BK Magazine 700 28 Jul, 2017

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BK MAGAZINE NO. 700 FRIDAY, JULY 28, 2017. www.bkmagazine.com

Issue

Growing up with

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page 3 6 cover story

History Repeated

What We’ve Learned

4 upfront

9 escape routes

Hays Anatomy

Indo Shine

14 avenue

17 blends

Siam Daze

Bottle Rockets

18 bites

21 bk now

Backyard Revolution

Living for the Weekend

Who's in charge?

Managing Director Andrew Hiransomboon Managing Editor Oliver Irvine Deputy Editor Carl Dixon Features Associate Monruedee Jansuttipan Content Coordinator Nontaya Kumyat Staff Writer Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj, Theerada Moonsiri Junior Writers Kankanok Wichiantanon, Kasidit Srivilai, Rujiyatorn Choksiriwan Art Director Vatanya Bongkotkarn Production Supervisor Komkrit Klinkaeo Senior Graphic Designer Peeraya Sirathanisa Graphic Designers Anunya Chobnitas, Wirankan Saiyasombut Video Content Manager Chanon Wongsatayanont Photographer Chissanupong Narmmoolnark Video Editor Tanaporn Choopanya Media Designer Saranya Laowtrakul Advertising Director Wanida Akeapichai

Where to find us!

The Asia City Media Group

Sales Managers Tipkritta Chiraporncharas, Orajira Sukkasem, Onwara Sittirug Senior Sales Associates Tassanee Mahamad, Nattaya Bovornsettanon, Orakarn Laohakanjanasiri, Amarit Jinaya Sales Associates Pichayarak Chalermchainukul Marketing Executive Plaifon Chienvichai

Contributors Kathy MacLeod

Product Director Gregoire Glachant Senior Project Manager Chayanap Tongdadas Branded Content Associate Sureepak Janyapat Project Coordinators Nutnicha Nuttanakorn, Peerada Chotiya Senior Developer Jinin Jaengkitsopon

Cover by Wirankan Saiyasombut, Wipawee Chaweepat, Thanakorn Kongram, Chissanupong Narmmoolnark

Finance Manager Supaporn Bangmoung Assistant Finance Manager Anchalee Limkhamduang Senior Accountant Maneeya Kanthongdang Administrator Yaovaluck Srisermsri Accountant Manita Bangmoung

Bangkok Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. 9/F, Sathorn Nakorn Tower 100 North Sathorn Rd., Silom, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Tel: 02-624-9696 Fax: 02-237-5656 Email: bkmagazine@asia-city.co.th

Interns Chitsanupong Suphattanawat, Nathanan Charoenkitchaikarn, Phone Myat Khine, Punsita Ritthikarn, Sirawit Paopattana, Siriya Suriyanon, Thanakorn Kongram, Wipawee Chaweepat, Yanika Piyatassee

Asia City Media Group Chief Executive Officer Greg Duncan (gduncan@asiacity.net) Director Gretchen Worth (gworth@asia-city.co.th)

Singapore Asia City Publishing Pte. Ltd. Block 211 Henderson Rd. #07-02 Henderson Industrial Park Singapore 159552 Tel: 65-6323-2512 Fax: 65-6323-2779 Email: contact@asia-city.com.sg

BK “Asia City Living” Magazine is edited by Andrew Hiransomboon and published 51 times a year, every Friday of each month by Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Copyright ©2016 Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. The titles “BK Magazine,” “BK ‘Asia City Living’ Magazine” and their associated logos or devices, and the content of BK “Asia City Living” Magazine are the property of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is strictly prohibited. Article reprints are available for B50 each. The magazine may not be distributed without the express written consent of Asia City Publishing (Thailand) Ltd. Contact the Advertising Department for ad rates and specifications. All advertising must comply with the Publisher’s terms of business, copies of which are available upon request. Printed by Comform Co.,Ltd. 212 Moo 13 Krungthepkreetha Rd., Saphansoong, Bangkok 10250

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contest, updates, stories

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That the MRT’s “missing link” is no longer missing For over a year, commuters have had to switch to a shuttle bus to traverse the 1.2km distance between the MRT Purple Line’s Tao Pun and the Blue Line’s Bang Sue stations. That all changes on Aug 11 with the completion of the infamous “missing link,” which will shave up to 40 minutes off commuters’ trips. Ticket prices will remain the same.

That you should watch what you share Not content with cracking down on celebs and business owners, police are now monitoring social media to stamp out posts from all members of the public that encourage alcohol use. While many of us are still wrapping our heads around the vague wording of Section 32 of the 2008 Alcohol Control Act, a slew of top Bangkok bartenders have been mocking the booze laws with hilarious self-censored photos. See the full story at goo.gl/cqMVyZ. That Bangkok’s North Korean restaurant has a new home Politics aside, when Pyongyang Okryu, one of a chain of eateries operated by the North Korean regime, arrived in Ekkamai last year, we were surprised to find three-star food and a curiously pleasant experience. So, when it shut down, we feared the worst. But now the restaurant and its beauty-queen waitresses have popped up in an even more central location, Sukhumvit Soi 25, right beside Radisson Blu Hotel.

That Chong Nonsi is getting the beer bar it’s been waiting for Sukhumvit Soi 34’s bottleshop-slash-bar, Bottles of Beer, is bringing its dirt-cheap brews to the center of Sathorn business district. The neighborhood’s office hordes can take advantage of the bar’s discount prices on purchases of six beers or more, while food comes in collaboration with Alphabet cafe (which is located right next door) on top of the old Thonglor menu.

That the eviction of Chao Phraya riverside communities has begun Four months after the BMA’s definitive verdict that it would be forging ahead with the Chao Phraya River Promenade, the clearance of the historic communities living along the riverbank is underway (see Hot or Not, page 4). By the end of July, the BMA expects to demolish 14 communities, with five (Pak Klong Bang Khen Mai, Wat Soi Thong, Kiek Kai Pier, Khiew Khai Ka and Wat Chat Kaew Chongkolnee) already cleared, homes destroyed and residents relocated to new accommodation which some are already complaining fall below livable standards.

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BK Magazine July 28, 2017

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upfront HOT OR NOT

Hot: Maximalism

Not: Minimalism

The Amanda Levete-designed Beam with its ice-cool concrete walls and laserbeams has been knocked into second place in Thonglor’s nightclub rankings thanks to a kid with a bucket of pink paint and a Sharpie pen.

But Blaq Lyte (see page 17) doesn’t just serve up trashy decor—it also has one of Bangkok’s best playlists and drinks that undercut its neighbor by a good B100. Cheers to that!

INTERVIEW

Hot: Menya Itto

Not: Ben’s Cookies

This week in crazy Bangkok food queues: ramen, courtesy of a shop in Tokyo ranked the city’s best by Japan’s answer to Tripadvisor, tabelog.com. Menya Itto (see page 16) just arrived at Erawan mall, bringing with it the hordes of food fad fanatics last spotted outside Siam Paragon’s Ben’s Cookies. Head there for 10am to get in line for yourself… or wait a couple months till Burger & Lobster opens and visit then.

Hot: Development

Not: Evictions

The BMA has finally sent in its goons to make a move on the riverside community whose weather-beaten clapboard housing gives Thonburi its identity. But the controversial river romenade is just the start of a giant wave of development set to sweep central Bangkok, with beer tycoon Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi (aka the guy who owns Chang) spearheading another giant project that’ll take over Queen Sirikit Convention Centre. Wait… does that mean they’ll rename the MRT station? ianfuller

Hot: BTS artwork

Not: BTS ads

In case you didn’t realize, those ying-yang logos and skeletons on the BTS right now are actually art. It’s the work of Chiang Mai’s Kamin Lertchaiprasert, who was commissioned thanks to a fundraising campaign that raised enough money to buy out the all the ad space on an entire train.

The cost: B2.6 million.

THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID

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At the end of May, the classic 1920s library on Surawong Road, Neilson Hays, began a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds for essential repairs estimated at B10 million. After asking the public to contribute B500,000 to the project, the library’s crowdfunding campaign eventually reached B774,500. Here we chat to the library’s president, Nalin Vanasin, 44, about its past and future.

Were you surprised by the response to the Asiola crowdfunding drive?

Actually, I wasn’t surprised because I know that there are plenty of people who are still in love with books.

However, at first I expected the figure to be around B1 million, but I thought that might be too high to ask. So we decided to go with B500,000. As time went by, I got a bit nervous, as I was still hoping that we’d reach B1 million. All in all, it’s not just about the money. We launched this campaign in order to grab the public’s attention and raise awareness about the existence of this library.

We heard that the repairs are estimated to cost B10 million. Is that accurate and where will the rest of that money come from?

The exact cost is B9.7 million. For the rest, we’ve got around B7 million from Boon Rawd Brewery, the James H.W. Thompson Foundation and other generous donors. But it’s not quite enough, so we are still in the process of negotiating with the bank. Also TOA Paint is helping us with the painting process.

Who owns the library?

Everybody. This library is run by a non-profit organization of the same name. It was built to be a place for the community, basically whoever loves the library. Everybody who works here does so voluntarily, even

the committee of the library. It’s a time-consuming but soul-enriching job for me.

What’s your relationship with the library?

I grew up with this library. It’s like a home to my soul. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved spending time here, picking a book and reading all day.

I have always considered this library as a part of my family.

Following major recent land sales in Bangkok featuring historic buildings, is there any chance that Neilson Hays might get sold to developers?

