The BigChilli April 2012

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FIND OUT WHAT’S HOT IN BANGKOK

April 2012 06 INSIGHT News, letters, monthly planner, and more 32 SCHOOL REPORT A round up of news from Bangkok’s best international schools 37 EXPAT WOMEN A brand new section, just for the girls 49 GOURMET A round up of all the best restaurant deals and gourmet events in Bangkok 68 MORNING MUNCH Start your day with a hearty feast 76 FEATURE: ISRAEL’S WHITE LION How Shuki Rosenzweig made his mark in Muay Thai 80 FEATURE: SPY GAMES Shaken and stirred by James Bond gadgets on the streets of Bangkok 83 TIME OFF Exhibitions, performance, sport, networking – we’ve got next month’s best events all wrapped up 95 SOCIAL Last month’s best events in pictures 120 MOTORING We test drive the Maserati Quattroporte S – an Italian masterpiece 125 TRAVEL Deals and news from Thailand’s hottest destinations

WRITE

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

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Nationality….with a catch WORD reaches us that the government is planning to resume giving Thai nationality to suitably qualified foreigners. Holding a Thai passport and ID is the dream of a huge number of nonThais who would love to call Thailand their real home. But we also hear there is a possible catch to this long overdue policy: before Thai citizenship is granted, the person involved will have to provide evidence that he or she has truly renounced their previous nationality – a momentous step that is taken very seriously in some western countries and not easily reversible, if at all. Officially, Thais are not allowed to have dual nationality, so such a ruling only follows the law. However, many Thais continue to hold two passports – most commonly by virtue of marriage to a foreigner. Often their children also carry two passports. And there’s no reason to believe this group of Thais will be under the same pressure to cancel one of their nationalities. But for foreigners from certain countries who would be compelled to give up their original citizenship in order to gain Thai nationality, there are all kinds of potential problems. Just imagine a former American citizen being refused a visa, for whatever reason, to the land of his birth, while his Thai wife and children, who hold dual nationality, get a clear passage. This new system of granting Thai nationality appears unnecessarily tough, and somehow unfair. Meanwhile, a certain extremely prominent Thai is reported to hold a passport for at least two other countries, along with his recently returned Thai passport.

Double standards on property ownership THE tone of recent reports that foreigners own a surprisingly large area of land in Thailand was unmistakably one of outrage.

How dare they do this, rather than, who permitted it, summed up the mood. Steps are now being taken to take back some of the land and close the loopholes that allowed it to happen. This sudden rush of nationalism-protectionism-xenophobia was predictable. But it has been long argued that Thailand should liberalise landownership and let foreigners buy certain categories of property. After all, they can’t remove the land and, besides, they’d be pumping lots of money into the economy.

But what sticks in the throat of many foreigners right now is that there are plenty of Thai companies involved in buying and marketing property in their homelands without any kind of hindrance. These companies have recognized the potential of this business and are going for it, with the full knowledge and backing of the government. Thais own property around the world. And yet when the situation is reversed, all the fears about foreign ownership of land immediately resurface.

Sidewalks for anybody but pedestrians THE centre of Bangkok is becoming more crowded by the day.

Sidewalks are now almost impassable, especially at midday and early evening because of the growing number of vendors who

are steadily and stealthily taking up more and more of the space, with the result that pedestrians are being increasingly forced on to the road. Luckily for them, traffic these days is invariably at a standstill, so jaywalking in these circumstances is only moderately dangerous (as opposed to supremely dangerous, such as on less congested roads where drivers can vent their frustrations by ramming the accelerator with undisguised joy).

The situation will continue to get worse to the point where only vendors occupy Bangkok’s pavements. The rest of us, including tourists who think all this mayhem is rather quaint and amusing, will be on the street dodging traffic. The authorities seem not to care a single iota. For some reason, which we all know, their officers are usually only visible on the last couple of days of the month. Anyway, it’s all getting too much. And it’s time the government intervened and stopped the crush. In other countries, the government appoints someone to deal with this kind of crushing centalisation. The UK, for example, has a minister for “Planning, Decentralisation and Cities.” It’s not a bad idea for Thailand. There is, however, a tad of consolation in having our sidewalks packed to the gunnels. Motorcyclists can’t use them.

Blame credit for our financial woes ALL kinds of theories have been presented to explain the global financial crisis. One of the most frequently aired is that investment banks have been on a monumental gambling spree and have lost billions that the taxpayer is now being forced to pay off in the form of higher taxes and lower standards of living.

Well, this theory has a fundamental flaw: in gambling, there are losers and an equal number of winners, so really it’s just a case of moving funds around. Today’s problem is that money has not simply switched hands – it really has disappeared. Or rather, it was never there in the first place. Without proper regulations, banks saw fit to create vast amounts of funds that did not exist.

It’s called credit, of course. The difference in this case is that credit was employed on a scale never seen before and, hopefully, will never be allowed to grow to this extent again.

Hotels and their wine policies OUR cover story about the excessive costs of wines in Thailand, especially by hotels, that appeared in the last issue of the BigChilli prompted a flood of emails. Most supported our call for hotels to reduce their mark-up policies on wine from a factor of four to a factor of two, or even less. We believe that wine lovers should not have to pay so much for their favorite drink. Moreover, lower profit margins would probably also result in higher sales. One of the dissenters, though, pointed out that hotels care only about achieving a certain percentage profit on their sales. This is their holy grail, and they will never exchange lower profit percentages even if sales increase massively. Happily, not all hotels agree with this approach and wine drinkers may soon be in for some pleasant cost-cutting polices in hotels.

TheBigChilli

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

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

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

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

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

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

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TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT INBOX

letters It’s your

LETTER OF THE MONTH

WATER RIP OFF

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Has anything we’ve written touched a nerve?

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

WINE WHINE

■ WINE – a massive business in Thailand? No. Not quite. It’s piddly small and way overcrowded. I wish hotels and restaurants would make it easier too but learned that it is a fixed formula that they cannot avoid to cover empty rooms, aircon, painting the carpark etc. And, while we’re on the subject of hotels, there are also certainly far too many of those too!

Wine lover, Bangkok

■ YOUR article on diners paying an exorbitant 400 baht for a bottle of ‘imported’ water at a Bangkok hotel recently suggests that this is top dollar for such an item. It’s not. At another hotel, I saw on the menu a bottle of water costing over 700 baht!! Unlike your diners, I had a chance to see the price, slam shut the menu and tell the waiter what I thought of their bloody water. What has the world come to when water costs so much?

Bill Riley, Bangkok

SUVARNABHUMI ROTARY READY? ■ I’D like to be at the airport when 38,000 Rotarians arrive for their annual bash in Thailand next month.

Their jaw-dropping at the long immigration queues will be a sight to behold. They may well turn around and go home.

A Wright, Bangkok Editor’s note: Arrangements are being made for a special ‘fast track’ for visiting Rotarians. Why this can’t be done for all visitors is beyond this magazine.

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

COOL CLOTHES ■ BigChilli! I give huge props to your writer Maxmillian

for the stories he writes and most importantly the vibrant clothes he wears! I have been reading the magazine for a few months now and I’ve noticed pictures of Maxmillian taken alongside beautiful cars with him in matching clothing.

I’m a stylist so that really caught my attention. We need more people dressing in colours like Maxmillian in Bangkok -- the casual suit and neck tie thing does get boring : ) Khun Gam, stylist

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

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

Write to us at: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com Deadline for April issue is March 21.

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

Correction: Last month we listed the incorrect opening hours for wxyz bar at Aloft Bangkok - Sukhumvit 11.

They should have read: Open Sun-Wed, 4pm - midnight; Thurs-Sat, 4pm-2am. Sorry, guys!

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TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT NEWS

Publisher’s Blog

Yingluck, a charmer in the great Thai tradition Prime Minister has the FCCT spellbound ■ SAY what you like about Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, but there’s no denying she’s an attractive woman with the kind of soft, yielding charm that has made Thai females famous the world over. There was no mistaking her effect on Britain’s Prince Andrew, a man who knows a thing or two about beautiful women, when the pair were photographed during his recent visit to Thailand.

Of course, to lead a country requires more than mere beauty. Yingluck also has courage on her side, for against some friendly advice from the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) prior to the club’s recent annual Keynote Address at the InterContinental Hotel that she should give her speech in Thai, she chose English, a language in which she is considerably less proficient than her older brother. Although she had a script to follow, Yingluck often improvised to make a point – and also to smile beguilingly at a mostly adoring audience.

She also agreed to take questions from the floor in English, which was definitely brave of her, or maybe unwise, for several of the questions were not only beyond Yingluck in terms of the specialist knowledge required to give a decent answer, but also in the surprisingly complicated and unforgiving language they were presented.

In fact, it’s hard to imagine any of her recent predecessors being able to answer

A show too far

■ MUANG Thong Thani may be the city’s premier

convention centre, but it can be a devil of a place to get to. On a recent weekend, a friend who was taking his daughter from the family house in central Bangkok to a show at the Impact Arena spent two and half hours travelling back and forth from the facility. His wife spent another two hours to collect her and take her home. Happily, their daughter loved the show.

such difficult questions. What would even Oxford University-educated Abhisit Vejjajiva have made of a somewhat vague query from a journalist about a possible business deal between Thailand and Cambodia that could involve Russian companies?

Admittedly her speech was far from perfect and Yingluck has clearly been well tutored in the use of catchphrases like “voice of the people” and “reconciliation” and “rule of law” which she trotted out many times, but the audience was mesmerized, even spellbound by her undoubted and almost innocent charm. And considering the audience was comprised mostly of hard-bitten foreign correspondents and cynical reporters, it was a triumphant display.

Some now hope that Thaksin is genuine in his claim not to be interested in a return to politics. His sis’ is doing just fine.

Patpong revisited on Sukhumvit ■ HOPEFULLY I’m not the only one who occasionally experiences déjà vu when walking down Sukhumvit Soi 11. With all the new bars, restaurants, street life and people, this busy street does remind me of Patpong at the height of its popularity in the early 1980s. Soi 11 is much longer, of course, but it has the same sense of excitement and naughtiness that ‘The Pong’ once offered all those years ago. Bangkok’s fun again.

Ex-BCCT chairman linked with joint chambers post ■ NEWS reaches us that Graham Macdonald of financial advisers MBMG has apparently put his name forward for election as the next chairman of the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT), the umbrella body for many of the Thai-foreign chambers or business associations operating in Thailand. The only other candidate is the incumbent, Mr Nandor von der Luhe.

Mr Macdonald, it may be remembered, was chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand (BCCT) when it resigned from the JFCCT last year. Mr Macdonald stood down from the British Chamber’s top post earlier this year.

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TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT NEWS

Publisher’s Blog

Monumental changes, but is Bangkok better for them?

■ ALTHOUGH I’ve been extremely lucky to have lived and worked in Bangkok over the past four decades, I’ve also been fortunate enough to have visited my home in London at least twice a year. So I’ve been able to observe the changes in both cities and feel reasonably qualified to comment.

And I can say this: London, in terms of appearance, has actually changed surprisingly little during the last 38 years. There are plenty of new buildings, to be sure, but through strict planning laws and zoning it has managed to preserve its physical character remarkably well.

What is considerably different, though, is its attitude. Or rather, the way the people of London conduct themselves and their lives. You could easily blame a succession of lousy governments for that, or even the world economy, but the fact is, the British capital now dances to a radically different tune compared to the one I left. And not for the better.

Bangkok, meanwhile, has changed beyond recognition.

I would go even further and say the transformation has been staggering. And, again, not necessarily for the better. In both appearance and attitude, the Thai capital is unrecognizable from Bangkok of the early 1970s.

The photograph on this page illustrates this point. Dating back to 1975, it shows two foreigners on the roof of the former President Hotel (now the Holiday Inn, next to the InterContinental on Gaysorn Plaza) with their backs to Pratunam – probably the busiest area in today’s Bangkok. In the distance, and the only

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building of any note, is the Indra Regent, a previous city landmark.

Pratunam and the neighbouring district of Din Daeng marked the northern limits of Bangkok; beyond were rice fields. The Chao Phyra River marked the eastern city limit, while Bangkok to the south ended at the bridge at Phra Kanong, roughly Sukhumvit Soi 71.

The Indra Regent was one of about four buildings back then that could be described as skyscrapers. Today it is almost hidden from sight by scores of taller buildings.

Bangkok’s expansion both outwards and upwards in the past 40 years has been breathtaking. The population has quadrupled and the congestion multiplied many times over. The city is now a monster.

What has this meteoric growth done to the people who live here? Remember, the majority has come to Bangkok from the provinces, where the pace of life is much slower, traffic is negligible and high-rises are a novelty. Stress levels must be up massively, family life difficult because of the long working and commuting times, money short due to the high rents or mortgages on tiny apartments, and friendships have to be conducted mostly via the Internet or by phone.

If attitudes here have also changed, no one should be surprised. With a less certain future, they may change even more.

TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT NEWS

Publisher’s Blog

Food reject

Dining shocker!

■ DINERS in a popular Sukhumvit restaurant were recently treated to an impromptu floor show that had them all retching.

For right in front of their eyes in the middle of the premises, one obviously very drunken lady in a large group of Eastern Europeans suddenly decided it was time to eject her evening’s libations all over the table and floor. Not a pleasant sight or smell, this nasty show had people swiftly moving their tables and chairs out of harm’s way – and a quick exit.

Get your UK visa on Let’s be honest, men Saturday – and pay an ARE better at parking!! extra 1,500 baht!

■ RECENT driving tests in Germany have confirmed what most men have been saying for years – women are second best when it comes to parking a car.

According to researchers at the Ruhr University Bochum, who checked out 65 volunteers, lady drivers take much longer than men to park. And while some women say it’s because their breasts make it more difficult to turn around while parking, many others seem surprisingly happy to accept the findings.

Comments in a newspaper included this gem from a lady driver: “I really hate to agree, but I’m rubbish at parking , 25 years of driving, no accidents, not so much as a speeding fine, but I’ve never got the hang of parallel parking!!!.. I back in then spend 15 minutes trying to straighten the car and just keep going back and forth, end up back in the same position.”

Another wrote: “I never reverse park, ever, just refuse to do it. I would rather walk a mile back to the shops than try to reverse park.”

Not so long ago, I noticed a lady driver having serious problems reversing her car into an admittedly small space in a hotel parking lot (some hotels have ridiculously small spaces that even the smallest car struggles to fit). Sensing it would probably take her a long time to get it right, I offered my services – and she accepted. Sorry ladies, but I got the job done in a jiffy.

On another occasion, also in a hotel car park with extremely tight turns between floors, I came across another lady in tears because she had not been able to negotiate these curves and as a result had badly gashed both sides of an almost new and very expensive saloon. Actually, she was inconsolable. Without a parking attendant in sight, I volunteered to drive for her, which she happily accepted.

Now, I’m sure my observations will enrage a few women, particularly those who are actually very good behind the steering wheel.

So, could there be any other reason – apart from breasts - for this apparent female shortcoming?

One lady driver believe there is: “I am bloody good at parking, but at certain times of the month my spatial awareness decreases and I can’t park my car and end up a bit scatty for the day! Hormones!”

Ah, that’s the reason, then. Or could it down to yet another factor, as suggested by one man?

“Most likely,” he ventures, “they’re too busy looking in the mirror to pay attention to parking.”

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■ PEOPLE applying for a visa to visit the UK can now lodge their application on Saturdays, the UK Border Agency has announced.

However, this optional Prime Time Service costs an additional 1,500 baht on top of all other fees.

The Application Centre, which is located at Regent House, Rajdamri Road, Bangkok, is operated by VFS Global, a company owned by Kuoni, the well known Swiss travel agent.

At the same time, the UK Border Agency in Thailand has introduced a system to speed up visa applications for people who need to visit the United Kingdom for urgent business or personal reasons.

Under normal circumstances, applications will be processed within three working days.

This priority visa service is open to applicants who meet certain criteria and puts them ahead of other visa applications.

An additional fee of 3,000 baht is charged.

Applicants eligible for this fast-track service, include: 1. Business visitors who have travelled in the last five years to the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Schengen countries. Spouses and children accompanying the applicant will be accepted, but must pay the priority service fee.

2. Employees of companies who are members of the UK Border Agency’s Business Select Scheme in Thailand who are travelling on business.

3. A general visitor or a family visitor who has travelled in the previous five years to the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or a country in the Schengen Area.

TheBigChilli

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Don’t copy my products….but I want to buy your fakes

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HYPOCRITES

DIGITAL DILEMMA

Twisting the spine

BANGKOK is seeing a boom in clinics specializing in chiropractic and sports injuries. Why? Apparently it’s being driven by people who spend far too much time sitting badly while staring at a computer, and those with a penchant for tilting their head, again for hours, to read their smart phones.

And not much to do with real sports.

TRADING PLACES

Thai passports for foreigners, but only if they renounce their nationality

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FTER a break of some years, the government is apparently shortly to resume granting Thai nationality to foreigners who hold resident permits and fulfill certain criteria, including a certain knowledge of spoken Thai. That’s the good news.

The bad news, according to preliminary investigations, is that Thai nationality will be given only if the foreigner in question renounces his or her other nationality. Handing over a foreign passport will not be sufficient; actual proof of having relinquished one’s citizenship will be required.

This ruling applies only to new applicants. Foreigners who already hold Thai nationality will not be asked to renounce their original status. Although Thais are not supposed to hold more than one passport, many do through their foreign spouses.

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OME people’s hypocrisy knows no limits. Or, to be kind, maybe they’re just dumb. Take the case of the recent overseas business visitor who was here to ensure that his patented product was not being copied by some unlicensed back street factory.

In conversation, the guy fumed and fulminated when talking about the way other people’s copyrights are being blatantly ignored in Thailand, and he expressed his determination to make sure his particular invention would not be reproduced here without his say-so.

But when, after a hard day’s scouting around, his local agent asked this chap what he fancied doing that same night, the response was simply astonishing.

“Can you take me to Patpong. I’d like to buy a couple of those cheap watches and perhaps a handbag or two,” he said, knowing full well, of course, that they’d be fakes.

Now that’s hypocrisy. But his boss could be accused of even greater double standards.

Although a strident critic of Asia’s huge copy industry, he’s not averse to buying a stack of the latest Hollywood movies from street vendors in Bangkok to watch back home in Europe.

Then there’s the former Thai politician, notorious for his involvement in a massive, highly corrupt business deal years ago, now giving high-and-mighty lectures about the perils and insidiousness of corruption and how to eradicate it. Mind you, with his background, he does have the right credentials to give such advice.

The there are the police who arrest owners and employees of dodgy bars and brothels in which they themselves have a financial interest.

And what about the organizations that throw lavish parties to celebrate an award for their environmental endeavors?

TheBigChilli

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UNHEALTHY APPETITE

Rumbled – the hotel customer who can’t stop eating

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HE riddle of Bangkok’s notorious Buffet Junkie – a foreigner who devours mountains of food almost every day at a top hotel’s all-you-caneat dinner spread and yet remains almost impossibly skinny – may have been finally solved.

According to another regular diner at the same venue, the man’s bizarre behavior is almost certainly due to bulimia, an eating disorder characterized by binge eating followed by vomiting.

The diner had become aware of the foreigner’s voracious appetite after watching him constantly returning to his table with food-laden plates from the buffet.

He only rumbled the man’s eating disorder when the two went independently to the restaurant toilet and the 60-plus-year-old fellow was heard vomiting violently several times in a closet, eventually emerging to wash his face under the bathroom tap. “It was obvious what he was doing, and it explained there and then how he could eat so much and still be so thin,” said the diner, who spotted him later filling up his plate with more buffet goodies.

Over the past few years, the man’s astonishing craving has also been noted by other regulars at the buffet. Some thought he was secretly diverting some of the food he had piled on to his plate into the bags he invariably takes with him.

Others were swayed by his own explanation that he just liked eating.

On occasions, the man would leave the restaurant and hotel for a mid-meal break to visit a nearby bar for a drink. On his return, he would resume gorging.

GREAT PUT-DOWNS Actress and singer Cher talking to a smarmy Jack Nicholson in the movie Witches of Eastwick.

“You are the most unattractive man I have ever met in my entire life. You know, in the short time we’ve been together, you have demonstrated EVERY loathsome characteristic of the male personality and even discovered a few new ones. You are physically repulsive, intellectually retarded, you’re morally reprehensible, vulgar, insensitive, selfish, stupid, you have no taste, a lousy sense of humor and you smell. You’re not even interesting enough to make me sick.”

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OFF THE RAILS

Balloons on the Skytrain: What about huge bags and bicycles?

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HILE the operators of the BTS and possibly the courts get to the bottom of the highly-publicized spat between a foreign teacher who was allegedly beaten with a truncheon by a security guard after trying to access the Skytrain while carrying a bunch of balloons, it is certainly appropriate to mention some other items that passengers carry on the system.

They include: Tourists with huge rucksacks on their back, and sometimes on their chest as well, who cause havoc in packed train carriages at every twist and turn. Other passengers get whacked in the face or unceremoniously pushed aside to make way for these self-absorbed and selfish people.

Backpackers should be instructed to offload their luggage before entering the train. This is normal practice elsewhere, and it makes common sense for the good of all.

Cyclists, especially in groups. Yup, at least 30 foreign tourists were recently seen at Siam BTS station just before the 5pm rush hour squeezing their bicycles on to an already crowded train as part, presumably, of a Bangkok cycle tour.

It’s ridiculous to allow large cycle groups on the trains.

Shoppers with multiple huge bags that block exits and make life generally difficult.

If balloons constitute a problem or threat to other passengers, what does the BTS management have to say about colossal backpacks, bicycles and piles of shopping bags?

TheBigChilli

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INSIGHT SHOPPING

Talking

Shop Hot products and stores demanding your attention

COOL METROPOLIS ■ CHECKERED shirts, dickie-bows, and shorts – Cool Metropolis’ summer collection is aimed squarely at fun loving guys with a good sense of humour.

Head-turning and nerdy to boot, the collection includes shirts, jackets, suits, vests, cardigans and shorts, in a cool tone spectrum of white, grey, black and blue.

Available at Siam Paragon, Men’s Hall (2nd floor).

MILIN SPRING/ SUMMER 2012 ■ INSPIRED by gymnastics costumes, Thai fashion brand Milin’s latest collection is so future-retro-cool that if French director Luc Besson ever decides to make a sequel to his smash-hit SciFi movie The Fifth Element, it would be the perfect choice to dress his female cast with. Bright colours, short hems, stretched elastics, and fishnets ensure the collection is as sexy as it is modern - exciting stuff that’s not for the faint of heart.

The Spring/Summer 2012 collection is available at Siam Paragon (1st Floor), The Emporium Shopping Complex (1st Floor), Siam Center (3rd Floor), Central Chidlom (2nd Floor) and Central Ladphrao (2nd Floor). www.milin.com

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WALLIS OPENS AT CENTRALWORLD ■ PREMIUM highstreet clothing brand ‘Wallis’ from the UK has opened its first store in Thailand at CentralWorld, Bangkok. Offering smart and elegant clothes for women, the shop is stocked with the brand’s Spring 2012 collection which includes eyecatching ‘Sea Breeze’ pleated skirts, metallic skirts, silk dresses, and more.

Central World, Atrium Zone (1st floor), Tel: 02 252 6036.

TheBigChilli

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GUINOT INSTITUT PARIS ARRIVES IN BANGKOK ■ VIVALDI Seasons Company Limited has opened Asia’s first Guinot Institut Affiliate right here in Bangkok. Located at Fashion Island Shopping Complex on Ramintra Road, the salon stocks all the brand’s famous skincare products and offers a range of beauty services such as facial treatments, body spas, sauna, and more. Guinot now has over 17,000 salons in 70 countries around the world. Vivaldi plans to open four more outlets in Bangkok over the next 18 months.

For more info: http://vivaldi.co.th

A LUXURY NIGHT’S SLEEP ■ ENGLAND’S luxury bedding brand Sanderson celebrated its first anniversary in Thailand recently by introducing a new range of bedding with classic patterns and floral prints. The brand has served the Royal British Palaces for decades, and makes all its bedding using high-quality threads of 100% cotton.

Available now at Central Department Store (Chidlom, Ladprao, Pinklao, and Bangna), Zen, The Emporium and Siam Paragon.

EXPEDIA NOW IN THAILAND BARGAIN hunters take note - online travel company Expedia has launched a Thailand-based site offering great deals on worldwide accommodation, flights, and holiday packages.

Operated by Expedia Inc. and AirAsia, the website is easy to navigate and its online booking system automatically links users to the best value holiday packages, with a Best Price Guarantee.

For more info: www.expedia.co.th

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BUSINESS ALOFT IN FOCUS

WHY ALOFT BANGKOK’S THE “MARTINI” OF STARWOOD’S PROPERTY PORTFOLIO Brian McGuinness, Senior Vice President of Starwoodʼs Specialty Select brands, explains how the new Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 meets the needs of todayʼs tech-savvy travelers BRIAN McGuinness certainly has his hands full. As Senior Vice President of Starwood’s Specialty Select brands, including Aloft, Element and Four Points by Sheraton, he’s responsible for the development, strategic and creative direction, and overall performance of each brand. This is no mean feat – Starwood’s footprint is global, so New York-based Brian has to spend a lot of time flying to destinations around the world, wrestling with jet lag and learning about new cultures while ensuring brand standards are maintained globally. Proof of his jetsetter lifestyle: last year he hit his target of reading 52 books – most of them on long haul flights.

