Favorite audience:
People who are there for the music, not to show off their money or looks.
All time fave song:
One of them is definitely Stevie Wonder’s “Superwoman,” though there are many more.
Rule for life:
Work hard, but only at things you love.
Favorite Bangkok sound/ noise:
Whatever the waiter says when bringing me some lovely Thai food!
Last thing that made me stop and think:
When I heard Bush is sending more troops to Iraq.
If Bangkok were music, it sound likes:
A lot of percussion and rhythm, hectic and fast, but with a great warm, loving feeling.
Favorite website:
YouTube
Most embarrassing record you’ve owned:
Twisted Sister, Stay Hungry. Actually, it wasn’t a record, it was a cassette tape, and I was 7 years old!!
Rasmus Faber will DJ while Melo sings on Mar 9 at Bed Supperclub, 26 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-3537. Open daily 7:30pm-1am. B1,000 (2 drinks).
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Did you always want to be a chef?
No, I started cooking because I didn’t want to go to school at the age of 16. I started to love the job at the age of 21 when I was working for the Roux brothers in London.
How’s it feel to have a father who is a Michelin-star chef? Do you feel any pressure living up to that reputation?
No, my father always gives me helpful advice, especially about the ancient regional cucina Italiana.
What kind of food do you enjoy eating?
Seafood and Asian recipes from Japan, Thailand and Indonesia.
What’s your favorite cooking technique?
The ancient way of cutting used in Japanese kaiseki cuisine.
How do you take criticism with regard to your food?
As the only thing that permits me to do it better.
Where do you get your inspiration? Are you afraid of running out of inspiration?
Hey! I’m not a poet.
From the point of view of a man who makes cheese himself, how important is cheese in Italian cuisine?
Of course cheese is very important in Italian cuisine. That’s why I won’t mix any good cheese with other ingredients. It’s like using a very good wine for cooking. Yes, you can do that, but a winemaker wouldn’t do that to his son.
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Soi Choke Chai 4, 02-618-7179. Open Sat 8pm-1am.
This serious women-who-prefer-women bar is operated by Lesla, a Thai lesbian organization. Come here to network with other lassies, whatever your sexual orientation. There is a monthly event here organised by Lesla with different themes, depending on the occasion. Visit their website for updated info: www.lesla.com.
56 Phra Atit Rd., 02-282-7507. Open Mon-Sat 4pm-midnight.
One of the first hip places that sprang up on this road, Hemlock is very lesbian-friendly, though the crowd is mixed. This bar-cum-restaurant serves Thai dishes at reasonable prices along with jazz music. If you want to make lots of female friends, go there on weekends.
106/12-13 Soi Lang Suan, near Sarasin Rd., 02-254-6463. Open daily 7pm-1am.
The newest girl-dominated-venue in town, Shela caters to a slightly older crowd than RCA. An all-girl live band plays retro pop music nightly. A good place for celebrity spotting ("Is she...?")
29/67-69 Soi Soonvijai, Royal City Avenue, Rama 9 Rd., 02-203-0994, 02-203-0997. Open daily 6pm-1am.
Run by a young, hip crew of ladies, this lesbian haven has already made a name for itself. The bar’s claim to fame is “exclusively for women,” and they are serious about it. You can’t even bring along your gay friends unless you come as a big group. You go, girls.
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How did you start break-dancing?
I saw it on TV, in a music video, and loved it right away. I tried to copy what I saw, but I could not. So I searched on the internet and I found my answer.
What was the scene like back then?
In 1999 there were not so many break-dancers and every move was very new for us. So we challenged each other every day.
How has the scene changed?
Now there are about 300 dancers in Bangkok, and it’s different because everybody knows the moves, but they don’t know the attitude. Break-dancing is about your character, your style, your original moves. Not just copying each other. I think the important thing is creativity, not just doing a move, but thinking about it and creating something new.
Can anybody do this?
At the beginning, everyone is very bad. You need to practice a lot.
What’s your favorite music to break to?
Funk, like James Brown or the Incredible Bongo Band, old skool hip hop, acid jazz and electronic.
What will be taught in the workshop?
I’ll teach the foundations of breaking—toprock, footwork and freeze—and the basics of hip hop culture.
Which are?
Hip hop is about peace, unity, love and having fun, not about the gangsta thing. It’s not a bad culture. We have no need to fight because we don’t have a bad attitude, we battle just for fun.
