Arroz A traditional Spanish restaurant set in a beautifully converted two-level house on Sukhumvit Soi 53. Surrounded by leafy gardens with al fresco seating, Arroz evokes a homey ambiance with a rustic, wood-heavy décor, >> 112 Sukhumvit 53, Bangkok 10110 Tel 096 407 6154 | Albricias A newcomer to Bangkok dining scene, Albricias serves authentic Spanish food by Chef Joan, a veteran of three Michelin star restaurants. The word Albricias means ‘good news’ or relates to the present given to someone when bringing good news. >> Chatrium Residence Sathon Bangkok, 291 Soi Naradhiwas Rajanagarinda 24, Bangkok 10120 Tel. 02 672 0200 Ext 44 |
British architect behind the Foundation funding education for children of underprivileged Thai families Having spent 30 years in Thailand establishing the multiple-award-winning design studio, the Beaumont Partnership, Tim Beaumont is well known for his work in design and construction - and more recently his advocacy for education for the underprivileged in the kingdom. In 2008, during the ongoing social and political unrest between the red and yellow shirts, Tim and his business partners began the Beaumont Partnership Foundation to create social change through education.
While education is compulsory in Thailand, economic obstacles and the need to help the family earn an income can prevent students from completing their studies. This pattern becomes evident in the high school years when government subsidies no longer cover all the expenses related to school and education.
The Ruam Pattana School does not charge school fees but requests that the guardians and parents contribute 15 hours of work during a semester, including cleaning, gardening, painting, and brick-making. The aim is to take the students and keep them in school through to year 12. From the start of secondary school, there is a focus on work experience and careers and having students understand the opportunities in vocations and tertiary studies. There is also an element enabling the students to aspire and gain confidence in their education and personal development. The Foundation employs within the community. The school employs teachers and ancillary support staff within the School and Foundation grounds. Students who attend the school come from a 26-kilometre radius, and the school is non-selective academically. Currently, the school supports 298 students and employs a total of 45 staff members. What lessons have you learned since starting the Foundation 14 years ago? Tim: I didn't realize how much work this would be. Managing the business is tough, but managing the Foundation is all-consuming. It's my second job before nine and after five on Monday to Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. By Sam’s mum
Of course as life would have it, it can all happen on a very normal day….like January 4th 2015, which began as nothing special but by the end of it, my life and that of my family were to be turned upside down and inside out.
We had just returned after the Christmas holidays to our home in Phnom Penh where we had been living since 2011. Our two children age 10 and 11, were all set to start back at international school the coming Monday and both my husband and I had returned to work. It was all very ordinary. Commaso Cecca, Store Manager and Head Bartender of Camparino in Galleria, brings his concoctions and some of the bar’s iconic flavors to the heart of Bangkok at Vesper.
For many drink connois-seurs, having a cocktail at such historic and legendary bar like Camparino in Galleria in Milan would be one of the quests to be crossed off the bucket list. Well, some Bangkok drinkers were in lucky as some drinks from Milan were being served exclusively the head bartender himself at Camparino Takeover event at Vesper, along with his insights into the cocktail trend and how to stay relevant in the fast-changing world. With 107 years of history behind it, Camparino in Galleria has now consolidated its position as an establishment that is synonymous with the Milanese aperitivo and innovative mixology at a global level, and that is far more than its refined cocktails and sophisticated atmosphere: a legacy that is intrinsically entwined with the soul of the city of Milan. And since its major facelift in 2019, the bar has also become a worldwide pioneer for innovative mixology and went on to be awarded no.27 on World’s 50 Best Bars 2021 list. “Do you know what’s the best part of working at Camparino?” asked Tommaso Cecca, current Store Manager and Head Bartender of the historic venue, while stirring what looked like a Negroni at the bar of Bangkok’s very own Asia’s 50 Best Bar awardee. “It’s the opportunity to meet people from around the world and work with some of the most talented, most dedicated people in the industry. And I never get tired of the view of the Duomo di Milano!
Little did he think back then that this dream deal would become a property nightmare and eventually lead to losses of many thousands of pounds, and endless months of stress and worry.