When Brian came to Bangkok in February to officially open the Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11, we snatched five minutes of his time to find out more about the brand and what it has to offer.

Aloft is Starwood’s first new brand since the introduction of W Hotels in 1999.

How does it differ from Starwood’s other Select Service brands?

Not that I’m a big drinker, but I always tell my team to think of Aloft as a martini – it’s edgy and cool. Four Points, meanwhile, is a nice cold beer – comfy, cozy, a good experience to share with friends. Then there’s Element, our ecofriendly brand, which is a glass of wine, and W, which is a shot with a chaser and a bit edgier than Aloft. And sitting at the top – the Champagne or cognac of Starwood – is the St Regis.

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What were the biggest challenges you faced bringing the Aloft brand to market?

The global economic meltdown is the first thing that comes to mind - it was hardly the best time to bring a new brand to market. But the good news is that we did do that, and since launching the brand in 2008 we now have 55 Aloft hotels open.

This is testament to the quality of the brand.

Perhaps our biggest challenge though came from the fact we took the brand global from the beginning. Most hotels launch in one zone – Europe, USA, or Asia – making it easier for them to set brand standards. But we went all out. This means we had to consider locations carefully and scale the product to suit demand while maintaining the same guest experience.

In scale, this means that a 136 room Aloft in the States translates to 296 rooms in Bangkok and nearly 400 rooms in Beijing.

What is the target market of Aloft?

This hotel is geared for the next generation of traveler, someone who’s into design and fashion, who’s tech savvy.

They’re early adopters, they’re listening to a little bit of the edgier music or what’s new. We often think of them as self expressers; they’re comfortable with who they are. They’re also looking for good accommodation at an affordable price – what we call ‘style at a steal.’

So it’s a young crowd then?

It’s interesting. If you’d have asked me that five years ago, I would have told you that 27-year-olds would have been our

target. But quite frankly, today our guests are in their mid-to-late 30s, early 40s even.

How does the hotel meet the demands of today’s travelers?

Well, one of our core brand standards is that we offer free broadband and wireless in every guest room, and free Wifi in every public area. All rooms come with a 42 inch LCD TV and a media hub which allows guests to connect their devices directly to the TV. At Aloft Bangkok Brendan Daly, the hotel’s GM, is also doing a pilot with a smartphone device called Fingi. This is handed to guests staying in our ‘Touch Rooms.’ Not only does it unlock and lock their rooms, but it also controls the air-conditioning, the lighting, and the television. Guests can even take it outside of the hotel and use it as a phone.

On the F&B side, we have our allday-dining restaurant Crave, which offers wine at wholesale prices; a fun bar called wxyz; and Refuel by Aloft, a 24 hour grab and go café located in the lobby. Pretty soon we’ll open a nightclub called Levels, which will be run by an outside operator.

What are your impressions of the finished product?

I’ve been blown away. It’s always interesting see a hotel from its core to when it’s finished, and the team here has done an amazing job of really addressing the needs of the location while also bringing the overall essence of the brand. www.alofthotels.com/bangkoksukhumvit11

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INSIGHT NEWS

Book Review: THE IDEAL MAN : The Tragedy of Jim Thompson and the American Way of War

How Thailand’s famous ‘silk king’ lost his idealism to the brute force of Washington’s Indochina policies and its Thai allies A new book takes a historical view of Jim Thompson’s disenchantment with his homeland and the country he tried to embrace.

Commentary by Colin Hastings ■ ANY new attempt to shed more light on Thailand’s often murky and still underdocumented past is to be welcomed, even when it appears in yet another book on the life, times and psyche of this nation’s most famous foreign resident - Jim Thompson, the enigmatic king of Thai silk whose disappearance in the jungles of Malaysia in 1967 remains a mystery to this day.

Indeed, so much has been written about Thompson over the past five decades, it’s really hard to imagine what more can be said about him and his success in reviving the Thai silk industry and giving it international recognition. But the clue in this latest book ‘The Ideal Man’ is contained in its subtitle ‘The Tragedy of Jim Thompson and the American Way of War.’ For although the book’s author, Joshua Kurlantzick, a former Bangkok resident himself, goes over a lot of ground we’ve heard and read many times before, he also devotes considerable space to one of the most interesting, turbulent and surprisingly violent periods in Thailand’s recent history – the years before, during and after the Second World War, right up to America’s ultimately futile military adventures in Southeast Asia – and how it all impacted on Thompson’s idealistic view of the world.

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Indeed, at the heart of the book is his growing resentment for the policies of his land of birth, which actually parallels a bourgeoning personal conviction that that he would never be properly accepted by his adopted homeland.

Kurlantzick has included extensive passages on some of the Thai leaders at this time. Most, it turns out, were really rather unsavory. He also chronicles America’s involvement in Thailand’s affairs, all of which had some bearing on Thompson’s life – and ultimately his death.

Given the paucity of information on that period, the author has most usefully provided a host of fascinating insights into the minds and actions of the most influential personalities of that era, foreigners as well as Thais, who shaped Thailand’s political scene, together with the momentous events they eventually inspired.

Thompson’s own story is well known, and Kurlanzick revisits it efficiently, reminding us of his early life in a well-to-do American family, as a restless New York architect, soldier and then eager recruit to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), forerunner of the CIA, which parachuted him into Thailand at the end of the Second World War to organize the Bangkok OSS office.

Although Thompson left the army shortly after arriving here in 1946, he continued to take an active interest in the complex pattern of events that were unfolding in Southeast Asia, meeting regularly with leading Thai politicians, mixing with foreign diplomats as well as some fairly shady, fast-buck entrepreneurs.

Thompson is depicted as something of a dreamer, completely seduced by his new surroundings. To him, Thailand was the crystallization of his dreams and politics, an independent nation free to determine its own destiny, unlike some of its colonized neighbours. And he believed he could a make a difference here.

In his civilian role in Thailand, Thompson looked around for business opportunities to occupy himself gainfully. His first thought was to restore the Oriental Hotel, then in a shabby state after the war, but when that plan came to naught, he switched his attention to reviving Thailand’s silk industry. Through a combination of foresight and outstanding personal skills, including an uncanny understanding of colour and a brilliant flair for public relations, he proved spectacularly successful. Always the idealist, he wanted to maintain silk weaving as a cottage industry so the workers could keep their traditional

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lifestyle while earning a decent income.

At this point, the author switches his focus to the friendships Thompson enjoyed with some of the most important Thais of the 1950s. Although not entirely new material, it serves to catch the mood of the time and the raw ambition of those in high government position. And it reminds us how invariably violence simmers below the surface of Thai politics, ready to explode at any time, then and now.

Of those he came to know well, by far the most impressive was Pridi Banomyong, a nationalist and revolutionary whose idealism Thompson could so easily identify with. Despite being a courageous leader of the Free Thai during the war and briefly prime minister at the end of hostilities, Pridi was ultimately forced into exile after a couple of botched coup attempts to regain the premiership and allegations by his enemies of involvement in the tragic death of King Rama VII.

especially the notorious police chief Phao Sriyanond, a much feared man whose alignment with the CIA helped him to build a personal fortune. His involvement in the opium trade, protection rackets and numerous other corrupt practices gave Phao enormous power. Opponents, including a number of Thompson’s close friends and allies, were shown no mercy. Their murders embittered him profoundly and permanently.

Like all tyrants, the excesses of Phao and Phibul eventually proved intolerable and in 1957 they were overthrown by Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat, yet another tough, anti-communist prime minister whose regime became the most authoritarian in modern Thai history.

It was against this shifting political and military scene that Thompson often met with representatives of Laotian, Cambodian and Vietnamese insurgent groups who had taken refuge in Thailand since the Sec-

Kurlantzick presents other possibilities, including the success of Thompson’s silk business which by 1967, the year he disappeared, had attracted at least 50 rival companies. Some of these competitors were run by influential people whose ruthlessness could be extreme and never held to account.

Thompson’s fabulous collection of antiques was another source of envy and irritation, and he was regularly accused of having obtained them unlawfully. Was this, suggests Kurlantzick, another possible reason for his mysterious demise?

In these later stages of his life in Thailand, with his idealism wearing thin, Thailand’s celebrated ‘silk king’ was increasingly showing signs of weariness with the country he once loved so much. And yet, whatever his state of mind, the idea that Thompson took his own life during that fateful walk in the jungle is generally regarded as fanciful.

Friend and foes: Jim Thompson’s contemporaries

Field Marshal Plaeck Phibul Songkram

Phao Sriyanond

Kurlanzick contrasts the almost universal respect for Pridi with the equally widespread fear and loathing of other contemporary politicians and their henchmen, all known personally by Thompson. This gallery of rogues includes Pridi’s one time friend and great rival, the sinister Field Marshal Plaeck Phibul Songkram, an ambitious and ruthless prime minister whose pro-Japanese policies in the war years were inspired by fascism. Described in the book as a vain and silkily conniving man, Phibul’s strident anti-communism was abhorrent to both Pridi and Thompson.

America’s growing fear of communism in Asia in the 1950s was mirrored by a rise in right wing extremism in Thailand.

US military aid was eagerly snapped up in return for allowing Washington to build Thailand into a huge armed camp for its Indochina war.

For those with an interest in Thai history, the book offers a fascinating review of the main beneficiaries of this misguided and often misspent US largesse,

Pridi Banomyong

ond World War and were still fighting their colonial masters, the French. Thompson had developed considerable sympathy for their cause, which he originally believed was in line with America’s anti-colonialist view of post-war Southeast Asia.

But as Washington began to change its stance on the region, re-labeling the insurgents as communists and providing arms to the French forces in their attempt to consolidate their control of Indochina, Thompson the idealist became increasingly unsettled by his government’s policies. Once the US military build-up began in earnest in the region, especially in Thailand, his disenchantment with Washington’s war was on collision course.

Still full of idealism, Thompson’s outrage apparently upset some people in the US so badly they actually regarded his behavior as treasonable. Indeed, the author hints darkly but, in the absence of evidence, not convincingly, that his disappearance may have been linked in some way to this clash of views.

Field Marshal Sarit Thanarat

So, what does the book leave us with? Well, no definitive explanation for Thompson’s disappearance, that’s for sure, though Kurlantzick seems to favor a simple case of abduction by rivals and enemies over other some other rather silly explanations. What the book does highlight very well, however, are the demons that haunted Thompson towards the end of life, particularly his disillusionment with the US. These are the real tragedy of his life.

Kurlantzick has done a good job deromanticizing the legend of Jim Thompson and portraying him as a man of considerable talent and decency who struggled to come terms with a country and a period when most of those around him were anything but idealists. Although his disappearance remains unsolved, it now seems somehow less mysterious.

The Ideal Man by Joshua Kurlantzick is published by Wiley (wiley.com)

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MUSIC MEET THE BOSS

LATE NIGHT FUN WITH THE BOSS AT MULLIGANS Looking for quality music when most pubs are about to close? Then itʼs time to check out The Boss Khun Add (guitarist), Khun Pook (vocalist), Khun Jeng (vocalist), Khun Charn (guitarist), Khun Toi (bassist), Khun Aod (keyboardist), and Khun Took (drummer) SERVING tasty pub grub and imported beers 24-hours a day, seven days a week, Mulligans Irish Bar on Khao San Road has long been a popular choice for expats and travelers looking for some late night revelry.

As other pubs in town begin to wind down for the night, their live musicians packing up their amps, the party at Mulligans is always just getting started. Especially on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights, when The Boss Band takes to the stage from 12.30am-2am to perform dance-inducing renditions of international pop and rock hits.

Who are these musicians and where do they get their energy? We met band leader Khun Add to find out.

When did you form ‘The Boss Band?’ and how did you get your name?

Actually, we’re now in the

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third generation of ‘The Boss Band’. The band was originally founded around 1988-1989 by one of our friends who used to work for GMM Grammy Company. I joined two years later, and after that the rest followed. Most of the band used to play alongside famous Thai singers for leading entertainment companies like RS Promotion and GMM Grammy, so we’re no strangers to the music industry.

The reason we go by the name of ‘The Boss’ is because the first generation members wanted it to sound grand.

Most of us are used to playing as back up for other stars, but in this band we feel free from order – we are our own boss.

Do you perform at many places?

At first, we performed only at a few places such as Ambassador Hotel and Hard Rock Café.

Now we have a schedule which includes Mulligans, Music Café

Patpong and The Londoner Sukhumvit.

What kind of crowd do you attract?

The majority of our audience are foreigners in their mid 30s.

They frequently request songs

by Queen, The Beatles, The Eagles, U2 and John Bon Jovi.

What song do you like to play the most?

It has to be ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen.

Tell us about your most impressive show.

When we performed on the stage at The Eagles Band Contest and won first place!

What sets your band apart from others?

Our friendship and bond are very strong. We’ve been playing together for years so we know each other’s style and moves.

When we are on the stage, it is easy to tell what members

will say and play by a simple look. Good teamwork is also a key for a successful performance. Luckily, we have it all.

Playing late nights so often how do you keep up your energy?

When we are off the clock we stay home and just relax. To ensure we always sound fresh we also have three vocalists in the band. Khun Jeng is the only female member in the band and is a lead singer.

Our guitarist Khun Charn also steps in for singing duty.

And we have Khun Pook, a former singer for XL Step band. If your readers come and see us, I’m sure they’ll love our performance.

Mulligans Irish Pub, 265 Khaosarn Road, Taladyod, Phranakorn, Bangkok Tel: 02 629 4477 www. mulligansthailand.com

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INSIGHT NEWS

April planner MON

2

TUE

See April 1 See April 1

3

WED

See April 1

See April 1

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See April 1 See April 1 AustCham Sundowners. Four Points by Sheraton, Sukhumvit 15, 6pm

AMCHAM Young Professional Networking Night.

Dee Lounge, Hotel Novotel Bangkok, Fenix Ploenchit, 7pm

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See April 1

10

See April 1

AMCHAM Joint Legal & SME Committee: Foreign Corrupt Practice Act, Bourbon Street, Sukhumvit 63, 12 noon

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17

23 Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

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See April 1 All Chambers Songkran Kick-Off Party. Q Bar,8pm

18 Bangkok International Gift Fair. BITEC. See page 94

See April 1

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Avenged Sevenfold.

Thunder Dome, Muang Thong Thani. See page 86 www.Thaiticketmajor.com AMCHAM Monthly Luncheon. “Revitalizing Thailand: The Decade Ahead” Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

Bangkok International Gift Fair. BITEC. See page 94

25 AustCham ANZAC Day and Visit to Wat Putakian Kindergarten Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

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

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THU

5

FRI

See April 1 See April 1

6

SAT

See April 1 See April 1

Bangkok Business Connections: The Best Networking Luncheon in Bangkok. FCCT, 11am. www.fccthai.com FTCC Talk: “Inheritance Issues,’ Shangri-La Hotel, 8am

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See April 1

13

See April 1

7 14 21

See April 1 See April 1 See April 1 USA Fair 2012.

Central World, AMCHAM Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

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Krabi Rock and Fire International Contest.

Krabi. See page 88 www.tatnews.org GTCC (German-Thai Chamber of Commerce) 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner. St. Regis Hotel, Bangkok.

Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

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USA Fair 2012.

Central World, AMCHAM BCCT Networking Evening.

BarSu, Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 6.30pm

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SUN

USA Fair 2012.

Central World, AMCHAM Joint BCCT/AustCham/ AMCHAM Eastern Seaboard Networking Night. Holiday Inn, Pattaya, 6.30pm

27 Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

Thailand Auto Parts & Accessories. BITEC. See page 94

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

Performance Sport

Networking Tradeshow

1

San Miguel Chiang Mai International Cricket Sixes.

Chiang Mai Gymkhana Club. www.chiangmaisixes.com Swedish Jazz Festival.

Rembrandt Hotel & Towers.

See page 86 www.rembrandtbkk.com

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See April 1 See April 1 USA Fair 2012.

Central World, AMCHAM Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

Samui Triathlon and Duathlon.

Koh Samui. See page 88 www.triathlonsamui.com

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Home Decoration Fair.

QSNCC. See page 94

Krabi Rock and Fire International Contest. Krabi. See page 88 www.tatnews.org

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Jokes ENTERTAINMENT HUMOUR

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

HTS THOUG E H OF T MONTH

COOL GADGET APPLE is developing a gadget that will keep your drinks chilled for longer. They call it the iScube.

JOKE OF THE MONTH

1. What goes “Fee fi fo, fee fi fo fee”? Mike Tyson giving out his phone number.

2. With mobiles Apple and BlackBerry are rivals. But in a crumble, they’re harmony. – Sean Lock 3. I tried to throw out all my socks, but in the end I got cold feet.

4. I just can’t seem to get a girlfriend even though I can speak two languages fluently – English and Klingon.

5. Throwing Scrabble tiles at people can be a lot of fun. Until, that is, someone loses an “I.”

MOOD RING MUSINGS

A WOMAN is chatting with her friend. “My husband bought me a mood ring the other day,” she says. “It lets him monitor my emotional state.”

“Oh yes?” says the friend. “How does it work?”

The woman replies: “When I’m in a good mood it turns green, and when I’m in a bad mood it leaves a big red mark on his forehead.”

BALDYLOCK’S BLUES MY mate has been really depressed lately because he’s gone bald. I said to him: “Look on the bright side, mate – you’ll save an absolute fortune on not having a girlfriend ever again!”

NAUGHTY PRESIDENT

“YESTERDAY in Florida, President Obama kissed a woman on the cheek after she told him he looked good. Which explains why, last night, Michelle made him sleep on Air Mattress One.” – Jimmy Fallon

ACTUAL COMPLAINTS TO COUNCILS When wording goes wrong 1. I wish to report that tiles are missing from the outside toilet roof. I think it was bad wind the other day that blew them off.

2. It’s the dog’s mess that I find hard to swallow.

3. I want some repairs done to my cooker as it has backfired and burnt my knob off.

4. Their 18-year-old son is continually banging his balls against my fence.

5. I request permission to remove my drawers in the kitchen.

6. 50% of the walls are damp, 50% have crumbling plaster, and 50% are just plain filthy.

7. The toilet is blocked and we cannot bath the children until it is cleared.

8. The man next door has a large erection in the back garden, which is unsightly and dangerous.

9. This is to let you know that our lavatory seat is broke and we can’t get BBC2.

10. I am a single woman living in a downstairs flat and would you please do something about the noise made by the man on top of me every night.

Send your jokes to thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

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INSIGHT SCHOOL REPORT

Raffles awards winners of its T-Shirt Contest Football fun as Bangkok Prep marks International Women’s Day

BANGKOK International Preparatory & Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) joined forces with UNESCO to celebrate International Women’s Day, March 8, by hosting a friendly mixed football match called ‘Only Girls Can Score.’

Organized by Right To Play Thailand, the football session featured Bangkok Prep student teams with equal numbers of boy and girl players, but the emphasis was firmly on the girls as only they were allowed to score.

The game was followed by an inspirational speech by Year 10 Student Watchareewan ‘Ploy’ Tomas, who won silver medal in bouldering at the 2011 Southeast Asian Games.

RAFFLES International College last month announced the winners of its 2011 T-shirt Design Contest.

Coming in first and scooping both an iPad 2 and a scholarship worth 940,000 Baht for Bachelor Degree studies was Mr. Thanatseth Howattanapan from KIS International School. His T-Shirt was designed under the concept “Economic Heated Inequality Cash.”

In second place, winning the same scholarship and an Ipod, was Ms. Tzu Wen Chiang from “Thai Chinese International School,” whose T-shirt was designed under the concept “The world is insane.”

Runners up Ms. Wanvipa Krairavee from Benjamarachalai School, Mr. Wongchayud Maholankij from Saint Dominic School, and Ms. Napat Thongluksanawong from Wattana Wittaya Academy, all received gift vouchers worth 1,000 baht from Raffles International College and scholarships valued from 30,000-60,000 baht.

NIST hosts Bangkok Service Conference

THE New International School 0f Thailand hosted the first Bangkok ServICE conference from March 2 to 4 at its campus, on Sukhumvit Soi 15.

Over 170 student service leaders from 12 international schools participated in the event which aimed to inspire, connect, and empower each other through community service activities.

The three-day conference was a mix of student-led interactive presentations and activities, simulations, time to connect and plan, inspirational speakers and an NGO fair.

The conference culminated with the nearly 200 students and teachers surprising unsuspecting shoppers at Terminal 21 shopping mall near Asoke BTS station, with a freeze-and-dance flashmob. The activity’s aim was to raise awareness of the increasingly pressing issue of dolphins in captivity for entertainment purposes in Thailand.

The 12 participating international schools were NIST, International School Bangkok (ISB), Thai-Chinese International School (TCIS), Regent’s School Bangkok, Regent’s School Pattaya, Harrow International School, KIS, Bangkok Patana School, Well’s International School, Ruamrudee International School, International Community School Bangkok, and Shrewsbury International School.

KIS offering IB Diploma Scholarships KIS International School is currently accepting applications for its IB Diploma academic scholarships for the academic year 2012-2013.

Valued at over a million Baht, The IB Diploma scholarship grants full tuition for the duration of the two-year IB Diploma programme. The well respected programme opens the door to many of the world’s best universities for academically strong and committed students.

Teenagers currently aged 15 or 16 years old and in Grade 10 (or Year 11) can apply to compete for the grant. Students of all nationalities who are fluent in English will be considered for the scholarship.

Applicants will be required to sit an exam and undergo an interview. Candidates who do not receive the scholarships but who do perform above expectations may be eligible for a partial scholarship.

For more information email Ms. Linda Belonje at linda@kis.ac.th, or visit www.kis.ac.th.

Harrow announces Holiday Programmes HARROW International School Bangkok is this year offering a larger choice of programmes for parents and students to choose from.

Held April 16 - 20 and Jul 9 – Aug 3, the programmes are aimed at strengthening English skills, developing academic

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knowledge/skills in Science, Mathematics and ICT. The school also has specially designed educational programmes for younger students along with a comprehensive childcare programme.

The courses are complemented with activities which range from Indoor

Sports, Outdoor Sports, Art, Sailing, ICT, Dance and Movement. Student accommodation is available.

For more info visit www.harrowschool.ac.th or contact Khun Jui 02 503 7222 ext 1401 email: holidayprogrammes@ harrowschool.ac.th

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SCHOOL REPORT Berkeley

Berkeley stands up to bullying Posters, t-shirts, videos and more – Berkeley students get creative in support of Anti-Bullying Week. By Jeffrey Olson, school counselor AT Berkeley International School, we believe that educating a child extends beyond the classroom. In order for students to be successful, we recognize that interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence need to be fostered and encouraged to grow.

As the school counselor, I have been setting up student support systems which not only advocate holistic personal growth, but also help to develop successful, life-long learning graduates of Berkeley. The effectiveness of such supports was seen recently when Berkeley held a projectbased Anti-Bullying Week campaign.

Anti-Bullying Week is an international campaign held at schools

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throughout the world to raise awareness of bullying. Each year the event takes on a different theme, and this year this was “Stop and Think – Words can Hurt.”

Internationally, the week is recognized during November of each school year. But due to the extended uncertainties of the potential, yet unrealized flooding last year, Berkeley staff and students had to push back anti-bullying week to March 5 - 9, a more convenient time.

Anti-Bullying Week kicked off before the week even started with a school-wide t-shirt design contest. Scooping the top prize was 7th grade student, Areeya (Namwan) Watanakulchai, and her design was printed onto bright blue

t-shirts and given to all elementary and middle school students.

During AntiBullying Week, students were taken out of their normal routines to learn about bullying – how it

can be prevented both in and out of school – and their roles as responsible global citizens. They enjoyed fun activities throughout the week, culminating in a poster project for the elemen-

tary school and a video project for the middle school.

An assembly on Friday capitalized on the week’s worth of work and lessons and saw students and staff all

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wearing their AntiBullying Week t-shirts, coloring the school in bright blues in support for the cause.

At the assembly, students signed commitment cards and received a bracelet as a token for their support. Workshops were organized during the event to solidify the anti-bullying message,

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and finally, the much anticipated student videos were screened and the elementary poster winners announced.

We are proud of the work our students accomplished at Berkeley, and we’re sure that the student videos which have been submitted to the upcoming KIS Film Festival will be a big success.

ABOUT BERKELEY INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL Berkeley International School is a Pre K – 12 American International School offering a top notch international educational program using the California standards and curriculum as our base of instruction.

Berkeley is determined to maintain a 50% expatriate to 50% host national ratio among the students to truly reflect our international environment. We are now accepting applications for Pre K to Grade 8 for the 2012-2013 academic year. Learn more about us on our website at www.berkeley.ac.th or stop by our campus on Bangna-Trad to view Berkeley International School for yourself.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Mr. Jeffrey Olson is a USA licensed school counselor with a Masters of Arts in Counseling. He has been a school counselor for six years.

1/19/12 9:04:36 AM

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Expat WOMEN p Put your feet up and indulge

Summer Sensation!

Cindy Burbridge Bishop’s latest bikini line is bound to make waves at Thailand’s beach resorts. Page 44.

