When I used to make costumes for my high school plays, there was just one place to find the best selection of fabric at bargain prices: Pahurat Market. And nothing has changed; Pahurat is still where the pros go, from amateur costume designers to expert tailors. It’s also part of the biggest Indian community in Bangkok, so you might expect it to be dominated by Indian-style merchandise. But Pahurat has everything from beautiful sari material to basic outfits, not to mention beaded sandals, costume jewelry and an awesome array of silk scarves.

Pahurat market is located on Pahurat Road between Chak Phet and Tri Phet Roads. Pahurat Road was constructed in 1898 in the era of King Chulalongkorn as a memorial for his young daughter, Princess Pahurat Maneemai, who passed away. Pahuarat later became a largely Sikh community and a hub of fabric trading, from basic curtain materials to haute couture textiles for evening gowns.

The first thing to do on arriving is fuel up for your shopping spree with a nice steak and a sweet, crispy roti, across the road from Poh Chang College. Then start wandering.

The first place that caught our eye was a small, modern wedding supply shop with a Siam Square look: clean white exterior, floor-to-ceiling windows and cute trinkets displayed inside. The attentive staff at Viriya (330-332 Pahurat Rd., 02-225-8284, www.idealoungegroup.com) can help you find everything you need for a perfect wedding, including invitation cards, customized wedding favors and gifts—and if they don’t have what you want, they’ll custom-make it. Idea Lounge, the company that owns the shop, also retails cards at Siam Paragon. Just few steps from Viriya you’ll find Gandhi (326 Pahurat Rd., 02-225-5997/5503, www.gandhi.co.th), a long-running fabric outlet offering a wide variety of products but with an upscale focus. That means imported lace, satin and silk. Though it has been operating since 1944, there’s no sign of aging—everything is new and clean, and a big plasma TV plays Chic Channel at all times.

If you’re ready to leave behind the main thoroughfares and enter the maze of alleys that make up the market, turn down any one toward the sewing and tailoring market (like a budget Savile Row), where many khun pas with sewing machines help you turn raw fabric into a custom-made outfit in minutes. These freelancers originally occupied Ming Muang Market across the street (where Old Siam Plaza now stands), but moved here when Ming Muang was demolished in 1978. As you continue along the alleys, you’ll find fabric, fabric and more fabric. The textiles these vendors sell are cheaper (both in price and quality) than the big boys outside. Take your time and compare prices—the deals are there.

At the center of this area lies Thailand’s first Sikh temple Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha (565 Chak Phet Rd., 02-224-8097/-8, 02-221-1011) with its eye-catching golden domes and traditional Sikh architecture unchanged since 1933. (To go inside, women must cover their hair.)

Even if you’ve been around Pahurat you may not realize that it has a mezzanine with a number of small shops and stalls. Take the escalator (a big plus) in the alley across from Central Wangburapa, and you’ll reach one of Pahurat’s best-kept secrets. Here you can find Indian gold and silver jewelry, accessories and interesting fabrics and accessories like fur and feathers, as well as pashminas—the same quality you’d get elsewhere in Bangkok for a third of the price. Watch out for roaming cats, they are everywhere!

This is also a great place to find some good food. Indian specialties such as maak waan (Aun Maak Waan, a street vendor near Sunny Video) are a must-try. If you want something sweet, try sweetened grilled cassava (B30) or grilled bananas (B10), or head to Kanom Taan Pahurat (B20, 05-145-9838. Open Tue-Sun 9am-5pm).

Most vendors in Pahurat Market shut down at 5pm or so, so it’s best to arrive earlier in the day. One of the best days is Monday, when there are no street vendors on the sidewalks.

We live in a standardized, cookie-cutter world. The problem is that many of us don’t fit those standards, and we’ve outgrown the taste of those cookies. Sure, that ready-to-wear suit looked great on those models in GQ, but not on you. Or maybe you like this year’s fit but not this year’s fabrics. The solution for you may be to go custom. And custom tailoring isn’t just limited to clothes: Everything from beauty products to home furnishings can be made to your specifications. Imagine a life in which everything around you is made just the way you like it, a perfect fit for your body, style and mood from dusk ’til dawn. Can’t imagine it? Read on.

