The Bangkok BigChilli. December 2013.

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FIND OUT WHAT’S HOT IN BANGKOK

December 2013 08 INSIGHT News, letters, gossip and more 26 DOGS ON PATROL How man’s best friends are helping a former British policeman provide security in Thailand 31 GOURMET A round up of all the best restaurant deals and gourmet events in Bangkok 36 DOMINO’S PIZZA IN FOCUS Expect festive deals galore this month 56 SEASON’S EATINGS Festive dining at a glance 66 THONGLOR: BANGKOK’S GOLDEN MILE Everything you need to know about the city’s hippest street 79 EXPAT WOMEN Health, shopping, people, advice and fiction 99 WHAT’S ON Exhibitions, performance, sport, networking – we’ve got this month’s best events all wrapped up 113 SOCIAL Last month’s best events in pictures 131 DIPLOMATS Sri Lanka’s ambassador reveals his past as a highly decorated army general 137 HUA HIN Deals and news 147 PATTAYA Hot news from the Eastern Seaboard

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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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LONG LIVE HIS MAJESTY THE KING

The advice we wouldn’t have given 20 years ago SOMETHING alarming and disturbing happened in our offices recently. We were visited by two young girls from England, both 18 years old and here in Thailand at the start of a three-month backpacking holiday around Southeast Asia. They made contact with us via mutual friends in the UK. The girls were dressed in the de rigeur outfits of backpackers – very short cut down jeans and voluminous t-shirts, and not much else. Their massive rucksacks must have weighed a back-breaking 30kg. They looked even younger than their tender age, fragile and frighteningly innocent; their enthusiasm for the trip they were about to embark upon was not in doubt, however. The girls told us excitedly about their itinerary – buses to the islands of southern Thailand and New Year’s Eve at the notorious full moon party on Koh Phangan. Apart from us, they had no other contacts in Thailand. Only one of them had a mobile. Neither of them had been to Asia before.

So, what did we do? The natural inclination would have been to wish them a good trip and give them the benefit of our experience with advice on the best beaches to visit, the hippest hotels to stay in, the most delicious Thai food. Instead, from the very outset, we found ourselves warning them of the hazards and dangers they were likely to face while travelling around this country. We told them, for example, to be wary of approaches by someone with an all-too-easy smile and the promise of some incredible money-making deal. We mentioned other traps and rip-offs like jet ski scams. We warned them about motorcyclists who rip bags off unsuspecting women’s shoulders, and we advised them against taking the cheapest buses because of their poor driving records. We explained the need to lock their bags at all times, and even to take photos of them if forced to stow the bags in the luggage compartment of a bus. And we suggested they keep clear of any exotic cocktails and other strange substances offered at beach raves. Be on your guard at all times, we said. It was only after we had taken a breather from giving all these warnings that it dawned on us what we’d just done – before telling them what was right with Thailand, which is, after all, one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, we had launched into what was wrong with it. On reflection, that disturbed us.

Were we wrong? Were we being overprotective? Unfair to

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Thailand? Perhaps, but when you see two young and naïve girls heading off into the unknown, such a reaction is probably quite understandable. At their age (just 18) they are at their most vulnerable – idealistic, unaware and trusting. Tourists invariably face challenges wherever they venture. And recent stories from Thailand, including the 20-year-old English girl who “fell” from a hotel balcony in Phuket (and only broke an ankle, unlike many others who have died as a result of similar “accidents”), motorcyclist deaths, drownings, overdoses and a warning last month from a Russian travel organization about the inordinate number of fatal tour bus accidents, hardly inspire confidence.

Thailand will welcome more than 20 million visitors this year.

Most will have a great time. But dangers and hazards do exist, and no one should pretend otherwise.

For the sake of the nation

IN the past, harmony was a word often used to describe the Thai way of life. People worked together for the benefit of the country as a whole. Clearly, that’s not the case today. Greed, ambition and corruption are not unknown here, but in recent years they’ve been taken to a much higher and more dangerous level. Far more still unites Thailand than divides it. Those responsible for the current turmoil – and we all know who they are – should back off immediately, and permanently, for the sake of the nation.

Asia’s ‘cultural cringe’

‘CULTURAL cringe,’ a phrase first coined by Australians as a way of distancing themselves from the UK and establishing their own, unique identity, is a concept that Asia should take note of. China is probably the worst offender in the way it slavishly reproduces almost anything from the West, including ludicrous recreations of English villages. Equally cringeworthy is Macau’s interpretation of a European Christmas, with fake snow and carol-singing. In Thailand, meanwhile, developers build housing estates that copy traditional architectural designs from France and Italy, usually with a foreign-sounding title. Why can’t Asia be more original and creative? It’s a culturally rich region with plenty to be proud of. Let’s use this enormous resource instead of aping others.

TheBigChilli

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PUBLISHER Colin Hastings editorbigchilli@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Adam Purcell adambigchilli@gmail.com EDITOR Nina Hastings ninabigchilli@gmail.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Chutinanta Boonyamarn nanbigchilli@gmail.com SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Rojjana Rungrattwatchai sendtorose@gmail.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Thana Pongsaskulchoti thanabigchilli@gmail.com ACCOUNTING MANAGER Saranya Choeyjanya fatcatbigchilli@gmail.com ART & PRODUCTION Arthawit Pundrikapa, Jaran Lakawat PHOTOGRAPHY Mini Bike Gang, David Heischrek and WJ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anette Pollner, Johanna DeKoning, Judith Coulson, 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

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letters Insight

Inbox|Have your say

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HAVE YOUR SAY! Write to us at: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

RIDICULOUS NEW WINE TAX

■ THE new tax on wine (The BigChilli Nov P.6) is not only absurd and unjustified, but is also a kick in the palate for all lovers of this universally popular drink. I suspect too that the increase has as much to do with lobbying on behalf of cheap whisky producers afraid of losing their near- monopoly on the drinks market as it is as a way of raising additional and much-needed funds for a government that’s clearly spending way beyond its means.

The offshoot, of course, will be a reduction in the consumption of wine (or at least the more expensive variety) and therefore less tax revenue for the government, plus an obvious massive increase in smuggling, which is already rampant. We have thus a ludicrous situation that makes no sense whatsoever financially or even from the oft-mentioned but largely spurious argument about safeguarding people’s health. Daniel Winelover, Bangkok

LADDA’S BRILLIANT BROADSIDE ■ THERE’S an awesome clip on Youtube featuring Ladda Tammy Duckworth entitled “Iraq veteran absolutely hammers IRS contractor’ that everyone should see. Thailand-born US Congresswoman Mrs Duckworth, who lost both legs and damaged her arm while serving in Iraq, quite understandably has precious little patience for people who take advantage of programs intended for America’s wounded veterans.

Her handling of Braulio Castillo, a contractor who told IRS officials that “he injured his ankle while attending a military prep school before going to college” to leverage contracts meant for the businesses of service-disabled veterans, is simply breathtaking. What a gal!

Lucy I. Diamonds, Chiang Mai

DON’T GO TOO FAR, STEPHFF ■ MY sincerest best wishes to cartoonist Stephff. His drawings capture so brilliantly the way non-Thais generally see this country.

I just hope he doesn’t go ‘over the top’ with some of his work. You know how sensitive locals can be about criticism.

C.H. Bangkok

INSPIRED READING ■ YOUR October issue was packed full of evidence that foreign entrepreneurs can still make a good life for themselves in Thailand. Performer Kristen Rossi (p.64); interior designer Casper Oplaat (p.14); handbag designer Linda Jennings (p.62-63); Accidental Butcher Steve Craig (p.34); and board game importer Fabian Weiner (p.12), showed that, no matter what business you may be involved in here, with the right attitude and temperament, you can make a success of any trade here. Very inspirational, and I applaud each and every one of them for their efforts.

Kate, Bangkok

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News|Snippets

Thai workers to lose out THE number of people from ASEAN countries now working in Bangkok is very noticeable. And they’re proving extremely efficient, especially in terms of the English language ability, which is generally far better than their Thai counterparts. With the integration of Thailand into ASEAN Economic Community in 2015, Thai workers may find themselves losing out in the search for decent jobs.

Quotation Quotation 1). “THROUGH my modest family background…I learned the hardship of poverty in the rural areas. I learned the importance of earning rewards by working hard.” – Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra speaking in Manila 2003 (as quoted in the book ‘Thaksin. The Business of Politics in Thailand,’ by Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker).

Ladies in charge THE total number of female ambassadors to the Kingdom is 20. The eleven now residing in Thailand are from Argentina, Cambodia, Finland, Malaysia, Norway, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the United States. The other nine non-resident ambassadors are from Cyprus, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Liberia, Lithuania, San Marino, Slovenia and Suriname.

2). ‘IN fact, by the time of his birth, the Shinawatra were one of the most prominent families in Chiang Mai. They were big in both business and politics. Thaksin returned from his overseas education to be immediately appointed private secretary to a Cabinet minister. Thaksin grew up in an environment of wealth, power, and privilege.’ 2003 (from the book ‘Thaksin. The Business of Politics in Thailand,’ by Pasuk Phongpaichit and Chris Baker).

The Observer Interesting snippets of life in Bangkok, as witnessed by our team

Who’d want to be a hotel PR? THEY always look immaculate, smile endlessly and are charm personified. And as Public Relations Managers in Bangkok’s finest hotels, they have one of the most glamorous and sought-after jobs in town. But is it really so cool to be a hotel PR manager? You may not think so after reading the following account of a fairly typical lifestyle of one such manager: “Living in the suburbs, some distance from the hotel, I have to get up at 5.30am, drive two hours to get to my office, eat breakfast and do my make-up in the car on the way.

“Once there, I nap in the car park for 30 minutes before attending the first meeting of the day. I usually leave the hotel at 7-8pm, though it can be much later if there is a function, and get home about 90 minutes later, just in time to relax and watch television for a while. If not required in the office on Saturday, I get up early to help my family, and then go back to bed to sleep for the rest of the day. Sunday is my only day to do things like shop, or to meet friends.” How these hotel PRs find the time or energy to be glamorous is one of life’s mysteries.

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Food discount but not VAT WATCH out for establishments that offer multiple dining deals. You may get a discount on the price of a set menu or buffet, but the service charge and tax is often charged at the full price. This is not only devious but probably also illegal.

Patpong to remain the same FORGET the rumours about Patpong’s imminent demise or complete modernization. According to one of the area’s veteran bar owners, this is not about to happen – despite the interest recently shown by the operators of the Nana Plaza. “Even though the street is dead by day, it is very profitable at night,” he said, noting that the new one-storey bars set along Patpong 2 were rented by the King’s group the moment they became available, and have since been sub-let to new tenants for up to 90,000 baht a month. “There’s no reason for Patpong to change any time soon,” he forecast.

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Dining|Bangkok’s Oldest Restaurants

Patpong’s sizzling 60-year-old As Bangkok’s oldest independent non-Thai restaurant, Mizu’s remains a great place for good value meals – if you don’t mind the exotic aromas

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THE only person who really knows when Mizu’s Kitchen first opened in Patpong is its Japanese owner Mr Masakai, but since he’s now in his eighties and rarely around these days, you have to rely on the staff for the answer. And they’re not sure.

“Sixty years ago,” says Miss See, who’s worked for the restaurant for 35 years. “I think so anyway,” looking for confirmation from a colleague who may have been with Mizu’s even longer. Her friend nods vaguely in agreement, not really knowing either.

What is certainly true is that Mizu’s is Bangkok’s oldest independent nonThai restaurant, a stalwart of the city’s naughtiest road and for a couple of decades the choice of advertising types, foreign correspondents and go-go bar owners.

It’s had its heydays but then, so has Patpong. A cubby hole of a place, Mizu’s is now quieter by far but it still serves some of the best value western and Japanese dishes in town. Where else can you get a five-course steak (“New York cut or Black Pepper”) dinner for B370? Or “Queue de boeuf braisee au vin rouge” for only B180?

And there aren’t many Bangkok restaurants that still stock Mateus Rose

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for B650 a bottle. Not available any longer, though, is Dubonnet at B160 a glass. At least Miss See couldn’t find it.

Probably Mizu’s most famous dish is the Special Sarika Steak, served sizzling on a hot plate with vegetables on the side. Just 220 baht. None of the Japanese dishes cost more than 160 baht, while international favorites like the tasty Chicken Cordon Bleu are all priced 140160 baht. And there’s not a soup over 80 baht. Corkage is a steal at a mere 100 baht a bottle.

Apart from being the city’s oldest non-hotel restaurant, Mizu’s is also famed

for the “exotic” smells and aromas that hover over the place. But after 60 years of daily cooking and dining, you wouldn’t expect anything less.

Mizu’s Kitchen. 32 Patpong Road

Oldies but goodies

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BANGKOK old-timers talk lovingly of restaurants they used to frequent – Nick’s No.1, The Two Vikings, Madame Suzanne, The Metropolitan, Mitch and Nam’s, and many others from the distant past. Continues page 14 >>

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Oldies but goodies

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Continued from page 12 The truth is, for a variety of reasons these “legendary” restaurants didn’t cut the mustard and closed. Maybe they weren’t as good as people remember.

In contrast to most cities, Bangkok seems not to appreciate old restaurants. While new venues open at a dizzying rate of about two a month these days, only a handful of independent (non-hotel, international) restaurants have been able to stay in business here for 20 years or more.

The oldest by a long shot is Mizu’s Kitchen on Patpong, which opened 60-plus years ago (see above).

Not quite the draw it once was, it survives partly on nostalgia and partly because of the shortage of alternatives in this part of town.

Other ‘old’ Bangkok restaurants, some of which have changed premises and owners over time, include:

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1. 1969: Neil’s Tavern, Ruam Rudee (Steakhouse) 2. 1980: The Cup, Rachadapisek Road (English) 3. 1983: Pan Pan, Sukhumvit 33 (Italian) 4. 1984: Bei Otto, Sukhumvit 20 (German) 5. 1984: L’Opera, Sukhumvit 39 (Italian) 6. 1986: Bourbon Street, Ekamai (originally in Washington Square) (American and Cajun Creole) 7. 1989: Ratsstube, Soi Goethe, Sathorn Soi 1 (German) 8. 1994: Witch’s Oyster Bar (originally called Wit’s Oyster Bar), Ruamrudee (International) 9. 1995: Gianni, Soi Tonson Ploenchit (Italian) 10. 1995: Le Bouchon, Patpong 2 (French) 11. 1998: Philippe, Sukhumvit 39 (French)

The message here is clear and obvious: independent restaurants survive in Bangkok by being exceptional.

Otherwise they’re likely to go the same way as those restaurants that only live in people’s memory.

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Nostalgia|Washington Square

Farewell to Washington Square One of Bangkok’s more quirky entertainment areas is no more, but the memories of the characters who frequented it, the people who worked there and the unusual camaraderie linger on

By Dean Barrett

■ MOLLY thanks me for buying her a lady’s drink and before we drink we wish each other luck. Molly is one of the girls who used to work at the Texas Lone Star Saloon. Not a girl really, few of the women who worked in the bars of the Square were under thirty. Molly is plump, quiet, always friendly, and, like many of the girls who worked in the Square, has not had an easy life.

She is sitting now outside the Easy Pub, one of the two remaining bars left in the Square. All around us are abandoned concrete buildings ready for destruction or else the rubble of those already demolished. At the Soi 22 entrance to the Square (which is now the only entrance) the other remaining bar – New Square One – faces an abandoned massage parlor building which a few months back was destroyed by a roaring fire. The only advertising remaining on its façade is a line of four faded Chinese characters for “Ancient (traditional) Massage.” But even without a fire the massage parlor had little time left.

For several years Bangkok’s land

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prices had been rising and every year there had been persistent rumors that the Square was doomed – destined to be razed to the ground and replaced by yet another towering condominium or shopping center. But the years passed and nothing happened. Until it did.

The night is cool and pleasant and an occasional burst of laughter or a few lines of music drift over from the open-air bars on the nearby Soi. I mention to Molly that I thought I saw shadows flitting about inside the abandoned building facing us. She said the workers sleep in that building and in the morning begin their work of clearing the Square once again.

Above us, in the dark sky, a bright full moon plays hide-and-seek with slow-moving cloud formations. The moon, the clouds, the abandoned buildings, the piles of rubble, the darkness around us and the strange silence – the Square seems to have transformed into the kind of phantasmagorical landscape one sees only in dreams.

The Square always was a very different place from the rest of Bangkok. It was often referred to as “Little America” and many of the customers were American veterans of various wars.

Their message – if you asked – was that they had fought for their country and if necessary would fight again – just don’t ask them to live there. Of course, there were non-Americans as well and many oil workers taking a welcome break from working in the Middle East.

My first encounter with the Square was twelve years ago when I came back to Thailand to live. I carried my suitcase inside the Texas Lone Star Saloon and – it being early afternoon – there were no customers and only two girls in the back. Sound asleep. One woke up and>>

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CHECK IN

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Hagi A la carte buffet THB 980++ per person THB 1,280++ per person with free flow wine and sparkling wine 18.30 – 22.30 hrs.

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Count down party with duo band and live DJ THB 880++ per person with 1 standard drink / 22.00 hrs. onwards

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Nostalgia|Washington Square

accompanied me up the outside stairs to where my room was. Walking up a dark, malodorous stairway with a friendly and flirtatious bargirl I remember thinking, ah, I must be back in Bangkok. I didn’t know it then but years later I would write a mystery series in which the detective lives over a Washington Square bar based on the Lone Star.

And over the years I met many of the customers of the Square, the regulars who were dubbed “Squaronians.” Squaronians were colourful, unique, friendly and, in some cases, a bit too fond of drink. It was an inimitable clientele within an incongruous setting: Within a stone’s throw of the many macho bars were the famous Mambo ladyboy show and the well known Bourbon Street Restaurant, massage parlors and an undersized Thai restaurant or two. And of course there were the small food stands on wheels selling everything from fruit to toys.

Molly and I begin talking about customers we had known over the years, many of whom had become my friends.

There was Dennis House, always known as “the Doc.” And everyone knew Mekhong Kurt, whose online newsletter gave readers up-to-the-minute information on the comings and goings of customers, managers and owners alike.

We talked about Gator and Crazy John and Cowboy John and Khun Richard (Diran – who painted the famous scene inside the Lone Star) and all the others we’d known, and of course the irrepressible George Pipas, the grossly overweight

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owner of the Lone Star. Molly says that despite his gruffness and frequent swearing – “change the goddamned music!”

– George really cared about the girls and they all loved him. We talked about all of the customers we could remember and then, for a time, we drank in silence, lost inside our own memories.

Several young Thai men walked past to where they had parked their cars and then drove off. Beside Molly’s chair two scrawny kittens began wrestling one another. I had at first thought the sacks nearby were filled with sand for the next flood but Molly said it was plant food. Despite the scene of destruction, whichever former bargirl owns the Easy Pub had

“Squaronians were colourful, unique, friendly and, in some cases, a bit too fond of drink; an inimitable clientele within an incongruous setting.” set out a line of well tended potted plants – perhaps, like the bar itself, a sign of life remaining amid rubble. And in a small pot close to the plants, Khun Bee – another long-time Lone Star employee – lit incense to a makeshift shrine in fervent hopes of attracting customers.

Molly went inside and came back with another beer for me. We began talking of what happened to the girls and the cooks in the various bars. When the bars closed some had returned to Isaan but many now worked in the bars along Soi 22.

We both knew of times when the girls had called a taxi for a customer who’d had too much to drink; often they would go in the taxi with him to make sure he got back to his apartment without losing his money or falling over before he got inside. There was in the Square a special relationship between the women who worked in the bars and the frequent customers that I have never seen in any

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other nightlife area of Bangkok.

It seemed to be formed of familiarity, tolerance, understanding and a similar philosophy toward life by those who had already lived a great deal of it.

At one time or another, the Lone Star had witnessed book signings, guitar playing, drunken bargirls or drunken customers, and sometimes arguments, fights and brawls, but most problems could always be solved and grievances forgiven by buying a man a beer or a girl a drink.

There were many humorous occasions such as the time a customer would walk into the Lone Star, see only two or three bargirls working, and with pride and showmanship, ring the drinks-on-me bell. Only to watch in horror as five or six more who had been eating inside the back kitchen appeared, all cheerful over having heard the bell ring.

I noticed Molly’s empty glass and told her to get another drink. I had known her for all of the ten years she worked at the Lone Star and I knew she was raising two daughters. How these women managed to survive, let alone raise children, never failed to amaze me and still does.

She returned and thanked me. And once again we sat in silence surrounded by pools of semi-darkness and strange shadows, surreal images of what seemed like fortresses overrun by invaders and then abandoned. I thought of the times gone by. Ten years before, Doc Dennis, Cowboy John, Mekhong Kurt and I set up an early website of mine. We did it up above Taffy’s New Square One pub in a room littered with debris. But we did a kind of radio show with it and I would always start by describing our “studio” above Bangkok’s beautiful Washington Square with its lovely trees and gardens and babbling brooks and gushing fountains – a paradise on earth. Those who knew the Square and its concrete shophouses and bars always got a kick out of it.

All of them – the Doc, Mekhong Kurt, Cowboy John, George Pipas and many more are gone now. Some to cancer, some to drink, some simply because it was their time. Memories are good things: it’s nice to recall people you liked and the unique camaraderie and the places you frequented. But sometimes – when the people and places within those recollections are gone forever – sometimes memories can hurt. www.deanbarrettthailand.com

TheBigChilli

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Business|Hotel talk

MEET THE GM: KHUN A-THIT KUNANUKORN The general manager of the brand new Mode Sathorn Hotel, managed by Siam@Siam, talks about his life goals and how he plans to shape one of the hippest hangouts in town My career began 30 years ago in Bangkok, when, after finishing high-school, I fell into the hotel industry by accident.

Eager to earn money and make my own way in life, I followed a friend of mine to the Asia Hotel where he was working as a cleaner. There I landed a job as a waiter, and I haven’t looked back since.

As soon as I began working at the Asia Hotel I knew I wanted to be a GM. I saw GMs as being classy, stylish, and respected, and the power and prestige of the position really appealed to me. So, aged 18, I made a three point plan: 1) Become a GM before I turned 40. 2) Earn a GM’s wage before I turned 40. 3) Get married after I turned 40 (I planned to have as much fun as possible before settling down!). I can happily say I’ve achieved these aims – I got my first GM position, at the Pattaya Hill Resort, when I was 35; and I married when I was 41. My wife and I have two children, a son, aged 6, and a daughter, aged 4.

The second hotel I worked at was The Landmark Hotel. I was 19 and worked as a waiter. I realized that the only way for me to progress fast in the ranks would be to improve my education. So I decided to further my studies and go and see the world with my brother, a diplomat.

First stop – Mexico City!

I lived in Mexico for four years and loved every minute of it. I was 21 and I couldn’t get enough of the culture and the people.

It was a great environment for me to learn. When I went there, I didn’t speak a word of English, let alone Spanish. But I applied myself at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and first learnt English, then Spanish.

At the same time I worked as a manager at a Thai restaurant. Each day I would get up at 3am to go and buy ingredients, sleep a little, go to Uni, and then work in the restaurant. I did this for around three years.

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My time abroad really changed my outlook on life and I think it made me a better, more-rounded person. When I came back to Thailand I worked for five years as the Duty Manager at the Dusit Thani Bangkok, before leaving in 1998 to further my experiences at places such as Mandarin Oriental Bangkok; Rayavadee Resort, Krabi; Ocean Marina Yacht Club, Pattaya; and The Salinee Spa Moscow, Russia, among others. Prior to joining Mode Sathorn two months ago, I was General Manager of the Marrakesh Hua Hin Resort and Spa. Being given the opportunity to shape Mode Sathorn Hotel and work alongside the team from Siam@Siam is a real honour.

Khun Kla Kitchakarn, managing director of Siam@Siam, is such an inspiration – he’s the father of my hospitality character.

The great thing about Mode Sathorn is that it’s brand new; a blank canvas on which we can build a great image and establish ourselves as one of the city’s hottest lifestyle destinations.

One of our key concepts is to offer luxury services at affordable prices. You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time at Mode Sathorn Hotel.

We have a great building, chic design, and excellent location next to Surasak BTS station. We have unique, beautiful rooms (201 in total); great dining options, including Rice and Chilli, an exotic restaurant serving fashionable contemporary Thai cuisine; and, opening this month, a stunning rooftop bar called The Roof@38th Bar, which boasts 360 degree views of the city. Factor in an exciting nightlife programme which will include world class DJs, live entertainment, and pool parties, and we’re set to become a firm favourite with tourists and Bangkok residents alike.

144 North Sathorn Rd.

:modesathorn.com

☎ 02 623 4555

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Insight

Business|CSR

CSR: More than window dressing Kittima Sethi, a PR Consultant at Brand Now, explains the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives and the best ways to present them to the media ■ SEVERAL years ago, one of my media friends who covers news on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) said that in December every year, there would be piles of press and photo releases on her desk and her inbox would be teeming with emails. Suddenly, every company and their families and neighbours were participating in a tree planting activity or making donations to old people’s homes.

Many companies would send these releases, hoping to get media coverage.

Clearly frustrated, she questioned why companies wait until the end of the year to showcase their CSR initiatives.

“How many photos of tree planting activities am I going to publish?” she asked exasperatedly.

CSR, or Sustainability, the word popularly used by businesses today, has become an integral part of many businesses which spend millions of dollars annually on numerous CSR programs. These are either in the form of support to the local communities, donating products to support people in need or investing in ways to reduce environmental impacts, among others.

CSR has evolved during the years and is no longer just tucked away under corporate communications only to be pulled out at the end of year to be added to a report or published as a media release.

CSR reflects a company’s core business strategy and is focused on

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creating positive social and environment changes. This is why CSR should be aligned with a company’s mission, vision and values and engage both stakeholders and employees so that they feel a sense of pride working for a company that is not just after profits but is committed to improving the community’s well-being. It is no longer just about writing a cheque to an orphanage or a one-off donation to a local charity.

The Body Shop is regarded as a pioneer in modern CSR. It is one of the first companies to publish a full report on their CSR initiatives thanks to founder Anita Roddick’s passionate beliefs of environmental protection, animal rights, community trade and human rights.

The company started The Body Shop Foundation, which supports innovative global projects working in the areas of human and civil rights and environmental and animal protection. Because The Body Shop adopts an anti-animal testing stance, it has a substantial loyal customer base.

Closer to home, L’Oreal Thailand partnered with the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, Ministry of Education, to launch a professional-hairdressing skill-development programme for underprivileged people in Thailand.

Companies involved with CSR are likely to receive more job applications as people want to work with them. According to a Deloitte survey conducted last year, 70% of young Millennials, those aged 18 to 26, say a company’s commitment to the community has an influence on their decision to work there.

CSR also has a positive impact on the consumer, as more are paying attention to business philosophy. The end result includes increased customer loyalty, not to mention opportunities for branding and public relations. In some countries like Thailand, there are also tax incentives for companies that support CSR projects.