Pregnant expats Mums-to-be share their tips for preparing to give birth in Bangkok Page 38

Opinion

Karen Hochhauser discusses the pressures of moving overseas Page 40

Beauty

Where to enjoy a well deserved pampering in this hot, hot month Page 42 TheBigChilli

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EXPAT WOMEN ADVICE

Pregnant in Bangkok Two expat mums-to-be share advice for women preparing to give birth in Thailand Tip

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Tip

Do your research

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This specifically refers to choosing the hospital you wish to use during your pregnancy and the doctor you are assigned to. I work with a lot of expatriates who have had children here, so it was helpful to be able to get advice on hospital delivery packages, the names of recommended obstetricians and general tips which helped in selecting the right place, but visiting them and asking about recommended doctors is useful too. The Bangkok Guide is also a great starting point, especially if you are new to Bangkok, as it offers a lot of key maternal and baby-care information in the Health section.

Network

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Getting around the city can be taxing at times, but being pregnant can magnify the issues that would ordinarily be minor irritations. Walking around is generally hazardous with the uneven pavements, pot-holes and motorbikes coming up the rear. I tend, now, to avoid the busier stretches and, if I am walking around, wear shoes that are sturdy and take one of those menthol nasal inhalers for those moments where street smells get too much. On the BTS and MRT, I have started making good use of the gates rather than the turnstiles, which can crush you or bump if you don’t get through quickly enough. Finally, the front of taxis is the only way to go, unless you’re lucky enough to come across one with seatbelts in the back, which is rare!

Tip

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Meeting other pregnant women can have huge benefits, particularly if you are having your baby in a place that is not your home country, which can be daunting for some. When I joined a pre-natal yoga class at Pilates Studio in Ploenchit, I found it a great way to meet regularly with women going through similar experiences, with the added bonus of exercising without feeling like the only one with a basketballsized stomach! BAMBI (Bangkok Mothers and Babies International) is also a well-regarded organisation offering support groups for expectant mothers, parents and families.

Travel safe, travel well

Lorna Tighe

Age: 30 Occupation: Teacher at Bangkok Patana School

Tip

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Shop early…

…for maternity clothes, which can be hard to find in Bangkok, unless you can afford to spend a fortune. I really only came across one or two places which didn’t offer tent dresses in hideous patchwork patterns!

And it took me a while to find these, in any case.

Platinum Mall opposite Pratunam Market had a couple of maternity shops offering trousers, shorts and jeans with the maternity belly band attached and MBK is good for picking up loose linen tops and dresses and trousers in a stretchy material.

However, in retrospect, I think I would have had some tailoring done or some old clothes adjusted to fit my expanding bump. Having friends or family post a few staple items is also an added bonus.

Tip

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Download and surf

I found apps, such as babybump or babycenter for the iPhone, iTouch or Ipad a good resource for daily updates on all things linked with pregnancy, whether an expatriate or not. Ok, so tips and advice are often related to the US or the UK, but they can still be beneficial in getting you to consider things that, while relevant in the West, might need to be reconsidered or adapted for Thailand living, such as differences in antenatal class options. In Bangkok, websites such as www.parentvine. net and www.bambiweb.org are great for supporting mums-to-be living in the city.

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Tip

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Every year, there are two baby expos at Queen Sirikit convention centre. Make the time to go on the first day and the very last day and have a list of items that you consider as expensive, so do a little shopping R&D first to know what these are. For me these were items like a foldable travelling Crib and an all in one nappy / bathing station. Most vendors stock like crazy so you’ll only see a few items run out, but be sure to remember what you first saw, then come back again on the last day just a few hours before closing and ask what they will do with their display items. Most people don’t bother asking about display items as they want everything new and sealed, but this is not necessary as you will need to wash, steam clean and sterilize before your baby is due. I received a further 30% off a display item, an awesome travelling crib by “Cool Kids” for around 4,000 baht (the same models retail at Paragon and Central for 6,000+).

Sarah Huang

Age: 26 Occupation: General Manager of South East Asia for Exa Digital

Tip

1

Get to a baby expo!

Don’t freak out!

For most expat women, it’s common to feel a little lost and experience anxiety.

“I’m so far away from my family and my home” I bet is one of the first thoughts that comes to mind. But the most important thing to remember is that you need to keep calm, as hard as that can be sometimes, and remember that despite not having the extra help from your sister and your mum, private nannies in Thailand don’t cost an arm and a leg like they do back home.

Be sure to check out an accredited agency especially if you require a help with a newborn and book a nanny a few weeks in advance before the baby is due to see how they are like with just household chores and prepping for the big delivery.

If there’s a language barrier, try getting help from a Thai friend to find you one and create a checklist in Thai of do’s and don’ts for your Nanny / Maid, this will help a bunch.

Tip

2

Buy some ‘Seabands’

Tip

4

Morning sickness?

Get yourself some ‘Seabands’ at any Boots outlet. These are comfortable elastic bands that go around your wrist and apply accupressure to a point called the “Nei Kuan.” Seabands has been recognized around the globe to be the most effective drug free medicine to treat nausea, motion sickness and morning sickness.

I had been extremely sceptical at first, but it reduced my morning sickness within hours of wearing it. It’s safe to wear 24 hours a day and whilst sleeping too.

Buy second hand

If you’re worried about finances, go second hand! Spread the word to friends and family members that you’re having a little one, so they can ship off that awesome European stroller that they spent a bucket load on, or check out some Thai websites like Pantipmarket. co.th or Thaisecondhand.com.

Tip Sort out your insurance, 5 and check your work rights Worried about your Health insurance? Check the fine print to see if you have maternity included as an option in your private healthcare, and make sure you get this before you have your baby. If not, there’s always SSO, which is public health care, and Chulalongkorn is one of the best public hospitals if you don’t mind the half-hour to onehour wait.

Most doctors at Chulalongkorn work part time at the most expensive hospitals anyway, and if you don’t mind a student doctor attending your birth then this will all be free. It also helps if you know a friend of a friend that can hook you up with a contact if there’s a language barrier problem. Otherwise, if you’re worried, go private.

BNH starts at around 39,000 baht for a natural birth and around 55,000 baht for a C-section. It also has great doctors and facilities.

Regarding work - don’t be afraid to let your boss know way in advance about your pregnancy.

Labour laws in Thailand for expats are improving, and the Ministry of Labour’s website now includes downloadable brochures in English which inform you of your rights.

At present, pregnant employees are entitled to 45 days of paid maternity leave; a further 45 days can be negotiated with your boss but isn’t paid. You can request shorter hours and request for some of your duties to be temporarily re-assigned.

Speak to your boss to see if there’s a way to bring babies in to the office. My boss has organized for a spare office room to be turned into a nursery, and most international companies offer childcare benefits plus schooling or in-house creches for executive kids. Be sure to check the fine print of your contract to understand what your company’s policies are.

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EXPAT WOMEN OPINION

Trailing spouses – the unsung heroes Karen Hochhauser, Sales & Marketing Manager at Santa Fe Relocation Services, reveals how moving overseas threatened her identity, and explains what she did to claim it back ■ WHEN my husband and I moved overseas, the timing was right and while he applied for the position in China (so I could have the opportunity to practice my Chinese), my company at the time created a position for me. Such luck does not often happen. But lightening can strike twice and when my company sent me to Hong Kong, my husband found a job during a look-see trip. We then moved to Thailand for my husband’s new job and I followed as the trailing spouse, with three small children, no job, and the hardest transition I ever had to make.

It is one thing to talk about the challenges of moving overseas and giving up your previous life, job, and friends. However, experiencing it is harder than most people will ever realize. I felt depressed, worthless, too dependent and completely lost. It was not the most pleasant time in

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my life. When I tried identifying what was causing these feelings, I realized it was not per se the new country, new culture, new language, or new climate but the loss of individual identify. I was no longer me. I was a wife, a mother, and a trailing spouse. I was supposed to be supportive of my husband, the rock for my children, the glue for my family, but what about Karen?

There could have been many different outcomes based on these circumstances. I could have turned into an angry, bitter person who blamed my husband for “ruining my life.” I could have turned to starting Happy Hour at lunch time. There are many “could haves” that could have become my reality.

Instead, while I cannot say I completely eluded the

aforementioned scenarios, I did find my way, as we all do one way or the other. I started getting involved with my children’s school and arranging play dates through Bambi (Bangkok Mothers & Babies International). I started attending different coffee mornings and luncheons.

I began meeting new people from all over the world and making friends, particularly through the AWC events.

I had high aspirations for doing more exercise, starting new activities, continuing my Thai studies and so much more. I recreated myself and focused on the good parts of living in Thailand and the opportunities available.

No matter how many countries or relocations one experiences, an adjustment period will occur. There will be good days and bad days.

Just remember that each challenge provides an opportunity and that we all find our way and become stronger for it - the trailing spouse is truly the unsung hero.

TheBigChilli

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EXPAT WOMEN NEWS

Business advice

It’s cheaper to keep ‘em Why it’s important to take care of your existing customers ■ DID you know that it costs 8 to 10 times more to get a new customer than to retain your existing customer base?

With the hunting game, you have to spend time to get the attention of your prospects and educate them on your products and services. They may not buy the first time you contact them. By keeping in contact and presenting new offers, providing useful tips and sharing other customer testimonials, they may ring you up one day to do business.

In the farming game, you work with your existing customer who has already decided to do business with you. The challenge is to provide a great customer experience so they keep coming back. That positive experience can also turn into good word of mouth and gets you more referred business. Though you farm your business, it doesn’t mean that you don’t hunt for new business. It simply means that you do more with your current customer and are able to optimize your marketing budget. Let’s face it; all customers will eventually leave you. While they are with you, you can find ways to delight them and keep them loyal.

In the last couple of weeks, I had the honor to interview some executives in the Bangkok market about the concept of retention for a workshop I’ll be conducting in Kuala Lumpur at the end of May. All the executives are in the retail and service industry. The three common things they raised regarding customer loyalty were: 1) customer engagement/communication, 2) surveying and measuring and 3) training.

One company with 400 employees implemented a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) program. There is a 15 seat call center to service their customers. The CEO has rolled out an NLP (Neuro-linguistic programming) coaching program for its senior and mid-level managers. The system is set up to give monthly and quarterly reports on customer satisfaction and they internally review the weighted score and find ways to improve it.

Another company, which has two sister subsidiaries catering to the baby and toddler market, has simply implemented a logging system (read: pen, paper and Excel) which puts customer feedback into three categories: compliments, comments and complaints.

They review the consolidated log weekly and monthly. In the meetings, they look for ways they can improve and feedback the changes they’ve made to their customers who raised the issue. If the issue is about people, they provide more training.

Creating customer loyalty isn’t hard. It simply requires diligence. Management needs to persevere and resolve the issues to keep the customer happy. Whether you decide to implement an IT system to track or simply log it on paper, what matters is that management cares and there’s a process in the company to support it.

Pacharee Pantoomano-Pfirsch is a marketing consultant at Brand Now and she may be reached at consultant@bnowconsulting.com.

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Spa deals Where to enjoy a thorough pampering this month

Summer glow Until June, Anantara Spa at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is offering a special combined spa package featuring a 60-minute Elemis Exotic Coconut Rub and Milk Ritual Wrap, and a 30-minute Elemis Mini Facial, plus a complimentary Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Hand & Body Wash, for B5,500 per person. Tel: 02 476 0022 ext.

1563 bangkok-riverside.anantara.com

Free facial treatment Spa Athenee at Plaza Athenee Bangkok, a Royal Meridien Hotel is offering a free facial treatment to anyone who books a body treatment valued B2,700++ or more. Promotion ends June 30.

Tel: 02 650 8800 ext. 5001 email: spaathenee.bangkok@ lemeridien.com

New you in two hours Buy-1-get-1-free All this month The Oasis Spa on Sukhumvit 51 is celebrating its grand opening by offering a buy-one-getone-free promotion on selected treatments and packages such as King of Oasis, Queen of Oasis, Coconut Nourishing, Hair Spa Package, Oasis Summer Day, Oasis Experience and Seaside Sensation. Tel: 02 262 2122 email: cs@oasisspa.net www.oasisspa.net.

A head-to-toe spa package is on offer at Senses Spa, S31 Sukhumvit Hotel.

Priced at B1,900++ per person, the 120minute spa package features a 60-minute luminous facial treatment and a 60-minute aromatherapy body massage.

Tel: 02 260 1111 ext.

0931 www.shotelthailand.com

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EXPAT WOMEN FASHION

Bring on the beach!

Want to look your best this sizzling summer?

Check out Cindy for Jantzen 2012 Glamazon

■ APRIL is hot, hot, hot – and so is Jantzen’s new range of beachwear designed by Thai celeb Cindy Burbridge Bishop.

“This year it’s all about being fierce and gorgeous,” writes the former Miss World contestant in her promotional blurb. “The new collection’s for women who like to be a little dangerous. So there are leopard prints and jungaliscious patterns.

“There’s also something for girls who are feeling sexy.

Oh-so-hot bikinis that are sure to get your Tarzan’s heart

Into the Wild

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racing! And for the ladies who want to be a tropical diva, there are ultra-glam, one-of-a-kind suits which are sure to make that fantasy come true.”

To create this new range Cindy was heavily inspired by the gorgeous evening dresses and gowns worn by celebs on the red carpet. Many of her pieces reflect that glamorous feel.

The collection is broken into two main themes: Into the Wild, which is dominated by animal prints and jungle patterns; and Bird of Paradise, which features a colorful explosion of feathers and flowers. Cindy’s third exclusive collection is called Glamazon, which showcases all black ultra-glam designs and diamante accessories.

All the accessories are meticulously created to showcase each design and are made of high quality materials designed for use in saltwater and chlorine.

Bird of Paradise The collection has something for every body type, so no matter what shape you are, you’re bound to find something to suit.

At time of writing prices for the collection weren’t set, but the swimwear should be available in department stores by the time you’re reading this.

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EXPAT WOMEN PROBLEMS SOLVED

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

Real Problems Real Solutions

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

Shocked and frightened by my friend’s death

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ast week I attended the funeral of one of my Thai friends. She was only 51. She died after fighting cancer for nearly three years, and she was working for most of that time, except when she was going through chemotherapy.

Although she was getting weaker and her body was breaking down, she was always cheerful and hopeful, down to the last days. She had many plans for the future. I thought she would live.

And now she is dead. Many friends cried at her funeral. I feel confused, I can’t take it in. And suddenly I feel very afraid. My friend was younger, fitter and healthier than me.

How can this be? How can I make sense of all this?

Susan, 56, from England

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Anette says: ■ Dear Susan, You are still in shock from the sudden death of your friend. It looks as if you are in the first stage of the grieving process, when your mind is incapable of taking in the new reality.

Of all the issues we deal with in life (and in counseling), death is probably the most difficult. We often deal with loss, in fact loss is one of the main reasons why people come to counseling, but losing someone to death is unique. There is no second chance, there is no hope of meeting again, there is no future. That is tough enough. But then there is the knowledge that we, too, will die. One day, we will be the ones without second chances, without future.

Most of the time, we manage to ignore the looming reality of our death by turning our attention elsewhere. But right now, you don’t have that luxury.

I have no answer to your question, how to make sense of death. But I believe that it is very important to face its reality.

Apart from dealing with the impact of death on others (in other words, dealing with the loss) and apart from the process of dying, particularly of dying slowly, death really transcends psychology, although there are some branches, like existential psychotherapy, that base their approach on the fact that humans, unlike all other animals, are aware of their own death.

But what matters to me, and what can be worked with very well right now, is how you react to the experience of your friend’s death and your own mortality, and how that shapes your life. In other words, it is up to you to create the meaning of life (and death) that you are asking for.

For some people, a sudden death of a close person acts like a ‘wake up call.’ If you have any unfulfilled plans or dreams, what are you waiting for? When are you going to try to fulfill them, if not now?

If you have any unfinished business in your life, maybe with other people, maybe within yourself, death can remind you to attend to it, or to re-assess its importance and maybe let it go.

One great exercise is to imagine yourself at a time close to death. Try to imagine looking back at your life and re-view it from that perspective. What do you see? What do you feel?

Maybe, you can take this ‘wake up call’ as a parting gift from your dead friend. In the face of death, many things become insignificant, while some reveal their essential value at the core of our existence. Maybe this is one way to start creating meaning in your life.

Son’s behavior cause for concern

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hings are not going well with our 14 year old son. He withdraws into his room, his grades are dropping and he hardly talks to us any more.

This behaviour became more obvious after his brother left home to go to college back in Canada. What concerns us most is that we found a bottle of whisky in his room some months ago and since then we noticed that the level in the bottle is steadily going down. We believe that he must be drinking every day.

After school he goes out or visits his friends, comes home, grabs a bite out of the fridge and goes to his room.

Sophie wakes him up next morning, hardly gets a word and off he goes to school. During the weekends he sleeps in the daytime and spends the remaining time with friends. What should we do!?

Sophie and Bill, 39 and 46, from France and Canada

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

She trained in the Netherlands and Australia.

Johanna says: â– Dear Sophie and Bill, I understand your concerns.

It seems your son lives in his own, separate world. You do not give much information about your family’s patterns: your daily routines and how you have interacted in the past but it seems that your son is having a hard time since his brother left. Were they close?

Are there other siblings?

It would be worth spending some time thinking about the family dynamics in general and the history of your family.

How do you generally interact with each other? How happy are all of you with the present situation?

To re-start the connection with your son I suggest that you both arrange a time to talk with him. You could choose an evening when he comes home or perhaps you could schedule a meal out together, so that you can talk.

Before you talk with your son, you both need to agree, as parents, on the norms and principles for living together as a family. What behaviour would you like to see? You could create a framework of rules for living together that applies to you all. For example you could decide how many meals you want to eat together per day/week, how to spend your time on weekends, what to do about good grades and bad grades.

Another example: If your son can buy whisky, then the money has to come from somewhere. By giving him pocket money or lunch money you may be enabling him to drink, so could you think of a change in this area?

In your talk with your son both of you should express your love and concern for him and tell him that you found the alcohol and know that he consumes it daily. Try to state this without putting blame on him. Ask him if he has any suggestions for all of you on how to become more like a family and let him know what the two of you discussed. Ask him if he has any suggestions. Confront him with a change in the handing out of pocket or lunch money because you do not want to support his drinking.

If you are really concerned about the alcohol, tell him that you will arrange for him to see a counselor to assist him to overcome the addiction.

This will also provide a confidential space for your son to confide in someone about what is bothering him in this phase of his life when he needs to learn how to separate and differentiate himself from his parents.

I hope your son is open to your suggestions and will feel your love and concern for him.

My best wishes to all of you.

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

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Gourmet p Wine and restaurant news

MORN ING MUNC H PAGE 68

Rang Mahal Restaurant’s Thali Lunch Set is not to be missed - especially as it’s twofor-one. See page 50.

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

Page 50

Recipe

Salmon salad is given a Thai twist, and it’s healthy and delicious Page 66

Dining out

Our favourite restaurants reviewed and listed Page 72 TheBigChilli

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GOURMET NEWS

What’s Cooking

Bangkok’s hottest dining deals and news

Pasta on promotion IL TARTUFO, UNTIL APR 30

■ BOTH branches of il Tartufo Italian Restaurant (Sukhumvit 51 and The Avenue Chaengwattana) are holding a ‘Beat the Heat’ promotion this month which offers traditional pasta dishes for just B150 per dish.

Available for both lunch and dinner. il Tartufo restaurant 64 Soi Sukhuvmit 51, Tel: 02 259 3569 (The Avenue Chaengwattana branch, 104/42 Room B-202, Tel: 02 574 1774) www.iltartufobangkok.com

Thai lunch deal Brio’s Pasta Tuesdays BRIO, AVAILABLE NOW

Hot Choice!

■ EVERY Tuesday, Brio Italian Restaurant at Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is offering an all-you-can-eat pasta buffet and free-flow soft drinks for just B399 per person.

Alternatively head to the resort on a Wednesday to enjoy premium Wagyu steaks at Trader Vic’s or Benihana restaurant starting at the special price of B999++. The best way to get to the resort is to take the free shuttle boat, which leaves every 30 minutes from the pier near Saphan Thaksin BTS. Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa, 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road Tel: 02 476 0022 ext. 1416, email: riversidedining@anantara.com www.bangkokriverdining.com

TWO FORTY EIGHT CAFÉ & BAR, UNTIL MAY 31

■ EVERY Mon, Wed, and Fri the trendy café at the Northgate Ratchayothin Serviced Residence is serving two different Thai set lunches priced B149 each. Set Menu A features Chilli shrimp paste dip with deep-fried vegetables, and Spicy and sour curried prawn soup with vegetables. Set Menu B features the dip plus Spicy and sour minced chicken and pork ribs with mint leaves. Each set comes with rice and a choice of seasonal fruit or ice-cream. Served 11.30am-2pm.

Northgate Ratchayothin Serviced Residence, 248 Ratchadapisek Road, Tel: 02 939 7949 email: reservation@northgatebangkok.com www.northgatebangkok.com

2-for-1 Thali lunch RANG MAHAL, AVAILABLE NOW

■ REMBRANDT Hotel’s famous Indian Restaurant is offering a two-forone deal on its delicious Thali lunch set this month. Priced at B495, the set includes a choice of chicken, mutton, seafood served with kebabs, yogurt, naan bread, basmati rice and much more. Vegetarian options are also available. The deal is available Mon-Sat, from 11.30am-2.30pm.

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, 19 Sukhumvit 18 Road, Tel: 02 261 7100, email: restaurant@rembrandtbkk.com www.rembrandtbkk.com

Burgers and wine WINE PUB, UNTIL APR 30

■ HERE’S a cracking deal for burger fans: Every Fri from 6pm – 10pm, the stylish Wine Pub at Pullman Bangkok King Power is offering a special set of two burgers (made of duck and wagyu beef) plus fries and a bottle of house wine for only B990.

Pullman Bangkok King Power, 8/2 Rangnam Road, Phayathai Tel: 02 680 9999 www.pullmanbangkokkingpower.com

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Healthy fusion PANORAMA, UNTIL APR 30

■ PANORAMA restaurant is giving salmon a tasty Thai twist this month and serving up a Spicy grilled eggplant salad with crispy salmon and salmon roe. Enjoyed alongside the restaurant’s sumptuous views of Lumpini Park, it’s a real summer’s day treat.

B1,500++ per dish. Available 10.30am-1am.

Crowne Plaza Bangkok Hotel Lumpini Park, 952 Rama IV Road Tel: 02 632 9000 email:info-cpbkk@ihg.com crowneplaza.com/bangkoklumpini

Let’s do brunch

Where to enjoy a weekend feast Sunday Brunch – Italian style GROSSI TRATTORIA AND WINE BAR, UNTIL APR 30

■ IF you’re looking for a down to earth brunch experience with top quality Italian eats then the ‘Mamma’s Sunday Brunch’ at Grossi restaurant is just the ticket. Priced B999++ per person (served 11.30am – 3pm), it features a generous selection of seafood and cold cuts plus a table menu loaded with pass around items. The Italian desserts are tasty, too.

InterContinental Bangkok, 973 Ploenchit Road, Tel: 02 656 04444 ext.6273 email: intercon@ihgbangkok.com www.intercontinental.com

Sheraton’s buffet bonanza

ROSSINI’S, BASIL, THE LIVING ROOM, UNTIL APR 30

All you can eat Teppanyaki HIIRAGI JAPANESE RESTAURANT, APR 20-29

■ TEPPANYAKI fans take note - head to this nineday promo at Novotel Bangna Bangkok’s Japanese restaurant, Hiiragi, and you can enjoy a Teppanyaki dinner featuring various grilled meats and seafood, a choice of sushi, sashimi, tempura, and salads, as well as miso soup, garlic rice and dessert, for just B699++ per person.

333 Srinakarin Road, Tel: 02 366 0505 ext. 1470, 1471, www.novotel.com/asia

Afternoon delight THE DIPLOMAT BAR, AVAILABLE NOW

■ A GOOD place to spend an afternoon relaxing and gossiping with friends this month is Conrad Bangkok’s Diplomat Bar. Two new tea sets are on offer, namely the ‘Hyde Park,’ which includes Chicken salad and cucumber on multigrain bread, English scones with preserved apricot, strawberry and clotted cream, English tea cake and Lemon meringue pie; and the ‘Lumpini Park’ set, which includes Sweet turnip and pork on pineapple, Crispy vermicelli in golden flour cup, Minced shrimp on sugarcane stick, Mango sticky rice sushi, and more. From Served 2.30pm-5.30pm.

B410++ per person and B750++ per couple.

Conrad Bangkok, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Road, Tel: 02 690 9999 www.conradbangkok.com

■ SHERATON Grande Sukhumvit’s renowned ‘Sunday Jazzy Brunch’ is celebrating its 11th anniversary this month with a special offer – all diners who attend a Brunch during April will be given a chance to win a free dinner and one-night’s weekend stay at the hotel. The sumptuous brunch is divided between three restaurants (Rossini’s, basil, and The Living Room) and priced B2,700++ per adult (including free flow of beers, wines, and cocktails) and B1,300++ per child.

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, 250 Sukhumvit Road, Tel: 02 649 8353 email: dining.sgs@luxurycollection.com www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com

International brunch buffet BOQUERIA, AVAILABLE NOW

■ THE Saturday and Sunday international brunch buffet at this contemporary French/ Italian restaurant is now on offer for B599++ per person.