7am: Ready For Work

Shirt
The top-quality shirts at Meticulous (444 Siam Square Soi 7, 02-251-5701. Open daily noon-8pm. www.meticulousshirt.com) come in a variety of colors and prints. All are made from carefully selected Japanese fabrics. The boutique carries many styles and sizes, but if you can’t find one that fits you in the style you like, you can place an order—be prepared to wait a month, though. If you have more money to burn, check out the “Personally Pink” custom tailoring service at Thomas Pink (1/F, Gaysorn, 02-656-2112, www.thomaspink.co.uk), the British store’s first branch in Thailand. You’ll pay a premium on the standard issue shirts, which start at B6,900.

Jeans
The renowned Selfridges in London and Le Bon Marché in Paris provide a special service called Bodymetrics (www.bodymetrics), a futuristic technology that creates your perfect pair of jeans. You step into a “pod” where your body is scanned and measured in 200 places to create a computer image of your every curve. Just choose your style, and in about a week your custom-tailored jeans will be delivered to your doorstep. And Bodymetrics will keep the image of your body on file, so, as long as you stay the same size, you can just call up to reorder. Too bad they don’t have a pod in Bangkok, eh?

Shoes
Most people head to the ground floor of MBK Center for tailor-made shoes, but should you need something more elegant (and if you prefer a more sane shopping environment), visit the Regal counter at Siam Paragon (2/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9000) and try their “Easy Shoe” tailoring service. Choose from more than 10 styles, from traditional dress shoes to casual loafers, and pick your color and type of leather. Rates are based on the style you choose, plus 20% for the tailoring service.

Furniture
We won’t get into the hiso furniture thing because, for sure, if you have a lot of baht to spend, they’ll all bend over backward to serve you. But if you’re not Panthongtae, your options might be more along the lines of Index Living Mall (customer service: 02-898-6748, 02-898-6751), where you’ll find a design service available to all customers free of charge. Just hand in your room plan and a designer will quickly turn a blank room into a nice living space—using Index furniture, of course. If you need something cheaper, head to the Klong Toey area in front of the Port Authority of Thailand, where furniture “shops” will make anything you want out of pinewood. Give them a picture of what you want, and measurements if you need to be precise, and that’s it. Even large items like beds won’t run you more than B10,000. Try Chang Nong (06-008-2931) or Wichai Furniture (01-847-2689, 09-159-7056).

Fragrance
Creating a personalized scent that you’ll be happy with ever after is a challenge. If you can’t commit to a single scent, try the personal fragrances at Jo Malone (M/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9000). They offer a variety of unique scents that can be mixed and matched to create different fragrances for any mood.

Shampoo
Chances are you didn’t know that the Unilever Network has been offering custom-made haircare products for years, with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of satisfied customers. At Aviance Beauty Solutions (11/F, SCB Park Plaza East, Ratchadapisek Rd., 02-554-2655, www.unilevernetwork-th.com), experts will analyze your hair free of charge and create products that are right for you. Each 20-milliliter bottle of personalized shampoo or conditioner costs B415. The store manager tells us that once you’ve used personalized hair care products you’ll never be able to return to mass-produced shampoo. Is that a good thing?

8am: Rush Hour

Car
If you’re bored with the styles you see in the showroom and wish you could choose your own color scheme, materials and extras, you’re in luck: MINI (www.mini.co.th) offers its own custom-tailoring service. “My MINI” allows customers with a strong sense of individuality to choose not just their favorite color but their favorite wheels, lights, and a zillion other features. And since your car is unique, your price will be unique too; an off-the-shelf MINI starts at B1,900,000, so a customized one will be just “a bit” more. Check with a dealer—and your banker—before making your decision.

Don’t think you can fit in a MINI? Try BMW Individual (Millennium Auto, 2/F, Siam Paragon, 02-610-9900), a similar service. Your new BMW will be dressed with top-notch materials such as Merino leather, exclusive canvas roof or special Xirallic color. Choose your favorite model, whether it’s the Z4, 550i or 750Li—and expect to pay between B6,990,000 and B17,200,000, roughly twice the normal price.

1pm: Lunch Break

Food
Recharge with a sandwich from Au Bon Pain (B80; nationwide, Try 1/F, Siam Discover Center. 02-658-0160/-1)—custom made, of course. Create your sandwich from the lists of breads, fillings, veggies, cheeses and dressings.

Stamps
Photo postcards had their day in the sun, but now Thailand Post (marketing department: 111 Moo 3, Chaeng Wattana Rd., 02-831-3213, www.thailandpost.com) allows you to actually stamp your letters with your own face—or any other image you like. Ten official stamps go for B100.

