In the age of platinum package cable TV, high-speed internet, video games and iPods, it can be hard for most of us to stay interested in something for long—you might even be skipping parts of this article now just to get to the main point. Our senses are constantly bombarded with things to do, see, hear and react to. So we’ve grown accustomed to doing it all and doing it all at once. No wonder one-stop spots like J-Avenue where you can eat, go shopping, buy groceries, go bowling and get your nails done are so popular. But long before J-Avenue and Playground!, small independent businesses have been playing the multi-service card by providing more than one in-store service. These places have made it possible to enjoy a meal, get your hair and nails done and leave with something cool to wear or hang on your walls—without having to set foot outside even once. If that sounds like some time well spent, check out the places below.

It’s Happened To Be A Closet de Nero (32 Khao San Rd., Phranakorn, 02-629-5271/-2. Open Tue-Sun, 1–11pm). If you haven’t heard of this weirdly named shop yet, you’re missing out on one of Bangkok’s most unique and stylish boutiques. Having first opened in Siam Square, IHTBAC has now opened a second store in Khao San that is bigger and better. The new shop is set in a converted colonial style house tucked away within the vicinity of Tom Yum Koong Restaurant and True Shop. Stepping into this shop is like stepping into a different world filled with vintage furniture, precious knickknack, stacks of art books and fashion magazines and, of course, racks crammed full of eclectic, brightly colored tops, skirts and dresses. Though on the pricey side, the clothes are absolutely unique, with new designs added daily by prolific designer/owner “Jeah” Siriwan Tharananithikul. Besides clothes, IHTBAC also offers food: The mini restaurant serves tantalizing pastries and baked desserts, as well as Italian main dishes made in the store’s fully equipped display kitchen. Seating is available throughout the shop—just seek out your favorite corner, plop down and soak up the atmosphere. IHTBAC also triples as a beauty salon, offering hair, manicure and massage services. However, space is limited to one person at a time, so calling ahead for a reservation is a definite must. “It is not unusual for customers to spend a whole day in here, pampering themselves and taking advantage of what we have to offer,” says “Noon” Chantamol Laypradit, IHTBAC’s interior designer. “We even provide valet parking for our customers if they don’t want to look for a parking space themselves.”

Abstract Creations (125/21 Sukhumvit Soi 55 [just before Soi 7], 02-392-3330, 02-382-3330, 01-827-6922. Open Mon-Sat 9am-8pm) is a funky, brightly colored salon owned by multi-talented hair stylist Johnny Lim, who has been providing customized cuts and more for over six years. Walking in, you’ll find the Saluté juice café on the first floor, serving healthy fruit shakes and smoothies made from organic and pesticide-free fruit and vegetables. Light sandwiches and salads are available, as well as internet services, providing an ideal place for customers to sit back and relax while waiting to get their hair done. Upstairs you’ll find Johnny’s salon, where he offers numerous services such as hair and scalp treatments, hair coloring, perms and straightening. Originally hailing from Canada, Johnny trained as a hair stylist before moving to Bangkok in the 90’s. His approach to cutting hair is to design a style that is uniquely fitted to every person individually. That’s why you’ll usually have to make an appointment with the maestro: He takes his time to carefully detect which style will suit which customer. The walls of the salon and café double as a gallery for Johnny’s other creative interests: fashion photography and wood design. Johnny selects rosewood, ebony and teak from Laos and designs pieces, while local artisans craft them for him. His unique creations are on sale in the shop.

When asked if he was planning on expanding even more in the future, he replied, “I like to create things when I’m free; that’s how I work. If I’m idle I get bored, but when I’m doing something, I always get new ideas.”

Like most of Bangkok’s best kept secrets, Shades of Retro (next to Playground! Open Tue-Sun 2pm-midnight, 01-824-8011) has grown in popularity by word-of-mouth since it first opened in 2001. It’s a store that specializes in vintage furniture, home accessories and audio equipment from the 50s, 60s and 70s. It’s also a comfortable hangout where visitors can sit back and relax with a cocktail or a cup of joe while listening to some great tunes. A big draw of the store is the friendly and likeable owner, known to most as “P’Boy.” Rather than sitting behind the counter silently working the cash register, he is constantly seen warmly welcoming customers into his store while catching up with his regulars. There’s no doubt that his personal approach with his customers is what draws them back here. “Most of my customers are regulars. It’s very much like a local watering hole where oftentimes people will just drop by and run into people they know.”