The hearty selection of goodies includes Italian cold cuts, Japanese favourites, seafood, lamb, ribs and crepes. Brunch is served 11am3pm. Until April 29, BigChilli readers get 20% discount.

Boqueria restaurant, CRC Tower, All Seasons Place (G floor), Wireless Road, Tel: 02 685 3930-1 www.pomodorogroup.co.th

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GOURMET NEWS

Coffee Corner Penguin Likes Chocolate

■ THE Rain Hill Shopping Complex on Sukhumvit 47 has a great selection of restaurants and bars to try, but if coffee and cake is what you’re after you should head straight to this cozy chocolate and dessert café. Decorated in a hip retro style, with exposed brickwork, mock-vintage furniture, and a bookcase lined with cutesy bric-a-brac and toy penguins, the café has a lovely informal atmosphere.

An extensive and inexpensive range of chocolate desserts, all homemade using fine Swiss chocolate, is on offer, including the shop’s signature Flourless Chocolate Sundae (B145) and other highlights such as Chocolate Lava Sundae (B145) served with

ice cream and strawberries, Chocolate Créme Brûlée (B145) served with fresh strawberries, and Chocolate Brownie Sundae (B145) served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Feeling totally decadent? Wash your dessert down with a Hot chocolate (B95).

777 Rain Hill, 1st floor, Sukhumvit 47, Tel: 02 261 7115 email: penguin. lk.choc@gmail.com, www.facebook.com/Penguin.Likes.Choc (Until Dec 31, Sansiri members get 10% discount for every B500 purchased.)

Tasty quote ■ Good bread is the most fundamentally satisfying of all foods; good bread with fresh butter, the greatest of feasts! -- James Beard

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Boosting a restaurant’s bottom line with hardsell recommendations that shock customers ■ “UPSELLING” is a new term coined by a growing number of angry Bangkok diners who claim they are being exploited by greedy restaurant owners who use a combination of charm and hard sell to push them into ordering horrendously expensive dishes – without disclosing the price.

“On arrival at the restaurant, we were greeted by the owner like old friends, even though we’d only been there once or twice before and hardly knew him,” explained one expat couple. “Straightaway he was telling us about this fantastic dish, or that fantastic dish on the night’s menu.

We trusted his judgment and agreed to the recommendations.

“The food was good but when the bill came, it was astronomic. We couldn’t believe how expensive his recommendations were.

“The owner was definitely ‘upselling’ his food and we went along with it. We wish he’d told us how much it was, and not how good it was.”

The couple say they won’t be returning to the restaurant, located in central Bangkok.

Several other similar experiences have been reported. In one case the diners were strongly urged to take the owner’s recommendation instead of looking at the menu.

They were completely shocked by the amount on the final bill’ In another case, a group of diners did ask the owner-chef for his

recommendation. After he waxed lyrical about a certain cold-cut starter, they agreed to order it.

Again, the cost of the dish rocked them. By a strange coincidence, all three restaurants were Italian.

“This ‘upselling’ puts real pressure on the diners, and somehow it’s easier just to go along with what you’re told,” said one angry customer, who had intended to eat a light meal but ended up with more than he could eat. “Of course we are the fools for not asking the price or looking at the menu, but the restaurants are doing themselves no favors with this kind of pressure selling.”

What do you think? Have you also been the victim of ‘ upselling’? Let us know at thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

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GOURMET NEWS

Cool food Where to try traditional Khao Chae – Thailand’s famous summer dish JUST perfect for the hot season, Khao Chae features boiled rice in chilled jasmine-scented water served with tasty side dishes such as Salted shred turnip with egg, Fried sweet peppers stuffed with shrimp and minced pork, Stuffed shallot with fish, Fried shrimp paste, Sweet fish, and more. Try it for yourself at the following:

New on the scene

The Great Hornbill Bistro

■ OWNED and operated by PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, The Great Hornbill Bistro brings to Bangkok the same European-influenced cuisine as served at the winery’s Great Hornbill Grill plus a few special dishes of

Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok Until Apr 30, The Terrace@72 Restaurant & Bar will serve Khao Chae as part of its daily international buffet lunch for B690++ per adult and B345++ per child.

2074 Charoenkrung Road, Tel: 02 688 0000 ext.

231 email: menam@ramadaplazamenamriverside. com www.ramadaplazamenamriverside.com

The Peninsula Bangkok Until Apr 15, Thiptara Thai Restaurant and the Lobby will serve Khao Chae from 12pm – 10.30pm. B420 per person. 333 Charoennakorn

Road, Tel: 02 626 1841 email: dininggpbk@peninsula.com www.peninsula.com

The Sukhothai Bangkok Until Apr 30, Celadon restaurant’s Khao Chae set will be available for B850++ per person.

13/4 South Sathorn Road Tel: 02 344 8888 email: promotions@sukhothai.com www.sukhothai.com

Four Seasons Bangkok From Apr 13 – 19, Spice Market will offer a Khao Chae set featuring six side dishes for B700++ per person. 155 Rajadamri Road

Tel: 02 126 8866 ext. 1233-4 www.fourseasons.com/bangkok

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its own. The thin crust pizzas are a highlight, as is the Roast pork knuckle, cooked in the traditional German style or with a Thai twist as Yam Ka Moo. Other local specialties include the Miang Bai Angun, a traditional Thai hors d’ oeuvre. While the restaurant is busiest for dinner, coffee, pastries and cakes are available throughout the day, as well as a sumptuous all-day breakfast. The latest vintages from the winery are available to sample and buy. Open daily, 9am-10pm.

The Great Hornbill Bistro, Sukhumvit Soi 39, Tel: 02 262 0030

Dine in the Dark ■ A UNIQUE culinary dining experience awaits at this fine dining restaurant, which gives you the chance to discover Thai and international dishes in complete darkness, thereby heightening all your other senses.

Employing a team of experienced visually impaired waiters, the restaurant redistributes 10% of its profits in support of their cause. A choice of three set menus is available (all three-courses), including Thai (B850), international (B850), and vegetarian (B750). Each dish is carefully prepared by Dine in the Dark’s Cordon Bleu trained chef to offer a surprising selection of textures and tastes – a true culinary guessing game, especially as each menu is kept secret and only revealed when you finish your dinner and emerge back into the light.

DID is located on the second floor of Ascott Sathorn Bangkok (a short walk from Chong Nonsi BTS). Seatings are held daily from 6.30pm-8.30pm, and again from 8.30pm-11pm. Reservations are recommended. Parking is available.

187 Sathorn Road, Yannawa / BTS Chong Nonsi, Tel: 02 676 6676 email: info@DIDexperience.com www.DIDexperience.com

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

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

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

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GOURMET NEWS

Chefs’ tables

Sala Rim Naam Mandarin Oriental Bangkok

■ As host of “Best Thai Chef” on Channel 5 and author of bestselling cookbook “Authentic Thai Cuisine,” Executive Chef Vichit Mukura may already be well known for sharing his culinary secrets, but his Chef’s Table at Sala Rim Naam is the first time he’s ever invited diners to learn his culinary secrets face to face in the restaurant’s kitchen.

Exposing the beating heart of Sala Rim Naam’s whole operation, the experience is held within a private room which offers views of the main kitchen. The room is air-conditioned, well-ventilated (you won’t leave smelling of food), and kitted out with its own ovens and hobs where Chef Vichit gets to work cooking his delicious Thai dishes.

Pictures tacked to the back wall of the room depict Chef Vichit buying fresh ingredients from the local market – an early morning

journey he makes every time a Chef’s Table booking is made, and one which ensures no two visits to the Chef’s Table are alike (here, seasonal produce and the whims of the chef reign supreme).

Bookings for the Chef’s Table must be made 24-hours in advance. A six-course meal is B2,900++ per person; nine courses, B3,900++ per person. The experience is open to a maximum of seven diners and a minimum of four.

48 Oriental Avenue, Tel: 02 659 9000, email: mobkk-enquiry@mohg.com http://www. mandarinoriental.com/bangkok

Celadon Herb Garden Sukhothai Bangkok

■ THE Sukhothai Bangkok’s Thai restaurant, Celadon, has opened a new Chef’s Table in the restaurant’s herb garden.

Seating a maximum of six, the Chef’s Table gives diners the perfect vantage point from which to watch Thai chef Chamlong ‘Jimmy’ Pewthaisong prepare his

mouthwatering cuisine using herbs from the garden.

Two set menus are on offer, the Anchan and Puong Chompu, priced B2,400++ and B2,800++ respectively. Add B2,000++ for a chef’s demonstration at your table, service from your own private butler, and 45 minutes of traditional Thai music.

Reservations must be made a minimum of two days in advance.

Tel: 02 344 8888 email: promotions@sukhothai.com.

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GOURMET NEWS

Gourmet scrapbook

Last month’s wine functions in focus

Food tour at InterCon ■ A group of guests from the local media went on a Signature Dining Tour of the InterContinental Bangkok, starting with canapés at Grossi Trattoria & Wine Bar, followed by a classic fish at Fireplace Grill, a dessert at Expresso, tea at Summer Palace, and finally a cocktail at the hotel’s Oasis Sky Bar.

Michelin magic at La Scala ■ GAETANO Trovato, chef and owner of the the twoMichelin Star Arnolfo Ristorante in Siena, Italy, returned to Bangkok to wow diners with his award-winning Tuscan cuisine at La Scala, The Sukhothai Bangkok. He was accompanied on his visit by his brother, Giovanni, who complemented each course with a specially selected wine. If you missed this event don’t worry - as part of its ‘Exclusive Culinary Experience’ campaign in conjunction with SCB Credit Card, the hotel will host Chef Alain Passard, owner of the three Michelin star Arpège restaurant in Paris, from Apr 24 – 29.

For more info: www.sukhothai.com

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Songkran Specials Celebrate Thai New Year with a feast Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square

FROM Apr 13-16, The Square restaurant will serve an international buffet for B530 per person. What’s more, go as a group of four and you pay for only two. Alternatively head to Lok Wah Hin for an all-you-can-eat dim sum buffet priced B550 per person (regular price at B730).

Armand de Brignac arrives in Thailand ■ SIAM Winery, led by Chalerm Yoovidhya (fourth from left), held a cocktail reception at the Authors’ Lounge of Mandarin Oriental Bangkok to launch “Armand de Brignac” champagne. This was followed by dinner at Le Normandie restaurant. Pictured (from left) are: Jarin Tumwattana; ML Korkrit Kridakorn; Mr. Brett Berish, President and CEO of Sovereign Brands; Chalerm & Daranee Yoovidhya; Dr. Rujapong Sukhabote and Aryusakorn Arayangkura.

Siam Square Soi 6, Tel: 02 209 8888 ext. the Square or Lok Wah Hin email: info@novotelbkk.com www.novotelbkk.com

Banyan Tree Bangkok

FROM Apr 12-18, a four-course Royal Thai set dinner will be available aboard the hotel’s Apsara Dining Cruise for B2,400 per person with a glass of sparkling wine. Price includes round trip transfer from the hotel to the River City Pier.

21/100 South Sathon Road, Tel: 02 679 1200, email: bangkok@banyantree.com www.banyantree.com

S31 Sukhumvit Hotel

FROM Apr 13-16, S Café’s all-you-can-eat buffet lunch featuring international and Thai eats will be on offer for just B250 per person.

545 Sukhumvit 31, Tel: 02 260 1111 ext. 0633, email: kachain_t@s31hotel.com www.s31hotel.com

Bangkok Hotel Lotus Sukhumvit

German all stars at Nai Lert ■ DINERS enjoyed the chance to mingle with German soccer legends at Swissotel Nai Lert Park, Bangkok’s “1990 FIFA World Cup Champions Charity Buffet Dinner.” Attending the event were German football celebrities including Jens Nowotny, Oliver Neuville, Dieter Burdenski, Dieter Eilts, Olaf Marschall, Roy Präger, Matthias Herget and more.

The hotel will donate part of the proceeds of the dinner to the Sports Association for the Disabled of Thailand Under Royal Patronage.

FROM Apr 13-15, Coco’s Café will extend its international buffet menu by adding special dishes from the four regions of Thailand.

Available daily 11.30am2.30pm, all-you-can-eat lunch is B800 per person with a complimentary herbal drink.

1 Soi Daeng Udom, Sukhumvit Soi 33, Tel: 02 610 0111 ext. 4900 www.hotellotussukhumvit.com

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REVIEW WINE CONNECTION

WINE CONNECTION TAPAS BAR & BISTRO Wine Connectionʼs second bistro is even better than its much-loved first IT’S been almost two years since Wine Connection opened its first Bangkok-based Deli Bar & Bistro (K-Village Shopping Complex, Sukhumvit 26) and introduced its instantly popular formula of serving inexpensive wines and Mediterranean eats in an informal setting. Since then it’s been packed most nights, attracting oenophiles of all backgrounds as well as Thai entrepreneurs whose noses for wine might not be developed, but whose noses for business certainly are: since 2010 numerous copy-cat wine bars have sprung up around town – many with the word ‘wine’ in their monikers.

Surprisingly, the only

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company not to rush in and capitalize on Bangkok’s wine culture boom during this time was Wine Connection itself. But since launching its K Village branch it has clearly been planning its next move carefully, because its second restaurant, opened this February at the Rain Hill Shopping Complex on Sukhumvit 47, is a well considered effort that sees the company raising its own game.

Called Wine Connection Tapas Bar & Bistro, the Rain Hill branch is bigger than the K Village operation and has a cool modern industrial design.

Split into three ‘zones,’ it has a Bistro area (which offers the

same food menu and family friendly atmosphere as the K Village branch), a Tapas Bar with open kitchen, and a Drinks Bar where you can sit on bar stools to enjoy one of 30 wines by the glass or 10 imported draught beers from Belgium and Germany.

Poured from frozen beer

150 bottles on offer, there’s something for every taste.

Live DJs spin house music daily from 5pm-1am, giving the bar a hip party vibe. Also at 5pm, the Tapas Bar kicks into action serving its own menu, featuring cold items like Mixed Italian olives and Sliced salami, as well as warm items like Bacon

taps, the beers include good options such as Memminger Lager Schwartz, a dark full bodied beer from Germany; and Barbar, a strong golden beer from Belgium. The draught beers range from B99+ to B140+ per pint – a bargain for beers of this quality.

Wines at the Rain Hill branch are slightly more expensive than the K Village branch (you can’t buy bottles from the adjacent wine shop to drink on site here), but the prices are still more than reasonable, ranging from B750+ to B5,400+ per bottle, and B120+ to B320+ per glass. With

wrapped asparagus and Lamb Kofta. Each item is only B90+.

For a bigger fill though you need to tuck into the Bistro menu, which offers a wide range of pizzas, pasta and salad dishes, including highlights such as Green fettuccine with goat cheese and rocket salad (B220+), and Grilled tuna steak and sesame crust served with black fettuccine, julienne vegetables, and tomato salsa (B380+).

Rain Hill Shopping Complex, Sukhumvit 47. Open daily 10am – 1am. Tel: 02 261 7217 www.facebook.com/ wineconnectiontapasbarbistro

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GOURMET NEWS

Bangkok Beefsteak & Burgundy

Mocktails and flowers at Gai & Joel

T

HE Bangkok chapter of the Beefsteak & Burgundy was thrown into utter disarray recently after David Dean, its stalwart secretary and chief bouncer, suffered a minor stroke while celebrating his 70th birthday at Chesa, a wellknown Swiss restaurant in Sukhumvit Soi 22.

David maintains that it was the excitement of the day rather than the copious quantities of wine consumed which dispatched him to hospital. Thomas Novak, the rambunctious chef at Chesa, maintained it was probably down to the wine and promptly fled to Japan with his mother.

In David and Thomas’ absence, only 10 members and three guests made it to the monthly lunch held in March at Gai & Joel at the Lumpini Park end of Soi Lang Suan. The unusually small group included one member on a zimmer frame following back surgery less than a week before, and a number of others nursing far more life-threatening hangovers from February.

element. Fans thought a straw might aid extraction of the final agglomerations of fishy flavour from the bottom of the bowl.

One or two more refined members sniffed at this, preferring a little crispy French bread for tactical blotting purposes.

The starter that followed was one of the highlights of the meal, although it was misnamed “French Channel Ocean Wild Lemon Sole.” This was presumably an allusion to the English Channel which, as everyone knows, sits off the northern French coast. Served with a “natural growth edible flower panache,” this delightfully light piece of fish got along very well with the clean and slightly creamy chardonnay -- for those wise enough to have kept a little in reserve.

A few were baffled by the name “Celebration Sorbet” (cold, pink and inert beneath a green foliage camouflage), but obliged by drinking some more wine. For some, the meal had progressed at the fish stage into Le Corte Chianti, a fine Tuscan

Members and guests took stock of the friendly welcome, the light and open ambience and the high tech surveillance system monitoring the chefs at work in the kitchen. A palpable shock wave ran through the establishment when a complimentary “mocktail” was served -- that is a cocktail without alcohol.

“What is the point?” one incredulous member gasped as wine master Jock Tulloch scrambled to pour a 2005 Babich Semillon Chardonnay from New Zealand and bring some desperately needed disorder to the proceedings.

The first course was New Zealand white asparagus wrapped in prosciutto ham with alfredo sauce and white truffle oil. The truffle oil gave excellent olfactory advance warning of its coming, but the distinctive aroma might have slightly drowned out the asparagus. It nevertheless washed down very nicely with a 2009 Angove Long Row Chardonnay one of the better value for money wines offered at supermarkets around town.

The soup was a Bouillabaisse with pastis, tomato, saffron and capsicum rouillé. This proved to be a hearty diversion which food critic Mark Guthrie immediately tagged for its fusion

red from 2004, which was to be followed by a Colonial Estate 2005 Shiraz from the Barossa Valley.

The main course was a choice of Kobe rib eye with potato air white truffle purée, crisp needle beans and vintage port jus or Tasmanian lamb rack with marinated cinnamon, saffron, garlic, cumin on crispy garlic couscous. The generous 180-gram serving of kobe went down easily with everyone appreciating the silken texture of the Japanese steak and its characteristic, somewhat buttery fat. The lamb racks were generous but some felt could have done with a little more trimming. There were serious debates on the wisdom of allowing truffle oil to surface twice in the same meal, and on the merits in general of couscous, but no complaints whatever about quality or servings.

The meal was rounded out with a three-cheese plate accompanied by Camus VSOP Cognac with its nutty tangs and hints of orange peel.

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99/11 Langsuan Balcony, Langsuan Soi 7, Tel: 02 684 5944

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GOURMET Q&A

Bar Banter

This month: Khun Phisit ‘Bank’ Khumpong The Diplomat Bar’s affable mixologist explains why the bar’s a top choice for celebs and VIPs When did you first join Diplomat Bar and what made you decide to work there?

I’ve been working at Diplomat Bar, Conrad Bangkok, for almost a year now. Before that I still worked for Conrad but I was the bartender at the hotel’s Club 87 Plus. I think Diplomat Bar is one of the best bars in Bangkok – a great place for people to relax after work.

It’s not that big so guests get genuinely good service, and I think that makes it a great place to work too.

What’s the best thing about being a bartender?

Creating fabulous cocktails from my own imagination – mixing anything I want to create awesome tastes. I love making guests feel happy, especially if their happiness stems from drinking one of my own unique creations!

What makes Diplomat Bar different from other bars in Bangkok?

The privacy. Some guests want to relax alone or with their loved one in the corner; they don’t want to talk to anybody else, they don’t want to be hassled. Some guests want to be enchanted by the jazz music, other guests simply want to drink. And we provide something for everyone. Guests here are mostly celebrities, politicians, and other VIPs from Bangkok’s vibrant social scene. Making them all feel comfortable is our key aim.

What’s the most interesting gossip you’ve heard while working behind the bar?

I can’t really tell you, but it normally revolves around men chasing women – much like a soap opera.

Can you tell us an interesting fact about the Diplomat Bar that most people don’t know?

We regularly host performances by jazz singers from all around the world.

What nights are best to visit and why?

Friday and Saturday nights, because everyone’s out enjoying the weekend and the bar has a great atmosphere.

Conrad Bangkok, 87 Wireless Road, Tel: 02 690 9999

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Recipe of the month

Gratinated Snow fish with seasonal veggies

cut out and keep

GOURMET NEWS

Topped with parmesan, macadamia nuts, and an orange and ginger sauce, this delicious fish dish by Amnart Jitkwan, Executive Chef of the Chaophya Park Hotel, is the perfect light bite for a hot summer’s day Ingredients • Snow fish 100g • Bread crumb 30g • Parsley 5g • Macadamia nuts custard 30g • Mixed vegetables 80g • Fresh Shitake Mushroom 50g • Lemon 20g • Sun-dried tomatoes 15g • Orange and ginger sauce 80g • Balsamico 10g

Sauce • Orange juice 50g • Ginger pickled 30g • Balsamico 5g • Tabasco 5g • Salt – pepper 5g • Butter 10g

Method 1. Sprinkle snow fish with salt and pepper and grill on medium. Mix the bread crumbs, macadamia nuts and chopped parsley together and put on the snow fish. Grill until golden.

2. Stir mixed vegetables with butter and add salt and pepper. Place vegetables on the plate.

3. Pour the orange and ginger pickle sauce onto the vegetables and place the snow fish on top.

4. Garnish with sweet basil, lemon, sun dried tomatoes and drip balsamic sauce around the plate.

About the chef

an

itkw Chef Amnart J 66

Executive Chef Amnart ha has over twenty years’ experience cooking Thai and European cuisines at numerous top hotels, including The Sukhothai Bangkok and The Radisson Hotel Bangkok.

Prior to joining the Chaophya Park Hotel in August last year, he worked for CP All Public Company.

A specialist in modern fusion food, his menus are always full of tasty surprises.

Chaophya Park Hotel, 247 Rachadapisek Road, Tel: 02 290 0125 www.chaophyapark.com

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GOURMET NEWS

unch M

rning o M

Kick start your day with a feast ■ ASK any nutritional expert what they think is the most important meal of the day and invariably they’ll say it’s breakfast.

There’s a clue as to why in the word itself – ‘breakfast’ is a portmanteau of ‘breaking the fast.’ And it’s true. Unless you’ve had a night out on the town with your mates and gobbled a kebab at 2am before slumping into bed, chances are that most mornings when you wake up you won’t have eaten for at least eight hours or more. You’re running on empty, you need fuel; you need to break your fast.

While your morning meal can be as simple as a bowl of cereal and milk, the best way to energize your body and mind for the day ahead is with a proper feast.

Bacon, egg, toast, sausages, mushrooms, hash browns, beans – the full monty.

Unfortunately modern-day life doesn’t take the importance of breakfast into account: long working hours, family commitments and lengthy commutes

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rob busy executives of the time it takes to prepare such a feast. But why cook it yourself?

In Bangkok there are hundreds of places to enjoy a hearty morning munch.

Not only are there expat pubs serving buckle-bursting full English breakfasts at great value for money, but there’s also perhaps Bangkok’s biggest underused resource – hotel breakfast buffets.

Open to outside guests, hotel breakfast buffets offer an extensive selection of Asian, continental, American, and English breakfast items. What’s more, they’re all-you-can-eat!

The following pages contain the prices popular hotels in Bangkok charge for their international breakfast buffets as well as the prices for full-English breakfasts at expat pubs. No matter where you are in town, you’re sure to find a property and price to suit your taste and budget. Loosen your belt, tuck in, and enjoy!

