passportconcierge JACOB DE BOER W BANGKOK
Between its nonstop energy, fun gay scene, chilled Buddhist vibes, and smiling populace, Bangkok is one of our favorite cities. Did we mention how chic it can be, too, with properties like the W Bangkok (106 North Sathorn Road. Tel: +66-02-344-4000. www.whotelbangkok.com) adding 21st-century glam and glitter to the mix? Located conveniently off the BTS Skytrain, the two-year-old W Bangkok is a magnet for trendy, fashionable denizens and celebrities, its slick design riffing on local iconography: a colorful wall of blinking tuk-tuk lights behind the elevators, glittery muay Thai boxing gloves adorned with the words “Lights Out” on the beds, and dangling crystals shaped like the plastic bags locals drink street- vendor beverages from. The outdoor WET pool, framed by a giant metal eyebrow, is a favorite hangout for gay visitors, while restaurant The Kitchen Table fuses Thai flavors with diverse international plates and is overseen by an expert in local hot spots and city secrets, Jacob de Boer, director of food and beverage, Born in the Netherlands, and a globetrotting expat since then with stints in Sultanate of Oman, Jordan, Ukraine, and Germany, he ultimately settled in Bangkok. “I love Thailand, and the energy of Bangkok is truly captivating,” de Boer explains. “Bangkok and W seemed the perfect match, and I was very much interested in this project from its conception. I particularly remember the energy of Elle Fashion Week, when we converted the driveway of the hotel into a catwalk and had over 1,000 Bangkok fashionistas, trendsetters, and celebs celebrating a night of glam, cocktails, and paparazzi.” Where are the coolest places in Bangkok to go for cocktails? One of my favorites is Sip Slowly (Tel: +662712-6025. www.sipslowly.com). It’s located in an alley on Thonglor Road and owned by global mixologist Joseph Boroski. There’s no menu, only ingredients, and Joseph will shake
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up drinks curated to your preference. It’s a very insider experience. When we talk about W Hotels, our belief is that cocktail culture energizes the scene, and when in Bangkok a must stop is at W’s Woobar to discover the Iconic Gin Tonic. Imagine 50ml of the premium gin you choose amplified by enhancers to match the gin or your personal taste. I recommend Monkey 47, a German gin from the Black Forest enhanced by freshly cut lemon peel and pomegranate seeds. Another favorite spot is called What The Fuck (7 Sukhumvit Soi 51. Tel: +66-02-662-6246. www.wtfbangkok.com). This place is very low-key and Bangkok’s hipster mecca. I travel there for one main reason, which is a cocktail called The Orchard. The perfect balance of gin, lychee, lime, and lemongrass, it truly brings the Asian flavors and is so well balanced. What are the best restaurants for a romantic dinner in the city? Thai food is clearly one of the key influencers for travelling to Thailand. There are thousands of restaurants, and it’s incredible to
see how many open each month. If you’re looking for something local, but in a cozy setting, I’d honestly recommend Feuang Nara (69 Soi 3. Tel: +66-02-2332410. www.facebook.com/feuangnara). It’s conveniently located next to the skytrain station of Chong Nosi, just minutes walk from W Bangkok, and has a stunning all-year terrace with fairy lights, lush greens, and views of a busy side street where Tuk-Tuk drivers negotiate deals and street-food vendors pass by. Order the prawn fried rice, a chicken curry, stir-fried prawns, the spicy wigbean salad, and accompany it with chilled local beer. Dinner for two? I’d hit Above Eleven (33rd floor, Fraser Suites Sukhumvit. Tel: +66-083-542-1111. www.aboveeleven.com), which is a rooftop bar and restaurant. The views are amazing and the venue, although popular for tourists, continues to bring a regular crowd of Bangkokians and expats. Try their ceviche, as this is the first Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei cuisine restaurant in Southeast Asia. Who serves the greatest weekend brunch in town? I must insist that if you’re visiting Bangkok on the first Saturday of any month that you make a booking at our W Does Brunch, as it’s really a happening concept where our passion for music, gastronomy, fashion, and cocktail-culture mix like never before. If looking for an opulent Sunday brunch, then book a table at The St. Regis Bangkok (159 Rajadamri Rd. Tel: +66-2207-7777. www.stregisbangkok.com) and take in pure classic fabulousness and, of course, their well-known bloody marys. If you’re counting calories and want some light fare, then hit Rocket Coffee Bar (46/12 Sukhumvit Soi 49. Tel: +66-026626-638. www.rocketcoffeebar.com). Their spot at Central Embassy has a very relaxing terrace—try their MicroHito and mix and mingle with Bangkok hipsters and fashionistas.