Back to my media friend’s grievance, here are some suggestions on how you can increase media coverage and garner publicity for your company’s CSR initiatives.

Do not write off CSR as another PR or marketing campaign. CSR programs should be a long-term commitment.

In publicising their CSR programs, companies must demonstrate how these initiatives are being implemented and what impact it has on the company and community instead of simply bragging about it.

Communicate the success of the program and its impact on society. If you have provided training to some organization, share the result that this training has had on the people and get their testimonials. Include relevant facts and figures, i.e. how much carbon footprint will the new sapling reduce in 10 years.

Make sure that you regularly report on achievements of the CSR programs and periodically highlight some of the ongoing CSR efforts, instead of randomly selecting an off-the-shelf activity in an attempt to make it a front page story.

Adding a “human element” or sharing testimonials can be powerful and resonate with readers. Has it affected any individual and brought about some drastic changes? Relating it to a current affair can also attract media attention.

There are many ways companies can give back to the society and it does not have to be a large campaign. Simple activities like a collection drive, donating used office equipment, donating time to volunteer in an NGO or donating your expertise to assist communities can help make a big difference.

Kittima Sethi is a PR consultant at Brand Now Co., Ltd. and wishes all readers Happy Holidays. If you are looking for some creative ways to publicise your CSR initiatives, she may be reached at kittima@ brandnow.asia.

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Feature

Insight|Dogs on patrol

Pattaya more secure as Joe lets his dogs out Maxmilian Wechsler discovers how man’s best friends are helping former British policeman Joe Cox to provide security for embassies, construction sites, government agencies and even Manchester United F.C. 26

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WESTERNERS who launch a business entirely on their own in Pattaya and prove successful are not exactly common, but former British policeman Joe Cox has bucked the trend with his security company that also operates uniquely as a dog breeder and handler.

By supplying his canines to government agencies and private companies, Joe’s business is not just ticking over, it’s positively thriving against some fairly formidable competition.

Although he also provides people for security work, he says the dogs he owns and trains are mostly responsible for his good fortune – and he’s full of praise for them and their abilities.

“You can’t corrupt a dog,” said the 43-year-old owner and Managing Director of Defence International Security Services.

“Dogs won’t turn on you, they don’t lie and they don’t take bribes.”

Joe has 15 dogs here, seven males and eight females, aged from two to eight years. The dogs are kept in a kennel at Huay Yai in Banglamung district near Pattaya.

“Our clientele include embassies in Bangkok. We have done sweeps of the British embassy for explosives with our dogs, as well as the war cemetery in Kanchanaburi where remembrance services are held. We search the area to make sure there are no explosive devices or anything harmful.

“My dogs are also hired by Thai and foreign government agencies and offices as well as local housing developments and condominiums where the construction is not completed and materials could be stolen. The dogs are a better deterrent than a uniformed security guard who might be late for work, fall asleep, or be unable to make a decision to act, which won’t happen with a properly trained dog.”

Dogs are recognized internationally as a highly effective weapon to deter and fight a wide variety of criminal activity, and they can be taught to detect almost anything, even money, explains Joe, who reckons that dogs are underutilized in Thailand.

He said the Royal Thai Police’s explosives team in Bangkok has invited his dogs and handlers to teach them modern methods in training dogs.

Meanwhile, the Bangkok Metropolitan Police Bureau dog (K9) unit of the RTP comes in for some criticism. “They were given many dogs by US law enforcement organizations, but in my opinion, they’re either too old or not trained properly. They

were given to the Thai government as a goodwill gesture – and that’s the problem.

“No disrespect intended to K9, but the dogs at the airport haven’t got the drive. They are too old and the handlers don’t work with them properly. When you work with a search dog you have to be emotionally connected and direct the dog with your hands or the way you speak and through body language. The dog handlers at the airport aren’t doing that.

“My dogs are flown in from Europe. Our breeds include Belgium Shepherds (Malinois), Dutch Shepherds, English Springer Spaniels and Labradors. We bring them in from overseas because I don’t believe dogs in Thailand have the drive or the stamina – they don’t have the heart. They’re either overbred or they have the wrong bloodline. Our dogs can work all day and all night because they have the drive and the stamina.

“The sex of the dog is not an issue. When the females come in heat they aren’t required to work; otherwise they are just

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Feature

Insight|Dogs on patrol

as good as the males. What’s important is how much the dog enjoys the work, if he or she has the drive. If the dog likes to find a tennis ball and you throw the ball all day long and the dog keeps looking for the ball and keeps coming back with it, this is the drive you are looking for,” said Joe. “One dog and one handler train together. It is like a marriage made in heaven because the dog handler has to understand, operate and control the dog and the dog has to have confidence in the handler, so both can work in partnership and interact with one another.

“To obtain and look after the dogs is not cheap and I am financing it all. I pay for the flights, get them through customs to Huay Yai and then take care of the veterinary bills; dogs get injured or sick just like humans. We feed them twice a day and pay for all kinds of other expenses. It is a big investment.

“We transport our dogs in air-conditioned cabs because, as you can imagine, travelling on the motorways in the sun for hours would take a lot out of them and we want them fresh when they arrive at the job.”

Coming to Thailand

After serving in the British Army, Joe joined the London Metropolitan Police training operational dogs. Almost 20 years later, in 1996, he launched Defence Security Services UK, which continues to this day to provide security services throughout the UK. “In 1998 a great friend of mine, Tom Coglan, an ex-Manchester police officer who is also an expert dog handler, invited me to visit him in Pattaya, where he was living. He introduced me to Thailand and that’s how it all started here,” said Joe.

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“We were asked to work under another security company in Thailand to supply dogs for the Cobra Gold military exercise. We were doing search work for the hotels where the generals and other high-ranking officers were staying.

“Later, we were invited by the RTP in Pattaya to do demonstrations on how the dogs work. We also were engaged in carrying out drug raids with the police. From then on we were accepted and trusted more by the police and by different industries.

“I went to back to England but kept returning for vacations.

Eventually I sold my house in the UK and relocated here in 2007. I discovered that the security sector was under-performing, and that’s one reason why I decided to form my company.

“I don’t have partners, but I am lucky that my Thai wife of eight years is very supportive. Without her, I doubt that the company would be as well established as it is now. She has always helped to guide me in this country and if I make a mistake or I am not thinking clearly with regard to the Thai way of doing things she corrects me.

“Originally I came to Thailand just to work with dogs but later clients asked me to start supplying uniformed security officers. This wasn’t my specialty and I found it very hard to adapt and train Thai staff in the proper professional methods accepted here. So I brought all my training materials and records from England and began training Thai staff according to British security standards.

“Later we were asked if we could go into alarms, cameras, and business contingency plans. So in a nutshell, we now offer a combined service and we are more proactive. We advise clients and supply risk assessment analysis as well as security officers and dogs.”

His company also covers less obvious areas of security, such as the aftermath of floods.

“People do not realize the impact something like a flood has on their business. There are no contingency or emergency plans. We can help.”

Joe makes it absolutely clear, though, that

I

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he doesn’t act as a private detective, “following a Thai girl to see if she’s seeing someone else while her boyfriend is away,” or chasing people who don’t pay their debts.

The company does, however, have the technical capabilities to protect against commercial sabotage or espionage. “For example, you have some confidential data on your hard drive and one of your staff has transferred it onto a USB memory stick and is possibly giving it to a competitor within your industry.

“Another example: If you dismiss an employee and give them 30 days notice, what damage can they do to you in that time period? Can they hack access to your server? Can they get information on private accounts?

“If a client suspects such activities, we can put a system in place. We do remote monitoring on a company’s computer system through keyboard recognition and see what employees are up to. We can put restrictions on folders and passwords to protect them, so only relevant people can see that information.

“We can put systems in place to block people from copying information onto memory sticks or hard drives. We are also installing security locks with fingerprint recognition or eye scanners for factories and houses.

“Just consider – when the alarm system on your premises goes off, who is going to answer it? The police in Thailand won’t.

It is not like in England where you buy the alarm system and you subscribe to a police service. The hope is that the noise will deter the criminal, but what if it doesn’t?

“So we set up a mobile response team with a dog and handler. When the alarm goes off it goes to the mobile vehicle.

If the operator doesn’t answer, then it will go to my phone. The alarm keeps ringing until someone answers. This service is unique in Thailand.”

“We supply our services not only in Pattaya but also Chiang Mai and Bangkok, and we plan to spread throughout Thailand.

We have also been asked by clients to open up offices in Myanmar, Laos and the Philippines.

Canines at the core

Despite his company expanding, Joe’s dogs remain a primary component of the services offered. “They are trained for general patrol work, finding anything from keys, wallets and bags to missing people. If someone breaks into this office and then runs across the field opposite the building and hides, we can put the dog in this room to detect the person’s odor and the dog will pick up the odor and follow the scent to where the person is hiding.

“We don’t use our dogs to look for corpses, but we do use them for crowd control, to detect drugs, explosives, firearms and ammunition.”

His uniformed security guards are constantly undergoing in-house training. ‘‘They have to learn things like how to fill out report sheets instantly and properly and how to establish a chain of custody for evidence. They have to learn the law, what they

can and cannot do. We also teach them how to handcuff somebody. Often you see somebody with the handcuffs in the front, which is wrong.

“We teach our staff how to interact with people because this is a very important part of being a security officer. We subject them to random drug and alcohol tests, and we use oral swabs from Australia because they are more reliable. Clients also ask us to carry out such tests on their behalf.

Finding the right manpower is a problem for Joe, who says only about 30 percent of applicants pass the training course. As the only security company in Pattaya to have dogs as part of its operation, Joe faces little or no competition.

“Our Thai security guards can carry handcuffs and extendable batons after training has been accomplished and approved testing. We have licenses for some of our guards to carry firearms and walkie-talkies. We don’t carry any pepper sprays or CS tear gas. And we can’t carry electric stun guns,” Mr Cox said.

Watching out for Manchester United

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Recent assignments include providing two close protection teams for Manchester United Football Club on its visit to Thailand in July.

“We picked the players up at the Bangkok airport straight from the plane and stayed with them the whole time, in Bangkok, Pattaya and Myanmar, back to Thailand and finally back to the plane. This was the most high profile assignment we have had and it involved a lot of manpower. We did the vehicles, the close protection teams, the travel plans and the itinerary.

“In another big case, we took on an international distribution company that was losing millions of baht in stock, mainly goods like television sets and DVD players. I was awarded the job of securing the premises and to form a sort of barrier between the building and delivery staff. We had a security checklist using scanning bar codes on the items and checked it against the order list before anything went on the trucks.

“We put in a specially trained team of security staff who were able to work with scanners and were able to understand the business. It was good for me too because I learned some new things. We had this job for a year and half, checking all the goods coming in and out, and after six months their losses had been reduced by 91.7 percent.”

The security industry has been changing rapidly throughout Asia, says Joe, and in Thailand it is taking on a higher stature. “In the past you’d see off-duty policemen doing security, but now it has become more professional. Let’s be honest, if you look at the police standards in Thailand they are not very good. They should encourage external help to support them in their important work.”

Defence International Security Services (www.thailand-security.com)

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Gourmet p Wine and restaurant news

Season's Eatings: Find out all about Bangkok's best festive dining deals on page 56.

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

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Meet the chef We speak to Chef Stefano Merlo of Entoteca Italiana Page 44

Dining out

Our favourite restaurants reviewed and listed Page 50 TheBigChilli

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Dining|News

Gourmet

What’s Cooking

Bangkok’s hottest dining deals and news

Authentic Japanese Cuisine Course JAN – MARCH 2014 AT DUSIT THANI COLLEGE

Barbecue buffet delights

DEC 13-14, 24-25, 31 AT RADISSON SUITES BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT

■ MEATY treats galore await visitors to Mauve Restaurant’s barbecue buffet nights this month. Tuck into all-youcan-eat prime cuts of beef, pork, chicken, fresh seafood and much more, all cooked to order, as well as a choice of desserts. ‘Come 4 pay 3’ and ‘Come 2 get 25% off’ deals are offered. B799 per person (includes 2-for-1 draught Singha and 50 percent discount on one bottle of wine).6pm-10pm.

■ DUSIT Thani College has teamed up with Japan’s most prestigious culinary institute, the Tsuji Culinary Institute of Osaka, to present “Authentic Japanese Cuisine Courses” to the general public and its students. Two and three-day courses are available, including Basic Courses, Advanced Courses and Speciality Courses.

Designed by professional chefs from the Tsuji Culinary Institute, the main aim of these courses is to share methods of preparing original, traditional dishes and share the senses of real Japanese cuisine. Courses start at B25,000. Courses are conducted in Japanese with Thai translation. ☎ 02 361 7811-3 ext. 141-143:dtc.ac.th

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23/2-3 Sukhumvit 13 02 645 4999 :radisson.com/bangkokth_sukhumvit

Enjoy crepes at home

AVAILABLE NOW AT LEADING SUPERMARKETS

■ BELGIUM’S delicious Creapan ready-to-eat crepes are now available in supermarkets nationwide. Heated in a toaster or microwave in just 75 seconds, the crepes are available in flavours such as Apple and Raisins, Belgian chocolate, Strawberry, and Mixed fruits. Each box contains three crepes, and, although they’re big, they’re so tasty it’s hard to resist gobbling them all in one go.

Exotic Indian Flavours AVAILABLE NOW AT DREAM HOTEL

■ INDIAN food fans may want to drop by Dream Hotel’s Flava Restaurant & Bar, where the chefs are now offering a brand new menu featuring highlights such as Chicken Pakoda, Onion Bhaji, Butter Chicken, Lamb Masala, Paneer cheese cooked with tomato and onion in gravy, and Dal Makhani. Prices start at B140. ☎ 02 254 8500 :dreambkk.com

Time to get cooking AVAILABLE NOW AT CROWNE PLAZA BANGKOK LUMPINI PARK

■ WANT to learn to cook like a pro? Check out the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park, where Executive Chef Jeremy Lasserre now hosts cooking classes in the hotel’s Executive Club Lounge every Mon, Wed, and Sat from 12 Noon till 4.30pm. Thai, Italian and dessert classes are offered, priced at just B1,800++ per class. Participants receive a Crowne Plaza apron, recipe booklet, and photos of the class. Maximum of six to eight participants per class. ☎ 02 632 9000 :crowneplazabkk.com

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Gourmet

Dining|News Sassi set lunch

AVAILABLE NOW AT SIGNOR SASSI

Imperial Beer Festival UNTIL DEC 31 AT THE IMPERIAL QUEEN’S PARK HOTEL

■ THE Sundowner’s Bar is celebrating all things beer every Friday night this month with special promotions on draught pours such as Chang, Federbrau, Heineken, Edinger, Paulaner, Sapporo and Warsteiner, starting at just B100 (daily from 8pm-11pm).

What’s more, alongside the beer a special German Snack Menu is being offered, featuring tempting nibbles such as Frankfurter sausage with mashed potatoes, gravy, German mustard and pickles; Black Forest ham served with German mixed pickles; Crispy fried-pork knuckle served with mashed potatoes and gravy; and more.

Live music adds to the fun.

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Suklhumvit 22 02 261 9000 ext. 5008 :imperialhotels.com

New Executive Chef joins The Siam ■ JANE-Therese Mulry has been appointed as Executive Chef at The Siam Hotel. Australian-born and educated, she has travelled extensively, gaining invaluable experience working for some of the world’s best hotels and restaurants (including, among them, Quo Vadis, The Mirabelle and Titanic, and MPW Canary Wharf) and is renowned for her focus on, and knowledge about, organic ingredients. Chef JaneTherese will now be looking after The Siam from farm to table.

Modern Danish Gastronomy

DEC 5-15 AT THE REMBRANDT HOTEL

■ ENJOY Danish cuisine at its finest when guest chef Jens Jensen of Møllegården, Alrø, takes control of the kitchens at da Vinci Italian Restaurant to create a wide range of festive favourites with a modern twist. On Dec 15, Chef Jens will also cook up a Scandinavian Christmas brunch (B1,300 per person) with live Swedish Jazz providing extra entertainment.

Sukhumvit Soi 18 ☎ 02 261 7100 :rembrandtbkk.com

■ SIGNOR Sassi, the world-famous, London-based, Italian restaurant, has introduced a new lunch menu at its Bangkok branch which offers great value for money. For as little as B450++, lunch diners can now ‘design’ their own special set lunch (according to their budget and appetites) from the restaurant’s extensive menu, which includes 12 starters, 10 pasta courses and eight main courses. Don’t miss the Lobster burger, which comes with a side salad and French fries. ☎ 02 210 9011 :facebook.com/signorsassibkk

Grilled treats at The Colonnade UNTIL MARCH 31 AT THE SUKHOTHAI BANGKOK

■ FEATURING appetizers such as Oysters, Sautéed foie gras, and Fried calamari; followed by huge portions of Australian pasture fed beef fillet, Australian grain fed rib eye, or Salmon fillet; and topped off with desserts like Cherry jubilée, Chocolate mousse, and Mango tart, the Weekday Grill Menu (Mon-Fri, 6.30pm-11pm) at The Colonnade is a veritable bargain at just B900++ for two courses, and B1,100++ for three courses. ☎ 02 344 8888 :sukhothai.com

Business lunch buffet AVAILABLE NOW AT MODE SATHORN

MODE Sathorn’s new all-day-dining restaurant, The Sathorn, is now serving up a business lunch every Mon-Sat for just B499++ per person (B299++ for kids aged 5-12). A ‘Come 3 Pay 2’ deal is also offered. Guests can choose from a decent selection of French, Thai, Italian and Japanese dishes, and, for weight watchers, there’s also a healthy salad corner loaded with greens. Available 11am-2.30pm. ☎ 02 623 4555 ext. 1120:modesathorn.com

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Glenfiddich Dinner

DEC 14 AT THE BANGKOK MARRIOTT HOTEL SUKHUMVIT

■ WHISKEY lovers take note: For one night only The District Grill will serve a six-course dinner paired with Glenfiddich Whiskey – 12 years old, 15 years old and 18 years old. On hand to explain more about Glenfiddich’s rich history and answer all guests’ questions will be William Grant & Sons’ Southeast Asia Brand Ambassador, Matthew Fergusson-Stewart. B2,500++.

2 Soi Sukhumvit 57

☎ 02 797 0400

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Experience Italian cuisine at its best Enjoy exquisite dishes cooked with care and presented with flair by Chef Stefano Merlo- a two-times champion of Iron Chef Thailand!

Authentic flavours guaranteed Top quality imported ingredients bring the real taste of Italy to Bangkok Superb atmosphere Our wonderfully renovated house has a real homely ambience

39 Sukhumvit soi 27 north klongtoey Bangkok 10110 Tel: 02 258 4386

Email: enotecabangkok@gmail.com www.enotecabangkok.com AD Enotica_Oct13.indd 1

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Insight

Business|Domino’s

FESTIVE CHEER ALL ROUND Dominoʼs Pizza rings in the New Year with yuletide deals aplenty FORGET bowls of soggy potato chips and sausages on sticks, what you really need to fuel your end-of-year office parties and friendly festive gatherings this year is pizza – especially when it’s from Domino’s.

To celebrate its first year back in Thailand, as well as ring in the festive season, Domino’s is offering some superb meal deals (see right) featuring up to 50 percent discount on the brand’s worldfamous piping-hot pizzas. There are even tasty desserts to choose from, too, including mouthwatering Chocolate lava cake and freshly-baked Cinnastix – all guaranteed to arrive at your door in under 30 mins.

Here, Sanjay Singh, Managing Director of Fico Corporation and CEO of Food Business Group, Evolution Capital Public Company, talks about Domino’s return to Thailand, its ‘Pizza Theatre’ approach, and what to expect from its tantalising promotions.

After a 10 year absence Domino’s Pizza re-entered Thailand at the beginning of the year. How is it going?

I’m glad to say things are going very well and the momentum has exceeded our expectations.

This year has been a year of rapid expansion; we have been busy growing our retail outlets, growing our brand presence, and most importantly, we have been busy growing our people pipeline to prepare for the future.

Domino’s Pizza exited the

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Thai market some 10 years ago due to macroeconomic and local factors, but we’re amazed that a lot of Thai consumers still remember us and our brand still maintains a strong presence.

So what is different about Domino’s now?

The fundamentals of what makes Domino’s great and one of the fastest growing Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) brands globally continues to be product, service and image excellence. We offer the best quality pizzas using the freshest ingredients, we maintain our relentless focus on customer service and our 30mins delivery guarantee, and we constantly upgrade our stores to meet the evolving needs of our customers.

All Domino’s stores in Bangkok are based on our new global store concept called Pizza Theatre. This design features an open kitchen that puts the art and skill of pizzamaking front and centre of the store, allowing customers to view their pizzas being made fresh to order. We have also expanded our dine-in areas, and customers can order from us anytime, anywhere, whether by phone or online, using our mobile site and app.

You mention 30mins delivery guarantee, how does Domino’s achieve this with the traffic conditions in Bangkok?

A pizza tastes best when it’s hot and fresh, so Domino’s stands firmly behind our 30mins delivery guarantee. In fact, we are so confident about our delivery service that we have a moneyback guarantee if we cannot meet our 30mins commitment – the entire bill will be free!

We have a saying, “We hustle on our feet, not on the street” – the speed of service comes from efficient pizza making in the kitchen, not from speeding on the street.

What is Domino’s signature product? And what is your personal favourite?

All the offers on our menu are great tasting products, so it’s hard to choose! But I have to say that my personal favourite is the Deluxe on thin crust. Our thin crust is unique to the Thai market; it’s very crispy and buttery yet light on the palate. Once you start you cannot stop! And of course, our classic pepperoni hand-tossed is a staple signature product of all times.

Have you tried our irresistible

desserts? Some customers visit Domino’s just for our Cinnastix and our Chocolate lava cake because they cannot find them anywhere else. Our Cinnastix are made-to-order from fresh dough, so each comes piping-hot out of the oven and lightly powdered with cinnamon and icing sugar.

Plus our chocolate lava cake is addictive – oozing melted chocolate from the inside. You cannot find a better way to end a meal than these two desserts!

Are there any special Domino’s promotions for the festive period?

Absolutely! We have prepared special value combo deals ideal to celebrate this festive season.

Featuring up to 50 percent savings, they are perfect for year-end parties in the office or at home with colleagues, friends and families. What’s more, they start at just B199 for a regular pizza with sides.

How can we order Domino’s?

It’s very convenient to place an order. You can either call 1612, or you can order online via web or mobile: www.dominospizza.co.th Let Domino’s deliver happiness to your home this festive season!

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SET 1

Code no.VDBGCH1C

- With any Classic / Deluxe (9”) Pizza.

- Chicken Spicy Wings 4 pcs.

- Smiley Fries

199.-

-

SET 2

Code no.VDBGCH2C

With any Classic/ Deluxe (9”) Pizza 2 pcs.

Mexican Chicken Wings 6 pcs.

Cheesy Bread Chocolate Lava Cake 2 pcs.

Save up to 266

SET 3

Code no.VDBGCH3C

- With any Classic/Deluxe (9”) 1 pcs. 1 pc. + (12”) Pizza 1 pcs. 1 pc.

- Mexican Chicken Wings 6 pcs.

- Chicken Strips 6 pcs.

- Chocolate Lava Cake 2 pcs.

- Cinnastix

499.Save up to 495

599.Save up to 604

facebook.com/DominosPizzaThailand

Valid from December 1st – 31st, 2013

Add 40.- for upgrade to premium pizza. Domino’s Pizza reserves the right to change any price, promotional details, terms and conditions and the expiration date of this promotion with prior notice The visual used are for advertisement propose only All prices are included VAT Minimum order of 150 Baht apply to all delivery order with limited delivery area Delivery charge 35 Baht.

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Gourmet

Pics|Events

Gourmet scrapbook

Last month’s foodie functions in focus

Michelin Star flavours at Park Society ■ LEADING names in Bangkok’s food and beverage industry gathered for a night of superb wines and exquisite French cuisine at Park Society, Sofitel So Bangkok, when Independent Wine & Spirit Thailand (IWS) hosted an exclusive ‘Ogier Wine Dinner.’ Specially for the event, IWS brought in one Michelin Star chef Daniel Hebet, who created an exceptional dinner paired with the finest wines from the Châteauneuf-du-Pape producer, Ogier. On hand to explain more about the wines was Ogier President, Jean Pierre Durant.

Sushi Den opens at CentralWorld ■ POPULAR Japanese restaurant chain Sushi Den marked the opening of its fourth Thailand branch, located on the 7th floor of CentralWorld, by introducing seven new menu selections which – deal hunters take note – are half-price until the end of the month. Among the dishes are highlights such as Ika Tuna, Salmon Kampyo, and Kobe Foie Gras.

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Pics|Events

Cheese & Wine showcase ■ ROYAL Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers’ monthly wine and cheese nights at Sambal Bar & Grill have proved to be a big hit with foodies of all nationalities, so it was no surprise to see another big crowd at the November edition of the event, which once again featured a superb selection of gourmet cheeses, this time paired with fine Chilean Wines such as Viento Del Sur Cabernet Sauvignon and Viento Del Sur Chardonnay.

Top French chef wows with his six-course spectacular ■ TWo Michelin star chef Alexandre Couillon flew into Bangkok from Noirmoutier Island, France, to present a special six-course dinner at the Vie Hotel. Included on the menu were such culinary delights as Cod zucchini, goat milk and lemon as well as Saddle of lamb, grilled cucumber and crab juice. Chef Alexandre also treated guests to two signature dishes – Langoustine, green peas, raspberry and minted yoghurt, along with Lobster, grilled asparagus, mussel and salicornia. Several outstanding French wines were served, including 2007 Chateau Ferran Pessac-Leognan, and a 2009 Chateau Cantemerle, Haut-Medoc. Leading food supplier Theodore was responsible for all the imported ingredients.

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Gourmet

Pics|Events

All in New Zealand taste ■ BANGKOKIANS were treated to a New Zealand food showcase when New Zealand Trade & Enterprise hosted a special sale of the country’s produce at the K-Village branch of Villa Market, on Sukhumvit 26.

Fin’s wine treat at Karmakamet ■ EMILIO Foradori, son of renowned winemaker Elisabetta Foradori, who produces spectacular Bio Dynamic Wines in Trentino, northern Italy, was in town recently for a dinner featuring the family wines at Karmakamet Diner, Sukhumvit 24. Hosts for this exclusive culinary occasion were Karmakamet’s chef Jutama ‘Som’ Theante and Bangkok wine importer Benjawan Wisootsat of FIN – Fabulous is Needed.

Theodore’s Berlin dinner at Elements ■ LEADING food supplier Theodore hosted a gourmet dinner ‘From Berlin to Bangkok’ prepared by Thomas Kammeier, a one Michelin star chef from Germany, in Elements restaurant at the Okura Prestige Hotel. The eight-course meal included Yellow tail mackerel, duck foie gras, and Wagyu beef ‘Teppanyaki Cut,’ all imported by Theodore. Each course was complemented by French and Italian wines from Global Vineyards.

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Gourmet

Chef in focus|Stefano Merlo

Quality of the local food suppliers?

