Claiming to be the first maid café in Thailand, Akiba (2-3/F, 430/35-36 Siam Square Soi 7, opposite Center Point, 02-654-6228. Open daily 10:30am-8:30pm. www.akiba.co.th) is trying so hard to imitate every detail of Akihabara in its two-story comic and coffee shop.

At first glance, the shop is totally ordinary with nothing too impressive. In fact, it’s easy to walk right past the narrow entrance without noticing it. Fortunately, colorful cartoon posters stopped us from doing so. Once we climbed up the stairs and one of their staff showed up to welcome us, we suddenly saw what makes the place stand out—she was wearing a complete maid uniform: white shirt, black knee-length dress and apron.

“The place is meant to be a meeting point and a one-stop service spot for comics lovers,” said Khun Vee, the shop owner. “We’ve reached our goal in a way, and lots of people drop by,” he continues. And proving the popularity, customers continue to pour in while we are taking a look around.

The second floor of the shop is divided in two between comic shelves and a café. Walking straight to the shelves first, we find tons of comics from Vibulkij, Bongkoj, Burapat, novels from Bliss, Jamsai, Korean, Japanese and Chinese VCDs and DVDs. Khun Vee also explained that Akiba not only focuses on Japanese comics, but “Asian style” products, as well.

Turning to the café, the menu has a wide range of items on offer written in Japanese and Thai. A sparkling soda punch (B35) is called Nana Iro (seven colors) because it has seven colors for you to choose from, while an omelet is called Moe Omelet (B35) according to a popular series from Japan, TV Champion. A blackboard displays a daily special menu, which on the day we visited had takochan (B45) and teriyaki (B50).

Moving up to the third floor, a hiso Japanese-style sticker photobooth in the middle of the room takes up most of the space. On the left is a small corner for a beverage bar and on the right hand side sits a few plastic tables and chairs. Khun Vee explains that this floor is under construction and will soon be a clothing shop where cosplay outfits can be purchased. Everything their waiters and waitresses wear you can expect to see on their clothesracks, including knee-length socks, bow-ties, micro skirts and aprons—all imported from Japan, of course. Prices will range from B800 to B1,500.

Meaww! Move over, cute cat coming through. Put on black cat leggings from Vivi to show your affection for sweet, fluffy animals. (B590)

My sweet candy is so sassy. Colorful striped leggings from Hot Cake. (B299)

Be a princess for a day. Check out ViVi’s sparkling crown and jewelry leggings. (B590)

Beatlejuice, Beatlejuice, Beatlejuice. Call his name thrice and here he is in Hot Cake’s (very) shocking pink leggings. (B299)

Ta-Dah! This classic one from Orange Jasmine is truly for polka dot crazed girls. (B250)

Stripes are never out of date. Cream and brown stripe leggings from the cozy Garten shop. (B450)

You have your own bed, but there are still many reasons to explore the mushrooming world of small and boutique hotels around Bangkok: You might want to find a nice room for your visiting friends, or perhaps you need a place for inspiration, escape or a dirty weekend. Here are four to consider.

Arun Residence

A true boutique hotel with just five rooms, Arun Residence (36-38 Soi Pratoo Nok Yoong, Maharat Rd., 02-221-9158) sits on the edge of (and partly over) the Chao Phraya, directly across from Wat Arun, and it’s set up to take full advantage of the view. Three of the four regular rooms have big windows onto the river, and with double-height ceilings and cozy sleeping lofts, they maintain a balance between airiness and privacy. (The walls are a bit thin, though.) The romantic Arun suite, which occupies the entire third floor, has a good-sized private deck. The décor is earthy and understated, with polished cement walls, lots of wood and all-white bed linens, but there are touches of luxury in all the right places (like beautiful, modern bathrooms, DVD players and free wireless throughout the building). The two-level, mostly alfresco restaurant, The Deck, serves high-end Western and Thai food at reasonable prices (about B100 for most Thai dishes, B650 for foie gras).
Standard room: B2,950
Arun Suite: B4,700 (all prices include taxes and continental breakfast)

Dream

You see Tata Young set the room on fire in her music video, but you’ll be glad to know that the rooms here are still safe and sound, right in the heart of the city. Dream (10 Sukhumvit Soi 15, 02-254-8534, www.dreambkk.com), is sister to Dream New York, and appropriately mixes glossy American and Thai influence in its high-ceiling lobby lounge. All 101 of the rooms are equipped with everything you could wish for, including high speed broadband internet access, Egyptian cotton sheets and blue “therapy light,” which supposedly encourages a deep, restful sleep. Its Flava restaurant is nice and chic, as long as you can afford B600 pad thai. Doesn’t that sound just like the kind of place Tata would love to stay?
Standard room: US$180 (B6,708)
Dream Suite: US$295 (B11,090)

