25 things to look forward to in 2016
A complete guide to what we think we know will go down in Bangkok over the next 12 months.
8 years ago
RESTAURANTS AND BARS
72 Courtyard
Thonglor just welcomed The Commons, a new lifestyle mall by the Roast empire, at the end of December. Now, the Sapparot group (Rocket, Lady Brett) will open new outlets at this food mall on Thonglor’s main drag, too. Set to open in February, 72 Courtyard will feature a Rocket, Lady Brett (with Opposite's Jess Barnes in the kitchen) and UNCLE, a few new dining concepts, plus Touche Hombre (a Mexican restaurant and bar from Australia) and Beam nightclub, which had its first pop-up party in December featuring Canadian DJ Jacques Greene.
Next to Penny's Balcony, Sukhumvit Soi 55 (Thonglor)
Char
Chef Dario Busnelli has jumped from one rooftop restaurant, Radisson Blu’s Attico, to another, on the 25-26/F of Hotel Indigo. The new outlet of Indigo’s Char brand is set to open in March, comprising three zones: private dining, restaurant and bar. The food will focus on grill.
81 Wireless Rd., 02-207-4999. BTS Phloen Chit
Chu
One of this city’s first brunch institutions, Asoke’s Chu, has taken its sweet time before branching out. This year, it will finally expand to the rising Sathorn-Silom area. Expect all the original favorites and coffee from Roots. Open in January.
Narathiwas Soi 3. BTS Chong Nonsi
Suhring
After leaving State Tower's Mezzaluna last year, twin chefs Thomas and Matthias Suhring have been working on a secret project on Yen Akat Soi 3 set to open any day now. Though the pair are still giving little away about what exactly the eponymous Suhring will have in store, we're expecting something very high-end, very produce-driven and very German.
10 Yen Akat Soi 3, 080-447-3672
Masato
Chef Masato Shimizu was only 29 when he was awarded his first Michelin star as head chef at New York’s Jewel Bako. His minimalist sushi restaurant 15 East, which he helmed for nine years, later repeated the trick. Now he’s relocated to Bangkok with his half-Thai wife to open a restaurant under his own name, specializing in fresh fish with delicate twists.
3/22 Sukhumvit Soi 31
The Local mk 2
The siblings behind Thai restaurant The Local had an eventful 2015. Their follow-up seafood joint Crab and Claw caused such a stir at Emquartier that it branched out to Paragon at the end of the year. Now, they return to their roots with a Thai restaurant at the new Central Eastville mall, serving regional, home-style food inspired by local market offerings. It opens this April, followed by a dessert shop and a steakhouse.
Central Eastville, 69 Pradit Manutham Rd.
Not Daisy Matthews
This project was the talk of the town. Opposite’s Jess Barnes and Eat Me’s Tim Butler refurbishing a huge shop-house in Sathorn and doing what they do best: farm-focused dishes made from mostly local ingredients. Now that Barnes has severed ties, though, we're hearing talk of a Michelin-star chef from New York and a March opening date. Oh, and a change of name.
Sathorn Soi 12
Water Library’s new outlets
After launching Seed, Water Library is seemingly content with keeping things relatively casual. The group’s upcoming project is a pasta and pizza place on Silom’s Soi Pipat, set to open in February. Not far from this spot, you can also expect a ramen shop in the near future.
Soi Pipat, Silom Rd.
PROPERTY
Habito
As part of its attempted rebrand of Soi Sukhumvit 77 as T77, giant property developer Sansiri is rolling out its first community mall in the area. Habito has been designed by Winkreative, the branding and design agency founded by Tyler Brule of Monocle. The four-rai area will comprise some 32 shops and a co-working space. Sadly, we’re hearing that might mean no more Winter Market Fest. Set to open in February.
Sukhumvit Soi 77. www.sansiri.com/t77. www.fb.com/habitomall
Siam Discovery
After 18 years, Siam Piwat closed down Siam Discovery in May for major renovations. The B4 billion makeover is set to open in March under the new concept, “Breaking All the Rules: The Wonder of Discovery”—whatever that means. We do know the overall shopping area will far exceed the previous 40,000 sq meters. Among the new shops already confirmed are Danish home decor brand Hay, who currently have a pop-up at Siam Center.
Rama 1 Rd. BTS Siam. www.siamdiscovery.co.th
Show DC
This entertainment-cum-shopping complex aims to attract tourists and K-pop fans. The B3 billion, 27-rai precinct will comprise Himmapan Avatar, a walk-through Thai fantasy 4D experience; and K-Town, which they claim will be the biggest Korean Town in the world, focusing on fashion, beauty and a huge Lotte Duty Free. The 1,500-seat sports arena will host a live Ong-Bak show, while the 5,000-seat exhibition hall will be managed by YG Entertainment—you know, the guys who look after PSY, BIGBANG and 2NE1. For food, they promise street bites from all over Asia. Open June.
Chaturathit Rd., near RCA. showdc.co.th
Avani Riverside
After the B335-million revamp of Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa, Minor Group is set to unveil its new hotel, Avani, right next to the riverside property, this April. The 26-story complex will consist of 251 all-river-view rooms plus a 4,500-sq-meter grand ballroom and four F&B outlets including the stunning Attitude rooftop bar. The project also includes the Riverside Plaza out front, which is now in its soft-opening with some chains like Coffee Club, Yayoi and Pizza Company.
257/1-3 Charoennakorn Rd., next to Anantara Bangkok Riverside. www.avanihotels.com/riverside-bangkok
Naiipa Art Complex
We were touting this green-concept lifestyle mall (nai-pa or naiipa is the Thai word for “in the forest”) to open last year. But after some complications with the construction—namely preserving all the trees on the land—it should finally see the green light this year, housing exhibitions, a co-working space and rental units for retailers (expect organically minded shops).