No way. Everybody here loves this library and I don’t just talk about our volunteers, but the whole community. Our neighbors want to help us protect it as well.

Is there any state protection for Neilson Hays on the grounds of historic importance?

Yes. Neilson Hays comes under the protection of the Fine Arts Department. The department has registered our library as a National Monument since 2001.

Do you think the state in Bangkok does enough to protect important architecture?

The Fine Arts Department is trying as hard as it can to conserve and protect historic buildings, but their budget and manpower are limited. They

don’t have enough money or people to offer proper architectural maintenance. Even though our library is registered as a National Monument, the department is not able to help us with funding. We have to raise money and take care of the building ourselves.

The only thing is we have to submit any renovation plans to them before we start anything.

What measures are currently missing which you think would help protect buildings of historic importance?

Besides actual architects, very few people get the concept of “modern architecture” and understand its value. It’s really important for people to see that these buildings have shared history with their communities for generations. It’s sad that developers are trying to buy these buildings and turn them into malls. It’s not for me to tell others that they can’t sell their land or architecture off for a huge amount of money, but sometimes communities can stand up and take action to protect buildings of significance. It comes down to a sense of belonging. The government needs to act to provide more education about the value of modern architecture, while the Fine Arts Department definitely needs a bigger budget. Interview

by Neon Boonyadhammakul

by Kathy MacLeod (IG: @kathy_macleod)

BK Magazine Friday, July 28, 2017

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cover story

BK at 700 For 700 issues and 16 years, BK has been right there publishing alongside some of the biggest events in the city’s history.

Here, ex-editors and writers share with us the experiences working on BK which they’ll remember for a lifetime. By BK Staff

SEEING RED

Gregoire Glachant, editor in chief, 2008-2017

BK Magazine’s old office was at the corner of Silom and Rama 4 roads. During the 2010 protests, we’d start work to the smell of burning tires. Lunch could be spent exploring the fairground atmosphere of the Red Shirt camp. Afternoons were punctuated by loudspeaker announcements I couldn’t understand and the occasional helicopter. To this day, we’re convinced Major General Seh Daeng was sniped from our roof. BK Magazine was on the top floor, 22 floors above Lumphini Park,so our graphic designers sitting next to windows were a bit jumpy after that. Bullets did hit the Dusit Thani, across the street. To minimize risk, we’d often had to close the office early—a good call when that grenade hit BTS Sala Daeng at rush hour.

In the final days of the Red Shirt occupation, we had to shut the office down entirely. I didn’t want to skip an issue of BK Magazine as the rest of the city was functioning normally. So a few brave volun-

teers gathered at my apartment and made the issue from there. But my place being in Ratchatewi, it too eventually became a no-go zone cordoned off by the army. I ended up closing that issue alone, at my computer. I even made the cover, a simple “We Bangkok.”

By that point, nearby 7-Elevens had long closed and the local food sellers had finally run out of eggs and rice. I was beginning to consider our CEO’s offer to stay at her place, in Sukhumvit Soi 43.

But on May 19, the army marched onto the protesters to the sound of automatic rifles being fired continuously. The death toll for the past couple months, already at 85, climbed to 91. (To this day, another 51 protesters are still “missing.”) Then the sky turned purple and black as columns of smoke taller than the Baiyoke Tower rose from some 35 buildings around Din Daeng and Siam Square, including CentralWorld and the Apex Theatre.

BK SHUTDOWN

HITS AND MISSES A timeline of great and not-so-great BK ideas

Hit Thonglor street food Thanks to a late birthday night spent chatting to stallholders and eating too much bah mie haeng, we were one of the first magazine's to get a story that sadly turned out to be all too accurate.

Miss Mooncakes China officially hated BK for one Mid-Autumn Festival back in 2009, when we rubbished mooncakes. To this day, all you will find if you Google our ex-editor's name is irate Chinese message boards.

Hit Coldplay cabbage When some guy brought a cabbage to Coldplay, we managed to track him down, resulting in one of our biggest hits of this year so far.

Miss Tomorrowland

Nick Measures, managing editor (special projects), 2008-2014 I was lucky enough to spend six years in various, usually quite undefined roles at BK and it holds the clear record as being the longest, weirdest and most fun place I’ve ever worked. Six years means a lot of memories and makes choosing just one nigh on impossible. From dressing up as a giant sand ray at the aquarium and following the flamboyant politician Chuwit Kamolvisit on the campaign trail to getting the chance to sample Gaggan Anand’s food, it ranged from the strange and surreal to the distinctly sublime.

But, when thinking back on those six years, the truth is that it’s hard to look

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beyond the crazy political times the country was going through in 2013-14 and how they impacted the day-to-day life of the magazine. It would all have been memorable enough for anyone working on a magazine about a city that seemed semi-permanently locked down by some form of political protest. But at BK it was ramped up yet further by our office’s location on the corner of Silom Road. Our vantage point, from the 22nd floor, not only offered us to-die-for views over Lumpini Park and the city, but also meant we had front row seats for the main protest camps when they rolled into town.

For the most part that simply meant our offices were often filled with the sounds of angry ranting from aggrieved protesters and some seriously weird music choices, all pumped through heavy duty speaker systems that wouldn’t have looked out of place at the Pyramid Stage.

To say it was a tad unsettling for everyone at the magazine was something of an understatement when every firecracker,

loud cheer or approaching helicopter had people running to the windows.

At the lowest points, just going to the office felt like entering a militarized zone. Goons in dark glasses would check your bag before ushering you through the checkpoint and then you’d have to step over sleeping heavies just to get into the lift. Time your lunch break wrong and you could end up caught up in an impromptu walkabout, and the potential of a 30-minute wait just to cross the road to the tom yum noodle stall. On the flipside, the soi shopping did also improve drastically.

Despite those turbulent times, BK definitely came out even stronger for it and I wouldn’t have missed any of it for the world. They were six years I would never forget, the chance to work for the hippest, funniest and most honest magazine in Bangkok. Don’t go changing, BK, and happy 700th issue.

Nope, Tomorrowland EDM festival was never coming to Thailand. We learned that the hard way after publishing a completely false rumor picked up somewhere or other, probably at a bar.

Hit Bangkok’s homebrew scene It's awesome to see how much the local beer scene has boomed. Back when we did our first story in 2014, we struggled to find five brewers.

Miss Thai Wine taste test This blind taste test was a disaster waiting to happen.

After rubbishing the efforts of a local billionaire’s passion project, we got the scariest phone call of our life.

BK Magazine Friday, July 28 2017

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ADVERTORIAL

Future Proofing How technology helps to promote sustainable living There’s a common belief that living a sustainable lifestyle means going back to basics—a lifestyle before fast cars, iPhones and fast food. But advances in technology can actually help you live more sustainably and make tangible reductions in your carbon footprint. Here’s a look at some of the latest technological advances and how they can help us live greener lives.

Apps Downloading apps has become second nature. But did you know that there are plenty of apps out there that can help you live more sustainably?

For instance, HowGood is a free app that allows you to scan the barcode of products at the supermarket and determine how damaging they are for the environment and your health, based on factors such as ingredient sourcing, community impact, food processing and more. Meanwhile, Joulebug gives you tips on how you can improve your daily carbon footprint in easy steps with a game setup that allows you to win points for every “green” task you complete, like biking to meet your friends or reusing a coffee mug. If you want to take going green to the next level, download iHuerting, an app that gives city dwellers tips on how to plant their own produce right in their home.

VR When it comes to huge global issues like climate change and deforestation, it’s often difficult to

http://www.depa.or.th/

truly picture the scale of the issue in our minds. Thanks to virtual reality, the new technology that simulates a three-dimensional environment through a screen, it’s now much easier for us to place ourselves in virtual experiences to see the impacts of these issues.

For instance, through VR, people can witness the depths of the ocean and how plastic use is truly destroying the environment and animals around the world, as well as how carbon monoxide release is acidifying ocean waters. In fact, Stanford University created an interactive VR game around this idea, which went on to showcase at last year’s Tribeca Film Festival and has now been adapted into an

https://www.youtube.com/user/IKEA

accessible VR game by Google.

Similarly, nature documentary buff David Attenborough has produced a VR experience of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef to show its decay due to environmental issues.

Augmented Reality This type of technology, which places computer-generated graphics onto real-world environments, might be familiar to most people thanks to games like Pokemon Go. But it’s also helpful when it comes to sustainability, with one example being the fact that we can experience something without actually needing to have it processed, packaged and delivered to us. IKEA has grabbed

Go DIGITAL

onto this idea, allowing people to “place” furniture into their homes through AR before actually buying the tangible product, and in turn reducing a huge amount of energy that would otherwise be required in the delivery process. This idea can be transferred entirely across the e-commerce business, and even extended into the construction industry where experiences like museums and meeting rooms may not have to be physically built. It may seem far off in the future, but there are definitely sustainability aspects to this new form of technology.

only do these solutions help to make events greener,

TCEB is encouraging organizers in the MICE industry to go digital in order to improve their sustainability initiatives. Taking steps like setting up online, rather than paper-based, registration for your meetings, or

they’ll also save time, money and improve convenience for both the organizers and the participants. For more ideas, check out TCEB’s Sustainable Events guide at www.micecapabilities.com

providing documents through e-mail, can significantly help reduce the amount of paper used. Even better, simply having a stable internet connection setup can completely remove the need for paper and CDs. Not

By

What is MICE? M – Meetings I – Incentives C – Conventions E – Exhibitions & Events

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Join the conversation:

MICE Capabilities

tcebmicecap

7/17/2560 BE 5:25 PM

cover story RESTAURANT RANTS Mrigaa Sethi, sub-editor, 2010-2012 There were three major highlights of being the food critic at BK Magazine. The first was the Bangkok food scene itself. The years I worked at BK saw the opening of now-institutions like WTF, SoulFood Mahanakorn, Gaggan, Nahm and dozens more, and I feel extremely lucky to have been there when they threw open their doors for the first time.

