Start Your Engines: A new way of experiencing the thrill of high-end motorcycles has emerged in the form of Siam Wheels. This up-and-coming business allows its members to “check out” super bikes from a fleet comprised of the fastest sport bikes and the meanest choppers around. Although it isn’t cheap, the selection is impressive, with a nice balance between brutish American muscle bikes (Harley Davidson Street Glide, V ROD, Ultra Classic), Japanese crotch rockets (Yamaha R1, R6, Kawasaki ER-6n) and refined Euro sport bikes (Triumph 1050 Speed Triple, BMW S1000RR). They even have a Can-Am Spyder RS-S, a motorized tricycle with two front wheels and a single rear wheel—if you really want to turn heads.

Pit-stop: Members pay a monthly fee starting from B3,000 to B18,000 (plus VAT) and earn points, which are then redeemed for daily use of the bikes. A twelve-month commitment is required. The club director plans and organizes group rides through unseen areas of our beautiful country, and also helps keep riders up to date on the latest safety standards, visa information (for touring) and traffic laws. Insurance, bike maintenance and everything else apart from the riding are all taken care of by Siam Wheels.

Final Lap: The tax structure in Thailand does no favors to those wishing to own a big bike, so this is a really convenient option for occasional riders. The other selling point of the whole operation is really the community of riders and the events put on by the club. Of course, it’s cool to ride solo, but its even more fun to join a pack of cruisers and cause a ruckus touring the quiet countryside.
Room No.118, 59 Chaloem Prakiet Rama 9 Rd., Nongbon., Prawet. 08-6340-5988. www.siamwheels.com

Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus

They’ve just announced the release of the 8.9” version in the Galaxy Tab family but don’t rush out to buy it just yet. The upcoming version of the original 7-inch screen tab has hit US shores and should come to us very soon. The CPU is faster and runs the latest Android platform version. At 7”, you may even use it as your phone, if you don’t mind looking like a huge geek.
Spec: 7” PLS LCD 1024x600 screen | 345g | 1.2GHz dual-core processor | 16GB, 32GB | 1GB RAM | Android 3.2 Honeycomb
Price: Starts from US$399. Singapore availability TBA.

Sony Tablet S

Another Android-based tablet, Sony’s wedge shape design offers better handling and actually slightly tilts the screen towards you when laid on a flat surface, for easier viewing. Of course, there’s a 0.3MP webcam and 5.11MP camera on the back. An added bonus is the device also comes with an infrared remote control function and is PlayStation Certified meaning you’ll be able to play a handful of games unavailable on other Android devices.
Spec: 9.4” TFT LCD 1280x800 | 598-625g. | 1GHz dual-core processor | 16GB, 32GB | 1GB RAM | Android 3.1-3.2 Honeycomb
Price: $668-798 from Sony Store.

ASUS EEE Slate B121

Most tablets try to avoid head-on competition with the iPad by boasting smaller, more portable 7” screens. Not the Asus, whose 12.1” LED backlit display and 178 degree viewing angle make for a more pleasant outdoor read. This one’s a powerful business tool too—you can fix it up with an external display in seconds via mini HDMI and it also supports Adobe Flash 10.3, so chances of you getting an error message while trying to present a cleverly embedded video is close to zilch. The one-year unlimited ASUS Web Storage is also pretty nifty for working in the “cloud”. It’s a hefty load but offers impressive storage space.
Spec: 12.1” LED-backlit WXGA screen | 1.16kg | 1.33 GHz dual-core processor |64GB SSD | 4GB RAM | Windows 7 Professional
Price: $1,699 from Best Denki

Amazon Kindle Fire

It’s been a tough few months for Apple with Steve Jobs dying and the iPhone 4S disappointment. The Kindle Fire also came out, with a color multi-touch, anti-reflective screen that’s a far-cry from the black and white Kindles of yore. Apart from the low price, the Amazon store is the big draw.
Spec: 7” IPS 1024x600 | 413g. | 1GHz dual-core processor | 8GB | 512MB RAM
Price: US$199, from Amazon.com

!Women Art Revolution • (USA) Drawing from more than 400 hours of footage, director Lynn Hershmann-Leeson celebrates, critiques and charts the evolving presence of women in art over the last 40 years. November 25

Feet Unbound • (Singapore) A journalist from Beijing follows the route of the Red Army’s Long March, telling the tales of the women soldiers who lived through it and viewing it from the perspective of a modern Chinese woman. December 2

