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FIND OUT WHAT’S HOT IN BANGKOK
February 2013 08 INSIGHT News, letters, gossip and more 25 EXPAT WOMEN Health, shopping, people, and advice 36 SCHOOL REPORT A round up of news from Bangkok’s best international schools 47 GOURMET A round up of all the best restaurant deals and gourmet events in Bangkok 64 HOT NEW RESTAURANTS A quick round up of what’s new, what’s returned, and what’s coming up 80 VALENTINE’S DINING Where to have a romantic meal in Bangkok 90 TUK TUKS GO ELECTRIC Built using Dutch know-how, the kingdom’s iconic three-wheelers are charged up and ready to go 95 WHAT’S ON Exhibitions, performance, sport, networking – we’ve got this month’s best events all wrapped up 109 SOCIAL Last month’s best events in pictures 129 DIPLOMATS Maxmilian Wechsler talks to H.E. Mikael Hemniti Winther, Denmark’sambassador to Thailand 135 TRAVEL Deals and news from Thailand’s hottest destinations
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What’s the big deal about kissing? With Valentine’s Day approaching, get set for an outbreak of irrational behaviour, with people apparently risking their health going mouth-to-mouth. Why? SNOG, smooch, smackeroo, peck, sucking face, lip action, clinch, or in other words, kiss. It’s just about the most intimate thing that can happen between two people. After all, even Julia Roberts made it clear to Richard Gere (in the movie Pretty Woman, of course) that she didn’t do mouth-to-mouth contact with clients. While sex can be a purely physical act, kissing is definitely a sign of emotion; love, affection, passion. That explains why there is an endless variety of kisses, from the friendly peck on the cheek, the social mwah mwah, the air kiss, and the probing tongue-in-the-mouth French kiss. It is the ultimate display of prowess, of sexual savvy, without having to take your clothes off. But what is the rationale for kissing in the first place? Is it an instinctive display of affection and passion? Or is it a cultural phenomenon, first
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practiced by western barbarians, and then followed by their eastern counterparts with the advent of the silver screen, Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh? There are several theories, in fact, according to research carried out by people in the dubious scientific field of Sex Studies. One explanation is that kissing is an adult extension of suckling as a baby, providing a satisfying and pleasurable feeling of close maternal contact. Another suggests it is a reflection of the feeding act carried out by birds and beasts where the mother chews the foods and regurgitates the mush to feed it, mouth to mouth, to her baby. Cavemen went in search of a potential partner’s pheromones, sniffing out the scent that plays a major role in sexual attraction. Musk deer do it, why not man? Grunt, grunt! Then there’s the theory that early man needed to obtain extra salt in hot weather to cool them down, which they obtained by licking each other’s faces. Yuck! None of these seem remotely linked to the romantic image of kissing that has since evolved. The
scientific analysis of the kiss seems to have carried much more weight. According to the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, it’s the mass of nerve endings located in the lip muscles that cause the electric charge experienced during the kiss. Furthermore, the area of the brain that deals with the mouth is actually larger than that concerned with genitals. Perhaps that’s why a lot of people find eating such an emotionally satisfying experience, too! Both rate high on the feel-good factor ranking. It has been proven that the human mouth is infested with germs and bacteria of all kinds, both good and bad. If you were bitten by a dog and by a man, the man’s bite is more likely to become infected, so they say. “My neighbour’s dog licked my daughter’s face,” lamented a horrified mother in a letter to Dear Abby. “Is my daughter due to come down with some dreadful disease?” To which Dear Abby replied, “Your daughter won’t, but perhaps the dog will!” Kissing a dog is evidently safer than kissing your partner! Do Thai people kiss? Of course they do, though Thais
have a unique method of sniffing, called ‘hom,’ as yet another alternative. Hom is usually a display of affection by an older person towards a younger one. A grandmother may hom her grandchild on the cheeks or the head, but it is a purely one-sided affair. And though mouth-tomouth kissing between men and women does exist in Thai society, it is still considered a very private act of affection, and any public display would be deeply frowned upon. Holding hands is still about as far as social norms will allow, which is not far from the British tendency to turn one’s head at any public display of affection, pretending it isn’t happening. The Italians and the French, meanwhile, are renowned for their public oral foreplay. No measly germs are going to put them off this scintillating activity that seems to make world go round. So go ahead and kiss on Valentine’s Day. Mwah mwah! - Grizelda de Bitche
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PUBLISHER Colin Hastings editorbigchilli@gmail.com MANAGING EDITOR Adam Purcell adambigchilli@gmail.com EDITOR Nina Hastings ninabigchilli@gmail.com SALES & MARKETING MANAGER Rojjana Rungrattwatchai sendtorose@gmail.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Thana Pongsaskulchoti thanabigchilli@gmail.com ACCOUNTING MANAGER Saranya Choeyjanya fatcatbigchilli@gmail.com ART & PRODUCTION Arthawit Pundrikapa, Jaran Lakawat PHOTOGRAPHY Mini Bike Gang and WJ CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Anette Pollner, Howard Richardson, Johanna DeKoning, Maxmilian Wechsler, Paul Hewitt, Ruth Gerson
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.
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Insight
Inbox|Have your say
letters OUR call to arms to clean up Pattaya’s seas (December 2012. P.6) struck a chord with many readers, especially those based on the Eastern Seaboard who have watched the waters become increasingly polluted while the authorities turn a blind eye. Below are just a few of the responses we have received. If you missed the article, check out December’s emag at issuu.com/bigchilli (it’s free!), or head to the features section of our website (thebigchilli.com).
POLLUTION HERE TO STAY ■ SADLY, I don’t think we stand a chance here. Pollution is not just coming from the under-educated; I see it from wealthy Thais and foreigners also, especially in Pattaya where everyone comes to party. Much of the pollution is luxury, nonessential items, like coffee cups and plastic straws, cigarette butts, or effluent from hotels and ships. It takes 20 years for a generation to be replaced; have we really got 40 years to wait for the new stewards of the planet to take over the mess which we will have left? The media pump out vanity, beauty and status, and we keep sucking it up. I feel like one of the only sane people on a bus that is heading off a cliff, I am yelling slow down guys, and everyone is saying “have another drink Craigo!” On a positive note: I have started a keyhole garden at our club, where you can bring your organic kitchen waste to add to the herb garden. I also make a point of picking up a few pieces of rubbish every time I go to the sand, or most places I go. I do this as an ambassador of Australia and as an employer in Thailand. I make a point of picking up other peoples butts in front of them. Got to tell you, it is a lonely stance. After eight years of working on the beach, I feel like disappearing into the mountains, but there is nowhere to hide from pollution, deforestation, corruption and the empty soul of the consumption economy. Craig, via thebigchilli.com
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TIME TO TAKE ACTION
■ FANTASTIC to finally see this as important news. It is nothing new to us, living at the beach in Pattaya, Jomtien, and very frustrating to see the worsening situation. I have copied your article and will distribute it around surf and kiteclubs, restaurants and bars. Hopefully the foreign community picks it up and does what it can. A problem is that the local community does not read English and laws are not enforced by Thai authorities. Thais are usually the owners of the major polluting institutions, many of which pump sewage into the klongs which end up in the sea. Numerous times we have written to several websites, including the mayor’s (but our post was taken off after five minutes), about people getting sick and having rashes. We have even sent pictures. But NOTHING has been done, and no action is being taken. What CAN we do to make the people who can make a difference SEE the terrible state the sea is in?? Ingrid, kiteboarder, artist and sea lover.
GLOBAL ISSUE ■ NICE article! David Bell is so right about his complaints. I have noticed the same. The other day our boat got almost stuck in a field of plastic/rubbish. Unfortunately the pollution is not only becoming critical in Thailand, but everywhere in the world. Have you heard about the “Plastic Island?” (See YouTube). This is frightening... Olaf Reese, via Facebook
DOWN IN THE DUMPS ■ The article ‘Save Our Seas’ really made me sad. And the situation’s getting worse. When will people realize? Lasia Casil, via Facebook
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News|Local interest
Former BCCT Chairman awarded MBE
■ FORMER British Chamber of Com-
merce Thailand (BCCT) Chairman Graham Macdonald has joined a select group of British nationals here to win recognition in Queen Elizabeth’s New Year honours list. Birmingham-born Graham, 53, has been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) for “services to British business interests in Thailand.” Professionally, he is one of the founders and managing director of the Bangkok-based advisory business MBMG Group. Although the award was announced only recently, Macdonald was contacted last year by the then British Ambassador to Thailand Mr Asif Ahmad, who said he was putting his name forward for due recognition. “I was shocked when I received his call,” said the 18-year veteran of Thailand’s business scene.”It came out of the blue.” He believes that his work with the BCCT’s main board over a period of some 14 years, coupled with his involvement in various charity projects, were the main reasons for receiving the award. The latter include the Royal British Legion Thailand, Care for Kids, the Lighthouse
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Club and World of Wine, a wine distribution business that donates its profits to charities. Macdonald will travel to the UK in May to collect his award from the Queen. “I was offered three choices, actually. I could have received the award by post, or from the British Ambassador in Bangkok, or from the Queen at Buckingham Palace. My wife made it abundantly clear which it would be.” A former national sales manager for Rentokil in the UK, Macdonald first came to Thailand in 1994 on the suggestion of a British solicitor with links to this country. The idea was to come over for six months and then go back to the UK to look for a job there. It did not quite work out that way as he stayed on and in late 1993 he and fellow Brit Paul Gambles set up MBMG Group. Over the years, the joint venture has grown considerably and now offers a range of financial services and advice to expatriates, including personal investment and tax planning, insurance, accounting, audit, property funding, plus legal matters. Macdonald welcomes recent changes in regulations introduced by the British government regarding the activities and qualifications of independent financial advisers, as well as the fees they are now permitted to levy, saying the new rules will help to make this business sector “more transparent.” As part of its core activities, the MBMG Group offers extensively researched advice on investment in major companies and a number of multi-asset funds worldwide, including onshore in UK. The group does not have its own funds, adds Macdonald, and keeps clients fully informed of any changes in their investment portfolio. Macdonald is currently president of the South African Thai Chamber of Commerce, and since April 2011, has been a director of the Board of Trade of Thailand. Another Brit honoured in the New Year list is Pattaya-based Bert Elson, secretary of the Royal British Legion. He has been awarded a British Empire Medal for “services to the British community in Thailand.”
Hot gossip • Never mind the menu price, this is what we charge WHEN questioned about the higher-thanexpected cost of a dish appearing on the final bill, the owner of a local restaurant replied thus: “Oh, I’ve changed the price of that particular item, but haven’t changed what appears on the menu.” So, when was the dish increased in price? “Last week,” responded the proprietress. And when will you change what’s written on the menu? “Next time I reprint the menu,” she duly noted. When’s that? “No plans.”
• Phuket’s taxi mafia bans rivals THE local ‘mafias’ in Phuket are really getting their grips on many aspects of the island’s tourism business. It may be ok for hotel limousines to collect from and send guests to the airport, but woe betide any driver or operator that attempts to transport them on trips around Phuket. The taxi brethren believe that’s their business and definitely won’t allow such journeys to happen.
• Buffet customers who can’t get enough HOTEL buffets have become prime targets for customers who simply can’t get enough of the food on display and want to take some home. One lady who would regularly tip meat and vegetables secretly into foil and plastic bags, apparently and thoughtfully for her husband’s dinner, was recently apprehended and banned from a five-star establishment – only to reappear shortly after at another top hotel where, as far as anyone knows, she continues to steal more than her fair share of the buffet. Then there’s the journalist who readily admits regularly salting away cheese from the buffet into plastic boxes “to eat later.” And back in town for the winter season is the infamous Eastern European who does his best to singlehandedly consume the entire buffet spread. Yet, despite hours of non-stop gorging, he remains as skinny as a pencil. How does he do it? A couple of fingers down the throat, according to witnesses to his retching in the hotel toilets.
• Green car rallies an oxymoron SOME car companies are really beggaring belief when they trumpet self-serving campaigns intended to save mankind from environmental disaster. How else can anyone explain their “green car rallies” to the country’s national parks? With hordes of vehicles polluting the atmosphere as they chase each other through the last remnants of wilderness here, it surely won’t be long before petrol stations and car showrooms are added to the landscape.
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Want to interact with your favourite magazine? Check out our new website!
■ THE BigChilli website recently underwent a digital makeover and we’re so happy with the results that we thought we’d brag about it here. Still a work in progress, the website will just keep getting better every day – filled with more juicy pictures of Bangkok’s best parties, and more videos of events, travel, musicians, and personalities on our brand new BigChilli TV. Exciting events and promotions will be posted on the site’s What’s On pages, and we even plan to feature additional content on top of our usual features – extended Q&As, audio clips and the like. If you want to read the latest issue of The BigChilli you’ll
find our emag waiting for you on the website’s homepage. Click on the top banner and you’ll even be directed to Issuu.com, our online newsagent, where you can also read back copies for free. Best of all – we’re shifting the focus of the website to be less about us and more about you, our readers. We want to give you a platform where you can share your thoughts, comment on stories, and easily get in touch with us and other expats. The new BigChilli Forum is perfect for this, allowing you to sign in as a member and share your views and post classifieds – for free! We look forward to interacting with you. The BigChilli
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News|Drug issues
Suffering from hay fever? Too bad. Relief is not at hand Thailand’s restrictions on medicines to thwart illegal production of ‘ya-ba’ has massive unseen side effect By Maxmilian Wechsler
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MILLIONS of people living in Thailand, including myself, suffer from allergic rhinitis (AR) – sometimes described as “hay fever” or a ‘‘permanent cold.” But help is not at hand as the pseudoephedrine-containing medicines most effective for treating AR have been banned for public sale or had restrictions placed on them by the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) since April 2012. The reason is that the common decongestant pseudoephedrine is a chemical precursor used in the production of methamphetamine tablets – better known as “ya-ba” in Thai, meaning “crazy medicine.” Medicines containing pseudoephedrine are used to open bronchial passages and to relieve nasal congestion, asthma, hay fever and even the common cold. Calls for tight regulation of the medicines became widespread after it was revealed by authorities in April that at least 45 million pseudoephedrine containing tablets had disappeared from many private, public hospitals and clinics in Thailand. It is
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assumed that these facilities, instead of using the medicines to treat patients, diverted their supplies to the drug gangs in Myanmar, who then extracted the pseudoephedrine to produce ya-ba. An investigation conducted by The BigChilli confirmed that pharmacies, clinics and hospitals rigorously follow the MOPH regulations because the punishments for violation include steep fines or imprisonment. This may or may not be good news for drug suppression efforts, but it makes it difficult for people suffering from AR and other illnesses to receive proper treatment and relief. Which begs the question: surely there’s a way of allowing sufferers access to the medicines they need and at the same time keep them out of the hands of the drug producers. A letter to the Bangkok Post last October headlined “Hay fever hassles,” from Ken Albertsen, sums up the situation well: “I suffer from hay fever (allergy to pollen and city dust). In the US and Europe, it is a problem once per year,
each spring. In Thailand, it’s twice per year, in October and in February/March. There’s an over-the-counter, inexpensive common brand drug, similar to aspirin, which works well for me. It so happens it contains pseudoephedrine, which is a chemical copy of ephedrine, which is a mild plant-based antihistamine. So far, so good. “However, in the past year there have been reports of a few Thai doctors who abused their positions by purchasing antihistamine pills in bulk, and sold them to people who made illegal drugs. Because of that, a simple, cheap benign antihistamine is no longer allowed to be sold in pharmacies or health clinics in Thailand. It now requires a hospital visit, with all the added time and expense just to get a few pills. “The current restrictions on pseudoephedrine are ridiculous. If officials have a problem with a pharmaceutical item, they can limit customers to purchase only one small packet of the antihistamine at a time. The law, as it stands, makes it a hassle for people in Thailand with allergies.”
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AR a common problem worldwide AR is an inflammation of nasal passages, usually associated with watery nasal discharge and itching of nose and eyes. It is not only a problem in Thailand. For example, AR affects about 20% of the American population and ranks as one of the most common illnesses worldwide. Besides pollens and other outdoor allergens, AR is caused by dust mites, cockroaches, molds and the fur and skin (dander) of animals, including dogs and cats. There is no cure. The best course is to avoid the things that cause the allergy – if possible. Allergy testing is vital to identify the exact indoor allergen at fault, and it is necessary to clean your house thoroughly and often to get rid of dust, animal dander or molds. A study conducted in Thailand and published by the Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand in May 2012 said: “Allergic rhinitis is a common problem in many countries. The incidence of allergic rhinitis is about 10-25% of the population and increasing worldwide, especially in large cities where air pollution is the main problem causing respiratory illness. In Thailand, the surveys of allergic rhinitis on children found a prevalence from 13-44%, while the prevalence of allergic rhinitis in Thai adults was as high as 20%.” This would mean that more than 13 million Thais are affected, as the current population is about 69.5 million. The study revealed that the incidence of allergic rhinitis and other atopic diseases appears to be increasing when compared with previous reports. The most common allergen that sufferers had been sensitized to was mite mix, similar to other studies, but sensitization to cockroaches was found to be significantly more common than previously reported.
Pharmacy sur vey The BigChilli visited dozens of pharmacies in and around Bangkok and requested medicines that used to be easily available and extremely effective against AR, but not a single pharmacist would sell them at any price. “It is not worth the risk,” said one pharmacist who owns a large drug store on Rama IV Road. “I don’t want to pay a large fine or go to prison.” He and others suggested me to go to a hospital. Some pharmacists recommended
other drugs to minimize the symptoms of AR, but none was effective on me. Instead, one medicine in particular caused drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, lack of energy, ataxia, dry mouth and made it difficult to pass urine. Some of these side effects lasted for two days. I really felt miserable. Maybe the MOPH should ban this drug as well! A pharmacist at one large wholesale outlet said that they can no longer help patients with AR and that many people had complained that other drugs don’t work or work too slowly, and have many side effects. I can confirm that! A pharmacist at a major private Bangkok hospital said: “Because of a limited supply of certain drugs, our doctors can only prescribe a maximum of 20 tablets, per patient per day, of Maxifed or other AR drugs like Actifed. This is our hospital policy. Recently we were totally out of stock and couldn’t help patients. We can get only 200-300 Maxifed tablets for the whole hospital each month. You better get your prescriptions quickly because we run out by the end of the month. “Each month our
hospital must send to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the Ministry of Public Health a list of patients who have been prescribed the medicine. They don’t tell us how many pills we can give to each patient, but if one patient gets too many then it will raise suspicions and possibly an inquiry. We must also send them inventory details.” When asked who is the FDA, the phamacist said: “the agency’s role, among other duties, is to control the production, distribution, import, export and possession of narcotics and psychotropic substances which are legally used for medical and scientific purposes as well as the implementation and enforcement of the law.” Mr Kritchapoj Thananuprawat, president of Drugstores Club of Thailand, said that, following the ban, most pharmacies have opted to supply customers with phenylephrine-based cold
pills instead, but a number of customers have complained that phenylephrine has proved ineffective for the relief of allergy and cold symptoms.
What doctors say Doctors at private hospitals I visited claimed to be limited to the prescription of only 10 or 20 tablets at a time. At three tablets per day this will only last a week. If you need more you have to visit the doctor again, which becomes quite expensive. A doctor in one private hospital charged me 500 baht for the prescription of 20 Maxifed tablets (each containing 60mg of pseudoephedrine) which cost 100 baht. With other charges the total came to 730 baht! When I returned a week later he graciously declined to charge for the visit, partly from a disagreement about the restrictions imposed by the FDA, but after other hospital fees the total still came to 230 baht. At another private hospital, a doctor said he could only prescribe 10 Maxifed tablets at a time. The other two hospitals I visited ran out of effective AR medicines and were waiting for the next shipment. So it is all very confusing, time-consuming and also expensive to find proper treatment for AR. One doctor suggested solving the problem by having an operation that will cost 70,000 to 80,000 baht! Doctors at all private hospitals I talked to disagreed with the restrictions imposed on drugs containing pseudoephedrine. One said: “We have had many patients coming here looking for medicines they used to take routinely but now cannot find. Our hospital has limited stock and will run out soon.” He
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News|Drug issues
confirmed that the hospital is enforcing tight restrictions as to how many pills he can prescribe. “This is hard to understand,” he said. Another doctor called the restrictions “unnecessary.”
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Flow of ya-ba continues unabated Meanwhile, an officer attached to the anti-narcotic police who spoke on condition of anonymity said that the ban on medicines containing pseudoephedrine had had no visible effect on the flow of ya-ba into Thailand. According to figures obtained from media reports since the ban was imposed in April, the Thai authorities have seized over 46 million ya-ba tablets throughout Thailand: 2,477,740 in May; 5,824,868 in June; 3,176,400 in July; 2,877,400 in August; 6,356,173 in September; 10,938,000 in October; 3,197,622 in November; 4,229,559 in December; and, as The BigChilli went to the press, 7,208,239 pills had been seized in January. And this includes only large seizures – there were many small ones, too. So, the ban on allergy medicines has done little to stop the production and smuggling of ya-ba. Some large seizures of ya-ba were also made in other countries neighboring Myanmar, such as China, Bangladesh and Laos, as well as within Myanmar itself, so it’s safe to say that the ban on allergy medicines has not stopped the production
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According to figures obtained from media reports since the ban was imposed in April, the Thai authorities have seized over 46 million ya-ba tablets throughout Thailand. or smuggling of ya-ba in the region. The police officer estimated that what is actually seized by the Thai authorities is about 10 percent of what gets through. He also said that the ya-ba manufacturers in neighboring countries can find precursors to manufacture yaba, as well as crystal methamphetamine (“ice”), in many places. The ya-ba producers – who include a number of armed militias inside the Shan State
of Myanmar besides the popularly mentioned Wa ethnic group, who live in an autonomous region in northern part of the state, bordering China and Laos – have a lot of financial resources and are able to find what they need, including precursors. This will continue as long as the demand for the drug remains so high, said the officer. “I doubt that the producers are really missing the drugs from Thai hospitals,” he added. He said that ya-ba tablets now sell throughout Bangkok for between 300 to 400 baht per pill. Some dealers cut the tablets into as many as four portions and sell them to people who can’t afford a whole pill.” The police officer said the machines used to produce ya-ba are manufactured in China and are easy to buy and send to the labs in the Shan State. The price for the cheapest single press machine, which can produce about 5,000 tablets per hour, is about US$ 900, and there are a variety of models available. A press that can make 43,000 to 100,000 tablets per hour costs US$ 4,000 upwards. “These machines are easy to bring to Myanmar and can be set up in a small room. Some labs have several such machines. You can calculate how many tablets one machine can produce in a month,” the officer said. Ya-ba tablets are smuggled into Thailand usually come in a reddish-orange or green colour and may carry logos like “WY” or “R.” Ya-ba pills are usually melted and the vapor inhaled, or crushed into a powder which is snorted or mixed with solvent and injected. People who take ya-ba may display violent behavior, anxiety, paranoia, depression, sleep disorders, confusion, dizziness, dry mouth nausea and euphoria. Some of the long-term effects are black teeth, weight loss, tremors, hair loss, psychosis, memory loss, stroke (due to damage to small blood vessels in the brain), liver or kidney damage. Other risks are increased blood pressure and rapid heartbeat. Overdose can lead to convulsions, hyperthermia and death.
Conversation with the FDA In a telephone conversation, an official from the Narcotic Control Division of the FDA confirmed that her agency had received complaints from Thai patients concerning the ban on certain medicines that minimize the symptoms of AR.
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Insight
Business|Q&A
Know My Company: Kingdom Property
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Building on past success: Nigel Cornick
With luxury developments such as Southpoint Pattaya currently in development, the former Raimon Land boss looks set to emulate his past achievements and add more accolades to his name
Welcome back to the property industr y. Please tell us about Kingdom Property and what you are doing? You could say that I have never been away. After leaving Raimon Land I became a Director of Golden Land and was involved in several large real estate transactions including Hemaraj’s acquisition of 228 rai on Koh Larn before becoming involved with Kingdom Property – a property services company originally established in 1994. In 2009 I acquired a shareholding in it and have since then invested directly into development opportunities of which Southpoint Pattaya is the first condominium project. That has been backed by financing from Krung Thai Bank, which we were delighted with for our first project – especially as the bank is such a revered institution in Thailand. We have moved quite quickly and over the last seven months have established a 10 billion baht pipeline for two projects, both of which are based in Pattaya. Southpoint is the first – valued at 2.5 billion baht, and the other a retail and hospitality project called The Bay, valued at 7.5 billion baht. What is the focus of Kingdom Property? We are focusing on real estate development in Pattaya in the residential, hospitality and retail sectors. I believe Pattaya offers great opportunities for quality developments. Its access to Bangkok combined with the booming industrial areas on the Eastern Seaboard and the tourism industry, that some reports claim will deliver eight million hotel guest arrivals in 2012, offers a compelling prospect. Thai, Chinese, Russian, Japanese, Hong Kong and Singapore are the main buyer and investor markets for us, which largely represent the top tourism arrivals nationalities.