Some are good, but I prefer to use imported ingredients when I can

SERVING UP Stefano Merlo

Enoteca Italiana’s chef on swearing, dining, and his favourite ingredients

What is Do you the worst swear? habit of local Sure diners?

Sharing dishes that have been created Favourite for individuals restaurant?

Enoteca What is Italiana your signature dish?

Spaghetti al Pomodoro

Most influential chef?

Annie Féolde (Enoteca Pinchiorri Firenzo) and Alfredo Russo (Dolce Stil Novo) Do you consider yourself a culinary artist?

No Which has a better aroma — butter or olive oil?

They have different aromas, but extra virgin olive oil is more suitable with my style.

If you weren’t a chef, what would you be?

No idea; I’m very happy being a chef

Most difficult dish you have ever had to prepare?

If you are familiar with cooking, everything is simple. You just have to find your personal way Favourite non-Italian cuisine?

Japanese sashimi

What is your worst kitchen disaster?

Every day I make at least one

Favourite ingredients?

Mediterranean ingredients

Are you volatile or relaxed in the kitchen?

Many people think I’m calm, but I’m not

Chef Stefano in Focus ■ TWO-times Iron Chef Champion Stefano Merlo hails from Veneto in the northeast of Italy. After honing his skills at the three Michelin star Le Calandre restaurant, just outside Padua, he embarked on a globe-trotting career that has included stints at the world-renowned Enoteca Pinchiorri, an Italian restaurant in the Ginza district of Tokyo; as well as at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit’s Rossini’s, where he was mentored by celebrated chef Alfredo Russo, owner of the Michelin starred Dolce Stil Novo in Turin. Chef Stefano now heads the culinary operations at Enoteca Italiana Bangkok, where he wows diners with tasty dishes like Lamb rack roasted in herbs with violet Italian eggplants (B990++).

Enoteca Italiana, 39 Sukhumvit Soi 27, North Klong Toey (between Asok and Phrom Pong BTS stations)

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☎ 02 258 4386 :enotecabangkok.com

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Gourmet

Dining|BB&B

Le Normandie

The Bangkok Beefsteak and Burgundy dining group visits Mandarin Oriental’s renowned signature restaurant for some fine French cuisine

N

OVEMBER 5 is the anniversary of the England’s ‘Gunpowder Plot’ of 1605 and traditionally celebrated there with fireworks. Our 14 diners, however, failed to re-ignite the passions of yesteryear, though ultimately all expressed their satisfaction with the menu.

Libations started with a choice between Dry Martini (I suspect shaken, not stirred) and NV Domaine Chandon (Yarra Valley, NSW). Not much had changed in the Bamboo Bar since our last visit in 2012, although I noticed by its absence an antique electric fan which had previously featured in the bar.

After disgorging the passengers from the elevator (and in the process exceeding its SWL!), we gathered in the restaurant where we took in once again the wonderful vista of the Chao Phraya.

Marinated prawns, Xeres vinegar, gazpacho and red currant was the first dish offered. I thought the prawn tasted a little on the bland side but the sauce, sorbet and presentation was excellent. With this, wine spokesman Jock Tulloch thought the Toi Toi Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009 (NZ) was a little flabby and sweet, but others were quite happy with the match.

Next we found Pumpkin velvet cream soup, onions, Comté cheese and nutmeg. This was perhaps the best appreciated dish of the day and described

by Shane Burt (food spokesman) as 'fantastically light and fluffy.' It came with Best’s Great Western Pinot Noir 2008 (VIC), described as clean, fresh

and lively with savoury red fruits and integrated oak, fine grain tannin structure and good acid balance. The original Best’s plantings are now thought to be the oldest Pinot Noir vines in the world.

The vintage has survived in good shape but came with a warning from Jock of impending disaster if we wait too long before drinking the remainder.

The main course, Duck breast, avocado puree, paksoy and fruits, was again well presented. Along with Shane, I thought the duck was a little overcooked. However, the serving was generous and the ducks must have been very well-fed for the fillets

to have reached their size. With this, once again we enjoyed 2006 The Dead Arm Shiraz (d’Arenberg), a heavy robust tannic-loaded wine, which Jock believes can still improve further for several years.

A Cheese platter followed which featured Italian gorgonzola, a little Brie and Swiss Appenzeller. It came with 2009 Sandalford Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Margaret River, WA). The winemaker says that 2009 will go down as one of the best ever vintages in Margaret River, but it failed to enthuse Jock along with perhaps half of the group.

Finally, Melting chocolate parfait completed the meal along with a Club staple, Taylor’s Port wine.

There was no opportunity to thank in person Chef Arnaud Dunand Sauthier or F&B Director Thomas Kinsperger but the proceedings were well-managed by the all-male serving team, giving us the chance to thank in customary style the remaining staff for their efforts.

☎

48 Oriental Avenue, 02 659 9000 :mandarinoriental.com/bangkok/contactinformation

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Dining|Recipe

Gourmet

Recipe of the month

Dark Chocolate and Banana Pizza That’s right – chocolate and banana. On a pizza! Executive Chef Scott Flaxman from Lalin Restaurant, GLOW Elixir Koh Yao Yai, reveals how it’s done Ingredients (Approx. 6pcs) Pizza base • 1 cup flour • 8g yeast • 125ml warm water Topping • 2pcs banana • 100g dark chocolate (65% Cocoa content) • 50g roasted macadamia nuts

Method For pizza base 1. Add warm water with the yeast into a non-metallic bowl and leave it until the yeast dissolves and starts to foam.

2. Add to the flour and mix well before setting aside until the pizza base doubles in size.

3. Kneed with your hands to take the mix back to its original size.

4. Roll out on a floured surface, make it as thin as possible.

5. Place the rolled pizza base on a pizza tray and bake in a pre-heated oven set at 180 degrees until it turns a light golden hue.

For topping 1. Slice the bananas.

2. Grate the chocolate.

3. Crush the macadamia nuts.

For finishing touch 1. Remove the pizza base from the oven.

2. Top it with the sliced bananas and grated chocolate.

3. Put it back into the oven until the chocolate has melted (about 5 mins).

4. Remove the pizza from the oven, cut and sprinkle with the crushed macadamia nuts.

About the chef

Chef Scott F laxman 48

HAILING from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Chef Scott Flaxman has spent over 19 years travelling the globe perfecting the art of cooking. Since graduating from an England-based hotel management and catering school in 1994, he has worked at hotels in England and France, run his own catering company, and even spread his wings as a private chef, cooking for celebrities, politicians, and well-known musicians throughout Europe. Keen to hone his skills in Asia, he moved to Thailand last year and now cooks up his cuisine exclusively at Lalin Restaurant, GLOW Elixir Koh Yao Yai. Lalin Restaurant, GLOW Elixir Koh Yao Yai, 99 Moo 3, Prunai, Koh Yao Yai, Phang Nga 087 808 3838 :glowbyzinc/kohyaoyai

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Wishing all our customers a MERRY X’MAS & a Happy NEWYEAR 2014

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Gourmet

Where to eat

Recommended restaurants and bars International cuisine

Nadimos

•With its tasty grilled meats,

fresh salads, and liberal use of garlic, olive oil, and herbs, Lebanese cuisine is bursting with full, rich flavours which pleasure the palates of both Thai and Western diners.There’s plenty of evidence of this at Nadimos

on Sukhumvit 24, where on any given day of the week you’re likely to see a well-mixed crowd of expats and Thais all happily tucking into many of Lebanon’s most popular dishes, both in the restaurant’s elegant conservatory-style setting and out on the leafy terrace. Don’t miss the Lamb and chicken kebabs (tender skewers of charcoal grilled meat with chopped parsley and onions. Start at B210) – simply delicious.

Sukhumvit 24, Open daily 11.30am11.30pm (free delivery between 02 261 9816 11am-3pm) :nadimos.com

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Voilà!

T

HE Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit’s signature all day dining restaurant Voilà! serves international buffet lunch and dinner to a superb ‘Cuisine on Stage’ concept – which basically means you can order most of your food from live cooking stations, including a Parisian-style rotisserie and an artisan La Cornue stove.

The amazing selection of dishes on offer ranges from fresh seafood and oysters on ice to Parisian bistro selections (soups and casseroles), flame grilled rotisserie meats, Italian pasta, fresh pizzas, Asian favourites, and decadent desserts.

A cheese room boasts a wealth of premium quality cold cuts and delightfully pungent cheeses from around the world, and there are even 100 bottles of wine to choose from, including 25 choices by the glass. Spoilt for choice? You bet it.

Buffet lunch is B995; dinner is B1,450; and Sunday Brunch is B3,999 with free-flow sparkling wines, cocktails and house wines; or B2,600 with soft drinks.The last Sunday of the month a special Veuve Clicquot Champagne Brunch is B4,999. Every Fri and Sat night a Seafood Buffet is just B1,999.

(Half price for kids aged 6-12).

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit, 189 Sukhumvit Road Soi 13-15 (between Nana and Asok BTS stations).

02 126 9999 ext. Voilà! :sofitel.com

☎

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Hanrahans

Chili La Roni

is located in the middle of all the nightlife action on Soi Nana. It’s an ambitious venue with 3 floors, pool tables, sports TVs, free wireless Internet for customers, and a kitchen that churns out traditional pub favourites like Bangers and Mash and Shepherd’s Pie. There is a typical 50% off happy hour, plus loads of other specials. Don’t worry about the pub’s location; Hanrahans is all about good, clean fun and the atmosphere makes it a good choice for couples.

garden on Srinakarin Road, Chili La Roni serves up a hunger-busting range of Thai and international cuisine prepared by chefs who have experience working on international cruise ships. Highlights include Barbecue pork ribs (B420), Salmon steak (B480), and Australian tenderloin (250g.

B850). To wash down the food, Chili La Roni also offers an extensive selection of cocktails, beers, spirits, and wine.

•This Irish pub and restaurant •Set within a Balinese-style

Sukhumvit Soi 4, near Nana Plaza 02 255 (BTS Nana or Ploenchit) 0644-5 :hanrahansbangkok.com

1055/7 Moo 12, Srinakarin Road, Bangna (next to the Maple Hotel) 02 743 0902 :chililaroni.com

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Wine Connection Tapas Bar & Bistro

•Wine Connection’s formula of serving inexpensive wines and Mediterranean eats in an informal setting has been a runaway success in Bangkok.

For proof, just head to this branch at Rain Hill Shopping Complex on Sukhumvit 47.

Every night it’s packed with a well-mixed crowd of Thais and foreigners tucking into bistro selections such as Green fettuccine with goat cheese and rocket salad (B220++), and Grilled tuna steak and sesame crust served with black fettuccine, julienne vegetables, at tomato salsa (B380++).

Not hungry? Simply head to the drinks bar for a choice of 30 wines by the glass or 10 imported draught beers from Belgium and Germany.

Rain Hill Shopping Complex, 02 261 7217 Sukhumvit 47 :facebook.com/wineconnectiontapasbarbistro

☎

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Gourmet

Promotion|Festive Fun

Review

Festive celebrations by the river

P

Celebrate Christmas and New Year in style at the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside

PICTURE the scene: mountains of extraordinary festive fare, carol singers belting out timeless Christmas tunes, and Santa doing the rounds with a bag bulging with gifts. These are just three of the highlights on offer at the Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside this festive season.

In celebration of Christmas and New Year, the hotel has put together an exciting programme of special events and dinners specially designed to delight adults and children alike.

Visit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day and you’ll find an international buffet feast brimming with yuletide favourites such as roasted meats with stuffing and veggies, Christmas pudding and mulled wine, for just B1,200-B1,800 per person.

Drop by on New Year’s Eve and you’ll discover the elaborate Gala Maschera-

charade Masked Ball, a magical evening which will blend colorful carnival and romantic opera to fascinating effect.

What’s more, for just B5,500 per person, guests can also look forward to a night of international fiesta, live entertainment, gracious company, specialty cuisines, lucky draws, and magnificent fireworks displays – all from the comfort of the hotel’s fantastic riverside setting (Book before Dec 25 for 10% discount!).

Situated close to Bangkok’s central district, the hotel is easily accessible via the Expressway, BTS Skytrain, and Chao Phraya Express Boat (a complimentary shuttle boat runs to and from Saphan Taksin station).

The hotel features 525 guest rooms and suites varying from Deluxe Rooms and Grand Deluxe Rooms to Plaza Suites and Themed Terrace Suites. No

CharoenkrungRd.

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matter what category you choose, each is tastefully furnished in Thai-inspired décor with modern facilities. Dedicated non-smoking floors and ‘special needs’ accessible rooms are also available.

The hotel’s eight restaurants, bars and lounges offer a wide selection of diverse cuisines and each has been designed to provide understated elegance, comfort and ambiance. The same can be said of the hotel’s twenty-two fully-equipped function rooms, which can cater from 10 to 1,000 delegates and include two ballrooms with exceptional views of the river.

Other facilities include Executive Club Floor, Business Center, Ocean Kids Club, outdoor swimming pool in a lush tropical garden, and the Massira Wellness & Spa, which comprises the Fitness Center and the Spa Treatment facility.

☎ 02 688 1000 :ramadaplazamenamriverside.com

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Gourmet

Review|Rang Mahal

Review

T

Rang Mahal

Indian cuisine gets the gourmet treatment at this longstanding expat favourite

THE Rembrandt Hotel’s Rang Mahal Restaurant has long been a popular choice for diners looking to enjoy authentic Indian cuisine served in elegant surroundings.

Taking its cue from the traditional banqueting halls of Indian palaces, where kings and their cohorts would indulge in piquant and colourful feasts of mouthwatering Indian cuisine, the restaurant enjoys a reputation as being the place to go for curries and tandoor meats that really do taste like the real deal.

“What you get in India, you will get here,” says Head Chef Rajan Misra, who has worked at the restaurant for over 11 years. “Our philosophy is to remain truly authentic. From the spices we use and the way we make our powders, to how we cook the dishes, we use the same recipes that have been handed down for generations. So what you get is consistent

quality and taste.”

A feast for all the senses, the venue first wows with its elegant table settings, beautiful paintings, and intricate mirror work, but the real art here is what arrives in brass pots at the table: generous servings of thick, luscious curries redolent with rich and herby aromas; and steaming chunks of marinated-meats fresh from the charcoal oven.

Culinary highlights abound, ranging from the succulent Tandoori prawns (B295 per prawn) and subtly-spiced Tandoori murgh (B425 for half chicken), to Chef Rajan’s signature Mutton rogan josh (B525) – a real tongue-zinger featuring boneless mutton flavoured with India’s best spices – and the excellent Bhindi do piaza (B325), a vegetarian option featuring chopped okra (a.k.a ladyfingers) cooked with sliced onions and spices for a sweet-and-sour treat.

As for sides, diners are spoilt for choice with a wealth of rice and naan breads to choose from. If you’re going to pick just one, though, don’t miss the Saada chawal (B175), Indian basmati rice flavoured with saffron; or, if you prefer to scoop your food onto bread, the Lahsooni naan (B100), which has a rich buttery, garlic-flavour.

Rounding out the extensive menu are a number of refreshing, palate-soothing desserts, including, among them, Gulab jamun (B195), cream cheese dumplings in almond flavoured syrup; and Phirni brulee (B245), basmati rice reduced with milk and flavoured with saffron and cardamom, topped with pistachio and almonds.

As you’d expect from a fine dining restaurant like this, all food is served swiftly and efficiently, and always arrives at the table piping hot. All in all, a real treat.

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok, Sukhumvit Soi 19 (BTS Asoke or MRT Sukhumvit), Open daily 11.30am-2.30pm and 6.30pm-11pm

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☎ 02 261 7100 :rembrandtbkk.com

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bangkok gets dressed.

salads, wraps, sandwiches, paninis, soups, smoothies

NOW OPEN! Mercury Ville 540 Ploenchit Road Chidlom/Langsuan Intersection Ground Floor BTS: Chidlom Open Daily 10am - 8pm Tel. 02-658-6688

Siam Paragon 991 Rama1 Road Ground Floor (Opposite MK Gold) BTS: Siam Open Daily 10am - 10pm Tel. 02-610-7714

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Gourmet

Dining|Festive

Season’s Eatings Festive dining at a glance

Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park Panorama: Christmas Eve Dinner, B1,199++ per person. Christmas Day Lunch Buffet, B999++ per person.

New Year’s Eve lavish buffet and live shows (Dec 31), B4,999++ per person.

New Year’s Eve’s open bar package is B1,499++ per person. ☎ 02 632 9000 :crowneplazabkk.com

Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa Benihana: Seven-course Japanese Dinner (Dec 24), B3,999++; New Year’s Eve Japanese Set Menu Dinner (Dec 31) B3,499++ per person or B4,999++ per person.

Brio: Five-course Italian Dinner (Dec 24), B1,999++; Christmas Day Dinner Buffet (Dec 25), B1,599++; Six-course Italian Dinner (Dec 31), B2,999++ per person.

Riverside Terrace: Christmas Eve International Dinner Buffet with live entertainment (Dec 24), B2,499++; Christmas Day International Dinner Buffet (Dec 25), B1,599++ per person; New Year’s Eve

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Dinner Buffet (Dec 31), B6,999++ per person.

Manohra Dining Cruise: Dining cruise from 8pm -11pm (Dec 24). B2,999++ per person for Christmas Eve Set Menu; B1,199 per person for Gold Menu. A New Year’s Eve Cruise (Dec 31) is B7,499++.

Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit – 11 Crave Wine Bar & Restaurant: Five Taste and Share plates with a bottle of wine (Dec 24-25). B1,290++ per person.

Served 6pm onwards on Dec 24, and 12pm-3pm on Dec 25. New Year’s Eve countdown with Taste and Share cuisine and live performance (Dec 31).

B2,014++ per person with free flow wines and cocktails. Served 6pm onwards.

02 207 7080 ☎ aloftbangkoksukhum-

:

vit11.com

Trader Vic’s: Six-course Festive Dinner (Dec 24), B2,999++ per person; Christmas Day International Brunch Buffet, B2,999++ per person with free-flow wine.; Seven-course Set Menu Dinner (Dec 31), B4,999++.

02 476 0022 ☎bangkokriverdining.com

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Gourmet

Dining|Festive Conrad Bangkok Café@2: Christmas Eve International Buffet Dinner (Dec 24), B2,100 per person. Christmas Day Dinner (Dec 25), B1,900 per person, or B2,300 with free flow Prosecco. New Year’s Eve dinner, B2,900 per person, served until 12.30am. New Year’s Champagne Brunch, B2,100 per person.

Centara Grand, Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok Don Giovanni: Four-course set dinner (Dec 24), B1,650++ per person from 6.30pm-10.30pm. Three-course set lunch menu (Dec 25), B1,350++ per person. Four-course set dinner (Dec 25), B1,650++ per person.

Chatuchak Café: Traditional Christmas Eve Buffet dinner (Dec 24), B1,350++ per person, or B1,650++ per person with freeflow wine from 6.30pm-10.30pm. Christmas Day lunch buffet (Dec 25), B1,150++ per person, B1,450++ with free-flow wine; Christmas Day dinner, B1,350++ per person, or B1,650++ with free flow wine and sparkling wine.

Kisara: Six-course set dinner (Dec 24), B1,900 per person. Christmas Day all-youcan-eat “Champagne Brunch,” B2,100 per person. Christmas Day Dinner (Dec 25), B1,900 per person, or B2,300 with free-flow Prosecco. New Year’s Eve dinner, B2,900 per person. Served until 12.30am.

Liu: Seven-course set dinner (Dec 24), B1,900 per person. Christmas Day allyou-can-eat Dim Sum, B950 per person.

Christmas Day Dinner (Dec 25), B1,900 per person, or B2,300 with free flow Pro-

Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit 22

Blue Sky: Five-course set dinner (Dec 24 & 25) B1,999++. ☎ 02 541 1234 ext. 4178 :centarahotelsresorts.com

Siam Kempinski Hotel Bangkok

Anantara Bangkok Sathorn

Brasserie Europa: Christmas Eve Feast (Dec 24), B4,900++ for adults with free-flow Moët&Chandon Imperial Rosé (B2,200++ for kids). Christmas International Brunch (Dec 25), B4,000++ with free-flow Moët&Chandon Imperial Rosé (B2,000++ for kids). New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 31), B5,500++ with free-flow Moët&Chandon Imperial Rosé (B2,750++ for kids). New Year’s Day Lunch Buffet, B3,150++ with free-flow alcoholic beverages, B2,200++ with non-alcoholic beverages (B1,200++ for kids).

100° East: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24), B2,500++ per adult (B1,250++ for kids). New Year’s Eve Seafood & International Dinner Buffet, B2,999++ (incl. one glass of Champagne), B1,500++ for kids.

Zoom@Sathorn: Christmas Eve Fourcourse Dinner (Dec 24), B2,500++ per adult (half price for kids). Seven-course set dinner menu (Dec 31), B7,499++ (incl. of one glass of Champagne), B3,750++ for children, B2,999++ for countdown only. ☎ 02 210 9000 :bangkok-sathorn.anantara.com

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secco. New Year’s Eve dinner, B2,900 per person, served until 12.30am. ☎ 02 690 9223 : bkkci.festive@conradhotels.com

Hanuman Bar and Rotunda: Christmas Nibbling (Dec 25), B320++ per set from 12pm-3pm.

Sra Bua by Kiin Kiin: Eight-course set dinner menu (Dec 24), B2,599++ per adult. Served 6pm onwards. New Year Eve’s 12-course gala dinner, B4,500++ per adult with a welcome cocktail and a glass of Moët&Chandon Imperial Rosé during the countdown. ☎ 02 162 9000 :kempinskibangkok.com

Pool side: Christmas Eve Dinner (Dec 24), B899++ per person, B499++ for kids aged 6-12. Served 6pm onwards.

Christmas Day Lunch (Dec 25).

B899++ per person (B499++ for kids aged 6-12). Served 11.30am onwards.

Zeta Café: New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party with international buffet (Dec 31), B2,014++ per person (B1,614++ for food only, B1,214 for guests joining the countdown only, B800++ for kids aged 6-12).

New Year’s Day Lunch (Jan 1), B699++ per person (B349++ for kids aged 6-12).

Served 11.30am onwards. **Early Bird Special: The first 50 bookings at any of the events receive 20% discount.

☎ 02 683 4888

:ihg.com/holi-

dayinn/hotels/us/ en/bangkok/bkkhi/hoteldetail

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Gourmet

The St. Regis Bangkok

Dining|Festive

Four Points By Sheraton

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok

amBar: New Year’s Eve International Buffet and Party (Dec 31), B3,900 per person with free-flow selected drinks; B2,000 for free-flow drinks only (no food).

Booking is essential.

02 309 3201 ☎ fbadmin.sukhumvit15@fourpoints.com

:

Aqua, Madison and Spice Market (Parichart Court): Christmas Eve dinner buffet (Dec 24), B3,850++. Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25), B3,950++ per person with free-flow beverages (B1,950++ per child for the kids’ buffet). New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 31), B3,950++ per person. New Year’s Day Brunch (Jan 1), B3,850++ per person; B1,950 for kids’ buffet.

Biscotti: Christmas Eve five-course set menu dinner (Dec 24), B3,700++ per person. Christmas set menu dinner (Dec 25), B3,700 per person. Christmas a la carte dishes are also available. New Year’s Eve set menu (Dec 31), B3,900++ per person.

Lobby Lounge: 2014 Count Down Blowout Party (Dec 31), B3,500++ with open bar.

Add B1,500 per person to guarantee a table up front. Minimum two guests per table.

Shintaro: New Year’s Eve set menu.

B3,900 per person. ☎ 02 126 8866 : dining.bangkok@fourseasons.com

Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit Voilà: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24), B2,800 per person with free-flow soft drinks and juices, B3,999 with free-flow selected alcohol, or B4,999 with free-flow Veuve Clicquot (half price of kids aged 6-12, free for kids under 6). Christmas Day Brunch, B2,800 per person with free-flow soft drinks and juices, B3,999 with free-flow drinks, or B4,999 with freeflow Veuve Clicquot (half price of kids aged 6-12, free for kids under 6). New Year’s Eve White Gala Dinner, B2,014 per person (half price of kids aged 6-12, free for kids under 6). New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet, B2,600 with soft drinks, B3,999 with free-flow wines and cocktails, or B4,999 with free-flow Veuve Clicquot (half price of kids aged 6-12, free for kids under 6).

L’Appart: Christmas Eve fivecourse set dinner menu (Dec 24), B3,500 per person. Moulin Rouge Five-Course Dinner Party (Dec 31), B6,500++ per person indoors; B8,500++ per person outdoors on the terrace; B7,000 for drinks and outdoor tables only.

Jojo: Christmas Eve and Christmas (Dec 24-25) Five-Course Degustation Dinner Menu, B3,500++ with a glass of Prosecco (6pm onwards).

Christmas Italian Lunch Buffet (Dec 25), B2,500++ per person with free-flow Prosecco, or B1,800 with free-flow non-alcoholic drinks. Five-course Degustation Dinner Menu (Dec 25), B3,500++ with a glass of Prosecco (half price for kids under 12, free for kids under 5). Eight-course Degustation Menu (Dec 31), B5,800++ per person with a welcome drink.

Viu: Christmas Eve Buffet (Dec 24), B3,750++ per person with free-flow wine and cocktails, B2,900++ with free-flow non-alcoholic drinks.

Christmas Day Brunch, B3,250++ per person with free-flow wine and cocktails, B2,400++ with free-flow non-alcoholic drinks. Christmas Buffet Dinner, B3,750++ per person with free-flow wine and cocktails, B2,900++ with free-flow non-alcoholic drinks. New Year’s Eve Eight-Course Degustation Menu (Dec 31), B5,800++ per person with welcome sparkling wine. Children’s New Year’s Eve Four-Course Menu, B1,500++ per child with free-flow soft drinks. New Year’s Day Brunch (Jan 1), B3,500++ per person with free-flow wine and cocktails, B2,950++ with free-flow non-alcoholic drinks.

Served 12.30pm onwards. Promotions are half price for kids under 12, free for kids under 5.

The St. Regis Bar: New Year’s Eve Sparkle & Shine (Dec 31). B3,500++ per person with free-flow standard beverages.

02 207 7777 ☎ Email: reservation.bangkok@ stregis.com :stregisbangkok.com

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Dining|Festive

InterContinental Bangkok Balcony Lounge: Countdown Party (Dec 31), B1,000 per person with a cash booklet valued at B1,000 to exchange for any drinks or cigars.

Espresso: Festive Sunday Brunch (Dec 22-29), B2,199++ (B999++ for kids aged 6-12). Christmas Eve Festive Dinner (Dec 24), B2,199++ (B999++ for kids aged 6-12). Christmas Day Festive Brunch B2,199++ (B999++ for kids aged 6-12).

Christmas Day Festive Dinner, B1,869++ (B900++ for kids aged 6-12). New Year’s Eve Countdown Dinner (Dec 31), B3,999++ per adult, free for kids under 12 (limited to two children per adult). Free bottle of Prosecco for four paying adults.

