Ford Ecosport

The director of Ford Thailand has confirmed that in 2013, the American automobile manufacturer is set to roll out a compact SUV, the Ford Ecosport. Not much has been revealed but rumors abound that the Ecosport’s engine will be available in 1 Liter ecoboost or 1.5 Liter Ti-VCT, and it will come with 16” alloy wheels.

Toyota New Vios

Not much has been revealed about the next Vios model due for 2013 except for confirmation that it has already passed the car tax refund law for vehicles with 1.5 liter engines. Expect only minor changes but keep your eyes and ears open, though, as it should be rolled out no later than mid-2013.

Toyota 86

After a long break from the sports series, Toyota finally rolls out its latest two-door automobile, the Toyota 86. Available in three lines, the 86 comes as a six-speed automatic or manual transmission, with 1,998cc FA20 Boxer four-cylinder 16 Valve DOHC engine producing 147 horsepower. Prices start from B2.49 million.

Nissan Pulsar

As confirmed at the Bangkok International Motor Expo, Nissan is set to roll out the bigger brother to its Tida, the hatchback Nissan Pulsar. Get it with either 1.6 or 1.8 liter engine and as a six-speed manual or automatic CVT transmission with 16” alloy wheels. Due mid-2013 with prices starting from about B766,000.

Honda Accord

The 2013 Honda Accord is said to be packed with new toys, like the Eco assist function, forward censor warning system, lane watch warning system on side mirrors and a touch screen audio system. Specs include four-cylinder 16-Valve DOHC i-VTEC® engine, 2.0L cc 185hp, six-speed manual or automatic transmission with sport mode and push start function. Starting from approximately B1.26 million.

Mazda CX5

In response to the CRV, Fortuner and Captiva, the Mazda CX5 (a smaller brother of the CX7) is expected to hit Thailand in late 2013. Specs include a SKYACTIV-G DOHC 4-cylinder, 2.0L 155hp engine, six-speed manual or automatic transmission, navigation system and push start function. Price TBA.

Nissan Leaf

While the likes of Fiat, Ford, Chevrolet and Toyota are expected to roll out new electric cars in the US and Europe, we Bangkokians will just have to wait a little longer. The first electric car expected to hit our streets is the Nissan Leaf, with 80kw AC Synchronous electric motor generating 107 horsepower, navigation system, push start button and 15” aluminum wheels. Charging is done through a port located in the front of the car. Price TBA.

FILM

Fatherland

Edgy Thai films often take an age to appear at local cinemas. Take Kongdej Jaturanrasamee’s art-house opus P-047, which took more than a year to hit Bangkok screens after premiering at the Venice Film Festival. Now the same is happening with Yuthlert Sippapak’s (Friday Killer, Buppah Rahtree sequel) latest politically-charged production, Fatherland, whose release date has been pushed back from Dec 5, 2012, to sometime this year. We’re still excited, though, to see how the usually fun-loving director tackles the sensitive subject of political instability in the three southern-most provinces of Thailand as experienced through the eyes of two soldiers (big names Wier Sukollawat and Ananda Everingham). Whet your appetite by watching the trailer at tinyurl.com/c853wb2

Jan Dara 2

Sahamongkol Film kicks off 2013 with the sequel to last year’s Jan Dara. The buzz is already building for the second and final installment in the remake racy the controversial 90s film, based on the 1966 novel by Usana Plerngtham. With Mom Noi (M.L Pandevanop Devakul) presenting the erotic story in much more detail than Nonzee Nimibutr’s original, many are hanging out to see whether more is revealed (in terms of both plotline and skin). In cinemas Feb 7. 

14 Games Amahit

Sahamongkol presents another movie to watch out for in the form of 14 Games Amahit, the sequel to the psycho-thriller 13 Beloved (2006) directed by Chookiat Sakveerakul of Home (2012) and The Love of Siam (2007) fame. Initially published as an online cartoon on www.commuan.com, the film version will be divided into two parts, Heaven Core and 14 Beyond, and is expected to hit cinemas sometime this year. 