Open for just two months, his new digs are a significant improvement from the original, which was a much smaller space with less sitting room and incidentally well-known for its dodgy toilet. Now it’s nicely spread out over two generous floors, with two bathrooms that work beautifully and lots of space to sprawl around. Furniture, home accessories and collectibles from the 50s-70s are on display downstairs. Also on sale are vintage deadstock fabrics custom-made into lampshades.

A large part of Shades of Retro is dedicated to vintage audio equipment such as record players, speakers and accessories from Bang and Olufsen—pieces that not only sound spectacular but also make pretty decorative items in a room. A music-lover himself, Boy sets the mood in his shop with his own collection of records playing a great mix of classic jazz and rock from the 60s, 70s and 80s.

“Everything I sell here I repair and restore myself,” assures Boy. “Everything from the phones, the clocks, the audio-equipment to the refrigerators actually works.”

Behind the counter is a shelf lined with liquor bottles and a large handwritten chalkboard menu showcasing the cocktails and beer on hand (B60-90 for beer, B120-150 for cocktails, B300 for a pitcher) and a short but concise coffee menu (B45-65). The coffee here is something that Boy particularly prides himself on. “Anyone looking for a good shot of espresso should come here.”

When asked about future plans for the store, Boy mentions that he might start providing home decorating services or rent the third floor out as a mini guest house. Food is the one idea Boy remains iffy about. “I really want to control the style and atmosphere of this place as much as possible, and not have it stray too far from what I originally intended it to be.”

Whether it’s pizza, pasta, or provolone, we’ve all had Italian food in some form or another. As one of the most popular cuisines in the world, it's surprising that few people other than discerning foodies and true-blooded Italians really know the difference between regional cuisines found in Italy. Much like how in Thailand, khao soi is distinctively Northern and khao niew is distinctively Southern, regional cuisines in Italy differ because of geographic makeup, influences from neighboring countries and traditions.

The country of Italy as we know it has only been around since its recent unification in 1861—the Italian language spoken today not in common use until after World War II. Consequently, it still remains a colorful patchwork of diversity that spans 20 regions. The country’s varying geography provides a broad range of climates and environments which have flourished into autonomous cultures with distinct cuisines.

Clear differences between Northern and Southern Italian cuisine are in the type of fat and style of pasta used in their cooking. “The Northwest uses more butter and cream because of its influence from France. The Northeast is poorer and uses more polenta, soft cheeses like ricotta and more seafood from the coast. In the mountain regions, the influences are from Austria and Germany and they have dishes such as gnocchi, canneloni, speck and cold cuts,” says Chef Gianni Favro of Gianni Ristorante.

The Central region is known for some of the best meats, fish and vegetables due to its ideal environment of low mountains, rich farming tradition and proximity to the coast. Though Central Italian fare appears simple, the flavors are bold. “All the bread there is made without salt because the taste of the food is very strong,” says Chef Angelo Rottoli of Beccofino.

In Southern Italy, the food is lighter, spicier and healthier due to its Mediterranean influences. Olive oil is used instead of butter; tomatoes, buffalo mozzerella and seafood also characterize the region. “Mediterreanean food has a lot of vegetables, seafood and cured meats such as pork. Not so much red meat is used,” says Chef Marco Cammarata of Bel Guardo.

The A Tavola! Italian Food Festival, which runs June 2-11, is a great chance to experience the different flavors of Italy’s regional foods. Bangkok’s top Italian chefs will be representing different regions with special menus at their restaurants using freshly imported ingredients from Italy. The price per head is B1,200++ at all participating restataurants and includes a glass of sparkling wine and a cup of coffee. We spoke with each chef to find out what diners can expect and shouldn’t miss during the festival.

NORTH

Chef Antonio Facchinetti

Region: Lombardy/Emilia Romagna
What to expect: Imported olive oil from Liguria, porcini mushrooms, Taleggio cheese, salami di Felino.
Don’t miss: Polenta negra (polenta made with mushroom, chestnut flour and buckwheat) with porcini mushrooms, caso‘la (stew of cabbage, pork ribs and sausage), la torta sbrisolona (a dry crumbly cake made from polenta, flour, butter and eggs), pasta asoncelli (pasta with pork, a local cheese, butter and sage).
La Villa—131 Thonglor Soi 9 (Paidee-Madee), 02-712-9991. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 6:30-11:30pm

Chef Gianmaria Zanotti

Region: Piedmont/Liguria
What to expect: Assorted seasonal vegetables, Marzolino truffle, white asparagus, pigeon and Castelmagno cheese.
Don’t miss: Fish and meat main courses, risotto, tagliolini and fresh mushrooms and bonet (a traditional Piedmont dessert made with amaretto cookies, almond and caramel).
Zanotti—21/2 Soi Saladeang, 02-636-0002. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 6-10:30pm.