New Year’s Brunch, B2,199++ (B999++ for kids aged 6-12). ☎ 02 656 0555 :intercontinental.com/icbangkok

Landmark Bangkok Atrium: Christmas Eve Traditional Buffet (Dec 24), B3,800 per person (B1,900 for kids aged 4-12). Come 4 pay 2. Every table gets free a bottle of Prosecco Villa Cornaro, Spumante, Extra dry, Italy; Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25), B3,200 per person (B1,600 for kids aged 4-12). Come 4 pay 2; New Year’s Eve International buffet (Dec 31), B3,800 per person (B1,750 for kids aged 4-12).

Every table get free a bottle of Prosecco Villa Cornaro, Spumante, Extra dry, Italy.

Come 4 pay 2. New Year’s Day seafood extravaganza international buffet Jan 1, B2,200 per person (B1,100 for kids aged 4-12). Come 4 pay 2.

Huntsman Pub: Traditional Christmas Day Roast (Dec 25), B1,500 ++ per person (kids aged 4-12 Baht 750++). 11.30am to 8.00pm. With live music by ‘Omega 3.’ New Year’s Eve Glitter Party (Dec 31) with music from Sweet Inspiration, B1,000 with two drinks.

RR&B: Christmas Inspiration Menu from Dec 15-30. Exclusive dinner features French foie-gras, Cream of butternut, US turkey with black truffle, Charcoaled Chateaubriand, Maine lobster thermidor and many other wonderful temptations. New Year’s Eve Countdown with luxury fivecourse menu (Dec 31), 6,500++ per person; or three-course a la carte for B5,000++.

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Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok Feast: International BBQ buffet dinner (Dec 24), B2,300 per person including a party set. Christmas Day Brunch (Dec 25), B2,900 per person including a party set and free-flow blended juices (served 11.30am onwards). New Year’s Brunch (Jan 1), B2,000 per person with free-flow blended fruit juices; B2,800 with free-flow beer, sparkling wine and house wine.

Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel

Giorgio’s: Italian set dinner (Dec 24), B2,000 including a party set. New Year’s Eve set dinner (Dec 31), B6,500 including a party set.

Riverside Terrace: International Gala Dinner (Dec 31), B7,900 per person including a party set.

Thara Thong: Royal Thai Set Dinner (Dec 31), B6,500 per person. ☎ 02 266 9214 :royalorchidsheraton .com

Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit 57th Street: New Year’s Eve Dinner (Dec 31), B2,700++ per person.

The District Grill Room & Bar: Sixcourse Dinner Menu (Dec 31). B3,900++ per person.

Octave Rooftop Bar & Lounge: New Year’s Eve Tapas and Party. B4,299 per person at 48th floor, B4,999 per person at 42nd floor, B5,999 per person at 49th floor.

02 797 0000 ☎marriott.com

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Altitude (Queen’s Park Tower, 40th floor Rooftoop): New Year Eve’s Party, B1,800 per person with three drinks, B2,900 per person (Altitude VIP Lounge) with freeflow drinks at Kacho Bar. Starts 8pm.

Imperial China Restaurant: New Year’s Eve Cantonese Dinner Buffet. B3,300 per person with free-flow drinks.

Imperial Club Tower, 38th floor Rooftoop: New Year’s Eve nine-course gala dinner. B9,500 per person with a welcome cocktail. Starts 7pm.

Parkview: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24), B1,600 per person. Add B150 for free-flow juices and soft drinks, or B700 for free-flow wines and beers.

Christmas Day Traditional Lunch (Dec 25), B799 per person with soft drinks.

New Year’s Eve Lunch, B599 per person (food only). New Year Eve’s Dinner, B3,300 per person with free-flow drinks.

Sundowner’s Bar: New Year’s Eve mellow countdown. B1,000 per person with two drinks, B2,500 per person with canapés and free-flow drinks. Starts 8pm. ☎ 02 261 9000 Ext. 4140, 4162 :imperialhotels.com

Pathumwan Princess Hotel Citi BiSTRo: Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet (Dec 24), B1,690 with a glass of sparkling wine.

Outdoor Bar Terrace: Festive New Year’s Eve Buffet and Party (Dec 31), B3,900 (B1,950 for kids). Entry to the party without food is B750 with one drink.

444 MBK Center, Phayathai Road :pprincess.com

☎ 02 216 3700

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Gourmet

Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok See full info on page 52.

Dining|Festive

Tel: 688 1000 www.ramadaplazamenamriverside.com

Rembrandt Hotel Bangkok Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square The Okura Prestige Elements: Available from Dec 21-30, the Festive High Tea Buffet is B840++ per set. Five-course Festive set dinner (Dec 24-25), B4,800++ with a glass of Champagne on arrival. New Year’s Eve Dinner (Dec 31), B4,500++. Eight-course Gourmet set menu with a glass of Champagne, B5,200++; or B7,999++ with Elements’ Sommelier’s personal favourite wines of 2013. ☎ 02 687 9000 :okurabangkok.com

The Square: Christmas and New Year’s Eve Dinner (Dec 24-31), B1,600 with one glass of sparkling wine. Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Brunch (Dec 25-Jan 1), B1,300 with one glass of sparkling wine.

The Square: Christmas Lunch Buffet (Dec 25), B449++ per person. New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet, B2,014++ per person (6.30pm and onwards). New Year’s Day Lunch Buffet, B555++.

Served 11.45am onwards. ☎ 02 160 7100 :novotel.com

da Vinci: Xmas Holiday Degustation Menu (Dec 24), B999++ (B500++ for kids). Xmas Day Festive Lunch, B1,950++.

New Year’s Eve Special Fizz Dinner, B3,300++.

Lok Wah Hin: Holiday Season's à la carte menu and all-you-can-eat Dim Sum Buffet Lunch. B620++ per person.

Rang Mahal: Luxurious Indian Buffet with entertainment, B2,999++ (B1,500++ for kids); or B4,700++ with wines.

Concept CM2: Christmas Eve’s Underworld Paradise Party (Dec 24), B550 with two drinks. New Year’s Eve (Dec 31), B650 with two drinks. Starts 10pm. ☎ 02 209 8888 :novotelbkk.com

Señor Pico: Gran Fiesta Mexicana (Dec 31), B1,999++ (B1,250++ for kids); or B3,499++ with free-flow Margarita or Sangria. ☎ 02 261 7100 :rembrandtbkk.com

Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit

Novotel Bangna Bangkok

BarSu: New Year’s Eve Party. B990 per person with free-flow spirits and beers, B1,499 with free-flow spirits, beers and wine.

The Square: Traditional Christmas Eve Dinner (Dec 24), B1,190++ (half-price for kids aged 6-12). Christmas International Buffet Lunch (Dec 25), B990++ (half price for kids aged 6-12). New Year’s Eve Buffet Dinner, B1,760++ (half price for kids aged 6-12).

basil: Christmas Day Brunch Buffet (Dec 25) with live music. B3,200 (B1,500 for kids), or pay B4,700 for three hours of free-flow drinks. Thai set dinner menu B1,800 per person.

Novotel Platinum Pratunam

Flavours: Christmas Eve Festive Buffet (Dec 24), B1,199 ++. Xmas Day Festive Buffet (Dec 25), B999++ (B500++ for kids).

Rossini’s: Fourcourse Christmas dinner (Dec 25), B2,500.

New Year’s Eve four-course set menu (Dec 31), B3,500 for adults; or B4,900 with wine pairing from ‘primoVino by Rossini’s.’

Served 6pm onwards.

02 649 8368 ☎sheratongrande-

:

sukhumvit.com/en/ store/category

☎ 02 366 0505 ext.1431, 1432

Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa Party House One: A Black and White Masquerade Party Dinner Buffet (Dec 31), B3,200 per person.

La Vue: Five-Course Set Dinner (Dec 31), B6,500.

Sky Bar: Countdown Party (Dec 31), B2,400 per person with three standard drinks.

The Roof: Seven-Course Set Dinner (Dec 31), B7,700.

856 Rama 1 Road ☎ 02 217 3000 :siamatsiam.com

Christmas dinner at the pub

• After Hours and Pintsman See page 117 • Dubliner Irish Pub. See page 121 • Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok. See page 109 • Molly Malone’s. See page 41 • Mulligans Khao San Road. See page 103 • M pub. See page 119 • The Robin Hood Pub. See page 57 • Zaks Wine Pub. See page 21

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Thonglor

By Adam Purcell

Bangkok’s golden mile

With its eclectic range of bars and restaurants, glamorous crowd and high-end shops, Thonglor is the city’s hippest street. Here, with the help of some of the area’s best-known entrepreneurs, we examine its special magic and reveal the exciting developments to come

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WHILE the majority of Bangkok’s street names don’t reflect anything about the roads they identify (Wireless Road, the biggest offender, is strung together like a 1950’s computer), the moniker Thonglor actually works.

Well, at least figuratively.

You see, roughly translated, Thonglor means molten gold, and for a street that has established itself over the past five years as the city’s most affluent neighbourhood, where a constant flow of sophisticated Thais and expat foodies arrive with healthy bank balances and an appetite for new drinking and dining experiences, this description couldn’t be more apt.

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“Thonglor is where it’s at,” says Arin Malhotra, co-owner of Perfume, a new restaurant and bar at Eight Thonglor which specializes in premium cocktails and ‘aromatic cuisine’ (food designed to excite not just the palate, but also the olfactory senses). “It is the city’s most fashionable street. Not just in terms of what people wear, but in mindset, too.

Thonglor is where creative entrepreneurs can flourish; it’s here you see the city’s most exciting drinking and dining concepts. And we attract the city’s coolest, most open-minded crowd.”

Arin, 26, is just one of many young entrepreneurs who have flocked to the street to tap into the spoils afforded from a highbrow clientele that, on any given day, includes impossibly lithe Thai women wrapped in body-hugging dresses – by top designers, no less – wandering arm in arm with gym-toned blokes, clad in white-shirts and rolled-up-chinos, whose hair points heavenward with a super-glue sheen.

“Most people who come to Thonglor don’t mind spending a little bit more for top quality products,” says Arin. “They come here not to just get drunk; they come here to soak up the whole experience. They want to enjoy people watching. They want to sample food and drinks they’ve never tried before. And Thonglor delivers.”

Thonglor’s biggest success story, of course, is Australian expat Ashley Sutton. A former miner turned creative wizard of bar and restaurant design, he first dazzled crowds with his steam-punk, Harry Potter movie set-aping Iron Fairies, before leaving customers spellbound with his quirky fish and chips and jazz concept Fat Gut’z (and its brother, Fatr Gut’z), the minimalist Clouds, and the delightful Mr Jones’ Orphanage (where patrons can cozy up to teddy bears, eat huge chunks of home-made cake, and sip tea from children’s tea cups).

Outside of Thonglor, he’s continued to impress with his designs for the Chinese opium den-inspired Maggie Choo’s, the floating library The Bookshop, and the gothic-industrial Five. Opened just last month on the ground floor of the Holiday Inn on Sukhumvit 22, Bangkok Betty carries on his unique brand of quirkiness with a 1940s Americana-theme and an assembly line of chrome-coloured bombs.

But Ash, as he’s best known around these parts, is not the only one who has found his muse in Thonglor. Welsh-Chinese expat Chris Foo, founder of HOBS and owner of the everpopular Brew at SeenSpace on Thonglor 13, has sailed the craft beer zeitgeist down Thonglor to discover a land of opportunity.

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“I opened Brew around three years ago just when Bangkokians were starting to get a taste for imported beers,” he says. “Now, it’s not uncommon to see tables at Brew full of young Thai women – each tucking into a nine percent beer.”

Such has been the popularity of Brew, whose menu offers around 300 different imported beers, that Chris has gone on to open three more branches – Khon Kaen, Sri Nakarin, and a sprawling new venture at Asiatique. More outlets are in the planning, but right now his focus remains on Thonglor.

“Everyone wants to be in Thonglor,” he says. “There was a time when Sukhumvit Soi 11 was Bangkok’s hottest Soi, but as that street continues to morph into Khao San Road, more and more people – owners and consumers – have shifted their attention to this area. In fact,

there was a time when consumers in Thonglor were 80 percent Thai and 20 percent foreigners. Now it’s more like 60, 40. There’s a real international mix here.”

To capitalize on this global blend, this month on Thonglor Chris will open Bangers, a restaurant selling sausages and mash drizzled with gravy, and gourmet hot dogs inspired by various countries around the world.

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Open from 6pm-3am, it looks set to become a big hit with diners looking for a quick, wholesome bite, as well as night-owls swooping for a hangover-preventing feast.

“We held a tasting last month and our Full English Breakfast Hot Dog was a huge hit,” says Chris, grinning. “I may be biased, but it’s the best Full English I’ve ever had.”

Featuring a Cumberland sausage heaped with beans, scrambled egg, mushrooms, and crispy bacon, the Full English hot dog (see above) is just one option in around 20 different selections carefully designed by Chris and his team. There’ll also be a designyour-own hot dog, as well as a celebrity-designed option which will change every month. Hot Dogs will sell for between B150-B200.

“With our hot dogs we won’t cut any corners,” says Chris.

“We use the best bread, the best fillings. We want to provide the best hot dogs in Bangkok.”

The desire to provide the best of the best is something that most restaurateurs in Thonglor have in common. After all, the savvy, hipster-centric crowd who frequent the street expect nothing less. Fail to deliver what they want, and the only gold you’re likely to collect is Fool’s.

Arin, of Perfume, says, “To do well on Thonglor you must have a strong concept. And you must be passionate about what you’re offering. My partners (Tep, a chef; and Thumb, a mixologist) and I already have full-time jobs, but Perfume isn’t just a side-hobby. This is a passion.

“We spent two years of hard work with no return to get our concept off the ground; we even shunned beer and wine from our menu during our first two months of opening to establish ourselves as the go to place for premium cocktails. Crazy?

Maybe, but you have to believe in what you’re doing. You must be dedicated. And we really do want to foster a ‘fine drinking’ culture in Bangkok.”

Perfume is not the only venture on the street to refine its drinking (and, in some cases, dining) options. The recently opened Sapporo Bar, on Thonglor 15, for example, is owned

by Japan’s renowned Sapporo Brewery and sells nothing but its own lager – a steal at just B159 a pint – alongside a small selection of spirits. There’s also Brotzeit, a Singapore-based brand whose Thonglor Soi 10 branch features top quality imported German beers and Bavarian-inspired eats, and, a short walk away in Arena 10, Sway, which specializes in chicken wings and craft beers that punters can pour from a tap themselves – either a spurt for a taster, or a full, lip-smacking pint.

To shun usual F&B convention and follow through on convictions like these, of course, you must be confident. So it’s no surprise to find that some Thonglor-based restaurateurs have more self-belief than R&B crooner R. Kelly, who, if you remember his smash-hit single, believed he could fly.

Take for instance, Chompol Serimont, owner of Moulin at No. 88, Thonglor Soi 5. “”I created my restaurant because I felt that there aren’t enough amazing restaurants in Bangkok,” he says.

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But before you go and wave a flyer from your favourite eatery in front of his face, hear him out. He’s talking about his tastes – and, as a fashion designer who has spent most of his life living in New York, dressing celebs such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Cyndi Lauper, and jetting off to glamorous locations around the globe for fashion shoots followed by dining at some of the world’s best restaurants, Chompol can certainly claim to have a refined palate.

“I came back from New York to take care of my family and I realized there were no restaurants selling the kind of food that I was accustomed to,” he explains. “And while Bangkok does

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have some decent restaurants, I felt that most places are simply content to deliver a standard dining experience.

“Many restaurants cut corners – especially when it comes to sauces – and will leave ingredients out of a dish if it makes them cheaper to make. I wanted to create a restaurant which always puts quality first, where ingredients aren’t sacrificed for the sake of profit. I wanted to bring my international dining experiences to Bangkok, and offer them for the city’s most affluent crowd. So Moulin was born.”

Bold claims indeed. But you’ll feel less inclined to squabble with the man when you tuck into Moulin’s Classic Caesar salad with jumbo tiger prawns (B520), a generous portion which impresses with its huge, plump prawns atop crisp romaine lettuce, all drizzled with a home-made sauce that’s thick and creamy and delicious. Other highlights: Duck lasagna stuffed with mozzarella cheese (B380), and, to finish, the heavenly NY Cheesecake (B220).

“My chefs are willing to tweak their recipes to suit my tastes,” says Chompol, who has no formal chef’s

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training but learnt the art of cooking from an Italian family in Florence, where he lived for almost a year. “And as soon as they [the chefs] taste the tweaks I make to dishes, they’re always pleasantly surprised with the outcome.”

Another Thonglor-based restaurateur who has brought to Bangkok’s dining scene what he felt was lacking – albeit with more of a wholesome vision – is Varatt Vichit Vadakan, a professional barista trainer and owner of Roast at SeenSpace (second floor).

An expat favourite, Roast focuses on comfort food, eco-friendly and craft products and packs in foodies morning, noon, and night thanks to its great coffee, an all-day-brunch menu featuring dishes such as Classic eggs benedict (B240), Classic Nicoise salad (B340), and Pulled pork burger (B320); as well as a dinner and sharing menu brimming with highlights like House famous barbecue ribs (B790) and Wild mushroom risotto (B280).

Partners at Roast include Experience Creator and Talent Connector, Somdej Luengthaviboon (a childhood friend of Varatt’s who is responsible for all of the small details at Roast – lighting, music, and décor, as well as collaborating with talented and creative young people); Twist Juice, the juice mixologist; furniture makers If I Were a Carpenter; and Bangkok’s butcher of the moment, Joe Sloane of Sloane’s.

“The idea behind Roast was to bring to Bangkok something that I believed was missing in the market here,” says Thonglor resident Varatt, who, prior to returning to Thailand in 2006, spent 13 years in the States divided between Boston and California. “That is, simple, honest, and hearty food.

Not fine dining, just comfort food that isn’t always easy to find here but is always a delight to eat.

“At the same time, I wanted to tap into the community spirit of Thonglor and work

with people who I think could have a positive impact on people’s lives here – artisanal food producers who love what they do. I’m not saying we have the best of everything at Roast, but when food is created and cooked with real passion, it gives it an authenticity that is otherwise lacking.”

If that sounds like an admirable vision, wait till you hear about Varatt’s upcoming project, The Commons, an urban marketplace on Thonglor 17, which, when it opens in early 2015, will bring together local purveyors that are specialists in their own fields.

Set over four floors, this vast project (7,000sqm) will feature a large indoor market selling everything from coffee (by Roast) and baked goods (by Maison Jeanne Phillipe), to Isaan bites (by Soul Food

Marriott’s local touch • IN an interview with The BigChilli last August, the Bangkok Marriott Sukhumvt Hotel’s GM, Gerrit Graef, told us: “Thanks to our location in this lively and interesting area of Bangkok, we really do feel very much part of the local community.”

Hollow, corporate words? Not at all. Simply take a peek inside the hotel’s District Grill & Bar on a Friday evening and you’ll discover that Thonglor denizens, expats and locals, have embraced the hotel with gusto.

Briton George Cossey, manager of The District Grill and a Thonglor resident himself, is quick to note that Thonglor residents make up most of his clientele. “Of course, there is tough competition when it comes to carnivore restaurants in Bangkok,” he says, “but what keeps people coming back here is our homely atmosphere – a modern and more rustic take on the sometimes stuffy and pretentious steakhouse – and the fact that we really want to be a local hangout: we focus on top quality meat and seafood, our well-informed staff remember diners’ names, and our prices are more than reasonable.”

It’s a winning combination that definitely warrants a visit – especially if you top off your night with a cocktail or two at the hotel’s rooftop bar, Octave.

Menu highlights include Classic whole leaf romaine Caesar Salad (B400); Sirloin steak (B250g. B1350); Australian lamb rack (B980++); and Sea bass (B780). 2 Sukhumvit Soi 57, Tel: 02 797 0000 www.marriott.com

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Mahanakorn), Seafood and cocktails (by Rocket Bar Group), rotisserie and pasta (by Appia), and beer (by Brew Beer and Ciders – does Chris Foo ever sleep?). “Basically, all the people who want to do simple things right,” says Varatt. >>

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The second floor will feature a garden and courtyard area with small lifestyle shops (such as Container Bag and Storia), a florist (Plant House), and dessert cafes (including a brand new concept from the ever popular After You). The third and fourth floors, meanwhile, will be given over to restaurants, including a new farm-to-table restaurant by Roast.

“People now want to spend less time in mega shopping malls, and more time in the community in which they live in,” explains Varatt. “They want simple, yet quality things in their community and they are beginning to support local producers.

“All in all, The Commons is being created to meet the needs of the Thonglor community. We want people to be able to enjoy the very basic things in life, like grabbing good food and drinks and enjoying good conversation with friends and family – simple wholesome living for everyday city folks.”

The dining and purchasing habits of Thonglor residents are not the only changes Varatt has witnessed in the area over the past five years. “There has also been a dramatic change

Ten great Thonglor experiences 1.

Enjoy a feast for all the senses with a cocktail or two at Perfume (our pick, Smoking Aces)

2.

Eat cakes and sip tea surrounded by teddy bears at Mr Jones’ Orphanage

3.

Sample beers from all around the world at Brew (great for people watching too!)

4.

Tuck into delicious Thai food – including some hard-to-find dishes – at Suppanigga

5.

Kick off your weekend in style with a plate of Eggs Benedict at Roast

6.

Imbibe boozy cocktails and marvel at the rooftop view at Octave

8. Share some syrup-soaked Honey toast with friends at After You

9.

Embark on a mini-pub crawl starting at Fat Gutz, followed by Apoteka, Iron Fairies, Brew, and Clouds. All within walking/stumbling distance of each other.

10.

Sit on the terrace of Wine Republic/Brotzeit/Perfume/Flann O’Brien’s and indulge in some of the finest people-watching Bangkok has to offer 70

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• DRINKING and driving is for fools, yet every night merry jesters all over town still stumble out of bars to their cars for blurry-eyed trips back home, just so they don’t have to collect their vehicles the following day. Worth it? Not if you get stopped by the cops, it isn’t. Not only will you get hit by a big fine, you may even have to spend the night in a cell with a cockroach or two for company. Fortunately savvy-entrepreneur Chris Foo – him again! (see main story) – and four of his friends have come up with a solution: ‘UDrinkIDrive,’ a chauffeur service with male and female drivers who will ensure you and your car get home safely. Available for pickups in Thonglor, with plans to expand to other areas of Bangkok, the service starts at B500 for the first 10km. “It’s the perfect combination says Chris. “Now I can get everybody drunk at Brew, and get them home safely too.” FFor more info: udrinkidrive.co.th

and increase in development in both residential and commercial landscape,” he says. “Everyone wants to be in Thonglor.”

Included in this all-encompassing everyone are hotel chains such as the Marriott. Early last year the group opened the Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit – the first five-star hotel in the Thonglor district – bringing to the area not only top quality accommodation, but also a stunning rooftop bar with a 360-degree view, Octave; an all-day-dining restaurant, 57th Street (try the new Sunday Brunch); and The District Grill Room & Bar, an t t o excellent steakhouse inspired by New York’s ri ar meatpacking district (see Marriott’s local touch).

M Another hospitality chain currently preparing to establish a presence in Thonglor is Centrepoint Ser viced Apartments. Unlike the Marriott, though, its arrival will sadly come with a loss; namely the long-standing expat favourite Witch’s Tavern, which will be razed to the ground to make way for the project.

Don’t cry into your pint glasses just yet, though.

Ensuring Thonglor’s commercial landscape won’t be devoid of a traditional Brit-style boozer is the brand new Flann O’Brien’s at Eight Thonglor (just a couple of doors and a shisha-whiff away from Perfume).

The fourth establishment in a fast-growing franchise that includes branches at Impact Arena, Silom Road, and Asiatique, Flann O’Brien’s has the honour of being Thonglor’s first ever Irish pub. And, despite its modern looks and extensive outdoor terrace, there’s no denying its Gaelic flavour – green and cream walls, photos of James Joyce, Guinness on tap, and a menu of hearty-eats like Irish stew.

Even the pub’s English manager Haydn Drew (formerly of The Londoner on Sukhumvit 33), does his best to fit into the picture, claiming to have scaled the highest, sparsest branches of his family tree to come >>

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Sink your teeth into a medium-rare steak at The District Grill

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back with a twig that suggests that, yes, he does have Irish blood in him – “My great Granddad’s Grandma was Irish,” he jokes.

Jesting aside, though, the Thonglor branch of Flann O’Brien’s certainly means business, and the owners hope it will be a figurative pot of gold at the end of a lucrative Thonglor rainbow.

“We’ve seen how Thonglor is fast developing, how busy it is with Thais and foreigners, and we thought it was the perfect time to set up business here,” says the pub’s owner Liam Herrity, who, for the record, is genuinely Irish.

“The plan is to make Flann O’Brien’s a big name in Asia, not just Thailand, and Thonglor offers the perfect springboard for this. If we’re a hit with the crowd here, we’ll be a hit anywhere. And considering our great location – street-side, and with parking – we can’t go wrong.”

Other newcomers looking to share the golden pot and make a name for themselves on the Soi include the Italian Amalfi Bistro (Thonglor Soi 5, owned by the former operators of Calderazzo on Soi Langsuan), contemporary Japanese restaurant Kaguya (Thonglor Soi 10); cocktails and live music den Apoteka (Grass Thonglor; sister of the popular Soi 11 branch); New York-inspired Tribeca Restobar (Thonglor 13); the non-politically-correctsounding, but provider of superb Thai food, Supanigga (near Thonglor Soi 8), and, scheduled to open this month on the fourth floor of Roof by Muse (Thonglor Soi 10), The Salumeria, which will feature over 20 cuts of dried meats, top quality breads, a slimmenu of three salads and three mains, and a selection of over 20 craft beers and 14 specially selected wines.

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These new venues join a large number of established restaurants and bars in Thonglor which prove that, even in a dining scene as notoriously fickle as Bangkok’s, one which has seen numerous casualties on Thonglor since we last mapped it in 2010 (Ana Garden, La Villa, Blue Velvet, to name just a few), success is still possible.

Just some of our favourite places which have made a name for themselves on the Soi include Soul Food Mahanakorn (for Thai Food and Cocktails); Shades of Retro (for boozy cocktails and a chance to buy retro goods); Phuket Town (for Southern Thai cuisine); Bad Motel (for cocktails and getting our groove on to cool DJs); Xuan Mai (for authentic Vietnamese dishes); Wine Republic (for reasonably priced wines and International eats); Boon Tongkiat (for Singaporean-style Chicken and Rice); Massala Art (for Indian cuisine); Crepes and Co (for its mouth-watering, European-inspired crepes); Harvey (for steaks and dishes inspired by sunny California), and diVino (for its authentic Italian cuisine and a chance to chat with its affable owner, Roberto Ferin).

As you’ll see from our two-page map (pages 74-75), venues on Thonglor are reasonably spread out, so walking between them may leave you looking like you’ve showered in your clothes.