The Eugenia

It’s hard to resist falling in love with The Eugenia (267 Soi Sukhumvit 31, 02-259-9011, www.theeugenia.com) at first sight. Just a glance at the British-Indian decoration and the first thing that comes to mind is that “it’s not a hotel.” Feeling more like the residence of an English gentleman who cherishes the charm of the Orient, The Eugenia will make you feel like a guest invited to join an afternoon tea and spend a night resting in a nice comfortable room specially prepared to welcome an old companion back home. Limited to 12 suites, it ensures your privacy. Although decorated with antique furniture, all rooms are equipped with full facilities. Wifi, mini bar and UBC cable TV are provided. Downstairs, they have a cozy cafe, swim-able pool (if you don’t mind the neighbor construction site) and lounge serving you various cocktails (including its signature, The Eugenia at B280).
Sawasdee Suite: B5,800.
The Eugenia Suite: B6,200.

Shanghai Inn

Like a lost city, the three-star boutique hotel is hidden from those who don’t look for it. With Top’s Supermarket on the first floor and the hotel sign hanging among thousands of others on Yaowarat Road, Shanghai Inn (479-481 Yaowarat Rd., 02-221-2121, www.shotw.com/shanghai-inn) sits on the fourth and fifth floors of the old Yaowarat Square. The designer hotel blends modern amenities with traditional Chinese touches. The 51 superior rooms and four junior suites are small but equipped with top-end facilities like in-room wifi, mini bar, safe deposit box and satellite TV. Only the junior suites have windows that can be opened to the view of Chinatown. The Tea House terrace, open daily 6:30am-10:30pm, serves breakfast in the morning, tea in the afternoon and sinful drinks in the early evening. For real food, guests can head downstairs for Krua Jengor and Tohkai.
Superior Room: B2,300
Junior Suite: B4,000

Benjasiri Park

Sukhumvit Rd., (between Soi 22 and 24), 02-262-0810. Open daily 5am-8pm.

Between pottery classes, golf lessons, lunches, shopping expeditions—oh and kids, too—the Sukhumvit housewife has no time to waste. Fortunately, she can stock up on LV at Emporium practically within earshot of Benjasiri’s concrete playground, where her offspring are making sand castles with the nanny. Benjasiri Park caters to teens as well, with a skate park, basketball and volleyball courts and even Segway rentals. Evenings office workers and laborers descend on the park for jogging and hand-holding in the dark.

What to read on the bench: Nikutai No Gakko (School of Flesh) by Yukio Mishima.

Santi Chai Prakarn

Phra Artit Rd., 02-225-7612/-4, Open 24/7.

Some teens can’t afford to shop at Paragon, but they do have this tiny park by the Chao Praya. Hippy, groovy and indie—Santi Chai comes alive regularly with concerts, book fairs, and even traditional Thai music (Sat-Sun at 5pm, with a special translation service for English-speakers). If you have dreadlocks and play Tibetan music, if you only wear second-hand T-shirts and listen to Britpop, if you can’t dance without spinning on your head or if you’re too old for all of this but refuse to admit it, Santi Chai is the park for you.

Don’t let anyone bore you with their lives: Take a notepad and write the book that you want to read.

Suan Luang Rama 9

Sukhumvit 103, Pravet, 02-328-1395. Open daily 6am-6pm.

Suan Luang is not exactly in central Bangkok, but braving the traffic will reap huge rewards. The Trapang Kaew Keb Nam is one vast piece of water, but the carefully designed curves that make up its banks don’t give it the artificial feel of Benjakitti. In fact, the royal showcase that sits at its edge gives a perspective that has you feeling you’re at a mountain lake (well, a little imagination helps). Outdoorsy nature-lovers will dig wandering around the seemingly infinite 500 rai, inspecting delicate exotic flowers at the botanical garden or meandering among the spiky cacti that sit beneath a space-age geodesic dome. This is not just like getting out of Bangkok, this is nearly a change of continents, if not planets.

What to pack for your expedition: Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne.

Santhipab

Victory Monument, Ratchavithi Rd., 02-245-2461. Open daily 5am-8pm.

Santhipab is a bit of a neighborhood thing but only because it’s a well-kept secret. Romantic couples can’t get enough of its benches—choose from classic or modern styles—and shaded lawns. The lush and perfectly manicured tropical vegetation, the looming silhouette of the Baiyoke Tower and the small puddle of water all seem to unleash the romantic artiste in the boys and the muse in the girls, who often turn the park into a giant photo studio of luuuv.