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Hotel breakfast buffets All hotels serve international buffet breakfasts, unless stated otherwise Aloft Bangkok- Sukhumvit 11 35 Sukhumvit Soi 11 Tel: 02 207 7000

B550++ per person

Ambassador Hotel 171 Sukhumvit Soi 11 Tel: 02 254 0444

B401 per person

Anantara Bangkok Sathorn 36 Narathiwat-Ratchanakarin Road Tel: 02 210 9000

B530 per person

Bandara Suites Silom, Bangkok

Dusit Thani Bangkok

Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok

B847 per person

B780++ per person

946 Rama IV Road Tel: 02 200 9000

Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn 33/1 South Sathorn Road Tel: 02 210 8100

30 Sukhumvit 21 (Asoke) Road Tel: 02 204 4020

Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok – Sukhumvit 15

B680++ per person

Grand Sukhumvit by Sofitel

B650 per person

B765 per person

Sukhumvit Soi 15 Tel: 02 309 3000

Four Seasons Bangkok

Bangkok Hotel Lotus Sukhumvit

B790++ per person

1 Sukhumvit 33 Road Tel: 02 610 0111

B500++ per person

Cape House Bangkok

43 Soi Langsuan, Ploenchit Road Tel: 02 658 7444 ext. 285

Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok

B450++ per person

75/1 Saladaeng 1 Road Tel: 02 636 1281

B400 per person

494 Rajdamri Road Tel: 02 254 1234

155 Rachadamri Road Tel: 02 250 1000

Grande Centre Point Hotel and Residence SukhumvitTerminal 21 2, 88 Sukhumvit Soi 19 (Wattana) Tel: 02 681 9000 American buffet breakfast:

99 Sukhumvit Road Soi 6 Tel: 02 207 9999

Hansar Bangkok

3 Soi Mahadlekluang 2 Rajdamri Road Tel: 02 209 1234

B390++ per person

Holiday Inn Silom 981 Silom Road Tel: 02 238 4300

B648 per person

B495 per person

B295 per person

Centara Grand at CentralWorld 999/99 Rama 1 Road Tel: 02 100 1234 ZING Bakery’s Express Breakfast:

B170++ per person

Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok

28 Charoenkrung Soi 70 Bangkholame Tel: 02 307 8888

B450++ per adult and B250++ per child aged 6-12

Chaophya Park Hotel and Resorts 247 Rachadapisek Road Tel: 02 290 0125

B607 per person

Conrad Hotel Bangkok 87/3 Wireless Road Tel: 02 690 9888

B720++ per person

Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok 155/1 Soi Mahadlekluang 1 Rajdamri Road Tel: 02 690 1888

B450++ per person

Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park 952 Rama IV Road Tel: 02 632 9000

B680++ per person

Dream Hotel

10 Soi Ruamjai Sukhumvit 15 Tel: 02 254 8532

B542 per person

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GOURMET NEWS Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel

Novotel Bangna Bangkok

B530 per person

B450++ per person

199 Sukhumvit Soi 22 Tel: 02 261 9000

Intercontinental Bangkok 973 Ploenchit Road Tel: 02 656 0444

B848 per person

Landmark Bangkok 138 Sukhumvit Road Tel: 02 254 0404

B742 per person

lebua at State Tower 1055 Silom Road Tel: 02 624 9999

B600++ per person

Mandarin Oriental Hotel 48 Oriental Avenue Tel: 02 659 9000

B1,413 per adult and B707 per child

The Metropolitan

27 South Sathorn Road Tel: 02 625 3333 American breakfast: B680++ per person; Continental breakfast: B560++per person

Millennium Hilton Bangkok 123 Charoennakorn Road Tel: 02 442 2000

B730 per person

Swissôtel Nai Lert Park Bangkok 2 Wireless Road Tel: 02 253 0123

B650++ per person

Novotel Bangkok IMPACT 94 Popular Road, Nonthaburri Tel: 02 833 4888

B530 per person

Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square 392/44 Siam Square Soi 6 Rama I Road Tel: 02 209 8888

B420++ per person

333 Moo 6 Srinakarin Road Tel: 02 366 0505 ext. 1431 and 1432

Pathumwan Princess Hotel 444 MBK Centre, Phayathai Road Tel: 02 216 3700 B650 per adult and B325 per child

The Peninsula Bangkok 333 Charoennakorn Road Tel: 02 861 2888

B830++ per person

Pullman Bangkok King Power 8/2 Rangnam Road, Thanon-Phayathai Tel: 02 680 9999

B600 per adult and B300 per child aged 6-12

Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok 2074 Charoenkrung Road Tel: 02 688 1000

B690++ per adult and half price for children aged 5-12

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok 19 Sukhumvit Soi 18 Tel: 02 261 7100

B350++ per adult and half price for children under 12

Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers 2 Charoen Krung Road Soi 30 Tel: 02 266 0123

B824 per person

S31 Sukhumvit Hotel 545 Sukhumvit 31 Tel: 02 260 1111

B480++ per person

Shanghai Mansion Bangkok Hotel 479-481 Yaowaraj Road Tel : 02 221 2121

B300 per person

Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu, New Road Tel: 02 236 7777

B700++ per person

Siam City Hotel

477 Si Ayuthaya Road Phayathai Tel: 02 247 0123

B676 per person

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok 991/9, Rama 1 Road Tel: 02 162 9000

B750++ per adult and B375++ per child aged 6-12

Siam@Siam Design Hotel 865 Rama 1 Road Wangmai Tel: 02 217 3000

B471 per person

Sofitel Bangkok Silom 188 Silom Road Tel: 02 238 1991

B600 per person (until Apr 30)

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit

189 Sukhumvit Road Soi 13-15 Tel: 02 126 9999

B850 per person

Sofitel Central Plaza Bangkok 1695 Phaholyothin Road Tel: 02 541 1234

B813 per person

The St. Regis Bangkok 159 Rajadamri Road Tel: 02 207 7815

Jojo’s Classic Italian breakfast (please call ahead for price)

The Sukhothai Bangkok

13/3 South Sathorn Road Tel: 02 344 8888

B840++ per person

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit Bangkok 259 Sukhumvit Road Tel: 02 207 8032

B765 per person

VIE Hotel Bangkok

117/39-40 Phaya Thai Road Tel: 02 309 3939

B648 per person

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Breakfast at the pub Bourbon Street

9/39-40 Sukhumvit Soi 63 Tel: 02 381 6801-3

Breakfast: B195++

Durty Nelly’s

56-56/1 Soi Sukhumvit 63 Tel: 02 714 2692 Irish Breakfast: B295++ (full),

B235++ (small)

Finnegan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant Sukhumvit Soi 4 Tel: 02 656 8160

Breakfast: B220

Hanrahans Irish Pub 2/1 Sukhumvit Soi 4 Tel: 02 255 0644

Build your own breakfast starting at B100

Jameson’s Irish Pub 981 Silom Road Tel: 02 266 7703-5

Breakfast: B250+

Jools Restaurant & Bar 21/3 Sukhumvit Soi 4 Tel: 02 252 6413

Breakfast: B269

Manchester United Restaurant Bar 18 Sukhumvit Soi 11 Tel: 02 651 2933

Breakfast: B199++

Molly Malone’s Irish Pub Soi Convent Silom Tel: 02 266 7161

Breakfast: B120

Mulligan’s Irish Pub 22 Sukhumvit Soi 11 Tel: 02 255 5025

Breakfast: B200

Mulligans Irish Bar 265 Khao San Road Tel: 02 629 4477

Breakfast: B177

No Idea Café & Gastro Pub 8/3-4 Sukhumvit 22 Tel: 02 663 6686

Breakfast: B285

O’Reilly’s Irish Pub 62/1-4 Silom Road Tel: 02 632 7515-19

Breakfast: B150 (before noon)

Roadhouse Barbecue

Soi 8

The Queen Victoria

Breakfast: B195

Breakfast: B315 (Large), B215 (Standard)

25/4 Sukhumvit Soi 8 Tel: 02 653 3144

Tenderloins Sports Bar & Steak House 7/8-9 Sukhumvit Soi 33 Tel: 02 258 4529

Breakfast: B200++

The Australian Pub & BBQ 37 Sukhumvit Soi 11 Tel: 02 651 0800

Breakfast: B245+

The Barbican

9/4-5 Soi Thaniya, Silom Road Tel: 02 234 3590

Breakfast: B350

The Black Swan

326/8-9 Sukhumvit Road Tel: 02 626 0257

Breakfast: B350

The Dubliner Irish Pub

440 Sukhumvit Road (between Soi 22&24) Tel: 02 204 1841-2

Irish Breakfast: B400 (full), B230 (mini)

The Huntsman Pub

942/1 Rama 4 Road Tel: 02 236 8010

The Landmark Hotel 138 Sukhumvit Road Tel: 02 254 0404

Robin Hood

The Londoner Brew Pub

Breakfast: B120

Breakfast: B375

Breakfast: B330++ Sukhumvit Soi 33/1 Tel: 02 662 3390

Breakfast: B350

591 UBC II Building Sukhumvit Soi 33 Tel: 02 261 0238-9

Sukhumvit Soi 23 Tel: 02 661 7417

The Royal Oak

595/10-11 Sukhumvit 33/1 Tel: 02 662 1650

Breakfast: B260

Juicy Facts: breakfast • Eating a nutritious breakfast can make it easier to resist high-calorie and high-fat treats because it makes it easier to go until lunch without feeling hungry.

• Studies show that children who eat a good breakfast do better in school than kids who start the day with empty stomachs.

• People who eat breakfast meet their daily dietary requirements for vitamins and minerals while keeping the amount of fat and cholesterol down necessary for a healthy body and lifestyle.

• People who eat breakfast tend to be slimmer than those who skip breakfast.

• Eating breakfast contributes to cognitive performance and mental alertness - it improves concentration, problem solving, creativity and hand-eye coordination.

• What you choose to eat at breakfast can affect your mood, physical and mental performance, weight, and your general and long-term health.

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WHAT’S ON PERFORMANCE

5 hot choices

UNTIL APRIL 16 REMBRANDT HOTEL & TOWERS

SWEDISH JAZZ FESTIVAL SWEDISH jazz singer Christina Gustafsson and the Erling Ribbing Quartet are coming to town this month to play their hits at The Rembrandt Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 18. The Quartet, which has represented Sweden at the world’s largest Dixieland festival five times, includes drummer Gus Dahlberg, bass player Pelle Karlsson, pianist Jan Sjöblom and bandleader Erling Ribbing, who plays clarinet and saxophone.

Performances will be held from 6pm-8pm.

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For more info: www.rembrandtbkk.com

MAY 25 RAJAMANGALA NATIONAL STADIUM

LADY GAGA

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NAMED by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards as the Major Tour of the Year, this spectacular ‘Electro-Metal Pop-Opera’ will see Lady Gaga perform her latest album, Born This Way, as well as music from both The Fame and The Fame Monster.

Tickets range B1,500 – B7,000 from Thaiticketmajor.com (show starts 7.30pm).

5 UNTIL JUNE 30 ALL SOUL CHAMBER THEATRE, SRINAKARINDRA ROAD

PERVERSION

FOLLOWING the success of Manco Li Cani, All Soul Production’s bristling return to the cabaret stage is an experimental plunge into Perversion, a fluid work in progress enticing audience–actor interaction, as new characters mingle with some of the dysfunctional figures who haunted Manco Li Cani. Shows will be held every Saturday at 8.30pm.

Tickets: B350. Tel: 02 721 5625 or 087 697 4806

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MAY 8 THUNDER DOME, MUANG THONG THANI

DREAM THEATRE

DREAM Theatre may have undergone a few line-up changes since it first formed in 1985, but its unique brand of progressive metal has never faltered; its live shows have just got bigger, longer, and more diverse. Expect the band to play a varied set which includes tracks from all 11 of its studio albums.

Tickets: B1,500 from Thaiticketmajor.com (show starts 8pm).

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2 APRIL 24 THUNDER DOME, MUANG THONG THANI

AVENGED SEVENFOLD

WHEN American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold released its fi fth album, Nightmare, in 2010, it debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.

What’s more, the band also placed second in Ultimate Guitar’s Top Ten Bands of the Decade.

Expect nothing less than an exhilarating live show when they perform in Bangkok.

Tickets: B1,500 from Thaiticketmajor.com (show starts 7pm).

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GOURMET DINING OUT

Where to eat

Your ultimate dining companion

Recommended restaurants and bars Seafood

Steakhouse Baan Klang Nam

•

Thai/Chinese seafood dining at its best, this restaurant may be hard to find, but it’s definitely worth the effort.

Frequented by Thais and farang who know a clam from an oyster, it puts most of the city’s seafood emporiums to shame. The menu is large and so are the portions. All of the fish is good, but so are the scallops, river prawns and deep-fried soft-shell crab. Casual and laidback, there is live entertainment in the evening, and the open-air setting on the river is cool and refreshing.

At the end of Soi 14, Rama III, near the Montien Riverside Hotel, Tel: 02 292 0175

Lord Jim’s

• Seafood, views of the

Chao Phraya, and the rush that comes with dining at the Oriental are what Lord Jim’s is all about. There is a good buffet at lunch featuring all sorts of seafood, including sashimi, sushi and oysters. In the evening, it goes a la carte and becomes one of the best places in the city for classic Western seafood dishes. For those who don’t enjoy seafood, there are other items on the menu. The wine list is first class and there is live music in the evening.

RR&B Rib Room and Bar

•The Rib Room and Bar has taken grill restaurants in Bangkok

to new heights. Located on the 31st floor and decked out in Ferrari red, the restaurant boasts a stunning interior and the views provided are spectacular. Steaks from Australia, the USA, Japan and Thailand prepared in an open kitchen and accompanied by a delicious supporting cast are what this place is all about. Expensive, but the good food and rush provided by the setting make it worth the price.

Landmark Hotel, Sukhumvit Rd between Sois 4 and 6 (BTS Nana) Tel: 02 254 0404

Fireplace Grill

• This restaurant has been

at the same location for eons, but underwent radical surgery along with the renovation of the hotel.

The interior is no longer that of an English country inn but is now ultra chic, modern and subdued with an open grill featuring loads of gleaming stainless steel. It serves excellent steaks and seafood, has a massive wine collection, and great service to match.

The Oriental Bangkok (BTS Saphan Taksin, then complimentary hotel shuttle boat) Tel: 02 659 9000

InterContinental Hotel on Ploenchit Road (BTS Chidlom) Tel: 02 656 0444

Bouchot

Prime

•

Set in the basement of Oakwood Residence Sukhumvit 24, Bouchot has fast become popular with locals and expats due to its delicious continental cuisine with a particular emphasis on mussels. The setting looks like a modern French bistro, complete with contemporary fixtures and fittings, lots of mirrors and windows, exposed brickwork, picnic-style tables and chairs, a well-stocked bar, and a lovely outdoor terrace.

Like a fisherman that’s just returned from a lengthy stint at sea, Bouchot boasts a wealth of deep sea bounty: oysters, scallops, fish, lobster, crab and much more – all at reasonable prices.

B1 Floor Oakwood Residence, 15 Sukhumvit Soi 24, Klong Ton.,Tel: 02 258 5510 email: info@bouchot-restaurant.com http://bouchot-restaurant.com

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• Magnificent views of

the Chao Phraya, prime US and Australian beef, over 2,000 wines, a fabulous selection of desserts, and a modern, but seductively warm interior, Prime has it all.

If you’re in the mood for a memorable and romantic night on the town, this restaurant is hard to beat. If you and the apple of your eye are confirmed carnivores, you can share a 1080gm Aussie Porterhouse for 3,900 baht. But it is not all beef at Prime; there are numerous other items on the menu, including primo lobster and fresh oysters.

Millennium Hilton on the Chao Phraya (BTS Saphan Taksin then complimentary hotel shuttle boat), Tel: 02 442 2000

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International cuisine

Mexican cuisine

Kuppa

• Notable for its

trendy conversion of a warehouse, Kuppa has concrete floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable couches, marbletopped tables and a massive coffee roaster ensconced in the middle of things.

This is one of those places that could easily be found in any artsy-craftsy area of a Western city. Selected Thai dishes and a collection of international items designed to appeal to educated foodies dot the menu. Rich desserts and excellent coffee roasted in the big machine are house trademarks. Kuppa is hard to find, but worth the effort.

Sukhumvit Soi 16, accessed from Ratchadapisek Rd, (BTS Asoke or MRT Sukhumvit). Tel: 02 663 0495

Bistro M

• The good ‘ol

fashioned Bistro concept is given a modern twist at Bistro M. The venue is irresistibly inviting: A sun-drenched terrace boasts seating for up to 40; outdoor chalkboards are crammed with daily specials; and a chic, modern interior, blends whites, reds and creams to create a bright, modern feel. The menu offers a range of mouthwatering dishes from Thailand, India, Italy, France and more, all set at reasonable prices. Pizzas from the wood-fired oven score particularly good marks, and start from just 185 baht.

Marriott Executive Apartments Sukhumvit Park – Bangkok, 90 Sukhumvit Soi 24 (BTS Phrom Phong), Tel: 02 302 5555

Mulligans Irish Bar

• Fancy a beer and

a beef stew at 3am?

Well, thanks to Mulligans Irish Bar, you can. Open 24 hours a day seven days a week, the pub first hung the open sign on its door two years ago and since then it’s never taken it down. Located on the second floor of a small shopping complex in the heart of Khao San Road, the pub is packed every day with an always vibrant mix of locals, expats and travelers.

The menu features a wide range of traditional pub favourites plus an extensive selection of popular Thai dishes. Highlights include Beef and Guinness Puff Pie (240 baht) and Fish & Chips (330 baht).

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

Coyote Bangkok2

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equila, Margaritas and Mexican food are what this place is all about. The tequila collection is the largest in Thailand and over 75 different margaritas are served. The menu is diverse and not only possesses the requisite Tacos, Enchiladas, and Burritos, but also more elaborate items like Empanadas Carnitas - cornmeal pastries stuffed with spicy pork and a roasted tomato salsa. Although popular at lunch, the Coyote really howls in the evening when the after work crowd stumbles in for margaritas and a bite to eat. The best news is that there are now two branches – one located on Convent road, and one near the entrance of Sukhumvit Soi 33.

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

Japanese Cuisine Kisso Japanese Restaurant

• Popular with Japanese

tourists, Kisso has survived several changes in the hotel’s management - a sure sign they’ve got things right. The setting is modern, but intimate. Especially popular at lunch when there are numerous set lunches available. The sushi and sashimi get good reviews. On Sundays, local Japanese families arrive for the buffet brunch that features over 60 different selections and a variety of activities to occupy the kiddies while mum and dad eat.

Westin Grande Sukhumvit on Sukhumvit Rd at Soi 19 (BTS Asoke or MRT Sukhumvit) Tel: 02 207 8000

Benihana

• Benihana’s Teppanyaki

tables always offer a funpacked culinary show, with chefs performing magic tricks, juggling salt shakers, and even catching ingredients in their hats. The food’s just as impressive, and alongside the sizzling meats (set menus range B455++ to B4,500++) you’ll also find an extensive selection of handcrafted sushi and sashimi. Don’t miss the Fireball (B350++), a spicy tuna tartar and avocado roll laced with Thai sriracha hot sauce, spicy mayo and shaved scallions.

Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa, 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road, Tel: 02 476 0022 (complimentary shuttle boat from Saphan Taksin BTS), Open daily 11.30am – 2.30pm, and 6pm – 10.30pm.

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FEATURE FIGHT STAR

Israel’s ‘White Lion’ makes his mark in Muay Thai

By Maxmilian Wechsler

After a life dedicated to the sport, long-term Thai resident Shuki Rosenzweig is looking forward to a new career – as a Hollywood actor

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TWELVE years ago Shuki Rosenzweig came to Thailand from his native Israel with one thought in mind – to dedicate his life to Muay Thai and become a champion in this toughest of martial arts.

In April of last year, Shuki achieved his goal in the biggest fight of his life when, aged 43, he beat Serbian-born German Muslim opponent, Valdet Gashi – his junior by 18 years – to win on points the World Muay Thai Association and World Muay Thai Federation unified world title.

It was his love of the sport, not the pursuit of riches or fame, that brought Shuki to Thailand, but now he’s at the pinnacle of his profession, he is looking forward to finally “making a little money” as the star of a Hollywood martial arts movie called The Lost Dragon, which will be shot on location in Phuket and Sri Lanka sometime this year.

“I am the main actor with the second being a Thai. Hopefully, I’ll be able to make some money for a change. It is a relatively small budget project – a little over one million dollars US – partly financed by the Sri Lankan government. The movie will be directed by Bill Barton, who also directed Blood Forest in 2009 and other movies,” said Shuki.

He got the role while training in 2008 in Phuket, where he met Bill, who was taking Muay Thai lessons. “We exchanged name cards and he eventually emailed asking if I would be interested in starring in the movie.

“As for my acting abilities, I think that I can perform well. As for my accent, look at Arnold Schwarzenegger. He’s been pretty successful!

“In my 28-year-old professional career, I have fought about 120 matches – with around 15 as an amateur and the rest as

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a professional – and won about 65 per cent of the time. I have fought against some of the toughest opponents, including the best Cambodian and Thai Muay Thai boxers. In Cambodia they gave me the name ‘White Lion,’” said Shuki.

Born in Jerusalem in 1967, Shuki started training in international boxing when he was 12. He moved to the United States in 1992 and spent 16 months picking up kickboxing skills.

“I went there to look for something more complete using the whole body, as at that time there was nothing like that in Israel.

And when I moved to Europe in 1995, I got interested in Muay Thai, going to matches, and I began to train. I liked the sport right away; it uses all eight weapons – the fists, elbows, knees and feet – so it is a complete and original form of fighting. And because of my attraction to it, I eventually came to Thailand in September 2000, and I have lived here ever since.

At first he trained in Koh Samui and later in Bangkok, where he began competing under his fighting name of Shuki ‘Sit Pujai Nau,’ which is the name of the training camp in Koh Samui.

“During my professional career in Thailand I have been able to make enough money to get by, but I have earned much more fighting abroad, like in China or in Hong Kong,” said Shuki, who won his first Muay Thai championship fight in 1997 in Israel, against another Israeli boxer.

Shuki wore his hair long when he was younger, but is completely bald now. Watching the tall, middle-aged man train, you have to admire his stamina as he delivers punches and kicks with precision and power, which have helped him to beat many younger fighters.

With refreshing humility, Shuki said he was surprised at winning the unified title bout a year ago because of the big age difference, and expressed his gratitude to Israeli Airline EI AI for sponsoring the match.

“During my career I’ve fought mainly with Thais and a few foreigners mostly in South-East Asian countries like Cambodia, China and Hong Kong,” he said. “I had some breaks in between, like while serving three years in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), where I was attached to the military

police as a sports trainer and trainer in special skills like climbing ropes and walls.”

Asked what he likes about Thailand besides Muay Thai, Shuki answered: “I like the climate, food and especially the slow, very relaxed pace. There is no rush and the lifestyle is more balanced, which is exactly the opposite of Israel and the West, where everyone wants to achieve everything in a hurry.

“Also, in contrast with other countries, I admire the Thai people for not holding racial or cultural prejudices. They don’t really care about your religion or where you came from as long as you are not offending them. They will accept and judge you the way you are.

“Do you want to be a boxer? Then box. Do you want to be ladyboy? Then be one. Whatever you want to do, people here will let you to do it.”

Shuki remarked that he has heard that Filipinos are also quite friendly to Israelis and that Israeli passport holders get a three-month visa upon arrival at the airport.

“In contrast, to obtain a long-term visa in Thailand is complicated and getting increasingly difficult as new rules and regulations come up almost every year,” he said.

Another thing he doesn’t like about Thailand is the pollution in Bangkok and the general lack of concern for the environment.

“For example,” he said, “when you buy a small candy bar at a supermarket, they will wrap it in two plastic bags. You will see these bags later floating in the canals or the ocean.”

Despite its shortcomings, Thailand is now home to Shuki.

“I am the only one in my family living abroad.” He has three brothers – one is an actor, the second a successful restaurateur and the third an officer in the IDF. “I have fought in all three of Bangkok’s major Muay Thai stadiums: Lumpini, Ratchadamnoen and Omnoi. The spectators are gambling in these places and going crazy. It is an electrifying atmosphere. I like all three. I have also fought in many famous Muay Thai stadiums in the provinces.” Shuki said that the popularity of Muay Thai is increasing worldwide and there’s more money for the fighters.

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FEATURE FIGHT STAR

Thai boys usually start in Muay Thai training camps at an early age. The camp is like a family, and they look after each boy’s schooling, food and medical expenses. If a boy breaks a hand in the fight or gets sick and cannot fight, they will look after him but not his family.

“

“As for women’s Muay Thai, I love it. This sport has developed over the past five years. I appreciate every fighter, whether man or woman. Many Israeli women have trained with me during my years in Thailand.

“At this moment there is only one other resident Israeli male Muay Thai boxer in Thailand. Others have come and gone. Most Israeli boxers don’t have the discipline for training, especially the younger generation. They want to achieve everything fast.

They don’t have the patience. Maybe Jews are better in science and agriculture than in sports.

“To be a boxer requires a lot of courage and sacrifice. I left my home country behind, came to Thailand when I was not so young, trained every day, learned to eat different food and adapt to a different culture and surroundings.”

Shuki said that very few foreign Muay Thai boxers can actually beat the Thais, who are better at kicking. “However, foreigners have the advantage in punching and if you are as tall as I am and know how to use the knees, which I do, then you have a big advantage in the fight.

“I can’t kick as effectively as the Thai boxers but I can use my knees as well as the best of them.

The knee is really crucial in Muay Thai as it is considered a point scorer, highly devastating and a close-range weapon. I am a close combatant, not a distance (kicking) fighter.

“Thai boys usually start in Muay Thai training camps at an early age. The camp is like a family, and they look after each boy’s schooling, food and medical expenses. If a boy breaks a hand in the fight or gets sick and cannot fight, they will look after him but not his family. Once he is a well-paid fighter, like getting a 100,000 baht purse or more for a fight, he will have to give the camp 50 per cent,” Shuki said.

“During my boxing carrier, I’ve lost consciousness completely a couple of times.

Normally, this is not so dangerous provided you can come to in a few seconds, but there’s always a chance that something can happen…I don’t have any health problems now.

“After a knockdown it is normally recommended to go to a hospital for a check-up, but I never have. After recovering, I just relax…”

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When I told him his face looked unmarked for a fighter, he told me to look closer. “You see this scar?” he asked, pointing to his mouth. “During a fight with a Thai boxer in Ayuthaya in 2008, I received a nasty cut to my mouth from an elbow and needed 46 stitches.”

Shuki reckons that in the thousands of matches in Thailand every year, as many as five boxers are seriously injured inside the ring, or even die, but these are usually not professionals.

His fame extends beyond Thailand. “When I fought in Cambodia, I was regarded by the locals as a superstar.

Even now, when I walk on the street people recognize me and talk to me. When I arrive at the airport in Phnom Penh the immigration officers show me their punches and pretend they want to box with me.’’

Shuki is disappointed at what he says is the increasing commercialization of Muay Thai. “The sport has lost the

W

purity it had before and is now a big business. However, there are still many good fighters around.”

