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Fah Thai Magazine May June 2018

Read FAH THAI MAGAZINE Online! Fah Thai is the inflight magazine of Bangkok Airways. We also come in a digital format. You can read us at Fahthaimag.com

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MAY- JUN <strong>2018</strong><br />

IN A SHAN STATE OF<br />

COFFEE<br />

BANGKOK ART WORLD’S<br />

NIGHTS OUT<br />

SAMUI’S GOOD<br />

DEEDS<br />

VANN MOLYVANN:<br />

PROLIFIC AND PROMINENT<br />

COMPLIMENTARY COPY


OVERTURES<br />

FEATURES<br />

16 WHAT’S UP<br />

Raise your hands up in the air for<br />

Dua Lipa’s Asian tour. In Cambodia,<br />

raise your eyes to the sky for the<br />

Rocket Festival, among the many<br />

regional events.<br />

20 YOUTHFUL BEAUTY<br />

Armed with the right rejuvenating<br />

products, keep everyone guessing<br />

your real age. Our beauty experts<br />

share their list.<br />

22 TIED TO STYLE<br />

Polka dots or stripes? There’s no<br />

need to get tied up in knots in the<br />

search for the right tie to match the<br />

outfit and the occasion.<br />

24 GIVE CHIANG RAI A TRY<br />

Seek out a gleaming white temple,<br />

climb scenic hills and know more<br />

about the wicked history of the<br />

opium trade in this northern town.<br />

28 TO YOUR HEALTH<br />

Make roselle your drink of choice<br />

as the myriad benefits of this plant<br />

include anti-oxidant and freeradical<br />

properties.<br />

32 DEALS ON WHEELS<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land’s street carts remain a<br />

reliable source of nourishment and<br />

snacks. With no two carts alike, we<br />

show you the differences.<br />

44 PARADISE<br />

GAINED<br />

Lovers of Samui are not<br />

just visitors but local<br />

residents who make sure it<br />

stays a paradise.<br />

50 ANTHROMORPHIC<br />

TALES<br />

In a commissioned work<br />

for Gucci, a <strong>Thai</strong> illustrator<br />

takes to flights of fancy<br />

with animal characters.<br />

60 FOR THE LOVE OF<br />

ARCHITECTURE<br />

We seek out Phnom Penh’s<br />

heritage architecture and<br />

modernistic buildings<br />

designed by the late<br />

visionary Vann Molyvann.<br />

70 MYANMAR BEAN<br />

TOWN<br />

Pyin Oo Lwin in Myanmar,<br />

while known for its<br />

colonial past, creates<br />

contemporary history as a<br />

coffee-producing area.<br />

78 NIGHTS IN ART<br />

It’s an active year in art for<br />

Bangkok as the city preps for<br />

major art shows, including<br />

the debut of two biennales.<br />

Roving photographer Jesper<br />

Haynes is out on the town<br />

capturing the art crowd.<br />

60<br />

Vann<br />

Molyvann’s<br />

Legacy of<br />

Landmarks<br />

6<br />

7


HAPPENINGS<br />

CORPORATE<br />

A selection of relevant events around Asia.<br />

90 BANGKOK<br />

92 SAMUI<br />

96 KRABI / PHUKET<br />

100 CHIANG MAI /<br />

CHIANG RAI<br />

101 PATTAYA /<br />

KOH CHANG<br />

102 CHINA<br />

104 HONG KONG<br />

106 SINGAPORE<br />

107 KUALA LUMPUR<br />

108 BATTAMBANG /<br />

PHNOM PENH /<br />

SIEM REAP<br />

110 DANANG /<br />

HANOI /<br />

PHU QUOC<br />

112 LUANG<br />

PRABANG /<br />

YANGON<br />

114 MALDIVES /<br />

MUMBAI<br />

118 NEWS<br />

Bangkok Airways announces collaborations<br />

and winners.<br />

127 AIRCRAFT INFO<br />

128 ROUTE MAP<br />

CHECKING OUT<br />

130 YANGON<br />

The city’s strong spiritual flow lives<br />

alongside its modern city feel.<br />

This month’s cover:<br />

Illustrator<br />

Phannapast<br />

Taychamaythakool<br />

features her<br />

signature work of<br />

whimsical animals<br />

drawn in vivid and<br />

elaborate detail.<br />

78<br />

Bangkok’s<br />

Artful<br />

Statements<br />

8


MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT<br />

Welcome on board our Bangkok Airways flight.<br />

Currently, the world faces unpredictable weather<br />

conditions – from seasonal changes to severe climate<br />

changes. Because of this, I believe it’s crucial for all of<br />

us to make our health a priority. For that reason, we’d<br />

like to introduce and encourage everyone to engage<br />

in sporting activities, such as the “Bangkok Airways<br />

Boutique Series <strong>2018</strong>” marathon running series,<br />

held throughout the year of <strong>2018</strong> in seven different<br />

Bangkok Airways destinations. Furthering our health<br />

and sports initiative is our latest cooperation with<br />

Borussia Dortmund, one of the most successful<br />

football clubs in Europe, which allows us to leverage<br />

our branding cooperation and tap into the larger market<br />

in Asia. With this partnership, we see the benefits<br />

of education and the creation of opportunities; so<br />

together with Borussia Dortmund, Bangkok Airways<br />

is planning to organise a special football coaching<br />

programme for our <strong>Thai</strong> youth. Other collaborations<br />

extend to many educational institutions such as<br />

Bangkok University and Mae <strong>Fah</strong> Luang University<br />

with the launch of “Bangkok Airways Open House,” a<br />

campaign that reaches out to interested youth with<br />

career goals in the hospitality or aviation industry.<br />

Another important milestone for us includes<br />

expanding the airline networking partnership. Recently,<br />

Bangkok Airways announced a codeshare partnership<br />

with three leading airlines, namely EL AL Israel Airlines,<br />

Lao Airlines and Oman Air, to strengthen networks and<br />

provide passengers more convenient and seamless<br />

access to popular travel destinations both in <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

and neighbouring countries.<br />

On behalf of Bangkok Airways, I would like to<br />

give sincere thanks to all passengers flying with us.<br />

We truly hope you receive an experience you’ll find<br />

impressive and convenient wherever the travel may<br />

be. We are determined to delivering better service,<br />

and ultimately the best, for our passengers again in<br />

the future. Thank you.<br />

ยินดีต้อนรับผู้โดยสารทุกท่านสู่การบริการของ<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส<br />

ช่วงนี้อากาศเปลี่ยนแปลงบ่อย ไม่ว่าจะเป็นผลมา<br />

จากภาวะโลกร้อนหรือเป็นเพราะการเปลี่ยนแปลงตาม<br />

ฤดูกาลก็ตาม ผมคิดว่าการรักษาสุขภาพให้ดีเป็น<br />

สิ่งสำคัญ เราจึงมุ่งส่งเสริมกิจกรรมด้านการกีฬาอย่าง<br />

ต่อเนื่อง เพื่อให้ทุกท่านมีสุขภาพร่างกายที่แข็งแรง อาทิเช่น<br />

การจัดแข่งขันวิ่งมาราธอน “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส บูทีค ซีรีย์<br />

<strong>2018</strong>” ที่จัดขึ้นใน 7 จุดหมายปลายทางของสายการบินฯ<br />

ตลอดปี 2561 และล่าสุด ได้มีการประกาศความร่วม<br />

มือเป็นพันธมิตรกับ สโมสรโบรุสเซียดอร์ทมุนด์ หนึ่งใน<br />

สโมสรฟุตบอลที่ประสบความสำเร็จมากที่สุดในยุโรป<br />

นอกจากความร่วมมือทางการตลาดแล้ว เรายังมองเห็น<br />

ถึงความสำคัญของการสร้างโอกาสและสนับสนุน<br />

องค์ความรู้ทางด้านกีฬาให้แก่เยาวชนและผู้ที่สนใจ<br />

ซึ่งถือเป็นหนึ่งในกิจกรรมเพื่อสังคมที่เราให้ความส ำคัญ<br />

ตลอดมา โดยได้จัดกิจกรรมฝึกทักษะกีฬาฟุตบอล<br />

ให้กับเยาวชนร่วมกับทางสโมสรฯ อีกทั้งยังมีโครงการ<br />

“เปิดบ้านสอนน้อง” ที่เปิดโอกาสให้กับเยาวชนที่มี<br />

ความสนใจ และมีเป้าหมายที่จะทำงานในธุรกิจการ<br />

บริการ และการบิน โดยเราได้มีการลงนามบันทึก<br />

ความร่วมมือทางการศึกษาและพัฒนาบุคลากรกับ<br />

หลายสถาบัน อาทิ มหาวิทยาลัยกรุงเทพ มหาวิทยาลัย<br />

แม่ฟ้าหลวง ฯลฯ<br />

อีกหนึ่งก้าวสำคัญของบางกอกแอร์เวย์สคือ<br />

การขยายเครือข่ายพันธมิตรสายการบิน โดยล่าสุด<br />

เราได้มีการลงนามข้อตกลงในการให้บริการเที่ยวบิน<br />

ร่วมกับอีก 3 สายการบินชั้นนำ ได้แก่ สายการบิน<br />

แอล อัล อิสราเอลแอร์ไลน์ ลาวแอร์ไลน์ และ<br />

โอมานแอร์ เพื่อเป็นการสร้างเครือข่ายความร่วมมือ<br />

ทางการบินให้มีความแข็งแกร่งยิ่งขึ้น อีกทั้งยัง<br />

อำนวยความสะดวกให้กับผู้โดยสารในการเดินทาง<br />

เชื่อมต่อไปยังแหล่งท่องเที่ยวที่มีชื่อเสียงทั้งใน<br />

ประเทศไทยและประเทศเพื่อนบ้านอีกด้วย<br />

ผม ในนามของสายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส<br />

ขอขอบคุณผู้โดยสารทุกท่านที่เดินทางกับเรา และ<br />

หวังเป็นอย่างยิ่งว่าท่านจะได้รับความสะดวกสบาย<br />

และประทับใจในการบริการของเรา เราจะยังคงมุ่งมั่น<br />

พัฒนาการบริการให้ดียิ่งๆ ขึ้นต่อไป ขอบคุณครับ<br />

กัปตัน พุฒิพงศ์ ปราสาททองโอสถ<br />

Captain Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth<br />

กรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ | President, Bangkok Airways Public Company Limited<br />

10


IS THE<br />

GOLD WINNER<br />

PEARL AWARD<br />

2017<br />

BEST PHOTOGRAPHY<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS PUBLIC<br />

COMPANY LIMITED<br />

99 Mu 14, Vibhavadi Rangsit Road,<br />

Chom Phon, Chatuchak, Bangkok<br />

10900, <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

www.bangkokair.com<br />

ADVISORY BOARD<br />

Mr. Prote Setsuwan<br />

Vice President - Marketing<br />

Ms. Sumalee Chaitientong<br />

Vice President - Ancillary Revenues<br />

Mr. Kridhakorn Sirabhabhoj<br />

Director - Advertising and Creative<br />

Mr. Benjamin Sirirat<br />

Manager - Branding and Creative<br />

Mrs. Rattanaporn Sa-Nguanjangwong<br />

Business Services - Ancillary Revenues<br />

PUBLISHER<br />

MPMI Group Co., Ltd.<br />

1 Soi Lasalle 23/2,<br />

Bangna, Bangkok 10260, <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

Tel. +66 2744 4975<br />

Fax. +66 2744 5271<br />

Managing Director<br />

Chaovanee Ajanant<br />

Email: chaovanee@mpmith.com<br />

EDITORIAL<br />

Email: editorial@fahthaimag.com<br />

Editorial Director Somtawin Chanyawong<br />

Editor-in-Chief Anutra Ungsuprasert<br />

Senior Editor Nawa Acosta Wright<br />

Deputy Editor Sarita Urupongsa<br />

Contributors<br />

Chalotorn Payomyol<br />

Chusri Ngamprasert<br />

Jeremie Schatz<br />

Nawarat A Wright<br />

Nicola Hil<br />

Passakorn Hongthong<br />

Phoowadon Duangmee<br />

Prachi Joshi<br />

Richard Augustin<br />

Ron Emmons<br />

Sarita Urupongsa<br />

Sirin P Wongpanit<br />

Sophia Natasia Powell-Schaffer<br />

Susan Field<br />

Thawat Tangtienchai<br />

Photo Editor Thewin Chanyawong<br />

Contributing Photographers<br />

Jesper Haynes<br />

Kay Choomongkol<br />

Lesley Fisher<br />

Permboon Wongpanit<br />

Ron Emmons<br />

Sang-arun Champawan<br />

Thawat Tangtienchai<br />

Wichit Kongsiangsung<br />

ART<br />

Creative Director JyeShen Koo<br />

Graphic Designer Pongtorn Khaoplag<br />

Contributing Stylist Saranya Ariyakul<br />

Contributing Illustrator Arthit Limpong<br />

PRODUCTION<br />

Colour Separation: Soontorn Film<br />

Printer: WPS (<strong>Thai</strong>land) Co., Ltd.<br />

ADVERTISING<br />

advertising@fahthaimag.com<br />

Media Manager: Daruni Klaprapchon<br />

Marketing Manager: Reza Bizmark<br />

ADVERTISING HOTLINES<br />

Guitar +669 2270 9528<br />

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OVERSEAS ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES<br />

AUSTRALIA<br />

THE MEDIA COMPANY<br />

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Tel: +612 9909 5800<br />

leanne@themediaco.com.au<br />

CAMBODIA, LAOS,<br />

MYANMAR<br />

Kittikun Adunsirisaward<br />

Tel: +668 9468 2440<br />

kittikun@bangkokair.com<br />

Hathaiwan Chieochankitjakan<br />

Tel: +668 6900 5278<br />

hathaiwan@bangkokair.com<br />

CHINA, HONG KONG,<br />

MACAU, TAIWAN<br />

CHINA MEDIA OPTIONS<br />

CO., LTD.<br />

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Tel: +852 2321 9788<br />

rebeccaCMOsupport@gmail.com<br />

FRANCE, GERMANY,<br />

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INFOPAC MEDIA HOUSE<br />

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Tel: +331 4643 0066<br />

jcabeille@infopac.fr<br />

INDIA, MALDIVES<br />

RMA MEDIA<br />

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Tel: +9122 2925 3735<br />

kuka@rmamedia.com<br />

KOREA<br />

MEDIREP CO.<br />

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Tel: +822 734 0786<br />

soohoonoh@medireponline.com<br />

JAPAN<br />

PUBLICITAS JAPAN K.K.<br />

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Tel: +8150 8882 3456<br />

hiroko.minato@publicitas.com<br />

MALAYSIA<br />

MPMI SDN BHD<br />

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Tel: +603 7880 2185<br />

mpmimy@gmail.com<br />

SINGAPORE, INDONESIA<br />

MPMI PTE LTD<br />

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Tel: +65 6464 6261<br />

mpmisg@gmail.com<br />

UNITED KINGDOM<br />

MAJOR MEDIA LTD.<br />

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Tel: +44(0) 20 8467 8884<br />

david@majormedia.co.uk<br />

USA<br />

THE MULTIMEDIA INC.<br />

Fernando Mariano<br />

Tel: +14 0790 3500<br />

fmar@multimediausa.com<br />

“FAH THAI” is the in-flight magazine of Bangkok Airways Public Company<br />

Limited and is edited and published by MPMI Group Co., Ltd. All articles and<br />

photographs published herein are created by the authors and photographers<br />

at their own discretion and do not necessarily represent the views of the<br />

airline. Bangkok Airways holds no responsibility or liability arising out of the<br />

publication of such articles and photographs.<br />

All information correct at press time. All rights reserved. No part of this<br />

magazine may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in<br />

any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Bangkok<br />

Airways Public Company Limited and MPMI Group Co., Ltd.<br />

Cover Illustration: Courtesy of Phannapast Taychamaythakool<br />

12


ESSENTIAL NOTES TO GUIDE YOUR TRAVELS<br />

Crafting Coffee<br />

As a beloved <strong>Thai</strong> beverage,<br />

coffee always had its own<br />

artisanal movement. Street<br />

carts keep the tradition alive,<br />

with minimal equipment to<br />

produce that caffeine kick.<br />

NEWS AND EVENTS 16 / BEAUTY AND HEALTH 20 / STYLE 22 / THAILAND TREASURES 24 / A TASTE OF THAILAND 28 /<br />

FRUITFUL FINDS 30 / ARTS & CULTURAL MATTERS 32 / CHECKED IN 36<br />

15


OVERTURES<br />

NEWS AND EVENTS<br />

1-8MAY<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

ASIA<br />

DUA LIPA ‘THE SELF-TITLED TOUR’<br />

British songstress Dua Lipa made quite an<br />

impact during her debut performance in Asia<br />

back in 2017. This month, the singer/model<br />

returns to enthral her fans with a solo show<br />

with major performances in several Asian cities<br />

including Hong Kong (1 <strong>May</strong>), Kuala Lumpur<br />

(3 <strong>May</strong>), Singapore (4 <strong>May</strong>), Seoul (6 <strong>May</strong>) and<br />

Tokyo (8 <strong>May</strong>).<br />

Dua Lipa’s ‘The Self-Titled Tour’ will see the<br />

artiste perform her hit singles that made her<br />

one of the most exciting and most streamed<br />

British female artist in recent history proven by<br />

her five <strong>2018</strong> Brit Award Nominations.<br />

Dua Lipa exploded on the scene last<br />

year with her hit song, “New Rules”, which<br />

topped the charts in the UK. Riding the wave<br />

of popularity, she followed-up with several<br />

popular singles such as “IDGAF”, “Scared to<br />

be Lonely” and “Blow Your Mind (Mwah)”.<br />

dualipa.com<br />

4-8MAY<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

LAOS & ISAAN, THAILAND<br />

ROCKETS FOR RAIN<br />

In Laos and the northeastern provinces<br />

of <strong>Thai</strong>land like Yasothon and Roi Et, no<br />

aerospace engineer is needed to make rockets<br />

fly. Spectators will gather to see the master<br />

creators of rockets, typically monks with skilled<br />

knowledge of gunpowder and a good sense of<br />

motion in space that’s more than enough to<br />

send the rockets hurling upwards to the skies.<br />

Now the much-loved rocket festival or<br />

“Boun Bang Fai” returns to the Lao paddy fields<br />

– where home-made rockets will be launched.<br />

For visitors travelling to Laos in <strong>May</strong> and <strong>June</strong>,<br />

there’s a good chance you may happen upon<br />

the festive and colourful rocket processions.<br />

The festival marks the annual growing<br />

season in Laos, as the monsoon season is<br />

expected in <strong>June</strong>. Ahead of the ploughing<br />

period, the farmers send up the rockets<br />

skywards to please and remind the God of Rain<br />

to send enough to nourish the paddy fields.<br />

Lao folks leave their routine work a few<br />

days before the launch day. Then led by local<br />

monks, who are counted on for genius rocket<br />

engineering, gunpowder gets put inside a long<br />

pipe before firing them in the empty field.<br />

The smaller rockets are fancier in the way<br />

they shoot up into the heavens while the<br />

large ones don’t even look like they’re capable<br />

of flight. The higher the rockets go, say the<br />

locals, the more rain will come down. But it’s<br />

no guarantee every rocket shoots upward<br />

as the God of Rain may have the last word.<br />

tourismlaos.org, tourismthailand.org<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

12MAY<br />

HO CHI MINH<br />

RUNNING HAPPY WITH COLOURS<br />

Think of India’s Holi festival, a 5k fun run and<br />

dance party mixed into one day for a “messy<br />

weekend” in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. La<br />

Vie Color Me Run is uncompetitive fun, and<br />

a most colourful running race. Runners start<br />

the event in white clothing, but by the end of<br />

it become a kaleidoscope of colours having<br />

run, danced and walked through different<br />

zones where they’re pelted with vivid corn<br />

starch-based powders. There will be no hard<br />

feelings of being a loser mingling in the air. The<br />

unclocked run has no winners or prizes, but<br />

runners are showered with coloured powder at<br />

stations along the way. At the ‘finish line,’ the<br />

runners become party-goers and are rewarded<br />

with a DJ-anchored dance. colormerun.vn,<br />

runsociety.com<br />

MID-MAY<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

KRABI<br />

CHAO LAY BOAT FESTIVAL<br />

Lanta island in Krabi is the place where you<br />

can observe an ancient sea ritual still carried<br />

out by Urak Lawoi natives of the island. The<br />

Aboriginal Malay people of Urak Lawoi has<br />

been living in the islands of Phuket and Krabi,<br />

and for centuries they have maintained their<br />

lives circling around the seas with open ocean<br />

fishing. It is not then a surprise that they<br />

would carry on colourful rites and celebrations<br />

at the beginning of each year’s fishing season.<br />

Loi Ruea (Floating Boats) festival takes place<br />

twice a year during the 13th to 15th day after<br />

the full moon of the sixth month or middle of<br />

<strong>May</strong> this year. In this elaborate event where<br />

visitors can witness heavily decorated fishing<br />

boats — real ones and models — that fishermen<br />

make especially for this celebration meant to<br />

ward off all the bad spirits that might affect<br />

their fishing efforts and work throughout the<br />

year. These ‘floating boats’ can also be seen<br />

as a smart solution for fishermen to test the<br />

conditions of the waters. The event brings<br />

back family members that might have moved<br />

further out and here they’ll gather, even for a<br />

few days during the celebration, as a way to<br />

catch up and strengthen rare clan ties.<br />

Tourism Authority of <strong>Thai</strong>land, Krabi,<br />

T: +66 (0) 89 201 7985, tourismthailand.org<br />

26-27 MAY<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

&<br />

2-3 JUN<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

SINGAPORE<br />

WATER DRAGONS<br />

The sport of Dragon Boat racing dates back<br />

to ancient China. Today, it is a sporting race<br />

widely practised in Asia and renowned for<br />

instilling teamwork, dedication and team<br />

coordination. Singapore, in owing to its large<br />

Chinese community, will once again celebrate<br />

this grand sport with the Dragon Boat Festival,<br />

which takes place at several venues across the<br />

island nation.<br />

Bedok Reservoir and Kallang River will<br />

host several races in <strong>May</strong> and <strong>June</strong> but most<br />

eyes will be fixed on DBS Marina Regatta.<br />

Held against the backdrop of the Gardens<br />

by the Bay, the DBS Marina Regatta, which<br />

is backed by the Singapore Dragon Boat<br />

Association (SDBA), will serve up a carnivallike<br />

atmosphere as teams take to the water<br />

to compete for honour and glory. Marina Bay,<br />

Singapore, sdba.org.sg<br />

1-7JUN<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

CHIANG MAI<br />

INTAKHIN CITY PILLAR FESTIVAL<br />

Inthakin is a Chiang Mai city pillar believed<br />

to be first erected by King Mangrai when the<br />

city was founded in 1296. The sacred pillar<br />

was moved from its original place at Wat<br />

Inthakin to Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai’s<br />

city centre in the 1800s. Each year, Chiang<br />

Mai celebrates the incoming rainy season by<br />

worshipping this sacred monument. After<br />

a period of droughts and dry spells, locals<br />

welcome the lusher climes with colourful<br />

celebrations and major merit-making at the<br />

temple. Wishes for a good year ahead abound<br />

as the rains approach, meaning a bountiful<br />

rice crop and healthy harvest. The best spot<br />

to witness this long-time tradition is at Wat<br />

Chedi Luang where hundreds of people will<br />

attend the event either in a formal procession<br />

or as families and individuals. This Brahman<br />

tradition usually last seven days beginning<br />

with ‘Tam Bun Khan Dok’ or flower-blessing<br />

rituals to be followed by dancing, music<br />

performance, carnival games and street fairs.<br />

Wat Chedi Luang, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai,<br />

Tourist Hotline 1672, tatcontactcenter.com/en<br />

16 17


OVERTURES<br />

NEWS AND EVENTS<br />

NOW<br />

GUANGZHOU<br />

NEW AIRPORT TERMINAL<br />

Guangzhou’s Baiyun International Airport<br />

plans to open its new terminal by <strong>May</strong> <strong>2018</strong>.<br />

At a cost of $2.7 billion US Dollars, the new<br />

terminal supports Guangzhou’s goal to rival<br />

Hong Kong as an international air hub and<br />

economic centre in the Guangdong region. The<br />

new terminal is projected to handle around 45<br />

million passengers annually by 2020 and 100<br />

million by 2025. Growth trends suggest that<br />

the airport, now ranked 13th internationally<br />

for airport size, will soon overtake Hong Kong,<br />

currently in the 8th spot. baiyunairport.com,<br />

+86 20 3606 6999<br />

9-11<br />

MAY<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

HONG KONG<br />

FINE DINING SHOWCASE<br />

Foodies and gourmands will want to pay a<br />

visit to the inaugural Gourmet Asia <strong>2018</strong>. Part<br />

tradeshow and exhibition, the event will serve<br />

up a delicious array of high-end speciality food,<br />

drink as well as hospitality equipment. Although<br />

Gourmet Asia’s main intention is to deliver a<br />

platform for the F&B industry to show off their<br />

latest ingredients, products and technologies,<br />

the event also provides visitors and culinarians<br />

an opportunity to sample exclusive food<br />

products and items.<br />

One of the main highlights of the event will<br />

be the Gourmet Tasting Restaurant, which will<br />

showcase a mixture of local chefs, talents and<br />

international award winners. The pop-up styled<br />

eatery will serve a speciality menu prepared<br />

exclusively by award-winning talents from the<br />

culinary field for a truly extraordinary gourmet<br />

tasting experience. Hong Kong Convention and<br />

Exhibition Centre, gourmetasia.com<br />

<strong>2018</strong><br />

29MAY<br />

CAMBODIA<br />

VISAK BOCHEA DAY<br />

The end of <strong>May</strong> sees Cambodians and many<br />

people in Southeast Asia celebrating one<br />

of the most important days of the Buddhist<br />

Calendar – Visak Bochea in Khmer or Visakha<br />

Bucha Day in <strong>Thai</strong>.<br />

Commemorating the birth, enlightenment<br />

and death of Buddha, Visak Bochea Day will<br />

see temples across the country come alive with<br />

candle processions and people offering food,<br />

alms and flowers in order to make merit.<br />

A national holiday, the festivities begin in<br />

the early hours of the morning in temples and<br />

pagodas with prayer as well as the offering<br />

of food and sweets to monks. The grandest<br />

celebration of Visak Bochea Day takes place<br />

in Oudong Mountain, located some 40km<br />

away from Phnom Penh, where a golden urn<br />

containing the relics of Buddha is kept. For visitors,<br />

this celebration offers a unique opportunity to<br />

experience the culture and people of Cambodia<br />

up close. tourismcambodia.com, tourismthailand.org,<br />

Tourist Hotline 1672<br />

18


OVERTURES<br />

BEAUTY AND HEALTH<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Tricks and Treats<br />

If there’s ever been a moment<br />

or two when you wish to hide<br />

something, go ahead. Make-up<br />

tricks and rejuvenating colours<br />

can bring on a more youthful<br />

look, and our tips below<br />

are yours to learn. All you<br />

beauties out there can use<br />

concealing techniques that<br />

hide evidence of less sleep the<br />

night before.<br />

Here are some new tools<br />

for your makeup kit plus goto<br />

tips when you want that<br />

ageless glow. So yes, turn the<br />

clock back a bit!<br />

STOCKISTS<br />

Benefit<br />

MF Siam Paragon<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2610 7773<br />