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You were at Ramon Land for 12 years and that is how many people still remember you. How do you look back on those years? I look back on that time with a lot of pride as I think Raimon Land made great progress as a company and I hope we helped to put Thailand on the international property map for high quality luxury residential condominiums – which is what we were doing and it was where the market was at the time certainly. I am proud of the local and international awards we won during my time there – a total of 10 I believe, including two consecutive Best Developer Thailand Property Award. These awards demonstrated a level of recognition and appreciation by peers in the industry which was satisfying. What were some of the highs and lows of your time at Raimon Land? I think the biggest highlight has come subsequent to my departure, which can be the case in property development as it is a long-term business. The River was one of the most ambitious and innovative projects that Bangkok has seen and in my view it raised the bar, certainly for design and architecture, but also in the way it was built utilizing world leading construction and engineering firms. This has made it stand out as an icon on Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River. While I was not there to collect the award I was delighted for the team as The River won Best Condominium Development 2012 at both the Thailand and South East Asia Property Awards. I fully believe that 185 Rajadamri will also scale similar heights raising the bar again for luxury condominiums in Bangkok. We also did a lot of community work with organisations such as Habitat For Humanity and the Mercy Centre, which we
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Business|Q&A
were pleased to accomplish and make a meaningful social contribution – a commitment we are continuing with Kingdom Property, supporting the development of young sailors at Royal Varuna Yacht Club to promote and build the sport in Pattaya; and supporting the People Eye Care Foundation of Thailand, through the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce, among others. In terms of lows – not many actually as I enjoyed my time at Raimon and I am not doing things much different now honestly. I still work with the same fantastic teams that were at Raimon. However, one thing I would say is that after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Raimon Land’s major financier in 2008, I am more conscious now of cash flow assumptions and projections. Are you working with any former colleagues as you have put the Kingdom team together? Yes there are a few former colleagues with Kingdom now. Former Sales and Marketing Director Henri Young is one. He left Raimon around the time I did to join Sime Darby Property in Malaysia before returning to Thailand last year. He is very able and experienced, thinks out of the box and is a big champion of innovation – so a big asset to us. Others are key contracting partners working on Southpoint such as SODA (lead design and interiors) – who also did the interiors on the newly opened W Bangkok – The Beaumont Partnership (master planning), Colin K. Southpoint Okashimo and Associates (landscape), and Meinhardt (MEP and structural engineering). It is a pleasure to work with people of this calibre. It has been a bit like getting the band back together! Why are you putting all of your efforts into Pattaya? I have great belief in the Pattaya market. This is for some of the reasons explained earlier. But I have also seen the market develop and grow first hand – with the Northshore condominium project we opened in 2006, which was followed by Northpoint in 2009. Both set new standards and have provided buyers and investors with healthy resales – with capital gains of between 10-15 percent (8 percent for rentals). The market has changed too. The new demographic of visitors – domestically and from within Asia – has meant more families are arriving. Attractions such as water parks have opened, there is a huge number of top class golf courses, some great sailing opportunities (especially the super youth programmes and development work at Royal Varuna Yacht Club, which we are involved in supporting), good schools, healthcare, shopping, and more and more international brand hotels.
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Please let us know about Southpoint. Where is it located, why, how many units, and how are sales going?
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We are on an elevated site at Pratumnak Hill, with glorious views over Koh Larn, a short distance south of Bali Hai in Pattaya City. It is a relatively undiscovered area, Pattaya’s lush green pocket if you like with jogging trails and within walking distance of Royal Varuna. Southpoint itself is a 672-unit, twin tower condominium on a four rai freehold plot. We have cleared the ground and will be opening our sales gallery and show suites in March with piling starting in April. So we are well on our way and on schedule for completion in 2015, having received our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval late last year. Pre-sales have been good seeing as we have not officially launched yet. Major interest has been from the local market so far with Japanese, Russian and Thai buyers leading the way. Are there any particular innovations you are introducing for the project? There are a lot of them to be honest, but the most recent would be our partnership with AddressTalk. Buyers are often left to their own devices after their deposit is down and payment schedule set, but through AddressTalk we have given them a voice to speak amongst themselves and with us, the developer, so everything is very transparent and above board. It is an interactive social media platform for Southpoint buyers. When the project is handed over this will remain as a discussion forum just as it was while the project was being built. I’d like to think this shows how committed we are to our customers, many of whom have stayed with us for years. Are you based in Pattaya now and will we see Kingdom Property active in the Bangkok market? I divide my time between them both. Our projects are based in Pattaya but most of our suppliers and financial partners are based in Bangkok. It is also very possible we will develop projects in Bangkok. It depends on the opportunity really, the site and how the market is moving. You have been in Thailand for over 20 years now. What are the major changes you have seen during that time and where do you see it all going over the next 20? Thailand for me has always been a great long-term investment. There are few countries if any in the region that can compare to the quality of life that’s available here and I think that is borne out by the growth of tourism and investment over the years. There have been some ups and downs over the years but the fundamentals are strong and it continues to offer good value to investors or buyers looking for a second home. I can just see it getting stronger and stronger as more major infrastructure comes online and as Bangkok develops its natural role at the centre of ASEAN. As for me, you won’t see me going anywhere soon! Thailand is very much my home. For more info: www.kingdomproperty.com
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Business|Public Relations
Cutting through the clutter with Guerilla Marketing Pacharee Pantoomano-Pfirsch, a marketing consultant at Brand Now, explains how you can boost your company’s profile with a creative campaign on the street ■ DID you visit major malls around town
during the holiday season? Like the majority of Bangkokians, I spent a bit of time in the malls buying presents for my husband, kids, mum, brother and extended family in France. I noticed that the front of CentralWorld was full of installations from various companies – all decked out in Christmas themes. Among the companies were a mobile service provider, an insurance company and a camera manufacturer. The setup was warm, inviting and encouraged lots of photo taking and posting on social media. Our family took a break in Hua Hin over the New Year’s break. I observed that areas frequented by visitors also had many installations. Toshiba had a 3D illusion laptop on the ground of Cicada Market. The Sam Phan Floating Market featured a human-size Coke fountain bottle. The spray was nice and cool on a hot afternoon walk. It also helped that there was a Coke stand selling drinks and snacks next to the fountain. Speaking of Coca-Cola, a friend recently posted a YouTube video of NUS students in Singapore hugging a Coke machine to get a free Coke. The video showed individuals as well as groups hugging the Coke vending machine to get a can of soda. After checking out the NUS video, several more Coke hugging videos popped up in locations around the world. I couldn’t help but watch a few more. Just when I thought I’d had enough YouTube gawk-
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ing, another video caught my eye, “CocaCola Happiness Machine for Couples.” The vending machine was installed in Istanbul for Valentine’s Day. Couples who showed that they were together got two cans of Coke. Again, another cute feelgood campaign that makes you smile. Installations at malls or on a busy street are an inexpensive way to advertise and engage customers and the general public. This is also called Guerilla Marketing. The practice has been used around the world. The term was coined by Jay Conrad Levinson, an advertising executive. In 1984, he published a book by the same name, and today it is considered one of the best marketing books ever written. It is available in 62 languages and is required reading for a marketing course. Focusing on low cost creative strategies, the aim of guerrilla marketing is to engage the audience in a unique and thought provoking way. The result is PR buzz. In 2002 at a major rugby event in Telstra Stadium, two streakers ran onto the field with Vodafone logos painted on their bodies. Burger King’s hard-hitting campaign in 2005 had Ronald McDonald statues wearing Burger King T-shirts, footprints trailing from McDonald’s to Burger King, and signs on empty McDonald’s benches that read “Gone to BK — Ronald.”
Guerilla marketing isn’t just for profit companies. Médecins du Monde, an international humanitarian organization, staged a campaign to draw attention to the issue of homelessness in Paris. Hundreds of tents with Médecins du Monde logo were given to vagrant Parisians. The campaign caused a public outcry and the French government allocated nearly $10 million for emergency housing in Paris. The benevolent guerrilla marketing campaign by Médecins du Monde has been cited as one of the most effective campaigns in the world to date. If you are looking to start the New Year with a fresh outlook, consider implementing your own guerilla marketing campaign. Do some brainstorming with the team and gather up creative ideas that you could use to engage your target audience in a relevant way. Have fun, do something surprising, innovative and boost your brand in the process. Pacharee Pantoomano-Pfirsch is a Marketing Consultant at Brand Now, a boutique marketing and PR agency helping clients to communicate their brand. If you’d like to launch a below the line campaign this year, she may be reached at pacharee@brandnow.asia
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Expat WOMEN p Put your feet up and indulge
Discover how artist Louise Truslow found her muse in Bangkok. Page 30
Shopping
Hot new products and stores demanding your attention Page 32
Health
Did you know that feeling alone can cause health problems? Page 42
Agony aunts
Professional counselors Anette and Johanna help readers with problems Page 44 TheBigChilli
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Expat Women
Profile|Q&A
How Nathalie succeeds in the man’s world of hotel management
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Nathalie with her team
IT might be a man’s world in Bangkok, but that’s not stopping some hard-working foreign women making it to the top as well. Take Nathalie Post, General Manager of Phachara Suites, in Sukhumvit Soi 6. Since taking over the helm of this hotel and serviced residence in May 2011, Nathalie has boosted revenue over the previous year, while improving the overall product and service standards. No doubt she’s also keeping the management company – Frasers Hospitality – and the property’s owners very happy too. But it’s not the first time Nathalie, a 40-year-old Dutch lady born in France, has run a Bangkok hotel. Over the past nine years, she has also been general manager of Grand President as well as the President Solitaire. Before coming to Thailand in 2002,
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she spent three years in Indonesia and almost two years in Vietnam, working in both countries for Accor Asia Pacific. So few women become the GM of a hotel in Bangkok. Why do you think that is? Working in a hotel, especially in a senior position, requires long hours, working often six days a week, and being “on call” 24/7. There are also concerns about geographical mobility. Together, these factors do not make it easy to combine a career in the hotel industry with an extensive personal/family life. So I guess it may not always be the ideal career for a woman. In Asia it is perhaps easier than in Europe as you can have some help at home when you have children, for example. Nevertheless you find more and more
women in hotel GM positions nowadays, even in Bangkok. However, the number of women currently remains much lower than men in the same position. Most women hotel GMs on Sukhumvit are in touch regularly both socially and professionally, and last year four of us started a special program initiated by the Park Plaza Sukhumvit under the name “Step Up, a Chance in Hospitality by Women for Women” to support the Association for the Promotion of the Status of Women (www.apsw-thailand.org) with vocational training in the Phachara Suites Frasers and the other three hotels. Hopefully we will have a chance to grow this support program further over the years to come. How do people, Thais as well as foreigners, react when they learn that you are a hotel GM? Some people may be surprised at first as they usually expect the GM to be a middle-aged man. They sometimes assume at the first glance that I’m in charge of the hotel’s public relations or marketing department. In Asia and especially Thailand, there are nevertheless quite a number of women already at the head of large corporations, banks and so on, so I would say Thai people are in general less surprised to hear about what I do. Any special challenges because you are a woman? Yes, at the beginning of a new job mainly, because a woman often has to prove herself more than a man has to, especially at a younger age. The employees may want to see how tough you can be before accepting you in your role in the company. But it’s only at the start. What’s the best thing about living in Bangkok? It’s a big city with so much to do – sightseeing, shopping, dining and so on. Great selection at the supermarkets, delivery of almost any kind of food at any time of the day. So many different affordable restaurants for any kind of cuisine, cinemas in every shopping mall, even ice skating rings. I especially like the general liveliness of the city with the many street food stalls and vendors every day of the week and late at night. That really makes the city quite unique, especially compared to the European cities where the streets are deserted in the evening and everything is closed on Sunday. I also like the diversity of the city with the modern high rise buildings in the city centre and the more traditional
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houses near the Chao Phraya, around Charoen Krung especially. And the worst? Traffic, of course, but because I live within easy walking distance of the hotel, it doesn’t affect me too much. The Skytrain and the MRT nevertheless are great and allow you to avoid the traffic jams most of the time. The river taxis are also excellent to beat the traffic when going to Chinatown or the Grand Palace.
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Do expat woman face bigger challenges here than expat men? I believe the challenges may be quite similar for men and women. The biggest challenge when I first arrived in Thailand 11 years ago was the language, which I find quite difficult to learn and understand due to the different tones and alphabet. The Thai culture is again quite different from the other Asian countries I worked in previously, and it needs some time to adjust and appreciate. Social life may be a little easier for men than women here as the city is in general more geared toward men than women. However there is enough to enjoy for women as well. Apart from your family, what do you miss most about your home countr y?
I miss the casual dinners at my friends’ houses. I miss the different seasons; I would like to have some really cold weather at times, and I would love to be able to wear winter clothes and trendy boots from time to time. I also miss the traditional open air markets like in France where you can buy so many kinds of farmer’s produce, lots of cheeses and so on. And the summer time when the sun only sets around 10pm and you can enjoy long evenings outdoors.
What or who was the biggest influence on your life? I discovered Asian culture when I first came to Vietnam in 1995 for a few months as a management intern with the Accor group. I immediately loved the different culture, the beautiful bright green landscapes, the different lifestyle all together, and what started as a temporary assignment has become a fully Asian oriented career for the last 17 years with Accor, Compass and Frasers.
What clubs and societies do you belong to? I am a member of the Rotary Club of Bangkapi. I am very proud to be a part of this Rotary club in Bangkok as they are very dynamic and always involved in many charity activities throughout the year and I try to join whenever I can.
What trait do you admire most in people? I value honesty, perseverance, humility.
Are most of your friends from your home countr y? If not, what nationality do you like to mix with? It’s a mixed group, but they’re mostly hotel-related friends. Any hobbies? Yoga, fitness. I love to read, I like to go the movies and I love shopping, which I guess is a good hobby to have in Bangkok.
Any unfulfilled ambitions or regrets? No regrets as I think the different challenges in my life have made me who I am today. No unfulfilled ambitions as I have always wanted an interesting career which would allow me to meet many different people, learn about different cultures and travel – and that is exactly what I have today. Frasers Hospitality is very much people oriented offering many opportunities within the group so I look forward to growing with the company in various roles over the years to come. Continue >>
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Expat Women
Profile|Q&A
Your favourite restaurant, bar/pub, hangout joints? Most are located in the Sukhumvit Soi 11 area, especially in the small lane where Tapas is located. The French restaurant Chez Pape is great with some real traditional French cuisine. For Thai food, I like the Jim Thompson restaurant in Soi Saladaeng and Harmonique on Charoen Krung. Our Sanook Cafe at the Phachara Suites also offers great Thai food.
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Your favourite place for a hair cut or beauty treatment? Hair: Stephane de Charnage on Sukhumvit Soi 49 for many years already. Stephane does all the haircuts, highlights and so on by himself; he’s always cheerful so it’s always a pleasure to spend some time there. For facials and the basic Lancome beauty treatments, I like Pansy’s in Ruam Rudee. Favourite place to buy clothes? Central Chidlom, Central World, Siam Paragon and small shops in the Ratchaprasong area.
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“I have always wanted an interesting career which would allow me to meet many different people and travel – and that is exactly what I have today” Your favourite weekend destination? Hua Hin if I can get away for a few days. The beach is quite nice compared to Pattaya and they have many good resorts to choose from. Do you have a life motto? Not one motto in particular. I believe
that life is what you make it and that you should always remain positive whatever happens. Do you think you will ever understand the Thai way of life and doing things? After so many years here and working in the hotel industry where human relations are very important, I believe I have developed a good understanding of Thai culture. How long do you expect to be in Thailand? Probably a few more years. Can you speak, read/write Thai? I speak Thai ‘nid noi.’ In other words, not as much as I’d like. I am fluent in French, Dutch, English and German. What’s your favourite cuisine? French, in general, but I like Thai food very much, especially the salads and the Tom Yum Kung/Tom Ka Kai. My favourite dessert is the Mango sticky rice.
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Expat Women
Insight|Profile
Strelitzia (glass panel)
How artist Louise Truslow found her muse in Bangkok As Kingfershers Catch Fire (oil painting)
From watercolour paintings to water glass designs, British expat Louise has gained a glowing reputation for her elegant works of art. How did she tap into her passion and unlock her full potential? Ruth Gerson went to find out
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“I HAD two passions when I was young – theater and painting,” said Louise Truslow. So what took her so long to follow her heart’s desire and put brush to paper? The answer is that circumstances in life often lead us in unpredicted directions. Although Louise showed artistic promise as early as seven years of age when she won a painting competition, her dreams and aspirations were dashed when she failed her A level exams in art, and was strongly advised against taking it up at university or pursuing an artistic career. That left her with her other passion – theater, which she studied at university and explored for a number of years. It was not until 1996, when already in her mid-thirties, that Louise took decisive steps that changed the course of her life. Since finishing university she led the expatriate life away from her native Britain, first in the Middle East, then Hong Kong, and later in Thailand, where she still resides. Louise decided to defy the ominous soothsayers of her school days and
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take painting lessons. She found a teacher in Bangkok, Khun Charlie Sodprasert, and participated in his small and informal classes in watercolour painting. That was
the start she needed and there was no holding her back. After a mere eighteen months of painting, she was invited along with another student to participate in an exhibition of her teacher’s work. That was indeed a great honor, but more importantly, it confirmed what Louise already knew deep in her heart – that she could transform her passion into vibrant art. It was not long before Louise began to hold her own exhibitions, in Thailand and abroad. Her choice of medium was watercolours and the subjects were mostly Thai, though not exclusively. In 2003 she began working with oil paints. This new medium gave her the freedom to create larger paintings than with watercolours, unlike the restrictive size of “full imperial” paper that limits the picture’s dimensions to 70 x 50 centimeters. Louise took advantage of the flexibility in size that oil canvases allow and began to create bigger pictures culminating in her largest work which measured 2 x 1.30 meters. It depicts the umbrellas
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Crystal Swirl (glass panel)
Glorious Morning (oil painting)
Pink Silk (oil painting)
Small Steps (watercolour) that shade Warorot Market, Chiang Mai. In fact, these market umbrellas were the subject of one of Louise’s exhibitions entitled “SunShades.” The story that accompanies the umbrella painting is fascinating. It was bought by an expatriate couple living in Bangkok who planned to build a house on the island of Crete in
Greece. The husband and wife chose the painting and designed their house around it, while consulting Louise for the best way to execute their plans. When talking to Louise about her work she says, “I lose myself in my painting; it is hard for me to stop.” Louise’s work continues to evolve and as of recent years she has tried her hand at three-dimensional work, something she wanted to do for a long time. And this is where the glass comes in! Louise is much of a pioneer in this field in Bangkok, from an artist’s perspective. It all began three years ago when Louise attended the famous BIG sale for designers where she saw attractive water glasses. She was intrigued by the swirl of colours and the fine workmanship. Drawn to these like a magnet, she continued to purchase the glasses from the outlets in Bangkok, admiring these each time. Eventually, the owner of Etna Glass, the producer of these items, asked Louise to create new designs for his company, which she did. Witnessing her designs turn into objects was an exciting experience for Louise, and that was when she decided that she must create glass art by herself.
However, working with glass is rather difficult. The well-equipped Thai glass factories have workers, both men and women, shaping items by blowing the glass through a tube. One needs strong lungs and perfect control of releasing air into the tube. Louise knew that she could not do that and decided a different route by using a glass kiln. Here again was a problem, as there are no glass kilns in Thailand with the exception of four glass producing factories and the art university. Louise skirted this issue by finding a company that agreed to make her a glass kiln, although they had previously only made ceramic kilns. This makes it the only one of its kind in Bangkok, and probably in all of Thailand. Today Louise receives scrap glass of various colours from Etna Glass Company. She feels fortunate to have this association with them particularly as their glass is lead-free, high quality crystal. When asked if there is any hindrance in working with glass, she answers, “The only limitation is my imagination.” If her past work is testimony to her creative power, then we can expect to see great art produced by Louise in the future.
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Expat Women
Shopping|New products
BACK TO THE FUTURE ■ INSPIRED by the Urban Grunge look of the ’80s and early ’90s, Thai fashion brand Izzue’s latest Ladies Casual Collection brings the past to the future with a funky collection of casual clothes that are youthful, versatile, and sleek. Best of all, there’s a range of looks to suit almost any occasion. Izzue is available at leading Central stores and Mega Bangna
GIRL’S BEST FRIEND ■ FAN of popular Japanese cartoon character Hello Kitty? Well say meeeooow to this new wristwatch from Italian timepiece maker Vabene. Hello Kitty, with her face illustrated by Swarovski crystals, has never looked so bling. The watch is limited edition and exclusively distributed in Thailand. It’s available in white, pink, cappuccino, and brown, and retails for B9,900. Available at all branches of Central Department Store and The Mall, Siam Paragon, The Emporium, Robinson Rama 9 and Robinson Bangna
Talking
Shop Hot products and stores demanding your attention
ACCESSORIZE YOURSELF ■ THE UK’s popular accessories shop Accessorize has been doing a
cracking trade since it opened its first store in Bangkok last September. Stocked with all kinds of earrings, bracelets, rings, scarves, dainty thongs, hats and belts, and everything in between, it’s a veritable treasure trove of fashionable trinkets, with something to spruce up any outfit. The latest collection to hit the store, ‘The Bloom Collection,’ is inspired by English country gardens and features a mix of chic summer accessories in a range of vibrant colours. Pictured here are a few of our faves. Accessorize shops can be found at leading Central stores around Bangkok
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HELLO HEELS ■ A BREATH of fresh air
amongst a crop of cheesy footwear trends, Charles & Keith’s Signature Label Spring 2013 has minced onto the scene embedding classic embroidery and rich jewel tones onto suede and satins. Stilettos, pumps, peep toes, heeled platform sandals and even matching handbags all come in bright colours and tones such as fiery red, emerald, fuchsia with gold, making it a head-turning collection for all the right reasons. The collection is available at leading department stores
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Expat Women
Insight|Opinion
Don’t forget the folks back home! Long-term expat Karen Hochhauser visits her family in the US and reflects on what she’s missing and resolves to stay in touch ■ AS a new year has just begun, I want to wish everybody a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2013. I hope you all brought in the New Year in the most memorable of ways, whether that meant partying, having a peaceful dinner with family and friends, or just getting a good night’s sleep. However your New Year was ushered in, it is worth stopping and taking a minute to think about the year that has just passed – some may have relocated either into or out of Thailand, others have added new family members by birth or marriage, and sadly there may be those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. I have often said that living in Thailand is like living in a suspended state of reality. We are able to enjoy a certain lifestyle that would be next to impossible for most of us in the US. However, while we are enjoying and surviving day to day living, it is very easy to forget that life “back home” goes on; friends and family continue to get older and age. For me, this last trip to the US was quite a challenge. Though I was home for a few weeks, it was definitely not a holiday. I went back to help my parents prepare to downsize. They currently live in the same house in which I grew up, the same house they have lived in their entire married life. This translates to a big house, with plenty of room for
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storage, and a significant accumulation of many years’ worth of “stuff.” It was quite an emotional journey. Not only did I revisit my past (including saved prom corsages, which, I am pleased to share, have been thrown out) but that of my parents as well. We found scrapbooks from my mum’s high school and college years, holiday cards from various family members, including my grandparents, and parts of our family
history of which I had no previous knowledge. At one point, my mum made a comment that she felt as if she was “throwing her life away.” I shared that I preferred to think that it was a wonderful and unique opportunity to revisit her life, with her. It was a special bonding experience between the two of us and my aunt who came to help. At times we laughed and other times we were melancholy. I got to hear about her upbringing and stories of my grandparents. It was then that it hit me that without her, I would lose the link and details of our family history.
It depressed me that I am not physically closer to share more of these moments and stories, but this experience also renewed my commitment to call and Skype on a much more regular basis. I want to do what I can to ensure that I won’t look back and regret not knowing more about family lore and where I came from. As this New Year begins, remember to take the time and make the effort to stay connected and build those relationships, learn the family stories, and enjoy just being able to speak on the phone while there is still time.
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St. Andrews, Sathorn Campus marks a decade of teaching
School Report
ST. Andrews International School, Sathorn campus celebrated its 10th anniversary last month with a Fun Day fair. H.E. Mark Kent, British Ambassador to Thailand, was invited to officiate the special occasion. The school’s founder, Mr Roy Barrett, welcomed representatives from the Kenyan, Malaysian and Indian embassy, as well as from the British Chamber of Commerce and BNH Hospital. They joined the school’s first cohort of students to witness the placing of a 10th Anniversary time capsule, which won’t be opened until 2033. The Fun Day fair featured many children’s games and activities, as well as stalls selling everything from toys and jewelry, to baked goods and organically grown produce. Profits from the event will be donated to the Thai Heart Foundation, under royal patronage of HRH Princess Sirindhorn.
NIST students raid their toy cupboards for charity
Fun-filled circus party at Bangkok Prep
BANGKOK Prep’s Early Years Unit will host a Circus themed party on the morning of Sat Feb 16, and all kids aged between 18 months and six years old are invited. It’s a good opportunity for parents to visit the school, meet the teachers and learn first-hand about the academic programme offered to young children. Activities include circus-themed arts and crafts such as clown face painting, decorating cupcakes, and making clown’s shoes, bow ties and hats. Bangkok’s popular Clown Eckie will entertain children with his magic tricks and very own magical clown tuk-tuk – the only one of its kind in Bangkok. The event will run from 10am12noon. Entry is free. Refreshments and light snacks will be provided. A school tour will be held at 11am. Sukhumvit Soi 53. RSVP at Tel: 02 260 7890 (Ms Bank, Ms Nune or Ms Pim) email: communications@bkkprep.ac.th
KHUN Mechai Viravaidya, Chairman of the Population and Community Development Association and Mechai Viravaidya Foundation, visited NIST last month to collect hundreds of children’s toys donated by NIST students for the Foundation’s Village Toy Library. The initiative, in collaboration with Khun Mechai and the Mechai Viravaidya Foundation, began last November with a special presentation to the students by Khun Mechai, who inspired the students to take on the challenge of organizing a toy drive. ‘During this experience, I’ve learnt how to give and be generous,” said Nayla, one of the Year 5 students who took part in the drive. “The people in the Thai villages aren’t as fortunate as us and I’m proud that Year 5 has made other children, who don’t have a lot, be happy.’ Speaking about the project, Khun Mechai said: “The Village Toy Library embodies one of the most important human elements, and that is sharing. The students of NIST are sharing some of what they have with deserving rural students who can borrow the toys for one week and in return they have to perform community service and clean-up activities in the village. This is the beginning of the new philanthropic endeavour, amongst the youth in Thailand, which we call ‘CSR’ – Children’s Social Responsibility.” For more info about The Village Toy Library (VTL) see: villagetoylibrary.org
IPN EVENT
How do you know if your child has a learning disability? ON Feb 26, The International Parenting Network will gather at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Thailand (FCCT) to discuss the topic above and share tips how to raise children with learning difficulties. For more information and to register see: www.ipnthailand.com FCCT, The Penthouse, Maneeya Centre, Ploenchit Road (BTS Chidlom station, Exit 2)
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Expat Women
School Promotion|KIS
Fundraising fun at KIS KIS’ Annual Fun Fair benefits refugee students and brings together the Bangkok Community ■ KIS has a great tradition of fund raising for good causes with students supporting charities from the day the school started 15 years ago. Part of the philosophy of the school, and of the International Baccalaureate, is to instill in children a sense of responsibility and a desire to be a part of making the world a better place. Numerous small scale projects in aid of charity are held at the school each year, and students of all ages don’t just raise money for good causes, but they also offer their time for activities such as beach clean-ups, playing with orphans, reading to and recording for the blind, caring for street dogs and so on. At least once a year the school also organizes a large event, a fun fair to which everyone who enjoys games, music, food, drinks, shopping and raffles is invited.