Sukhumvit Soi 46. BTS Phra Khanong. www.fb.com/naiipa.art
Mahanakhon Tower
We’re counting down the days till the final unveiling of this glitzy high-rise. The Cube is already home to some of the most talked-about restaurants in town: L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, M-Krub by Chef Man and Vogue Louge. The project will be complete this year with the opening of the super-luxurious Ritz-Carlton Residence condos and Edition, a Marriot hotel designed by Ian Schrager (the man who introduced the world to “boutique” accommodation). Another highlight will be Terrace Bar and Restaurant, which is set to be the tallest rooftop bar in Bangkok.
Narathiwat Ratchanakarin Rd. BTS Chong Nonsi. www.maha-nakhon.com
EVENTS
Made by Legacy
Moving the market to the sixth floor of Central Embassy was a bold choice for this vintage market pioneer, and we have to say we’re pretty glad to see it return to the original open-air venue, right next to Hua Lamphong station.
Jan 9-10, Hua Lamphong, State Railway of Thailand, 1 Rong Muang Rd.
Stone Free Music Festival
The three-day indie music camping festival was rescheduled from its original date due to problems with the local authorities in Saraburi. Instead, it will be heading back to its original venue in Kanchanaburi for plenty of outdoor music from a total of 56 bands, including the likes of Yellow Fang, Stylish Nonsense and Samurai Loud. Here’s hoping that there are no more last-minute changes this time around. Tickets B1,500 on the door.
Jan 16-17, Baan Khao Yai, Kanchanaburi
Gravity Arcadia
After the success of last year’s debut, the massive fire-breathing robotic spider from Glastonbury is heading back to Bangkok, along with huge names in the EDM scene including DJs Kaskade, DVBBs, Blend, Must Die! and Zomboy. Tickets are B2,500-5,000 from Thaiticketmajor.
Jan 23, Lumphini Square, Rama 4 Rd. MRT Lumphini
Bukruk Urban Arts Festival
Two years on from the first edition, this 10-day celebration of underground art returns to take over Bangkok with public wall paintings, art exhibitions, artist talks and animated film screenings from emerging and established artists. This year promises a focus on bizarre, uncanny and surreal art that will spread over Chinatown and the riverside, plus various art spaces around the country. There’s a pretty awesome music festival at Bangkok Docklands to kick everything off on Jan 23, too, with the likes of Spanish psych-pop artist El Guincho and locals Yellow Fang, Apartment Khunpa and Paradise Molam Bangkok.
Jan 23-31, various art spaces around Bangkok
Singha Craft Fest
Some of the biggest names in the Thai music industry take the stage at Airport Link Makkasan, including Apartment Khunpa, Somkiat, Young Man and the Sea, Sesse Mek, Mattnimare, Sundaydrive, the 38 Years Ago, My Life as Ali Thomas, The Parkinson and Greasy Cafe. Tickets are B500 from all 7-Eleven convenience stores.
Jan 30-31, Airport Rail Link, Makkasan Station, Phetchaburi Rd.
Cheeze Carboot Sale
Suffering Wonderfruit withdrawals? Here’s another hippie gathering worth fleeing town for. This time taking place at Mountain Creek Golf Resort and Residences in Nakhon Ratchasrima, the fest features all things vintage, open-air film screenings as well as plenty of camping space. Entry is also free, which is a bonus.
Jan 30-31, Mountain Creek Golf Resort and Residences, Mittraphap Rd., Nakhon Ratchasima, 02-250-7521
Madonna
The 57-year-old Queen of Pop takes over Impact Arena as part of her Rebel Heart tour. This will be her 10th world tour, which promises to include performances of her all-time greatest hits including “Like a Virgin”, “Material Girl”, “Music”, “Hung Up” and “4 Minutes”. Tickets are B2,000 all the way up to B16,000 from Thaiticketmajor.
Feb 9, Impact Arena Muang Thong Thani, 99 Popular Rd., 02-833-4455
Diana Krall
The five-time Grammy Award-winning jazz artist performs tracks from her latest studio album, Wallflower, comprising covers of popular pop and rock hit songs from the ‘60s through to today, including those by Bob Dylan, Elton John and The Eagles. Tickets are B1,500-5,000 from Thaiticketmajor.
Feb 19, Royal Paragon Hall, 5/F, Siam Paragon, Rama 1 Rd., 02-610-8023. BTS Siam
Maya Music Fest
This festival combines traditional Thai art with huge names in the EDM scene including Tiesto, Dash Berlin, Don Diablo, Vicetone, DBSTF and AV21. They’ll be joined by local favorites including the likes of Thaitanium, Potato, Da Endorphine, Big Ass, 25 Hours and Cocktail. Tickets are B2,200-3,600 from all 7-Eleven convenience stores.
Feb 20, Maya Space, Bang Lamung, Chonburi, 085-225-9225
Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants
A Bangkok restaurant won it last time (Gaggan), so it's only fitting that the regional restaurant awards’ night of nights should take place here in 2016. Details are still a little sketchy but, hey, surely we can outdo Singapore, the host of the past three editions.
Feb 29, venue TBA
Death Cab for Cutie
The veteran American alt-rock band head to Moonstar Studio to perform tracks including “Black Sun” and “Little Wanderer” as part of the Asian tour promoting their latest studio album, Kintsugi. Of course, fans can also expect to hear all-time favorites such as “I Will Follow You into the dark” and “Soul Meets Body.”
Tickets are B1,800 from Thaiticketmajor.
Mar 3, Moonstar Studio, 701 Lad Phrao Soi 80, 02-539-3881
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