His problems began almost straight away. On a routine visit to his house not long after the first tenant - a single man working with the local police force – had moved in, Les discovered that he was breaking the rental agreement by sub-letting a room to another lodger. Much worse, however, was the discovery that the tenant was using the living room as a repair shop for his motorbike. The ‘police’ man was quickly given his marching orders, leaving Les with a greasy and very expensive mess to clear up. Les had much better luck with his second tenant, a single lady in her 60s who looked after the property as if it was her own. Unfortunately, this “perfect” renter eventually moved out after 12 years in order to live with her daughter in another part of town. The third tenant, a single man in his late 20s, had been recommended and vetted by a letting agency owned by a friend of Les. And for the first 15 months or so, the monthly rent was received on the first of every month, so it all went according to plan. For almost 100 years, the bronze statue of Britain’s revered Queen
Victoria had price of place in the compound of the former British Embassy in Bangkok. When the beautiful grounds and embassy buildings were sold in 2018 to the Central Group for the then record sum of 20 billion baht and subsequently demolished, the new owners of the property said the statue would become a major attraction and retail theme in the shopping mall planned for the site. This outraged local Brits who pointed out that the huge statue, which is inscribed with the words “Erected in loving memory by Her subjects in Siam”, was paid for by the British community at the beginning of the last century and should not have been included in the sale of the embassy. Despite valiant efforts by the British Club Bangkok to have the statue of Queen Victoria relocated within its grounds on Silom Road, their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. Today, the statue has been relegated to a hopefully temporary location on the banks of a dirty klong that runs along Soi Somkid in central Bangkok. It’s a forlorn and thoroughly undignified sight for such a historically important figure. But it’s not only Brits who are shocked and outraged - Thai people, with their deep respect for royalty, are also upset at the commercialization of the queen’s image. The grounds of the British Club would be an ideal home for this iconic statue. Queen Victoria deserves a better place in Bangkok to reside than a department store. Over to you, the Central Group. by Robin Westley Martin Photography by Brian Angus I never learnt how to play a musical instrument, and although I think I produce fairly acceptable vocals when I burst into song, not everyone is of the same opinion. Yet music has been an important part of my life, as it has for so many others like myself, who are devoid of the skills to make a musical instrument sing.
I come from Birmingham, the second largest city in the UK, and when I was 15 or 16 years old I started to head out with my friends to see live music performed by some of the biggest bands in Britain, or even from around the world. We had small, to medium, to stadium-sized venues, and a whole host of smaller pubs and nightclubs, which we flocked to, to enjoy an exciting night out. It was fantastic to see a band playing live – actually there in front of us – the rock stars that we had only previously seen on our small TV screens, There was always a palpable feeling of excitement and a buzz of electricity within the concert halls, as we waited for our heroes to hit the stage. I was hooked from the very first rock concert I went to (Irish blues / rock legend Rory Gallagher, as I recall). When I moved to Thailand in the late 1980s I was amazed by the strangeness of the exotic new country I found myself in, and for the first year or so there was a wealth of stuff to see, do, and learn. Of course, as I travelled around I made new friends, and some of them were into music, too. We set about looking for somewhere to go to to satisfy our longing for live sounds. Bangkok was very different then to the Bangkok of today, although it was still a huge metropolis. It wasn’t, though, on the tour list of the megastars like Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, David Bowie, or Pink Floyd, for example. But there were several places to go to for your live music fix, although on a smaller scale. Places that stand out in the memory from my early days in Bangkok were Brown Sugar, The Saxophone, Tokyo Joe’s, Imageries, or The Rock Pub, and these little haunts slaked our thirst for live music, with some accomplished musicians that we were able to see strutting their stuff for only the price of a pint of beer … or a Mekong coke, which was even cheaper. It was at this time that I discovered Thai rock and pop music, and I soon became a fan of Asanee Wasant, Carabao, and Caravan, and I had also started to understand Thai traditional music, such as Luk Thung (a little). Then the 90s and 2000s came along and bigger bands started to hit Thailand on their tours, although they were still few and far between. I did manage to catch Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Genesis, Deep Purple, Rod Stewart, and Britpop stars Suede, though, amongst several other notable bands that are a bit hazy to recall due to rather too many glasses of Singha. The noughties marched on, and although the biggest bands still hit the shores of Thailand infrequently, the quality of the bands we could see in our local music venues, nightclubs, hotels and pubs continued to grow. Whether you were a rocker, a jazz or blues fan, or a folkie, there was something to look forward to on your night out, Prior to the lockdowns there were two places in particular that stood out, Apotheka, and Live Lounge, that showcased an eclectic mix of musical styles. Both of these are sadly no longer with us. But Bangkok is nothing if not dynamic, and two new places have recently opened up, with more on the way. As we continue to see more freedoms for travelers, and after Thailand fully opened up its doors again on July 1st , the two new places tourists can head to in town to join the local crowds of music lovers are The Green Room