Chef Gianni Favro

Region: Tri-Veneto
What to expect: Hams and cold cuts from San Daniele and Sauris, “cheese from the mountains, crabs and shellfish from the coast,” rare olive oil from Carso, dry Borlotti beans, yellow and white polenta, dry baccala (dried salted cod) and meats from the Pianura Padana.
Don’t miss: Sopa coada (baked pigeon, bread and cheese soup), risotto with baby artichoke, baccala alla vicentina (dried salted cod cooked in milk and served with polenta) and brodetto (seafood soup).
Gianni Ristorante­­­­­­­—34/1 Soi Tonson, 02-252-1619. Open daily noon-2pm, 6-10pm.

CENTRAL

Chef Andreas Bonifacio

Region: Emilia Romanga, Marche, Abruzzo
What to expect: Olives from Marche, Parmesan and Parma ham from Emilia Romanga.
Don’t miss: Olive ascolane (stuffed olives that are breaded and deep fried), tortellini with Parma ham and Scamorza cheese sauce.
Fallabella—100 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-252-5131. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 6-11pm.

Chef Angelo Rottoli

Region: Tuscany
What to expect: Appetizers of Tuscan salami, lardo collanata (seasoned and aged pork fat), pasta papparadelle (a wide fettuccine) and white duck from Tuscany.
Don’t miss: Pan forte biscuits served with coffee, Peccorino Tuscano.
Beccofino—146 Thonglor Soi 4, 02-393-1881. Open daily 11:30am –2:30pm, 6:30-10:30pm.

SOUTH

Chef Fabio Colautti

Region: Campania/Calabria
What to expect: Spicy fresh Italian sausage, buffalo mozzerella and spicy salami from Calabria.
Dishes not to miss: Tuna with capsicum and cherry tomatoes with fennel ragu, spicy chocolate tart.
Giusto—16 Soi Sukhumvit 23. 02-258-4321. Open daily 11:30am-2pm, 5:30-11pm. Wine bar: 5:30-midnight.

Chef Frederik Farina

Region: Sicily
What to expect: Cured leg of wild Nebrodi pork, cured ham, Ragusano, Peccorino Calcagno and Primosale Peccorrino, capers from Salina and Sicilian olive oil.
Don’t miss: Pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines, spring fennel saffron), Sicilian cheese plate with white bread.
Spasso—494 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-254-1234. Open daliy noon-2pm, 6-11pm.

Chef Giovanni Speciale

Region: Puglia and Molise
What to expect: Burrata cheese (a cheese made from “pulled” skin of stretched mozzerella) and homemade pasta made from durum wheat flour.
Don’t miss: Orecchiette with cime de rabe (small ear­ shaped pasta with broccoli rabe, garlic, chili and anchovies), cavatelli (small shell pasta), grilled mixed Mediterrean seafood, smoked swordfish.
Biscotti—155 Ratchadamri Rd., 02-251-6127. Open daily 6-10:30pm.

Chef Marco Cammarata

Region: Calabria
What to expect: Fresh anchovies, swordfish, red onions from Tropea, grey oyster mushrooms.
Don’t miss: Anchovies in scapece (fresh anchovies marinated in salt, sugar and lemon) with fennel and blood orange salad, Licurdia red onion soup with spicy crostini, swordfish grilled with stir-fried capsicum and potatoes with black olive salsa. 
Bel Guardo—G/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd. Open daily 11:30am-11pm. n

(Left to right)
Brushed metal case from Playground!, B195
Turquoise business card wallet with colored elastic bands from Taxidermy, B325
Black textured metal case from

(Left to right)
Turquoise leather business card holder from Taxidermy, B455
Chinese metal case from Playground!, B350
Aqua and yellow business card wallet from Zacc, B890

(Left to right)
Black stictched leather wallet with black elastic band from KW, B286
Green leather business card envelope from Libreria, B1,690
Double-sided aluminum cardholder from Present Time, B295

(Left to right)
Caramel brown leather business card holder from Libreria, B1,590
Light brown leather business card wallet from Libreria, not yet available
Dark red business card holder from Libreria, B1,950

Directions

Libreria, The Siam Society, 131 Sukumvit Soi 21 (Asoke), 02-661-6480. Open Tue-Sat 9am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm.

