt extremely upset by their actions and insulting comments towards our staff,” explained the hotel. “We agree there is room for improvement at our establishment and we desperately want to turn things around.” The hotel’s policy of “fining” guests for writing derogatory online comments is outlined in its booking document, which said: “Despite the fact that repeat customers and couples love our hotel, your friends and family may not. For every bad review left on any website, the group organiser will be charged a maximum £100 per review.” TripAdvisor commented: “While thankfully such instances are very rare, it is completely against the spirit and policies of our site for any business owner to attempt to bully or intimidate reviewers who have had a negative experience.” – The Caterer

Brits’ wine and beer tastes move upmarket

INCREASING numbers of British consumers are upgrading their alcoholic tastes by swapping Pinot Grigio for Picpoul and mass-produced lagers for craft beers. According to Majestic Wine, consumers are “trading up” to more expensive options as their taste in wine and beer becomes more sophisticated. The average bottle of wine purchased at Majestic now costs more than £8 for the first time. This was driven by a sharp increase in sales for more upmarket wines and craft beer. For example, sales of Picpoul, a white wine from France, are up 127% year-on-year, while craft beer sales are up 164%. The company’s best-selling craft beer is Curious Brew, which is produced at the Chapel Down winery in Kent. Curious Brew is a lager made using Champagne yeast and sales are up 50% year-on-year. – Telegraph

YOUR CHOICE FOR LIVE

OYSTER

Retailer in focus: Food Glorious Food

FOOD Glorious Food on Sukhumvit

Soi 71 is the retail arm of Choice Foods Thailand, which has been importing and processing high quality produce now for over four decades. The company’s reputation has always been due to the levels of quality and service it always strives to achieve for its customers’ kitchens. Food Glorious Food’s high quality meat and food products are usually only associated with some of the top international five star hotel and restaurant groups, but are now available to purchase for use in your own home. Inside the store, you will find a large range of imported meats and other food items, such as Wagyu Beef, Saltbush Lamb, Spanish Jamon, Fresh Vegetables, Antipasto, Olive Oil, and many more specialty products.

To complement these products Food Glorious Food also produces its own large range of butchery/deli items such as sausage, bacon, hams and burgers. The staff are more than happy to help you cater for your own personal needs, but can also help with supplying larger and more complex events. Their shop is located on Sukhumvit Soi 71 on the corner of Soi Pridi Phanomyong 37 and has ample parking. An online ordering and home delivery service will be available soon. To find out how Food Glorious Food can help you, send an email to: sean@choicefoodsthailand.com

Patients ﬁght closure of hospital’s Burger King A CAMPAIGN has been launched in

the UK to stop a hospital in Southampton from closing a branch of Burger King that has operated in its foyer for almost 20 years. Patients past and present are so angered by the plan to axe the restaurant they have set up a petition to reverse the decision. One former patient told the Daily Echo newspaper: “The petition is not just to keep Burger King, I believe it is more about the quality of the food that the hospital provides. “The food is of a poor standard. Burger King seems to have a much higher quality of food that’s cooked fresh and to order.” The presence of Burger King in hospitals has previously drawn criticism from health organisations and even been discussed in Parliament. Now hospital chiefs have decided it no longer fits with the “healthcare environment” it is trying to create in its main reception area and said they would not be renewing the lease when it expires in 2016. Their decision has received praise from health organisations and doctors who say that, given the UK’s obesity problem, hospitals should be setting a good example to patients.

& FRESH

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Expat WOMEN p Put your feet up and indulge

Sporty clothes are given a modern makeover in Alexander Wangâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s debut collection for H&M. Page 92.

BWWG

Enjoy the latest slice of fiction from the Bangkok Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Writers Group Page 84

Shopping

Hot new products and stores demanding your attention Page 92

Health

Nutrition expert Judith Coulson explains how you can avoid the flu Page 96 TheBigChilli

Expat Women

Fiction

Monsoon Midnights Special places in Bangkok, as experienced by the Bangkok Women’s Writer’s Group Dear reader Welcome to ‘Monsoon Midnights,’ a brand new series of stories 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. 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 is bright and throws many shadows. Shadows that fall and shadows that move. But how? There is no wind… There is a web of scents in the air, and on the ground, and under the ground. That web, too, moves swiftly with the shadows. The shadows without a wind… And I dive down. I follow the shadow of a scent tonight under that bright bright moon… This city is an ecosystem like the jungle. It uses what it can, and it throws out what it doesn’t use. The rules of what you get

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for what are random and somewhat cruel, depending on where you are in the food chain. But the jungle changes all the time. And while some species thrive, others have had their day. The city changes even faster. Maybe we didn’t really build it to suit ourselves but for the selective survival of our far future offspring. Our species is still evolving. This month’s storyteller, Catherine Lee, awaits me huddled into a niche in a small side Soi, blending into the shadows, close to the end of the trail of scents. She motions me to silence, and we wait. The shadows move again, and now I can see what moves them… We don’t have to wait very long at all…

In the Chamber of the Beggar Chief

T By Catherine Lee

The name of this Soi seems mysterious to me, as if it should belong to some powerful sultan from the ancient Middle East. In reality it simply means red-roofed pavilion, after the colour of the original but now extinct train station roof built here years ago. However, although no longer dotted with the homes of the rich and powerful, this area was indeed once renowned for its opulent mansions and beautiful gardens. Although very few people are aware of it, a type of power structure still exists in this vicinity today, and one particular corner remains an important meeting place where complex hierarchies and loyalties are played out in a nightly hall of theatre. During the day the marketplace crackles with life as numerous stall holders hawk their varied wares and find favour with white-collared workers partial to somtum, gai tod and a large selection of miscellaneous bargains. But at night it is a gathering place for beggars, and I’ve heard that the sagacious old uncle who oversees them rules with discipline yet kindness, so it is to this famous chamber that I now make my way. I am not a very good beggar myself, having failed to adopt the required balance of pitiable destitution and appeal that makes people stop in their tracks. For this reason it is becoming increasingly difficult for me to survive, so tonight I will plead for help from this expert in his field. Every day he waits in the doorway of a convenience store on the main road. He does not shake his paper cup, nor does he plead verbally with the passersby. He merely sits like a stone sculpture on his plinth of three elevated steps, staring into the distance. A consummate master of his profession, those whom he favours are fortunate indeed, because what he receives he shares! I tiptoe lightly across the marketplace. The adjacent Soi is largely empty apart from two or three small groups of young men hanging around in darkened doorways talking and laughing, reminding me that I should not be here alone. But the risk is secondary to my painfully empty stomach, and due

to my nervousness I have already put this introduction off for far too long. A rustling sound halts my progress and I listen attentively, all senses alert. Having witnessed rodents the size of felines in this vicinity before, I swiftly scan the shadows for any sign of rapid movement. After a few moments, two bright yellow eyes materialize in the gloom. I am as still as a statue, but exhale gratefully as the creature slinks swiftly in the direction of a nearby drain and disappears into the murky void beneath. Suddenly I glimpse a glimmer of light coming from behind the back wall, and as I follow it to the source – a colourful mixture of flowers, food and flame surrounding an immaculately tended, steeply elevated spirit house – I see the one they call the beggar chief reclining in a hammock. One lazy eye observes me dispassionately and his naked, boulder-sized belly is displaced as he rolls heavily to a sitting position. His hair is a silver bird’s nest, with long strands dangling like twigs across his wizened face. Perched on his hips is a pair of baggy black shorts incapable of containing his protruding stomach, and around his neck on a thick gold chain dangle five enormous amulets. I view this as a good sign. Beside him stands another who is large and muscular, with a ridged scar puckering his cheek in a way that lifts the corner of his lip and continues down the chin to his throat, giving his expression a permanent snarl. Other than this he looks surprisingly healthy for a beggar, but his demeanour is distinctly hostile and he appears to be some sort of bodyguard. Scowling at my apparent audacity in coming here uninvited, he puffs out his chest and takes one belligerent step towards me. But I hold my head high and the beggar chief halts his sidekick’s progress with a simple hand gesture as he leans towards me with apparent curiosity and interest. Nevertheless a group of other sycophants now begins to shuffle forward, skirting the hammock in a protective manner to glare at me threateningly, and clearly resenting my intrusion. Will they ask me to leave? What an odd assortment of characters – the grey and elderly, the young and naive, the battered and scarred, and those afflicted by inexplicable, tragic disease. I lower my eyes respectfully at the latter but am not about to quit now I’m here. Taking a deep breath, I open my mouth to elucidate my request. Suddenly, there is an eruption of sounds from behind me. A melee has broken out in the marketplace and all heads immediately snap around in shock. Six young men are circling a mangy yellow Soi dog for fun, while the wretched animal shivers and cowers against the wall, hopelessly trapped. The group surges menacingly, waving sticks in the air, and when their victim yelps in terror, they laugh and pull back, taunting mercilessly and feinting and thrusting ever closer. It is perfectly clear that they mean to enjoy some cruel sport with the poor unfortunate canine.

he Bangkok Women’s Writers Group, founded in 2001, and led by Anette Pollner (who also writes the recurring ‘moon intro’ stories in this series in her famous neo psychedelic style), is where creative women from all over the world meet to workshop their writing in a supportive and inspiring environment. Many of our members are published and prize winning authors, but we are open to all women who are passionate about writing, including complete beginners. The BWWG has published a Thai English language bestseller, ‘Bangkok Blondes,’ and various pamphlets. We regularly give readings around town and have been part of international festivals and cultural exchanges. Please contact bkk_writers@yahoo.com for more information. This month’s storyteller is Catherine Lee, a writer and professional proofreader/editor with clients in several different countries. Her stories have been published in Woman’s Day, That’s Life! And Singapore Women’s Weekly. Catherine has won many prizes for her poetry, from the Ipswich Poetry Festival, the Henry Lawson Society, and the Banjo Paterson and Rolf Boldrewood Awards. She also won the coveted Blackened Billy prize at the Tamworth Country Music Festival, Australia, in 2010, and for two consecutive years (2011/2012) scooped the Bryan Kelleher Literary Award. TheBigChilli

Expat Women

Fiction As a devout Buddhist, the beggar chief is incensed at this unnecessary callous aggression towards a helpless creature. Besides this, he does not wish to allow these unwelcome trespassers to proceed further into his private domain and discover his secret chamber, to which they might later return and possibly even destroy. He springs to life with astonishing energy, and his booming voice echoes loudly through the darkness as he shakes his fists and roars his justifiable rage. The intruders freeze, surprised but not yet fearful, and turn their attention to him. His assembly of vagrants shrinks back at first, but from experience they are wary and prepared, and when the youths begin to advance towards their leader in an intimidating manner, they leap into action at varying levels of ability. As the strongest, the chief’s bodyguard plunges in headfirst and is soon embroiled in loud and aggressive combat with one of the bullies. At first it appears they are relatively evenly matched; however, although he is the largest in this group of beggars, the bodyguard is no match for such a strong, well fed opponent. Then within seconds I see a second youth approaching the two fighters from behind, and in the gloomy light can just make out that he is wielding some sort of heavy, lethal looking weapon. My instincts kick in too, and I become an automatic avenger. Adrenaline drowns exhaustion as I join in the defence, springing into action to protect our unsuspecting bodyguard. I leap onto the young man’s back just as the large crowbar descends towards his opponent’s unprotected head. Taken by surprise, the youth stumbles and yelps. The bodyguard turns just in time to see him stagger and fall to the ground, and his eyes meet mine in silent gratitude and a new respect. We continue to attack the vicious ruffians with fierce determination in the hope that they will retreat. Although a mere motley army of the poor and homeless, we nevertheless stand firmly together as we fiercely bellow and shriek at these interlopers, until before long their smirks begin to fade at the realisation they are considerably outnumbered. Then all of a sudden the beggar chief pulls himself to his full height, bronze amulets glowing against his weathered brown skin and eyes alight with fierce indignation. As he steps forward, a nearby streetlamp shines directly onto his head, producing an eerie, ethereal effect that appears to frighten the youths. “Agh! Bãp kherãah! Bad luck! Let’s go!” shouts one, instantly transmitting his superstitious terror to the rest. Those who were ready to continue the physical battle now hesitate, pulling back reluctantly and scowling. But we hold their gazes defiantly, a united front that refuses to budge. They back away slowly and then turn to run, still yelling obscenities. Nevertheless we, the dispossessed, the unwanted, the unfortunates without a scrap between us, are the victors! The old chief grunts happily, clearly satisfied. We follow in silence as he returns to his hammock to hold court. With great effort he rolls three large baskets into position in front of him. It is time. We gather around eagerly as he searches through them to ascertain the value of his daily takings. Some of the others are still eyeing me doubtfully, although now evidently becoming more willing to accept my presence. The beggar chief beckons to his bodyguard first, but to my surprise the latter inclines his dark battle scarred head in my direction and takes a couple of steps backwards. The old man raises his eyebrows and nods, as if satisfied with the humility 86