Koundi and the National Thursday • (Cameroon) A village in Cameroon, which produces timber, decides to move into farming cocoa. Every Thursday, they meet to work on the cocoa field together. December 3

Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles • (Belgium) In this 1975 film, widely regarded as a landmark among feminist film theorists, we follow the daily routine of a widow as she cooks, cleans, takes care of her son and prostitutes herself. December 10

The Beaches of Agnes • (France) The only female director of the French New Wave movement, Agnès Varda, tells her own life story. December 16

Attenberg • (Greece) A young woman confused by intimacy tends to her terminally ill father while learning more about sex from her more experienced best friend in this quirky coming-of-age film. December 17

All screenings for Women in Film are at 7:30pm, Moving Image Gallery.

With many hotels now offering special packages for local guests, and with the hectic Christmas season now firmly upon us, it’s the perfect time to pack an overnight bag and check into a home not so far away from home for some serious battery recharging. Here are some of our top picks:

The Fullerton Hotel

The “December Specials” package valid through December 30 costs $298 per night in a Courtyard room including a $88 dining credit and river boat ride.

Mandarin Oriental, Singapore

The “Spa Escape” package is $1,300 for two nights, valid though March 30, 2012.

Marina Mandarin Singapore by Meritus

The “Healthy Indulgence” package costs $498, valid Fri-Sun & eve of/public holidays through December 30.

The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore

The “12 Joys of Christmas” package starts from $400 for one night in a Deluxe Room through December 30, and includes breakfast for two adults and two kids, upgrade subject to availability, discounts at Millenia Walk and the chance to win a return stay.

Shangri-La Hotel

Their “Weekend Escapade” package available through December 31 starts from $370 for a Deluxe Room in the Tower Wing for Friday-Saturday check-in, with check-out on Monday.

The Quincy Hotel

The “Qool Weekend” package, including yoga/foot reflexology, baking classes, a movie night, a bottle of red wine and a late check-out time of 3pm, costs $328 per night and is valid till January 1.

The Scarlet

Two staycationer packages—”Come Away With Me” ($258) and “Suite Attraction” ($550-950), valid Friday-Sunday and eves of public holidays except Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Wanderlust

“Whimsical Weekday Promo” is available Sunday-Thursday at $298 or Friday-Saturday at $388.

M Hotel

The “Weekender’s Escapade” gets you 20 percent off rates, so you only pay $168 for Superior or $192 for Deluxe rooms; valid Friday-Sunday & eve of/public holidays through February 5.

Pan Pacific Singapore

The “Weekend Getaway” offer starts from $205 and gets you 18 percent off the best available rate for a two night stay with a Friday or Saturday check-in.

Capella Singapore

No specific staycation package, but a Premier Garden room (the cheapest) starts from $509 for a Friday night in December. Somewhat more extravagant is their “Christmas Treasures Hamper” package ($15,000), which includes a night in the Colonial Manor, a yacht cruise, dinner for 10 and a $5000 donation to charity. To inquire call 6591-5036 or email [email protected].

Four Seasons Hotel Singapore

Available through December 31 are the “Spa Package” (from $928 for two nights) and “Weekend Package” (from $398 per night for two).

The Fullerton Bay Hotel

The “December Specials” deal, valid through December 30 (except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), costs $398 a night for a Deluxe Room and includes a river boat ride and $68 dining credit.

Hotel Fort Canning

Available through December, the “Bubblelicious” package, which comes with a bottle of Champagne and a rose petal bath, is available from $348.

Pan Pacific Orchard

The “Superstyle” staycation (from $428) includes a night’s stay in a Pacific Club room plus a Shopping Survival Kit by HannaLB.

Snapper

Calling itself Bangkok’s first Kiwi restaurant, Snapper is a casual restaurant on the bustling Sukhumvit Soi 11 scene, with a nautical vibe and an emphasis on sustainably-caught fish. You get to choose from several New Zealand cold water species like the fleshy and strongly-flavored tarakihi (B170) or the slightly milder southern kingfish (B170). We love the light batter they use (a secret recipe, we’re told) that crisps up very nicely during their very professional deep-fry job. Chips come separate, though. There’s also a short and sweet wine list comprised of stuff from New Zealand and Australia ranging from B1,300-1,800. See our Q&A with the owner on this page.
1/22 Sukhumvit Soi 11, 02-651-1098. Open Tue-Sun 5pm-midnight