Luckily, getting around is a doddle thanks to the constant stream of taxi cabs, hair-raising motorcycle taxis, and a dedicated fleet of small red buses (which will take you the length of the Soi for just five baht).

Along the way you’ll catch glimpses of antiques shops, wedding planners, dance studios, football pitches, a Ducati showroom, and many more shops of interest proving that, just as the entrepreneurs interviewed here have noted, “everyone wants to be in Thonglor.” Truly Bangkok’s golden mile.

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Chompol Serimont, Owner of Moulin

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“Thonglor is now a key destination in Bangkok.

The area is filled with great restaurants, and many trendsetters, both locals and expats, come together here to enjoy the nightlife.”

Chris Foo, Owner of Brew Beers & Cider “There was a time when consumers in Thonglor were 80 percent Thai and 20 percent foreigners. Now it’s more like 60, 40. There’s a real international mix here.”

Local insight Arin Malhotra, Co-owner of Perfume

“Thonglor is where creative entrepreneurs can flourish; it’s here you see the city’s most exciting drinking and dining concepts. And we attract the city’s coolest, most open-minded crowd.”

Roberto Ferrin, Owner of diVino Restaurant “Thonglor is probably the most vibrant area of Bangkok. It has great nightlife, fascinating people, and it’s an area where farangs are perfectly integrated with Thais.”

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OFFERING an exciting new spin on the usual Japanese dining experience, Kaguya takes Japanese cuisine and presents it with European flair. Open daily 5.30pm-1am Tel: 02 714 9974

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Kaguya Arena 10

Starbucks Rodi Sucha Sweet life (Bakery shop)

Kaguya Delicatezza

Soi 11

Soi 10

Brotzeit (Four Seasons on second floor) Witch’s Tavern

Wine Bibber Sangria

Soi 9

Soi 8

Phuket Town

Soi 6

Thonglor Town Center (Market Place) *Starbucks *Tops Supermarket *iberry *Burger King *Doo Deng Dai *Wine Loft

Gyu-Kaku

No. 88 *Moulin *Bangkok Bitter *Johann Bistro

Soi 5

*The Andaman Casual European Dining *Sushi Masa

WINE Republic has been keeping Bangkok bar flies buzzing with its extensive selection of international wines, boozy and innovative cocktails, plus international eats for three years now.

Every night its outdoor terrace is teeming with young, good looking Thais and foreigners who come to feast their eyes on each other and indulge in dishes such as White wine seafood spaghetti (B280++) while lapping up the atmosphere of the street.

Tel: 02 714 7599 www.facebook.com/rpb.wine

Supanigga

Somerset Serviced Residence

Gourmet cuisine inspired by the global travels of a fashion designer ensures there are lots of tasty bites to be enjoyed here www.facebook.com/ moulinsquare.

Wine Republic

Centre Point *Mesamis Café

Soi 7

Moulin

Muse

Beccoffino

Soi 4

Sexy Biscuit Nails Boutique Bistro Bar

Vasu The Residence

Maru Kaiseki japanes Restaurant

Soi 3

Eight Thonglor The Purple Elephant

Soi 1

THIS lifestyle-complex offers a wealth of hip and trendy gourmet outlets, boutique stores, and chic hangouts. Try Crepes and Co, for its famous sweet and savory Crepes; Perfume, for cocktails; Masala Art, for Indian cuisine; and, for Irish-style drinking, the brand new Flann O’Brien’s. www.8thonglor.com

Soi 2

Fifty Fifth Thonglor

“Thonglor is where it’s at. It is the city’s most fashionable street.

Not just in terms of what people wear, but in mindset, too.”

*Garage Lounge *Full Stop Cafe Grand Tower Inn

Seoul Bar BQ Japanese

Grand Ramen

Soul Food Mahanakorn May Veggie Home

Yakiniku Tan Toraya Bakery

Asia Herb n Associatio

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BTS Thonglor

Sukhumvit Road

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Motorcyle Taxi

What are your favourite restaurants and bars in Thonglor? Let us know at www.facebook.com/ thebigchillimagazine

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Red Buses

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Arin Malhotra, co-owner of Perfume

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Have your say!

A-lmond Cafe

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Petchaburi Road

Klong Saen Saep

Red Bus Station: 5.50 Baht per person from top of the soi to the bottom of Thonglor

Patara The Thai branch of this

Accademia Italiana

De Beer

international chain serves authentic yet innovative Thai food in a sophisticated setting.

Open daily 11.30am 2.30pm, 6pm - 11pm Tel: 02 185 2960-1 www.patarathailand.com

Tonrak Thai Massage & Spa

“Thonglor has a great offering of product-focused bars. And there are also great restaurants that cater for all cuisines.”

George Cossey, Manager of the District Grill

White Cafe Superstar Academy

Soi 20 Little Home Bakery

Seniku-Ten (Premium Yakiniku Restaurant)

diVino

S&P

Soi 25

Pastel & Monochrome

Badmotel Set in a once abandoned three-storey building that’s been given a white-wash, this hipster central serves boozy cocktails to a music loving crowd who come to get their groove on to top local DJs as well as live international acts.

Royal Kitchen

Little Home Bakery

Soi 23

Ducati showroom

Bar Beer & Bistro Bottoms Up Wine

Ivy Thonglor (Condo)

Tessa

I’m Wine Club & Restaurant

SoiThararom 2

Soi 21 Decor Mart Design Center

Patara Thai Cuisine

Soi 19

Spaghetti House

Soi 17

SeenSpace

One of the hottest haunts on Thonglor, this drinking and dining destination features Brew, Clouds, Fatr Gut’z, Roast, Mr Jones’ Orphanage, and more hip venues.

Oakwood Residence

Badmotel OZake J Avenue *Aimm Thai Cusine *Som Tum *Cafe Koken Sushi (Sushi Addict) *Greyhound

Cavali Kitchen & Bar

Penny’s Balcony *diVino *She Bar *Mellow *Kushi-Tei of Tokyo *HOBS: House of Beers

Soi 16

Boon Tongkiat Ju Ju Bar (Japanese) Grass: Fat Gut’z/Apoteka

After You

M Place Thonglor

Soi 18

Sapporo Bar

Soi 15

Tribeca

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THERE’S certainly no shortage of Italian restaurants in Bangkok, but if you’re looking for an authentic experience that’s a step up on your usual pizza and pasta affair then head straight for diVino.

Opened in January 2011 by Roberto Ferrin, an affable Italian with over 20 years’ experience in the restaurant trade, diVino focuses on top quality imported ingredients which are lovingly combined to create simple-yetflavour-packed dishes. Delizioso!

Penny’s Balcony, Thonglor 16, www.divinobkk.com

Soi 13

Soi 14

Soi 12

Iron Fairies IT’S intimate, it’s surprising, it’s different. Fairy notes lay on wooden shelves, a spiral staircase leads to nowhere, factory pipes and machinery are dotted around. In short, it’s like the set of a Harry Potter movie. Its food menu is based around burgers, and they’re lovely.

Open Mon-Sat, 8pm-2am www.theironfairies.com TheBigChilli

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Expat WOMEN p Put your feet up and indulge

Girl with the party spirit: Meet Bacardi’s brand manager in Thailand. Page 80

Shopping

Hot new products and stores demanding your attention Page 84

BWWG

Enjoy the latest slice of fiction from the Bangkok Women’s Writers Group Page 90

Health

Nutrition expert Judith Coulson on the benefits of a good night’s sleep Page 94 TheBigChilli

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Expat Women

Personality|Q&A

Girl with the party spirit Sassy, smart and bursting with energy, Belgian expat Celine Louis is Bacardi’s brand manager in Thailand. Her mission – promote Bacardi’s irrepressible spirit through parties, events, and creative campaigns. Great fun or a rum deal?

Here she explains

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Being the Bangkok-based brand manager for Bacardi must be a great job! Please can you tell us more about your role and what it entails?

Today’s competitive market place has made branding a key success factor for product development. As a brand manager, my concern is to develop positive perception about our brands and to create an emotional bond between the brands and our target consumers.

To be successful, brands need to play the marketing game, and this involves having an appealing personality as well as an interesting/up-to-date message to communicate. More than communicating, brands are now looking at interacting by providing consumers with experiences they will remember.

The Brand Manager job is in fact very abstract; I’m part strategist, part creative, sometimes business-woman. It calls for a mix of market analysis, brand strategy, advertising, event organisation and sponsorship.

Have you always been a Bacardi drinker? Did you always want to work for the company?

Yes, Bacardi is a brand I have always been familiar with; it is pretty big in Europe, especially when talking about cocktails.

It is definitely a brand I wanted to work for; there is in fact no other spirit brand I would prefer to manage.

It is an iconic brand that has influenced the way we party and the way we consume alcohol today. Think about some of the most famous cocktails in the world – Cuba Libre, Mojito, Daiquiri. They are what they are today because of Bacardi.

I have a lot of admiration for the brand and the company itself: 151 years of heritage, of fighting against the odds, the most awarded rum in the world, and still family owned.

Where were you based before Bacardi?

Before Bacardi, I was already in Bangkok, but working on the agency side. And before Bangkok, I did some project-based assignments in South-East Asia (Kuala Lumpur, Manila and Jakarta) for a press agency. This is when I fell in love with Asia.

Best experience of your career so far?

The job has led me to attend a lot of glamorous events, to meet with celebrities and get VIP access to many prestigious parties; I guess those are the perks of the profession, but it gets quickly repetitive and less exciting.

To be honest, the most amazing parties I’ve experienced were internal parties. When you gather 70 people who work hard, you let them express themselves (performance, games, etc.) and you blend it with Bacardi, it gives you something quite memorable!! Definitely the funniest and craziest parties I’ve had so far!

What do you think about Bangkok’s bar scene?

Bangkok is definitely one of my favorite cities in the world to go out for drinks. There is a real dynamic here; bars keep on opening and the design level competes with some of the world’s major capital cities (Tokyo, New York, etc.).

Favourite cocktail bar in Bangkok?

For the cocktail quality I would say Shades of Retro on Thong Lor 18. I was truly impressed by the way they craft their cocktails: simple but so refined. I also really like the vintage atmosphere there.

Best cocktail you’ve ever had and where?

The best cocktail I had was an original creation from Shingo Gokan, called “Speak Low.” He is the winner of the Bacardi Global Legacy Cocktail Competition and he came last year as a judge for the Thai national selection. Cocktail making is an art, and this cocktail was definitely a piece of art! An interesting creation combining rum, Macha tea and yuzu fruit (+ other ingredients).

What’s your favourite cuisine? Favourite restaurant in Bangkok?

I’m a big fan of Uncle John, on Suan Phlu Soi 8. The owner is a former chef of 5 star hotels, and his concept is simple but ingenious: a small street-side restaurant (about 10-15 tables) serving a selection of Asian and European dishes cooked with the kind of care and attention you’d expect in a five-star hotel.

Best hidden place you’ve found in Bangkok?

The vinyl shop next to WTF in Sukhumvit 51. They have great music; the kind of music you can’t find in normal shops: old school, roots, African, etc. I can spend hours in there, trying the vinyls and enjoying a drink.

You’re a big fan of extreme sports. Do you still find time for these?

Yes! I do some wakeboarding in Bangkok, at TACO cable park. It is my breath of fresh air, my way of escaping after a hard week of work. The riders’ community there is so nice, definitely my favorite place to be on a Sunday afternoon!

Where do you like to travel in Thailand?

I love the North of Thailand, it is so relaxing. I’m a big fan of Pai, although it is getting more and more touristy. I also like to do road tripping around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai area.

Would you be able to pick out Bacardi in a blind-tasting?

Good question. I haven’t tried yet, let’s do a test!

If you could pick just one person in the world to travel to the beach with you, who would you pick and why?

It’s gonna sound really cheesy: my mom! Because I just miss her. Living far from the people you love is not easy every day. So if I could be with somebody now that would be her.

Sorry that was probably not the expected sexy answer, with a crispy story behind ;)

How do you plan to grow the Bacardi brand here?

My main challenge will be to raise awareness about Bacardi being a premium rum from Cuba, by communicating its core identity – its Latin origin and over 150 years of history and irrepressible spirit – and by educating people about rum drinking.

We’ll also make it exciting and interactive for our consumer with the organization of special events and parties. I would like to show people Bacardi’s irrepressible spirit!

Your biggest achievement?

Being here in Thailand, working as a Brand Manager for Bacardi is probably my biggest achievement. You know I’m not a proper expat: I decided I wanted to develop my life and career in Asia and I came here by myself. At the beginning my friends and family were really reluctant to this idea, but this gave me the opportunity to show them that wherever you are/whatever you do, if you work hard you can be successful!

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Personality|Q&A

Jewel in the Crowne: Tash Tobias The general manager of the Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park on work and life in the City of Angels ■ AUSTRALIAN expat Tash Tobias is one of the Intercontinental Hotel Group’s shining stars. With over 15 years’ experience in the hospitality industry (including 11 with IHG), she has worked in Australia, Vietnam, and Singapore, and gained a glowing reputation for her unwavering commitment to developing top quality hotel experiences – prior to coming to Thailand earlier this year, she was GM of the InterContinental Singapore, which, under her stewardship, received numerous awards. Amongst them: Asia’s Leading Conference Hotel in 2012 (World Travel Awards), and Singapore’s Leading Conference Hotel and Best Luxury Hotel. Want to know what makes her tick? Read on…

Q. You’ve worked in the hospitality industr y now for over 15 years. What do you consider to be your greatest achievement so far?

A. Prior to coming to Bangkok, I had the privilege of taking a lead role in the opening of the first IHG branded hotel and residences in the region, the InterContinental Asiana Saigon, and then I moved to Singapore at the InterContinental and was very fortunate to help lead the team in the hotel growth in all aspects. However, securing a posting in Thailand has been my aspiration since starting in the industry, and I am proud to lead a team of great people running fabulous hotels.

Q. What are the secrets to being a good/successful GM? A. It’s about giving your 100 percent in everything you do. You have to be passionate. But more importantly, to be a successful GM, you need to have a strong team that works with you. It’s always about putting the team together and getting them to trust each other. And one way to do that is to keep the lines of communication open and listen to your people, even when they are giving you bad news.

Q. Do you think Bangkok can maintain its popularity

with travelers, given its congestion, rising prices and political rallies?

A. The steady increase of tourists visiting the country only shows that the city still has its charm for travelers. Bangkok tells a different story every day. It’s thriving with life, culture, 82

and its people are a testament of the country’s resilience amidst the ever changing times. TIME Magazine named Bangkok the top tourist destination this year and I think that it will do well on the list for the years to come. Bangkok is teeming with interesting activities as well as world-class hotels, restaurants, and bars so I can say that travelers will have a wonderful time staying in the capital.

Q. What sets Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park apart from its competitors? What are the hotel’s highlights?

A. The hotel is very accessible. We are strategically located at the heart of Bangkok’s central business district and just a few steps away from the Skytrain and MRT which makes it convenient for our guests to move around the city. One of our recent investments, when the hotel underwent a major renovation, is the Executive Club Lounge.

We want our guests to feel the exclusivity of the private space but at the same time they have access to the conveniences they need to get their work done.

With dedicated meeting spaces on level 21, our meeting rooms feature natural daylight with flexible set-up options, business travelers are ensured that their meetings and events needs are met. Our Crowne Plaza Meetings team is also on hand to offer personalized services making us Silom and Rama IV’s latest inspiration to great connections.

Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park also provides a wide variety of recreational facilities and services to make every guest’s stay complete. Relax and unwind at our spa or take a dip in the Oasis swimming pool at the 22nd floor – tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Q. Finally, when you’re not busy working how do you like to spend your free time?

A. During my free time, I love to travel with my family. I went into the hospitality industry because I love to explore places, learn new cultures, and meet people. And in between work, I try to make it a point to run every day whether in the gym or in my favourite Lumpini Park.

Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park, 952 Rama IV Bangkok, Tel: 02 632 9000 www.crowneplazabkk.com

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Shopping|New products

ROCKIN’ THE LP LOOK ■ BANGKOK-based Linkin Park fans should swing by Hard Rock Cafe

Bangkok this month. The world-renowned restaurant chain has teamed up with the Grammy-Award winners to release limited edition T-shirts in support of Music For Relief’s ‘Power The World’ Campaign (an initiative to bring energy solutions to areas of the world without electricity). Women’s short-sleeve T-shirts, which come in a bright purple emblazoned with a neon logo drawn by band member Mike Shinoda, retail for B1,300 (15 percent of which is donated to Music For Relief).

Siam Square Soi 11, Tel. 02 658 4090-3 www.facebook.com/hardrockbangkok

MARKUS FREITAG ON DESIGN THE Swiss designer on his recycled truck taupe bags and what trends you should be following

UNLEASH YOUR INNER WARRIOR ■ INSPIRED by the movie ‘Black Swan’ and Napoleon warrior designs, with a twist of History Costume flair thrown into the mix, Monlada’s Autumn Winter Collection, Warrior Mafiaz, is not for the meek or timid. Colours like leaf green and beige, and fabrics including silk, chiffon, and lace, ensure things are thoroughly feminine, but there’s a strength to the collection that can’t be ignored – the form-fitting crop tops, short empire dresses with deep V-necks and backs, and lace skirts and pants all ooze sophisticated sex appeal and, like a well-trained warrior, command attention and look great. Snazzy.

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Talking

Shop

• “What I like about fashion is that it always changes, from one season to another, that’s why it is also dangerous. So that’s why I’m more focused on products that last for more than one season.”

• “The main ‘uniqueness’ of our bag collection is individualism because we use different truck taupe for each bag…so while bags sometimes look similar, they’re all different.”

• “We launched our products in Thailand last year. The response has been positive and we currently have eight stores holding Freitag products. The current bag trends are tote, satchel and bucket bags with mirrored metallic leather. You can find most colours in our collection.”

Read the full interview with Markus on thebigchilli.com

Hot products and stores demanding your attention

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IKEA GOES FESTIVE ■ TEDDY bears, baubles, stockings, trees – when it comes to a one-stop shop for all your festive fixtures and furnishings this month, Ikea is hard to beat. Specially for the yuletide season, the Bangkok store will be packed with all things Christmassy so that any expat feeling homesick in the heat (yep, it’s

the cool season, but there’s no White Christmas on the cards) can find everything they need to create their very own Santa’s Grotto. Hanging decoration sets start at just B199; Glittering gift wrap rolls, B79. Bargain.

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Expat Women

School Report |News

KIS hosts hundreds of International Baccalaureate teachers

FROM Friday Oct 18 until Sunday Oct 20, approximately 400 International Baccalaureate (IB) teachers from the Asia Pacific region arrived at KIS International School to participate in the IB Regional Workshop. The IB offered 12 different sessions of professional development, allowing teachers to learn about the newest developments in teaching.

A Level scholarships available at Bangkok Prep

BANGKOK International Preparatory and Secondary School (Bangkok Prep) is now offering an A level scholarship scheme for students with outstanding achievement for entry to Year 12 in August 2014.

The scholarship is open to students of all nationalities aged 16 years with outstanding achievement in academic studies. A total of three scholarships will be given, with a total combined value of up to 3 million baht for the two years duration.

Students are required to complete an application form along with a 300-word essay and submit current school reports, letters of recommendation, certificates of achievements and other relevant documents. Only short-listed students will be contacted to appear for online testing, written assignments and interview. The successful candidate must remain enrolled for two years, until Year 13. This is mandatory. For scholarships or partial scholarships with one year tenure, the renewal will be dependent upon ongoing successful academic achievement.

The deadline for application is 24 January 2014, and the successful scholarship placements will be announced on 30 March 2014.

For more info Tel: 02 260 7890 (Ms Ranee, Ext 104 or Mr Mike, Ext 105) www.bkkprep.ac.th/scholarship

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Family Fun at The British Club

ST Andrews International Schools and The British Club of Bangkok celebrated Universal Children’s Day on November 16 with a Family Fun Fair packed full of games and entertainment.

Nail painting, dunking games, strong man, canon ball, and performances by the CAS students of St Andrews 107 campus, Right to Play organization, and Superstar Academy of Bangkok, were just some of the highlights of the event, which raised a total of 342,740.00 baht. All profits will be donated to the Operation Smile organization of Thailand.

Sponsors of the day included Burger King, PeopleServe Asia, Bangkok Hospital, Standard Chartered Bank, Tesco Lotus, Food By Phone, Santa Fe, Thai Property Guide, DHL, Spice Roads Cycle Tours, and Kingdom Property.

NIST goes pink for charity

NIST looked PINKtastic recently as hundreds of students, staff and parents turned up at the school dressed and accessorised in pink for the school’s very own PINKtober fundraising event. PINKtober is an international event to raise awareness of the need for breast-cancer health screening and early detection and to raise money for ongoing research.

Organised by NIPTA (NIST Parent-Teacher Association) together with the PE department, the school’s event featured a fun-packed dance bonanza by students from Year 2 to Year 13, and was capped with a whole-school Waka Waka dance.

Thanks to generous donations from families and individuals, over 100,000 baht was raised.

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School Promotion|Harrow

Fun of the fair at Harrow School’s special event is a big hit with parents and children alike

By Timothy Chadwick

■ IT’S difficult to keep the whole family entertained, but on a sun-drenched Saturday Harrow International Fair managed to maintain the toddlers giggling and the teens gallivanting. Parents strolled down the walkway lined with stalls selling irresistible items, including the best-selling BAGTASTIQ recycled banner bags produced by our own students.

The fair began with a time of silence for His Holiness Phra Yannasangwon, the Supreme Patriarch, before the fair got

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into full swing with teachers and students manning charity fair stalls that became more and more addictive as the day went on. Children from local charities enjoyed a special morning being let loose amongst the pony rides, paddle boats and visiting Minions, all the while being looked after by pupils from Harrow.

There was a highly international flavour to the food stalls that kept the ever-growing crowd’s energy levels up all day.

Burritos bulged, samosas swelled and steak sizzled whilst ice cream dripped through cones and mango juice crept up straws. As people relaxed on the grass sunning or feeding themselves, Harrow pupils kept them all entertained from the main stage with musical interludes.

Some were singing to the masses, others expertly played peaceful pieces on their instrument of choice. Towards the end of the afternoon a fashion show took over, made up of every age group of current Harrovians posing for photos at the end of the catwalk and high fiving their admirers as they returned to reality at the back of the stage.

There are so many people to thank who helped to make such a memorable and successful day.

A special thanks must go to Ducati, our diamond sponsor.

Everyone who came played a part in creating the atmosphere that all of the organisers, helpers and workers should be proud of – a great day. www.harrowschool.ac.th

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Expat Women

BWWG|Monsoon Midnights

Monsoon Midnights Special places in Bangkok, as experienced by the Bangkok Women’s Writer’s Group Dear reader, Welcome to ‘Monsoon Midnights’, a brand new series of stories by the Bangkok Women’s Writers Group.

The story tellers of the BWWG come from all over the world but they all have a special place in this city, somewhere surprising, obscure and unexpected, as yet undiscovered. Follow us to these hidden places right here, month after month.

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NIGHTFALL OVER BANGKOK There are some very high places in Bangkok. Places where you can look out and see the city laid out like an interactive map beneath you. I look at the darkening sky above.

I listen to the dome of sound surrounding us. The day was hot, and night is a welcome relief. All over the city, people relax and open their senses.

This megacity of concrete, cars and people is also home to millions of plants. Grass, bushes, creepers, even trees grow prolifically in every inch of space. And flowers, millions of flowers, in all colours, shapes and scents. Some shine out brilliantly and bravely under the sun, rivalling its vibrancy, small and bold, proclaiming their brief and bright existence. Others stay tightly closed, only unfolding their petals in the evening breeze.

Softly, they welcome the falling darkness.

Tonight, the scent of jasmine fills the air. It comes from gardens and parks, from hedges and rebel plants colonising abandoned buildings, neglected corners, filling them all with life and scent. The smell draws me over the old city, over mansions and wide avenues, over huddles of shophouses and wide open parks, to the edge of the river. Many scents mingle here, but I can still discern the one that drew me. In many ways it is the signature scent of this city and we revere it in many forms, every single night.

Tonight’s story teller, Jenny Pérez-Genge, is waiting for me at the edge of a crowd.

She smiles at me and gives me a fragrant garland. The petals are soft to my touch. Velvet skin.

‘Memories’, she says. As I look at the perfect circle, the scent rises more and more intensely. I close my eyes and open myself , soft as jasmine, to the darkness and the memories…

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The Garland Maker By Jenny Pérez-Genge

Tonight...

Two days ago I came to this very place to accompany my friend Anna to get a bouquet of fresh flowers for her parents´ anniversary. But I never thought I would find the ‘Stall of Heaven’ here...Tonight, very late, I am supposed to meet The Garland Maker. Night in this part of town is as frenzied as noon in a school cafeteria.

I have been wishing for this encounter for over fi fteen years. Here is my story.

Two nights earlier...

I hadn’t come to the Flower Market in years, actually since I was a child. For many, flowers are the loftiest gift from nature, but for me, they represented loss and pain. I had placed flowers in a remote corner of my heart, and in an obscure part of the city.

Empty trucks were idling along the square. Their fumes mixed with the strong scent of the flowers from the countryside.

The fragrance of roses, canna lilies, daisies, cassias, orchids, crowns and carnations hit my nose. I sneezed a few times until my breathing got used to the torrent of smells. The seductive shades of white, pink, red, yellow, purple – with a pinch of green splashes here and there – wildly diverse sizes and shapes of flowers inundated my senses.

I recognized them all. Old memories began to surface as if I were shaking a tight bottle that had been closed for a long time.

I remembered when I made my first garland. I had seen Pi Lucy making hundreds of them using a long needle while threading five tiny jasmines to form a star. I put many fragrant stars in a white string. She helped me to make the final knot with a small red rose. I learned how to make flower garlands before I knew how to tie my shoes. Now, for a moment, I thought I would faint and doubted my legs could hold me up, but I continued to walk like it was an ordinary stroll in a market. We passed by sellers who bustled around, filling pots and buckets with flowers and leaves, while costumers moved quickly from stall to stall searching for the best bouquet buys. My friend and I strode along the booths of the plaza until we bought a bouquet for Anna. I didn’t buy any flowers for myself.

As we stepped to a side street to get a taxi, I saw a stall with a big sign that read “Heaven.” I felt lured towards it, a pull as strong as the attraction between the earth and the moon. I moved faster and crossed the street, leaving Anna behind. As I approached the booth, I noticed a small lady wearing glasses, concentrating on making a garland. There were hundreds of flowers around her, and the sweet strong smell of jasmine. I remembered that soulful and complex scent! I had a single image in mind: Pi Lucy.

I thought Pi Lucy had magical hands. When she was not cleaning the house, washing or ironing my family´s clothes, she was knitting colourful scarves, arranging flowers in bouquets or making garlands. Every day after my mother and father left for work, she combed my hair. She sometimes put a tiny arrangement of flowers in it, as if I were a princess, and for a few

hours, I would feel the sweet aroma of jasmine when I moved my head. Both of us looked into the mirror, and I admired her long hair made up into a bun on the crown of her head and the black spot on her cheek.

