With a location right in the central business district, City Viva offers opportunities for worktime lunches, shopping sessions and some after-work wining and dining choices as well. The façade looks pretty similar to J-Avenue, but upon entry, you’ll be reminded of Palio in Khao Yai and a bit of Siam Square.

The food establishments cover everything from health foods and burgers to wine bars and beer bistros. Pordee Come (3/F) offers exotic drinks, like sugar-free teas extracted from water lily, butterfly pea, West Indian jasmine, and torch ginger flowers. They also do salad rolls (B89) with their original herbal dressing. The seating area is a bit too tiny, though, so take-away is also recommended. As for those who prefer heartier food, there’s Jurgen’s (3/F), a tiny burger stall that does a small menu of the classic pork (B99), beef (B109), and fish (B99) patties. You can order extra toppings like cheese (B10), sauteed onion (B10), or bacon (B20). A set of pork or fish burger, french fries, and soft drink is B139 and a beef set is B149. The signature here is a recipe of sauerkraut sauce, perfected over many years of house party cooking. Too bad there’s no seating area at all.

For a proper, sit-down dining experience, there’s V2 Beer and Wine Garden (3-4/F, 02-676-9669. Open daily 5pm-midnight), which also offers outdoor seating options overlooking the busy traffic on Narathiwas Road and daily live music. The whole floor is decorated with white furniture and astroturf. A wine list starts at B690 a bottle, and cocktails start at B99. Nice! The food menu is comprised of a few Thai standards. Bloc Beer and Bistro (3/F. 02-676-9595. Open daily 11am-2pm, 5pm-1am) does an extensive list of Belgian beers and Western comfort food served in a laid-back and slightly grungy atmosphere. The signature highlights are: the Bloc fried rice (B155) and their custom brewed Belgian beer, Bloc (B180). On tap are Leffe, Hoegaarden, and Stella Artois (B220/pint). For a more romantic experience, try Wine Fusion (G/F. 02-676-9576. Open daily 10am-midnight) which does Thai and Western food and some inexpensive wines by the glass.

Apart from dining, there are lots of shops covering lingerie, apparel, imported designer gear, shoes, fashion accessories, aroma products and even toys and gadgets. T-Sum (2/F), sells both in-house designed garments and other imported accessories from vintage earrings to designer scarves. There are some perfumes and cosmetics on the shelves as well. Prices range from B600 to B3,000, and best of all, you can try and bargain. Viva La Ville (2/F) imports most of their clothes, bags, and shoes from France, Japan, and USA. They have a wide variety of products from Miu Miu wallets (B12,500) to gorgeous heels (from around B1,290). Prices range from B990 for Mina green dress, to B18,500 for a Louis Vuitton Damier handbag. At Aromantra (3/F), you can buy all kinds of body care products like lotions, shower gels, essential oils and candles, with prices ranging from B149-499.

If neat gadgets turn your head, Taeta (3/F) sells all kinds of gizmos, like a digital slate clock (B2,990), an iPhone zoom-able lens attached with a tiny tripod (B1,200), and a Nikon lens coffee mug (B890). MD Shop (3/F) stocks Korean brand Marianne Kate gift products, and prices range from B300 to B700. There’re also some cute accessories like the iPhone and iPod diary cases (B890), flip flops (B1,500), and some cosmetic bags. You’ll definitely want to visit Len Kong Len (3/F), an endearing toy shop that’s not only for kids. The highlight pieces are the digital cameras with built-in games (B6,500), and a casino set consisting of cards, dominoes, chess, checkers, dice, and chips which all come in a cute dice-like box (B2,500). We also love the DIY Lomo kit (B1,500), the mini popcorn maker (B3,200), the stuffed dolls from Singapore and other childish playthings. Prices start at B40.

Corner of Narathiwas Soi 6, 02-237-9150. www.thecityviva.com. Open daily 10am-10:30pm

1. The Ice Ball

“Regular ice cubes work but they melt fast and your whiskey will have a different dilution between your first sip and your last. Ice keeps ice cold, though, so one really big ice cube is better.”

2. Chill the Bottle

“Like vodka, you can actually chill whiskey. It changes the texture, and it removes some of the harshness associated with the alcohol. Unfortunately, it locks in a lot of the flavor, too.”

3. Add some ice-cold water

“Water opens up the flavors of your whiskey. And with this method, the amount of dilution remains identical from the first sip to the last. This is my preferred method.”