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It started just after the 2004 Tsunami hit the coasts of South East Asia. The school community wanted to help out, so a massive “Concert in the Park” was organized on the sports field of KIS. The event raised a staggering 1.7 million baht, which was used to support orphans of the Tsunami. The school continued to work with these children to give them the best chance of a happy future. Out of the Concert in the Park grew the Annual Fun Fair, which was held for the eighth time on Jan 26, 2013. With over 1,400 visitors, the fair is the school’s biggest fund raising event. KIS provides scholarships to several refugee children who would otherwise not have access to education as their families have little to no income. The children come from countries troubled by internal
or humanitarian conflicts, do not speak Thai, and can’t go to a Thai school. While KIS offers the scholarships, the proceeds of the fun fair help these children with their books, laptops, residential trips, and so on. The remainder of the fun fair income goes to the KIS charity fund, which is used to support other worthy causes and to provide immediate relief in times of crisis, such as for the Bangkok flooding and the Haiti and Japan earthquakes. The school believes that every child should make a positive contribution to the world, be it the community they live in, or to another place or cause in the world. With a culture of compassion at KIS, the students are certainly on the right path to doing just that. For more info see www.kis.ac.th
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School Promotion|Harrow
Harrow students scoop top honours in The Outstanding Cambridge Learners Awards THE OUTSTANDING CAMBRIDGE LEARNERS AWARDS 2012 IGCSE
■ IT has been said before that general examination performance percentages and statistics can hide the real achievement of individual students. At Harrow International School, we are delighted to offer congratulations to our students who have reached high levels of success. We have received confirmation from the Cambridge International Examinations Board that the following students have achieved High Achievement, Top in Thailand and Top in the World status in the following subjects:
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Top in the World Economics: Paveenrat Wongprasert Geography: Paveenrat Wongprasert Top in Thailand Biology: Paveenrat Wongprasert Chemistry: Paveenrat Wongprasert History: Paveenrat Wongprasert English as a Second Language (Oral Endorsement): Temfah Krisannayuth English Literature: Hae Rham Shin Physics: Chadsupad Tharawan High Achievement English Literature: Rachapun Rotrattanadumrong Foreign Language Dutch: Sikharin Mul AS Level Top in Thailand Physics: Natnicha Taesopapong High Achievement Physics: Dhanaphol Taesopapong
A Level Top in Thailand Physics: Nattapoom Asavareongchai
All of these students are truly outstanding academic prospects for today’s 21st Century challenges and we wish them further success in their future academic goals. All at Harrow International School are very proud and delighted with their achievements. When asked what it takes to achieve not only one, but two top in the world awards, Paveenrat Wongprasert (Rainy) replied: “On the topic of working hard, those of you who study economics, I assume, would be familiar with the concept of diminishing returns – as the level of input increases, the level of output becomes increasingly smaller as a proportion of that input. Picture a logarithmic graph of the hours spent studying against your test score in percentages. A few hours of reading can make the difference between an A and a B grade, but it takes a remarkable amount of work to make the small difference between 96% and 97%.” For more information about the school see www.harrowschool.ac.th
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Expat Women
Health|Loneliness
The dangers of feeling lonely Feeling alone doesn’t just drain happiness – it can cause health problems too. Judith Coulson, Executive Director of BKK-Health.com, explains how and why loneliness sinks in, what it means for one’s wellbeing, and what can be done to combat it ■ AS a species, we humans thrive on social interaction. We’re happiest when we feel supported and loved; unhappiest when we don’t. Despite our inherent need to connect, though, one in five people in the world suffer from loneliness. And this feeling of being alone doesn’t only drain happiness; it can also affect health too – leading to aging, stress, and even deterioration of one’s immune system. The good news is that loneliness is a health threat that can be conquered. Read on to find out how.
What is loneliness? Loneliness is not the same thing as being alone. After all, feelings of isolation can strike when you’re in a roomful of people or among your closest friends. Rather, it’s the painful experience of feeling alone. It occurs when there’s a discrepancy between what we want out of our relationships and what we’re actually getting. Sometimes, this is due to life circumstances, like losing a partner or moving to a new town. Other times, it
reflects a person’s interior state. Studies have shown that lonely people often have incorrect assumptions about how other people perceive them. As a result, they have difficulty forming meaningful connections.
How to spot it What does loneliness look like? It’s not about how many social media connections you have, or how many friends, family and professional relationships you have; you could have a social invitation every night of the week and still feel disconnected. People are usually aware that they’re unhappy with their relationships. You may feel like you have no one who understands you; no one you can confide in, trust or take on the challenges of the world with. Even if you have a wonderful spouse or kids, you may still feel like you don’t have enough support.
Loneliness and chronic disease Feeling socially supported is critical for good health. In fact, according to the University of Chicago professor John Cacioppo, PhD, who has spent over 20 years researching the topic, chronic loneliness should be considered a significant risk factor in achieving good health, along with things like smoking, obesity and lack of exercise. Lonely people are at a much higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome – a cluster of health conditions including high blood pressure, abdominal obesity and insulin resistance that increase the risk for heart disease, stroke and type 2 Diabetes, explains Golubic. Research suggests they’re also twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s-related dementia.
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“Leaning on others when you’re not feeling your best can help you feel connected – and reduce stress.” Insomnia, sadness and stress Being disconnected can make everything seem harder. When we feel alone, it activates the autonomic nervous system – the fight-or-flight stress response. We register social isolation as stress, because, from an evolutionary standpoint, relationships were key to our survival. Lonely people react more negatively to stressful situations, because the nervous system is already fired up. Rather than viewing life’s hassles as a challenge, they see them as a threat. This fearful approach can more easily push a person into panic mode. Like all chronic stress, loneliness increases the risk of insomnia and depression.
Change your perception People who are chronically lonely tend to have negative beliefs about themselves and about how others view them. This can make socializing feel unsafe and unfulfilled. These kinds of attitudes are tough to change on your own. If you recognize this pattern in yourself, it is recommended to talk to a cognitive-behavioural therapist, or an emotional freedom
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technique practitioner who can help you identify these so-called “cognitive distortions.” Since your actions are largely based on your beliefs, your fears may become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you think nobody likes you, you may withdraw and not make friends. As a result, you end up alone.
Help others to help yourself It may sound counter intuitive but the best thing you can do for yourself when feeling lonely is to do something for someone else. When we do charitable things, the reward centres in our brain get activated longer than when something nice is done for us. Volunteering creates a social obligation, where you have to show up. It often gives you a specific role that helps guide the social interaction, which can put socially awkward people at ease. And if it’s a particularly giving action, people are going to be grateful for your help. Plus, research shows that people who provide support to others have a much lower mortality rate than those who receive it. In other words, it really is healthier to give than to receive.
Put yourself out there No matter the roadblock, take a no-excuses approach to socializing. Depressed? Stressed? Wiped out? All the more reason to carve out time for friends. Leaning on others when you’re not feeling your best helps forge bonds, which can help you feel connected – and reduce stress. People who are lonely may have a hard time asking for assistance, but you have to be willing to ask for some help. Put together a list of people you can call when you’re lonely or feeling down, and force yourself to use it. It might be frightening, but the payoff will be worth it. For more info: bkk-health.com/loneliness
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Advice|Problems solved
Send your problems to: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com
Ask the experts
Real Problems Real Solutions
Expat life getting you down? Don’t suffer in silence. Send in your problems and get advice from professional counsellors Anette and Johanna • Anette Pollner Adv. Dipl. Couns., is one of seven international counsellors at NCS Counseling Center in Saphan Kwai. She trained in London and the US and worked as a staff counsellor at Bart’s Hospital in London.
Nearly 40 and still not settled. Am I weird?
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WILL only be in Bangkok for a few months, and in many ways that is the issue I want to talk to you about. In my mid-twenties, I travelled around the world, as many people do. I enjoyed it very much, and realised that there were many more places I wanted to visit. Most of my contemporaries returned to their home countries, but I did not. I found a job in a foreign city, and then another somewhere else. Before I knew it, I was moving between countries, then between continents. It is over 15 years now since I lived and worked in the place where I was born, and I rarely stay in one place for more than a few months, maybe a year. And I must admit, I love this kind of life. I don’t have a lot of money, but I have many friends and my life is never boring. I always thought I would settle down later, but so far I have never found the right moment. But I will be 40 this year. And as I look both back at my life and forward to my future, I realise that I am the odd one out. I still love my life as I lead it, but looking around me I wonder. Am I stuck in an adolescent phase? Am I not normal? Is it ok to live like this? Zora, 39, from Slovenia
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Anette says: ■ Dear Zora, No, No, and Yes would be my answers to the questions in the last line of your letter. Far from being stuck, you seem to live the life you love. I’m not sure that this kind of fulfillment is ‘normal’ in the sense that most people experience it, but I do know that many people long for it. So if you like, that already puts you ahead of many others. There is no such thing as a one-sizefits-all life plan. And, as an adult, you don’t have to ask anyone’s permission to live any way you want. (As long as you don’t harm others, of course). But I think I understand why you are asking these questions. People who live unconventional lifestyles often doubt themselves, just because they are different. If your life conforms to the mainstream of your culture and era, the world around you seems to confirm to you that you are on the right track. If it doesn’t, you are confronted with yourself in a way in which the mainstream never is. But that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you or your lifestyle. The idea that adult life is to be lived following certain fixed ‘phases,’ and even the idea that you should ‘settle down’ is not written into our DNA. What counts is if the life you live is right for you, not if it is right for others, or even if it conforms to ideas that you still carry in your mind, maybe from a childhood you have long outgrown, maybe passed down through the generations. Humans were originally nomadic. For most of our 200,000 year history, we spent our entire lives on the move, sometimes returning periodically to the same places, sometimes migrating far away and never coming back. So if anything was written into our DNA, it would be a nomadic lifestyle. However, humans are very adapt-
able, that’s why we rule the planet...The idea of ‘settling down’ was only introduced with the beginnings of agriculture, a mere 10,000 years ago, and in many parts of the world much later than that. So you could say that you are following the most natural, or perhaps most normal human life plan. If you feel you need to justify it. Maybe you will continue to live like this until you are an old lady, still travelling between friends on all continents. Maybe the day will come when you feel it is right to stay in one place. And maybe then you will, who knows… I really like the old saying: “Don’t live your life according to other people’s fears.” And I want to congratulate you on having found a good life, a way of being happy in your own unique way. I hope you enjoy Bangkok while you are here!
Weight obsession getting me down
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AM a healthy young man with a reasonable career. I take care of myself, I am conscious of trends in men’s fashion, I watch what I eat and I regularly go to the gym. Some people have said that I am extremely focused on how I look. I used to smile at that, but now I’m not so sure. Being slim has been important to me all my life, but during the last few months I have noticed that I have started to think about it all the time. I weigh myself twice a day, and I am afraid that I will gain weight, so I count my calories and exercise more and more. As a kid of 10 and even as a teenager I was chubby and I was teased a lot. I finally got a girlfriend when I was 20 and she told me I was too heavy, so then I started to lose weight.
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• Johanna DeKoning MS is the Clinical Director of NCS Counseling Center. She trained in the Netherlands and Australia.
Johanna says: ■ Dear Daniel, You seem to be struggling with an eating disorder. In general, people thought that such disorders only affected women, but it is now recognized that men can get eating disorders too. Research has found that one out of five anorexia patients and one out of eight bulimia sufferers are men. Binge eating also affects men and women equally. But although we now know that many men are struggling with eating disorders, they are often not so quickly recognized in men and most men keep them secret. They feel ashamed to talk about their eating problems, even more so than women. Reasons for developing an eating disorder can be childhood experiences, abuse, selfperception and nowadays also
I have been controlling my diet and exercising a lot and now that I am slim I get compliments on my appearance. Now I worry that I am maybe getting obsessed with it. Some days, I don’t dare to eat because I am afraid I will gain weight again. I use the exercise bike as much as I can to get rid of any excess calories. People tell me I look good but I still think I should get rid of some more kilos. I am tired a lot and often feel nauseous. Recently my girlfriend left me and now I have no one to talk to. I did talk with her about my food problems and fears, but I think she got tired of it. No one else knows. How do I overcome this? Daniel, 31, from the US
the “ideal image for men,” including a flat belly and six pack (this, it is suggested, is what a man should look like, although the photos we see are often’ Photoshopped’ to make men look even better). Sometimes men feel the urge to measure up to these standards. Also, young men often get compliments about the fact that they are exercising so much and others tell them they look very healthy, ‘in good shape.’ You already mentioned a connection to weight problems in your childhood, and you say you are very conscious of how others see you (and what they think of what they see). Maybe there are other issues, too. Whatever the reasons behind your extreme focus on eating and exercise, it would be a good idea to look into them now before you develop a full eating disorder. I would advise you to go for counseling, so you can talk to a professional who will help you to encounter this issue in your life. The counselor can assist you emotionally and, in connection with a physician and dietician, look for the best treatment for you. It is very hard to do this alone. Most men try to find help by searching the Internet or reading a book, but I think you also need contact with another person who can support you. I hope you will find help soon.
For more info: www.ncs-counseling.com Email: anette.p@ncs-counseling. com, Tel: 02 279 8503 Send your problems to: thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com
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Insight
Promo|Entertainment
EVERY NIGHT’S A PARTY AT CONCEPT CM
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A hot new band and special parties for Valentineʼs Day and Chinese New Year are just a few of the highlights at this popular nightclub in Siam Square NOVOTEL Bangkok on Siam Square’s popular nightclub, Concept CM², has always had a focus on providing top quality live music, with its managers scouring the international nightclub circuit to bring in only the brightest and most exciting talent. So it’s no surprise that the latest band to take to the stage, The Crush Crew,
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is yet another great act – packed full of charisma and charm and an ability to get the dance floor jumping with a partystarting mix of international rock, pop, dance and hip hop hits. Their high-energy renditions of all your favourite tunes are bound to rub some rubber off your soles as you get your groove on alongside a well mixed crowd of Thais, expats and tourists. It’s not just the live music that draws in the crowds, either. The club also regularly hosts theme nights featuring special drinks deals and other exciting promotions. This month, dress in red and welcome the Year of the Snake at the club’s Chinese New Year Party on Sat Feb 10; or take your loved one (or, if you’re single, maybe even meet your future husband/wife) at the Romantic Valentine’s Day Party on Thurs Feb 14. Both parties start at 10pm and will
feature music by live DJs and The Crush Crew. Entry to both events is B550 (includes two drinks). If you’re planning a party or event of your own, you can even book out the entire Concept CM² to host your function (before the club opens to the public at 10pm). It’s a great venue for staff parties, product launches, mini concerts, and press gatherings. The Cruise Bar, with its selection of cocktails, wines and beers, can be transformed into your very own ‘mixologist’ event bar, while the Sports Zone is perfect for cocktail gatherings and networking activities. The Pool Zone and Absolute Lounge, meanwhile, both offer guests and delegates an area of relaxation, fun and games. For more info about The Crush Crew, party schedule, and party bookings see :CM2bkk.com or facebook.com/ ConceptCM² (Tweets @ConceptCM²)
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Gourmet p Wine and restaurant news
kok’s g n a B New Hot urants Resteapage 64 Se
WANT to woo your loved one with a Valentine’s Day dinner to remember? See page 80 for a round up of what’s on offer.
What’s Cooking A round up of this month’s best gourmet deals. Yummy! Page 48
Meet the chef We speak to Chef Daniel Aiassa, owner of L’Ulivo Italian Restaurant Page 54
Dining out
Our favourite restaurants reviewed and listed Page 86 TheBigChilli
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Gourmet
Dining|News
What’s Cooking
Bangkok’s hottest dining deals and news Harvesting fun at PB Valley PB VALLEY KHAO YAI WINERY, AVAILABLE NOW
■ PB Valley Khao Yai Winery is celebrating its ‘Vintage 2013’ harvest by inviting wine lovers to experience the wine harvesting experience first hand. Every weekend from Feb 2 onwards, the experience will be part of all scheduled and private wine tasting tours (held Saturdays and Sundays at 10.30am, 1.30pm, and 3.30pm). To make a reservation, or book a private tour, simply contact the Bangkok office on the number below.
☎ 02 262 0030 ext.107 :khaoyaiwinery.com
Black Truffle Season
EASTIN GRAND HOTEL SATHORN BANGKOK, UNTIL FEB 28
■ THE Glass House Restaurant is hosting a ‘Crab Crazy buffet’ promotion this month featuring Alaskan King Crabs cooked in a variety of ways. Highlights include Fried soft shell crab in Japanese Panko breadcrumbs; Crab cakes; Spicy Singaporeanstyle chilli crab; and Stuffed crab shells. You can also enjoy the crabs poached and served cold straight from the ice bar, or steamed with a choice of homemade dips and sauces. Available every Sat and Sun, 6.30pm-10pm. B1,199++ per person.
ANANTARA BANGKOK RIVERSIDE RESORT & SPA, UNTIL FEB 28
■ MUCH to the delight of truffle connoisseurs, Brio Italian Restaurant has introduced a Winter Black Truffle Menu featuring a range of land and sea specials crafted from the finest imported ingredients, and enhanced by gourmet black truffles from France. Highlights include Australian Black Angus beef carpaccio,
Crazy for crabs
33/1 South Sathorn Road
☎ 02 210 8100 :eastingrandsathorn.com
Haute cuisine from the German Black Forest VERTIGO, FEB 21 - MARCH 1
with smoked eggplant caviar and Argan oil, embellished by shoots and slices of winter black truffle (B720); and American snow fish fillet pan fried on the skin side, covered by a crust of black olives and accompanied by a pur of black truffle potatoes and green pepper corn veal (B1,020). Available for lunch and dinner until Feb 28. 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road :bangkokriverdining.com
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☎ 02 476 0022 Ext. 1416
■ BANYAN Tree Bangkok’s famous rooftop restaurant, Vertigo, is set to take on a Gourmet German flavour this month when guest chef Florian Stolte, from the Traube Tonbach Hotel in Baiersbronn, home of one of the world’s longest-standing three-Michelin starred restaurants, takes control of the kitchens to create a range of dishes inspired by the landscape of the German Black Forest. At time of writing prices weren’t set; they should be available online by the time you’re reading this. 21/100 South Sathorn Road 02 679 1200 :banyantree.com
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Seafood Lovers’ Buffet
SOFITEL BANGKOK SUKHUMVIT, AVAILABLE NOW
■ EVERY Friday and Saturday evening Voila! Restaurant now hosts a gourmet seafood buffet loaded with all kinds of deep sea bounty. There’s Alaskan king crabs, New Zealand mussels, and French Fine de Claire oysters, as well as sushi, sashimi, international and local favourites, plus a decadent selection of desserts and French pastries. Served 6pm-10.30pm. B1,999 per person (half price for kids aged 6-12). 189 Sukhumvit Road Soi 13-15
☎ 02 126 9999 :sofitel.com
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Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok names new Executive Chef ■ IN a culinary shake-up at the Mandarin Oriental, Swiss Chef Stefan Trepp has been promoted to Executive Chef, while his predecessor, Norbert Kostner, has taken up the position of Culinary Director, responsible for driving innovation and creativity, for which he is well renowned. Chef Stefan joined the hotel in 2009 from a career that has taken him from Switzerland to Dubai, the Philippines and the USA. For the past three years he has been working closely alongside Chef Norbert to assimilate the skills, passion and drive that have delivered the past 37 years of success at ‘La Grande Dame,’ and he is very much looking forward to his new role.
Local favourites at Wrapped FOUR POINTS BY SHERATON, AVAILABLE NOW
■ WRAPPED, the deli caf of Four Points by Sheraton Sukhumvit 15, has kick-started the year by extending its lunch menu with a range of local favourites at special prices. The Thai green curry served hot with jasmine rice or noodles soup for just B50 is a must try – and it’s even better when washed down with Thai milk tea or iced coffee (B25 each). Lunch is available Mon-Sat, 11am-3pm. Sukhumvit 15
☎ 02 309 3201 : fourpointsbangkoksukhumvit.com
Welcome the Year of the Snake
Buffet bonanza
VARIOUS RESTAURANTS, FEB 10
■ THE Chinese Year of the Snake slithers onto calendars on Feb 10 and the city’s Chinese restaurants are set to celebrate in style with a range of festive feasts and special entertainment. Below are just a few of the tasty options on offer. Head out to your favourite hotels and you’re bound to find many more. • Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa. Riverside Terrace. Feb 10. Gala Dinner Buffet (B1,888++ per person). ☎ 02 476 0022 Ext. 1416 :bangkokriverdining.com. • Le Meridien Bangkok. Latest Recipe. Until Feb 28. Chinese lunch buffet (B599++ per person for lunch buffet; B800++ per person for Sunday Brunch). ☎ 02 2328888 :lemeridienbangkokpatpong.com • Millennium Hilton Bangkok. Yuan. Feb 9-14. Choice of set menus for 10 persons (ranging from B15,000 to B55,000). ☎ 02 442 2000
• Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square. Lok Wah Hin. Feb 10. Eight-course set menu (B14,500++). ☎ 02-209-8888 :novotelbkk.com.
• Shangri-La Hotel. Shang Palace. Feb 9-16. Set Wealth Menu for 10 (B22,888++). Gold menu for 10 (B26,888). ☎ 02 236 9952 :shangri-la.com/bangkok
PULLMAN BANGKOK KING POWER, UNTIL APRIL 30
■ CUISINE Unplugged Restaurant is now offering 50 percent discount off its daily dinner buffet to groups of three or more diners (served 6.30pm-10.30pm). What’s more, every Mon-Fri the buffet is priced B615 per person (from the regular price of B1,230), and on Sat-Sun at B715 per person (from the regular price of B1,430). The buffet features a wide range of local and international cuisines, with a la minute dishes from the open kitchen. 8/2 Rangnam Road, Ratchathewi
☎ 02 680 9999
:pullmanbangkokkingpower.com
Learn to cook Japanese food DUSIT THANI COLLEGE, AVAILABLE NOW
■ DUSIT Thani College has joined forces with the Tsuji Culinary Institute, the largest professional culinary school in Japan, to launch an “Authentic Japanese Cuisine Course.” Held on various dates until May, and open to the general public, the course has been designed by Tsuji Culinary Institute’s Japanese Chef Haruaki Matsuoka, who aims to share methods of preparing original and traditional Japanese cuisine through 60 authentic recipes. A 10-day course is B60,000 per person (conducted in English, Thai, and Japanese). 1 Soi Kaenthong (Next to Seacon Square)
☎ 02 361 7805 :dtc.ac.th TheBigChilli
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Gourmet
Dining out|Cafe' Fish
Clockwise from top left: Seafood with pasta in Pomodoro sauce; The Café Fish in Emporium; Greek Salad with imported Feta cheese and Calamata olives; Seafood platter for one
Review
Deep sea delights at Café Fish
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Popular restaurant chain offers tasty seafood at great value for money
WITH great locations in Bangkok’s most popular malls, the aptly named Café Fish restaurant chain reels in seafood fans in droves with a wide selection of deep sea delights such as classic Fish and chips (B290 made with imported Atlantic Cod) and Mediterranean-inspired Seafood with pasta in Pomodoro sauce (B290). The restaurant is nothing like your classic British chippy – no greasy walls, no fish wrapped in paper, no waitresses with names like Shaz shouting “Once, twice wrapped please!” to a grizzled chef wearing an apron splattered with batter – but the branches still have plenty of buzz thanks to the constant hustle and bustle of the surrounding malls (superb people watching opportunities), and a café-like feel thanks to uncluttered tables, young trendy staff in sneakers, and open kitchens
where you can spy chefs preparing your fish before it gets its sizzle on. Like most seafood restaurants, Café Fish embraces a nautical theme. Most of its branches have splashes of blue on the walls and fishing nets hanging from their ceilings. All the dining action is done at wooden tables with nothing on top but bottles of tomato sauce and vinegar, and salt and pepper pots. Neat little touches come when you order – such as fish and chips being served in a small frying pan atop a wooden chopping board. A focus on fresh ingredients means that most of the fish you order arrives plump and juicy. Even the frozen imported options still retain plenty of flavour and aren’t overly dry, which is a boon for fans of fish species from across the pond.
Menu highlights include Greek Salad with imported Feta cheese and Calamata olives (B200); Seafood Platter for One, featuring sea bass, prawns, calamari and mussels (B720), and, of course, the aforementioned fish and chips, which has a nice and light, crispy beer batter. When you order your fish you can choose from sides such as salad, French fries, and Spanish rice, and, if your choose steamed fish, from sauces such as Lemon butter, Garlic herb and Piri Piri (spicy) Portuguese Sauce. While most foreigners will be content with putting a dollop of tomato sauce on their plates, anyone with more local tastes can opt for some of the restaurant’s ‘Spicy Seafood Sauce,’ which has a nice and steady tongue burn that’ll have you taking to water like a fish.
