Pinch me, I’m dreaming. While we love the idea of unlimited sushi, it usually involves frankly dodgy raw fish in less-than-chic buffet environments. Now there’s this: for B990, you can chomp on Chef Shiraishi’s sushi and sashimi till you drop in the swanky Banyan Tree Bangkok’s Taihei restaurant (53-53/F, 21/100 South Sathon Rd., 02-679-1200. Open Tue-Sun 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-11pm).

To celebrate the grand opening of Thailand’s first-ever Vespa showroom in Thong Lor, Vespiario (Thailand) is introducing a limited edition Vespa LX150 Bella Rossa. Move fast though, as only 50 are on offer, priced at B105,000, but you do get a complimentary pink Vabene Over Size Sole watch (worth B10,900) thrown in as well. You can also pick up a regular Vespa from B99,000. 808-808/1, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thong Lor), 02-714-7742. www.vespiario.com

Toyota Camry Hybrid

B1,619,000-1,799,000 from Toyota dealers nationwide. www.toyota.co.th
Toyota merges two successes: Prius’s hybrid engine and Camry’s saloon design—and the result is the Camry Hybrid, the first hybrid car manufactured in Thailand, featuring a 2.4-liter four-cylinder DOHC 16-valve engine and a nickel-metal hydride battery with 34 modules and 204 cells. Seven colors available but you need to pay B10,000 extra to get the popular white pearl option.

Honda CR-Z Hybrid

B2,450,000 from TSL Auto Corporation, 02-269-9999. www.tsl.co.th
Style-conscious drivers may love the new Honda CR-Z that features a 1.5-liter I-VTEC four-cylinder engine that gives 122 horsepower. Inside the cute, sporty, two-door model is a CVT 7-speed transmission gear that can shift between three driving modes: normal, sport and eco. The car is imported and available in white only, for now.

Toyota Alphard Hybrid

From about B1,800,000 from Eton Import, 02-721-1222.www.eton-import.com
The 2.4-litre MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) features an exclusive technology that detects brake pedal pressure and speed to calculate the optimum hydraulic pressure, which results in less fuel consumption and 75% less emissions than normal MPVs. Unfortunately, with the high maintenance cost (the battery can cost nearly B300,000), new ones are no longer available. But you can still find secondhand ones in good condition.

The buzz: Ying, a jewelry designer, has waited ten years for a chance to combine her skills with her sister Cherry’s passion for baking. The result is a jewelry shop-cum-café-cum-spa at the heart of Silom that is attracting nearby office workers and the local Japanese community.
The vibe: The store, bathed in velvet purple and glittering gold, is filled with over the top furniture, lamps and decorative items—kind of Mad Hatter meets gold leaf. The jewelry is showcased throughout the store on the walls, in special cabinets and under glass-top tables.
The goods: Handmade jewelry created from silver, coral, ceramics, plastic and stones (B800-2,500). You can also order custom-made designs and materials. While searching for the perfect accessory, enjoy a cup of hot or cold coffee together with cupcakes and ice cream. On the second floor is Escape de Spa offering treatments starting from B500 for a traditional 60-min Thai massage.
Why you’ll be back: The jewelry pieces are affordable and also pretty unique. It’s also a good spot for coffee with air-con and a peaceful atmosphere.

G/F, Yada Building, Silom Rd., 02-662-0196. Open daily 7am-11pm.

Any self-respecting business has a Facebook page. But while these pages were originally little more than another form of advertising, stores are increasingly using them to do real business. De Veen, which is selling women’s fashion, has over 5,000 followers who shop or make inquiries over photos of merchandise posted regularly on its page. No address, no .com, no phone number—you’ll only find De Veen on Facebook. Welcome to the new lunch break retail therapy!

Not everyone is as advanced, and many other shops are in transition. Avant-garde brand WWA and beauty parlor Rabbo post new merchandise on their wall but aren’t yet taking online orders. Likewise for Kan’ser, although the fashion brand does list its prices, making the window shopping experience more complete.

“Facebook photos draw people to our real shop but we don’t accept orders on Facebook yet. It’s complicated, and Thai shoppers still prefer looking at and trying on real items,” explains Puntit Dinakara, owner of Kan’ser.

That’s not the case for Sarinthorn Eiamfang, a co-owner of another Facebook shop, Parallel: “With Facebook, I don’t have to pay the fixed costs of a proper store. It’s cheaper to take online orders and do delivery, too. And for buyers, they don’t even have to move from their PC screen.”

Most shops will require clients transfer money to a bank account, then send the receipt to the store before it ships the products. The system is clunky and incredibly unsafe compared to rigorous e-payment and e-reputation systems like ebay, but it’s also a lot more friendly thanks to the power of Facebook’s comment, share and like functions. By “liking” a shop, you also subscribe to its feed, which means regular updates on your fave boutique’s latest arrivals.

As for sizing issues, there’s also a bit of everything. Parallel has its own system where they show photos of people wearing their products with indications on their height as a size-guide. De Veen has a more professional sizing standard with options for colors and fabrics, too.