5pm: Hit the Gym

T-Shirt
Threadless.com is a huge online community for those passionate about the T. But wait! It’s not just a chance to share your ideas, but to sell them as well. The website welcomes T-shirt designs from anywhere in the world, and selects six designs each week to manufacture. Creators of successful designs are paid US$2,000. Sound good? Try it—you may end up getting paid for your custom creation instead of the other way around!

Vitamin & Fitness Center
The vitamins available on supermarket shelves may not be the right ones for you, but luckily this too can be custom-made. Vitallife Wellness Center at Bumrungrad Hospital (210 Sukhumvit Soi 1, 02-667-2340, www.e-vitallife.com) designs food supplements made specifically for you based on the results of a blood test. Curious about rates? So are we. We couldn’t manage to get any specific numbers, but depending on the service they can range from the thousands to . . . well, much more.

8pm: Romantic Dinner

Suit
Every man should have a good suit, and July Tailor (30/6 Sala Daeng Rd., 02-235-9210, 02-233-0171. Open Mon-Sat 9am-7pm. www.julytailor.com) is one of the best places to get one. Tailors with decades of experience make great suits—for customers including HM the King—from Ermenegildo Zegna fabric imported from Italy. Praphab, a third-generation tailor, explains that a good suit starts with a careful 14-step measurement of the customer’s body. Then you have to come back twice (or thrice) so the suit can be fine-tuned. Prices start from B20,000 for a suit and B2,000 for a shirt.

Jewelry
Want to stand out? Get a one-of-a-kind necklace from Kit-Ti’s Jewelry (Kit-Ti’s Gallery, Baan Silom, Silom Soi 19, 01-821-1275. Open Mon-Sat noon-8pm. www.kittijewelry.com) handmade by the designer. If you like he’ll even turn one of your trinkets or collectables into a work of wearable art.

Gifts
Finding the perfect present for your loved one (or yourself) is a challenge, and finding something unique is even harder. Try a cute handmade teddy bear from Bear and Buddy (01-919-9350, www.bearandbuddy.com). Prices start at B500 for a 13-inch bear. Another option is pottery, which you can have made to your specifications at Pattra Pottery Shop (Chatuchak Weekend Market, Section 3 Soi 1, www.pattrapottery.com) for B30-850.

10pm: The Proposal

Wedding Items
We know that planning a wedding breeds madness, but if you entrust your special day to a stranger you may end up with something less than unique. At Viriya (330-332 Phaurat Rd., 02-221-1506, www.idealoungegroup.com), you can create your own invitations, favors and just about anything else for a wedding, and if you find yourself lacking inspiration, the in-house design team can create something for you. And they’re not deadly pricey, which is a good thing after the extravagant day you’ve just had.

The word has spread, and thousands of kids, teenagers and parents have visited TK Park since its opening. Looking at the tiny space, you would never imagine that it has 45,000 registered members already. That’s the reason why Thailand Knowledge Park or TK Park (8/F, Zone D, Central World Plaza, 02-250-7620. Open daily 10am-8pm. www.tkpark.or.th) has decided to expand. The new 4,200 square meter-space is fragmented into several sections including Reading Park & Mediatheque, providing over 20,000 books and magazines from around the world along with other materials. TK Music Library features over 500 Thai and international music sources; IT Library offers electronic and technology learning workshops; and TK Mini Theatre shows exclusive films. Go and experience one of the most successful projects this government has established.

Diamonds may still be a girl’s best friend, but anything pretty and sparkly will do in a pinch, including crystal. Realizing the expensive nature of such sparkly items, though, many people are hestiant to walk into jewelry-only outlets—hence the ingenious nature of the Crystal Lounge (28 Sukhumvit Soi 20, next to Koi, 02-258-1599. Open Tue-Sun 11am-1am. www.crystal-lounge.com), which includes a café, a jewelry boutique and a cocktail lounge.

Next to fancy Koi restaurant down Sukhumvit Soi 20 lies this triple-function store. Stepping inside you are greeted by a Harley-Davidson and a tuk-tuk lavishly decorated with crystal. In front, a staircase lead to a jewelry zone featuring display stands and windows filled with hundreds of crystal fashion accessories, artifacts and decorative items. These are creations of their house brand, Crystal Revolution, and will run you from B1,000 to more than B100,000, depending on size and design. Farther down, a dining area houses fine traditional wood tables with huge mirrors, and clear glass panes open to an open-air balcony where you can lay back on a comfy sofa bed (a great spot to relax after a tough day).