Café Fish can be found at Emporium, Terminal 21, and Siam Paragon. Open daily: 10am – 9.30pm
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Gourmet
Dining out|Moments
Review
B
Magic Moments
AETAS Bangkok’s signature restaurant is a great place to visit for a lunch or dinner treat
BANGKOK’S buffet dining scene may be dominated by the international hotel chains, but that doesn’t mean they’re your only decent option for a hearty feast. Take The AETAS Bangkok Hotel for example. Every day from 11.30am2.30pm its Moments Restaurant offers an ‘Exquisite International Buffet Lunch’ featuring a wide range of local and international gourmet dishes at great value for money – just B449 per person. Pile your plate high with salads, pasta dishes, grilled meats, and more, and return as many times as you like. If the buffet doesn’t take your fancy, you can opt to order from the extensive a la carte menu, which features a range of Asian, Middle Eastern, and Western
options, including popular dishes such as Pan roasted salmon served with potato, asparagus, cherry tomato, black olive and warm orange sauce; and Rocket salad served with Parma ham, mozzarella cheese and aged balsamic. The restaurant’s modern-yet-elegant design (glass walls, thick carpet, chandeliers, and spotlighting) gives the bright and airy space a welcoming feel that makes it just as suited to a meal with friends, family, or a loved one, as it is for a deal-breaking lunch or dinner with a potential client. The Thai chefs at the restaurant all came through the hotel’s rigorous recruiting process, which saw the management only consider culinary talent with awards already to their names. The
food reflects this both in presentation and taste. Colourful fresh veggies, skillfully arranged on the plate, all come from the best local and international sources; ditto the meat, which includes some superb cuts of lamb from New Zealand. Adding to the restaurant’s offerings is a superb wine list featuring many famous labels from Europe, Australia, and South Africa. Guests can also choose from a wide selection of innovative and classic cocktails, as well as a range of healthy fruit juices made fresh to order. Located a short walk from Phloenchit BTS, the AETAS Bangkok is easy to reach, and may just become one of your favourite destinations for a good value and high quality buffet lunch.
AETAS Bangkok, 49 Soi Ruamrudee, Phloenchit Road Tel: 02 618 9000 www.aetashotels.com
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Chefs in focus|Daniel Aiassa
Gourmet
SERVING UP
Favourite local restaurant (other than your own!) There are many good restaurants in Bangkok, and I don’t have a favourite
Most influential chef Nino Bergese, an Italian
Chef Daniel Aiassa
Owner-Chef of L’Ulivo talks about his favourite foods and wines
Best customers The one who knows what he/she wants
Best compliment given to you I cook simple and really authentic Italian Food
Most overrated food/dish White cream sauce
Most useful cooking utensil Saucepan and spoon
Patient or impatient in the kitchen Patient Other life passions Travel and trying out foods from other countries and cultures
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What’s next for Italian cuisine To be original and have an authentic taste
Best wine-producing country Italy - Piedmont and Tuscany, and also US, Napa Valley
Worst kitchen disaster Serving customers the wrong dishes and the wrong taste
Favourite dish to make Risotto with pan fried scallops
Favourite dish to eat Spaghetti with fresh tomato sauce
Organic food – here to stay or passing fad There is no space for organic food in the future
Chef Daniel in focus ■ HAVING made a name for himself in charge of the kitchens at Biscotti, the Four Seasons’ renowned Italian restaurant, over a period of four and half years, Chef Daniel Aiassa decided in 2011 to go it alone and open his own venue, L’Ulivo, on Bangkok’s Narathiwat Road. The venture is the latest move in a long career that has taken Danilo from his farmstead home in a tiny village in Piedmont, northern Italy, where he first learned about cooking from his grandmother, to traditional Italian outlets in Turin and one of his country’s top restaurants in Bologne. He also worked for the Michelin three-star Buerehiesel in Strasbourg under Chef Westerman, as well as the two-star Michelin Au Crocodile of Emile Jung. After a stint at the Four Seasons Hotel George V in Paris, and San Domenico in Imola near Bologna, he moved to Thailand in 2005 to join Biscotti.
Worst customers A person who pretends to know, but doesn’t Most used cookbook La Cucina Regionale Italiana by Anna Gosetti
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Gourmet
Bar Banter|Bacardi
Mr David Cordoba, Bacardi Global Brand Ambassador, and Mr Sanit Sopitgirapast, Marketing Manager Bacardi (Thailand) Limited
Mr David Cordoba, Bacardi Global Brand Ambassador
The four most promising bartenders from Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition 2013
David Cordoba in the mix
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Bacardi’s Global Brand Ambassador talks about his work and shares his recipe for bartending success
BACARDI’S Global Brand Ambassador David Cordoba is regarded as being one of the world’s leading authorities on rum-based cocktails. Since concocting his first drinks 13 years ago in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he bartended while studying at university, to going on to wow drinkers with his cocktail creations at top bars in Europe, he’s always had a knack for creating boozy brilliance in a glass. Now based in London and employed by rum giants Bacardi, David spends most of the year jetting off to cities around the world to teach bartenders how to create top quality rum-based cocktails. Last month he arrived in Bangkok to host several exclusive training sessions for the 30 Thai bartenders entering this year’s Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition, a worldwide contest to seek out top bartending talent, and while he was here we stole five minutes of his time to ask him more about his enviable job. Why does Bacardi need a brand ambassador? Well, education about the brand is very important. We have 150 years of history and we realized that we have never shared this properly with our customers – the people that want to know more about
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our products, how they are made, and with what materials. So Bacardi needs someone like me to tell the story properly, and not only about the history of Bacardi, but also about bartending, how Bacardi can be used to make amazing cocktails, and so on. What is the aim of your trip to Thailand? The aim of my trip is to share my knowledge and tips with the 30 Thai bartenders who entered the Bacardi Legacy Cocktail Competition 2013, and also host exclusive training sessions for the four most promising bartenders who will compete in the competition’s final round, to be held in March. Only one representative from Thailand will go on to train in Miami, USA, in preparation for the world final round, which will be held in Puerto Rico in April. What must one do to be a great bartender? There are many things that a bartender should do to be a great one, but one of the most important things is to be curious. A curious person is always eager to learn and, as a consequence, is also more creative. For example, some of the tools I use for bartending are not from bartending stores,
and are generally not used for bartending. But I saw them in kitchens and shops and thought that they could be helpful in bartending, so I adapted them to suit my needs. Also, being a good host for customers is very important in this kind of career. A great bartender should give a warm welcome to each and every customer, offer great service, and impress customers with their personality. What do you like best about your work? I like being able to travel and meet people from different cultures, and share ideas for cocktails with them. In my job I can’t avoid drinking alcohol, of course, so I must take care of myself by exercising three to four times a week, and also by eating healthy foods. In the Bacardi Global Legacy Cocktail Competition 2013 we have a special session which teaches bartenders how to lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Do you have a message for the Thai bartenders taking part in the competition? Be proud to be a bartender and be confident! Confidence is the key to success in your career. And don’t forget to take care of your customers and be happy.
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Gourmet
Dining|BB&B
Bangkok Beefsteak & Burgundy The BB&B dining group enjoys an authentic taste of France at Le Bouchon
F
OR our first lunch of 2013, we returned to Le Bouchon, Patpong Soi 2, exactly five years to the day since we last met at this renowned venue. Only two survivors from the 2008 guest list were there, but we were joined by at least half-a-dozen current members. Little has changed in the intervening years; the d cor remains defiantly French, many artifacts and photos have survived untouched by time, and the kitchen is exactly the same size as created back in 1996 when Serge, le Patron, took over management of what could then be best described as ‘a hole in the wall’ from a succession of failed bars and restaurants. We started with Bottega Prosseco Spumante (not Frizzante, as some wrongly attributed to the wine), which came in very flashy bottles. Our wine spokesman, Daniel Arn, gave it deserved praise. Platefuls of ‘nibbles’ came and went and it was at least 30 minutes before the kitchen was ready to deliver the toast and Terrine de foie gras (duck). There were concerns that we would consume all the Tulloch Verdelho 2008
that had been planned to be served with the but good sense prevailed (at least for most of our diners) and a few sips were left to go with the terrine. Food spokesman for the day, Loch Jackson, was full of praise for the bonhomie exhibited by those present, for the homely style of presentation, and not least for the generous helping of itself. By now, the regular diners from Le Bouchon were satiated (or had given up pursuit of a quiet peaceful lunch) and the Club was left with the place almost to itself. Dining resumed with Beef Bourguignon accompanied by pasta and ratatouille. This turned
out to be a very hearty meal that might have not been out of place in the depths of a Lyonnnais winter. We had chosen Chapoutier Châteauneuf du Pape 2006 to go with this but it turned out to be a poor match for the beef, with one or two of the bottles very disappointing. There followed a substantial helping of selected soft French cheeses accompanied by Colonial Estate Shiraz 2005 (Barossa Valley, SA) which went some way to restoring faith in the pleasures of viniculture (although it took an Australian winery to do this). The meal was topped off with the diners’ own choice of desserts; I enjoyed which came with a Swiss wine, Malvoisie, which, unsurprisingly, Daniel found to his liking.The day’s official events were concluded with Calavados, coffee, and appreciation for the hard-working servers who really earned our thanks for their efforts. It took at least another 30 minutes to persuade the last guests to find somewhere else to finish their celebration of B&B’s first lunch this year. Le Bouchon, 37/17 Patpong Soi 2, Surawongse Road. Tel: 02 234 9109 email: lebouchonbkk1@gmail.com
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Gourmet
Pics|Events
Gourmet scrapbook Foodie functions in focus
All in Austrian taste ■ FIN Wine Company marked the Austrian Jubilee with a special tasting of wines from Austria’s Muhr-van der Niepoort winery. Held at the Oriental Residence, the event was presided over by the winery’s jointowner Dorli Muhr, who shared her stories about the winery to an appreciative crowd of VIP guests.
Sushi Den opens at Paragon ■ THE new Sushi Den Japanese Restaurant at Siam Paragon made a big splash last month when it celebrated its grand opening by showcasing huge portions of imported fish – some of which weighed over 130kg!
Japanese cooking arrives at Dusit Thani College ■ MR Yoshiki Tsuji, President and owner of Tsuji Culinary Institute Group, recently presided over the official launch of Tsuji’s new “Authentic Japanese Cuisine Course” at Dusit Thani College. He was joined at the opening by Mr Khwankeo Vajarodaya, Chairperson of The Dusit Thani College Council, and Mr Tsutomu Nakagawa, Minister of Embassy of Japan in Thailand.You can read more about the new cooking school on page 49
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cut out and keep
Dining|Recipe
Gourmet
Recipe of the month Grilled Marinated Chicken With Cumin Khun Tussanee Putkaew, Chef de Cuisine of Salathip Restaurant at The Sukhothai Bangkok, shares her recipe for a popular Thai dish that’s packed full of flavour and surprisingly easy to make. Put on your apron, fire up the oven, and let’s get cooking! Ingredients For the chicken • 400g whole chicken • 80g lemongrass, sliced • 10g coriander root • 5g yellow turmeric • 60g soy sauce • 17g black pepper powder • 40g garlic, peeled • 10g white sugar For the sweet and sour sauce • 30g fish sauce • 20g lime juice • 10g tamarind juice • 8g roasted rice • 5g shallots • 5g spring onions • 5g log fresh coriander • 3g chilli powder
For the spicy Thai sauce • 30g fish sauce • 30g lime juice • 15g white sugar • 5g small green chillies • 7g garlic, sliced • 5g coriander root • 5g galangal root
Method
For the chicken 1. Pound lemongrass, coriander, peeled garlic, yellow turmeric and mix well with remaining ingredients. Marinate the chicken for 2 hours. 2. Bake the chicken in the For the basil sauce oven at 200°C for about • 30g white soy sauce 30 minutes. • 30g lime juice 3. Cut the chicken and • 15g white sugar serve with sweet and sour • 5g small green chillies sauce, spicy Thai sauce and • 7g shallots, chopped basil sauce. • 5g coriander root • 5g sweet basil
For the sweet and sour sauce 1. Mix all ingredients well. Serve in a small cup with the cooked chicken. For the spicy Thai sauce 1. Mix all ingredients well. Serve in a small cup with the cooked chicken. For the basil sauce 1. Mix the fish sauce, lime juice and sugar together. Stir until sugar is dissolved. 2. Add to the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Serve in a small cup with the cooked chicken.
About the chef
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GROWING up with a passion for cooking, Khun Tassanee has spent most of her life honing her craft and perfecting recipes which showcase everything that’s brilliant about Thai food. Her career, which spans almost 30 years, includes stints working for top hotels in Thailand and France, as well as several months in Switzerland where she had the opportunity to promote Thai cuisine. She joined Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok in 2004, as Thai Chef de Cuisine of Salathip, and since then has gained a glowing reputation for creating authentic Thai dishes which please both Thais and foreigners alike. Shangri-La Hotel Bangkok, 89 Soi Wat Suan Plu ☎ 02 236 9952 :shangri-la.com
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Gourmet
Dining|New in town
NEW IN
TOWN PART 1
Openings, renovations and relocations – here’s a quick round up of what’s new, what’s returned, and what’s coming up in Bangkok’s always vibrant and constantly evolving dining scene
Pssssst. Pick up next month’s issue for even more new restaurants!
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THE GHETTO Bar and Restaurant ■ DON’T worry, there’s nothing too ‘ghetto’ about this new bar and restaurant at the Nine Centre (Rama 9 Road). In fact, it’s hip and stylish and already packed on a nightly basis with young good looking executives who flock here for live music, a large selection of wines, beers and spirits, and a menu packed with European-style street food as well as Thai fusion dishes created by a chef who learned his skills at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok. 999/4 G Building, Rama 9 Road. Open: Daily 4pm-1am
☎ 02 716 7906
Supanniga Eating Room by Khunyai
Takumi Japanese Restaurant
■ CELEBRATING its grand opening this month, the Swissôtel Le Concorde Hotel’s new Japanese restaurant looks set to bring in the crowds with high quality sushi and sashimi, and some great promotions, including an all-you-can-eat a la carte lunch buffet at B655 (Daily. 11.30am-2.30pm), and an a la carte dinner buffet at B777 (Daily. 6pm-10.30pm).
☎
204 Ratchadapisek Road 02 694 2222 ext.1560 :swissotel.com/bangkok-leconcorde
■ SIGNATURE dishes from Trad Province and Isaan take centre stage at this homely family-run restaurant set over three floors of a townhouse on Soi Thonglor. All the food is made using ‘grandma’s secret recipes,’ which were first created 80 years ago and have been passed down the generations ever since. Menu highlights include Pla too
tod nam prik (Fried fish with chilli) from Koh Chang; PuJa (Steamed fresh crab meat and pork in crab shell); and Bualoikaikem (Taro and pumpkin served in coconut milk and salted egg). Even if you’re not hungry, the third floor balcony is a great place to sit and relax with a Beer Laos or a cocktail. 160/11 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Across Soi 7). Open: Tues-Sun 11.30am-2.30am, 5.30pm-11.30pm 02 714 7508
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New Ciao Italian Restaurant look! ■ THE Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok’s fine-dining Italian restaurant is now back on the scene with a chic, contemporary look. Offering seating indoors or out in the garden in a picturesque riverside setting, it serves a good selection of spuntino – Italian style tapas – as well as an extensive a la carte menu of Italian classics and imaginative dishes. To one side of the restaurant lies Ciao’s chic cocktail bar, serving a selection of fine Italian wines and cocktails, and some excellent prosecco-based cocktails. If you’re feeling really decadent – head to the exclusive Chef ’s Counter where up to eight guests can enjoy an 8 or 12-course tasting menu accompanied by wines.
98 North Sathorn Road 02 108 2000-19 : kudeta.com
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Dining|New in town
Gourmet
Luce Italian Restaurant
New Señor Pico look!
■ WITH its Cuban band, lively atmosphere, chatty staff, and delicious Mexican food (not forgetting great Mojito cocktails) Señor Pico Restaurant at the Rembrandt Hotel has long been a popular choice for a fun night out. After undergoing a recent face lift, the restaurant is now back on the scene with an even bigger spring in its step courtesy of a new modern design, new chef from Chihuahua (yes, it is a place), and a new food menu packed with classic and innovative Mexican cuisine. Every Monday, go as a group of six adults or more and you’ll get a complimentary pitcher of any Margarita. Every Friday night is Salsa night, a Latin-style party where diners can learn to dance with teachers Ler and Pannada. Live music every night except Tues. Rembrandt Hotel, Sukhumvit Soi 18
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■ RENOWNED for pairing innovative Italian cuisine with top quality wines from the Frescobaldi and Luce wineries, Luce Italian Restaurants have been a big hit in each destination they’ve opened. The latest restaurant to carry the moniker – and Asia’s first – located at the Eastin Grand Sathorn Hotel, offers the same exclusive dining experience in an elegant loft-inspired setting where diners can enjoy classic and innovative Italian cuisine made by the expert hand of Executive Chef Roberto Bellitti, who joined the restaurant from the celebrated EFF Cucina e Stagioni in Milan. Guests can opt to sit in the air-conditioned dining room or out on the poolside terrace, where a dedicated chill-out zone offers great views of the city and mellow music by a live DJ. Check out the Valentine’s promotion on page 81. 33/1 South Sathorn Road. Open Noon-2.30pm; 6.30pm-10.30pm (bar and lounge 10pm-midnight) 02 210 8100 :eastingrandsathorn.com
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Apoteka
02 261 7100 :rembrandtbkk.com
Bonafide
■ THE most recent addition to Sukhumvit 11’s potent bar scene, Apoteka takes the decor of an early 19th century apothecary and gives it a modern spin – think exposed brickwork, cozy dens with elegant furnishings, and subdued lighting. A wide number of classic and innovative cocktails are on offer, as well as a decent selection of pizzas and light gourmet bites. A live DJ keeps the atmosphere bubbling late into the night. 33/28 Sukhmvit Soi 11. Open: Mon-Thurs 6pm-1am, Fri-Sat6pm-2am, Sun 6pm-1am 090 626 7655 :apotekabkk.com
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■ HIDDEN away in a small Soi on Rama IV road, this restaurant would be easy to miss if it wasn’t for its striking black and orange exterior. Commanding attention inside is a selection of boat noodles (small Tapas-style servings of noodles in a variety of flavours), plus a selection of local favourites and fusion dishes. Highlights include Foie gras with Khao Yum; Grilled salmon with spicy mango salad; and Fettuccine carbonara with crispy bacon. Live band every Fri and Sat nights. 99/9-11 Rimtarngrodfaisaipaknam Road, Rama IV. Open: Daily 11am-11pm 02 671 9955
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Gourmet
Dining|New in town
Signor Sassi
Café Bicycle
■ PEDALLING a range of inexpensive Western and Thai food, this airy two-floor restaurant and deli at the Mahatun Plaza (Ploenchit Road) has a focus on healthy cuisine and, where possible, tries to help out the community by using the best locally sourced ingredients. Tuck into breakfast items like Smoked salmon omelette (B150), salads such as Tuscan mix (B180), and meaty sandwiches like Chicken Avacado (B190). Wash it all down with coffee, Ceylon tea, or a fresh fruit smoothie (drinks range B50-B95).
■ AFTER gaining a sterling reputation at its home in Knightsbridge, London, where it’s been operating since 1984, Signor Sassi Italian Restaurant has gone on to open branches in Kuwait, Lebanon, and, most recently, here in Bangkok. Located at the five-star Anantara Sathorn Hotel, the Big Mango’s incarnation of the restaurant boasts great views from the 37th floor and offers much of the same fare you’d find back in London – an extensive menu of simple, yet authentic Italian dishes such as Avocado with lobster, scampi and prawns; New Zealand rack of lamb with red wine and aromatic herbs; and signature dish, Spaghetti Lobster. Narathiwat-Ratchanakarin Road. Open Noon-2.30pm and 6pm-11pm
☎ 02 210-9011 :signorsassi.co.uk
New
concept!
Mahatun Plaza, Ploenchit Road. Open Mon-Fri 7am-7pm; 8.30am-4.30pm. 02 651 5188 :cafebicycle.com
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Caffe Undici
■ LOVE cakes and pastries? Satisfy all your sugary cravings and upset the tooth fairy by visiting this new coffee shop on Phaholyothin Road. The menu is loaded with sweet treats like Fresh crepe cake with strawberry sauce; Lemon curd panna cotta; Straw-
Panorama Restaurant
berry shortcake; and Apple turnover. Savory eats are on offer too, such as Home-made quiche and Spaghetti carbonara. 4/7 Soi 11 Phaholyothin Road. Open: Mon-Sat 8am-7pm 02 279 6368 :facebook. com/CafeUndici
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■ AFTER the huge success of its Brazilian food promotion, which brought in a team of guest chefs from Brazil to showcase their native cuisine, Panorama has now retooled its concept and taken on a Latin theme. Under the new slogan “Inspiring by day, Latin by night,’ the restaurant now celebrates all things South American, not just in a new food menu (featuring authentic dishes from Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Cuba), but also in atmosphere by regularly hosting live DJs and live bands. Enjoy your food at the Deck Bar or in the large elegant dining room. Both areas offer superb sweeping views of Bangkok. A daily lunch buffet, served Noon-2pm, features Latin cuisine and Asian favourites. Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park, 952 Rama IV Road. Open lunch Noon-2pm; Dinner 6pm-10.30pm (drinks till 1am) 02 632 9000 :crowneplaza.com
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Gourmet
Dining|New in town
Pastel & Monochrome
■ FOUNDED by a group of friends who share a mutual passion for food, drinks, design, photography and art, Pastel and Monochrome offers casual dining in an artsy renovated house decked out with sculptures, retro furniture, and separated into three zones – garden, terrace, and air-conditioned interior. Drop by for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, and you can beat back hunger with a range of Thai favourites and innovative European fusion cuisine. Highlights include Beef tenderloin (B950++) and Penne salmon pink sauce (B260++). 7 Thonglor Soi 25. Open: Sun-Thu 10am-midnight; Fri-Sat 10am-1am 02 713 5949 :facebook.com/PastelMonochrome
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Gossip
■ OWNED by Chef de cuisine Julien Lavigne (formerly of D’Sens, Dusit Thani Bangkok) in partnership with the folks behind the ever popular Oskar Bistro on Sukhumvit Soi 11, Gossip offers a choice of three different settings – a cozy terrace perched upon a pond, an elegant open air cocktail bar, and a dining room decked out in the style of a retro chic gentlemen’s club. Chef Julien fuels proceedings with a range of gourmet Mediterranean dishes, with highlights such as Arancini, a Sicilian risotto with thyme and melted mozzarella served with a spicy tomato sauce; and Duck Bisque, featuring a delicate foie gras wonton ravioli, and light foam of porcini mushrooms. For drinks, choose from all organic wines or sample unique, innovative cocktails, such as Tender Love, featuring bourbon with hints of tonka, vanilla-chocolate liquor, and balanced with bitters. 13 Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor Soi 15)
☎ 02 185 3093 :facebook.com/GossipThonglor
El Osito
Coming
Ku De Ta
soon!
■ SLATED to open in May at the Sathorn Square development on North Sathorn Road, the sprawling Ku De Ta will offer seven bars, two separate nightclubs, and three restaurants, including Ku De Ta Izakaya, a casual Japanese dining concept; Ku De Ta Modern Asian, which aims to take Asian cuisine to whole new levels of taste; and Ku De Ta Kalifornia Grill, serving high quality cuts of beef, imported fresh fish, and gourmet salads. Designed by AVRO|KO, which specializes in creating thoughtful, provocative architecture, Ku De Ta should look just as impressive as it sounds. Expect more info in a future issue of The BigChilli. 98 North Sathorn Road
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☎ 02 108 2000-19 :kudeta.com
■ OWNED and operated by the same husband and wife team behind the popular La Monita Taqueria Mexican restaurant, which is located just next door, this bright and friendly eatery is a sandwich/pizza/salad bar by day and a Spanish tapas bar by night. Translated from Spanish, El Osito means The Small Bear. Small it might be, but this bear certainly packs plenty of bite in dishes such as Seafood paella; Home-made bacon/ Pastrami; Grilled prawn with rock salt; and Salted cod in a special Basque-style PilPil sauce. Sandwich highlights include Reuben sandwich, and New York-style Pastrami sandwich on light rye bread. For dessert, try the Spanish crème brulee. 888/23-24 Mahatun Plaza, Ploenchit Road. Open: Mon-Sat Sandwich time: 11am-3pm, Tapas time 5pm-11pm. 02 651 4399 :facebook.com/ElOsitoBkk
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Dining|New in town
Gourmet
FYI Bar & Restaurant
■ SHOPPERS at the Crystal Design Center (CDC) can enjoy some European-inspired eats at this new small bar and restaurant on the second floor of Zone 2. The atmosphere is casual and cozy, and the menu constantly changes, reflecting available ingredients and the whims of the chef. A popular choice that’s always available is the Baked spinach with cheese (named Spinach with cheesy cheese here thanks to its abundance of cheesy goodness). An outdoor terrace provides a great spot for some postshopping drinks. CDC, 1420/1 Praditmanutham Road. Open Wed – Sun 5.30pm – 1am (closed Tues) 081 909 1242 :facebook.com/fyibarandrestaurant
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New location!
The Dubliner
■ WHEN The Dubliner’s former home, Washington Square, became earmarked for development late last year, fans of the longstanding Irish pub nearly filled their Guinness glasses with tears. After being in the same spot for over 13 years, the pub was so steeped in history you could almost smell it. All those St Patrick’s Day parties, anniversary bashes, stag nights, hen dos, and everything in between – the pub’s wood had absorbed all that atmosphere. So when the pub was forced to up sticks and relocate to a new premises on Sukhumvit 33/1 (between The Royal Oak and Robin Hoods Pub), many of its regular punters feared it would lose some of its magic in the process. The good news, though, is that, when moving, The Dubliner almost literally dug up sticks. Why? Because the owners used most of the wood that gave the pub its rustic charm at the old location to construct the new venue. The results – a pub which feels very much the same, albeit in a new shape. From the kitchen comes the same hearty portions of international fare like Fish and chips, Bangers and mash, and Steak pie; a decent selection of beers are on draught; and there’s now even a hotel perched atop the pub, which is great news for tourists, and even better news for anyone who’s supped so much Guinness on St Paddy’s Day that they can’t remember their way home. Sukhumvit 33/1
☎ 02 204 1841 :thedublinerbangkok.com
Kinki Japanese Restaurant & Bar
■ CO-owned by Chef Christian Kostner, son of Chef Norbert Kostner, Culinary Director at Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok, Johann Bistro puts forward plenty of evidence that talent for cooking is in the genes. Christian’s menu, a smattering of Italian and French classics with a hint of Asian spice, includes dishes such as Pumpkin velvet soup with fried gnocchi and herbs (B180); and Tiger prawn fusilli with tomato sauce (B350). All dishes are kept simple and let top quality ingredients and careful cooking do the talking.The setting is casual and the atmosphere convivial, making this a great spot for a laid-back lunch or dinner with family and friends.