The second great thing was our amazing restaurant review policy [see below]: we went unannounced, we did

not hobnob with the PRs and the owners, we paid for our meals in full and we wrote the truth anonymously. As you can imagine, this made us a bit unpopular with restaurant owners from time to time.

I’ll never forget a begrudging three-star review I once wrote for a new, run-of-the-mill Italian restaurant in a community mall. The day after the issue came out, the owner called the office in a fury. “I demand to know the name of the reviewer,” he said. “I know her face. She will never work in this town again.”

Which brings me to the third best thing about having worked at BK: the then-managing editor, Gregoire Glachant [see page 6]. He never told him my name, never put me on the phone with him. Instead he calmed the restaurant owner down with his inimitable blend of assertiveness, irritation and reason. Needless to say, I went on to keep working in our fine town.

HITS AND MISSES A timeline of great and not-so-great BK ideas

Hit 50 Reasons to Love Bangkok Straight after the Erawan bomb, we were all ready to go to print with a story called “50 Reasons to Hate Bangkok.” Bad, bad, bad. In the space of two hours we switched it out for this and voila! One of our biggest hits of the year.

Miss Our first ever cover Everything about this is just a trainwreck. How did we survive?

Hit Launching Top Tables

VIVA BANGKOK

Monruedee Jansuttipan, Features Associate, 2010-2017 I was, and still am, overwhelmed to have worked at this wonderful city-living magazine, where I have no pressure to be someone I don’t want to be. BK has allowed me

to explore the greatest aspects of Bangkok through the hundreds of people I’ve interviewed over the last seven years. If you count up everyone, including the numerous Street Talks, BK Asks and Cover Stories, it’s probably over 700—like our issue number.

There have been countless assignments where I’ve thought, “I f***ing love my job.” I’ve been blessed with the chance to talk to people and let them express what’s often the untold side of a story. I was amazed to learn that a poor roti guy living on the street was actually determined to send his kids to study in Malaysia, where they would receive the best Muslim education. Other times, I interviewed 2010 finance minister Korn Chatikavanij and Red Shirt leaders like Jatuporn Prompan and Thida Thavornseth, as well as one of the anonymous Guy Fawkes mask-wearing guys who roamed the street to protest Yingluck Shinawatra’s government in 2013.

I have also been responsible for reporting on how Bangkokians really feel during some of the hardest struggles the city has faced, like the 2010 red shirt protest and 2015 Erawan bombing. On both occasions, I followed up the events with

It's grown into Bangkok's top restaurant guide, and a;; from a little cover story back in 2007.

Miss “One Year Later” issues. Our awesome interns helped me go out and speak with people who were somehow victims of the events: the brother-in-law of a soldier who was left disabled after being shot in the leg; a father who lost his son; a student who got blinded; even the daughter of Khattiya Sawasdipol, aka Seh Daeng.

It was inspiring to return to the Erawan Shrine a year after the bombing and speak with the dancers, motorcycle taxis and shrine officials about how the incident had affected them.

I was moved by how their lives carried on, and also by how they kept up their spirits no matter what hardships they had faced. I’ve learned from my time at BK, that no matter how many dreadful situations get thrown in Bangkok’s way, the city always comes back stronger than ever. Viva Bangkok!

Top Tables 2015 launch party It was on a hotel rooftop, it rained, everyone left, and we were left alone drinking the free booze in a sad convention room.

Hit Shabu Lab Somehow, this one-minute video about a shabu restaurant has been watched by over two million people and rising. We can’t even.

Miss Can BK writers tell premium from cheap vodka?

We spent an afternoon getting drunk on vodka and recorded our efforts for you to watch— only no one actually watched it.

Probably a good thing.

Reviews: The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

Food reviews remain one of the most controversial parts of BK Magazine.

Tucked somewhere near the back, just before BK Now, we run two restaurant reviews every week that are conducted completely anonymously. We pay for our food. We don’t listen to the spiel from the owners or PR. And we write bluntly about what we think. Sometimes they piss people off. Actually, a lot of the time they piss people off. But not always because the reviews are bad. Readers are never slow to call “Paid for!” on a place which we reckon is great but which they think sucks. But we promise you, if it said “Review” then it wasn’t paid for, never has been, and never will be. Here are a few stories from past dramas.

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THE GOOD

THE BAD

BUNKER

Hyde & Seek Peek-a-Boo

BK Star Rating: HHHH

BK Star Rating: HHHH

Gasp! The restaurant which BK praised for the best part of a year was actually one of the most contentious four-star reviews we’ve ever given out. Claims of bland flavors, tiny portions and eyebrow-cocking prices were heard loud and clear by a whole heap of Bangkok foodies who disagreed with everything we said—including some in this office.

When the pioneering Phloen Chit gastro pub followed up its success with a mall restaurant doing bad burgers and worse fusion food, we said so. All would have been business as usual—restaurant sends passive-agressive email asking what went wrong, we tell them to read the review, they tell us we don’t know how to write— had the reviewer not found himself two days later sitting in an otherwise empty waiting room with the restaurant’s owner.

Awkward.

THE UGLY For fear of legal reprisals, we’re not going to mentioning any names here, but when we gave one star to the debut branch of a restaurant which went on to become a citywide chain, things went nuclear pretty quickly. Lawyers were called, editors had sleepless nights, salespeople had sleepless weeks, and in the end the restaurant went on to become one of the most successful in the city. Which just goes to show: most of the time, people pay no attention to what we have to say.

BK Magazine Friday, July 28 2017

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escapes

ADVERTORIAL

Celebrate the fifth anniversary of TWG in Thailand at this huge party

ESCAPE ROUTES

By Kankanok Wichiantanon

O Capella Ubud

INDONESIA

In the Jungle

n June 23, Emporium's TWG Tea Salon celebrates its fifth birthday with an afternoon tea-brewing demonstration that will teach you all about the different types of tea and how to extract the optimum taste and scent through the tea infusion process. After that, enjoy delicacies from the restaurant’s brand new menu, which focuses on nine original Thai dishes that have been uniquely infused with TWG Tea. They’ll all be served with tea-infused mocktails and cocktails courtesy of one of Thailand’s leading mixologists. Here's a look at what's on the menu:

Tucked away between dense forest and rice paddy fields, the latest resort to open in the jungle-luxe Balinese town of Ubud feels very Tarzan and Jane. Opening this fall, Capella Ubud (capellahotels.com) takes its cues from the colonial tastes of 1800s European settlers—four-poster beds, brass bathtubs overlooking the rainforest canopy, giant Indonesian hardwood screens. It’s all wonderfully whimsical and straight from the mind of interior starchitect Bill Bensley. Less 19th century are the private plunge pools, tented gymnasium and robatayaki grill. Start saving now, because rooms start at USD1,000/night (B34,000).

Cast Away A 70-minute flight from Singapore by private seaplane takes you to Indonesia’s latest archipelago of islands to get the luxury hideaway treatment. At Bawah Island (bawahisland.com), just 35 suites and villas hide in a jungle canopy overlooking three stunningly clear lagoons. That means you’ll only ever have to share the six private islands with a maximum of 69 other guests, all of whom get their own, tropical-cool quarters and dine on meals plucked from the nearby environment. Swimming pool? Forget it.

With calm, azure waters just moments from your villa, you don’t need one—plus this place is all about the environment. Opening in Aug, the resort is right now taking email bookings through their website. How much? Now USD$1,960 (B66,711) for two people per night, including the private flights.

CAMBODIA

Customer Approved Travel review giant TripAdvisor just released its list of the 25 highest ranked hotels in the world based on customer experiences. There’s not much in there from Southeast Asia, but we did spot one resort—Shinta Mani Shack (shintamani.com), at no. 7, which sits a one-hour, B5,000 AirAsia flight from Bangkok in the French quarter of Siem Reap. Users praised not just its beautiful, barefoot luxury styling and elegant, colonial courtyard, but also its charitable side. A percentage of your room payment gets donated to the Shinta Mani Foundation, which helps Cambodian children with education. At B4,792 a night (10-percent discount if you book 30 days in advance), your Garden King Room sits footsteps from the pool in tropical surroundings—and all just a 15-minute tuk tuk ride from Angkor Wat.

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Soft shell crab pad Thai (B320) in Caramel Tea-infused pad Thai sauce

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Stir-fried lobster and Thai basil leaves (B390) sprinkled with Black Nectar and Red Jasmine Tea-infused steamed jasmine rice

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Snow fish and salmon in chu chee red curry sauce (B590) infused with Coconut Tea and served with Red Jasmine Tea-infused steamed rice

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Ruby red pomelo and pomegranate spicy salad (B250) tossed in Miss Tea-infused dressing with shrimp and pomegranate fruits

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Spicy smoked salmon herbal salad (B250) with Earl Grey Gentleman Tea-smoked salmon tossed in special Thai herbal garden salad

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Sweet and sour snow fish (B550) deep-fried and brined with Spice Route Tea

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Crustaceans wonton soup (B250) featuring lobsters, crab and prawns in an aromatic Imperial Oolong Tea broth

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Wagyu beef noodle soup (B320) of thinly sliced wagyu beef with rice noodle in Talisman Tea-infused broth

Having a hard time selecting?