What’s in your future?
I want to have my own studio...a hip hop academy.
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I was with my family in the countryside, not working, for five years. I’ve been doing interviews and a little bit of modeling. But things have been going slowly, not like before. I want to work, but there aren’t a lot of jobs for me.
I’m 31 now. When people say things about me, it doesn’t bother me so much. Before I was so sensitive, but I’m more confident now. I believe in myself.
Sometimes I miss what I had before. I miss the catwalk. And the photo shoots. I miss doing commercials, too.
When I was 19, a lot of people said I shouldn’t have won that contest. That made me sad. But I was happy that the company from New York thought I was perfect for overseas.
I never felt beautiful. When I started shooting for Vogue, Chanel, seeing myself in magazines, I changed. I still didn’t feel beautiful, but once I saw the pictures I said, “OK, I can be beautiful”—well not beautiful, just photogenic.
When I see the Chanel poster, it makes me happy. I’m proud of myself. But also I remember it was not just me—it was photographers, stylists, assistants. Everybody worked together to come up with the picture.
When I was “hot” I was so full of myself. I was making lots of money, and money can make things easier. But then I started spending a lot. I mean a lot, a lot, a lot. And my ego was so big.
My family told me, “Yui, you must not go out so much, you must save money, you must get close to your mother.” They tried to tell me many times, but I didn’t want to talk to them. I was too cocky.
I lost everything because I was partying too much. I took drugs. It affected my work: like I was late a lot. And I didn’t do a good job. I became another person.
When I had money, I had a lot of friends. I spent a lot on them. But then when I didn’t have money, everybody was gone.
Family is important. When I lost everything, I had nobody—just my mother.
If I could do it all again, even if things would end up the same, I would do it. Even if it’s not all nice, I think it’s good to have experience. Experience makes you stronger. It helps you grow up.
I would tell a young model who wants to make it that she has to be strong. I would say, “Be yourself. Don’t let others try to make you something you are not.”
Don’t always believe everything people tell you. Keep far away from drugs and bad people.
I don’t believe in plastic surgery for myself. I might consider it, but not doing it is better. Because if I do it one time, I’ll have to just do it again and again.
Girls should realize that they can be pretty in their own way regardless of their race or nationality. Thai girls should be proud of how they look and should have the confidence to show it off.
I accept who I am. I’m a country girl. Normally models have to be from a good family, rich, a different background. So for me, a farmer’s daughter, to make it as a model, is something.
I’m lucky, because everyone has been really nice. Some people are proud of me, of what I did for Thailand. This gives me strength. So I’m very happy. And I’m happy that people still remember me.
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To celebrate their 10th anniversary, Laura Mercier has launched a handy all-in-one makeup palette. With a selection of natural colors, Laura’s Signature Collection Book promises flawless results. The set contains three new shades of lipstick, three earthtone eye shadows and two tones of blush. B2,200. Available at Laura Mercier counters (try 1/F, Central Chidlom 1027 Ploenchit Rd., 02-793-7777).
Looking for a new place to release your stress? The Bangkok Oasis Spa (64 Sukhumvit 31, 02-262-2122. www.bangkokoasis.com) is a new downtown facility with its roots in Chiang Mai. Indulge yourself with Oasis’ signature four hands massage at B2,500, or try its hair spa treatment at B1,800/hour. If you have a bit more time, also highly recommended is their Ayurveda package (B3,900), a pleasurable two-hour traditional East Indian oil massage .
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83/8, Soi Charoen Chai, Ekkamai Soi 12, 02-392-2345. Open daily 12:30pm-12:30am. www.almajlis-tearoom.com.
Originally built as a tearoom, there is also an alfresco area with a wine bar. Playing soft lounge music at conversation-friendly levels really makes this place more for romantic whispering than for riotous groups of buddies. You might hear the next table’s dirty talk, but then again, they might hear yours.
Next to Playground!, 08-1824-8011. Open Tue-Sun 2pm-midnight.
Retro shrine to the 50’s to the 70’s. The music is jazz and rock tunes from the golden age of these styles proudly played from the owner’s own collection. Everything in the house is up for sale. Though it claims to be a furniture shop, many chic young people occupy the venue. Remember, being a phuu dee means talking in a low voice—you’ll find no shouting here.