BKJ Fai.com, Zacc, KW from Playground!, 818, Sukhumvit 55 (Thonglor), 02-714-7888. Open daily 10am-11pm.

Present Time from Qconcept, 3/F Siam Paragon, 991 Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-9540. Open daily 10am-10pm.

Taxidermy from S318, 218/5-6 Siam Square Soi 1, 02-658-4387-8. Open daily noon-9pm.

Amaltery

88/6 Camp Davis, Sukhumvit Soi 24, 01-849-4405. Open Mon-Sat noon-11pm.
Price: B60 for one scoop, B110 for two.

The Selection: Over 30 flavors of alcohol infused ice cream and sorbets that rotate daily. These frozen cocktails contain about 5% alcohol—not enough to make you tipsy but enough to make you smile. If you’re underage or not into the spirit of things then opt for the ever-ready malt flavored ice cream—the only non-alcoholic ice cream available. Popular flavors include ATV (almond, toffee, vodka) and Sex on the Beach (vodka, peach schnapps). A real drink list with cocktail menu and imported beers is also available.

The Service: Cool, calm and laidback, which makes sense in this small space.

The Setting: Small, sleek and chic—it looks more like a bar or hip café than an ice cream shop. On your left, find a concrete cubist relief on the wall, which is lined with a sofa and plush pillows. In the back, rows of liquor line the shelves as if to remind you of their ice cream’s distinctive characteristic.

The Verdict: Two words: yummy and ingenious! We can’t think of anything better to have on a hot summer day than these icy, alcoholic treats. We dare say this innovative approach to serving a drink is almost as fun as having the real deal, the only catch is that there is too little alcohol—but that’s what the cocktail menu is for!

Buono Gelatorante

145 Thonglor Soi 10, 02-392-4675/-6. Open daily 9am-midnight. www.buonogelato.com
Price: B45 for one scoop, B85 for two.

The Selection: They specialize in gelato—an Italian style treat that is lower in fat than regular ice cream with a lighter, smoother consistency and served semi-frozen. They have about 40 flavors that rotate on a daily basis throughout their branches, 10 flavors at a time. Popular flavors include brownie milk, stracciatella, mascarpone, tiramisu and Belgian chocolate. Also have sorbets and sherbets like roselle, santol and limoncello.

The Service: Service is friendly and amiable. Waiters are knowledgeable about the menu and can give good recommendations if you’re having a hard time deciding what you want.

The Setting: Equal parts gelatoria and ristorante (thus a gelatorante), the venue is comfortable and pleasant thanks to the converted house it is set in. Windows give diners a glimpse of the green garden outside. The interior is stylish but not over-sophisticated or stuffy.

The Verdict: Homemade ice cream that is professionally done. The gelato has an even texture and appearance and a wholesome, authentic flavor where the all-natural ingredients really shine. Some of the best ice cream in Bangkok.

Ete

1/F, Penny’s Balcony, Thong Lor Soi 16, 02-714-9813. Open Sun-Thu 10am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-1am. www.etedairy.com
Price: B40 for one scoop, B75 for two.


The Selection: Ete features 40 flavors of ice cream all made with fresh milk from their own farm in Nakon Ratchasima. They feature both traditional and local flavors. Popular flavors include cookies and cream, Nutella, kiwi strawberry and durian. Ete is like the Swensen’s of the homemade ice cream movement, regularly featuring promotional sets, flavors of the month, and daring seasonal flavors (ma muang nam plaa wan, anyone?). They distribute their own retail packaged ice cream (B90/400g) to supermarkets like Foodland and The Mall.

The Service: Service with a smile that is friendly and a tad aggressive in that promotion-pushing sort of way.

The Setting: Ete’s first standalone screams “internet café” but without any computers. The interior sports really bad décor with a loud pseudo-retro pattern on the walls colliding head-on with generic abstract paintings. Better to get a seat by the window and enjoy the view, or just get it to go.

The Verdict: The ice cream here is definitely denser and harder than other places we’ve tried, which some may like depending on preference. We prefer their creamier flavors as opposed to their fruitier ones.

Hay Café

1/F, Siam Paragon, 911/1 Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-7561. Open daily 10am-10pm.
Price: B45 for one scoop, B90 for two.