Why not opt for the TWG Tea Thai platter, which combines some of the highlight picks into one dish, including:

INDIA

Incredible Ahmadabad

Nevil Zaveri

UNESCO has just named Ahmadabad as India’s first World Heritage City, thanks to the non-violent freedom struggles which Mahatma Gandhi led in 1921. The city sits near India’s Northwest coast in the state of Gujarat, a stunning region of evocative maharaja palaces that Ahmadabad rival those of its more often frequented neighbor, Rajasthan.

Though many of the sites are now dilapidated, the Times of India actually named Ahmadabad as India’s best city to live in. Flights from Bangkok to Ahmadabad with Air India cost around B10,055 round-trip. We recommend staying at 1920s heritage hotel The House of MG (houseofmg.com), where basic but atmospheric rooms in the center of town start from B2,329/night.

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A ruby red pomelo tossed in Miss Tea-infused dressing topped with shrimp and pomegranate fruits

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Spicy minced chicken salad infused with Black Nectar Tea in cucumber

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Earl Grey Gentleman Tea-smoked salmon tossed in spicy Thai herbal garden salad garnished with Thai herbs

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Crab spring roll filled with vermicelli noodle stir-fried with vegetables and crab meat served with sweet and sour tamarind sauce infused with Caramel Tea

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Chicken, shrimps and Wagyu beef satay accompanied by peanut sauce infused with Coconut Tea and sweet and sour acar sauce

•

Savory salted dried beef coated with Sencha tea leaves

In addition, there promises to be a brand new dessert menu filled with tea-infused sweets, set to launch in late July. The Siam Paragon branch is also set to open a “Takeaway Pastries Counter” in the near future.

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avenue FASHION

Universal Angels Sretsis’s latest fall/winter collection is something of a greatest hits for the 15-year-old fantasy-loving label. “Sretsis Universe” combines the dreamy embroidery of the Moon Dance skirt (B15,000) with the Hollywood bling of the Pixie jumpsuit (B19,000). For perhaps the first time in the brand’s history there are also notable Thai art touches, like in a multi-colored benjarong print that portrays an angel with chada (high Thai crown) on her head, while riding a pegasus. Get it in pieces like a velvet jacket (B16,000) and pants (B12,500). 2/F, Central Embassy, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-160-5874. Open daily 10am-8pm. BTS Phloen Chit

FASHION

Camo’s Back German luxury leather goods brand MCM takes a functional route with its new fall/winter collection aimed at stylish globetrotters. The dark colors of fall give a grownup feel to camouflage and monogram patterns. The collection is also notable for its use of nylon, resulting in lightweight and waterproof pieces ideal for dressing up on the move—see the Dieter Munich Lion Camo Backpack (pictured, B33,900).

The iconic Patricia bag has also been revamped in muted burgundy and green colorways accented with discreet gold studs (B24,500). G/F, Helix Quartier, EmQuartier, Sukhumvit Rd. Open daily 10am-8pm. BTS Phrom Phong

SPA

Mall Pampering Sukhumvit’s latest spa comes from French cosmetic and skincare giant Clarins. The fourth of its kind in Bangkok sticks to the usual clean, white concept but has the added bonus of a treatment room that comes with a virtual faux-sky ceiling for total relaxation. The main reason to visit Clarins Skin Spa is their claim that all the products are 10 times more effective than those sold over the counter. Treatments like a facial massage start from B3,700 while the leg massage program starts from B2,200. M/F, Emporium, Sukhumvit Rd. Open daily 10am-9pm. BTS Phrom Phong

MUSEUM

Publishing House Tucked away in the Old Town, Bangkok Publishing Residence is a museum-slash-hotel that’s a throwback to Thailand’s publishing heyday of the mid-20th century. Occupying the six-block shop-house that used to house the publisher behind the legendary though long-gone Bangkok Magazine, the venue is packed with old publishing paraphernalia, from printing machines to newspapers dating back half a century.

Design geeks can also get a glimpse of spectacular pre-Photoshop, hand-drawn illustrations, too. The museum doesn’t allow walk-in visits—make a reservation at 02-282-0288 or 08-1780-6229. Planning an Old Town staycation? Rooms start from B2,400 during the soft opening until Sep 30. 31-33-3537-37/1 Lan Luang Rd.

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ADVERTORIAL

Krungsri Gourmet

Dine & Save

Shinsen Fish Market With more than a passing resemblance to Taipei’s ubercool Addiction Aquatic Development fish market, this large warehouse is Bangkok’s biggest supermarket specializing in ocean delicacies. Live taraba crab, snow crab, lobster, scallops and sea urchin sit alongside fresh fish, meat, cheese and cold cuts. Turn your purchases into sashimi or a cooked meal to eat right there on the spot.

10%* discount on food when dining over THB1,000/sales slip (only Krungsri credit card Platinum upward and Central The 1 Luxe credit card upward) and 5%* discount for Krungsri credit card

and Central The 1 Credit Card) *Excluding live products, Steak and Beverage

1 Jun - 31 Dec, 2017 163/6 Sukhumvit Soi 39 Tel. 02-260-6522

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Gyu-Kaku

Sushi Den

Sushi-OO

• 10%* discount on food when dining over THB600/sales slip

• 10%* discount on food (dine-in only) Only Krungsri credit card & Central The 1 credit card.

• 10%* discount on food (excluding special menus, set lunch and drinks)

Jun 1 - Nov 30, 2017 All branches Tel. 02-712-5061

Jun 1 – Aug 31, 2017 All branches (except Suvarnabhumi Airport) Tel. 02-254-8159

Jun 1 – Oct 31, 2017 All branches Tel. 02-658-5858

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Krungsri Consumer Group. *Please check check more terms &check & conditions conditions with*Please the& restaurants restaurants andterms other media under Krungsri Consumer Group. *Please terms the and under Krungsri Consumer Group. *Please more with terms conditions the restaurants and other media under Krungsri *Please check formoremore terms & conditions withwith theother restaurants and other media underConsumer Krungsri Consumer.

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ADVERTORIAL

Home Learning Thailand’s leading property developer, AP (Thailand) PCL, collaborates with Supermachine design studio to launch a new “laboratory” for real estate learning.

AP (Thailand) is the nation’s first real estate company to create a state-of-the art learning facility in Thailand, providing training about the whole process of working in the real estate industry.

Made in collaboration with Bangkok’s leading architecture and design firm, Supermachine Studio, the AP Academy Lab is not only a training center, but also a creative hub for students from the AP Open House program to brain-

storm, exchange and test out new ideas In addition, it also features the HOME LAB, an ambitious attempt to reinvent the demonstration home, slicing up cross sections of a house to reveal its inner complexities.

AP’s head of corporate marketing, Sappasit Foongfaungchaveng, recently retold the difficulties of creating such an ambitious project, during the opening of AP Academy Lab:

The original brief that I got from Pumipat Sinacharoen [Chief People Officer and Director of AP Academy] was actually nine books as thick as the Yellow Pages, explaining the aim to build a learning center for our employees and to have the ability to expand its use to students and people outside of the industry as well. The space needed to provide the most effective methods of learning because some students might never have entered a construction site, let alone had experience with the different materials which go into laying a home’s foundations.”

To complete the task, Sappasit got in touch with a trusty partner, Pitupong Chaowakul, founder of Supermachine Studio, in order to tap into the leading architect’s creative thinking. Together, they envisioned a space whichbuilds on Pitupong’s experience with openplan exhibition design, purposefully slicing up sections and peeling them away to explore the inner workings of a home.

“The keyword here is "lab," explained Pitupong. “We want people to come in and experiment. But when you think of a lab, people pic-

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ture a sleek, white science space, which isn’t what we want. This isn’t your normal lab; it includes the concept of living as well, hence ‘living lab’.”

In the HOME LAB, students and visitors can walk through a house, looking at every section in close detail. Everything in their line of sight is packed full of visual information, while the use of text is kept to a minimum.

Pitupong and his team put these sections together despite the restriction on space by downsizing electrical and water distribution

Quality design comes from quality people

systems to a single unit. The compact design allows more elements to be added without it feeling too cramped.

Everything in the lab has been designed with functionality in mind, to educate budding designers, architects, engineers and anyone else who wants to learn more about how a building comes together in a hands-on environment. They start from the ground up, learning how a building’s foundation is laid, before being taught about wiring and piping and the finished interior.

Pitupong and the AP team hope this lab encourages future generations to think about all of the components that go into constructing a building whenever they design or work on a new space.

AP Academy Lab is not only a training center but also a creative hub for students from the AP Open House program to brainstorm, exchange and test out new ideas. The idea of functionality extends outside the HOME LAB with easily movable furniture that can be reconfigured for group meetings or relaxing to hidden plug and USB sockets in large wooden desks. There’s also a material archive that gets updated regularly as AP (Thailand) introduces new materials to its upcoming projects.

“AP (Thailand) through AP Academy is the first company in Thailand’s real estate industry to attach importance to investing in the continuous development of human resources, “By developing all the skills necessary to work in the real estate industry, we can reach the next step in the development of quality houses and residences that meet every need of home owners.”