Bobbi Brown<br />

GF Zen<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2613 1462<br />

Chanel<br />

MF Siam Paragon<br />

Tel +66 (0) 2610 7685<br />

BOI-ING<br />

HYDRATING<br />

CONCEALER 3.5G<br />

FROM BENEFIT<br />

(900 Baht)<br />

This concealer stick is<br />

infused with vitamin E<br />

and apple seed extract<br />

to keep your skin<br />

hydrated for up to six<br />

hours while leaving a<br />

natural-looking sheer<br />

finish.<br />

GALIFORNIA BRUSH 5.0G FROM<br />

BENEFIT (1,250 Baht)<br />

A sunny, golden pink blush that blends a<br />

bright shade of pink with shimmering gold,<br />

for a sun-kissed glow; complementing all<br />

skin tones.<br />

NAIL POLISH 11ML<br />

FROM BOBBI<br />

BROWN<br />

(650 Baht)<br />

A long-lasting nail<br />

colour with a high-shine<br />

gloss. This polish dries<br />

to a hard finish and<br />

stays put.<br />

LE VERNIS NEON<br />

NAIL COLOUR<br />

13ML FROM<br />

CHANEL (1,050 Baht)<br />

A long-wearing nail<br />

polish bursting with<br />

intense, vibrant colours<br />

and a neon finish. With<br />

its extra fine, ultra<br />

shiny formula, each coat<br />

offers an even, smooth<br />

and lacquered result.<br />

PUNCH POP<br />

LIQUID LIP<br />

COLOUR 7ML<br />

FROM BENEFIT<br />

(800 Baht)<br />

This liquid lip colour<br />

combines vibrant hues<br />

with a shiny finish to<br />

create the perfect blend<br />

for lip colours that pop.<br />

It glides on smoothly and<br />

contains vitamin E that is<br />

known for softening lips.<br />

WORDS PASSAKORN HONGTHONG STYLE SARANYA ARIYAKUL PHOTO SANG-ARUN CHAMPAWAN<br />

Candy Crush<br />

Tired of the usual when it comes to your<br />

everyday makeup? When you have a<br />

strong desire to break the monotony of<br />

dark colours and banish the boredom of an<br />

unexciting pallette of pale faces, be bold<br />

and give these soft and lively colours a try.<br />

VELVET MATTE LIP PENCIL<br />

2.4G FROM NARS<br />

(1,050 Baht)<br />

Every colour virtually works on<br />

everyone. Paired with soft eye<br />

colours, even the darkest or<br />

brightest shade of on your lips<br />

create a striking makeup look<br />

on its own.<br />

MARIMEKKO X CLINIQUE<br />

POP LIP COLOUR +<br />

PRIMER 3.8G FROM<br />

CLINIQUE (850 Baht)<br />

From design house, Marimekko,<br />

vibrant patterns and cheery hues<br />

on offer for a limited time only<br />

and colour stays true,<br />

making your lips feel<br />

moisturised for up to<br />

8 hours.<br />

PURE COLOR ENVY LIP<br />

PALETTE 1.5G/EACH FROM<br />

ESTEE LAUDER (1,900 Baht)<br />

Sculpt your lips with moisturising<br />

colour and transform your look with 6<br />

sweet shades from provocative plum<br />

to powerful pink and subtle rose.<br />

SKIN VEIL BASE DOT CUSHION<br />

SPF 14 PA++ 15G FROM LANEIGE<br />

(1,200 Baht)<br />

The Cushion now comes with<br />

ingredients from the<br />

Waterbank Essence<br />

acting as natural<br />

moisturising agents<br />

that maintains<br />

the optimum<br />

moisture balance in<br />

your skin.<br />

METAL CRUSH EYESHADOW<br />

2.8G FROM KAT VON D (900 Baht)<br />

Glides smoothly across the lids,<br />

saturating them with beautiful<br />

metallic pigments to bring a shock of<br />

metallic colour to your eyes.<br />

MARIMEKKO X<br />

CLINIQUE POP<br />

SPLASH LIP GLOSS<br />

4.3ML FROM<br />

CLINIQUE<br />

(850 Baht)<br />

Smile brightly with<br />

this collection of next<br />

generation glosses<br />

that combine a pop of<br />

colour with a splash of<br />

hydration, providing<br />

exceptional moisturise<br />

for all-day comfort.<br />

PATENT SHINE 10X NAIL<br />

LACQUER VERNIS 11ML FROM<br />

BUTTER LONDON (730 Baht)<br />

The innovative formula is loaded<br />

with ingredients proven to promote<br />

brighter, stronger and healthier nails<br />

for the best-dressed look.<br />

SWEET GLAMOUR<br />

EYESHADOW PALETTE<br />

0.5OZ FROM ZOEVA<br />

(1,109 Baht)<br />

A mix of matte and<br />

shimmering for dreamy<br />

daytime looks. Playful yet<br />

glamorous, this poetic<br />

palette offers a romantic<br />

array of pastel shades as<br />

light as thistledown.<br />

Tips<br />

NAKED SKIN COLOR<br />

CORRECTING FLUID<br />

6.2G FROM URBAN<br />

DECAY (1,200 Baht)<br />

Correct imperfections and<br />

play up your best features<br />

– all without having to lug<br />

around a whole contour kit.<br />

Go easy – If you have dark circles or some<br />

sun spots, dot a tiny bit of concealer on the<br />

inner corners of your eyes or on those spots,<br />

not just random places on your face. The more<br />

skin you can leave alone, the better.<br />

Lighten up – Tinted moisturisers with<br />

luminescent particles or lightweight liquid<br />

foundations are best for lined skin.<br />

Open your eyes – Curling your eyelashes and<br />

adding a little glimmery shadow as a highlighter<br />

are the easiest things you can do to make your eyes<br />

look bigger and best of all, younger-looking.<br />

Warm it up – A neutral rose colour applied<br />

to the lips and the apples of the cheeks flatters<br />

all skin tones and really brightens it up.<br />

Nail it well – This is one of the classic<br />

shades that we could never get enough and<br />

considered to be the best anti-aging colour.<br />

That’s the ever-so-popular red! Let the bright<br />

shade take attention away from skin blemishes,<br />

putting the focus instead on your shiny, bright<br />

manicure.<br />

STOCKIST<br />

Sephora 2F Central Embassy, Tel +66 (0) 2160 5817-8<br />

20<br />

21


OVERTURES<br />

STYLE<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

WORDS PASSAKORN HONGTHONG STYLE SARANYA ARIYAKUL PHOTOS SANG-SRUN CHAMPAWAN<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

<br />

Tie It On<br />

The key to looking dapper in men’s ties lies in<br />

deliberate choices, like hand selecting a pattern<br />

to complement the outfit. Choosing a tie with<br />

care, especially one that goes with an existing<br />

wardrobe, will be easier in establishing that<br />

sharp-edged, selected look. Prints and polka dots<br />

look livelier and possess a more unique touch<br />

compared to solid colours, yet remain appropriate<br />

for most business occasions.<br />

FOR HIM<br />

POLKA<br />

DOT SILK TIE<br />

WITH WOVEN<br />

TEXTURE FROM<br />

MASSIMO<br />

DUTTI<br />

(2,550 Baht)<br />

STOCKISTS<br />

➋ FLORAL<br />

PRINTS SILK/<br />

COTTON TIE<br />

FROM MASSIMO<br />

DUTTI<br />

(2,550 Baht)<br />

Massimo Dutti<br />

Central World, 1F, Tel +66 (0) 2646 1465<br />

➌ RAINBOW<br />

BIRD PRINTS<br />

SILK TIE FROM<br />

PAUL SMITH<br />

(6,500 Baht)<br />

➍ BLUE OCEAN<br />

PRINTS SILK<br />

TIE FROM PAUL<br />

SMITH<br />

(5,900 Baht)<br />

➎ BEACH<br />

COCONUT<br />

TREE PRINTS<br />

SILK TIE FROM<br />

PAUL SMITH<br />

(6,500 Baht)<br />

Paul Smith<br />

Siam Paragon, MF, Tel +66 (0) 2610 9770-1<br />

FOR HER<br />

WALLET WITH<br />

DURABLE COTTON<br />

CANVAS AND<br />

LEATHER TRIM<br />

FROM MCM<br />

(10,900 Baht)<br />

STOCKISTS<br />

➋ PINK VELVET<br />

HEELS WITH GREY<br />

SATIN AND ROCK-<br />

COLOUR ELAPHE<br />

FROM FENDI<br />

(37,000 Baht)<br />

Fendi<br />

Siam Paragon, MF, Tel +66 (0) 2610 9287<br />

➌ TEEN WITCHES<br />

CHARM WITH<br />

MINK FROM<br />

FENDI<br />

(29,500 Baht)<br />

➍ CAN EYE<br />

METAL OVERSIZE<br />

SUNGLASSES<br />

SQUARE SHAPE<br />

WITH WHITE<br />

STUDS FROM<br />

FENDI (20,300 Baht)<br />

MCM<br />

Emquartier, GF, Tel +66 (0) 2003 6016<br />

➎ CROSSBODY<br />

BAG WITH FINEST<br />

SPANISH LEATHER<br />

AND ICONIC LOCK<br />

FROM MCM<br />

(18,900 Baht)<br />

A Colourful<br />

Touch<br />

Adding a pop of colour can bring on<br />

life and the magic touch to complete<br />

your look. Enhancing colours found<br />

in accessories or the latest heels can<br />

be eye-catching, definitely drawing<br />

attention so you can be fearless in the<br />

pursuit of colour.<br />

22<br />

23


OVERTURES<br />

THAILAND TREASURES<br />

Translation Chusri Ngamprasert Photos Courtesy of Tourism Authority of <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

Chiang Rai:<br />

The Destination<br />

for All Seasons<br />

Many people tend to<br />

think of Chiang Rai as<br />

a winter haven. In fact,<br />

the northern province of<br />

Chiang Rai is a destination<br />

for all seasons. Here is a<br />

noteworthy list for a trip<br />

that’s good all year round.<br />

Witness the unique beauty of <strong>Thai</strong><br />

architecture at Wat Rong Khun.<br />

Decorated with silver-coloured-glass,<br />

you’ll see the fascinating all-white temple<br />

as designed by a <strong>Thai</strong> artist. Take time<br />

to see the display of elaborate murals and a<br />

separate art gallery with a showcase of fine<br />

paintings. The temple and the art gallery are<br />

open daily from 8am to 5pm.<br />

If you’re someone who loves the active<br />

participation of agro-tourism and adventure<br />

travel, add Singha Park to your itinerary.<br />

Boasting various floras spanning over 8,000<br />

rai (2,300 acres) of land, Singha Park offers<br />

numerous beautiful sceneries and a wide variety<br />

of activities. Enjoy farm tours, biking or get up<br />

close to the animals from the African continent,<br />

such as giraffes, zebras, and Watusi cows.<br />

Venture high up on the mountain of<br />

picturesque Doi Tung, where three must-visit<br />

places include the royal villa, Phra That Doi<br />

Tung and Mae <strong>Fah</strong> Luang Garden. For the<br />

coffee aficionado, Café Doi Tung is the place<br />

to test the body and aroma of highland<br />

Arabica coffee cultivated in Chiang Rai.<br />

Drop by the Doi Tung Lifestyle Shop, with<br />

their varieties of products, made by ethnic<br />

minorities and people working in the Doi<br />

Tung Development Project. These include<br />

hand-woven products such as apparel,<br />

accessories, and home décor, ceramics and<br />

mulberry paper products.<br />

On the cliff of Phu Chi Fa, the spectacular<br />

views of the valley and sea of mist at sunrise<br />

are mesmerising. Phu Chi Fa Forest Park<br />

is about 1,200–1,628 metres above sea<br />

level, so the weather is mild all year round.<br />

During wintertime, visitors and campers flock<br />

there to enjoy the winter retreat, the sea of<br />

Opposite Page, Left<br />

and Above<br />

The beautiful<br />

all-white creation<br />

of Wat Rong Khun’s<br />

exterior and interior<br />

designed by a <strong>Thai</strong><br />

artist, Chalermchai<br />

Kositpipat.<br />

Opposite Page,<br />

Bottom Left<br />

Up close with<br />

the animals at<br />

Singha Park<br />

Left<br />

Spectacular flora at<br />

Mae <strong>Fah</strong> Luang<br />

Garden, Doi Tung<br />

24<br />

25


OVERTURES<br />

THAILAND TREASURES<br />

Photo Nophadol Kanbua<br />

clouds at sunrise and the white beauty<br />

of wildflowers (the orchid tree) in full<br />

bloom around the peak of Phu Chi Fa.<br />

A camping ground is available – in town<br />

and very close to the summit.<br />

Chiang Rai’s wealth of scenery is<br />

endless. From the vantage point of Sop<br />

Ruak, at the confluence of the Ruak<br />

and the Mekong Rivers, you can see<br />

the Golden Triangle where the borders<br />

of Myanmar, <strong>Thai</strong>land and Laos meet.<br />

Consider a boat trip, it’s an enjoyable way<br />

to appreciate the scenery of the Mekong<br />

River and the infamous Golden Triangle.<br />

Souvenir shops along the walkway<br />

offer up clothing, accessories and other<br />

keepsakes. The Golden Triangle gained<br />

Top<br />

On clear days,<br />

visitors are<br />

rewarded with<br />

spectacular views<br />

of mountains<br />

shrouded in mist.<br />

Bottom Left and Right<br />

At Sop Ruak, you can<br />

see the countries of<br />

Laos and Myanmar<br />

while standing<br />

on the <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

side, visible at the<br />

confluence of the<br />

Mekong and<br />

Ruak Rivers.<br />

Tranquil spots<br />

and less populated<br />

areas invite<br />

exploration at the<br />

Golden Triangle area.<br />

notoriety for being an opium-producing<br />

area. Here, you’ll learn more about the<br />

opium’s history; its origins, the Opium<br />

Wars, as well as see opium smoking kits<br />

and instruments used in the opium trade<br />

from around the world.<br />

Chiang Rai and the rest of <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

offer plenty of places to explore. Please<br />

don’t let weather be a deterrent. Come<br />

rain or shine; well-prepared travellers will<br />

surely have a blast.<br />

For more information, contact Tourism<br />

Authority of <strong>Thai</strong>land (TAT) Chiang Rai<br />

Office, Tel: +66 (0) 53 717 433,<br />

+66 (0) 53 744 674-5<br />

26


OVERTURES<br />

A TASTE OF THAILAND<br />

Red Positive<br />

When wandering the streets in <strong>Thai</strong>land, you’ll encounter street vendors with<br />

pushcarts of colourful herbal drinks. The bright red roselle juice is sure to be one<br />

of the choices. This drink, with a sweet and sour flavour, is the best option when it<br />

comes to replenishing one’s body from thirst and fatigue. Resourceful vendors mix<br />

roselle juice together with the jujube fruit for an even better taste and additional<br />

health benefits.<br />

The traditional <strong>Thai</strong> herbal drink boasts a great number of healthful advantages,<br />

namely its high content of vitamin C, a natural anti-oxidant known to help with<br />

improving blood quality, an ability to reduce cholesterol levels, as well as lowering the<br />

risk of diabetes. Importantly, a roselle drink contains anthocyanins and polyphenols,<br />

with the former possessing high levels in its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory<br />

properties. Studies claim that the anthocyanin levels can stop irregular cancer<br />

cells from expanding. For women, the drink is interesting knowledge as it can fight<br />

against free radicals and slow down the aging process, thanks to the presence of<br />

polyphenols. However, be careful not to drink too many glasses as roselle works a bit<br />

like a laxative!<br />

The whole plant itself can be used for further medicinal purposes,<br />

contributing to greater benefits. The calyx – which forms around the seedpod –<br />

when consumed can reduce fatty deposits in arteries while the young leaves<br />

are favoured by local <strong>Thai</strong> people as vegetable side dish. The stem also serves as a<br />

utilitarian purpose; it can be turned into fibre to make rope.<br />

Ingredients<br />

• 150g. of roselle<br />

(fresh or dried ones)<br />

• 4 cups of water<br />

• ½tbs, refined salt<br />

• 1 cup of sugar<br />

• Small ice cubes<br />

• Roselle calyxes<br />

(to decorate)<br />

Instructions<br />

WORDS SARITA URUPONGSA<br />

Wash the roselle with water, avoid<br />

removing the calyxes. Put the roselle into<br />

an empty pot.<br />

Pour water in the pot over the plant,<br />

leaving it at a medium flame until it boils.<br />

Lower the heat and continue simmering<br />

for 15 to 20 minutes. The roselle drink,<br />

with its beautiful red colour forming,<br />

is almost ready.<br />

With its lowered temperature on<br />

the stove, add sugar and salt. Continue<br />

simmering the liquid a bit so that the salt<br />

and sugar melts and produces a wellbalanced<br />

flavour.<br />

Once done, filter only the liquid. Keep<br />

the pot partly covered with the lid as you<br />

drain. Set aside the rest of the roselle in a<br />

bowl as it is edible.<br />

Let the drink cool down a bit, add ice<br />

cubes, and top the glass with the calyxes.<br />

28 29


OVERTURES<br />

FRUITFUL FINDS<br />

A Gem<br />

Among Fruits<br />

The papaya, with its deep and rich colour,<br />

holds many benefits. Easy enjoyment of its<br />

smooth and butter-like interior just requires<br />

a smooth slice.<br />

WORDS CHUSRI NGAMPRASERT PHOTO KAY CHOOMONGKOL<br />

With its vivid orangeness, a ripe<br />

papaya fruit is a real gem of the<br />

tropics. Even Christopher Columbus<br />

called it the “fruit of the angels”.<br />

Served chilled with yoghurt, or a<br />

simple slice and just a squeeze of<br />

lime are some of the best ways to<br />

enjoy its refreshing perks.<br />

Papaya, known as Pawpaw in<br />

Australia and New Zealand, is ubiquitous<br />

in <strong>Thai</strong>land. Also native to southern<br />

Mexico and Central America, the<br />

Spaniards centuries ago took the papaya<br />

seeds from the coasts beyond Panama<br />

to Manila and then Malacca. Today it is<br />

cultivated throughout the tropics.<br />

Papaya is an excellent source<br />

of vitamin C, folate, potassium, dietary<br />

fibre, vitamins A, E and K and papain,<br />

an enzyme which helps digest<br />

proteins. In the ancient <strong>May</strong>an<br />

civilisation, the people honoured the<br />

papaya tree and called it the “Tree of<br />

Life”. The <strong>May</strong>ans eat papaya to help<br />

with digestion and use it as a paste to<br />

heal a skin rash or other skin problems.<br />

Hawaiian and Mexican are two<br />

popular varieties of the papaya<br />

fruit. Both are pear-shaped, but<br />

the Hawaiian papaya tends to be<br />

smaller, sweeter and easier to harvest.<br />

Traditionally, papayas are grown from<br />

seeds, so the plants are not always<br />

true to their parents. In <strong>Thai</strong>land,<br />

the fruits have been evolving, and<br />

the four most popular varieties are<br />

Khaek Dum (green and crisp when<br />

unripe, yet red when ripe), Khaek<br />

Nuan (a hybrid from Khaek Dum,<br />

crunchy when green and sweet<br />

when ripe with an orange-red flesh),<br />

Holland (also known as Red Maladol<br />

from the Mexican variety, crisp<br />

and sweet when ripe) and Sai Nam<br />

Phueng (extremely sweet when ripe<br />

but tends to be mushy).<br />

While many parts of the world<br />

don’t consume raw green papaya,<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>s enjoy it as much as when it’s<br />

ripe. The famed Som Tam, a salad<br />

made from unripe papaya combines<br />

the primary tastes of the local<br />

cuisine: sour, spicy hot, savoury salty<br />

and subtle sweetness.<br />

Papaya seeds are also edible:<br />

the taste is a cross between mustard<br />

and black peppercorns and can be<br />

grounded like black pepper. In India,<br />

the leaves of the papaya are often<br />

prepared like spinach recipes, and<br />

the papaya leaf extract is used to<br />

fight dengue and malaria. It’s not just<br />

the apple a day that keeps the doctor<br />

away – so does a papaya.<br />

30


OVERTURES<br />

ARTS & CULTURAL MATTERS<br />

SOM TAM OR PAPAYA SALAD CARTS<br />

Many people can’t do without the<br />

ubiquitous som tam or papaya salad<br />

carts. Prepped, sliced and chopped in<br />

a rich display are shredded papaya,<br />

yardlong beans, cherry tomatoes, and<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> eggplants. They find company<br />

with glass jars containing flavourings of<br />

dried shrimp, peanuts, and palm sugar.<br />

Some carts assemble a minimalist<br />

setup of trays for all the ingredients<br />

with the key tool: a pestle and mortar,<br />

and base flavourings of <strong>Thai</strong> anchovy<br />

or fish sauce, managing to draw in the<br />

crowds. The spicy papaya salad carts<br />

usually come attached with a barbecue<br />

grill for cooking chicken, catfish, and<br />

cuts of pork. Another essential feature<br />

of this type of cart is a large bucket<br />

where packs of steamed sticky rice<br />

keep warm.<br />

OLD-STYLE COFFEE CARTS<br />

The classic brewing method of traditional <strong>Thai</strong> coffee begins<br />

with a large kettle of boiling water, cloth filter bags that strain<br />

the brewed liquid, and a metal canister to hold the drink. With<br />

this setup, ground coffee gets pressed into a filter bag attached<br />

Words Sarita Urupongsa<br />

Illustrations Arthit Limpong<br />

It’s not a street food<br />

scene in <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

without the iconic<br />

presence of food carts!<br />

From the early hours<br />

of dawn to late night,<br />

vendors attach these<br />

wheeled workhorses to<br />

motorbikes or bicycles,<br />

planting themselves<br />

at any convenient<br />

location: sidewalks,<br />

main streets, and small<br />

alleys. When hunger<br />

pangs or cravings hit,<br />

our primer shows you<br />

how to spot the right<br />

set of wheels.<br />

NOODLE CARTS<br />

One thing all noodle carts share in common is the round<br />

pit of a steaming cauldron where sumptuous broths,<br />

stocks and water settle in an eternal rolling boil to<br />

blanch noodles, vegetables, and meats. Usually a clear<br />

glass box sits atop the side of the cart. Here is your<br />

open glass menu, with a bi-level mouth-watering display<br />

inside the box. The upper layer is usually reserved for<br />

assorted proteins, like beef and pork cuts, BBQ meats,<br />

assorted meatballs, fishballs, and wontons. The lower<br />

shelf gathers different noodle types: thin rice vermicelli<br />

BARBECUE CARTS<br />

For office staffers to<br />

construction workers –<br />

skewered snacks serve as<br />

comfort food. Pork, chicken,<br />

giblets, or Northern-style<br />

sausages to grilled bananas<br />

or corn are their best friends<br />

as immediate stomach fillers.<br />

The smoke from the grills is<br />

absorbed by an embedded<br />

exhaust hood, which later<br />

spreads the tantalising smell<br />

further afield.<br />

to wide ones, egg noodles, bean sheet noodles and<br />

even instant noodles within easy reach. Some vendors<br />

take pride in the already rich, flavourful taste of their<br />

broth while other places season for you. Not to worry<br />

though, as every noodle cart comes with its own set of<br />

seasonings and condiments to cater the dish to your<br />

own taste. There’s always a seat for you as most places<br />

provide foldable tables and bright plastic chairs for their<br />

customers to enjoy<br />

the vibe of<br />

street-side dining.<br />

HAWKERS<br />

Our special mention includes hawkers on foot who offer<br />

a form of commerce long familiar in <strong>Thai</strong> society. The<br />

authentic tradition has sellers carrying a woven basket that<br />

perches on both ends of a slim wood plank and balanced<br />

on a shoulder. In the baskets are usually ready-made<br />

snacks which customers can grab easily for easy<br />

consumption on the sidewalk or for takeaway.<br />

Popular items include sticky rice with sweetened<br />

pork or shredded pork, a spicy fermented pork<br />

salad, cooked eggs, steamed peanuts, and<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> desserts packed in bags or banana leaves<br />

of local delicacies from different parts of the<br />

country. Some hawkers even include handmade<br />

products crafted from local natural materials; such<br />

as wicker and other wood products.<br />

to an aluminium loop with handle. With a firm grip, the vendor<br />

pours boiling water on coffee grounds and waits for it to filter<br />

all the way through. To sweeten the rich, dark coffee – sugar,<br />

condensed milk, and evaporated milk serve as key options<br />

for both hot and iced old school coffee. This type of cart not<br />

only offers the aromatic traditional coffee and tea, but also<br />

other choices such as an iced pink milk for sweet enjoyment or<br />

Nom Yen (sala syrup mixed with condensed milk), or the more<br />

familiar cocoa drink or lime soda. Some vendors have modern<br />

equipment for espresso drinks thereby providing a longer drink<br />

menu. Expect your drink to be served classic style: in plastic<br />

tumblers encased in a bag with a handle for sipping enjoyment<br />

while commuting. At breakfast time, some places even offer<br />

warm toast with butter and sprinkled sugar in addition to coffee.<br />

32<br />

33


OVERTURES<br />

ARTS & CULTURAL MATTERS<br />

FRUIT CARTS<br />

On every busy street, fresh fruit<br />

carts are assuredly a common<br />

sight. Easily spotted, thanks to the<br />

bright colours of assorted fruits<br />

neatly sitting on ice blocks, check<br />

out a vendor’s knife skills of swift<br />

peel-and-slash. The enticing display<br />

of sliced tropical fruits include a<br />

selection of mango, guava, papaya,<br />

rose apple, pineapple, cantaloupe to<br />

the refreshing coconut. These fruits<br />

reach another level of tastiness with<br />

unique condiments. Fruits get dipped<br />

in regular combinations of salt<br />

and chilli while some carts<br />

offer more sophisticated<br />

dipping options such as a<br />

sweet shrimp paste, sweet<br />

fish sauce, or a salt blend with chilli<br />

and dried plum.<br />

COCONUT ICE CREAM CARTS<br />

Coconut ice cream carts consist strawberry, and vanilla. You<br />

of round or square ice cream know the drill: pick your flavour,<br />

tubs surrounded by colourful choose your vessel and select<br />

and chewy toppings in clear toppings ranging from attap<br />

containers. Customers can fruits, sweetened pumpkins,<br />

choose to have their ice cream corn, jackfruit bits, sticky rice and<br />

served in a cone, cup, bread, or roasted peanuts. Evaporated milk<br />

even in a coconut shell. Apart and chocolate sauce add the rich<br />

from coconut, sellers offer other tastiness to the ice cream as a<br />

flavours such as chocolate, final touch.<br />

ASSORTED SNACK CARTS<br />

This type of cart usually features a sizzling round stove to cook snacks<br />

and <strong>Thai</strong> pancakes galore. From rolled pancakes with fillings, crispy mini<br />

pancakes, pancakes made of glutinous rice flour and shredded coconut to<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> crêpes, the list goes on. Some places feature items such as fried dough<br />

balls of sweet potato, banana fritters, or snacks requiring a unique cooking<br />

equipment and stools of coconut rice pancakes or steamed tapioca balls<br />

with pork fillings. All of these snacks are best sellers when urbanites get<br />