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of this response. Smiling, he gestures for me to come forward, and cautiously I approach. He reaches into a basket and proffers something to me, and at last I know I have been accepted. I feel his hand rest gently on my head like a benediction. “Sunakh thi` di,” he whispers, “Good dog!” My tail wags wildly with immense gratitude as I retreat with the juicy pork knuckle – for this is my home now and I know I will never go hungry again. I leave the little Soi with its pack of now peaceful inhabitants, and I am suddenly very aware of all the animal life around me, or cohabitants. Dogs, cats, mice. Rats, lizards, snakes. Flies, mosquitoes, cockroaches. But also butterflies and birds. So many shadows in the night. I’d quite like to live in an elephants’ shadow. There’s something solid and protective about that. Maybe the elephants would accept me into their herd. Maybe they would protect me and fight for me and mourn me when I’m gone. But elephants shouldn’t be here in the first place. Elephants deserve a nice home in a forest where they can roll in the mud and rip the branches of bamboo trees… Most of the animals were here millions of years before we trampled all over their territory. Like the elephants they are all creatures of the jungle. The dogs and cats – well, that’s another matter. The dogs and cats came with us when we moved in. Particularly the dogs. We bred them to crave our company. We used them for protection. We still use them. For all sorts of things. The cockroaches are here by themselves, on their own ticket. As I fly home, feeling my way by the power of scent, I sense the huge and complex network of animal traces under me. On street level, the cats and dogs and rats. Under the street, in the soft moist earth, the ants and termites and roaches. Who have now moved into the vertical. They have colonised our buildings. How could they not? We built pipes and drains and bricks with air holes. We use wood. We drop food, like big walking trees. Some of the network of scents even reaches into the air. The city supports billions of flies and mosquitoes. It also supports butterflies and birds. If we could see them under the moon, maybe if, one night, they were all gifted, for just one hour, the talent of the fireflies, we would see the thick plume of flying life that rises high above the streets. We are swathed in a cocoon of things with wings. If we could illuminate them with a secret blue spy light, we would see the billions of companions that crawl through the bones of our homes on secret highways. And those that hunt those fast messengers of distant hives. The termites and the butterflies and the rats have adapted to changing environments for millions of years, and our mega city is just another one. We love those animals very selectively. Some are cute, some deserve to be exterminated. It’s their jungle, but we decide… And yet, we take them everywhere we go. All of them. On ships, on planes, to new, undiscovered continents… Roaches have even been spotted on space ships… The moon shines on everyone. But I know that the moon will return in time for us to see it rise again next month, when Monsoon Midnights returns. Anette Pollner, leader of the BWWG

News

Education

School Report

One Million Baht Scholarship available at KIS

KIS International School is inviting ambitious students to create their own success story by applying for the coveted IB Diploma academic scholarship, also known as the “One Million Baht Scholarship,” for the academic year 2015-2016. The IB Diploma scholarship winner will be granted full tuition for the duration of the two-year IB Diploma programme, valued at around 1.5 million baht. The “One Million Baht” scholarship is open to applicants of all nationalities who are fluent in English and currently in Grade 10 (Year 11). Applicants should be academically strong and well-rounded. Candidates may be eligible for a partial scholarship. Applications are welcome until Feb 17. Academic scholarships for other secondary school grades are also available. For more info email: admissions@kis.ac.th www.kis.ac.th

Traill hosts FOBISIA games TRAILL International School hosted its first ever FOBISIA games on Nov 14– 16, at the Rajamangala National Stadium, Bangkok. Seven schools

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I’M Possible Basketball Camp Bangkok Prep offers A level scholarships

THAILAND’S first I’M Possible Basketball Camp will be held in Bangkok on Dec 15-19. Arranged by For-The-Love Basketball Academy, the one-week camp will see top NBA skills coach Anthony Porter teach I’M Possible’s innovative and effective basketball and physical training techniques. The training camp is open to both boys and girls aged 6 to 18 years and will be held during morning and evening sessions. The morning session will be at Shrewsbury International School (10am-3pm); the evening session, at Indoor Basketball Courts Bangna (5pm-7pm). Prices range B1,500-B,7,500 (group discounts are available). For more info: www.4-the-love.com or www.facebook.com/FTL.Basketball

BANGKOK International Preparatory and Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) is offering an A level scholarship scheme for entry to Year 12 in August 2015. The scholarship is open to students of all nationalities aged 16 years with outstanding achievement in academic studies, sports and music. A total of three scholarships will be given, with a total combined value of up to over 3 million baht for the two years duration. The deadline for application is Jan 30. Successful scholarship placements will be announced on Mar 16. For more info about the scholarships and application details see: www.bkkprep.ac.th/scholarship

competed: Bromsgrove International School, Garden International School (Ban Chang), Kinabalu International School, St Stephens International School (Bangkok), The British School Kathmandu, The Regent’s School (Bangkok) and Traill International School. In the spirit of FOBISIA, the surrounding events such as the opening and closing functions ensured that students were able to mingle and form lasting friendships. Results and pictures of all the events are available on www.fobisiagames.com

IPN Event

Family Saturday Bike Trip

THE International Parenting Network (IPN) will host a bike trip to Bangkrachao (also known as the “Lungs of Bangkok”), in Samut Prakan, on Sat Dec 13 from 8.30am-1pm. This family day out will see participants travel through tropical fruit plantations, visit the Ban Numphueng floating market, create some local crafts, and enjoy local Thai cuisine. Priced at B750 for adults (B950 for nonmembers) and B500 for kids ages 3-12 (B700 for nonmembers). For more info Tel: 081 826 2399 www.ipnthailand.com

School Report

Harrow

HARROW BANGKOK: A HOME AWAY FROM HOME Increased study time, on-site leisure facilities, and a real community spirit are just three of the highlights of living on campus, writes the school’s Director of Boarding, Tim McDonald ■ SENDING a child to a boarding school is a huge decision for any parent and their child. At Harrow International School Bangkok we are fully aware of the emotions involved in making a decision to board. We work hard to ensure that all students who are welcomed into the family-run boarding establishment are happy, safe and secure. We aim to make every child feel that they are living in a home from home. With 19 different nationalities of students, we are a genuinely rich and diverse community who all speak one common language, English. The boarding environment offers stability and structure for young people, which may not always be possible for a family. Set within a spacious and green 35-acre campus, the boarding houses at Harrow Bangkok offer a safe and fun environment, while exceptionally high standards of behaviour ensure students build confidence as well as a healthy level of independence. For many, the boarding community becomes an extended family, not replacing home, but being

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a comfortable haven when home is not available. The academic benefits of boarding are clear. Our boarders have more effectual time for study due to our daily, structured, study schedule and also because they do not have to spend time traveling. They have greater access to the school campus and all the exceptional resources on offer. We offer one-to-one in-house tutoring from expert teachers, as well as the full-time house parents. It is no coincidence that all recent boarding graduates have gained places in their first or second choice universities

worldwide, and that the community has generated four of the school’s last six Head Boys and Head Girls. We believe that being a boarder is not just about achieving academic excellence. Being located less than one minute from the swimming pool, tennis courts and playing fields give students a privileged opportunity to make use of all leisure and work-based resources. Our in-house activity programme aims to challenge and stimulate by creating opportunities for sport, community, creativity, entertainment and adventure. A boarding community offers a wonderful balance for young people between work and play, between developing academic and social skills, between responsibilities and independence. We see an amazing growth in our boarders as they mature, and prepare and equip themselves for roles in the wider world. Boarding enables our students to fully experience the academic and social benefits of a Harrow Bangkok education. www.harrowschool.ac.th

Expat Women

Shopping

Talking

Shop Hot products and stores demanding your attention

NEW DISCOUNT PACKAGE FOR PHUKET

TOP BRANDS AT LASHES ■ BANGKOK-based cosmetics retailer Lashes has given its stores a makeover by introducing three new bestselling brands from the UK and US – Prestige Cosmetics, Total Intensity, and blinc. Smarten up your peepers with products such as Prestige Cosmetics’ Back to Black Triple Line Ink Pen, a thick liquid eyeliner that comes with three tips to create many looks; Total Intensity’s vibrant metallic eyeshadow; blinc’s waterproof eyebrow mouse; as well as mascaras, eye liners and eye shadows to suit almost every taste. Available now at Lashes outlets throughout Bangkok. www.facebook.com/lashesthailand

■ LAUNCHED last month, the new OneSabai Holiday Box (available at Phuket International Airport, priced B500) features a discount card for dining and shopping at more than 70 places throughout Phuket, travel advice, and even a map to ensure visitors see the best of the island. Also included in the package: an Uber Gift Card which gives users B300 off their first trip with the taxi service, and a Truemove H 3G Simcard. A ‘Plus’ version of the box also includes Ace Travel Insurance with coverage of up to B200,000. www.onesabai.com

ALEXANDER WANG X H&M ■ SPORTY clothes are given a modern

WATCHES MADE SIMPLE ■ STRIPPING the wristwatch back to its basic function new Thai watch brand Simpl has even ditched numbers for its debut collection of minimalist-yet-elegant timepieces. No bling, no clutter, just a sleek modern look available in four colours: Amber Black, Amber Brown, Classic Black and Classic Brown. Each watch has a 39mm case diameter and a genuine leather strap. The stainless steel case and dial face is available in a choice of two colours: luxury brushed rose gold case with matte black dial, and brushed silver case with classic white dial. B1,690 per watch. www.simplstyle.com

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makeover in Alexander Wang’s debut collection for H&M. The American fashion designer, who is renowned for his urban designs and great tailoring skills, presents 38 exclusive garments, as well as a range of accessories that feature a playful take on everyday objects. Quick-dry black running tops and perforated laser-cut shorts are each bonded and branded with Alexander Wang in silver mesh, while seamless performance T-shirts, tank tops and crop tops are knitted in a pointelle pattern with a hidden tongue-incheek message that becomes visible when wor n. Wang’s signature experimentation with fabric is also seen throughout the collection, especially with the black foam-injected crocodile-patterned sweatshirt, and the scuba sweatshirt embossed with Alexander Wang branding. Yours to buy now at H&M stores in Siam Paragon, CentralWorld and CentralFestival Pattaya Beach.

Q&A

Business

All in good health – Kowa Thailand Two new products spearhead company’s plans for regional expansion in Japan carries a variety of Kowa’s products, including bestselling items like ‘VantelinKowa Supporter’ (ankle, wrist, knee, and elbow supports, currently endorsed by golfer Tiger Woods), and MarshPuff, a line of innovative body powder, available in five different scents, which offers sun protection of SPF 50+ PA++++ (the maximum available) and is endorsed by hit Korean pop group The Wonder Girls.”

•Mr Shin Inoue (Deputy Managing Director)

•Ms Sunantha Wangsophon (General Manager)

ESTABLISHED in Thailand 13 years ago, Kowa (Thailand) Co., Ltd. imports pharmaceuticals such as Livalo and Kalimate as well as beauty products and health supplements. Livalo, a statin class of drug that helps to reduce cholesterol, is one of Kowa’s biggest hits – last year worldwide sales reached an impressive 27,000 million baht – but it’s not the only bestseller on the company’s books. To learn more about the company and its popular products we met three of Kowa Thailand’s management team – Mr Satoshi Uno, Managing Director; Mr Shin Inoue, Deputy Managing Director; and Miss Sunantha Wangsophon, General Manager. Here’s what they had to say: What is the background of the Kowa group? M Satashi Uno: “The Kowa Group was founded in Japan in 1894 and now has more than 20 branches around the world.

•Mr Satoshi Uno (Managing Director)

Kowa is best known as a pharmaceutical business, but we also provide a variety of innovative products such as LED lights, medical devices, industrial merchandise and hospitality products. All of our products are safe and of the highest quality.” Is Kowa a big player in the Japanese market? Mr Shin Inoue: “Well, Kowa’s products in Japan are very well-known, especially when it comes to consumer healthcare. Every pharmacy

How about here in Thailand? Miss Sunantha Wangsophon: “Kowa is well established in Thailand and our business keeps growing year on year. Recently we launched Vantelin (B460) and MarshPuff (B350) for Thai consumers. Both are available at leading stores and hypermarkets such as Tsuruha, Loft, Central Food Hall, MaxValu, etc. Very soon we will also start offering UnaKOWA Toban – a topical antipruritic cream (inhibits itching) that’s perfect for treating mosquito bites.” Why did the Kowa Group choose to do business in Thailand? Miss Sunantha Wangsophon: “The Kowa Group in Japan has had a good relationship with Thailand since 2001, and many doctors recommend our products. Therefore, we thought Thailand would be a great place to do business. In fact, taking advantage of hypermarkets, the internet and the over-the-counter trade here, we expect sales of Vantelin and MarshPuff to increase by 10 percent.” Any plans for regional expansion? Miss Sunantha Wangsophon: “There certainly are! Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are all on the horizon.” For more information about Kowa Thailand and its products see www.kowa.com

TheBigChilli

Expat Women

Advice

Ask the experts

Send your problems to: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

Expat life getting you down? Don’t suffer in silence. Send in your problems and get advice from professional counsellors Anette and Johanna

How did his comments about your clothing and make-up first come up in conversation? What did his suggestions mean to you? You write that he started to criticize you, so did you feel as if your choices were not good enough? Did your husband understand this? The issue on hand can have different aspects. First, what are your husband’s fantasies about women? Have I’VE been married for 20 years and the two of you ever talked about your husband’s erotic dreams have two children who have now both and fantasies? If clothing or certain make-up helps him to feel left for college. I don’t think I am a more sexually attracted to you, both of you could discuss how to beauty queen, but I’m also not over‘play’ with these fantasies within your marriage. Within the home weight or ugly. I exercise and keep (or bedroom) this could enhance your relationship. Perhaps you myself in shape. I use moderate make-up and like to also have some secret wishes about your husband as a lover. dress nicely, but modestly. Secondly, it seems that the ideas your husband shares are stirOver the last couple of months, however, my husband ring up feelings of ‘identity’ for you – “that is not who I am.” It is has started to become ver y critical of my appearance. He not wrong to explain this to your husband and ask if he would be suggested that I change my clothing, my hairstyle and makewilling to respect and accept you for ‘who you are.’ On the other up. But I feel that these changes would not reflect who I am. hand, it might be fun, while maintaining ‘being yourself,’ to see if And then, last week, he brought up the topic of cosyou would like to try out different colours, styles etc. There are so metic surger y. He wants me to undergo breast enlargemany options to choose from. Do you dare to explore? ment, as he is not ‘happy’ with how I look and doesn’t The issue of undergoing surgery is indeed something you feel sexually attracted to me anymore. need to be very honest and upfront about. This remark has hurt my feelings. Is being sexually Ask your husband a few more questions about the reasons attractive only about the looks? How come it is suddenly behind his wish that you should enlarge your breasts. Why did bothering him? this idea come into his mind? Also tell him how this makes you He himself is over weight and doesn’t take care of his feel and talk about what sexual attractiveness means to you. For own appearance. you it is more than looks, isn’t it? I told him I need to think about his suggestions and You also mention your husband is overweight and doesn’t remarks, but frankly speaking I am content with how I pay a lot of attention to his appearance. How is that for you? Is look and I am not willing to suffer all the physical pain of your husband aware of this? having surger y. How is your relationship togethI wonder what is going on? How can we er apart from the above mentioned talk about this in such a way that he knows I issues? What do you enjoy together am willing to listen to him, but I am not willnow the focus on the children is not ing to do ever ything that he wants me to do. 24/7 any more? Try not to make this a power Regina, 47, from Austria struggle of who is right or in control about what, but openly talk about your relationship, intimacy Dear Regina, and the experience of being mar■ This must be a difficult situried to each other. An empty nest ation for you. It seems that your can be a trigger to evaluate your husband’s suggestions have esyears of marriage together. Try tor calated from asking you to make nical Direce to get to the core issues and the li C e th g MS is he trained in th S a DeKonin outward adjustments to your apfeelings behind his requests. • Johannounseling Center. of NCS C ds and Australia. pearance, to suggesting you have If the two of you have a an rl he et N plastic surgery, and now to telling hard time openly discussing you that you are no longer sexually attractive to him. this together, consider some marriage counselling sessions to clear the air.