7/24/2560 BE 4:02 PM

avenue

A Land

Daddy and the Muscle Academy

FASHION

New in Siam

Matchbox Pinkplanter

A mid-year round-up of new fashion stores in and around Siam Square. By Kasidit Srivilai

A Land No more Instagram pre-ordering. Seoul’s trendy multilabel store just launched its first branch in Thailand at Siam Center. With 15-plus branches around the Korean capital, plus a handful in Hong Kong, the store is known for its eclectic mix of in-demand foreign street brands and rising Korean designers. Here, they look to be leaning more on Siam’s K-pop obsession, with men’s and women’s pieces from up-and-coming names like Ampersand, Kirsh and Melroy.

The very good news is there’s only a slight mark-up on prices, meaning cool items like a Good Rhyme pink T-shirt will set you back just B1,190 or Under the Air ripped short jeans just B1,990. They also sell makeup and skincare products from the likes of Heimish and Land Museum.

2/F, Siam Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1000.

Open daily 10am-10pm

Daddy and the Muscle Academy Candy colors are becoming a big trend on Siam Square, with this new ‘90s-style, pastel-colored shop from Instagram-famous retailer Daddy and the Muscle Academy.

Inside, old-school details abound such as the school lockers used as product shelves and vintage paintings on the wall. Grab the girly “Ellie” dress at B1,590, the cute “Academy” T-shirt (B590) or the painted “Juli Baker and Summer” tote (B1,500).

Siam Square Soi 11, 063-894-6954. Open daily noon-9pm

Matchbox Pinkplanter Resideing in an all-pink, three-story shophouse, this bigger version of Matchbox on Siam Square Soi 11 collects a wide range of affordable Thai designer pieces mostly from Instagram brands. The first floor displays dailywear from brands like Sugary, Strip&Tie, Chamnii, Ethereal and Humming Tree. Up on the second-floor, you'll find swimwear and sportswear from the likes of Sugarless and Playoff, plus a corner devoted to cosmetics. Prices here start from B290 rising to around B4,000.

Siam Square Soi 7, 095-505-5818. Open daily noon-9pm

Roger Vivier Taking over the space on Siam Paragon’s main floor that used to be Chloe is a

boutique from luxury Parisian shoemaker Roger Vivier (under PP Group, the same importer which brings in Loewe and Emilio Pucci). By chance, this boutique adds another candy color spot to Siam with its all-pink wall and ceiling that contrasts with a black and white striped floor. The brand also just launched a Thailand-only shoe collection for its local fans. Grab them here at B32,500.

G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-8000.

Open daily 10am-9pm

Topman

Roger Vivier

No need to walk for 10 minutes from BTS Siam to CentralWorld to shop at Topman anymore. The menswear line from British high-street empire Topshop has branched out to Siam Discovery. Even though the size is more compact, it’s still packed with almost everything you can get from the CentralWorld store. Go grab this season's new arrivals like a pair of ripped denim shorts (B1,990), multi-texture swim shorts (B1,150) or a simple pair of faux suede desert shoes (B1,990).

M/F, Siam Discovery, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-1000.

Open daily 10am-9pm Topman

SUNGLASSES Edgy Designer Eyewear from Local and Luxe Labels

GENTLE MONSTER, B8,950

DEAD STOCK VINTAGE, B950

COCO BREEZY, B9,190

ROSEMAN CLUB, B4,500

MIU MIU, B14,900

Available at Paragon Department Store.

M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.

Available at www.onionbkk.com

Available at www.onionbkk.com

68/2 Sukhumvit Soi 31

M/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd.

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bites & blends OMAKASE

Summer is Here After walking between Athenee Residences and Plaza Athenee hotel half a dozen times, you’re likely to spot a little doorway that look like a cloakroom. That’s actually Sushi Zo, one of Bangkok’s most expensive and best-pedigreed omakase sushi restaurants, costing each diner B7,000 and coming from a one-Michelin-star restaurant in LA. It’s been there now for some six months, but just recently made a show of launching a new menu all about summer fish—oily sardine, lean bonito, hearty sea eel, and unctuous Hokkaido abalone, to name just four seasonal specialties in chef Toshi Onishis’ menu of 20 courses (or more if you’re still feeling hungry). July and August are peak months for these fish, which offer fresher, leaner tastes to the dense, fatty flavors of the winter season. G/F, Athenee Tower, 63 Wireless Rd., 02-168-8490. Open Tue-Sun 5:30pm-midnight

RAMEN

BAR

RESTAURANT

Bowled Over

Killer Brews

Maison de la Mer

Bangkok's ramen lovers are queueing up an hour before opening time to get a taste of the latest arrival from Tokyo. Menya Itto claims to be the #1 ranked ramen shop on tabelog.com, which is Japan's most used restaurant ranking site. Its ramen and tsukemen (dipping ramen) spotlight noodles made in-house daily, tender sous-vide meat toppings, and shio and seafood broths. The signature Noko Gyokai tsukemen (B270/B350) comes with thick noodles to go in a dense, dripping soup that's a mix of seafood and chicken. Otherwise, you can also order shio ramen (B230), whose chicken base comes doused with salt from Okayama, Japan. Doors open twice daily, at 10am and 6pm, with only 150 bowls served per round. LG/F, Erawan Bldg., 500 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-250-7669.

Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6-9pm

Some good news for those mourning the loss of Let the Boy Die. One of the original partners at the Old Town haunt has teamed up with some friends to transform a Charoenkrung shophouse into a similarly hyperlocal craft beer bar. In fact, the six partners at Let the Girl Kill are behind some of the city’s most buzzing craft breweries in town: Mickleheim, Serious Panda, The Circus, War Hops, Goose Beer and Beer Kaab. The eight taps rotate regularly in order to showcase new names on the market. Prices are dirt-cheap, too: Goose Beer at B160/bottle or B180/pint or Circus’s India Pale Weizen at B180/bottle or B200/pint. They also sell a delicious root beer (B100/bottle) from RITS, and bar snacks like fried shrimp wontons (B140). 747 Charoenkrung Rd., 080-5996177. Open Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight

Another old-house-turned-restaurant in the rising Narathiwat neighborhood, Le Cabanon serves Mediterranean seafood dishes in a setting that evokes holiday homes in the French coastal town of Cap Ferret. That means light blue and white tones paired with dark wood, starters like scallop carpaccio (B450) and mains such as grilled lobster (B900-1,800), plucked straight from the tank. You’ll also find iconic French and Mediterranean dishes like escargot (B480), lobster soup (B500) and burrata with sweet and juicy tri-color tomatoes from Chiang Mai (B450). Finish your meal with the scrumptious fresh raspberry tart (B280). 44 Akhan Songkhro Soi 3, 092-568-0444. Open Tue-Fri 5pm-11pm; Sat-Sun 11am-11pm

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blends ON THE BAR Blaq Lyte

BOTTLESHOPS

Buy In Pull up a stool at these bottleshops that are also bars, and enjoy your booze at retail prices.

By Choltanutkun Tun-atirus

Bottles of Beer

Wishbeer Home Bar

What: Beer

What: Beer

This friendly bottle shop-slash-bar has one of the best craft beer selections in the city. What’s more, a big proportion of the bottles are from local breweries that you won’t find many places. Grab a slightly fruity Stone Head Koh Kong pale ale from the fridge and join the international crowd of regulars at the communal counter. And don’t forget to get the Thai drinking snacks like fried, sundried pork (B100), or even half a roast chicken (B130) from the vendor out front. There’s a B50 surcharge for every brew you buy to drink inside, but order up any six bottles (doesn’t have to be the same stuff) and they’ll waive it. If you’re not down with the communal seating downstairs, there’s some private tables up on the mezzanine too.

This giant warehouse serves a dual purpose as its owners online beer delivery website, leaving the gym-like space in the middle as a bar. With its scuffed flooring and furniture strewn about the place, the venue is as easygoing as they come, and the selection of brews is vast. Whether by bottle or draft, enjoy trending beer labels like Brewdog, Bavaria, Evil Twin, Chouffe and Vedett with a regular crowd of local hops enthusiasts.

Sukhumvit Soi 34, 02-040-0473. Open daily 5pm-12:30am

Ekkamai’s sake-specializing bar is a collaboration between Japanese sake exporters Orihara and local booze distributors BB&B, so you can rest assured this is the good stuff. Not only does the bar serve both hot and chilled sake with prices starting at only B180/90ml., it also stocks over 80 labels of sake in their wall-laid-out fridges, plus around 15 more labels of premium Japanese liqueurs. There’s an attached yakitori restaurant, Tori Tama too.

FamilyMart What: Beer There’s a new contender for the coolest convenience store in Bangkok. This new branch of FamilyMart at Holiday Inn Silom sells an extensive range of Thai craft beers from its fridge, and even has space so you and your buddies can pop them open and drink in the store. On a shelf surrounded by familiar names like Singha, Leo and Heineken, you’ll find beers from leading independent breweries such as Sandport, Lamzing, Changwon Express and Stone Head. There are also a few cool international beers like Mexican Day of The Dead to go with the likes of Hoegaarden and Budweiser.

The Thai craft beers cost B149-159.

Holiday Inn Bangkok , 981 Silom Rd. Open 24 hours

Hair of the Dog What: Beer After great success at its first home in Phloen Chit, the asylum-themed bar opened its second spot in Phrom Phong in 2016. It stays true to the original’s dark, mysterious atmosphere like something from a horror film, though there’s one difference here: they sell plenty of bottles. On top of 13 rotating taps, they stock up to 200 labels of craft beer from around the world, priced from B150-1,400 and you get 20 percent off of your first bottle you buy to take home.