When asked about corruption in Muay Thai, Shuki said: “I won’t give any names but I will tell you I can remember one good, strong heavy punching Thai who knocked everyone out, that’s how good he was. But then he lost every once in a while to some weak fighter. This was very strange.

“Corruption is common in many sports and Muay Thai is not exempt. This is what I don’t like in this sport. If you want to beat a Thai boxer in Thailand or a Chinese boxer in China, it can be vvery ery difficult…because of politics. No one will come to you and ttell ell you to lose. I was approached only once in my boxing career aand nd asked to throw a fight,” he said without elaborating.

Shuki described himself as “quite religious” and extended an invitation for me to visit a synagogue on Sukhumvit Road with him, which I accepted.

Bangkok has a small community of about 200 Israelis and Jews, including business people and retirees, who are more security conscious on the whole than younger travelers, but who are definitely not intimidated.

Despite the recent Valentine’s Day bomb incident, he said, Thailand remains a relatively safe place for Israelis and

foreigners in general.

“Israeli tourists continue to arrive in Thailand, just as before,” he said. “Most are young and many come after concluding their compulsory military service with the IDF – three years’ service for men; two for women.

After living in Thailand for twelve years, Shuki believes Bangkok is one of the safest cities in the world. “There’s almost certainly a greater possibility of a foreigner being attacked or robbed in just about any other world capital,” he says.

That said, if a thief were ever to try and pick the pockets of this expert fighter, I’m sure it will be the robber, not Shuki, who’ll end up suffering most from the exchange.

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FEATURE SPY GAMES

Shaken and stirred

by James Bond gadgets on the streets of Bangkok

Be an instant spy with hidden cameras, mobile phone jammers and bugging devices

By Maxmilian Wechsler

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JAMES BOND’S gadgets are almost as famous as the fictional British spy himself. Hidden recorders, exploding briefcases, grappling suspenders and a laser-firing wristwatch are just a few of the devices 007 has used in his movies.

While most of these devices sprang from the imagination of Hollywood script writers, they’re not all make believe. What’s more, a surprising number of Bond-style gadgets can be bought legally here in Bangkok. They include miniature cameras and microphones concealed in wrist watches, pens, buttons, neck ties, hand bags, caps, table clocks, light switches, spectacles, ID tags and remote car keys. Some of the latest models even incorporate high definition (HD) cameras.

Wannabe spies can also buy mobile phone jammers and tracking and bugging devices, some of which are cleverly concealed inside a cigarette box, for example.

Rather than solve crimes, though, most of these gadgets are evidently used for blackmail, invading privacy, espionage, and other criminal activities.

There are reports of miniature cameras being attached to an ATM machine to record PIN numbers, or in toilets to capture clips posted on the internet. And yet all these products can be easily bought in shopping centers such as MBK and Pantip Plaza, as well as from street vendors.

As recently as 10 years ago, it was unthinkable that an ordinary person could buy equipment to secretly film another person, listen to their conversations or jam their mobile phone.

But today, it is not only possible but also inexpensive, as most of this ‘spy’ equipment sells for between 900 and 2,500 baht.

You can buy, for example, a normal looking desk clock fitted with a device that captures HD video and clear audio. Once activated, it will secretly record anybody in front of the lens.

Boasting 4GB of memory, the clocks sell for about 1,500 baht.

Recently a foreigner used one of these ‘spy’ clocks to blackmail foreign prostitutes he’d met on lower Sukhumvit and later filmed in his apartment. He told the women that unless they paid him 20,000 baht, he would upload the video on the internet.

His activities came to a sudden halt when one of his victims refused to pay and asked some male friends to sort him out.

They apparently woke him up early one the morning and told him to pack up and leave Thailand, and never come back. This happened mid-2011, and he hasn’t been seen in these parts since.

Adapting to the market

nor the instruction pamphlets mention the country of origin.

However, most of the documentation is written in Chinese characters, with some in English.

The BigChilli tested several spying devices bought from shops in MBK and Pantip Plaza and found they worked well.

However, an officer attached to one law enforcement agency who is experienced in surveillance said that the majority of spying devices sold in Bangkok can’t compare with those used by various government agencies.

“We use sophisticated and high quality devices made in the United States,” said the officer, “and they are more expensive than what is available here.”

One mail-order website based in Bangkok offers a large variety of spying equipment, with prices quoted in US dollars.

Judging from the photos, the devices appear more professional and are certainly more expensive than those sold locally.

Private eyes having a field day Several local newspapers and websites carry advertisements for private detective agencies offering investigative services.

Most are Thai-run but a few have foreigners at the helm. Their services include surveillance such as the monitoring of people’s movements, especially clients wanting to keep track of spouses.

These agencies make big use of the cheap and easily available spy gadgets.

Some clients are willing to pay a lot of money to the agency, so it’s not surprising these operations are multiplying not only in Bangkok but around the country.

The law officer said: “Most agencies will employ retired or even active officers wanting to make extra money, and who use their position and connections to gather information.”

Asked about the legality of the surveillance tactics used by the agencies, the officer answered: “If you can catch the person stalking or following you and retrieve a video, sound recording or any other proof that the person spied on you – meaning he or she infringed on your liberties as guaranteed by the Thai Constitution – then you can contact a lawyer and sue. However, you can’t report a complaint to the police because it is not a criminal offence.”

He pointed out that the increasing number of private investigation agencies that offer surveillance in recent years has contributed to a demand for spying gadgets. Or, he asked, is it the other way around? Certainly this equipment makes it easier

One MBK vendor happily admits business is great and with new types of gadgets, such as neck ties or buttons with concealed cameras and microphones, being released on the market, will get even better. Many people have become suspicious of watches or pens with these devices, he explained, and this makes it dangerous for the user.

His best customers are from the Middle East, many of whom can speak some Thai. Next are Thai buyers, most from private detective agencies, as well as a few policemen, some working in the provinces.

European and American customers are also on the increase. They mostly buy jammers and car tracking devices. Some Thai policemen also buy these. The price for spy gadgets, including the new models, has been steadily dropping, which may be a reason for the increased sales volume.

According to the seller, virtually all of his spy equipment is manufactured in Taiwan, but this can’t be confirmed as neither the packaging

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FEATURE SPY GAMES Candid camera: The tie, clock, pen and baseball cap all have hidden cameras. All are charged via a USB cable

“Photographic and video equipment can be concealed in shoulder bags, hand bags, briefcases or suitcases and be operated by remote control” for the agencies to do their work and get customers.

“Many agencies have been set up by retired police or military officers because they have the knowledge and experience in investigation and surveillance. Some foreigners are also running their own agencies or are working for the Thais in an undercover capacity.”

The officer declined to go into specifics on the regulations and circumstances under which law enforcement agencies, whether civilian, police or military, can or cannot conduct surveillance, because this is, in his words, “a little bit complicated.”

He did offer some basic information on how and why legal surveillance is done: “Undercover surveillance is a vital component of many criminal cases and is basically conducted for three reasons: “Firstly, to find out if the suspect has done anything wrong.

Secondly, to see if the suspect is connected to others or is a member of a network. Lastly, to locate where the suspect or his associates live or conduct business, or if the case involves illicit drugs or smuggled goods, to locate where they are stored.

“Evidence collected from the surveillance, whether photos, videos or sound recordings, will be presented to the judge with a request for search or arrest warrants,” the officer said, adding: “Courts in Thailand will accept evidence from secret surveillance.

“A normal surveillance team comprises three people on foot,” continued the officer, “with two or three in cars and one or two on motorcycles. Some units use taxis or other commercial vehicles or private cars. The license plates of these vehicles must not be identifiable as belonging to the government.

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Many spy cameras are activated by remote controllers like these seen on the key chains.

Above: a typical bugging device.

“The use of motorcycles is absolutely essential because in heavy traffic there’s no guarantee that a car can follow the suspect. The only problem is that motorcycles cannot enter freeways, but we have ways around that.”

The officer said photographic and video equipment can be concealed in shoulder bags, hand bags, briefcases or suitcases and be operated by remote control from the user’s pocket.

“We are using bugging devices ranging from those installed in hotel rooms or where the suspects hold meetings to devices that can pick up sounds from far away. We also sometimes use night-vision cameras.

“The spy equipment is now more sophisticated and smaller and of better design and quality than even a few years ago. The best equipment is manufactured in the United States, the United Kingdom and in Germany. The devices made in Taiwan are not so good.”

The officer also mentioned that his surveillance team will sometimes place a tracking device under a suspect’s car when it is parked, and from that moment it can be traced on a computer.

When the suspect rents a hotel room, the surveillance team might stay in the next room, drill a small hole in the wall and insert a miniature microphone that can monitor and record conversation in the suspect’s room.

“Some criminals are wary of surveillance and they will employ counter-measures, like turning up the volume on a television or radio as loud as possible. This will make our listening device completely useless,” the officer disclosed.

He stressed that to enter private premises without court authorization and conceal a camera or bug is illegal. “You always need approval from the court.”

Finally, he confirmed that many people from the Middle East and West Asia have been buying special equipment for years from shops in Bangkok. “But we don’t know if they want to take it back home where it might be hard to find, or use it in Thailand or somewhere else.”

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

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

This one’s gonna be big.

Lady Gaga’s bringing her sensational live show to Bangkok. Page 86

Rock on

The American Progressive Metal band to play BKK on May 8 Page 86

Sail away

The Top Of The Gulf Regatta sets sail for the eighth year running Page 88

Spiderfolk

Krabi Rock and Fire International Contest at Railay Beach Page 88 TheBigChilli 83

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WHAT’S ON THE ARTS

Exhibitions UNTIL APR 30 NOVOTEL BANGKOK ON SIAM SQUARE

LIFE

INSPIRED by the experimental techniques of CoBrA, a major avant-garde art movement that started in 1948 in three major European cities (Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam), Dutch artist Guido explores the coexistence of human beings and animals through playful imagery and vibrant colours.

At Pastel Lounge, Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square. View daily from 7am – midnight. Tel: 02 209 8888 ext. 2702-5 www.novotelbkk.com

VARIOUS DATES THE BRITISH CLUB, SILOM ROAD SOI 18

WATERCOLOUR WORKSHOPS

BRITISH artist Louise Truslow’s new series of watercolour workshops are suitable for beginners and people looking to refresh their skills. Workshops will be held on Apr 21, May 20, and June 9, priced B2,400 per day, including lunch and refreshments.

For more info email: louise@louisetruslow.com

UNTIL MAY 6 DOB HUALAMPHONG GALLERY

UNTIL APR 29 NEILSON HAYS LIBRARY

PRASIT Wichaya presents drawings and sculptures inspired by his hometown in Esarn, Northeastern Thailand. His artworks explore how being brought up this rural area shaped him to become the person he is today.

INSPIRED by photography, advertising and comics, Bangkok-based British artist Robert (Bob) Gosling presents a series of works exploring how the written or spoken word interacts with different imagery – sometimes in bizarre, whimsical, and thought-provoking ways.

TALES FROM THE LAND OF PLATEAU

DOB Building 4F, 318 Rama 4 Road, Tel: 02 237 5592-4 www.dobthailand.com, Open: Tues – Sat, 10.30am – 7pm, Sun 9.30am-5.30pm (Closed on Mon)

WORD AND IMAGE

Garden Gallery, Neilson Hays Library, Open Mon – Sun 9.30am – 6pm. Tel: 02 233 1731 www.neilsonhayslibrary.com www.BangkokPalette.com

MAY 3 – JUN 12 GALERIE N

FRIENDS X ENEMIES

GRAFFITTI, inspiring illustrations, and a massive wall painting are just a few of the highlights of this new contemporary exhibition by the 18-artist-strong FOR Group. Taking ‘the opposite’ as their theme, each artist created artworks in their own techniques and styles, with exciting results.

Wireless Road opposite Lumpini Park, 300 m. from Lumpini Metro Station. Open Tues – Sun, 10am – 7 pm. Tel: 02 252 1592 www.galerienbangkok.com

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APR 21 – MAY 23 LA LANTA FINE ART

EVOLUTION

CHINESE contemporary artist Lu Jun returns to Bangkok to present his new body of work featuring photography and a video installation. A recipient of 2009 Florence Biennale’s Gold Prize in Photography, Lu Jun is best known for his genre-blending technique of capturing movement of ink in water.

245/14 Sukhumvit Soi 31, Klongtan-Nua. Open Tues – Sat, 10am – 7pm.

Tel: 02 204 0583 email: fon@lalanta.com

Q&A: KHUN MANUT LAO-ON

THE FLEDGLING ARTIST REVEALS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND HIS DEBUT EXHIBITION, ‘UNCOVER’ WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE ‘UNCOVER?’

I am interested in self, human’s inner side and suffering, and these are all key factors in the creation of this work. The exhibition presents my thoughts about my life experience over the past five years, and my attempt to discover the truth behind my own suffering by using Buddhist principles.

DOES YOUR WORK CARRY A PARTICULAR MESSAGE?

My artworks don’t carry a particular message, but they do represent a broad idea that there are various ways to explore the dimensions of life. In this case it shows how one human being – me – is attempting to explore the cause of their suffering and ultimately overcome it.

UNTIL APR 21 NUMBER 1 GALLERY

CRAZILY GOOD! EAST meets West in Sutee Kunavichayanont’s new series of vibrant paintings, sculptures and interactive installations which explore what happens when two cultures collide.

YOU’RE A NEW NAME ON THE BANGKOK ART SCENE. IS IT A DIFFICULT SCENE TO BREAK INTO?

UNTIL APR 29 EAT ME RESTAURANT

MYTHOS AND MIME

919/1 The Silom Galleria, Silom Road, Soi 19 email: info@number1gallery.com www.numberonegallery.com Tel: 02 630 3381, 081 567 9671

UNTIL APR 29 ARDEL’S THIRD PLACE GALLERY

SPIRIT OF WOMEN

ARTIST and art instructor Palut Marod celebrates women and the diversity of their spirit with a series of abstract paintings, many featuring female sculptures.

Sukhumvit 55, Thonglor Soi 10. Open: Tues – Sat, 10.30am – 7pm; Sun, 10.30am – 5.30pm (Closed on Mon).

Tel: 02 422 2092 www.ardelgallery.com

THE latest solo exhibition of photographs by American expat Cameron Wolf features a series of playful-yet-poignant portraits of actors bringing to life the mythical creatures of the Himmapan. Wolf symbolically appropriates the duality of the sacred and ironic, accepted yet marginal, exposed yet hidden – paying tribute to the ancient but redefining myth at the end, and beginning, of a new age.

Eat Me restaurant is located next to the Carmelite Monastery, Convent Road (Sala Daeng Sky Train Station), Tel: 02 238 0931 Eatmerestaurant.com Open: Daily 3pm – 1am

APR 19 – JUN 3 100 TONSON GALLERY

UNCOVER

THAILAND’s art scene welcomes another newcomer this month with the debut exhibition of Silpakorn University graduate Manut Lao-on, whose self portraits explore his attempt to understand Buddhist philosophy and apply it to his life.

100 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Road. Open Thurs – Sun, 11am – 7pm. Tel: 02 684 1527, email: info@100tonsongallery.com www.100tonsongallery.com

The art scene is notoriously difficult to break into, but I think my love of art plus my ambition and sincerity is what has helped me to succeed. The fact that I can express what I feel and share it with others makes me very happy.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO OTHER YOUNG ARTISTS TRYING TO ESTABLISH THEMSELVES IN BANGKOK’S ART SCENE?

It’s very important for artists to prove themselves through their art so that they can follow the art career path. The best way to do this is to follow your heart and paint the things which are important to you. Not only will you be happy, but you will also be thinking creatively in your own unique way.

At the same time it’s important to study and view all kinds of other artworks, because this will open your mind and help you to learn new skills. Pay close attention to how other artists present their thoughts, as this will give you ideas on how to develop your own artworks.

WHERE IN BANGKOK INSPIRES YOU MOST AND WHY?

Many outdoor areas of Bangkok are my inspiration, and I spend a lot of time visiting art and cultural places. Some of my favourite places appear in my artworks but you might not recognize them because they often become distorted according to my personal attitude. Sometimes, characters and imaginary places will simply pop up in my mind, and this is always fun to explore.

For more info about Uncover, scan your eyes left.

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WHAT’S ON PERFORMANCE

5 hot choices

UNTIL APRIL 16 REMBRANDT HOTEL & TOWERS

SWEDISH JAZZ FESTIVAL SWEDISH jazz singer Christina Gustafsson and the Erling Ribbing Quartet are coming to town this month to play their hits at The Rembrandt Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 18. The Quartet, which has represented Sweden at the world’s largest Dixieland festival five times, includes drummer Gus Dahlberg, bass player Pelle Karlsson, pianist Jan Sjöblom and bandleader Erling Ribbing, who plays clarinet and saxophone.

Performances will be held from 6pm-8pm.

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For more info: www.rembrandtbkk.com

MAY 25 RAJAMANGALA NATIONAL STADIUM

LADY GAGA

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NAMED by Pollstar Concert Industry Awards as the Major Tour of the Year, this spectacular ‘Electro-Metal Pop-Opera’ will see Lady Gaga perform her latest album, Born This Way, as well as music from both The Fame and The Fame Monster.

Tickets range B1,500 – B7,000 from Thaiticketmajor.com (show starts 7.30pm).

5 UNTIL JUNE 30 ALL SOUL CHAMBER THEATRE, SRINAKARINDRA ROAD

PERVERSION

FOLLOWING the success of Manco Li Cani, All Soul Production’s bristling return to the cabaret stage is an experimental plunge into Perversion, a fluid work in progress enticing audience–actor interaction, as new characters mingle with some of the dysfunctional figures who haunted Manco Li Cani. Shows will be held every Saturday at 8.30pm.

Tickets: B350. Tel: 02 721 5625 or 087 697 4806

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MAY 8 THUNDER DOME, MUANG THONG THANI

DREAM THEATRE

DREAM Theatre may have undergone a few line-up changes since it first formed in 1985, but its unique brand of progressive metal has never faltered; its live shows have just got bigger, longer, and more diverse. Expect the band to play a varied set which includes tracks from all 11 of its studio albums.

Tickets: B1,500 from Thaiticketmajor.com (show starts 8pm).

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2 APRIL 24 THUNDER DOME, MUANG THONG THANI

AVENGED SEVENFOLD

WHEN American heavy metal band Avenged Sevenfold released its fi fth album, Nightmare, in 2010, it debuted at the top of the Billboard 200.

What’s more, the band also placed second in Ultimate Guitar’s Top Ten Bands of the Decade.

Expect nothing less than an exhilarating live show when they perform in Bangkok.

Tickets: B1,500 from Thaiticketmajor.com (show starts 7pm).

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MUSIC CONCEPT CM 2

keyboardist Peter Peacemaker, who brings melodies to life in style.

Concept CM² now hosts a Very Important Party every night (except Mondays) from 10pm.

This month’s hot V.I.P parties include CM²’s Annual Get-Wet Songkran 3-night Party (April 13-15), which will feature great drinks deals and a chance to celebrate the Thai New Year amongst new Thai friends; and the Full Moon Party (April 20), which has become a Bangkok institution with its tropical island style rave music and “glow” party atmosphere.

Every Wednesday night Concept CM² hosts its popular Ladies’ Night which offers free entrance to all ladies plus two selected free drinks.

Women also get free entry to the club every Sunday night.

Open for more than 16 years, Concept CM² continues to lead the live music scene with its onslaught of new fresh live international bands and multi-leveled party atmosphere. From Sports Bar to Cruise Bar, Vodka Lounge to Chill Zone, Concept CM² is the definitive place to party whilst in Bangkok.

V.I.P ACCESS TO BANGKOK’S ONLY V.I.P Concept CM²ʼs new house band gets the party jumping every night THE award-winning Concept CM² nightclub at Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square has always been a great place to party. A potent mix of drinks deals, atmospheric lighting, and fun-filled live entertainment ensures the club’s packed every night. And now with the new V.I.P Band taking to the stage, the party atmosphere is even better.

With members hailing from Canada, USA, South Africa and Indonesia, this diverse band delivers the best in chart topping pop, rock and R&B with high energy and astonishing dynamism.

Wowing audiences with her powerful vocals and rap versus is the group’s lead singer Meghan Forbes from Canada.

Crooning alongside her in perfect

harmony are bandmates Yogi Rose, who proves that music is truly an international language, and Indonesian vocalist Diah Gayatri, who has performed live in music festivals and hotels throughout Asia.

Bassist Pete Ahn cradles his guitar like it’s a part of his body, and gives an organic performance that exudes sheer energy. Next to him, meanwhile, guitarist and band leader Paul Yates, who has over 20 years’ experience working in the music industry, makes tricky riffs look like child’s play; he clearly has a ball every time he plays.

Providing the explosive groove which propels the band forward and makes every crowd thirsty for more is Canadian drummer Micah Johnston, and completing the lineup is South African

For more info and details about upcoming live performances, parties and events, visit www.CM²bkk.com or friend them at www. Facebook.com/ConceptCM² or follow them on Twitter @ConceptCM².

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WHAT’S ON OUTDOOR FUN

Sport APR 28 – 29 RAILAY BEACH AND TON SAI BEACH, KRABI

KRABI ROCK AND FIRE INTERNATIONAL CONTEST

MAY 12 LUMPINI PARK, BANGKOK

CANCER CARE CHARITY RUN

HELP raise funds for cancer research by taking part in the fi fth edition of this popular annual fun run in Bangkok’s Lumpini Park. Arranged by Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok and the Thai Red Cross Society, with the support of the Canadian Embassy, the event is open to the young and old, fit and unfit (you can walk or jog the course if you like), and features a 5km or 10km route.

Registration is from 7am – 7.45pm. Run starts at 8.05am. Minimum donation of B350 includes a Cancer Care T-shirt. Pay B500 and you get a polo shirt and a breakfast box. Last year’s run raised B3.9million for the ‘Genetic Cancer Research Centre’ at Chulalongkorn Hospital. This year the money raised will go to the hospital’s ‘Hematological Cancer Research Centre.’

THINK Spiderman’s the only person who can climb walls?

Head to this international rock climbing contest in Krabi (West coast of Southern Thailand) and you’ll see competitors from all around the world scaling the cliffs of Railay Beach and Ton Sai Beach.

The event will feature two key contest categories - a lead climbing marathon and speed climbing.

For more info: www.tatnews.org

SAT APRIL 14

MAY 6 THANYAPURA SPORTS AND LEISURE CLUB, PHUKET

THE COLUMBIA TRAIL MASTERS 2012

THE second in a planned three-race series throughout 2012, this trail running event features an off road half-marathon (21.5km) in the verdant hills of Phuket. Alongside the main event will be a 10km trail run and 3km fun run.

For more info Tel: 02 126 8866 www.fourseasons.com/bangkok

For more info: ama-events.com

TOP OF THE GULF REGATTA

For more info: www.tourismthailand.org

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Arsenal v Wigan Bolton v Tottenham Chelsea v Newcastle Liverpool v Fulham Man Utd v Aston Villa Norwich v Man City Stoke v Everton Sunderland v Wolverhampton Swansea v Blackburn West Brom v QPR

SAT APRIL 21

Arsenal v Chelsea Aston Villa v Sunderland Blackburn v Norwich Bolton v Swansea Fulham v Wigan Liverpool v West Brom Man Utd v Everton Newcastle v Stoke QPR v Tottenham Wolverhampton v Man City

SAT APRIL 28

Chelsea v QPR Everton v Fulham Man City v Man Utd Norwich v Liverpool Stoke v Arsenal Sunderland v Bolton Swansea v Wolverhampton Tottenham v Blackburn West Brom v Aston Villa Wigan v Newcastle

SAT MAY 5

MAY 4 - 8 JOMTIEN BEACH, PATTAYA

NOW in its eighth year, the 2012 edition of TOTGR will see over 300 sailing craft, from more than 30 countries, competing in 12 classes over four days of racing. The pedigree of sailors at the Regatta is exceptional, with winners of all the major Asian Regattas in the last 12 months taking part, as well as national and regional champions competing in the Optimist, dinghies and beach catamaran classes.

Hosted at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, racing will take place in the waters off Jomtien Beach, on the Gulf coast of Thailand.

PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES

APR 22 KOH SAMUI

SAMUI TRIATHLON AND DUATHLON

THE Koh Samui Triathlon and Duathlon returns to the island in this month to put international racers through their paces in the hot season sun. Entry for the Triathlon is B10,000. Entry for the Duathlon is B3,200.

Register online at: www.triathlonsamui.com

Arsenal v Norwich Aston Villa v Tottenham Blackburn v Wigan Bolton v West Brom Fulham v Sunderland Liverpool v Chelsea Man Utd v Swansea Newcastle v Man City QPR v Stoke Wolverhampton v Everton

SUN MAY 13

Chelsea v Blackburn Everton v Newcastle Man City v QPR Norwich v Aston Villa Stoke v Bolton Sunderland v Man Utd Swansea v Liverpool Tottenham v Fulham West Brom v Arsenal Wigan v Wolverhampton

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SPORT EVENT IN FOCUS

NOW THAT’S WHAT WE CALL ADVENTURE!