There’s also an adjacent alfresco area with about 10 tables on rustic-colored raw cement red tiles and surrounded with lush trees, which is a good place for your afternoon Illy coffee break. When the sun goes down, this place turns into an alfresco bar, with funky and chilled-out beats nightly.

Though the place is fragmented into many parts, there are chairs and sofas everywhere. Opt for any place you feel like: indoor amid sparkling jewelry, at the back with cozy atmosphere or outdoor under the trees. Wireless internet access is available throughout the establishment.

As their name implies, there’s dazzling crystal everywhere: from door knobs, ceilings, dining and drinking menus to lamps, mirrors and toilet signs. If you don’t drive, make sure you call ahead so you can enjoy their specialty shuttle service from the BTS in a crystallized tuk-tuk—that ought to be fabulous enough for any refined lady.

Walking down the stairs to Tsunami Restaurant at the JW Marriott Hotel, the first thing that greets you is a huge picture of a Japanese girl rendered in vivid, bold colors. This painting is quite characteristic of the style of Belgium-born, Bangkok-based Christian Develter. Having been educated in Antwerp, Christian’s background is in fashion, but he is now practicing fine arts—and from the look of the exhibition at the popular Japanese restaurant, is doing a fine job at getting his work noticed, too. This exhibition focuses on Japanese people—both traditional characters like sumo and geisha, as well as current ones like street funky Shinjuku girls—all in flashy colors and lines (“very colorful,” he says). His paintings can be seen at Tsu until Jun 30.

There are several different types of paintings in this collection. Which one is truly your style?
Actually they’re all my style because when people look at these paintings, what they are seeing is coming from me—no mater what type it is. It’s a combination of colors. I paint oils with a paint-knife. It’s kind of a difficult technique, which I adopted from a very old Belgian style. It makes a strong line in the picture and you can see differences between oil and acrylic painting, for which I use brushes only. It’s like an experiment combining new things.

Why are the Japanese the theme of this collection?
Even when I was living in Europe, before I came to Asia, I was already making a lot of Asian paintings—a lot of Japanese and Chinese subjects. But because my work was going to be shown in this particular restaurant, I decided to only do Japanese. What impresses me is the color scheme: Japanese zen, which is simple, calm and solid. It’s kind of a challenge to use colors in my style in this context while still retaining the Japanese flair.

Where do the people in your paintings come from?
Some are based on old prints, but I mixed them with other materials and with my imagination, making it my own style. They’re not actual portrait paintings.

Did Memoirs of a Geisha have any influence on your collection?
You’re not the first who asked that. Actually, no, because I thought the movie was a Western interpretation of a Japanese story with Chinese actors. My work is based on real Japanese.

Directions

All products available at leading department stores (except Andrew Brown, available only at Central Department Stores):

Try Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-739-7777. BTS Chidlom. www.central.co.th or Robinson Silom, Silom Rd., 02-266-3340/-50. BTS Saladaeng, MRT Silom. www.robinson.co.th.

Light-beige square stoneware teapot with teacups from Kasama adds to the calm ambience. B695

Black and white ying-yang dishes from Royal Topt. B395

White ceramic bowl and green square ceramic plate from Decor Pottery. B60 for bowl, B85 for plate

Fill your room with the sharp sounds of the award-winning Samsung HT-XQ100 with a clean, black motif. B19,900

Green vase made with exclusive Japanese technique from Tao Hong Tai. B864

Sleek and solid oriental-inspired wood table from Jim Thompson Mandarin Collection designed by Ou Boholyodhin. B49,500 for coffee table, B12,500 for side table

Opt for crystal-clear TV screen from this top-end Bang & Olufsen BeoVision 7-40. B678,500

Nature-inspired carpet from Living Company. 1.7x2.4m, B34,680

Directions

Bang & Olufsen: Aviva Audio, 1/F, CRC Retail Center, All Seasons Place, Wireless Rd., 02-685-3671/-3. BTS Ploenchit. www.bang-olufsen.com

Decor Pottery, Hydration, Kasama, Raga Porcelain and Tao Hong Tai: 4/F The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-269-1000. www.emporiumthailand.com

Jim Thompson: 9 Surawong Rd., 02-62-8100, www.jimthompson.com
Living Company: 860-870 Sukhumvit Rd., Phra Kanong, opp. Soi Thonglor, 02-381-8301. www.dema.biz

Royal Topt: Central Chidlom, Ploenchit Rd., 02-793-7777. BTS Chidlom. www.central.co.th.