Pee Mak Prakanong

Hip film company GTH has announced four big projects for 2013, kicking off with the horror-comedy film Pee Mak Prakanong directed by Banjong “Tong” Pisanthanakun (Hello Stranger, Shutter). The film tells the classic ghost story of Mae Nak Prakanong (played by new actress Mai Dawika) but twists it so that the lead role is her husband, Pee Mak (Mario Maurer). The release date has yet to be confirmed, but the film is expected in cinemas in the first half of this year. 

PUBLISHING

Vogue & Nylon

This February the Bangkok fashion scene welcomes the Thai edition of Vogue (www.vogue.co.th), arguably the world’s most influential fashion publication. The magazine will be run by the team behind the already successful Elle Thailand, headed by Kullawit “Ford” Laosuksri, who will become the only male editor-in-chief of all Vogue’s global editions. A month later, US pop culture magazine Nylon (facebook.com/nylonthailand) will arrive at newsstands nationwide. Edited by Thawinee Chantanakones, the fashion shoot for the first issue took place in New York. And we’re hearing there’s a lot more to follow.

DEVELOPMENT

BTS Extension

Back in May 2009, the BTS Silom line was extended from Saphan Taksin to two more stations, Thon Buri and Wongwian Yai. Now in 2013, the line will finally expand further to BTS Pho Nimit and BTS Talad Plu (set to open this month) with another two, BTS Wuttakat and BTS Bang Wa, due to open in May.

SHOPPING

H&M

Swedish Fashion retailer H&M welcomes 2013 with another branch at CentralWorld after making a splash with their first two-story store at Siam Paragon in October last year. The new location will be spread over floors 1-3 of the mall (occupying the space that used to be an ice rink) and is expected to open mid-June.   

STAGE

Phantom of the Opera

After bringing a screening of the Phantom of the Opera live at the Royal Albert Hall to Paragon Cineplex a couple of years ago, BEC TERO finally brings over the very same production crew to actually perform it live at Muangthai Ratchadalai Theatre this May. 

Political Plays

Teerawat “Kage” Mulvilai, founder of the independent stage troupe B-Floor Theatre, recently told BK that after kicking off the year with their science-inspired Survival Games (See BK+, page 21), the team plans to launch another four projects throughout 2013 (details TBA). Another collaborative project will see Teerawat join forces with Thammasat students to direct political plays in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Oct 14, 1973 student demonstrations. The plays will be performed at Thammasat University, the site of the historic event, alongside a lot of other activities throughout October. The works of B-Floor, especially Kage’s, typically deal with political issues, making this collaboration a must-watch.

PERSONALITIES

Suharit Siamwalla

The businessman-cum-DJ shocked everyone with his decision to run for Bangkok Governor with a colorful campaign that sets out to make Bangkok just as colorful as he is. His policies, under the catchphrase “SURPRISE BKK FUN BKK SUHARIT RUN BKK!” range from the equally catchy “one district, one charming” to offering free public yoga classes and giving more power to cyclists in this car-dominated city. He has pledged to run the cheapest campaign on earth by making the most of digital tools and social media, while his latest plea is “Don’t judge me by my dress!”

NIGHTLIFE

Ku De Ta

The famous Balinese restaurant and lounge Ku De Ta finally makes its way to Bangkok in March, 2013 (barring any further postponements). The rooftop bar will sit atop the Sathorn Square Tower and adopt a prohibition-era style décor, following a trend we saw started in earnest last year.

Craft Beer

Early last year was all about molecular cocktails with more and more bars adding technical twists to their drinks lists, not to mention the emergence of the first self-acclaimed “molecular cocktails bar,” WXYZ Bar at Aloft Hotel. But by the end of the year, the hottest trend in drinking was well and truly craft beers. Beervana kicked it all off by bringing out the US craft beer line Rogue Ales, first launched at Brew Beers & Ciders and made instantly hip with a food pairing event at Opposite (both in Oct, 2012). Since then, Scottish craft brewery Brewdog and Japanese brand Hitachino have also joined the fray, with beers available at some bars in Bangkok (top of the list being Brew Beers & Ciders and Beerology at CDC). We know you’re tired of seeing pints of Hoegaarden on Instagram, so this development makes for a refreshing change in more ways than one.