Extra Tip

“During tastings, pros will usually taste the whiskey neat first. Then they open it up with a splash of water.”

Top Whiskey Bars

The P&L Club Bangkok. Lobby Floor, The Conrad Hotel, 87 Wireless Road, 02-685-3898. Open Sun-Thu 10am-10pm, Fri-Sat 10am-11pm.

Bar @ 494. Lower Lobby, Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok, 494 Rajdamri Road, 02-254-1234. Open Mon-Sat 12pm-12am, Sun 5pm-12am.

The Finishing Post. 23/F Crown Plaza Bangkok, 952 Rama IV Road, 02-238-4300. Open daily 11:30am-2:30pm, 6pm-10:30pm.

“It’s never quite clear what the relationship between Jack and Angelica is. Sometimes it’s love, sometimes it’s hate; it probably depended on who was writing the script that day.” Tom Long, Detroit News

“This installment is better than the last two, in the way that a broken leg is better than a punctured lung.” Jim Lane, Sacramento News & Review

“Depp, grimacing, edges in and out of the action and seems irrelevant and bored most of the time.” David Denby, New Yorker

“Marshall deserves props for putting the ‘show’ back into the Pirates business. But face it, he’s polishing a giant turd.” Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

“Cutlasses flash, music swells, mast sways, critic yawns.” Kyle Smith, New York Post

Do the posters affect you in any way?
Yes, a lot. Since the posters have been put up here, I make a lot less money. People stop just to look at them for a laugh instead of looking at my accessories.

How much do you have to pay for this stall?
To the city police officer, B1,500 a month, and I can only sell from Tuesday to Friday. They don’t let us sell on Mondays, and I have to stay with my kids on weekends. I sell from 6:30 to 9:30am in the morning, and from 5 to 9pm in the evening.

Is this enough for a living? Do you do anything else?
No, this is the only business we have; both my husband and I. We make around B70,000 to B80,000 a month and we spend B50,000 on the products. We have to manage the money very carefully: with four people in the family, B20,000 is very little. I have to pay for my two children’s school fees, then B8,000 for nursery after school because they are very small and we are both working till 9pm, gasoline to drive here, food, home, and other essentials for living.

Do you want to do anything else?
Not right now. I feel that this is making a lot more money for me. That’s why I decided to put all my time into this business.

Where do you live?
Prachauthit, around Rama 2; it’s very far away from here. I have to drive here every day to sell my stuff because I believe I can make the most money here. But I’ve never thought about moving here at all. The city is always too busy.

Do you have any trouble selling here?
Well [in a lower voice], you see the kao moo daeng shop there? Sometimes when there are a lot of customers at my stall, they will pretend to be watering the plants from above, to splash water on my customers. They have a young daughter and, in the past, they sent her over to ask for the prices of all my items. Then, they opened their own shop selling the same stuff that I do. My friend used to sell orange juice beside their shop and, guess what, they started selling orange juice too.

Anything else?
Sometimes people steal. It is hard to oversee the whole stall when there are a lot of customers. Some people will just pick an accessory up, put it in their purse and walk away. I don’t usually realize something is missing until it’s too late. One customer who had already bought three bags from me took a B2,000 bag and said she would come back to pay for it. But it’s been days and she’s not back yet.

What would you like to tell Bangkokians?
We have to eat on Mondays too, why can’t we do our business on Mondays? Interview by Natthanun Prasongchaikul

The 50 tennis & fitness club

There are six standard PlaxiPave courts available for B160/hour from 6am-6pm and B260 from 6-10pm. Private and group tennis classes available. Reservation is recommended. Parking spaces are available and equipment can be rented.
Sukhumvit Soi 50, 02-742-8889, 086-623-8888. Open daily 8am-10pm. www.the50tennisclubs.com

Sivalai Club House

For B120/hour (6am-6pm) and B170/hour (6pm-10pm) you get a ball boy, a locker, and a parking space. Individual courses with a professional cost B350/hour. There are only three courts so reservations are a must.
168 Issaraphab Soi 33 or Jarunsanitvong 12, Tha Phra, 02-412-4000 ext 205. Open daily 6am-10pm. http://sivalaiclubhouse.blogspot.com

Suan Rodfai Tennis Court

This tennis court is surrounded by other fun activities like bike riding or kayaking. If you come between 6am-noon, walk-ins are welcome but after noon, a reservation is needed. Booking can be made from 10am on the same day. Only B35/hour. Bring your own rackets and balls.
Vachirabenjatud Park (Suan Rodfai), Chatuchak, 02-272-4844-5. Open daily 6am-9pm.