on Sukhumvit Soi 7/1, and 29 Music Bar and Grill, Mermaid Hotel, on Sukhumvit Soi 29. These two great new venues join the excellent, and already well-established Queen Bee, which is owned and run by the ever-affable John Branton, Speakerbox, and Smalls, run by the legendary nightlife entrepreneur David Jacobson. If you are from the US, or are a fan of dive bars, you shouldn’t miss Fatty’s Bar and Diner, in Dindaeng. Matthew is a muso himself, and along with his own band, Matthew Fischer and the Fishes, there is a regular music program at Fatty’s where you can catch some of the best bands or soloists in town … up close and nasty! Let’s take a quick look at newcomer Green Room. Some of my friends had been telling me about this place for about a month or so before I went along with them to check it out… and I was glad I did, because on the night I went the talented local legends Soi Dog Blues Band were on the bill, playing their first gig in many months, You would never have thought that they had been away for so long and they really were right back into their swing. The Green Room is a pretty small venue, and much of the area at the front is taken up by the stage area, to give the bands a bit of room to move, and engage with the audience. It’s located right next to Nana BTS station and offers some of the best live bands in Bangkok, playing everything from rock and blues, to rhythm and blues. Whether you’re looking to relax with a few drinks or get together with friends for night of live music Green Room Bangkok is the place to be. The Midnight Ramblers recently played there, and they brought the house down, with their set of rocking ‘Stones covers. There are many excellent already established venues around town. Let’s start with the Otto Bar. The highlight of Otto Bar at the junction of Sukhumvit and Soi 22 is definitely the phenomenal rock bands and other visiting guests who play there. The house band can play just about anything – rock, punk, indie or blues, and play it note perfect. There are visiting rock bands and special guests, too. If the full rock experience, including ear thumping volume, full-on light show, thundering drums, rock god vocals and epic guitar solos is your thing then Otto's is definitely highly recommended. No cover charge, beers are fairly priced and you can order in excellent burgers or chilli If you like rock and heavy metal, another good place to head to after dark is the Rock Pub on Rachathewi. A great choice for those who like their guitars loud and their bars on the dingy side, this long-running rock 'n’ roll bar has been going for over 25 years, seeing both international bands (such as Dragon Force, Take Him Down) and local talent take to the stage. Parking Toys is well worth a visit. Although it’s not in the popular central areas of Bangkok, it’s really not that difficult to get to by taxi. Parking Toys is on Prasert Manukit Rd, near to Navamin, in Ladphrao district. Parking Toys is a hip bar and eatery known for its great selection of live bands. Parking Toys is decorated in a vintage retro style, with a 60’s vibe thrown in, with a nightly lineup of great live music, featuring everything from jazz, rock, pop, ska, and rockabilly. At Parking Toys, you’ll find yourself dancing all night, with a crowd that is mostly Thai. But the word has started to spread amongst the expat community, and also to the tourists who keep their ear to the ground. And as a bonus, the prices of food and drink are reasonable, and the serving staff are cool. Smalls is set in a three story shophouse on Suan Plu , off Sathorn Road. Smalls is the brainchild of David Jacobson, the nightclub whiz who started the famed Q Bar in Bangkok several decades ago. The decor is decidedly Parisienne, and the on-point signature cocktail list is enhanced by a large selection of absinthe drinks, with a traditional absinthe spigot sitting on top of the bar counter. It's also well a visit on Wednesday nights for the music, as there is some great live jazz, featuring the picking prowess of Dan Phillips and his quartet, who play every week, and the bar also has plenty of special nights, when some of Bangkok’s top stars can be seen performing. Maggie Choo’s, with its 1930’s Shanghai-inspired theme, has quickly become a firm favourite hangout for those with an appreciation of quality live music in Bangkok. If you’re going for the first time, prepare to be amazed by the décor of the place: set in an old bank, things like the original vault doors, pretty models rocking back and forth on giant swings, and even a birdcage in the lobby are all Instagram-worthy material. Aside from your pretty amazing surroundings, though, you will also be amazed by the quality of the music that you will hear … jazz, blues, soul and funk all feature heavily most nights of the week. As a finale to this little look at live music in Bangkok, I was lucky to talk to one of the stalwarts of the Bangkok music scene, the personable and erudite Irishman, Keith Nolan. He has been very busy recently setting up a brand-new live music venue, on Sukhumvit 29, on the ground floor of the Mermaid Hotel, slap bang in the middle of the busy Sukhumvit entertainment area. Let’s listen to what Keith has to say: I first got to Thailand in 2000, and started playing the piano around town, jamming in some of the old music bars in Bangkok like Imageries and others that are now long gone. I met some famous and well-known Thai musicians and was invited to jam and record with some of them over the next few years. That was a great experience for me and I am honored to say that I have become firm friends with some of these talented musicians. There are many many Thai musicians I respect who are decidedly world class performers, such as Kitti Guitar Gun, Carabao, Sek Loso, Eddie Autobahn , Asanee Wasant, FLY, Silly Fools, Simon Henderson, Bruno Brugano, all the local blues and rock musicians, and such a lot more. There were so many great live music venues, but unfortunately a lot have gone under because of Covid, and only a few have reopened. However, the light is coming back, there are new places opening again, many in China Town area, plus a few in Sukhumvit. Recently I was asked to help open a new live Jazz and