2/7: Twice A Week

Founded by Teema “Min” Muekthong, a full-time lecturer at King Mongkut University of Technology Thonburi’s School of Architecture and Design, 2/7 Twice a Week is a new concept store for Thai designer items. Min has collaborated with the team from the old Fotoguffy Polaroid shop, which used to occupy the same space, to offer them a corner dedicated to Polaroid products, while on the other side of the store is a cafe. 2/7 focuses on brands that don’t have their own shop yet, like Ease Embroidery wall decor, A Pale Petal tote bags, Sattawat furniture, Pana Objects home decor and furniture is mostly from Sattawat and Flo. The cafe offers hot drip (B58) and cold brew coffee (B88). Note the shop is normally only open on weekends, but sometimes opens during the week too, so do check their Facebook page. 

208 Rama 4 Soi 50 (Chulalongkorn), 087-507-1997

Tuaton

Founded by former singer and actress Buachompoo Ford and her friends including Plearnwan owner Patra Sahawat and GMM Grammy stylist Siwaporn “Mamm” Moonnoi, Tuaton is the latest streetwear brand to join Siam Square.   The label, whose name means “identity” in Thai, offers simple men’s and women’s pieces that are easy to mix and match. Highlights of the first collection include the grey off-shoulder top (B590), olive short jumpsuit (B1,290) and brown linen suit (B1,890). 

1/F, Siam Square One, Rama 1 Rd., 02-001-5707

Another Story

Located on the fourth floor of Emquartier’s Helix Building, this new concept store gathers designer product from all over the world with a heavy focus on stationery and home decor, plus some fashion. The huge one-stop space also comprises a gallery, cafe and flower shop. Here you can find over 160 imported brands, with another 70 from Thailand, displayed over seven different zones. The 3.0 is a tech zone which houses brands such as Australian phone accessories specialists Native Union and Bangkok’s Studio Hole. Right beside it, Funky Zone focuses on fun gadgets for the house like  cute tea infuser from Luckies of London. Lush Zone is all about aromatherapy products from the likes of Bsab Thailand, while Parisian Chic comprises fashion from France like handmade Veja shoes and Reiko jeans. Coastal Zone is a mix of resort-wear and home decor under a coastal theme, with brands like Ancient Greek Sandals and Le Slip Francais swimwear. The Script offer stationery from local favorites Gray Ray, Labrador and Midori together with the inter brands like Papier Tigre. Cozy Zone features stylish home decor, from imported Serax kitchenware to Tom Dixon brassware and products from local names Plural Design, PDM Brand, Karv Design and Alltag. The cafe is no afterthought, featuring sweets from Issaya Siamese Club, baked goods from Amantee, butter and cheese from Jean Yves Bordier and wine supplied by Wine Garage. The Yellow Korner is a gallery space with permanent and rotating exhibitions, while the Plant House is a flower shop. 

4/F, The Emquartier, Helix Building, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-003-6138/9. BTS Phrom Phong

Photo: Christian Hogue

The Reco Room

With its bare brick, raw wood and cement, this stylishly turned out recent addition to Ekamai Mall looks more like a cafe than a record store. The funk and jazz-focused vinyl collection features plenty of Miles Davis, Marvin Gaye and Gil Scott-Heron. As for audio set-ups, you won’t find any faux-vintage Crosley players here; this stuff’s the real deal. We dig the old-school amplifiers, though these don’t come cheap. 

The Reco Room, Ekamai Mall, 3 Ekkamai Soi 10, 085-322-5403

Onion Store: Aree

The hip multi-label store Onion has opened a new branch in the hip Ari neighborhood. Take the stairs next to Nai Daeng noodle shop and you'll find Onion Store: Aree on the second floor. Unlike the branch in Ekkamai, owner House Sorasak wants this one to feel more like a fashion boutique than a cafe, so most of the spacious white venue is dedicated to clothing and accessories with only one corner dedicated to coffee from regular collaborator Brave Roasters. The main room is filled with mostly imported cult label brands like Saturdays Surf NYC, Beton x Cire and Stanley & Sons. There's also a room dedicated to vintage-wear, including lots of never-before-worn deadstock he's brought back from New York. As for coffee, the menu is short but as it's Brave Roasters you know it's quality. An El Salvador espresso shot will set you back B90 (B100 with milk), while you can also order filter, pourover and drip made with either Thai or international beans (B130). House also plans to import more unisex fashion items, as well as expand into home decor by adding price tags to all the furniture in-store.

Aree, 2/F, 66 Rama 6 Soi 30. www.onionbkk.com