hungry and crave a light snack before dinnertime.<br />

34


OVERTURES<br />

CHECKED IN: PHUKET<br />

Island<br />

Spotlights<br />

We continue our series with first-hand<br />

accounts on the latest discoveries that<br />

appeal to the senses.<br />

Photos Jeremie Schatz<br />

STAYED: THE NAKA PHUKET<br />

In the ocean of accommodations in<br />

Phuket, there are many fishes in the sea.<br />

They come in all shapes and sizes: from<br />

petite and humble to expansive and<br />

opulent. The Naka Phuket has settled<br />

in nicely to its own niche in the market,<br />

appealing to guests who prefer peace,<br />

privacy and tastefully minimalist design.<br />

Naturally, this exclusive resort has<br />

all of the amenities one would expect –<br />

outstanding service, a pampering spa, wellequipped<br />

gym, Olympic-size infinity pool,<br />

a tantalising international dining menu,<br />

boutique shop, shuttle to nearby Patong,<br />

baby-sitting service, big fluffy pillows and<br />

all the rest. They even provide you with a<br />

complimentary smartphone to use during<br />

Above Left<br />

and Right<br />

Balance: the<br />

minimalist villas<br />

strike a tasteful<br />

equilibrium with<br />

the surrounding<br />

environment.<br />

your stay with free local and international<br />

calls, maps and city guide, and internet.<br />

However, it’s the architectural style that<br />

lends to its uniqueness and gives the Naka<br />

Phuket its soul.<br />

At the end of a steep meandering<br />

mountain road, the Naka Phuket’s 95 pool<br />

villas don’t dominate the landscape, but<br />

instead compliment the topography of<br />

the scooped out, steep beachside valley.<br />

Many of the window-wrapped villas take<br />

advantage of the geography by being<br />

cantilevered out over the hillside. Slide<br />

open the blackout curtains or settle onto<br />

the balcony and you’re met with an aweinspiring<br />

feeling of space.<br />

Commanding views<br />

of Patong Bay at the<br />

rooftop bar – an<br />

ideal sunset spot.<br />

Below Left<br />

and Right<br />

Even the room<br />

numbers pay<br />

homage to the<br />

mountainside which<br />

the Naka calls home.<br />

Architect Duangrit<br />

Bunnag’s unique<br />

cantilevered design<br />

has led the Naka<br />

to be included as<br />

a member of the<br />

Design Hotel Group.<br />

36


OVERTURES<br />

CHECKED IN: PHUKET<br />

Clockwise from Top<br />

The Naka’s<br />

glass-wrapped pool<br />

villas offer privacy<br />

while maintaining a<br />

feeling of openness.<br />

The airy Wiwa<br />

Restaurant has<br />

nothing lying<br />

between it and<br />

the beach except<br />

an Olympic-size<br />

infinity pool.<br />

A true hideaway:<br />

so close, yet feels<br />

so far away.<br />

The Meka Sky<br />

Lounge serves up a<br />

delicious view and<br />

a menu to match.<br />

Well-known <strong>Thai</strong> designer Duangrit<br />

Bunnag threw intricacies out the window.<br />

However, this is not a barren design but<br />

one where the less-is-more approach<br />

found an authentic triumph. The villas are<br />

primarily concrete, steel and glass with a<br />

peppering of wood accents and teak floors<br />

for good measure. A feature that really<br />

resonates is Bunnag’s decision to work his<br />

design around established trees thereby<br />

introducing an organic element.<br />

The Naka will have a strong appeal<br />

to those who relish a private hideaway<br />

feel and find solace in luxurious simplicity<br />

without distractions. As General Manager<br />

Sawai Sombat likes to say while gesturing<br />

skyward at night, “some resorts have five<br />

stars, we have thousands.”<br />

The Naka Phuket is a member of the<br />

Design Hotel group of properties whose<br />

mission is to “create an unrivalled global<br />

community for design, architecture, culture<br />

and become the definite source of original<br />

hospitality experiences”.<br />

1/18, 1/20 Moo 6 Kamala, Kathu,<br />

Phuket 83150<br />

+66 (0) 76 337 999<br />

thenakaphuket.com<br />

Squid ink pasta<br />

with roe and garlic<br />

cream sauce.<br />

38


OVERTURES<br />

CHECKED IN: PHUKET<br />

Clockwise from<br />

Above Left<br />

The gambas pil<br />

pil combines fresh<br />

shrimp and ample<br />

garlic in a rich chilli<br />

oil and butter sauce.<br />

Seafood lovers will<br />

rejoice over<br />

the tender, Spanishstyle<br />

grilled octopus.<br />

Stay a while:<br />

Catch’s beachfront<br />

pool looks out<br />

over stunning<br />

Bang Tao Beach.<br />

The beach club’s<br />

regulars and return<br />

visitors will be<br />

delighted to discover<br />

new menu items<br />

every month.<br />

Although not the<br />

only beach club<br />

in Phuket, Catch<br />

has set the bar for<br />

what a beach club<br />

should be.<br />

TASTED: CATCH BEACH CLUB<br />

Although probably not the first to<br />

import the beach club concept to<br />

Phuket, Catch Beach Club is largely<br />

considered the island’s quintessential<br />

elite beach party spot. After enjoying<br />

several luscious years in Surin Beach,<br />

the fashionable club hasn’t missed<br />

a beat since moving to their new<br />

expansive Bang Tao Beach location.<br />

Renowned for hosting big-name<br />

contemporary DJs and champagnepopping<br />

glitzy parties, Catch has<br />

another more subdued, yet just as<br />

glamorous side – in the kitchen.<br />

With 20+ years of experience<br />

behind him, Chef Anan has spent<br />

seven of those masterminding the<br />

eclectic menu at Catch. Several new,<br />

thematically-inspired dishes get<br />

concocted every month to keep the<br />

popular club at the culinary cutting edge.<br />

So what medley of Chef Anan’s<br />

taste-bud-tingling creations might one<br />

discover? How about grilled Spanishstyle<br />

octopus in a chili and garlic butter<br />

sauce. Not overpoweringly buttery,<br />

with some magical herb mix sprinkled<br />

on top, this fresh mollusc is cooked to<br />

40


OVERTURES<br />

CHECKED IN: PHUKET<br />

precise consistency. Coaxing octopus<br />

to just the right texture is a skill that<br />

separates the cooks from the chefs.<br />

Another Spanish tapas-derived<br />

crowd-pleaser is the gambas pil pil.<br />

Although these fresh shrimp are<br />

served bathing in a chilli oil and<br />

butter sauce similar to the octopus,<br />

the pungent flavours are simplified. A<br />

fresh baked baguette from the woodfired<br />

oven soaks up every drop of<br />

garlicky goodness.<br />

The codfish à la nage, however,<br />

has no disguise and is an honest-togoodness<br />

soup. À la nage translates to<br />

“in the swim” referring to the way the<br />

imported Australian cod is poached<br />

alongside vongole (clams) in a savoury<br />

broth. The sweet cherry tomatoes and<br />

tarragon pesto fill out the light flavours<br />

of this afternoon favourite.<br />

Chef Anan’s vision led him to tap into<br />

the culinary traditions of coastal Spain<br />

where they have found a home in Phuket.<br />

Where will Chef Anan lead us next?<br />

202/88 Moo 2, Cherngtalay, Thalang,<br />

Phuket T: +66 (0) 65 348 2017,<br />

book@catchbeachclub.com<br />

Left<br />

Chef Anan’s<br />

extensive<br />

experience with<br />

Japanese cuisine<br />

shines through in<br />

Catch’s sashimi<br />

offerings.<br />

Top, Middle to Right<br />

Any self-respecting<br />

beach club would<br />

serve up a mean<br />

mojito, and Catch is<br />

no exception.<br />

With its tarragon<br />

pesto, sweet cherry<br />

tomatoes, and fresh<br />

clams, the codfish à la<br />

nage makes an ideal<br />

beachside lunch.<br />

Below<br />

Having spent nearly<br />

half his life in the<br />

kitchen, Chef Anan’s<br />

experience is reflected<br />

in the well-thought<br />

-out menu.<br />

42


SAMUI’S GOOD JOBS<br />

It’s easy to visit Koh Samui and have our days in the sun.<br />

But behind the scenes of waving palm trees and beckoning<br />

waters, dedicated locals make their paradise a true haven.<br />

Making Good<br />

on the<br />

Island<br />

Words Susan Field<br />

Photos Lesley Fisher<br />

On the first visit to Koh Samui in<br />

1986, my mother and I arrived by<br />

ferry. I promptly fell in love with this<br />

idyllic island with its azure waters,<br />

soft white sand beaches, gently swaying palm<br />

trees, fantastic food and friendly people.<br />

The love affair continued over<br />

the years and in 2004, I commissioned<br />

my first villa which rented out<br />

successfully for the next ten years,<br />

giving plenty of excuses to spend<br />

more time in Samui. And with each<br />

visit, I became more enchanted!<br />

In 2015, after selling my busy PR<br />

company, it was time to leave the<br />

hustle and bustle of Hong Kong after<br />

thirty fun, hectic years and settle in<br />

Samui. With hourly connections to<br />

Bangkok as well as two direct daily<br />

flights to Hong Kong and Singapore,<br />

it made travelling to other places in<br />

the world very easy.<br />

While still idyllic, Samui has<br />

changed and developed so much.<br />

Those of us who want development<br />

to be more ecologically and ethically<br />

sustainable are doing our part.<br />

Koh Samui has a number of<br />

active organisations that work<br />

tirelessly for the greater good,<br />

care of animals and preservation of<br />

the island.<br />

44<br />

45


SAMUI’S GOOD JOBS<br />

Top<br />

This Page<br />

The Samui Elephant<br />

Sanctuary gained<br />

inspiration from<br />

the Save Elephant<br />

Foundation, whose<br />

founder Sangduean<br />

“Lek” Chailert, is<br />

known for being<br />

at the forefront for<br />

elephant welfare<br />

and ethical tourism.<br />

From a previous<br />

life of hard labour,<br />

the elephants now<br />

thrive in a caring<br />

environment.<br />

SAMUI ELEPHANT SANCTUARY<br />

An experience not to be missed is<br />

Samui Elephant Sanctuary which<br />

opened in January this year and<br />

already has five adorable elephants<br />

in residence. Getting up close to the<br />

elephants is a memory you can never<br />

forget! According to the founder<br />

Khun Pao, “Here at the Samui<br />

Sanctuary, we treat our elephants<br />

with the dignity and respect they<br />

deserve. We do not allow riding or<br />

any type of performance; instead we<br />

work with our herd through positive<br />

reinforcement via food! Our tours<br />

follow a very relaxed programme<br />

which starts with an introduction<br />

to our work, followed by feeding<br />

the elephants. Then (it’s) a leisurely<br />

stroll through the sanctuary –<br />

accompanied by other elephants!”<br />

There are two tours each day,<br />

from 9am-12pm, 2-5pm.<br />

samuielephantsanctuary.org,<br />

Tel: +66 95 269 8343,<br />

email: info@samuielephantsanctuary.org<br />

SOI DOG FOUNDATION<br />

Founded in Phuket in 2003, Soi<br />

Dog (which means Street Dog)<br />

has an excellent animal welfare<br />

programme, having efficiently spayed<br />

and neutered more than 200,000<br />

dogs since opening its doors. They<br />

also work tirelessly providing<br />

medical treatment, sheltering,<br />

adoption opportunities and<br />

sponsorship of dogs.<br />

Funded entirely by donations,<br />

Soi Dog currently has a mobile<br />

sterilisation unit in Koh Samui<br />

which neuters many dogs and cats<br />

every month. To find out more or to<br />

donate, please visit soidog.org.<br />

SISTERS ON SAMUI (SOS)<br />

Every month, around 50 ladies<br />

gather for an informal lunch at one<br />

of Samui’s excellent restaurants.<br />

Aside from a fun social event, SOS<br />

supports local charities and has been<br />

the driving force behind several<br />

important causes.<br />

Its current focus is on raising<br />

funds to renovate the Children’s<br />

Ward at the government-run<br />

Nathon Hospital. In addition to<br />

the refurbishment programme,<br />

SOS is looking for sponsors and<br />

donations to provide new pyjamas<br />

for the children and to install bright<br />

new cheerfully coloured curtains.<br />

Details of the work by Sisters on<br />

Samui can be found at facebook.com/<br />

kohsamuicharity.<br />

SAMUI CLEAN & TRASH HERO<br />

And where there are humans, there<br />

is invariably garbage and Samui is<br />

no exception. Visitors and locals<br />

to the island can see an increasing<br />

number of large bins on the beaches<br />

that encourage disposal of trash<br />

responsibly and help keep the<br />

beaches in pristine condition.<br />

Decorated with the message<br />

Respect Our Beaches and bright sea<br />

images, they are the brainchild of<br />

local artist Idania Lucia Reiss, who<br />

creates the captivating artwork<br />

together with other artists. The<br />

bins are then distributed by Brent<br />

Jones, founder of non-profit<br />

organisation, Samui Clean and<br />

Samui Bins.<br />

Samui Clean, together with<br />

another group, Trash Hero,<br />

organises beach cleaning sessions<br />

every Sunday afternoon at 3pm.<br />

They welcome visitors to join<br />

them. Samui Clean accepts<br />

donations, however small, to<br />

finance the bins and the materials<br />

needed for the artwork.<br />

Details can be found on<br />

facebook/samuiclean.<br />

DOING MY PART<br />

Two years ago, I co-founded<br />

Impact Samui with my partners<br />

Rodney Waller (an established,<br />

award-winning developer on the<br />

island), and financial and project<br />

manager David Birchall.<br />

With a clear focus on<br />

responsible development, we do<br />

new building projects and we<br />

also carve a niche through our<br />

restoration of existing, rundown<br />

buildings. Rather than<br />

demolishing them and adding more<br />

development to the island, older<br />

buildings get beautified and new<br />

life breathed into them. Whenever<br />

possible, usable materials get<br />

recycled before donating the<br />

remainder to various causes on<br />

the island – in particular, children<br />

and animals. Sometimes our<br />

company sells such materials<br />

and makes cash donations to<br />

worthwhile causes. With our first<br />

project, Lavaliere, we sold all sorts<br />

of items, and made a donation<br />

towards the redevelopment of the<br />

Children’s Ward at Nathon Hospital<br />

on the island.<br />

If you’re just visiting,<br />

consider a bit of volunteer or<br />

responsible tourism by visiting<br />

the organisations or sending a<br />

donation. It’s what keeps Samui<br />

beautiful.<br />

Top<br />

Above<br />

Respect Our Beaches’<br />

Idiana Lucia Reiss,<br />

an artist who paints<br />

the cans and Brent<br />

Jones of Samui Clean<br />

and Trash Hero<br />

work tirelessly to<br />

keep Samui shores<br />

pristine.<br />

Left<br />

Volunteers for<br />

Trash Hero may<br />

also be non-Samui<br />

residents. Jones says<br />

that many tourists<br />

ask to help with<br />

beach cleaning who<br />

directly contact the<br />

organisation.<br />

46<br />

47


SAMUI’S GOOD JOBS<br />

น้ำทะเลสีคราม หาดทรายขาวนุ่ม ใบปาล์ม<br />

พลิ้วไหวตามแรงลม อาหารเลิศรส และ<br />

ผู้คนที่เป็นมิตร ทั้งหมดคือความทรงจำ<br />

ครั้งแรกของฉันที่เกาะสมุยในปี 1986<br />

ฉันเปิดวิลล่าให้เช่าในช่วงสิบปีหลังจากนั้น<br />

เลยพลอยให้ได้มาเยือนที่แห่งนี้บ่อยครั้งขึ้น<br />

จนกระทั่งในปี 2005 ฉันขายบริษัทพีอาร์<br />

หนีความวุ่นวายจากฮ่องกงมาอยู่ที่เกาะสมุย<br />

เต็มตัว จนได้เห็นว่าสมุยเปลี่ยนแปลง<br />

ไปมาก ทว่าเราก็ได้พัฒนาสมุยอย่างยั่งยืน<br />

มารู้จักองค์กรจำนวนมากบนเกาะสมุย<br />

ที่ดำเนินการอย่างไม่เหน็ดเหนื่อยเพื่อสังคม<br />

คอยดูแลสัตว์และอนุรักษ์เกาะแห่งนี้<br />

Samui Elephant Sanctuary<br />

เพิ่งเปิดทำการตั้งแต่เดือนมกราคมที่<br />

ผ่านมา แต่ตอนนี้มีช้างถึงห้าเชือก<br />

เปิดโอกาสให้คุณได้ใกล้ชิดและสัมผัส<br />

ประสบการณ์ที่จะจดจำไปตลอดกาล<br />

คุณเปา ผู้ก่อตั้งกล่าวว่า “เราให้<br />

เกียรติและเคารพช้างอย่างที่ควรจะเป็น<br />

เราไม่อนุญาตให้ขี่ช้างหรือให้ช้างแสดง<br />

ความสามารถใดๆ ตารางกิจกรรมของ<br />

เราไม่เร่งรีบ เริ่มจากให้ข้อมูลเกี่ยวกับ<br />

งานที่เราทำ ต่อด้วยการให้อาหารช้าง<br />

แล้วเดินเล่นทั่วเขตอนุรักษ์แห่งนี้พร้อมกับ<br />

ช้าง มีอาหารกลางวันและอาหารเย็นจัด<br />

ไว้ให้ทุกท่าน<br />

เปิดให้เข้าร่วมกิจกรรมสองรอบต่อวัน<br />

9.00-12.00 น. และ 14.00-17.00 น.<br />

จอง/สอบถามข้อมูลได้ที่เว็บไซต์<br />

samuielephantsanctuary.org,<br />

โทร: +66 (0) 95 269 8343<br />

ที่ใดมีมนุษย์ ที่นั่นมีขยะ สมุยก็เช่นกัน<br />

— อิดาเนีย ลูเซีย ไรส์ และศิลปินอีกหลาย<br />

คนจึงได้คิดสร้างงานศิลปะพร้อมข้อความ<br />

“Samui Clean and Samui Bins”<br />

พร้อมกับถังขยะที่จัดหาโดย เบรนต์ โจนส์<br />

ผู้ก่อตั้งองค์กรไม่แสวงหาผลกำไร<br />

Samui Clean and Samui Bins<br />

กลุ่ม Samui Clean และ Trash<br />

Hero ยังจัดกิจกรรมทำความสะอาด<br />

สมุยทุกวันอาทิตย์ เวลา 13.00 น. เปิด<br />

โอกาสให้ทุกคนเข้าร่วม และรับบริจาค<br />

เพื่อซื้อถังขยะและอุปกรณ์สำหรับงาน<br />

ศิลปะ, facebook.com/samuiclean<br />

มูลนิธิเพื่อสุนัขในซอย (Soi Dog<br />

Foundation) ก่อตั้งในปี 2003 จัด<br />

โครงการดูแลความเป็นอยู่ของสัตว์ และ<br />

ได้ทำหมันสุนัขมากกว่า 200,000 ตั้งแต่<br />

เปิดทำการ เพื่อป้องกันการเกิดใหม่ของ<br />

สุนัขที่ไม่เป็นที่ต้องการ อีกทั้งยังรักษา<br />

ให้ที่พักพิง และดำเนินการขอรับอุปการะ<br />

Sisters on Samui (SOS) สุภาพ<br />

สตรีกว่า 50 ท่านมารวมตัวกันเพื่อทาน<br />

อาหารกลางวันเดือนละครั้ง นอกจากเพื่อ<br />

พบปะสังสรรค์แล้ว SOS ยังสนับสนุน<br />

บน, ขวาล่าง<br />

ชายหาดและธรรมชาติ<br />

บนเกาะสมุยจะสวยงาม<br />

และสะอาดหมดจด<br />

เหมือนเดิมไม่ได้<br />

หากผู้คนละเลยหน้าที่<br />

ซ้ายล่าง<br />

กลุ่มอาสาสมัคร<br />

ทั้งจาก Samui Clean<br />

และ Trash Hero<br />

ร่วมแรงร่วมใจกันจัดการ<br />

ขยะบนเกาะสมุย<br />

งานการกุศลในท้องถิ่น และเป็นแรงขับ<br />

เคลื่อนกิจกรรมสำคัญต่างๆ อีกด้วย<br />

ตอนนี้สมาชิกของกลุ่มมุ่งระดมทุน<br />

เพื่อปรับปรุงแผนกผู้ป่วยเด็ก โรงพยาบาล<br />

หน้าทอน SOS สนับสนุนโครงการก่อสร้าง<br />

และหาผู้สนับสนุนเงินทุนเพื่อซื้อชุดนอน<br />

สำหรับเด็ก และติดตั้งผ้ าม่านสีสันสดใส,<br />

facebook.com/kohsamuicharity<br />

ร่วมช่วยด้วยมือเรา เมื่อสองปีก่อน<br />

ฉันได้ร่วมก่อตั้ง Impact Samui กับ<br />

รอดนีย์ วอลเลอร์ (นักพัฒนามือรางวัลที่<br />

ได้รับการยอมรับอย่างกว้างขวาง) และผู้<br />

จัดการโครงการและการเงิน เดวิด เบอร์ชอล<br />

เราได้ทำโครงการก่อสร้างใหม่ และ<br />

บูรณะอาคารที่ทรุดโทรมเพื่อให้อาคาร<br />

เหล่านั้นกลับมามีชีวิตอีกครั้งหนึ่ง โดยมี<br />

เป้าหมายเพื่อการพัฒนาอย่างมีความ<br />

รับผิดชอบ<br />

เมื่อมีโอกาส เรานำสิ่งของที่ใช้แล้วมา<br />

รีไซเคิล แล้วบริจาคส่วนที่เหลือเพื่อประโยชน์<br />

ของเกาะสมุย บางครั้งบริษัทของเราก็ขาย<br />

วัสดุที่ใช้แล้วเพื่อสมทบทุนกับกิจกรรม<br />

สาธารณะประโยชน์ต่างๆ Lavaliere เป็น<br />

โครงการแรกที่เราขายสิ่งของต่างๆ เพื่อ<br />

บริจาครายได้แก่โครงการปรับปรุงแผนก<br />

ผู้ป่วยเด็ก โรงพยาบาลหน้าทอนเกาะสมุย<br />

หากคุณมีโอกาสมาเยี่ยมเยียนเกาะสมุย<br />

ลองมาเป็นอาสาสมัคร หรือท่องเที่ยว<br />

เชิงอนุรักษ์กับองค์กรเหล่านี้ หรือร่วม<br />

สมทบทุนเพื่อให้สมุยเป็นเกาะสวรรค์ที่<br />

คงความงดงามเช่นนี้ต่อไป<br />

SAMUJANA’s name comes from the blend of Koh ‘Samui’ and the word ‘Jana’, meaning coral in Moroccan, due to its<br />

stunning hillside location overlooking a coral cove, with private beach access and uninterrupted views of Samui.<br />

Samujana’s def inition is very simple – 24 charming villas from 1 to 8 bedrooms, all with oversized private inf inity pools,<br />

modern <strong>Thai</strong> architecture and breath-taking views, 5-star hotel services and details that make a world of difference –<br />

the perfect place for friends and family to gather and have a great time.<br />

48<br />

Tel: +66 (0) 7742 3465<br />

Email: reservations@samujana.com<br />

www.samujana.com


FASHIONED FANTASIES<br />

Haute<br />

Drawings<br />

Words Phoowadon Duangmee<br />

Photos Phannapast Taychamaythakool<br />

for Gucci & Wichit Kongsiangsung<br />

High Fantasy<br />

Infused with a sense of fantasy, urban legends<br />

and popular culture, <strong>Thai</strong> artist and fashion<br />

designer Phannapast Taychamaythakool has<br />

created a unique collection of illustrations for a<br />

global high house of fashion.<br />

50 51


FASHIONED FANTASIES<br />

Last summer, Phannapast left her<br />

creative stamp when Gucci unveiled<br />

their “Le Marché des Merveilles”<br />

jewellery line. The collaboration<br />

with the Italian high fashion brand also<br />

came with a fairytale installation of animal<br />

portraits at their New York Fifth Avenue<br />

and Beverly Hills stores.<br />

In the series of fantastical<br />

portrayals, an elephant appears<br />

in an enormous red hat and blue<br />

dress with floral motifs. Then there<br />

is one of a loved up couple, a dolphin<br />

and a panther, in colourful dresses<br />

with tongues wagging in euphoria.<br />

These animals stand proud and<br />

confident in their finery. Odd<br />

yet magical – the entire set of<br />

illustrations burst at the seams with<br />

floral details and patterns, sending<br />

art and fashion aficionados to<br />

fantasy land where beauty and the<br />

beast manages to find a comfortable<br />

marriage, and wild animals have<br />

access to high fashion or in this case,<br />

Gucci’s latest collection.<br />

In the historic neighbourhood of<br />

Bangkok’s Chinatown, Phannapast<br />

shows up at Starbucks Wang Burapha<br />

on a sunny afternoon with her<br />

drawing markers and drawing<br />

logbooks for a private interview with<br />

<strong>Fah</strong> <strong>Thai</strong> magazine.<br />

Right<br />

An imaginative<br />

rendering of<br />

an unlikely yet<br />

passionate affair<br />

between a dolphin<br />

and black panther<br />

by Phannapast.<br />

Bottom<br />

Armed with<br />

a degree in<br />

fashion design,<br />

the illustrator’s<br />

personal expression<br />

is as colourful as<br />

her work.<br />

“I come to Starbucks often to<br />

do some sketching and drawing.<br />

The daylight is about right to do<br />

hand drawing,” says the 31-year-old<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> illustrator.<br />

The up-and-coming artist<br />

appeared in a loose blue shirt,<br />

super long and over blue jeans and<br />

sneakers. Her face stands out with<br />

the distinctive “Beatle moptop”<br />

haircut and a pair of round, supersized<br />

hippy sunglasses – like John<br />

Lennon’s look from the 1960s to<br />

70s. A prominent mole – similar<br />

to Cindy Crawford’s signature<br />

one – occasionally draws attention<br />

with the people she talks to. Unlike<br />

her vibrant and quirky works,<br />

Phannapast’s voice is surprisingly<br />

gentle and conversations are carried<br />

out politely like with most <strong>Thai</strong><br />

women, ending every sentence with<br />

the particle ‘kha.’<br />

“Your work is oversaturated with<br />

a bright palette – pink, red, blue and<br />

yellow – so vibrant. Do you keep any<br />

black clothing in your wardrobe?”<br />

I asked the young fashion designer<br />

this as many fashion designers wear<br />

all black. Yohji Yamamoto, Vera Wang,<br />

Riccardo Tisci, Karl Lagerfeld – to<br />

name a few.<br />

“No, I don’t like black,” says<br />

Phannapast. “I keep a few black<br />

pieces, but I don’t really put them<br />

on.” Behind the pair of large hippy<br />

shades, I could sense some degree<br />

of shyness. After a few sips of hot<br />

Cappuccino, an ice breaker moment<br />

happens. The conversation becomes<br />

more sensational, with voices rising<br />

in a series of higher pitches.<br />

“When I was very young,<br />

I avoided looking at myself in<br />

the mirror,” says Phannapast.<br />

“Something wasn’t right in there.<br />

The reflection of a schoolboy<br />

in a typical and traditional crewcut<br />

was like a stranger to me, and that<br />

made me feel uncomfortable. There<br />

was conflict and disgrace. I didn’t<br />

even glance at my reflection,”<br />

confesses Phannapast, who is male<br />

and dresses as a woman.<br />

Nothing unlocked the conflict<br />

in her mind except art. It built up<br />

self-esteem and brought her out<br />

of a protected shell to eventually<br />

shine. Phannapast studied fashion<br />

design at Chulalongkorn University,<br />

Bangkok, and became a creative<br />

director of the local clothing brand<br />

“Kloset”. Being a freelance illustrator,<br />

she posts her work on Instagram<br />

occasionally.<br />

“In my young age when I started<br />

drawing, no one told me such things<br />

about creativity. Form and function<br />

52


FASHIONED FANTASIES<br />

Right<br />

The commissioned<br />

work from Gucci<br />

resulted in a set<br />

of illustrations<br />

featuring the<br />

‘Wonder Factory’<br />

where gems are<br />

fashioned.<br />

Bottom<br />

In Phannapast’s<br />

vision, the factory<br />

is run by all kinds<br />

of fanciful and<br />

endearing creatures<br />

behind ‘Le Marché<br />

des Merveilles’<br />

jewels and charms.<br />

were very conventional. Leaves had<br />

to be green, and the branches of<br />

the tree had a certain form,” says<br />

Phannapast.<br />

In art school, Phannapast had<br />

access to many artistic concepts,<br />

ideas and inspiration, and found out<br />

that beauty, indeed, has different<br />

faces and forms. She started to take<br />

a hard, long look in the mirror to<br />

find out her talents.<br />

“People have been living in a<br />

conventional world way too long,<br />

and are way too comfortable to<br />

recognise the beauty of being<br />

different,” says Phannapast.<br />

“When we find something or<br />

someone unconventional, we keep<br />

asking too many questions. We tend<br />

to think that they are misfits and<br />

alienated. We believe that they need<br />

to be fixed.<br />

“In fact, we don’t have to look,<br />

think, feel or act like our peers.<br />

Beauty lies in being different – be<br />

it difference in sexual identity or<br />

appearance.” In her work for Gucci,<br />

Phannapast tries to convince people<br />

of this philosophy.<br />

In art school, Phannapast had access to<br />

many artistic concepts, ideas and inspiration<br />

and found out that beauty, indeed, has<br />

different faces and forms.<br />

She also illustrated a book of<br />

imaginative fairy tales written<br />

by a friend, Aracha Cholitgul,<br />

inspired by stories of a personal<br />

past, and brought into an artistic<br />

visualisation. The tales in three<br />

chapters revolve around<br />

a “Wonder Factory”<br />

where animals create<br />

jewellery.<br />

In the first<br />

chapter, “A Present<br />

from the Sky” tells<br />

a tale of the kitten<br />

who wears a mask to<br />

cover up a facial mole.<br />

One day the little cat<br />

decides to take off<br />

the mask when<br />

it learned that beauty and a feelgood<br />

experience do not come from<br />

appearance alone.<br />

The second chapter, “The Very<br />

Big New Friend”, Erawan is a large<br />

elephant having a hard time trying<br />

to get a job in the factory.<br />

She is large in size with<br />

legs as large as the oldest<br />

trees in the forest.<br />

Her body is even<br />

bigger than the factory<br />

itself and when her<br />

ears flap, they create a<br />

small whirlwind. After<br />

Erawan has been in<br />

the factory for a while,<br />

she learns that she<br />

is a misfit. Every<br />

54


FASHIONED FANTASIES<br />

time the hapless pachyderm tries to<br />

help, everything she touches breaks.<br />

In these stories, both artists create<br />

an unforeseen relationship that<br />

challenges people’s attitudes.<br />

In the third chapter, “To Our<br />

Beloved Siranee from the Wonder<br />

Factory”, a dolphin has fallen in love<br />

with the stone statue of a panther<br />

who guards the jewellery factory.<br />

These fantastical animal<br />

stories and Phannapast’s eccentric<br />

illustrations blend fantasy and very<br />

human emotions, enhancing these<br />

stories on self-identify, conflict,<br />

and love.<br />

“People are too curious about<br />

everything, anything. People ask<br />

too many questions and don’t even<br />

bother about what they really need<br />

from the answer – or where the<br />

answer will take them to,” says the<br />

artist. “Perhaps they want an answer<br />

to satisfy their curiosity – or simply<br />

keep asking just for fun.”<br />

“In ‘Wonder Factory’, the<br />

animals don’t ask why or how<br />

the dolphin could develop such<br />

a romance with a statue – but<br />

they help make magic happen by<br />

appeasing the ‘Lioness Goddess.’<br />

For this set of stories, every<br />

chapter ends like a Han Christian<br />

Andersen book. It’s so sweet<br />

that you might need a lemon (to<br />

counteract it). The stone statue<br />

of a panther springs to life,<br />

thanks to the Lioness Goddess<br />

who gives him a heart and our<br />

creature takes the dolphin’s hand<br />

to a romantic, tantric cloud nine.<br />

Apart from the fantasy story, what<br />

makes eyebrows raise higher is<br />

the eccentric illustrations full of<br />

vibrant colours.<br />

Drawn with great details,<br />

Phannapast’s signature touches<br />

are of animals wearing luxurious<br />

clothing and posing as humans.<br />

Influenced by the Chinese shrines<br />

Top<br />

“A Present from<br />

the Sky”<br />

Right<br />

A whimsical<br />

drawing from<br />

the <strong>Thai</strong> illustrator<br />

has unleashed<br />

creative power.<br />

she often visits and the tribal art<br />

patterns that she is fond of, the<br />

artist creates a mysterious beauty<br />

in these illustrations.<br />

“I like drawing animals and<br />

making them like humans,” the<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> artist puts it. “There is some<br />