MUSIC

The Vaccines

Hot on the heels of Fat Radio founder, DJ and music promoter Yuthana Boonorm launching his new music project, Godung, late last year, which asked fans to register on their website (www.godung.com) to receive a copy of the book 108 Bands to See Live Before You Die, one of the bands listed, The Vaccines, makes their way to Bangkok this week (Jan 12). Although the concert was initially organized by the Dudesweet crew, we’re excited at what else Godung has in the pipeline. The website asks the public to vote on which big-name acts they’d like to see come to Bangkok, from Radiohead and The Killers to Two Door Cinema Club. Go on, make your vote count. 

Snoop Dogg

Following on quickly from The Vaccines we get a big old dose of hip hop from a West Coast rap legend in the form of Snoop Dogg (recently reborn as Snoop Lion) who will look to set Bangkok ablaze as headliner at the Retox Sessions-organized Together Festival on Jan 19. He’ll be joined by other international guests like French house duo Justice, An21, Max Vangeli and Quintino and local acts like Thaitanium and Southside.

Santana

While the big-spending BEC TERO has been pretty tight-lipped about which acts it intends to bring out this year, it has let slip that 2013 will mark the return to our city of one of the world’s most iconic guitarists, the 10-time Grammy Award winner Carlos Santana, who will play Impact Arena Muangthong Thani on Mar 6. With the likes of Lady Gaga, Elton John and Maroon 5 coming to town last year, our expectations are high, very high.

Paramore and Sum 41

Rock Entertainment has been quick to give us something to look forward to this year, announcing gigs for two international bands in the coming months. First up, angsty pop-rock outfit Paramore, led by bright-haired frontwoman Hayley Williams, present tunes from their latest self-titled album at Centerpoint Studio on Feb 12. A month later, the same venue will host a blast from the early 2000s in the form of bratty Canadian punk-rockers Sum 41 (Mar 6), with locals Brand New Sunset and The Yers in support.  

HOTELS

Holiday Inn Sukhumvit 22 (Jun)

The formerly slightly seedy corner of Soi 22 will soon be home to the brand new Holiday Inn Sukhumvit 22, fitted out with 300 guest rooms and suites over 28 floors. Apart from two restaurants, a fitness center and an outdoor swimming pool, there will be a lifestyle plaza on the lower floors of the hotel, where you can find popular chain stores such as Boots and The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. 1 Sukhumvit Soi 22, 1800-656-888. www.holidayinn.com

Hua Chang Heritage (TBA)

The colonial-themed building standing next to Hua Chiang Bridge will finally open this year. Owned by the Baiyoke Group, the Huachang Heritage Hotel features a charming design inspired by the Rama V period, with wooden louvres and patterned walls complemented by Victorian furnishings and marble details. The hotel houses 80 rooms over seven floors, a classy lounge and dining room, as well as an outdoor pool. With a budget of B400 million, expectations are high. 400 Soi Kasemsan 1, Phayathai Rd., 02-656-3000 ext 72166. BTS Ratchathewi. www.huachangheritagehotel.com

Bangkok Marriott Hotel Sukhumvit

Opening in March, on the corner of Sukhumvit Soi 57 just a short walk from BTS Thong Lo, is Bangkok Marriott Sukhumvit. The high-rise hotel features 275 guest rooms and 21 suites equipped with modern facilities, all complimented by five food and beverage outlets: the all-day dining restaurant 57th Street, The District specializing in grills, The Great Room lobby bar, the multi-level rooftop bar The Octave, and the Chocolate Cake Company. There will also be a spa, fitness center, business center, function rooms and 74 serviced apartment units. Sukhumvit Soi 57, 02-797-0000. www.marriott.com/bkkms
 