Sun Tennis Court

Two hard courts, equipment rental and Wi-Fi available. They use white lighting at night for better vision and also offer lessons. Court rental B120/hour from 6am-6pm and B200/hour from 6pm-midnight.
Soi Samarnchunt, Sukhumvit Soi 40, 081-875-9285. Open daily 6am-midnight.

Gusto Sport Club

A beautiful outdoor 100% acrylic system court with free Wi-Fi, shower room, and equipment rental. B180/hour before 5pm. After 5pm it’s B200/hour.
Soi Anamai Ngarm Charoen 35-37, Rama 2 Rd., 02-405-7088. Open Mon-Fri 9am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7am-9pm. www.gustosport.com

Thonburi Sport Club

From 7am-10am B110/hour, 10am-3pm B60/hour, 3pm-6pm B110/hr, and 6pm-11pm B160/hour. There are four outdoor courts. Parking space, shower room, and equipment rental are available.
139 Prachauthid Soi 33, 02-428-5021 ext 122. Open daily 7am-11pm. http://teerachai.co.th

Soi Klang Racquet Club

There are seven indoor courts, and non-members can play all day long for B500 (B600 on weekends and holidays). The prices include other facilities like fitness, swimming pool or boxing. Booking is same-day (members only). Membership: B20,000/year.
6-8 Amara 3, Sukhumvit Soi 49/9, 02-714-7200. Open daily 6am-11pm. http://rqclub.com

The Olympic Club

The Olympic Club has two grass courts as part of its enormous and comprehensive fitness center. Tennis court fee is B118/hour before 6pm, after that it’s B178/hour. Rackets and ball rental available. B107/hr for one racket and B54/basket for balls.
Pathumwan Princess Hotel, 8/F, MBK Center Bldg., 444 Phyathai Rd., 02-216-3700 ext 20805. Open Mon-Fri 6am-11pm, Sat-Sun 7am-10pm. www.theolympic-club.com.

Phut Anan Stadium

These four outdoor tennis courts are filled with big shot soldiers. Usually the seniors will swing around late afternoon so call or visit the court to make a reservation first. B80/hour from 6am-6pm and B100/hour afterwards.
Soi La Salle 17, Sukhumvit Rd., 02-475-2043, 02-393-7228. Open daily 6am-9pm.

Sirisuk Tennis Courts

There are five outdoor courts at B120/hour from 6am-6pm and B200/hour from 6pm-10pm. One-day advance booking is preferred. Racket rental is B50, and balls are free.
2080/29 Narathiwas Soi 20, Yannawa, 02-286-4196. Open daily 6am-10pm.

Chulalongkorn University Sport Center

Two options. There are 10 hard courts located behind MBK and six tennis courts located behind the National Stadium. For Chula and Chula Demonstration school students, the entrance is free but you’ll have to pay B50 for electricity. For others, entrance fee is B50 and B100 for electricity. Booking is recommended.
Chulalongkorn University, Phyathai Rd., 02-218-2839. Open daily, 7am-9pm. www.cusc.chula.ac.th

Trinity Fitness Center

Exclusively for members and residents, Trinity fitness Center offers you tennis courts along with a pool, gymnasium, a jogging track and aerobic classes. One-year membership is B15,900 and it’s B5,900 for six-month membership. You still have to pay B100/hour for the tennis court and they charge for electricity B80/hour after 6pm onward. Private classes available. Racket rental B50. Free balls.
Silom Soi 7, Silom Rd., 02-231-5333. Open Mon-Fri 7am-9pm, Sat-Sun 7am-8pm.

APF Academies

More Courts

K Star
7/139 Soi Nual Chan 56, Ramintra, 086-527-0892.
KS Sport Club
271 Soi Panichanunt, Pridi bhanomyong 46, 02-391-8993, 02-391-2508.
Panya Ramintra Sport Club
99/1 Ramindra Rd., 02-943-0000.Chumnarnpenchart Sport Center 65 Rama 9, 02-247-7090.
Rajdamnern Sport Complex
19/2 Taweewattana-Karnchanapisak Rd., 02-448-1781-2.
Sport Complex Bangkok Youth Center
Mitrmaitree Rd., Din Daeng, 02-245-4743-7.
Ari Tennis Court
98 Sukhumvit 26 (Soi Ari), 02-259-8425, 084-943-9453
Santisuk Court
26 Sukhumvit 38, 02-391-1830