degree of animal in a human being.<br />

When we are mad, sometimes we<br />

turn into a wild beast.”<br />

56


FASHIONED FANTASIES<br />

หน้าร้อนที่ผ่านมา แฟชั่นเฮ้าส์อิตาเลียน<br />

ชั ้นสูงอย่างกุชชี่ ได้เปิดตัวคอลเลกชัน<br />

เครื่องประดับ “Le Marché des Merveilles”<br />

ที่ผสมผสานกลิ่นอายความอัศจรรย์<br />

ตำนาน และป๊อปคัลเจอร์ ออกแบบโดย<br />

ศิลปินและนักออกแบบแฟชั ่นชาวไทย<br />

ปัณพัท เตชเมธากุล<br />

สิงสาราสัตว์นานาชนิด ช้างสวม<br />

หมวกสีแดง ใส่ชุดสีน้ำเงิน ประดับด้วย<br />

ลวดลายแมกไม้ หรือจะเป็นคู่รักปลา<br />

โลมากับเสือดำในชุดสีสันสดใส เปล่ง<br />

ประกายความสุขล้นบนผืนภูษา เป็นงาน<br />

ออกแบบที่แปลกใหม่และมีมนต์ขลัง<br />

นำวงการแฟชั่นเข้าสู่ดินแดนมหัศจรรย์<br />

แห่งใหม่ ความมหัศจรรย์แห่งกุชชี่<br />

ฟ้าไทยมีโอกาสสัมภาษณ์นักวาด<br />

ภาพประกอบสุดชิคผู้นี้ที่ย่านเยาวราช<br />

ด้วยเสียงอันนุ่มนวล ขัดกับการแต่งตัว<br />

ที่โดดเด่นและดึงดูดทุกสายตาที่มองมา<br />

ปัณพัทกล่าวว่า เธอชอบมานั่งวาดรูปที่<br />

สตาร์บัคส์แห่งนี้เพราะแสงที่นี่เหมาะกับ<br />

การสร้างสรรค์งานใหม่<br />

เพราะงานออกแบบของเธอมีสีสัน<br />

ฉูดฉาด เราจึงอดสงสัยไม่ได้ว่า ศิลปินผู้นี้<br />

จะมีเสื้อผ้าสีกลางๆ อย่างสีดำบ้างหรือ<br />

เปล่า...คำตอบคือมีอยู่ไม่กี่ชิ้น มีไว้<br />

อย่างนั ้นแหละ เธอไม่ชอบ และไม่คิดจะ<br />

หยิบขึ้นมาใส่<br />

เธอเล่าให้ฟังอีกว่า ตอนเด็กๆ เธอ<br />

ไม่อยากส่องกระจก ไม่อยากมองเห็น<br />

ภาพตัวเองในชุดนักเรียนตัดผมเกรียน<br />

ขัดกับตัวตนที่อยู่ภายใน แต่ศิลปะนี่แหละ<br />

ที่ทำลายกำแพงหนาที่ปัณพัทก่อขึ้น<br />

รอบตัวเอง แล้วเจิดจรัสขึ ้นมาอีกครั้ง<br />

ด้วยความมั่นใจ<br />

ปัณพัทเรียนจบสาขาออกแบบแฟชั่น<br />

ที่จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย ทำงานเป็น<br />

ผู้อำนวยการฝ่ายสร้างสรรค์ให้กับ<br />

แบรนด์เสื้อผ้า Kloset พร้อมกับเป็นนัก<br />

วาดภาพประกอบอิสระ โดยโพสต์งานของ<br />

ตัวเองลงอินสตาแกรมเป็นครั้งคราว<br />

เธอเล่าต่อว่า ศิลปะที่เรียนมานั้น<br />

อยู่ในกรอบที่ไม่เอื้อต่อการคิดสร้างสรรค์<br />

ใบไม้ต้องเป็นสีเขียว กิ่งก้านต้นไม้ต้องเป็น<br />

รูปแบบตามที่เป็น พอคนเห็นอะไรที่แปลกไป<br />

จากเดิมก็ตั ้งคำถาม และคิดไปเองว่า<br />

สิ่งแปลกปลอมนั้นต้องได้รับการแก้ไข<br />

แต่นี่แหละคือความงดงาม ความ<br />

แตกต่างคือความงดงาม อัตลักษณ์ทาง<br />

เพศและการแสดงออกก็เช่นกัน<br />

นักออกแบบมากพรสวรรค์อย่าง<br />

เธอได้ร่วมวาดภาพประกอบนิทาน<br />

“Wonder Factory” ที่เขียนโดย อรช โชลิตกุล<br />

ประกอบด้วยนิทานสามเรื่อง เล่าเรื่องราว<br />

ของสัตว์ที่ร่วมกันสร้างชุดเครื่องประดับขึ้น<br />

บทแรก “A Present from the Sky”<br />

เล่าเรื่องแมวที่ปกปิดใบหน้าเพราะมีไฝ<br />

แมวตัวนั้นตัดสินใจถอดหน้ากากออกแล้ว<br />

พบว่า ความงามและประสบการณ์สุดพิเศษ<br />

ไม่ได้มาจากรูปลักษณ์ภายนอกเท่านั้น<br />

บทที่สอง “The Very Big New Friend”<br />

ช้างชื่อเอราวัณพยายามที่จะเข้าทำงาน<br />

ในโรงงานแห่งหนึ่ง เธอตัวใหญ่มาก<br />

ปัณพัท เตชเมธากุล<br />

ศิลปินนักวาดภาพ<br />

ประกอบและผู้อำนวยการ<br />

ฝ่ายสร้างสรรค์ของ<br />

แบรนด์เสื้อผ้า Kloset<br />

ผลงานซิกเนเจอร์ของ<br />

เธอล้วนได้รับแรง<br />

บันดาลใจจาก<br />

สิงสาราสัตว์ แฟชั่น<br />

กรุยกราย ลวดลายจีน<br />

สุดวิจิตร และเรื่องราว<br />

ที่เสมือนหลุดมาจาก<br />

โลกแฟนตาซี<br />

ใหญ่กว่าโรงงานเสียอีก หลังจากที่<br />

ทำงานได้สักพัก เธอเริ่มตระหนักว่าเธอ<br />

ไม่เหมาะกับโรงงานแห่งนี้ เพราะเมื่อเธอ<br />

แตะอะไร สิ่งนั้นก็พังพินาศไปหมด<br />

และบทที่สาม “To Our Beloved<br />

Siranee from the Wonder Factory”<br />

เป็นเรื่องราวของปลาโลมาผู้หลงรักรูปปั้น<br />

เสือดำที่ทำหน้าที่คุ้มครองโรงงานแห่งนี้<br />

ปัณพัทกล่าวว่า ทุกคนสงสัยทุกเรื่อง<br />

ตั้งคำถามมากเกินไป ทั้งๆ ที่ไม่รู้ว่า<br />

ต้องการอะไรจากคำตอบที่ได้ หลายๆ<br />

ครั้งก็ถามเพื่อความสนุกเท่านั้น<br />

ใน “Wonder Factory” สัตว์แต่ละตัว<br />

ไม่ถามเลยสักคำว่าปลาโลมาตกหลุมรัก<br />

รูปปั้นได้อย่างไร ทุกคนต่างช่วยกัน<br />

อ้อนวอนขอพรจากเทพสิงโตจนท้าย<br />

ที่สุด นิทานก็จบลงด้วยความสุขสมหวัง<br />

ของคู่รักต่างสายพันธุ์<br />

นิทานว่าแปลกแล้ว ภาพประกอบ<br />

ยิ่งแปลกกว่านั้นอีก สีสันสดใส<br />

ฉูดฉาด รายละเอียดของภาพ<br />

ล้ำลึก สะท้อนเอกลักษณ์งานของ<br />

ปัณพัทที่มีสัตว์สวมเสื้อผ้าหรูหรา<br />

ผสมผสานศิลปะจีน และลวดลาย<br />

ชนเผ่า สร้างสรรค์เป็นความงามที่<br />

ลึกลับน่าค้นหา เธอทิ้งท้ายว่า เธอชอบ<br />

วาดภาพสัตว์ให้มีรูปลักษณ์เป็นคน<br />

เพราะมนุษย์ก็มีลักษณะเหมือน<br />

กับสัตว์ บางครั้งยามที่เรา<br />

โกรธ เราก็กลายร่าง<br />

เป็นอสูรกายได้<br />

เฉกเช่นเดียวกัน<br />

A CHINESE GUIDE TO THAILAND<br />

Tai Guo Zhi Nan or <strong>Thai</strong>land Guide is a<br />

custom-made guidebook designed for Chinese<br />

visitors to <strong>Thai</strong>land. Packed with insights and<br />

recommendations, the guidebook is a colourful<br />

presentation of <strong>Thai</strong>land focusing on Bangkok,<br />

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The image-driven contents open with an overview<br />

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recommendations to the best places to<br />

Eat, Shop & Play and close with tips tailored for<br />

Chinese visitors. The guidebook is divided into<br />

distinct sections highlighted by bright bold colours<br />

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Distributed by Bangkok Airways at airports and<br />

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lounges. The Guidebook also comes in a digital<br />

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scan the QR code on the cover.<br />

Published by MPMI Group Co., Ltd.<br />

Read Me<br />

Scan Me<br />

58


KHMER MODERNISM<br />

Phnom Penh’s glorious past can<br />

be seen through some of the still<br />

functioning buildings designed<br />

by the late Cambodian architect<br />

Vann Molyvann. If things had gone<br />

according to the original plans<br />

from decades ago, his influential<br />

urban designs would have defined<br />

Cambodia’s architectural destiny.<br />

Words Sirin P Wongpanit<br />

Photos Permboon Wongpanit<br />

60<br />

61


KHMER MODERNISM<br />

The sun is coming down and the indoor stadium<br />

of the National Sports Complex in Phnom Penh<br />

is the best spot to watch the evening’s gorgeous<br />

amber lights. Completed back in 1964, when<br />

Cambodia was pitching to host the Southeast Asian<br />

Peninsular Games, the Olympic Stadium, as it was once<br />

called, possesses clean and crisp lines of aluminium panels<br />

that run in parallel with the main balusters. While the<br />

original function of this fluting façade is to provide the<br />

needed cross-ventilation to the typically stuffy spaces in<br />

this stadium, these breathable walls also create stunning<br />

effervescent screen patterns that play along with the<br />

glimmering sunlight. I was told that the architect Vann<br />

Molyvann based the idea of this building on a mushroom<br />

– with a big core at the centre supporting the entire<br />

cantilevered structure – all symmetrical and with a stark<br />

modernist approach.<br />

Above<br />

The indoor stadium at<br />

the National Sports Complex with its<br />

‘breathable’ interior.<br />

Below<br />

Shimmering light passes<br />

through the indoor stadium of<br />

the sports complex.<br />

Opposite Page<br />

Top Left<br />

Inspired by a moat, the outdoor<br />

stadium drew its plan from the<br />

ancient Angkor Wat complex.<br />

Top Right<br />

The stadium showcases<br />

a design befitting the Khmer<br />

climate and lifestyles.<br />

Not too long ago on a<br />

dusty tuk-tuk ride in and<br />

about Phnom Penh, I found<br />

myself inadvertently gawking<br />

at the beautiful landmark of<br />

Chaktomuk Conference Hall<br />

on the busy riverside strip,<br />

not too far from the Royal<br />

Palace. Vann Molyvann, as I<br />

learned again, designed this<br />

magnificent Phnom Penh<br />

icon, along with almost a<br />

hundred other public buildings<br />

back in the 1960s that could<br />

have shaped Cambodia into a<br />

stunning metropolis, if not for<br />

the tragic interruption by the<br />

Khmer Rouge that practically<br />

erased everything.<br />

Some people told me I should<br />

not focus on the sad parts of<br />

Cambodia. Phnom Penh as we<br />

now know is a capital in big<br />

transition. Money is flowing in,<br />

with mega-constructions aplenty<br />

everywhere in the city. Snarling<br />

traffic with urban expansions<br />

are a big part of life here. Office<br />

workers and urban dwellers don<br />

to-go gourmet coffee cups as a<br />

daytime accessory. Those who<br />

visited Phnom Penh just decades<br />

ago would never recognise the<br />

city now. Its dust, prominent in<br />

memories, is almost completely<br />

gone. Roads are paved, buildings<br />

are getting higher, megamalls<br />

and condominium complexes are<br />

being built quite rapidly.<br />

Phnom Penh is letting<br />

bygones be bygones. But<br />

then again, there are these<br />

gorgeous buildings of the<br />

1960s – collectively referred<br />

to as ‘New Khmer Architecture’<br />

– the ones that constructed<br />

Cambodian’s Golden Age, that<br />

took place not too long ago.<br />

At the Institute of Foreign<br />

Languages (IFL), another of<br />

Vann Molyvann’s public<br />

building that is still standing<br />

and being used, students are<br />

reading with some of them<br />

engrossed in group studies.<br />

All of them are in oblivion to<br />

the great architect. Out of<br />

personal curiosity, I tried to<br />

quiz some of them, to see<br />

whether they know of my<br />

admired architect. Sadly, none<br />

had heard of his name, except<br />

for one geek whose job was to<br />

keep guard of the library – the<br />

round-shaped ‘bibliothèque<br />

– whose iconic avant-garde<br />

design was based on Cambodian<br />

farmers’ straw hats.<br />

62 63


KHMER MODERNISM<br />

For enthusiasts who love to<br />

scout for awesome buildings, the<br />

IFL buildings are magnificent<br />

examples of how the architect<br />

achieved his own personal<br />

directives. Vann Molyvann was<br />

known for his modern designs<br />

that fit well in the tropical heat.<br />

Small precise structures, raised<br />

platforms, cross-ventilation,<br />

aesthetic “claustra” and “brisesoleil”<br />

screens are heavily<br />

featured. In the middle of the<br />

plaza at the IFL complex is a giant<br />

banyan tree under which you<br />

might want to sit down and soak<br />

in the unique 1960s atmosphere.<br />

But the highlight from Vann<br />

Molyvann’s playful mind is in the<br />

main building’s staircase. Leading<br />

from the first to the fourth floor,<br />

the simple and open staircases<br />

seamlessly form an infinite<br />

juxtaposition. A flow of pedestrian<br />

traffic going up and down creates<br />

Above, Left and<br />

Right<br />

The shape of a fan<br />

provided design<br />

inspiration for<br />

the Chaktomuk<br />

Conference Hall,<br />

accentuated by<br />

traditional Khmer<br />

elements.<br />

Vann Molyvann<br />

began work on the<br />

conference hall, his<br />

first building, upon<br />

his appointment as<br />

chief architect in<br />

the 1950s.<br />

Vann Molyvann was known for his modern<br />

designs that fit well in the tropical heat.<br />

ever-changing and fluid human<br />

patterns. It is something genius in<br />

my opinion – and you have to be<br />

there to understand it.<br />

The ‘Golden Age’ of Cambodia<br />

took place between the 1950s to<br />

1960s when the country celebrated<br />

its full independence for the first<br />

time after almost a century as<br />

a French protectorate. The then<br />

King Norodom Sihanouk had a<br />

great vision to wholesomely uplift<br />

his country through education,<br />

arts and culture. Vann Molyvann,<br />

the Kampot province native, was<br />

coming back from his years on<br />

scholarship studying architecture<br />

in Paris. Heavily influenced by<br />

Le Corbusier and the like; he was<br />

appointed the State Architect and<br />

Head of Public Works. Unlike other<br />

prestigious architectural projects<br />

where people would need to pay<br />

to be able to enjoy the building<br />

facilities, Vann Molyvann’s<br />

landmarks were all public projects,<br />

hence creating a greater impact<br />

for everyday people. Doing the<br />

research for this architectural trip<br />

to Phnom Penh, we wish we could<br />

have seen the gorgeous 1962 Preah<br />

Suramarit National Theatre – an<br />

icon in the cultural landscape of<br />

Phnom Penh and the host to the<br />

National Conservatory of the Arts.<br />

The building had been torn down in<br />

2008 after a fire severely damaged<br />

its structure.<br />

New Khmer Architecture<br />

in Phnom Penh has become an<br />

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Published by<br />

64<br />

Scan Me


KHMER MODERNISM<br />

Above<br />

A flow of pedestrian<br />

traffic going up and<br />

down creates<br />

ever-changing,<br />

fluid human<br />

patterns.<br />

Right<br />

A classroom at the<br />

Institute of Foreign<br />

Language, with<br />

its gradient and<br />

sloped seatings.<br />

Below<br />

The circular pattern<br />

of the library at the<br />

IFL, intimate and<br />

book-reading cosy.<br />

interest among foreign visitors<br />

and professional architects<br />

during the past decades. In 2013,<br />

the Nikkei Asia Prize awarded<br />

Vann Molyvann in the culture<br />

category for his significant social<br />

contribution in Asia. The foreign<br />

recognition helped perpetuate his<br />

remaining works too. The Vann<br />

Molyvann Project, a pro bono<br />

effort of an international team of<br />

architects, architectural students<br />

and researchers, did a great job<br />

archiving the architect’s precious<br />

plans and stories. As anyone would<br />

tell you about the modern history<br />

of Cambodia, they are mostly oral.<br />

And Vann Molyvann’s records are<br />

pretty much the same.<br />

Then again, one could not<br />

curb the curiosity of the younger<br />

generation. Subdued despite obvious<br />

glories, Vann Molyvann’s works<br />

are now drawing attention among<br />

young and aspiring Cambodian<br />

architects and architectural students.<br />

His works are not taught in schools,<br />

yet a lot of people are studying it.<br />

Special projects and architectural<br />

tours of the city provide good<br />

resources for those interested to<br />

learn more about this historical slice<br />

of Phnom Penh.<br />

For me, the students at the IFL<br />

are the lucky ones. They may not<br />

know it, but they are spending<br />

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mountain pass and the risks it poses, the<br />

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Scan Me<br />

66


KHMER MODERNISM<br />

Above<br />

Surrounded by<br />

pillars and<br />

protruding rain<br />

gutters, the exterior<br />

of the International<br />

Foreign Institute’s<br />

library becomes<br />

a spectacular sight<br />

when it rains.<br />

New Khmer Architecture in Phnom Penh<br />

has become an interest among foreign<br />

visitors and professional architects during<br />

the past decades.<br />

time in one of the greatest buildings<br />

on earth. I sneaked into their<br />

iconic auditorium-style classroom,<br />

taking my time sitting on the<br />

raised platform that from the<br />

outside looks like a giant box on<br />

a pair of lady stilettos. The wall<br />

of the hallway that connects all<br />

these classrooms is a perforated<br />

claustra wall that breathes and<br />

allows sunlight to create beautiful<br />

patterns that change with the<br />

hours of the day.<br />

There are also the active<br />

teams of aunties and uncles<br />

who, in colourful and stretchy<br />

spandex, arrive in droves for<br />

the evening’s aerobics on<br />

the raised outdoor arena of<br />

the National Sports Complex.<br />

Even now that the area is<br />

being encroached by mega<br />

construction, the magnificent<br />

allure of the whole place<br />

remains. A landmark of the<br />

great late architect who just<br />

passed away late last year at<br />

the age of 91, this complex as<br />

well is evidence of the glorious<br />

past – still perpetuated<br />

through its actual use by the<br />

people of Phnom Penh.<br />

For more information about Vann Molyvann and the Golden Age of Khmer<br />

Architecture, visit vannmolyvannproject.org. For those interested in the tours<br />

of Khmer Architecture Tours, browse through ka-tours.org.<br />

พระอาทิตย์กำลังจะลับขอบฟ้า คงไม่มีจุด<br />

ชมแสงอาทิตย์อัสดงที่งดงามเทียบเท่า<br />

สนามกีฬาในร่มที่ศูนย์กีฬาแห่งชาติกรุง<br />

พนมเปญอีกแล้ว แสงอาทิตย์ระยิบลอด<br />

ผ่านช่องผนังที่แต่เดิมออกแบบมาเพื่อ<br />

ระบายอากาศ ดังที่สถาปนิก วัน โมลีวาน<br />

ออกแบบและสร้างแล้วเสร็จในปี 1964<br />

ระหว่างที่นั่งรถตุ๊กตุ๊กเลียบฝั่งแม่น้ำ<br />

รอบเมืองพนมเปญ ไม่ไกลจากพระบรม<br />

มหาราชวัง สายตาของคุณไม่อาจพลาด<br />

หอประชุมจักโตมุขแน่นอน ไม่น่าแปลกใจที่<br />

หอประชุมแห่งนี้ก็ออกแบบโดย วัน มาลีวาน<br />

เช่นเดียวกันกับอาคารของรัฐอีกกว่าร้อย<br />

แห่ง กัมพูชาอาจกลายเป็นเมืองหลวงอัน<br />

ตระการตา ถ้าไม่ถูกขัดขวางโดยการ<br />

เคลื่อนไหวของเขมรแดงเสียก่อน<br />

ถึงกระนั้น กัมพูชาก็ยังเป็นเมืองหลวง<br />

ที่กำลังเปลี่ยนผ่านและขยายตัวอย่าง<br />

รวดเร็ว เม็ดเงินไหลบ่าสู่โครงการก่อสร้าง<br />

ขนาดยักษ์ ผู้ที ่เคยมายังเมืองหลวงแห่งนี้<br />

เมื่อไม่กี่สิบปีก่อนคงแปลกใจที่ได้เห็นร้าน<br />

กาแฟสุดฮิป ห้างสรรพสินค้า ตึกสูง<br />

เสียดฟ้า และวิถีชีวิตคนเมืองอย่างเต็ม<br />

รูปแบบ แต่พนมเปญก็ไม่ลืมรักษารากเหง้า<br />

ของตัวเองเอาไว้ด้วยอาคาร “สถาปัตยกรรม<br />

เขมรสมัยใหม่” ที่สร้างในช่วงปี 1960<br />

สถาบันภาษาต่างประเทศ อาคารรูป<br />

วงกลมแบบอาว็อง-การ์ดเป็นอาคารของ<br />

รัฐอีกแห่งหนึ่งที่ปัจจุบันยังใช้ในการเรียน<br />

การสอน แต่ถ้าถามนักเรียนที่นั่นว่ารู้จัก<br />

สถาปนิกผู้ออกแบบอาคารหลังนี้หรือไม่<br />

น้อยคนนักที่รู้จัก วัน โมลีวาน<br />

สำหรับผู้ที่คลั่งไคล้สถาปัตยกรรม<br />

จะไม่ผิดหวังเมื่อได้ยลโฉมอาคารแห่งนี้ซึ่ง<br />

ออกแบบมาให้เหมาะกับภูมิอากาศเขตร้อน<br />

โครงสร้างขนาดเล็ก พื้นยกสูง ระบบระบาย<br />

อากาศแบบไขว้ ผนังฉลุลายงดงาม ตัว<br />

อาคารโอบล้อมต้นไทรที่เติบใหญ่ตรงจุด<br />

ศูนย์กลาง บันไดที่เชื่อมตั้งแต่ชั้น 1ถึงชั้น 4<br />

ไขว้ขนานกัน เผยให้เห็นคลื่นมนุษย์เคลื่อนตัว<br />

ขึ้นลงเป็นสาย<br />

กัมพูชาเจริญก้าวหน้าสูงสุดในยุค<br />

ทองหลังจากประกาศอิสรภาพจาก<br />

ฝรั่งเศส พระบาทสมเด็จพระนโรดม สีหนุ<br />

ทรงพัฒนาประเทศผ่านการศึกษา ศิลปะ<br />

และวัฒนธรรม พระราชทานทุนการศึกษา<br />

แก่ วัน โมลีวาน ให้เรียนสถาปัตยกรรมศาสตร์<br />

ที่กรุงปารีส แล้วกลับมารับตำแหน่ง<br />

สถาปนิกแห่งรัฐ และหัวหน้ากิจการรัฐ<br />

รังสรรค์อาคารทรงเอกลักษณ์ และ<br />

สร้างแรงกระเพื่อมแก่ชีวิตประจำวันของ<br />

ผู้คนกัมพูชาโดยทั่ว<br />

ปัจจุบันสถาปัตยกรรมของ วัน โมลีวาน<br />

เป็นที่รู้จักอย่างกว้างขวางทั้งในและต่าง<br />

ประเทศ คนรุ่นใหม่ให้ความสนใจมากขึ้น<br />

บน<br />

ช่องกำแพงโปร่ง<br />

ที่สถาบันภาษา<br />

ต่างประเทศ<br />

กรุงพนมเปญ<br />

ฝีมือออกแบบของ<br />

วัน โมลีวาน มีลวดลาย<br />

แปลกตา สวยงาม<br />

ยามแสงแดดลอดผ่าน<br />

ล่าง<br />

ห้องเรียนของสถาบัน<br />

ภาษาต่างประเทศ<br />

รูปทรงแปลกตา ได้รับ<br />

การออกแบบมาอย่าง<br />

มีเอกลักษณ์<br />

มีการจัดโปรแกรมเที่ยวชมสถาปัตยกรรม<br />

เพื่อเรียนรู้ประวัติศาสตร์ของกรุงพนมเปญ<br />

อีกด้วย<br />

นักเรียนที่สถาบันภาษาต่างประเทศ<br />

ดูเหมือนจะเป็นกลุ่มคนที่โชคดีที่สุดที่ได้ใช้<br />

เวลาอยู่ในอาคารที่ยิ่งใหญ่ที่สุดแห่งหนึ่ง<br />

ของโลก แสงอาทิตย์ที่ลอดผ่านช่องฉลุ<br />

ยังความงดงามให้แก่ภายในของตัว<br />

อาคารจะเปลี่ยนแปลงแตกต่างออกไป<br />

ตามแต่ละช่วงเวลาของวัน<br />

หากมองไปรอบๆ ศูนย์กีฬาแห่งชาติ<br />

ในปัจจุบัน จะเห็นภาพผู้คนจำนวนมาก<br />

พากันมาออกกำลังกาย คุณลุงคุณป้า<br />

ออกท่าทางเต้นแอโรบิกอย่างสนุกสนาน<br />

ท่ามกลางตึกขนาดมหึมาที่ห้อมล้อมอาคาร<br />

ตระหง่านแห่งนี้อยู่ทุกเมื่อเชื่อวัน จึงเรียก<br />

ได้ว่า อาคารแห่งนี้เป็นตัวแทนความรุ่งเรือง<br />

ด้านสถาปัตยกรรมที่ วัน โมลีวาน ทิ้งไว้<br />

ให้ประชาชนชาวพนมเปญทุกหมู่เหล่าได้<br />

เชยชมอย่างแท้จริง<br />

68 69


BURMA BREWS<br />

Colonial<br />

Vestiges y<br />

A former British hill station in<br />

Myanmar provides the ideal setting<br />

for coffee to thrive.<br />

Words & Photos Ron Emmons<br />

70<br />

71


BURMA BREWS<br />

When British colonials established <strong>May</strong>myo (literally ‘<strong>May</strong>’s<br />