■ A “JAPANESE Restaurant with an urban attitude,” the first Kinki Restaurant (nope, not that kind of kinky) in Singapore ditched all the trappings of a traditional Japanese restaurant to embrace a bar-like atmosphere. Cue graffiti, cocktails, and DJs playing funky music. With the opening of its second branch, at Rain Hill community mall, Kinki now brings that same experience to Bangkok. Split between an indoor dining room and outdoor balcony overlooking Sukhumvit Road, the restaurant features graffiti by the NEF Crew, serves a long list of boozy concoctions, has DJs spinning everything from funk to acid jazz, and offers up a large selection of contemporary Japanese cuisine, with even a few fusion dishes thrown in for good measure.
No. 88 Soi Sukhumvit 53 (Pai-D Ma-D), Klongtonnue. Lunch 11.30am-2.30pm; Dinner 6.30pm-10pm. 02 712 5070 : johann.bistro@gmail.com
Rain Hill community mall (rooftop), Sukhumvit Soi 47. Open daily 6pm-midnight. 02 261 7204 :kinki.com
Johann Bistro
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Gourmet
Feature|Dining scene
Bangkok’s ‘Nose to Tail’ dining revolution
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By Howard Richardson
How a trio of restaurants is overhauling the way we eat our meat and vegetables by focusing on local products and ensuring virtually nothing goes to waste
WE may have survived the Mayanpredicted end of the world, but according to more credible forecasts we’re still hurtling towards oblivion on a planeload of food shortages, insecticide poisons and global warming. However, survival may come in the form of a change in the way we eat. Hence, the arrival of new buzz words like Locavore, Nose to Tail, and Artisanal. You’ll come across these phenomena in Smith, Quince and Little Beast, three high profile restaurant openings last year that appeal to diners by offering details of food sourcing, either out of concern for the environment, the ethics of animal welfare, or simply a desire for a healthier, tastier dinner. All three focus on a blend of local produce, preferably organically grown, and nose to tail dining, in which every part of the animal is used. The artisanal element comes in a liking for handcrafted, cottage industry products, sometimes in items like cheese and bread, but often in retro, back-to-roots architecture and d cor. Locavores go local because the food needs fewer air miles to get from farm to table, so therefore involves fewer greenhouse gas emissions, and also because the food is fresher when you eat it, and thus tastier. The benefits of organic produce are less clear. Research released last year by scientists at Stanford University was the latest in a long line to conclude that organic meat and vegetables are no more nutritious than conventionally grown produce. However, all these research projects were conducted in Europe or the US, where pesticide residues are generally
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below safety limits. Those of us living in Thailand don’t have it so good. The Thailand Pesticide Alert Network (Thai-PAN) in 2012 published results showing that many vegetables from Bangkok markets and supermarkets contain up to 202 times the amount of chemicals allowed by the European Union Food Standard. Some are carcinogenic and most are harmful to health. A Thai-PAN spokesperson said,
“The situation is severe. Thailand has very few standards to limit the use of pesticides.” Why the powers-that-be are not more concerned is a mystery. After all, they are presumably eating the same food we are. In the meantime, it seems buying organically grown produce in Thailand may actually save your life. One way to combat food shortages, according to the World Development
Smith, sister restaurant of Hyde & Seek, is located on Sukhumvit Soi 49 (smith-restaurant.com)
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(Left): Smith’s minimalist interior (Above): Blood pudding (Right): Head cheese terrine
Bank, would be tougher financial market regulations. They say “Banks, hedge funds and pension funds are betting on food prices in financial markets, causing drastic price swings in staple foods such as wheat, maize and soy.” Michel Barnier, European commissioner for the internal market believes that “speculation in basic foodstuffs is a scandal when there are a billion starving people in the world. I am fighting for a fairer world and I want Europe to take the lead on that.” The belief is the rest of us can help through greater awareness of what we consume. Bangkok’s Thai restaurants have no problem finding local produce. There’s no expectation of high-falutin imported items, while favoured proteins such as duck, pork and chicken are generally decent standard, and any lack of quality in the pre-chopped morsels traditional in Thai dishes is easily disguised. In the steak-sized slabs of meat at western restaurants, any quality issues are glaring. The impetus of restaurants like Smith and Quince in particular is that they’re western-style restaurants advertising their commitment to local produce. Smith is run by partners in Bangkok’s first gastro bar, Hyde & Seek, including Thailand’s favourite celebrity chef Ian Chalermkittichai, who has several restaurants around the world. To lead the kitchens at Smith, he brought in Peter
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Pitakwong, his former chef de cuisine at Kittichai, in New York. There’s an impressive attempt here to fulfill the stated commitment, but, like most western restaurants, they find it hard to be completely local, so also use imports. In their popular starter Tuna, braised pig’s tail and foie gras torchon (B250++), Peter uses black fin tuna from Phuket and pork from a small farm in Nakhon Sawan. “We sometimes buy whole pigs and use everything,” he says. “But otherwise we buy less popular cuts that would otherwise be wasted.” He braises the tail with ox tongue and folds it into foie gras terrine, which is covered by thinly sliced tuna, enriched with pork fat. Laced with citrus, the dish has an acidic bite, with peppery notes and the occasional unexpected, but delicious flavour of lardons. They also have Slow-roasted lamb ribs (B2,350 for 3-4 people), Calf ’s tongue with Mexican spice (B180++), and Head cheese terrine (or brawn, B280++), served with light, easily snappable croutons. Smith’s locally reared Verjus glazed pork belly (B350++) takes three days to prepare, including soaking in milk and brine, smoking, and braising for four hours. It has a lovely smoky, honey aroma and a pleasing hammy texture below the layer of fat, anchored
by the sourness of pickled stone fruit and a bed of spicy lentil. “The lamb for the ribs comes from Korat,” Peter says. “But they don’t produce enough of it to use regularly, so most of the red meat we serve is still imported. The local quality and availability is difficult to predict for the more expensive cuts, which are still the most popular with diners. “We want to support the local Thai market and encourage it, and I’m trying to brainwash my cooks to understand and value ingredients and where they come from,” he says. “But in Thailand we’re behind New York and London in the appreciation of produce.” It was in London that the modern passion for nose to tail started, with chef Fergus Henderson’s 1999 book Nose to Tail Eating: A Kind of British Cooking. It proclaimed, “If you’re going to kill the animal it seems only polite to use the whole thing,” and explained how to prepare food using every part of a pig, something that is common regionally around Britain and Europe. Henderson’s restaurant St John became a mecca for enthusiasts, and the book went viral after the US version was published in 2004. The New Yorker described it as the “Ulysses of the whole Slow Food movement.” One person in Bangkok doing genuine nose to tail, and a supplier to
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Gourmet
Feature|Dining scene
Joe Sloane’s pork products have been a big hit in Bangkok
several restaurants, is Joe Sloane. Joe trained as a chef with Albert Roux, in London, where he learned to butcher animals, and eventually arrived in Bangkok in 2006 as chef at the Landmark’s Rib Room. He now buys a whole pig most weeks, butchers it, and makes produce using virtually the entire animal. It’s so popular he’s now, in his own words, “stupidly busy.” “I stick to pigs,” he says, “because it’s easier to find good quality animals that are ethically reared and killed. This means they’re free range, allowed space to roam, and not pumped full of hormones or antibiotics.” Joe sources most of his pigs from a small farm in Si Saket. “It’s easier to get information from small farms about how the animals are treated. If pigs are stressed when they’re slaughtered,” he says, “adrenalin pumps around their body. This causes more acidity, and results in PSE, or ‘pale soft extrudent,’ which leads to paler meat that leaks water when it’s cooked.” There are ten regular items such as sausages and chorizo on Joe’s product list, plus specials like smoked ham, and back bacon, and lesser known items such as Bath chaps, in which pig cheek is rolled around pig tongue, then brined and boiled. Like a ham, it’s served hot or cold. His plump, meaty Cumberland sausages have good juicy fat content, and – being not
too heavy on the herbs – let the pork talk. If there are better in Bangkok, I haven’t eaten them. “I’d love to use lamb, too,” says Joe. “But people don’t import whole animals, only the more expensive cuts. You can get lamb, sheep and cows from a breeder in Pak Chong but it’s more expensive to buy than imported. I can’t justify the cost for sausages.” Apart from a few herbs he can’t find here, such as sage, Joe uses local produce throughout. Why bother? “Partly the challenge, but also not to have any waste and to see the animal have a good life. Every part of the animal is used. The blood goes into black pudding, liver into the lights and spleen into haggis, the bones into stock, the head makes brawn, and so on.” Joe is going into business selling Thai and western produce with Bo and Dylan, the owners of Bo.lan Thai restaurant. “We hope to have a shopfront deli operation within a year,” he says. In the meantime, you can pick up his delicious products either at farmers markets like the one at Bo.lan on the first Saturday of each month, or arrange a home delivery through joe@sloanes-sausages.com.
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One restaurant using Sloane’s is Quince, which opened in September last year. It’s helmed by chef Jess Barnes with partners from Bed Supperclub and Oskar Bistro, and is so popular we had to wait for a table on the Tuesday night we visited. “We are driven towards responsible eating and use as much fresh local produce as we can,” says Jess. “But Quince is becoming a very busy restaurant, and we have the same issues all outlets face – sourcing, staffing, training.” Included on the menu is Roast bone marrow (B250++), which requires diners to push out the marrow from the hollow bone to gather in pools of oil on the plate. Slap it on to a crouton and eat with a helping of chopped parsley and capers to cut through the unctuous slop. It’s far, far tastier than it sounds.
Substance and style: Quince boasts a trendy design and great location on Sukhumvit 45
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Little Beast, on Thonglor, has several items on its menu that use local and lesser known produce
Quince’s locally reared Hanger steak (B500++) is cooked rare and served with a fatty cube of pressed rib and mushroom fricassee. Hanger comes from near the kidneys, so is tough but full of flavour. It also has trendy cachet – the last I ate was recently in Gordon Ramsay’s London bistro Foxtrot Oscar. The pork at Quince is ethically killed and organic, and they have lots of local produce including Kurobuta pork blood from Chantaburi, cheese from Hua Hin, and all the beef apart from Ozzie rib eye. But, as Jess reveals, “Creating an entirely western menu from local produce is extremely difficult, and I have an obligation to my investors to show I’m toeing the line between integrity, philosophy and savvy business sense. “Our cover numbers are increasing, and only with time and diligence will we be able to have a manageable product that’s in line with the concept. I think in the short time we’ve been open we’ve shown that good, simple food can be done with mostly local produce in Thailand. I’m pretty sure we’re doing the right thing.”
The Thonglor gastro bar Little Beast was the third new restaurant last year to be widely associated with the locavore and nose to tail movement. It actually makes no claim to follow that path, but does have several items on its small French-American menu that use local and lesser-used produce. Partner Tee Suraphongchai explains that Chef Nan Bunyasaranand, who studied at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), “trained in using use any leftover body parts efficiently, in a tasty way that also keeps costs down.” Little Beast focuses on small sharing portions in dishes like Corned beef tongue (B330++) served with braised cabbage, mustard seeds, creamed potatoes; Black truffle and pork cheek penne (B350++); and Chicken liver mousse puffs (B180++). They also use local beef in Cheese burger sliders (B300++). “It’s not like just throwing tenderloin on the grill. Many of these dishes take longer to prepare,” says Tee. “So the chef is also adding value in terms of cooking skill.” Many of these cheaper cuts, taken from close to the bone, are actually as tasty as expensive steaks, they’re just more
Black truffle pork cheek
Chicken liver puff
Corned beef tongue Cheeseburger sliders
difficult for chefs to deal with and have a concept issue with the dining public. Bangkok’s nascent locavore movement could possibly be just a fad, but Smith, Quince and Little Beast are all run by well connected people, through social media and otherwise. And they’re busy. Both are indicators that their attempts to develop the locavore market will not necessarily be wasted. TheBigChilli
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Dining|Valentine’s Day
Gourmet
Romance on a plate Valentine’s Day dining at a glance Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa ■ SEVERAL good options for a Romantic dinner are available here. Among them: a five-course international set menu at Trader Vic’s (B4,499++ per couple with a bottle of sparkling wine); Manohra Dining Cruise with regional specialties (B4,499++ per couple with a bottle of sparkling wine); a five-course Italian set menu at Brio (B3,499++ per couple with two glasses of sparkling wine); and an international buffet at Riverside Terrace (B1,999++ per person with a glass of sparkling wine). 257/1-3 Charoennakorn Road :bangkokriverdining.com
☎ 02 476 0022 Ext. 1416
Anantara Bangkok Sathorn ■ A FIVE-course candlelit dinner will be served poolside at 100° East restaurant for B3,000 per person. Alternatively visit Kasara Lounge for a seven-course dinner for B5,000 per couple. 36 Narathiwat-Ratchanakarin Road, Sathorn 02 210 9000 :bangkok-sathorn.anantara.com
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AETAS Bangkok ■ A SPECIAL set dinner menu (6pm-10.30pm) will be available at Moments Restaurant for B2,800 per couple.
☎02 618 9039
49 Soi Ruamrudee :aetashotels.com
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Northgate Ratchayothin Serviced Residence ■ FROM Feb 8 – 14,Two Forty Eight & Bar will offer a five-course set dinner (6pm-10pm) priced just 999++ per couple with two glasses of wine (B599++ for food only). Menu highlights include Seared US Scallops wrapped with bacon and wilted spinach; and Pan-fried salmon fillet or Roasted pork chops served with mashed potato and white wine sauce. 248 Ratchadapisek Road
☎ 02 939 7949 : northgatebangkok.com
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Radisson Suites Bangkok Sukhumvit ■ MAUVE Restaurant will offer a threecourse set dinner (6pm-10.30pm) including one free bottle of wine for B3,200 per couple. Menu highlights include Saddle of roast lamb served with cream of parsnip, Russell potatoes, glazed carrots and a thyme jus (or Grilled Australian Angus Tenderloin); and Chocolate cake with a strawberry coulis. 23/2-3 Sukhumvit 13
☎ 02 645 4999 :radisson.com
Aloft Bangkok – Sukhumvit 11 ■ HEAD to the hotel’s poolside venue Splash to enjoy a four-course set dinner (6.30pm onwards) at B1,999++ per person with unlimited wine selection. Menu highlights include Braised abalone with truffle meringue and rose tea dust, and Grilled lamb racks with crusty celeriac, sour cherry and rose leaves. The event is exclusive for 10 couples. Book before Feb 11 for 15 percent discount.
☎ 02 207 7000 : alofthotels.com/bangkoksukhumvit11
Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn Bangkok
Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit
■ LUCE Italian Restaurant is offering an enticing five-course set dinner menu featuring highlights such as Slow cooked imported lamb shoulder; Roasted Phuket lobster with mustard potato puree served with buttered spinach rolled in pancetta; and Chef ’s Chocolate heart filled with passion fruit mousse. B5,200 ++ per couple with a glass of Prosseco.
■ THE hotel’s chic Parisianinspired Champagne bar and restaurant, L’Appart, will offer a four-course gourmet set dinner for two for B3,600++ per couple (food only); or B5,400++ with two glasses of Moet & Chandon Enjoy your meal in the open kitchen or out on the expansive terrace offering panoramic views of Bangkok.
33/1 South Sathorn Road
☎02 210 8100 :eastingrandsathorn.com
189 Sukhumvit Road Soi 13-15
Crowne Plaza Bangkok Lumpini Park ■ THREE distinct dining experiences await lovebirds here. Enjoy a special set menu of South American cuisine while enjoying sweeping views of Bangkok (B3,999++ per couple with a glass of Champagne); experience a Champagne and Violin Valentine’s Dinner by the Pool (B9,999++ per couple); or go all out and have your own Dom P rignon private table at Panorama restaurant (B29,999++ per couple with private butler, private chef, and an overnight stay).
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952 Rama IV Road 02 632 9000 :ichotelsgroup.com/crowneplaza
☎ 02 126 9999 : sofitel.com
Four Points By Sheraton Bangkok, Sukhumvit 15 ■ AL FRESCO rooftop venue amBAR is offering a seafood appetizer platter followed by a full buffet line (complete with strawberry desserts and a chocolate fountain)
for B4,000 per couple with a free bottle of wine. Live music throughout the night. 02 309 3201 ☎fourpointsbangkok-
:
sukhumvit.com
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Gourmet
Dining|Valentine’s Day
Swissôtel Nai Lert Park, Bangkok ■ THE Conservatory will offer ‘his and hers’ set dinner menus (6pm-10pm) priced 1,499++ per person for food only; or 2,999++ per person including a bottle of Sparkling wine per couple. Menu highlights include Lobster, avocado and green apple tian served with caviar ‘for her,’ and Roasted Wagyu beef with truffled potatoes ‘for him.’ 2 Wireless Road Tel. 02 253 0123 or 02 867 7000 :swissotel.com
Pullman Bangkok King Power ■ A SPECIAL four-course French dinner (6.30pm-10pm) will be available at Vu restaurant for B1,200 per person. Menu highlights include Roasted shell fish emulsion with seared lobster; and Herb crusted veal tenderloin with an aromatic Jus, combined with scallop on a pool of dill beurre blanc. 8/2 Rangnam Road, Ratchathewi 02 680 9999 :pullmanbangkokkingpower.com
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Grand Millennium Sukhumvit ■ GIVE your date a Spanish flavour at Tapas Y Vino, where a five-course dinner (6.30pm-10.30pm) will be on offer for B1,999++ per person with a glass of sparkling wine (and a free bottle of wine per couple). Menu highlights include Foie gras mi-cuit, figs and Pedro Ximenez wine reduction ; and Pan fried Wagyu beef tenderloin, tempranillo sauce, asparagus comfit and pont neuf potatoes. Flamenco guitarist Vincent Chavez from Spain will also perform. Sukhumvit 21
Lebua at State Tower ■ SIROCCO, the world’s highest al fresco restaurant, is set to offer a real feast for the senses with an eight-course gourmet dinner accompanied by live jazz (B21,999++ per couple). Alternatively head to Sky Bar to enjoy a bottle of G.H Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne (B9,500++ per couple). 1055 Silom Road
☎ 02 624 9999 :lebua.com
☎ 02 204 4158 :grandmillenniumskv.com
Westin Grande Sukhumvit
The Landmark Bangkok
Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square
■ ENJOY an al fresco Poolside Dinner featuring two glasses of premium sparkling wine, one bottle of signature wine, and a special gift set, for B5,190 per couple; or head to Taste for the Valentine’s Day Buffet Dinner, which will feature a vast array of international dishes for B1,490 per person including one glass of chilled bubbly.
■ THE Rib Room and Bar on the hotel’s 31st floor is cooking up a special fivecourse set dinner, featuring US scallops, Pan fried duck foie gras, Monk fish, Australian lamb loin or Aussie grain fed Tenderloin and Valentine’s Macaronade with two glasses of Moët & Chandon, for B12,000 ++ per couple. Or enjoy a three-course a la carte menu at B3,900++ per person.
■ AN extensive international buffet showcasing many favourite dishes from Europe and Asia will be available for dinner at The Square Restaurant priced B2,400++ per couple with a glass of sparkling wine. Head to the hotel’s to Concept CM2 nightclub at 10pm for a Valentine’s themed party. Entry is B650 with two drinks.
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259 Sukhumvit 19 02 207 8000 :westin.com/bangkok
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138 Sukhumvit Road 02 254 0404 ext 7777 :landmarkbangkok.com
392/44 Siam Square Soi 6 :novotelbkk.com
☎ 02 209 8888
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Dining|Valentine’s Day
Gourmet
Pathumwan Princess Hotel ■ ALL this month, Loop Italian Restaurant Terrace and Bar will offer a range of Valentine’s set menus priced B3,999 per couple with a glass of sparkling wine. Menu highlights include Beef fillet with anchovies, caper mustard and Gorgonzola Polenta; Half lobster thermidor with sautéed mixed wild mushrooms; and Grilled scallops with foie gras and cabbage stew on Portobello mushroom. Available daily 11am-10.30pm.
☎ 02 216 3700 ext.20818
444 MBK Center, Phayathai Road :pprincesshotel.wordpress.com
Siam@Siam Design Hotel & Spa
The Okura Prestige Bangkok ■ ELEMENTS restaurant will serve a five-course set menu accompanied by a bottle of pink sparkling wine for B9,000++ per couple. Live jazz adds to the romantic atmosphere. Alternatively visit the hotel’s signature Japanese restaurant, Yamazato, for a set dinner for two, including a bottle of sparkling sake, for B9,500++ per couple. Park Ventures Ecoplex, 57 Wireless Road 02687 9000 :okurabangkok.com
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Sofitel So Bangkok
■ THE hotel’s Party House One is getting into the romantic spirit this month by offering a special ‘Valentine in Coconut Cocktail.’ Blending Malibu and Bacardi with various fruits, it’s a lip-smacking treat that’s designed to get couples in the mood for love. B300 until Jan 31.
■ VENTURE up to the hotel’s stylish Park Society restaurant for a fivecourse gourmet set dinner, with a glass of Champagne, for B10,000++ per couple. Alternatively visit the poolside Water Club for a four-course set dinner, with a glass of Champagne, for B7,000++ per couple; or head to The Box for an exclusive dinner for just one couple – a six-course menu served in a suspended glasswalled room with your own private butler, and a bottle of Dom Perignon, for B50,000 per couple.
865 Thanon Rama I, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan 02 217 3070 :siamatsiam.com
2 North Sathorn Road :sofitel.com
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Shangri-La Hotel, Bangkok ■ AN international buffet dinner aboard the Horizon Cruise will be available for B2,588 per person including a glass of sparkling wine. Alternatively head to the NEXT2 terrace for cuisine from nine live cooking stations for B2,488 per person including a glass of sparkling wine; Angelini restaurant for a set dinner paired with sparkling wines for B2,688 per person; or Salathip for a Thai set dinner paired with sparkling wines for B2,288 per person.
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89 Soi Wat Suan Plu 02 236 9952 : BangkokRiversideDining.com
☎ 02 624 0000
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit ■ THREE romantic options are on offer here: Rossini’s Italian Restaurant will serve a five-course dinner priced B7,000 per couple (includes a welcome cocktail); BarSu will host a wine tasting with pass around bites at B1,600++ per person; and The Sala will offer a four-course gourmet sharing menu for B4,100 per couple (includes a glass of Prosecco).
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250 Sukhumvit Road 02 649 8368 :sheratongrandesukhumvit.com
Rembrandt Hotel ■ A SIX-course degustation menu paired with Ros wines will be available at da Vinci Italian Restaurant for B3,999++ per couple. Menu highlights include Scallops with vanilla; Grain fed Australian lamb; and Bitter chocolate pudding with Cointreau strawberries.
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Sukhumvit Soi 18 02 261 7100 :rembrandtbkk.com
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Gourmet
Where to eat
Your ultimate dining companion
Recommended restaurants and bars American cuisine
French cuisine
Great American Rib
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Ribs, pulled pork and BBQ chicken, staples in the Southern United States, are the specialities at this casual spot. Accompaniments include cornbread, curly fries and coleslaw. Although there is an a/c dining room, most people opt for the authentic picnic tables outside, cooled by giant fans. Portions are gargantuan, the management amiable and the beer never stops flowing: an ideal spot for the entire family to spend a casual night on the town – American style. Sukhumvit Soi 36, midway between Sukhumvit Rd and Rama IV Rd (BTS Thonglor) Tel: 02 661 3801
Harvey
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Harvey features Californian cuisine served up in sleek, modern and decidedly posh surroundings. California is noted for its wide variety of fresh fruits and produce, and an equally wide variety of ethnic groups. The developing cuisine from this state reflects this diversity, making it a fusion lover’s delight. The menu ranges far and wide, but most dishes are memorable and well presented. This is rapidly becoming one of the city’s most popular spots. Drop-in and see what all the excitement is about.
Thonglor Soi 9, 300m from Soi Thonglor (BTS Thonglor), Tel: 02 662 9911
Bourbon Street
•AFTER 25 years in the same
Le Vendome
•The quality of Bangkok’s
French restaurants has improved immensely in recent years and Le Vendome is one of the big reasons. The pleasant setting includes a garden, and private rooms for special functions. If you are looking for signal French food served with and presented with pizzazz, this is where you’ll find it. Although relatively expensive in the evening, the set lunches are a fantastic bargain at around Baht 500. Try them once, and you’ll be back in the evening for the Full Monty. Sukhumvit Soi 31, just past the Soi Sawasdee junction (BTS Phrom Phong – but it’s a hefty walk), Tel: 02 662 0530
Reflexions
•Reflexions offers con-
temporary French food in modern surroundings. It’s open for casual lunches and relaxed, but mildly elegant, dinners. There is live music from 19.00 – 22.00 each evening to add ambience. Don’t expect traditional French dishes, the menu is contemporary with a great deal of emphasis placed upon presentation. The service is efficient and friendly.The entertainment and atmosphere make this a good place to spend the entire evening.
Plaza Athenee Bangkok, Wireless Rd, 200m from Ploenchit Road (BTS Ploenchit), Tel: 02 650 8800
D’Sens
•This restaurant puts to
location on Sukhumvit 22, Bourbon Street Restaurant and Oyster Bar, Boutique Hotel took its business last year to a brand new location on Soi Ekkamai. Bigger, brighter and better than ever, it remains Bangkok’s only 100% owned and operated American restaurant with the specialty of the house being famous Louisiana “Cajun/Creole” dishes. Highlights of the menu include Boiled “live” crawfish, Blackened redfish, Jambalaya, Gumbo, Blackened crab cakes and many more “New Orleans” favourites. In short: a must visit for fans of hearty, delicious food.
rest arguments Bangkok is a backwater restaurant town. Dusit Thani Bangkok has teamed with Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, operators of a two-star Michelin restaurant in Montpellier, France, to create D’Sens. Located on the top floor of the hotel, the restaurant is lavishly decked out in red and has beautiful views of Lumpini Park and the city. The food, as expected, is expensive, but superbly executed and presented. The wine list at 550 bottles is one of the most extensive in the city.