Offshore Fish & Chips

Offshore is not a spot for fine dining but if you want good quality, authentic, take away fish and chips, this eatery delivers on both taste and price. Like its counterparts in England’s residential neighborhoods, it’s a touch trashy and stands or falls by the quality of its batter (everything is deep fried). And just how is the batter? A little bit floury but never overly greasy and certainly flavorful. Choose from the traditional, beautifully moist cod (B225) or the cheaper red snapper (B165) or dory (B155). A good alternative is the fish and bits, with large chunks of tender deep fried fish (B165).
7/8 Sukhumvit Soi 23, 02-661-7830. Open daily 11am-2am

Fat Gutz Saloon

Ashley Sutton of burger joint Iron Fairies followed up with this vintage-style bar offering fish and chips as well as a selection of stiff cocktails and a decent wine list. This oblong anglophile hole-in-the-wall actually reminds us more of a 1920s New Orleans watering hole with its dark exterior and matching vintage wood furniture and, most recently, the removal of the dark window panes that enclosed it. For the dish, their fish isn’t particularly fancy but it is a fresh catch of the day, and the batter, while a touch more greasy than others, has a great, breaded texture. And for B230, you get two decent filets, a super garlicky aioli a lot of fries that go great with their creative cocktails (B285). Coupled with live blues after 9pm, it’s a very good deal.
1/F Grass Complex, Thonglor Soi 12, 02-714-9832. Open daily 6pm-2am

Kuppa

This spacious restaurant is a great spot to lounge and relax. Think comfy couches, cool, polished cement and floor-to-ceiling windows bathing everything in natural light. Kuppa is better-known as a lunch venue and for its desserts. Even though their menu has changed very little over the years, their fish and chips (B420) is consistent and is a dish you can count on. It comes with a crisp batter, served on a wood platter with some excellent tartar sauce.
39 Sukhumvit Soi 16, 02-663-0450. Open daily 10am-11:30pm

Sam’s Fish & Chips

This slightly odd eatery feels like popping around to your slightly eccentric uncle’s house for dinner, so don’t expect much privacy while eating and perhaps even a table visit from the man himself. You won’t care either way, though, because Sam’s fish and chips (B129) are some of the best in Bangkok. With a choice of John Dory or tilapia, you get two generous fillets of breadcrumb-coated fresh fish. Unlike many places, the breadcrumb batter here is wonderfully light and crunchy and the fish moist and meaty without ever being greasy. Sam, who does all the cooking himself, clearly uses good quality oil.
146 Convent Rd., 02-234-7335. Open Mon-Sat 5:30pm-10pm

1.) Infused with shea butter, vitamin E and walnut powder, the Shea Butter Foot Scrub from Donna Chang claims to get rid of old rough skin in a quick three-minute scrub. B540.
2.) The H2O+ Pumice Foot Scrub contains micro-refined pumice sand and moisture-rich marine botanicals that work to rehydrate your skin after scrubbing away at the dead stuff. B780.
3.) Burt’s Bees Honey & Shea Sugar Scrub isn’t just meant for your feet; it’s a luxurious all-body scrub, especially if you have sensitive skin that can’t handle intense exfoliating ingredients. B1,150
4.) If you’re on a budget and also prefer online shopping, try Oriflame’s Feet Up Exfoliating Foot Scrub which contains almond shell grain, as well as natural extracts of salvia and almond oils. B229.
5.) Peppermint Cooling Pumice Foot Scrub from The Body Shop, B450. Suited to all skin types, this intense exfoliating gel-based scrub is made with volcanic rock and contains peppermint cooling oil.

Essentials

Burt’s Bees. 1/F, Central Chidlom, 083-300-2554. www.burtsbees.co.th
Donna Chang. 1/F, Atrium Zone, CentralWorld, 02-640-7000. www.donna-chang.com
H2O+. 2/F, Siam Center, 02-658-1706. www.h2oplus.com
Oriflame. 02-715-1100. www.oriflame.co.th
The Body Shop. 2/F, Central Ladprao, 02-541-1727. www.thebodyshop.co.th
 

Start Your Engines: Although this is a tuning shop specializing in wrapping exotic cars in vinyl, they really are a “society.” Their slogan, “exclusive wrapping and entertainment” hints to the close knit relationships of all the customers and shop employees. For starters, the shop might feel more like a nightclub than a tuning garage, with its neon lights and a fully operational bar, but behind the scenes, cars get wrapped in a clean room so not one speck of dirt touches the vehicle. After-sales service comes in the form of track days and car themed parties. Wrap Society even threw a major party at Demo. On the driving side, they’ve rented out Khao Yai’s Bonanza track for the societies’ members.