The Selection: Italian homemade style with 50 flavors of sorbet, frozen yogurt and milky ice cream, 22 of which are found in the daily ice cream case. Flavors include green apple, blueberry yogurt, coffee caramel, cookie and cream, and chocolate banana. Each scoop is huge. Hay’s ice cream flavors, whether fruity or milky, are nicely done with a smooth, soft, rich taste.

The Service: Cold and not really well trained. Be prepared for dirty looks when you want to try a number of flavors. That’s not to say they are all bad, but if you’re lucky enough to find a nice one, try to stick with him or her.

The Setting: The new branch at Siam Paragon is small but sweet with feminine looking pastel colors and flowery wallpaper. Despite limited space, transparent partitions help keep it comfortable and promote window-shopping while taking an ice cream break.  

The Verdict: Hay Café is an ice cream heaven that we love to revisit often. Aside from the service and small selection of toppings, its flavors are rich and their big scoops score big with us. The central location is convenient, as well.

IBerry (Mousse and Berries)

J Avenue, Thonglor Soi 15, 02-712-6054. Open Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 10am-midnight. www.iberryhomemade.com
Price: B40 for one scoop, B70 for two.

The Selection: Iberry was one of the first to jump start the homemade ice cream craze by making local flavors to suit Thai tongues. They feature over 100 flavors but are most popular for the local fruit flavors they introduced like madun, tamarind, santol, gooseberry and lychee. Popular fruit flavors at this branch include the two-timing blueberry mango and gooseberry; for creamy flavors, macadamia and Nutella are top picks.

The Service: Prompt, friendly and professional, even for such a busy branch.

The Setting: The shop is circular and glass encased with a refreshingly white interior and touches of leaf green and soft yellow. Marble table tops, wicker chairs, tree branches and bird cages—all in white—strangely give you a feel for summer and gardens without there being any trees, flowers or birds.

The Verdict: We like them for their overall image and their variety of unique flavors—especially their selection of fruit flavors that is extensive and definitely earns them points for creativity. The fruit flavors have the upper hand for this brand and are what you should really come here for.

Ice Connection

Verasu, 4/F, Verasu building, Wireless Rd., 02-254-8101-8 ext 4100. Open daily 9am-7pm.
Price: B35 for one scoop, B69 for two.

The Selection: Ice Connection comes with a selection of healthy ice cream flavors that match your blood type. People with blood types B and AB can eat ice cream made from cow’s milk, but this kind of milk isn’t suitable for people who have type O and A. Instead they should consume ice cream made from soymilk. Their cones are also made from flour imported from the US called spelt, which is a healthy wheat.

The Service: Pretty waitresses are well trained, friendly and helpful.

The Setting: Located at a corner of the Verasu building’s fourth floor, Ice Connection has pretty good views from glass windows. The ambience is quiet as there are not many people passing by.    

The Verdict: Having ice cream that matches your blood type is a unique experience, but if you aren’t a health freak, you probably won’t go out of your way to make it to the Verasu building. Because of the low sugar andmilk content, every flavor is  light. Don’t expect any creamy, rich desserts here.

Spice Story
G/F, Siam Paragon, 911/1 Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-7561. Open daily 10am-10pm.
Price: B50 for one scoop, B100 for two

The Selection: This stylish shop doesn’t focus on ice cream exclusively, but as its name suggests, stocks spice-infused ice cream to lure in passing shoppers. Its creative selections are limited to just seven flavors—chili, pepper magic, orange charm, morning glory, lemongrass, cinnamon and green tea poppy seed. No toppings or fancy stuff.

The Service: Friendly and helpful. Though people always dip in to taste these unusual selections—especially chili and pepper flavors—the staff always smile and are willing to give customers a try.  

The Setting: With shocking pink color, this modern Chinese shop is adorable. The inside may be too small to sit down at and chill for long, but the tables right out front are lovely.

The Verdict: Great creativity, but chilli and pepper flavors are too hot!  They increase the temperature in our bodies instead of cooling us down like other ice creams do. New flavors like wasabi or kaeng khiaw waan may come soon so check back in the future. 