Soi Ekkamai (near Ekkamai BTS station). Tel: 02 381 6801-3 email: info@bourbonstbkk.com www.bourbonstbkk.com
Dusit Thani Hotel, Junction Silom and Rama IV Rds (BTS Saladaeng or MRT Silom), Tel: 02 200 9000 ext. 2449
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Italian cuisine
International cuisine Tenderloins Sports Bar & Steak House
Rossini’s
•Great food with a prominent Italian chef at the
helm. The Sheraton takes this restaurant seriously and insures the quality is always first rate. The setting is that of an elegant Italian farmhouse with an open hearth. Not the sort of place to go dressed in shorts and a T-shirt for pizza and pasta. This is a restaurant to take that special someone you are trying to impress. The menu is a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes. The latter vary with the season, the ingredients available, and the whims of the chef. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel, 250 Sukhumvit Rd (BTS Asoke or MRT Sukhumvit) Tel: 02 649 8888
Biscotti •At Biscotti, great
Italian food is prepared under the watchful eye of diners and an Executive Chef from Italy – almost half the dining room is filled with a massive open kitchen. Located in the middle of Bangkok’s business and shopping action, Biscotti offers a set lunch with a buffet for appetizers and desserts plus a cook-to-order main course. In the evenings, things are more subdued and formal and you should gussy up a bit. Biscotti is noted for its excellent wine list, numerous special wine dinners and exemplary service.
Four Seasons Hotel, Ratchadamri Rd (BTS – Ratchadamri), Tel: 02 250 1000
Opus
•Set inside a
wonderfully renovated villa on Pan Road, this delightful wine bar and restaurant serves top class Italian cuisine and boasts a walk-in wine cellar with over 500 different Italian labels – easily the largest selection in Bangkok. Owned and managed by Italian wine-expert Alex Morabito, formerly of Zanotti, the restaurant is classy and sophisticated yet it still retains a homely atmosphere. Chef Christian Martena, who honed his skills working at Spain’s three Michelin Star restaurant El Bulli, brings talent, creativity and experience to the kitchen, and he creates a wide range of contemporary Italian cuisine which wows all of the senses. 64 Pan Road, Silom (BTS: Surasak). Open daily 6am – midnight. Tel: 02 637 9899 email: info@wbopus.com www.wbopus.com
•Notable for successfully marrying
a crackling bar and an excellent grill featuring some of Bangkok’s best and most reasonably priced steaks,Tenderloins has a lot going for it.The menu is short, but features beef from Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and the USA. Burgers, salads and other items are also available.The wine list is compact and primarily Australian, but it has some excellent inexpensive choices.Tenderloins is a good and affordable choice for an after work drink and a good steak. Sukhumvit Soi 33(BTS Prom Pong), Tel: 02 258 4529 email: info@tenderloins33.com www.tenderloins33.com
Jameson’s
•Offering an extensive
selection of hearty, traditional pub grub, Jameson’s is a great place to enjoy an authentic taste of the West. Burgers, fish and chips, and spicy hot wings score good marks here. For brave diners, there’s also the pub’s ‘Hot Wings Challenge.’ This offers prizes to anyone who can eat eight spicy chicken wings in under ten minutes.. Other draws at the pub include four pool tables, 12 widescreen TVs, and the Minus 5 Ice Bar, where you can sip vodka in a large freezer room.
Jameson’s Irish Pub and Minus 5 Ice Bar Bangkok, Holiday Inn Bangkok, 931 Silom Road, Tel: 02 266 7703-5, email: info@jamesons-bangkok.com www.jamesons-bangkok.com / www.minus5bangkok.com
Voilà!
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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 B3,200 with free-flow champagne, cocktails and house wines; or B2,250 with free flow soft drinks. Every Fri and Sat night a Seafood Buffet is just B1,999.
Sofitel Silom Sukhumvit, 189 Sukhumvit Road Soi 13-15 (between Nana and Asok BTS stations). Tel: 02 126 9999 ext. 3303. www.sofitel.com
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Mexican cuisine
Indian cuisine Indian Host
Coyote Bangkok²
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equila, Margaritas and Mexican food are what this place is all about. The tequila collection is the largest in Thailand and over 75 different margaritas are served. The menu is diverse and not only possesses the requisite Tacos, Enchiladas, and Burritos, but also more elaborate items like Empanadas Carnitas - cornmeal pastries stuffed with spicy pork and a roasted tomato salsa. Although popular at lunch, the Coyote really howls in the evening when the after work crowd stumbles in for margaritas and a bite to eat. The best news is that there are now two branches – one located on Convent road, and one near the entrance of Sukhumvit Soi 33. Coyote on Convent: Convent Road, about 100m from Silom Road, (BTS Saladaeng) Open daily 11.00 - 01.00 Tel. 02 631 2325 www.coyoteonconvent.com Ladies Night on Wednesday, 6-8pm and Saturday 10-midnight. Coyote Sukhumvit: near the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 33 (BTS Phromphong) Open daily 11.00-01.00 Tel. 02 662 3838 www.coyotebangkok.com. Ladies Night on Thursday, 6-8pm.
Thai cuisine Ana Garden Restaurant Bar and Grill
•Ana Garden has been provid-
ing delicious Thai and barbecue food for more than 10 years. There are plenty of daily specials and drinks promotions to tempt you here. Sit back and enjoy the unique atmosphere created by a lush, tropical rainforest setting and you’ll feel a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city. For an evening of escapism and fine food, head to this restaurant and you will not be disappointed. Make a night of it and follow up your meal with boozy cocktails in the restaurant’s ‘Groove Kitchen’ nightclub. 67 Thonglor between Soi 1 & 3, Sukhumvit Road 55, Tel: 02 391 1762 email: anagarden55@yahoo.com www.anagarden.com
Baan Khanitha & Gallery
•Baan Khanitha, an award-win-
ning restaurant, has made its mark by rigorously insuring its food is consistently well-prepared. A wide variety of Thai dishes are offered, many reflecting the taste of owner Khanitha Akarnitkul, formerly a designer of women’s clothing. Classics are the Yam Som-O (spicy pomelo salad with shrimp and chicken) and Pla Krapong Phad Khee Mao (stir-fried sea bass with chili, hot basil, and eggplant). There is an art gallery on the site and ample parking. A sister restaurant can be found on Sukhumvit Soi 23.
South Sathorn Road at Soi Suanplu (MRT Lumpini), Tel: 02 675 4200 www.baan-khanittha.com
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•If you’re looking
for authentic Indian cuisine, this is the place for you. The menu follows traditional North Indian recipes with dishes that are rich in flavour and aroma. There’s a wide range of exotic curries, succulent Tandoori meats, mouth watering vegetarian dishes and much more to please you here. Set over three floors, Indian Host has a warm atmosphere and the service is spot on. Home deliveries are also available.
Sukhumvit Soi 22, (between BTS Asoke and Phromphong) Tel: 02 260 1115-6 email: PR@indian-host.com, renu@indian-host.com www.indian-host.com
Hazara
•Elegant drinking
and Indian dining in culturally interesting surroundings, created by a company with outlets in Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing and Jakarta. The serene setting is an eclectic mix of wood, artifacts, plants and Thai inspired architecture. The menu specializes in items from Northern India, including numerous dishes from the tandoor oven. Before dinner, most patrons have a drink in the nearby bar that also services a delightful Thai restaurant. Hazara is ideal for those seeking a peace haven from Bangkok’s excesses while enjoying a memorable meal. Sukhumvit Soi 38 (BTS Thonglor), Tel: 02 713 6048 www.facebars.com
Indus
•A large bar, enter-
tainment and restaurant/coffee shop complex featuring Indian and Kashmiri food. The d cor attempts to create a feel for the Indus Valley Civilization. The food is excellent and includes some great curries and a signature Chicken Tikka Kati Roll. Thai and snack items are also available in the coffee shop. DJ music and cocktails are available in the entertainment area. If you are looking for a complete night on the town with Indian overtones, this is a good choice. Sukhumvit Soi 26, 400m from Rama IV Rd, 1200m Sukhumvit Rd just past Four Wings Hotel (BTS Phrom Phong, then taxi) Tel: 02 258 4900
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Feature
Entrepreneur|Tuk-tuks go green
Thailand’s electric tuk-tuks set to take on the world Built using Dutch know-how, the kingdom’s iconic three-wheelers are charged up and ready to go
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By Maxmilian Wechsler
Despite improvements in technology – notably the original, polluting two-stroke, petrol engines being replaced by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) engines – the tuk-tuk is still regarded as a relic of the past, in need of a makeover. That’s about to happen, thanks to the efforts of Dennis Harte, a 31-year-old Dutch engineer, whose Tuk Tuk Factory (TTF) assembly plant in Samut Prakan is taking Thailand’s ubiquitous three-wheeler to the next phase. Dennis believes that silent and emissionsfree electric models are the wave of the future. He feels strongly about the need to take fossil-fuel guzzling vehicles off the roads, and is doing something about it. TTF currently assembles four models of electric tuk-tuks of its own design in Thailand and exports them to the Netherlands and seven other European Union (EU) countries, with more on the way. He is also upbeat about the prospects of electric tuk-tuks in the local market. Dennis invited me to test drive an electric tuk-tuk that had been assembled in a few hours. Regular readers of The BigChilli may be familiar with my reviews of luxury vehicles and supercars, but I have to say that in its own way a spin in this little three-wheeler was as enjoyable as test-driving a Ferrari. Having never handled anything like this before, it took me a few minutes to get used to its three-wheel drive. The red Classico model I tested took off like a bullet – the acceleration is quite amazing. The driver’s seat was comfortable, it went pretty fast, and most importantly, it was absolutely quiet.
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Thailand’s traffic-beaters INTRODUCED here some 60 years ago, the motorized tuk-tuk is today one of Thailand’s best known and best loved icons. Also called a samlor, meaning “three-wheeler,” they’re seen and heard throughout the country. Numbering about 7,000 in Bangkok and 30,000 in the provinces, tuk-tuks are especially popular with tourists, who relish their eccentric design, and also with vegetable sellers, who pile their fresh produce on every available space. And with their ability to squeeze between stationary vehicles, they’re ideal for beating traffic jams. Their name derives from the sound made by their small two-stroke engines. Coincidentally, “tuk” also means cheap in Thai. This may have been the case in the past but some drivers nowadays demand relatively high fares, especially from foreigners. In Bangkok a tuk-tuk ride may cost more than one of the same distance in a taxi. Tuk-tuks don’t have meters so passengers must negotiate the price with the driver, and this can be a lengthy process. In the provinces, though, they’re regarded as a cheap mode of transportation for locals.
The electric tuk-tuk was stable in turns and the brakes were excellent. It was so much fun I couldn’t stop driving it around the compound. I am sure that every tuk-tuk driver in Bangkok will go for it when they get a chance to drive one. Maybe Dennis should include a meter for the local market to save bargaining the fare. Clearly there is an expanding global market for clean, quality tuk-tuks. They’re gaining popularity in many countries in Africa, South America, Europe and throughout Asia. Lately tuk-tuks have even found their way to the United States.
How it started “I had been fascinated with tuk-tuks for many years and chose to work on them for my graduation project with my colleague Marijn van der Linden” explained Dennis, who earned a master’s degree in industrial engineering from the University of Delft in the Netherlands in 2008. “In 2007, everybody was talking mostly about hydrogen and other engines, but I knew that electric was the future of tuk-tuks. While still at university, I started to work on tuk-tuks with Tuk Tuk Company (TTC), a Dutch firm that introduced tuk-tuks to Holland. “They were importing the vehicles from Thailand and faced problems with the maintenance. The petrol engine was dirty, so it didn’t comply with European standards. They had to test every tuk-tuk, one by one, in order to obtain a permit. They asked me and Marijn to improve them. “We did some studies and decided to design a new
Dennis Harte, Managing Director of Tuk Tuk Factory
conceptual electric tuk-tuk. I designed the interior and Marijn the exterior. Then, in 2009, we formed the TTF to produce electric tuk-tuks in collaboration with TTC. TTF is also registered in Holland and we produce the tuk-tuks in Thailand. “The good thing about tuk-tuks, besides being cute, is that they normally operate within the same area. This makes them a good match for electric drive-trains that have to be recharged. The drive-train consists of a battery, motor and the motor controller,” Dennis said. “The battery and the motor can be quite expensive, but if you limit yourself in speed, not going over 50km/h, and you limit yourself to a certain area, then the expense is lower.
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Feature
Entrepreneur|Tuk-tuks go green
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“We started the business in 2009 with our new director Roland Vos, a former Unilever executive. First we took old petrol tuk-tuks and put in electric drive-trains. Later we stopped converting old tuk-tuks and started to make completely new vehicles instead. “We also discovered that a lot of people around the world are actually very enthusiastic about Thai tuk-tuks, but the quality of these vehicles is sometimes not so good – for instance, the seats and suspension. More importantly, though, they are never electric. “My boss decided that Thailand is the best place to make tuk-tuks and he arranged for Tiger Motor Company to manufacture the prototype. I was on hand here to manage it because I am an engineer familiar with all the European laws, safety regulations, product specifications and other norms. The prototype was completed by our combined team in 2010. “We test every vehicle here in Thailand,” said Dennis, adding that tuk-tuks sold in Europe have to be clean-running and good quality. “From 2011 we started production and exporting abroad. Now there has been a new and interesting development as we are about to start sales in Thailand. We don’t have a showroom yet, but we have some interested customers lined up, including hotels and resorts.”
Revolutionizing the industr y TTF makes customized tuk-tuks in a variety of interior and exterior colours, along with options like rain covers for the sides and heated seating areas. “We can install a radio and CD player. If the customer wants a more powerful vehicle I can upgrade the controller to allow more rapid acceleration and higher speed. We can tune this controller to a customer’s specifications by simply connecting it to a computer,” said Dennis. “Electric tuk-tuks are fun and clean. You can drive to holiday resorts or even national parks because there are no emissions. As for the price, electric tuk-tuks cost more but you save on fuel and maintenance.
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“Currently we produce four models. Classico and Limo are both made to transport passengers. Classico has one rear seat and seats three people, while Limo has two benches where passenger can sit opposite each other. Then we make the Cargo and Vendo models (whose names suggest their purposes). With the Vendo, which is our latest model, you can sell drinks and do promotions. “In 2012 we produced 90 vehicles and exported them to Antilles (in the Caribbean), France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. Besides Thailand, we are also talking to potential customers in Brazil, Greece and the Philippines.” Dennis says that electric-powered vehicles are more efficient than fuel-powered ones. ‘‘It depends somewhat on the motor, but in general most electric motors transfer around 90% of the energy they get from the battery into motion. By comparison, the most efficient fuel-powered engines transfer about half of that. Electric is the way to go for the future for many other reasons. “As for design of the vehicle, the drivers in Thailand won’t complain too much because it is their business to drive tuktuks. But in Europe the situation is different because the people who buy them are not going to drive them. They pay someone else to drive, and this person will complain if the seats are not comfortable. So we are installing very comfortable seats with seat belts for passengers and driver. “There are now about a dozen factories in Thailand making tuktuks. When I arrived here in Thailand in 2009, one Thai manufacturer tried to make electric tuk-tuks but they weren’t so successful.” TTF is in the process of producing a very lightweight electric three-wheeler, whose design stems from his graduation project. It will be classified as a moped rather than an automobile so there is no need for a driver’s license.
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Maintenance and charging
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THE most expensive part of an electric tuk-tuk is the battery, says Dennis. “We actually use golf cart batteries, but our vehicles are twice as powerful as golf carts. We can fit seven people inside and still go up very steep hills or car parks. We supply tuk-tuks to Switzerland, where obviously the inclines are quite intense.” The 72V battery pack provides 14kW of power and will take the vehicle as far as 85 kilometers at speeds up to 50km/h. The total weight of the battery is around 400kg, which is almost half of the total vehicle weight of 850kg. “The battery costs around 4,000 baht for one block and must be replaced every three years. However, your old batteries are still worth something, so you can sell them. “You can drive a minimum 70 kilometers on a one charge in a fully loaded tuk-tuk. The efficiency depends a great deal on the driver. A hasty driver who brakes a lot will have to charge more often. It cost about 30 baht to charge a tuk-tuk in Thailand,” said Dennis. An indicator shows how much power is left. The tuk-tuks can be charged anywhere with a normal plug; the amount of time depends on the charge source and the battery. “As for the standard charger (like that used for a coffeemaker or television), unfortunately it takes a long time, about 12 hours. But you can do it overnight, and this is a good time because the price for electricity is lower. “However, with a stronger source the charge is much quicker – two or three hours. “We have a station with a powerful charger in Rotterdam, so tuk-tuks can commute 140km a day rather than 70km. I think that this is quite an achievement. The charging is free at the station as it is supported by the community. But in general, to charge a tuk-tuk in the Netherlands costs about two euros, or about 70 baht.” Dennis said it is also possible to supply tuk-tuks with different types of batteries that allow a wider range, quicker charge and lower maintenance, but these are more expensive. “There is no problem with spare parts because we have many Thai suppliers, with some parts imported. The warrantee is three years for the frame and one year for the motor, drivetrain and the battery.”
Branching out with quality TTF has received considerable praise in Europe. “People see a tuk-tuk in a combination of green, orange and blue in a sea of solid grey, black and white cars, and it is refreshing,” said Dennis. One customer in Rotterdam transports children to and from school in specially made tuk-tuks with enclosed seating areas with small doors. One model sold in Switzerland has a place for skis in the back. “We sell tuk-tuks in Antilles to companies offering tours around the islands. Electric tuk-tuks are very good for them because gas is expensive there. We have also customers in Berlin and Paris giving tours and selling drinks.” Founded by a team of four including Dennis, TTF now has 21 full-time and 12 part-time employees divided between both countries, as well as a group of investors. “We train our staff and we have weekly teleconference meetings between Holland and Thailand. It is all about quality. Feedback from the customers goes directly back to the engineering department to improve the vehicles. “We want to grow and sell more in Europe and in the ASEAN region, especially in Thailand, to resorts, hotels and to promote electric vehicles. The goal now is to sell 500 vehicles per year. We haven’t advertised but we did a small exhibition with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce in Bangkok. “We put our electric tuk-tuks through 26 tests in Thailand, with a representative from the EU coming here to witness every test. So if we want to sell anywhere in Europe we will get the license. I think that we are the first to do these tests in Thailand. “It is most unusual to have both Thai and foreign engineers working to develop our tuk-tuks. It is an authentic Thai product with European technology. “As for the future, I am sure that there will be many different small-range electric vehicles. Our vehicles are now geared for the high-end market like hotels and resorts, but we want to also make cheaper vehicles that can replace the tuk-tuks currently running on Bangkok streets.” For more info email: info@tuktukfactory.com www.facebook.com/tuktukfactory
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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 F E B U A R Y 1 3
What’s on pArt pPerformance pSport pFootball pMovies & Albums pBooks
Latin-rock guitar legend Santana is coming to Bangkok as part of his Sentient Tour. Page 98.
Sum 41
The American punk rockers in a one-off ‘Back to School’ gig Page 98
Rugby 10s
Catch international teams going head to head at Patana School Page 100
Honda LPGA The world’s top female golfers to compete in Pattaya for 1.5m USD Page 100
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What’s On|The Arts
Exhibitions
UNTIL MARCH 3 ARDEL’S THIRD PLACE GALLERY
WHAT WILL YOU LEAVE BEHIND
IN an effort to get people to think about their time on earth, and what they’ll leave behind, Nino Sarabutra has filled Ardel’s gallery floor with more than 100,000 miniature porcelain skulls and invites viewers to step on them – hitting home the idea that each step you take could also be your last. The skulls were created by Nino’s friends, family, neighbours, and colleagues. While they created them, Nino asked them to contemplate their lives and what they’ll leave behind. You can read their answers and join the survey at www.ninosarabutra. com/WhatWillYouLeaveBehind.
UNTIL MARCH 7 LA LANTA FINE ART
PROSAIC VS. PROFOUND
HONG Kong photographer Wing Chan’s abstract photomontages reflect his ability to create novel, dynamic compositions from the harsh geometries of urban landscape. His expressionism merges images of neglected architecture, commerce and waste with a modern aesthetic that frees the content from its original utility to reveal extraordinary beauty and emotion. 245/14 Sukhumvit Soi 31. Open Tues-Sat 10am-7pm :lalanta.com
☎ 02 204 0583
Thonglor Soi 10. Open Tues-Sat 10.30am-7pm; Sun 10.30am-5 .30pm (closed Mon) 02 422 2092 :ardelgallery.com
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UNTIL MARCH 4 SOMBAT PERMPOON GALLERY
DRAWINGS BY PRATUANG EMJARONEN
SOMBAT Gallery presents a collection of over 37 crayon drawings on paper, dated from 1976 to 2004, by one of Thailand’s most celebrated National Artists, Pratuang Emjaroen. Pratuang, a self-taught artist, was born in 1935 in Thonburi Province. He was honored as National Artist in 2005.
FEB 23 – MARCH 16 NUMBER 1 GALLERY
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12 Sukhumvit Soi 1 02.254 6040-6 :sombatpermpoongallery.com
FEB 16 AND 17 MADUZI HOTEL
HOTEL ART FAIR
THAILAND’S first Hotel Art Fair, hosted by Bangkok-based creative and design consultants Farmgroup, will transform two floors of the luxurious Maduzi boutique hotel into 12 galleries from Bangkok and Chiang Mai, which will showcase their art collections in each room with their own theme. For more info about what’s on display see www.facebook.com/MaduziHotelArtFairFARMGROUP.
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CONSPIRE
ARTIST Patsy Wecker displays her latest collection of sensual artworks in oil, acrylic and mixed media.
THAI artists Rattapoom Piwpantamit, Karin Phisolyabut, Poom Pechavanish, and AOFSMITH present a series of abstract paintings and sculptures which explore how each of the artist’s lives have been shaped by Thai society.
593/2 Sukhumvit Rd (Between Soi 33 and 35, near Villa 33 and opposite Benjasiri Park) :olivebangkok.com
Number 1 Gallery, The Silom Galleria Building (room404), Silom Road 02 630 3381
UNTIL FEB 24 OLIVE RESTAURANT
THE R EXHIBITION
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What’s On|Performance
6 hot choices MARCH 6 IMPACT ARENA
SANTANA: THE SENTIENT TOUR
LATIN-rock guitar legend Carlos Santana is returning to Bangkok for the fourth time to perform all his greatest hits in front of thousands of adoring Thai fans. Support from veteran Thai rock band, Carabao. Tickets range B1,000-B5,000 :Thaiticketmajor.com Gates open 7.30pm
MARCH 6 CENTREPOINT STUDIO, SUKHUMVIT 105
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH SUM 41
THE Canadian pop-punk rockers will turn back the clock with a ‘Back to School’ themed concert where they’ll perform their smash hit singles In Too Deep, Fat Lip, Still Waiting, The Hell Song, Pieces, With me, Make No Difference, and more. Concert goers are invited to dress as cheerleaders, nerds, jocks, teachers, or any stereotype they wished they were at school. Support from Brandnew Sunset, and The Yers. Tickets: B1,500 :Thaiticketmajor.com
(Doors open 6.15 pm) :facebook.com/RockEntertainmentThailand
MARCH 9 JW MARRIOTT BANGKOK
HAVE A BALL
HEAD to The St. David’s Society’s Annual Ball and you’ll get to tuck into a four-course dinner while enjoying a roster of entertainment which includes the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir, comedian Lloyd Davies, the Unicorn Girls from Bangkok, and music by DJ Paul Jackson. Did we mention there’s also free-flow wine, spirits and beer? Tickets: B2,800 per person (B25,000 for table for 10). Contact Heather Powell on 083 293 2169 :heather.wyn@gmail.com
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FEB 28 THAILAND CULTURAL CENTER
RACHAEL YAMAGATA
AFTER her successful eight month tour of Europe and the States, which included a performance for President Obama and The First Lady, singer/song writer Rachael Yamagata - nicknamed ‘the troubadour of heartbreak’ by her fans - is coming to town for a one of performance at the Thailand Cultural Center. Tickets are limited to 400 seats, so book early to avoid disappointment.
FEB 28 NEILSON HAYS LIBRARY
Tickets range B1,500-B2,000 :Thaiticketmajor.com (Show starts 8.30pm)
Neilson Hays Library, 195 Surawong Road. Tickets: B700 (B500 Members; B350 Students) 02 233 1731 :neilson.library@gmail.com
FEB 13 – 20 SF CINEMA, EMPORIUM
THE LERMONTOV QUARTET
THE Lermontov Quartet (featuring Jonathon Glonek, Violin; Inga Causa, Violin; Colin Wrubleski, Viola; and Marcin Szawelski, Cello) will perform three of the greatest works for string quartet by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Dvorak. All proceeds will go to the library maintenance fund.
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CLAP! FRENCH FILM FESTIVAL
CATCH some of the best-loved French movies in all their glory on the big screen, as well as six premieres before their national release in Thailand. Full schedule at www.cooperation-ambafrance-th.org/clap.
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What’s On|Sport
Sport
NOT TO MISS!
FEB 21-24 SIAM COUNTRY CLUB PATTAYA OLD COURSE AVAILABLE NOW FLOW HOUSE BANGKOK
SURF IN THE CITY
FEB 15 – 17 BANGKOK PATANA SCHOOL
BANGKOK RUGBY 10S
BANGKOK’S only beach club escape featuring a FlowRider simulated wave surfing machine is now offering daily all-day happy-hour bar promotions and daily Wave promos including: Tuesday’s two-for-one and Thursday’s Ladies Day. Open daily 10am-10pm (last FlowRide at 9pm). Prices range between B550 and B650 per hour, depending on day and time. See Website for details.