Hurt by husband’s boob job jibe

TheBigChilli

Jealous wife ruining my life

MY wife is making my life hell with her uber controlling ways. Wherever I go, I have to let her know, and she checks up on me with frequent phone calls, not just to me but to others who she thinks may know where I am and what I am doing. She also regularly reads the text messages on my phone and inspects the phone numbers I called or that called me. I don’t know if she can read my emails since I have hidden them behind encr yptions but who knows… My wife also gets ver y upset and makes a huge scene if I am not back home at a certain time – I have to pay for such ‘transgressions’ with putting up with her bad moods for days. Why is she doing all this? Because she is insanely jealous! She even asked me to remove all female friends from facebook… Why don’t I leave? Because we have a daughter and I am afraid that she will take her and I will never see my child again, that’s why. So I have to take it, and I feel trapped, at least until my daughter is 18. A long, long time. Facts: I met my wife when she was working in a bar. But she was not like other bar girls. She was always in a good mood, she always wanted to know what she could do for me. Then she fell in love with me and when she got pregnant, we married. I had been living a ver y free lifestyle for many years but I was happy to marr y her too. Now I am wondering what possessed me and what turned her into this jealous monster?

Tony, 35, from the UK

Dear Tony,

■ When you met your wife, you were a customer at a bar where she was entertaining many men. She knew that you had been a customer at many bars before and had had relationships with many bar girls. This is the background to your marriage. Now, your wife is at home looking after your daughter, and you are still out and about. Your wife’s life has changed completely, and while some changes are presumably making her happy, others clearly make her very nervous. After living a very eventful life where she earned her own money and was active in her relationships, she now relies on you, financially and emotionally. Her perspective on men in general also is informed by her life in the bars, and I’m pretty sure she met many married men and fathers there.

This is not to say that this extreme fear of losing you (which is behind the attempts of surveillance and control) isn’t disturbing your marriage, of course it is. But it’s your wife’s fear that needs to be addressed, if you want to make any lasting changes. But maybe you could first try to put yourself in her position, and ask yourself how you would handle it. Then, try to find a good time (yes, I know, it’s difficult, but on the other hand you seem to know what would calm her down at least temporarily) to sit down and talk with her. The best way to find out what your partner really thinks and feels is always to ask them. Directly. Then, you don’t need to advance on your assumptions. Try to just find out what she thinks, without immediately responding with your own strong feelings. Depending on her answers, you could then try to find two kinds of solutions: practical and emotional. Practical solutions could revolve around financial arrangements (does your wife have her own money or does she have to ask you for everything? What is her long term financial security and that of your child?). Agree on what both of you feel are reasonable expectations of behaviour. It’s not easy to stay calm in these discussions but it is very much worthwhile. Emotional solutions need to start with finding out what each of you is most afraid of in this marriage, and how you feel a better outcome could be achieved. Here, again, it is best not to be antagonistic, but to stay honestly curious about the feelings of your partner. If it is too difficult to talk, maybe you could discuss this by email and give each other some time to respond. If you love each other, you will try to understand. If you don’t, then it is time to look for other solutions, perhaps • Anette Pollner beginning with a visit to a of seven internatiAdv. Dipl. Couns., is one Counseling Cente onal counsellors at NCS good lawyer. r in Saphan Kw

trained in London ai. She staff counsellor and the US and worked as a at Bart’s Hospita l in London.

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

TheBigChilli

Expat Women

Health

Navigating the flu season Medical nutritionist Judith Coulson explains how to keep seasonal viruses at bay ■ BEING Swiss, I would not call the Thai winter “Winter.” But it seems that the slight dropping of temperature, and maybe the high season for tourism, brings all kinds of germs together in Thailand and results in many people catching a cold or the flu. Events held in freezing cold meeting rooms, and the unhealthy aspects of our year-end festivities (eating more unhealthy snacks, drinking more booze, sleeping less etc.) may also contribute to us falling ill during this period. With this in mind, here’s a few tips on how to deal with a cold or the flu effectively – and one important step on how to prevent them, too. Wash your hands

We regularly tell our kids to wash their hands, but how about us? If you get a cold or flu this year, your dirty hands may be the culprit. Germs are picked up on the BTS, at shopping malls, in the office, etc. Touch your mouth or eyes with dirty hands, and you may catch a virus. Make a conscious effort to wash your hands regularly.

Pay attention to symptoms

Is it a cold or flu? There’s no sure way to tell the symptoms apart and even your doctor may not be sure. Usually, colds are milder and show symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose. The flu is usually more severe and comes on suddenly, probably knocking you off your feet for a few days. Fever, body aches, and exhaustion are more common with the flu.

If in doubt, stay at home

When you’re sick, stay home, rest, and recover. It’s better for you and everyone around you. It may not be easy to take a sick day, but if you have a cold or flu, you should. If you push yourself when you’re sick and work instead of rest, your body may have a harder time fighting off the virus and your cold could last longer. You could also spread the virus to other people. When someone in your family is sick, switch to disposable products in your bathroom and kitchen until they get better. Swap your cloth hand towel for a paper towel, don’t drink or eat from each other’s dishes, and wash your dishes with hot water and with soap. It’s a simple way to stop the spread of germs among family members.

TheBigChilli

Natural treatments

If you catch the symptoms at an early stage, some home remedies may be all you need to get better. A spoonful of honey in lemon or ginger water or tea, for example, can help soothe a cough just as well as a drugstore cough syrup (don’t give honey to kids under age 1 – it’s not safe for them). Some vitamins and herbs have shown promise as a treatment for cold symptoms. Echinacea and high doses of vitamin C (up to 5000mg a day) may also help shorten cold symptoms. Drinking extra fluids when you’re sick will help thin mucus, drain your sinuses and relieve a stuffy nose. Water, vegetable juices, or hot herbal and ginger teas can help relieve congestion. If your kids aren’t drinking enough water or tea when they’re ill, offer them

some diluted fruit juices, or homemade low sugar sodas (or let them drink fluids out of funny glasses or beakers).

Nutrition

Many people run down their immune systems by eating the wrong foods. If you feel a flu or cold approaching, stay away from processed, sugar and saturated or trans-fat rich foods and change to mostly fresh fruits and veggies high in vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Same when you recover from a flu or cold. If you don’t feel like eating, buy or press fresh vegetable juices with some ginger and turmeric (natural antibiotic). Coconut juice is a good alternative to energy drinks if you feel like you need a boost and some extra energy.

In the older days your mother or grandmother may have made you a fatty chicken (or any other meat) broth, for extra energy, but keep in mind that was then, when people had a completely different lifestyle and access to fresh fruits and vegetables. An oat or barley soup, on the other hand, is perfectly fine, and even better if you add some vegetables for extra vitamins.

If needed, get the right medicine No drugs can cure the flu, but some may help you get better faster. Prescription antiviral drugs can blunt the symptoms and help you recover. The catch: You need to start taking them within 48 hours of your first symptoms. There are lots of cold and flu remedies to choose from at the drugstore. Be smart about the ones you use. Combination medications that package several meds in one pill, like a decongestant, cough suppressant, and a

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painkiller, can seem like a convenient way to combat symptoms. But try to choose a medicine that treats your specific complaint and don’t treat a problem you don’t have. Don’t take more than one medication with the same ingredient. Read labels carefully and follow the recommended dose per day. With medications, more is never better and can cause side effects in the long run. In general there is no need to see a doctor in the first two days unless you develop a high fever or a really bad cough. Catching the flu or a cold many times is a sign from your body that your lifestyle is off, and all your body needs is a bit of care and rest.

Be careful with antibiotics Take this advice seriously and

double check with your doctor. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, so antibiotics will not help. They work only with bacterial infections. Using antibiotics when you don’t need them increases the risk of breeding dangerous germs that are resistant to drugs in the long run.

Be prepared

Make sure you have the supplies you need to tackle symptoms as soon as possible. Buy some vitamin C supplements and make sure you have some frozen fruits and veggies in your freezer. Make sure you have access to plain water, and have some herbal tea and sugar free ginger tea in the house. Stock your medicine cabinet with a pain reliever or decongestants. Don’t forget tissues, soap, and hand sanitizer and make sure your thermometer still works.

Judith Coulson is a Medical Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach, specialized in drug free disease prevention and health promotion, for individuals and executive teams. Contact Judith@coulson-holding.com for an individual Food and Lifestyle Analysis and Consulting.

8/31/12 2:58:57 PM

TheBigChilli

MELBOURNE CUP

The Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group Bangkok’s (ANZWG) Melbourne Cup Charity Lunch at the Amari Watergate brought together over 600 guests for an afternoon of fine food, freeflow wine, and live music in a fantastic atmosphere. There were some stunning outfits on display too, as you’ll see in the following pictures.

TheBigChilli

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Y O U R U L T I M A T E W H A T ’ S O N G U I D E F O R D E C E M B E R 1 4

What’s on

pArt pPerformance pSport pFootball pMovies & Albums pBooks

When I Lost My Standpoint, the new exhibition by Poom Pechavanish, explores the loss of long-held beliefs. Page 102.

Wonderfruit

A celebration of art, ﬁlm, music, and fashion - this fest is not to be missed Page 104

Xmas Panto

Checkinn 99’s Christmas show is daft, different, and a whole lot of fun Page 104

Fight Night

Catch international muay Thai ﬁghts at the MBK Center Page 106 Page 84 TheBigChilli 101

What’s On|Exhibitions

Art

When I Lost My Standpoint

UNTIL 13/12

THE loss of long-held beliefs and opinions are the focus of this exhibition by Poom Pechavanish, who uses quirky central characters to explore the wide range of emotions he feels when major personal changes arise. Number 1 Gallery, The Silom Galleria Bld. 401-402, Silom Rd., Soi 19 Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm 02 630 2523 :number1gallery.com

☎

UNTIL 26/12

Trance

FEATURING an interactive sound installation, video installation, and object-photograph-sound installation, this collaboration between emerging artists Arnont Nongyao and Piyarat Piyapongwiwat explores the cultural changes taking place in Thailand today.

Yet Space, 117 Jaransanitwong Soi 11. Open Tues-Sat 11am-6.30pm. 089 988 5890 :on.fb.me/1uNz4nE

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UNTIL 20/12

Man of Expiration

UNTIL 16/12

THREE Thai artists from Uthai Thani province – singer/songwriter Sutone Sukpitak, painter Mana Phupichit, and writer Thawich Chun – moved beyond their usual disciplines to create this exhibition, which sees Suthone present black and white photographs of farmers at work; Mana present intricate drawings; and Thawich, black and white photos of the faces of various Thai artists. Art cafe by Brown Sugar, 1st ﬂoor of Bangkok Art & Culture Center (BACC). National Stadium BTS. Open Sun-Tues 10am-9pm (closed Mon). 02 214 6630-8 bacc.or.th

☎

Give-Me-Your-Hand

ARCHITECT, piano teacher, and artist Suthirak Rithraksa (best known as Porporrina) presents a series of sketches of friends, colleagues, and customers, which, thanks to some opening night participation, now also feature handprints of various guests present at the exhibition’s launch last month. Boutique-gallery toineinbangkok, 64 pan road, Silom. Open daily 10.30am-9pm 02 235 6750 :facebook.com/toineinbangkok

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Blooming

EXPLORING the concepts of birth, growth and change, Sayumporn Kasornsuwan’s latest range of pottery works includes studies of seedlings and fruits, fired at a temperature of 1,250 degree Celsius, and presented in magnified form. Ardel Gallery of Modern Art, Boromrachachonnanee Rd. Open Tues-Sat 10.30am-7pm; Sun 10.30am-5.30pm (closed Mon). 02 422 2092 :ardelgallery.com

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UNTIL 31/12

Vicissitudes

UNTIL 21/12

THAILAND’S rich cultural past is brought to life with aplomb in this nostalgia-steeped series of paintings by Daeng Buasan, who leaves it up to viewers to decide whether or not society has changed for the better or worse.