Sony: Sony Universe, 3/F, The Emporium, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 02-664-8531/-3. www.sony.co.th

Wear snappy Casio watches on your wrist. Both metal-strap (B5,900) and rubber-strap (B4,200) versions are sharp. Every model bears the FIFA and World Cup signs.

Nike Air Force 1 is not just a great basketball shoe anymore. With stabilizing ankle strap and herringbone outsole, these puppies are equipped for the pitch and come in various colors related to nations’ football squads. Move quickly, though, there’re only 25 pairs available in each color. B3,800

Rip music from the Voices From The FIFA World Cup CD into your iPod. Listen to this year’s 22 official World Cup songs and keep the football-fever in your blood. B399

Funny Trexis-Coca Cola “We All Speak Football” series, with 25 models created specially for the World Cup by artists around the globe. B590, B12,000 for a complete set of 25.

Wanna kill your thirst after hours of watching great matches? Opt for Coca-Cola Special Edition in sleek gold can, ooh! B50

Show the world your favorite team…on your feet with Belgian Dirk Bikkembergs World Cup specials. B9,950

Spring is the season of life when every creature is reborn after a long period of hibernation. In the West, it is also the time when farangs take stock of their possessions and do a big cleaning. Thailand doesn’t really have “Spring”—but the New Year is as good a reason as any to tidy things up. Yes, though you probably clean your home regularly, admit it—there are a few things you have been neglecting. How about that closet where all your old clothes have been disappearing? The windows too hard to reach that never get wiped off? And when’s the last time you had a look at what’s hiding beneath that bed? Oh yes, you have a lot of work to do.

Clean Machine

The core idea of spring cleaning is, obviously, to clean. But we know, we know—it’s hard work. Plus, you could scratch your diamond ring. Why don’t you try a miraculous innovation—the robot vacuum! Verasu introduces the Karcher Robo Cleaner (02-254-8101/-8; www.verasu.com) from Germany that is able to work on wood floor, tiles and carpet. This automated vacuum is only 10cm in height and weighs just 2kg, so cleaning underneath your bed or carrying it around is no problem. Don’t bother looking at the price; just think how easy cleaning is going to be (B159,000; hot summer sale B127,200 through May 15)! Another somewhat cheaper option is the Electrolux Trilobite (B89,000. Call Electrolux for airfreight, 02-718-0200, 02-725-9000; www.electrolux.co.th).

If those prices—or thoughts of artificial intelligence cleaning your floors—freak you out, let these folks give you a hand. Happy Cleaning (101/123 Rama 3 Rd., Bang Kor Laem, 02-291-6584, 01-842-3905; www.happycleaning.net) offers service for houses not larger than 200sq.m. Five cleanings will run you B3,000. Miss Clean (02-736-7579, MissClean2546@yahoo.com, www.geocities.com/missclean2546) provides different levels of service, starting at B1,000 per visit.

Taking Care of Business

It’s also time to check up on all your household facilities. This may take time, but it helps in reducing monthly expenses. Here are a handful of services for specific products.

Air-Conditioner: Some say it needs to be cleaned twice a year, but even once a year is better than never. The Ministry of Energy has teamed up with several vocational schools in offering an air-conditioner cleaning service at B350 through May 31 (call 1579 or 02-282-7060 ext. 1391, 1704/-5; www.eppo.go.th or www.thaienergynews.com).

Bicycle: You’ve worked that bike hard throughout the year on numerous treks. Why don’t you treat it right with a nice check-up at Probike (237/2 Sarasin Rd., 02-253-3384, www.probike.co.th)? Professionally trained staff members are waiting to give you the ride of your life.

Car: Forget streetside car wash services. Spoil your MINI with full-board treatment instead. Opt for services at 27 Speed Kar Klinic (2072 Sukhumvit 62, 02-741-5906/-7, www.27speed.com), Classic Care (Off Soi Soon Vijai, 02-716-5667/-8, classiccarethailand@yahoo.com) or Wash Mania (581/2 Soi Ramkhamhaeng 39, Procha-Uthit Rd., 02-935-6958, www.iamwashmania.com). These places provide more than just basic automobile care—their selection of wash programs are specialized for hi-end cars, too. Visit their websites for fares; they’re not that pricey.