Pit-stop: The company is owned by a young, entrepreneurial ABAC student who is always up on the latest trends and consistently coming up with new, fresh ideas. His shop really strikes a chord with the hip crowd, and many of the super cars you’ll see lining Soi Thong Lor have been through Wrap Society’s doors. You dont have to get your car wrapped to hangout here either; events are open to anyone with a love of all things 4-wheeled. Wrapping a smaller sized car starts out at B30,000 but can go over B50,000 depending on size and material quality—compared to a full paint job, it’s still quite a bargain. The shop also can import body modifications, exhausts, or any tuning product. In the near future, they will launch a service that restores vintage automobiles as well.

Final Lap: Hanging out with Wrap Society means access to a large network of rich Thong Lor-going kids who are as much about style as they are about driving.
New Branch: Bangkok Square, Rama 3 Rd. 081-711-9797. Flagship Branch: Rama 2, Soi 18. 08-194-7777, 02-877-2254

Eat

Sabeinglae

438/82 Moo 1, Maret, 077-233-082, 081-538-7045. Open daily 10am-10pm. www.sabeinglae.9nha.com
Sabeinglae offers a long list of authentic local dishes like gaeng kua hed lhoob (mushroom curry), wai kua (squid simmered in coconut milk), and gang som pla grabog yod mapraw (sour curry with fish and young coconut). Also try the fresh oysters with deep-fried garlic (B40 each). The kluay buad shi (bananas in sweet coconut milk) can’t be missed for dessert. Unlike other seafood restaurants in Samui, the bill is affordable and might come in under B1,000 for two.

Janhom

7/3 Bang Por Beach, 077-236-458. Open daily 10am-10pm
If you want authentic, then test your tongue with Janhom’s fiery Southern dishes like the nam prik goong sod (vegetables with shrimp relish, B120) and wipe your tears away with the kua gling moo (stir fried pork with spicy herbs, B150) at this popular no-frills eatery.

Kanomjeen Pa Maitree

217/2, Maenam Beach Soi 4, 077-247-075. Open daily 8:30am-3:30pm
A not-to-be-missed spot for its local food. Situated close to Maenam Intersection, Kanomjeen Pa Maitree offers various soups from nam ya (coconut soups) to green curry, or gaeng tai pla (a spicy Southern soup) to eat with rice noodles. Prices start from just B30.

Namcha

Fisherman’s Village, Bophut Beach, 077-427-115. Open daily 9:30am-1 pm. www.namchasamui.com
Run by a Filipino family with a tea obsession, this teahouse sits just at the entrance of Fisherman’s Village and is one of the most charming buildings in the area. Like almost everywhere in Samui, the place offers an open-air vibe, but here there are four sections with Japanese, Chinese, African, and English tea room styles. Their offerings range from English breakfast and Jasmine, to chai tea imported from around the world. Prices start at B120 per pot.

Le Salon de Ti / Zazen Restaurant

Zazen Boutique Hotel and Spa, 177 Moo 1, Bophut, 077-425-085, www.samuizazen.com
Created by couple Alex and Ti, Le Salon de Ti serves desserts, cocktails and 23 kinds of Dilmah tea, served hot or cold. The open-air space on the 2/F of the teak building is decked out in vintage-style French furniture and is perfect for afternoon high tea (from B590 for two people). Downstairs, Zazen Restaurant is a casual oceanfront joint serving tapas and Thai cuisine by day, after which it turns into a candlelit, intimate outlet for French Executive Chef Cyrille Keyser’s fine Mediterranean cuisine. Zazen also has the only underground wine cellar on the island—it’s blissfully cool.

Drink

9 Gems

141/190 Moo 6, Bophut, 077-256-125, 080-692-0520. Open Tue-Thu 4pm-midnight, Fri-Sun 4pm-2am. www.9gemssamui.com
Hidden away on one of the island’s many hilltops, 9 Gems combines fine dining with breathtaking views of Pru Chaweng (Chaweng Lagoon) and Chaweng town center below. The menu offers fusion food, tapas, desserts, cocktails and bubbly. Request to be seated on one of their beds on the rooftop to enjoy the 360-degree view. Settling yourself in just before sunset is highly recommended.