She had baskets of jasmine and other flowers in the garden of our house, and there were colourful bows, shiny ribbons, strings and other tools to make the garlands and other decorations. I would sit next to her and eat my noodles, while she made the flower wreaths. First she made a knot, then threaded the jasmine flowers into the garland, finishing with another knot in yellow or red made from marigolds or roses. Her Phuang Malai were very popular in our neighbourhood. After she had made a few dozen of them, she wrapped her hand firmly around mine and carried the basket in the other. Then both of us walked to the sois and sold the garlands to our neighbours. I thought everybody should buy them just because they were lovely.

On the way home, we would stop by the market and pick up fresh vegetables for a stir-fry lunch. There was a lady, older than Pi Lucy, who looked a lot like her. She wore her hair in a high bun as well and sold flowers in her stall called “Heaven.”

They spoke fast and used words I couldn´t understand, but it did not matter to me as I moved around the baskets filled with many types of flowers. I closed my eyes and touched the petals with my hands wide open and took in deep breaths.

Years passed, and on one of those days when the moist air turns cold and rigid and most people wear extra layers to prevent the raw winter from making its home in their bones, Pi Lucy left home and never returned.

I slept that night with the white and bright red striped scarf she had knitted for me. That day did not feel right at all.

That afternoon, she had picked me up from school later than usual. I knew it because I was the last child in the second grade classroom to leave. She was quieter and her bright eyes did not meet mine while we walked home that day, though her hand wrapping mine was as warm and firm as always.

My mother arrived home when it was getting dark, gave me a short and dry kiss on the cheek and went to the kitchen, closing the door after her. I couldn´t smell the delicious Gang Kiew Waan or chicken green curry that Pi Lucy was making in the kitchen anymore.

I never found out what they spoke about; but when my mother came out, her face was red and I feared she might scream at me, instead she came to me holding her head between her hands. She told me she did not feel well and asked me to tell father to go to their room as soon as he arrived.

Father did not come at dinnertime. Pi Lucy served my food in the kitchen and we both ate quietly. The food tasted plain in my mouth, even though she had made my favourite dish. I couldn´t eat much, and for the first time, she did not feed me.

She put me to bed and before turning the lights off, she bent down towards me, stroked my hair and finally our eyes met. She asked me to be a good girl and then she held my head on her chest, for what I felt was an instant. Her warm body wrapped itself around me in a tight hug and I smelled a trace of food in her clothing. It was the last moment I shared with her.

Her warm body wrapped itself around me in a tight hug and I smelled a trace of food in her clothing.

It was the last moment I shared with her.

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Expat Women

BWWG|Monsoon Midnights

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he Bangkok Women’s Writers Group, led by Anette Pollner, founded in 2001, is where creative women from all over the world meet to workshop their writing in a supportive and inspiring environment. Many of our members are published and prize winning authors, but we are open to all women who are passionate about writing, including complete beginners. The BWWG has published a Thai English language bestseller, ‘Bangkok Blondes,’ and various pamphlets. We regularly give readings around town and have been part of international festivals and cultural exchanges. Please contact bkk_writers@yahoo.com for more information.

This month’s story teller is Jenny Pérez-Genge, a psychologist, educator and mother of two children. She has lectured and written numerous articles on parenting issues. Jenny discovered her passion for fiction and poetry as a member of the Bangkok Women Writers Group.

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I missed everything about her, our walks selling the flower garlands in the street, the food she cooked, the warmth and the sense of shelter she gave me with her hugs, and her artistic hands. For years I dreamt she would show up with her alwayssmiling face at the gate of our house. In a big city like this one, o ne, where fi fteen million other souls wander everywhere, my cchances hances of seeing her again were very low. Would I recognize her h er if I saw her here in the market or at the train station? One day when I was searching in my mother’s drawer I found a stack of old pictures, and saw one with Lucy, where she and I were sitting on a bamboo mat on the playground lawn. There was a jasmine garland on my wrist. I took the picture with me, and my mother never asked for it back.

I had many other nannies. As an only child, my parents gave me all that I wanted but didn’t give me Pi Lucy back. When I talked about her at the table or on our trips to the park, my mother would stay quiet and move the conversation in another direction. I stopped talking about her after I found the picture. My memories of her also faded with time, until two nights ago. The musky smells of thousands of jasmine flowers enclosed in such a small space awoke in me a strong sense of connection with someone from the past, probably the only one who had made me feel loved.

“Pi Lucy, Sawadeekha!” I risked greeting the lady by her name, while I searched for the spot on her cheek, when she finally turned to look at me.

“Sawadee kha, madame,” she greeted me, bowing her head

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very slightly.

She did not have a spot on her cheek.

“I’m sorry, I thought you were someone else, you look very similar to her,” I apologized, lowering my head.

“Ma penrai kha, you confused me with my sister, Lucy.” She replied with a big smile.

“Really?” I could not believe my luck after all.

“Yes, I´m here today and tomorrow, but she will be here on Saturday.”

I couldn´t contain my joy, and wiped the tears from my eyes as I placed my hands over my forehead to wai and bowed towards her.

Tonight...

Stories are made from memory. Memory lives everywhere, it is the fabric of our lives.

Jasmine scent still lingers in my hair as I return. The moon is in a haze of incense. As the night grows old, the fragrance fades and the petals close. All their lavishness has been expended on perfuming that moon. By sunrise, they will be tight and prim, closed against the devastating brilliance of the sun. And we will have to wait for another night…

I will see the moon over Bangkok again next month, when I visit our next story teller, waiting for me already, somewhere, in an undiscovered corner of the city.

Let me take you on that journey!

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Expat Women

Health|Sleep patterns

The power of sleep From work performance to interacting with friends, a good night’s kip can improve all areas of your life. Judith Coulson, Executive Director of BKKHealth.com, explains why ■ WE all know that a night of tossing and turning can leave us grouchy the next morning, but did you know that not getting enough rest can also make us less appreciative of those around us?

Poor sleep and chronic stress influences how we interact with and even see other people.

When we are sleep-deprived or chronic stressed we are less likely to be grateful for a co-worker’s effort or the helpful gesture of a spouse.

On the other hand, research studies have shown that feelings of gratitude can help us sleep more soundly. So it’s a cycle: Not only does feeling thankful promote better sleep, but restful sleep promotes gratitude.

If you experience fatigue and are grumpy on a regular basis, try these tips to help you wind down and prepare your body for sleep.

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Get moving A good workout that gets your heart pumping and muscles flexing works wonders in promoting sleep. Regular physical activity makes it easier for you to get to sleep and improves the quality of your sleep. Very often I hear my clients tell me that they have no time for exercise, that they are already tight for time as it is. But working out for just 15-30 minutes a day can speed up your productivity, clear your mind, and you will find yourself getting more done in less time.

15 minutes of sun Exposure to sunlight influences your circadian rhythm, which is controlled by brain cells in the hypothalamus.

These cells respond to light and dark signals from our environment, and set off reactions in our bodies to either wake us up or make us sleepy. Having

your morning coffee on your balcony or outside a coffee shop in the sun promotes wakefulness during the day and can help people sleep at night. Darkness, on the other hand, triggers our brains to produce melatonin, a hormone that regulates circadian rhythm and promotes sleepiness.

Get your weight right Sleep affects weight and vice versa.

Studies have found that people who regularly sleep less than six hours have higher body mass indexes (BMIs). When you don’t get enough sleep, you’re too tired to exercise. You also have higherthan-normal levels of ghrelin, a hormone involved in appetite control, and lower amounts of leptin, a hormone that puts the brakes on food intake. Without enough sleep, you’ll be feeling the need for constant snacking.

But if you’re too heavy, it becomes harder to get a good night’s sleep.

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Small changes like eating just 100 calories less a day, walking an extra mile, or climbing some stairs can make a difference in dropping some of the belly fat that is associated with snoring, which can lead to disruptions in sleep and even sleep apnea.

Turn your bedroom into a sanctuar y Think of your bedroom as your private retreat where you go every night to be renewed. Look for a mattress and a pillow that are comfortable. Be sure to test out a mattress for a good 15 minutes before you buy; chose synthetic free linen that feels cool and comfortable on your skin.

Keep the room in a comfortable temperature, darken the room with shades and curtains to keep out light, or even use an eye mask. Darkness helps stimulate the production of melatonin, a hormone that promotes sleepiness.

It doesn’t matter whether you soak in the tub, read a couple of pages or listen to your favourite music, doing the same thing every night gives your body the signal that you’re prepping for sleep.

Create a routine It doesn’t matter whether you soak in the tub, read a couple of pages or listen to your favourite music, doing the same thing every night gives your body the signal that you’re prepping for sleep.

What works for kids, still works for adults too.

We wish you a grateful and relaxing holiday season and a great start into a successful New Year.

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Clear your bedroom of unneeded electronics, clutter and dust collectors as well as children’s toys. Use your bedroom only for sleep (and sex), so you won’t associate it with any other activity.

Smokers are four times more likely to feel unrested after a night’s sleep than non-smokers. Smokers also spend less time in deep sleep and more time in light sleep. Smoking before bed pumps your

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body with nicotine, a stimulant that can keep you up at night. It also raises overall body temperature and elevates your heart rate and metabolism — all of which will keep you awake. To make matters worse, smokers go through withdrawal when they’re asleep, which disrupts sleep too.

Need help with your New Year’s Resolutions?

Exclusively for Big Chilli readers, we’re offering 10% discount on Medical & Lifestyle Nutrition Consulting sessions for individuals and corporates throughout January 2014.

Just send an email with the subject Big Chilli to: lifestylefood@bkk-health.com

8/1/13 7:14:18 PM

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Advice|Problems solved

Ask the experts

Send your problems to: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

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

Q

Gloomy in the Land of Smiles

I AM a man in my thirties and I do not know what I want to do with my life. I came to Bangkok about six years ago as a teacher. Since then I have changed schools several times.

Teaching is ok for me but it doesn’t give me a lot of satisfaction. I would like to do something else. I want to make a difference in this world and go for a ‘higher’ goal.

Maybe something in human rights or disaster relief.

I would also like to get a Master’s degree. I’ve been thinking about this for several years now. I have researched the internet for Masters courses, but they are all ver y expensive. I worr y about the money – right now, it seems to be an unreachable goal. This makes me feel like a loser and I have to drag myself to work. Sometimes I phone in sick and stay in bed all day long.

I work to eat, on weekends I go to the pub and drink, sometimes I have a girl come home with me, but life like this does not satisfy me. My income is ok, I am not working at a prestigious International school, but I can afford to fly home once a year. Is this all there is to life?

Brian, 33, from the US

A

Dear Brian,

■ What you express in your letter is a challenge that many people of your age seem to encounter. Your generation is changing jobs more often and traveling more across the globe.

This results in having no social network. Also by changing jobs frequently, you have no sense of belonging nor commitment to the workplace. This all can contribute to feelings of being uprooted and alone.

Being in your mid-thirties also raises the question ‘do I want to continue this work all my life or do I want something else.’ Part of your midlife crisis?

You write that you already have been thinking of a new direction for many years but never get around to it. I do agree that

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finances are a reason to feel limited in achieving what we would like to accomplish, but I do have the impression that in your case it is more the fear of change and perhaps your life attitude.

How serious are you about making a change? How eager are you to go for a ‘higher goal’?

You have to answer these tough questions for yourself and then make a choice.

Are you content with what life offers you now and can you decide to enjoy what you have already?

If you choose ‘the higher goal,’ can you make an action plan and take the steps?

Life is about daring-to-live-the-journey and deciding to enjoy the ride. It has many challenges but do you dare to answer them? Do you dare to take risks?

So the first part of finding an answer is to be brutally honest with yourself. The second part is more practical. What kind of job do you aim for when you think of reaching ‘a higher goal’?

What would fit your personality and skills?

You could start by taking a test that connects your personality with jobs available. There are books about this topic and tests online. After this you do need to take a decision and take the steps to go in that direction. This will require full determination, discipline and creating a structure for yourself.

It could involve small steps like taking online courses while you are working so that you have financial security. Or else you may decide to take the plunge and sign up for a Master’s degree, take a study loan and see where that will take you.

The road to a ‘higher goal’ is a journey, with traveling involved, and certainly not a magic arrival.

During our life-journey we encounter uncertainties, financial consequences, setbacks and fears, but also the joy of knowing with certainty what we want to go for. To live life is taking risks, little ones or big ones. This is not an easy task.

The point of all that we do when living on this earth is to answer the questions: Do I live life to the fullest?

And what does this mean for me personally? r If you choose to to ec ir Clinical D MS is the trained in the g in go for your destiny let on eK She aD • Johannounseling Center. it be with inner peace of NCS C ds and Australia.

Netherlan and balance, no matter what!

TheBigChilli

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Q

Is peace more important than money?

MY father passed away last year. I loved him, but I was not blind to his shortcomings. One of them was that he treated me as if I was lacking in intelligence, and also as if I deser ved less than my brother. Because I am female, I am pretty sure of that.

My brother, who worked in my father’s company, just as I did, always took my side and looked out for me. But now that he is the ‘Head of the family,’ my brother has changed, almost into a different man.

When we discuss money, which right now has to happen on a regular basis, he mostly addresses my husband, although my husband knows a lot less about finance than I do. Recently, I got ver y upset and asked to see the books. The books were ver y confusing, and I am beginning to suspect that my brother may have not given me either a fair representation of the company’s finances, nor a fair share of my inheritance.

My husband says I should let it go. Peace is more important than money. But I am torn.

My brother, who has inherited the company itself and most of the funds, needs money a lot less than I do. Why would he take away what I inherited? And why should I comply? Would this not be taking away money from my own children?

My brother says it’s all for the family business. But the business is his, not mine. My husband is, however, right up to a point: if I challenge my brother, there will be a lot of unpleasantness. Maybe it will cause a rift in the family.

What should I do? Is peace really more important than money? I really miss my brother, as he was for all those years while my father was alive. That brother would have sorted out the problem in no time.

Fae, 45, from Nonthaburi

A

Dear Fae,

■ This is tricky. What seems to have happened is that your brother, by changing his role in the family and in the world at large, from employee to business owner and boss, has also transformed himself. He is still the same brother, but a different side of his personality is now emerging.

Up until your father’s death, your brother identified as a son, and obviously also as a brother. Now he identifies as a father and leader. He now sees the company and the family as a unit, and that is his top priority. For you, this change has meant a loss on every level. You lost your father, and you lost your brother in his role as a brother. Now you find that you may have lost a lot of money, too.

The fact that your brother now also respects you less and is falling into the practice of ‘finance is for men and men make decisions’ affects your relationship and possibly your own family’s well-being.

So, should you confront him?

I don’t quite buy into the conflict between ‘peace’ and ‘money,’ and from what you write it seems that you don’t, either. What kind of peace is it when you lose your trust in someone? How can you be close after that? On the other hand, money can mean a better life and provision for the future. Do you deserve that?

Or, to put it more provocatively, who deserves what in this case?

I also sense that you may begin to feel that even your husband is tempted to join the club of males who make decisions for you, and not to your benefit. This is definitely something you need to address with him. So that it doesn’t cause a rift within your marriage as well!

Clearly, the death of a patriarch and company owner such as your father causes major shifts in the family. Everyone needs to re-align, and your brother seems to have reacted by stepping into your father’s shoes.

My suggestion would be that you talk to him.

But maybe you don’t need to confront him, at least not straightaway. Ask him what life is like now for him. Are there any issues you can help with? It may well be that there are other financial problems that your brother has not mentioned to you.

You may not have seen the ‘real books.’

The more you get him to open up, the better chance there is that he will remember your past relationship and start to behave like the brother he used to be. And you will feel much better about confronting him, if necessary, at some point.

Another thing that occurs to me is: where is your mother in all this? Can you talk to her? Or is she another ‘clueless female’?

Ultimately, I don’t think you will find peace by ignoring the issue and letting your brother take the money. But if you can reconnect to him without losing your sense of self, you may be able to transform the relationship once again • Anette of seven Pollner Adv. Dip and enter the next Counseli international co l. Couns., is one stage of your lives trained inng Center in Sapunsellors at NCS staff cou London and thehan Kwai. She together. nsellor a US and t Bart’s H

w ospital in orked as a London.

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

TheBigChilli

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Y O U R U L T I M A T E W H A T ’ S O N G U I D E F O R D E C E M B E R 1 3

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

Legendary singer Frankie Valli makes his longoverdue debut in Bangkok next month. Page 102.

Ghost story

Opera Siam stages Wagner’s shortest opera, The Flying Dutchman Page 102

Jazzy Xmas

Enjoy an afternoon of jazz with a hint of Christmas spice Page 102

Run for glory The Ayutthaya Marathon is just one of the races to look forward to in Dec Page 104

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What’s On|The Arts

Exhibitions JAN 21 – MARCH 2

ARDEL GALLERY OF MODERN ART

SECRET NATURAL

CURVACEOUS, bright, smooth, delicate – life and nature is full of wonderful forms and colour. Here, sculptor Ariya Kitticharoenwiwat pays homage to these forms with a series of plant studies, all beautifully crafted from steel DEC 12 – 17 and titanium and infused with ARDEL’S THIRD PLACE GALLERY subtle splashes of colour.

Boromratchonnee Rd. Open Tues-Sat 10.30am-7pm; Sun 10.30am-5.30pm (Closed Mon).

02 422 2092 :ardelgallery.com

☎

NEO-BARBARIAN 1

ARDEL’S latest art and cultural exchange project presents the works of Indonesian artists Antonius Kho, Putu Edy Asmara, Laksmi Shitaresmi, Grace Tjondronimpuno, S.Sn and Ketut Lekung Sugantika. Providing plenty of food for thought, the exhibition explores the ‘neo-barbarism’ of humankind, and riffs on everything from race and gender to politics and consumerism.

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

02 422 2092 :ardelgallery.com

☎

UNTIL DEC 20

UNTIL DEC 21

TRIBECA RESTOBAR

LA LANTA FINE ART

THE DREAMER

ERO GURO KAWAII: SHIN KOYAMA IN ARITA

THE latest series of contemporary acrylic paintings by Bangkok-based Thai artist Suthirak Rithraksa captures the essence of nature as perceived in her dreams, featuring remarkable and often whimsical use of colour.

BORROWING from the Ero Guro concept found in Japan’s art and literature in the early 1900s, and blending it with the country’s recent Kawaii (a.k.a. ‘cute’) fetish, Shin Koyama’s manga-style motifs on porcelain sculptures mix elements of the erotic, the grotesque and the cute to create comic narratives and absurd dramatic scenes. His sculptures are all handmade in collaboration with local artisans in Arita, home of Japan’s famous blue and white porcelain 245/14 Sukhumvit Soi 31. Open Tues-Sat 10am-7pm :lalanta.com

Tribeca Restobar (Ground Floor of Nihonmura Mall), 85 Thonglor Soi 13. Open daily 9am-Midnight. Email: yvliang555@gmail.com (curator Yvonne Liang)

☎ 02 204 0583

UNTIL JAN 5

100 TONSON GALLERY

THE DISCIPLINE OF SUBJECTIVITY

THE first solo exhibition in Southeast Asia by Austria-based contemporary artist Erwin Wurm features work from his famed One Minute Sculpture series, which employs everyday objects, chance participants, and found, or site-specific backgrounds. Wurm’s works are part of prestigious collections worldwide, including Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Musee d’Art Contemporain de Lyon, and the Centre Pompidou, among others.

100 Soi Tonson, Ploenchit Rd. Open Thurs-Sun 11am-7pm 02 684 1527 :100tonsongallery.com

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JAN 8 – FEB 8

ROOFTOP GALLERY

PRAVAHA

AFTER honing her craft for two years at the prestigious Kala Bhavan Institute of Fine Arts in India, Singapore born, Thai-Indian artist and training Art Therapist Karma Sirikogar returns to her Thai roots with a series of abstract-surreal drawings and paintings which captivate viewers with their universally illustrative nature and contemporary style.

Between Thonglor 14 and 16. Open Tues-Fri from 12pm-7pm, and by appointment. Email: yvliang555@gmail.com (curator Yvonne Liang)

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What’s On|Performance

Performance JAN 22

BCC HALL, CENTRAL PLAZA LADPRAO

FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS

LEGENDARY singer Frankie Valli makes his long-overdue Bangkok debut next month, taking to the stage with The Four Seasons to perform his repertoire of chart-conquering singles, Big Girls Don’t Cry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You, Walk Like A Man, Rag Doll, Let’s Hang On, and more.

Tickets range B2,500-B4,500 :thaiticketmajor.com

DEC 16 & DEC 22

SMILES JAZZ, SOI RUAMRUDEE

DEC 15

THAILAND CULTURAL CENTER

THE FLYING DUTCHMAN

HAUNTING music and an avant-garde set are just two of the highlights expected at Opera Siam’s staging of Wagner’s shortest opera, The Flying Dutchman, a legendary tale of a man doomed to wander the seas for all eternity unless he can find the love of a pure woman. The performance features the Siam Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted

by Somtow Sucharitkul, alongside top vocal talents such as Arnold Bezuyen, Martin Snell, Jessica Chen, and Kyu Won Han. Tickets range B500-B5,000 :thaiticketmajor.com DEC 3 – FEB 25

GOETHE INSTITUTE THAILAND

BROADWAY BABE

BANGKOK’S Broadway Babe, Kristen Evelyn Rossi, returns this month with two fun-packed shows perfect for jazz lovers and fans of Broadway-style entertainment.

On Dec 16, her fourth Vintage Night: Back to Basics, will feature four genres of music, singing and dancing, and tales of love, the arts, triumphs and failures. Accompanied by Nattikorn Tiabtiam and Guide Sridech (Smiles Jazz, Soi Ruamrudee, BTS Ploenchit. B700 with one free drink). Then, on Dec 22, Kristen will join performers Gabriel Lynch, Erika Cummings, Nattikorn Tiabtiam, and more, for an upbeat holiday celebration called ‘A Very Vintage Christmas’

GERMAN OPEN AIR CINEMA

(The Hop Bangkok in Silom. B650 with one free Campari cocktail).

ENJOY the cooler evenings and immerse yourself in German cinema among the tranquil gardens of the Goethe Institute Thailand. Most Tuesday evenings, the Institute will screen German-language movies (with English subtitles), giving viewers a great opportunity to learn more about the culture of German speaking countries. Entry is free.

Screenings from 7.30pm. Hit the website below for a full programme.

02 287 0942-4 ☎goethe.de/ins/th/ban/en11844829v.htm

:

Advanced ticket sales only.

080 909 5131 :production@broadwaybabeasia.com

☎

DEC 15

SALA SUDASIRI SOBHA, 158/20 LADPRAO

A JAZZY LITTLE CHRISTMAS

ENJOY an afternoon of jazz with a hint of Christmas spice in this special performance by Jazziam (featuring Athalie de Koning, vocals and songwriting; Jadesada Kulphaisal, double bass; Paul Bebington, piano; and Sarun Ganyl, drums). Proceeds will benefit the Gift of Life Foundation to help blood disease patients.

Performance starts 4pm.

☎

Tickets: B400 02 541 8662 :facebook.com/salasudasirisobha

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IMPACT ARENA

AVRIL LAVIGNE LIVE

EVERYONE’S favourite pop-punk princess is coming to town on Feb 11 to belt out hit singles such as My Happy Ending, Girlfriend, and Here’s To Never Growing Up. Tickets range B1,000-B4,500 from thaiticketmajor.com.

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What’s On|Outdoors

Sport

DEC 14 &15

RAJAMANGALA NATIONAL STADIUM

THAILAND RACE OF CHAMPIONS

CATCH some of the world’s best racing and rally drivers going head to head in identical cars over two-days of action-packed racing. Among the competitors taking part are seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, newly-crowned World Rally Champion Sébastien Ogier, and four-time V8 Supercar champion Jamie Whincup. Event sponsors include Red Bull, Singha Corporation, Siam Winery Trading Plus, and Toyota Motor Thailand. For more info see www.raceofchampions.com Tickets range B300-B7,500 :thaiticketmajor.com

DEC 22

CHIANG MAI

CHIANG MAI MARATHON

TAKING in all the sights of Chiang Mai Old Town as well as the Royal Flora Expo, the 8th annual Chiang Mai Marathon serves up plenty of interesting visuals to take your mind off those burning muscles.

The racing is divided into four divisions: Marathon, Half Marathon, Mini Marathon (10 km), and Kids Run and Walk (3km). :tourismthailand.org :chiangmaimarathon.com

DEC 12 – 15

AMATA SPRING COUNTRY CLUB CHONBURI DEC 15

AYUTTHAYA

AYUTTHAYA MARATHON 2013

ARRANGED as part of the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya World Heritage Fair 2013 (Dec 13-22), Ayutthaya’s first marathon event will feature a 42.195km full marathon, a 21.1km half marathon, a 10km mini marathon, and a 3.5 km fun run. With the Ayutthaya Historical Park as the backdrop, the marathon’s route allows runners to take in the cultural sights, historic buildings and sculptures of the ancient capital. :tourismthailand.org

THAILAND GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

THE third edition of the Thailand Golf Championship returns with some of the biggest names in world golf, including defending champion and 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel; 2013 US Open champion Justin Rose; and 2012 Masters winner Bubba Watson, as well as Sergio Garcia and Henrik Stenson, who recently claimed both the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup crowns.

Tickets range B300-B800 :thaiticketmajormajor.com

DEC 15

SANAM LUANG, BANGKOK

RUN TO BEAT CORRUPTION

RUNNING takes on a political slant at this special event arranged by The Anti Corruption Organization of Thailand and the Thai Health Foundation. Show your support and ‘run to beat corruption’ by entering either the 10km mini marathon or 5km walk and fun run. :goadventureasia.com

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What’s On|Sport

Thai football in focus

SOCCER PUNDIT PAUL HEWITT EXAMINES WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF THAI FOOTBALL

2013 Season Review PREMIER LEAGUE

TWO words sum up the 2013 season: Buriram United. The unstoppable Thunder Castle completed the domestic treble with relative ease – at times it seemed as though they didn’t need to reach top gear in order to roll all competition aside.

The TPL crown was reclaimed from Muangthong United by a margin of seven points.

This from a team which came fourth in 2012, finishing thirty points behind champions Muangthong.

Buriram’s achievements were all the more impressive as star striker Frank Acheampong was lost to Anderlecht in April. Furthermore, Buriram have had four head coaches since the start of the year, not the usual recipe for on-field success. Newin’s army also added the FA Cup and League Cup to their swag bag. Bangkok Glass were overcome 3-1 in the final of the former and Ratchaburi 2-1 in the latter. Buriram have now won both domestic knockout cups for the last three seasons! They also excelled in Asian competition this year reaching the quarter finals of the AFC Champions League, and only just being denied a semi-final place after narrowly going down 2-1 over two legs against Iranian champions Esteghlal; the best performance by a Thai team in Asia since 2003.