Carpets: Imagine all the dirty feet that have walked across your floor this year. The vacuum is good for the short term, but if you need something a bit more intensive, go to the pros. The Living Company (860-870 Sukhumvit Rd., Phra Kanong, opp. Soi Thong Lor, 02-381-8301, www.dema.biz) will do a good job with this, as this is a fine carpet vendor. Specialized staffs can service your antique Persian or silky Jim Thompson carpet here, as well. Picking up a rug from your home costs B1,000; if it’s a wall-to-wall carpet, rates start at B3,500.

Plumbers: If your plumbing is a bit slow and you don’t have your own handyman, call Tortan (45 Soi Taan Samrit 15, Tiwanont Rd., 09-473-9501, 09471-8160, www.tortan.com) to the rescue. They will unclog your drains and toilets for approximately B1,000 per clog point. (Just remember that drains are sometimes clogged at more than one location in a pipe.)

Re-paint For a New Outlook

It’s widely said that changing a room’s tone can heal your mood. Getting a bright new outlook with a newly decorated room could be exactly what you need. ITV has a new program called Changing Rooms, which offers you and a friend free new decorations within a B50,000 budget and two whole days to do it. The idea is that they let you guys swap room-decorating roles—you redecorate your friend’s room while he/she manages yours. All you can do is pray it will turn out OK! They provide an interior designer to guide your vision and to prevent any serious design disasters. Contact How Come Entertainment (3/F, Shinawatra Tower 3, Viphavadi-Rangsit Rd., 02-791-1717, www.howcome.co.th) for details. For new design ideas, check out Architect’06 through May 7, where household services, products and innovations are gathered in one stop for your shopping convenience.

Clear and Recycle

Time to clear things out that you “haven’t used in the past year.” Follow this rule slavishly, or you’ll end up keeping everything for future use. OK, we respect your fashion sense; you can keep that vintage Birkin. But what to do with the leftovers? You could sell them to that saleng that occasionally drives by your home, or you could make more merit by donating them. Though you may not need what you’re getting rid of, there’re many in the world who do. Wat Suan Kaew Foundation (Bangyai, Nonthaburi, 02-921-6262, 02-921-5602/-4, 02595-1945/-7) accepts all second hand products, from clothing, books, electronic devices and furniture to construction items. Other choices for donations are voluntary student groups in universities that do rural development twice a year. Visit the Donation Exchange Center (www.thaigiving.org) for listings of foundations or groups that have been thoroughly checked out.

Freshen It Up

After a long day on cleaning duty, ‘tis time to clean up your body. No, we’re not talking about washing your skin with luxurious skincare products. We mean detoxification of your digestive tract. Detoxification (a.k.a. detox) washes away toxins from your body by injecting warm water into your colon. Advanced detoxification services are available in various hospitals and medical clinics, but you could just as well do it at home. Buy a detox kit from any drugstore (try Fascino, 02-889-5820/-9, www.fascino.co.th) and follow the directions. Afterwards, you will discover that you feel lighter and fresher than ever. You might alternatively want to take an extended break or fast at a detox program of some sort. Check out courses at Cheevachit Magazine (www.cheevachit.com, www.amarintraining.com), New Body and Mind Retreats (www.thinkdetox.com) or HydroHealth (4/F, Erawan Bangkok, Ploenchit Rd., 02-250-7800, 02-250-7808, www.hydrohealth.co.th), which offer several detoxification programs matched to your type and time frame.

Spring Cleaning Check List
 

Q: How should I start cleaning my place?
A: Follow this list.

Clean shades, curtains and ceiling
Check if lights work well
Clean windows with newspaper and check for cracked panes
Beat cushions and mattresses to remove dust. Replace if necessary
Dust and organize table and cupboard
Sort messy wardrobe
Defrost refrigerator, then wash with warm water and baking soda
Replace filter and clean air-conditioner
Clean the floor last

Q: Should I throw this away?
A: Check this list. If you mark four of them, get rid of it.

You haven’t used it for more than a year
You can’t remember how you got it
You have no idea how to use it in the near future
You don’t know what it is
It wouldn’t hurt to lose it
You could buy a new one if you suddenly needed it

Q: What should we keep in the wardrobe for the coming season?
A: If it matches just one thing in this list, keep it.