Town’, after Colonel <strong>May</strong>) in the early 20th century, they<br />

were desperate to escape the sweltering heat of Mandalay<br />

in the hot season. At 3,538 feet (just over 1,000 metres)<br />

of elevation, <strong>May</strong>myo offered a cool retreat, and soon the town had a<br />

familiar feel to its new inhabitants, with its clock tower, governor’s house<br />

and botanical gardens. These days <strong>May</strong>myo is known as Pyin Oo Lwin,<br />

and though the Brits are long gone, their legacy lingers on and attracts<br />

a steady stream of visitors from Mandalay, just 70km to the west.<br />

Yet alongside these tourist<br />

attractions, Pyin Oo Lwin is<br />

also making a name for itself as<br />

a producer of fine coffee. Several<br />

small plantations in the region<br />

are united under the umbrella<br />

organisation of the Myanmar<br />

Coffee Association, and some<br />

of them, such as Ngu Shwe Lee<br />

Coffee and Lone Star Coffee,<br />

welcome visitors to look around<br />

their estates to see all the<br />

stages in the preparation of this<br />

popular beverage.<br />

I began my exploration of<br />

Pyin Oo Lwin at the former<br />

Governor’s House, which is now<br />

on the grounds of the Aureum<br />

Palace Hotel. Being a Brit myself,<br />

I was curious to see how my<br />

compatriots had lived during<br />

the colonial era. As I entered<br />

the grand building, which<br />

was surrounded by manicured<br />

gardens, I stopped in my tracks.<br />

Top Right<br />

Young coffee plants<br />

at the ‘butterfly<br />

stage’, with just two<br />

leaves.<br />

Bottom Right<br />

Raspberry latte<br />

coffee served at café<br />

in Pyin Oo Lwin,<br />

Myanmar.<br />

Bottom Left<br />

Old photograph of<br />

residents and staff<br />

at the Governor’s<br />

House, <strong>May</strong>myo<br />

(now Pyin Oo Lwin),<br />

Myanmar.<br />

Opposite<br />

The Purcell Clock<br />

Tower in the centre<br />

of Pyin Oo Lwin,<br />

erected.<br />

Sitting and standing around the<br />

entrance hall were models of<br />

soldiers and other colonial types<br />

that were so lifelike, I expected<br />

them to step forward and shake<br />

my hand. Once I had got over<br />

this shock, I looked around the<br />

mansion’s many rooms, one<br />

of which included an indoor<br />

swimming pool, and imagined<br />

how my compatriots lived at<br />

the time.<br />

My next stop was the<br />

Kandawgyi National Gardens,<br />

which was based on England’s<br />

famous Kew Gardens, and I<br />

was instantly impressed by the<br />

meticulous order that had been<br />

established in the midst of a<br />

tropical jungle. Walkways led<br />

through colourful flowerbeds,<br />

past a collection of petrified<br />

wood, along a raised boardwalk<br />

over a swamp, through massive<br />

stands of bamboo, and around<br />

an elevated timber walkway<br />

bordered by massive, tropical<br />

trees. After a couple of hours<br />

meandering round the lakes<br />

and pathways, I felt uplifted by<br />

nature’s beauty and eager to see<br />

more of this quirky town.<br />

In the town centre, I smiled<br />

to see the Purcell Tower, a clock<br />

tower that would not have been<br />

out of place in any English town.<br />

Another throwback to the colonial<br />

era were horse-drawn carriages<br />

waiting patiently for passengers<br />

on street corners; they might<br />

have been lifted straight out of<br />

Victorian London. Clearly the<br />

intention of the colonials was one<br />

of stamping their own culture<br />

on the local scene rather than<br />

adapting to Burmese ways. As<br />

I wandered around, I realised<br />

that this place didn’t feel like<br />

Myanmar at all, as the faces<br />

were predominantly of people<br />

with Nepali or Indian descent.<br />

72<br />

73


BURMA BREWS<br />

Clockwise from<br />

Top Right<br />

Grading beans at<br />

coffee factory.<br />

Local brands of<br />

Myanmar coffee.<br />

Coffee beans<br />

ripening on<br />

the bush.<br />

I presumed that many of those<br />

who worked for the colonials had<br />

stayed on after the Brits had left<br />

and put down roots here. Even in<br />

the town’s main market, which<br />

was a riot of noise, colour and<br />

unusual smells, most of the stall<br />

vendors seemed to be Nepali<br />

or Indian.<br />

I settled into a café to reflect<br />

on these rich experiences, and<br />

was delighted to find a fantastic<br />

range of coffees to choose from.<br />

I ordered a latte, and while I was<br />

enjoying it, I got talking to a<br />

man called Samuel. “Do you like<br />

our local coffee?” he asked, and<br />

when I expressed surprise that<br />

the beans came from the area,<br />

he explained that the soil and<br />

climate in the hills around Pyin<br />

Oo Lwin make it ideal for growing<br />

coffee. It turned out that there are<br />

many small coffee plantations in<br />

the region, all of which are part of<br />

the Myanmar Coffee Association<br />

and produce top-grade varieties,<br />

such as S795, which is much<br />

sought after by coffee buyers.<br />

“So how come you know so<br />

much about coffee?” I asked<br />

Samuel. “Well, it just so happens<br />

that I was a manager of one<br />

of the local plantations for a<br />

decade,” he answered with a<br />

grin. “Would you like to take a<br />

look around one tomorrow? I’ll<br />

be showing a small group around<br />

a couple of plantations and a<br />

processing plant.” I jumped at the<br />

opportunity; after all, I had drunk<br />

coffee every day for countless<br />

years without much idea of how<br />

the brew was made.<br />

Samuel picked me up the next<br />

morning and we drove with his<br />

small group a few kilometres out<br />

of town to a coffee estate run by<br />

a friend of his. The welcoming<br />

owner, U Kyaw Sein, immediately<br />

poured us a cup of coffee from<br />

his farm and cracked open some<br />

macadamia nuts to nibble as we<br />

drank. Samuel explained that<br />

the macadamia tree provides<br />

excellent shade, which coffee<br />

bushes need, and the crop of nuts<br />

(around 12 tons a year) provided<br />

valuable extra income.<br />

We hopped into a pick-up<br />

truck and bounced along dirt<br />

tracks that led through the<br />

estate, stopping here and there<br />

for U Kyaw Sein to show off the<br />

waxy-leaved coffee bushes laden<br />

with green berries. He explained<br />

Somehow the experience of watching<br />

the process of coffee production all the<br />

way from seed to cup had given me a new<br />

appreciation of just how much knowledge<br />

and hard work goes into producing the<br />

drink that kick-starts my days.<br />

that with careful maintenance, a<br />

coffee bush can keep producing<br />

beans for up to 80 years, but it<br />

was evident that this is a labourintensive<br />

business. As we drove<br />

around, we passed small groups<br />

of workers pruning the bushes,<br />

weeding the area around them<br />

and adding fertiliser to the earth.<br />

Apart from coffee, which yields<br />

about 15 tons of green beans a<br />

year from around 200 acres, the<br />

estate also grows dragon fruit and<br />

avocados. The avocado is another<br />

tree that doubles as a shade tree<br />

for coffee and brings an extra<br />

source of income.<br />

Samuel then took us to the<br />

Mandalay Coffee Group processing<br />

plant on the outskirts of Pyin<br />

Oo Lwin to see what happens to<br />

the beans once they have been<br />

harvested. I was shocked to see<br />

all kinds of elaborate machinery<br />

used to soak the beans, throw<br />

out the bad ones, take off the<br />

skins and then roast them so that<br />

they are ready for consumption.<br />

In one corner of the processing<br />

plant, a small army of women sat<br />

grading berries one by one, a job<br />

that would drive me mad with its<br />

repetitive nature.<br />

We couldn’t leave without<br />

sampling the finished product,<br />

and I smacked my lips as I supped<br />

a cup of S795 Arabica special.<br />

Somehow the experience of<br />

watching the process of coffee<br />

production all the way from<br />

seed to cup had given me a new<br />

appreciation of just how much<br />

knowledge and hard work goes<br />

into producing the drink that<br />

kick-starts my days. I thanked<br />

Samuel for allowing me to see<br />

an aspect of this former colonial<br />

town that I never knew existed,<br />

one that complements a colourful<br />

past with the hope for a bountiful<br />

future. He smiled and presented<br />

me with a small packet of Arabica<br />

to take home as a souvenir, telling<br />

me that it was his pleasure to<br />

share the secrets of his home<br />

town’s rich culture with a<br />

stranger from far away.<br />

Clockwise from<br />

Top Left<br />

Burmese worker<br />

roasting coffee<br />

beans.<br />

Ex-coffee<br />

plantation manager<br />

Samuel pointing out<br />

features of healthy<br />

coffee bush.<br />

Coffee beans<br />

being processed at<br />

processing plant,<br />

Pyin Oo Lwin,<br />

Myanmar.<br />

74<br />

75


BURMA BREWS<br />

TAKE ME<br />

HOME<br />

<strong>Fah</strong> <strong>Thai</strong> is the inflight magazine<br />

of Bangkok Airways. It is YOUR<br />

MAGAZINE. It is distributed with our<br />

compliments on all Bangkok Airways<br />

flights. We hope you enjoy it .<br />

READ<br />

TOO MUCH BAGGAGE?<br />

ONLINE!<br />

แต่เดิม พินอูลวิน เป็นเพียงเมืองเล็กๆ<br />

อากาศเย็นสบาย ที่ทหารอาณานิคม<br />

บริติชมักหนีร้อนมาพักจากเมืองเมเมียว<br />

จากศตวรรษที่ 20 จนถึงบัดนี้ มรดกที่<br />

ตกทอดจากทหารกลุ่มนั้นได้สร้างเสน่ห์<br />

ดึงดูดนักท่องเที่ยวให้มาเยี่ยมชม ไม่ว่าจะ<br />

เป็นหอนาฬิกา บ้านพักเจ้าครองเมือง<br />

สวนพฤกษศาสตร์ หรือบรรยากาศ<br />

สบายๆ ของพินอูลวิน ซึ่งห่างจากมัณฑะเลย์<br />

ของพม่าไปทางตะวันออกเฉียงเหนือเพียง<br />

60 กิโลเมตรเท่านั้น<br />

ไร่กาแฟเล็กๆ ในเมืองนี้ก็มีชื่อเสียง<br />

เลื่องลือไม่แพ้กัน พินอูลวินผลิตเมล็ด<br />

กาแฟชั้นเลิศ อีกทั้งยังเปิดให้นักท่องเที่ยว<br />

ชมไร่กาแฟและสัมผัสกรรมวิธีการผลิต<br />

ต้นแต่ต้นจนจบก่อนจะมาเป็นกาแฟหอมกรุ่น<br />

หนึ่งถ้วยให้เราได้จิบยามเช้า<br />

เราเริ่มทริปที ่บ้านพักอดีตผู้ครอง<br />

เมืองในพินอูลวิน ซึ่งปัจจุบันตั้งอยู่บน<br />

พื้นที่ของโรงแรมออเรียมพาเลซ เราย่าง<br />

ก้าวเข้าไปในอาคารอันโอ่อ่า ประตูทาง<br />

เข้ามีรูปปั้นทหารเหมือนจริง ด้านในมี<br />

ห้องจำนวนมาก หนึ่งในนั้นคือ สระว่ายน้ำ<br />

ในร่ม ในสมัยนั้นชีวิตของผู้ครองอาณานิคม<br />

คงจะสุขสบายมิใช่น้อย<br />

แล้วไปต่อที่สวนพฤกษศาสตร์แห่งชาติ<br />

กันดอว์จี ผู้ที่มายังสวนแห่งนี้ต้องประทับใจ<br />

การจัดวางสถานที่ท่ามกลางป่าฝนเขตร้อน<br />

ทางเดินทอดยาวสู่แปลงดอกไม้หลากสี<br />

ข้ามหนองน้ำเงียบสงบ ทิวไผ่พลิ้วไหวตาม<br />

สายลม และต้นไม้เขตร้อนสูงใหญ่โดยรอบ<br />

ทุกอย่างที่นี่ล้วนเชื้อเชิญให้เราอยากรู้จัก<br />

เมืองเล็กๆ เมืองนี้ยิ่งขึ้นไปอีก<br />

ตัวเมืองพินอูลวินส่งกลิ่นอายอาณานิคม<br />

อย่างชัดเจน หอนาฬิกาแบบอังกฤษตั้ง<br />

ตระหง่านอยู่กลางเมือง มีรถม้าที่เหมือน<br />

เดินทางข้ามเวลามาจากสมัยวิกตอเรีย<br />

ทุกอย่างดูไม่เข้ากันเมื่อเราตระหนักว่า<br />

ตอนนี้เรากำลังอยู่ในเมียนมา แม้แต่ผู้คน<br />

ตามเข็มนาฬิกา<br />

จากซ้ายบน<br />

ทางเดินบนสะพานไม้<br />

สำหรับเยี่ยมชม<br />

ความงดงามใน<br />

สวนพฤกษศาสตร์<br />

แห่งชาติกันดอว์จี<br />

ชาวอินเดียและเนปาล<br />

พากันมาสักการะ<br />

สิ่งศักดิ์สิทธิ์ที่วัดฮินดู<br />

แม่ชีน้อยๆ เทินถาด<br />

บนศีรษะ เดินเรียงเป็นแถว<br />

กลางเมืองพินอูลวิน<br />

รถม้ารอให้<br />

นักท่องเที่ยวจับจอง<br />

เพื่อพาชมรอบเมือง<br />

ที่นี่ก็ดูเหมือนจะเป็นชาวเนปาลหรืออินเดีย<br />

เป็นส่วนใหญ่ คาดว่าบรรพบุรุษของ<br />

ชาวเมืองน่าจะเป็นคนงานที่ชาวอังกฤษพา<br />

มาด้วยในยุคอาณานิคม จากนั้นก็ตั้งรกราก<br />

ที่นี่ แล้วอยู่อาศัยเรื่อยมาจนถึงปัจจุบัน<br />

นั่งพักจิบกาแฟสักเล็กน้อย จากรายการ<br />

กาแฟที่มีให้เลือกสรรหลากหลายรายการ<br />

ทั้งหมดล้วนแล้วแต่ผลิตในชุมชนแห่งนี้<br />

ทั้งสิ้น ชาวเมืองคนหนึ่งเล่าให้ฟังว่า<br />

พินอูลวินมีดินและอากาศเหมาะแก่การ<br />

ปลูกกาแฟ ไร่กาแฟเล็กๆ จำนวนมากเป็น<br />

ส่วนหนึ่งของสมาคมกาแฟแห่งเมียนมา<br />

ซึ่งสามารถผลิตเมล็ดกาแฟคุณภาพสูง<br />

อันเป็นที่ต้องการของตลาด<br />

เราได้พบกับชาวเมืองคนหนึ่งชื่อว่า<br />

ซามูเอล ซึ่งเคยเป็นผู้จัดการไร่กาแฟแห่งหนึ่ง<br />

ที่มีประสบการณ์กว่าสิบปี เขาพาเรามาชม<br />

ไร่กาแฟพร้อมอธิบายว่า ต้นแมคคาเดเมีย<br />

แก้วมังกร และอโวคาโดปลูกไว้ในไร่เพื่อให้<br />

ร่มเงาแก่ต้นกาแฟ ส่วนเมล็ดและผลที่<br />

เก็บเกี่ยวได้ถือเป็นรายได้เสริมอีกทาง<br />

เรานั่งรถกระบะไปตามถนนดิน<br />

ต้นกาแฟใบเงางามเป็นพุ่ม ผลกาแฟเขียว<br />

เต็มต้น เมื่อได้รับการบำรุงและดูแลอย่างดี<br />

ต้นกาแฟเหล่านี้สามารถให้ผลได้ถึง 80 ปี<br />

เลยทีเดียว หากแต่ต้องใช้แรงงานและเวลา<br />

คนงานค้องคอยตัดกิ่ง ถอนวัชพืช และใส่<br />

ปุ๋ยคอกให้กับต้นกาแฟทีละต้นๆ<br />

เมื่อเก็บเกี่ยวมาเรียบร้อยแล้ว เมล็ด<br />

กาแฟจะต้องผ่านกรรมวิธีในโรงงานที่ตั้ง<br />

อยู่นอกเมืองพินอูลวิน เมล็ดกาแฟแต่ละ<br />

เมล็ดนำจะต้องบรรจุเข้าในเครื่องจักร<br />

ขนาดใหญ่เพื่อแช่น้ำ คัดเมล็ดเสียทิ้งไป<br />

ปอกเปลือก แล้วคั่วให้หอมพร้อมชงเป็น<br />

กาแฟในถ้วย แต่ในอีกมุมหนึ่งของโรงงานก็<br />

มีคนงานคอยเลือกและคัดแยกเมล็ดกาแฟ<br />

แยกตามเกรดอย่างถี่ถ้วน...ทีละเมล็ด<br />

ที่ขาดไม่ได้เลยคือขั้นตอนการชิมกาแฟ<br />

อาราบิก้าพิเศษ S795 ประสบการณ์<br />

ความรู้ ความรัก และแรงงานกลั่นออกมา<br />

เป็นน้ำกาแฟแต่ละหยด ให้รสชาติและกลิ่น<br />

หอมเลิศล้ำ เกิดเป็นเครื่องดื่มสำหรับเริ่ม<br />

วันใหม่ที่ทุกคนคุ้นชิน<br />

แล้วเราก็ได้พบอีกด้านหนึ่งของเมือง<br />

พินอูลวินที่เคยเป็นเมืองใต้อาณานิคม<br />

เป็นด้านแห่งความหอมหวานของ<br />

วัฒนธรรมกาแฟ และเป็นความโชคดีที่คน<br />

แปลกหน้าอย่างเราได้มีโอกาสมาพบพาน<br />

We also come in a digital format. You can read us at:<br />

FAHTHAIMAG.COM<br />

And feel free to send us your feedback.<br />

Your voice is our inspiration!<br />

Read more<br />

76


GALLERY<br />

It’s a constant busy in the<br />

city’s indie art world, with<br />

momentum picking up<br />

for an inaugural biennale.<br />

Photographer Jesper Haynes<br />

makes the rounds on the<br />

opening day circuit.<br />

Words & Photos Jesper Haynes<br />

Ifell in love with Bangkok’s art scene<br />

back in early 2000, a time when About<br />

Café was an active experimental<br />

gallery, with always something fun going<br />

on. Another place called Gig Groceries<br />

inspired me to make the book GIG, which<br />

is a tribute to Bangkok’s indie music and<br />

art world.<br />

The continuing energy and passion of<br />

artistic creations in this city endured. Ten<br />

years later, my first solo show was at No<br />

Space gallery in (nightlife destination) RCA.<br />

At the time it was one of the most fun art<br />

galleries around. Run by musician Bank and<br />

photographer Yoko, this followed with<br />

more of my works exhibited at burgeoning<br />

art spaces such the Space, Soy Sauce Factory,<br />

Speedy Grandma and finally, at Jam factory<br />

last year. So here we are, with an established<br />

Bangkok scene bursting with artistic<br />

expressions that can be avant-garde, offbeat<br />

but always personal.<br />

I have really high hopes for Bangkok<br />

becoming a mini Berlin. It has all the right<br />

ingredients, one of the most important<br />

being low rent and secondly, lots of big<br />

available spaces that could easily be<br />

converted into galleries.<br />

Many poor artists would probably<br />

argue we’re not there yet but I do have<br />

a sense the Bangkok [art] world is still<br />

evolving. In the last four or five years,<br />

so many new interesting venues have<br />

appeared, and there are now many areas<br />

where clusters of galleries form small<br />

communities where artists support each<br />

other, a sweetness that is often missing in<br />

bigger markets.<br />

Bangkok’s Chinatown has independent<br />

galleries like Cho Why, around the corner<br />

from the original About Café that started it<br />

all back in the 80’s.<br />

78<br />

79


GALLERY<br />

TOP<br />

Artist Apiwat Banler<br />

often puts himself in<br />

his large paintings: this<br />

is from the exhibition<br />

“<strong>May</strong>be Tomorrow” at<br />

Cho Why Art Space.<br />

Cho Why (on Soi Nana<br />

in Chinatown), run by<br />

David Fernandez and<br />

Victor Hierro, is one of<br />

those really cool spaces,<br />

a converted Chinese shop<br />

house where anything<br />

art-related is encouraged.<br />

BOTTOM<br />

Justin Mills explains his<br />

work to a visitor in his<br />

studio on Soi Nana in<br />

Chinatown.<br />

OPPOSITE TOP<br />

Bangkok-based<br />

Douglas Diaz’s exhibit<br />

at Woof Pack Gallery.<br />

The current work<br />

of drawings and<br />

illustrations explore<br />

his personal definition<br />

of “Love.”<br />

OPPOSITE, BOTTOM<br />

Looking out from the<br />

entrance to Gallery<br />

Speedy Grandma, a very<br />

hip and cool gallery run<br />

by Lee Anantawat.<br />

80 81


GALLERY<br />

RIGHT<br />

Artist Taweewit<br />

Kijtanasoonthorn at<br />

Bangkok Screening<br />

Room, Woofpack Building,<br />

that also champions the<br />

artistic community. He<br />

stands in front of his work,<br />

“Up Side Down Town.”<br />

BELOW<br />

Miti Ruangkritya’s<br />

installation at WTF Café<br />

& Gallery, “Two men look<br />

out through the same<br />

bars: one sees the mud,<br />

and one the stars”.<br />

ABOVE<br />

Alex Face, an influential graffiti artist<br />

whose work is always familiar, even<br />

outside of <strong>Thai</strong>land. The work is from the<br />

group exhibit, SOS-Souled Out at Bangkok<br />

CityCity Gallery, now one of the leading art<br />

spaces in Bangkok.<br />

BOTTOM LEFT<br />

Street art has enabled a larger community<br />

to connect to public art and acquaint<br />

themselves with the creative process of<br />

an artist.<br />

BOTTOM RIGHT<br />

Kittitorn Kasemkitwatana’s<br />

“Impermanence” at Project Room by<br />

Gallery Ver. The gallery is founded by artist<br />

Rirkrit Tiravanija.<br />

82<br />

83


GALLERY<br />

ABOVE<br />

Japanese artist Wakabuko puts the last few brush strokes on his<br />

painting at Jam Factory Gallery, another great spot and all around<br />

interesting place to visit along the Chao Phraya river on the<br />

Thonburi side.<br />

BELOW<br />

Graffiti has been part of Bangkok’s street scene for many years.<br />

This is on the khlong (canal) next to the Jim Thompson house<br />

near the Ratchathewi BTS station and a nice way to see Bangkok’s<br />

waterways.<br />

ABOVE<br />

Jeff Gompertz’s space keeps the experimental part of the Bangkok art<br />

world alive, here with a video installation titled “Public RelationS”.<br />

BELOW<br />

An incubating project for Young Artists at BACC (Bangkok Art and<br />

Culture Centre). This installation is by Kanich Khajohnsri.<br />

84<br />

85


CLOCKWISE, FROM<br />

TOP LEFT<br />

Bangkok CityCity Gallery<br />

is a hip young space<br />

founded in 2015, this is<br />

from the exhibition SOS-<br />

Souled Out Studios.<br />

Artist and curator<br />

Angkrit Ajchariyasophon.<br />

He supports young <strong>Thai</strong><br />

artists by introducing<br />

their work at Angkrit<br />

Gallery.<br />

Tew Maneesutham’s<br />

To Reminisce, at CASE<br />

Space Revolution,<br />

located on the second<br />

floor of vegan restaurant<br />

Broccoli Revolution, on<br />

Sukhumvit 49.<br />

OPPOSITE PAGE<br />

Works by British artists<br />

Lucas Price and Mau Mau<br />

at Bangkok CityCity<br />

Gallery.<br />

ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER<br />

American/Swedish photographer<br />

Jesper Haynes was born in Edinburgh,<br />

Scotland in 1962. When he was 16<br />

years old, he met Andy Warhol in<br />

Stockholm who encouraged him to<br />

come and live in New York. Once in<br />

the Big Apple, he started working for<br />

Ralph Gibson printing in the darkroom<br />

for five years. Days were spent in the<br />

darkroom and nights at club Area<br />

while living in American film director<br />

and photographer Larry Clark’s<br />

apartment on Hudson and Canal –<br />

“I never saw daylight.” Jesper has<br />

since established himself as an artist<br />

documenting his unique lifestyle<br />

through photography.<br />

His photographs are part of the<br />

permanent collection at the Museum<br />

of Modern Art in Stockholm, Sweden. He<br />

shares his time between New York (where<br />

he is based), Bangkok, Paris and Tokyo.<br />

86<br />

87


KNOW BEFORE YOU GO<br />

Urban farms continue to<br />

proliferate, and in Bangkok<br />

diners now can eat within<br />

plucking distance of their<br />

greens. Inventive dishes<br />

and a farm tour are yours<br />

just a few steps away.<br />

BANGKOK 90 / SAMUI 92 / KRABI & PHUKET 96 / CHIANG MAI & CHIANG RAI 100 / PATTAYA & TRAT 101 /<br />

CHENGDU, CHONGQING & GUANGZHOU 102 / HONG KONG 104 / SINGAPORE 106 / KL 107 / BATTAMBANG, PHNOM PENH & SIEM REAP 108 /<br />

DANANG, HANOI & PHU QUOC 110 / LUANG PRABANG 112 / YANGON 113 / MALDIVES & MUMBAI 114<br />

89


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

BANGKOK<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

A Heartfelt Royal<br />

Exhibit<br />

The exquisite Phya <strong>Thai</strong> Palace<br />

now opens to the public at the<br />

main Phiman Chakri Hall, also the<br />

site of the ‘Forever in Our Hearts’<br />

exhibition. Poignant and informative,<br />

it comprises an extensive collection of<br />

the life story of the late and beloved<br />

King Bhumibol Adulyadej. It was<br />

part of the multi-faceted series of<br />

exhibitions of the Royal Cremation<br />

Ceremony last year. Now, those who<br />

missed this invaluable presentation<br />

can visit Phya <strong>Thai</strong> Palace and walk<br />

through the comprehensive series<br />

packed with information about the<br />

King’s lifetime of comprehensive<br />

works and showcase of ancient<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> traditions.<br />

Phya <strong>Thai</strong> Palace itself is a very<br />

beautiful historical complex in<br />

architecture and historical value.<br />

Once a personal experimental<br />

farming plot of King Rama V, the<br />

space was later turned into the<br />

palace for King Rama VI. Towards<br />

the end of his reign, King Rama VI<br />

turned his palace into a luxurious<br />

MASTER PIECES<br />

You can find classic pieces from Danish designer Arne Jacobsen to those of German<br />

conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl in this “boutique of timeless objects” at The Object Room,<br />

opening at K Village. Enjoy browsing through a wide array of lifestyle products and<br />

accessories selected for their well-crafted quality and timeless charm from all over the world<br />

hotel. When <strong>Thai</strong>land went through<br />

the 1932 constitutional changes,<br />

the palace was used by the Bangkok<br />

military medical division and later<br />

became King Mongkut Memorial<br />

Hospital. Phya <strong>Thai</strong> Palace Conservation<br />

Foundation, Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok,<br />

phyathaipalace.org, +66 (0) 2354 7987,<br />

(0) 2354 7732<br />

RICE AND SHINE<br />

After 35 years in <strong>Thai</strong> cuisine,<br />

Chef Vichit Mukura has unveiled<br />

his marvellous menu in a more<br />

contemporary setting in the heart of<br />

the bustling street of Ekamai. The<br />

renowned chef aims at crafting what<br />

he has gathered and mastered over<br />

the years into perfect <strong>Thai</strong> dishes<br />

accompanied by the magic of rice, an<br />

everyday staple, hence the name of<br />

the restaurant Khao (rice in <strong>Thai</strong>).<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Next Level<br />