What book to leave untouched as the two of you disappear behind a palm tree: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare.

Chatuchak

Khampangpetch Rd., Chatuchak, 02-272-4575. Open daily 4:30-8pm.

It’s hard to believe there’s a little Disneyland of bridges over water, pedal-boats, and colorful flowers just next to sticky, packed and dusty JJ Market. Shoppers should seriously consider extending their weekend expedition to the very end of the BTS and MRT lines by taking a stroll in Chatuchak’s park. It’s not quite like leaving Bangkok for a boutique hotel in the islands, but it’s closer, it’s free, and it’s green—and no tropical diseases or delayed flights!

What to read on your rented mat to turn it into a desert island: Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe.

Lumpini

Rama 4 Rd., Pathumwan, 02-252-8035. Open daily 4:30am-8pm.

This is the place to grab a B30 American breakfast after a long night of partying and indulge in some of the most fascinating people-watching in town: elderly Chinese playing chess or performing their morning tai chi, yuppie joggers, grunting body-builders and the busy-bee gardeners. Just watching all this morning activity might actually make you feel refreshed enough to make it to your place, but crashing under a tree is fine, too.

What to read in the shade without taking off your sunglasses: Tender is the Night by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Benjakitti

Old Thai Tobacco Factory, next to QSNCC, 02-278-2426. Open daily 5am-8pm.

Some might like its clean look, but with that flat empty pool and those looming skyscrapers, Benjakitti is borderline eerie. The cycling track is top notch, though, and probably one of the only ones that is flat enough for (reasonably) safe rollerblading. If you’re all about aluminum kitchens and half-inch thick plasma screens—and if your office is nearby, Benjakitti may be the perfect place to get some exercise without getting too close to nature.

What audio-book to play on your iPod: American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis.

Like the photo effects in this story? Here is our camera review

I love music. It’s always been a part of my life.

I started my career as a singer. I played with my band since high school, and we sent our demo out, then settled down with Grammy and became Nouveau.

Completing different tasks requires different skills. When I’m hosting a show, the ability to adapt to changing situations and face problems is essential. You have to be as sharp and as interesting as possible.

As a talk show host, you have to do anything to make the audience feel that you are smarter than them. That way, they will enjoy the show and feel we provide them with useful things they never knew before.

When I’m an actor I try to understand the character. I try to keep the original script in mind. Every writer wants to see his or her work turn out faithful to the original concept.

Being an actor has taught me that working with others is important. If you can work with other people smoothly, all scenes will be finished as scheduled and everybody will be happy.

I feel very proud that I had a chance to sing H.M. the King’s composition “Lom Naw” on the album H.M. Blues. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime honor.

His Majesty is a brilliant musician and all of his works are great. He writes the songs from his heart.

H.M. the King’s songs are like Thailand’s precious hallmarks. When my life is over, the songs will live on. I consider my part as a bridge joining young people to these songs and keeping the songs alive.

Nowadays, nobody remembers what songs were written in Phra Naresuan’s era. It’s the same thing with hip hop or rock—if nobody keeps passing them along, they will die.

It’s our duty to treasure this heritage.

Face

Put concealer on your skin. Gently apply gold base control all over the face, then, to blend with skin color, lightly brush on face powder (7YR Light).

Eyes

This look totally relies on how you shade in your eyes. First, use two shades of black eye shadow. Apply the darker one (M990) as a background all over your lids. Then use the lighter one (ME 990) to highlight your eyelids. As the finishing touch, circle your eyes with black eyeliner pencil (M01 Black).

Eyelashes

The longer, the sexier. Thus, mascara is a must. And not just one single easy brush—you need to make them look as long as possible. After a few whips of mascara (Precise Mascara01), add liquid eyeliner (Liquid Eyeliner Black), then give your eyes the final touch of oomph with false peacock feather eyelashes (Special Radiant Blue).

Eyebrows

Use a little creativity to brighten up your face. Lightly apply a pale lipstick (Rouge Unlimited, YL030) on your eyebrows. Remember, just a dab is enough—don’t make it too obvious.

Cheeks

Earth tones are best. Don’t even think about sweet rosy or cheery orange blush or you’ll look like you’ve jumped straight off a Ngiw (Chinese soap opera) stage. Use a brown or sandy tone (P. Brown76 and M31A).

Lips

Choose glossy lipstick and apply it generously. Try WN 270 or RD190.