593/27 Sukhumvit Soi 33/1, 02-258-1461. Open daily 5pm-midnight

Sukhumvit Soi 67, 02-650-2113. Open daily 8am-midnight

Orihara Shoten

Wishbeer Home Bar

Orihara Shoten What: Sake

Warp

Warp What: Wine

Market Place, Thonglor Soi 4, 065-513-8399. Open daily 10am-10pm

The decor: Little more than a room with a bar at one end, a few tables and a DJ booth plopped down seemingly at random, leaving plenty of space to dance.

This club goes for a down-and-out feel, with crumbly pink and aqua walls scrawled on with sharpie writing and stickered with holograms, a lone mirror-ball and garish lighting they say is inspired by late-night tuk tuk rides.

The drinks: Hard liquor and mixers with the purpose of getting you drunk. Vodka, gin, whiskey and tequila come in at B250/glass and B600/bucket with your choice of cola, soda or tonic. A bottle of Tanqueray gin is B2,500 while a bottle of Beluga vodka is B3,500. Thai beers are B200 and international craft beers are B300.

Park Lane, Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Ekkamai), 02-382-0131.

Open Tue-Thu 5pm-midnight; Sun 5pm-midnight; FriSat 5pm-2am

On the face of it, Warp by Godfather (part of the Water Library group) looks like just another wine shop, but there are some things about that place that should make you take note. First off, it offers some delicious and affordable Champagne. We’re talking B1,900 for a niche, growers’ label like Goutorbe-Bouillot Brut Rose (take that, Moet!).

Secondly, this is one place where you can avoid the Thonglor nightlife curfew. With tables to sit and drink inside, you can buy bottles at retail price and the management promise they’ll stay open as late as you and your crew want to carry on drinking.

You can even order up food from any of the Marketplace restaurants and have it delivered to your table. Other bargains include Bourgoge Chardonnay 2014 (B1,490) and Stephane Aviron Morgon Cote du Py 2014 (B1,650).

The buzz: Bad Motel hasn’t been this active since its 2012 heyday. That’s thanks to the party crew behind pop-up events from Ari to RCA who have taken over the Thonglor bar’s second floor and filled it with neon vibes, a modern hip-hop soundtrack and people who say words like “lit” and “turnt” in real-life conversation. However, Blaq Lyte is a nightclub with a difference: it also raises money for owner Nick Supreda’s orphan charity, 32 Foundation.

Hair of the Dog

The music: Forget mellow, old-school grooves and expect hip-hop bangers from the likes of ASAP Rocky, Kendrick Lamar, Future and Meek Mill.

The crowd: Cool, young things in painfully on-point streetwear; like what you see at 72 Courtyard turned up to 11.

Why we’d go back: While most clubs are seemingly stuck in a rut of deep, dark techno, Blaq Lyte’s look and sound feels very much of the moment. The social impact nightclub model is a nice touch, too. Choltanutkun Tun-atiruj

Bottles of Beer

2/F, Bad Motel, 331/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 55.

Open Tue-Sun 9pm-2am

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bites

OPEN DOOR

Blue Parrot

A hidden tropical playground amid Sathorn’s concrete jungle.

The buzz: The people behind Revolucion Cocktail and Clandestino Cantina have opened up their backyard to become Sathorn’s unlikely tropical escape. Blue Parrot takes a more family-oriented route, opening from 11:30am six days a week to offer a brunch-y vibe and a health-conscious menu amid palm trees and faux grass.

The decor: Like something plucked straight out of Phuket and squeezed in between gray high rises. Behind tiki-looking wooden-panel doors, you’ll find a yard brimming with coral reef-inspired colors, a pool and even a petanque strip. The open-air setup lets you kick back on a sunbed or in a mini cabana, while there's a dedicated play area to keep the little ones occupied. A dimly lit bar area adds a touch of maturity

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thanks to a dark mahogany counter top and earthy tones. The drinks: Fruit-forward concoctions like the sweet, pastel The food: Taking cues from his homeland, French chef Nico- pink R&G (rose wine spritzer mixed with grapefruit puree, las Valanchon keeps things light and easy with the likes of B220) and decidedly more tart Pomegranate Sensation (fresh grilled king mackerel vierge (B270) served with to-die-for pomegranate with gin and tonic garnished with black peppomme dauphine (crisp potato puffs). The freshness contin- per, B260) are just made to be enjoyed poolside. ues with a line of chilled soups such as zucchini and basil with avocado tartine (B180) and carrot with garlic cream cheese tartine (B180), each served in an ice bath. Heftier picks include dry-aged pork (B270) with creamy wholegrain mustard. For a sweet finish, squeeze in some pistachio custard (two pots of vanilla, pistachio or chocolate for B140) or chocolate mousse (B180).

Why we'd come back: Dipping your feet in the water along with a cocktail and plate of nibbles (or a kilo of that pomme dauphine) makes putting up with squealing toddlers worth it. Siriya Suriyanon 50 Sathorn Soi 10, 02-235-4822. Open Wed-Mon 11:30am-11pm.

BTS Chong Nonsi

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Sarnies

Farmfactory

JIA

NEW AND NOTED

Yard Sale The beautiful garden at Thai restaurant Kram (Soi Phop Mit, Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-258-8170) has welcomed a bunch of exciting faces. The guys from Thonglor’s Blaq Lyte and Ari’s Future Factory are behind Coastal, a bar serving up tropical cocktails (starting at B340) from a bamboo shack. Singaporean coffee specialist Sarnies takes over two shipping containers with its daily roasted beans (B100 for a piccolo). Meanwhile, Maison de Bangkok is a chef’s table where Chatchai Chaengnakorn, formerly of Honmono Sushi, whips up Eastmeets-West dishes (B2,999, 10-course dinner) featuring Japanese produce.

TABLE TALK

Shinsen Fish Market with Hidetsugo Ueno from High Five in Tokyo, Colin Chia from Nutmeg & Clover in Singapore and Nick Wu from East End in Taipei. After one or three of head bartender Fahbeer Sopajaree’s twisted classics, drop by Ping’s Kitchen for Thai-Teochew bites, Stix for yakitori and sake, Meng Kee Hong Kong Roast for roast duck and noodles or Yoneda Ramen for ramen.

Factory Fresh

Mall Comforts

Wireless Road's office crowd now has a place for reliable, wellpriced salads. Moving out of Silom/Sathorn, the third branch of Farmfactory (2/F, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Rd., 093279-2796) offers up crisp greens in fave salad combos like the Umami grain bowl (B159) and Avocobb salad (B169). Owner Boonchana Akvanich also says there'll be good news for Phrom Phong by the end of the year. BK Staff

Good news for Thonglor night owls—the latest foodie mall, JIA Thonglor 10 (225/15 Thonglor Soi 10), opens till 3am. The complex combines restaurants and bars under the theme of a mini Chinatown. The most exciting is Locker Room, a speakeasy that sees Nueng Ronnaporn from Backstage Bar team up

Exclusively for Citi credit card members.

Get 15% discount when spending THB 1,000 or more /sales slip or get 10% discount when spending THB 300 or more /sales slip (on food and non-alcoholic beverages) Today – 30 Jun 18

163/6 Sukhumvit Soi 39, 02-260-6522. Open daily 11am-11pm With more than a passing resemblance to Taipei’s ubercool Addiction Aquatic Development fish market, this large warehouse is Bangkok’s newest supermarket specializing in ocean delicacies. Live taraba crab, snow crab, lobster, scallops and sea urchin sit alongside fresh fish, meat, cheese and cold cuts. Turn your purchases into sashimi, teppanyaki grilled or a cooked meal to eat right there on the spot. Drop by for a quick and easy lunch at the Food Square, or chill out at the cafe expansion upstairs.

Exclusively for Citi credit card members.

Get 15% discount on food only for Citi ULTIMA, Prestige, Preferred and Select or get 10% discount on food only for other card types (excluding live products, steak and beverage) (Today – 31 Jan 18)

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KuKu Ramen HHHH Japanese. Sitthi Vorakij Building, Silom Soi 5, 094-890-7777. Open daily 11am-3am. B-BB

Boring and tasteless, KuKu is our least favorite place to go for a bowl of ramen around Silom. Go to Ramentei, where the only thing better than the spicy tonkotsu is the massive, buttery curry. Go to Ippudo, where the mall setting is a small price to pay for that miso-and-garlic broth. Go to half a dozen other spots from Thaniya to Soi 6 that have more charm, tastier food and, since KuKu did away with its 3-for-1 beer deal, cheaper booze than this wannabe izakaya-meets-ramen joint from the Water Library Group.