Green Dining<br />

Vegetables get their own<br />

gastronomic treatment at<br />

Haoma. The combination<br />

may not seem so out of<br />

the ordinary, but with<br />

executive chef Deepanker<br />

‘DK’ Khosla’s culinary<br />

skills and finesse at Haoma<br />

(pronounced ha-o-ma),<br />

the vegetables excel. Green<br />

produce and local organic<br />

All dishes are wonderfully created<br />

using premium ingredients from Or Tor<br />

Kor, the Chef’s favourite market and<br />

venue for high-quality fresh products.<br />

Enlivened with blond wood and natural<br />

light, the space offers traditional à la<br />

carte <strong>Thai</strong> dishes, along with Chef’s<br />

Table options ranging from six, eight, to<br />

ten-course menus. Advanced booking is<br />

highly recommended. 15 Ekamai Soi 10,<br />

khaogroup.com, +66 (0) 2381 2575<br />

ALL THE SAKURA YOU CAN DRINK<br />

Inspired by Japan’s Sakura cherry trees, Up & Above Bar is<br />

introducing cocktails and mocktails to celebrate the beauty<br />

of cherry blossoms. The delicately-crafted selection includes<br />

favourites like the floral champagne cocktail Sakura Royale, and a<br />

Sakura Martini which fuses sake, cherry liqueur, and gin together<br />

for a delightful twist. New selections include the Sakura 75, an<br />

alluring combination of champagne, gin, Sakura syrup, and lemon<br />

juice, and the Sakura Oriental Tonic that tweaks the classic<br />

Gin Tonic with a Japanese botanical touch. For mocktails, the<br />

bubbly Simply Sakura is the true manifestation of cherry purée,<br />

yuzu juice, and soda water, while the Blossoms offers a more<br />

adventurous experience with cherry purée, black pepper-infused<br />

syrup, cream and lime juice. Up & Above Bar at The Okura Prestige<br />

Bangkok, Park Ventures Ecoplex, 57 Wireless Road, okurabangkok.<br />

com, +66 (0) 2687 9000<br />

and in <strong>Thai</strong>land. Originally from Auckland, New Zealand<br />

and founded in 2011, the multi-brand design store<br />

understands the desire to combine cutting-edge<br />

aesthetics with an everyday functional purpose.<br />

K Village, 93, 95 Sukhumvit 26, +66 (0) 2007 0767,<br />

facebook.com/theobjectroom<br />

ingredients create a progressive<br />

dining experience in line with<br />

the restaurant’s environmental<br />

approach. Nestled serenely in<br />

the corner of Sukhumvit 31,<br />

the restaurant’s two-storey<br />

glasshouse embraces the lush<br />

greenery of the surrounding<br />

area. Complete with its own<br />

organic garden, it perfectly sums up the concept<br />

of an urban farm with the mission to cook only<br />

what they grow and reap. Also, Haoma has<br />

drinks crafted by Bacardi’s brand ambassador<br />

mixologist Mitchell Kai Lum. His creations, in line<br />

with Haoma’s sustainable approach, feature an<br />

innovative way of interpreting spirits, fruits and<br />

vegetables. 231/3 Sukhumvit Rd, haoma.dk,<br />

+66 (0) 2258 4744<br />

90<br />

91


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

SAMUI<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

The Tongsai Bay Exclusive<br />

Adding to Koh Samui’s repertoire<br />

of sophisticated dining options<br />

is the newly opened Butler’s at<br />

The Tongsai Bay.<br />

With the intention of adding<br />

an exclusive take on dining,<br />

Butler’s opens its doors only on<br />

Wednesday and Friday evenings<br />

from 7pm with a maximum of 20<br />

guests per evening. Aiming for an<br />

intimate dining experience, the<br />

overall setting is informal yet cosy.<br />

The tempting menu features<br />

a selection of Pan-Asian and<br />

Mediterranean-inspired dishes<br />

from skilfully-trained Chef Eak,<br />

who attentively curates a menu that changes<br />

weekly yet maintains a consistency and theme.<br />

The intimate setting is one not to be missed for<br />

food lovers visiting the island. Interested guests are<br />

urged to pre-book to enjoy this tantalising dining<br />

experience. 84 Moo 5, Bo Phut, tongsaibay.co.th,<br />

+66 (0) 77 913 750<br />

BRIDGING COFFEE, HIDDEN NATURE<br />

Just hidden in the jungle amongst the rolling hills of<br />

Maenam sits one of Koh Samui’s most unique and<br />

new hotspots. Opened just a year ago, Tree Bridge<br />

Coffee is already establishing itself as a ‘must see’<br />

on this side of paradise. The attraction begins with<br />

a wooden bridge whose beautiful design leads out<br />

to a tree house café. Exposing jungle and ocean<br />

views, the worthwhile visit becomes an unbeatable<br />

choice for an afternoon trip. Continuing<br />

a short 200 metres from the café and<br />

right into the jungle, patrons will find<br />

themselves toe to toe with a 20-metre<br />

high waterfall and the soothing sounds<br />

of nature. In addition to expanding its<br />

already impressive offerings, Tree House<br />

recently started a 400-metre zip line.<br />

Here’s a chance to sail over the top<br />

of a dense Samui jungle after having<br />

sipped a coffee in the treehouse for<br />

great views all around. Maenam Soi 5,<br />

samuitreebridgetour.com/en,<br />

+66 (0) 77 901 175<br />

COCKTAIL X PIZZA<br />

CoCo Tam’s, a popular haunt at vibrant<br />

Fisherman’s Village in Bophut, is famous<br />

for its oversized cocktails, weekly fire<br />

dance shows on the beach, swing<br />

seats, and chill beach bar vibe. With<br />

the opening of CoCo Tam’s x Peppina<br />

this past November, this collaboration<br />

merges expertly-made drinks and<br />

expertly-made pizza. With several<br />

branches in Bangkok already, Peppina’s<br />

beach location still means wood-fired<br />

pizza skilfully served up: this time from<br />

a beautiful two-story brick building<br />

expertly decorated for a Bali-esque feel.<br />

A variety of lounging option comes in<br />

the form of CoCo Tam beanbag chairs,<br />

rattan seating, or any number of beachchic<br />

seats. If beautiful views of boats<br />

bobbing on the deep blues of the Gulf<br />

aren’t enough, Peppina’s game room is<br />

also well stocked with your favourite<br />

board games to help pass the time.<br />

facebook.com/cocotamsxpeppina,<br />

+66 (0) 77 945 269<br />

THE GREAT WATER ESCAPE<br />

For adventure seekers looking to take a break from the<br />

beach but still beat the heat, High Park Samui is the<br />

island’s hippest new place to do so. It’s hard to resist<br />

spending a day swooshing from the 15-metre-high<br />

water slides while enjoying beats from a live DJ, casual<br />

bites, and perfectly priced drinks. You can switch gears<br />

by going from the intense thrill of the water slides to a<br />

more relaxed dip in High Park’s infinity pool overlooking<br />

picturesque Chaweng and the mountains. After all that<br />

high, catch the sun as it goes down, as the sky bursts into<br />

its beautiful array of colours to provide a dreamy scene to<br />

end the day. highparksamui.com, +66 (0) 77 961 484<br />

92


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

SAMUI<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

The Island Godfather<br />

of Italian Restaurants<br />

Koh Samui’s first introduction<br />

to authentic Italian cuisine<br />

came from the long established<br />

island favourite, Prego<br />

restaurant. Though many<br />

Italian restaurants now grace<br />

the shores of Koh Samui, Prego<br />

holds its place as the best one to<br />

visit for that taste from the old<br />

country. Chef Marco’s precise<br />

ability to transport the flavour<br />

of Italy straight to <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

draws in long-time islanders as<br />

well as a wealth of new visitors.<br />

Pasta dishes are good choices in<br />

the extensive menu given that it<br />

is hand made with real semolina<br />

flour. Their pizza menu is a<br />

crowd favourite as well, with the<br />

pies themselves done in a wood<br />

fire oven. Located along lively<br />

Chaweng beach road opposite<br />

Amari resort, Prego continues to<br />

offers complex Italian flavours<br />

and a wide selection of drinks in<br />

an unwavering commitment to<br />

quality dining in Samui. Chaweng<br />

Beach Road, prego-samui.com,<br />

+66 (0) 77 300 317<br />

(QUAD)RUPLE THE FUN<br />

What could be a more perfect way to enjoy Samui’s exciting terrain<br />

and lush nature by way of a quad bike? The multi-national team at<br />

X-Quad possess sure knowledge of the island’s best spots, creating<br />

customised nature trails for holiday-goers to fulfil their adventurous<br />

spirit. Quad bike excursions boast picturesque scenery from Samui’s<br />

highest hill, the feel of a real jungle, and a mesmerising hidden<br />

waterfall, with maximum safety provided. No experience is needed,<br />

just the craving for an adrenaline rush and the usual island gear<br />

(swimwear, sunscreen, etc) and all is set for the ride. This one-day trip<br />

of magnificent views, with lunch and beverages, can also be done<br />

as a private tour provided by X-Quad, depending on the season.<br />

Maenam Soi 5, xquad-samui.com, +66 (0) 90 980 5401<br />

IN DEMAND BRUNCH<br />

If you are looking for a leisurely<br />

Sunday brunch, look no further than<br />

Nikki Beach Resort Koh Samui, where<br />

entertainment, luxury, and gastronomy<br />

all fuse into one memorable experience.<br />

Starting from 11am to 4pm, the beach<br />

club’s Amazing Sundays Brunch offers a<br />

wide array of gastronomic Western and<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> cuisine in a gorgeous setting on<br />

Lipa Noi Beach. As the restaurant is one<br />

of the most sought-after brunch spots<br />

thanks to its pleasing cuisine and four<br />

different dining/lounging areas, guests<br />

are recommended to make a reservation<br />

in advance. Also, mark <strong>June</strong> 24 as they<br />

are hosting the Burning Man-inspired<br />

event “Wild and Free,” an expression<br />

of art, love, music, and spirituality.<br />

Combined with entertainment and music,<br />

the free-spirited event will be another<br />

lasting memory complemented by the<br />

spectacular seascape. 96/3 Moo 2,<br />

Lipa Noi, Samui, +66 (0) 77 914 500,<br />

nikkibeach.com<br />

SAMUI’S ITALIAN<br />

Less than a year into its debut, Two Fishes Italian<br />

Restaurant has become the talk of Samui town for its<br />

noteworthy Italian cuisine. Helmed by chef Leandro<br />

Panza with 25 years of experience in the kitchen, the<br />

restaurant uses imported Italian ingredients along<br />

with fresh local produce. Two Fishes offers a sleek,<br />

modernist vibe along with mouth-watering Italian<br />

dishes with highlights such as Black Grouper All’Agro<br />

Dolce – a crispy black grouper fish served in a sweet<br />

and sour sauce with onions – and the classic Vitello<br />

Tonnato, a slow-roasted veal fillet with a tuna and<br />

caper sauce. 79/5 Bophut, 2fishessamui.com<br />

94


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

PHUKET<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Charm of a Restaurant<br />

UNESCO’s recognition of<br />

Phuket as a City of Gastronomy<br />

recently spurred increased<br />

interest among the local and<br />

international crowd for the<br />

city’s local cuisines, especially<br />

Peranakan food. The latest<br />

addition to an already vibrant<br />

and varied food scene is<br />

‘The Charm,’ a traditional<br />

restaurant in Phuket Old Town<br />

that features rarely found<br />

homemade Peranakan recipes.<br />

These have been gathered by<br />

the owner’s family by watching<br />

and learning over time in<br />

their ancestors’ kitchens.<br />

The traditional fusion<br />

cuisine itself has a long<br />

heritage that traces<br />

back to early Chinese<br />

migrants who settled in<br />

Malaysia, Singapore and<br />

Indonesia. Distinctively<br />

influenced and tasty<br />

dishes once exclusively<br />

prepared in the homes<br />

of Phuket natives are now<br />

served to diners to satisfy<br />

inquisitive palates. Gaeng Tu<br />

Mee or Muslim-inspired fish<br />

curry, the unfamiliar delicacy<br />

of Gaeng Plaa Ama (Ama’s<br />

style fish curry) requiring a<br />

good quality sesame oil, or the<br />

Hainanese-style pork steak that<br />

used to be a favourite among<br />

Western engineers working<br />

Phuket’s mines back in the day;<br />

all are usually hard to find in a<br />

restaurant. Diners should not<br />

miss the signature dessert of<br />

Koi Taa Lam, a Phuket delicacy<br />

of pandanus-infused custard<br />

served in a modern style. Open<br />

Tuesday - Sunday: 11am - 10pm,<br />

93 Deebuk Road, Amphur Muang,<br />

Phuket, +66 (0) 96 998 9244<br />

WORKING THE LAND IN PHUKET<br />

If you’re looking for a change from<br />

Phuket’s beaches, just a few kilometres<br />

north of Phuket Old Town sits Vanich<br />

Farm where you can learn about the<br />

farming life. Gain insight on how rice is<br />

grown, cook <strong>Thai</strong> dishes and even get up<br />

close and personal with water buffalos,<br />

the farmer’s trusty companion in the rice<br />

paddy. While Vanich farm dedicates a<br />

large part of the land to growing sweet<br />

corn, their rice paddy complete with<br />

tractors and farm animals sets this place<br />

apart from other destinations in Phuket.<br />

Visitors can come in and take a stroll<br />

before retreating to a farm-to-table<br />

meal at Barn Café where recommended<br />

dishes include a Mulberry Salad and of course, corn soup. Those<br />

determined to know more can sign up for packaged tours with<br />

offers of educational experiences, like the hands-on planting of<br />

rice seedlings in the comfortable outfit of a farmer’s ‘morhom’<br />

shirt, cropped pants and protective straw hat. Workshops on how<br />

to make salted eggs, and how to maintain a worm farm are also<br />

interesting choices. Open daily: 10am - 6pm, 19/540 Rassada Road,<br />

Amphur Muang, Phuket, +66 (0) 98 671 2168, vanichfarm.com<br />

KNOWING MEE<br />

Phuket always has its own local<br />

interpretation of staple foods. An<br />

example is the ubiquitous rice<br />

vermicelli known as ‘sen mee’ in<br />

other parts of <strong>Thai</strong>land but in Phuket,<br />

it’s known as ‘mee hun’. Enjoying this<br />

thinner strand of rice noodle requires<br />

a quick trip to Talad Lor Rong food<br />

court a few kilometres away from<br />

Phuket Town. Expect mee hun noodles<br />

in Phuket to be served with crabmeat<br />

curry or stir-fried and served with pork<br />

rib soup. When ordering mee hun,<br />

this widely-used name brings to mind<br />

that the beloved noodle should be<br />

blanched until perfectly al dente and<br />

served with myriad dishes.<br />

Mee hun is cooked up differently<br />

and also has the novelty of being<br />

called a ‘mee <strong>Thai</strong>.’ Although a lesser<br />

known name of the rice noodle, mee<br />

<strong>Thai</strong> is great for those who love a<br />

meatless dish. The noodle strands<br />

get stir-fried with coconut cream<br />

until fragrant, served with crunchy<br />

beansprouts, julienned cucumber<br />

and chopped chives with super<br />

delicious results. Staple condiments<br />

include toasted dried chillies and<br />

maybe a spoonful of sugar. It’s a<br />

great afternoon munch. Talad Lor<br />

Rong is also the place you can find<br />

other indigenous Phuket snacks, such<br />

as their famous spring rolls and rice<br />

pancakes called ‘A Pong.’ Ranong Road,<br />

Amphur Muang, Phuket, open daily<br />

(except Tuesdays): 11am - 3pm,<br />

+66 (0) 86 814 9772<br />

96


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

KRABI / PHUKET<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Super Bowls<br />

Lion & Shark, a healthful and veganfriendly<br />

hub of food and lifestyle in<br />

scenic Ao Nang is best-known for<br />

their signature tropical smoothie<br />

bowls whose unique superfood tastes<br />

and impressive sizes can easily fill<br />

up one’s appetite for the entire<br />

day. The eye-catching bowls are<br />

named after Krabi’s scenic beaches,<br />

namely Lanta Bowl (Mango and<br />

Passionfruit), Railay Bowl (Coconut<br />

and Pineapple), Poda Bowl (Peach<br />

and Mango), and Tonsai Bowl<br />

(Spinach and Kiwi). Apart from their<br />

offerings, Lion & Shark cares for<br />

the Krabi environment by arranging<br />

activities for the public to engage<br />

in, such as “Ao Nang Trash Hero”,<br />

“No Straw Movement”, “A Bucket of<br />

Beach Trash for a Coffee” and much<br />

more. 247/3 Moo 2, Ao Nang, Krabi,<br />

facebook.com/LionandShark,<br />

+66 (0) 87 681 9008<br />

A 24 YEAR LOVE<br />

In a town where the main food culture is mostly<br />

influenced by Chinese and Muslim dishes, Je<br />

t’aime, Phuket’s longest-standing Vietnamese<br />

restaurant, has ample reasons to celebrate its<br />

24th anniversary. They’re the first restaurant<br />

to break the mould of typical eating out habits<br />

in Phuket by bringing in Vietnamese and <strong>Thai</strong><br />

selections to their menu. Their popular dishes<br />

include Naem Nueang, or grilled pork sausages,<br />

whose do-it-yourself wrapped rolls come with<br />

a tray of assorted herbs and vegetables. Also<br />

popular is Chạo Tôm or grilled shrimp wrapped<br />

around a sugar cane eaten with a sweet and<br />

tangy sauce and rice vermicelli. If you’re looking<br />

for something warm and hearty, there is always<br />

a good bowl of Bánh Canh, a thicker type of<br />

Vietnamese noodle served with choices of<br />

meats – typically pork spare ribs. Open daily:<br />

11am - 10.30pm, 183/93 Phang Nga Road,<br />

Amphur Muang, +66 (0) 76 219 103,<br />

facebook.com/jetaimevietnamese<br />

LAGUNA PHUKET INTERNATIONAL MARATHON<br />

The ‘Laguna Phuket International Marathon’ from all over the world. The event offers a<br />

takes place this year from 8 to 10 <strong>June</strong> at the selection of different races that’s open to people<br />

Laguna Phuket resort complex in the Cherngtalay of all ages. Kids can join the 2km run, while<br />

area that’s located north of the island. Held for adults can choose from 5km, 10.5km or half<br />

13 consecutive years, the event expects to draw marathon (21km), a marathon relay (42km) and<br />

more than 7,000 runners and enthusiasts full marathon (42km). The races start and finish at<br />

Laguna Phuket. Runners follow the course out of<br />

the resort and head north through local villages,<br />

with pineapple and rubber plantations en route.<br />

The proceeds of this marathon go to the Laguna<br />

Phuket Foundation, established back in 2009, to<br />

support education and social development in the<br />

Phuket area. phuketmarathon.com<br />

PERANAKAN FOR THE DAY<br />

A theme museum where visitors can immerse in the vibrant<br />

lives of Phuket’s Peranakan clans, the Peranakan Phuket<br />

Museum showcases the vast and private collection of Phuket<br />

families in colourful portrayal. From depicting their deep roots<br />

in the jewellery trade of Phuket to featuring toy size models<br />

the likes of a traditional Phuket Anglo-Chinese shop house<br />

adorned with fine details – the exhibit illustrates life as it<br />

was back when Phuket was the main mining hub of the <strong>Thai</strong><br />

South. Since jewellery plays a big part in the Peranakan tradition<br />

and spans centuries, stories of these<br />

precious objects and their creation see<br />

heavy representation alongside displays<br />

of traditional clothing like the exquisite<br />

kebaya, batik sarong, embroidered<br />

slippers and everyday accessories. The<br />

entrance ticket comes with guided<br />

tours available in English, Chinese,<br />

Korean and German (advance booking<br />

recommended.) A portrait studio and<br />

traditional apparel are also available<br />

for rent. Drop by ‘Ya Ya Kitchen’, a<br />

restaurant where you can try a Phuket<br />

-style delicious Peranakan meal, or<br />

the lovely Piñana Café for coffee and<br />

sweet treats. Open daily: 9am - 6pm,<br />

124/1 Moo 1, Thepkasattri Road, Tambol<br />

Si Sunthon, Amphur Muang, Phuket,<br />

+66 (0) 76 313 556, (0) 92 224 4574,<br />

peranakanphuketmuseum.com<br />

98


HAPPENINGS<br />

THAILAND<br />

CHIANG MAI / CHIANG RAI<br />

THAILAND<br />

PATTAYA / KOH CHANG<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Soy Milk Heaven<br />

With a menu dedicated to soy milk – ‘slow coffee’<br />

bar Yellow Crafts Café – opted out of using a high-tech<br />

espresso machine and instead makes each shot by<br />

hand, using the likes of an Aeropress. Expect an<br />

Americano to be done with the hand-drip method,<br />

thereby producing a cup of aromatic coffee per<br />

order. Their cold brew requires an overnight drip<br />

process that slowly extracts the coffee with cold<br />

water. Run by soy milk enthusiasts whose soybeans<br />

are supplied from a trusted farm in Chiang Mai, this<br />

small café serves vegan-friendly caffeine drinks and<br />

more. Their signature ‘soy milk coffee’ uses their<br />

blend of beans especially selected and roasted to<br />

SAY CHEESE IN CHIANG RAI<br />

The sleepy town of Chiang Rai has<br />

become a food destination of late<br />

with the number of high-profile<br />

chefs and food establishments<br />

drawing visitors from everywhere.<br />

Now it’s time for the spotlight to<br />

be on creamy cheeses. Made by<br />

artisan producers Chiang Rai<br />

Cheese, the cheeses<br />

rely on the milk of<br />

cows and goats<br />

from the area<br />

and provided by the Chiang Rai<br />

Dairy Cooperative. The cheese<br />

makers themselves produce<br />

original varieties such as ‘Chiang<br />

Rai Cremoso,’ and ‘Chiang Rai<br />

Blanco’ which is a blend of<br />

goat’s milk and cow’s milk, as<br />

well as ‘Chiang Rai Halloumi,’<br />

blue cheeses and much more.<br />

On site is their factory outlet<br />

called ‘Baan Cheese’ retailing<br />

their cheese selections with<br />

tasting samples. Those looking<br />

for a new place to have a bit of<br />

a cool down can also drop by for<br />

coffee. T: +66 (0) 64 005 2405,<br />

chiangraicheese.com<br />

withstand soy milk’s natural<br />

coagulation keeping the drink<br />

smooth; there’s also a ‘soy<br />

milk chocolate’ and a pure<br />

homemade soy milk available<br />

hot or cold and served with<br />

their own soy cookies. Dairy<br />

is also available as an option<br />

and can be found in the many<br />

baked items available, such as<br />

brownies and biscotti. The place<br />

is decked out with cheerful spots<br />

for photo opportunities, hence<br />

it’s a hangout for selfie-crazed<br />

teens in the area.<br />

Open daily: 7am - 7pm, Moo Ban<br />

Dao Dung Soi 2, Chiang Mai,<br />

T: +66 (0) 53 278 757<br />

STITCHED ARTS OF BLACK LAHU<br />

Bold and spunky abstracts best describes the stitching patterns and signature<br />

of ‘Cha Arnon Phahompok’ apparel. Handmade by the Black Lahu people,<br />

find these collections at Cha Arnon café and boutique at Doi Pha Hom Pok<br />

National Park in Amphur Fang. With a modest start of sourcing hand-woven<br />

and sometimes raw cotton from the local villages, café owner Cha Arnon<br />

created designs that the Black Lahu people stitched into life, putting their own<br />

personalities and style into one-of-a-kind fashion in jackets, dresses, shirts, or<br />

a super-sized satchel. 8am - 5pm daily, Pha Hom Pok National Park, Amphur Fang,<br />

Chiang Mai, T: +66 (0) 91 139 5170<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

A Special Time at Level 34<br />

If it’s a grand night you’re after,<br />

consider going high. Special events<br />

can easily happen at the Horizon<br />

Rooftop Restaurant and Bar located<br />

on level 34 of Hilton Pattaya. The<br />

rooftop restaurant and bar is the<br />

only place in town with stunning<br />

panoramic views of the city in<br />

a stylish setting. The restaurant<br />

features both indoor and outdoor<br />

spaces which include private dining<br />

rooms with floor-to-ceiling glass<br />

panels to fully appreciate views of<br />

the city and bay as far as the eye<br />

can see. Signature dishes of Miso<br />

Glazed Snowfish, a 48-Hour Lamb<br />

Shank, followed by a Baked Alaska<br />

dessert round out a fine meal. Their<br />

signature cocktail, Horizon 8 Shot<br />

Tower makes a further impression.<br />

Bookings for that special night are<br />

recommended for the best spot in<br />

the house, guarantee to be a hit<br />

with your loved ones. 333/101 Moo 9<br />

Hilton Pattaya, 34th Floor, Pattaya,<br />

+66 (0) 38 253 000, facebook.com/<br />

Horizonrooftoprestaurantandbar<br />

AWAKEN YOUR SENSE OF ADVENTURE<br />

Koh Chang as an island destination for everyone<br />

means you’ll never run out of things to do.<br />

Perhaps you’ve already chilled at the beach,<br />

gone diving, or have swum in the waterfalls. If a<br />

little more adventure is on the list, there’s Tree<br />

Top Adventure Park. Daredevil fun comes in the<br />

form of trying out rope bridges, air bikes, tight<br />

rope walks, Tarzan swings, a flying skateboard<br />

and expansive zip line courses with the<br />

abundance of nature. With a constant eye on<br />

safety, the Park offers packages for both adults<br />

and children at 1,250 baht. Located beside<br />

Bailan Bay in the lush forest, it’s the ideal group<br />

excursion with friends or family for a memorable<br />

Koh Chang day. 115 Moo 1, Koh Chang, Trat,<br />

+66 (0) 84 310 7600, treetopadventurepark.com<br />

BIKINIS ON THE RUN<br />

History tells us that bikinis are an ancient<br />

invention first worn by Roman gymnasts. Pattaya<br />

Beach will also see a sporting event in the<br />

two-piece swimsuit at the Central Festival Bikini<br />

Beach Race <strong>2018</strong>.<br />

The event plans to bring sexy back in<br />

cheeky fun on 19 <strong>May</strong> <strong>2018</strong> by encouraging<br />

runners to join and wear their best bikinis to run<br />

for their health and keep fit. All fitness levels are<br />

welcomed to join the race – fees are 700 baht<br />

for the 9km run and 600 baht for 3km. To make<br />

the event more entertaining, special prizes will<br />

be given for best outfit, best body and more.<br />

Summer temperatures are just right to don a<br />

bikini for a fun run. If running’s not your thing,<br />

the event is still a spectator-friendly experience.<br />

facebook.com/CentralfestivalBikiniBeachRace<br />

100<br />

101


HAPPENINGS<br />

CHINA<br />

CHENGDU / CHONGQING / GUANGZHOU<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Stilt Standing<br />

Complex<br />

JINSHA SITE TREASURES<br />

In 2001, archaeologists discovered remnants of the ancient capital of the<br />

Shu Kingdom that existed 3,000 years ago. In total, the Jinsha site has 6,000<br />

relics, 63 sacrificial areas, 3 burial grounds, and more than 70 building sites.<br />

It also contains the largest concentration of ancient ivory and jade from that<br />

period. Visitors can explore the Site’s Exhibition Hall, Relics Hall, Ecological<br />

Garden, and Centre for Cultural Heritage Protection. The Exhibition Hall<br />

has realistic displays on Shu life and compares the Shu Kingdom to the<br />

contemporary <strong>May</strong>an, Mesopotamian, and Ancient Indian civilisations.<br />

Take Metro Line 7 to exit C, Jinsha Site Museum, Chengdu. Open daily 8am-8pm,<br />

<strong>May</strong>-October. jinshasitemuseum.com<br />

YOUNG ARTISTS EXHIBIT<br />

AT REDTORY<br />

In 2009, the founders of the<br />

Redtory repurposed the Sovietstyle<br />

Yingjingqian Canned Good<br />

Factory and turned it into an art<br />

centre focused on local revitalisation<br />

and artistic innovation. Along with<br />

exploring the factory buildings turned<br />

galleries, visitors can enjoy three large<br />

exhibition halls, working studios,<br />

book and gift shops, and a variety of<br />

restaurants and small coffee shops.<br />

Through <strong>May</strong> 7, <strong>2018</strong>, the Redtory<br />

features Future Life Handbook,<br />

the first exhibition in its Young<br />

Artists Program. Curated by Rachel<br />

Rits-Volloch, the exhibition features<br />

the artwork of six young artists in<br />

residence in Berlin and China.<br />

No. 128, Yuancun Si Heng Rd,<br />

Guangzhou. Open Tuesday-Sunday,<br />

10.30am-9.00pm redtory.com.cn<br />

With unique stilt house<br />

architecture and views<br />

over the intersection of the<br />

Yangtze and Jialing Rivers,<br />

Hongyadong is a scenic spot<br />

to enjoy historic Chongqing.<br />

Converted into a recreational<br />

and cultural attraction,<br />

Hongyadong showcases local<br />

cuisine, folk art, and culture.<br />

A must-see sight is the<br />

impressive 11-story wooden<br />

stilt house that is spectacular<br />

day or night. Sample<br />

delicacies like spicy hot pot,<br />

burning noodles, and fried<br />

silkworm chrysalis before heading<br />

up to the stilt house’s top floor<br />

viewing deck that looks out over<br />

the waterfront. Free admission;<br />

open day and night. No. 88, Jiabing<br />

Road, Yuzhong District.<br />

LOTUS HILL VISTAS<br />

Located 12.5 miles southeast of Guangzhou’s city<br />

centre, Lotus Hill is a huge park with many points<br />

of interest. It is famously known as the ancient<br />

quarry that supplied stone for the two thousand<br />

year old tomb of the Nan Yue King. King Zhao<br />

Mo ruled from 137 BC to 122 BC over the Nam<br />

Viet Kingdom, an empire that stretched from<br />

South China’s Guangdong and Guangxi provinces<br />

to Northern Vietnam. Today, the remaining<br />

stone cliff walls rise up imposingly above thick<br />

forest, tunnels, grottoes, and pools. The park also<br />

contains a large statue of the Goddess of Mercy,<br />

Guan Yin, a nine-story pagoda, and a sprawling<br />

orchard of peach trees. Line 4 to Shiqi, then bus 92<br />

or 93 to the park.<br />

DIM SUM IN THE PARK<br />

Built in 1958, Guangzhou’s tranquil Li Wan Lake Park is an oasis of calm in<br />