	The classic ghost never goes out of style. Skeleton mask with gloves from First Noveltis (B280).
	The famous Frankenstein, from P.U. Fantacy (B250).
	With this mask from P.U. Fantacy you can keep your eyes on everyone (B55).
	Bored of the same old scary faces? Put on this Ghost Mask from Toy’s Toon and watch them run in terror: This mask oozes artificial blood. (B350).
	Beware, Freddy—Jason is coming! Jason mask from First Noveltis (B140).
	For green revolutionists, this one is a must-have. From P.U. Fantacy (B250).

Directions

Loft: 3/F, 989 Siam Discovery Center, Rama 1 Rd., 02-658-0328. Open daily 10am-9pm.

Too bad! By the time you read this there may still be a few standing guard at key intersections, but for the most part the boys in green are gone. Gone are the tight camos, the heavy black boots, the belts, buckles and medals. Now that the party’s over, it’s time to slip into some infantry fashion of our own.

It all starts with a jacket, a green one, of course. Wear this, drive a Humvee, and no one will doubt you are a real rebel. B2,800 at Pasadena Store.

No uniform is complete without something on your pretty head. Military cap (B220) from Seven Sis.

If your drill inspector doesn’t look too closely, he might not notice your camos sport a flower-print. If he does, just take them off. B1,850 at Sasch.

Sometimes, you need a simple strategy to survive the urban jungle. Try this polo shirt from Nude Guy (B299).

Don’t let people walk all over you—that’s your job. Do it in style with Dr. Martens’ legendary boots. The “Earth Box” (B5,200) is just the right color.

What’s your current job?
I retired early from the military about one year ago. After that, I opened my own pub called Gin Lao at Ramintra. So right now I’m taking care of—and singing at—the pub.

Why did you decide to enter the contest?
The major reason was I thought it’d be interesting. Besides, my friends told me that the project was a great opportunity to show my talent, both in singing Thai and international songs. And it offers people the chance to become famous.

Had you entered other singing contests before that?
Yes, in 1998 I won Thailand’s five-zone competition. But that was a national championship competition, not international like this one.

Why do you think you won?
Actually I think every contestant was excellent that day—so good that I got scared. Then I thought maybe the organizers wanted a courageous person to win, so I tried to come up with a fresh concept, something that the others wouldn’t do. Maybe that’s the reason why I was picked.

What did you perform that day?
For the first round I chose the song “Wind Beneath My Wings.” It’s a very high song because it was originally written for a woman, but I knew that my voice could reach that scale. In the final round I sang Crescendo’s “Kwam Jing Nai Jai” for male and Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” for female voice. Also, when I switched from Crescendo to Whitney, I took off my hat and revealed a wig beneath it.

Do you think you’ll win the World Championship contest, too?
I’ll try my best. Khun Saisunee Sukrit performed a really fantastic show in the previous contest; I will try to follow her footsteps.

Who’s your idol?
I admire many singers, but the most amazing person would be Thongchai McIntyre. I’ve liked him ever since I was a kid.

Do you have any suggestions for those wanting to enter a singing contest?
The one and only most important thing is that the person deeply loves music. The next crucial thing is practice. When I was a kid, I used to stand on tanks and sing out loud; practicing like that worked as ear training for me. Anyway, fully giving your heart to music and practicing a lot are all that matter.

Brighten up your day with marshmallow root extract, soybean oil, hydrolyzed yeast and grape seed extracts with Angel Light Whitening Powder Foundation (B1,300) from Stila.

Pucker up with a combination of waxes and an emollient base in Laura Mercier’s Bitten Lip Glosses (B750).

Feel the soft sensation of Marula oil: Smoothing and balancing foundation with SPF 15 from The Body Shop (B890).

The name says it all: Botanics’ Love your Lips (B420) is lovingly enhanced with gingko extracts.

For an even more luscious pout, try Macadamia Nut oil in Lip Vibrante (B295) from ZA.

Feed your complexion before applying make up. NARS Makeup Primer (B1,550) contains extracts of honey, gingko, cornflower, grape, green tea, aloe vera, kiwi, jasmine and lavender.

Can’t get enough of green tea? Try M.A.C. Studio Mist Blush (B975) with reviving green tea extracts.

Whiten and brighten up naturally with Cola de Caballo extract from the Andes Mountains in South America, sea collagen, and vitamins C and A in WHITIA Two-Way Foundation (B535).

Melt even more hearts with those gazes with Nicole’s eyebrow powder compact (B390) featuring rose hip and jojoba oil.

Renew your skin’s freshness with cucumber, chamomile extracts and vitamins A, C and E. Secret Agent makeup base from Oriental Princess (B165).