Photo: Lawrence Ferber
by Lawrence Ferber
passportconcierge Which museums or art galleries are a must-see for visitors? The art scene has definitely seen an explosion of new venues by young and talented designers. My favorite would be Gallery GOJA (Sukhhumvit 71, Soi 3 Pridi Banomyong 5/2. Tel: +66-081-4972. www.facebook.com/gojaphrakanong), which means “Come Together.” It’s set in a renovated old shop house and boasts a clean, very cool Japanese vibe. Check out their Facebook page for frequent opening parties. Also make sure to check the MOCA (499 Moo 3 Vibhavadi Rangsit Rd., Ladyao, Chatuchak. Tel: +66-2-953-1005. www.mocabangkok.com) website for their latest collections, and discover some of the best contemporary Thai art. The Bangkok Art & Culture Center (939 Rama Rd. 1. Tel: 02 214-6630. www.bacc.or.th) is running an exhibition through June 2015 called “Crossover: The Unveiled Collection,” which explores how Thai art has been collected through history, bringing together prime pieces as well as those from underrated artists. Which guided tours do you recommend most often to your guests? I’m not the biggest fan of guided tours, but there’s an agency called Co Van Kessel (Tel: +66-02-639-7351. www.covankessel.com), which pioneered bicycle tours in Bangkok more than 30 years ago. These people are amazing, and I’ve been on many of the tours myself, even multiple times. I totally suggest the three-hour “Co By Night” Bike Tour. It shows you a completely different Bangkok, cycling around Chinatown where traditional Chinese lanterns mix with oversized neon signs, where motorized commuters are replaced by evening diners, and the rising of Bangkok’s largest flower market alongside the Chao Phraya River. They may be a little pricier than other guided tours, but it’s worth every penny. Where can you go to get the best views of the city? This may be a tourist hotspot and in every guidebook, blog, and online source, but I still find the Sky Bar on the 64th floor of the Lebua State Tower (1055/111 Silom Road. Tel: +66-02-624-9999. www.lebua.com/skybar) a must when friends are in town. Go either in the evening or at sunset, order one drink, and take in the breathtaking views. What’s most special is the sense of arrival. When you get to the 64th floor and walk out
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on the terrace and down the steps toward the Skybar, you have the feeling you’re on top of the world. Where are the best places to work out? Hit Lumphini Park, which is Bangkok’s inner-city haven of tranquility, fresh air, and shade, offering urbanites the perfect connection to nature. Early morning, you’ll find hundreds of people practicing Thai Chi, and by sunset the techno music sets the scene for open-air aerobic sessions. Beware though, the park is home to water monitor lizards. Slinky reptiles, about the size of teenage crocodiles, surreptitiously wading out of the pond to sunbathe is not quite what you’d expect to find in a metropolis like Bangkok, but just regard them as urban survivors of ancient Siam. Thailand is well known for its pampering massage and spa culture. If someone is looking for a full-service spa and massage, where would you send them? I definitely recommend the AWAY SPA at W Bangkok, it’s such a refreshing contrast to the traditional Thai Spa experience, and yet each of the areas of the spa add to the detoxifying journey of rejuvenation. A perfect massage would be the Man Power Up, which uses a power-packed technique designed to alleviate deep-seated tension and stress. Another must-try spa very popular with locals and visitors is Health Land (120 North Sathorn Rd. Tel: +662-637-8883. www.healthlandspa.com), conveniently located just steps from W Bangkok. Our W Insider will gladly help you with bookings, try their two-hour Thai Traditional Massage with a relaxing session of foot reflexology. Designer labels for less—do you have any suggestions for the smart shopper? For local trends you must visit SIAM CENTER (Rama 1 Rd. Tel: +66-02-6581000. www.siamcenter.co.th). This mall, connected to Siam Paragon, was completely renovated in 2013, and today local designers present their couture, accessories, and collections on the second and third floors. Visit The Selected (www.facebook.com/theselected), on the second floor, a lifestyle multi-brand concept store covering art, fashion, music, and technology, presenting a curated collection of over 60 Thai design firms.
What are the best bars in the city for gays/lesbians? The GLBT community in Bangkok is possibly the friendliest and most welcoming in Asia. As always, the main action is on Silom Road, specifically Soi 2 and Soi 4. These are a mere five-minute tuk-tuk ride from W Bangkok, and although these streets don’t seem to have changed in 10-15 years there is still something special about the many bars, restaurants, and clubs in this area. What about the most popular gay dance clubs for getting a groove on? DJ Station (Soi 2, Silom Rd. Tel: +66-02-264029. www.dj-station.com) is still the melting pot in Bangkok, and draws a steady crowd every night. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays be there before 11 P.M. I suggest you go up to the second floor to get your drinks from the bar next to the human cages, as it’ll be less busy and you get a full view of the action. Where can someone go at 3 A.M. for a good meal? In Bangkok, food is everywhere at every time. Instead of recommending a particular spot, I suggest you venture out to try some Thai street food, just look for a stall that’s busy and you’ll find yourself with something tasty. What’s the most iconic tourist souvenir, and where will we find it? Frankly, I’m a big fan of the mini tuk-tuks sold on the street, made from recycled beer and soft drink cans. Fun, authentic to Bangkok, and creative, it’ll look great on a bookshelf at home. Speaking of tuk-tuks, what is the best way to get around Bangkok? I’m a big fan of tuk-tuks. They’re authentic, fun, and crazy for sure, but that’s really what Bangkok is all about. I much prefer to set a price with a tuk-tuk driver that I know will take me from point A to B as fast as he can. After all, you’re on holidays, and when you convert the fares to your local currency they’re most likely a fraction of what you’d pay at home. The BTS SkyTrain in Bangkok is also very efficient and fast, just avoid peak hours on weekdays if you can. Please finish this sentence: Don’t leave Bangkok without… Experiencing a tuk-tuk ride, eating a pad thai, having an Iconic Gin Tonic at Woobar, and a night out in Silom’s market, bars, and dance clubs.