RUGBY teams from all over the world will arrive in Bangkok to battle for supremacy Sukhumvit Soi 26 ☎ 02 108 5210 on the pitches of Patana School. Go along : flowhousebangkok.com as a spectator and, alongside all the action on the pitch, you’ll find a beer garden, food stalls, and kids’ activities. It’s a great day out for the whole family, and entry is free. FEB 2 – MARCH 16 BEAMED LIVE TO YOUR Pool games begin on Feb 16 at 11.30am. Bangkok Patana School, 2/38 Soi Lasalle, Sukhumvit 105. For more info : bangkokrugby10s.net
The 18th Annual Fr. Joe Maier’s Human Development Foundation Charity Golf Classic March 8 Only B3,500 with Bourbon Street buffet! www.bourbonstbkk.com/ golf_tournament.html
HONDA LPGA THAILAND 2013
THE top 60 female golfers from the LPGA World’s Money List will arrive in Pattaya to compete for a grand prize of 1.5 million USD in a 72-hole stroke play tournament. Taiwanese hot shot Yani Tseng, 24, who won the Thailand tournament both in 2011 and 2012, will return to defend her title. For a full tournament schedule see: www.hondalpgathailand2013.com Tickets range B300-B800 : Thaiticketmajor.com
FAVOURITE PUB!
SIX NATIONS RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP
CONTESTED by England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales, the Six Nations Rugby Championship (held under the sponsorship moniker RBS 6 Nations) is one of the hottest tournaments on the rugby union calendar – full of passionate play, shock results, and plenty of bone crunching tackles. Defending champs Wales steamrolled the competition last year to achieve a Triple Crown and Grand Slam – but with injuries to key players, and several consecutive defeats behind them, their chances of retaining the title this year look slim. In short, the tournament really could be anyone’s, and we can’t wait to see how it all plays out! Catch all the games live on big screens in your favourite Bangkok pubs. Our picks include Molly Malone’s (Soi Convent, Silom); Tenderloins (Sukhumvit 33); O’Reillys (Corner of Soi Thaniya, Silom); Mulligan’s (Sukhumvit Soi 11); Robin Hood Pub (Sukhumvit 33/1); The Dubliner (Sukhumvit 33/1); Pintsman (Silom); Royal Oak (Sukhumvit 33/1); and No Idea (Sukhumvit Soi 22). For a full fixture list see: : rbs6nations.com
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What’s On|Sport
Thai football focus
SOCCER PUNDIT PAUL HEWITT EXAMINES WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF THAI FOOTBALL
National Football Training Shame
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CONGRATULATIONS to our friends at www.thai-fussball.com for their recent exposé of the woeful condition of Thailand’s National Football Training Centre (NFTC) in Nong Jork. The NFTC is supposed to be the crown jewel, the centrepiece of youth development and national team training in the Kingdom. Instead, thai-fussball.com found a ghost town – scarcely used and falling into disrepair. The centre, built with hundreds of thousands of dollars of FIFA money, includes a large accommodation building, artificial and grass pitches and offices to where the Football Association of Thailand was meant to be relocating. There were certainly lofty aims when it was officially opened: “This training centre will be the centre for creating national teams...every team from the juniors to the national team will train at this centre...this training centre is our weapon for the future...we are aiming to one day be a finalist in the World Cup and this training centre will help considerably,” so said current FAT President Worawi Makudi. The reality is a rotting, crumbling, forlorn folly which has only been used once or twice since it opened and never since Winfried Schaefer took the reins.
The filthy main building looks like a slum apartment block. The green glass atrium is shattered, ceilings are caving in and water damage inside the building is rife whilst outside, the grass pitches seem in no better condition than a typical sports field you’ll find in front of government schools all across the country. You may have heard of the NFTC through the media before. This is the place that was built on land that allegedly belonged to Worawi Makudi – prohibited under the terms by which FIFA provided funds. However, a letter of intent – dated 27/10/2003 – to hand the land over to the FAT was only received by FIFA in October 2011. Nevertheless, this remarkable letter apparently satisfied Zurich and the matter was quickly and quietly put to bed. And, yes, this is the same Nong Jork which is home to the disastrous National Futsal Stadium: the arena which was so late in being completed that it didn’t host a single match of the 2012 Futsal World Cup; its main raison d’être. The NTFC is just down the road from the National Futsal Stadium. That proximity isn’t coincidence. But this article just scratches the surface. Please visit www.thai-fussball. de/en for the full damning report. Photos courtesy of www.thai-fussball.com
Port Problems Becomes Tarua Trouble BY Thai Port’s legendary standards, it has been a fairly calm and uneventful close-season: we’ve only had a name change, a crest change and a threat from the Port Authority that the team can’t use the PAT Stadium for the 2013 season! Dealing with the name change first, the club and team are now known as Singhtarua FC. The Thai translates as Port Lions FC. But apparently the club won’t be known as Port Lions when appearing in English, just the transliterated Thai words Singhtarua – though they hold onto the English loan initials F.C. Fair enough, but whether in Thai or English, the name sounds more like a nickname than a club name to us. Nevertheless, we should respect the name change, so from now on when you see Singhtarua mentioned here we’re talking about the club formerly known as Thai Port F.C, formerly known as Port Authority of
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Thailand F.C. Clear? One online commentator noted “why not just change the name to Khlong Toey F.C and be done with it?”. Hear hear. As for the new crest, featuring a winged lion standing on an anchor – I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think it looks pretty awful. The stadium dispute seems to have
cooled a little at the time of writing. But those who follow Port Tarua know that these things can flare up again at any time. The standoff featured the usual spat between landlords the Port Authority and the club with the former saying that the club would not be able to use the stadium in 2013. A situation which would leave Tarua with precious few options as TPL teams aren’t
permitted to groundshare. It was even suggested that Tarua leave Bangkok altogether. Unthinkable! Some believe the Port Authority’s plan in the long term is to evict Tarua and allow real estate developers in. However, the crisis would appear to be over for now and Tarua are likely to at least start the season at the PAT Stadium.
Chulalongkorn Stadium
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LESS than a kilometre south of the Suphachalasai National Stadium, on quiet, leafy Chula 9 Road, lies the very pleasant Chulalongkorn Stadium. The arena is no longer home to a TPL club since Chula United fell out with the university, decamped to the Army Stadium and became BBCU. However, Chamchuri United of the Regional League now call the 20,000 capacity venue home. First impressions are good. The main stand façade is plain, clean and uncluttered, and Chulalongkorn Sports Stadium is picked out in silver letters above the main doors. Within is not a sleepy stadium which only comes to life on Chamchuri match days, but a seven-day-a-week leisure operation. A gym inside the main stand is open to the public from 7am-7pm every day as is a coffee shop which, admittedly, was quite sleepy on the day I visited. The arena itself is typical of larger Thai stadia: a covered main stand and three open sides of concrete terracing – albeit designed for sitting rather than standing. What raises it above similar venues – Army Stadium, Thupatemi Stadium – is its neatness. The smart main stand is decked out in yellow seats with glazed-in private suites at the rear. The relatively recently installed Tartan Track and artificial pitch (Poligras® since you asked) are IAAF and FIFA approved and look immaculate. The three open sides have
recently been tidied up with a lick of light grey paint and the installation of a screen at the top of the seating deck which runs the length of the stand opposite the main stand and continues round as far as the middle of each end stand. Furthermore, Chulalongkorn has been written in large pink letters on the seating deck opposite the main stand. Pink on grey doesn’t sound great but it works better than you might think. Atop the northern end of the ground sits what must have been one of the first electronic scoreboards in Thailand. It surely dates back to at least the early seventies but, like the rest of the ground, it has been lovingly maintained. You’re not likely to see a TPL match here anytime soon, but the Chulalongkorn Stadium is well worth a visit even if there isn’t a match on.
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What’s On|Screen And Stereo
Movies & music
FEB 28 FANTASY
JACK THE GIANT SLAYER
WHEN young farmhand Jack (Nicholas Hoult) unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend – and gets the chance to become a legend himself.
FEB 14 COMEDY
THIS IS 40
FEB 14 ACTION
A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD
FEB 7 DRAMA
WRITER/director/producer Judd Apatow expands upon the story of Pete (Paul Rudd) and Debbie (Leslie Mann) from the blockbuster hit Knocked Up with a new comedy exploring how the couple is dealing with their current state of life.
LINCOLN
YIPEE Ki-Yay mother f*****…John McClane (Bruce Willis) is back for the fi fth time trying hard not to die while jumping around shouting wisecracks at a legion of gun-toting baddies. This time the action’s set in Russia, where John must help his son Jack (Jai Courtney), a CIA operative, to prevent a nuclear weapons heist.
THE tumultuous final months in office of America’s 16th president are brought to life in true patriotic fashion by director Steven Spielberg. In a nation divided by war and the winds of change, Lincoln (Daniel Day-Lewis) pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery.
Movie screenings are subject to change. Keep up to date at movieseer.com
MEMORY LANE
NEW MUSIC PAINTING OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
RECORDED over five weeks at Vada Studios in Warwickshire with producer Matt Terry, OCS’s landmark 10th studio album looks set to reflect all that is great about British rock – anthems, heartfelt ballads and even some weird psychedelic wig-outs. (Release date: Feb 11)
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PAYOLA THE CRIBS
ENGLAND’S popular indie rockers The Cribs will mark the band’s 10th anniversary this month by releasing their first singles collection, including a new track titled Leather Jacket Love Song. Deluxe edition includes a disc of B-sides and rarities. (Release date: Feb 25)
GRAFFITI ON THE TRAIN STEREOPHONICS
RECENT single In a Moment proved that the Welsh rocker’s formula for classic UK rock remains as potent as ever. Enjoy even more of it by getting the Deluxe Edition of the band’s eighth studio album, which includes a bonus CD of alternative versions. (Release date: March 4)
TOPPING THE UK CHARTS FEB 1993
1. Shaggy – Oh Carolina 2. Michael Jackson – Give In To Me 3. Take That – Why Can’t I Wake Up With You 4. Annie Lennox – Little Bird / Love Song For A Vampire 5. Right Said Fred & Friends – Stick It Out 6. Whitney Houston – I’m Every Woman 7. Lenny Kravitz – Are You Gonna Go My Way 8. Rolf Harris – Stairway To Heaven 9. Depeche Mode – I Feel You 10. Rod Stewart – Ruby Tuesday
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Entertainment|Humour
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Send your jokes to thebigchillimagazine@gmail.com
Just for fun
Entertainment|Humour
Jokes A WALK TO REMEMBER
HTS THOUG E H OF T MONTH
PADDY and Shamus were hitchhiking. “It’s best if we split up,” said Paddy. “I will meet you in the next city under the town hall clock.” Later that night Shamus was waiting at the appointed place when Paddy drove up in a swank car. “Where the hell did you get that?” Shamus asked. Paddy explained that he had just walked a little way when a beautiful woman picked him up. She drove into the woods, got out and took all her clothes off. “She said I could have anything I wanted, so I took the car,” said Paddy. “Good choice too,” said Shamus. “You’d look ridiculous in her clothes.”
1. I just applied for a job working with cement. I don’t know whether I’ve got it, but I’m in the mix. 2. They’ve installed a machine at the pub which tells you when to stop drinking. It’s called an ATM. 3. I was just on China’s Facebook page. Its wall wasn’t all that great. 4. I used to work in a shop selling waterbeds, but I got sacked, even though I tried really hard – I pulled out all the stops. – Alex Horne 5. A museum has opened in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s hometown dedicated to his career. I imagine it’s wooden. – Jimmy Carr
TALL ORDER
A YOUNG man takes his girlfriend to an Italian restaurant and tries to impress her by ordering the most expensive dish on the menu. “I’ll have a Luigi Vercottie Spamacelli,” he says to the waiter. “I’m sorry,” the waiter replies. “But that is impossible.” “Have you run out?” asks the man. “No,” says the waiter. “It’s the name of the chef.”
GIVE US FIVE DANIEL SLOSS 1. My ex-girlfriend said she was open to a lot of things sexually. Apparently one of those things wasn’t criticism.
JOKE OF THE MONTH
2. I was born in England, but I do consider myself fully Scottish because my mum is an alcoholic and my dad is clinically obese. 3. Last year was the first time I found out that “prima donna” didn’t mean “before Madonna.” 4. If you’ve never seen Robert Pattinson before, he’s got the emotional range of Keanu Reeves after a stroke. 5. I don’t eat free-range animals, because why would you eat a happy animal? All the chicken I eat, they want to die.
GOLF GIGGLE
A GOLFER drives his new Honda into a petrol station. An attendant comes over and the golfer asks him to fill up the tank. As he fills up, the attendant sees a couple of tees on the passenger seat. “What are those for?” he asks. “They’re called tees,” replies the golfer. “What are they for?” asks the attendant. The golfer replies: “They’re for resting my balls on when I drive.” “Blimey,” says the attendant. “Those Japanese have thought of everything.”
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Social p Last month’s best events in pictures
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Social|Last Month’s Best Events
THE DUBLINER MAKES ITS MOVE The Dubliner Irish Pub celebrated its grand re-opening at its new location on Sukhumvit 33/1 with a big party for friends, regulars, and plenty of newcomers, who all enjoyed a night of beer and banter and some great live music. Read more about the new venue on page 72.
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Social|Last Month’s Best Events
MICHAEL’S NIGHT AT ZAKS
Zaks wine pub on Sukhumvit Soi 11 was the venue for local personality Michael Petpoon to celebrate his birthday amongst a large gathering of friends and regulars of the popular outlet. The 70s theme for the event was duly reflected in the music provided by deejay Paul Jackson.
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Social|Last Month’s Best Events
APOTEKA OPENS IN STYLE Sukhumvit 11 newcomer Apoteka pulled in a large crowd of revelers when it held its grand opening party featuring free-ow booze and plenty of pass around snacks and pizzas. A live DJ kept the party jumping late into the night. For more info about the bar, see page 66.
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THREE CHAMBERS’ ANNUAL BARBIE AT SUKHOTHAI HOTEL AustCham Thailand together with the South African-Thai Chamber of Commerce and the New Zealand-Thai Chamber of Commerce welcomed hundreds of members and guests from far and wide to their seventh annual Braai (Barbecue), with lots of wonderful food as well as a great selection of beverages from all three countries. This popular event was held outdoors in the beautiful grounds of the Sukhothai hotel.
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Dia Frampton on song HARD Rock Cafe Bangkok started the year in style with a special acoustic performance by American singer/ songwriter Dia Frampton, who dazzled her fans with her latest songs as well as the tunes which saw her land a second place finish on the first season of The Voice USA.
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All in good health MSH INTERNATIONAL (Thailand), a healthcare partner for expatriate owners and employees of SMEs, celebrated its arrival in Thailand with a gathering of media, celebs and Bangkok executives at the Victor Club, Park Ventures Ecoplex, Wireless Road. Among the familiar faces were Sonia Couling Vacharsinthu, Cindy Burbridge Bishop, Sakaewan ‘Pingpong’ Yongjaiyuth, and Lena Christensen.
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STYLISH NETWORKING AT W HOTEL Hot on the heels of its stunning end of year gala event in Pattaya, the Movers & Shakers charity networking group got straight back into action by hosting another great event, this time at the stylish W Hotel Bangkok. Executives and entrepreneurs arrived in large numbers to enjoy a night of socializing and networking while soaking up the hotel’s chic atmosphere.
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Wine Cellar ready for change The popular Wine Cellar on Sukhumvit 31 said farewell to its location at S31 Hotel with a final wine tasting event attended by a large crowd of regulars and friends of the owners. The shop will re-open in March in a bigger location – expect more news in next month’s BigChilli.
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MULLIGANS TURNS FOUR Mulligans Irish Pub on Khao San Road celebrated its fourth anniversary by hosting a special concert by popular Thai singer Yokee Playboy. His potent pop hits, mixed with the potent cocktails coming free-ow from the bar, had all party goers dancing late into the night.
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TWO YEARS OF AFTER HOURS LOTS of late night revelry was enjoyed by a large group of fun seekers when After Hours pub on Silom Road celebrated its second anniversary with an evening of live music, free snacks, and some great prize giveaways. For more info about the pub and its upcoming promotions see www.facebook.com/afterhoursbkk. com
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THE PINTSMAN TURNS ONE The Pintsman on Silom Road celebrated its ďŹ rst anniversary by thanking its customers with a night of free snacks, happy hours all night, and live music. The pub offers some great deals on imported beers – check them out for yourself at www.facebook.com/ thepintsman.com
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SIAM CENTER BACK IN FASHION After undergoing extensive renovations, Siam Center shopping mall returned with a huge party featuring live music by top bands and DJs, dazzling laser and light shows, fashion and art exhibitions, and even a fashion ash mob to showcase the latest collections of famous brands.
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NEW YEAR’S FUN AT AMBAR Four Points By Sheraton Bangkok’s popular rooftop bar and restaurant, amBar, celebrated New Year’s Eve by throwing a big party featuring plenty of innovative cocktails, a sumptuous buffet of international cuisines, and some great live music by Jay Montonn and DJ Oum.
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SPEED NETWORKING AT EASTIN SATHORN After the big success of their speed networking event last year, the Joint Professional Women’s Group decided to do it again with another night of fast and fun networking at the recently opened Eastin Grand Hotel Sathorn. Unlike conventional networking, which tends to leave guests to their own devices, speed networking helps to forge quick connections between guests by getting them to switch tables every ten minutes so they meet as many new people as possible. Conversation prompts at each table kick start the conversation. Add free-flow wine, tasty nibbles, and a room full of useful business contacts to the mix, and it’s no surprise all guests had a great time.
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CHARITY DAY OUT The management and staff of Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square embarked on a Phapa Charity visit to Watchanrueng School in Ongkarak, Nakornnayok, where they donated educational aids and daily essentials.
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Social|Around Last Month’s town Best Events
Mövenpick says thankS
MÖVENPICK Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket recently hosted a “Thank You Party” at Siam Kempinski Hotel for 50 Bangkok business partners and media who supported the hotel throughout 2012. The party was hosted by Hansruedi Frutiger, General Manager of Mövenpick Resort & Spa Karon Beach Phuket, along with his management team.
Rotary’s festive gathering Republic Day Reception
ROTARY Club Bangkok South held their annual Christmas Dinner at Il Cielo , Dusit Thani Bangkok.
AMBASSADOR Anil Wadhwa marked the 63rd anniversary of the Indian Republic by hosting a reception at the Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Méridien Hotel. Several local dignitaries, members of the diplomatic corps, media, and a wide cross-section of the Thai society and representatives of the Indian community attended the reception. An Indian fashion trends and textile show, featuring reputed designers and models from India, was well appreciated by the audience. Artisans from different parts of India demonstrated traditional crafts during the reception.
Hard Rock’s Christmas cheeR
HARD Rock Cafe Bangkok put smiles on many diners’ faces when their own ‘St.Andrew’ turned up dressed in the famous red suit to hand gifts out to all diners and shoppers in Siam square.
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Malaysian MEETING at RamadA
THE Executive Council Meeting of Malaysian Association of Tour & Travel Agents (MATTA), hosted by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), was held at the Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok. After the meeting, the guests enjoyed dinner at the hotel’s Terrace@72 Buffet Restaurant.
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H.E. Mikael Hemniti Winther Denmark’s Ambassador talks about work and life in Thailand Page 130
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Diplomats
H.E. Mikael Hemniti Winther|Denmark
Lessons from the Happy Land Denmark is not only the world’s happiest country, but also the least corrupted, its Ambassador to Thailand tells Maxmilian Wechsler
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TWO minutes’ walk from hectic Sathorn Road in Bangkok is a peaceful oasis whose lush gardens are home to a variety of birds and toweering trees. This is the compound of the Royal Danish embassy, home and office of Denmark’s ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Mr Mikael Hemniti Winther. The relaxed atmosphere exudes friendliness. This should come as no surprise, as a World Happiness Report 2012 published by the Earth Institute of Columbia University and commissioned by the United Nations rated Denmark as the happiest country in the world. “I think that one of the reasons that Danish people are happy is that we live in a society that is considered fair and safe for most of its people,” notes the ambassador. “There is not a huge difference between the haves and the have-nots and therefore not so much frustration and anger. “If you feel that you are in a safe and pleasant environment where you are not forced to look over your shoulder wherever you are, maybe that gives you a happy and pleasant life.” Then he added diplomatically: “But really the term ‘happy’
is so difficult to measure, so I am not so sure whether you could really say that Danes are much happier than other people.” By any measure, though, Denmark is obviously doing something right. Apart from being happy, it’s also the least corrupted country in the world, according to Transparency International Corruption Perception Index 2012. After Denmark comes Finland, and New Zealand. Thailand holds 88th place, with Somalia in last. The ambassador admitted he is proud of the designation. “I think it comes with a long tradition of not having a politicized bureaucracy, one which stays in place even if the ‘colour’ of the government changes. We also have some strict measures for control and transparency in our government administration, and it is not possible to avoid the scrutiny as the rules are applied for everyone. “As a powerful government official you are subject to the same controls, independently of your level. “The press is also ‘on the case,’ and they have access to information which the government must submit if asked for. Denmark also has a good education system, health care and social benefits. So the people pay high taxes, but they also require value for money and they will be after the government if there is misuse or waste.”
Diplomatic biker
A tour of the embassy compound yields a surprise. Parked in a garage is a Honda Transalp 700cc motorcycle belonging to Mr Winther – probably the only motorcycle in Thailand with diplomatic plates. “I am a devoted biker. As soon as I get to the weekend I try to take it out and really enjoy getting out in this wonderful country. There are some very nice spots in neighboring provinces,” said Mr Winther. “Recently I rode with several other big bikes to Phnom Penh from Bangkok in an event that was quite well covered by the media. It was to help my wife Ratanawadee with her work.”
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About Denmark The Kingdom of Denmark is located in Northern Europe and occupies an area of 43,098 square kilometers. The Kingdom also includes the Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic and Greenland (by area, the world’s largest island) in North America. Denmark has 406 islands and 7,314km of coastline. According to 2012 figures, the population of Denmark is 5,584, 758. The capital, Copenhagen, has a population of 1,213,822. Her Majesty the Queen Marghrette II is the head of state. She is one of Denmark’s most respected and admired persons. Denmark has the longest European monarchy and one of the oldest in the world. Head of the government is Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt. Denmark is a member of the United Nations, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, European Union (EU), NATO, Schengen, International Monetary Fund, World Trade Organization and many other international organizations.
Mrs Winther, Country Director for Asia Injury Prevention Foundation, an American NGO which works to promote the use of crash helmets (particularly among children), is well known within the diplomatic community. “Khun Ratanawadee is a Canadian citizen born in Thailand. She has lived most of her life outside Thailand but I met her in Bangkok. I was posted here in 1995-1998 as the first secretary of the Danish embassy. We met at a ball organized by the Australian embassy where she was working as a head of the education department of the embassy. The ball was held at the old Siam Intercontinental Hotel, where Siam Paragon now stands. “I came to Thailand for the first time in 1983 on a classic backpacker trip (six months on a budget) to Indonesia, Thailand and India,” Mr Winther explained. “It was an experience that changed my life forever and made me decide I should get an education in a field that would give me a chance to work abroad. “I became ambassador to Thailand on January 1, 2010 and I believe and hope that my term will be about five years. I am also ambassador to Cambodia and Myanmar. My duty as ambassador to Myanmar is demanding as there is a lot of attention from the Danish government to Myanmar.”
Life in the Green Zone Mr Winther spoke of his previous two-year posting in Iraq as the Danish ambassador. Coming to Thailand after the high-security atmosphere of Baghdad’s Green Zone was like “night and day.” “It was a bit of a tough spot, where I could only move with a number of body guards as I was what they called a ‘high value target.’ The bodyguards were from the Danish Special Forces
and guarded me 24 hours a day. I couldn’t walk on the street and when I travelled outside the capital it was in a very heavily armed motorcade. “I was also surrounded by bodyguards inside the Green Zone. Even when I walked inside the US embassy compound, where there are fitness and other facilities, I had to have bodyguards with me. So my activities and movements there were very limited, it was like being in confinement,” Mr Winther said. “In an addition, there were many incidents close to where I stayed, like rockets being fired at the Green Zone. Of course, these attacks weren’t aimed at me personally, but I felt very fortunate my quarters weren’t hit by the militants as our embassy is right beside the US embassy inside the Green Zone. “Sometimes when the US embassy had high-profile visitors, for example when the US vice president came several times, the militants would use rockets trying to hit whatever they could inside the Green Zone. They weren’t very precise, so these explosives were landing everywhere. It was psychologically scary. I knew it was highly unlikely that I would be hit, but the feeling that it could happen at any time was stressful. “That assignment gave me some personal challenges, but also once-in-a-lifetime experiences that I would not have missed. However, I was very happy to leave and come to Thailand when my assignment was over.”
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Diplomats
H.E. Mikael Hemniti Winther|Denmark
Point man for Denmark “THE embassy has been at this location since 1955. It is a wonderful spot in Sathorn Soi 1, quiet and peaceful in the middle of the busy financial district. We have 34 people working here. My duties are really to manage the embassy and get the good team working together. So there are lots of management issues as well as the representative issues as the point man for Denmark in Thailand. “Denmark has very long and very close relations with Thailand. We are both kingdoms and the two royal families have traditionally had close relations and visited each other. Our two countries cooperate in many areas, for example education and the use of sustainable energy resources and design. There are many cultural exchanges between our two countries within the spheres of music, theater and other art forms.” The ambassador explained that the embassy has five
departments, with the busiest being consular affairs. “In fact, our embassy in Thailand has the highest number of consular cases of any Danish embassy abroad. These involve mainly helping our citizens when they have difficulties. These arise from a combination of Thailand being an alluringly easy country on the surface, but when you go beneath it there is a lot of trouble to be found, especially if you are a man and forget about your normal sensible thinking. When they meet the Thai culture and ways of life, some of our people are not prepared. So this is the most important work we are doing in Thailand. “We have about 140,000 Danish tourists coming to Thailand yearly, and the great majority of them have wonderful experiences. But others get into some kind of situation where they need our help. “I believe that Thailand is the most popular tourist destination for Danish people outside Europe and for that reason we also have Honorary Consulates in Thailand: in Pattaya, Phuket and also one in Bangkok,” the ambassador said. Mr Winther said that there around 6,000 or 7,000 Thai citizens in Denmark, but he was less sure of how many Danes are living here as there are no records. “I would assume between 1,500 and 2,000,” he said. “Also requiring the embassy’s attention are the many thousands of Thais wishing to travel to Denmark. We assist them with visas and other things.” On the subject of trade between the two nations, Mr Winther said: “There are more than 70 Danish companies in Thailand and therefore quite strong commercial bonds. Our export promotion department helps Danish companies who wish to do business in Thailand, Myanmar or Cambodia. That is a substantial task for the embassy as we, unlike many other countries, have a significant duty to help our people conduct business here. “Actually I have a performance contract with the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs that stipulates that I have to be able to devote a certain amount of working hours to Danish enterprises (which they pay for as a service fee), and that can make the job tougher. “We have some major Danish companies present in Thailand, like the shoemaker ECCO. They have a very big factory in Thailand. It is very famous brand and the shoes leave a footprint with the name, so everywhere customers go it says ECCO – a free advertisement. The factory here is a major production facility and the shoes are exported and sold locally as well. “Then we have Pandora, which is a big jewelry company, as well as the Royal Copenhagen, which is very old traditional porcelain company. They have a big factory here as well. Then we have Maersk which is, of course, the biggest shipping company in the world.” Mr Winther noted that since he has been here there have been official visits to Thailand by Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt and Minister for Trade and Investments Pia Olsen Dyhr, both women, and recently the Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Villy Søvndal, who met with his Thai counterpart and discussed a number of issues between the two countries. In the spring of 2013 two Danish parliamentary committees will come to Thailand.