Shangarila Restaurant

A big favorite among the Thai-Chinese families whose moms or grandmas resolutely say no to farang food. The place has been around for more than 40 years and the décor is typically Chinese, with lots of red and lots of round tables. It’s loud, of course, being full of families and playing kids on weekends, and mostly businessmen on weekdays. The food is decent, too, with varieties of dimsum and a nicely balanced rad naa (noodles in gravy sauce, B150) that’s sure to remind you of your aunt yelling at you to eat your vegetables, when all you really wanted was the Peking duck (that’s still cooked to perfection, B900).
147/7-9 Silom Rd., 02-234-9147-9. Open daily 10am-2pm; 5-10pm. www.shangarilagroup.com

Bua

Before Bua hit the community malls, it was another of those family-friendly restaurants with outdoor seating and fish tanks for the kids to gawk at. The vast menu covers all the classic Thai dishes you could possibly think of, but we recommend going for the tao hu song krueng (stir-fried tofu in gravy sauce, B150) or poo pad pong kari (stir-fried crab with yellow curry powder, B1,700 for a kg). And why not head to the branch on the edge of Bangkok and combine it with a family moment in the suan arharn (food park).
5/1 Srinakarin Rd., 02-393-5876, 02-393-5877. Open daily 10am-10pm

Pan Pan

Back in the old days when Bangkok didn’t have so many osteria, the name Pan Pan was synonymous with Italian dining. We must admit to fond childhood memories of tagging along with our parents and their snappily dressed friends for a dinner in town. Since then, the Lang Suan outlet has closed and a thin layer of nostalgia has settled on the original restaurant’s unpretentious but, warm décor. Still, Pan Pan has some good-value treats, particularly if you like pasta and cheese. The macaroni with mushroom and cream sauce (B230) features al dente pasta and sliced mushrooms drenched in a super rich cream sauce, and the baked spinach (B220) is still covered in an overabundance of melted cheese that any kid would love.
Sukhumvit Soi 33, 02-258-9304. Open daily 11am-11pm

Nittaya Gai Yang

Growing up, many of us were told not to eat KFC. But our parents would compromise by taking us here where the grilled chicken (B90) is simply wonderful—cooked to a browned perfection. Even the grown-up dishes like gaeng kua hed tob (curry with star mushroom, B80) are rich and flavorsome (not to mention pretty hot). The place is quite baan baan with its tiled floors and big chicken statue out the front of most branches but that doesn’t dampen our enthusiasm to keep going back.
Try Prachachuen Rd., 02-591-1264-5. Open daily 10:30am-9:30pm. Find more branches at www.nittayakaiyang.com

Krua Apsorn

The draw is clearly not the two shophouse-wide dining room fronted by big windows with its cafeteria-like feel. And the simple menu, with just a few dozen standards, doesn’t hint at the miracles created in the kitchen. What makes these seemingly mundane dishes special is in part because they’re made the “old-fashioned” way from classic recipes handed down and fine-tuned over decades. The most scrumptious dish is the fresh chunks of crabmeat fried with yellow chilies, onions and string beans (B350). The crab is fresh and the flavors are well-balanced. A dish like the kai jiew foo poo (omelet with crabmeat, B85) is sure to ring a comforting bell from your kindergarten days. Krua Apsorn’s location in the Dusit area may be fairly forgettable, but its excellent flavors always demand a revisit.
Samsen Rd., 02-668-8788. Open Mon-Sat 10:30am-7:30pm. www.kruaapsorn.com

“The accidents, coincidences and melodramatic flourishes pile up like a February snowdrift.” Roger Moore, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

“The most disappointing aspect of Deadfall is its conventionality. For a thriller, it’s light on surprises.” James Berardinelli, ReelViews

“The perfect movie to watch when someone next to you on the couch is on the phone.” Jordan Hoffman, Badass Digest

“Watching this violent potboiler is like observing a thief knock off a convenience store, then seeing him lock his keys in the car.” Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News

“The film does manage some unintentional humor through its assortment of oddball accents, quirky characters, romantic silliness and overwrought action sequences.” Todd Jorgenson, Cinemalogue.com