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13 Samsen Rd., Phranakorn, 08-9769-4613. Open daily 6pm-noon.
This Banglampoo bar hosts live blues and jazz by energetic local musicians nightly. Unlike most jazz bars, this watering hole is petite, cozy and a little bit grimy—just the way the regulars like it. It’s a great place to meet other down-to-Earth music lovers without having to put on shoes or damage your wallet.

Bamboo Bar

Oriental Hotel, 48 Oriental Avenue, 02-659-9000 ext 7690/1. Open Sun-Thu 11-1am, Fri-Sat 11-2am.
Sheri Elle White from St Louis, Missouri, performs smooth and sassy jazz amidst the Bamboo Bar’s Colonial elegance and refined atmosphere. Hear her from 10pm until close, Mon-Sat, through 30 Jun.

Diplomat Bar

Conrad Hotel, All Seasons Place, 87 Wireless Rd., 02-690-9999. Open Sun-Thu 10-1am, Fri-Sat 10-2am. BTS Ploenchit.
This swanky lobby bar attracts a mixed crowd of in-house guests and locals. From Apr 19, hear accomplished American singer Cheryl Hayes, who was the opening act at Bangkok’s Royale Jazz Festival (Mon-Fri 7:30pm, Sat 9:45pm. Through Jul 8). Happy hour 4-6pm: buy 1, get 1 free.

Saxophone

3/8 Phya Thai Rd., 02-245-3592. Open daily 6pm-2am. BTS Victory Monument.
This bastion of jazz and blues may be getting on in years but it’s certainly got charm. The real aficionados head for the downstairs stage, while drinkers and billiards players casually check out the action from the mezzanine. Jazz Mon-Thu; blues Fri-Sun.

How did you come to work with each other?
Ditapong: He [Witawat] contacted the gallery first. Fortunately, the gallery was looking for another artist and I was there with my work.

What can we expect from your work?
Witawat: We always rush in Bangkok. We hurry to go to work, to have lunch, or to go home. Beauty is not hard to find if you just slow down a little. I want to tell people that there are many beautiful places in Bangkok if you know how to see them. Even the simplest thing can be a great art work.
Ditapong: It’s all about time; when time passes, things change. For instance, there were many fine buildings on the New Road, but now they look old and dilapidated. I want to say that nothing lasts forever.

Why do you paint on a zinc-coated sheet?
Ditapong: Because I can use techniques that I can’t use on canvas. Painting on a zinc-coated sheet makes the picture look old with its spoor and rust. When we look at those pictures, we feel as if they are something really old and have existed for many years.

Where is your favorite place?
Witawat: I like everywhere in this city. But the most impressive moment is at dusk: with sunset, the sky’s color is shaded in many colors and it looks gorgeous.

Why aren’t art galleries as popular as cinema nowadays?
Ditapong: People have gotten used to movies and television. Unlike films, art galleries have no television commercials or money to buy advertising media. People have grown up with these things, so they feel more comfortable going to see a movie than going to see an art show.
Witawat: You should think of going to see an art exhibition like going to see a film. The first thing you’ll see is the beauty of the pictures, and it’ll be so much better if you can understand what those pictures are trying to say. In fact, many years ago, people used to see art works at temples, but now we have grown up with something else: pop culture.

Legendary Touch

For the ultimate in football delusion, step into the shoes of Brazilian football legend Ronaldinho. Of course, at B62,000 they’re not exactly geared towards the favelas children who will make up tomorrow’s Brazil National Team—why you probably won’t even want to get them muddied at all! What shame. With their distinctive design based on Ronaldinho’s personal instructions, these shoes could truly possess the power to remote control the ball into the goal. At Nike shops and authorized dealers. (Try Sport Revolution, 1/F, Siam Center, 02-662-4036/7. Open daily 10:30am-10:00pm.)

Ni Hau!

Learn to speak basic Mandarin Chinese and enjoy a delicious meal at the same time. A bright buy-one-get-another idea from The China House, The Oriental Hotel (48 Oriental Avenue, 02-659-9000. www.mandarinoriental.com) costs you B1,150 for a three-course meal—dim sum, soup and noodles—plus fruit and Chinese tea. Each topic of conversation is selected and monitored by the Centre Art & Language Academy (CALA). Book now at 02-659-9000 ext Public Relations.

BarSu

250 Sukhumvit Rd., 02-649-8385. Open daily 6pm-2am. www.barsubangkok.com.
Here you’ll find a large circular area with cozy couches (a.k.a. “love seats”) lining the periphery. Ignore the DJ and draw her in close with those magic words, “Will you marry me? At least for the next two hours?” That’s sure to charm the pants off her. If not, settle for some nibbles; the menu was designed by a two-star Michelin chef.

Crystal Lounge

28 Sukhumvit Soi 20 (next to Koi), 02-258-1599. Open daily 11am-1am. www.crystal-lounge.com.
A nice place to lure your date for dining, then scoot over to the crystal shop to buy her a little ring and drop that question like a hot 10 baht coin. Will she pick it up, or will she just pass on by, like a stingy hiso striding past a nude beggar? Well, you have nothing to lose by trying. Crystal Lounge is redefining the meaning of “one-stop service” for lovers.