Modern Gallery, O.P. Garden, Charoenkrung 36. Open Mon-Sat 11am-7pm 02 238 6449

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What’s On|Performance

Stage 23/12 24/12

A Christmas Pantomime

Wonderfruit Festival

19/12 21/12

A CELEBRATION of art, film, music, fashion, and healthy living, Thailand’s first Wonderfruit Festival (held at The Fields at Siam Country Club, Chonburi, approx. two hours south of Bangkok) is a hipster’s dream come true. Luxurious camping options, performances by international bands (Jose Gonzales, Hercules & Love Affair are just two of the names on the bill), and pop-up eateries with exclusive dinners cooked by chefs such as David Thompson (of Nahm) and Paolo Vitaletti (of Appia) 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.

AN original tale about a Grumpy Santa who hates everyone especially his Elves. Along the way he meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, a Wicked Witch, Mr Hoff the Hypnotist, Three (not so) Wise Men, The Ghost of Christmas Present, the insane Pantomime Dame Mrs Winterbottom, Sexy Miss Christmas’s, naughty kids and even a Transformer. This family-friendly show promises to take you on a wild and crazy Christmas sleigh ride whilst you join in and sing along to some of your all-time favorite Christmas songs and show tunes. It’s daft, different and definitely not to be missed. You’ll have a great time, “Oh no you won’t” “Oh yes you will!” Tickets: B750 (preferential seating) B500 (un-reserved seats). One welcome punch (the drink!) for all. Performances start at 8.30pm :checkinn99.net

Tickets range B1,000 – B25,000 (free for kids under 11) :wonderfruitfestival.com

German Open Air Cinema

ENJOY the cooler evenings and immerse yourself in German cinema among the tranquil gardens of the Goethe Institute Thailand. Most Tuesday evenings, the Institute will screen German-language movies (with English subtitles), giving viewers a great opportunity to learn more about the culture of German speaking countries. Entry is free. Screenings from 7.30pm. For a full programme see: http://bit.ly/1y4fLGu.

Until 17/2

25/12 27/12 The Magic Flute

FIRST presented in 2003, Somtow Sucharitkul’s much-lauded ‘Thai-Sci-Fi’ production of Mozart’s family classic returns this month with a new visual makeover by San Francisco designer Dean Shibuya, plus new costumes courtesy of the Pasaya company. International opera stars include Mexican tenor and Mozart specialist Emilio Pons and German baritone Falko Hönisch, while Thailand’s talent includes Nadlada Thamtanakom, Young Soloists of Opera Siam, and the Orpheus Choir. Thailand Cultural Center. Tickets range B800-B5,000 :thaiticketmajor.com

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Chiang Mai Jazz Festival

19/12 20/12

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 Soul After Six, The Sound of Siam, Martin Taylor and Alison Burns (pictured), and many more. Two days pass B1,200; One day pass is B750. Shows start each day at 6pm. :thaiticketmajor.com :chiangmaijazzfestival.com

The 1975

CATCH the English indie rockers performing their eponymous chart topping debut album live at Centerpoint Studio Thailand (Sukhumvit 105) on Jan 25. Tickets: B2,000 0r B3,000 :thaiticketmajor.com.

Screen 18/12

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES

BY the beard of Gandalf! Director Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy (adapted from the book of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien) draws to a close in spectacular fashion as humans, orcs, dwarves and more magical creatures gather on Lonely Mountain to beat seven bells out of each other – in a 45 minute final battle. Epic.

25/12 NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB

HISTORY comes to life once again as Larry (Ben Stiller) embarks on a globe-trotting quest to save the magic powers of The Tablet of Ahkmenrah and ensure the survival of the museum’s heroes and heroines. And yes, that includes Dexter the cheeky monkey.

10/12 KILL THE MESSENGER

TWO-time Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner (The Bourne Legacy) leads an all-star cast in this dramatic thriller based on the true story of Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Gary Webb, who, in the mid-1990s, investigated the crack epidemic in the nation’s ghettos. Despite all warnings, he keeps digging into the story, threatening not just his career, but also his family and his life.

25/12 THE REWRITE

KEITH Michaels (Hugh Grant) is a washed-up British screenwriter who is divorced, broke, and hasn’t written a film in years. His attitude begins to change, though, when he starts teaching at a university and meets Holly (Marisa Tomei), a single mum working two jobs to earn her degree. The pair finds themselves connected by their mutual need for a second chance.

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

MEMORY LANE

New albums Eminem Shady XV (Release date: Nov 28)

The Smashing Pumpkins Moments To An Elegy (Release date: Dec 9)

Take That III (Release date: Dec 1)

Nicki Minaj The Pinkprint (Release date: Dec 15)

She & Him Classics (Release date: Dec 2)

Wu-Tang Clan A Better Tomorrow (Release date: Dec 1)

AC/DC Rock Or Bust (Release date: Dec 2)

Dengue Fever The Deepest Lake (Release date: Jan 15)

TOPPING THE UK CHARTS DEC 1984

1. Frankie Goes To Hollywood – The Power Of Love 2. Band Aid – Do They Know It’s Christmas 3. Foreigner – I Want To Know What Love Is 4. Wham! – Last Christmas/Everything She Wants 5. Toy Dolls – Nellie The Elephant 6. Tears For Fears – Shout 7. Gary Glitter – Another Rock And Roll Christmas 8. Russ Abbot – Atmosphere 9. Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five – Step Off (Part 1) 10. Paul Young – TheBigChilli 105 Everything Must Change

What’s On|Outdoor fun

Sport

MBK Fight Night

THAILAND’S most famous sport kicks into action every Wednesday night (except public holidays) from 6pm outside the MBK Center (National Stadium BTS). See Muay Thai fighters from around the world go head to head in cheer-inducing combat, while ringside pundits provide commentary in English and Thai. Great fun, and entry for spectators is free. :facebook.Com/mbkfn

Until 31/5

11/1

The North Face 100 Thailand

Nutrilite Health Run

SHIFT some of the excess weight piled on from your month of festive feasting by signing up for this health-focused fun run. Held in Lumpini Park, the event offers three distances – 3km, 6km, and 12km – and offers the perfect way for kick-starting those New Year’s resolutions to get fit. :goadventureasia.com

SET in the picturesque district Amphoe Pakchong, adjacent to the Khao Yai National Park (around 150km north east of Bangkok), this adventurous and hilly trail run takes participants through mango and manioc plantations and various Thai temples. Seasoned athletes can opt for the whopping 100km solo or duo route. 50km, 25km, and 15km routes are also available. Applications must be submitted before Dec 31. :goadventureasia.com

31/1

Chiang Mai Marathon

21/12

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STARTING and ending at The Thapae Gate and taking in all the sights of Chiang Mai Old Town, the 9th annual Chiang Mai Marathon will serve up plenty of interesting visuals to take your mind off those burning muscles. The racing is divided into four divisions: Marathon, Half Marathon, Mini Marathon (10 km), and Kids Run and Walk (3km). :chiangmaimarathon.com :runthailand.com

11/12 14/12 Thailand Golf Championship 2014

THE fourth edition of the Thailand Golf Championship – the flagship tournament of the Asia Tour – returns to Amata Spring Country Club Chonburi this month with some of the biggest names in world golf, including defending champion Sergio Garcia, two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, two-time major winner Martin Kaymer, South African legend Ernie Els, and Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Victor Dubuisson. Full tournament info is available at: www.thailandgolfchampionship.com. Tickets range B300-B800 :thaiticketmajormajor.com

Koh Samui Marathon

21/12

HARD on the legs, easy on the eyes, the Koh Samui Marathon offers a choice of two distances – the full 42.2km route for seasoned athletes, and a 10.5km run for newcomers. Each run begins and ends at Central Festival Koh Samui and takes participants through breathtaking natural scenery. :goadventureasia.com

What’s On|Soccer

Football Focus A By Paul Hewitt

Buriram champions again – just! A GRIPPING finale of the 2014 Thai Premier League season saw Buriram United snatch triumph from the jaws of failure as they overtook Chonburi in the final week of the season. On Matchdays 34 and 35, all seemed lost for Buriram as they were held 2-2 at home by Osotspa and lost 2-0 at Bangkok United whilst Chonburi beat both Sisaket and Osotspa. The Sharks had apparently turned the tide on the Thunder Castle and led the TPL by a point with three games to play. On Matchday 36 both Chonburi and Buriram won, keeping Chonburi top by a point and on course for their first TPL title since 2007. The final week of the season would see Chonburi travel to Chainat and then host TOT whilst Buriram had to visit TOT and finish with a home game against Police United. Both title contenders would have felt six points were attainable from their final two matches, but it all fell apart for Chonburi on a controversial penultimate day of the season. Drawing 1-1 at Chainat, Chonburi thought they had snatched the winner when Anderson dos Santos headed in an injury-time ‘winner’ only for linesman Suchart Fangmala to raise his flag for offside. It was a poor decision as dos Santos was not just level but clearly significantly behind the defender when the cross was put in. Buriram duly won 2-0 at TOT to leapfrog Chonburi as social media exploded with accusations of match fixing hurled at the linesman and referee of the Chainat v Chonburi match. The TPL investigated and banned referee Chaya Mahaprab for 18 months and linesman Suchart for two years for their roles in the by now infamous match.

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But their suspensions were for incompetence rather than corruption; the TPL undoubtedly hoping that their swift action would obviate the need to look into who might be corrupting the officials if indeed corruption has been done. The final day of the season lacked the drama and tension it might have had as an understandably deflated Chonburi could only draw 1-1 at home to TOT whilst Buriram overcame Police United 2-1 in front of over 30,000 fans. It was Buriram’s third TPL title in the last four seasons whilst Chonburi have now finished runners-up five times since that lone TPL title in 2007.

FA Cup Final

BANGKOK Glass have at last realised at least a little of their potential as they put their first proper trophy in the Leo Stadium trophy cabinet (previously furnished with only the barely super 2009 Thai Super Cup and 2010 Singapore Cup) by beating Chonburi 1-0 in the FA Cup final on November 9. Just a week on from their TPL heartache, Chonburi were clearly still feeling the effects as Lazarus Kaimbi’s 81st minute goal gave the Glass Rabbits a narrow but nevertheless deserved victory. The win means that both the FA Cup and League Cup will be staying in the capital this year thanks to BEC Tero’s triumph in the latter back in October.

FIVE teams were relegated from the TPL as it reduces to 18 teams in 2015. Samut Songkhram, Air Force, Songkhla United, PTT Rayong and Police United are the unfortunate five who will be plying their trade in League 1 next season. Police finished level on points with TOT but went down on the head-to-head rule which is favoured over goal difference in the TPL. But the Cops can scarcely count themselves unlucky: heavily financed by the same consortium which recently acquired Reading FC and having the likes of Dagno Siaka, Adnan Barakat and Leesaw Winothai on the books, the ‘Silver Shields’ should never have been involved in a relegation battle in the first place. However, there could yet be a twist. Singhtarua, who finished just two points ahead of Police after being deducted a hefty nine points for rioting by fans after a 3-1 defeat at Muangthong in October, could be deducted another six points, this time by FIFA, for alleged non-payment of wages to former player Matias Christen. Such a deduction would see Tarua drop into League 1 and Police reprieved. The case is still working its way through FIFA HQ at the time of writing. My own Nakhon Ratchasima FC were promoted as champions from League 1. Also joining the Swatcats in the 2015 TPL will be Saraburi and Siam Navy. For the second season running Bangkok FC missed out on a promotion place on the final day of the season as their 1-1 draw away

at Navy ensured the Seamen will be playing top-flight football for the first time since 2011 whilst the Iron Bulls must try again in League 1. At the bottom, Sriracha-Ban Bueng, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok and Roiet fell through the trapdoor into the Regional League. Sriracha’s demise was no surprise as the squad is composed of Chonburi FC’s under-18s; Phitsanulok and Roiet go straight back down having only been promoted a year ago, but Khon Kaen’s plight is sad. The T-Rex made history in 2011 when they became the first Isaan side to play in the TPL. But they only spent one season in the top flight and only avoided relegation from League 1 last season on the head-to-head rule. This season, shorn of top scorer in 2012 and 2013 Matias Recio, they have spent all season in the relegation zone and next season find themselves in the third tier for the first time in their history. It will be a long way back for the men in yellow and black. In the Regional League, the end of season play-offs are continuing at the time of writing. After seven of ten games, Group A is wide open as Phichit, Prajuap and Hua Hin are all on twelve points with Udon Thani and BCC Tero just two points further back. Group B looks a little clearer at the moment as Bangkok’s Thai Honda lead the way on fifteen points with Sukothai one point further back; Ubon UMT and Satun are both on eleven points. The top two in each group will be promoted to League 1 in 2015.

Read all about how the Thai National team fared in the 2014 AFF Cup (Nov 22 – Dec 20) in next month’s issue

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Expat Sport “Once a Southerner, always a Southerner!”