Muangthong comfortably finished in second and got a spot in next year’s AFC Cup thanks to Buriram winning the FA Cup. Muangthong were themselves knocked out of the same cup at the semi-final stage

by Buriram. In the League Cup they were humbled by League 1 Nakhon Ratchasima FC in the third round, going down 2-1.

The Twin Qilins’ duo of Mario Gjurovski and Teerasil Dangda didn’t quite hit the heights of their splendid form of 2012 and the usual Muangthong head coach merrygo-round, including a bizarre one-month mid-season cameo from Winfried Schäfer,

hardly helped. Expect the Nonthaburi natives to spend big during the close-season as they shape up for another battle with Buriram in 2014.

Elsewhere in and around the capital, Bangkok Glass will be satisfied with their fi fth-place finish, up from eighth last year.

The Glass Rabbits found some form and stability once Attaphol Buspakom took over the coaching reins in May. And their run to the FA Cup final included a 1-0 win over Chonburi and a 5-2 thrashing of Police United in the semi-final.

At the other end of the table, Bangkok United, in their first United season back in the TPL, and TOT will be glad of survival; their chances undoubtedly given a shot in the arm when the TPL announced mid-season that only one team would be relegated owing to expansion in 2014 (20 teams next season) and the complicated ongoing situation at Sisaket.

LEAGUE 1

THE battle at the top of League 1 was considerably more interesting than that of the TPL. Going into the final day of the season only Air Force had guaranteed their place at the top table for 2014; PTT Rayong, Singhtarua and Bangkok FC were all locked in a battle for the final two promotion spots. And an astonishing twist of fate by the fixture computer had the top four teams all involved in matches between themselves on the final day: Singhtarua hosted Air Force and Bangkok FC were away at PTT. The odds favoured Singhtarua and PTT for promotion as Bangkok would have to win at PTT and hope that

Therefore Pattaya United were the sole side to be relegated in 2013.

Singhtarua didn’t beat Air Force. In the end, Bangkok couldn’t overturn the odds as they drew 2-2 at PTT whilst Singhtarua defeated Air Force 2-1 – though at halftime, the ‘Iron Bulls’ had one foot in the TPL as they led PTT 1-0 and Singhtarua were being frustrated at 0-0.

But it all came good for Singhtarua in the second half as their 2-1 victory ensured that they bounced back to the TPL at the first opportunity. The final whistle was greeted by a mass pitch invasion, flares, fireworks and friendly exchanges with the equally jubilant Air Force fans. But it was heartbreak for Bangkok FC who now have to do it all again next year but in an expanded twenty-team division and without the services of leading goal scorer for the last two seasons Lee Tuck, who has been signed by Air Force.

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LEAGUE 1 CONTINUED

At the other end, two other Rayong-based teams had markedly different fortunes from those of PTT as both Rayong United and Rayong FC fell through the relegation trapdoor. United had looked doomed for months, but Rayong FC had given themselves a fighting chance of survival with a late upturn in form during the run in. On the final day, they had to win and hope one of Sriracha or TTM lost.

Rayong FC did their job by thrashing Nakhon Patom 5-2, but TTM pulled off an unlikely 2-1 win away at Krabi and Sriracha beat Saraburi FC 2-1 at home. The two Rayongs, therefore, spent just one season in the second tier.

A mention must also go to the performance of League 1 clubs in the cup competitions. Nakhon Ratchasima and the aforementioned Rayong FC both made it to the semi-finals of the League Cup – the first semi-final appearance in a cup competition for either side. Along the way, Korat put TPL sides Muangthong United and Army United to the sword whilst Rayong disposed of TPL opposition in the form of Police United. Rayong even recorded the result of the tournament by beating Buriram 1-0 in the semi-final first leg, but were eventually overrun 5-0 in the second leg. Korat could count themselves unlucky to go out to Ratchaburi in their semi-final. The sides drew 0-0 in Ratchaburi and 1-1 in Korat thus allowing The Dragons to squeeze through by virtue of that one away goal and vex those that wanted to see an all-Isaan Buriram v Nakhon Ratchasima final.

In the FA Cup, PTT Rayong, Bangkok FC and Singhtarua all reached the quarter-finals where PTT gave Muangthong a fright but eventually lost a thrilling game 4-3 after extra time.

REGIONAL LEAGUE

FOUR sides will be promoted to League 1 as the division also expands to twenty teams. At the time of writing, the Regional League (or, Division 2) play-offs are still taking place.

So far Roiet United have already booked their berth in League 1 2014, and very well-deserved too as the ‘White Squirrels’ have been champions of the Regional League Northeast Division for the last three seasons but failed in the play-offs in both 2011 and 2012.

Roiet will almost certainly be joined in League 1 by Phitsanulok, Chiang Mai and one of Paknampo NSRU, Ang Thong, Sukothai or Udon Thani.

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What’s On|Screen And Stereo

Movies & music

DEC 5

ADVENTURE/ANIMATION

FROZEN

BANGKOK may be blazing hot but you can still get into the wintery Christmas spirit with Disney’s latest offering, a comedy-adventure about a motley crew who embark on an epic adventure to save a kingdom trapped in an eternal winter. Features the voices of Kristen Bell and Idina Menzel.

JAN 16

ACTION/DRAMA/ THRILLER

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT

AUTHOR Tom Clancy’s most famous character returns to the big-screen for another mind-bending action-packed outing, this time in the form of a prequel, albeit set in the present day (we did say it was mind-bending). Think of it as a reboot: a story which follows a young Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) from his tour of duty in Afghanistan to his early days in the Financial Intelligence Unit of the CIA, where, after uncovering a Russian terrorist plot to collapse the U.S. economy, he must fight to save his own life as well as others.

DEC 19

CRIME/DRAMA

AMERICAN HUSTLE

EXPECT hustling galore in this new crime drama from celebrated filmmaker David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook), who’s assembled an all-star cast to tell the story of a brilliant con man named Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who, together with his equally cunning and seductive partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams), is forced to work for wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper) to turn the tables on Jersey powerbrokers, mafia and politicians. Also stars Jeremy Renner and Jennifer Lawrence.

JAN 1

ACTION/ BIOGRAPHY/ DRAMA

CAPTAIN PHILLIPS

ALREADY a smash-hit with critics in the west (the movie scored a whopping 94 percent on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes), this pulse-pounding thriller by director Paul Greengrass examines the 2009 hijacking of the U.S. container ship Maersk Alabama by a crew of Somali pirates. Tom Hanks, in superb form, plays the Alabama’s commanding officer, Captain Richard Phillips, while Barkhad Abdi is Muse, the pirate captain who takes him hostage.

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

MEMORY LANE

NEW MUSIC BRITNEY SPEARS

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

(Release date: Dec 3)

(Release date: Jan 14)

BRITNEY JEAN

HIGH HOPES

JAKE OWEN

BROKEN BELLS

(Release date: Dec 3)

(Release date: Jan 14)

DAYS OF GOLD

AFTER THE DISCO

LEONA LEWIS

MOGWAI

(Release date: Dec 3)

(Release date: Jan 21)

CHRISTMAS, WITH LOVE

RAVE TAPES

R. KELLY

WARPAINT

(Release date: Dec 10)

(Release date: Jan 21)

BLACK PANTIES

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WARPAINT

TOPPING THE UK CHARTS DEC 1963

1. Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand 2. Swinging Blue Jeans – Hippy Hippy Shake 3. Gene Pitney – Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa 4. Singing Nun (Soeur Sourire) – Dominique 5. Shadows – Geronimo 6. Adam Faith with The Roulettes – We Are In Love 7. Elvis Presley with The Jordanaires – Kiss Me Quick 8. Chris Sandford – Not Too Little Not Too Much 9. Fourmost – I’m In Love 10. Dora Bryan – All I Want For Christmas Is A Beatle

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Entertainment|Humour

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Send your jokes to thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com

Jokes Just for fun

Entertainment|Humour

RIDING’S NO PICNIC

JOKE OF TH MONT E H

RIDING the favourite at Cheltenham, a jockey is well ahead of the field. Suddenly he’s hit on the head by a salmon sandwich and a pork pie. He manages to keep control of his mount and pulls back into the lead, only to be struck by a tin of caviar and a dozen Scotch eggs. With great skill he manages to steer the horse to the front of the field once more when, on the final furlong, he’s struck on the head by a bottle of Chardonnay and a Bakewell tart. Thus distracted, he only manages second place.

Furious he immediately goes to the stewards to complain that he’s been seriously hampered.

SHOCKING REVELATION

A NEW monk arrives at the monastery and starts to help copying old texts by hand. However, the monk notices that there are errors in the text and that the monks are copying copies, not the original books. The new monk goes to the abbot of the monastery and points out that if there was an error in the first copy, that error would be continued. The abbot agrees and decides to go and check the original books in the cellar. Hours later the abbot still hasn’t returned, so one of the monks goes to look for him. The monk hears sobbing coming from the back of the cellar and finds the abbot leaning over one of the books crying. “What’s wrong?” asks the monk. The abbot looks at him and says: “The word is ‘Celebrate.’”

HTS THOUG E H OF T MONTH

1. Interesting fact: a shark will only attack you if you’re wet.

2. A bit of advice: never read a pop-up book about giraffes.

3. If stretch limos are so great, why is it every time I drive past one, someone is trying to climb out of the window?

4. If you permed a fox, it’d look like Mick Hucknall. I think it’d be kinder to perm them than hunt them. Then they’d be too embarrassed to go out and bother the sheep.

5. I don’t understand swimming. You don’t see fish going for a walk. – Sean Lock

LIFE IN THE HOOD

RODGER comes across a man in the street wearing a parka. The hood on the parka keeps leaping about and people are throwing money into it. Tom says to the man: “Do you earn a lot doing that?”

“Yes,” says the man. “It’s my livelihood.”

GIVE US FIVE STEWART FRANCIS CHRISTMAS 1. My therapist says that I have a preoccupaCRACKER tion with vengeance…We’ll see about that.

2. My ex-girlfriend said we can work on my bladder problem together. I said, “There is no wee.”

3. Someone broke into my flat and stole my thesaurus. Anyone who steals a thesaurus is a real… um… ah…

4. My parents taught me everything except good manners. I don’t know how to thank them.

5. There’s a guy in my neighbourhood who’s in the Guinness World Records for having 43 concussions. He lives very close; in fact, just a stone’s throw away.

THREE men die in a car accident on Christmas Eve. They all find themselves at the pearly gates waiting to enter Heaven.

On entering they must present something “Christmassy” to show they remember the holiday, or off to hell they go.

The first man searches his pocket, and finds some Mistletoe, so he is allowed in.

The second man presents a candy cane, so he is also allowed in.

The third man pulls out a pair of panties.

Confused at this last gesture, St. Peter asks: “How do these represent Christmas?”

“Well…They’re Carol’s.”

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FAMILY FUN AT PLOENCHIT FAIR Featuring Christmas shopping, bargains galore, international and pub food, live entertainment, kids’ rides and games, and thousands of prizes, the 2013 edition of the popular annual Ploenchit Fair was yet another huge hit with visitors young and old (well, still young at heart). Held at Bangkok Patana School, the fair was organized by the British Community in Thailand Foundation for the Needy, which, since 2000, has donated over B55 million to Thai charities.

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MOVERS & SHAKERS AT ALOFT Entrepreneurs and executives of all nationalities ventured to Aloft Bangkok, Sukhumvit Soi 11, for the October edition of the popular Movers & Shakers Charity Networking Night, sponsored by Kingdom Property.

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HARD ROCK HORROR Zombies, witches, vampires and more creatures of the night turned out in force for Hard Rock Cafe Bangkok’s Halloween Rock Thriller Night, which featured a special performance by popular Thai rockers Big Ass and a hilarious best costume competition.

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MELBOURNE CUP CHARITY LUNCHEON The Australian-New Zealand Women’s Group (ANZWG) celebrated Australia’s major thoroughbred horse race with a funpacked luncheon at the Grand Hall, The Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Sukhumvit 22.

The event was presided over by HE James Wise, Australian Ambassador to Thailand, and HE Tony Lynch, Ambassador of New Zealand to Thailand.

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BRUNCHING ON A SATURDAY

Hotel Muse and Moët & Chandon launched its new Saturday brunch concept at the hotel’s Medici Kitchen & Bar with a full day of entertainment and groovy party tunes. Among the diners celebrating the launch of the brunch, which is now held the first Saturday of every month, were Thai celebs such as Prinya Ruenprapan, Ploenchan Ruenprapan, Savitri Paribatra na Ayudhya, Jay Spencer, Ple Jareyadee Spencer, Ston Tantraporn and Nathima Indrapana.

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IN BED WITH HEINEKEN

Bed Supperclub may have gone but its spirit still lives on in the form of Bed Concepts, a food and beverage specialist which, together with Heineken, last month unveiled its first project in Thailand, ‘In Bed with Heineken.’

Located at the rooftop of the newly branded Space 16 Building, adjacent to Column Tower on Sukhumvit Soi 16, the month-long project (ends Dec 31) will play host to some of Thailand’s most popular artists and DJs. Open daily 6pm-1am.

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BAWARCHI OPENS IN STYLE Bawarchi Group of Restaurants opened its latest branch in Bangkok, on Sathorn Road, with a special gala dinner showcasing its exquisite curries and tandoori specials. The event was presided over by the Ambassador of India to Thailand, HE Mr Anil Wadhwa.

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SPOOKY FUN AT THE PINTSMAN Spooky fun was enjoyed by a large group of revelers when The Pintsman, Silom Road, celebrated Halloween with a ‘Nightmare Party.’ Highlights of the night included a costume contest and a performance of British rock hits by the pub’s house band.

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PR ASSOCIATION The Hotel Public Relations Society hosted its annual ‘Thank The Press’ party at Paulaner Garden Restaurant, New Samakkee Road, where journalists, editors and public relations officers enjoyed a night of games, lucky draws, live entertainment, draught beer, and plates full of hearty German cuisine.

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Social|Last Month’s Best Events

COCKTAILS WITH THE STARS AETAS Lumpini, a main sponsor of “International Dance Festival 2013,” hosted an opening party for the festival featuring a night of cocktails and canapés and contemporary dance. At the event, guests could also purchase stylish AETAS hampers packed with premiere selections of wine, cider, gourmet food and many more luxurious items, with all proceeds being donated to the Friends-of-the-Arts Foundation scholarship fund.

RAMADA’S WARM WELCOME Ramada Plaza Bangkok Menam Riverside hosted a welcome cocktail reception for executives of Wyndham Hotel Group, who were attending the Asia Pacific Director of Operations Meeting and the Executive Leader Orientation Meeting, both held at the hotel.

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Social|Around Last Month’s town Best Events

ROMRAWIN’S BEAUTY SHOWCASE

ROMRARIN Clinic launched its new innovative beauty-boosting programs with a special sneak-preview event at Central Plaza Ladprao. At the event the company unveiled ‘Celeb Lift,’ an express revival facial program, and ‘Duo Max, a body shape program, to a room packed full of Thai celebs and VIPs. The treatments, designed to give users ‘celebrity style beauty,’ are now available at all branches of Romrawin Clinic. www.romrawin.com

LAND OF HAMPERS AT RATCHAPRASONG

THE PENINSULA BANGKOK CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF RIVERSIDE HERITAGE

THE Peninsula Bangkok celebrated its 15th anniversary last month with the unveiling of the hotel’s stunning Lobby and the announcement of the winner of its “Beauty Along The Chao Phraya River” photo competition at a special Media Cocktail Reception.

Staged throughout the year, the crystal anniversary celebrations also included a guest rooms refurbishment programme and a new Chefs’ Table, along with corporate responsibility and sustainability programmes for the Thai community, special packages and special menus.

The Grand Prize of the photo competition was awarded to Mr Hansa Tangmanpoowadol, who won round-trip, business class tickets for two from Bangkok to Tokyo, with three nights’ accommodation at The Peninsula Tokyo.

RATCHAPRASONG Square Trade Association (RSTA) kick-started its New Year’s shopping campaign with the launch of “The Land of Hampers,” a special initiative arranged in conjunction with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) and Visa International (Asia-Pacific) LLC, which features a wide variety of gift hampers with more than 10,000 items to choose as contents. For more info see www.heartofbangkok.com.

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TWO NEW DRINKS FOR ZOLITO

COFFEE Beanery Co., Ltd, a manufacturer and supplier of top quality coffee beans in Thailand, held a special launch event to introduce two new products under its Zolito brand: Green Tea Latte and Thai Milk Tea. The products are now available in leading supermarkets nationwide.

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Diplomats

HE General Shantha Kottegoda|Sri Lanka

From top military commander to a life of diplomacy Sri Lanka’s ambassador reveals his past as a highly decorated army general who played a leading role in ending his country’s civil war

A

By Maxmilian Wechsler

AMONGST this country’s international diplomatic corps, HE General Shantha Kottegoda, the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Sri Lanka, may well lay claim to the most remarkable entry on his CV. For this quietly-spoken, humble man is actually a highly decorated former Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, whose awards include the Weera Wickrama Vibushana Medal, conferred for individual acts of bravery of a military nature. The award is equivalent to the UK’s prestigious Military Cross. He is also a former chief of staff of the Sri Lanka Army and one of the main negotiators in bringing about the end of the civil war that tore his country apart for years.

General Kottegoda’s military career dates back to 1969 when he joined the Sri Lanka Army shortly after leaving college. Commissioned as a second lieutenant two years later, he was appointed commander of the Sri Lanka Army in July 2004.

He subsequently underwent special training at various international military institutions, including a counter insurgency and jungle warfare course in Assam, India; senior security intelligence officers’ training in the UK; Pacific Armies Special Operation course in Hawaii, USA; and at the prestigious National Defence College in New Delhi.

General Kottegoda served in the Sri Lankan armed forces during the protracted war between his country and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam (LTTE), whom he repeatedly referred to as “terrorists” during this interview. However, he not only fought them on the battlefield, he was also a member of the delegation nominated by his government at the peace negotiations facilitated by the Royal Norwegian government held in Sri Lanka, Bangkok and Oslo.

He was the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Army Buddhist Association and other organizations such as Chairman of the Defense Services Sports Board. And in 2009, he was a

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consultant for John Keells Holdings PLC, responsible for providing guidance and direction on all security related matters of the company.

He has written two publications: ‘Conflict in Sri Lanka, Challenges Faced by the Sri Lanka Army,’ and ‘Counter Terrorism – Dilemmas Faced by the Armies of the Developing World.’

General Kottegoda, who was born in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka (though his ancestors came from the south in a village that bears his family name), is renowned for his diplomatic skills. These came to the fore during the peace negotiations, some of which were conducted here in Thailand.

“Basically, I am a professional military man who served in the armed forces for 36 years and retired in December 2005,” he said. “On my retirement, I was appointed as Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Brazil from April 2006 to March 2008. This is my second assignment as Ambassador.”

Asked if it was difficult to make the transition from a military life to a diplomat, he answered: “Since my retirement from the military in 2005, I have adjusted myself to civilian life even though I still love my uniform.

“My first visit to Thailand was in 2000. As you may be aware we fought a ruthless war for 30 years with the terrorists in northern and eastern parts of Sri Lanka. We had several attempts at peace negotiations and these included three long rounds of talks in Thailand at the Rose Garden Hotel. I represented the Sri Lankan government as the military adviser.

At that time I was the chief of staff of the Sri Lanka Army.

“We negotiated there with the leaders of the terrorist group (LTTE). The government of Thailand facilitated the talks, which weren’t successful at that time because the terrorists were just using the time to regroup, reorganize and to fight again.

“Therefore, our head of state, President Mahinda Rajapaksa, finally gave orders to the armed forces to go all out and to

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destroy the terrorists. As a result, in May 2009 our armed forces successfully eliminated the terrorists. We are very grateful to the Thai government for facilitating the talks and their unconditional support to solve the problem.”

The General assumed his ambassadorial duties – usually a three-year term – in Thailand on October 15, 2011 just as Bangkok was experiencing severe flooding.

“I am the representative of President Mahinda Rajapaksa and my duty and responsibility is to work toward enhancing bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand,” he explained.

“In addition, we have over three hundred Sri Lankans living, studying or doing business in Thailand, so we are responsible for looking after their needs and providing them with consular services. I am also ambassador for Cambodia, Lao PDR and the Permanent Representative to UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific,” General Kottegoda said, adding that he enjoyed serving in Brazil.

“As ambassador to Thailand I have more responsibilities because Thailand and Sri Lanka have very close cultural and religious ties going back many centuries.

“Thailand and Sri Lanka established formal diplomatic relations in 1955 but before that we had a consulate here. We opened an embassy in 1977 and moved to the present space in Ocean Tower II on Sukhumvit Soi 19 in 1997.

“We are happy here. There are six officials including myself from Sri Lanka and four Thai nationals working at the embassy,” General Kottegoda said.

The premises of the Sri Lankan embassy are decorated with photographs of spectacular Sri Lankan Buddhist temples and the scenic beauty of Sri Lanka.

“The relations between our two countries are very good. It should be also mentioned that the governor of Ayutthaya province visited Kandy (the English name for the city of Maha Nuwara or Senkadagalapura in the centre of Sri Lanka, the last capital in the era of the ancient Kings of Sri Lanka) in August and signed an MOU declaring Ayutthaya and Kandy twin cities. At this moment there are a lot of bilateral activities between our countries in the sphere of culture, politics and tourism.”

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a serious decline under successive Portuguese and Dutch colonial rule. The ruler of the Kingdom of Kandy, Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe, then requested King Borommakot of the Ayutthaya Province to help restore Theravada Buddhism in the country to its original state. Largely as a result of this endeavor Buddhism was re-established in Sri Lanka. The revival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka reflects the unique Thai-Sri Lankan religious relationship,” General Kottegoda said.

“As for early visits, King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) paid a visit to Sri Lanka twice, in 1897 and 1907, on his way to Europe.

While there, His Majesty visited various historic shrines and temples. He laid the foundation stone for the construction of Chulalongkorn Memorial Hall at Sri Paramananda Temple in Galle. At another temple, a stone pillar was erected to commemorate the visit of the King.

“King Amanda Mahidol (Rama VIII) came to Sri Lanka with his brother, the present King of Thailand (Rama IX) and the Queen Mother in January 1939. HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej and HM Queen Sirikit paid a visit to Sri Lanka in 1950. HRH Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn paid an official visit to Sri Lanka in January 1993. HRH Princess Chulaborn visited our country in August 1999.

“More recently, President Mahinda Rajapaksa visited Thailand in June 2012 and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visited Sri Lanka in May and June of this year. We also have ongoing high-level political consultations and meetings between our countries. I would say that the good relationship between our two countries has been further enhanced by the current leaders of both countries.”

Shared culture

The Ambassador then gave some information on important visits between the two countries, starting with the latest in August when HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn visited Sri Lanka for four days at the invitation of HE President Rajapaksa. The Princess participated in several cultural events in Colombo organized by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Accompanied by President Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa, the Princess visited the Temple of the Tooth (Dalada Maligawa) in Kandy and also attended various activities and visited places of religious, historical, and cultural significance, such as monasteries and the National Museum.

“The Princess’s visit came during celebrations of the 260th anniversary of the establishment of the Siam Wong, or Siam Nikaya in Sri Lanka. In 1753 the Venerable Phra Upali Maha Thera, abbot of Wat Dhammaram in Ayutthaya, headed a delegation of Siamese monks to the Kingdom of Kandy in Sri Lanka. His mission was to ordain monks, which led to the revival of Buddhism there.

“At that time, Buddhist religion in Sri Lanka had gone into

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Diplomats

HE General Shantha Kottegoda|Sri Lanka

An eye catching performance by young drummers at the annual Sri Lankan pageant or “Perahera” in Kandy – the home of the Tooth Temple of Lord Buddha A scene from annual religious procession of Sri Lanka. The Perahera tooth relic of Lord Buddha is being carried by a tusker that leads scores of elephants behind it

Sri Lanka’s tea plantations are simply stunning

Just one of many waterfalls to explore

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Trade and tourism

“Trade between Sri Lanka and Thailand is good but could be considerably improved. The balance of trade is in favor of Thailand, which exported goods worth 2.4 billion baht in 2012.

For 2013, the figure as of July was already up to 4.6 billion baht.

Thailand imported from Sri Lanka in 2012 goods worth 1.4 billion baht and the total to July 2013 is 786 million baht.

“We import from Thailand vegetable products, garments; dry, salted and smoked fish; sugar; frozen foods; fabrics and other textile products; spare parts and accessories for motor vehicles; chemicals, iron, steel, plastics, paper, air-conditioners and parts, and other electrical machinery and parts.

“We export to Thailand rubber products, gemstones like our famous blue sapphires, which are the best in the world, jewelry, fabrics, coffee, tea, spices, chemicals, electrical machinery, household articles and furniture.”

General Kottegoda said that with the war over, the number of tourists visiting his country is rapidly increasing. “Sri Lanka has great natural scenic beauty. One of the main foreign exchange earners has traditionally been tourism, but due to the war that raged for 30 years it was brought almost to a stand-still. Now, everything has improved because Sri Lanka is now very stable, united, forward looking and still beautiful.

Tourist arrivals for 2012 from all over the world were almost one million which of course is nothing in comparison to the 22 million tourists who came to Thailand, but we are a small country. Sri Lanka is the venue for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November 2013.

“Lonely Planet has named Sri Lanka as the number one destination in the world to visit in 2013. We are looking to bring tourism up to 2.6 million visitors a year by 2016. There’s a lot of infrastructure and hotels coming up in Sri Lanka at this moment. For example, the five-star Shangri-La hotel has been built in Colombo. Investors are coming to Sri Lanka and investing in the tourist industry.

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Dambulla Cave Temple: A 2nd Century BC Golden Temple in Dambulla, 148km from Colombo and 72km from Kandy

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The elegant Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, a marvel of architectural qualities, built by King Dutugemunu in 140 B.C.

Take me to the beach: Southern Sri Lanka boasts pristine sands like this

There are many investment opportunities currently available in Sri Lanka and the Thai private sector should positively look into business ventures.

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“There are many investment opportunities currently available in Sri Lanka and the Thai private sector should positively look into business ventures, especially considering Sri Lanka as a gateway to the South Asian region.

“As ambassador to Thailand, part of my goal is to promote spiritual tourism in Sri Lanka. Almost 95 percent of the Thai population is Buddhist. Both countries mainly practice Theravada Buddhism. In the sacred city of Kandy in the central province, and the city of Anuradhapura in the north-central area, there are tooth relics of the Lord Buddha. We also have the oldest documented Bodhi tree grown from a cutting brought from India in 288 BC, from the tree under which Lord Buddha achieved enlightenment.

“Today these are the most sacred places for Buddhists.

There are so many amazing places in Sri Lanka where Thai

Surfer’s paradise: Arugamby in Eastern Sri Lanka

Buddhists can go to pay homage. Thai Buddhists in general are not educated about Sri Lanka,” added General Kottegoda.

“I don’t have exact figures on the number of Sri Lankans visiting Thailand, but I do know they have been increasing over the past two years. Most Sri Lankans come to Bangkok for shopping, tourism, sightseeing as well as business.”