Moon Bar at Veritigo

61/F, Banyan Tree, 21/100 South Sathorn Rd., 02-679-1200. Open daily 5pm-1am (weather permiting).
This sky-high, open-air rooftop bar offers a panoramic view of the city, with telescopes on hand to provide pervy close ups. Lounge and jazz music enhance your mood. For a memorable evening, do the deed at Moon Bar…then never look back.

To Die For

H1, 998 Soi Thonglor, 02-381-4714. Open Sun-Thu 11:30am-midnight, Fri-Sat 11:30am-1am.
You’ve been with your significant other for how long now? Well, as they say, either poop or get off the pot. Tie that knot without a second thought! This is a romantic place to make it happen, and in those recliners in the back, you can even propose horizontally! Honestly, though, she won’t mind where you take her, as long as you really mean it, and she really is the one “to die for.”

Diving Master

Ready or not, Songkran’s coming. Prepare yourself for big splashes and super-sweaty crowds in Khao San with the latest Dive Master 500 collection from Victorinox. Designed for divers and swimmers, this robust, futuristic wristwatch is waterproof to depths of 500m and comes with non-reflective glass. Choose metal or rubber bracelet. B22,700 (rubber bracelet). Available at Time Deco (3/F, Central Chidlom, 1027 Ploenchit Rd., 02-793-7777).

Size Does Matter

King-size worshippers, hear this: Playground! has just brought an XL brand straight from Belgium. A simple concept, Extra-Large is aimed at those who love everything HUGE. There’s a long list of stuff for you to choose from, ranging from ordinary objects like pencils, erasers and straws to the essential-but-not-so-common giant condom. B500-5,000. Available at Playground! (818 Soi Thonglor, 02-714-7888).

Finnegan’s Irish pub & Restaurant

23/1 Sukhumvit 4, 02-656-8160. Open daily 9am-1am. www.finnegansthailand.com.
This is a snug little bar, cozy and congenial. Authentic Irish breakfasts are served: Enjoy homemade soda bread and white pudding. Pub quiz on Wednesdays. Live Irish music on St. Patrick’s Day.

Hanrahans

12/1 Sukhumvit 4, 02-255-0644. Open daily 10am-1am.
Breaking the mold of other Irish pubs, the newly-opened Hanrahan’s is refreshingly free of stained oak, horse brasses and other “ye olde” trappings. The design is modern and light. Excellent decked rooftop garden. Happy hour 4pm-7pm, daily drinks promotions, pool table and live music every night except Sat.

The Irish X Change

1/5-6 Convent Rd., 02-266-7160/1. Open daily 9am–1am. www.irishxchange.com
Magnificent pub breakfasts (B149, served from 9am-noon) and other hearty fare. Happy hour (Mon-Fri 5-9pm) features B75 pints of Tiger and Heineken, and live bands perform Wed and Fri from 9:30pm. Secretary Night (Thu) offers a host of deals and music by Lee Shamrock.

Shamrock Bar

2/F The Center, Khao San Rd., 02-282-4366. Open daily 6pm-1am.
The nightly live music draws people to the Shamrock Bar, but the real reason to head there is it's the only place on Khao San Road with draft Guinness (B200/pint). And, hey, if you get bored, there’s another bar downstairs.

Get yourself a big brown tote bag (B4,800) from Blue Bovine and a pair of brown sunglasses (B3,890) from Nice Optic.

Super-Borat khaki suit (B2,900), black shirt (B490) and pants (B690) from Carrot.

A gold tie is needed to make it truly freaky in Borat’s unique way. We recommend a cheap one from Wan Variety at only B100.

You can find simple black leather shoes anywhere. These plain black shoes (B1200) from the Parisian shop in MBK will do the trick.

Complete the set with your own fake mustache (see below), fool around with people in the middle of Siam Square and boom…here comes Borat!

DIY: Borat mustache

You’ll need:
- False eyelash adhesive
- Cotton wool pads
- Toothbrush
- Black marker pen

1. Cut up the cotton wool pads into the shape you want.
2. Paint the pieces black with the black marker pen, and wait for them to dry.
3. Fluff up the pads by brushing them carefully with the toothbrush.
4. Apply adhesive on both the pads and your skin. Stick them on.

Info

Carrot: 1/F, Siam Theater, 02-658-3768, 08-1555-5883
Wan Variety: M 43, 3/F, MBK Center, 444 Phaya Thai Rd., 08-1929-7784, 08-9688-5502.
Parisian: B60, 3/F, MBK Center, 444 Phaya Thai Rd., 02-611-8070.
Blue Bovine: G/F, MBK Center, 444 Phaya Thai Rd., 02-686-3741, 08-9125-8105.
Nice Optic: 198 Siam Square Soi 1, 02-251-0654, 02-251-8468. Open daily 10:30am-8pm.

Check out our movie review of Borat

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).

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.

Chit Chat Pub

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.

Hemlock

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.

Shela

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...?")

Zeta

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.