From rugby to cricket to netball to…well, partying, the Southerners Sports Club is renowned for its strong community spirit. Here, the club’s Vice-President, Mark Anderson, looks back on the club’s 20 year history and shares the secrets of its success

IN October 1994, New Zealand Rugby side Taradale RFC were looking to tour Thailand and play in a four-way rugby sevens tournament alongside teams from Thailand, Guam and Taiwan. A group of Australians and New Zealanders, on seeing they could field a sevens side, agreed to help organize the tournament, entering a Thailand team they decided to call “The Southerners.” Former New Zealand All Black Zinzan Brooke, who was in Bangkok doing a TV commercial for Thai Airways, was co-opted by the fledgling Southerners team to compete in the inaugural game. Coincidentally, Taradale RFC also featured All Black Dallas Seymour in their team list. The competition proved a success with Taradale edging out the Southerners to win the tournament. What began as a mix-in rugby team became formalised the following month when the Club’s registration was accepted by the Thai Rugby Union. The Southerners would later expand to include cricket (1996), touch rugby (1997), and netball (2002) sections. In 1998 the club’s constitution was approved by its members. For 20 years now a group of expats who call themselves Southerners have been training, playing and partying in Bangkok, as well as touring around the region. Their numbers have swelled and contracted over the years, mostly following the trends in the global economy. The Southerners have always been non-profit, seeking sponsorship each year to cover costs, as well as charging the minimum possible fee for membership. And they stopped being ‘Southerners’ years ago. They are made up of members from all over the word. Many of the people who helped guide the club through the years have long since left Bangkok and in some cases their names have been forgotten. Back home, a club like ours would have a clubhouse, with faded pictures on the walls and honor rolls celebrating the greats of the past. The Southerners have no such place. It is a club of transients, carried forward by volunteers. These people attend meetings, send emails, run training sessions, make flyers, plan events, meet sponsors and design uniforms. They give their time freely and they don’t ask for thanks. They do it because someone did it before them and know that if it’s not done, the club falls apart. That is why a 20 Year anniversary means so much. Many volunteer groups don’t last this long. Much of the club’s history has faded from memory as the players of the past have returned home or hung up their boots, so in this anniversary year the Southerners are looking back proudly on what they have achieved. The rugby section has competed in the Thailand Rugby Union competition almost every year since the club was established, this season reaching the semi-finals. The Southerners won the Pattaya 10s in 2008 and

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have fielded teams in regional competitions every year since 1994. Former Club President Vaughan McClear has coordinated the Bangkok Cricket League since 2002, and this season the Southerners became the Premier Division Champions for the second time in the club’s history. The Southerners Cricket Section has also won many minor grade titles over the years and has been prominent competing in regional tournaments. The Club’s President, Dana Piggott, has been involved in co-coordinating both the Southerners Netball Teams and the Bangkok Netball League (since 2009), with Southerners Netball becoming a dominant force in all divisions of the league over the past few years. The Southerners Netballers not only enjoy touring around the region to participate in tournaments, but are in their 6th year of hosting the annual South East Asian Invitational Tournament – considered by many to be a premier netball tournament in the region. The Southerners Touch Section also hosts a highly regarded international tournament every year and has been crowned champions several times. It is not only on the sporting field that the Southerners look back fondly. For many members, perhaps even most, sport is simply a way of making friends in a new city. Many Southerners will say there’s no chance they would be still be playing if they lived back home. It’s the club community, not the sport that they joined for. The camaraderie created on the sporting field is supported by regular club social events.

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The Southerners host a ball every year that raises money for local causes. Balls are a regular feature of the expat social calendar but many people say that the relaxed nature and affordability of the Southerners Ball sets it apart from the rest. Other annual events include the Southerners Race Day, the North vs. South Fun Day and the Khao San Road Tour. And of course the Southerners are always at the pub watching the big games. The club has a social conscience too. The majority of profits from the Southerners Ball are donated to support local groups. Last year 100,000 baht was donated to the Nuk Suu Warriors, and the Southerners also gave generously to the flood relief campaign in 2011. Southerners cricket have for years supported Thai Junior cricket in Petchabun and rural Thailand, and all sporting sections subsidize membership to allow local students and low-income families to participate in sport. The majority of Southerners members are expats but that is changing quickly. It has been great to see the proportion of Thai members increase sharply over the last few years. Hopefully this trend will continue. The Southerners have no acknowledged goal or mission statement but most members would agree that it is guided by several principles. We believe in the social and health benefits of sport so we hope to spread our codes in Bangkok. We hope to contribute in a positive way to Thai society and we want to give expatriates a social network that is welcoming and supportive. We also aim to win every match we play and improve the strength and depth of our squads. These principles have helped keep the club strong for twenty years now and we hope to survive for at least 20 more. The club would like to thank all Southerners of the past and present, whether they played for weeks or years. We hope that your stay in Bangkok was made richer by your time with us, and that you have a store of fond memories of your days wearing the black green and gold. Once a Southerner, always a Southerner. www.southerners-bangkok.com

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Expat Sport Football’s a winner in Phuket

TWO weekends, two great tournaments! The back-to-back Andaman International 7s and Phuket Soccer 7s tournaments once again brought men’s and women’s teams from all over the world for a silky football showcase (well, not all teams – Ed.) at the pristine pitches of Thanyapura Sports Club. The BigChilli FC, kindly sponsored by Tune Hotels, once again entered the former, and they very nearly got off to a winning start, thanks mainly to the great support of our very own cheerleaders from Hooters Phuket. Alas, it wasn’t to be, and despite a well-spirited performance, our brave team of underdogs slinked off the pitch after losing 1-0 to the well-seasoned Shanghai Lions, and then failed to find the kind of form that would keep them in the tournament. Still, thanks to the tournament’s fun-packed opening and closing parties, and great hospitality of Tune Hotels and Hooters Phuket, the team had a great time and can’t wait to return next year – when they’ll hopefully lift a trophy. For more details about the tournaments, and a list of results, see www.thai7s.com.

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Expat Sport Bangkok Sevens a big hit

THE Bangkok International Rugby Sevens tournament marked its 20th anniversary in style with a new venue and an even bigger roster of international teams. Held at the pitches of Bangkok Patana School, the event featured rugby action in three categories – men’s international, women’s international, and men’s Asia social. Even the Golden Oldies took to the turf on the last day of play to shuffle around the pitch in the glorious name of rugby.

Parrots prevail

SIAM Parrots celebrated their 10th anniversary as a Thailandbased cricket team with a narrow victory over a Royal Bangkok Sports Club Invitational X1 in a 25-over match at the Polo Club. Before the game, both teams paid respect to Australian cricketer Phil Hughes who died during a game recently.

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p Last monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best events in pictures

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VAMPIRE TWILIGHT

Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok celebrated Halloween with a ‘Vampire Twilight’ party featuring drinks and food deals, costume competitions, and a special performance by Thai rock band Blackhead (led by new front man K.Jen), which played all of the band’s hit singles and a selection of new songs.

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MULLIGANS ROCKS

Pong, lead singer of Thai rock band Hin Lek Fai, took to the stage at Mulligans Irish Pub on Khao San Road for a solo performance that kept the place jumping till the early hours.

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COINS ON SILOM

THE 2014 edition of Rotary Club Bangkok South’s annual Coins on Silom event was the club’s best yet, with volunteers on the street raising a record-breaking B280,000 (a ﬁgure that was raised to over 1.6 million baht when combined with sponsorships) for the club’s various charities.

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NIGHT OF BLACK MAGIC

Ghosts, zombies, witches, wizards and even a few vampires packed the dance ﬂoor of Demo Club, Thonglor, for the ‘BACARDI presents Voodoo Halloween Party.’ Voodoo magic and exorcism rituals – all tongue in cheek, of course – set the scene for a great night of spooky revelry.

GALACTIC HALLOWEEN

Partygoers recently enjoyed an ‘out of this world’ experience at Grey Goose’s Galactic Halloween Party at Onyx RCA. Hosted by K.Kasinsuk Maklamthong, Brand Manager of Grey Goose, the premium vodka brand’s futuristic bash was studded with Thai celebs and featured a headlining performance by electronic dance music duo Vinai, from Italy.

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ONESABAI LAUNCHED IN PHUKET

LuckOnesabai company limited, part of Worldlenium group, launched its new OneSabai Holiday Box with a special event at Jungceylon Shopping Mall, Phuket. The Holiday Box offers special deals on dining and shopping at more than 70 places in Phuket, as well as many other beneďŹ ts for visitors to the island (see page 92 for more info).

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LOY KRATHONG CELEBRATED

The management, staff and guests of Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside celebrated Loy Krathong in customary fashion by ďŹ&#x201A;oating krathongs on the river and tucking into a hearty feast of traditional Thai cuisine.

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RIBS AND REVELRY AT ROADHOUSE

Roadhouse Saloon marked its grand opening with a night of free-ﬂow drinks and generous servings of hearty American food. The sister of the popular Roadhouse Barbecue, Roadhouse Saloon is located in the lobby of GLOW Hotel Trinity Silom (150 Silom Soi 3).

IMPERIAL WORLD ON SONG

Imperial World Department Store in Samrong Nua, Bangkok, celebrated its 32nd anniversary with a live concert featuring performances by up-and-coming Thai singers and dancers.

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LAYANA RESORT TURNS 10

Layana Resort & Spa on Koh Lanta celebrated its 10th anniversary with a night of wining and dining and a special performance by Tangmo Wanlika, the First Runner Up of ‘The Voice’ Thailand Season 2. The event was hosted by the resort’s GM, Mr Stefan Heintze, together with K.Supadej Poonpipat, MBK Board of Directors.

NOVOTEL KARON OPENS IN STYLE

The new Novotel Phuket Karon Beach Resort & Spa arrived on the scene in grand style with an opening party attended by VIP guests from all over Thailand. For more info about the resort and its facilities see www.novotel.com.

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THANACHART CELEBRATES

Thanachart Bank thanked its VIP clients by hosting a cocktail party at Mode Sathorn Hotel. Free-ﬂow drinks,a tasty buffet and live entertainment fuelled the party late into the night.

ZAZEN IN FASHION

Century 21 Zazen Properties celebrated the launch of its new real estate ofﬁce in Bophut, Koh Samui, with a two-stage party that featured a cocktail reception at the new ofﬁce before guests moved for dinner and drinks at the Zazen Boutique Resort & Spa. Held under a “La Nouvelle Collection 2015” theme, the event saw many guests dress to impress in haute couture fashion.

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WILD BEASTS ON FORM

BRITISH indie rock band Wild Beasts put on a great performance when they took to the stage at Mongkul Studio, RCA, to play songs from their four acclaimed albums, Limbo, Panto, Smother, and Present Tense. The gig was arranged by local music collective Have You Heard? Keep up to date with upcoming shows at www.facebook.com/HaveYouHeard.Live

GOURMET GATHERING AT PEACE

Members of the Samui Culinary Circle, a non-proﬁt organization formed in 1997 to create close co-operation among F&B professionals working on the island, gathered for a night of dining and socializing at Peace Resort Samui.

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Social|Around town

NEW GHOST ROLLS INTO TOWN

EXECUTIVES, entrepreneurs and VIPs were out in force for the launch of the new Rolls-Royce Ghost Series II, which made its Thailand debut in grand fashion with an unveiling ceremony at the Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel. For more info about the car see: www.rolls-roycemotorshowmedia.com.

JASPAL HOME OPENS AT CENTRAL EMBASSY

JASPAL Home marked the opening of its new 200 sqm ﬂagship store (at the 4th Floor of Central Embassy) with an exclusive “Effetti di arte” celebration. Thai celebs such as Chanadda Chirathivat, Kornkanok Yongsakul and Paul Sirisant, mingled with VIP guests and enjoyed viewing the store’s latest “La Collezione” bedding collection, which features designs inspired by Italian artisans and is made using the finest Egyptian cotton.

TAKASHIMAYA SET FOR BANGKOK

PREMIUM Japanese department store Takashimaya will open its first store in Thailand in 2017. Located at ICONSIAM, a 50 million baht mega-mall being developed on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, the store will be spread over seven ﬂoors, carrying a full line of luxury brands, cosmetics, ladies’ wear, ladies’ accessories, men’s wear and accessories, lifestyle products, as well as premium food and beverage offerings. The joint venture agreement – with a total investment of 3,000 million baht – was signed last month at a special ceremony held in Bangkok.

BIKER’S DELIGHT ON THONGLOR

LIBERO Moto Motorcycle Studio, a one-stop service for big bike modifications and also a distributor of Moto Corse bike parts and accessories from Japan, celebrated its grand opening on Thonglor 23 last month. Alloy wheels, carefully crafted seats, and stylish riding gear are just a few of the items now available at the studio.

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LAMBORGHINI SHOWROOM OPENS IN BANGKOK

NICHE Cars Co., Ltd., the sole authorized dealer for Lamborghini S.p.A. in Thailand, marked the launch of its new Lamborghini showroom – the largest in Southeast Asia – with a celeb studded event featuring a fashion show, live music, and, of course, a showcase of Lamborghini’s two model lines, the Aventador and the newly launched Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4. Special guest on the night was Mr Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO, Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.

VESPA CELEBRATES 68 yEARS

VESPIARIO Thailand, the sole distributor of Vespa and Piaggio scooters, celebrated the 68th anniversary of the Vespa brand by unveiling the “68th Anniversary Limited Edition” Vespa at a special event held at Scala Theater, Siam Square. Held under a ’60s Italian Carnival theme, the event was attended by many Thai celebs who joined in Vespario’s ongoing campaign to promote the use of safety helmets.

MERCEDES MEANS BUSINESS

MR Supavut Jiramanusnakorn, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Leasing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., revealed the company’s plans for 2015 and beyond at a meeting held at the St. Regis Bangkok. With operating results in the first three quarters of 2014 showing a significant 26 percent growth in vehicle leasing value in spite of a downward market, the company will expand its financial service capacity for dealers in order to support future business growth, and also plans to maintain optimum customer satisfaction through Loyalty Programs and a new online customer care system.

VIBER LAUNCHES PUBLIC CHATS

VIBER, a leading mobile communications app offering free messaging and HD-quality calls, launched Public Chats, a new feature that allows users to discover, share and interact with conversations, communities and content on mobile. Public Chats are live discussions between celebrities and personalities that Viber users can follow. They offer a new kind of social experience – tapping into live conversations as they happen. Public Chats features a broad range of global celebrities, personalities and brands, including celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, YouTube sensation Tyler Oakley, singer-songwriter Pixie Lott, international DJ Paul van Dyk, and many more. Thailand Public Chats features local personalities and brands such as Tech TV Host and IT Blogger Kawisara Pathamasoot (Keng), hotel-booking mobile application HotelQuickly, social deal membership platform White Card Asia, online fashion ecommerce and community WearYouWant, social marketing agency TrendsDigital, ecommerce family WhatsNew Asia, and The BigChilli! (Check out our chat at http:// chats.viber.com/thebigchilli).