Blues music venue at The Mermaid Hotel called ‘29 Music Bar and Grill’. Feel good music with a great snack menu to complement the drinks, in a small and groovy place, and we have already started live music nights with some of the best local bands, such as the Y Not band, and my own band, the Cotton Mouth Kings …we play R & B and Blues, my first love. I am lucky to have become friends with some famous international stars during my musical career, and in the future you can expect to see some of them dropping in at ‘29’. As well as the best of what we have already here in Thailand. It’s a great place to meet after work and a great place for musicians, artists and writers to mingle and meet, so it’s an exciting venture, and an exciting time for me and all the music lovers and other creative people in town. There are wine and cocktail specials all week. Jazz jam on Sunday afternoons from 4pm to 7pm. Salsa dancing on the first and third Friday of every month. Wednesday night is Ladies night with wine and cocktails. And this is just the beginning, more is on the way! Hopefully 29 will continue to grow as Covid fears lift around the world. Bangkok is such a vibrant city, Thailand is such a great country to visit, and the buzz surrounding this new venue is something I didn’t expect. I hope those who read this piece will come along and give us a go. When I’m on a break from playing, come and say hello, I look forward to meeting you. I have been down to 29 several times myself already, and I will definitely be going again. Top new venue in town! Now that the Covid Devil has been somewhat tamed, we can all start to enjoy our lives again. I hope that this article has given you some idea of where to head on out to … ‘If music be the food of love, play on’ …’Music makes the world go round’… ‘Music is the soundtrack of your life’ … see ya around town! All of the venues mentioned here are on social media, check out their Facebook pages to see what is up for grabs on the night you are planning to go out. New Online fraud sees victims falling for fake police call Expats and high-profile Thais are being targeted in a new and sophisticated ‘Call Centre Scam’ with perpetrators claiming
to be senior Thai police officers. The scam begins with victims being contacted by someone claiming to work for the customs department who says they have intercepted a package from overseas containing drugs, ATM cards and bank books that are linked to “national-level moneylaundering investigation.” t this point, they are transferred via a video call to a man wearing a police uniform who claimed he is based at Ranong Police Station in southern Thailand. According to a Bangkok businessman who was cheated out of hundreds of thousands of baht, the “police officer” proved extremely convincing, seated in what looked like a genuine police station, chatting to his colleagues in the background and saying that the police needed his help to catch the money-launderers. The man was assured he was not suspected of any wrongdoing and even shown photos of six men wanted for questioning. However, since the businessman’s name and personal details had been discovered in a bank account, not his, holding an unexplained sum of more than 13 million baht, he needed to prove his innocence by making a personal visit to the station in Ranong, an extremely inconvenient journey of several hundreds of kilometres. If he refused, an arrest warrant would be issued. Alternatively, the businessman was told, he could send the ‘police officer’ access to his bank account so it could be cleared of any money laundering. Having been lulled into a false sense of security by the quietly spoken and clearly educated scammer who added to his credibility by displaying a copy of the man’s ID card, he did as instructed – thus enabling the scam, with all his money being subsequently stolen from his account. How did an otherwise sensible businessman fall for this scam? Robin Westley Martin talks to M.R. Narisa Chakrabongse, owner and driving force behind River Books, one of Thailand’s independent book publishers. The Coronavirus has been a scourge on our lives for the past three years, with many of us facing long days of quarantine wondering how to use this unexpected break from our usual routine.
I found a solution. Since a young age I have always loved books, whether they were being read to me at night by my mother before I went to sleep, or when I proudly finished reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears by myself at the age of four. Although I use a computer to write every day, I have never been a big fan of reading a book online, or on a laptop or smartphone. It just feels so much nicer to have something physical to hold, feel, read … and smell! Indeed, the smell of a new (or very old) book is satisfying in itself … the content within is the added bonus. Since the dawn of the digital age the publishing industry has been going through challenging times. I looked at what has been happening in the print industry in the UK since Covi and discovered that the news is upbeat. Just as there has been a big surge in the sale of vinyl music albums so there has also been a boom in purchasing physical books – and the ‘bricks and mortar’ bookshops have been busy, full of customers browsing the shelves, and buying printed books. In 2020, over 200 million print books were sold, the highest number since 2012. Many people turned to books for entertainment, with some doubling the amount of time they spent reading. The movie industry, Netflix, other streamed services and the TV have also helped. There are a lot of first-time readers who want to delve deeper into the movie they have just watched, or they want to read the book before they go to see the movie. The pandemic has shown that reading is still an activity highly valued by millions of people, particularly in situations whereby increased leisure time has, and is, becoming the norm. While recent results have shown that the publishing industry is undoubtedly sustainable, it also has to be flexible and innovative. Are we seeing similar developments in Thailand? Let’s look at independent publisher River Books, and seek the opinions of its owner Khun M.R. Narisa Chakrabongse. |