Running, kayaking, biking, swimming and mystery tests – the seventh edition of the world-renowned Amarin Outdoor Unlimited River Kwai Trophy International was its most action-packed adventure race yet

Congratulations to these winners: Adventure Division (top three teams in each category)

Men:

1st Jason Williams / Adam Platt-Hepworth 2nd Will Kirkwood / Tony Callaghan 3rd Andy Lamont / Brad Lamont DUBBED as the biggest adventure race in Southeast Asia, The Amarin Outdoor Limited River Kwai Trophy offers a lactic-acid-inducing test to any well seasoned athlete – the grueling off road course throws all kinds of disciplines at competitors. One minute you’re running, the next you’re hopping on a bike. Even mystery tests are thrown into the mix. But the best thing about it? It’s great fun.

Marking its seventh annual outing, this year’s race was held on March 10 and was opened by Mr. Chaiwat Limpwanna, a provincial governor of Kanchanaburi Province.

Around 150 teams of two racers arrived at the usual start point at the Bridge over the River Kwai to tackle the course. And when the international mix of young and old, men and women, expert racers and newcomers reached the finish line near the Felix River Kwai Resort, all were suitably ecstatic.

The race is organized by Amarin Outdoor Limited Zone at Amarin Plaza, alongside Kanchanaburi Province, Tourism Authority of Thailand, and Active management Asia. If you fancy taking part in the next chapter, you’ll find all the details you need on www.ama-events.com

Women:

1st Rebecca Tupling / Olivia Kirkwood 2nd Renee Kieseker / Alicia Gilbert 3rd Angela Royle / Nathalie Leger

Mixed:

1st Andrea Bangnuoli / Sarah Bagnuoli 2nd Andrew Glenville / Heather Murray 3rd Gregor Rasp / Sutinee Rasp

Masters (Men)

1st Songpol Sripiboolbunjerd / Songsak Sripiboolbunjerd 2nd Chin Poorahong / Bungorn Kohphun 3rd Anurak Auttasheep / Kajorn Sukeewat

Grand Masters

1st Jiraskiat Pugpin / Wattana Jamroennaow 2nd Suthep Pinkaew / Somboon Jaiaree Extreme Division (top three teams in each category)

Men:

1st Samarn Gunun / Jantaraboon Kriengchaipraipana 2nd Ryan Blair / Klayten Smith 3rd Chadarak Chaikamjorn / Suwatr Phaiboon

Mixed:

1st Daniel Downham / Moire O’Sullivan 2nd Erik Boham / Suzanne Van de Venne 3rd Patricia Weismantel / Ken Gilbert

Masters (Men)

1st Jongsak KeawIn / Siripong Pongsuwan 2nd Christopher Leger / Thierry Gaudet 3rd Helge Mobekk / Jan Nilsen

Grand Masters

1st Manit Manorungreungkij / Chayaracha Patipatwasin 2nd Sylvia Perret / Lynda Sharp 3rd David Mccormick / Stephen Mccormick

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WHAT’S ON SPORT

Football in focus

FOOTBALL PUNDIT PAUL HEWITT EXAMINES WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF THAI FOOTBALL

TPL KICKS OFF

AT the time of writing the opening two rounds of the 2012 Thai Premier League season have been played. And even at this early stage we find the three best teams from 2011 already occupying the top three places.

Champions Buriram United made a 100% start with home wins over Chiang Rai United and BBCU. In addition to those domestic victories they also won their first two AFC Champions League group games.

Buriram were expected to be the whipping boys in a group which also contains nothing less than the Japanese, Korean and Chinese champions. But not content with beating J-League champs Kashiwa Reysol 3-2 in Buriram, the Thai champions then stunned the Asian football world by defeating Chinese giants Ghangzhou Evergrande 2-1 in China – one of the best club results in Thai football history.

Muangthong United confirmed in their opening two games what most fans suspected: that they will be a force to be reckoned with in 2012 after underachieving last season. A 2-1 win over a decent BEC Tero Sasana side was followed by a 5-1 dismemberment of Thai Port; a performance which recalled the swaggering, attacking MTU of 2009 and 2010.

And Chonburi, second in 2011, complete the top three after Matchday two. The Sharks also found rich pickings against Thai Port – running out 4-0 victors – and then picked up a point away at Bangkok Glass.

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As stated, Thai Port got off to a bad start at Chonburi and Muangthong, but it does mean that two out of their most difficult three games of the season are already out of the way. Of more concern for the Khlong Toey club is the still unresolved off-the-pitch situation. Verbal sniping again broke out between the club’s vice-president Worapong Tantivejchayanon and the Port Authority. The former claims the latter haven’t provided promised funds, and the floodlights are still not good enough to allow 6 pm kick offs.

UNITED IN CONTROVERSY THE casual follower of Thai football may be surprised to see two unfamiliar teams in the TPL this season. Esan United and Wuachon United (‘United’ is now obligatory in Thai teams’ names principally for the nice sound it makes as ‘united’ certainly doesn’t accurately describe these two clubs) didn’t appear in last year’s TPL and apparently weren’t promoted from Division 1 either. So who are they?

Esan United, in a nutshell, is Sisaket F.C renamed and relocated to Ubon Ratchathani. To say the move has caused anger amongst Sisaket fans would be an understatement. During Esan’s ‘debut’ match away at BBCU, Sisaket fans turned up in number. They showered the Esan players with abuse every time they

touched the ball and then staged a pitch invasion in the second half to disrupt the match and draw attention to their concerns.

No chances were taken for Esan’s first home game against Osotspa a week later. The perimeter of the stadium was surrounded by rolls of razor wire, and barbed-wire topped fencing separated the fans from the pitch. In the event, disgruntled Sisaket fans did show up, but they stayed outside the ground where they burned Esan-shirt-clad effigies!

The truth is, clubs moving around the country is nothing new (PEA, TTM,

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Police, Osotspa to name but a few, have all relocated, often several times over, in the past) but Sisaket is the first case where a big, well-supported provincial club has upped sticks.

Some criticism must go to the TPL chiefs who so meekly accepted the move and then broke their own regulations by allowing Esan to use their new stadium on the outskirts of Ubon before it was fully ready.

Wuachon is an altogether different situation. Put simply, it’s Buriram F.C sold to the owner of Songkhla F.C, Nipon Boonyamanee, and renamed.

It came about in this way.

Buriram F.C won the 2011 Division 1 title and were duly promoted to the TPL. Newin Chidchob and co, the power behind both Buriram PEA and Buriram F.C, saw no sense in financially supporting two top-flight Buriram teams. Therefore, Newin brokered a deal with Songkhla F.C chairman Nipon whereby Songkhla would buy Buriram F.C’s TPL licence and therefore effectively buy a place in

the TPL even though Songkhla actually finished fi fth in Division 1 in 2011 – outside the promotion places.

Most in the game considered it a done deal, but the TPL put a halt to the plans.

They didn’t oppose Nipon buying the Buriram F.C licence, but they did rule out Nipon merging Buriram F.C with Songkhla and thereby fast-tracking Songkhla into the TPL. But before we give the TPL a pat on the back, it should be noted that they didn’t stymie Newin & Nipon’s plan for the right reason – because Songkhla finished fi fth in Division 1 and therefore don’t deserve a place in the TPL – but for the more convoluted reason that Buriram F.C was originally a Regional League (Division 2 ) club.

The Regional League has a ‘one-province one-club’ rule, and the province of Songkhla already has a Regional League club: Hat Yai F.C. So Nipon found himself the owner of TPL club Buriram F.C, and the owner of Division 1 club Songkhla F.C, but unable to merge the two. His solution was to rename Buriram F.C as ‘Wuachon United’ and then apply to the TPL to move Wuachon from Buriram to Songkhla, but not merge with

Songkhla F.C. Twice he has applied to relocate Wuachon and twice his plans have been rejected. Furthermore, Wuachon can’t ground share with Buriram United* as TPL regulations prohibit two teams in the same division from ground sharing, and the local government in Buriram has said Wuachon can’t use the old i-Mobile Stadium (a ploy by the Chidchobs to put pressure on the TPL into allowing Wuachon to move).

So, as of late-March, Wuachon can’t move to Songkhla; neither can they play in Buriram. The situation will have changed again between my writing this and your reading it – probably by the TPL eventually relenting – but for the time being Wuachon are having to play away games only. *Buriram United is not the product of a merger between Buriram PEA and Buriram F.C – as widely reported elsewhere. As you now know, Buriram F.C – or to be specific, Buriram F.C’s licence – was sold to Nipon Boonyamanee of Songkhla. In the case of Buriram PEA, Newin simply bought out the Provincial Electric Authority’s share of the club and renamed to ‘Buriram United’.

CORRECTION

From the March issue: Army United’s Björn Lindemann is a midfielder, not a goalkeeper.

See Paul’s website at www.clubwebsite.co.uk/koratfc

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WHAT’S ON SCREEN AND STEREO

Movies & music

April 19 Sci-Fi

Battleship

LOOSELY based on Hasbro’s classic naval combat game, this CGI packed action-adventure unfolds across the seas, in the skies and over land as Earth fights for survival against a superior alien force. Among the movie’s stars are Taylor Kitsch, Rihanna, and Liam Neeson.

April 26 Action

Safe

May 1 Action

May 10 Horror

The Avengers

Dark Shadows

WHEN powerful and inveterate playboy Barnabas (Johnny Depp) breaks the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green), a witch in every sense of the word, she dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, in 1972, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into a very changed world. Directed by Tim Burton.

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

ICONIC Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), The Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Captain America (Chris Evans), Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) join-forces to save the world in this star-studded action spectacular.

MemoryLane

New Music Electra Heart

Marina and the Diamonds

MARINA Diamondis looks simply gorgeous on the retro-styled cover of her second album. With leaked demos and first single ‘Radioactive’ suggesting a more pop orientated sound, we just hope her voice is sexy to match.

(Release date: April 30)

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A SECOND-rate cage fighter on the mixed martial arts circuit, Luke Wright (Jason Statham) lives a numbing life of routine beatings and chump change…until the day he blows a rigged fight. Wanting to make an example of him, the Russian Mafia murders his family and banishes him from his life forever. But when he witnesses a frightened twelve-year-old girl being pursued by the same gangsters who killed his wife, Luke impulsively jumps to action, and straight into the heart of a deadly high-stakes war.

Sonik Kicks

Paul Weller

INFLUENCED by everything from psych rock and electro to French pop and ska, plus featuring appearances from the likes of Noel Gallagher and Graham Coxon, Paul Weller’s eleventh studio album is one of his best yet.

Stand out track: ‘Green.’

(Available now)

Kids in the Street

All American Rejects

The American pop-punk quartet’s fourth album is its most ambitious to date, featuring a heady mix of ’80s rock, pop, and even a bit of jazz. Offering a nostalgic look back to the carefree days of a teenager, the album’s stand out track is ‘Kids in the Street.’

(Available now)

Topping the UK charts APR 1992

1. Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder – Ebony And Ivory 2. Yazoo – Only You 3. England World Cup Squad – This Time (We’ll Get It Right) / England We’ll Fly The Flag 4. Bardo – One Step Further 5. PhD – I Won’t Let You Down 6. Pigbag – Papa’s Got A Brand New Pigbag 7. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘N’ Roll 8. Bananarama with Fun Boy Three – Really Saying Something 9. Roxy Music – More Than This 10. Shakin’ Stevens – Shirley

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WHAT’S ON BARGAINS GALORE

Tradeshows

April 17 – 22 BITEC

Bangkok International Gift Fair

HEAD here to find plenty of bargains on gifts, decorative items, home textiles, stationery, toys and games, artificial flowers and plants, handicrafts, household products and small electrical appliances. www.bigandbih.com

April 21 – 29 QSNCC

Home Decoration Fair LEADING manufacturers and importers of all kinds of furniture, fashion, home decorative items, household electrical appliances, and other products offer their goods at special prices. Open each day 11am – 9pm. www.worldfair.co.th

April 24 – 29 IMPACT

Architect 2012

ARCHITECTURAL and building products, technology, materials, equipment, and related services go on sale for buyers in Thailand and Southeast Asia. Open each day 10am – 9pm. www.architectexpo.net

April 26 – 29 BITEC

Thailand Auto Parts & Accessories

ALL kinds of auto parts and accessories will be on sale at specially reduced prices here. www.thailandautopartsfair.com

May 4 – 6 QSNCC

May 12 – 20 IMPACT

IP Fair

INTELLECTUAL Property Rights Holders and various national and international IP agencies present a series of exhibitions and seminars. www.ipthailand.go.th

May 4 – 7 QSNCC

Modern Mom Fair

ORGANIZED by Modern Mom Magazine, this big fair promises to bring together a comprehensive array of products and services just perfect for new moms. Open each day 10am – 8pm. www.modernmomfair.com

May 6 – 9 IMPACT

Rotary International Convention

MORE than 38,000 Rotary delegates from around the world will converge on Bangkok for this four day convention.

The comprehensive programme of events features keynote speeches, dinner cruises, cooking demonstrations, and an opera. www.rotary.org

May 9 – 11 BITEC

Horti ASIA

INTERNATIONAL Horticultural and Floricultural production companies will present all the latest processing technology at this large scale fair. www.hortiasia.net

Super Car & Import Car Show

electronic appliances, wedding packages, fashion and jewelry, and more. www.worldfair.co.th

May 10 – 13 QSNCC

SHOWCASING some of the Wonderful world’s fastest – and most Thailand expensive – cars and Wonderful motorcycles, this tradeshow World also has agents selling second EXPECT plenty of deals on hand cars, and other shops travel packages of all kinds at selling car stereos and accessories. www.unionpan.com this comprehensive fair. Open each day 10am - 8pm.

May 12 – 20 www.thailanddiveexpo.com

IMPACT

Thailand’s Paradise Fair

A SHOPAHOLIC’S dream come true, this huge tradeshow is divided into eight different zones: Furniture Fair; Wedding Fair; Fashion, Jewelry & Food Fair; Beauty, Spa & Health Fair; Book Fair; Super Car & Import Car Show; Housing & Property Fair; and Family & Child Fair. www.unionpan.com

May 17 – 20 IMPACT

Money Expo 2012

WELL-known commercial banks and financial institutions in Thailand showcase their loaning and investing services.

Open on May 17 from Noon – 9pm; May 18 – 21 10am – 9pm. www.moneyexpo.net

May 26 – June 3 BITEC

Home and Décor

May 10 – 13 QSNCC

Thailand Golf and Dive Expo

GOLF and diving packages for popular destinations in Thailand go on sale at specially reduced prices. Open each day 11am – 9pm. www.thailanddiveexpo.com

May 17 – 20 QSNCC

Pet Expo

WATCH fun animal shows and shop for pet-related products and services from over 200 manufacturers. www.petexpothailand.net

May 26 – June 4 QSNCC

Homeworks and Power Buy sale ENJOY big discounts on products from HomeWorks, Supersport, Power Buy and B2S. www.qsncc.co.th

ENJOY special discounts on all kinds of stylish furniture and home decorative items, home

READ THE BIGCHILLI FOR FREE ONLINE www.issuu.com/thebigchilli www.thebigchilli.com

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Social  Last month’s best events in pictures

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SOCIAL CHARITY EVENTBEST IN FOCUS LAST MONTH’S EVENTS

ST PADDY’S NIGHT OF FUN It was a full-on Irish night of fun for some 300 guests at the annual St Patrick’s Ball, held at the Amari Watergate Hotel. A four-course dinner with wine and Guinness was accompanied by a traditional Irish band and later to the sounds of a disco, while a few partygoers opted to watch televised rugby from the UK.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS CELEBRATED Members of the British Chamber of Commerce Thailand, New Zealand Thai Chamber of Commerce, and Australian Chamber of Commerce’s Professional Women’s Group celebrated International Women’s Day by joining forces to host a ‘Women’s Entrepeneurs Night’ at the Pacific City Club. During the event, several Bangkok based female entrepreneurs took to the stage to talk about their experiences and showcase their services and products, making for an enlightening and inspirational evening.

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OAKWOOD RUGBY TENS

The Oakwood Bangkok International Rugby Tens stormed into town and provided yet another superb weekend of rugby at the pitches of Bangkok Patana School. With plenty of pitch-side drinks and eats, as well as fun activities for the kids, the tournament offered great fun for the whole family.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

WINE PUB MAKES IT FIVE The Pullman Bangkok’s superb Wine Pub celebrated its fifth anniversary in style with free flow wines, a huge selection of tapas, and performances by Koh Mr. Saxman and Nicole Theriault.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

COYOTE SUKHUMVIT TURNS FOUR Coyote Sukhumvit drew a huge crowd of regulars when it celebrated its fourth anniversary with free-flow margaritas and free servings of its delicious Mexican grub.

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PRINCESS YACHTS RENDEZVOUS

Sailors and landlubbers alike gathered at Phuket Boat Lagoon Marina to celebrate the first ever ‘Princess Yachts South East Asia Rendezvous,’ which was held on March 23 and featured twelve Princess Yachts. The rendezvous was part of the launch celebrations for Princess Yachts South East Asia, a new partnership led by Princess Yachts Thailand, part of the Phuket Boat Lagoon Group of companies, which has joined forces with operations in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

A REAL SOUL MAN New Zealand’s soul singer/songwriter Jayson Norris put on a superb acoustic show at the Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok, mesmerizing the crowd both with his vocal skills and his ability to use a guitar loop-pedal to build intricate songs which sounded like they were being played by a full band. Check out his music at www.jaysonnorris.com.

HUGO ROCKS Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok was packed with music fans when New York based ‘gangsta rocker’ Hugo Chulachak Chakrabongse, the first Thai artist to be signed by American rapper Jay-Z’s ‘Roc Nation’ label, took to the stage to perform music from his international debut album, ‘Old Tyme Religion.’

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AIR ASIA GOES BIG AirAsia and Tune Money held a party to celebrate the launch of their joint BIG Global Loyalty Programme in Thailand. This global loyalty programme allows members to earn points when travelling and shopping worldwide in order to redeem the accumulated points for exciting rewards, including AirAsia seats. For more info visit: tune2big.com.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

SIAM@SIAM SCOOPS TOP HONOUR

After being named ‘The Best Hotel in Asia’ by GoAsia, Germany, Siam@Siam Design Hotel and Spa held a party for management and staff at the hotel’s Party House One.

AUSTRALIAN TASTES AT MEZZAWINE A glamorous crowd of Thais and foreigners enjoyed sampling a large selection of Australian wines at a special wine tasting event at MezzaWine, Siam@Siam Design Hotel and Spa. The next wine tasting, a ‘French Wine Experience,’ will be held on April 26.

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BYPS AT VIE

The Bangkok Young Professionals partnered with the Amazing Thailand 9 Film Festival to host a night of short ďŹ lm entertainment at the chic Vie Hotel. Different from the conventional BYP, the event featured a 15-minute Acting Workshop which was available for all to try.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

WINE AND TAPAS AT BACCHUS

Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant held a Wine & Tapas night featuring a range of tasty snacks paired with wines from Australia, Chile and France. Wines on the night were supplied by the Italthai Company. For more info: www.bacchus.tv

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

VIP BIRTHDAY AT D’SENS

Khunying Potjaman Damapong hosted a Birthday Party for Thanpuying Viraya Javakul, surrounded by close friends, in the warm atmosphere of D’Sens French Restaurant of the Dusit Thani Hotel. Joining the celebration were Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Vichaidit, H.E. Mr. Arak Chonlatanon, Bannapot Damapong, Khunying Potjaman Damapong, Thanpuying Orasa Lamsam, Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, Pol. Gen. Priewpan Damapong and Pongthep Thepkanjana. Talented Grammy and KPN artist, Chaiya Midchai, and movie star Pancake Khemanij entertained guests.

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TWO DECADES OF GRAND HYATT Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a special celebration in the hotel’s Grand Ballroom. During the event, a silent auction was held to raise funds for ďŹ ve students, from four regions of Thailand, to support scholarships for their bachelor degrees.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

A NIGHT OF FINE WINE Wine Cellar on Sukhumvit 31 drew another large crowd of wine lovers to the March edition of its ‘first Wednesday of the month’ wine tasting event. The bar has a reputation for offering great deals every day – make sure you don’t miss out by keeping up to date at www.winecellarbkk.com.

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GREAT HORNBILL LANDS IN BANGKOK

The Great Hornbill Bistro on Sukhumvit 39 celebrated its grand opening by treating a large crowd of VIP guests and media to fine wines and tasty European food. The restaurant is owned and operated by PB Valley Khao Yai Winery, and is sister to the winery’s Great Hornbill Grill. Read more on page 54.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

BENEFIT BASH ROCK CONCERT

Harrow International School helped raise funds for people affected by last year’s flooding by hosting a superb charity rock concert at the school’s grounds.

The event featured performances by 18 of the school’s rock bands, plus a high energy headlining slot from famous Thai band Moderndog.

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RUNNING FOR ADVENTURE

The Amarin Outdoor unlimited River Kwai Trophy International 2012 put international racers through their paces in yet another sensational adventure race in Karnchanaburi province.

Read more on page 89.

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

S.E.A. WRITE AWARDS

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn designated Her Royal Highness Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana to grace the 2011 Southeast Asian Writers Awards Presentation Ceremony and Gala Dinner at the Royal Ballroom, Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok. This prestigious, annual literary event featured a three-course dinner, entertainment by the Krungthep Light Orchestra, and an enlightening speech by Prof. Dr. Edwin Thumboo, awardwinning Singaporean poet and academic who is regarded as one of the pioneers of English literature in the Lion City.

BARBICAN TURNS 15 Friday nights are always fun at The Barbican, but its 15th anniversary party – held on a Friday– is going to take some beating. All night drinks deals, party music by DJ Paul Jackson, and mind-bending displays of magic ensured everyone had a great night – and bad hangovers the next day!

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SOCIAL LAST MONTH’S BEST EVENTS

RCBS GOLF DAY The Rotary Club of Bangkok South’s annual golf day was another huge success, raising a net of 660,000 baht for its charity projects. The main sponsor of the event was Ricoh, which continued its sponsorship despite being severely affected by the floods.

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ST PADDY’S AT BEER VAULT The St’ Patrick’s Day celebrations lasted an entire week at Four Points By Sheraton Bangkok’s popular Beer Vault. As well as offering special discounts on Irish beers and beers in green bottles, the event featured nightly appearances by Khun Paddy the Leprechaun, whose lucky pot of gold was loaded with great prizes.

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FEATURE MOTORING

Simply stunning: the new Maserati in the gardens of the Sukhothai Bangkok Maserati Quattroporte S Maximum speed Acceleration 0 to 100km Max power output Braking distance from 100km/h to 0 Fuel tank capacity

Price: 13.6 million baht 280km/h 5.4 s 440 hp 114 ft (35 m) 23.8 gal (90 l)

By Maxmilian Wechsler

Maserati Quattroporte S: an Italian masterpiece

W

Power, looks, comfort - this top class sports car has it all WHEN Maserati offered to provide its new Quattroporte S for a road test, I literally leapt at the chance. The BigChilli’s Nina Hastings joined me for drives in and around Bangkok over the course of the two-day test, and we were both stunned by this supercar in every aspect.

If you are in the market for a fourdoor luxury high performance saloon which is comfortable, fast and safe – not to mention gorgeous – and aren’t scared off by the 13.6 million baht price tag, this Italian-made masterpiece is the car for you.

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The sleek appearance is a real headturner. During the road test it wasn’t only pedestrians turning their heads en-masse, but also other motorists. Some of them even made a point of overtaking us so that they could inspect the front of the car and see the famous Maserati trident emblem – a design created by the Italian Pininfarina house, whose talents have been employed by other famous brands like Alfa Romeo, Cadillac, Ferrari, Jaguar and Rolls Royce.

The Quattroporte S (“four-door Sport”) is an ultra high performance

sports car – never mind the four doors.

Its specifications include an awesome eight-cylinder, 4.7-litre engine that produces 440 hp and accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.

More importantly, though not as sexy, the car can come to a safe halt very, very quickly. According to Maserati, the car can go from 100 to 0km/h within 35 metres.

Not wishing to just take their word for it, I put on the brakes on the Quattroporte S at 150km/h. It came to a rest without swerving, spinning – or

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thankfully, overturning – as would a lesser car. Of course, I didn’t actually measure the distance it took to come to a full stop, but after conducting a similar test on a number of other vehicles, I can say that it was definitely the quickest, smoothest stop I have ever experienced.

The brakes are truly fantastic, as is the balance of the car, which inspires confidence. But it’s not only the handling of the Quattroporte S that makes it extra special. Every feature is designed to give the impression of excellence. The digital Hi-Fi system consisting of eight speakers developed in association with BOSE produces a great sound. Classic rock favourites from Led Zeppelin and Jimmy Hendrix never sounded so good, partly

because the bands were accompanied by the wonderful feel of cruising in this magnificent machine.

The Quattroporte S is loaded with a variety of useful high-tech systems which are easy to operate from the dashboard, such as the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP), which prevents skidding of the driving wheels during acceleration. The system enhances the vehicle’s stability and improves active safety while driving under various conditions – very useful, especially for such a powerful car.

With 20-inch wheels, the car drives like it is glued to the road, even while negotiating sharp turns at high speed.

The sense of safety is enhanced by the knowledge that there are six airbags

In buying a Maserati people are not showing off how wealthy they are. They love this brand because it is distinguished and the quality and style shine through. ready to protect you and your passengers.