Tuscanini
229 Thonglor Soi 11. 02-391-3164. Open Sun-Thur 11:30am-10pm, Fri-Sat 11am-11pm.
Price: B39 for one scoop, B69 for two

The Selection: Boston-style homemade ice cream with about 100 daily rotating flavors. Its sorbet types are adequate while their milky ice creams are excellent—rich and not too sweet. Fancy ice creams are displayed on the board menu, including waffle ice cream (B125) and taco ice cream (B125). Toppings are similar to other places. Its whipped cream is light and smooth. Outstanding flavors are kahlua, white chocolate, ginger, cookies and cream, and blueberry.

The Service: Perfectly helpful and informative. The staff greet you with big smiles. If you don’t know what to order, they recommend new and popular flavors. Also, they encourage trying unfamiliar flavors and are endlessly patient.

The Setting: The first branch at Thong Lor is quite old, but still cozy. Soft, big orange sofas are great for laying back or even to take a short nap; especially the one inside the shop. The board menu is helpful, presenting the customer with mouthwatering ice cream pictures.

The Verdict: Two thumbs up for fantastic service. Super friendly staff creates a pleasant ambience at the shop. Beside service, smooth, rich, milky ice cream, with crispy waffle cones and comfy sofas are other criteria that draw us back again and again.

Helping to make fine art more accessible to the masses, new gallery 44 Arts (44 Jakrapong Rd., Taladyod, Phranakorn, 02-629-5822, 09-607-3065. Open daily 10am-10pm. www.44artsthailand.com) offers a different approach to displaying art. Unlike a traditional gallery where a huge space displays entire collections from just a few artists, the space here isn’t intimidating. It’s smaller and cozier, showing a variety of Thai art from renowned masters—all of which are for sale. Making the setting even more comfortable, a small coffee counter called Coffee Code serves up coffee and sandwiches and a selection of wines is available. A small sitting area in the center with dark leather upholstered chairs and hanging lamps welcomes admirers of art to lounge and chat. If the weather’s good, an inviting balcony outside features a counter lined with seats and teak chairs and tables nestled among lush plants and an urn fountain.

As for where the art hangs, the space inside is divided up into mini-galleries that are rented out by other local galleries. Pieces vary from paintings, prints, and small sculptures to T-shirts and other clothes. Resembling little shops in a mall, the small galleries are grouped side-by-side with glass fronts, swinging doors, and their own signs. This easy-breezy way of viewing art works to the advantage of the artists, galleries, potential buyers and casual viewers as a variety of great works can be viewed intimately and informally under one roof. 44 Arts would like to do away with the old notion that you have to go to a sterile gallery or a museum to see art. Believing that art galleries shouldn’t just be concentrated in the Sukhumvit and Silom areas, they decided to place the gallery in the Khao San area to attract a variety of people and widen the sphere of art being shown throughout the city.

Klaus Fruchtnis is a young photographer from Columbia whose work features wide-angle scenes of people and situations that are not always what they seem. A closer look can reveal architecture merged into impossible angles and perspectives and repeating figures in a single scene. He has exhibited his work in group and solo exhibitions around the world. His latest collection, “360 Degrees,” can be viewed at Hu’u Gallery and will run until the end of April.

How did you get into photography in the first place?
I can’t give you one reason… I think I feel more comfortable with images than words. I can go beyond real feelings through my images because they are real to me.
I started taking pictures when I was 14 years old. Since then, I still feel it is a very interesting way to keep the magic of a moment and the purity of a second of life.

Where does your inspiration come from?
I have thousands of sources of inspiration. But one thing that helps my inspiration to come out is my curiosity. I like to spend my time looking around and waiting for an idea or a situation to come to me. I am very interested by the paintings of the Renaissance, especially by all the paintings that represent a traditional composition of the space or a particular and unusual way to see an image. I’m also very interested by all the Antonioni and Greenaway movies; also by architecture and urbanism.

What themes are explored in this exhibition?
The main theme of this exhibition is the space and its structure. The characters do not have much to tell. The viewer is in the image but somehow excluded from the scene. Each photograph has a different composition of floating conversations, light silences, triangulation of glances, and the same characters twice…in a few words it’s a scene to be contemplated.

You say that your photographs are not panoramic. Explain how they are not.
Well, I mean that my photographs are not conventional panoramic images. You can have a first feeling that it is a reproduction of the space, but it is not. Everything, even the composition, is false. I like to play with the perspective and the space, setting up my own strategy of vision of the reality. My pictures demand time to be seen. You can feel and find different things every time you look at them. They are like a puzzle.