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DIPLOMATS p Meet the people uniting nations

His Excellency Kirill Mikhailovich Barsky PhD The ambassador of the Russian Federation to Thailand talks about his country's presence in the kingdom Page 136

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Diplomats

His Excellency Kirill Mikhailovich Barsky PhD|Russia

This rapidly changing world according to Russia’s dynamic new Ambassador By MAXMILIAN WECHSLER

In a refreshingly candid two-hour conversation, His Excellency Kirill Mikhailovich Barsky PhD, new ambassador of the Russian Federation to Thailand, covered a wide range of major topics, from mutual trade and historical relations to the controversial case of arms dealer Viktor Bout, the international media, and the astonishing increase in Russia’s presence in Thailand

ASIDE from being a highly experienced diplomat, Mr Barsky is also a linguist, writer, poet, musician-composer, collector of chopstick holders and a sinologist who can speak, read and write Mandarin Chinese. The interview with this gifted envoy took place in the splendid setting of the embassy meeting hall, shortly before the ambassador celebrated his 50th birthday. He is married, with one son and one daughter. From the outset, Mr Barsky made it clear that on subjects like the international media coverage of Russia he’d prefer to speak “off the cuff” rather than go through pre-prepared answers. “These days, usually only negatives are published in the mainstream media, and if you write the truth about something then you immediately become the enemy of somebody. I can talk about problems that we are facing now, both the international community and Russia, but I don’t think it will be very interesting to your readers. Therefore, I will concentrate on positive things. “There is so much good news but no one knows about it because it is not published. As the first Russian ambassador whom I served under in China used to say: ‘If a bridge is being built on a river nobody notices and nobody writes about it; but if the bridge collapses then it will be the top news.’ “Capitalism is a very effective system, but there are many flaws. A free flow of information is something that is really necessary. It is one of the basic human rights, a fundamental freedom, but we can see that very often this right is abused by the media and by governments in order to achieve political goals. They distort the information and control the media to get the effect they want - and they even try to control the minds of the people. This is disgusting because it runs counter to fundamental freedoms and human rights. “We are entitled to have free access to information and we must have the right to make our own assessments of what is happening, without pressure from the outside. However, the

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international mass media operates in a way that takes that freedom of choice from people. Very often governments and corporations impose their views on the public through mass media. This can be called anything but not a free flow of information,” Mr Barsky said. Asked later whether Russia is portrayed fairly by the international media, Mr Barsky replied: “The way the question is asked speaks for itself. Anyone who asks this question can see clearly that Russia is portrayed in a very negative way in the media, to the approval of some governments in pursuit of a narrow political agenda. It is unfair and frustrating, but we [Russia] will fight the information war which has been waged against us. The reasons behind the information war are clear: there are currently forces in the world that believe they have the right to dominate everything. “We are living in a multi-polar world now. Sovereign countries do not wish to obey orders from any foreign capital. Why is Russia being punished? Because Russia doesn’t want to be a puppet in a theatre directed by the West. We are not in school. They aren’t professors and we are not the students. We are all equal. Russia has its own traditions, culture, economic priorities and independent foreign policy. “Interestingly, despite illegal and unfair sanctions against Russia and in spite of all the shaming and blaming of Russia which is absolutely groundless - people still tend to be attracted by Russia, by President Vladimir Putin, and by our example of speaking out about things which some people in some countries cannot accept, or wish to say but cannot afford to.” The ambassador said that one reason he was eager to give the interview was to try and set the record straight. “Even though I have been very busy since arriving in Thailand, I attach a lot of importance to the media. I want very much to have good relations with professional journalists who will give an objective image of my country.

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His Excellency Kirill Mikhailovich Barsky PhD|Russia

“As you can see, I believe that it is extremely important to portray the Russian Federation, as well as the embassy and our work here in the proper light in the media, and I will make this a priority during my tenure in Bangkok. I will give you another reason why I respect professional journalists so much: my son is a journalist.”

Mr Barsky’s diplomatic road

“I arrived in Thailand to take the ambassador’s post on September 26, 2014, so I am absolutely new and fresh from Moscow. The first time I came to Thailand was in 2003. That was on the occasion of the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Forum) summit meeting held in Bangkok.” “I was picked up as an exchange student in China in 1985 and then I graduated from Moscow State University for Foreign Relations (MGIMO) with honors in 1989. I mastered in Chinese language and history. I joined the MFA in the same year and was sent to China as I spoke fluent Chinese. It was the year the Soviet Union was planning to normalize relations with China. “Mr Gorbachev, then the President of the Soviet Union, went to China in May. I was a student at that time preparing for graduation and writing my thesis when I received a telephone call from the MFA asking me to join the team of interpreters accompanying the Soviet delegation. We were each assigned to a particular member of the delegation. This high-level delegation included, in addition to President Gorbachev, some other big shots in the Communist Party, Soviet government and the MFA. “For me, a young man of 25 years, it was a real honor to go to China with a delegation headed by President Gorbachev. To cut a long story short, from that time on I had to combine a diplomatic job with a job of an interpreter. In 1998 I was sent to New York and in 2001 I was appointed Chief of the China Desk at the MFA in Moscow but continued to do oral translations during high level meetings. “I travelled with President Putin for the APEC meeting in Bangkok in October 2003. I was in charge of translation during a meeting between President Putin and then Chinese President Hu Jintao. I was, as always, sitting between the heads of state. It was my usual position for over ten years. That visit lasted for four or five days because the President not only participated in the APEC summit but also paid a bilateral visit to Thailand.

After I finished my duty during the meeting with the Chinese President, I had some free time - which was a little bit of a luxury. I capitalized on the opportunity and familiarized myself with Bangkok and Thailand. “From morning until night, I was strolling along the streets. I visited the King’s Palace, Wat Pho and the Jim Thomson museum and took a boat trip on the klongs and so on. I was so fascinated by Bangkok, and like many Russians I fell in love with Thailand. But back in 2003 I couldn’t even dream that I would someday be appointed as ambassador to this beautiful country. “I made several visits to Thailand after 2003 while serving as Minister-Counsellor at the Russian Embassy in Jakarta from 2004 to 2008. I made a couple of stopovers in Bangkok while going home on vacation or travelling around the region. My last visit to Bangkok was in March 2010 when I attended an international conference on regional security. I am pretty familiar with Thailand and know what a great country it is, with amazing traditions and history. However, I need to travel, meet people and learn more about Thai culture, religion, customs and everyday life. “After the posting in Indonesia I went back to Moscow and was assigned as Deputy Director, Department of Asia-Pacific Cooperation at the MFA. In 2011, I was nominated to a post of Special Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Affairs. This is a very important and promising regional organization comprising Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. I was first appointed by former President Medvedev and when Mr Putin became President again I was re-appointed.” How did he master Chinese? “To achieve this you need several talents, including an ear for music. Like Thai, Chinese is a tonal language, with four tones. Of course, being able to draw is very conducive to learning to write and memorize characters. The third requirement is that one must be extremely industrious, stubborn and persistent in order to learn the language. I also have good teachers and many Chinese friends to thank.” Mr Barsky said the term for Russian ambassadors is usually four years but it depends on the situation. He is ambassador only for Thailand and not other regional countries as is often the case, but he is also a Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

We have discovered that they aren’t coming to Thailand only to enjoy life but also to find new sources of enlightenment and knowledge.

Russian traditional fun - riding on Troyka

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Church of the Intercession on the Nerl

Red Square - the heart of Moscow

The world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow

Opening of Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics

Lake Baikal, the world's biggest and deepest freshwater lake

“Our embassy in Bangkok has about 50 Russian staff, diplomats and technical staffers, plus seven Thai citizens as drivers, gardeners and housekeepers. If you add family members of the Russian diplomats there are 160 to 170 Russian people here. We also have a trade representative office at another location; everyone works together under the guidance of the ambassador. “Other Russians in Thailand include representatives of the state-run Aeroflot airline, as well as Transaero, a private airline. We also have here representatives of Rosoboronexport, a company selling defense-related products. Many Russian tourist companies are represented here, mainly in Pattaya and Phuket. Russian journalists are also here working for media outlets such as Russia Today News Agency, Itar-Tass and Komsomolskaya Pravda. “All in all, we Russians are quite numerous here and there are more to come. We are expecting representatives of the Ministry of Interior and the Federal Agency for Illicit Drug Trafficking Control to arrive in 2015. Russia has already started to cooperate with Thai law enforcement agencies in arresting and extraditing Russian criminals, on the request of the Russian side. Security and combating crime is a very important aspect of our cooperation. I want to stress that the majority of our citizens living in Thailand are good people. We are obliged to protect their rights and legitimate interests. Only the criminals should be worried,” Mr Barsky said.

“My mission as ambassador is multiple. Of course, I have a lot of duties and responsibilities including trade promotion, cooperation in security and crime prevention, fostering political dialogue, expanding cultural exchanges between our peoples, and taking care of Russian citizens in Thailand. But apart from that I wish to consolidate the healthy elements in the Russian community, and I intend to do that with help of the Russian Orthodox Church in Thailand. Russians in Thailand have some very good tendencies. We have discovered that they aren’t coming to Thailand only to enjoy life but also to find new sources of enlightenment and knowledge. Many are trying to restart their lives, to find new sources of moral support, and that’s why many Russians are turning to the church,” said Mr Barsky. “I would love to visit Chiang Mai, Issan, Chiang Rai and the South, and I definitely will. But it’ll have to wait, because from my first day in Bangkok I have been extremely busy. Morning until night I have cables to write, reports to read, documents to approve, meeting after meeting during daytime and receptions in the evening. “I am going to start taking courses in Thai language at least twice a week. I will squeeze out some time to learn the language because I believe it is very important to understand what people are saying and be able to express yourself. This is why in the past I took courses of French, Canton dialect of Chinese and

Russian presence in Thailand

Diplomatic mission

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His Excellency Kirill Mikhailovich Barsky PhD|Russia

Bahasa Indonesia. This is also a way to express your respect for the country you are posted in. My goal for the Thai language is to learn to speak and to read as much as I can.”

Bilateral relations

“Relations between Thailand and Russia are excellent. We are old friends. Formal diplomatic relations were established in 1897, and in a few years we will celebrate the 120th anniversary. Such a long relationship between two countries is a very rare thing in the modern world. We will celebrate together with the Thai Royal Family, Thai Government and the Thai people. It will be a great celebration. “As you may be aware, Russia played a major role in preserving the independence of the Kingdom of Siam. In March 1891 a Russian Navy vessel anchored in the Chao Phya River, and King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) was on hand to personally greet one very distinguished voyager on the ship - Crown Prince Nicholas, the man who would three years later become Tsar Nicholas II, Russia’s last emperor. Tsar Nicholas was the first royal guest from a foreign superpower, and his visit raised King Chulalongkorn’s hopes to save the country from becoming a colony. “It is especially dear to my heart that the Thai people still remember that,” said Mr Barsky. “Not only among the Royal Family and in political circles; the rank and file people also remember. And everybody knows about King Chulalongkorn’s visit to Saint PetersRussian folk singers burg in 1897 and his personal friendship with Tsar Nicholas II. This history is a very, very important cornerstone of our bilateral relationship.

Wheat - the gold of Russia

“Thai people also still remember the story of how the second son of King Chulalongkorn, Prince Chakrapong, met a girl from a Russian aristocratic family whose name was Ekaterina Desnitskaya, and fell in love with her completely. They were married. It happens sometimes. This interesting romantic story also brings our people closer together.” Turning to current affairs, Mr Barsky described bilateral trade as “unacceptably small” at about US$3.3 billion. “I am not satisfied. We are aiming to expand our trade with Thailand and we are going to do our utmost to bring new trading partners to Thailand and Thai businessmen to Russia. According to the latest figures the dynamics are positive. In the first nine months of 2014, the trade amount was around US$2.6 billion, so by the end of the year we hope to reach US$3.9 billion, which would be a considerable increase. Of course, we wish that our trade was increasing as fast as the number of Russian tourists coming to Thailand,” he said. Oil, metals and chemicals are a major part of Russia’s exports to Thailand. But other goods are also hopeful, in particular defense-related products. “Russia can sell everything a modern army of any country may need. Our weaponry is some of the best in the world. We produce all kinds of weapons, from submarines, airplanes and helicopters to machineguns. There are plenty of opportunities for the Thai armed forces to become equipped with Russian-made armaments. We have already started a very good cooperation in this regard. “A framework agreement was signed in 2003 and now we have a mechanism of negotiations and regular meetings. The last meeting of the working group was held in Moscow in late August. We signed several contracts, among them for Mi-17 helicopters, and there are a number of things in the pipeline. “We import from Thailand mainly machinery, automobiles and spare parts, as well as some high-tech, chemical and agricultural products. I believe that the current structure of the Thai-Russian trade is not ideal for the Russian government. We would like to diversify. We have a lot to offer to Thailand and we can buy more from Thailand too. Now we are in the process of important negotiations in several avenues, in particular for the purchase of Thailand’s rice, poultry, fish, seafood, pork, tropical fruits and natural rubber. On our part, we can supply Thailand with wheat.”

Why are so many Russians in Thailand?

Russian classical ballet

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“When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1992 we already had Russian tourists coming to Thailand because the country opened up and people could travel freely. From the start, Thailand was one of the important destinations, but at that time the number of tourists wasn’t so large. It all changed with the development of the tourist infrastructure here and the growing interest of Russian tourists who wished to look beyond Cyprus, Egypt and Turkey.