It’s white
It’s navy/nautical design
It’s a silky dress/blouse
It’s printed
It’s short

Atrium Athletic Club

Tipco Tower, Rama 6 Rd., 02-271-4200. Open daily 6am-10pm

The Scene: The pool itself is simple, but the area is impressive. Housed in the atrium of the club, you could take a dip while overlooking traffic congested on expressways and residential areas with a sunset backdrop. This is a small temperature-controlled pool, so it’s limited to only five swimmers at one time.

The Price: B4,280 for one month and B17,000 for three month memberships. No day passes.

Best For... Low-profile, (very) high-profit residents of the area.

Benjasiri Garden

Sukhumvit Rd., beside The Emporium, 02-258-2377. Open daily 10am-8pm

The Scene: On your left is a well-decorated garden, on your right is the flashy Emporium Tower. No, you’re not in a hiso sport club—believe it or not, this is a BMA-owned pool featuring simple but perfect surroundings.

The Price: One-year membership: B10 for children, B40 for adults. B5-15 entrance fee to use the pool for 90 minutes. You’ll need to present a medical certificate when applying for membership.

Best For...Those who have limited budget but love to say, “Where do I swim? Well, around the Emporium.”

Lumpini Park

Rama 4 Rd., 02-252-8035. Open daily 7am-8pm

The Scene: This is the older version of the Benjasiri pool, but most importantly it’s populated by ah mah and ah sor with their little nieces and nephews. People here know they’ll have to queue if they want to go swimming, so if you’re a new kid on the block, watch and learn.

The Price: One-year membership: B10 for children, B40 for adults. B5-15 entrance fee to use the pool for 90 minutes. You’ll need to present a medical certificate when applying for membership.

Best For... Ah muays and ah tees that need to bring their elderly relatives for poolside social activities.

Millennium Hilton

123 Charoen Nakorn Rd., Klongsan, Si Phraya pier, 02-442-2000. Open daily 7am-10pm

The Scene: Is this a view to die for or what? While you’re dipping your tummy, you can also enjoying the astonishing scenery. Forget hard, cold tiles: This luxurious hotel pool gives you white sand—yes, white, soft sand. There are also pool beds along the side of the pool and even in the pool. Five-star everything, so you can get whatever you desire—drinks, snacks, towels or a pool boy with nice abs.

The Price: It hasn’t “officially” opened yet, but you can bet the price won’t be cheap. Call for info.

Best For... Ladies who lunch, posh Thai yuppies, foreigners, tourists, wannabes, lottery winners, and umm… maybe some BK readers.

Nai Lert Park Hotel

2 Wireless Road, 02-253-0123. Open daily 7am-7pm

The Scene: Here’s an oasis in the middle of the city. The overall size is big but the shape is not Olympic, so if you’re thinking of doing laps, forget it. You can expect every service here that a luxurious hotel can offer.

The Price: Various flexible memberships are available for individuals, couples, corporate members and for off-peak times, too. Prices range from B5,000-33,000 and B500 for a day pass. Membership gets you a 20-25% discount on some facilities and outlets.

Best For... Greenpeace members, Jane and Tarzan or the kind of people who want to feel like them, people who love to have afternoon tea or cocktails.

The Olympic Club

Pathumwan Princess Hotel, Rama 1 Rd., 02-216-3700. Open daily Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, weekend and public holidays 7am-10pm. www.theolympic-club.com

The Scene: This outdoor, 25m long pool is in one of the most popular fitness centers in Bangkok, which means showing off your breast stroke is a must. But the major highlight is the water: The pool is treated with sodium chlorinate that doesn’t spoil your hair and skin.

The Price: Day pass is B550. Membership ranges from B2,500 (one month off-peak) to B35,000 (one year full-time).

Best For... Baby boys or girls whose skin is purer than a gold bar, serious swimmers or elderly folks who don’t want to spoil their skin and what hair they have left. 

Sports City

20/262-4 Moo 9, Prachachuen Rd., Bangtalad, Pakkred, 02-575-0078/-86. Open Mon-Fri 7am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm. www.sportscity2002.com

The Scene: Located in the mega Sport City complex with lagoon scenery next to the lake. Worth driving to even if you don’t live or work nearby.

The Price: General fitness memberships, which include pool access, range from B26,750 to B32,100 for one year. Day pass is B650.

Best For... Suburbanites who have escaped the inner city, big families with fat wallets, kids being groomed for athletic greatness.