Green Mango & Sweet Soul

Soi Green Mango, Chaweng Beach Rd. Open daily 9pm till late. www.thegreenmangoclub.com
This has long been one of the most popular nightclubs in Samui. With a gigantic open-air space that contains several bars, pool tables, and huge dance floors, all you need is a plastic bucket of Sangsom mixed with Red Bull and some straws. To warm up, stop by at Sweet Soul, the sister club of Green Mango (located right in front).

Sound Club

Soi Green Mango, Chaweng Beach Rd., Open daily 11pm-6am. www.soundclubsamui.com
Sound Club has both open-air and indoor spaces, and the DJs are usually the same ones who do the Full Moon parties on nearby Koh Pha Ngan.

TOP SUNDAY BRUNCHES

Beach Republic

Elegant and sexy with its red hot decor, Beach Republic boasts two infinity pools, regular DJs and live performances. The Ultimate Sunday Brunch Club features a buffet offering myriad international options like meat carving stations, seafood, Thai dishes, sushi, cold cuts, and crepes suzette. Outside those hours, entry into the club for outside guests is B500, but that does turn into F&B credits. There are also 39 rooms available from B3,900 per night.
176/34 Moo 4, Maret, 077-458-100. Sunday brunch B1,400, 11:30am-3:30pm. www.beachrepublic.com

Nikki Beach

Laze on their throw pillows, daybeds, plush champagne beds and Nikki’s signature teepees. The highlight of the week is the “Amazing Sunday Brunch,” offering over 40 dishes including seafood, sushi, meat carvings, and desserts. The brunch includes one free mimosa or bellini. Annual membership (approximately B7,500) gets you entry into the club for a year, but won’t include special events like Sunday brunch. Private bungalows available, starting from B4,600.
96/3 Moo 2, Lipa Noi, 077-914-500. Sunday brunch B950, 11am-4pm. www.nikkibeach.com

Going somewhere else? Check out Thailand's Best Restaurants and Bars.

1. Anna Maya

This cute cafe on Taojiang Lu serves a great selection of vegetarian and vegan food in a retro setting. 

2. Kush

The newest kid on the block, Kush is a tiny space with a strong sustainable focus, serving tasty Western and Asian dishes.

3. Godly Vegetarian

If you're a veggie in denial, feast on Godly's meat-free versions of regular dishes. This is one of the most enduringly popular vegetarian restaurants in Shanghai.

4. Vegetarian Lifestyle

Famous around town for its "fake meat" substitutes, this is the place to take reluctant non-veggie friends.

5. New Age Veggie

Another haven for meat substitutes, New Age sounds all zen and floaty, but it's actually a no-nonsense, no frills restaurant with decent, well-priced vegetarian food. 

More vegetarian restaurants in Shanghai

Absinthe Artisan

To the uninitiated, it takes some time finding (it’s towards the Elgin Bridge end of Boat Quay, above a convenience store), but it’s well worth the effort. The joint’s leather seats, chandeliers and old school French music, make it the kind of place you’d imagine the wormwood was always drank in. Individual glasses (served traditionally with water drip and sugar cube) and cocktails cost $18-22, and they also have a cocktail flight ($75 for four drinks) which includes a fruit-based concoction, an absinthe martini garnished with bak kwa (which, trust us, actually works) and absinthe coffee.

Se7en1nch

Absinthe is what makes Se7en1nch stand out, and it claims to be the only bar in Singapore to specialize in Green Fairy cocktails. Flaming Suicide ($38) for example is like the famed (or rather flamed) Lamborghini, except the Suicide’s alcoholic rush hits you more like a rocket. Made from tequila and black absinthe (which has an 85% alcohol volume), it is drunk while flaming sambuca is poured into your glass.

Auld Alliance

Most folks are under the impression that this most alluring old world joint decked in dark timber and distinguished leather couches is a haven for whisky connoisseurs. But the menu which is as thick as an Oscar Wilde novel does have a special page devoted to thirty different absinthes($16-29) from Europe. There are no cocktails here but individual glasses served complete with traditional brouilleur (glass dripper). Our favorites include the herbaceous La Coquette($20) and the brilliant emerald glow and distinct flavor of Edouard ($29).