Another major factor is that Thailand has a wonderful atmosphere, the ‘Kingdom of Smiles’ as we say in Russia. There is a very cordial attitude of the local people toward Russian tourists. “Last but not least, in Thailand the dry season is exactly the time when it is especially cold in most parts of the Russian territory - December, January and February. This also overlaps with the Russian holidays for New Year, Russian Orthodox Christmas and winter vacations for students. Russian people like to flock to Thailand especially at this time, but now they are increasingly coming throughout the year. Within 10 years the number of Russians tourists in Thailand jumped ten-fold. Last year we had 1.7 million tourists from Russia; in 2009, it was only 300,000. This year, we are expecting at least not less Russian tourists in Thailand than last year.” “Thailand is linked to Russia by over 60 flights per week, both regular and charter. Flights go to and from not only Moscow and Saint Petersburg but also dozens of other cities across Russia. Thailand is in the hearts of Russian citizens. We all know and love Thailand. Our people wish to come to Thailand again and again and not to stay only in one place but to explore new places. Some Russians are so obsessed with Thailand that they stay here permanently or for the most part of the year. “The number of Thais visiting Russia is much smaller, but it is growing. In 2013 about 24,000 Thai nationals visited my country. I hope that Russia will become more attractive for Thai tourists. We are making a special effort to advertize Russia, its beauties, cultural heritage and cities big and small. “Take the ancient city of Vladimir, where my father came from. It is a medium size city with population of 350,000 people, about 200 kilometers to the east of Moscow. But it has a glory of being the ancient capital of Russia, full of monasteries and churches, and all are beautiful just like swans bending over the waters. The natural landscape is so beautiful. I would encourage all my Thai friends and colleagues to go to Russia to visit Vladimir as well as other old Russian cities and towns.”

tive of the Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) is a very nice person and he’s doing a great job here. He conducts sermons in Russian, English and Thai. It’s amazing! As Russian ambassador I intend to support him fully.” Viktor Bout case Our discussion then turned to the controversial case of Viktor Bout, the Russian citizen who was arrested by US drug enforcement agents in Bangkok in March 2008. He was extradited to the US in November 2010 and convicted of “conspiring to kill US soldiers by way of his agreement to sell weapons to a Colombian rebel group.” He was sentenced to 25 years in prison by a US court in April 2012. Mr Barsky said that Mr Bout’s guilt or innocence should be up to a Russian court to decide. “He was arrested illegally here and extradited to the US without proper cause. We are still fighting the case. He is in jail now but we still have hope that his case may be reconsidered. His lawyer has collected some additional documents, materials and data not presented in the trial and will ask for a reconsideration of Mr Bout’s right to appeal,” Mr Barsky said.

“For China, the import of huge amounts of Russian oil, gas, coal, timber and electric energy adds tremendous value in terms of economic development.

The Russian community in Thailand

“The Russian diaspora in Thailand is a complex phenomenon. We have people who are just travelling for leisure. We have also businessmen who settled down in Thailand. Some have bought property, apartments, houses or villas. Some have their own business here and some trade with Russia or operate a tourist business. We also have people engaged in IT, construction, property, jewelry, food production and other fields. The Russian community here has started to develop its own character with its own social infrastructure. This means Russian cultural events, schools, kindergartens, music studios and so on. Even Russian cable TV channels. The Russian Orthodox Church is another story. We have seven churches in Thailand, two of them in Pattaya. I have visited the beautiful cathedral in Bangkok, both cathedrals in Pattaya and have seen photos of the gorgeous cathedral in Phuket. I will definitely go there as soon as I can. We have also built several new cathedrals. One of them will be inaugurated next year. We are going to have big festivity and I will attend the ceremony. Archimandrite Oleg (Cherepanin), the representa-

Miscellaneous questions

Who is the biggest Russian ally in Asia? “Now that we are living in a polycentric world, it is silly to speak about allies, because the alliances of the Cold War period do not work anymore. This is our firm belief. We can talk of partners. We have a lot of partners in Asia. Of course, our closest partner in the region is Kazakhstan with which we have many common interests in the areas of security and economics. “If we speak about the Asia-Pacific region, then China is a very important neighbor for Russia. We have a long common border and we share a lot of common interests and values with China in the modern world. We have had a very open political dialog between our leaders for a long time. We are working hand-in-hand to strengthen regional security and stability and we have more and more economic cooperation with China. We are expanding our trade, which will soon reach US$100 billion. As compared to the US$5 billion we had 25 years ago when I was a young diplomat in Beijing, this is like Heaven and Earth. China is a very significant strategic partner and we believe that this partnership is an important element of stability in the Asia-Pacific region. We will continue to work together to make our world a better place to live.” How does the Russian economy compare to the Chinese economy? “The Chinese economy is growing very fast although the pace has slowed a little. But it is still going at a 7.5% rate. Some experts have calculated that it is already the world’s second biggest economy. But things are changing very quickly. Russia is among the most promising countries economically in the world, not only because of our vast natural resources but also our huge science and technological potential and human resources. Once this is translated into commercial endeavors, I am sure that in five to ten years’ time you will see quite another Russia.

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Diplomats

His Excellency Kirill Mikhailovich Barsky PhD|Russia

“There’s a theory that the old G7 is being replaced by a new G7, and Russia is among these countries and also a very powerful centre of influence in today’s world. We are a member of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) which is a very dynamic coalition of countries. “Speaking of Russia and China, I would like to stress one point: Russia is getting more and more engaged in trade and other relations with China. This means that the Russian and Chinese economies are becoming integrated. To us this is very huge resource for future economic growth. “For China, the import of huge amounts of Russian oil, gas, coal, timber and electric energy adds tremendous value in terms of economic development. By growing together and coordinating economic mechanisms and closely cooperating in general, Russia and China will make the global economic architecture much more safe and sound in the future. In fact, this is a key direction for Russia’s integration into the Asia-Pacific region. Russia is not afraid of China’s economic superiority because we are linked with China and we depend on one another.” Should Russia turn more to Europe? “This is not the right way to put this question. Russia has a unique historic, geographic and geopolitical role because it is a big land between Europe, the Muslim South and Asia. In fact, Russia combines all these influences within its culture and within its people. We are Europeans but we have some traditions that make us close to the Oriental countries. We have been living side by side with Muslims for centuries. We have never clashed, for example, with the Tatar people since Genghis Khan conquered Russia eight centuries ago. In terms of dialogue or a clash of civilizations Russia cannot take sides. We are going to be a partner to Europe, the Muslim world and Asia. This is our destiny and our greatest asset as well. And we will take every effort to promote dialogue between civilizations and cultures.” Is Russia’s population continuing to shrink? “The current population of Russia is about 145 million. It is not going down any more like during the 1990s. Our government has taken effective measures to strengthen public health care, to develop social infrastructure, to foster family values, to provide families with housing and support families with over three children, and this has paid off. Now our population has begun to grow again.” Free time and hobbies “As I said, these days I don’t really have free time, but I still hope that I will have a chance to do my favorite things. When you go to a foreign country, you are supposed to learn more about the country. It is like Confucius once said, ‘If you go to foreign land - ask.’ I am trying to use my free time in Thailand by asking, reading and travelling. “I have lots of hobbies. I like history. I defended my PhD in Moscow on the history of China. I wrote a book and have published many articles on the history of China, on Chinese domestic and foreign policy, on the Chinese culture and later on the issues of

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security and cooperation within the Asia-Pacific region. “I like music. I play the piano and guitar. I used to compose music when I was younger and I am still a fan of rock and jazz music. This summer I published my new ‘twins,’ a couple of books. The first book is called ‘Fragrant Hills’ and the second ‘Crystal Waters.’ The books contain poetry and short stories. This is what I am doing in my free time, even if I don’t really have free time. But when I am on a flight or alone in a hotel room during the night I am writing and writing and writing. I like theatre and movies, impressionism and modern art. I am fond of sports, especially tennis, although nowadays I watch more than play. “I am also a collector of chopstick rests. One day I will organize an exhibition in Thailand. My collection has over 400 pieces of chopstick rests. This is not the biggest collection in the word; some collectors I am in contact with have over 1,000 pieces. Asked how he would describe himself at the conclusion of this interview, Mr Barsky answered: “I am just a Russian intellectual who is thinking about the past, present and future of my country and the world we live in.”

AMBASSADOR IN BRIEF HE Kirill Mikhailovich Barsky was born November 22, 1964 in Moscow region. Has holds the diplomatic rank of Minister Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, 2nd class and earned a PhD in Chinese Studies. He has written numerous articles on China’s history, culture, domestic and foreign policy as well as Russian diplomacy and security in the Asia-Pacific region. He is the author of several books of poetry and short stories. Mr Barsky is married and has one son and one daughter.

MILESTONES • 1989: Graduated with honors from Moscow State University of International Relations and subsequently entered into diplomatic service. He has held various positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), embassy of the USSR/Russia in China and Permanent Mission of Russia to the United Nations in New York. • 2001-2004 – Chief of Division, MFA First Asian Department. • 2004-2008 – Minister-Counsellor, Russian embassy in Indonesia. • 2008-2011 – Deputy Director, Department of Asia-Paciﬁc Cooperation. • 2011-2014 – Special Envoy of the President of the Russian Federation for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Affairs, National Coordinator of Russia at the SCO, Ambassador at Large. Head of Governmental delegation on elaboration of the legal framework of the SCO. • August 25, 2014 - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Kingdom of Thailand and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok.

The ambassador's latest literary works, Crystal Waters and Fragrant Hills, which contain poetry and short stories

HUA HIN

Cha Am • Pranburi • And beyond...

The ITF Beach Tennis Tour returns to Hua Hin on Dec 9-11. Page 144.

News & deals

Hua Hin’s hottest promotions and deals await inside Page 144

Indulge

The Spa at Hilton Hua Hin offers some of the best treatments in town Page 146

Social

Hua Hin’s best events captured on camera for your viewing pleasure Page 148 TheBigChilli 143

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Beach Tennis Tour 2014 THE ITF Beach Tennis Tour returns to the Kingdom this month with two back-to-back events featuring international men’s and women’s tournaments (Phuket from Dec 5-7, and Hua Hin from Dec 9-11). The games in Hua Hin will be played at Hua Hin Beach Club on Soi 71 (opposite Market Village). As well as watching the tennis, spectators can expect to enjoy live music and a selection of food and drinks. For a full schedule check out :thailandbeachtennis.com.

New on the scene: Kampu By Thai Choice Golf with a festive twist Festive treats aplenty at Hilton Hua Hin ‘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 the Hilton Hua Hin, which is celebrating Christmas and New Year with a selection of delicious feasts. Among the highlights: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet at the lobby featuring a vast selection of festive favourites (B2,800 per adult; B1,400 per child); and the New Year’s Eve five-course wine dinner at White Lotus Restaurant (B7,000 per adult). Contact the hotel for a full round up of what’s on offer. ☎ 032 538 999 :huahin.hilton.com

BANYAN Golf Club is getting into the festive spirit with some superb golf and dining promotions. First up, on Dec 13, the ‘Golf and Barbecue Dinner’ will feature tee times from 12.30pm followed by a sunset barbecue at Mulligan’s Pub (B3,600 per person for golf and dinner; B950 for barbecue only). Then, on Dec 14, the club will host the ‘Banyan Golf Club Championships’ – tee times from 12.30pm followed by dinner at the Terrace (B1,500 for members; B3,500 for guests). Not to be missed, on Dec 24, is the ‘Penfolds Wine Dinner’ at The Terrace Restaurant (B3,000 per person). Capping the festivities, on Christmas Day, from noon till 4pm, the Club will offer a sumptuous lunch buffet featuring traditional roast turkey and all the trimmings (B1,000; half price for kids under 12). ☎ 032 616 200 :facebook.com/BanyanGolfClubHuaHin

KAMPU By Thai Choice, the new Thai restaurant located at the beachfront of Asara Villa & Suite Hua Hin, is now open offering traditional Thai dishes presented with gourmet flair. Open daily 11am-11pm, the restaurant has an elegant contemporary Asian design that blends dark and blonde woods to create a relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for any occasion – be it a get together with family and friends or, even better, a romantic meal with your loved one. The talented chefs use only the finest ingredients to create regional dishes such as Kung tod sauce makham (Fried prawns with tamarind sauce), Kao hor bai bua (Fried rice wrapped with lotus leaf), and the spicy but tasty Kang pu bai chaphlu (Southern style crab curry with wild betal leaves), and everything is offered at great value for money. Well worth a visit. ☎ 03 254 7555 www.asaravillaandsuite.com :facebook.com/asararesort

Vintage cars come to town HOT on the wheels of last month’s annual Automobile Concours, the 12th edition of the Hua Hin Vintage Car Parade rolls into town this month with a series of vehicle displays and gourmet dinners, most of which will take place at Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa and Sheraton Hua Hin Pranburi Villas. Held from Dec 12-14, the event will be capped in customary fashion with a gala dinner at Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa. ☎ 032 708 000 :sheratonhuahin.com

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Wo rds H A R VEY W H I T E P h o t o g ra ph s C OU R T ES Y OF H I LT O N H UA H I N

The Spa at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa Top quality treatments and five-star comfort create the ultimate haven of relaxation

bathing ritual, body polish or body cocoon, full body massage, and a facial (great value at B6,000++). What we really like about the spa is that every treatment is tailored to suit your specific needs. So, for example, if your shoulders are currently clunky, gristly knots of tension, you can request your therapist to focus on this area. This is all arranged in a pre-treatment consultation in which you’re handed an image of a body and you simply mark the areas which are causing you the most pain. And, just as X marks the spot on a treasure map, expect nothing but rich rewards when your therapist digs deep into your muscles to remove your worries and leave you feeling golden. Other highlights at the spa include:

DECISIONS. Decisions. Choosing a treatment at the Spa at Hilton Hua Hin is like trying to pick a dish on a restaurant menu loaded with gourmet delicacies. Body scrubs, facials, bath treatments, massage therapies, pedicures, manicures, and four-hour signature rituals – this superb spa offers the lot. All conducted with the finest oils, lotions, and skin nourishing products available, and in fivestay comfort, too.