Happy Thailand

“The climate in Bangkok is a little warmer than in Sri Lanka, though we have more rain,” said General Kottegoda, who is married with two children, a son and a daughter, both residing in Brisbane, Australia.

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Diplomats

HE General Shantha Kottegoda|Sri Lanka

“Thailand is a nice place, and the people are very friendly.

They have smiling faces. I like Thai food, but my wife Sonia likes it even more than I do.

“There are many nice places to visit here. Besides Bangkok and Ayutthaya, we have travelled to Kanchanaburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chon Buri and several other Thai provinces since coming here. We really like Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai – they are very beautiful.

“There’s nothing I don’t like in Thailand except the traffic in Bangkok. The drive from the embassy to my residence is normally 10 to 15 minutes, but one day I was on the road for almost two hours. Sometimes we get caught in traffic whilst going to a National Day reception. For the Russian one held at the Dusit Thani Hotel I was stuck on the road and missed it even though I left two hours early. When we have to go to pick up VIPs at the airport, this can also be a long trip at times. But despite the bad traffic, I still like Bangkok,” General Kottegoda said.

He confessed to having some difficulties with communication, “However, in Sri Lanka we have two official languages, Sinhalese, which I can speak, and Tamil, spoken

by Tamils and Muslims. English is very common as well. We have four to five daily English-language newspapers and three or four on Sunday. It is easy to communicate in English in Colombo, unlike here,” General Kottegoda said.

“Many Sri Lankans speak English because they work abroad or plan to do so. The literacy rate in Sri Lanka is about 91 percent.

Sometimes when we go to a restaurant in Bangkok it is not easy to communicate exactly what we want to order. Of course, most Sri Lankans who reside in Thailand for 10 or 15 years are able to speak Thai very well.”

year, and the visit of HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn in August. I accompanied both to Sri Lanka.

“In the regional multilateral sphere Thailand and Sri Lanka closely cooperate in the Asian Regional Forum, Asian cooperation Dialogue, Bali Process on people smuggling, and other international forums.

“In fact, in the international arena, Thailand has been very Final thoughts supportive of Sri Lanka all along, especially when the United

Nations Human Rights Council passed a US-backed resolution At the conclusion of the interview, the ambassador mentioned against Sri Lanka for violation of human rights. I must stress his most memorable experiences in Thailand so far: “First was that we didn’t violate human rights but eliminated one of the the presentation of my credentials to HRH Crown Prince Maha most ruthless terrorist outfits who were a menace to the world.

Vajiralongkorn and meeting with him on May 7, 2012. Second “The terrorists were using this region, including Thailand was the visit of my President to Thailand in 2012, followed and Cambodia, who also helped to curb them. That’s why we by the visit of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck to Sri Lanka this are so grateful to them for the support that allowed us to completely eliminate the terrorists who were one of the most brutal and ruthless terrorist THE Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, is an island country in organizations in the world. It used the Indian Ocean south of India. The country occupies an area of 65,525 kilometres with 1,330 km of car bombs and even female suicide coastline consisting of dazzling landscapes and beautiful beaches. bombers. One of them assassinated With a cultural heritage going back over 2,500 years, Sri Lanka has eight UNESCO World the former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Heritage Sites, 15 national parks with some incredible wildlife and approximately 350 waterfalls. The Gandhi in Madras in May 1991. highest mountain in Sri Lanka is Pidurutalagala (2,524 meters) and the highest waterfall is Bambara“The terrorists operated a very kanda (263 meters). There are almost half a million acres of tea under cultivation. efficient international network, The country is a republic, gaining its independence from the British on February 4, 1948. The particularly targeting the western population of Sri Lanka is more than 21 million, about 70 percent Buddhist. Sri Jayewardenepura is world. The Tamil diaspora lobbying the centre of administration and Colombo is the commercial capital of the country. was very effective. They successfully Sri Lanka is primarily an agricultural country, producing rice, sugarcane, grains, pulses, oilseed, lobbied the media and politicians. spices, tea, rubber, coconuts, milk, eggs, beef and fish. Industries include the processing of rubber, “Now all that is over. Sri Lanka is a tea, coconuts, tobacco and other agricultural commodities, telecommunications, insurance, banking, very peaceful country. In short, it is a textiles and petroleum refining. Sri Lanka exports mainly garments and apparels; tea and spices; tourist paradise.” gems including diamonds, emeralds and rubies; coconut and rubber products, and fish.

About Sri Lanka

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HUA HIN

Cha Am • Pranburi • And beyond...

Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin has launched a new beachfront dining experience perfect for lovebirds. Page 138.

News & deals

Hua Hin’s hottest promotions and deals await inside Page 138

Xmas cheer

Putahracsa Hua Hin is a top choice for festive dining this month Page 138

Birthday fun Rest Detail Hotel celebrates its fifth anniversary in style Page 140

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H ua H i n

News and Deals

Seasons eatings at Hyatt Regency Golf with a festive twist BANYAN Golf Club is getting into the festive spirit this month with some superb golf and dining promotions. First up, on Sat Dec 21, the Club will host its popular signature ‘Golf and Wine Dinner’ – tee times from 12.30pm followed by a gourmet dinner with wine (B4,300 for golf and dinner; B2,200 for dinner only). Then, on Christmas Day, from 12 Noon till 4pm the Club will serve up a sumptuous lunch buffet featuring traditional roast turkey and all the trimmings (B1,000. Half-price for kids under 12. Entertainment for kids). Capping the month, on New Year’s Eve at Banyan The Resort, is the Red Carpet Party, featuring a Thai and International Buffet, live band, and entertainment such as Khon show, Muay Thai, and Cabaret, plus various lucky draw prizes (B4,500 per person, half price for kids under 12). ☎ 032 616 200 (Banyan Golf Club) 032 538 888 (Banyan The Resort)

Festive fun at Rest Detail TWO special parties are planned this month at the delightful Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin. Swing by on Christmas Eve and you can get into the festive mood with live music, cocktails, and a sumptuous dinner (B3,500 per adult; half price for kids); and go again on Dec 31 for the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner for more gourmet eats and boozy treats (B6,500 per adult; half price for kids). ☎ 032 547 733 :restdetailhotel.com

‘TIS the season to be jolly, and, in our book, that means indulging in mountains of fabulous cuisine. You’ll be able to do just that at the Hyatt Regency Hua Hin, which is celebrating Christmas and New Year with a selection of buckle-bursting feasts. Among the highlights: A Christmas Eve Dinner at Figs Restaurant featuring a vast selection of festive favourites, live entertainment, a children’s playground, and a visit from Santa (B3,000++ per adult; B1,500 for kids aged 6-12); and the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner at the Pool Lawn, featuring a variety of food stalls, games and cultural Thai and modern dances, a DJ and live band (B5,500++ per person; B2,750++ for kids aged 6–12). Contact the hotel for a full round up of what’s on offer. ☎ 032 521 234 :huahin.regency@hyatt.com

Dining in style at Cape Nidhra

Christmas cheer at Putahracsa PUTAHRACSA Hua Hin is another top choice for dining in the town this Christmas and New Year period. The resort will kick off its celebrations on Christmas Eve with Christmas Carols and Broadway Tunes at Oceanside Beach Club and Restaurant (incl. European six-course dinner. B2,500 per person); before ringing in the New Year in style with a Roaring Twenties Gala Event, featuring live music, special performances, and a sumptuous dinner buffet (B7,300 per person; B3,650 for kids aged 4-11). These are just two of the highlights on offer this month; full details are available from the hotel. ☎ 032 531 470 :putahtacsa.com, :oceansidebeachclub.com

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LOVEBIRDS looking for a great venue for a romantic dinner should make a beeline for Cape Nidhra Hotel Hua Hin. The boutique hotel has introduced a new beach dining service which features a beautiful set up on the sands – candles, pillows, and tents – a gracious staff and, as you can imagine, a superb beachfront view.

The menu combines all the offerings from each of the hotel’s restaurants, ranging from fresh barbecued seafood and Thai cuisine to international fare. Prices start at B5,000++ for two persons. ☎ 032 516 600 :capenidhra.com

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H ua H i n

Social

Rest Detail turns five

THE delightful Rest Detail Hotel Hua Hin celebrated its fifth anniversary last month with a fun-packed party fuelled by lots of delicious food and cocktails as well as a roster of live music and special performances.

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HuaHin Di ni ng La P ai l lo te

Review

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La Paillote

Hearty portions and a homely atmosphere make this French restaurant a winner

ESTABLISHED nine years ago by Gaston Pousset, a Belgian businessman with a passion for the finer things in life – namely fine wines, hearty food, and the occasional round of golf – this cozy bistro-style restaurant serves some of the best value French food to be found in Hua Hin. Split between an outdoor terrace and an indoor dining room open on two sides, the restaurant is artfully decorated and has a modern-yet-homely feel thanks not just to its design – exposed brickwork, well-dressed tables, and a warm colour scheme blending reds, browns, and white – but also due to its approach to the dining experience: every guest is treated like a close friend.

Gaston is the perfect host. When he’s not busy preparing food with his chefs in the kitchen, he flits between tables, regaling diners with tales of his globe-trotting lifestyle and how it has

influenced his cuisine and cooking-style – a no-nonsense approach which focuses on rich, buttery flavours, and hearty portions designed to fill.

His regular a la carte menu features meaty highlights such as Grilled tuna saté (B360); Barracuda a la Provencal with Provencal herbs, olives, and caprese (B320); and Roscoff rock lobster Thermidor, shelled and gratinated (B460), as well as huge share-worthy salads like the Chicken liver salad, flambéed Pastis (B210), and flavorsome soups like the French lobster bisque (B220).

A big draw with Gaston’s regular guests are his three-course set menus.

Among them: the Chef ’s menu, which features Gazpacho soup, Pork filet with pepper sauce, and Chocolate mousse (B420); and the French menu, which offers Onion soup, Duck confit with pepper sauce, and Chocolate mousse (B590). Great value for money, the special

174 Naresdamri Rd. Hua Hin, Open daily 7am-11pm,

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menus are available for both lunch and dinner.

If your tastes are more local, you’ll find a decent selection of Thai dishes to choose from, with highlights including the wonderfully succulent Chicken satay, peanuts mustard sauce (B310), and La Paillote blue crab, yellow curry, gratinated (B340).

Capping off the dining experience are some wonderfully decadent desserts – try the Belgian dark chocolate mousse (B190) and addictive Paris-Nice pancakes, vanilla ice cream and hot chocolate (B210) – as well as a good selection of French cheeses. Wine lovers are in for a treat too, with around 20 bottles on offer for under B1,000.

With its delicious food, superb value, attentive service, and great ambience (relaxed and bright during the day; cozy and romantic in the evening), La Paillote is a great option for any dining occasion.

☎ 032 521 025 :paillote.net

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HuaHin Di ni ng Veranda G r i l l

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Veranda Grill

With ‘no signature dish’ as its motto, this quaint and tranquil restaurant has something to please every palate

THE sound of the surf provides the perfect soundtrack to a hearty feast of Thai and international delights at this relaxed beachfront restaurant at Veranda Lodge Resort.

Established 10 years ago as simply a hobby restaurant, where the resort’s owner, Khun Mae (literally mum), could cook-up recipes she’s been honing since a child, Veranda Grill is now recognized as one of the best places in town to tuck into hearty portions of deep sea delights as well as succulent steaks served with mouthwatering sides.

Located on a raised platform next to the sands, the restaurant is the epitome of chillaxing – the atmosphere is tranquil, the service is informal and friendly, and the design is simple and rustic: all warm tones, picnic-style tables and chairs, and a beach-hut-style dining room whose open

windows invite a constant cooling breeze.

Diners can also catch some rays on an outside terrace.

Khun Mae is just as passionate about her menu as she is about her resort. “We don’t have any signature dish,” she says, beaming a broad smile. “I’ve worked hard to make sure every dish on the menu is a highlight.”

Ask her about her home-made cuisine and she’ll be able to tell you about it down to the very last detail – where she got her inspiration, what the ingredients are and why she uses them, which sauces go best with which meats, and so on.

The real magic, it turns out, is her simple approach to cooking and a real respect for all ingredients used.

Among the highlights on offer are tasty appetizers like Spring rolls (B120); delicious spicy salads such as Som tam

Veranda Lodge Hua Hin, 113 Soi Hua Hin 67, Petch Kasem Rd. Open daily 7am-11pm

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with prawn/crab (B240) and Vermicelli salad (also known as Yum glass noodle B200); Fried sea bass with Thai herbal sauce (B380); and Fried sun-dried squid (B240), which is best enjoyed torn into strips with your hands and dipped into a spicy seafood sauce.

Don’t miss the Chicken curry (B280), a recipe from the King Rama V era which is packed with tamarind, fragrant chillis, potatoes and onion, and served with warm soft loaves; or, if your tastes are more western, the Tenderloin steak with mushroom sauce (B380), and Pork chop with butter and herb sauce (B350).

Ultimately, if you’re looking for tasty yet simple dishes, a family friendly atmosphere, and great service, Veranda Grill is definitely worth a visit.

☎ 032 533 678 :verandalodge.com

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Accommodation

Hua Hin Where to sleep The Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin

Villa Maroc Resort Pranburi

■ 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.

■ 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.

97/2 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 516 600

165/3 Moo 3 Paknampran, Pranburi, Tel: 032 630 771 email: rsvn@villamarocresort.com

Baan Bayan

Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa

■ This fine resort features one of Hua Hin’s finest examples of early 1900’s architectural style. The beachfront resort has been faithfully restored to its former glory by the family who once lived there. Guests staying at Baan Bayan can experience the glory of a bygone era in its colonial style structure, yet without sacrificing the modern day comforts and amenities. It has 21 rooms comprising of three suites, 10 sea view rooms and 16 rooms with views of the courtyard or tropical garden.

■ This imposing resort in the centre of Hua Hin is regarded as one of the best family hotels in the region. Accommodation features comfortable rooms and suites, providing guests with a living space that exhibits contemporary Thai design flair and good in-room amenities. There are also 11 Spa Suites available. The awardwinning White Lotus on the 17th floor of the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa offers sky-high dining at down to earth prices.

119 Petchkasem Road. Tel: 032 533 544

33 Naresdamri Road. Tel: 032 538 999

Putahracsa Hua Hin

S’MOR Spa Village & Resort

■ This stylish resort skillfully marries Mediterranean-influenced villa accommodation with the best contemporary Thai interior design flair to create a unique experience. Putahracsa is a secluded sanctuary with 36 SilkSand rooms bordering a magnificent swimming pool and mini beach. Interiors emphasize the ‘sleek and chic’ approach to modern design. The Oceanbed Villas are truly exceptional, providing some of the highest quality accommodation and service in Hua Hin. The resort features a day spa, and superb dining opportunities at Oceanside Beach Club & Restaurant.

■ 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.

22/65 Nahb Kaehat Road. Tel: 032 531 470

122/64 Takiab Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 536 800

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COAST CO PATTAYA

Kok Chang • Wong Amat • Jomtien • Bang Saray • Sattahip • Rayong

Enjoy festive feasts galore at Centara Grand Mirage this month. Page 148.

News & Deals

The Eastern Seaboard’s hottest dining and hotel promotions Page 148

Full moon fun

California Steak House offers new party night for revellers Page 148

New look

The Royal Wing Suites and Spa opens after renovations Page 150 TheBigChilli 147

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P a t t aya

News and Deal s

Seasonal specials at Hilton

Xmas Eve feasts at Centara Grand Mirage SURE, you’re by the beach, it’s hot, and it doesn’t really feel like Christmas, but you can still get into the festive spirit this yuletide – just head to a hotel like the Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort. On Christmas Eve, the resort’s Oasis restaurant will serve up a traditional buffet dinner for B1,999++ per person (incl. Glühwein, soft drinks, live entertainment and carol choir), and Flames, its beachside steakhouse, will serve up a Christmas grilled steak BBQ for B1,499++ per person (incl.

Glühwein and soft drinks). Both deals are half price for kids aged 6-12. ☎ 038 301 234 ext 4255, 4257 :centarahotelsresorts.com

Christmas gift from Amari AMARI Orchid Pattaya Resort is celebrating the festive season by offering a special accommodation package loaded with benefits, such as: accommodation in upgraded Deluxe Ocean View Room, free bottle of sparkling wine and chocolates, breakfast, complimentary Horizon Club Benefits, 20 percent discount on spa treatments, a four-course Mantra Discovery Set Dinner, and more. Terms and conditions apply. ☎ 038 418 418:amari.com

Full moon fun at Kameo Grand Rayong UNTIL March 2014, Kameo Grand Rayong’s California Steak Restaurant will celebrate each full moon with a night of live entertainment and a gourmet spread of grilled meats and a variety of hot and cold dishes. B980 per person with one glass of wine (and 15 percent discount on wine thereafter). ☎ 038 621 626 ext. 275 :kameocollection.com

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CHRISTMAS-inspired eats will take centre-stage this month at Hilton Pattaya’s superb all-day-dining restaurant Edge, where guests can savour cuisine from around the world with a wide selection of menu options in grand buffet style, including carved traditional meat and poultry, fresh seafood, BBQ meats, Mediterranean and continental dishes along with an array of traditional festive delights, while overlooking the bay. Alternatively head to Flare, on level 15, which will be offering an exclusive Christmas dinner on Dec 24 and 25. New Year’s buffets and parties also add to the fun (our pick – Horizon Bar, for great cocktails and an amazing view of the fireworks). ☎ 038 253 000 :hilton.com

Grand Luxury for Pattaya THE brand new Centara Grand Phratamnak Pattaya Resort is now open for business offering luxury accommodation only a few steps from the untouched beautiful Cozy Beach and the Royal Residence.

Designed to an ‘underwater world’ theme, the elegant resort has the feel of a luxury, private club, and features 165 guest rooms and suites, each boasting a private balcony and decked out with top quality furnishings and fittings.

Head to the rooftop, and, next to a large swimming pool, you’ll find Ruffino, a branded Italian restaurant which offers gourmet takes on traditional dishes and boasts stunning views across Pattaya Bay. Other highlights at the hotel include the all-day-dining restaurant ‘Oceana,’ and French bakery ‘Espresso.’ ☎ 038 306 337 :centarahotelsresorts.com

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P a t t aya

News and Deal s

Re-opening for transformed Royal Wing Suites and Spa THE Royal Wing Suites and Spa at the Royal Cliff in Pattaya last month held its Grand Re-opening celebration.

Mrs. Panga Vathanakul, the Managing Director of Royal Cliff Hotels Group, led the entire executive team in welcoming guests who took part in celebrating another milestone for this five-star all-suite hotel.

Guests included Privy Councilor, H.E. MR Thepkamol and M.L. Radeethep Devakula; Russian Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr Alexander Mariyasov and Mrs. Irina Mariyasova; and former Advisor to the Thai Prime Minister and founder and Chairman of the Regent’s Schools, Dr Virachai Techavijit.

Since its opening in 1986 by the HRH The Crown Prince, the Royal Wing Suites and Spa has entertained travelers from all over the world.

It was closed down for two months this year to undergo a total makeover that has given the project a stunning new ambiance while maintaining the core essence of the Royal Wing.

This transformation has included the addition of luxurious suites and an array of extra conveniences, including an exclusive new entrance, upgrade for the Royal Wing pool and surrounding landscapes, plus a completely refurbished lobby.

The suites are now furnished with Thai-inspired décor, with an opulent bedroom that extends to the lounge area and through to a luxurious marbled bathroom equipped with a circular jacuzzi and a separate walk-in rain shower.

The Presidential Suites have also undergone a luxurious transformation into a three-bedroom Presidential Heritage Suite and the two-bedroom Presidential Platinum Suite.

Situated on a 64-acre private parkland overlooking the Gulf of Thailand, the Royal Cliff Hotels Group is home to four award-winning five-star hotels.

Chef Paul hosts Bruno’s wine dinner BRUNO’S Restaurant & Wine Bar in Pattaya, which recently celebrated its 17th anniversary, is holding a wine dinner featuring a special menu created by Chef Paul on Monday, on December 9, with cocktails from 6.45pm followed by dinner at 7.30 pm sharp. The cost is B2,500 net per person.

Highlights of the five-course dinner include Seared goose liver over porcini mushroom risotto, and Braised beef cheeks with sage and

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Prune stuffed pork loin over soft polenta. Each course is matched with some excellent wines, such as Barbera d’Alba DOC 2010 and Barolo DOCG 2009.

Chef Paul, who was born on the Mediterranean island of Malta but now holds Canadian citizenship, acquired his passion for traditionally prepared ‘Slow’ food at an early age and developed his love of cooking after moving to Canada as a teenager.

Upon completion of culinary school at Calgary’s renowned SAIT, Chef Paul went on to head some of the city’s finest establishments like Savoir Faire and Hotel Art’s Saint Germaine’s.

Since 2008, he has made Thailand his home, and worked as Executive Chef at Bosco in Hua Hin and Anantasila, also in Hua Hin, before joining Bruno’s.

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P a t t aya

Social

Hilton Pattaya celebrates its third anniversary

HILTON Pattaya marked its third anniversary last month by hosting a merit-making ceremony at the property. Led by Mr. Rudolf Tröestler, General Manager of Hilton Pattaya, the day’s activities also included an anniversary lunch followed by a surprise birthday party for one of the hotel’s team members, featuring numerous games and competitions for staff to enjoy.

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Pattaya Di ni ng Out Ed g e

Review

Sunday Brunch at Edge

H

Hilton Pattaya’s all-you-can-eat banquet is one of the best value feasts in town

HILTON Pattaya’s signature all-daydining restaurant is known for serving some of the finest feasts in town – each day of the week it takes on a different theme, ranging from Monday’s popular Post Weekend Barbecue (B420) to Friday’s great-value Seafood and Wine Buffet (just B980 and B800 per guest) – but everyone knows that the best day to visit is Sunday for brunch.

Why? Well the Sunday brunch banquet has been carefully designed to please gourmets and gluttons alike, and as such features a huge spread of Asian and Mediterranean dishes alongside made-toorder pasta and risottos and a wealth of steak and seafood options.

And that’s not even half of it. Also included in this generous spread of salivainducing cuisine is a chilled seafood and caviar station, a raw surf and turf station, Japanese sushi and sashimi, noodles and wonton dishes, freshly-tossed salads, late morning pastries, a choice of cereals and

fruits, smoothies and yoghurt drinks, an extensive cheese collection, cakes, pastries, pancakes, waffles, home-made ice creams, and much more.

Head to the grill station with an empty plate and you can fill it up with highlights such as Pan fried escalope foie gras; Classic burgers with ketchup, mustard and pickles; and even Australian beef strip loin served with grilled tiger prawn, roast vine tomatoes, hand-cut chunky oven chips, and a dollop of chillibeer cream. Delicious.

Another popular choice is the Pan fried escalope foie gras, which comes with toasted brioche, fig compote, pear and grapes, balsamic reduction, or a caramelized apple and red berry sauce; and don’t miss the delightful Lobster risotto and Shrimp ravioli, which are cooked fresh to order at the adjacent pasta and risotto station.

Don’t worry about hanging around clutching your plate while you wait for

333/101, Moo 9 Nong Prue, Banglamung, Pattaya.

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your food to be cooked – simply leave a token with the chefs and your dish will be brought to your table as soon as it’s ready. Even then you won’t have to wait long; such is the efficiency of the kitchen operation, all your orders of grilled rock lobster, tiger prawns, blue crab and aforementioned steaks are likely to arrive at the table in quick succession.

Located on the hotel’s 14th floor, Edge boasts a sweeping view of the Gulf of Thailand and Pattaya beach, and it makes the most of this superb vista thanks to a dramatic floor-to-ceiling window which lines the front of the restaurant.

Carefully considered seating gives almost every diner the chance to admire the visual splendour beyond the glass, and, even better, there’s even an outdoor terrace equipped with large cushioned chairs.

Priced at just B1,200 per person, this great value Sunday brunch is not to be missed.

☎ 038 253 000 Open daily for lunch 12pm-2.30pm; dinner 6pm-10pm. Sunday Brunch 12pm-3.30pm.

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Travel

Deals and Promo t i o n s GLOW Trinity Silom: Until the end of the year, the

s ’ e t a M s rate

‘Stay 3 Nights and Save 20%’ offers rates starting at B1,520 per night for a Superior Room, including free Wi-Fi. Also available for Deluxe Room and Premier Room. ☎ 02 231 5050 :glowbyzinc.com/silom

S.M. Grande Residence:

From now until Dec 31, the ‘Stay 3 Nights & Save 20%’ promotion offers rates starting at B2,440 when booking a Deluxe, One Bedroom or Two Bedroom room, for three consecutive nights or more. ☎ 02 656 0818 :smgrandebangkok.com

amily f r o s d ?

Frien hailand t T g n i t i vis w abou o n k m Let the e deals thes

Northgate Ratchayothin: Until the end of the year the hotel is offering a ‘Stay 4 Nights & Save 25%’ when booking a Studio Room for four consecutive nights or more. Rates start at B1,650 for two persons. ☎ 02 939 7949 :northgatebangkok.com Ambassador Hotel Bangkok: Available for booking till Dec 20 and stays until Jan 5, the hotel’s ‘Festive Season Package’ offers its Superior Room at B2,500++ per room per night, Deluxe Room at B3,000++ per room per night, and Superior Suite Room at 4,500++ per room per night. The package includes daily breakfast for two, an hour foot massage for two, BTS one-day pass for two, and more. ☎ 02 254 0444 Ext. 1220-4 :amtel.co.th The St Regis Bangkok: The hotel’s ‘New Year’s Eve Package’ offers two-nights’ accommodation during the New Year (Dec31-Jan 1) in The Penthouse for six people at B790,000++. The package includes daily breakfast at The Penthouse, an eight-course private New Year’s Eve dinner, six spa treatments in the privacy of The Penthouse, and much more. ☎ 02 207 7777 :stregisbangkok.com

Imperial Queen’s Park: In conjunction to the

hotel’s events during Christmas and New Year (See our Season’s Eatings round up), the hotel’s ‘New Year’s Eve Accommodation Package’ offers one nights’ accommodation in a Deluxe Room (includes breakfast for two and a bottle of sparkling wine on arrival) to anyone who books any of the festive events (at B2,557++ per night). Valid from Dec 23-Jan 2. ☎ 02 261 9000 Ext. 4022 :imperialhotels. com/imperialqueenspark

Holiday Inn Bangkok Sukhumvit 22: Throughout December, the hotel’s ‘Executive Lounge

Package’ offers guests the benefit of the hotel’s executive lounge for an additional B1,000 when they book a Deluxe or Premier Room. Highlights include daily breakfast buffet, evening cocktails and snacks, all day access to the lounge with complimentary coffee, tea and soft drinks, and free Wi-Fi. ☎ 02 683 4888 :holidayinn.com/bangkok22

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Starwood Hotels & Resorts: From now until March 2014,

Starwood Preferred Guest (SPG) members and MasterCard cardholders who book a consecutive three-night stay at participating Starwood Hotels & Resorts across Asia Pacific will receive the third night free. :spg.com/mastercard3for2

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