95 Chakrapong Rd., 02-281-4445. Open daily 9-1am.
This two-story bar serves Illy coffee and yummy cocktails day in and day out. Khao San tourists will pop in to read their Asian-themed pocketbooks or just chat with their friends. But Bangkokians come here too, for the slightly retro décor, the art exhibits and the good drinks. For the ultimate quiet, go to the second floor when it’s empty.
Lobby Level, The Sukhothai Hotel, South Sathorn Rd., 02-344-8725. Open daily Mon-Sat 4pm-1am, Sun noon-midnight.
Friendly, bright and airy hotel bar with conversational-friendly lounge music spun by a DJ right there behind the counter with the bartenders. Find young bachelors and late-night executives luring their dates out or finishing up smoking deals in the area—but all of it very hush hush.
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Block C, Royal City Avenue, Rama 9 Rd., 08-9497-8422, 02-622-2572. Open daily 9pm-2am. www.club-astra.com.
When the place is full of punters on event nights, no one cares what is going on on the mezzanine. Take your chances and scream out loud if you want—everyone’s eyes are usually on the decks anyway.
105 Soi Patpong, 02-234-4259. Open daily 7pm-late. www.funkydojo.com.
Tucked away in the sub soi of Patpong, this place is very popular for Silom’s late night prowlers. Most of the time it’s so dark and dodgy, though, if a couple started writhing away in there, no one would even notice.
The Ascott, 187 South Sathorn Rd., 02-676-6673. Open daily 6pm-1am. www.huuinasia.com
Though the place is normally quiet and quite hiso, the communal washbasins make suggestive eye contact easy...and just a few steps from the unisex stalls, too.
Pridipanomyong 25, Sukhumvit 71, 08-1860-6408. Open daily 3pm-1am.
Set in mussel-like colors—orange, black and white—the hoi-centric creations could be considered aphrodisiacs for an interlude afterwards…
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1. What is your definition of “romantic”?
a. Being 100% monogamous.
b. Being 99% monogamous.
c. Buying expensive stuff for your significant other.
d. Being able to do it 5 times in one night.
2. Love is:
a. Giving.
b. An emotional state caused by hormones in your body running amok.
c. A big, fat lie.
d. An illusion propagated by the government so we’ll have more babies who will become tax-paying workers. That’s the whole point, really.
3. People say “I love you” because they:
a. Are seriously in love! What’s wrong with you?
b. Want to get married and live boringly ever after.
c. Watch too much TV.
d. I don’t know. But it shuts her up.
4. Kissing is:
a. A very sweet act of affection.
b. An ideal moment to blush shyly and act innocent.
c. A prelude to some hotter action.
d. An unnecessary formality. Best done quickly with eyes closed.
5. Valentine’s Day is nearing. You:
a. Buy flowers and chocolates and book a table at a nice restaurant on the 14th.
b. Buy birth control.
c. Disappear.
d. Draw up a plan so I can see my five lovers in 24 hours.
6. Valentine’s is a great day for:
a. Promises.
b. Avoiding boring couples because they’re all out having dinner.
c. A Brazilian.
d. Sex.
7. Valentine’s Day was originally:
a. A holiday to celebrate the magic of love.
b. Just another Roman excuse for an orgy.
c. The church’s way of spoiling what was originally a perfectly good Roman orgy.
d. The brainchild of greeting card companies, chocolate makers and florists.
8. What is a “cupid”?
a. A cheeky cherub with a bare bum, whose arrow will make anyone fall in love with the first person they see.
b. Mascot for a brand of toilet paper.
c. A word that understandably rhymes with “stupid.”
d. Nickname for my…
9. In your Valentine’s card, you write:
a. A heart-breaking, self-penned love poem.
b. Some choice lines from a sonnet by Baudelaire.
c. Some choice lines from an R. Kelly song.
d. “There once was a woman from Wick…”
10. Which three words best epitomize Valentine’s Day?
a. Love and romance.
b. A night out.
c. Another stupid holiday.
d. Dinner, then sex.
11. What is your Valentine’s Day color?
a. Pink. My love is sweet and naïve.
b. Red. My love burns hot and is forever.
c. White. My love is pure.
c. Black. Like my heart.