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Each member of staff has a minimum of four years’ experience in the trade, so you can rest assured you’re in expert hands as your therapist eases away your stresses and strains during the Signature tension relief massage (B1,500++ for 30 mins; B2,800++ for one hour), Traditional Thai massage (B2,200++ for one and a half hours), or the Ultimate spa escape – a customizable experience (four hours!) that features a choice of

The Spa at Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa (M-Floor), 33 Naresdamri Rd.

• One hour Hydradermie facial (using skincare products from Guinot) at B3,000++. • Two hours Hot river stone massage at B3,500++. • One hour Sunburn soother body cocoon at B1,700++. • Half hour Exotic citrus bathing ritual at B750++ per person/B1,300++ per couple. The spa is open daily from 10am – 8pm.

☎ 032 538 999 :huahin.hilton.com

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Strictly ballroom SHERATON Hua Hin Resort & Spaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new convention hall, The Chandelier, was launched in grand fashion with a night of free-flow drinks, delicious food, and live entertainment that included a special performance by Thai standup comedian Jatupone Chompoonich. One of the largest meetings and events facilities in the region, the new building cost 200 million baht and is packed with unique features, such as an elevator that enables you to drive a car into the ballroom (perfect for a grand entrance at a wedding).

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Bavarian fun at Hilton WITH glasses full of Paulaner beer and plates loaded with German cuisine, revelers of all nationalities enjoyed a great night of partying when Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa celebrated Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s traditional Oktoberfest. Held in the beer garden next to Hua Hin Brewing Company, the event was presided over by Ms Nuwanna Anantakijpaisarn, Deputy Governor of Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Competitions and live entertainment added to the fun.

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AD Newspaper_Jan12.indd 1

Strip AD_Molina_Dec14_M4.indd 1

12/27/11 1:21:00 PM

11/24/14 9:50 AM

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Sala Thai Hua Hin arrives in style NEW Thai restaurant Sala Thai Hua Hin arrived in delicious fashion with a grand opening party showcasing the restaurant’s mouthwatering cuisine – think traditional recipes presented with contemporary flair. Owned and operated by Gaston Pousset, who also owns the popular La Paillote French Restaurant (located just next door), Sala Thai Hua Hin is now open daily for lunch and dinner.

Rum Dinner a real treat CENTARA Grand Beach Resort and Villas Hua Hin hosted an exclusive Diplomático Rum Dinner paired with a delectable five-course set menu specially prepared for the occasion by Executive Chef Gael Lardiere. The premium palate of Diplomático rum – the most awarded rum in the world – included Anejo, Blanco, Anejo Reserva, Reserva Exclusiva and Diplomático’s flagship rum, The Ambassador. Special guest on the night was guest speaker José Ballesteros, CEO of Diplomático, who shared his extensive rum knowledge throughout the evening.

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COAST CO PATTAYA

Kok Chang • Wong Amat • Jomtien • Bang Saray • Sattahip • Rayong Sensational Six! Activities in Pattaya just perfect for adrenaline junkies. Page 158.

News & Deals

The Eastern Seaboard’s hottest dining and hotel promotions Page 156

Live music

Zurich University’s ZHdK Strings Orchestra will perform this month Page 156

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Monsoon Island now open CENTARA Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya’s latest addition to its waterpark is a new zone featuring water sprays, water gun shooters, water ratchet, water umbrella, water flower, waterspout, and a jumbo water bucket mounted on a tower. So, basically, lots of water for young guests (and the young at heart) to fool around with. Monsoon Island joins the five swimming pools, 12 waterslides, the waterfalls, lazy river and the rope bridges of the Lost World water park, which leads directly onto Wong Amat Beach. Open daily 8am-6pm. ☎ 038 301 234 ext 4181 :centarahotelsresorts.com

Festive fun at Amari Pattaya International flavours at Mix Bistro ALL this month, Mix Bistro Restaurant at Centara Pattaya Hotel is offering a special a la carte menu featuring international cuisines combined with the authentic flavours of Thailand. Signature dishes include Poached sea bass and chilli on vegetable compote served with butter lemon mousse; and Fried Thai noodles with grilled river prawns served with grilled chicken satay and peanut sauce. Prices start at B190. Available daily, 6.30pm-10.30pm. ☎ 038 295 999 ext. 2 :centarahotelsresorts.com/cpy

ZHdK Strings Orchestra at Siam Bayshore A DYNAMIC ensemble with 16 to 18 of the best students from concert and soloist classes of the distinguished Zurich University, the ZHdK Strings Orchestra will perform at Siam Bayshore Hotel Pattaya on Dec 15. Tickets are B600, and the show starts at 7pm. A concert is also being planned for Bangkok on Dec 17. For more info and tickets ☎ 081 682 8000 (Khun Mongkol)

Hilton races for laughs THE management and staff of Hilton Pattaya thanked its corporate clients last month by hosting a ‘race day’ party at Cartoon Network Amazone. Over 70 participants joined the event, which featured a day of games at competitions at the new waterpark, followed by a cocktail reception at Horizon.

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AMARI Pattaya has put together an action packed schedule for guests to enjoy the festive season. Kicking off on Dec 12 with the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, the yuletide plan includes highlights such as a Christmas Eve buffet extravaganza at the Garden Lounge, (starting at B1,999 per person), a Christmas Day Brunch at Mantra (B1,999++ per person and B999++ for kids aged 6 to 12), and New Year’s Eve parties held at three different venues (ranging from B999-B4,299++ per person). A full list of what’s on offer is available at the hotel.

A Little Extra at Ben’s ON Dec 19-20, enjoy a variety of songs from different eras (think Arlen, Bergman, Chaplin, Edwards, and more) as performed by vocalists Eileen Denning, Mara Swankey, Sunan Thempakornkoon and Tony Larko with pianist Ben Hansen, at Ben’s Theatre Jomtien (performances start at 7pm). Tickets are B900, and include a tapas style buffet prepared by Restaurant Poseidon Hotel and Spa. Reservations strictly by email: benstheatrejomtien@gmail.com. :benstheaterjomtien.com

Joint Chambers ESB Networking Evening THE British Chamber of Commerce Thailand hosted the Joint Chambers Eastern Seaboard networking evening along with AMCHAM, AustCham, GTCC, SATCC and Belu-Thai at Cape Dara Resort, Pattaya. This well-attended event was sponsored by Kingdom Property

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Insight

Sensational Six

Activities and events just perfect for thrill seekers By Meghan Corcoran 1. Dirt Biking

OFF-road biking is always a great way to get the adrenaline pumping. Team it with sightseeing and you have the perfect day out. Join one of the tours at Pattaya Enduro Madness and you can tackle dirt, desert, jungle, hillside, and waterfall trails on Honda, Kawasaki or CRFI 250s (clothing, boots and helmets all provided). Tours range from a three-hour ride to a whole-day of full-throttle fun. Prices start at B3,500 per rider. All welcome from beginners to advanced. 70/3-5, Moo 6, Pong, Banglamung, Chonburi. Tel: 087 740 7979 www.enduro-madness.com

2. U-Tapao Ripley’s Run 2014

3. Skydiving

TRAIL running isn’t short of adventure, but this new run will raise it to whole new levels of excitement by introducing zombies and ghouls and all other kinds of monsters who will chase runners during the course of the day. Organized by Ripley’s Believe It or Not Museum in conjunction with the Royal Thai Naval Air Division, the event will be held at U-Tapao Airport on Dec 13 and features 5km, 10.5km, and 21km routes. www.goadventureasia.com

SOAR like an eagle and scream like a Justin Bieber fan by strapping yourself to a professional skydiver and jumping out of a plane. The experienced team at Thai Sky Adventures (TSA) will take you through the equipment, exit, body position, canopy and landing techniques. You will enjoy a 20 mins scenic flight to 13,000 feet before freefalling for around a minute at speeds of up to 200kph. The rush is incredible. Prices range B8,000-B22,000. TSA caters for beginners (jumping tandem) to experienced parachutists. AFF (Accelerated Freefall) courses are available which include groundschool and eight jumps (5-7 days). 42/162 Soi Banluekanka Sukhumvit 21, Banglamung, Chonburi Tel: 085 900 3412 www.thaiskyadventures.com 158

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5. Bungy Jump

4. Kiteboarding

GRAB some air and rip it up on Pattayaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s choppy coast. Kiteboarding combines parasailing and surfing to create a thrilling watersport that totally rocks. Located at the Blue Lagoon Water Sports Club, 10km outside of Pattaya on the south Jomtien beach, KBA Pattaya offers lessons and rental services and has an onsite restaurant and a wind surf club (with shower facilities). The windy season runs from November until March. www.bluelagoonpattaya.com www.kiteboardingasia.com

IF you really want to feel alive, then run and jump off a 60 metre platform! Bungy is an experience that you will remember for the rest of your days. You will defy every human instinct as you leap from a ledge, strapped to a rubber umbilical cord that may just have you screaming for your momma. Pattaya Bungy Jump (the highest Bungy Jump in Thailand, and the only jump licensed with the Tourism Authority of Thailand) is set in a park with go-carts, paintball, off road buggies and ATVs. Open daily from 9am-6pm, it offers Bungy Jumping at B1,900 and Human Slingshot at B1,200. Free transport to and from Pattaya-based accommodation is available. Thepprasit Road Soi 9 Tel: 038 301 209 www.pattayabungyjump.com

6. All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) tours FOUR-wheel ATVs have two functions: 1. Stop 2. Go for it! Kick up some dust and enjoy the scenery as you zoom across pineapple, coconut and banana plantations in the stunning Thai countryside. ATV Pattaya Jungle Adventures has been hosting ATV adventures since 2006 and offers a range of affordable packages, starting with a two-hour fun tour at B2,800 per ATV Quad driver (B1,500 per passenger/child) and B3,600 per Buggy Kart driver. All ATV Quad bikes and Buggy Karts are automatic and safe and easy to drive. No prior driving experience is needed. www.atvtourspattaya.com

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Cyclists have a feast PARTICIPANTS of the World Travel Joy East Coast Cycling Challenge 2014 were treated to a fabulous spread of international cuisines at an executive dinner party at Novotel Rayong Rim Pae Resort. Presided over by M.L. Kalyakorn Kasemsri, the event was attended by four-times Triathlon World Champion and winner of Ironman 70.3 Japan, Chris McCormack; Austrian triathlon champion, Paul Ambrose; and many other top athletes.

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Insight

Endless summer music at Mantra ANOTHER great evening of fun music and gourmet dining was showcased at the Amari Ocean Pattaya, which staged the Mantra Tribute to the Endless Summer, a concert of classic oldies performed by the ageless Barry Upton and his band in the hotelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s popular Mantra Restaurant.

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D ea ls and Promotion s Holiday Inn Bangkok:

s ’ e t a M s rate

Celebrate your New Year in style with the hotel’s ‘New Year Accommodation Packages’. Rates start at B3,299++ inclusive of breakfast. ☎ 02 656 1555 ext. 5400 :bit.ly/1tmZh7l

family r o s d n Frie land? i a h T g visitin now about k Let them e deals thes

Eastin Tan Hotel Chiang Mai: This newly opened hotel is

offering introductory rates starting at B1,999 per room per night, inclusive of breakfast for two. ☎ 052 001 999 :eastintanchiangmai.com

Northgate Ratchayothin: Until Dec 31, the hotel’s ‘Stay 2 Weekend Nights & Save 20%’ promotion offers exactly that on Studio Rooms booked between Fri-Sun. Rates start at B1,920 per night for two persons (with Wi-Fi). A Two-Bedroom option is also available. ☎ 02 939 7949 :northgatebangkok.com

OZO Chaweng Samui: Until July 31, 2015, the hotel’s ‘OZO Hot Deal Package’ offers a four-night stay in a Sleep Room for B13,510++. Rate includes a round-trip airport transfer, daily breakfast, one set dinner menu, and more. ☎ 077 915 200 :ozohotels.com/chaweng-samui

X2 Kui Buri: Valid for booking until Feb 28, 2015 (for stays until Mar 31), the hotel’s ‘WTF (Wine, Travel, Food)’ promotion offers weekday rates starting at B5,900 per night for a Deluxe Garden Villa and B7,900 per night for a Deluxe Pool Villa (add another B1,000 for a weekend stay). Package includes daily Champagne Breakfast, one four-course wine dinner, daily complimentary snacks and drinks, 30% discount on bottled wine, and more. ☎ 032 601 412 :X2LOBBY.com 164

TheBigChilli

Soﬁtel Bangkok Sukhumvit:

Until Jan 15, the hotel’s ‘Winter Collection’ offers 25% discount on bookings of three or four consecutive nights, and 30% discount on bookings of five, six or seven consecutive nights. Rates start at B4,000 per room per night, inclusive of a one-time chocolate afternoon delight and late checkout of 3pm. ☎ 02 126 9900 :sofitel.com

Away Koh Kood Resort: Perfect GLOW Pratunam: Until the end of

the year, the ‘Advance Purchase’ promotion offers 15% discount when booking 14 days in advance. Rates start at B2,635 per night for a Deluxe room. Promotion is also valid for Deluxe Corner and GLOW Suite. ☎ 02 257 3999 :glowbyzinc.com/pratunam

for couples looking for a getaway from the busy city life, the resort is offering a three-day-andtwo-night ‘Island Escape’ package. Rates range from B4,503++ per night for a Duplex Bungalow to B5,140++ per night for a Deluxe Oceanfront Bungalow, inclusive of round-trip ferry transfers between Trat and Koh Kood, daily breakfast for two and a 10% discount on F&B. Offer ends Mar 31, 2015. ☎ 02 696 8239 :AwayResorts.com