Guangzhou’s historic Lychee Bay. Antique shops along Wenjing Antique Street<br />

are a picturesque place to find hidden treasures.<br />

After a stroll around Li Wan Park and nearby antique shops, consider stopping<br />

at the famous Pan Xi Restaurant for some dim sum. One of China’s largest<br />

lakefront restaurants, a dazzling array of dining rooms awaits groups of any size.<br />

Pan Xi, 151 Longjin West Road.<br />

GET LOCAL WITH LOST PLATE<br />

With food tours in Beijing, Xian,<br />

and Chengdu, Lost Plate’s goal is to<br />

“change the way foreigners eat in<br />

China by breaking down language<br />

barriers and taking them off the<br />

beaten path to eat where the locals<br />

eat.” Tours are small at no more<br />

than 10 people each to give the<br />

group an intimate connection with<br />

their guide. All restaurants are local,<br />

family-run, and in places tourists<br />

would never find on their own.<br />

In Chengdu, guests can choose<br />

from two tours: the 6.30pm<br />

“Evening Food Tour” filled with<br />

street snacks, Sichuan dumplings,<br />

chuan chuan hot pot, and noodles;<br />

or the 4pm “Hotpot, Tea, and Market<br />

Tour” featuring traditional tea and<br />

snacks, a visit to a local market, and<br />

Sichuan hotpot. Both tours end at a<br />

boutique bar for local wine or beer in<br />

a relaxed atmosphere. Tours are allinclusive<br />

with unlimited food, drinks,<br />

guide, and transportation and are<br />

highly rated as one of the top food<br />

tours in China. lostplate.com<br />

VISIT THE CITY OF GHOSTS<br />

Known to locals as the “Ghost City,” Fengdu on<br />

Ming Mountain is a treasure trove of Confucian,<br />

Taoist, and Buddhist shrines and temples<br />

spanning two thousands years. Classical Chinese<br />

works like Apotheosis of Heroes, Journey to the<br />

West, and Strange Stories from a Chinese Studio<br />

all mention this eerie place.<br />

According to legend, during the Eastern Han<br />

Dynasty imperial officials Yin Changsheng and<br />

Wang Fangpin came to Fengdu to practise<br />

Taoism and through their study became<br />

immortal. Their names combined to “Yinwang,”<br />

meaning King of Hell, giving rise to Fengdu’s<br />

ghostly reputation. Within the park is a route<br />

depicting the Chinese vision of the dead’s<br />

transition into the afterlife, including, the Bridge<br />

of Helplessness, the Torturing Pass, and Tianzi<br />

Palace. While walking this route, visitors can<br />

explore intricate depictions of the underworld.<br />

Admission 80RMB; open 9am - 5pm daily.<br />

About two hours from Chongqing, accessible by<br />

Yangtze cruise or by car.<br />

102 103


HAPPENINGS<br />

HONG KONG<br />

A SHOWCASE OF PERSIAN ART<br />

The Liang Yi Museum in Hong Kong will be showcasing<br />

prime examples of Persian art, some of which are sourced<br />

from the Ashmolean Museum, the Victoria and Albert<br />

Museum and the David Collection. The showcase titled,<br />

The Blue Road: Mastercrafts from Persia, will be held at<br />

this private museum until 24 <strong>June</strong>.<br />

The exhibition stands as one of the most dedicated<br />

and comprehensive exhibitions surveying different<br />

aspects of the colour blue in Persian art and history in<br />

Hong Kong. With materials and categories ranging from<br />

glass, ceramic, textiles, painting and manuscripts, this<br />

showcase of carefully selected artefacts illuminates the<br />

significant role of blue in the visual and material culture<br />

of Iran and the impact it made on shaping of other<br />

artistic traditions in Asia and beyond. 181-199 Hollywood<br />

Road, Sheung Wan, liangyimuseum.com<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

A Spicy Affair<br />

Asians have always had a penchant for spicy food but<br />

Chilli Fagara has taken that concept up by several<br />

notches. A haven for those with a spicy palate, the<br />

outlet boasts an eclectic modern and traditional<br />

Chinese-inspired décor, and dishes out authentic and<br />

notoriously fiery Sichuan cuisine.<br />

Established in 2005, Chilli Fagara embraces the<br />

Ma La Tang concept for numbing (ma), burning (la)<br />

and neutral (tang) tastes of Sichuan food. Chillies and<br />

peppers are the main ingredients at this restaurant,<br />

which should bode well for diners who require a little<br />

more ‘kick’ to their dishes.<br />

For those who aren’t daring enough, Chilli Fagara<br />

does carry ample delicately flavoured dishes that<br />

won’t have you breaking a sweat.<br />

Open daily, 11.30am-3pm; 5-11.30pm, 7 Old Bailey Street,<br />

Soho, Central, chillifagara.com<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

A Taste of Britannia<br />

One only needs to venture out to<br />

popular Gough Street in Hong Kong<br />

to savour authentic British cuisine.<br />

Renowned for its style, craftsmanship,<br />

hospitality and charm, Gough’s on<br />

Gough has been attracting diners ever<br />

since its doors opened in July 2017.<br />

Offering a menu that revisits<br />

classic British-styled dishes, the<br />

restaurant injects a modern and<br />

sophisticated take on these staple<br />

favourites. Executive Chef Arron<br />

Rhodes has applied his creative<br />

approach and philosophy on the<br />

outlet’s menu, utilising only the<br />

freshest of ingredients and best in<br />

season produce.<br />

Gough’s on Gough not only boasts<br />

a generously appointed dining room<br />

but a raw bar as well with fresh British<br />

seafood, and a selection of bespoke<br />

crafted cocktails, fine champagnes and<br />

wines for guests to savour. Open daily,<br />

12-2.30pm; 6.30pm till late, 15 Gough<br />

Street, Central, goughsongough.com<br />

PASSION AND OPERA<br />

The Opera Hong Kong will host one<br />

of the world’s most beloved operas<br />

this <strong>May</strong> with the staging of Georges<br />

Bizet’s ‘Carmen’ at the Grand Theatre.<br />

A story of passion, destiny, freedom<br />

and liberty, Carmen tells the timeless<br />

tale of Don José, a soldier who<br />

forsakes his career, honour and family<br />

for a doomed love affair with the<br />

gypsy Carmen.<br />

Combining Spanish passion with<br />

French lyricism, Opera Hong Kong<br />

will inject an air of modernity into<br />

this classic opera with an innovative<br />

nested rotating set design. Bringing<br />

Carmen to life on stage are Jean-<br />

François Borras, Giancarlo Monsalve,<br />

Varduhi Abrahamyan, Marie Karall,<br />

Vittorio Vitelli and Jean-Kristof Bouton,<br />

six versatile and experienced artists<br />

who have performed at leading opera<br />

houses around the globe. 16-20 <strong>May</strong>,<br />

Grand Theatre, Hong Kong Cultural<br />

Centre, operahongkong.org<br />

104


HAPPENINGS<br />

SINGAPORE<br />

MALAYSIA<br />

KUALA LUMPUR<br />

RAMADHAN NIGHT MARKETS<br />

The holy month of Ramadhan from 15 <strong>May</strong> to<br />

14 <strong>June</strong> will see numerous streets around Kuala<br />

Lumpur come alive with evening markets selling<br />

signature Buka Puasa (Iftar or breaking of fast)<br />

chows and delicacies. If you’re in the capital<br />

city of Kuala Lumpur during the holy month of<br />

Ramadhan, then this would be the best time to<br />

savour some of the best Malaysian street food<br />

and local dishes.<br />

There are many Ramadhan bazaars to choose<br />

from during the month, but ask any KL-ite where<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Moving to the Music<br />

The Ultra Music Festival stands as one<br />

of the world’s most highly-anticipated<br />

electronic festivals. For two decades,<br />

UMF has grown to become a global<br />

phenomenon with up to 45 events<br />

held internationally. Singapore<br />

remains one of the stopovers for the<br />

electronic music festival and this<br />

<strong>June</strong>, the Garden City is set to put on<br />

another epic showcase.<br />

Ultra Singapore, which is now in<br />

its fourth year, will see an eclectic<br />

line-up of DJs take to the stage<br />

throughout the two-day event.<br />

Artists such as Tiesto, Dash Berlin<br />

and Steve Aoki have graced previous<br />

year’s events. Expect similar big<br />

name stars to get the crowd rocking<br />

and pumping this year as well.<br />

<strong>June</strong> 15-16, Ultra Park, 1 Bayfront<br />

Avenue, Singapore, ultrasingapore.com<br />

their favourite go-to places are and Taman Tun,<br />

Kampung Baru and Bangsar will surely be on their<br />

list. All three venues and numerous others provide<br />

the usual array of favourites such as apam balik<br />

(turnover pancake stuffed with crushed peanuts),<br />

bubur lambuk (savoury porridge) and ayam percik<br />

(barbequed chicken).<br />

For sheer variety, Kampung Baru should prove<br />

ideal to whet your appetite, and while you’re in<br />

there, stroll around the neighbourhood to get a<br />

slice of the kampung (village) life within a bustling<br />

metropolis. Bazaar Ramadan Kampung, Jalan Raja<br />

Alang, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, open 3-7pm<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Foodie Hangout<br />

NEOCLASSIC SETTING,<br />

CONTEMPORARY CUISINE<br />

Chef Robert Chan went on a<br />

mission to strip back the fine dining<br />

experience and highlight what<br />

was most important to him – the<br />

food. The result of this ideology is<br />

Tablescape, Singapore’s newest and<br />

hottest F&B establishment.<br />

Housed within the luxurious<br />

Grand Park City Hall, Tablescape<br />

is a contemporary restaurant and<br />

bar, focusing on delivering hearty,<br />

comforting favourites that can be<br />

paired with artisanal cocktails, and<br />

extensive premium wine and craft beer.<br />

Desserts are provided off the trolley<br />

with an indulgent array of house-made<br />

sweets. 12-2.30pm and 6-10.30pm<br />

daily, Level 3, 10 Coleman Street,<br />

Grand Park City Hall, parkhotelgroup.<br />

com/en/cityhall/tablescape<br />

HAIL CAESAR!<br />

Fort Canning Park will be transformed<br />

into a stage for the Singapore Repertory<br />

Theatre (SRT) as they present this year’s<br />

edition of Shakespeare in the Park. This<br />

year’s performance of Julius Caesar will be<br />

directed by London-based theatre director<br />

Guy Unsworth, who has assembled an<br />

impressive cast of talents from the region.<br />

SRT will tap into modern-day<br />

international relations and global current<br />

affairs in order to deliver a contemporary<br />

spin to Shakespeare’s renowned political<br />

thriller. With an engaging storyline<br />

presented on a beautiful set under a<br />

blanket of stars, Shakespeare in the Park<br />

- Julius Caesar will surely deliver a theatre<br />

experience like none other. <strong>May</strong> 2-27,<br />

7.30pm, Fort Canning Park, srt.com.sg/<br />

show/juliuscaesar<br />

The row of shop houses in Plaza<br />

Batai, on Jalan Damansara,<br />

which once housed old<br />

bookshops, florists, coffee<br />

shops and a market, has now<br />

caught a second wind as a hip<br />

and happening neighbourhood<br />

hangout. Food choices here<br />

are abundant and so is the<br />

variety, thanks to inventive<br />

and passionate cooks who took<br />

advantage of the redevelopment<br />

to set up shop here.<br />

Eateries such as Yellow<br />

Brick Road and Beauty and<br />

the Beast live up to their<br />

name with creative and<br />

whimsical creations ranging<br />

from pancakes to burgers and<br />

sandwiches to entice diners.<br />

International cuisine offerings<br />

include Torii, which specialises<br />

in Japanese Yakitori and Sitka,<br />

a modern Asian restaurant and<br />

wine bar and Ekkamai, which<br />

serves contemporary <strong>Thai</strong>.<br />

The biggest footprint is occupied by Ben’s<br />

Independent Grocer, which also houses a small<br />

number of eateries within the supermarket but<br />

regulars however have a soft-spot for Restoran<br />

Shangri-La. The outlet maintains a selection of<br />

food stalls, peddling hawker fare, which adds a<br />

dash of nostalgia for diners who used to frequent<br />

Batai all those years ago. Jalan Batai, Bukit<br />

Damansara, opens daily 7am to 11pm.<br />

106 107


HAPPENINGS<br />

CAMBODIA<br />

BATTAMBANG / PHNOM PENH / SIEM REAP<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Classically French<br />

For the past two decades, Topaz<br />

has cooked its way into the hearts<br />

of diners in Cambodia. A landmark<br />

destination for fine French dining,<br />

the restaurant located in the heart<br />

of Phnom Penh celebrates timehonoured<br />

traditions and cutting-edge<br />

gastronomy in a stylish surrounding.<br />

Even the most sophisticated taste<br />

buds will appreciate the extensive<br />

menu available at Topaz, especially<br />

its signature and hearty favourites.<br />

French staples such as Tartare de<br />

Filet De Saumon (Salmon Tartare),<br />

Soupe Élysée Au Truffes (Truffle Soup)<br />

and Entrecote de Boeuf Black Angus<br />

(Grilled Black Angus Ribeye) are just<br />

some of this restaurant’s highlights.<br />

Diners are guaranteed a complete<br />

dining experience at Topaz, with the<br />

best ingredients sourced from leading<br />

producers and suppliers, ending with<br />

sublime service. There’s also a wellstocked<br />

bar on site, complete with<br />

an extensive and impressive wine<br />

list to complement each meal. Open<br />

daily, 11.30am-2pm; 6pm-10.30pm,<br />

162 Preah Norodom Blvd, Phnom Penh,<br />

topaz-restaurant.com<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Gateway to Khmer Cuisine<br />

You’re always spoilt for<br />

choice when it comes to<br />

dining options in Siem<br />

Reap but the Embassy<br />

Restaurant is arguably your<br />

best bet to experiencing<br />

authentic Khmer cuisine<br />

in a fine dining setting.<br />

Kimsan Pol and Kimsan<br />

Sok, better known as the<br />

‘Kimsan Twins’ are the<br />

creative culinary force<br />

behind this establishment,<br />

which elevates Cambodian<br />

cuisine to new heights.<br />

The restaurant with<br />

its tastefully decorated<br />

dining room and indoor<br />

terraces that overlooks<br />

the King’s Road complex<br />

serves an impressive array<br />

of gourmet-styled Khmer<br />

dishes. The twins make it<br />

a point to regularly change<br />

the menu to showcase a<br />

wide variety of flavours so<br />

no visit to the Embassy is<br />

ever the same.<br />

The outlet’s ‘active<br />

menu’ is changed on a<br />

monthly basis and there’s<br />

also a seasonal multiplecourse<br />

set menu paired with<br />

matching wines as well.<br />

Open daily 6pm-11pm,<br />

King’s Road Angkor Village,<br />

Siem Reap, embassyrestaurant.com<br />

ROYAL PLOUGHING CEREMONY<br />

Every year in <strong>May</strong>, Cambodians celebrate the<br />

Royal Ploughing Ceremony or ‘Bon Chroat Preah<br />

Nongkoal’, which signifies the beginning of the<br />

sowing and planting season. One of Cambodia’s<br />

most important royal ceremonies, the main<br />

celebration takes place at the park in front of the<br />

National Museum just next to the Royal Palace.<br />

According to tradition the King, or a chosen<br />

representative, will till a plot of land with a plough<br />

pulled by bulls. This customary act signals the<br />

start of the farming season throughout the<br />

country. After three rounds with the plough, the<br />

bulls are allowed to feed on rice, corn, seeds,<br />

grass, water and wine. It is a belief that the foods<br />

the bulls have chosen will ultimately decide a<br />

good harvest for that crop. The Royal Ploughing<br />

Ceremony also sees local men and women<br />

wearing brightly coloured traditional Khmer<br />

costumes to commemorate the event. 3 <strong>May</strong>,<br />

National Museum, Preah Ang Eng St. (13),<br />

Phnom Penh, Cambodia<br />

A GALLERY OF PORTRAITS<br />

Humanitarian photographer Joseba Etxebarria<br />

has amassed an incredible collection of photos<br />

from his travels around the globe. Now his vast<br />

and impressive collection can be savoured to its<br />

fullest at his very own gallery in Cambodia.<br />

The HUMAN Gallery – Joseba Etxebarria<br />

Photography brings together some of the best<br />

portraits of the photographer has taken. The<br />

gallery located in the city of Battambang, roughly<br />

three hours away by road from Siem Reap, is<br />

situated in a century-old house, which offers a<br />

relaxing environment for visitors to enjoy.<br />

Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm; 4pm-8pm, Street 1.5,<br />

No.49, Battambang, josebaetxebarria.com<br />

108


HAPPENINGS<br />

VIETNAM<br />

DANANG / HANOI / PHU QUOC<br />

THE WORLD’S LONGEST CABLE CAR<br />

Phu Quoc has the longest non-stop cable car in the world, as confirmed by the<br />

Guiness Book of Records. For riders, this means a breath-taking scenic journey<br />

over the sea and islands with a 360-degree view on board. The Hon Thom 3S<br />

Gondola Lift, also simply referred to as the Phu Quoc cable car, glides between<br />

Phu Quoc island and the smaller and greener Hon Thom sland. With a debut in<br />

February during Tet (the Vietnamese lunar new year), the Phu Quoc cable car<br />

promises riders a thrill and beauty from high up. With a panorama encompassing<br />

small islands, an emerald-coloured sea and coral reefs during high noon – the 15<br />

minute ride in nearly 8 kilometres will feel barely long enough.<br />

phuquocislandguide.com<br />

THINK PINK<br />

Travel along Danang’s long strip of beaches in this evolving coastal city from the<br />

convenience and flexible itinerary of Coco Bus – a hop-on-hop-off sightseeing<br />

bus. Visitors can choose a one-day ticket (250,000 VND/person/route) and<br />

enjoy 29 tour stops that are available along Beach Route – or the generous<br />

choice of 55 stops on the City Route. Passengers can hop on and off on the<br />

bright pink bus along the routes to discover Danang’s best attractions and<br />

landmarks in order to sight-see at their own pace, or stay on the bus for the full<br />

duration of the tour. Coco Bus takes passengers to hotspots like the Museum<br />

of Cham Sculpture, the Dragon Bridge, <strong>May</strong> Ann Beach, Han Market, Danang<br />

Cathedral and Le Duan Shopping Street. +84 236 3954 666, cococitytour.vn<br />

A GO-TO WATERING HOLE<br />

If you’re after a well-crafted cocktail or beer and<br />

interesting conversation, Tadioto Bar is one of the<br />

coolest places for a nightcap plus a hangout that<br />

keeps the party going in the Vietnam capital.<br />

While there may be iconic spots like the<br />

Sofitel Metropole Legend Hotel, Opera House,<br />

National Museum of Vietnamese History, and<br />

other establishments in the French Quarter, it<br />

can be said that Tadioto Bar has its own cultural<br />

relevance to make it a destination in its own right.<br />

Nguyen Qui Duc, a Vietnamese-American<br />

journalist and former radio commentator who<br />

relocated to Hanoi, established what is now<br />

the go-to watering hole. Its roots go way back<br />

to 2006 in a former artsy location where local<br />

artists and the creative crowd converged,<br />

staging poetry readings and other artistic<br />

performances.<br />

Like Duc himself, Tadioto has moved<br />

from place to place following the government<br />

shutdown of a street where creative types<br />

used to hang out. People have lost count of how<br />

many times Tadioto relocated before re-planting<br />

itself in the city’s French quarter. Duc himself is a<br />

painter and patron of Hanoi’s art scene. Tadioto<br />

is a small enough bar to mingle with the local<br />

crowd. Now you can pop in during the day for a<br />

quiet coffee and snack or drop in for a drink at<br />

night and check out what’s happening with the<br />

local scene. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner,<br />

24 Tong Dan Street, Hanoi, +84 24 6680 9124,<br />

facebook.com/tadiototongdan<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Under the Danang Sky<br />

A growing city like Danang is best<br />

seen when you’re perched at Sky<br />

36 Bar observing the skyline. As the<br />

name suggests, Sky 36 is Vietnam’s<br />

highest rooftop bar with amazing<br />

views over the city. Situated on the<br />

35th and 36th floor of the Novotel<br />

Danang Premier Han River, the bar<br />

fills up nightly with beautiful people.<br />

Swanky interiors showcase curved<br />

booths with glass and suede while<br />

a DJ rocks the tunes. Outside on the<br />

roof deck, it’s all about the neon<br />

lights, dancing and the irresistible<br />

glittering views. Drinks at Sky<br />

36 run the gamut from imported<br />

beers to premium spirits, as well<br />

as a selection of wines by the glass.<br />

Cocktails range from classics like a<br />

margarita or mojito to contemporary<br />

ones like ‘Death in the Afternoon.’<br />

Try a Vietnamese Sangria with fresh<br />

fruits. Once fuelled up with music<br />

and drinks, views of the Han River<br />

amidst the backdrop of modern<br />

architecture give you a sense of<br />

Danang’s future. 6pm to 2am, 36 Bach<br />

Dang Street, Danang, facebook.com/<br />

sky36bar<br />

110


HAPPENINGS<br />

LAOS<br />

LUANG PRABANG<br />

MYANMAR<br />

YANGON<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Heritage Luxe<br />

Located in the heart of Luang Prabang,<br />

brand new hotel AVANI+ Luang Prabang<br />

sits within walking distance to the<br />

banks of the Mekong River while being<br />

strategically close to the Royal Palace,<br />

Night Market and beautiful temples.<br />

AVANI+, in a town that’s earmarked<br />

as a UNESCO World Heritage Site,<br />

raises the bar on contemporary French<br />

neo-classical architecture. Blending<br />

into the historic neighbourhood, the<br />

French colonial-inspired interiors blend<br />

with modern elegance in its 53 rooms<br />

and suites. An intimate, open-plan feel<br />

with louvre wooden doors open to a<br />

balcony or terrace overlooking either<br />

the pool or a private courtyard. For<br />

guests, AVANI+ offers a stunningly<br />

contemporary property set within the<br />

historic riverside zone, and conceived<br />

for a demanding new breed of traveller.<br />

After a day spent exploring temples<br />

or an adventure boat trip to Kuang<br />

Si Waterfalls or Pak Ou Caves, the<br />

hotel offers a retreat to AVANISPA for<br />

rejuvenation before enjoying a dinner<br />

cruise down the Mekong. Setthathirath<br />

Road, Hua Xieng Village, Luang Prabang,<br />

+856 71 262 333, minorhotels.com/en/<br />

avani/luang-prabang<br />

GOOD MORNING, YANGON<br />

Motivated by fitness, health, and the enjoyment of a morning calm, a mix<br />

of pro and amateur runners recently got together to share their love for the<br />

activity and are encouraging those who happen to be in Yangon join them.<br />

Started by a group of <strong>Thai</strong> expats, the group meets at 6am near Kandawgyi<br />

Lake. As a bonus, Yangon’s many angles get discovered in the early morning<br />

hours while roads are still quiet with a wonderfully agreeable weather.<br />

The 10km route takes the group downtown and over the Pansodan<br />

bridge with the beautiful Yangon Central railway station within view. More<br />

historical and iconic British Colonial buildings mark the route, with<br />

many of them still in use. This running tour also goes past a local<br />

wet market and the large People’s Park near<br />

Shwedagon Pagoda, followed by breakfast.<br />

BEST BITE OF PIZZA<br />

Calling themselves Yangon’s<br />

homegrown slices, Parami<br />

Pizza serves excellent and<br />

authentic pizza baked in a<br />

wood-fired oven. If your<br />

cravings go beyond that, the<br />

menu of fine Italian dishes<br />

tempt children and adults alike<br />

in a relaxed ambience. Menu<br />

highlights include authentic<br />

Neapolitan pizza, antipasti like<br />

Hokkaido Octopus Carpaccio<br />

using fresh ingredients of<br />

pomelo and citrus-chilli<br />

dressing, homemade Tagliatelle<br />

with Venetian Duck Ragu of<br />

slow braised duck, eggplant,<br />

olives, peppers, and must-have<br />

desserts like the classic Tiramisu<br />

and Nutella Pizzette.<br />

The place is typically busy<br />

in the evening after work<br />

hours with its prime location<br />

on the main road of Parami, so<br />

advanced bookings are ideal to<br />

avoid the wait. Open late until<br />

11pm. 11/C, Corner of Malikha<br />

Road and Parami Road, 7th<br />

Quarter, <strong>May</strong>angone Township,<br />

Yangon, +95 9 261767616,<br />

paramipizza.com<br />

NO MORE FOREIGN FOODS FOR MORNING ALMS<br />

Everyday in the early calm in Luang Prabang, hundreds of monks make their<br />

way through the streets for morning alms. Recently however, throngs of<br />

tourists have disrupted the ritual. In the enthusiastic need to participate,<br />

inappropriate foods have been given. With cameras and smartphones, they<br />

also clamour for ‘exotic’ photos of monks. Hawkers laden with baskets of<br />

sticky rice bags also run to tourists to sell their wares. Oftentimes a frenzied<br />

atmosphere ensues, and morning alms now sometimes give way to camera<br />

flashes and yelling, with inappropriate food offerings consisting of lollipops<br />

and ‘khao larm (sticky rice char-cooked in a bamboo tube.) To return peace<br />

and the true meaning of alms offering, Luang Prabang now puts a ban on<br />

foreign foods. With local tourism authorities providing guidelines, khao larm<br />

is forbidden, including pre-packaged offering sets that get inserted with<br />

imported snacks. The tourism organisation stresses that sticky rice – a staple<br />

food in Laos – sold during morning alms must be of good quality and freshly<br />

steamed. More can be learned at tourismluangprabang.org<br />

112


HAPPENINGS<br />

MALDIVES / INDIA<br />

MALDIVES / MUMBAI<br />

SPOTLIGHT<br />

Maldivian<br />

Blue and White<br />

It’s not surprising that couples<br />

and seekers of glamorous tropical<br />

getaways have long had the<br />

Maldives at the very top of their<br />

wish lists. Imagine the visual<br />

impact of islands encircled by a<br />

lagoon shimmering with crystal<br />

clear waters and protected by a<br />

reef structure where spectacular<br />

underwater life dwells.<br />

The Maldives prides itself on<br />

26 natural atolls with 1,190 islands<br />

formed in unique and circular<br />

shapes. The word “atoll” comes<br />

from the Dhivehi language,<br />

“atholhu.” Ring-shaped reefs<br />

developed after volcanoes<br />

subsided and the sea level rose.<br />

Every resort is on its own island.<br />

One of the biggest groupings<br />

of islands is Baa Atoll, consisting<br />

of 3 separate atolls of 75 islands<br />

and a protected UNESCO biosphere<br />

reserve. Several well-known<br />

5-star resorts operate here.<br />

While most of the Maldives has great<br />

snorkelling and diving, the Baa Atoll offers<br />

outstanding experiences that include<br />

incredible gatherings of manta rays and<br />

whale sharks. On clear days of snorkelling<br />

or diving, you might get lucky in spotting<br />

marine turtles with at least five species out<br />

of seven in the world swimming by: the<br />

green turtle, hawksbill turtle, olive ridley<br />

turtle, loggerhead turtle and leatherback<br />

turtle. Frequently sighted on the atoll are<br />

hawksbill turtles.<br />

The Baa Atoll can be reached by a<br />

domestic flight or seaplane direct to<br />

your island resort. The best time to go<br />

depends on your budget and timing. It’s<br />

low season between <strong>May</strong> and November,<br />

when storms occur but usually won’t<br />

disrupt a week-long stay.<br />

DESIGN & DÉCOR<br />

The quaint by-lanes of Kala Ghoda,<br />

Mumbai’s cultural precinct, saw another<br />

store opening recently. Translate is<br />

a concept store that celebrates the<br />

traditional handloom weaving and dyeing<br />

style of Pochampally Ikat. The brand<br />

sources directly form regional Ikat artists<br />

and transforms the material into<br />

contemporary, everyday apparel and home<br />

design. Choose tops and tunics in a range<br />

of classy colours, from aubergines and<br />

olives to midnight blue and ruby. Home<br />

décor includes cushion covers, table<br />

runners, bed sheets, and more. Translate,<br />

18 Commerce House, Opp. Kala Ghoda Café,<br />

Fort +917700077338<br />

114<br />

115


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS 118 / FLYERBONUS 122 / AIRCRAFT INFO 127 / ROUTE MAP 128<br />