12. Where are you going to book for dinner?
a. Le Vendome. Only the best for you, my sweet.
b. Le Steak. I’ve never heard of it either, but I heard it’s cheap.
c. Le Bouchon. If the date doesn’t pan out, at least I’ll be in Patpong.
d. Book? Why, are we going somewhere?
13. If you could take your tii-raak away for Valentine’s Day, where would you go?
a. Venice. For serenaded gondola tours.
b. Paris. Cheese and truffles are great aphrodisiacs.
c. Outer space. We’ve already done the mile high club.
d. Pattaya. Great seafood and golf.
14. It’s late, you’re at your front door, and you suddenly remember it’s Valentine’s Day. You…
a. Go in, admit my mistake and offer to cook dinner.
b. Run to 7-Eleven and pick up a bottle of Chang and a plastic-wrapped cake.
c. Steal flowers from a neighbor or the closest public park.
d. Take off my shirt, fold it into a bow and put it on my head.
15. Where is the best place in Bangkok to spend Valentine’s Day?
a. Vertigo. What a view. And imagine holding hands under the stars, far from the maddening crowd.
b. RCA. Too loud to talk and plenty of booze.
c. Vertigo. After coughing up that much cash, I expect to get something in return.
d. Soi Patpong. No need to take a date.
16. Your loved one has forgotten Valentine’s Day. You…
a. Collapse into a sobbing mess and sink into a long, dark depression that lasts months.
b. Make him/her take me to Le Normandie, where I order the most
expensive food on the menu.
c. Make a scene. At least the make-up sex will be good. Damn good.
d. Don’t notice. I forgot, too.
17. When you see hearts, you want to:
a. Fall in love.
b. Get one as a gift, preferably cut out of a diamond.
c. Do something about my cholesterol.
d. Fondle something heart-shaped.
18. Booty-calling an old flame on Valentine’s Day is:
a. Sad.
b. Lame but acceptable. Might as well get a little more mileage out of
the time we spent together.
c. Smart. S/he’s probably thinking the same thing.
d. Expected.
19. How will you spend the day after?
a. Call in sick and spend the day together.
b. Breakfast in bed, of course I cook.
c. Business as usual. Go to work—but with a big smile on my face.
d. Sneak out before he/she wakes up. After I erase my number from
his/her cell.
20. Your other half is very sick and calls you while you’re busy at work. You:
a. Stop my work immediately, run to the nearest pharmacy and get him/her every kind of medicine imaginable. In the name of love.
b. Tell him/her to quit bitching, take some Para and stop bothering me at work. Put in a nice way, of course.
c. Say, “Hello. Who is this?”
d. Rejoice. Freedom at last!
21. What is the ultimate gift?
a. Love.
b. A romantic holiday.
c. Chocolates, flowers and anything made of gold.
d. Swallowing.
The Verdict.
a. 1 point b. 2 points c. 3 points d. 4 points
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| 21-36 Hopelessly Romantic. | 37-49 In Love. | 50-64 Faking it. | Over 65 Just Want to Get Laid. |
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Are you still a virgin? What’s the deal here? Valentine’s Day was invented to sell greetings cards. Wake up!
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OK, so you’re in love. FINE. Just stop being so obvious about it. Some of us are still single and deserve respect, too.
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How’s sitting on that fence feel? Move up to the “In Love” category, or get real and downgrade to “Just want to get laid.”
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Love? What’s that? Aren’t we all just animals that are trying to spread our DNA?
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Been alone for ages? Maybe you are looking in the wrong place. Check out these non-bar places and get yourself a lover, partner or gig this Valentine’s Day.
• Starbucks, Thonglor 1 branch (237 Soi Thonglor (before Thonglor Soi 13), 02-712-9691. Open Sun-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri-Sat 7am-11pm. www.starbucks.co.th.)
If you are looking for a chance to meet with young execs or cute university students, look no further. This is a meeting point of stylish people who are willing to pay up to B200 for something to drink. But it’s a coffee shop, so take your time. As long as your target doesn’t order a take-away cup, you should have at least an hour to think of some way to approach them.
• Fitness First Plus (3/F, Q House Lumpini Bldg., 1 South Sathorn Rd., 02-677-7131. Open Mon-Fri 6am-10pm, Sat-Sun 8am-9pm. www.fitnessfirst.co.th.)