M Relations between Denmark and Thailand
THE establishment of formal diplomatic relations between Denmark and Thailand date back to May 21, 1858 when the “Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation” was signed by His Majesty King Frederik VII of Denmark and His Majesty King Mongkut of Siam and His Majesty King Pinklao of Siam. The treaty was the culmination of commercial relations between Danish and Thai traders since the beginning of the 17th century. The first recorded commercial contact between Denmark and Thailand dates back to 1620 when the Danish Vessel “Copenhagen” called on the port of Tenasserim with greetings from the Prince of Tanjore. As one of the first results of the treaty, Denmark in 1860 established a consulate in Bangkok. The first Danish consul in Thailand was Frederick Carl Christian Købke, a former captain on a large Siamese ship and inspector in the Siamese Customs Administration. Thailand did not utilize its right to diplomatic representation until 1882 when H.S.H Prince Prisdang was appointed ambassador to Denmark. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Danish-Thai diplomatic relations in 2008, Danish Crown prince Frederik and his wife, Crown Princess Mary, visited Thailand.
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Rocking in Thailand In the final part of the interview Mr Winther responded openly to questions of a more personal nature. “In my free time I am an active musician. I play mostly electric rock guitar, but if the occasion presents itself I also play acoustic guitar, sing if necessary and sit at the piano from time to time. I have fortunately had a chance to play with some fine musicians here in Bangkok – mostly at parties or public events, like the Red Cross Bazaar or on local TV. Recently I had a chance to play with the Thai Navy band at the Mandarin Oriental Bangkok for the celebration of the Thai Danish Chamber of Commerce. I noticed that some pictures from that event were published in your fine magazine. “For relaxation I grab my guitar and play for myself, or if I’m lucky with some other musicians. I go out on the motorbike on weekends during the day, but also in the car to markets or restaurants, and I love going on the klongs in a boat. At home I read a lot of books (fiction) obtained in the wonderful book stores here in Bangkok. I also watch a lot of good TV series and movies. “I travel a lot outside Bangkok, mostly to neighboring provinces but also much further away. As my wife has family here (her mother is in Udon Thani), obviously we go to a lot of places in Thailand. I have been to many, many provinces since my first arrival in Thailand. “I really love Thailand and I love the people here. I have been stationed here twice and I have come back once every year, at a minimum, for holidays since 1998, as it is one of my favourite countries. I love the excitement of Bangkok, the variety and the fact that you can find everything in this city day and night. I love the rivers, the klongs and the countryside. I like the traditional Thai houses and the nature in the mountains and I like the coconut palms. I love the humor of the Thai people as well. “I have not really been disappointed with anything in Thailand, but what I do not like is the conditions for pedestrians here. There are so few places to walk and people in cars do not respect or care for people who walk. The roads are ill-designed for walking. But I think that change is on the way and that more and more Thai people wish to have a better environment, to have better conditions for outdoor activities including cycling (which is very popular in my country) and to be able to walk in a natural setting.” The ambassador’s most memorable experience in Thailand was meeting his lovely wife Ratanawadee back in 1996. They were married in 1998 in Denmark. “My biggest achievement as ambassador is hard to pinpoint. I focused a lot in the beginning when I came here on getting the spirit of the staff in a good shape, as I could see there was a need there. I strongly believe that the management part of the ambassador’s role can hardly be exaggerated. We need to work as a team to be effective. In earlier days I sometimes felt that an ambassador could act and work as a sort of one-person army, but that is not stimulating or motivating for the staff. “As for relations with the Thai government and people, I hope that with my language skills and open mind that I have made many friends and good relations. I speak decent Thai, some Vietnamese, although I am best trained in European languages like English, French and some German. I also studied Arabic but did not manage to keep it up as I could not really move around in Baghdad and talk with the local population.”
H.E. MIKAEL HEMNITI WINTHER IN FOCUS Date of Birth: July 5, 1960 Professional experience 2011 - present: Ambassador to Thailand, Myanmar and Cambodia 2008 - 2010: Ambassador to Iraq 2006 - 2008: Deputy Head of Department, Department for Quality Assurance of the Development Assistance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2005 - 2006: Head of Section, Department for Quality Assurance of the Development Assistance, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2001 - 2005: Counsellor and Deputy Head of Mission, Danish Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam 1999 - 2001: Head of Division, Southeast Asia Division, Asia Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1998 - 1999: Head of Section, Department of Humanitarian Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs 1995 - 1998: First Secretary, Danish Embassy in Bangkok 1994 - 1995: Head of Section, Department for UN organisations, World Bank and regional banks 1993 - 1994: Head of Section, Department for USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand 1991 - 1993: Officer in Ministry of Agriculture 1989 - 1991: Junior Professional Officer in UNIDO/UNDP in Manila, Philippines 1987 - 1991: Officer in Ministry of Agriculture Other experience From 1987 - 2001, Ambassador Winther was attached for various periods to Copenhagen University and Copenhagen Business School as external Associate Professor lecturing in international economics, political science, international governance and EU-related subjects.
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Travel
p Deals and news from Thailand’s hottest destinations
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a barbecue on the beach in Pattaya. See page 146.
Mate’s Rates
Friends or family visiting Bangkok? Let them know about these deals! Page 144
Hua Hin
Read more about the town’s best resorts and restaurants Page 138
Pattaya
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Travel|Bangkok Valentine’s underwater weddings
Bangkok
and Beyond
February 13-15 at Pak Meng Beach, Trang Province
THE annual Trang Underwater Wedding Ceremony sees hundreds of couples heading to Trang to say ‘I do’ with a mouthful of seawater. This novel concept, now in its 17th year, is extremely popular, and in 2000 was named by the Guinness World Records as the world’s largest underwater ceremony. Couples complete their traditional wedding vows on Pak Meng beach (15km from Trang town) before a fleet of boats transfers them to the idyllic Kradan Island, where they dive to the seabed for the official registration of their vows. Trang is located about 300 kilometers south of Phuket Island. All underwater participants are required to have diver certification. : underwaterwedding.com
Thai International Travel Fair Feb 14 – 17 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
HEAD to this huge fair to get your hands on high-quality tourism packages and products at special prices. Arranged by The Thai Travel Agents Association (TTAA), in collaboration with The Association of Domestic Travel (ADT) and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the fair boasts more than 1,000 booths showcasing special packages from local and international tour agencies, airlines, hotels, resorts, car rental firms, and other tourism-related services. : titf-ttaa.com : qsncc.co.th
Valentine’s celebration in Samui
LE Méridien Koh Samui Resort & Spa will celebrate Valentine’s Day with an evening of drinks and dining by the sea. The fun starts with Champagne and canapés on the Ocean Pier, followed by a gourmet five-course menu featuring Homemade foie gras terrine with fruit jelly and red wine reduction; Lobster bisque, slow cooked seafood , tomato-avocado salsa and crispy croton; Roasted beef tenderloin or Grilled Andaman lobster; and Chocolate melt and sweet tapioca berry sauce. B6,999 per couple ☎ 07 796 0888 : lemeridienkohsamui.com
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An ‘ultra-luxury’ escape in Phuket
THE recently opened Avista Hideaway Resort and Spa, Phuket, designed to offer what the owners call ‘ultra-luxury,’ looks set to make all wannabe celebs’ dreams come true with an accommodation package tailored to giving guests a movie star experience. Called the ‘Flight Sight-Seeing Package’, it features five nights’ accommodation in a Duplex Jacuzzi Suite, exclusive airport transfers in a choice of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Stretch Limousine, Mercedes Benz E Class or BMW 5 Series, a private barbecue dinner prepared by a personal chef in your suite, a one-hour Thai massage for two, plus high tea, butler service and an island-hopping trip to Koh Phi Phi by helicopter. Alternatively check out the ‘Romantic Hideaway Package,’ which offers three nights in a Club Vista suite, stretch limousine airport transfers, buffet breakfast, dinner with wine, 150 minute couple’s spa treatment, high tea, and evening cocktails. : avistahotelsandresorts.com
ThaiCraft Fair to return in March
THE popular ThaiCraft Fair will hold its first main event of 2013 in Bangkok on Sat March 2 at The Jasmine Executive Suites Hotel (Floor L. Sukhumvit Soi 23. 10pm-3pm). The fair will once again feature a wide range of high-quality handcrafted products direct from over 50 village artisan groups all over Thailand, including décor and furnishings, gifts, toys, accessories, bags, cloth, and much more. At the ‘ThaiCraft FunShop,’ you can even create your own crafts such as key rings, fridge magnets, and brooches. : thaicraft.org : facebook.com/ThaiCraft.org
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Travel|Hua Hin Love is in the air at Sheraton Hua Hin
☎
THE chefs at Sheraton Hua Hin Resort & Spa’s Salas Pool Restaurant are set to cook up special set menus just for Valentine’s Day. Choose a four-course meal with two glasses of Prosecco, or a Thai set dinner with two glasses of sparkling wine. Both options are B3,500 per person (must book a day in advance). 03 270 8000 : reservations.huahin@sheraton.com
‘Green Cuisine’ now available at V Villas
IF you’ve managed to keep your New Year’s resolution to only eat healthy food, don’t worry about slipping into bad habits during your trip to Hua Hin. Simply head to V Villas Hua Hin, which now offers a new range of healthy a la carte dishes specially created for the hotel by American celebrity chef Daniel Green. His low-calorie dishes encompass a wide range of tastes, with Western, Asian and Thai options available. Highlights include Seaweed wraps with egg, smoked salmon and edamame; and Chicken breast stuffed with sun-dried tomato paste, wrapped in Parma ham on seasonal salad. A range of detox drinks are also available. For more info about Daniel and his food see www.danielgreen.tv
Mondo Vino Charity Golf Tournament
AMATEUR golfers take note – the Mondo Vino Charity Golf Tournament will tee off on Sat March 16 at Banyan Golf Club with a Shotgun 11am start, followed by a wine dinner at the clubhouse. The tournament will be played to a Texas Scramble format (team of four players). Entry is B12,000 per team (B3,000 per player), payable to Mondo Vino Wine Bar before March 11 by cash or cheque. Price includes Green fees, caddy and cart, tournament apparel, Prosecco Gold refreshment during tournament, and the prize giving wine dinner. ☎ 08 4950 5437 Tel: 08 1844 7308 : peter@mondovino.co.th
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Valentine’s treats at Anantara Hua Hin
ANATANARA Hua Hin Resort and Spa will celebrate Valentine’s Day with two different dining experiences tailored for romance. Enjoy a four-course Italian meal by candlelight at Baan Thalia for B1,999++ per person with a glass of sparkling wine. Or Dine by Design and opt for a private table for two on the beach, a private table in Sala Siam’s wine cellar, or a private table in a secluded corner of the resort’s tropical gardens. A four-course menu of seafood or Italian cuisine is B5,700++ per couple. ☎ 03 252 0250 :huahin.anantara.com
New cooking classes at InterContinental
INTERCONTINENTAL Hua Hin has launched a new range of cooking classes which include trips to local markets, expert tuition from the hotel’s chefs (Thai or Italian cuisine), and a chance to taste what you’ve cooked. Lessons are on offer for kids too. Rates start at B2,500 per adult, and B1,900 per child. ☎ 02 656 0236 :intercontinental.com/huahin
Blissful relaxation at The Spa at Hilton
THE Spa at Hilton is marking Valentine’s Day this year with a month-long “Falling in Love” spa package which offers a two-hour treatment for the special price of B3,300++ per person and B6,000++ per couple. The treatment includes rose petal peeling, aromatic floral bath, and aromatic therapy massage with rose oil. Offer ends Feb 28.
☎ 03 253 8999
:thespa.huahin@hilton.com
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TRAVEL
HUA HIN
Hua Hin Where to sleep Baan Bayan
The Cape Nidhra Hotel, Hua Hin
■ 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.
■ 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.
119 Petchkasem Road. Tel: 032 533 544
97/2 Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 516 600
Sofitel Centara Grand Resort & Villas
Putahracsa Hua Hin
■ Set within 13 hectares of landscaped gardens, the property dates back to 1923 and is one of Southeast Asia’s most renowned hotels. The luxurious colonial-era beachfront resort features 207 beautifully appointed guestrooms and suites, each one offering comfort and convenience. The Pool Villas include four Deluxe Spa Villas with queen sized twin bed, lounging area, bathroom with rain shower, and oversized Jacuzzi bathtub. Refined dining is available at Sala Thai, Hagi, the Railway Restaurant, and Palm Terrace. Guests can unwind in the Elephant Bar or Satchmo Club.
■ This stylish resort skillfully marries Mediterraneaninfluenced 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 Nahb Talay and Oceanside.
1 Damnernkasem Road, Hua Hin. Tel: 032 512 021-38
22/65 Nahb Kaehat Road. Tel: 032 531 470
Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa
Evason Hua Hin and Six Senses Spa
■ 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 award-winning White Lotus on the 17th floor of the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa offers sky-high dining at down to earth prices.
■ This resort-spa is situated at the heart of 20 acres of beautifully landscaped gardens and faces the Gulf of Thailand. Pool villas and guest rooms are connected by a series of wooden walkways that meander between lush greenery. This is a retreat for those seeking time to relax and recharge. In The Restaurant guests can sip exotic cocktails, ice-cold beer or boutique wines while watching chefs cook and construct creative appetizers. The award-winning Earth Spa is one of the most visually striking in Thailand.
33 Naresdamri Road. Tel: 032 538 999
9/22 Moo 5 Paknampran Beach, Pranburi. Tel: 032 632 111
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TRAVEL
HUA HIN
Hua Hin Where to eat Oceanside Beach Club & Restaurant ■ Open on all sides and offering uninterrupted views of waves crashing right at the foot of the restaurant, Oceanside has a stunning setting and certainly lives up to its name. Choose to dine at formal mahogany tables or in the comfort of white illuminated armchairs, and tuck into a wide selection of Thai and Mediterranean dishes and a selection of grilled meat fresh from the barbecue. Come Sunset, head to the Beach Club where you can sink into oversized sofas with loose cushions and chill out with a cocktail or two. Sheer bliss.
Hua Hin Where to drink Lotus Sky Bar
■ This vibrant roof top bar at the Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa serves up a great variety of innovative and classic cocktails and boasts superb panoramic views of Hua Hin and the Gulf of Thailand. Live DJs keep the atmosphere upbeat and draw in a young, lively crowd every night of the week. The bar is open daily 6pm-11pm. Tel: 032 538 999 email: fb.huahin@hilton.com www.facebook.com/lotusskybar
22/65 Nahb Kaehat Road, Hua Hin Tel: 032 531 470
Beach Mondo Cafe Restaurant Vino
■ After a hard week of work in Bangkok you deserve a treat! Watch the perfect day on the beach transcend into a unique candlelit dining experience with your loved one. The restaurant offers excellent steaks and seafood plus an unrivaled choice of cocktails and outstanding wines at reasonable prices. The only non-hotel affiliated restaurant on Hua Hin’s main beach offers great value for money. Soi Hua Hin 75/1 by the sea, Prachaubkirikhan 77110, Open Mon – Sun 10am – 10pm. www.beachcaferestaurant.com
White Lotus
■ The Hilton Hua Hin Resort & Spa’s signature Chinese restaurant serves up a wide range of authentic Szechuan and Cantonese dishes, including a signature Roast Peking Duck with pancakes, which is a must try. Factor in the restaurant’s elegant contemporary design and breathtaking views of the ocean and mountains, and it’s no surprise that it never fails to impress first time visitors. Dinner is served Tues-Sun 6pm-10.30pm; Dim Sum Lunch on Sat, Sun and Public Holidays from 11.30am-2.30pm.
Mondo Vino
■ This stylish-yet-casual wine bar should be the top of any oenophile’s list of places to visit in Hua Hin. You’ll find a large range of wines from new and old worlds (with an emphasis on Italian brands), available by the glass or bottle at more than reasonable prices. Accompanying the premium wines is a selection of cold cuts, cheeses, fresh hams, pizza, and pasta. Monthly promotions and wine tastings mean there is always something exciting going on here – simply check the website to keep up to date. Tel: 032 531 493 www.mondovino.co.th
Dune Sky Bar
■ Located on the rooftop of the boutique Dune Hotel, the Dune Sky Bar offers sweeping views of Hua Hin and is a great place to drop by for boozy cocktails and tasty international eats. Recently given a New York-inspired overhaul, the bar is stylishly furnished with eco-friendly furniture, including dining chairs made of recycled plastic bottles. Chilled out beats and subdued lighting make this one of the hippest relaxed hangouts in town. Dune Hotel Hua Hin, Tel: 032 515 051-3 email: md@dunehuahin.com
Tel: 032 538 999 Email: fb.huahin@hilton.com
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Travel|Bangkok
s ’ e t a M s rate
• Northgate Ratchayothin Serviced Residence: Until
amily f r o s d Frien kok? g n a B visiting now about k Let them e deals thes
March 31, book two consecutive nights or more and receive a special rate of B2,250 per night, inclusive of breakfast for two. Quote ‘Bed and Breakfast Special’ when booking. Tel: 02 939 7949 www.northgatebangkok.com.
• Glow Trinity Silom: Book a Deluxe
Room at B2,500 for two nights or more and receive complimentary room upgrade to Premier Room inclusive of breakfast for two. Offer ends March 31. Tel. 02 231 5050 www.glowbyzinc.com/ silom.
• Eastin Easy Siam Piman Bangkok: Need a
room for seven nights? The ‘Long Stay’ package deal offers just that. Stay in a Deluxe Room for seven nights at B1,250 per night with breakfast, or a Family Room at B2,393 per night with breakfast. Minimum booking seven nights. Rates without breakfast are available. Offer ends May 31. Tel: 02 917 5212 www.eastineasysiampiman.com
• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok: A
superb ‘Legends of the Oriental Package’ includes one week’s accommodation with personal butler service, two dining experiences, a one-hour treatment at the Oriental Spa, Afternoon Tea Talk and Historical Tour, and more. Rates start at B17,477 per room per night (single or double occupancy) for a minimum seven-night stay. Offer ends March 31. www.mandarinoriental.com/ Bangkok, Tel: 02 659 9000
• Grande Centre Point Hotel & ResidenceTerminal 21: Until Oct 31, the
hotel’s ‘21st Carpet Package’ offers three consecutive nights’ accommodation for B12,000+. Rate includes breakfast for two, limousine airport pick up, 3pm check out, and a chance to add an extra night for B4,000+. www.centrepoint.com
• Novotel Bangkok on Siam Square: Book a residential meeting of 15 room nights or more and you will receive one complimentary night at any one of the 12 Novotel Hotels and Resorts throughout Thailand. Offer ends March 31. Tel: 02 209 8888 www.novotelbkk.com
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• The Sukosol Bangkok: Until April 30, the
hotel’s ‘Family Getaway Package’ offers three consecutive nights in a family room (two adults and two kids) for B13,000++. Rates include daily breakfast, 3pm checkout, a buffet dinner, and more. Tel: 02 247 0123 www.sukosolhotels.com
• Aloft Bangkok Sukhumvit 11: Until March 31,
the hotel’s “A-List Offer” features rates starting at B2,800++ per room per night (room only). Includes free access to Bed Supperclub, Q Bar, and Bash. Tel: 02 207 7000 www.aloftholtels.com/bangkoksukhumvit11
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Travel|Pattaya Gangnam Happy Hours at Centara Pattaya Hotel
HERE’S a promotion that’s sure to raise a laugh: visit the Blu Pool Bar at Centara Pattaya Hotel any day between 5pm-7pm, order a Gangnam Rum Cocktail (comes with free nibbles), do the Gangnam Dance, and you’ll get 10 percent discount off all additional orders (food and drinks).
78/140 Moo 9 Tombol Nongprue 03 ☎ 829 5999 : centarahotelsresorts.com
Vivacious Valentine at Benihana
Valentine’s celebrations on the beach
PATTAYA Marriott Resort and Spa’s Benihana Japanese Steakhouse will serve up a special set menu on Valentine’s Day (Feb 14) for B3,899 per couple, including a glass of sparkling wine. Menu highlights include Tuna tataki with spicy ponzu sauce; Corn cream chowder with crab meat; Hibachi shrimp and vegetables; Grilled tiger prawn with lemon butter; Australian tenderloin steak; and Strawberry cheesecake, accompanied by aromatic Strawberry tea.
CENTARA Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with a “Mirage Beach BBQ.” Held on Feb 14 from 7pm-10pm, the barbecue will feature a wide selection of fresh seafood, with highlights such as Tiger prawns; Snapper fish wrapped in banana leaves; and Grilled squid with spicy sauce. Live music and Hawaiian and fire dance shows will add to the fun. B1,599 for singles; B2,999 for couples, including a glass of sparkling rose wine.
218 M.10 Beach Road, ☎038 412 120 ext.1395 : marriott.com
277 Moo 5 Naklua ☎038 301 234 ext.4397 : centarahotelsresorts.com
Australian Lamb deal at Radius Restaurant
ALL this month Cape Dara Resort Pattaya’s Radius Restaurant is offering a range of Australian Lamb Shank dishes franging in price from B250-B1,200. We’ve yet to try them for ourselves, but considering the dishes recently wowed the palates of the discerning judges on Iron Chef Thailand, they should be real meaty treats.
Pattaya to welcome its first Eastin Hotel
ABSOLUTE Hotel Services Group is set to open the city’s first Eastin Hotel in May. The property will bring together The Sunbeam Hotel Pattaya and neighbouring Hotel Idyll, which are currently undergoing a rebranding process and will be combined and re-launched as the ‘Eastin Hotel Pattaya. The hotels are located between Beach Road and Pattaya 2nd Road, close to the shopping and nightlife districts. Combining the two properties, the new Eastin Hotel will have 268 rooms, each equipped with deluxe amenities. Facilities will include an all-day-dining restaurant, bakery, outdoor swimming pool, business center, fitness center, and meeting and function rooms.
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256 Dara Beach, Soi Sarasin (20) Pattaya-Naklua Road ☎03 893 3888 : capedarapattaya.com
Candlelit dinner at Sheraton Pattaya
ANOTHER good option for wooing your loved one this Valentine’s Day can be found at the Sheraton Pattaya Resort. From 6.30pm-10pm, a six-course set dinner, served at the beachfront, will be available for B6,999 per person. Menu highlights include Lobster soup with aromatic herb cream; a choice of Seared black cod or Roasted veal rossini; and Strawberry cheese mousse with white and dark chocolate mousse and vanilla ice cream. 437 Phra Tamnak Road ☎038 259 888 : sheratonpattayaresort.com
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Travel|Pattaya Romance by the pool at Holiday Inn
HOLIDAY Inn Pattaya will celebrate Valentine’s Day this year by offering a fivecourse set wine dinner at its poolside restaurant, Splash, for B4,999 per couple. Dinner will be served from 6pm-10pm. ☎038 725 555 : dining-experience.com/pattaya
Centara to open new five-star hotel in Pattaya
Pattaya’s airport extended
CONSTRUCTION has begun on extending U-Tapao-Pattaya International Airport to include a new terminal. Work on the 25,200 sq. m facility should be completed by mid-2013. The budget is set at 868 million baht. The new terminal will be capable of handling 1,500 passengers per hour. Additional features include new parking facilities, fuel depot, fire-fighting systems, x-ray machines and improvements to other equipment and landscaping. Pattaya is currently experiencing a boom in visitors.
The Pattaya Players to perform in March
THE Pattaya Players will perform their first production for 2013 on March 1-2 at Indian by Nature Restaurant, Jomtien. Called The One Acts, the performance incorporates three short plays, each with a different director. Mixing thrills, comedy, and even bit of romance, the performances should provide a great night out for the whole family. Tickets are B1,000 per person and include an all-you-can-eat gourmet Indian buffet. Dinner starts at 6.30pm. Show starts 7.30pm. : pattayaplayers.org
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CENTARA Hotels & Resorts plans to open its fourth property in Pattaya next month. The five-star Centara Grand Resort & Spa Pattaya, is located at Phratamnak Hill on the east side of the city. The nine-storey hotel will have 161 rooms and suites, two function rooms and an adjacent lounge for events, a Spa Cenvaree, fitness centre and a swimming pool. Food and beverage outlets will include Oceana, serving international and Thai cuisines. It will also feature a large aquarium. Other outlets include a rooftop restaurant named Altezza that will serve Italian cuisine with views over the ocean and city, a deli called Crumbs, and a French-inspired bistro.
The BigChilli Campaign
Save Our Seas! Pollution of Pattaya’s seas is at crisis levels – action by everybody is needed to avert a disaster. Visit tinyurl.com/bverrhc or scan the barcode above to read the full report and leave your views. The more noise we make, the more chance we have of making a difference.
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