117


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS<br />

ANNOUNCES COLLABORATION<br />

WITH EXPEDIA GROUP<br />

Bangkok Airways recently<br />

announced a new collaboration<br />

with Expedia group, the world’s<br />

largest online travel company, to<br />

add a new distribution channel<br />

and incorporate a marketing<br />

campaign globally. The airline<br />

sees a boost in ticket sales through<br />

various sales channels of Expedia<br />

and its subsidiaries especially in<br />

North America, Europe and<br />

Australasia. Starting today,<br />

passengers can make reservations<br />

for all Bangkok Airways flights<br />

via different Expedia channels<br />

such as www.expedia.com<br />

(locally in <strong>Thai</strong>land through<br />

www.expedia.co.th,) Expedia’s<br />

mobile application on both iOS<br />

and Android or at any Expedia<br />

customer service centres worldwide.<br />

Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya,<br />

Vice President — Sales, Bangkok<br />

Airways Public Company Limited<br />

said, “It’s another significant<br />

milestone for Bangkok Airways<br />

to collaborate with the Expedia<br />

group, one of the world’s leading<br />

online travel companies. The new<br />

collaboration will enable us to offer<br />

passengers a broader choice of<br />

booking channels via Expedia’s<br />

extensive platforms. Bangkok<br />

Airways strives to improve<br />

service provided to our passengers<br />

to enhance their travel experience<br />

as well as emphasise our position as<br />

"Asia's Boutique Airline."<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส โดยนายวรงค์ อิศรเสนา ณ อยุธยา<br />

รองกรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ฝ่ายขาย ลงนามสัญญาความ<br />

สัมพันธ์ทางธุรกิจกับ บริษัท เอ็กซ์พีเดีย อิงค์ (Expedia Inc.) โดย<br />

นายซานดีป ชาร์มาร์ ผู้อำนวยการฝ่ายคมนาคมและการท่องเที่ยว<br />

เอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ และอินเดีย เพื่อสนับสนุนการขายและร่วม<br />

ส่งเสริมการตลาด กระตุ้นยอดจำหน่ายบัตรโดยสาร ตลอดจน<br />

เพิ่มความสะดวกสบายในการสำรองบัตรโดยสารให้กับผู้โดยสาร<br />

ของสายการบินฯ ผ่านช่องทางต่างๆ ของเอ็กซ์พีเดีย และกลุ่ม<br />

บริษัทในเครือต่างๆ ที่มีสาขามากมายอยู่ทั่วโลก โดยเฉพาะใน<br />

ภูมิภาคอเมริกาเหนือ ยุโรป และออสตราเลเชีย โดยผู้โดยสารฯ<br />

สามารถทำการสำรองบัตรโดยสารของบางกอกแอร์เวย์สได้ใน<br />

ทุกเส้นทางบินผ่านเว็บไซต์ www.expedia.com โมบายแอพพลิเคชั่น<br />

Expedia บนสมาร์ทโฟนทั้งระบบ iOS และ Android และศูนย์บริการ<br />

ลูกค้าเอ็กซ์พีเดียทั่วโลก ตั้งแต่วันนี้เป็นต้นไป<br />

นายวรงค์ อิศรเสนา ณ อยุธยา รองกรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่<br />

ฝ่ายขาย บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส กล่าวว่า "ความร่วมมือดังกล่าว<br />

ถือเป็นอีกก้าวสำคัญของสายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์สในการ<br />

ร่วมมือกับเครือเอ็กซ์พีเดีย ซึ ่งถือเป็นหนึ่งในบริษัทท่องเที่ยว<br />

ออนไลน์ชั้นนำของโลก โดยความร่วมมือในครั้งนี้จะช่วยให้เรา<br />

สามารถเสนอช่องทางในการจองบัตรโดยสารได้หลากหลาย<br />

มากขึ้นผ่านทางแพลตฟอร์มของเอ็กซ์พีเดีย ซึ่งสายการบิน<br />

บางกอกแอร์เวย์สมุ่งมั่นที่จะพัฒนาการบริการของเราให้ดียิ่งขึ้น<br />

เพื่อมอบประสบการณ์พิเศษในทุกการเดินทางดั่งสโลแกน<br />

Asia's Boutique Airline หรือ ความประทับใจแห่งเอเชีย"<br />

A NEW CODESHARE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN PG AND EL AL<br />

Bangkok Airways and EL AL Israel Airlines (LY) have announced<br />

a new codeshare partnership to strengthen their respective<br />

route networks.<br />

This new codeshare partnership with EL AL Israel<br />

Airlines is yet another important milestone and significant<br />

development in the continued growth of Bangkok<br />

Airways. Passengers can now receive convenient and<br />

seamless access to well-known destinations in <strong>Thai</strong>land<br />

and neighbouring countries. Moreover, EL AL's passengers<br />

travelling on Bangkok Airways will enjoy the boutique<br />

airline’s unparalleled services, in areas such as lounge<br />

access and in-flight meals.<br />

This codeshare agreement will cover 9 routes on<br />

both domestic and international categories. Codeshare<br />

flights operated by Bangkok Airways include roundtrip<br />

routes on Bangkok-Samui, Bangkok-Chiang Rai, Bangkok-<br />

Chiang Mai, Bangkok-Lampang, Bangkok-Trat, Bangkok-<br />

Sukhothai, Bangkok-Danang, Bangkok-Phnom Penh and<br />

Bangkok-Siem Reap.<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส (PG) และ<br />

สายการบินแอล อัล อิสราเอลแอร์ไลน์<br />

(LY) ของประเทศอิสราเอล ประกาศ<br />

ลงนามข้อตกลงในการให้บริการเที่ยวบิน<br />

ร่วม เพื่อสร้างความแข็งแกร่งให้กับ<br />

เส้นทางบินระหว่างสองประเทศ<br />

การลงนามข้อตกลงในการให้<br />

บริการเที่ยวบินร่วมกับสายการบิน<br />

แอล อัล อิสราเอลแอร์ไลน์ ในครั้งนี้<br />

ถือเป็นอีกหนึ่งก้าวสำคัญของ<br />

บางกอกแอร์เวย์สในการสร้างเครือข่าย<br />

พันธมิตรการบินให้มีความแข็งแกร่งยิ่งขึ้น<br />

อีกทั้งยังเป็นการอำนวยความสะดวก<br />

ให้กับผู้โดยสารของแอล อัล อิสราเอล<br />

แอร์ไลน์ ในการเดินทางเชื่อมต่อไปยัง<br />

แหล่งท่องเที่ยวชื่อดังทั้งในประเทศไทยและ<br />

ประเทศเพื่อนบ้าน ซึ่งผู้โดยสารของ<br />

แอล อัล อิสราเอลแอร์ไลน์ จะได้รับ<br />

ความสะดวกสบายและการบริการ<br />

เหนือระดับเมื่อเดินทางกับบางกอก<br />

แอร์เวย์ส ไม่ว่าจะเป็นสิทธิพิเศษในการ<br />

เข้าใช้บริการห้องรับรองผู้โดยสาร<br />

ของบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส และการบริการ<br />

อาหารบนทุกเที่ยวบิน<br />

สำหรับข้อตกลงในการทำเที่ยวบิน<br />

ร่วมในครั้งนี้จะช่วยอำนวยความ<br />

สะดวกให้แก่ผู้โดยสารของแอล อัล<br />

อิสราเอลแอร์ไลน์ ในการเดินทางเชื่อมต่อ<br />

จากกรุงเทพฯ ไปยังเมืองท่องเที่ยวยอด<br />

นิยมทั้งในประเทศไทยและต่างประเทศ<br />

โดยสายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์สจะให้<br />

บริการทั้งหมด 9 เส้นทางบิน ได้แก่<br />

กรุงเทพฯ-เกาะสมุย กรุงเทพฯ-เชียงราย<br />

กรุงเทพฯ-เชียงใหม่ กรุงเทพฯ-ลำปาง<br />

กรุงเทพฯ-ตราด กรุงเทพฯ-สุโขทัย<br />

กรุงเทพฯ-ดานัง (เวียดนาม) กรุงเทพฯ-<br />

พนมเปญ (กัมพูชา) และกรุงเทพฯ-<br />

เสียมราฐ (กัมพูชา)<br />

118<br />

119


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS SIGNS PARTNERSHIP<br />

DEAL WITH BORUSSIA DORTMUND<br />

Bangkok Airways and German football<br />

club Borussia Dortmund recently<br />

announced a partnership deal at Signal<br />

Iduna Park in Dortmund, Germany to<br />

collaborate on branding opportunities<br />

and extend market reach by tapping into<br />

the large Asian market.<br />

Borussia Dortmund is one of Europe’s<br />

most successful football clubs with a<br />

traditionally strong fan base in Asia and<br />

the world and Bangkok Airways is proud<br />

to announce itself as a ‘regional partner’<br />

of Borussia Dortmund. The collaboration<br />

includes a variety of advertising and<br />

promotional components in co-branding<br />

campaigns in <strong>Thai</strong>land, other Southeast<br />

Asian countries, China, Hong Kong, India<br />

and Bangladesh thereby enhancing the<br />

airline’s brand recognition across the regions.<br />

Bangkok Airways’ President,<br />

Mr. Puttipong Prasarttong-Osoth said,<br />

“We are proud and excited to partner<br />

with Borussia Dortmund, who are<br />

eight-time German champions. With<br />

Borussia Dortmund’s strong global<br />

brand presence and huge fan base,<br />

we believe it will strengthen Bangkok<br />

Airways’ brand image as Asia’s Boutique<br />

Airline. This will make the airline better<br />

known across Asia and Europe – our main<br />

customer bases."<br />

"Highlighting this is the BVB Evonik<br />

Football School for children. It is our way of<br />

giving back to the community and part of<br />

our business roadmap for many years. We<br />

will work with our dedicated CSR team to<br />

make this sponsorship activation a tangible<br />

reality,” added Mr. Puttipong.<br />

Mr. Carsten Cramer, Chief Marketing<br />

Officer of Borussia Dortmund also stated,<br />

“We are excited to partner with Bangkok<br />

Airways who has strengthened their<br />

award-winning position over the last couple<br />

of years in Asia. Both of us are ambitious<br />

and aspiring brands and are looking forward<br />

to announcing our cooperation across<br />

Bangkok Airways’ key markets.”<br />

Bangkok Airways, together with Borussia<br />

Dortmund, are also in talks with the Sports<br />

Authority of <strong>Thai</strong>land (SAT) and the <strong>Thai</strong><br />

FA for the possibility of initiating a special<br />

coaching programme that implements<br />

Dortmund's coaching expertise for<br />

<strong>Thai</strong>land's national youth teams.<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส โดยนายพุฒิพงศ์<br />

ปราสาททองโอสถ กรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่<br />

และสโมสรฟุตบอลโบรุสเซียดอร์ทมุนด์จาก<br />

ประเทศเยอรมนี ประกาศเป็นพันธมิตรร่วมกัน<br />

ณ สนามซิกนัลอิดูนาพาร์ค เมืองดอร์ทมุนด์<br />

ประเทศเยอรมนี ซึ่งเป็นการยกระดับความ<br />

ร่วมมือในการสร้างแบรนด์ของทั้งสองบริษัทฯ<br />

ในการขยายตลาดสู่ระดับสากลมากยิ่งขึ้น<br />

บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ประกาศร่วมมือเป็น<br />

พันธมิตรกับสโมสรฟุตบอลโบรุสเซียดอร์ทมุนด์<br />

อย่างเป็นทางการ ซึ่งเป็นหนึ่งในสโมสรฟุตบอล<br />

ที่ประสบความสำเร็จมากที่สุดในยุโรป และมี<br />

ฐานแฟนบอลทั้งในทวีปเอเชียและทั่วโลก ส ำหรับ<br />

ความร่วมมือในครั้งนี้มีการร่วมทำโฆษณาและ<br />

ส่งเสริมแคมเปญพิเศษต่างๆ ทั้งในประเทศไทย<br />

ในภูมิภาคเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ จีน ฮ่องกง<br />

อินเดีย และบังคลาเทศ ซึ่งถือเป็นการเพิ่มโอกาส<br />

ในการสร้างการจดจำแบรนด์ให้กับสายการบินฯ<br />

ในระดับภูมิภาคมากยิ่งขึ้น<br />

นายพุฒิพงศ์ ปราสาททองโอสถ เผยว่า<br />

“ในโอกาสที่ปีนี้บริษัทฯ ครบรอบ 50 ปี จึงน ำ<br />

แบรนด์ก้าวเข้าสู่สากลโดยการจับมือกับสโมสร<br />

ฟุตบอลโบรุสเซียดอร์ทมุนด์ และถือเป็นความ<br />

ภาคภูมิใจที่ได้ร่วมเป็นพันธมิตรกับทีมฟุตบอล<br />

ที่มีฐานแฟนบอลทั่วโลก รวมทั้งชนะการแข่งขัน<br />

ในลีกเยอรมนีถึง 8 ปีซ้อน เราเชื่อว่าการร่วมมือ<br />

ครั้งนี้จะช่วยตอกย้ำความเป็นเอกลักษณ์<br />

เฉพาะตัวในแบบเอเชียบูทีคแอร์ไลน์ของ<br />

สายการบินฯ และทำให้เป็นที่รู้จักมากยิ่งขึ้น ทั้ง<br />

ในเอเชียและยุโรปซึ่งเป็นฐานลูกค้าหลักของเรา”<br />

"ความพิเศษอีกอย่างก็คือ การมอบโอกาส<br />

ในการฝึกทักษะกีฬาฟุตบอลให้กับเยาวชน<br />

โดยสโมสรฟุตบอลโบรุสเซียดอร์ทมุนด์ ซึ่ง<br />

กิจกรรมเพื่อสังคมถือเป็นส่วนหนึ่งในแผน<br />

ธุรกิจของบางกอกแอร์เวย์สที่เราให้ความ<br />

สำคัญและทำมาอย่างต่อเนื่อง”<br />

นายคาร์สเทน คราเม่อ ประธานเจ้าหน้าที่<br />

การตลาดของสโมสรโบรุสเซียดอร์ทมุนด์<br />

กล่าวว่า “ทางสโมสรรู้สึกตื่นเต้นที่ได้เป็นพันธมิตร<br />

ร่วมกับสายการบินที่แข็งแกร่งและได้รับรางวัล<br />

ต่อเนื่องมากมายอย่างบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ทั้งสอง<br />

บริษัทฯมีความตั้งใจที่จะน ำเสนอความร่วมมือนี้<br />

เพื่อให้เข้าถึงกลุ่มลูกค้าหลักของสายการบิน<br />

บางกอกแอร์เวย์สมากยิ่งขึ้น”<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์สร่วมกับ<br />

สโมสรโบรุสเซียดอร์ทมุนด์ อยู่ระหว่างการ<br />

เจรจากับการกีฬาแห่งประเทศไทยและ<br />

สมาคมกีฬาฟุตบอลแห่งประเทศไทยถึง<br />

ความเป็นไปได้สำหรับโครงการพิเศษที่จัดขึ้น<br />

เพื่อพัฒนาทักษะกีฬาฟุตบอลให้กับทีม<br />

ฟุตบอลเยาวชนแห่งประเทศไทยอีกด้วย<br />

“JUNIOR RUNNING CLINIC” ACTIVITY<br />

Bangkok Airways, led by the<br />

Corporate Social Responsibility<br />

Department, organised a “Junior<br />

Running Clinic.” This event brought<br />

50 students from Wat Salak Phet<br />

School to join Bangkok Airways'<br />

"Ultra Trail Unseen Koh Chang,"<br />

which was the first of its planned<br />

7 running events in the Boutique<br />

Series <strong>2018</strong> programme. This<br />

activity aims to provide local kids<br />

an opportunity to learn how to<br />

run in a professional race and to<br />

inspire them to see the importance<br />

of exercise.<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS<br />

OPEN HOUSE <strong>2018</strong><br />

Bangkok Airways led by Mr. Tortakul<br />

Samakul, Regional Director – Sales,<br />

organised the “Bangkok Airways Open<br />

House” campaign at Bangkok Airways<br />

Operations Center (BAOC), Suvarnabhumi<br />

airport. In addition to that, the airline<br />

also organised a pioneer visitation trip<br />

to Siem Reap, Cambodia during 21-23<br />

February <strong>2018</strong> for professors from<br />

leading universities in <strong>Thai</strong>land.<br />

The Bangkok Airways Open House<br />

is organised to disseminate knowledge<br />

regarding the operation of Bangkok Airways.<br />

The campaign aims to improve the quality<br />

of learning, increase comprehension skills,<br />

and exchange knowledge.<br />

Bangkok Airways has also added<br />

a further initiative to the running<br />

series, with their “Shoes For Kids”<br />

campaign. It provides the opportunity<br />

for runners to take part, by donating<br />

a pair of shoes to kids living in the<br />

provinces where the running races<br />

take place. Donations are made<br />

simple via www.teelakow.com.<br />

Selected students at 7 destinations<br />

of the Bangkok Airways Boutique<br />

Series <strong>2018</strong> will get a chance to<br />

learn some running techniques<br />

and receive donated running shoes<br />

from registered runners.<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส โดยนายต่อตระกูล<br />

สมากุล ผู้อำนวยการส่วนขาย ประจำประเทศไทย<br />

จัดโครงการ "เปิดบ้านสอนน้อง" ประจำปี 2561 ซึ่งจัด<br />

ต่อเนื่องติดกันมาเป็นปีที่ 3 ณ อาคารทับสุวรรณ<br />

(BAOC) สนามบินสุวรรณภูมิ พร้อมจัดทริปนำร่อง<br />

นำคณะอาจารย์จากมหาวิทยาลัยชื่อดังร่วมเดินทาง<br />

ไปยังเมืองเสียมราฐ ประเทศกัมพูชา เพื่อศึกษาดูงาน<br />

ในส่วนของธุรกิจนำเที่ยว ระหว่างวันที่ 21-23<br />

กุมภาพันธ์ 2561<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส โดยส่วนรับผิดชอบต่อสังคม ได้นำ<br />

คณะเยาวชนจำนวน 50 คน จากโรงเรียนวัดสลักเพชร มาร่วมทำ<br />

กิจกรรม “จูเนียร์ รันนิ่ง คลินิค” ภายใต้โครงการ “รองเท้าผ้าใบให้<br />

น้อง” ในรายการแข่งขันวิ่ง “บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส อัลตร้า เทรล อันซีน<br />

เกาะช้าง” ณ อำเภอเกาะช้าง จังหวัดตราด<br />

กิจกรรม “จูเนียร์ รันนิ่ง คลินิค” เป็นหนึ่งกิจกรรมที่อยู่ภายใต้<br />

โครงการรับผิดชอบต่อสังคมของสายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส<br />

ที่จัดอบรมให้เยาวชนท้องถิ่นได้เรียนรู้เทคนิคการวิ่งที่ถูกต้องทั้ง<br />

ภาคทฤษฎีและภาคปฏิบัติจากนักวิ่งที่มีประสบการณ์ เพื่อให้สามารถ<br />

นำมาปรับใช้ในการวิ่งหรือการออกกำลังกายด้านอื่นๆ ได้อย่าง<br />

ถูกวิธี โดยคัดเลือกเยาวชนระดับชั้นประถมและมัธยมศึกษาจาก<br />

โรงเรียนที่อยู่รอบพื้นที่เส้นทางวิ่งของรายการแข่งขันวิ่ง “บางกอก<br />

แอร์เวย์ส บูทีค ซีรีย์ <strong>2018</strong>”<br />

“บางกอกแอร์เวย์ส บูทีค ซีรีย์ <strong>2018</strong>” เป็นรายการแข่งขันวิ่งที่<br />

จัดขึ้นใน 7 จุดหมายปลายทางของสายการบินฯ ตลอดปี 2561<br />

ได้แก่ ตราด กระบี่ เกาะสมุย ลำปาง ภูเก็ต เชียงราย และเชียงใหม่<br />

โดยแบ่งเป็นรายการวิ่งเทรล 1 รายการ วิ่งฮาล์ฟมาราธอน 5<br />

รายการ และรายการวิ่งมาราธอน 1 รายการ ซึ่งกิจกรรม “จูเนียร์<br />

รันนิ่ง คลินิค” จะจัดขึ้นควบคู่ไปกับรายการแข่งขันวิ่งที่จะเกิดขึ้น<br />

ตลอดทั้งปี<br />

โครงการ "เปิดบ้านสอนน้อง" เป็นโครงการของ<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ที่จัดขึ้นเพื่อเปิด<br />

โอกาสให้อาจารย์และนักศึกษาในสาขาวิชา<br />

อุตสาหกรรมการท่องเที่ยว โรงแรม และสายการบิน<br />

ได้แลกเปลี่ยนความรู้และประสบการณ์ทางสายงาน<br />

ธุรกิจการบินและการท่องเที่ยว และมีโอกาสร่วมเดิน<br />

ทางกับสายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์สเพื่อศึกษาดูงาน<br />

จากการปฏิบัติงานนอกสถานที่ อีกทั้งได้รับฟัง<br />

การบรรยายเพื่อเพิ่มความรู้และประสบการณ์อีกด้วย<br />

120<br />

121


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ไม่ว่าจะพักผ่อนริมทะเลอยู่จุดหมาย<br />

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เมื่อเร็วๆ นี้ รายการสะสมคะแนนฟลายเออร์โบนัส โดยนายพรต เสตสุวรรณ<br />

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122 123


BANGKOK AIRWAYS NEWS<br />

AIRCRAFT INFO<br />

BANGKOK AIRWAYS OPERATES FOUR TYPES OF AIRCRAFT<br />

AIRBUS A319<br />

NUMBER OF FLEET : 14<br />

LENGTH : 33.84 m<br />

WINGSPAN : 34.1 m<br />

HEIGHT : 12.17 m<br />

ENGINE : IAE V2500<br />

CRUISING SPEED :<br />

920 km/h<br />

MAX OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE :<br />

39,800 ft<br />

PASSENGER CAPACITY :<br />

12 seats & 108 seats / 144 seats / 138 seats<br />

AIRBUS A320<br />

NUMBER OF FLEET : 9<br />

LENGTH : 37.57 m<br />

WINGSPAN : 34.1 m<br />

HEIGHT : 12.17 m<br />

ENGINE : IAE V2500<br />

CRUISING SPEED :<br />

870 km/h<br />

MAX OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE :<br />

39,800 ft<br />

PASSENGER CAPACITY :<br />

162 seats<br />

•••••<br />

ATR 72-500<br />

NUMBER OF FLEET : 6<br />

LENGTH : 27.17 m<br />

WINGSPAN : 27.06 m<br />

HEIGHT : 7.65 m<br />

ENGINE : 2 x 2,750 hp<br />

Pratt & Whitney<br />

Canada PW127F<br />

CRUISING SPEED :<br />

509 km/h<br />

MAX OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE :<br />

25,000 ft<br />

PASSENGER CAPACITY :<br />

70 seats<br />

ATR 72-600<br />

PG DIRECT SERVICE FROM CHIANG MAI<br />

TO HANOI<br />

On 25 March <strong>2018</strong>, Bangkok (Noi Bai International Airport)<br />

Airways Public Company Limited at 12.00 hrs. The inbound flight<br />

led by Mr. Varong Israsena Na Ayudhya, PG996 departs Hanoi (Noi Bai<br />

Vice President – Sales and Mrs. International Airport) at 12.45 hrs<br />

Chanthip Thongkanya, Vice President and arrives Chiang Mai International<br />

– Office of the President, joined in Airport at 14.50 hrs.<br />

the launch of the inaugural flight Hanoi is the third destination<br />

from Chiang Mai to Hanoi. The in Vietnam for the airline, adding<br />

event was held at Noi Bai International to Bangkok Airways’ route network<br />

Airport in the capital city of Hanoi, after successful runs on the<br />

with a warm welcome from local Bangkok-Danang and Bangkokauthorities<br />

in Vietnam.<br />

Phu Quoc flight routes launched<br />

Bangkok Airways’ new service earlier in <strong>May</strong> 2016 and October<br />

offers daily flights between Chiang 2017, respectively. Bangkok<br />

Mai and Hanoi with a 70-seater Airways is a full-service regional<br />

ATR72-500/600 aircraft. The airline that provides the best<br />

outbound flight PG995 departs personalised service to passengers,<br />

Chiang Mai International Airport under the slogan of “Asia’s<br />

at 09.55 hrs and arrives Hanoi Boutique Airline”.<br />

เมื่อวันที่ 25 มีนาคม ที่ผ่านมา สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส<br />

นำโดย นายวรงค์ อิศรเสนา ณ อยุธยา รองกรรมการ<br />

ผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ ส่วนขาย และนางจันทร์ทิพย์ ทองกันยา<br />

รองกรรมการผู้อำนวยการใหญ่ สำนักกรรมการผู้อำนวย<br />

การใหญ่ ร่วมเปิดเที่ยวบินปฐมฤกษ์เส้นทางเชียงใหม่-ฮานอย<br />

(ประเทศเวียดนาม) โดยมีเจ้าหน้าที่ของทางเวียดนามให้การ<br />

ต้อนรับอย่างอบอุ่น ณ ท่าอากาศยานนานาชาตินอยไบ<br />

ประเทศเวียดนาม<br />

สายการบินบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส ให้บริการเส้นทางบิน<br />

ตรงระหว่าง เชียงใหม่และฮานอย (เวียดนาม) ทุกวัน วันละ 1<br />

เที่ยวบิน ด้วยเครื่องบินแบบเอทีอาร์ 72-500/600 ขนาด<br />

70 ที่นั่ง โดยเที่ยวบินขาไป PG995 ออกจากเชียงใหม่<br />

(สนามบินนานาชาติเชียงใหม่) เวลา 09:55 น. ถึงฮานอย<br />

(สนามบินนานาชาตินอยไบ) เวลา 12:00 น. และเที่ยวบิน<br />

ขากลับ PG996 ออกจากฮานอย (สนามบินนานาชาติ<br />

นอยไบ) เวลา 12.45 น. ถึงเชียงใหม่ (สนามบินนานาชาติ<br />

เชียงใหม่) เวลา 14:50 น.<br />

เมืองฮานอยถือเป็นเส้นทางบินที่ 3 ในประเทศเวียดนาม<br />

ในเครือข่ายเส้นทางบินของบางกอกแอร์เวย์ส หลังจาก<br />

ประสบความสำเร็จอย่างสูงในเส้นทาง กรุงเทพ-ดานัง ซึ่ง<br />

เปิดให้บริการในปี 2559 และเส้นทางบินกรุงเทพ-เกาะ<br />

ฟู้โกว๊ก ซึ่งเปิดให้บริการในปี 2560<br />

NUMBER OF FLEET : 9 CRUISING SPEED :<br />

LENGTH : 27.166 m<br />

509 km/h<br />

WINGSPAN : 27.050 m MAX OPERATIONAL ALTITUDE :<br />

HEIGHT : 7.72 m<br />

25,000 ft<br />

ENGINE : 2 x 2,750 hp PASSENGER CAPACITY :<br />

Pratt & Whitney<br />

70 seats<br />

Canada PW127M<br />

OUR SCHEDULE FLIGHTS AND FREQUENCY<br />

DOMESTIC FLIGHTS<br />

Bangkok, Koh Samui, Phuket and Chiang Mai :<br />

Numerous flights every day from a variety of destinations<br />

Chiang Mai : 1 flight per day from Phuket ;<br />

1 flight per day from Koh Samui<br />

Chiang Rai : 3 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Hat Yai :<br />

1 flight per day from Phuket<br />

Koh Chang/Trat : 3 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Krabi : 3 flights per day from Bangkok ;<br />

1 flight per day from Koh Samui<br />

Lampang : 3 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Mae Hong Son : 1 flight per day from Chiang Mai<br />

Pattaya : 1 flight per day from Phuket ;<br />

1 flight per day from Koh Samui<br />

Sukhothai : 2 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS<br />

Chengdu : 4 flights per week from Koh Samui<br />

Chongqing : 3 flights per week from Koh Samui<br />

Danang : 1 flight per day from Bangkok<br />

Guangzhou : 1 flight per day from Koh Samui<br />

Hanoi :<br />

1 flight per day from Chiang Mai<br />

Hong Kong : 2 flights per day from Koh Samui<br />

Kuala Lumpur : 1 flight per day from Koh Samui<br />

Luang Prabang : 2 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Malé :<br />

1 flight per day from Bangkok<br />

Mandalay : 1 flight per day from Bangkok ;<br />

1 flight per day from Chiang Mai<br />

Mumbai : 1 flight per day from Bangkok<br />

Nay Pyi Taw : 6 flights per week from Bangkok<br />

Phnom Penh : 6 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Phu Quoc : 4 flights per week from Bangkok<br />

Siem Reap : 5 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Singapore : 2 flights per day from Koh Samui<br />

Vientiane : 2 flights per day from Bangkok<br />

Yangon : 4 flights per day from Bangkok ;<br />

1 flight per day from Chiang Mai<br />

126<br />

127


128 129


CHECKING OUT<br />

Modern In Its<br />

Own Way<br />

Myanmar’s capital Yangon<br />

moves forward at an even<br />

pace, making sure its<br />

traditions remain intact.<br />

130

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