What are you working on now? What are your future plans?
Last year, I started a monumental project called ‘360° to the sky’ (360 photographs taken to the sky with a ‘fish-eye’ lens). I’ve been doing this project in different cities around the world (Shanghai, London, Paris, Bangkok, Bogotá, …) where I think there are new territories as a thematic space of art development. I am still in the middle of this project and the results until now are amazing, I am very happy about that. I would like to show this project in future exhibitions in Bangkok, Bogotá and Miami where the gallery that represents me is located.

You don’t have to go to a high-brow art gallery to buy a nice painting for your wall. Supalert Peanjitlertkojorn (Jew), 23 is one of many artists you can find selling their original paintings in tiny “galleries” at open-air markets. Helping to bring fine art closer to the masses, artists like Jew make decorative paintings for homes and sell them at affordable prices to regular people. He has his own shop called Q Gallery at Suan Lum Night Bazaar (Lopburi, Soi 2, Lot D25).

Why did you choose to sell your paintings here?
The rent here is not too high. I looked for a place in Chatuchak but it’s hard to find a space there. When we contacted this place there was a space available so we chose to have it here. I feel that Suan Lum is appropriate as well because come here to eat and come to choose home décor items.

Why did you decide to sell paintings for a living?
Before I sold my work here, I worked at a place called Red Gallery in Chatuchak where I was a painter. I worked for them since my third year of university and they would sell my paintings there. When I finished my thesis and graduated they invited me to come work for them full time. After gaining some experience and understanding their way of thinking I decided to step out and do my own thing.

What type of people buy your work?
Primarily it’s interior designers that come and look at my work. They look at the styles or colors that are going to match with the homes or rooms they are going to decorate. Other people who aren’t interior designers will buy stuff to decorate their own homes with.

Are there any pieces that you regret selling?
There was only one piece that I regretted back when I had just opened my old shop. We had just opened and we didn’t have any work on display because we acquired the space so quickly. It was a piece that I was meaning to keep for myself and place at home because I really liked it. But my friend told me to put it on display at the shop first. One day when I wasn’t at the shop, my friend called to tell me that someone wanted to purchase it. I set the price at B15,000 but he wanted it for B9,000. I didn’t want to sell it but my friend convinced me to so I did. Looking back now, I would have chosen not to.

If you were to see that painting again would you want to buy it back?
I might if the price isn’t too high! I’ve always thought of painting in that same style again but at this point I can’t paint the same way as I did before. The feeling is different. The piece I did was a result of my emotions more than just making a decorative painting for someone’s home.

What do you think of other artists at Suan Lum?
I feel good that there is a group of us who come out to sell our work here. It lessens the gap between art and regular people. Before if you wanted to psee some art you had to walk into a gallery and could only buy pieces at really high prices. Regular people just want something nice to put up in their homes but it shouldn’t be beyond their means.

You’ll be pleased to know that when it comes to sex, we Thais get bragging rights for getting it on earlier and more often than our counterparts in other Asia City cities. The majority of us lose our virginity at age 16, and 13% percent of us have sex on a daily (or nightly) basis. We’re also the most likely to answer our cell phones while doing the deed and the most likely (18%) to seek out relationship counseling (16% of those seeking counseling believe it helps). We seem to be firm believers in karma, with 66% of us having cheated on someone and 66% of us believing that we’ve been cheated on. Curious to find out more? Read on…

Respondents

Male 63%
Female 37%

I consider myself:

Straight 70%
Gay 22%
Bi-sexual 6%
Trisexual (as in “will try anything...”) 0.7%

How old were you when you first had sex?

Most respondents in Bangkok lose their virginity earlier with most getting deflowered at age 16. The oldest to have lost it was age 33 and the youngest was age eight. In Hong Kong the most common age was 18, and in Singapore it was a tie between 18 and 21 years of age.

Ever interrupted sex to answer your mobile?

Apparently we in Bangkok find our mobiles so indespensible that we’re willing to answer calls even while we’re getting busy.

Do you prefer a more or less experienced partner?

Apparently more of us like being the student rather than the teacher when it comes to love-making. 67% of us wanted a more experienced partner and 31% wanted a less experienced one.

Ever used Viagra?

No 86%

Ever had a threesome/group sex?

Yes 36%

What’s the longest period you have gone without sex?

A week 12%
A month 31%
Six months 25%
One year 16%
Two years or more 16%

Ever done it in a public place?

What a bunch of exhibitionists! Not only do we like doing it but we like doing it in public. 68.8% have done it in public. But only 7.8% are members of the Mile High Club, having had sex on a plane.