Check Them Out

Parallel

www.facebook.com/paralell.apparel
Two girls who love striped t-shirts share their love with these tees in Japanese-style colors. Prices range from B350 for short-sleeves, B550 for long.

Kan’ser

www.facebook.com/kanser.page
Kan’ser features minimal masculine looks in black, white and a few basic colors for both men and women. Products are affordable, starting from B350 for a t-shirt.

De Veen

www.facebook.com/deveenshop
De Veen’s Facebook Page is always busy with updates and comments. Expect trendy girly products, from silky tops and dresses (B390-1,090) to high-heel shoes (B690-890).

Rabbo

www.facebook.com/rabbofan
This famous grey-market beauty product importers stocks the latest items from Japan, Korea and Western countries, ranging from rose-color blush-on to cleansing oil for sensitive skins.

WWA

http://ow.ly/2ArA6
As this avant-garde fashion store has recently turned into a multi-label shop, WWA keeps its wall busy with collections of sophisticated fashion by young designers with prices starting from B2,000-2,500 for a top.

SiamSquare.co.th

www.facebook.com/SiamSquare.co.th
This fashion store for girls just started posting a few new items created by their young designers.

In 1999, a driving range on Prachanivet 1 Road was transformed into a new-concept fresh market—clean and convenient—and filled with vendors who suffered from the economic crisis. Over several years Bon Marché has built up a large following among discerning cooks. But it’s not just a fresh market anymore: Bon Marche has been expanded into a community mall with a shopping plaza, education institute, financial pavilion, café and wellness center.

Its six zones are located surrounding a fountain with the renowned Bon Market at the front. Vendors of fresh vegetables, fruits, imported meat, royal project products, bakeries, plastic ware and beauty products line the aisles, which are wide, clean and also convenient for those in wheelchairs. Even if you’re not shopping for raw ingredients, there is still plenty of food. The buns at Pen Bakery (02-933-8611) are yummy and inexpensive (B20 per bag). Gelato (B40 per scoop) is served fresh at Dream Cones (02-616-9951, www.dreamcones.com); while meat lovers would do well to head to Bon Beef (08-9533-7285) for take-home Aussie meats. For a full meal, the Bon Food Court serves international meals from Vietnamese to Laotian—just don’t go comparing it with the Food Loft (it’s a little more DIY than that).

Further to the left is the Bon Service building, which has a bank on the first floor and La Beauté (#A218-221, 2/F, Bon Service, 02-158-0256. Open daily 8am-8pm) on the second. This pharmacy is a local version of Boots with a selection of beauty products from Paul Mitchell to Roc. The shop is also an official distributor of Tahitian Noni Products, which offer everything from beverages to skincare products. Behind this is the royal project’s Phu Fah (#A243-244, 2/F, Bon Service) outlet selling folk products. Some of them are not that old, and they’re even interesting.

Bon Jewelry is where jewelry shops abound, mostly the kind aunties love. Sakura (1/F, Bon Jewelry, 08-9165-1662) sells colorful petite-et-jolie pendants and accessories for young girls.

The nearby four-story Bon Plaza mainly targets an older, auntie crowd; however Be Jorn (#B147, 1/F, Bon Plaza), Ibis Collection (#B248, 2/F, Bon Plaza, 08-1666-5055) and Baby Baba Bobo (#B220, 2/F, Bon Plaza, 08-1346-6828, 08-1618-1969) have cute and sweet women’s wear and accessories. Arika Shop (#B253, 2/F, Bon Plaza, 08-1316-6861) is good for imported Japanese-style products ranging from plaid dresses to ice cube trays. Best bargain bags at Amy (#B106, 1/F, Bon Plaza, 08-1250-6389) are all B199, but make sure you choose the right ones. Fleur (#B258, 2/F, Bon Plaza, 08-1647-4340) produces natural skincare products while Sharina (#B271, 2/F, Bon Plaza) offers tailor-made watchstraps made from genuine leather. Sleek vases and decorative items can be found at Merry Life (#C211, 08-9494-1191).

The third floor is home to educational institutes including Gourmet Club (3/F, Bon Plaza, 02-954-2295, 08-1932-4301, www.gourmetclubthai.com), a cooking school offering expertise on Thai, European, Japanese and desserts. On the forth floor is Leaders Fitness (4/F, Bon Plaza, 02-580-2211, www.leadersfitness.com) where selections of classes ranging from aerobics to yoga, plus spa treatments, are available.

After wandering throughout the mall (even without shopping bags!), it’s worth taking a rest at Café du Lac (between Bon Plaza and Bon Restaurant). Sit and stew with a book (perhaps from nearby North Shop, #B118-119, 1/F, Bon Plaza) and a cup of tea (B40). Though Bon Marché may not be your type of regular retail therapy, with the browsing options and activities available there, it’s a good place to enjoy a break from your usual shopping routine.

ESSENTIALS

Bon Marché is located 500 meters down Prachanivat 1 Road from Viphavadi Rangsit Road. Plenty of parking is available. To get there by bus, take number 29, 134 or 510 from BTS Mor Chit to Wat Samian Nari, then walk, get a motorcycle or songtaew bus. Shops are open daily 8am to 6:30pm.