Nothing is sexier than a good-looking guy in tight sportswear (well, if you don’t mind the smell). Girls, this one is just for you. Be sporty for a day, and walk up to a machine next to one your target is working on. Fumble with it and pretend not to know how to use it. If they don’t offer to help, just turn and say, “Hey, can you give me a hand with this? These things are so confusing for me.” Shazam! You’re talking (and maybe touching) already.
• Villa Supermarket (J Ave, 593/5 Thonglor, 02-712-6000. Open daily 6am-midnight.)
At Villa, food and drink are not the only things you can put in your cart. Supermarkets are great for observing your dream guy/girl’s habits…or showing off some of your own. Put a few high quality, high ticket items in your basket—perhaps some French cheese or some B300 artichokes—then take a stroll. See what’s in your target’s basket, then come up to them and ask (without glancing up from your shopping list), where that item is, or another item of the same type (“Excuse me, do you know where they keep the extra virgin olive oil? Oh, you have some in your basket...”). Ice officially broken, carry on chatting like old friends.
• TCDC (6/F, Emporium, 622 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-664-8448, Open Tue-Sun 10:30am-9pm. www.tcdc.or.th.)
If you opt for smart and classy types, this venue is the best. Take a look around its exhibition rooms for art and design lovers or apply for a membership and enjoy an eye-nourishing view plus good books in the library. Of course your approach has to be suitably bookish...but you’re a smart cookie, right?
• Gourmet Market (G/F, Siam Paragon, 991/1 Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9000. Open daily 10am-10pm.)
Similar to Villa, the luxurious supermarket at Paragon’s basement offers a wide variety of quality products...There are plenty of fish in this air-con sea, so go on, hook’em.
The first step to being a successful flirt is to show that you’re attracted to a certain person. After all, when you are told someone likes you, doesn’t that elevate your opinion of them? Being the quirky creatures we are, there is no sure-fire, 100-percent-guaranteed way to know if someone is attracted to you. So why not try to let them know instead...
This is the number one flirting signal; the gateway to an approach, so go on: look over there!
DO: Make eye contact briefly, a few times—keeping your gaze soft. If the object of your desire reciprocates, it means you’ve got their interest. (Or you’ve got pak chee in your teeth.)
DON’T: Stare. You’ll scare them! If they don’t return your initial gaze, all is not lost: See how that person interacts within a group. They may just be shy and hesitate to hold anyone’s gaze for long.
So now, you’re more than faces in the crowd, what next? Find yourself next to them at the bar.
DO: Keep it simple—use natural openers such as “It’s a bit crowded in here, don’t you think?” Even if you feel obvious, these are recognized conversation starters, open questions that people can respond to.
DON’T: Use cheesy pick-up lines—even if you think you’re being funny and charming. It will only make you look predatory, and them feel cheap.
A bit of good-natured friction heightens tensions and raises expectations for later.
DO: Playfully tease them—but keep it light and fun.
DON’T: Make fun of their shortcomings—even if they do.
Most people like a bit of a chase, why not give it to them?
DO: Be subtle. Make them suspect you’re interested, but don’t let them know for sure.
DON’T: Be cryptic. Men and women do not share the same lines of logic: men often can’t read signals that women think are patently obvious, and vice versa.
Confidence and charm can outweigh physical disadvantages, but try to find someone roughly as attractive as you: statistically, there’s a better chance you’ll stay together.
While women tend to underestimate their looks, men often overestimate theirs, because there are “less rigid” rules for men’s beauty. So girls, flirt with men who you think look better than you. And boys, bolster your flirting skills, you’re going to need them!
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+ They preen themselves: little subconscious actions such as re-arranging or playing with clothing or hair. |
- The face smiles, but the arms are folded across the chest. |
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+ They keep entering your personal space. |
- They’re leaning away. |
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+ Their body is open to you, closing off the rest of the room. |
- Their head is facing you, but their body is turned somewhere (or toward someone) else. |
• Wanna see a trick I learned in prison?
• If I could rearrange the alphabet, I would put U and I together.
• Are you religious? Cause you are the answer to all my prayers.
• I'm on fire. Can I run through your sprinkler?
• I like the look of your crotch.
• You must be Jamaican, because Jamaican me crazy.
• You know what I like about you? My arms.
• Are my undies showing? Would you like them to?
• Your daddy must have been a baker, because you've got a nice
set of buns.
• Do you know how to use a whip?
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