T h e s p a ce h a s a l l t h e c h a r m of somewhere dreamt up between marketing heads and some corporate interior design firm. It must have been a quick meeting. Water Library : “Ramen’s hot right now, we want to do ramen.” Design Firm: “OK.” Then,

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Issue 08 April 2017

BAAN MAI KHAO

GUIDE TO PHUKET

U N T O U C H E D L O C AT I O N S UNIQUE EXPERIENCES U N F O R G E T TA B L E M O M E N T S

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Barcelona Gaudi HHHH S p a n i s h . Le P re m i e r 1 Co n d o m i n i u m , Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-661-7410. Open daily 11am-11pm. Corkage B300. F BB

From a humble two-story abode, chef Marc Font Garriga serves home-style Catalonian Spanish cuisine. The work of Catalonia’s most famous son, architect Antoni Gaudi, inspires the facade, where floor-to-ceiling windows are framed by organic, cave-like pillars. Inside is more straightforward, with simple square tables and a deli counter brightened up by colorful mosaic tiles and a handpainted mural of Barcelona. Take the odd, neon-lit spiral staircase upstairs to a room where a TV loops what could well be Spanish tourism board-approved videos of people frolicking on the beach. Like the setting, the food is also charmingly rough around the edges, with huge portions coming at relatively low prices. Take the Valencia paella (B575 for two or B880 for four) which is fully loaded with saffron fragrance. The dish is super-tasty, even if the uniformity of the ingredients (three prawns, three mussels in the small-size) and lack of crisp rice base make it clear

off they went, plucked the “izakaya” theme from a list of templates and, hey presto!, 150 sq meters of floor space were peppered with knowingly rickety blond-wood screens, red lanterns and menu posters bearing Japanese font. Dishes start at around B150 and lunch sets from even less (B145), which makes it cheaper than most places in the neighborhood, and you can taste why. Their tonkotsu broth has the uniform appeal of Campbell’s soup, while the slices of pork are tough and tasteless. Then there’s the karaage (B110), which is like chewing on empty husks of batter. The fusion tomyum gyoza (B90) are actually the tastiest thing we’ve eaten in this place—something we never thought we’d hear ourselves say about any restaurant, ever. “Ask t h e s t a f f fo r t h e c h e f ’ s s p e c i a l dessert,” reads the menu. “Finished,” says the staff. On our last visit, this was at 1pm. Are we being too harsh here? Nothing at KuKu is exactly wrong or inedible, it’s just bland. And in an area where you’re basically tripping over charismatic, lively, tasty Japanese restaurants, that simply makes Kuku a nonsensical proposition.

Redeeming features? The oolong tea’s quite nice (B35, free refill).

you’re not dining in some Barcelona back street. If you’re looking for bang for your baht, B380 gets you an excellent platter of mixed croquetas, where the crunchy fried casing hides juicy and flavorful fillings like mushroom and squid. The gambes a l’allet (garlic prawns, B260) come swimming in a pungent, garlicspiked olive oil that’s begging to be mopped up with a crispy baguette— shame about the dry, scrawny prawns.

Similarly moreish is the chistorra sausage with onion cooked in white wine (B210).

While produce and execution occasionally fall flat, you could rarely accuse Barcelona Gaudi of lacking flavor. Anyway, you can always play it safe with cold cuts like a plate of serrano ham (B150) and a pitcher of sangria (B250/B650). Dessert is not overlooked here, with the menu listing an extensive 10 options. The churros (B140) are notable for their mild saltiness, though they’re missing the fluffy interior we’d hope for, and the dipping sauce is disappointingly watery, more like a hot chocolate. We’d instead go for the la pinya (B175), a sweet pineapple cannelloni flanked by a vanilla ice cream that’s slightly gritty. Reliable, welcoming and pocket-friendly, this deli-restaurant is like the Catalonian version of Pizza Pala Romana—remember to pick up some black olives (B80), chorizo burger patties (B90) or marinated salmon (B175) before you set off home.

Ratings

Price guide

PPPP Forget it PPPP Only if you’re in the neighborhood PPPP A pleasant dining experience PPPP Not to be missed

B BB BBB BBBB

BK pays for its meal and does not call ahead or sit with the chef.

Under B500 B500-900 B900-1,500 B1,500 and up Price per person, including one drink, appetizer, main course, dessert, charges and tax.

Symbols

H Reservations recommended F Parking available E Dress requirements G Live music

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now MON Days of Wonder All your alt-pop dreams come true this week. First when the really, ridiculously good-looking British songsmiths Oh Wonder drop by on Jul 31-Aug 1, next when Lany rock up here on Aug 2. It’s all happening at Ekkamai’s Do Not Disturb. See page 22.

SAT Boom Time Dust off your Reebok Pumps and brush up on the De La Soul lyrics—Dope as Funk hits Whiteline again this Jul 29, and the theme is “boombox.”

Expect ‘80s hip-hop tunes and vodka Red Bulls. See page 21.

SAT Got the Knack Take your Thonglor-weary ass over to the other side of the river this Jul 29-30 thanks to the return of Knack Market. There’ll be handicrafts.

There’ll be artisanal sausages.

There’ll be craft beers. There’ll be fairy lights. It'll be just like The Commons but with added Bunnags. See page 22.

SAT Trouble Brewing Drink yourself into a state of pot-bellied bliss this Jul 29 at the Craft Beer Shoot-Out 2017. It’s local brews all-round at JJ Green night market’s Live House BKK, where this city’s top back-yard breweries will be doing battle. See page 21.

NIGHTLIFE FLORIAN PICASSO @ ONYX

SO POOL PARTY

DJ PUMP

French electro house DJ Florian Picasso, who has previously played with Martin Garrix and Steve Aoki, hits the decks in Bangkok for the first time.

Jul 28, 9pm. Onyx, Soi Soonvijai, Rama 9 Rd. B500.

The pool party returns to the Water Club with tracks from Mister DJs. Advance reservations recommended. Jul 29, 1pm. Sofitel So Bangkok, 2 Sathorn Rd., 02-624-0000. B600. MRT Lumphini.

Globe-trotting Canadian turntablist Pump, who’s supported the likes of De La Soul, Public Enemy and Snoop Dogg, is joined by Master D. and MC G-Sprak for a night that will blend genres. Jul 29, 10pm. Sugar Club, 37 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 082308-3246. Free.

BLAST SESSION #2

The Indian techno DJ spins tracks from his new EP, Crave Transfer!, supported by Bangkok talent Boris Rubin. Jul 29, 9:30pm. Glow, 96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-614-3355. B250 includes 1 drink.

GLOW WITH AARDY DJ Florian Picasso

Hong Kong-based DJs Ellbe Chan and Eddie Tik are joined by local talents Adiero and Nukier for a night of underground electro. Jul 28, 10pm.

Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117. Free.

DESIGNER DRUGS CRAFT BEER SHOOT-OUT 2017

DJ Aopsher

Six of Thailand’s coolest craft breweries—Mahanakhon, Changwon Express, Liger, Outlaw, Stone Head and Lamzing­—present their specially crafted brews with a vote to determine the winning taste on the day. Jul 29, 6pm. Live House BKK, 3 Kamphaeng Phet Rd., 081-930-3633. Free.

The American DJ duo of Michael Patrick and Theodore Nelson spin dance and electro house. Jul 29, 10pm. Insanity Nightclub, 234 Sukhumvit Soi 12, 02-653-2923. B100-300 includes 1 drink.

BTS Asok.

DOPE AS FUNK

This old-school hip-hop night promises hits from the boombox era courtesy of guest DJ Tech 12 and residents Arin, Aopsher and Tommy Nori. Jul 29, 10pm. Whiteline, Silom Soi 8, 087-061-1117.

B300. BTS Sala Daeng.

GLOW SUNDAZE WITH KOISH

Party away the weekend at Glow’s weekly party featuring funk-infused deep house from DJ Koish.

Jul 30, 9:30pm. Glow, 96/4-5 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 086-614-3355. B250 includes 1 drink.

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now SALES & FAIRS

MUSIC

The Knack Market

Lany

Bangkok Farmers' Market

Sungha Jung

The Yale Whiffenpoofs

classical

gigs

RBSO 4

UGOSLABIER

Conductor Vanich Potavanich leads the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra, along with violinist Siripong Tiptan and cellist Iris Regev, in a performance of pieces by Mendelssohn, Elgar, Dvorak, Haydn and Stravinsky. Aug 4, 7:30pm. Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02-262-3456. B500-1,000. MRT Thailand Cultural Centre.

Post-rock metal band Ugoslabier launch their debut album, Brew Heart, with free entry for those who buy the CD on the night. Jul 30, 6pm. Play Yard by Studio Bar, Lad Phrao Soi 8, 081-173-3616, 085-146-8017, 086-8668869. B100 if you don't buy CD.

SUNGHA JUNG

Live grime, hip-hop and trap music from new Malaysian artists Alextbh, Airliftz and Zamaera, along with Singapore's REQ and local name UNDA. Jul 30, 8pm. Jam, 41 Charoen Rat Soi 1, 083-5451-833. B300. BTS Surasak.

Youtube-famous South Korean classical guitarist Sungha Jung visits Bangkok on his world tour. VIP tickets get to the meet the artist and also receive a signed CD. Aug 6, 5pm. Thailand Cultural Centre, Ratchadaphisek Rd., 02262-3456. B1,000-2,400. www.dotime.co. MRT Thailand Cultural Centre.

concerts DE(A)FINITION OF LOVE

The 11th annual charity concert hosted by BBA students of Thammasat University features pop-rock artists Room39, Stamp, ToR+ Saksit Vejsupaporn and Two Popetorn, supported by LOVEis, MEAN and SloJoe. Proceeds go towards the Deaf Foundation of Thailand. Jul 29, 5pm. Scala Theatre, Siam Square Soi 1 (Siam Square), 02-251-2861.

B799-1,299. BTS National Stadium.

OH WONDER

SWEET SUMMER SWEAT

JAZZ NIGHT

French jazz and bossa vocalist Aude Lotelais performs live with all guests earning a chance to win a two-night stay at Dream Phuket Hotel & Spa. Jul 29-31, 7pm. Flava, 10 Sukhumvit Soi 15, 02-254-8500. Free.

DOOD X LOYSHY *HARD TRIP!