Nina said she preferred to remain a passenger for this trip because she was reluctant to get behind the wheel of a car that costs so much. I was also being extra careful, keeping in mind what this piece of art is worth.

Expenses are also higher for fuel and insurance, although these are probably not major concerns for anyone who can afford the sticker price.

I read with interest various reviews conducted abroad and posted on the

web, most highly positive, but I can honestly say they didn’t influence my own assessment of the car. However, I noted with envy and some disbelief how much cheaper it is in the US or UK compared to Thailand.

For example, in the United States – where one reviewer wrote sarcastically, “If you are a rock star, it is totally affordable” – it sells for approximately US$ 130,000, or about 3.9 million baht.

By the reviewer’s logic, Thailand must be brimming with rock stars. Here

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FEATURE MOTORING

you see thousands of vehicles selling for more, brands like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Hummer, Land Rover, Porsche and some others, not to mention Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, which often cost more than 20 million baht (about US$ 666,000)! I wonder what you can get for this kind of money in the US. In the past both Nina and I have been critical of the noise made by some other brands we’ve reviewed, mostly diesels, but in this case we appreciated the roar of the engine, mainly when accelerating.

Founded in 1914 in Bologna, Italy, Maserati arrived on the scene long before the two other well-known Italian supercar makers, Ferrari and Lamborghini, which came into existence in 1929 and in 1963 respectively. Today Maserati is a house-hold name, especially in Europe, and many motorists dream of owning one.

The sole authorized Maserati dealer in Thailand is Empire Motor Sport Co., Ltd. (renamed from Ferma in 2009). The company’s head office, showroom and service centre is located on Viphawadee-Rangsit Road in Laksi, Bangkok. A second showroom is located at Siam Paragon.

Danai Chandrangam, the company’s general manager in Thailand explained how the cars are assembled: “Maserati has been under different ownership, with Fiat taking over in 1993. Maserati is made in a separate factory in Modena, Italy. Fiat offers financial support and allows Maserati to make beautiful high performance cars.

There’s a lot of passion going into the cars. Each vehicle

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will undergo nine days of rigorous testing before it is sent to the customer.”

When asked about Maserati customers in Thailand, Danai replied: “They are a very diverse group, and of course they come from the highest segment of society. Mainly they are entrepreneurs. They know the value of money, and they appreciate what they have achieved in life and they love nice things.

“In buying a Maserati people are not showing off how wealthy they are. They love this brand because it is distinguished and the quality and style shine through. It’s a lifestyle choice.

“Standing behind the Quattroporte S and seeing it drive off … the powerful shape of the car, it is really something. The ease of driving,

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power, comfort and luxury, it all adds up to a truly great car,” said Danai.

The price for Maseratis in Thailand ranges from 12.5 million to 16.5 million baht, and the company sells around 12 to 15 vehicles per year. Only a few cars – including second hand models – are kept in stock, as customers generally prefer to customize their orders, choosing colours, accessories and so on by themselves.

“The whole process, from ordering the car to delivery, takes three to four months,” explained Danai. “Obtaining spare parts may take as little as a couple of hours, but some parts have to be ordered from Italy and take up to two or three weeks.

“We always try to find a solution for the customer. Nobody likes to wait.

We provide excellent after sales service.

We give a three-year warranty, with a possibility to extend it for another two years. Our mechanics undergo training at Maserati headquarters in Italy every year.”

He pointed out that this is a car that is mainly driven by its owner, and not a driver. He’s right there. If you pay this kind of money you don’t want to give the pleasure of driving it to someone else.

“We call the Maserati Quattroporte S a high performance car. Even the two-door is not really a sports car, as is a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Porsche. While driving these brands, you feel every stone on the road. Maserati, however, gives you a softer, more luxurious and comfortable ride. It’s more like a lifestyle car that can drive, perform and handle like a sports car.

That’s why we call it a high performance car. You can drive easily 260km/h without problems,” Danai assured.

I am sure it wouldn’t be any problem for the car, but I didn’t dare attempt to drive at this speed. And while I did take it up past 170 km/h, we were lucky not to be stopped after passing a policeman with a radar gun on Don Muang Tollway.

Maybe he was intimidated.

After taking the car through Bangkok traffic and quiet country roads, knowing we were the envy of all we passed by, Nina and I were both reluctant to return it at the end of the two-day test period.

As we rolled toward the showroom, Nina gave her enthusiastic verdict on the car: “The first impression I had was WOW! What a stunning looking car! I was impressed with it all – the exterior and interior, the colours, the hand-stitched seats, wooden dashboard, leather steering wheel, easy to use console and, of course, the BOSE sound system. This mighty car is a rocket and the roaring sound of the engine gives you goose bumps! I didn’t trust myself driving this 13.6 million baht car, but being a passenger was more than good enough for me.”

And then, unfortunately, the illusion was over for both of us as we returned the car in one piece – much to the delight of Danai.

The BigChilli would like to thank the management of the Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok for allowing us to take photos in the hotel compound.

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Travel

p Deals and news from Thailand’s hottest destinations

“Greece likening!”

Santorini park now open in ChaAm. Page 128.

Mate’s Rates

Friends or family visiting Bangkok? Let them know about these deals!

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Hua Hin

Read more about the town’s best resorts and restaurants Page 128

Pattaya

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TRAVEL BANGKOK

Bangkok

and Beyond

Songkran Festival

April 13 – 15 throughout Thailand GET ready for a soaking as Thai New Year (Songkran) arrives bringing mischievous behaviour and lots of water. While tradition states that only a small amount of water is needed to wash away bad luck, April’s soaring temperatures and youthful enthusiasm dictate otherwise. Head to Khao San Road or Silom Road and be prepared to find yourself in the middle of a water war. Both streets are closed off and crammed with people having a good time, but make sure you watch your valuables. Not only will they get wet, a crafty pickpocket may squirt you in the eye and try to relieve you of them.

For more info see: www.tourismthailand.org

Eastin to open in Bangkok next month

Pathumwan Princess Hotel to launch new meeting packages

AFTER undergoing a major renovation, Pathumwan Princess Hotel Bangkok is now officially classified as a Five Star hotel.

As part of its refurb the hotel completely upgraded its meeting facilities, and it is set to launch new meeting packages aimed at the China and Hong Kong markets to tap into the 16 million tourists which visit Thailand from these markets each year.

For more info see: pprincess.com

GM on the move

BANDARA Hotels & Resorts has appointed Mr. Matthew C. Hindmarch as the new General Manager of Bandara Suites Silom, Bangkok. Mr. Hindmarch has over 20 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry in Thailand.

Prior to joining Bandara, he was the General Manager at Imperial Hua Hin Beach Resort.

Special rates at Andara Phuket

THAI residents and holders of valid work permits can now take advantage of special rates at Andara Resort and Villas, Phuket.

Available from April 15-November 1, the promotion offers two nights in a Terrace Suite for B33,300, including round trip airport transfer, daily breakfast, a welcome drink upon arrival, in-room daily fruit, free access to Andara Beach Club, 4pm check-out, and 10% off spa treatments.

Tel: 076 338 777 email: reservations@andaraphuket.com www.andaraphuket.com

THE new Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok will open next month with introductory room rates.

Until October, Superior Rooms will be B2,500 per night; and Executive Deluxe Rooms B5,000 per night (rates include breakfast).

The hotel has 390 guestrooms decorated in a contemporary classic style. Direct access to Surasak BTS station makes getting around the city a breeze.

Tel: 02 212 3738 email: rsvn@ eastingrandsathorn.com www.eastingrandsathorn.com

Coronation Day

HIS Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej was crowned as Rama IX, the 9th king of the Chakri dynasty, on May 5, 1950. This May 5, expect Bangkok to burst to life with commemorative sports, dances, gun salutes and a range of vibrant cultural events.

For more info see www.tourismthailand.org

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TRAVEL

HUA HIN

Hot summer deal at Black Mountain Water Park ■ THROUGHOUT April, this newly opened waterpark is offering 50% discount off the usual entry fee. This means that tickets are now just B450 per adult and B225 per child aged 5-12. Every Wednesday throughout May, Thai nationals get the special rate of B200 per adult and B100 per child. www.blackmountainwaterpark.com

Santorini Park brings a touch of Greece to Cha-Am ■ SANTORINI Park Cha-Am has opened its doors offering fun activities and shopping in a Greek-style environment. Set over 60-Rai, the park is split into five zones: Park Zone, featuring a range of amusement rides; Village Zone, filled with many hip shops and restaurants; Rest Area, offering international fast food outlets and convenience stores; Activity Zone, for special occasions; and the Weekend Art Market, with lots of art and handicrafts (only on Sat and Sun, 10am onwards).

Plenty of parking is available.

Open: Mon-Thurs 10am-9pm (free entrance), Fri-Sun and official holiday 10am-10pm (fee entry at B50 per person)

Thai resident promo at ibis Hua Hin ■ THE recently opened ibis Hua Hin is offering special accommodation rates for Thai residents and holders of valid work permits. Rates start at only B1,000 per Standard Room with complimentary of wifi internet access. The deal is available only on weekdays (Sun-Thurs).

Tel: 02 659 2888 ext.8 email: H7276-RE1@accor.com

Pasta fever at Dune ■ THROUGHOUT May, the rooftop Dune Bar and Restaurant at Dune Hua Hin Hotel is serving a delectable pasta selection for its fans together with stunning views of sea and mountain. The Pasta Fever promotion includes Spaghetti snow fish & caviar with cream sauce, Fuslli crab meat with pink sauce, Linguini lobster with spicy tomato sauce, Spaghetti porcini & shitake mushrooms with cream sauce, Spaghetti vongole, Spaghetti pesto, and Spaghetti bacon and dried chilli.

Wine Connection opens in Hua Hin ■ WINE Connection has extended its services in Thailand by opening its first wine shop in Hua Hin. Located opposite Hua Hin Hospital, the shop offers around 500 different wines as well as a range of imported beers and spirits. Shoppers can expect the same great value as the brand’s Bangkokbased shops – especially if you’re a BigChilli reader. Until April 30, Wine Connection Hua Hin is offering B100 discount on purchases of B1,000 or more to anyone who says they read about the deal in BigChilli Magazine.

Wine Connection Hua Hin (opposite to Hua Hin Hospital), Open: 10.30am-9pm (Sun-Thurs), 10.30am-10.30pm (Fri-Sat and holidays), Tel: 032 520 991 www.wineconnection.co.th

Tel: 032 515 051-3 email: md@dunehuahin.com

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TRAVEL

HUA HIN

Hua Hin Where to eat Oceanside Beach Club Cocktails

La Paillotte

■ Set in the beautiful Putahracsa Hua Hin resort, this relaxing beachfront restaurant offers a great selection of international food, drinks and music. You can tuck into seafood with piquant Thai sauces or devour huge slabs of meat fresh from the grill.

The Jumbo Tiger prawns, Rock lobster, and New Zealand lamb chops score particularly good marks here. Other bonuses include a great sea view, and a long list of delightfully boozy cocktails. Open 5pm onwards.

■ This charming French restaurant is the ideal place to enjoy an evening of fine food in relaxed surroundings. The fresh and colourful décor brings to mind citrus-scented Mediterranean evenings, as do the excellent range of aperitifs, wines, beers and digestifs. Although the culinary roots of La Paillote’s cuisine are classically French, the kitchen team enhances a rich culinary tradition with contemporary touches. An a la carte menu and nine set menus are available. Open daily from 11am till late.

22/65 Nahb Kaehat Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 531 470

174/1 Naresdamri Road, 77110 Tel: 032 521025

Mondo Vino

Beach Cafe Restaurant

■ This wine bar is owned and operated by the same team behind the award-winning La Grappa restaurant. Stylishly decorated in muted tones, it’s an upmarket cozy venue that draws a classy crowd every night of the week. Serving a tasty selection of apertivos and a long list of international vintages, it’s a great place to drop by for a pre-dinner snack and drink. Grab a bottle and even make a night of it.

■ After a hard week of work in Bangkok you deserve a treat!

Watch the perfect day on the beach transcend into a unique candlelit dining experience with your loved one. The restaurant offers excellent steaks and seafood plus an unrivaled choice of cocktails and outstanding wines at reasonable prices. The only non-hotel affiliated restaurant on Hua Hin’s main beach offers great value for money.

Mondo Vino, 22/65 Neab kaehat Road, Hua Hin, Open Mon - Sat 10am – 9pm.

Sun 1pm.-9 pm,Tel: 032 531493 email: Info@mondovino.co.th

Soi Hua Hin 75/1 by the sea, Prachaubkirikhan 77110, Open Mon – Sun 10am – 10pm. www.beachcaferestaurant.com

Ciao

■ For lovers of Italian cuisine, Ciao at the Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa is a blessing. The charming beachfront restaurant possesses a style and ambience that few resorts can claim to have achieved. A concise one-page menu offers a carefully considered selection of dishes. The antipasti selection is highly recommended. The platter of Italian temptations is the ideal accompaniment for the fine wines from Ciao’s excellent cellar.

The restaurant serves delicious appetizers, soups, salads, pasta, thin crust pizzas, main meat and fish dishes, and irresistible desserts.

Hua Hin Marriott Resort & Spa, 107/1 Phetkasem Beach Road.

Tel: 032 511 881

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The Veranda Grill ■ The Veranda Grill offers both a relaxed outdoor atmosphere on the beachfront, as well as an indoor dining experience, featuring exceptional views across the Gulf of Thailand. The setting is perfect for sampling some of the sea’s freshest delights. You can choose from a wide selection of authentic Thai cuisine along with continental dishes, all of which are carefully prepared to the chef’s exacting standards.

Veranda Lodge, Hua Hin Beach, 113 Soi Hua Hin 67, Petch Kasem Road, Prachuab 77110 Tel: 032 533678 email: huahin@verandalodge.com www.verandalodge.com

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TRAVEL

HUA HIN

Hua Hin Where to sleep Evason Hua Hin and Six Senses Spa

The Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin

■ This resort-spa is situated at the heart of 20 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and faces the Gulf of Thailand. Pool villas and guest rooms are connected by a series of wooden walkways that meander between lush greenery. This is a retreat for those seeking time to relax and recharge. In The Restaurant guests can sip exotic cocktails, ice-cold beer or boutique wines while watching chefs cook and construct creative appetizers. The award-winning Earth Spa is one of the most visually striking in Thailand.

■ Located in the heart of Hua Hin right next to the beach, this luxury hotel combines comfort and convenience for the perfect escape. Each suite is well-furnished in stylish décor and each has its own private swimming pool. General facilities include a fitness center, a swimming pool, steam rooms, spa, library, and meeting functions. Rocks Restaurant serves up a wide range of international dishes and local favourites, while the beachside bar, and the cigar and whisky bar, mix up some excellent cocktails.

9/22 Moo 5 Paknampran Beach, Pranburi. Tel: 032 632 111

97/2 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 516 600

Villa Maroc Resort Pranburi ■ Inspired by Morocco’s distinctive architecture, Villa Maroc combines Thai beachside living and service with some of the most luxurious furnishings from the North African Kingdom, making it a unique addition to Southeast Asia’s accommodation scene. The resort is located in Pranburi approximately 30 kilometers south of Hua Hin town. You can tuck into European, Middle Eastern and Thai cuisine at Casablanca, enjoy cocktails and shisha pipes at the Sisha Bar, relax in bliss at Sherazade Hammam & Spa, and much more.

165/3 Moo 3 Paknampran, Pranburi, Tel: 032 630 771 email: rsvn@villamarocresort.com

Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & Villas

S’MOR Spa Village & Resort ■ S’MOR Spa Village & Resort is always a great choice for a relaxing holiday. Located in the center of Hua Hin yet in the peaceful area overlooking the Khao Takiab Mountain with a long beautiful beach, this al-fresco resort features six bungalows and eight bedrooms, each well-equipped with all the mod-cons you could need. The seafront bungalow offers you a choice of private outdoor Jacuzzi or indoor Jacuzzi. The resort’s spa is exclusive and distinctive with an extensive list of treatments including traditional Thai massage. For eats, the beachfront S’MOR Spa Beach Bar & Restaurant serves a wide variety of international and local cuisines.

122/64 Takiab Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 536 800

Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

■ Set within 13 hectares of landscaped gardens, the property dates back to 1923 and is one of Southeast Asia’s most renowned hotels. The luxurious colonial-era beachfront resort features 207 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, each one offering comfort and convenience. The Pool Villas include four Deluxe Spa Villas with queen sized twin bed, lounging area, bathroom with rain shower, and oversized Jacuzzi bathtub. Refined dining is available at Sala Thai, Hagi, the Railway Restaurant, and Palm Terrace. Guests can unwind in the Elephant Bar or Satchmo Club.

■ Sheraton brand in Hua Hin is a delightful low-rise resort comprising of 240 luxurious rooms and suites, 56 of which have direct access to a 200-metre lagoon-style swimming pool. Stylish and elegant, they provide a generous 49 square metres of light and airy living space. Facilities at the resort include five restaurants and bars, the highlight being InAzia, the resort’s signature restaurant. Other options include Luna Lanai, a laidback beachfront bar. The Aspadeva Spa offers an extensive menu of massage and body services.

1 Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin. Tel: 032 512 021-38

1573 Petchkasem Road, Cha-Am. Tel: 032 708 080

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The Veranda Lodge Huahin

113 Soi Hua Hin 67, Petch Kasem Road, Hua Hin, Prachuab 77110, THAILAND Tel: +66 32 533678 Fax: +66 32 533679 Website: www.verandalodge.com , Email: huahin@verandalodge.com AD Veranda Lodge_Sep11.indd 1

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TRAVEL

PATTAYA

Savings at Sheraton

ALL this month Sheraton Pattaya Resort is offering its Garden View Rooms at just B4,600++ per night (includes breakfast buffet).

Tel: 038 259 888 email: sheraton.pattaya@sheraton.com www.sheraton.com/pattaya.

Barbecue dinner on the beach

GARDEN Cliff Resort & Spa, Pattaya is now offering a sumptuous buffet dinner on the beach featuring a large selection of seafood, steaks, and international dishes plus Thai favourites. B790 per person (includes salad bar and dessert).

Tel: 038 259 333 www.gardencliffpattaya.com

French food fest

FROM Apr 24-30, IL Terrazzo Restaurant at Kameo House Hotel, Rayong is organizing a French Food Festival featuring many specialties from different regions of France prepared by a guest chef Philippe Belly. Throughout the seven-day promotion, an all-you-can-eat dinner will be on offer for B650 per person and half price per child aged under 12 (6pm-10pm).

Tel: 038 621 626 ext. 275 www.kameocollection.com

Meats, Mustards and Merlots Wine Dinner

ON Apr 26, the stylish Flare restaurant at Hilton Pattaya will host a wine dinner featuring five premium cuts of meat creatively-prepared in a fusion style by Chef Supoj and served with great Merlots from renowned wineries. Priced B3,000 per person, the dinner will feature Australian Wagyu beef, Tournedos Rossini, Australian lamb, and Kurobuta pork served with a selection of delicious mustards. Starts 7pm.

Tel: 038 253 078 email: saneh.prakobsub@hilton.com

Summer deal at Siam Bayview Hotel UNTIL Apr 30, Siam Bayview Hotel’s Summer Package offers a two-nights’ stay with breakfast, a gourmet dinner, and a massage treatment, all for B5,400++.

Tel: 038 423 8717 email: siambayview@ siamhotels.com www.siamhotels.com

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TRAVEL

PATTAYA

Soul music lights up Pattaya Find your ‘soul mates’ at the groovy Northern Soul nights

PATTAYA’S international reputation may center around red lights and sleaze, but proof that there’s much more to this city than meets the eye can be seen with the introduction of Eva Johnson and Earl Brown’s Northern Soul Night.

British Expat Earl, a Thailand resident for seven years, had never seen northern soul here, and after chatting on Facebook with fellow Briton Eva, a northern soul veteran who was there in its inception, the pair realized they had a mutual passion for soul music and decided to set up their own club night.

The pair held their first event last November at ‘Play’ on Walking Street and it was a huge success. “Over 130 people turned up to that event,” says Earl. “We had a handful of sponsors and raised 45,000 baht for the Mercy Center.”

Eva asked the crowd if they wanted to have another party.

The yell of approval was so exuberant that her answer was simple: “that’s settled then. See you all in February.”

From there, the reputation of Northern Soul has, to quote the M People song, just been ‘Moving on Up.’ The duo held its second event on Feb 17 at the trendy ‘Deep’ bar at the Dusit d2 and the venue was packed with people having a great time. The entry fee of 400 baht entitled guests to two hours of free flow beer and wine. And by 8.30pm the venue was full of people dancing away to DJs Barry Willmore and Ricky Vaughan, while LCD screens and projectors showed some great old northern soul footage which helped create a real authentic vibe.

The crowd was a good mix of soul aficionados and newbies experiencing Northern Soul for the first time, with people traveling from Bangkok and Rayong.

This time more sponsors were on board and with increased numbers, the evening raised a whopping 75,000 baht for charity, which in this case was the Melissa Cosgrove Children’s Foundation.

Plans are already underway for the third Northern Soul night in Pattaya, which will surely gain more sponsors, more enthusiasts and raise funds for local charities.

There is also talk about creating these events in Bangkok, so watch this space.

For more information please email Eva or Earl at pattayasoulclub@gmail.com Or search ‘pattaya soul club’ on Facebook.

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TRAVEL BANGKOK

• Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square:

s ’ e t a M s rate

amily f r o s d Frien kok? g n a B visiting now about k Let them e deals thes

The hotel is offering many benefits for Advantage Plus members when booking online at Accoradvantageplus. com from April 1 - 29. The special deals include a 50% discount on a Chao Phraya Romantic Dinner Cruise, two bowling games at Blu-O Bowl Siam Paragon, an hour’s ice skating for two persons, shopping discount coupons at Siam Paragon and a Songkran water gun when staying during April 12-15. Tel: 02 209 8888 ext.

Marketing Communication

• JW Marriott Bangkok: Until May 31, ‘The

Bon Appetite’ package features rates starting at B7,900++ per Deluxe room per night (includes daily breakfast for two) and two progressive Drink & Dinner meals (for two persons) which will be held each day at a different dining outlet. Minimum two night stay.

For more info, Tel: 02 656 7700 www.marriott.com/bkkdt.

• Siam City Hotel, Bangkok: Until April 30, the hotel’s • Swissôtel Nai Lert Park, Bangkok: Between

Apr 10 - 17, the hotel’s ‘Songkran Package’ features a special rate to stay when booking a minimum of two consecutive nights. The Swiss Business Advantage Room rate starts B8,000++ per single and B8,500++ per couple including a free upgrade to a Swiss Business Executive Room, an in-room internet access, international buffet breakfast, free Executive Lounge access, complimentary tea, coffee and soft drinks served 6pm-11pm, and a late check-out. Tel: 02 253 0123 or 02 867 7000 email: reservations@ nailertpark.swissotel.com www.swissotel. com/bangkok-nailertpark

• Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11: The hotel’s

‘One Night in Bangkok’ package offers rates starting B2,811++ for a Chic room and B3,111++ for an Urban room including daily semi-lunch (for two persons), two daily cocktails, free entry to Bed Supperclub and Q bar and late check-out.

Booking is available now until June 30 and the promotion is valid until the end of Oct. Quote APPKG5 when booking.

Tel: 02 207 7000 email: reservations.aloftbkk@alofthotels.com www.aloftholtels. com/bangkoksukhumvit11

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Songkran Package features a two-night-stay with international breakfasts, a gourmet Thai dinner, and a massage treatment, for B5,900++ per two persons. Tel: 02 247 0162, 02 247 0174 email: reservations@siamhotels.com www.siamhotels.com

• Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok: Until May

30, the hotel’s Bangkok Splash and Spice package offers two-nights’ accommodation, a dinner for two persons per night at Shintaro or Biscotti, and Executive Club access for two persons. Tel: 02 126 8866 email: reservations.bangkok@fourseasons.com ,www.fourseasons.com/bangkok/

• Novotel Bangkok Platinum: Until June 30, this new hotel at Platinum Fashion Mall is offering introductory rates for its Superior Rooms starting at B3,300++ per room per night (inclusive of American buffet breakfast for two persons). Tel: 02 160 7111 email: H7272-RE@accor.com www.novotel.com

• Four Points by Sheraton Bangkok:

On April 14, the hotel’s rooftop amBar is hosting an annual Songkran Pool Party featuring cool DJs, delightful snacks and drinks served at special rates. An over-night accommodation package is offered on the day at B2,500++ per Comfort Room including a late check out and a Songkran survival kit. Party starts 2pm. Free entry.

Tel: 02 309 3077 email: rsvn.sukhumvit15@fourpoints.com www.fourpoints. com/bangkoksukhumvit15

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Tub Samet House, Rayong

For Rent

Tub Samet, near Rayong, a beautiful twobedroom house with large living space, separate kitchen, balcony and private garden in private and secure compound with direct access to one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the Gulf of Thailand. Only two hours’ drive from Bangkok.

Only 20,000 baht per month.

For more information email: siamdoll@gmail.com

Bang Saray condo

Fo

rr

en

t

Bang Saray condo, next to the beach, low-rise, large gardens, secure compound, two swimming pool and tennis courts. Ground oor, 2 A/C bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Great community, perfect for families with children.

30,000 baht per month.

For more information email: siamdoll@gmail.com

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