How often do you usually have sex?

Masturbated at work?

Yes 43%

Ever had sex with a work colleague?

When it comes to sex with our colleagues, we and Singapore responded with a resounding “No!”

Ever owned a sex toy?

Yes 34%

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Yes 61%

Would you have sex to advance your career?

No 72%

How many people have you had sex with?

How many dates before sex?

Two 26%
One 21%
Ten 11%
Varies, depends 11%

Ever had relationship counseling?

Yes 17%
No 83%

If yes, did it work?

Yes 16%
No 11%

Have you ever met up for real-time sex with someone via the internet?

The internet is another popular place to pull potential partners at 16%. Which isn’t any wonder considering that 48% of us have had cyber sex and 37% have met up for real time sex.

Would you stay in a relationship knowing you had been cheated on?

Yes 42%
No 58%

Have you ever cheated on someone(left)? Or Have you ever been cheated on(right)?

Is a “happy ending” at a massage parlor the same as cheating?

Yes 41%
No 59%

Ever paid for sex?

Yes 44.5%
No 55.5%

Ever been paid for sex?

Yes 10%
No 90%

Ever faked an orgasm?

Yes 64%

Ever had an STD?

Yes 20%
No 80%

Virgins?

Blessing 60.9%
Curse 39.9%

Porn?

Yuk, never 12.5%
Gross, yet strangely compelling 26.6%
Consult my stash once a week or so 28.9%
It’s the folk art of the future 32%

Would it bother you if your partner had cosmetic surgery?

Ever toyed with S&M?

Yes 23%

Dirty talk?

Hell, yes 83.6%

Imagine being sued for B400 million. Imagine being sued by the company that was, until recently, owned by the prime minister of the country you were born and raised in and love dearly. Media reform activist and secretary general for the Campaign for Media Reform (CPMR) Supinya Klangnarong, 32, is an unlikely David to Shin Corp’s Goliath, but there she is facing a potential fine greater than what she will ever make as an activist. Perhaps sometime soon, or by the time you are reading this, Shin’s new owners will have come to their senses and dropped this ridiculous two-year-old lawsuit. If not, then keep your fingers crossed until March 15, when the Criminal Court is set to deliver a verdict.

The lawsuit totally changed my life. It was very unexpected. I’ve never experienced anything like the way people react to me now. I guess this is what happens to anyone in the public eye, whether they are a movie star or a politician.

This is like a turning point for me. I must decide which way to go. Many people expect that I will become more political, become a politician or maybe run for the senate, but so far I don’t have plans to do that.

It’s not easy to be a politician. You have to be able to handle everything that comes your way. I don’t think I have been able to do this over the past two years. Maybe I seem OK in public, but I think I am still learning how to deal with it on an emotional level.

People think that I am strong, but I cry most of the time. If I were really strong, then I would be joyful most of the time. But there are things that nobody else can see. When you are alone, you can be very sad and very lonely.

When the spotlight comes on, it’s like I’m on stage and I’m just acting. I don’t mean that what you see is fake—it is a performance, but a performance that reflects my faith and my beliefs.

I do what I do because I believe in it. People have different talents and interests. My strengths are my strong beliefs, my faith, my opinions and my ability to express them—particularly in public.

I often question myself and my decisions, especially when I’m confused and lonely. I’m at the age where I’m going to a lot of my friends’ weddings, and they are raising babies and stuff. But I’m still single. I don’t have any plans to get married or to raise a family. I just have too much responsibility at work. And my life was this way even before the lawsuit, for the full 10 years that I’ve been working.

I’m a so-called “working woman,” but my close friends have told me that I lack experience in living—in life. I’m mature when it comes to work, but not in personal relationships. I think this is my problem.

I have asked myself many times if I would have done anything differently knowing that things would turn out this way. My answer is, “No, of course not.” I believe that I did nothing wrong, and if I don’t believe that what I did was right, how can I try to get others to believe in these things?

Though this case has brought on many bitter stories, it has also brought many beautiful stories. Along the way I have met many good people, and some have come along to support me or be a witness. It’s abstract but it’s beautiful and really encouraging.

I see the world as a darker place than I did before, but now I realize that whether it is dark or bright, it doesn’t matter as long as I accept that good things and bad things can happen. So the question is how can I keep my heart and mind free?

What I learned from this case is how to be really free. Freedom from fear and freedom from worry. I’m not yet successful at it, but I’m learning.