Live performances from local acts 2549, Starfish, Brown Flying and Abuse the Youth. Show your support for your favorite band by wearing gray (2549 and Starfish), brown (Brown Flying) or white (Abuse the Youth). Price TBC. Aug 1, 7pm. Loyshy, 744/2 Soi Phaya Nak, 090-970-6439.

Jiradej Setabundhu and PGVIM Students premiere live electronic and multimedia pieces. Aug 2, 7pm. Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute of Music, 2010 Arun Amarin 36, 02-447-8597. Free.

LANY

A tribute to the rock legend with local bands like Boo Bighbers, Jimmy Revolt, Street Fighters, Founder and CEO, and Nippan playing tracks by Foo Fighters, Nirvana and Queens of the Stoneage. Aug 4, 8pm. The Rock Pub, Hollywood Street, 93/26-28 Phaya Thai Rd., 02-251-9980, 086-977-0621. B250 includes 1 drink.

THE YALE WHIFFENPOOFS IN BANGKOK

Yale University's oldest acapella group, who have performed for the likes of President Obama and on Fox's Glee, run through jazz, folk and pop classics. Aug 3-4, 6pm. The Sukosol, 477 Sri Ayutthaya Rd., 02-247-0123.

B499-1,599 includes 1 drink. BTS Phaya Thai.

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BANGKOK RIVER FAIR

Explore food, arts and crafts from eight heritage communities along the Chao Phraya River. There will also be a panel discusion looking back at the past 200 years of life along the river. Aug 5, 11am. Pipit Banglamphu, Phra Sumen Rd., 02281-9828.

THE KNACK MARKET

Taking place every last weekend of the month, this riverside market is all about craft, vintage items, art and music, with lots of street food in collaboration with Bangkok Farmers' Market and Taste of Bangkok. Jul 29-30, 4pm. The Jam Factory, 41/1-41/2 Charoen Nakorn Rd., 02-861-0950.

BANGKOK FARMERS' MARKET AT HABITO

Shop for organic products and handcrafted items from local producers under the slogan "Eat Locally, Organic and Healthy." Aug 5-6, 11am.

Habito Mall, 1/1 Sukhumvit Soi 77.

HUBBA-TO FREE SUNDAY

A market serving up food, crafts and other goodies. Enrol yourself in Muine Vietnamese restaurant's workshop to learn how to cook spicy scallops with orange tea (B1,200, register online). Aug 6, 11am. Hubba-to, 3/F, Habito, 45/19 Sukhumvit Soi 77, 02-1180839.

TALK TED x Bangkok

MUSIQUE DE LA VIE ET DE LA TERRE ”THE VALLEY IS UNCANNY”

The British electro-pop duo best known for hits like "Without You," "Drive," and "Livewire" make their Bangkok debut with two sold-out shows. Jul 31 and Aug 1, 7pm.

Do Not Disturb, Behind Nunglen and Escobar, Ekkamai Soi 5/1, 094-414-9266.

The American three-piece indie rockers, best known for their hits "Ilysb," "Hot Lights" and "Omg", perform live as part of their tour promoting their latest EP I Loved You. Aug 2, 6pm. Do Not Disturb, Behind Nunglen and Escobar, Ekkamai Soi 5/1, 094-414-9266. B2,000.

BANGKOK FARMERS' MARKET

The market promises the usual eco-friendly and organic produce under shelter at the Ekamai mall.

Jul 29-30, 11am. Gateway Ekamai, Sukhumvit Rd.

DAVE GROHL RULES

CHANUDOM X RASMEE

Isaan soul singer Rasmee and rockers Chanudom present a theatrical-style performance dubbed "Sinner of a Black Uniform City" with two performances per night.

Tickets are limited to only 300 per show, with VIP seating available featuring bottomless Champagne and wine.

Aug 4-5, 6pm. Studio Lam, Sukhumvit Soi 51, 02-2616661. B1,000-3,500. www.fb.com/chanudomxrasmee.

BTS Thong Lo.

Back for its third consecutive year at KBank Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre (7/F) under the theme of "little things mingle," the talk series tackles how an accumulation of small ideas can generate change. The 14 speakers and 2 performances will cover topics such as biomedical technology, education, public transportation, design, religious differences, traditional entertainment and aging society. Limited tickets are only avaliable via registration, which is now closed. Aug 5-Jul 5, 8am. Siam Square One, Rama 1 Rd. www.tedxbangkok.net.

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now ART

FILM

Opening

Cosmic View

Sublimation

AN ARTIST IS TRYING TO RETURN TO 'BEING A WRITER'

KINGDOM'S EDGE BY RICHARD HUMPHRIES

Thai contemporary artist Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook explores the influential power of writing and the impact it has on her artistic practice. Rasdajarmrearnsook is internationally recognized with work exhibited in New York and Sydney. Through Jan 14, 2018. 100 Tonson Gallery, 100 Soi Tonson, Phloen Chit Rd., 02-010-5813.

Captured over a span of eight years, British photojournalist Richard Humphires' latest collection of photographs explores Thailand's restive Southern region.

Through Aug 7. Foreign Correspondent's Club Thailand, Penthouse/F, Maneeya Centre, 508/5 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-652-0580-1.

CHECK-IN BY PEERA VORAPREEPANICH

PROSTRATION

The artist explores how photography is used to document history by presenting his own personal account of events and the surrounding environment. Through Aug 19. Soy Sauce Factory, 11/1 Charoen Krung Soi 24, 061-835-6824.

Local artist Thavorn Ko-udomvit, in collaboration with Suradech Kaewtamai, Nitikorn Kraiwichian, Watchara Klakakai and more, presents a series of portraits dedicated to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Through Aug 6. Ardel Gallery of Modern Art, Belle Ville, 99/45 Borommarachonnanee Rd., 02-422-2092.

ROUGH NIGHT (USA)

REVOLT (USA)

Comedy. A wild Miami bachelorette party goes horribly wrong when a male stripper unexpectedly dies. Stars Scarlett Johansson.

Sci-Fi. With humankind on the brink of extinction due to an alien invasion, a US soldier and a French foreign aid worker join together to search for the last remaining survivors.

THE LEGEND OF WUKONG (CHINA)

THE BEGUILED (USA)

Action. In this latest film about the mythological Monkey King, Sun Wukong and Erlang Shen travel to Immortal Mountain for skills training and in the process learn important life lessons.

Drama. Sofia Coppola's remake of the 1971 Southern gothic classic charts the sexual tensions and broken taboos that follow when the women of a girls’ school in Virginia take in a wounded Union soldier during the Civil War.

COSMIC VIEW

Japanese print artist Seiko Kawachi presents a solo exhibition featuring wooden block works inspired by Buddha's teaching and East Asian philosophy about the human condition. Through Aug 5. Ardel's Third Place Gallery, 137-137/1 Thonglor Soi 10, 02 714 7929.

SUBLIMATION

The director of Toot Yung art center and co-director of Bukruk Urban Arts Festival, Myterille Tibayrenc, presents an oil painting series based on images found online.

Through Aug 20. Serindia Gallery, Room 3101, 3201, OP Garden, 4-6 Charoenkrung Soi 36, 02-238-6410.

DETECTIVE CONAN MOVIE 21: CRIMSON LOVE LETTER (JAPAN)

Animation. Detective Conan teams up with new friend Hattori Heiji to get to the bottom of a mysterious bomb attack at a television station in Osaka and a murder in Kyoto.

ELEMENTS

French artist Michael Deloffre's latest series of paintings explores earth, water, air and fire as the four elements that make up our natural world. Through Sep 1. S Gallery, Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, 189 Sukhumvit Rd., 093-582-6588.

Upcoming (Aug 3)

THEATER INSOMNIA

Fahpathan Theatre presents a romantic comedy short about the effects of being in love in a world full of silliness. Written and directed by Pantakit Limthianlee. Performance is in Thai. Aug 4, 5, 6, 7:30pm.

Bistro 143, 143 Srivieng Rd., 02-630-6711.

TRANSMAN

Transman

A Thai folk musical by a team of transgender actors exploring the issues and lives of the transgender community. Aug 5, 7pm. Chang Theatre, 700 Pracha Uthit Soi 59, 080-924-0002. B350-400.

I AM NOT YOUR NEGRO (FRANCE, USA, BELGIUM, SWITZERLAND)

Documentary. Based on the unfinished writings of James Baldwin, this film explores the roots of racism in the US through the lives and assassinations of civil rights leaders Medgar Evers, Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

BKKY (THAILAND)

Drama. Through the story of a 17-yearold girl from Bangkok and her close friend, this film explores the gender identity issues of young Thais.

SPECIAL SCREENING Kusguthara: Pattern of Love As part of the Contemporary World Film Series, TK Park screens Kushuthara: Pattern of Love, the first film by a Bhutanese female director, Karma Deki. By following an American photographer on assignment in Bhutan who falls for a skilled local weaver, the film offers a glimpse of the country’s culture and beliefs. The screening starts at 4pm. Admission is free.

Jul 29, 4-6pm. 8/F, TK Park, CentralWorld, 999/9 Rama 1 Rd., 02-257-4300.

ATOMIC BLONDE (USA)

BATTLESHIP ISLAND (SOUTH KOREA)

Action/Thriller. Based on the graphic novel The Coldest City, on the eve of the collapse of the Berlin Wall, an MI6 agent (Charlize Theron) embarks an undercover mission to track down a list of double agents being smuggled to the West. Also stars James McAvoy.

History/Drama. Set in the Japanese occupation era, 400 Korean forced laborers risk their lives to escape Hashima Island.

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